A/N: Hello again! Here comes another translation of a German story of mine. A big thanks to my beta reader Mademoiselle Snowflake. The remaining mistakes are my own. The story is post-series and there are spoilers for the series' final, just to warn you. It is going to be Larry-centric (what else would you expect from me) but Charlie will play a great role too. All Numb3rs characters are not mine! They belong to their rightful owners. Just the OCs belong to me. All the places in the story are fictional. If by any chance one of them exists it is pure coincidence. Enough information. Please enjoy the story now!

Betrayal Chapter 1

Finally back home!

That was Charlie's first thought when he opened the door to his old house and stepped inside. The year in England had been wonderful and his and Amita's whole experience had been great but it was good to feel the warm sun of Los Angeles on his skin again and to come home. First, Charlie had brought Amita to CalSci because she wanted to meet some of the colleagues and then he had driven to the craftsman. It still looked the same, like before he had left.

Charlie searched through the rooms. Where was his dad? He usually should be home.

'Maybe he already moved into the guesthouse.', Charlie thought, smiling softly and opened the door which had always lead into the garage. He took a look around. Wow! It was unbelievable what his family had made out of it.

Despite Charlie had seen the plans before the construction work had begun, the final image was overwhelming. There were a living room, a bedroom and a small bathroom.

The living room's furniture fit to the light walls. A black leather couch and a table stood in the middle and from the couch you had a perfect look at the television standing in the corner. Pictures of family and friends embellished the walls.

The bedroom was simple. A wooden double bed and a wardrobe were the only furniture.

'That's typical for dad.'

Charlie shook his head. His father was always happy with the bare minimum. He didn't want more.

In the bathroom there were a shower, a toilet and a washbasin. Nothing fancy.

The garage apparently hadn't been big enough so there was a small annex.

Charlie sighed. He thought about all the things he had achieved in the garage. So many cases he had solved for Don. Big theories had been born. And now the garage was gone. Charlie would miss it. But something new had been built: A beautiful guesthouse where his father could live while Amita and Charlie could live in the craftsman.

Disappointed, Charlie had to find out that his dad wasn't in the guesthouse either. The professor had wanted to surprise him and now he was not home. So the mathematician changed his plan. He would drive to the FBI and visit Don first. Determinedly, Charlie walked to his car, started the engine and looked forward to see his brother again.

"Explain us more, Professor."

Charlie didn't recognize the voice coming out of the conference room. He had never heard it before and he couldn't see anyone he could match it to. Through the glass of the window he could only see Don, Colby and Nikki. They seemed to listen to someone - more or less attentive.

A grin spread on Charlie's face when he thought about the person whom the attention was meant for. There was only one person. And this man's voice now replied to the unknown voice.

"Well, my dear friend, unfortunately there isn't more to explain. If Charles was here he would have a perfect example but regretfully I am not able to find named example."

"If you explain the case to me then you'll get your example."

Five pairs of eyes moved to the door and when Don saw who was standing there his face lit up. He walked to his little brother and pulled him into a hug. It was a fantastic moment.

"Hey, Chuck. Welcome back to America.", he laughed and ruffled through Charlie's hair. He tried to pull his head back but failed miserably.

"Yeah, well... I haven't missed that.", he said and acted muffled but then added: "But I've missed you, big brother."

Don patted Charlie's back before he stepped out of the way so that the others could welcome the professor too.

The first one was Larry who hugged his friend tightly. After the physicist let go Charlie was able to eye him. He had no beard anymore and he had gained a bit of weight. But it didn't look like he had gone through any big changes like in the years before.

"I'm so glad to have you back, Charles. You actually can help us with one of your examples."

After Larry Colby and Nikki greeted the friend too. Everyone was happy to have Charlie back.

The unknown person stood in the corner of the room the whole time and watched the friends' reunion interested. Finally his gaze met Charlie's and he smiled silently. Don could see confusion in his brother's look and he introduced the man.

"Charlie, this is Darrel Adams. He works with us for half a year and has become an important part of the team. Darrel, this is my brother Charlie, the genius we always talk about."

Slowly, but still smiling, Darrel walked over to Charlie and offered his hand.

"Ah, the popular Charlie Eppes. It's nice to meet you in person. I've heard a lot about you, Professor Eppes."

"Only positive things, Charles. Only positive things.", Larry added and Charlie took Darrel's hand and shook it.

"Why don't we skip this 'professor and agent' - thing and use each other's first name? Apparently you are already a part of the family."

'Though I haven't heard about you yet.', Charlie thought. But when he and Don had talked on the phone they hadn't talked about work very much. And phone calls weren't that cheap.

The surprised look on Darrel's face quickly became a smile again and he nodded.

"Why not? So... I'm Darrel.", the agent introduced himself again. And Charlie did he same.

"Charlie. It's nice to meet you Darrel."