Chapter 2

"Try and fail, but don't fail to try." Stephen Kaggwa

It was around noon, when Charlie arrived at the office, and it was noisy, no surprise there. The agents, he passed on his way to the bullpen barely acknowledged his presence, so no surprise there too.

Don was sitting at his desk, chewing a gum and reading a report. At least someone else, who hadn't grown up with Don Eppes could think that. But Charlie caught on the way his eyes didn't really move and besides he looked way too concentrated to be actually reading a report.

Megan was filling in paper work, David typed something on his computer, Liz was nowhere to be seen. Obviously just another day at the office. Literally.

Charlie cleared his throat "Guess you guys are busy…"

"Guess we are". David threw over his shoulder, not even bothering to look at the professor.

"Oh Charlie, hello."Megan smiled at him. "You should excuse David; he's not really in a mood these days".

"Guess you still haven't heard from Colby?"

"No, we expect him here today… At least I expect him here today" Megan corrected herself.

Don sat and listened to his brother and Megan talking. He thought of being grateful for simple things like friendly bantering or shared jokes, wanted to get a call informing him of a bank robbery, or a serial killing, however mean that was, so that simple things could replace the edgy and nervous mood that his team shared now, so that he could start complaining about those simple things again.

"I'm sorry but I believe you came here for nothing, bro" Don said when Charlie looked at him for support. "We can't use your skills on a case when we don't really have a case."

"That's Ok" Charlie smiled. "I guess I'll just have to wait for the next crisis and then offer you my skills."

"Guess you won't have to wait long professor" Liz suddenly came behind them. "Colby Granger was spotted coming into the building. I believe your crisis is in the elevator right now" She tried making a joke out of it, but they all knew the seriousness of the situation. They haven't seen Colby since the hospital, and no one knew what to expect.

"Guys, be cool" Don tried taking the things in his hands "Don't forget that he's one of the good guys and he almost died for this country…he almost died" Don shook his head and took a sip from his coffee, making eye contact with David.

"And also don't forget, that he spent the last two years, lying to us" David huffed "Just saying…"

"David"

That sounded like a warning, maybe because it was a warning, but David decided to ignore it.

"Come on Don, whose side are you on? After everything Colby Granger did? And, how could you expect me to be cool? You know how I feel about that lying trai …"

"Now more than ever" came a silent reply somewhere from behind them.

As on command, the team members turned their heads to see a slightly pale, but generally healthy looking agent Granger leaning on the door, smiling nervously. Or sadly.

Not surprisingly, Megan was the first one to break the awkward silence. "Hey you" she said, hugging the younger agent "How are you doing? You look better than the last time we saw you."

"I'm fine, thanks for asking" Colby smiled, grateful for the support "No permanent damage, at least none that I know of" he laughed nervously.

"What's the deal with your hospital check out?" Megan suddenly turned from friendly to angry "I stopped by to help you out, the other day, and turned out you checked yourself out with the help of some unknown friend of yours? And didn't even call?"

"Ok mom, leave the kid alone" Don interfered, clapping Colby on the shoulder "Good to see you alive Colb, but Megan's right, you could have at least called after the hospital?"

"Why should he?" came David's bitter comment "After all, he didn't bother sharing information for the last two years, why should he suddenly start now?"

"Geez David, supportive as ever" Colby said and immediately regretted the smart ass retort "I'm sorry, look… thank you for, you know, saving my life and…" but it was already too late.

"You're welcome, PARTNER" David threw angrily and stormed out of the office "See you later guys… or not."

Megan signed heavily. "Couldn't you keep your mouth shut just a little bit, Granger? It was really hard on David; it would take him some time before he gets over it, so you'd better be prepared and patient"

"Ok guys, give me and Colby a moment please, there's something we have to talk about" Don asked his team and motioned to Colby to follow him into the break room.

Don looked at the agent closely "You alright, Colb?"

"Sure, great" he answered and immediately cursed himself. That was way too quick to be casual, and knowing his boss, that won't go unnoticed.

"Uhuh" and of course it didn't. "Now take a breath, and try again- you alright, Colb?"

Colby closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. Nothing goes unseen by Don Eppes, so he might as well clear the air.

"Honestly… ? I don't know Don" he sighed. "These last couple of months have been crazy, and not in the good way". Don laughed at that. Trust Colby Granger to make an understatement.

"And I don't know this whole spy stuff..." he waved his hands in exasperation "It's not what I signed up for, you know? I mean, I get it why David's pissed and frankly I'm surprised how you and Megan could be so cool about it…"

"Let's make something clear" Don interrupted "We are not cool with it Colby." Crap, that sounded wrong, and judging by the hurt expression on Granger's face, he took it wrong too "No, I mean, we're not cool with you going spy kid on us, of you almost dying… And you gotta understand David, you were his partner, that meant a lot to him…"

"I know that Don, and believe me, I wish I could change that, I wish I could make it up to him, or at least prove him that when it came to us…"he smiled at the way that sounded. "I was completely honest…but… I don't know, boss, I just feel like I'm drowning and my dad used to tell me that when you feel like drowning, you go out of the river and dive again, you don't stay, trying to see if you could make it the way you are…"

"So what you're saying Colby?" Don was prepared for that but somehow it still came as a surprise "You want to quit?"

"I don't know…you know me, I'm not a quitter" he laughed "But… be honest with me, Don, I'm a big boy, I can take it. Is there any place for me in the team?" he sounded almost hopeful, almost pleading and it broke Don's heart.

"Before I answer, there's something you should know" he tried buying some time "The director called the day you checked yourself out of the hospital, he said they want you in the DC office…"

"DC, huh?" Colby knew he should be grateful, be pleased, because some agents worked their whole lives for the Bureau, and never got offered a spot in the central office. But somehow it felt like a punch in the gut "So you think I should take it?"

"I think it's a great opportunity for you"

"So that's a no for me staying here" he suddenly sounded angry.

"I think the DC is…" Don realized that he was repeating himself

"A great opportunity, got it" Colby nodded and stood up "Thank you, Don, I'll think about it… or no, I'm still on a medical leave till the end of next week, that's when I came by to pick up my stuff."

"Colby wait" Don jumped to his feet and stopped the younger agent from leaving. "I'm sorry, it's just…you have to understand, after everything, I have to think of the team."

"I know Don, and I appreciate your honesty, I really do" Colby smiled and clapped his boss on the shoulder. "I see you next week, OK?" and with that he left the office.

"So how did it go?" Megan approached Don as soon as she saw Colby leaving. "He's OK?"

"Yes…Great opportunity…" was all that Don said before taking his jacket and leaving. He hoped he was right and he didn't just make a big mistake.

A week after he last saw Colby at the office, Don decided to stop by his place and check up on him. Colby said he'll stop by the office Friday afternoon, but Don thought it'd be better if he sees his former agent in a non-formal environment, i.e. away from the office and the rest of the team, mainly away from David, who was still unwilling to talk about anything, that included Colby Granger.

Don thought about calling Colby first, but then decided against it. Calling would give Colby the opportunity to "not be at home" and Don had a strong feeling that he wasn't really welcome at Granger's apartment. So, he just bought a six pack and decided to come without warning. Not sure what to expect, Don rang the doorbell, trying to think of a good reason for his visit. He expected Colby to be reluctant to speak to him, he even expected him to slam the door in his face. What he didn't expect was seeing a middle aged man, opening the door.

"Can I help you?" the man asked

"Uh…" Don was surprised, which didn't happen often in his life "I'm sorry, I'm looking for Colby Granger, last time I checked, he lives here…"

"When was that?"

"When was what?" now Don was practically lost. He must have had a funny look on his face, because the man just laughed.

"When did you last check? About Mr. Granger living here I mean?"

"I'm sorry, I don't get it. Doesn't he live here anymore?"

"I'm afraid so" the man answered. "He moved out a couple of days ago "I'm the landlord, I'm redecorating the place, it needs some improvements."

"Huh…" Don did not see that coming. "Did he say where he's going?"

"Not really" the landlord seemed to be trying to remember. "No, he definitely didn't. He said he found another job, and will be moving out of LA by the end of the week, so he vacated the place."

"What about his mail? Did he give you another address where you can send it to him?"

"No, I asked and he said to just throw it away, said he didn't expect anything important…Guess he's leaving for good" the man said. "It's a shame though; he seemed like a good guy."

"Yes, he is" Don just nodded. "Thank you for your time."

"Anytime"

Maybe she should have called first.

Later the same week, on a late Friday evening; the team was at the office, discussing the latest case they had. A bunch of what seemed like highly skilled men were robbing wealthy households, stealing everything – from money and jewelry, to kitchen equipment and cars. There were three cases to date, and Charlie was just able to elaborate a profile and a way to catch the criminals.

Things looked almost back to normal, much to Don's relief. Megan was sarcastic, David was tough, Liz was out of the town working on a case with narcotics, and Charlie was smart… So yes, back to normal. Almost. Every time he stopped and thought about it, Don realized that something was missing and as much as he wanted to pretend that the things were OK, he knew they weren't. He still couldn't get over the feeling that he made a mistake by not keeping Colby. Alan said that it just needed time and Don really hoped that was the case, but he was starting to doubt it. No matter how much time may pass, he still would have to live with the idea that things could have been different, if only…

"Hey Don, you with us?" Megan's curious slightly worried eyes were looking at him.

"Yes, sure Megan, sorry I just thought of something" he really hoped she wouldn't ask any questions "What were you saying?"

She seemed to sense that, so she just nodded "I said it looks like Charlie was right and we won't get to hear from our robbers till next week, which I guess is good news, we'll have more time this way…"

"And less information, and more victims" added David "I wish these guys have another pattern and work faster, I'm getting tired of waiting for them to make their move."

"Be careful what you wish for, David" Megan had her profiler face on, much to Don's amusement.

"Or what? I can get in trouble?" David on the other hand, had his macho man look on, much to Don's discomfort. David was edgy, nervous and slightly irrational, these last months, and it only got worse after the last time Colby visited the office. Don was starting to get tired of this attitude, because after all, David's unwillingness to forgive and forget was the main reason why Don didn't ask Colby to stay on the team.

"Or nothing! Jesus David, acting so childish, I'm just saying…"

"What are you saying, Megan" he was obviously looking for a fight, but before Don could interfere, there was a knock on the glass door of the bullpen, and he saw Colby Granger standing in the doorway, looking extremely uncomfortable.

"Hey guys, hope I'm not interrupting" he said sheepishly

David threw him a dirty look "As a matter of…"

"As a matter of fact you're just on time" Megan interrupted and went to greet Colby. "How you've been doing? Haven't heard from you since the last time you were here."

"I'm good Megan, thanks, just been taking it easy, you know" he looked around the empty office "Where is everybody?"

"It's Friday silly" Megan laughed "Don't you remember that only the losers stay at the office so late on a Friday?"

"Ah yes, the losers" Colby smiled. He remembered the way he used to complain that Don made him work late on Fridays, while everyone else had the night off. He kind of wished to be able to complain about that again.

"You look good Colb" Don came to greet him. "Listen, I stopped by your place the other day, but the landlord told me you moved out? Something you want to share with the rest of the class?"

"Doubt it" David supplied from behind. Just when Colby was about to reply, Charlie walked in.

"Hey guys, I've been working on the case and…oh hey Colby, good to see you! How are you? Any news?"

"Hey Charlie. Yes, actually… But before that, to answer your question Don, I did move out, a week ago. Been living with a friend for the last couple of days, cause I don't think I need the place anymore…"

"So you're moving away after all?" Megan asked.

"I am… I took the DC job, as you said…" he looked at Don "It's a great opportunity. So my plane leaves tomorrow morning… I just stopped by to…you know, say goodbye and… well you know. Despite everything that happened these last couple of months…" he looked at David. "Well, just let me say, that I'm grateful for the chance to have worked with you guys and… I'll miss you" he said smiling sadly.

"Oh Granger" Megan clapped him on the shoulder "I'm sorry you have to go. Who am I going to make fun of if you are not around anymore?" she hugged him tight and whispered in his ear "It was great working with you, I'll miss you."

"Yes Colby, I'm sorry you have to go" Charlie said sadly "This place won't be the same without you."

"Thank you professor" Colby smiled. "And thank you…for you know, being so smart" he laughed "I'm pretty sure I owe you my life."

"Yeah well…you're welcome"

"Colby… I…" Don started, but then changed his mind "If you ever need anything, just give me a call, OK? You know I'm here for you."

"Thanks Don, I really appreciate it" Colby said and looked at David, who was way too busying pretending that he reads a report "David…" he tried.

"Have a nice flight" was all David said, not even bothering to look up.

"Yeah, OK…" Colby whispered sadly. His whole posture was screaming "I don't want to go", or at least that's how Megan interpreted it, looking at her friend, standing with his hands in his pockets, looking awkward, sad and maybe even somewhat broken. "Ok, guys…guess this is it, huh?" He smiled at Megan "I'll call you when I get there."

"You better" Megan said quietly.

Colby looked at David, or better say at David's back one last time, smiled and left the office.

"Why do I have the feeling we won't see him again?" Megan Reeves asked no one in particular. She just signed and went back to her work.

A couple of hours after Colby's farewell, Don announced they were done for the day. As always his team was the last to leave the office, so they turned the lights off, but didn't bother closing the doors, knowing that the cleaning crew would be there soon.

The elevator ride was quite. Neither the agents, nor professor Eppes felt like talking. The doors opened at the first floor and let them into a half dark hallway, as expected, empty. A single guy was cleaning the floor. None of the members of Don's team paid him any attention. In retrospect, Don thought, that was his second mistake.

The first mistake was leaving his gun at the office, but that was already water under the bridge.

The skinny guy in a janitor uniform looked startled, when he saw the agents and Charlie exiting the elevator. He just stopped whatever he was doing and stared.

"Can I do something for you?" Don asked tiredly, when he noticed the guys stare.

"Actually…" the young guy said "The question is can I do something for YOU" and he unzipped his jacket showing what looked like a self made bomb attached to his body "No one moves or I'll blow this place up immediately!"

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." Mary Anne Radmacher