He's gone. He's not coming back. God, please bring him back. Please!
Charlie sat on his bed unmoving. Unseeing. Staring ahead of him towards his wall. Ian had been gone for three days now. Three long days. He had been unable to sleep. Every time he closed his eyes he could hear the shot that took his boyfriend' life. He could still see the blood seeping through his shirt as he laid on the ground. Feel don' arms around him, holding him back to stop him from running to the man he loved.
The only reason he ate anything at all is because of his brother and his dad. They were always making sure he ate just a bit every few hours. They had learned not to push to much into him on the second day when his dads chicken noodle soup came back up after only a few bites. He had not uttered a word since he had lost it at the hospital when he found out Ian was gone forever. He knew he was scaring his brother and dad but he couldn't bring himself to care. All he could think about was the man he loves being taken from him.
It has to be some cruel joke fate had in store for him. Lets give you the most amazing guy you have ever met, fall in love, make him what to stay with you, then take him from you! It's not fair. But no matter how many times he has cried, or thought how life is not fair, It never changed anything. Three days later and Ian was still gone.
Charlie didn't feel the tears fall from his eyes as he laid down on their bed. He turned his face and buried it into the pillow that had been Ian'. Breathing in deep he inhaled the scent of his lover that was still strong on it. Musk, earthy, just a hint of aftershave. The aftershave was for Charlie. It had been a gift from him. He only wore it when he was home with his boyfriend. Charlie sobbed quietly into the pillow, holding it close to him. Besides the aftershave, Ian' other scents where one of the first things he had noticed when he had met the sniper all those years ago. Back when he thought the older man arrogant and it grated on his nerves when he challenged Charlie' math. The other thing he had noticed was he was incredibly hot. He didn't find out until many years later that that was exactly what Ian thought when he had first met Charlie.
Charlie' mind plays back to Ian nervously asking Charlie out after him and Don had gotten back from the diamond chase through the mountains that almost resulted in Don getting a bullet to the head.
Charlie was waiting on the front porch of the old craftsman house when his brother pulled up. He knew don would be angry for him going to the F.B.I Office but honestly, what else could he have done? As soon as Ian said his brother was in trouble Charlie knew that clearance be damned, there was no way he couldn't help. He would gladly face his brothers anger if it meant he was alive. Don got out of the black suburban and made his way to the steps, Ian getting out and following close by.
"Don," Charlie started nervously, "I know your mad. I'm sorry. I had to help! When Ian came to me and said Hmmph..." His words were cut off as Don bounded up the steps, grabbed Charlie and pulled him into a tight hug. Charlie stood still for a moment before bringing his arms around his brothers back. He laid his head on his brothers shoulder while glancing at Ian. The other man was looking on at the two brothers with affection clear in his eyes. This is what they needed to get past this. Whatever happened, they would tackle it together.
Don tightened his embrace another moment before pulling back. " I know Charlie." He said with a small smile. "Thank you." Don stood by him for another second then made his way into the house. No doubt to catch their father up on the case.
Both men stood on the porch for neither of them knew how long. Charlie broke the silence first. "Would you like to come in and have a drink?"
Ian looked at him and Charlie thought he saw an intense look pass though the other mans eyes but then it was gone and he said, "yeah, I would. If its not a bother."
Charlie laughed, "Not a bother at all! After all, I owe you."
Ian grabbed Charlie' wrist, stopping him momentarily from entering the house. "You don't owe me anything Charlie. I'm glad I was here to help." Charlie was caught off guard by the look in his eyes. It was like he was saying something but meaning something else. Charlie looked at Ian' hand on his wrist, then brought his free hand up to cover the other mans, conveying his own message. He looked back at Ian before dropping his hand and turning back toward the house, Ian following behind him.
It was almost three hours later that Ian was making his way out of the house, filled with beer, pizza, and good laughs. Charlie followed him out as he heard his dad shout to Ian that the next time he is in town not to be a stranger and to stop by.
"I will Alan, and thank you." He said as Charlie closed the door. Ian stopped at the bottom step, then turned back to Charlie. "I meant what I said, You don't owe me anything Charlie."
Charlie looked down at Ian and smirked. "Well, we can agree to disagree."
It was Ian' turn to smirk. Then he turned serious. "Fine, but please, don't feel like you owe me to say yes to the question I'm about to ask you."
Charlie frowned as Ian stepped up onto the next step, bringing him closer to Charlie. "Ok, I won't."
Ian took a deep breath then exhaled. "Would you like to have dinner with me?"
Charlie' eyes widen minutely. He looked at Ian then asked, quite dumbly, "Like a date?"
Ian huffed out a laugh. "Yeah, like a date. I'm not sure how long I have before they send me out again but I would really like to take you out. Get to know you more."
Ian had looked down as he spoke then looked back to Charlie as he finished.
Charlie was not use to seeing the other man like this. He was always so sure of himself. So confident. He was unsure how it would turn out but as he stood there thinking about it, He liked that idea.
"Yeah. I'd like to go out on a date with you."
Ian' smiled widely at Charlie' answer. "Alright. Good. Umm...You still have my number right?" He had given it to him after their first case together, just in case.
"Yeah, I still have it."
Ian nodded, "Good. How about I pick you up tomorrow? We could decide on a place to eat then?"
Charlie nodded back, " Sounds perfect. Till tomorrow."
Ian smiled again, he couldn't help it. "Till tomorrow."
Charlie turned and walked back inside once Ian got into his truck. When he closed the door he pumped his fist in the air. He could not wait until tomorrow. He would find out much later that while Ian was in his truck, he had done the same.
present
Charlie was still clutching Ian' pillow to him. "You got the call right when we finished our meal." He spoke quietly to himself. There was no need to whisper. Don was still at work and his dad was somewhere in the house. But for some reason, it made him feel like he was talking only to Ian. " I'm still not sure which one of us was more upset. They had given you two hours to pack and make it to the airport before you flew out. You drove me home and walked me to the door. That was the first time you kissed me. God it felt amazing. You kissed me and said that was a promise of another date as soon as you could manage." Charlie smiled a small smile. "I told you I would be waiting. And you left. There wasn't a day that passed that I didn't get a text from you. Everyday until you got back."
Charlie sniffed, more tears sprung free. "You said you wouldn't leave me! You promise me!" Gut wrenching sobs escaped his body as he cried again for the man he had lost.
"Well, If it's any consolation to you, he didn't have a choice."
The voice sounded from the other side of the room and as Charlie jumped from the bed his door was being shit gently. He had never seen the man before, but he knew who he was. "Phillip Masterson" Charlie said, his voice dripping with anguish and venom.
Masterson pointed his handgun at Charlie' head while walking farther into the room. "Well well, we finally meet, Professor Eppes." He stopped by the bed, "Move over" he ordered. Charlie glared at the man. For half a second he wanted to tell the man to go to hell. If he killed him, he would be with Ian. But as the words were close to leaving his lips his blood turned to ice. If Masterson had made his way into the house..."Where's my father?" "MOVE" He nearly shouted. Charlie scooted to the far side of the bed. Masterson sat down, gun still trained on Charlie. "Your father is fine. Well, he will probably have a headache when he comes around but he is alive."
Charlie stared at the man who had taken Ian from him. " I knew you wouldn't let me go."
Masterson laughed. " Of course I won't let you go! Killing Ian was to avenge my wife. Killing you? Well, That just adds more insult to the man. After all, he tried so hard to keep you safe from me."
Charlie growled and tried to lunge at the man. Masterson took the butt of the gun and slammed it into the side of Charlie' head. Charlie went down on the bed, his head piercing with pain. "Stay down." He heard the other man say. Charlie looked back to the man, feeling hot liquid on the side of his face and he knew his head was bleeding. "Why? Your going to kill me anyway."
"True," the other man gloated, "but how you behave depends on if I decide to make it quick for you or not."
Charlie leaned back and slowly slid his hand under his pillow, toward the knife Ian had asked him to keep there as of recently. Holding his head with the unused hand, he turned back slowly. "What makes you think I care wither or not I feel anything?"
Masterson laughed at him again. " Oh come now Professor. I know you might not care about yourself, but I do know you care for your father downstairs. You wouldn't want me to bring him into this now."
Charlie snarled at the madman. "Leave him out of this. This is just you and me."
"Then be a good boy and make this easy for yourself." Masterson leaned on his elbow, gun still in his hand. "Tell me, Charlie. Does it make you mad that despite Ian' promise to protect you, giving up his life for you, you will still die?"
Charlie fumed as the man spoke.
"Does it upset you that he wasn't enough to protect you?"
Charlie was done playing his games. "I don't know. Does it upset you knowing you weren't enough to protect your wife?"
Masterson roared with rage and lunged at Charlie at the same time as Charlie swung his hand out, slicing through Masterson' hand. He screamed in pain as he brought up the hand that was still holding the gun and aimed it at Charlie. He had a millisecond to think "Here I come Ian" before the sound of a shot being fired. But instead of nothing Charlie heard the thud of a body hitting the ground and shouts from somewhere in the house. Charlie opened his eyes and saw the body of Phillip Masterson bleeding on his floor. He brought his gaze toward the door and couldn't stop the gasp of breath that escaped his lungs. There standing at his door, gun still raised, was Ian.
Charlie was frozen. No, It couldn't be Ian. He was dead. But as he looked on he saw Ian holster his gun and take two cautious steps into the room, stopping in the middle of the room. Charlie looked at him, disbelieve on his face. Ian looked back at Charlie, tears streaming down his face. His lips were moving and Charlie had to listen closely to hear the words " I'm so sorry" over and over coming from the other man.
Charlie stood slowly, trying to make his way to his boyfriend. Needing to touch him, feel him, know that he was not dreaming. As he took an unsteady step his vision started to blacken as he saw Don make his way into the room. As he started to fall forward, he barely made out both men running forward to catch him, Hearing Ian' loud shout of his name before the darkness took him.
