A/N: A Don-centric story…because I can't write geek as well as I write LEO (law enforcement officers) fluff and Don just does it for me (I'd write about his eyes, but really, it's just the manliness and the tenderness all wrapped into one very handsome package). I do not, however know psychology aside from what I've learned on "Criminal Minds" and other TV shows (ha ha) so if that stuff is off, I am sorry, but it sounded really good as I typed it.
Hmm, are there any spoilers? I don't think so. No infringement is intended, but I haven't hit the lotto yet so you'll get nothing if you sue me anyway. Charlotte Stegmann (and her not yet created family) does belong to me so please ask to arrange play dates. Rated M because I am, and Don and Charlotte haven't quite told me how descriptive they want me to be yet. Other than that…enjoy!
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It was a hot summer day in Los Angeles as Charlotte Stegmann walked up to the once familiar house. The last time she'd walked up the front stairs it had been three years ago and it hadn't been for a pleasant experience. Now, there was a smile on her face since she was eager to see her old friend. She traveled so much with her job that seeing friends was an unusual and uplifting experience and she'd known Charlie Eppes since college, though they'd drifted over the past few years due to her travel.
"Hey Charlie!" Alan Eppes smiled as he invited the young woman into the house after hugging her. "How was your flight?"
"It was a flight." Charlotte laughed. "It is so good to see you, Alan. How have you been?"
He ushered her into the sitting room. "I've been good. Sold the house to Charlie and I am now living rent free for the first time in my adult life." He laughed. "What about you?"
"Yeah, Charlie told me something about him buying the house from you. I wasn't quite sure what he was talking about, but it's good to know that he and Don are taking care of you now."
"Well, I don't know about that, but it's good to have both of them around again. Don't worry about me, Charlie. I'm sure you have more important people's heads to shrink." The older man smiled just as the front door opened again. "Hey Charlie, look who stopped by."
Charlotte smiled and quickly hugged her friend. It was so good to see him again. It was so good to see anyone she knew. She spent so much time on the road tending to strangers that to actually see a friend was comforting. "Hi there."
"Hey. I didn't expect you for another hour." Charlie gladly sat down next to his old friend. "How long have you been here?"
"I was able to catch an earlier flight." She smiled softly. It was so relaxing to spend time with him and the next hour seemed like it was only a minute, and that minute seemed to last all night.
"Why don't you let me buy you dinner?" Charlie stood up realizing just how long they'd been catching up.
"No, I really can't. I have to prepare for tomorrow, but I will take a rain check." She smiled and stood up.
"Well, if I can't buy you dinner then at least let me make you dinner." The last thing he wanted was to see her go so soon. It felt as though she'd only just gotten there and he certainly hadn't seen her in person for at least two years.
"That I might take you up on." Charlotte smiled again. "It's been a very long time since I've had a good home cooked meal. Eating in restaurants just isn't the specialty it was when we were kids."
About an hour later, as they sat in the dining room sharing coffee and more conversation, the front door opened again. "Hey Don, you remember Charlie, right?" Alan Eppes gestured to Charlotte.
"Of course, I remember Charlie. He's been my brother for all but five years of my life." Don Eppes eyed his father suspiciously. Was the old man losing it? How could he not remember his brother, especially since they were working a case together?
"Not that Charlie, Don."
"Charlotte Stegmann, Don. It's good to see you again." She stood up, politely silencing the older Eppes.
Suddenly, a spark of recognition hit him. She sure had grown up since the last time they'd met. "Charlie! Of course, please forgive me. It's been awhile." He hugged her with a smile. "How have you been?"
"Good, thank you. How about you?" The laugh caught in her throat, though she really wanted to howl. The look on the older Eppes brother was priceless. Don Eppes hadn't remembered her being at his mother's funeral, with good reason, she admitted, but he looked as if he was still remembering her as the pimple-faced teenager from Charlie's dorm. "I'm guessing your brother didn't tell you I was coming in."
"He must have and I just forgot it. Work has that effect on me." He smiled again as he drank her all in. "So, how long are you here for?"
"My contract stipulates six weeks, but I'm thinking I'm here for the semester." There was a look of confusion in his eyes again as they sat down at the table again. "OK, I guess both your father and your brother have kept you in the dark. Either that or the FBI has." She laughed. "I'm a psychiatrist specializing in family counseling for families who have gifted children. The schools help the student to adjust academically, but they fall short in making sure the families do emotionally."
"A position you are uniquely qualified for." The look of confusion was replaced by a smile. "So, which school are you at for the fall semester?"
"She's at UCLA." Charlie jumped in, not wanting his big brother to take over his conversation.
"Yep, there's a new twelve year old who thinks she can play with the big boys. I'm sure she's got the mind for it, I've seen her portfolio, but I think this might be too big an environment for her."
"What is she studying?" Don asked.
Charlotte just smiled. "I've already told you too much. I'm not even technically allowed to confirm or deny that she's my patient."
"But is she really your patient or is it just her parents?" It was Alan's turn to jump into the conversation, but Charlotte just sat back and smiled again. "Pesky thing that Doctor-Patient Confidentiality." They shared a laugh and it seemed to break the tension that had built up. It was rare to see his two sons compete over a woman, though it shouldn't have surprised him since they seemed to compete over everything else. What surprised him the most was the fact that Charlie had come right out and said that he had no interest in Charlotte. Was it just the fact that he saw Don flirting with her that now suddenly he wanted her? Alan wasn't sure, but he figured he was close.
Charlotte noticed the competition as well and decided to make her exit. She and Charlie had never had any interest for each other outside of friendship, but suddenly he was fighting for her simply because his brother was not so subtly flirting with her. If she remembered correctly, Don Eppes flirted with everything in a skirt without even knowing he was doing it. With his ravishing good looks, it came easy and it was hard for any woman to say no, but there was always a first time. "Alan, Charlie, thank you for dinner, but I really should be getting back to my hotel." As she arose, so did all three of the Eppes men. She had to remember that they were all gentlemen. "Don, it was good to see you again."
"Same here." He hugged her again as all three of them walked her to the door.
"Are you comfortable getting back to your hotel in the dark?" Alan asked.
"A few refresher directions wouldn't hurt." She smiled, grateful to have at least one father left on earth.
"I'm headed back to the office anyway, so why don't you just follow me?" Don volunteered; completely unaware of the glare he was getting from his brother.
"You're headed out so soon?" Alan looked over at his eldest son.
"Yeah, I just stopped by to grab Charlie. Eppes, not Stegmann." He grinned at Charlotte who just shook her head. "I need him for this case we're working."
"The equation isn't working? Or are there more variables?" Charlie asked, his minor tiff forgotten for the moment.
"More variables." It was Don's turn to be evasive. "So, what hotel are you staying at?" He looked back at the gorgeous brunette.
"I'm at the Courtyard off of West Olympic."
"Oh, that's easy. Just follow me and I'll take you there." She took him up on his offer with another one of her beautiful and amazing smiles that caused her bright blue eyes to sparkle.
"Do you always have to do that?" Charlie asked once they were in the car.
"Do what?"
"Flirt with every woman who steps into our house."
"I was not flirting, Charlie. I was merely being polite. The girl is new in town and I don't want to hear that anything bad happened to her." He looked over just in time to see his brother roll his eyes and turn towards the window.
Charlotte grinned as she followed the big black SUV to her hotel. She could only imagine the conversation that was taking place ahead of her. There was a look of both jealousy and distain on the face of Charlie when they left, though she couldn't understand it, but she figured she never would. She and her sister never really saw eye to eye on anything, much less men, so there were never competitions like the one she had witnessed inside the familiar Eppes house.
"I thank you very much for the escort." Charlotte laughed slightly as she approached Don.
"Anytime. And if you need someone to show you around L.A. a little in your spare time, just give me a call." He handed her his business card before he hugged her. "I know how hard it is to be in a foreign city and not know anyone." This time he was being serious. He'd moved around enough with the FBI to know first hand what she was feeling. There was only so much work that could be done before the loneliness and restlessness set in.
"Thank you, Don. I appreciate that." There was a sudden urge to touch his face, but she fought it and simply kissed his cheek before saying her goodbyes to Charlie.
