Disclaimer: I don't own anything NUMB3RS.

A/N: This is a series of oneshots right now. Can be seen as a story I guess, and it may turn out that way later on, but for right now you could technically read each chapter as a separate oneshot. And each will bounce back and forth between the present (set season 2ish) and the past (will give how many years in the past).

Rough Night?

Present...

"Hey Linds," Don greeted tiredly, slurring slightly.

Lindsay smiled at her brother as the bartender handed her his keys. Don wrapped an arm around her shoulder as she helped him off the barstool.

As they were walking out, Don muttered, "Let's not tell Dad or Charlie about this, okay?"

She nodded in agreement. He'd just finished a pretty rough case, and Don wasn't one to talk about his feelings. Besides, this wasn't the first time Lindsay had helped her brother when he was drunk, and she doubted it would be the last.

Twenty-one years ago...

Fourteen year old Don stumbled inside the Craftsman, trying not to make too much noise. He knew his parents would still be up, but he was trying to avoid bumping into them and getting in trouble for being drunk.

After closing the front door behind him, Don turned around and saw his little sister sitting on the living room floor with her coloring book. Lindsay was watching him with that look that, to Don, made her seem much older than her seven years.

"Where's Mom and Dad?" Don mouthed. Lindsay pointed into the kitchen, and Don let out a sigh of relief. He looked back at his sister and held a finger up to his mouth, and she smiled and pretended to zip her lips. Don mouthed, "Thank you," as he made his way upstairs as quietly as he could, trying not to stumble too much.

Lindsay went back to coloring until she heard footsteps and her mom ask, "Was that your brother that just got home?"

Lindsay looked up at her mom and nodded.

"Did he go on up to bed?" Margaret questioned. Again, Lindsay nodded. Smiling, Margaret told her daughter, "I think it's about time for you to get to bed too. It's getting late."

Nodding, Lindsay gathered up her things and gave her mother a hug and kiss goodnight before she bounded up the stairs with the grace and energy only a child could have.

Chuckling slightly, Margaret just shook her head and went back into the kitchen to help her husband finish cleaning up.

0

Don groaned when he woke up, his head was pounding and his stomach was obviously very upset with him. Barely opening his eyes, he rolled over slowly and saw his sister sitting on his desk chair watching him with a curious expression, the same one she had when she was learning something new.

"What are you doing in here Linds?" Don sighed, trying to swallow the nausea that was building as he talked.

Wordlessly, Lindsay pointed to his nightstand. And when Don looked over to where she was pointing he saw a glass of water, some crackers, and a bottle of Aspirin.

Closing his eyes for a second, Don slowly sat up in his bed and motioned for Lindsay to come over. Silently, she jumped off the chair and made her way over, crawling up on the bed beside him.

Don wrapped his arms around her shoulder and whispered, "Thanks, Linds."

Lindsay just smiled up at her brother.

Present...

When Don woke up, his head was pounding with the familiar feel of a hangover. Opening his eyes, he slowly looked around and realized he was in his own bed in his apartment. Turning onto his side, he noticed a glass of water, some crackers, and a bottle of Aspirin on his nightstand along with a note. Smirking slightly, Don grabbed the note. It read, "Rough night?" with a smiley face. Rolling his eyes, Don couldn't help but smile. His little sister definitely had a sense of humor.