Hey thanks for all of the reviews! I'm posting this chapter early because… well… I don't know, but you shouldn't be complaining! XD Anyways, enjoy the next chapter!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Numb3rs. :'(

Nikki and McFlinn were pinning pictures to a board. "Look, Suzanne-"

"I told you to call me Suzie." McFlinn interrupted. She smoothed out the picture she was putting up that had the name James Bradley on it. It was a match to one of the fake paramedics.

"There are a lot of nasty things that come with this job." Nikki said.

"You can tell me all you want about dead people. It's not going to faze me one bit." Suzie said matter of factly. She picked up the manila folder that held Mr. Bradley's information in it and began to glance over it.

"Excuse me?" Nikki said with attitude. "You've only been in the FBI for a month. I doubt you've seen as much as I have."

"You looked at my file?" Suzie asked as she kept her gaze on the folder in front of her.

"Ya." Nikki responded cockily as she put a hand on her hip. It had clearly listed that her employment with the FBI was only for roughly 5 weeks. She had been stationed in D.C. before being transferred to the Violent Crime Squad in L.A.

"Then you obviously skipped over an important part of it." If it's even in there. She added silently in her head. Suzie peered up over the folder with a cold stare. Nikki held it with an evenly cold stare. Suzie turned her attention back to the folder after a short silence. Then she said, "I served two tours in Iraq. When I got back from the second tour I went to college for psychology. I joined the FBI and was in it for two weeks before I got sent to Afghanistan for my third tour. On the second week of that tour I was taken hostage and tortured for three weeks. I got honorably discharged when they recovered me." She looked up from the folder. "I just got back four weeks ago. So don't think you can tell me anything about gruesome scenes or dead bodies that I don't already know."

Nikki crossed her arms over her chest and suddenly felt a pang of guilt that she would never admit to. "My apologies…" she paused and decided to try and lighten the mood. "I usually call people by the state they come from. So where are you from?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out." Suzie decided.

Nikki sighed. "Well what does your psychology degree say about that guy?"

"That's he's definitely not a leader. All of his charges are for being an accessory. If it's not an accessory it's a minor charge. Same with the other paramedic." She glanced up at the picture beside Mr. Bradley's. It read Glenn Marshall. "If they even knew the mastermind behind the plot they probably wouldn't have been able to tell us much about him. They're definitely on the low end of the food chain." Suzie pointed to the one that had the name Julian Pablo on it. "The one that shot the professor was probably a mid-level man. Just the fact that he was trusted not to miss the shot is a big factor."

"So you definitely think this was intentional?" Nikki asked.

"Of course. Why else would you walk the whole way to baggage pick up?"

"Good point."

Suzie put the folder down. "If the shooter was truly just a psycho he definitely would not have waited that long. He would have just walked in and started shooting. The fact that he only shot one person helps that theory."

Nikki picked up her phone. "I'll call Colby and let him know."

"You don't have to call Colby." Granger said as he walked into the room. "What can you tell me?"

"That it was intentional." Nikki said. "And that none of these people have ever been in a case Charlie has consulted on."

"A math professor consults for the FBI?" Suzie questioned. "How does math relate to crime?"

"You'd be surprised." Colby replied sarcastically.

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A couple hours later Colby was dozing lightly at his desk when his cell phone started ringing. "Granger." He answered.

"Hey, Colb, it's Don." The voice on the other ends said.

"What's up?" Colby asked as he rubbed at his eyes.

"Charlie just got out of surgery. He's breathing through a tube right now, but other than that he's fine." Don explained.

"That's great." Colby said with a smile.

"They're sending the bullet over for analysis. I want you to run it through the database and see if it matches anything we have."

"Got it, Don."

"Oh and, Colby, have McFlinn look through the airport security tapes for anyone who looks suspicious."

"Alright." Colby replied. Don clicked his phone shut on the other end.

Colby stood up and stretched before going to find Suzie. Then he realized that they had never gotten the security tapes yet. He walked into the war room where Nikki and Suzie were pouring over a lot of papers. They didn't look like they were finding anything.

"Suzie, you're with me. We're going to go get airport security tapes." Colby said as he peaked in the door. "And, Nikki, there's a bullet on its way over from the hospital that needs analyzed."

"Well who died and made you in charge?" Nikki asked.

Colby waggled his phone for her to see. "Special Agent in Charge Don Eppes called me." That got him thinking for a minute. "Wait has anyone seen Liz?"

"She's on something with the DOJ. She called and said she'd be here as soon as possible." Nikki explained.

Suzie got up and followed Colby out of the war room. "We need vests?" she asked.

"Ya, better safe than sorry." Colby said.

About 15 minutes later they were in the standard black SUV on the way to the airport. Colby was driving of course.

The doctors had finally released Don. They had signed the forms and grudgingly had sent him off with a prescription for a high power pain medication. He rubbed his bandaged wrist subconsciously as he walked down the hall to the elevator. He went up two floors to get to ICU. The elevator doors opened and he waved his badge to the nurses at the front desk.

The halls were eerily quiet and Don felt uncomfortable. He was reminded of his mother's last days in a room much like the ones he was passing. Don visibly shivered. He heard some quiet whisperings and turned the corner to see Alan, Larry, and Amita.

"How's he doin'?" Don asked.

"He's stable." Amita said as she looked over. She was standing at the large window looking in on her husband. Don walked over and gave Amita a comforting hug. Amita hugged back tightly.

"I'm sorry." Don whispered to her.

"It's not your fault." Amita said shakily. "You tried to protect him."

Don and Amita stood there holding each other for what seemed like a long time. Each of them comforting the other without meaningless words. Don pulled away, but kept a comforting hand on Amita's shoulder. He looked over at Alan and Larry who were sitting beside each other. "How are you two holding up?"

"Fine." Larry answered after some thought. His eyes were on the fragile looking boy across the hall.

Alan sighed. "I'm alright considering the current situation. Could be better." He could see Don was avoiding looking in to see his little brother. Don may not open up to him, but he knew who we would open up to. "I haven't seen Robin yet. Did you call her?"

Don shook his head. "She's on a big case right now. I didn't want to get her upset."

Alan gave his son a glare that meant he still should have called her.

It was silent for a moment until Don asked, "Are we allowed in the room?"

Amita nodded.

Don glanced at everyone then took a deep breath. He turned and opened the door. A constant beeping filled his ears. He closed the door and then turned to face his brother. He clasped a hand over his mouth to try and keep in the sudden sob that escaped his lips.

Charlie looked so weak and small in the hospital bed. An overwhelming urge to hide him from the horrors of life washed over Don. He wanted to take him far away to somewhere safe. Somewhere where he wouldn't get hurt like this ever again.

Charlie had a tube down his throat to keep him breathing normally. He also had a heart monitor attached to him. In his left wrist were two IVs. One was pumping blood into his veins. The other was pumping in much needed fluids. Don could see the tight white gauze that was wrapped around the left side of Charlie's chest peaking out underneath the hospital gown he was wearing.

Don sat on a chair in the room and pulled it up closer to Charlie's side. He gently grabbed hold of Charlie's right hand and held it in both of his. He couldn't believe this had happened to his brother. He was the oldest, he was supposed to protect Charlie from things like this. "I'm so sorry, Charlie." He whispered aloud.

" 's not your fault."

Don thought he imagined it at first. "Chuck?"

"Don't call me Chuck." He slurred.

Don smiled one of those crinkly eyed smiles. "How you feeling, buddy?" he asked. Charlie's eyes weren't even open as he talked so Don was pretty sure he probably wouldn't be around for long.

"Tired…" Charlie murmured.

Don could see the physical effort it was taking for Charlie to talk to him. "Just get some rest, buddy, okay?"

"Stay…?" Was the last word on Charlie's lips before he slipped back into unconsciousness.

It took a moment for Don to respond. "Ya, buddy … I'll stay." He kept a tight hold on Charlie's hand.

And I leave you with some Hurt/Comfort Don and Charlie fluffiness! :) Remember: Review's make me happy! And happiness will bring chapters sooner.