It had been 12 hours since David had told him that he wanted him gone, 12 hours since he almost broke down into tears in front of his former partner, 12 hours since he laid everything out there only to have it thrown in his face.

Not that he blamed David for it; he knew that David had every right to be mad and hurt about everything that happened. Colby knew he was a horrible person, it just sucked that his best friend now felt the same way.

And now there was the whole task of telling the rest of the team that he was leaving. That was going to be hard. He wasn't lying when he said that they were his family. They were the only family he knew now, since his mother practically disowned him after the whole Chinese fiasco. He hated that he had to leave, everything he has known for the past two years was in that office. Never in his career had he worked for a team as close as they all had been, it felt more like a family business than a federal bureau. But he had to leave, David needed him to leave…wanted him to leave. Colby would die for David in a heart beat, and if this was what his brother needed…then he'd give him that, he'd give him anything.

*********************************

It had been 12 hours since he had told Colby that he wanted him gone, 12 hours since he almost witnessed his former partner break down in tears, 12 hours since Colby had laid everything out there only to have it thrown back in his face.

David felt like complete crap. He thought he had been feeling guilty the past few weeks but nothing compared to the guilt he was feeling now. Colby wasn't a bad person, far from it, and he didn't deserve to be treated like one…but David just didn't know how to get past all the hurt. He was never good with dealing with that particular emotion. Whenever David was emotionally hurt his defences came up and he turned angry and bitter and hurtful. He would give anything to take back that look on Colby's face when he told him he wanted him gone. A part of him knew that despite how badly Colby had hurt him by lying for the past 2 years, he has probably caused just as much pain for Colby (if not more) in a matter of 2 and a half weeks.

************************************************

The next morning David was at work as early as he could get there.

"David? What are you doing here so early?" asked Don

"Hey Don, I uh, I slept early last night so I ended up waking early this morning"

"Slept early huh? You look like roadkill bud" Don laughed.

"Well, I guess sleeping too long does that to you" David smiled back.

In reality, David hadn't slept at all, and starring at a plain white roof while lying on his bed wasn't helping his guilty conscience.

Colby walked in almost immediately after David.

"Geez what is it with the agents in this place?" Don joked.

"Hey Don," Colby replied with a small smile. "David" he acknowledged with a small smile as well.

David didn't say anything back but he took a good look at Colby. Colby looked horrible, even worse than him. "Guess he didn't get any sleep last night either" thought David. He was pretty sure by the end of the day his guilt would be eating him alive.

******************************************************

The day was pretty quiet at the bureau, it seemed to be a commonality these past few weeks. Around lunchtime Colby called everyone into the break room. As Don, Megan, Liz and David piled into the break room (David because Don had made him), Colby took a good look around at his team and took a deep breath. This was going to be harder than he thought.

Noticing Colby's silence, Don spoke up.

"So whatsup Colb?"

"I uh…" he took a look at everyone again. "I wanted to let you guys know that I took that position at DC, I'll be leaving on Friday"

Everyone stood there stunned. Megan was the first to speak.

"I thought you had decided to stay here? I mean it sure seemed like it."

"Yeah, I know it's just…" Colby made sure he didn't make any eye contact with David because he didn't want his team to know the reason why he was leaving. The last thing he'd want is for them to be mad at David.

David noticed this too. A part of him wished that Colby would just come out and say that it was because of him, he felt like he deserved their anger, but he knew Colby wouldn't do that.

"It's just what Colb?" probed Don.

Colby looked up at Don.

"It's just these past few weeks have been harder than I thought they would be. I figured I could come back here and act like nothing ever happened, you know, have everything go back to normal. But I realized that it can't," Colby said as he looked at the ground.

"I want you guys to know that you're the best team I've ever had, you guys have always been more like family than a team. I just…I need a new start, this whole Lancer thing's really messed me up and I just need to go somewhere where I won't be reminded of it everyday you know," Colby lied.

Don was the first one to walk up to Colby and place his hand on the younger agent's shoulder.

"We understand Colb. You've been through so much, more than you should have had to. We're not mad that you want a change. We're gonna miss you like hell, but you deserve to make peace with what happened and if that means you leaving us…well then…I guess we'll have to learn to let you go," Don smiled sadly.

Megan was the next to walk up and give Colby a hug.

"We love you Colb, and nothing will ever change that. We want you to be happy."

Colby looked up at her and gave her a weak smile. It was taking everything in him not to break down and cry.

David couldn't take this anymore. He couldn't stand to see the pain on everyone's face, especially on Colby's, so he got up and left the break room.

Everyone noticed David's abrupt disappearance. Liz was about to go after him until Don lightly grabbed her hand.

"Let him be for a few minutes, he just needs some time to himself."

Liz nodded and walked over to Colby.

"We're gonna miss you Granger, I don't know who's going to run on this team anymore," she joked.

Everyone couldn't help but laugh. Colby was going to miss this, but as he looked out at David sitting at his desk, he knew that he had done the right thing.

******************************************************

The next few days were pretty solemn around the office. Everyone, except David of course, tried to spend as much time with Colby as they could when they didn't have to be out and about.

On Wednesday when Don was going over a potential case with everyone in the conference room, Agent Martin and Agent Martin and Agent Ross walked into the room. Colby once again froze at the site of the two agents. Don smiled and shook their hands.

"To what do we owe the pleasure?" asked Don.

"We just wanted to come down and personally let you guys know what an amazing job you did on the kidnapping case," Agent Ross smiled.

As Agent Ross talked to the team David couldn't help but notice how Agent Martin was practically starring at Colby, and he definitely didn't miss the uneasiness of Colby. Something was definitely off.

"So any other cases we can assist the FBI with?" asked Agent Martin.

"What the hell" thought David. "That's a really odd question to ask given that they were on for just one case and specialize in kidnappings"

David noticed that Don seemed to share his thought.

"Uhh, no kidnapping cases at the moment Agent, but thanks for the offer, we'll definitely call you guys up if need be."

Somewhere throughout the conversation it was made public to the two agents that Colby was leaving for DC on Friday.

"Friday huh?" replied Agent Martin. "They give you some hot shot job for being a hero?"

Everyone else laughed at this but David could hear the sarcasm in his voice. Colby was quiet for a second and David was pretty sure he wasn't going to say anything until.

"Yea, something like that," Colby shot back. David, he didn't know why, but he was slowly cheering on his ex-partner. Something had gone down between Colby and these two agents and despite being mad at Colby, he didn't like the vibe he got off these two agents, especially when they were around Colby.

The agents eventually left and everyone went back to work.

Friday finally rolled around and Colby was at the office packing all his belongings into a box.

"It's going to be quiet without you bud," Don said as he came up behind Colby.

Colby smiled.

"Yea, I just hope the people at DC are as welcoming as you were when I first got here."

"I'm sure they will be Colby," piked up Charlie who had a stack of books in his hands.

Colby couldn't help but smile at Charlie. Charlie holding a stack of books…that's definitely how he's going to remember the young mathematician.

Megan and Liz soon came and they all took turns hugging Colby and telling them that they were going to miss him. Megan and Don started to bring up old memories of Colby's time on the team. Everyone laughed, they had had some really good times as a team.

Everyone noticed that David was nowhere to be seen, and they could see Colby looking for him without trying to be obvious. Megan saw David in the break room and nudged Colby in the arm, tilting her head towards the break room. Colby smiled appreciatively at her and walked towards the break room.

Colby took a deep breath and walked in.

"Hey David"

David just kept his back to Colby and kept pouring his coffee. Colby got the hint.

"So uh…I just wanted to come in and… and say bye."

This was so much harder than Colby had imagined.

"I hope you at least get a new partner that can run," Colby joked trying to lighten the mood.

David didn't say anything, he didn't even so much as acknowledge that Colby was in the room.

"Come on man...you're seriously not gonna talk to me? Not even to say bye? I mean I know what I did was messed up and I know I hurt you and I can never say sorry enough to make it up to you, but the least you can do is just say bye."

Still no response.

"David! Come on man! We were best friends for 2 years! Look at me!"

"Don't kid yourself Granger," David said as he finally turned around. "We weren't best friends for 2 years…how could we have been? I never even knew who you were for the past 2 years."

Colby just starred at him in shock.

"Of course you did! Just because I was undercover doesn't mean I was lying to you about everything David. Everything I said to you, all the stories I told you, every little thing I confided in you was the truth! And all those times you confided in me, that wasn't a lie either."

"Yea and how much of what I confided in you did you go run and tell your boss huh?" snapped David.

"What! None of it! You know me David, I would never do that!"

"HA! That's rich Colby…I don't know you anymore than I know those two agents that helped us on the case! Speaking of which, I saw how they looked at you, you do something to piss em off too?" David remarked bitterly.

"Shit! Shit! Why did I just say that!" David thought.

Colby froze on the spot and David saw the same fear in Colby's eyes that he had seen each time he was around those agents. He really wished he hadn't just said that.

Colby finally spoke but his eyes remained on the ground.

"Look, I just…I don't want to fight with you David. I'm sorry for everything that happened, I'm sorry I lied to you, I'm sorry that I hurt you, I'm just…sorry."

Colby finally looked up at David.

"I hope me leaving will bring back some sense of normalcy for you, you were truly the best partner I've ever had, and the best, bestfriend."

Colby got up and started walking towards the door. Before he opened the door he turned back to David one last time.

"If it means anything, If I had to do it all over again, spy on you guys all over again…I would tell you what my mission was, I wouldn't tell anyone else, but I'd tell you…protocols be damned."

And with that Colby walked out the door and over to his desk where the rest of his team was waiting for him to help carry his stuff out.

David stood there…just starring as Colby walked out the break room doors. What the hell had he just done? He kept repeating that one thought over and over in his head. He didn't even notice the lone tear that had fallen down his face.

Colby opened the break room doors with a heavy heart. That was not the way he had wanted to end things with his best friend. That was not the way he wanted to say goodbye. God it all just hurt too much. As he walked over to the rest of his team Megan put a supportive arm around his shoulder, knowing all too well what must have happened in the break room.

Don was the first one to break the silence.

"So bud, what do you say we all help you take your stuff to the car?"

Colby smiled at them appreciatively.

"Actually guys, I think it be easier if I just went out alone…I just…I'm horrible at goodbyes," he said as he smiled.

Everyone understood.

"Alrite Colb…well…take care of yourself man, you were truly one of the best agents I've ever had," Don said as he gave Colby a hug. Next was Liz and Charlie and then Megan.

"Aww Megan no don't do that," Colby said as he saw Megan start to tear up.

"I'm gonna miss you so much Colby," Megan said as she sniffled.

"I'm gonna miss you too," he said as he hugged Megan. "I'm going to miss all of you. But I'll come back and visit, I promise."

"You better Granger!" Don said as he wrapped his hand around the back of Colby's neck.

"And keep in touch Colby!" said Charlie with a big smile on his face.

Colby smiled, that was another thing he'd remember about the young mathematician, that big ol' smile of his.

"Don't worry Charlie, I'm sure I'll be calling in a few favours with you," Colby said.

Colby picked up his box and took a look around the office. He was sure going to miss this place.

He looked over the break room where David still was and smiled sadly. He was going to miss his best friend too.

Colby finally walked into the elevator and took one last look at his team. He was trying to keep the tears at bay, he couldn't break down now, he had held out for so long. Colby was willing the elevator doors to close, he could feel a tear about to slip out.

Finally the door closed and that lone tear fell down Colby's face.

****************************************************************

Back at the office everyone sort of just stood around Colby's desk not knowing what to do.

"Look uh…why don't you guys just take the day off okay, we'll all just meet up here on Monday," Don said trying to be a source of strength for his team.

"No, we should be here, we need to be here," Megan said as she looked at the remaining members of her team (minus David).

Don smiled understandingly. Just then Charlie spoke up.

"Hey! Colby left his fishing hook here!" he said holding up the fuzzy object.

"Wasn't that something his dad made him?" questioned Megan.

"Yea!" replied Don. " Wooly…something"

"We should go give it to him, I know it meant a lot to him," Megan said as she looked at it.

"I'll go give it to him," said Charlie. "I think it'll be too hard if he has to see one of you guys."

The team agreed and sent Charlie to hand over the hook to Colby.

******************************************************************

Colby was walking with his head down to his car. This was the worst he could ever remember feeling. He didn't even feel this bad when Lancer was sticking needles in him. He knew it was for the best though, he just had to man up, he deserved this, he knew he did, after everything he had done, everyone he had hurt, he deserved this.

Just as Colby was approaching his car he saw two men step out of an SUV parked right beside his car.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here," Agent Martin mocked.

"I would say it's Agent Colby Granger of the FBI," mocked Agent Ross as they both stood by his car.

Colby froze. It seemed to be a reoccurring move whenever he saw these two agents. Colby was a good 10 feet in front of them but it didn't help the chill that ran down his spine.

"You know," began Agent Martin. "You really shouldn't be out here by yourself"

Colby was about to swallow his fear and say something when he heard…

"Colby, Colby!"

"Oh god…Charlie," thought Colby.

"Hey Colb you forget…"Charlie said as he held up the hook while at the same time panting for breath from running. That's when Charlie recognized the agents from the case.

"Hey Agent Martin, Agent Ross, what are you guys doing here?"

When the agents didn't reply, he looked at Colby and what he saw in Colby's eyes scared him. Colby looked…scared.

"Colby what's going on?" he asked as he started walking towards Colby.

"Charlie stop.." Colby started.

"Colb…"

"Charlie run…" Colby started as he saw Agent Ross start to move. "RUN!!!!!!!"

Charlie didn't know what was going on but he recognized three things at once , Colby yelling at him to run, Agent Ross starting to approach him, and Agent Martin attacking Colby.

Charlie's heart started to beat fast and he started running as fast as he could. He didn't want to leave Colby but what could he do? He would have to go get Don and David and the team. Charlie saw that Colby had managed to land some punches on Agent Martin, but he also saw that Agent Ross was gaining on him.

Charlie was scared…he was scared for himself…he was scared for Colby.

Agent Ross was getting so close, Charlie knew he couldn't outrun a federal agent. Just as Charlie feared the worst, Agent Ross was tackled down by Colby. Somehow Colby had managed to get Agent Martin off of him long enough to tackle down Agent Ross.

"CHARLIE RUN!!!!!!!!" Colby yelled as he tackled Agent Ross to the ground.

And Charlie did just that, he ran, and he ran.

Charlie looked back in time to see Agent Martin come up behind Colby with a bat and hit him across the head. Charlie saw Colby's body go limp, and he ran even faster.

******************************************

Charlie practically ran into doors on his way into the FBI building.

Charlie ran into the office.

"COLBY…COLBY…THEY…"

Don was the first one over.

"Whoa Chuck, what's the matter! Charlie what happened! Are you hurt??"

By this time the rest of the team, including David had come to see what the commotion was about.

"No! Fine! BUT COLBY! Agent Martin…Agent Ross…" Charlie was trying to breathe but it was becoming increasingly difficult.

David felt his stomach turn at the mention of those two names and Colby's in the same sentence. It was David who spoke up this time.

"Charlie! Charlie! What about them?"

"They…they took him…they took Colby…"

The entire team stood there in shock.

"Chuck what do you mean they took him?"

"They took him!" Charlie yelled. Why wasn't Don getting this!

"I think they were waiting for him! And they hit him, they hit him with a bat and took him!"

David froze. His heart started to beat faster than he ever thought possible, and everything seemed to shatter around him. He knew the rest of his team was still talking to Charlie but it was all a blur, they all sounded like distant voices. All he could think about was that he had walked Colby right into a trap…into the hands of those agents…no not agents…those bastards…they had just taken his bestfriend…and it was all his fault...

TBC...