Disclaimer: I do not own Numb3rs or the characters. No copyright infringement is intended. The math in this story is from Wikipedia.
A/N: I added another original character. I do that.
Chapter 6
As they headed for the office kitchen, Don asked, "So? What's up, Charlie?"
Charlie knew he should promptly confess the lie, but instead he stalled for time by replying, "You tell me. What's this day been about? Why are you here on a Sunday? You can't be working on a case, or you wouldn't be goofing off like this."
Don shook his head. "Nah, it's just this review we've got coming up on Monday. But we're ready. Today is just about making sure we dotted all the i's and crossed the t's."
Charlie nodded, but the memory of Don's pained expression when David mentioned 'acting out behavior' returned to him. He decided to put his own problems aside for the moment and subtly dig a little deeper. "Latex gloves as water balloons. Pretty inventive."
Don, who was currently filling a glove with water from the kitchen sink, looked over his shoulder with a grin. "Like it? I learned this from a guy back in the academy. Eddie Darnell. Man, we were so close back then. But we lost touch over the years, you know? I always thought… I don't know. I always thought we'd find the time to catch up someday."
Charlie leaned against the counter and shrugged. "So? Why don't you?"
Don stumbled over his words as he struggled and failed to hold onto the casual tone of the conversation. "Oh, well… There was… He was killed in the line of duty."
Charlie froze. He must have looked shocked because Don rushed to explain, "It happened a long time ago, Charlie. Way before I transferred to the LA office. I just – I ran across his name on some old files I was reading to prep for the review. And I started thinking about him, you know?"
"Why didn't I know this before? Why didn't you ever tell us?" Charlie asked. He hated the fact that Don never told him things about his life before he moved back to LA.
Don grimaced. "Yeah, 'cause that's a conversation I want to have with Dad. He has enough nightmares. Think I want to give him more? No sir. No thank you."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Don carefully kept his eyes on the next glove, watching it slowly fill with water and expand. "We weren't really keeping in touch back then."
Even though he knew it was true, Charlie suddenly felt a little angry with Don for keeping this bottled up. "So today's what? A tribute to him?"
Don shut off the faucet and tied off another balloon. "Yeah. Yeah, I guess so. Sort of. Is that… crazy?"
The minute Don turned to face him; all of Charlie's anger faded away. Don looked so vulnerable. Like he thought Charlie had the authority to decide what was crazy and what wasn't. His eyes pleaded with Charlie to tell him it was okay while his body tensed as if expecting a rebuke.
It shook him a little to see Don so unsure of himself. One of his chief comforts in life was knowing he could rely on Don to always be the strong one. But he pushed past his own feelings to focus on Don's question. "No," he replied gently. "No, it's not crazy. It's…" Words failed him, but math never did. "It's velocity."
Don looked at him blankly.
Charlie explained, "Speed and direction. You miscalculated the speed. Put off catching up with an old friend because you thought you had more time. My regrets center on a miscalculation in... direction."
The air crackled with tension. This was a taboo subject for them. But once he'd started, Charlie found he couldn't stop. His mind screamed at him to shut up, but the words tumbled out. "I… I knew Mom was getting worse. But I couldn't… I just… I couldn't even think it. I…"
When Don's hand landed on Charlie's shoulder, he flinched. But as Don pulled him into a hug, he didn't resist. "I know," Don murmured.
When they stepped back out of the hug, Charlie was afraid of what Don might say. Even though he'd been the one to bring up their mother's death, he found it was still too raw. He didn't think he could bear any empty platitudes or words of reassurance. Or worse, condemnation. When Don finally spoke, his voice was a little thick with unshed tears, but all he said was, "Megan's not really coming is she?"
Charlie sagged slightly in relief. They were already farther out on this ledge than he wanted to be. Time to retreat. He chuckled slightly as he scrubbed away a tear. "No."
"Good," Don smiled. "I was afraid she was slipping."
"She really keeps you on your toes doesn't she?"
"Oh, yeah. Megan's great. I mean, she's not…" Don let that thought trail off unfinished, but quickly recovered and repeated in a sincere tone, "Megan's great."
"Yeah," Charlie nodded swiftly in agreement. "Megan's great." With a teasing grin he added, "Of course, Terry would have come out to play today."
Don smiled wistfully. "Yeah." In a boastful tone he added, "Are you kidding? Terry would have led the charge." His tone grew wistful again as he breathed out, "God, I miss her." He shook his head and lapsed into silence.
After a moment, Don noted with a wry expression, "You know, as attempts to cheer me up go, so far yours have really sucked."
"What?"
"I'm just telling it like it is, buddy. Your ability to cheer people up could use some serious work."
Charlie thought about that for a moment. "David's on the balcony."
Don shrugged disinterestedly and looked down at his feet.
Charlie prompted, "Cornered on the balcony, with no means of escape."
Don raised his head. "Better."
Encouraged, Charlie continued, "And he is expecting us to bring more water balloons."
Don smiled. "It'd be a shame to disappoint him."
TBC