I DO NOT OWN NUMB3RS.

This story is adult themed, with n/c. PLEASE do not read if you're not into slash, or the mentioned warnings.

RESPOND! I live off that stuff. Do you want to hear more from me? Should i just shut it and never write again?

crossposted at and numb3rsslash

Charlie sat at the picnic table, enjoying the sun on his back as he graded his math for non mathematicians class. He scribbled in red ink, writing encouraging words in the margins of the papers. He sighed and sipped his drink, before he realized that it was empty. "Here, have some of my water." A familiar voice said.

Charlie looked up and blinked back his surprise. He took the water and raised an eyebrow, "Agent Edgerton, what brings you to this part of town..." Charlie's face paled, "It's not another sniper is it? Don hasn't said a thing."

Edgerton smiled, "Course he wouldn't. He knows you hate me, so why would he tell you I was here."

"I don't hate you, Agent Edgerton." Charlie said, setting down his things.

"Immaterial. You've got the right to dislike me. I don't agree with your reasons, but you have that right. Besides, there is not another sniper in town besides myself. I'm here on as a special instructor for the LAPD. I thought that while I was in town, I might as well drop in." Edgerton removed his sunglasses and wiped his eyes.

He ended up sitting opposite Charlie, looking out at the students. Charlie noted his predatorial glare. Charlie sighed, "So you instruct snipers here in LA. What brings you to my little corner of the universe?"

Edgerton shrugged, "I wanted to grab some of your equations to use in my courses. I also wanted to offer my beginner's course to you."

Charlie laughed out loud, "No no no... shooting that gun once was enough. It's out of my system."

Edgerton smiled and leaned forward, close to Charlie, "I think we both know that is just not true."

Charlie shifted uncomfortably, "Well, um... I'm not very good, and I agree with you, the adrenaline was great, but I could do the same from my office, watching tv."

Edgerton laughed, "TV isn't everything, Dr. Eppes."

"Charlie."

Edgerton smiled and nodded, taking his water bottle back and sipping from it, "As long as you call me Thomas." Edgerton grinned, "Charlie."

Charlie nodded, taking in Thomas Edgerton's presence. He seemed relaxed, but focused. Charlie was beginning to feel inadequate, and self conscious. Charlie crossed his arms, as if non verbally defending himself. "well then, Thomas, I could get you some equations, but what would you like the focus to be? Like the Sniper Zero case? Do you have any data for me?"

"You can come to my advanced class and observe. I'll have all the information then." Thomas looked into Charlie's face again, and Charlie felt exposed. Thomas continued, "I'd like you to think about thebeginner's course. Your brother Don told me that you did decently on your first time with a gun. It is no different then what your brother does every day, and frankly, there is nothing more thrilling then the feeling of something as powerful as a gun."

Charlie shivered and bit his lip. Edgerton laughed, "You look so innocent sitting there. I know Charlie, that deep inside you, you want that kind of power and control. The worst thing a person can do is deny themselves that right."

"I don't think you understand. I just don't like the idea of killing." Charlie said.

"Nor did I say you'd be running any sprees throughout town. We shoot targets or clay pidgeons." Edgerton brought his hand over Charlie's and squeezed a business card into it. "Call me."

Charlie's jaw opened slightly and his eyes flew to their contact. Thomas Edgerton's hand was still on his. Thomas laughed and stood up, "always a pleasure, Charlie."

Charlie's hand gripped the business card as he watched the Agent walk away. At that moment, Larry walked towards Charlie and sat down, "Who was that? What does he think wearing a leather jacket in this heat?"

Charlie swallowed hard and looked at the business card. Was Edgerton hitting on him? Charlie whispered out, "He looks good in leather."

Larry raised his eyebrows, "Charlie... I had no idea. Not that it matters but, wow... you think you know someone."

Charlie blinked and turned to Larry. "what? oh... ah.. yeah. I mean, I don't know. I'm not sure. Was he hitting on me? You weren't there. You wouldn't know."

Charlie turned the card over to see that the alusive agent had written 'bang bang' on the back. A smile twitched at the corner of Charlie's mouth. Larry was babbling now about physics or chemistry, Charlie wasn't really paying attention. Charlie turned to Larry and said, "I'm sorry Larry, I gotta go. I have a class to go to."

Charlie stood up and walked away, the card still clutched in his hand. Edgerton had a way of sweeping into town, and sweeping everything with him. Charlie pursed his lips. What was the harm in one class? He had enjoyed the shooting range before with Don, who didn't really want to teach him any how. Charlie bit his lip. Don would be very angry at Charlie for going to a sniper class. Charlie walked into his classroom and looked at the class. He paused at the chalkboard and then turned, facing the bored students. Charlie rolled on his feet and said, "Class. Today... you're going to hand in the homework and then go out and enjoy the day. Dismissed."

The class looked at him momentarily with bug eyes and then excitedly rushed out of the classroom. Charlie picked up his cellphone and called thomas. Edgerton picked up immediately, "Well that didn't take long."

"You have one hour in a shooting range to convince me." Charlie said.

"My, aren't we ever the eager student."

"One hour, thomas, to convince me that what you choose to do for a living isn't psychotic." Charlie explained, unable to contain a small smile.

"Game on." Thomas said, "I'm looking forward to it. Do you need a ride?"

Charlie shrugged, "I'm sure i can bike to it."

Edgerton laughed, "I'll be there in five minutes. We're going out to the country."