Disclaimer: Characters etc belong to CBS and the show's creators.


Four

Amita was working at the computer in Charlie's office as Larry Fleinhardt paced at the front of the room. He was having another crisis with his new girlfriend and required further advice from Charlie and his knowledgeable offsider. Unfortunately Amita was being less than forthcoming when it came to encouragement that morning, much to Larry's consternation. Instead Charlie was doing his best to guide his troubled colleague.

"What's wrong with taking her to the dinner?" Charlie asked, as he continued to stare at the algorithm on his chalkboard, the headphones hanging around his neck still blaring loud music. He wanted to help his friend, but Larry had interrupted him at a crucial point in his calculations and he was having difficulty switching his mind from one task to the next.

"That's what I said, she seems to think it an inappropriate locale for our first official date," Larry blathered, rubbing his palm across his forehead. "What could be a more glorious declaration of our relationship than to be seen together at the Physics Department's Annual Gala?"

"Yeah, it was a riot last year," Charlie chuckled sarcastically.

"It happens to be the most prestigious event on the department's social calendar," Larry countered. "Not to mention I'd be introducing Laurel publicly as my girlfriend. I thought that was important to her."

Larry shook his head, muttering to himself.

"This was a mistake – I knew I should never have tried combining friendship with a relationship… very risky… it was an untwinnable moment…"

"Aren't you going to say something?" Charlie said in a low voice to Amita. "You were the one who convinced him to try again with Laurel."

Amita looked up from her work with uncharacteristic annoyance. "What do I know? Maybe it was a mistake."

"It was? I knew it!" Larry cried from across the room.

"Amita, come on…" wheedled Charlie.

"What? What do you expect me to do?" she almost snapped.

"Can't you just, you know, psyche him up? You convinced him last time he should try again."

"He's a grown man, Charlie!" Amita could not hide the exasperation in her voice. "You know what, you guys are on your own – I have no idea what any of you want."

Larry approached the desk, a perplexed grimace on his face.

"So you're saying I shouldn't take her to the Gala?"

Amita let out a frustrated laugh as she shook her head at the ceiling. "I'm saying figure it out for yourself because I have better things to do with my time than to counsel you in the ways of love. You're a sweet and sensitive man, Larry, and Laurel obviously cares about you. But if you want to be with her then you have to work out how to make that happen."

"But… I don't know…" Larry stammered.

"God, why do you men have to make things so difficult? And why do women always get blamed for complicating relationships?" The blank looks she received from Charlie and Larry only infuriated her more. "Don't expect me to solve this for you. I can't even organize my own social life. First your brother wants to go out, then suddenly he's too busy… and I have no idea why."

"Wait, my brother asked you out?" asked Charlie, frowning.

"Well, my brother's 54 so I hope she means you," interjected Larry.

"No, I asked him," Amita replied, ignoring Larry. "If I'd waited for him to ask it never would have happened. Didn't he tell you?"

"You're dating Charlie's brother?" asked Larry, interrupting again.

"No, that's my point," Amita sighed. "He changed his mind, just like you, so don't expect me to fill in the blanks with you and Laurel."

When she noticed that Charlie hadn't spoken again Amita was surprised to see a dark, unreadable expression on his face. She realized she probably shouldn't have said anything to Charlie about Don, at least not so casually and in front of someone else. She remembered that Don had been quick to assume there was something going on between her and Charlie, which might explain the look he was now giving her.

Amita was suddenly embarrassed that she had been so insensitive. She liked Charlie a great deal and she knew he liked her too… they worked incredibly well together and had a close friendship that went beyond the usual student/advisor interactions. But that professional relationship meant their friendship could be nothing more, a fact she had accepted. Amita realized with a sinking feeling that perhaps Charlie had not.


Don found his father gardening in the front yard when he pulled into the driveway. Alan had asked him to stop by after work and for once he had actually left the office while it was still daylight. Don knew it meant probably having to go back later in the evening but for now he was happy to get away from the office and the case files he was wading through with the rest of the team.

"Hey Dad," Don said in greeting.

Alan brushed the soil from his garden gloves as he rose from his knees. "Thanks for coming over, Donny."

"No problem. What are you doing this for? Isn't the garden your landlord's responsibility?" he grinned, referring to Charlie's recent purchase of the family home.

"What does Charlie know about gardening?" Alan replied with shrug. "Besides, I like it out here. Better than rattling around in that house by myself, anyway."

"What's up, Dad? There's nothing wrong, is there?"

"Does there need to be something wrong for a father to want to see his son?" said Alan lightly.

"No, but I was just here the night before last so it can't be because you miss me." Don pulled his sunglasses from his face, as the sun sank further in the sky.

"Fine, it's your brother. He's brooding about something."

"What happened?"

"Like I know what goes on in that head of his. He barely said two words to me yesterday and now he's retreated to the garage. Everything's just sitting out on the lawn so he could put his boards up."

"Oh God, what's he working on now?" asked Don. Charlie working in the garage was not a good sign.

"Nothing, that's the thing. He hasn't been working at all, just sits there and stares. He didn't go to class today either. I thought maybe it was something he was working on with you."

"I doubt it, we haven't really brought him in on the fraud case, it's early days yet," said Don. "Don't worry, I'll go talk to him."

Alan was relieved, having given up trying to coax the reason for Charlie's mood out of him. He was hoping Don might have more luck at breaking through, as his sons had become so much closer after working together in recent months.

"Thanks, Donny."

Don clapped a hand on his father's shoulder as he passed him.

"You staying for dinner?" Alan asked his retreating back.

"Probably not, I should go back to the office. Thanks anyway."


Just as Alan had said, Charlie was sitting cross-legged in the middle of the garage surrounded by empty chalkboards mounted on the walls and ceiling. He was motionless except for one hand tapping the floor with a piece of chalk with a slow metronomic beat.

"Charlie? You okay?" Don said when he entered.

He certainly looked all right, not the haunted, manic demeanor Don was used to seeing when Charlie was in crisis. Usually that was the only time his brother felt the need to withdraw into the sanctuary of the garage.

"Fine," came the dull, monosyllabic response.

"Why aren't you working? Dad said you didn't go in today."

"No."

"Why not? Didn't you have classes?" Don surveyed the empty chalkboards, surprised at Charlie's inactivity.

"Probably."

"Probably? Charlie, you can't just blow off your responsibilities like that. What about your students?"

Charlie smiled a bitter smile. "My students are just fine. You should know that."

Don was puzzled, but he didn't have time for this if Charlie was going to talk in riddles.

"Okay well, whatever your problem is, can you please come inside? Dad's worried you."

Charlie rose from the floor and started leafing through a notebook with unseeing eyes.

"I told you and him, I'm fine. Just leave me alone," he mumbled without looking at his brother.

"Charlie, come on. Talk to me." Don tried to hide the impatience in his voice, knowing he wouldn't get a response otherwise.

Charlie finally looked at Don challengingly.

"She told me about your date."

"What?"

"Amita," he said without breaking his stare, in case Don tried to deny it.

"Charlie – " Don began, holding his hands up in a placating gesture.

"You weren't going to tell me, were you?" Charlie's tone was accusatory.

"Is that what this is about? There's nothing to tell."

"Amita asks you out, and you weren't going to tell me."

"We're not going out, I said no," said Don with a sigh.

"But first you said yes," argued Charlie.

"And then I said no," he repeated.

"What's the difference?"

"The difference is we're not going out," Don replied incredulously.

"Why not?"

"Because… it's obviously not something you're going to be happy about. And because, it's none of your business why." Don wasn't about to explain himself to his brother when he was in this sort of mood.

"I don't believe you. This is Louise Bradshaw all over again!" cried Charlie suddenly, his anger brimming to the surface.

"What are you talking about?"

"Louise Bradshaw, our neighbour. You knew how much I liked her and I found the two of you making out in the attic after the 4th of July fireworks," said Charlie hotly.

Don's face scrunched in astonishment. "Louise Bradshaw? Charlie, for God's sake, you were 8 years old at the time!"

"Like that's even relevant," he said dismissively. "The principle's the same."

"You know what, there is no point even discussing this with you if you are going to be like this." Don started to walk away.

"Fine, because you know I'm right," Charlie called after him.

Don reared around. "No, Charlie, what I know is you're behaving like an adolescent. We're not in high school anymore... Oh wait, I forgot, you weren't even an adolescent in high school. Maybe that's why you're behaving like a juvenile about this."

"Did you or did you not say to me just a few days ago that I should hurry up and ask her out?" Charlie countered.

"Yes, but..."

"'Someone's going to snatch her up', you said," Charlie continued angrily. "I just never expected it to be my own brother doing the snatching."

Don levelled him with a stony glare. "Charlie, it's not my fault if she doesn't feel the same way about you. Grow the hell up."

Charlie's face fell before the expression was quickly replaced with one of betrayal. He stared mutely at Don, and then with a final bitter shake of his head he stalked from the garage.

"Charlie, come on, I'm sorry…" Don called after him, but there was no response.

Don watched him go, exasperated and annoyed that he had reacted to Charlie's outburst. It was a moot point anyway, he had already cancelled dinner with Amita. Don realized Charlie didn't care – it was still the principle that mattered. The fact he had even considered it was evidence of his disloyalty to his brother.

Don sighed plaintively. Deep down he did know Charlie was right.