Thanks so much to everyone who has taken the time to read and to review my story!

Thanks to my beta starfishyeti!

The stalker part2

by elessar73

*** 7. chapter : Up and away ***

The three Eppes' men stepped outside the house and marched towards Don's SUV. Without any further explanation it was understood, that they would take Don's car to get to the airport-, Charlie's Toyota was just to small.

After all the baggage was stowed the three men took their seats. Don drove, while Charlie sat beside him and Alan took the backseat.

"Ready for take-off?" The agent asked smiling.

"Absolutely," came the simultaneous answer from his family.

Despite the usual horrible traffic on the streets of L.A. they made good time and arrived at LAX thirty minutes before check-in started.

Don found a free spot at a nearby short-term parking lot. Charlie was driving his car back to the city. The thought of it gave him a chill, but by now Charlie was a good enough driver to handle the big car, he hoped despairingly. He wasn't that happy about the circumstances, but he hadn't had the heart to deny Charlie this wish. Charlie's brown eyes had began to sparkle like it was Christmas eve and he was allowed to open one present before he had to go to sleep. Nobody had had the heart to deny the little boy his wish and the puppy-dog look still performed its magic. Don shook his head in disbelief. 'Little brothers:the curse of the older sibling' life.'

They got out of the car and fetched their baggage. In file, because of the traffic, they made it to the main building of the airport. Don was the first to reach the entrance. The glass doors slid open in front of him and he stepped into the waiting-hall. Out of habit, he let his view travel across the crowd of people waiting for their flights. It was just then that he realized the forms of three familiar figures. Surprised he stopped in his tracks to take a better look. Maybe it was just his imagination. Charlie, who was walking closely behind his brother didn't notice the abrupt halt and slammed into Don's back.

"Damn," Don hissed through clenched teeth, turning around to find himself face to face with his sheepishly grinning brother. "You ever heard about paying attention?"

"Sorry," Charlie shrugged his shoulders. "But why have you stopped? The check-in is over there." The young mathematician pointed with his index finger towards the US Airways counter.

Don didn't had the time to answer when his teammates appeared in front of him.

"Finally you're here. We were thinking about sending out a search-party," Colby explained in his usual laidback way.

"Hey Colby," Charlie took the reply from Don's lips. "Want to say good bye big boss?" Charlie looked sheepishly at his brother.

"Don't push your luck little one." Alan added in his best parental tone, but failed miserably when he couldn't hold back his laughter.

Don frowned at his reaction, but Megan prevented him from commenting upon it with her greeting.

"Hey everybody." Megan clapped Charlie's shoulder and the young mathematician grinned back in a friendly way. Since Charlie had stopped his therapy sessions with a professional therapist he had taken his chances with Megan. The female agent was a qualified psychologist and, what was more important, knew Charlie well. During the time Charlie had worked closely with the FBI and had helped solved uncountable cases she had learned a lot about the young genius. The young man had earned the respect and love of all the team members. He had become a precious part of the team - a little brother to everyone.

The first time Charlie had opened up to her she had found him on the CalSci-Campus sitting at a fountain. It had seemed that the young man was just looking into the water, but Megan was sure, that some unsolvable math-problems were dancing through his mind. She had stepped closer and had just sat down beside him without saying a word.

Finally, it was the genius who had broken the silence, "What brings you here?"

"Do I need a reason to visit?" She had answered as if it was the most normal thing for her to spend time with Charlie.

Charlie had turned towards her, a frown on his forehead. "I guess not," he'd stated, "but I guess Don sent you."

"Oh la la, you can't fool a genius." Megan had brushed her hand through Charlie's dark curls, understanding once again, why women fell for them. "He's just worried."

Charlie dark eyes had grown wide. "He doesn't need to. I'm fine."

"Sure you are. But you know Don. He can't give up." Megan had smiled genuinely at Charlie

Charlie had nodded his head in understanding. "I know".

They had sat wordless for a little while. Finally, Charlie had taken in a deep breath and had begun to talk about Amita. In the beginning his words had just been whispers and Megan had had to strain her ears to understand them, but with every added word the voice had become louder.

Megan had listened very carefully. She had always known that Charlie loved Amita more than anything else, and that she had broken his heart, when she had left. But to hear these sad words out of Charlie's mouth, who usually just recited numbers were hard for her. She wasn't able to stop the tears springing into her eyes. She had swallowed hard looking into Charlie's dark, wet eyes.

Without a word she had dragged him into her arms and had hugged him tight. "Everything will be okay. Believe me." Since that day Megan had began to visit Charlie once or twice in a week at CalSci, depending on the work she had to do. Sometimes they had eaten together or had just sat in the grounds. And whenever Charlie had felt the need he was able to talk to her. The woman had never asked anything, she was just near and had listened when required. And that was, what Charlie had needed. The genius needed the chance to heal and recover at his own speed and Megan gave him the freedom to do so without putting any pressure upon him.

Don noticed the small gesture out of the corner of his eyes and a little smile danced around his mouth. Though Megan never told him directly that she was sort of counseling Charlie, he was agent enough to figure it out by himself.

A little of the pressure that had rested upon his shoulders slipped away. He knew that the team would take care of Charlie while he and Alan were away. All three of them loved his little genius brother in an almost familial way. This knowledge gave him at least a little peace, but he was unable to fool himself completely. Deep inside he knew that something dangerous was going on. His nightmares had become an everyday occurrence, just like his control calls to 'Sun Valley'.

"You alright Don?" His father's voice close to his ear dragged him away from his thoughts. "We have to go."

"Alright." Don nodded his okay. His dark eyes searched for Charlie and he found him standing surrounded by three FBI-agents. 'What more can I ask for?'

"Okay fellows, I guess it's time to say goodbye." Theatrically, Don wiped an invisible tear away. "Hawaii is waiting." Though he tried to sound relaxed Colby noticed the small strain in his boss' voice. He looked him in the eyes, finding a touch of underlying fear in the dark pools.

'Overprotecting brother can't let go,' Colby smirked.

The good-byes were brief and big hearted. Don held his brother in a tight embrace."Take care buddy. And thanks again."

Charlie had tried to keep a professional manner, but he couldn't fight the tears that sprung to his eyes at his brother's kind words. He wiped them away with the back of his hand. "Have fun, and there's nothing to thank for." Charlie clapped Don's back slightly.

Reluctantly, Don let go of his brother and while he turned towards his friends Alan took the vacated place in front of Charlie. He laid his hands on Charlie's shoulders. "Goodbye little one. Take care, eat enough, sleep regularly..."

"Dad," Charlie stopped the fatherly advices. "I'll be fine."

Alan nodded, his lips pressed tightly together. His son was an adult, he knew that, but sometimes he couldn't comprehend the fact. By all accounts Charlie was a genius, but now and then he failed in the simple tasks of life. Alan pulled him into his arms.

"Don't worry, dad, everything'll be okay."

Charlie felt his father nodding against his shoulder. Affectionately, he pushed him away. "You have to go or you'll miss your flight."

The young professor stepped aside, while his father said his good bye to the agents.

Don was still engrossed in a conversation with Colby, when a cell started to ring.

Colby shrugged his shoulders apologetically and reached for his phone.

"Granger," the agent spat out, unwillingly taking the call. But that changed within a second. Colby's attention was completely drawn into the conversation. "Yeah, got it, will be there in twenty minutes." He closed his cell. As his ice-blue eyes made contact with his co-workers they could see the tension expand around him.

"We have a homicide," he delivered the bad news in a clipped voice. "We have to go."

"Oh man," David said, frustrated. "Not even time to say a proper good-bye."

"That's the way it is." Colby explained.

Megan nodded silently.

"Hey," Don couldn't help himself. "What's going on with Granger?"

Charlie took a deep breath, seeing his brother's body tensed up and falling into FBI-mode. IIt really was the unluckiest moment for such a call.

Don clenched his hand into fists, standing on the edge of skipping his holiday plans.

"Whoa," Colby soothed his boss. "You're off, remember. There's nothing to worry about. The three of us," Colby pointed at his teammates, "will handle everything."

Alan was hopping from foot to foot observing the scene nervously. It was past time for checking in, but Don stood frozen to stone.

"Donnie," Alan tried to reach his son. It seemed like an eternity till Don reacted. He shook his head to clear his mind. He sighed deeply, bent down and then arched up his back. "Let's go." Don had made his decision.

Everyone sighed in relief. 'That was close.'

The agents turned to leave.

"You're okay on your own, Charlie?" Megan felt the need to make sure that Charlie would be alright.

"Yeah, of course. I'm heading back to CalSci." An evil grin appeared on his face while he reached for Don's car keys in his pocket. "Driving Don's SUV will be fun."

"Buddy," Don turned concerned eyes on his brother. "Just a small scratch and you're dead," he teased him affectionately.

Charlie's smile deepened. "I know."

"Okay, we're out," Colby made his point.

"Hey Colby," Don held his agent back once more. "You've got it covered, right?" Don had to assure himself. "Everything."

Colby lifted his thumb, knowing exactly what Don was referring about. He would make sure that Charlie would live through the days, Don and Alan were away.

The little gesture was all Don needed for confirmation, he trusted his team, he trusted his brother:everything would be just fine - somehow.

TBC