A/N: Hey! My very first Numb3rs fanfic. I'm dedicating this one to Criminally Charmed cause, though I don't think she knows it, she's the one who got me into Numb3rs with her awesome fics. Plus a little birdie told me it was her birthday recently, so maybe this is a little late, but it's for that too.

This is just a short little bit of fluff on Don the protector, the best big bro ever. Like I said it's my first foray into this universe so I hope you like and do tell me what you think.

Disclaimer: Yeah, sure, I wish!

"Hey! Get away from him!"

The four boys, the three older ones pausing in their shoving of the fourth, turned at the shout. The youngest, only seven years old, allowed a small smile to grace his features at the sight of his older brother. Don always turned up just in time.

Indeed, the twelve year old had a very serious look on his face as he skidded to a halt before the little group, reaching out to tug his younger brother to him, "What do you guys think you're doing?"

The tallest of the three gave a disarming grin and a casual shrug, "Hey Don, mate. We're not doing nothing. Just talking to the kiddo, right Charlie?" He looked pointedly at the little boy, half hidden behind Don's arm. The sniff that came from the child was all Don needed to hear.

"You stay away from him, you hear me? I see you near him again and I'll make you regret it. You hear that Steve?" He asked the self appointed leader.

The boy was in Don's class and knew it was no idle threat from the school's star baseball player. He never would have picked on Don's kid brother if he knew Don was going to show up. He decided retreat was the best option, "Yeah, I hear you Don, we're going" With that the three turned and sidled back down the road.

Don turned quickly to his little brother, stooping slightly to be on a level with the kid. "You okay buddy? They didn't hurt you, did they?"

Charlie sniffed again, rubbing his sleeve across his tear stained face, but shook his head, "N-no Donny, they didn't. You saved me" Big brown eyes shone in admiration as the stared at their older brother.

Don just sighed, wondering how long it would be before Charlie could defend himself. Don wouldn't always be there. The kid needed to learn to stand up for himself. But for now, he supposed, he could be there. He slung an arm 'round the boy's shoulders, steering him towards home, "Sure I did, bro, that's what I'm here for"

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"Charlie!" A much older, tougher Don Eppes ran forward, heading for the crumpled form of his little brother. The lunatic that had been holding him at knife point lay beside him, victim of Don's perfect marksmanship. But the lead agent only had eyes for his brother's unmoving form. He almost crashed into Charlie in his haste to reach him, kneeling swiftly by his side, and pulling the professor 'round to face him. His heart rate slowed marginally when he was met by his brother's large brown eyes. "Buddy, you okay? Did he hurt you?"

Charlie blinked, then started to sit up, using Don's arm as leverage, "I'm fine Don" He assured, adding, "Really" as his brother looked sceptical, "He didn't get a chance to. You saw to that" The younger man glanced at the body beside him, big brother's perfect timing once again, "Thanks, by the way"

Don smiled slightly as he helped his brother to his feet, keeping an arm around his shoulders. He seemed to spend his life looking out for Charlie, but hey, who was he to complain? "Don't mention it, bro, that's what I'm here for"