Chapter 2
A/N: See chapter 1 for disclaimers and summary. Sorry that this chapter is a little shorter. It is meant mostly to fill in some details and move everything forward a bit.
It had been two weeks since Charlie's clearance had been reinstated, and Don could admit that it was good to have his kid brother back prattling on about threat matrices or other some such math solutions in the FBI's bull pen. Don made his way toward his team who were huddled around David's desk, and couldn't help but smile as he saw Colby role his eyes at something Charlie was saying. Yes. Things were finally starting to get back to normal. Well as normal as working for the FBI can be.
"Oh hey Don, I was just coming to find you" Charlie said catching sight of his older brother. "I was wondering how you felt about D.C."
"D.C." Don raised his eyebrows, wondering where this was going. "Yes" continued Charlie excitedly, "I've been, well, we've been invited to an interagency threat assessment meeting in D.C."
"Oh I don't know Chuck, there is a lot going on right now." Don sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. He didn't really like the idea of jetting off to watch Charlie wow a crowd of suits in DC. "Plus have you ever been to DC in August, it's hot Charlie, it's literally a swamp."
"Come on Don, and don't call me Chuck" said Charlie, doing his best to look intimidating. "The Director thinks it would be a great way to showcase what we have been doing here, utilizing math to catch the bad guys. It could convince other agencies that some of my models and methods could be of use." Great, thought Don, just what Charlie needs, more validation.
"It's a good opportunity to make some contacts at least" piped David. "And I think the Director already signed off."
"You just want to be agent in charge while I'm gone" snapped Don. He really wasn't happy about being backed into a corner on this.
"What, and miss an opportunity to boss Granger around?" smirked David while punching Colby in the arm.
"Yeah well I'd be careful if I were you, Granger can still take you" said Don.
Colby's eyes lit up with the complement and Don sighed inwardly. Even after all the time that had passed from the China fiasco, Colby was still in need of some encouragement. While Colby looked like he could withstand anything, Don knew the Janus list debacle did more damage to Colby than the team would ever realize, and Don did his best to support his youngest team member where he could. Colby had sacrificed a million times over for his country, and the FBI was lucky to have him.
Don wanted to slap himself for being a mother hen- but couldn't help but be concerned about something coming up while he was away and unable to get back to the team easily. While David and Colby had managed to patch things up for the most part, things occasionally rose to the surface, forcing Don to play referee. And with Megan gone at a friend's wedding, Don couldn't rely on her to step in if things got rough between David and Colby.
"Earth to Don" Colby called, effectively snapping Don out of his head.
"Well it seems like I don't have much of a choice now do I?" Don mumbled.
"Nope" smirked Charlie, turning on his heels and heading for the elevator. "I already called Dad and let him know" he said getting on the elevator and pushing the close button before Don could catch up with him out of self preservation, knowing his brother wasn't pleased.
"Well I guess I better go pack" Don said while picking up his jacket. "What the hell do you pack for D.C. anyway?"
"a fan" quipped David and Colby at the same time, watching their boss retreat toward to stairs, determined to catch up with Charlie. They almost felt bad for the youngest Epps. Neither of them would want to be stuck on a 6-hour flight with an irritated Don.
