Brothers2008 thank you so much for your kind review. :) Glad you're enjoying it. :)

This chapter makes reference to my previous Numb3rs fic 'Sweet Reality' but it isn't necessary to read it

Title: Long way home
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: Terry/Don, Charlie/Amita
Timeline: AU season two

It wasn't the first time Alan Eppes was up before the sun. Now he sat on his deck watching the sunrise a long cold cup of coffee in one hand. Alan sighed he hadn't slept much the night before. His fight with Don weighing on his mind. When Alan did finally get a few hours of sleep he was plagued with nightmares of Charlie's death.
Charlie's death.
The two words still felt strange together. Alan wasn't sure he'd ever get used to his youngest being gone.
Parents weren't supposed to bury their children. It wasn't the natural order of things.

Alan's thoughts turned to his surviving son and their argument. It wasn't that Alan didn't want Charlie's killers punished; he did. He wanted them more than punished….death penalty whole nine yards. Shaking his head Alan set the coffee mug on the small table. What had fueled his anger at Don was the very real possibility of burying another son.

The elder Eppes had seen the determination and revenge in Don's eyes. Had heard the anger boiling just below the surface. His sons hadn't always been close. Charlie's genius weighing on them as children. Don always being in his brother's shadow. As adults a friendship had formed. One Alan had been very happy to see. They had still butted heads of course. Especially while working together on cases. Charlie had a big heart and didn't understand that sometimes procedure won out over the human aspect of the case.

The irony of the situation was that Alan had always been prepared for Don to be hurt. With the occupation he chose danger went with it. Now Alan was terrified that Don would be consumed with revenge. That he wouldn't let the justice system handle it.
That Don would take matters into his own hands; ignore his team.
The most frustrating thing was that Alan couldn't do a damn thing about it. If Don wasn't listening to him now it'd only get worse as the weeks went by. All Alan could do was pray that if his son wouldn't listen to him that he'd listen to his friends.

Colby Granger bypassed the FBI breakroom and headed outside for some real coffee.
Real coffee and fresh air.
It wasn't the first time he'd pulled an all nighter but it'd been awhile. This one was especially tough since the case involved a friend.
Shaking his head to clear the cobwebs Colby reached the sidewalk and turned south. The sun was just starting to break through the marine mist as Colby made his way to a café. He hadn't known Charlie long but Colby had instantly liked the mathematician. The fact that Charlie was the brother of a man he admired made the whole mess worse. Watching Don crumble the last two days had been tough. Sadly Colby knew what he had seen Don endure was only the beginning Once the shock wore off and they caught Charlie's killer it'd only get worse.
Then Don wouldn't have anything to distract him from the reality of Charlie's murder.

Reaching his destination Colby pushed open the glass doors of the café and stepped inside. The smell of food reminded Colby of how little he'd had to eat. He made a mental note to add pastries to the coffee run since Colby knew David hadn't eaten much either. Walking to the counter the young man placed his order knowing it was going to be another long day.

Don was standing in a familiar parking lot. He saw Charlie reach his car and unlock the door. Don called out to his brother struggling to get his feet to move. They didn't he was helplessly rooted to the spot. All he could do was watch as Charlie got in the Prius and start the engine.
The force of the explosion threw Don back. Ignoring the heat and falling debris Don rose to his feet fighting to get to his brother. The fire forced him back. Frefighters grabbed Don taking him back to safety.

"Charlie!"Eppes yelled as flames fully engulfed the small car.

"Don."A familiar feminine voice drew Don's attention.

Jerking awake Don looked into Terry's concerned gaze as he fought to control his breathing.
He sat up shakily rubbing a hand over his face.

"You were having a nightmare….couldn't wake you."Terry stated quietly.

"Sorry."Don apologized once he regained his composure.

"Talk to me."Lake prompted gently.

Don sighed as he took her right hand in his entwining their fingers.

"Couple months back I had a really vivid nightmare about Charlie dying."Don began as he leaned back against the pillow. "Shook me….ended up at the house the next day. Took Charlie to breakfast."

"Don…."

"Terry in the dream he died the same way."Eppes continued. "Straight down to the location. I should've told him."

Terry shook her head. "Don, you're not psychic. There's no way you could've known…."

"That it wasn't a premonition?"Don finished bitterly.

"What do you think Charlie would have said if you'd told him?"Terry asked.

Don looked down at their entwined fingers. "He would have quoted me odds of it actually coming true."

"You can't let it haunt you, Don. Sometimes dreams are just dreams."

"Maybe."Don replied sadly. "Don't know if telling Charlie would've made a difference. He gets…..got so wrapped up in his work that he was oblivious to the rest of the world."

Don remembered that breakfast and how much fun they'd had. Very little work talk. Sitting outside at a café on Sunset. He and Charlie had been there for nearly an hour and a half.
A lump formed in Don's throat and he swallowed it.

"Don?"

"Yeah?"

Terry raised her head from his chest. "Promise me that you'll take one of us with you on whatever lead we get."

Don gently brushed hair away from Terry's face. "Afraid I'll go vigilante?"

"Yes."Terry replied seriously.

"They killed my brother, Terry. Somebody has to answer for that."

"We will get them."Lake promised quietly. "But you know Charlie wouldn't want anything to happen to you in the process of bringing his killer to justice. You have to think of your father too….he needs you."

"If I didn't know better I'd say you two were conspiraring."Don stated. "He and I argued over me going after Charlie's killer."

"Don…."

Don squeezed Terry's hand and pulled her back against him. Tonight had strengthened the bond between them. Partners, friends, lovers. He didn't know how to define it. His brain was too overwhelmed right now to even try. Don knew he'd do anything for Terry. But what she was asking…he couldn't promise. If he confronted Charlie's killer tomorrow Don wasn't sure he could walk away without putting a bullet in the bastard's brain.

"You haven't answered me."Terry prompted.

With a sigh Don placed a light kiss on Terry's forehead. "I promise I won't do anything without consulting the team."

"Thank you."Lake replied as her eyes drifted closed.

Don watched Terry sleep for a few moments before his own eyelids grew heavy and he too was asleep.