Obsession

Disclaimer: See Prologue

A/N: I'd like to say a special thank you to all who have taken the time to review.

Sun-Tzu The Art of War

If they are substantial, prepare for them

Chapter 9:

Saturday afternoon

Alan walked quietly down the hallway, pausing momentarily to take a peek into Don's room. He held his own breath while he listened to the steady rhythm of his son's breathing and with relief watched the rise and fall of his chest. Satisfied that his oldest had truly survived yesterday's explosion, he slowly closed the bedroom door and continued on his way down the stairs.

As soon as he was downstairs he headed for the kitchen to grab a bottle of water before stepping out on the front porch and easing himself into a chair. Alan had a sudden thought and quickly stood up again. He strode over to the front door, opening it and leaving it ajar just enough so that he could hear Don if he should call out for anything. Frowning, he glanced at his watch as he returned to the chair and sat down again. Charlie should have been back by now, he'd gone to CalSci to review some equations with a few of his students. Monday was his last day for finals and four of his students had asked for some extra study time with him and since Don's injuries had only been minor, the young professor had decided to keep the appointment.

Alan resisted the strong urge to call him and settled more comfortably against the cushions on the chair. The elder Eppes ran his hands over his face and rubbed at his eyes, suddenly feeling very old and extremely tired. He felt uneasy, even before Don's close call last night, his anxiety had been increasing with each day. Alan massaged the back of his neck as he tried to analyize the way he was feeling. It was as if there was a violent storm approaching and although it wasn't visible on the horizon yet, you still knew it was there...and it was getting closer. Sighing, he slouched even further in the chair and closeing his eyes he leaned his head back against the cushions, thinking about the previous evening.

Lucky, they had been so lucky; fate had been on their side yesterday. Don was going to be fine, he had survived the explosion with only a bump on his head, minor smoke inhalation and a few bruised ribs. Both Don and Megan had received mild concussions in the blast and had to remain overnight at the hospital for observation. Alan and Charlie had been allowed to bring him home this morning. The doctor had insisted that he stay with someone until the effects of the concussion had diminished. This had made Alan's job much easier when he had insisted that Don spend the weekend at the Craftsman. Megan had also been invited to stay with them but Larry had volunteered to take care of her at her own apartment. Along with her concussion she also had a badly bruised shoulder. David and Colby had been allowed to go home last night after treatment for minor smoke inhalation and some minor injuries that had required a few stitches. The four agents had been given instructions to stay home and not report for work until Monday.

All things considered, it was a miracle that any of them had even survived and if you added the fact that none of them had suffered any serious injury then in Alan's mind, you had two miracles.

Don had fallen asleep as soon as they had tucked him into bed but the doctor had warned them that this would happen. His body had to sleep off the trauma that the explosion had caused and begin to heal itself, that and the medications he had been given, pretty much guaranteed that he would sleep.

Sleep, he thought, as he sat there in the chair, would be a good thing for himself as well and he began to drift off with a warm spring breeze swirling around him. He jerked awake to the sound of someone calling out his name and as his senses groggily returned to him he immediately thought of Don. Horrified that he had fallen asleep when Don needed him he started to rise only to stop suddenly as he realized tht someone was standing in front of him. Fully awake now, Alan looked up to find himself literally face to face with Angus Fitzgerald.

The Scottsman was bending over him. "Are you all right? he asked. "I came out to get the newspaper and I heard you cry out. Should I call for a doctor?"

"No, no that's not necessary. I must have dozed off." He rubbed at his eyes and added appologetically. "I don't remember calling out but thank you for coming to check on me."

"Oh, your welcome Alan, I'm just glad your okay."

Alan stood up. "Please have a seat and I'll get us something cold to drink."

"No, I don't want to put you to any trouble."

"It's not a problem, how about a glass of iced tea?" At a nod from the other man, Alan left to get the drinks. He returned a few moments later with two large glasses of iced tea. "Angus do you want sugar for your tea or just lemon?"

"Just lemon thanks." The Scottsman responded happily as he took the glass from the older man.

Alan returned to his seat and took a sip of his own tea.

"I hope you won't take offense, Alan, but you look really tired. Is everything all right?'

"None taken Angus, I've just had a long night with very little sleep." He took another sip of tea and told him about the explosion . By the time Alan had finished his story, Fitzgerald had his hand over his mouth staring at him with wide fearful eyes.

"Oh my! Is he going to be okay?"

Alan raised a hand to calm him down. "Relax, Angus, he's going to be just fine, his whole team made it out in time."

The Scottsman shook his head in wonder. "I don't know how you do it Alan. You must be worried all of the time with the career that Don has chosen." he paused to take a drink of his tea. "It must be a relief for you that your youngest son is in a much safer profession."

Alan snorted. "Safer? It's not as safe as you might think, especially when he's off consulting for his brother or one of the other government agencies, believe me, he's had a few close calls himself."

Before the other man could respond they heard a loud noise and both of them turned toward the driveway. Charlie had pulled in while they were talking but instead of coming in he was just standing by his car facing the street.

Angus stood up and squinted in the direction of the Professor. "What's he looking at?"

Alan shrugged his shoulders and walked to the edge of the porch. "I don't know." He started to call to Charlie but hesitated when his son remained standing by the car, making no attempt to come into the house.

Charlie appeared to be looking for something…or someone. He checked up and down the street but no cars came into view and the only people that could be seen were their neighbors. At length, the young man opened the passenger door, retrieved his bag and started walking toward the house. Lost in thought he didn't see Alan or Angus until he was almost to the porch and then he was so startled that he barely caught his bag as it slipped from his shoulder.

"Dad!" he exclaimed. "Don't do that, you almost gave me a heart attack!"

Puzzled, Alan closely studied his son. "Charlie, I'm standing out in the open, how could you not see me?"

The younger man's face flushed with embarrassment when he spotted the Scottsman standing beside of his father. "Oh, hello Mr. Fitzgerald."

The man stepped forward beaming and extended his hand to him, delighted that he had another opportunity to meet the young genius. "Please call me Angus, Professor."

"Uh, sure, Angus, call me Charlie."

The young man shook his hand and then moved past him onto the porch, sinking down into one of the chairs. "Sorry, I guess I'm just a little edgy." he watched as Angus turned to his father.

"I must be going now, I have my first class on Monday and I still have a few things to gather up." Still smiling he waved at them both. "I hope Don will be up and about soon, thanks for the tea." He stepped off the porch and was soon at his own door.

Alan stood with his hands in the pockets of his jeans and glanced sideways at his son, apparently he wasn't the only one who was a little uneasy. He walked back over to the chairs and chose one that was opposite Charlie's so that he could watch his face.

Charlie realized what Alan was up to however, so he tried to change the subject. "How's Don?"

But Alan knew him all too well and leaned forward in his chair. "Your brother is sleeping like a baby, he's doing just fine. What's got you so nervous? What were you looking for out there?"

"Nothing, I'm just tired….I guess." he leaned forward suddenly and asked. "Dad, do you remember last year when I said that I was going to get a security system for the house?"

Alan leaned back and contemplated his son. The change in the subject matter meant that Charlie wasn't ready to tell him what was going on so he followed his lead. "Yes, I remember that conversation but you never had time to take care of it. Are you thinking of doing it now?"

Charlie's lips parted in a smile "As a matter of fact Dad, that is why I'm a little late. I made several phone calls to security alarm companies and one of them will be sending someone out here on Monday afternoon to give me an estimate on a system for the house and garage."

"That's great son, but why now?"

Charlie looked away and mumbled. "I just thought it was a good time to do it."

He reached for his bag and started to rise but Alan put a hand on his shoulder and eased him back in the chair. "Tell me what's really going on."

The young man met his father's gaze and suddenly noticed how tired he looked, the dark circles under his eyes and the stubble on his face. He just couldn't give him any more to worry about so he patted his Dad's hand and gently pulled away.

"I'm fine, maybe just a little tired, that's all. We didn't get much sleep last night, remember?" Charlie bent over and lifted his bag up. "Actually, if there's time, I think I'll take a nap myself before dinner."

Alan stood and followed his son into the house. "You have time Charlie, I'm too tired to cook tonight, so I thought we could just order out."

"Sounds good to me Pop, although I doubt that Don will be joining us."

Alan closed the door behind him and thoughtfully watched his son head up the stairs. He set his jaw stubbornly, vowing to himself that he would find out what was troubling Charlie, especially after his youngest called down to him.

"Don't forget to lock the door, Dad."

Alan harrumphed and locked the door. "Of all things, Charlie reminding me to lock the door."

Slightly irritated with his son, Alan strode into the living room and sat down, grabbing a cross word puzzle to work on. Occasionally, his eyes would drift to the staircase and his thoughts would turn toward his sons; his oldest, recovering from the effects of an explosion and Charlie's apprehensive behavior was at the very least, unsettling.

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Saturday night

The bar was crowded and the music was so loud that he could hardly hear himself think but this was exactly where he wanted to be. The fact that Bashere wanted to meet in person didn't bode well for him, so Wayne had picked a place that was anything but private. He was sitting in a corner booth that was facing the door; he didn't want any surprises when the man showed up tonight.

"Can I get you another one honey?"

Startled, he looked up from the empty glass in his hands to the over made-up waitress. Despite all of the make-up she was still attractive, of course the low cut blouse and the mini-skirt didn't hurt anything either.

"Yeah…sure." he said shoving the glass at her.

She gave him a wink and sashayed over to the next table, deliberately bending over to show her ample bosom to the next man as she asked him for his order..

He watched her momentarily before turning his eyes back to the doorway and nearly slid off of the seat when he saw the man enter the room. He wasn't alone either, there were two other men with him and Johnson knew pros when he saw them. Sweat was beading on his forehead by the time the three had worked their way over between the dancers and the people milling around drinking and talking.

"This is hardly the place to discuss business." Bashere commented as he stopped by the booth. "I'm certain there are nicer places in Los Angeles to have a drink and talk."

"I...I...like this place. I come here a lot." he stammered back.

Henri Bashere scanned the busy room but could find nothing that would account for the other man's odd behavior. He narrowed his eyes at the man and with a slight nod of his head, one of his henchman came forward.

"Search him, make sure there are no wires."

"Wires?" Wayne asked surprised. "But I didn't go to the cops."

The other man hesitated looking around at all of the people.

"No one's going to notice, not in this crowd. Just do it Picarry!"" he said impatiently.

James Picarry slid into the booth forcing Johnson over and began to search him; after a few moments he sat up announcing that the man was clean. Picarry stood up and took a position beside the booth where he could watch the door.

Bashere slid into the opposite seat just as the waitress returned with another drink for Johnson.

She placed it on the table and while she waited for the man to pay her she turned her attention to the well-dressed man now sitting at the booth. She recognized money when she saw it and this guy had plenty . She gave him her brightest smile and leaned over the table toward him.

"Hi handsome, my name is Marla. Can I bring you anything..…anything at all?" she asked her eyes offering more than just a drink.

Bashere graced her with a look that left no doubt of what he thought of her. "I'll have a scotch on the rocks and nothing more. You aren't t exactly my type, if you get my drift."

Disappointed, she grabbed the money from Wayne and hurried off to the bar.

Bashere stared at Johnson waiting for the other man to begin the conversation.

Wayne took an unsteady drink, gulping it down before placing his glass back on the table.

"Look, I don't know what went wrong. Everything was in place and somehow they got out before the bomb went off."

"This morning's headlines should have read that four FBI agents had been killed yesterday."

Bashere eyes were cold as he stared at the man sitting across from him. "Instead, there are two dead LAPD officers and four slightly injured FBI agents. What the hell happened!" he hissed vehemently.

Marla returned with his drink before the other man could answer and Bashere impatiently paid her off with a twenty and a wave of his hand. She hurried away to the next table.

"Like I told you, I don't know. Somehow they figured it out. My guys said the last two agents just barely got out the door, that's how close it was." He spoke rapidly, hoping to get this over with quickly.

"Your were supposed to be the best Mr. Johnson." he took a sip of his scotch. "I'm beginning to wonder what it is that your are "the best at!"

"I am the best." he hissed back. "But these guys are good too, and somehow they found out about it, that's all."

"It's going to be more difficult now, they will be on thier guard. My source at the agency says that he can still suppress the information without being detected. As long as he can continue to do that, the plan can still go forward, but understand this, I will accept no more failures from you or you will pay the ultimate price next time. Understand?" he responded in an all too quiet voice.

Johnson swallowed hard and nodded his head.

"All of the tasks must be completed by Thursday night. That means that you and the law enforcement agencies, specifically the FBI and LAPD, are going to be very busy next week. All loose ends are to be taken care of by Friday." He smiled at Johnson, but the smile never touched his eyes. "Friday evening I am leaving LA with everything that I came for and nothing is going to stop me. Do you undersand?"

"Yes, yes, of course. I'm ready to do the second job on Monday morning and I have everything set up for the rest of them." he paused and took another gulp of his drink.

Bashere took a sip of his own drink before placing it back down on the table. He slowly stood up locking eyes with the nervous man across from him.

"If I have to leave this city without the items that I have returned for it will be on your head." he said coldly and turned away. "Trust me, you really don't want that to happen." he called back over his shoulder.

Wayne finished off his drink and quickly waved the waitress over for another. He wiped off the moisture above his lip and not for the first time, wondered how he had gotten himself involved with a man like Bashere.

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Bashere stood outside the club and angrily waited for his limo to be brought around. Things weren't going exactly as planned; the fact that the agents were still around was a worrisome turn of events. However, they could still be dealt with but there couldn't be anymore mistakes if this was still going to work.

The limo arrived and the driver got out to open the door for him but before he could get in a dark sedan pulled up behind them. A balding, heavy-set man dressed in a pair of worn out jeans and a short sleeved button down shirt got out and approached him carrying a large envelope.

"Get in." he said motioning toward the open car door. Before getting in himself, Bashere turned toward his bodyguards. "Wait here, this won't take long."

The driver closed the door soon after the man sat down, insuring their privacy.

"I assume that you have been successful." Henri watched him closely.

"Ah, yes sir, and I was able to get a lot of different shots for you." He said as he eagerly handed the envelope over to the other man.

Bashere's hand closed over the edge of the envelope, careful not to touch the other man's hand. Henri found him rather revolting, overweight and sweating profusely, but then he hadn't hired him for his looks or his taste in clothes. He opened the envelope and removed a hand full of photographs along with a flashdrive. As he sorted through them he casually asked the man a question without looking up.

"He hasn't spotted you, has he?"

"Ah, no sir, I've been very careful." his face lit up with excitement. "I wear a different disguise every time."

Bashere looked up and waved the flashdrive at him. "This is the only record that you have of these. You've kept none for yourself?"

"No sir, I did everything just like you said."

Bashere opened a metal briefcase that was next to him on the seat and removed a small bundle of money which he then tossed to the man sitting across from him.

The fat man caught it and immediately began to thumb through it. Satisfied with the amount, he stuffed it in his pants pocket and asked. "How long do you want me to do this?"

"I no longer require your services." Henri advised the man. "You may go now." he added, dismissing the man as he once again looked at the pictures.

"Are you sure?" I can do it as long as you want me to."

The Frenchman raised his head and looked the other man in the eye. "It would be in your best interest to leave now."

The fat man was the first to break eye contact and swallowing hard he opened the door and climbed awkwardly out of the limo. The driver immediately closed the car door as soon as the man was out of the way. Almost simulanteously, Bashere's window opened and he watched the man walk away.

"Later on Mr. Picarry we will discuss the elimination of a few loose ends but right now I want some privacy. The two of you can sit up front with the driver." He closed the window and took out his cell phone and as the car pulled away from the curb he hit the speed dial button and waited for his call to be answered.

"Lady Chatterley's Companions, how may I help you.?" a sultry female voice asked.

"It's me, have you found one?" he asked gruffly.

"Ah, mon ami, you are so impatient, right to the point, eh?"

"Well….I'm waiting for an answer or do I need to take my business elsewhere?"

"Henri, have I ever let you down? Of course, I have found one for you but it's going to cost you more this time." she paused and then added in a more professional tone of voice. "They aren't that easy to replace."

"Of course, of course, but does he look like the picture?" he asked impatiently.

"Your tastes have grown more "specific" and are more difficult to find, but mon ami, they could be twins."

"Really? Give me the address and if it's true I'll give you an extra bonus."

Laughter floated over the airways as she responded with the information and in closing she commented. "I am looking forward to that bonus, Henri."

Bashere closed his phone and gave the driver the address. He opened the envelope and removed the pictures that were inside and looked through them eagerly. Just a few more days and he would have the real one sitting right beside of him.

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Sunday afternoon

Don was feeling much better. Stretched out under a blanket in the lounge chair in front of the flat panel TV, he was alternately napping and watching a baseball game. He wasn't ready to run a race, but he was thinking much clearer now and his ribs only hurt if he shifted a certain way. All in all, he was feeling pretty good and fully intended to go back to work the next day. As a matter of fact, the doctor had agreed that by Monday he should be able to go back to work as long as he "didn't plan to get blown up again." Don frowned, everyone was trying to be a comedian. He glanced over at his brother, well not everyone, some people just liked to keep secrets, and he was feeling well enough now to try and ferret out one of those secrets.

Charlie was sitting across from him grading a large stack of papers placed precariously on the cushion beside of him. One strong gust of wind through the open windows and they would go flying all over the room. The red marker in his hand was definitely making changes to the one that he was currently working on.

"That student isn't doing very well, huh?" he asked just to get a conversation started before turning it toward the topic that he wanted to discuss.

Charlie didn't lift his head but kept reading over the paper. "Hmm….not so good." he absently responded.

"So, ah, Dad told me that your finally going to get that security alarm installed."

Enough small talk, time to get to the question that he wanted answered. Don watched his brother closely, looking for the tale-tale signs that would tell him whether or not his younger sibling was being truthful with him or not. Charlie couldn't lie to him, over the years the older man had learned his brother's behavior traits and knew exactly what to watch for.

Still keeping his eyes on the paper, the younger man nodded his head.

"Ah…yeah…I have a company coming out tomorrow to give me an estimate."

Charlie glanced up briefly and made eye contact with his brother, hesitating just a second before letting his eyes drift back down to the paper. He knew that look, Don was fishing for something and he had a strong idea what it was. It was time to re-locate.

"You know, I think I'll take these out to the garage, there's more room to work on them out there." he started gathering his things together but Don's next words halted his progress.

"You might as well tell me what's going on Chuck." he lowered the lounge chair so he could get up. "Because I'm going to follow you around until you do." Don tossed the blanket aside as if to prove to him that he was ready to follow through with his words.

Charlie's eyebrows rose as he returned his brother's stare. "I don't know what your talking about Don. Would you care to be a little more specific?"

"Okay, why do you think that someone is watching you and why didn't you tell me about it?" Don's voice grew louder as he spoke.

Charlie's eyes narrowed as he asked. "Who have you been talking too? Larry? Amita?" He suddenly snapped his fingers. "Megan!"

Don stood up slowly. "It doesn't matter who told me, I want to know why you didn't tell me."

Charlie stood up too, fully intending to tell him to mind his own business when he saw Don wince as he shifted his position and his anger dissipated in a instant. He looked away and then back again as he sat back down on the sofa.

"Okay, you win." he sighed. "I keep getting this feeling that I'm being watched." he stood up again and paced around the room. "The thing is, I never see anyone…it's just this feeling I get." he made eye contact with his brother again and Don could see the fear in his eyes.

"When did this start Charlie?"

A look of surprise flitted briefly over his brother's face and he took a step closer to the lounge chair. "You believe me?"

Now it was Don's turn to show surprise. "Of course I believe you, why did you think that I wouldn't?" The surprise in his eyes changed to hurt because Charlie hadn't told him but that quickly turned to anger. "Didn't you learn anything from the Rosa Park's case?"

Charlie's eyes suddenly flashed with anger. "Yes, Don I did but that time there was a truck following me that I could see….this time I haven't seen anyone!" he turned on his heel and started to leave the room.

Don saw his mistake right away and hurriedly tried to change the outcome of their conversation. He raised his hands in a calming manner.

"Charlie….Charlie…wait!" "Look Buddy, I'm sorry, please come back and talk to me."

The young man turned and saw the regret in his brother's eyes and his anger melted away.

"Please Charlie, tell us what is going on?" Alan had come in and overheard the last part of their conversation.

Charlie stood halfway between the two of them and glanced from one to the other. Finally, sighing dispiritedly he shuffled back to the sofa and sat down again. Alan followed and joined him there sitting with the papers on the cushion between them.

"Shouldn't we be more concerned with Don right now." Charlie said trying one last time to get them on a subject that he felt was more important.

"I'm fine Charlie, now start talking."

He met his brother's gaze and suddenly just started talking. It was as if a floodgate had opened up and he couldn't stop himself, he told them everything ending with the emergency room on Friday night.

"I was going to tell you the other night but then Fitzgerald came over and I just assumed that it had been him all along, so I didn't say anything because I thought it was over." He got up and started pacing again. "Could it be my imagination….I mean…how could I get that impression in a room full of people and not see who was watching me?"

Don ignored his question and asked one of his own. "Do you think it's possible that Fitzgerald is still following you?"

Charlie shook his head. "No…I mean….I saw him didn't I and besides yesterday afternoon he was with Dad."

This time Don's eyebrows shot up as he turned toward his father. "Why was he with you?"

Alan huffed. "We were just talking on the porch, that's all. He's really a pretty nice guy." he added defensively.

Charlie rolled his eyes at this and continued to pace around the room, occasionally glancing out the window.

"Donnie, can you put an agent on him?" Alan asked worriedly.

Don rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "I don't think so Dad, not on just a feeling. We need some kind of physical evidence."

Frustrated, Charlie raised his hands and then let them fall by his side. "You see, this is why I didn't say anything." He pivoted around and walked back to the window. "I don't have any proof."

Don saw the fear in his brother's eyes before he turned away and clinched his jaw. No one was going to do this to Charlie and get away with it.

"Relax, bro, I didn't say that I wasn't going to do anything, I just need some time to figure this out. In the meantime, promise me that you won't go anywhere alone and that you'll stay out of dark areas."

Charlie turned back around and answered his brother with just two words.

"Yeah…sure."

Alan stood up and walked to the window himself, nervously sticking his hands in and out of his pockets.

Don slowly joined them both at the window. "Are you okay Dad? You seem as jittery as Charlie."

The older man turned from the window to face Don and Charlie. "Gee, Donnie, let me think. It might be the fact that you almost died yesterday or it could be because your brother is jumping at shadows." Alan retorted impatiently. He immediately regretted his words however, from the shocked look on both of his son's faces.

"Look, I'm sorry, that didn't come out the way it should have." He rubbed his face tiredly. "I'm sure both of those things are a part of my anxiety but this feeling started sometime last week and I just can't explain it."

Charlie placed a hand on his father's shoulder. "Dad, if your not feeling well maybe we should call Dr. Simmonds and get you checked out." When Alan didn't answer him but just stared at him, Charlie ducked his head and swallowed. "You know, just to make sure that everything is okay."

Don started to agree. "He's right..."

Frustrated, Alan interrupted him and started pacing around the room again. "I am not sick!"

Charlie's eyes widened and he shared a concern look with his brother.

Thoroughly agitated now, Alan stopped and faced his sons. "It's not a sick feeling, it's more like a feeling of dread. I'm not sure how to explain it." His lowered his eyes and his gaze fell upon the papers that Charlie had been grading . Suddenly he raised his head and his eyes lit up.

"Yes, I do!" he exclaimed excitedly as he pointed a finger at Charlie. "When you can't find the right words to explain your theories what do you do?" Before his youngest could speak, Alan went on.

"You use metaphors to help your students understand, right?"

"Ah...right." Charlie answered glancing sideways at his brother.

"Right." Alan said thoughtfully. "Well, I have the perfect metaphor to explain to you both how I am feeling."

He walked over to them and placed a hand on each of their shoulders.

"Imagine that the three of us are Koi and we are floating around in our pond in the back yard."

"You mean pretrend we are fish?" Don asked, clearly not following where Alan was going with this.

"Yes, Koi, now let me finish." he said a little impatiently. "So metaphorically, we are the koi in the pond floating around minding our own business when suddenly someone comes to the pond with a net and scoops one of us out of the pond forever."

Charlie started to respond but then thought better of it and closed his mouth after a glance at his brother.

Don recovered first. "That's a chilling thought Dad."

"Exactly!" Alan said triumphantly. "Now you know how I have been feeling but I still cannot explain it."

They grew quiet, all of them at a loss for words and in that awkward moment Alan moved away from his sons and glanced at his watch.

"I'm going to start dinner now, I found some good rib-eyes at the store today so tonight, my boys, we are going to eat in style."

He paused and looked back at them, they were still standing side by side, and his heart nearly stopped with the sudden feeling that he was going to lose one of them. Clearing his throat he turned back around and as he went through the swinging door to the kitchen he called back over his shoulder. "One of you can fix the salad and the other can fire up the grill."

Wide-eyed and speechless, Don and Charlie exchanged worried looks before following him into the kitchen.