How Did This Happen, The Sequel Chapter 10: Of Promises and Plans, a numb3rs fanfic

Title: How Did This Happen, the Sequel

Chapter 10: Of Promises and Plans

After Manny had killed both of the other men, Sophia looked calmly at Charlie. "You're certain that you do not want to tell me, Doctor? It is so little I ask. A simple location."

Charlie swallowed thickly and focused on her eyes, which were frightening in their coldness, but better than looking at her son, or his victims. "I'm telling you the truth, I don't know!" Charlie drew strength and bravado from the presence of his brother. He couldn't let Don down. He mustn't allow him to see how terrified he was. "I severed all ties with the NSA. I was never an agent to begin with – just a math consultant!"

Sophia sighed. "Very well. I do not have the enjoyment for this side of the business that my husband and son share. My womanhood betrays me; I find myself willing to give you another chance."

Manny protested, looking disappointed. "Mama!"

She held up one hand to silence him. "We shall give you a little more time to consider. When Manny returns, he will not show the mercy I have. I will allow him free reign. I may not choose to watch…" – she glanced fondly at her son – "though as a mother, I am proud of his skills." She looked back at Charlie. "It is of no matter. When you choose to talk, if I am not here, Manny will come for me."

Charlie raised his head defiantly. "I have nothing to say." Don, sitting silent and sick beside him, was a little surprised by the steel in his voice.

Sophia just twisted her face in a grimace that was meant to pass for a smile, and led her son away.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don and Charlie had been left alone again for awhile, as the sun slowly climbed in the sky and dawned over the hangar. Well, alone, if you didn't count the two dead bodies just a few feet away. Don, during a rare clear moment, understood that Manny had left them there as intimidation, and he tried to comfort Charlie. It was hard going, however, since he still couldn't form a complete sentence. He leaned heavily into his brother. "Don't look," he suggested.

Charlie snorted a little. "I can hardly sit here with my eyes closed for the next…however long it takes."

Don frowned at the insinuation. "Get us out," he promised, weakly.

Charlie misunderstood him. "I've been trying," he responded, his voice shaky. "I...I don't know what to do, yet. I'm thinking, Donnie." He sighed miserably, feeling like a failure. "I'm sorry."

Don started to shake his head, and was assailed by nausea again. He had to stop throwing up on Charlie. But he couldn't let him do this to himself, either. "Not you. Me."

Charlie didn't respond to that, specifically. "I could make up something about where she is. I don't even know..." He sat up a little straighter and his voice grew stronger. "Wouldn't tell them if I did. But maybe if I make something up..."

Don disagreed. "Find out," he warned. He wished he could tell Charlie that Colleen was here, but who knew where Manny and Sophia were -- they might be listening.

Charlie worked on his plan. "Well, yeah, they'd find out. But maybe I could buy enough time to think of something else."

Don's head started to droop toward Charlie's shoulder, and he was disgusted with himself. He should be getting Charlie out of this mess, and all he could do was pass out and throw up. His eyes were drifting shut and he hurried to speak before they did. "Sssorry 'bout that," he slurred, happily stringing together three words.

Charlie still had trouble following him. He looked over at Don, concerned, and tried to push closer himself so that he could offer more support. "What?"

Don allowed his eyes to shut. "Barf." It was a simple word, yet expressive.

Charlie would have smiled, if he hadn't been so worried. "It's all right," he assured his brother. "Can you stay awake with me a little longer, Don?

An unintelligible mumble was all he got in response. Charlie shivered, and worked his hands behind him in their confining ropes, rubbing the wrists raw. Nothing surprised him more, than when he fell asleep himself.

By the time Alan had covered 14 of the 28 feet, he was convinced he would die before he got to the kitchen. He was still dizzy, still fighting nausea, and he was moving parts of his body that hadn't seen action in years. He was beyond sore, and way beyond frightened. No-one had come looking for him. The sun was fully risen now, and he could hear various noises from the street, filtering into the house, but he had not heard a thing from within it; not since he had originally regained consciousness. He was terrified almost past all rational thought that his sons were hurt — or worse. The more time that passed without some kind of sign, the harder he found it to breathe. There should be thumps, of other bodies trying to squirm like he was. There should be gagged groans, even, muffled voices. Dear God in Heaven, there should be the labored breathing of Charlie in a full-out panic attack, somewhere.

Alan had to press his forehead to the cool lineoleum and close his eyes. He prayed more fervently than he had since Margaret lay dying.

Please. Please. Please, God, let there be breathing.

Colby appeared over Colleen's prone form, and with one well-paced shot, eliminated the gunman in the hall.

By now, two of the other men in the house had been hit, and the third was screaming out his surrender. While agents secured him and checked on the status of the others, additional agents moved through the entire house, making sure it was clear. A third squad headed for the back bedroom, to ascertain the status of the Derrick family.

David, and Andy Carter, were with that group. Colleen tried to go with them. Megan and Colby, seeing the blood on her arm, were insisting that she get out of the house and seek medical attention. She could hear a distant siren as an EMT unit approached the house. Adrenaline still pumping, she resisted as Megan began to physically herd her toward the door. "It's nothing," she insisted, a trifle annoyed. "I can keep going!"

Megan only gripped her good arm more firmly. "It's under control, Agent Martinez." She spoke with authority, with conviction. "All over but the mop-up." She continued to tug on Colleen, looking at her and grinning, suddenly. "And about 10 hours of paperwork for every minute we spent on the raid — surely you don't mind missing out on some of that!"

Colleen finally surrendered and walked docilely with Megan to the curb. Megan tried to get a better look at Colleen's arm while they were waiting for the paramedics, but she testily pulled it away and took a few steps, creating some distance between her and the FBI agent. "It's nothing," she said again.

Megan raised an eyebrow. "Don't forget, I went to take your statement in the hospital after you took that round in the leg," she reminded her. "You were a lot easier to get along with then. Either you're hurt worse now – in which case you should probably sit down and let me perform some first aid – or something else is wrong."

Colleen cradled her arm unconsciously against her vest and looked at Megan with something akin to embarrassment. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "I'm…I'm…not right," she finished, lamely.

Megan closed the gap between them, in case Agent Martinez should suddenly go down. "What is it? The scene is secure, none of our people was seriously injured…all in two days' effort. As busts go – especially interdepartmental busts – this one has been easy."

The siren was getting louder, and Colleen raised her voice. "I know. It's not this case."

Comprehension passed over Megan's face. "You're still worried about the Eppes." Colleen shrugged, silently confirming. Megan could see the ambulance now, a few blocks away. "Tell you what," she bargained. "Let the EMTs check you out and patch up that arm. If they say it's all right, you can ride with me back to the office. We'll take a detour on the way; just so you can be sure there's no-one home, and they're all off safe in Maui."

Colleen was surprised at the relief she felt. She smiled thankfully at Megan, unable to verbalize just how important she felt it was, to take that little detour.