Disclaimer: I don't own Numb3rs... which should be obvious, but you know, whatever... All I own is the new character... she's fun, you'll like her...

Author's note: SO yeah, I've had like three or four different Numb3rs stories since the show started, and none of them have gone anywhere, but this one miraculously did, and we can all blame whose ever idea it was to make Colby a triple agent, because for some reason that made him totally irresistible as fan-fic fodder. I didn't even like the guy! But then no one trusted him and I felt bad, so I wrote him a story ;)

Charlie had to walk away from Alan for a few minutes before the two could finally head out for their lunch together. Bored out of his mind, the older man wandered through campus until he stumbled on a few students with chessboards. He figured watching would pass the time a little faster so he wandered over to the most welcoming looking group and asked "Mind if I watch?"

The girl on one side of the table laughed, "You wanna play instead, and let me watch... I suck at this game."

"Aw, you don't look like you're doing too bad..."

"That's because she had help," the young man on the other side of the table replied.

"Yeah, but my help conveniently went for coffee and never came back... which is made even more unfortunate by the fact that I gave them a $20 dollar bill to buy me something too."

"I told you not to give them money."

"I was thirsty, and no one else is stupid enough to play against you, and you know how I feel about quitting."

Alan couldn't help but chuckle at the situation. "Well here," he said, pulling a couple of bucks out of his wallet, "go grab your drink, I'll see if I can't win this game for you."

The girl's eyes were wide in shock. "You don't have to do that, sir."

"It's not a problem," he set the money on the edge of the table while putting his wallet back.

"I... are you sure?"

"Positive. And hopefully by the time you get back I'll have you in a position to win this game," he smiled at her.

"Alright," she sighed, "But be careful, he's pretty mean when he plays this game," she joked about her comrade.

"Hey, I am not!"

She snorted in disbelief as she stood up and took the money. "I'll be back in a few minutes.

And she was, with a half-empty bottle of water in her hands. She watched intently as the two men continued the game, much more comfortable as an audience member than as a participant. But it wasn't much longer before Charlie came up and blurted out, "Ready Dad?"

The girl choked on her water, turning away to compose herself. When she felt a little more confident she glanced cautiously over and greeted the newcomer. "Afternoon, Professor Eppes."

"Ms. Wintze," he barely acknowledged her.

Still focused on the game he was playing Alan piped up. "Funny, I didn't figure this young lady for a math student."

"She usually isn't," his opponent replied. "Someone told her she wouldn't be able to pass an upper level math course, so she had to prove them wrong."

"Yikes, how's that going for you?"

"This is her third semester taking the same class," Charlie explained.

Not liking the professor's tone the girl added, "I HAVE been improving."

Her friend at the chess table laughed, "Yeah because he teaches the same thing each time. You're starting to memorize the problems." He received a slap on the arm for his insult but it went unnoticed by the other two men.

"Dad, we gotta go." Charlie mentioned again.

"Right, well," he got up and stuck out his hand to the girl. "Nice to meet you Ms..?"

"Marissa Wintze, or Mara is fine."

"Nice to meet you Mara, I'm Alan."

"Alan," she shook his hand and nodded, "thanks for the water, and helping out with the game."

"Not a problem. Someday I'll have to show you how to win for yourself." He winked and she smiled.

"Lot's of people have tried that," she said.

"Well lots of people aren't me."

"Dad!" Charlie tried to rush the older man away.

"Right. Have a nice day," he waved and walked away with his son.