Name: "Batman & Robin"

Author: Never_again_J

Genre: Gen

Characters: Colby Granger, David Sinclair, Megan Reeves, Don Eppes, Alan Eppes, Charlie Eppes, , Amita, Larry, OOCs

Rating: PG-13, R (some chapters, mainly for language)

Word Count : approximately 21,000 words for all chapters

Disclaimer : Not mine, never would be, never wanted them to be

Summary: Set after season 4 episode 1 "Trust Metrix". AU after that. It's a Colby Granger centric fic, exploring his relationship with David and Don (mostly) and with additional appearance of other characters. Colby takes the DC job, but before he is able to leave, an unexpected situation happens, putting him in danger again.

Notes: Written for Numb3rs Big Bang at LJ. Special thank you to my sister for her beta work, all the mistakes are my own. And a special thank you to mercilynn for her art and for being so cool.

Chapter 1

"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." Walter Winchell

"Today is going to be a long day" said special agent Megan Reeves locking her apartment door. She wasn't talking to anyone in particular, more like talking to herself – a habit she has developed over the last few years. She had a strong feeling that she caught it from professor Eppes. After all, some of these kinds of things were catchy.

Unfortunately, a couple of bad habits were the least of Megan's problems now. Things have been weird, to say the least, after she came back from her assignment at the DOJ. Maybe discovering that one of her best friends was in jail, then watching him escape and actually chasing him like he was some kind of a criminal had something to do with her constant headaches and a consistent lack of sleep.

Even after Colby was saved and all of the "bad guys" were locked away, after all of the questions were answered and all of the blanks were filled, agent Reeves still couldn't rest. Technically, Granger was no longer in danger; he was making a rapid recovery and was scheduled to be released on Friday. So when she woke up this morning, the first thing Megan did was look at the calendar – sure enough, the day has arrived. That's why Megan hurried up and skipped her morning run - she wanted to surprise her friend and pick him up, drive him home and maybe, if she was lucky – get him to talk. That last thing was highly unlikely, but yet worth the try.

Megan remembered the day she met agent Colby Granger for the first time. They started working for the team around the same time and she didn't really like him that much. He seemed cocky and arrogant, and she was pretty sure he won't make it with the bureau, let alone with Don Eppes who had a reputation to be a tough and smart team leader. But Megan's opinion changed pretty quickly after working a couple of days with Colby, because seriously – the man was good. Sure, he was a smart ass and his big mouth often got him into trouble, but he was also bright, loyal and actually really nice. Plus, he had a hell of a charisma, which drew people towards him. Colby Granger she knew was a good man. That's why Megan found it really hard to believe, when she first heard the news that he has been arrested for being a traitor.

But, all dark thoughts aside, everything was over now. Colby's good name was cleared, and even more –he gained himself quite a reputation. Now, it was time to forget everything and start over. Unfortunately, agent Reeves realized, it won't be that easy for the rest of the team to forgive and forget. Don of course, would have a hard time forgetting the event of these last months, but eventually he would do it, because he was wise and he tried not to put his emotions over the facts. David on the other hand was a completely different case. He was usually driven by his emotions and Megan feared that he won't be able to forget that easy. After all, Colby was HIS partner and his best friend; they shared something more than just a job, so it was going to be tough

Thinking about all that, Megan didn't realize that she had already reached the hospital, where her friend was staying. She went straight to Granger's room and was kind of surprised not to find him there. The panic and fear slowly started creeping inside her. Approaching the receptionist, she pulled out her ID and asked where agent Granger was transferred.

"I'm sorry, madam, but Mr. Granger was released already, half an hour ago" said Wendy, or so was written on her name tag.

"Released? Really? Oh don't tell me he checked himself out on his own?" Megan was quickly getting from worried to pissed. "I knew I should have come earlier! What was he thinking? He is in no condition to drive!"

"Lady, please calm down" Wendy asked tiredly. "Your friend wasn't alone, this man came for him and they left together."

"Man, what friend?"

"I don't know, an African American, early 30's, something like that… didn't get his first name though. Agent Granger kept calling him Skinner or Silvestre, or…"

"Maybe Sinclair?" – Megan asked hopefully.

"Yes, maybe it was Sinclair…Look lady, he was fine, really, now if you excuse me, I've got to go back to work!"Wendy was really tired, her shift was almost over and she was in no mood to deal with FBI agents.

"Yes yes, sure, thank you for the information, Wendy, have a nice day" Megan smiled and went back to her car. After all, the day started the best possible way. And she was wrong worrying about Colby and David so much. If David even came to pick Granger up from the hospital? They were going to be just fine. With that, she pulled out from the parking lot and headed to the office.

"Today is going to be a long day" thought special agent Don Eppes on his way to work. He got a call early in the morning, from the director himself, regarding the "Colby Granger is situation" as they were referring to it at the office. Everyone talked and the stories about what happened out there, in the ocean, were ridiculously different. Some told that Colby was taken hostage from the Chinese, others, that he was a willing participant and did whatever it takes to get out of jail. Don even heard a story about how Colby was the master mind behind a conspiracy, so big that even the JFK assassination seemed routine. What no one mentioned however, was the fact that Don and his team, risked their lives and jobs to save the life of a person, who they weren't even sure was in danger. Neither did anyone mention that Colby Granger gave his reputation and almost his life for a cause, only he knew about. So yes, it was going to be a long day.

The director called to ask him about his plans regarding agent Granger and his future with the Bureau. Well, to be precise, no - ask was not the right word here. Technically, he called to inform him about his decision regarding agent Granger's future with the Bureau, but he did have the decency to ask Don if he agreed. After all, Don was still Colby's boss. The director said that they wanted to transfer Granger to the DC office, so that he could work with other decorated agents, doing "important" things. "Like what we do isn't important at all", thought Don. The director believed that it was what agent Granger would like and what he deserved. What he didn't know was …well, was Colby. Don has spent a lot of time studying his agent to know, that attention was one of the things Granger hated the most. He got uncomfortable when someone thanked him or even wished him a happy birthday, let alone praised him with a medal refer to him as a hero. So Don got the feeling that's not what Colby would choose or want. But, this was not his decision to make.

Yet, he had other problems to deal with. And those problems were currently waiting for him at the office and had the name of David Sinclair, Colby's partner and Don's right hand, as someone has once put it. David was hurt, Don realized that. He has never seen him devastated and broken, as he was after the story about Colby came out. Everyone felt betrayed, sure, but David? David felt personally hurt, like he had lost not only a partner, but a brother too. Don guessed that he was kind of close to the truth.

So if Colby decided to stay it would be hard for David. On the other hand, if Colby decided to leave, it would be hard for David too. Maybe even harder, but once again, this was not his battle to win or his story to tell. He had enough trust in his agents and in their bond. And of course, he would be there for them, if they need him. His string of thoughts was interrupted by his cell phone, which kept ringing in his pocket. "Reeves" said the display and Don quickly picked up. He knew Megan was supposed to be with Colby right now, so he hoped nothing had happened.

"Yes Megan, I'm on my way to the office right now. What is it? Is he OK?"Don asked.

"Mm actually…I don't know" was her answer "I guess he is."

"You guess? What does this mean?" He was already worried "Weren't you at the hospital?"

"I was but he wasn't there…And before you say it, I have to inform you, that David came to pick him up" Don could swear she was smiling "Guess that's good news."

"Yeah, guess it is…So I see you at the office, right?"

"Sure, I'm on my way" was all that Megan said before hanging up.

Don smiled. So maybe he was wrong. And maybe the day won't be that bad after all.

"Today is going to be a long day" thought special agent David Sinclair, tiredly rubbing his eyes while lying in his bed, waiting for the alarm clock to go start beeping. Today was the day he feared the whole week. Colby was about to be released from the hospital, which meant that sooner or later they would have to talk. Maybe he should just go and do it now, because the faster he got his priorities straight, the better.

David didn't get the chance to sleep last night, because he was too preoccupied thinking about Granger and the whole spy situation. He was going over every memory and every piece of information he got, but he still couldn't see the whole picture. How was he so fooled? And should he feel fooled at all? He knew of course, that working undercover kind of goes with the job description, but he still refused to accept that the man he called his best friend, the man whom he trusted more than anyone else, was not who he seemed to be. David also knew, that in the end of the day, Colby still was a good man, even more - he as a better man that people gave him credit for, he was no traitor, he was more like a hero… Hero… Funny, he thought, a few months back, while they were on one of those long hours' stakeouts, he and Granger got in a "fight" about superheroes. David still didn't get it how Colby could think that Batman was more of a hero, than Superman. Because seriously? Superman can fly and is almost invincible. "Almost, but not entirely" he swore, he could hear Granger's voice in his head.

"Seriously man, how you could say that?" David asked. "Batman is human and mortal!"

"So being mortal is a bad thing?"Colby laughed."You know, there's nothing wrong with being mortal David. Pain is actually healthy. It reminds you of the fact that one day everything could be over and that no man is everlasting"

"Everlasting, huh? Did you read the dictionary this morning again?" David laughe.

"Bite me!" was the only comeback he got, but it was enough for them to fall into a comfortable silence again. Which of course didn't last as long as David hoped it would, because once Granger's mind was made about something, he felt the need to prove his point. "I'm just saying…Batman has all this cool stuff to use, and he has the Batmobile to use too"

"The Batmobile, really?" Now David was laughing so hard, he hoped that he won't screw their cover up. "The Batmobile? That's first on your pro list? Granger, man, you should first learn to drive before you are allowed anywhere near the Batmobile"

"Funny YOU of all people would say that…" Colby smiled.

"What was that supposed to mean?" But unfortunately David didn't get a chance to hear the answer, because the suspect they were currently following chose that particular moment to make his move.

Only about an hour later, when they were parked in front of yet another bar, David picked the conversation up again, like they've never dropped it. "And you know, that Superman technically can't die, right? Almost no one knows about the kryptonite, so his chances are much higher than Batman's, who is almost as mortal as you and me."

"And that's a good thing?" Colby asked "The kryptonite thing, I mean. "

"Yeah, why not?"

"Don't know, guess I'd prefer knowing that even a food poisoning can kill me, than having one weak spot and fear that someone could use it against me…just saying." Colby looked so thoughtful that David started wondering how their presumably fun conversation suddenly turned into a serious one.

"I guess so, maybe there's something right in what you are saying" he replied. "And, Batman had Robin."

"Yeah he did" Colby smiled "He sure did. Though I have to tell you, man, neither red nor yellow or green are your colors. "

Now, almost six months have passed since that conversation took place and David couldn't remember the case they were working on or how did it all end. What he did remember was Colby's smile and the sound of his laughter, filling the silence of the car. He also remembered that feeling, deep in his own gut, telling him that no matter how hard his life was sometimes, he always could depend on his partner.

David smiled bitterly and got out of bed. It was all over now. The real life was not a superhero comic book. One cannot skip the parts he didn't like or trust the golden rule that the good guys always win. This was just not how life was supposed to be.

In real life, there was pain and betrayal; there were lies and half truths, broken trust and broken promises.

Not liking where his thoughts were going, David turned on the TV and let the sound of the morning news fill the silence in his home. He looked at the clock on his wall and sighed. It was Granger who gave him that particular clock, after the third time David was late for a night out.

David sighed again. It was going to be a long day.

It was a busy morning, at the FBI headquarters in Los Angeles, California. Federal employees were running around the place, talking and arguing, phones were ringing, printers were printing, computers were buzzing… Just another day in paradise.

But all of these people stopped existing for agent Megan Reeves the moment she spotted David Sinclair, sitting at his desk, typing something.

"Hey, David! Didn't expect you here so soon!" Smiled Megan, clapping him on the shoulder and then she headed for the break room "I'm just going to grab myself a coffee and you're going to tell me all about it!"

"Huh…sure" was all what David managed to mumble before the female agent disappeared behind the glass doors. He stood up and followed Megan, but then he saw Don approaching him with a smile, almost equal to the one Megan was wearing a couple of seconds ago.

"David, you're hear already? That was quick!" Don said, greeting him "So, how did it go?"

"How did what go, Don?" David started getting frustrated "First Megan, now you…What you are talking about?"

"At the hospital this morning…?" His boss was looking genuinely perplexed

"At the hospital? What hospital?" David still couldn't understand what was happening "Was I supposed to go to a hospital? Man if I forgot, I'm sorry, I have been kind of preoccupied these days and I had stuff on my mind and…"

"Hold on! So you weren't at the hospital this morning, to pick up Colby?"

"…say what? Of course not!" Agent Sinclair was surprised, to say the least. "Why would you think that?"

"But…Megan said that…" Don looked at the female agent, who was approaching them, holding a cup of coffee and smiling. "Hey Megan, why did you tell me that David went to the hospital this morning?"

"Well, maybe because he did" Megan smiled, while the two male agents exchanged perplexed looks "Wait, didn't you?" She asked, and David just shook his head no. "But the lady at the hospital told me you did" she looked really disappointed.

"That I personally was there?" David's head was spinning now, he didn't know what was happening, but whatever it was, it made him feel really uncomfortable.

"Well yes…no…it's just that she described a man with your description and with a similar last name and I just assumed…" agent Reeves looked somewhat embarrassed

"You assumed that I'm the only man with that description and with a similar last name in the whole LA? Come on, Megan, you should know better than that. I have no job picking up Colby, I'm not sure if I want to see him again…ever" with that David stormed out of the office, leaving Don and Megan on their own, to try and solve the mystery of the morning. They both sat in silence for a couple of moments, before Don finally spoke

"So…would you tell me what just happened here, Megan?" He tried cautiously

"I…honestly don't know, Don." Megan tried "It's just that…Don't know, guess I wanted so much everything to be as before, I saw an opportunity and…well you know the rest. I was wrong, made wrong assumptions, based on insufficient amount of facts…"

"Ok, don't sweat it, guess it was too good to be true" Don sighed "If it makes you feel better, I wanted it to be true to. Guess we'll just have to deal with it the hard way."

"Which is what?" Asked Megan hopefully.

"Wait for Colby to come back to work and see what happens" Don said and started going through files, indicating this way that their conversation was over.

Megan sighed and went back to doing her job. It looked like something was about to happen, yet she had no idea what to expect. He just hoped they'd get their lives back together.

Later the same day, Don Eppes found himself as usual, at his brother's place, having a beer with Charlie and their dad. They didn't talk often about the fact that Don almost lived there again. He still argued that he had his own place and liked it that way, but technically he spent every second night at the house, even when Liz was in town, she stayed there with him. So, as usual Alan cooked for the three of them and they sat down, talking about what was going on in their lives.

"How was your day Donnie?" Asked his dad, worried for his eldest. "You look stressed…What's on your mind?"

"Let me guess" Charlie tried. It really didn't require being a genius to figure that out. "It's Colby right? No news from him?"

"Yes it's him and nope, no news" Don rubbed his eyes tiredly. "The whole mood at the office is stressed, and I know that it's my job to fix it, but I don't really know where to start and frankly I don't even know if I can change anything, not right now at least."

"How to start what?" Alan still didn't get it. "What can you do for the whole office? Don't you work under stressful circumstances all the time?"

"Guess we do, it's just that…Colby got an offer to be transferred to DC and I don't know how I feel about it." When he said this, Don suddenly remembered that he'd never passed the information to Colby, so technically, he didn't know about this opportunity.

"Plus, David is nervous and distracted, and Megan…well Megan is just being Megan" Don smiled.

"Wait, so Colby got a job offer and you don't want to let him go?" Charlie asked surprised "That's good news. I mean, I thought you didn't want him on the team anymore?"

"I do…I don't… I don't know" Don suddenly felt tired and overwhelmed by the weight on his shoulders "Seriously guys, I appreciate that you are trying to help, but, let's talk about something else, shall we? How's Amita, Chuck? Haven't seen her around recently"

As clueless as Charlie Eppes appeared sometimes, he still got the hint that the conversation was over. Right now what Don needed was a way to get his mind off his job.

"Fine… she's busy with her students; some of them are giving her a hard time…" Charlie laughed. "It's actually a funny story…" and he went on about something that happened at CalSci that afternoon.

Charlie was pretty sure Don wasn't paying attention, but that was OK. As long as his brother got some rest, Charlie was ready to talk the whole night.

Don closed his eyes and let his brother's ramblings lull him to sleep. Things were as far from OK, as they could possibly be, but at least he always had his family to turn to. Charlie and his dad were always there for him, even when he didn't want them to be. Right now, Colby Granger had no one.

"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist." Friedrich Nietzsche