Summary:

Ian Edgerton knows he is attracted to the intelligent professor Charles Eppes. What will it take to for him to make the first move.

Work Text:

Ian edgeton was a man who would always take his life to the road as soon as the job was done. Pack up and move on has been his way from day one. And that was the way he had always liked it. No attachments, nothing holding him back. That was his way of life.

So why was he holding back now?

He was brought in to help locate a rogue sniper loose in the city of Los Angeles. Put with Don eppes and his team, he had planned on doing what he could to bring the sniper down.

He had not however, planned on becoming very much attracted to dons younger brother charlie.

Charlie had first given him the impression of a genius who never thought he was wrong. Pompus was the word ian would have chosen. He challenged ian with everything he said and ian had found the tounge sparring stranglely pervocitive.

No one ever challenged him. Either too intimidated by him or just to scared to say differently than what he said.

Charlie was nether. If he thought ian was wrong or just set on him being right he would say it without a problem. Throughout the case ian found himself drawn to the eccentric professor with the dark eyes and the head of curly hair.

Ian was currently purched in his hiding spot where the sniper could not see him but he had a clear view of the surrounding area. His mind was in the game but a small part of him was thinking about the professor. He would love to take him out to dinner or a drink. Just to get to know him.

But with his job he knew it was easier to just move on. So with that in mind he looked through his scope, hoping for a sight of the sniper. Instead he caught sight of a car pulling up and Charlie getting out of the passenger side door, David out of the driver.

"What the hell is he doing here!" Ian asked himself. His heard rate increasing slightly as he looked around the area more intently for the killer.

He heard dons shout to charlie an instant before he heard the shot. "CHARLIE GET DOWN!" as he caught sight of David pushing charlie to the ground he saw a rifle sticking out of a window of the building across from him.

Taking a deep breath he squeezed the trigger, his bullet hitting the mark as he saw the sniper go down.

Securing his weapon as fast as he could, he made his way down to where Don was holding his brother, looking him over for injuries. " shooters down, is he okay? He asked, his worry leaking into his voice.

Don was worried so his voice caused both fear and anger to seep through, " Are you crazy, you could have gotten yourself killed!" Charlie was trying to catch his breath. " I was just...I was just working on some probabilities as to where Cramer might position himself." he said, handing ian his clip board.

Ian looked it over, Impressed by his accuracy. " actually he was pretty close."

Don pulled his brother to his feet. "Come on, i'll get you out of here. Are you ok?" He said, still concerned.

"I'm...I'm sorry" he said to his brother, hoping to calm him.

"It's alright, just...next time use a phone ok!" He said, walking his brother from the crime scene.

Numb3rs

Ian now found himself outside the old craftsman house. He had the address from when Don had invited him to dinner, though declining at the time.
He knew he should just hit the road. Forget about his wanting of the professor and head toward the next job. But he couldn't help but think of the almost of today.
Charlie had almost been killed by that sniper.
He had almost missed his chance on finding out where him and the gorgeous professor could go if he wanted a relationship with an old sniper like himself.

He wasn't sure but after today he had to find out for sure.

Getting g out of the truck, he walked up the path to the front door and rang the bell. He waiting, hearing footsteps in the hall. "Coming" a faint voice said though he knew it was charlie.

Charlie opened the door and was surprised to see ian on the other side. " oh, hi agent edgerton! What can I do for you? Would you like to come in?

Ian could admit to himself he had butterflies in his stomach. " no, thank you. I Can't stay too long at this time. I was wondering..." he trailed off, wondering if he had the nerve for this.

Charlie tilted his head, looking at the man on the porch curiously. " wondering what?"

Ian took a steady breath then tried again. " I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me. Before I left." There he said it. He waited a few seconds before he couldn't help himself and looked up into the mathematicians face. Charlie wore a slight smile, and his eyes were bright.
"Yeah, I would. I would really like to have dinner with you!"
Charlie said. Ian smiled then, knowing he hadn't made a fool of himself. " Awesome! I can call you tomorrow sometime and we can arrange the where and when. I know you've had a bad day." He said, the image of charlie being thrown on the ground to escape the bullet of a mad man fresh on his mind.

"Ok, that sounds great" Charlie said, his day had gotten so much better! They exchanged numbers and ian backed down the steps. "Good night agent edgerton. I look foward to hearing from you"charlie said, getting ready to close the door.

" good night, charlie" Ian went to turn, then thinking quickly, turned back, "oh professor?" Charlie stopped the door and looked back. "Yeah?"

Ian smiled a full smile. "Call me ian."
Charlie smiled a million watt smile then closed the door. Ian made his way back to his truck. For once in his career, glad he didn't just leave for the next job ahead.

A/N Do you think I should turn this into a story, instead of a one shot? Please let me know.