Disclaimer: Don't own Numb3rs or the characters. Sammy; Jenny and Jasmine are mine! Hope you like this next chapter.
Chapter Twenty One – Visitors
The last 3 months for Colby had been great, he was feeling stronger and more settled than he had in a long time. He had spent time with his family, going fishing, camping and generally chilling. The team had seen him a few times when he had met them for lunch. They had slowly seen the physical and mental healing process return their friend to his former self, all of them were hopeful that he would return to the FBI, but he had made no indication of which way he was going to decide. There were only a few days left before he needed to make the decision that would ultimately effect all of their lives, the team had a plan to try to persuade him that there was a lot more good he could still do, it was a bit under handed but they didn't care, they needed to try everything they could to sway him to decide to rejoin them. Don had asked Alan and Charlie to assist, which they were more than happy to do.
"Chuck, is everything ready, I need to go and get our visitors?" Asked Don.
"Yep, it's under control. Dad has got the BBQ going, we'll be ready for you."
"That's great, thanks for your help with this man."
"Hey, no worries bro, it's for Colby, I just hope your plan works."
"Me too." Don left to go and pick up the guests he had alluded to.
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Colby pulled up outside the Eppes house. He was strangely nervous, he figured that the team were up to something and this wasn't a normal get together, despite what Don had said when he invited him. With the necessity to make a decision looming ever closer he had still not come to a conclusion, though he had missed the team and the camaraderie, he didn't need to work at the FBI to still see them. Looking forward to seeing the whole team as well as Charlie and Alan as he was, he was still dreading whatever it was they had up their sleeves.
Shaking himself from his reverie he got out of the car and approached the front door, as he lifted his hand up to press the bell the door opened to reveal Alan Eppes.
"Colby! It's good to see you son, come in."
"Hey Alan, how are you?" He shook the older man's hand.
"All the better for seeing you with my own eyes. You're looking well."
"Mom's cooking, only got back last night from visiting her. No offence Alan but her cooking rivals yours."
"None taken, I'd like to meet her some time." The two men walked out to the back garden. The whole gang was there, Megan, David, Liz, Charlie, Amita and Larry. He soon found himself surrounded and being slapped on the back and hugged.
"Give the man some room." Called Alan, he handed Colby a beer and smiled.
"How was Idaho?" Asked Megan.
"Good. Mom was pleased to see me, she was going out of her mind with worry not being able to get here to see me whilst I was recovering, she didn't want to let me outta her sight."
"Hardly surprising. Parents never stop worrying." Alan told Colby. "Why don't you all go and sit down." He suggested.
"Do you need a hand with anything?" Asked Liz.
"No, thank you, go and join the others, it's all under control here." He smiled at her.
Colby looked round, realising that someone was missing. "Where is Don?"
"He had to go by the office." Replied David, not looking at Colby, which made him even more suspicious.
"What is he up to?"
"Nothing man. Why would he be up to anything?"
Still unconvinced but seeing that he wasn't going to get any answers he turned the conversation to talk about what everyone else had been up to, he had been in Idaho for two weeks so had missed out on the goings on over that period.
The whole team had gone to a basketball game held by the community centre where David volunteered when he could, he had been spending some time coaching and they had planned a friendly match with another local team. By all accounts both teams had performed well and there had been only friendly competition. There had been food provided afterwards by Alan and Charlie, much to the delight of the kids. It sounded like everyone had really enjoyed it, Colby was sorry he missed it and promised to help David with the next one. No matter what he decided about his career he was going to stay in LA.
David was getting restless and challenged Colby to a game of one on one in the Eppes backyard. Never one to turn down a challenge he agreed. Before long the two men had the rest laughing at their antics as they ended up wrestling for the ball. A voice stopped them in the middle of a particularly energetic tussle which had led to them both rolling on the ground.
"What on earth are you up to?" Asked Don. Looking up Colby smiled, got to his feet, helping David up before approaching his boss. Don pulled the younger man into a brief half hug. "After lunch I'll show you how to play properly."
"Oh, that sounds like a challenge."
"You better believe it." Responded Don playfully, he followed Colby to where everyone had been sitting before the impromptu basketball game and wrestling match. "Sorry I'm late everyone."
"David said you had to go by the office, everything OK?"
"Yeah, everything is fine Colb. I needed to pick something, or perhaps I should say someone, up." He turned nodding to his Dad who entered the house and returned holding a little girl's hand.
Colby's mouth dropped open and he turned to look at everyone else, nobody else was surprised so he gathered that this had been what they had been planning. The little girl dropped Alan's hand and ran to Colby reaching up and throwing her arms round his waist. He looked from Jenny Knowles to the others, still not understanding what was going on, her mother was standing just behind Alan, her eyes filled with tears. She approached Colby and stood before him, resting her hand on the top of her daughter's head.
"I never got a chance to thank you for what you did. I went to the FBI offices but was told that you had taken an extended leave, Agent Eppes, Don, promised that he would arrange for me to meet with you." Sammy Knowles stood on tiptoe and leaned over to plant a kiss on the man's cheek, causing him to blush furiously. Looking around again he could see that the team had suddenly become very interested in helping Alan with the BBQ.
"It was my job Ms Knowles."
"Please, call me Sammy. I know it was your job, Agent Granger, but you put yourself between a mad man with a knife and my daughter, neither of us will ever forget that. I'm betting that the people you help don't often seek you out to say thank you, I didn't want to be one of those."
"It's Colby, I'm not Agent Granger any more."
"Don told me that you were thinking of leaving. I was saddened to hear that, the FBI needs more people like you, not less. Your whole team amaze me, I've spoken to them several times over the last few months, they are very protective of you and wouldn't allow me to meet with you until they felt you were ready to face that part of your life again."
Colby looked down at the little girl who was still clinging to him, squatting down so his face was level with hers he smiled at her. "Hey Jenny. How are you?" He asked her softly.
"I'm fine thank you Agent Granger."
"I want you to call me Colby, can you do that?"
The little girl nodded and without prompting she gave Colby a kiss and put her arms round his neck and gave him a hug. "Thank you for helping me, Colby."
"You are more than welcome sweetie. I'm glad that you're OK." He said returning her hug. Releasing her he stood up, she promptly grabbed his hand, he smiled down at her.
"Jenny, why don't you go and see if Don can get you some juice, I need to speak to Colby for a minute." Looking from her Mom and back to Colby she let go of his hand and ran off to see Don as instructed.
Sammy walked further away from the rest of the group and stood by the koi pond, Colby followed her, curious about what she had to say.
"I realise that I don't know you at all, I hope you don't mind, but your team have told me something about your background." She turned until she was facing him. "I feel it only fair that you should know a bit more about Jenny and I. Ian was a good man, he really was, but when I fell pregnant my parents put pressure on him to get a better job so I could give up my work. It wasn't something I wanted to do, I love being a paediatrician, that didn't matter though, my parents had planted a seed of doubt in his mind and he couldn't stand the thought that he wasn't good enough for me. He allowed others opinions of him to drive a wedge between us, I loved him with all my heart but it wasn't enough to save our relationship and he left. I would have happily let him see Jenny, but he sunk into a depression and never turned up when we arranged for him to visit, eventually I couldn't let it go on, every time he said he'd come over and didn't she would sit at the window until bed time watching for him. I told him he either needed to step up or back off. He chose the latter." Colby could see the sadness in her eyes, clearly she had hoped that he would step up. "I had no idea he knew where we were as we moved several months after he stopped calling or coming round. I understand that he has made a deal with the ADA and is going to get some help, for that I'm glad. Most of all I am glad that you were there to save my little girl from living her life without her mother."
"I'm glad that I was there too. She is a lovely little girl."
"She's my world. Yes, I work, but I always make sure I am home to tuck her in and there when she gets up in the morning."
"I don't mean to appear rude, but why are you telling me all this?"
"Because I am wondering if you have thought about what you will do if you leave the FBI, thanks to you I have the opportunity to tuck my daughter in hopefully for many years to come. It's none of my business, but perhaps because you don't know me I feel like I can say the things to you that your friends can't, think long and hard before giving up on that part of your life. Finding a vocation, and that is what this seems to be for you, is not easy. Sticking with it is even harder."
"Well since I don't know you, perhaps I can tell you what I can't tell my friends." Sammy nodded encouragingly. "I don't know if I'm strong enough."
"Bullshit. Pardon the language, but from what everyone has told me and just spending this short time with you, I can tell that you have all you need to make you strong enough. You don't have to do it on your own, look around you now. Tell me what you see."
"Friends, but not just friends, they're my family too."
"Exactly. I bet not one of them hasn't doubted themselves at some point. Think about what you'd tell them, and then tell yourself the same thing."
He looked at her, she had certainly given him a lot to think about. She was easy to talk to, perhaps because she was coming from a different angle, an outsider looking in. "Thank you for the talk, I promise I'll give what you've said a lot of thought."
"Make sure you do. Now shall we go and rescue your friends from Jenny's incessant chatter?"
Colby looked up to see a perplexed Don sitting with Jenny. He wasn't sure what the little girl was talking about, but it was clear that Don could do with a hand. Chuckling he offered his arm to Sammy and they walked back to the rest of the group. Jenny saw her Mom and Colby, stopped mid sentence to abandon Don and run to Colby. Bending down he picked her up. "What were you talking to Don about? He looks confused."
"I was telling him about my horse and how I take care of her." She stated.
"Ah, well you see Don doesn't know one end of a horse from the other. He's a city boy."
"Oh what, and you do Granger?" Don sneered.
"Yup, grew up round horses. I could ride almost before I could walk." He laughed as Don rolled his eyes. "Why don't you come and sit with me and tell me all about her." Jenny nodded enthusiastically. Riding had become her latest fad.
Sammy and Don exchanged looks and she winked at him to let him know that she had talked to Colby. She just hoped she had gotten through to him the way Don hoped she would.
Alan called out that the food was ready and the next hour was spent eating and laughing. Jenny was permanently attached to Colby's side, much to her mother's amusement. The little girl had taken to the group of FBI agents and their friends quicker than she had taken to any other stranger previously, the same could be said for them, they thought Jenny was adorable.
Some time after they had helped Alan clear the remnants of the meal away Don turned to Colby. "How about that game now?"
"I dunno, wouldn't want to show you up."
Don laughed. "Bring it on."
The two men got up and retrieved the ball from where it had been left earlier, as they started to play Jenny decided she wanted to join in, almost tripping Colby up and allowing Don to score. "Losing your touch Granger!"
"I was robbed." Howled Colby, leaning over he spoke to Jenny. "Want to help me win this game?" She nodded eagerly, he picked her up and sat her on his shoulders. Don threw the ball to him and he passed it to her and allowed her to throw it at the basket, the ball hit the back board and landed back at Don's feet, he smiled and threw the ball to Colby again, who then dribbled it closer to the basket, passed her the ball once more and this time he lifted her so she could just drop the ball in. The others watched in amusement and before long they all joined in.
Half way through the game Jenny pulled on Colby's sleeve and said she needed to go to the bathroom. Sammy offered to take her but Colby said he would show Jenny where to go. Taking the little girl's hand he led her inside. The rest of the group exchanged glances but carried on with their game.
When Jenny had finished they walked back through the sitting room to go back outside, before they reached the doors she turned to Colby. "Don't you like your friends any more?"
"Why would you ask that?"
"Mom says you're leaving the police."
Sighing Colby sat down and pulled the little girl on to his lap, how to explain something so complex to an 8 year old. "That's not it at all. I love working with them."
"Then I don't get it."
"I'm not sure I can explain it."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Will you be my friend?"
"Jenny, I would be honoured and privileged to be your friend."
"What's that mean?"
"Oh, erm, means that it would be great to be your friend."
"Cool." She looked thoughtful for a moment then said, in the way only a child can. "I don't think you should leave."
Leaning back he looked at her. "No? Why?"
"Your friends need you."
"I think they'd do just find without me."
"They didn't save me, you did."
"No Jenny, the team did."
"Aren't you part of the team then?"
Damn this girl was smart, there was no wriggling out of this conversation, he didn't know many 8 year olds, but it seemed to him she was speaking in a way well beyond her tender years.
"Yes, I am, or at least I was. I haven't made up my mind what I'm going to do yet."
"We should sit here quietly so that you can think about it some then." That said she folded her arms and settled herself more comfortably in his lap.
Colby looked down at the determined little girl, she was clearly not going to move so he just sat quietly waiting for her to get bored. 20 minutes later she hadn't moved a muscle, looking down at her again he saw that she had fallen asleep. Shaking his head in amazement at how quickly a child could go from interrogating him to sleep he smiled to himself.
Outside Sammy was wondering where they had got to, so she excused herself and walked into the house. She smiled at the sight of her daughter curled up on the lap of the FBI agent.
"Oh my, she got you good didn't she?" She laughed.
"You didn't tell me she was devious." Chuckled Colby quietly so as not to disturb the sleeping child.
"I didn't know she was! Always thought she was smart though."
"That she is. She is a real credit to you Sammy."
"Thank you." Sammy replied blushing slightly. "I think perhaps I should get her home."
"I'll carry her out to the car for you."
"OK, thanks. Let me just pop out and say bye to everyone."
Colby walked to the door leading to the backyard and watched as Sammy gave each of his team a hug goodbye. "I want to say goodbye too." Piped up a sleepy eyed Jenny.
"Faker." Laughed Colby walking outside still carrying her.
Everyone walked round to where the cars were parked, Sammy had followed Don to the house in her car. Colby lowered Jenny into the back seat and strapped her in. She looked at him with her big blue eyes and innocently asked. "Are you going to stay in your job?"
All around him the team held their breath as Colby looked at her thoughtfully, at first they didn't think he was going to answer her.
"How much did they offer you to ask that question?" He laughed, looking suspiciously at the rest of the team. "Never mind." He said as a look of confusion crossed her face. "What do you think I should do?" Asked Colby, wanting to make the team wait for his answer a little bit longer.
"I think you should stay. They need you." She indicated the group who were trying, and failing, to fade into the background.
"You know what sweetie, I think you're right. I'm gonna stick around." He winked at her and planted a kiss on her forehead.
Sammy was standing right next to him as he said it and when he turned to her was enveloped in a hug. "Thanks for the pep talk, even if you were put up to it." He whispered in her ear.
"Anytime. I mean it Colby, you're welcome to call on us whenever, just phone first." She handed him her card. Jenny watched the exchange smiling as he took the card which she knew had her Mom's numbers on it.
The team contained themselves long enough to wave the pair off before turning to Colby. "Did you say what I think I heard you say?" Asked David.
"Depends on what you thought you heard me say." Teased Colby.
"Coulda sworn that you said you were coming back Granger." Smiled Liz.
"I need to meet with the AD to make it official, but yes, my decision is to stick with you lot."
"Best news I've heard in a long time." Stated Megan.
There was a further flurry of back slapping and hugs from the group who were much relieved to hear the news they'd been hoping for.
"Don, that was sneaky." Said Colby.
"What?" Asked Don the picture of innocence.
"Using an 8 year old and her Mom to do your dirty work for ya."
"Well you weren't going to listen to me, so I bought in someone that would speak to you on your own level."
"I take it you mean Sammy." Said David.
"Nope, Jenny." Laughed Don and ran off into the backyard as Colby growled and chased him.
Alan merely shook his head as the others followed in hot pursuit whilst he followed at a more sedate pace with Larry. They had to laugh though as they walked round the corner to find David, Don and Colby wrestling like big kids whilst Megan and Liz turned the hose on them, Charlie and Amita knew better than to get involved and were busy laughing at the sidelines.
Alan turned to Larry. "Looks like the kids are back together again."
"Yes Alan, it does, and all is right with the cosmos once more."