Charlie shifted uncomfortably on the ground. He watched as Edgerton angled his body and then stopped moving. Charlie had to remind himself that Thomas was indeed alive. He watched the muscles of the older man, taut and prepared. Charlie scrunched his nose. He'd never be able to stay still for that long, unless he was deep in thought and really, he had no control over that. Charlie noticed how Thomas' chest would lightly move with Edgerton's shallow and slow breathing. Suddenly, Thomas shot, and Charlie jumped. Edgerton, body still in position, turned his head, "You alright there, Charles?"

Charlie blushed and looked down, "Yeah... just didn't expect it."

"that's the point." Thomas said, chuckling. "Now come over here, I'm going to put you in the prone position."

Charlie shook his head, "No, I'm fine with watching. Did you kill something?"

Thomas looked at Charlie with a raised eyebrow, "Just because I love sniping does not mean I like to kill things. In fact, I like making sure that snipers don't go crazy and start sprees."

Charlie blushed again, "I'm sorry. I'm just so used to the idea of guns being synonymous with death. I worry for Don and all."

"He's been shot. How did you deal with that?" Thomas moved from his position, closer to Charlie's.

Charlie leaned back on his arm and shrugged, "Not well. I thought he was dead, and it being an anomaly that he survived. I mean, statistically, he is constantly beating the odds of survival."

edgerton listened and nodded, "You're right, but you're leaving out experience from your equation. What I love about you is that you can quantify most actions and situations, Charlie, but once emotion is involved, you don't seem to be able to measure up."

"Emotion can be quantified, Agent Edgerton." Charlie challenged, "It's merely psychology. You can assign certain emotions values and graph them."

Edgerton grinned, "Oh really? Well, what are the chances of you surviving if you were placed in your brother's shoes?"

Charlie winced, "Slim to none."

"And Don has been doing FBI work for over fifteen years. He's trained to deal with his emotions as well as trained instincts. He's got a better chance at survival then most people. He's an excellent agent."

"I know." Charlie said, falling into himself.

Thomas reached out and gently shook Charlie. Charlie looked up surprised. Thomas replied, "Don't do that. Don't shut down because someone happens to have a different view than yours. You're worried for your brother and you don't know the job specifics. I'm here to tell you that i know the job. I know the stress and pressure, and your brother is one of the finest agents. You don't have to worry about him dying."

Charlie noticed half way through Thomas' words that Thomas' hand was still on his shoulder. Charlie looked at it and nodded. "I know, but I just... I can't stop worrying for him."

"Quantify how much you love your brother. Give me your best value. Is he worth more than say... your father?"

Charlie looked up shocked, "No. I can't make those decisions!"

edgerton laughed, "Seems to be that you can't quantify love."

Charlie fell silent, thinking over thomas' words. Thomas smiled, "Back to shooting. I guaruntee that it'll aid in your emotional control. Now look into the scope and just aim. Remember to take in wind."

"There is no wind."

"There is always wind, it's just how much. Consider the air pressure, and gravity. Aim slightly higher then your intended target." Edgerton placed the gun in Charlie's hands.

Charlie put it into position, remembering Edgerton as well as Don's words. Charlie looked into the scope. "alright."

Edgerton moved beside Charlie, placing his arms over Charlie's back, physically making Charlie change his position. Charlie noticed his heart rate jumping, and he broke a small sweat across his brow. Edgerton moved closely to him, "Hold it."

Thomas brought his hand up to Charlie's brow and wiped it. He kept his hand there for another moment, before letting it drop back to Charlie's lower back. "alright, Charlie, you're doing fine. Keep your eye on the scope and the target. take a moment to calm your breathing. Do you remember the breathing technique you told me in the car?"

Charlie noded and Edgerton smiled, "Good. Now take a deep breath and practice the release. I'll tell you when to shoot."

Charlie was finding it hard to regulate his breathing. Edgerton moved closer, bringing his mouth to Charlie's ear. "Breathe in, and out. Nice and steady. Become comfortable. This is the greatest feeling in the world. You're completely in control of this situation. All factors belong to you. Breath in, and out."

Edgerton began to breath in Charlie's ear along with Charlie's breaths. Charlie wanted to lean into Thomas at that moment. He wanted to turn his head and taste those lips. He began to focus on Thomas' breathing and slowly yet surely, his heart rate went down. Charlie focused on the target. Thomas whispered out, "Breathe out... shoot."

Charlie pulled the trigger, keeping calm, and felt the gun jerk back. Charlie grinned, his hands shaking. He turned to see Edgerton watching him, almost lustfully. Charlie's smile widened, "I did it."

"You did, and well, I might add." edgerton said, not moving his body from Charlie's.

Charlie tilted his head up, rolling onto his back, looking into Edgerton's face. Edgerton gently, more gentle then Charlie had expected for the man, took Charlie's hands and squeezed them. "Do you feel the adrenaline? the control you had? Do you see why sniping can become more than a hobby for some?"

Charlie nodded, "I was completely calm, Thomas. The other time I did this, I jumped about a million feet! I can't believe it."

Thomas laughed and brought his face closer to Charlie's. "Am I speaking to a convert?"

Charlie whispered, "Yes."

Edgerton's eyes took on the lustful note again. The agent bent down and lightly brushed his lips over Charlie's. Thomas brought his hand to cup Charlie's face as he bent down for another kiss. Charlie, much to his surprise, leaned into it, opening his mouth slightly. He discarded the gun, for grabbing a handful of Thomas' shirt. Edgerton leaned over the young mathematician, dragging his leg between Charlie's, entangling them. Charlie pushed his own body against Thomas', as if to prove that he wanted him. Edgerton darted his tongue into Charlie's mouth, tasting the professor. Charlie's heart rate and breathing were increasing. Thomas leaned back, "Your hour is up, Charlie. Tell me that you will let me work with you."

Charlie looked into Edgerton's face. His lips were swollen from the kisses, and his eyes were dark and bottomless. Charlie put up a hand to edgerton's mouth, still testing if any of this was happening. Edgerton took Charlie's fingers into his mouth, letting himself taste some more. He seemed to move over him with an enjoyment that could only be described as primal. Charlie seemed to shudder and whispered out, "You better believe it."

Edgerton smiled and stood up. "Shall we return?"

Charlie looked at the older male, observant of how Edgerton had placed back his cool exterior. Charlie, out of breath and still lying on the ground, nodded. Thomas laughed and bent down, helping Charlie up. The two men walked back to the car. Charlie walked with his head down. thomas watched as the younger man seemed to drag his feet and fall again into his silence. thomas walked up to Charlie and put his hands on Charlie's shoulders. He turned the young mathematician around and leaned the both of them into the car. Charlie seemed to flinch. Edgerton asked quietly, "Are you afraid, Charlie?"

"No. Yes. No." Charlie said. He looked up and then ducked his head.

Edgerton lifted his face, "Charlie. The entire point of life is to own it. You make your own decisions, not me. You want to pretend none of this happened? Then pretend. I won't. I don't want to pretend it didn't happen."

Charlie nodded, "I don't want to either, but I'm just... I don't know."

Thomas leaned in closely and kissed Charlie again, this time knowing that Charlie needed support mostly, whether it was metaphorically or quite literally. Charlie kissed back as Edgerton pressed more firmly against his body. Charlie separated, gasping for breath and Edgerton smiled, "Do you want me to stop?"

"No." Charlie said with conviction. "I want to continue."

Thomas nodded and stood up, "well, until next time. We should head back. You've got class. Perhaps tonight."

Charlie watched Edgerton, full of ego and confidence, walk to the driver's side. Charlie paused and the agent called behind him, "You coming?"