Chapter Five

Charlie came around slowly, his dark eyes fluttering. Alan was at his side in an instant, asking him too many questions for his drug-fogged brain to follow. "I'm fine, Dad," he managed at last. He glanced around. "Where's Don?"

"He went to get us some coffee."

"Good morning, Charlie," Don's voice entered the room. Charlie's eyes finally focused in on his elder brother, standing in the hospital doorway with two cups of coffee in his hand. "How ya feeling?"

"Better."

"You should be. They pumped you full of pain killers."

The mathematician cracked a small smile.

Don moved to his brother's side, handing a cup of coffee to his father as he did so. He took a seat next to the bed. "Charlie, focus over here for a second, this may be important. What was it you were trying to say before the ambiance came? Do you remember?"

Charlie looked as if he were thinking, willing the information to come to mind.

"Something about Paytes?"

"Oh! He was interested in what I was doing for you! Very interested." His eyes suddenly turned worried. "Oh no… What if he does something to someone at the school? What if he goes after Larry or someone else?" Charlie tried to push himself up in bed. "Don, we have to-"

"I know, buddy," his brother answered, gently pushing him back down. "I'm on it, don't worry." He turned to the room's phone and started to pick it up just as it rang. He gave it a funny look before picking it up. "Hello?"

"You must be the elder of the Eppes brothers," the voice on the other end greeted. "Are you as much of a brain as your little brother?"

"We know who you are now, Paytes. Don't think you'll get away with this."

"Oh, but I will. You may know who I am, but you don't know what I'm after. Anyway, the ball's in my court right now, Agent Eppes. I'd suggest that you don't try to cheat or someone might get hurt."

"Don? What's going on?" Charlie whispered desperately.

Don waved him to be quiet. "What are you talking about?"

"Ah, so you don't know yet. There's a young student of your brother's. Very pretty girl. Amita, I believe is her name. Ms. Ramanujan and I have had a very nice time here together."

"Don! What's going on?"

"Ah? Your brother sounds anxious. I'm sure that this stress coupled with the blood loss he's received can't be good for his health. Give him the phone, Agent Eppes."

Don hadn't realized that he was gripping the phone as hard as he was until he handed it over, very slowly, to his injured brother. Charlie took it, almost pulling it away. "Paytes? What's going on? What-"

"You ask too many questions, Dr. Eppes. You're a genius, aren't you? Shouldn't you be able to figure it out?"

"I can't pull something out of nothing, Paytes."

"You're going to have to if you want that girl returned safely." There was a long silence on Charlie's end. "Yes, that's right. Ms. Ramanujan has taken a bit of time out of her busy schedule to come see me."

"And how do you suggest we get her back? What is it you want?"

"I detect a bit of anxiousness in your voice beyond that of a teacher fearing for his student." He chuckled. "Now, Dr. Eppes, I want you and your brother to meet me. Unaccompanied by your FBI friends, of course. I'll call back later to confirm the place where we will meet. I suggest you get back on your feet quickly. Amita's really very frightened."

"Don't you dare hurt her!" Charlie managed to get in before the other line went dead. He turned panicked eyes on his brother. "They have Amita. He wants us to meet him and he'll call back later. He said no FBI."

"You know we can't do that," Don answered quietly.

"We have to, Don. He'll kill her."

"Charlie…" Alan began, but stopped when he saw the stubborn look in his youngest son's eyes. "Be careful, whatever you do."

"I'm calling in back up to get a trace on this phone when he calls back. You lay back and rest. If we're going to do this, you'll need all the strength you've got," Don said quietly.

"Donny?"

Don stopped at the doorway and turned. "Yeah?"

"Thanks."

His elder brother smiled. "We'll do what we can, buddy. That's all we can do."

"You won't get what you want out of them."

"I'd learn to keep my mouth quiet if I were you, girl," Paytes growled.

"What do you want with them, anyway?" Amita demanded. "What are you doing this for?"

The tall man grabbed her chin, pulling her so she was fully facing him. She squirmed, but found it near to impossible to move. "I'm sure you know just how brilliant your teacher is, don't you? Yes, I thought so. He's going to do what I need him to do to save you and his brother will try to help out little brother as best as possible. Think about it: FBI agent Don Eppes and his genius mathematician brother Charlie. What, oh what can I do with them if I have the leverage?"

"Oh my… You're that Paytes!" Amita exclaimed with a shudder of horror.

A/N:wakes up: huh? When did this get written? Hmm.. :goes back to sleep:

Katsuya: I opted out of precal for that very reason this year. I'm taking what my small class has lovingly dubbed "dumb people's math" lol. Actually, it's quite practical. It's a personal finance class. It's my first time in years to have an A in math! I feel smart (lol, not really) Anyway, glad your enjoyment for my story returned!

Dreamer516: Yes, lovely ciffhangers. I don't think you can not end with a cliffhanger. Thank you so much for answering my question!

Lynneanne: Beta reader? Is that what I've been hearing about all over the PotC fanfiction? Hmm.. still not quite sure about what it is lol. Anyway, next chapter up and running! (look, there it goes….)

Roses: Thank you so much for your information on Charlie and Amita! It's a big help!

Poet2002: The way you started out your review made me think you were going to say it was horrible. I'm glad you didn't! Thanks for your information on Charlie and Amita! I like to get several different views on them if possible so I can get a broader scope. :) Much thanks

TS