Disclaimer: I don't own anything Numb3rs, it's all property of CBS and whatnot, so don't sue.
Chapter 14: Explaining How It All Began
" Does anybody want coffee? I'm gonna go make some coffee" Said Colby, glancing nervously around the room as he stood up from where he's been sitting on the sofa beside Charlie.
" Sit down Granger." Said Don sternly, sending a no-nonsense look Colby's way. Colby immediately obeyed and sat back down on the sofa, Charlie laying a reassuring hand on his arm.
They all lasped into silence before Don spoke again.
" So... How long have you been seeing each other?"
" Three months." Charlie and Colby answered simultaneously. They then looked at each other and chuckled nervously.
" Three months? You've kept this a secret for that long?" Asked Alan in exasperation.
" I'd like to think this all started the first day we met and ah... grew from there." Said Charlie timidly.
" What about you Colby, have you come out to your family?" Asked Don, still with a few of his own reservations about the guy.
" Yeah, I came out to them after I left the army, most of my family was okay with it but my father... he... threw several kitchen appliances at me and told me to get out of his house, that no son of his was a queer. So I did, I took the job offer for the FBI and moved out here, and ended up finding him." Said Colby as he gazed lovingly at Charlie, who returned the gaze with a supportive smile.
Alan Eppes felt something resonate within his soul when he eyed the look in his youngest son's eyes. He'd only seen that look come from someone else in his life-time, it was the same look Margaret Eppes had when she'd looked at him. That look which conveyed unconditional love and support. Alan thought that he'd never see that look ever again now that his beloved Margaret was gone. He'd just been proven wrong as he watched Charlie and Colby.
Don was stunned by this admission and felt himself reluctantly starting to accept this new development.
" Guys, who else knows about you?" He asked.
" Uhh... David and Megan saw us in the breakroom and immediately saw the "vibe" as David put it. When I moved out here, I have a friend named Greg Stillman from High School,who owns and manages a small Italian restaurant here, and a lady about my mother's age named Maybelle Greenly who just figured it out on her own, she owns a small bakery I go to for breakfast on the go." Answered Colby.
" Oh and, I told Larry a couple of days ago, and besides him, the CalSci Dean, Morgan Hays knows." Added Charlie, nervously playing with a lock of curly hair.
" And we are dead last on the list huh." Said Don with a cocked eyebrow. Charlie and Colby looked back at him guiltily.
" You guys didn't have to hide anything from us you know." Said Alan.
" Well, I was reluctant for sure, I mean... I'm the new guy from Idaho who's got a thing for my boss's baby brother. Not an easy position to be in, and at first, I tried to fight the attraction." Said Colby quietly, rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably.
" Who made the first move?" Asked Don, now wanting to know some details.
At this, the two men on the couch averted there gazes to the floor, Charlie blushed furiously as he raised a hand in confirmation.
" You?" Asked Don as he gazed astonished at his younger sibling, who turned an even darker shade of red.
" Yeah well, technically, it was me falling off that ladder in the CalSci library and Colby being there to catch me, that kinda nudged us in this direction." Said Charlie with a sheepish look.
Colby smiled andwrapped an arm around Charlie, pressing a soft kiss to his temple, Charlie chuckled softly and leaned into the embrace, all with Alan and Don watching.
For Don, it was somewhat unnerving to see his co-worker, the hard as nails FBI Agent he usually worked with, being so tender and loving, to his brother of all people. When Don glanced his father's way, he could tell that Alan felt the same way, although a tiny smile graced his lips as he watched the two.
" Are you guys alright?" Asked Charlie, still tucked under Colby's arm.
The two watched as Don sighed and Alan shrugged.
"For the most part Charlie, I'm justreally shocked to know just exactly how I feel about this. I guess I just have to process all this new information, and maybe have a little chat with the two other members on my team." Sighed Don, although with the last part, their was a glint in his eye.
" Charlie, I just want you to know that you could've told us, I'd have been fine with you being who you are. I love you son, so does your brother, nothing's gonna change that." Said Alan,fighting to keep his voice steady.
Charlie beamed with tears forming in his eyes as he reached out and wrapped his arms tightly around his father, burying his face in Alan's neck. Alan in turn wrapped his arms around his son and simply hugged him.
" I love you too." Whispered Charlie as he snuggled closer into the embrace.
Colby smiled at the sight until he noticed Don was staring at him. He gazed back,firmly and silently telling Don that he wasn't going to be intimidated by him.
" You going to work today?" Asked Don suddenly.
" I called in sick today." Answered Colby.
" What about you?" He asked.
" I said I'd come in late." Answered Don. Colby nodded before they lapsed into silence.
By now, Alan and Charlie had quit hugging and were watching the exchange between the two other men.
" Donnie, I think it's time we left." Said Alan calmly.
At this, the three younger men turned their gazes to him.
" We can talk more when you comehome Charlie." Said Alan as he lovingly cuppedCharlie's cheek.
" Yeah, that'd be nice." Said Charlie with a tired smile, leaning into the caress.
Then the four of them got up and the two older Eppes men made for the door, Colby and Charlie following them.
Before they left, Don turned and gazed at Colby with hard eyes.
" Granger, hurt my brother in any way,the CIA won't find where your body will be." He said in a stern, big brother tone.
"Don't worry, I'll hurt him only if he wants me to." Answered Colby, giving into mischief.
" Colby!" Charlie gasped before he punched Colby in the arm.
Don was stunned for a moment but them groaned.
" I did not need to know that." He said in exasperation, but he was grinning. Alan chuckled before he motion for Don to followhim out the door.
" I'll see you guys tonight." Said Charlie as he wrapped an arm around Colby's waist, and he in turn wrapped an arm around Charlie's shoulders.
" Yeah, see you tonight." Said Don as he and Alan walked out of the door, with a lingering look back at Charlie and Colby.
The second the door clicked shut, Charlie sagged into Colby's waiting arms. He'd passed out.
" Well, that went well." Sighed Colby as he hoisted Charlie over a shoulder and carried his limp form back to the bedroom.