A/N: My first time posting a chapter story. I know the first chapter's a little short, sorry. The result of insomnia a couple nights ago, this is just the first chance I've had to get it down. Tell me what you honestly think!

DISCLAIMER: If I were rich, I would buy all the rights to Numb3rs and all the characters found therein. But I'm not, so I won't, so don't depress me by asking if I own them.

RATING: It will most likely turn into PG-13

Permission to Archive: Sure, why not--just make sure you credit me.

OBSESSION: Chapter 1

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Richard Mueller smiled. What a great picture! Two boys playing in the front yard. He'd captured a Kodak moment of the older boy showing the young one how to hold the football. The mother and father watched approvingly from the front door. One big happy family. His family. He put the camera down in the passenger's seat, slid on his shades and drove off.

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Don hated paperwork. Seriously, I mean, how could a case that took only two days to close generate so much paperwork? He sighed and rubbed a hand tiredly across his face. He needed more coffee. He got up to refill his cup for the fourth time and happened to glance at the clock on his way into the break room. 7 o'clock? Already? He groaned. Great. He'd promised to be at dad's--no...Charlie's place for supper tonight at 7:30. He thought of the paperwork piled on his desk. Then he pictured the ribeye his father had promised. He sighed. He should probably call his dad and cancel.

On cue, his stomach growled loudly. "Dinner it is," he said to himself, none too cheerily. Instead of filling his cup, he set it in the sink and grabbed his jacket. "David, Megan, Colby," he said over his shoulder--already halfway to the elevators. "Dad's making ribeyes, wanna come?" Three earlier lethargic agents suddenly sprang to life, grabbing belongings and practically racing to catch up with Don.

Alan was happy to see the four agents walking up the drive. They looked tired, but they were still laughing and joking with each other, and the worry lines were quickly being chased away with grins and laughter. He opened the door and welcomed his son and the rest of the team into the house, then looked out the doorway for a moment. Laughter drifted out of the kitchen and dining room and into the crisp evening air. Alan smiled as he shut the door and locked it securely. All was right with the world.

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"Good," Richard murmured sadistically. "Everyone's home. Perfect."

TBC