Disclaimer: I don't own NUMB3RS, it's characters, or anything like that. I merely use them for my story. No copyright infringement is intended! I'm just someone who likes to write stories about my favorite tv shows and books, I do it for fun, not for money.

A/N: OK, I know it's been a while since I've written anything. That's not exactly true though, I have a few stories I'm working on, but I want to finish them before I upload, and I'm still working on my other stories, I just don't have the right mindset to work on them and get them right at the moment. So if you read my other stories, don't worry, I'm working on them and hopefully I can update them relatively soon. Work has just been consuming most of my time this summer. Anyway, I thought about finishing this one before I start uploading, but I decided I'd like to get some feedback on this one. Don't worry I'm already working on the next chapter. I just got this story idea in my head and started typing. Hope you guys like it, and I'd really appreciate some feedback to let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Chapter 1 - Look Who's Back

Don and Robin were laying on the couch in his living room watching a movie when they heard a knock on the apartment door. When he didn't make a move to go answer the door, Robin gave him a questioning look.

"Maybe if we ignore it they'll think no one's home," he explained.

Robin chuckled. "I doubt that, they can probably hear the TV." The knocking became louder and more incessant. She gave him a pointed look. "See, told you so."

Don rolled his eyes as he reluctantly got up off the couch. "Fine, I'll get it." Robin smirked and paused the movie as he headed for the door. "Coming," he called to the person at the door.

When he opened the door his mouth dropped open in surprise. Standing in the hallway, next to a large old worn out duffle bag on the ground in old blue jeans and a loose faded dark green t-shirt with her dark wavy hair pulled back, was the one person Don never expected to see there. Though she was older, she still looked like the girl he remembered.

"CJ?" The shock was evident in his voice as he just stood there, stunned.

She smiled. "Good to see you too bro," she replied sarcastically as she threw her arms around his neck, hugging tightly.

Don chuckled as he hugged her back. "I am glad to see you. I missed you kiddo," he told her seriously.

"I know, I missed you too Donnie," she agreed, equally serious, as they released each other.

"So, what are you doing here?" CJ grinned, with a look he knew all too well. "What do you want?" he sighed exasperatedly.

CJ chuckled. "You know me too well. Actually, I was hoping I could crash on your couch for a couple nights?" she answered cautiously.

Don raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Well, I'm moving back. And before you say anything," she added hurriedly, seeing he was getting ready to say something. "I've already got a job, and I was supposed to have an apartment. But, I got here sooner than I planned so it's not ready yet, but the landlord said it'll be ready in a few days. So I just need a place to crash for a couple nights until it is," she explained quickly.

Don stood there watching her for a minute, digesting everything she'd said. "You're moving back to LA?" he questioned slowly, and in slight disbelief. CJ nodded. "Does...anyone else know?" he asked cautiously, noting her uneasiness as she knew who he was talking about.

"No," she admitted quietly.

"You gonna tell them?"

CJ took a deep breath. "Yes."

Don raised his eyebrows in disbelief. "Really?" He didn't want to sound hopeful, but couldn't deny the fact that he wished she would.

CJ nodded, smiling slightly. "I figured 'why not?'...I mean, it's not like things could get any worse, right?" she sighed, trying to sound casual, but Don knew her better than to believe that facade.

Don nodded. "I think that's a good idea," he agreed sincerely, trying to sound reassuring. It worked because she smiled and nodded. Don smiled. "I'm glad you're back sis," he told her, hugging her again. "And you can stay as long as you want," he added.

CJ smiled as she hugged him back. "Thanks Donnie."

"Hey Don, who was-" Robin stopped short when she saw CJ. "...at the door," she finished weakly.

Don grinned though, and turned to introduce the two. "Robin, this is my little sister CJ. CJ, this is my girlfriend Robin."

Robin, though she looked surprised, smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you CJ."

"You too," CJ agreed, with an amused grin on her face.

"You didn't tell me you had a sister," Robin added pointedly to Don, who hesitated with his answer.

"He wouldn't," CJ answered for her brother, who sent a grateful look her way. "I don't exactly come up in any conversation willingly," she explained to Robin, who looked curious. "Long story." Robin nodded understandingly. "I wasn't interrupting anything was I?" CJ inquired, a small mischievous smirk on her face.

Don rolled his eyes. "We were just watching a movie."

CJ raised her eyebrows, giving Don a very disbelieving look. "Don, I didn't fall for that when I was five. What makes you think I'm gonna fall for it now, especially after having used that excuse myself?"

"We really were just-Wait..." Don paused, realizing what she'd just said. "What do you mean you've used that excuse?" he questioned in his authoritative big brother voice.

CJ just smiled uncomfortably and grabbed her bag. "I'm just gonna go throw this in the closet," she said quickly before retreating back into the apartment.

Robin laughed at the two siblings as Don continued to scowl after CJ had left. She went over and gave him a hug. "I think I should probably go, give you two some time since it's obviously been a while. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"You sure?" Don asked. "You can stay if you want," he assured her.

Robin smiled. "I'm sure. But you two have fun, and I expect to get to see her again," she added with finality.

Don smirked. "I'll see what I can do," he agreed.

"Good enough." Robin gave him a quick kiss and then grabbed her things and left.

After she was gone, Don went to find CJ, a little concerned about where she'd gone off to since she'd never even been in his apartment before. He found her in the kitchen sitting on the counter drinking a beer. He quirked an eyebrow at her.

"What? I'm twenty-four Don, it's legal," she defended.

"Yeah, now it is."

"Hey, you did it too."

They stared at each other challengingly for about a minute before simultaneously chuckling. Neither were sure why it was so easy to joke around with each other after so many years apart, but even though the underlying tension was still there they found that it wasn't too difficult to overlook for the time being.

"So, did I ruin your night?" she asked apologetically as he grabbed a beer out of the fridge.

Don shook his head. "No, we really were just watching a movie." CJ just shrugged slightly, though he could tell she didn't quite believe him. "Besides, I'm glad you're here," he told her. CJ smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes, and Don knew something was on her mind, but could tell she wasn't in a mood to share. "So, what's this job you've got?" he asked curiously, subtly bringing up a different subject.

CJ grinned. "I'm a bartender at Mikey's."

Don raised an eyebrow. "That crappy little pool hall?"

She rolled her eyes. "It's not that crappy anymore, and it's not so little either. They remodeled a few years ago and it's actually starting to get pretty popular."

"If you say so," Don scoffed. CJ rolled her eyes again, but didn't comment. "So when do you start?" he questioned, trying to keep the conversation going so they wouldn't fall into what was sure to be a very uncomfortable silence.

"Tomorrow afternoon. It's just for a few hours, but it'll help me get acquainted with the place before they throw me to the wolves, so to speak. Plus, that gives me time to register for classes in the morning."

Don frowned slightly. "What classes?"

"I'm going back to school. I'll be taking some classes at USC. Not a full load or anything, but a few," CJ informed him.

Don smiled. "Good for you. So, what are you studying?"

CJ furrowed her brows. "Not really sure yet. Probably something to do with like business management or something." Don raised his eyebrows skeptically. CJ shrugged. "What? It might be cool."

Don just smirked and shook his head. "Whatever."

The two fell into the uncomfortable silence they both knew was coming as they just stood or sat there drinking their beers. Don took a deep breath and decided to bite the bullet, in a manner of speaking.

"So...when are you gonna talk to Dad and Charlie?"

CJ visibly stiffened and looked down. Don just stood there, waiting for her to say something.

"They hate me," she whispered.

"What?" Don blurted incredulously. "CJ..." he started, setting his beer down and walking over to stand in front of her. "Hey...we all love you. Sure, we were angry when you left, but that doesn't mean any of us ever hated you, not for one second," he assured her firmly. CJ glanced up for a second, but refused to meet his eyes. Don sighed and put his hands on her knees. "Eight years is a long time kiddo." CJ nodded, but kept looking down. "Things aren't just gonna work themselves out, you gotta give it time. But give 'em a chance, they miss you too. We all have."

CJ looked him in the eyes. "I'm sorry," she said quietly but sincerely.

Don gave her a small smile and nodded slightly. "I know kiddo," he assured her softly. The seconds trickled by and the siblings stayed silent, both coming to an unspoken agreement that that was the last time they'd bring up the past tonight. "Well, I think there might be a game on somewhere we could find," Don finally said, grabbing his beer off the counter and starting to head into the living room.

CJ smirked as she hopped down from the counter and followed him. "Let me guess, you let her pick the movie?"

"Yep."

"Chick flick?"

"Yep."

CJ laughed. "Well, I guess it's a good thing I'm here now to save you from that," she teased as they sat down on the couch.

Don chuckled. "Oh yeah?" he teased back, pulling her into a light choke hold and ruffling her hair.

"Hey!" she protested, lightly punching him in the side to get him to let go.

Both were laughing when they finally stopped. Instead of trying to fix her hair, CJ just pulled out the hairband and let her wavy hair fall down. Don smirked and ruffled it again, earning a playful smack in the gut. He held up his hands in mock surrender, and CJ smirked and held out her hand to call a truce. Don grinned and shook it, and they both settled back against the couch and watched the game on TV. They were both glad they didn't seemed to have lost the close bond they'd had growing up, but both were aware that it wasn't going to be this easy, especially with their Dad and Charlie, once old issues started to resurface. But for the time being, they decided to just enjoy being back together, like they used to be.

A/N: Well, I hope you liked the first chapter! I know it was really just Don and CJ in this chapter, but hopefully you'll understand why I did that in the next couple chapters. I should have an update up soon. And as always, reviews are much appreciated!