Man in Need Chapter 1: Mission Accomplished, a numb3rs fanfic

A/N: I know, there are a lot of post Trust Metrics stories out here, but I couldn't help but writing this one. I might add a David/Colby reconciliation chapter if you ask for it. Before I forget it: Of course I don't own Numb3rs etc.

One last thing: This is slash, so if you don't like it, don't read it!

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Colby's nerves were on the edge. He knew his task was approaching its end. All was fine until now, his instincts warned him nonetheless, something just didn't seem right. He couldn't trust Dwayne if it came to the crunch, he had known that from the start. More than ever he realized he was alone in it. Anyway, he had gone that far, he had no choice but to play along. Anything else would blow his cover and probably get him killed… He inconspicuously drew in a few deep breaths forcing himself to stay focused. Without a clear head he wouldn't get through this. And he had to… for himself and for David. He owed him an apology and an explanation. Thinking of David made his heart grow heavier. More than once he had wished to be able to tell him about this undercover mission. Their close relationship had made that secret almost unbearable. When Colby had been exposed as "traitor" how much that must have hurt his friend! At the station he had been able to see the hurt which still burned in David's eyes…

Foolishly he had thought it would never get this far, he had always believed he could get this over with and then tell his team the truth… David had to have thought that he had only used him and pretended to love him, that he had fooled him… Could he ever make it up to him? Would he understand and – more important - forgive him? Could their love survive this? Colby's feelings for him were real, during those weeks in prison he had missed him terribly, had missed his presence, waking up next to him…

He had no answers and with all of his willpower he resolutely pushed those questions back. Soon he was going to meet the man who was behind all of this, his charade needed to be at its best now if he wanted to fool him. And that he needed to do that was out of question!

Now that they reached the Chinese freighter, Colby didn't have time for thoughts. It all happened so fast that he barely had time to register it. Before he knew it he was strapped in that chair and faced with the syringes. Despite that he remained quite calm, he could still get out… While bracing himself for the pain he probed the bonds of his wrists. Damned, they were too tight…. His only hope was that his team had trusted him and somehow figured out where they were. But chances for that were slim at best… He had been aware that he might be tortured and die during this task and had always said that it was okay if he lost his life, because he had experienced everything he had wished to. Now though being faced with it he felt an overwhelming urge to stay alive, to see his team again to tell them the truth, especially David.

The drug worked quicker than he had thought and he began to pant for precious air. He knew it would not kill him, that it was just meant to break him, to make him talk, but it was doing a damn good job at it. Barely conscious of his answers he focused on breathing, taking breath after breath. He would not tell him what he wanted to know, he was going to die anyway… Determined to keep his mouth shut he bore the pain. In his mind he begged his team to come before it was too late. He admitted he needed help now, that there was no way he would get out on his own. Another wave of pain hit him and it took him all of his strength to remain quiet.

He didn't feel the second injection, only the effects of the drug. He really believed he was going to die right now and it took him quite a while to register the sirens that could mean his escape – at least he hoped that. With horror he saw Lancer filling a syringe with potassium chloride, the one drug meant to kill… Step by step he approached him. Colby tried to push the chair back, to give his people a little more time. More than anyone else he knew it could depend on seconds if Lancer succeeded or not… But he was unable to move, he was only able to watch as the syringe pierced his chest.

"It's over…" Colby thought, but then he heard gunshots and saw Lancer falling to the ground. A moment later darkness consumed him.

All he could feel was pain – terrible pain. A moan escaped his throat, then he heard David's voice:

"It's okay, Colby, stay still. Paramedics are working on you."

That was enough to make him relax and he succumbed to darkness again, but not before thinking that his task was completed successfully.

A/N: Now, how did you like it? Please leave me a review and tell me if you want to see that reconciliation chapter. You can tell me ideas for that and I might add them!