The Darkest Time Of His Life

Tillery's Diner. Probably the most terrifying place to be, not so much before, but ever since that incident with Detective Jessica Angell, Don didn't even want to go near that diner. It would only give him flashbacks of that horrific day. Don had ignored everybody in his life, coworkers, friends, family. He isolated himself from society, staying in his apartment, sitting on the couch and staring at the drywall. Well one day, Mac called Don out of the blue. Don had picked up his phone and stared at the caller I.D. before answering it. "Mac, now's not a good time ok?" he said. Mac sighed on the other end of the phone. "Actually it is a good time right now, Don. Where the hell are u? You're on today are u not? Why is O'Reilly conducting the interview when your ass is supposed to be here?" Don opened another bottle of vodka and sat comfortably on the couch. "I just didn't feel like coming in, u got a problem with that? Deal with it." Don then hung up the phone and threw it on the coffee table, hoping no one else would bother him. Minutes later, he passed out on the couch and fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Don woke up and relieved himself in the bathroom, not referring to vomiting, he had to use the bathroom really badly. As he was doing that, he got a call from Mac. "Mac, if this isn't important, then I don't wanna hear it." he said, sighing. Mac sighed. "Don, we need to talk now, if you don't show up, I'm gonna suspend u indefinitely, I don't care what u say. Come to my office, we need to talk." Don flushed the toilet and sighed. "Fine, I'll be there in five minutes." he said, before hanging up the phone. What could Mac possibly talk to Don about? Only time would tell. Don slipped on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and walked to the crime lab. He shook his head and felt like this was a total waste of time. He approached Mac's office and opened the door. "I'm here, what's so important that you needed to talk to me, Mac?" he asked, closing the door behind him. Mac rocked back and forth in his chair. "Don, your behavior has been very, how do I put this, very unusual. And I know your behavior has had to do with Angell's death. You know you can talk to me, right? I'm always available, and my door is always open." he explained. Don nodded and took a seat on the couch. "Mac, I can't focus correctly, I try to do things to get my mind off Jess, but I always see her, in my bedroom, I walk by Tillery's Diner and I just get so mad. A part of me was stolen. I lost my best friend, Mac and I don't know if I'll ever get over her." he said. Mac nodded and offered Don a smile. "Everyone grieves differently Don, and I understand that. I just need to know that you can be counted on when you're needed at a crime scene, you're a damn good cop. You've helped us lock people away, the most dangerous criminals. Don't let the events of what happened to Angell stop you from doing your job." he said.

Don nodded. "You got it, Mac. I'll be in touch." he said, before heading out the door. Mac nodded and texted Stella. "Stella, found Don, he's fine. He's heading to the Precinct to alert aerial, K-9, and SWAT units about Hollis Eckhart."