Disclaimer: I do not own Numb3rs or the characters. No copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: Sorry for the long delay! I'd been avoiding updating this story because I wasn't happy with my original ending. Fortunately, Juwel gave me the push I needed to start posting again and D. Lerious was kind enough to help me rework the ending. Thanks, Juwel & D. Lerious! And thank you everyone for your kind reviews and your patience.

Warning: Contains slight spoilers/references for "Convergence" and other episodes.

Chapter 7

Perched on the edge of Don's desk, Charlie shifted uncomfortably in his wet jeans and wondered vaguely if he could ride home in Amita's car without ruining the upholstery.

The water balloon fight on the balcony had been epic. Don and Charlie recruited Colby and the three of them had approached the balcony armed with as many water balloons as they could hold. David and Amita, manning their position with the remaining balloons in the bucket, had fought back valiantly.

Amita shrieked loudly in surprise when the first balloon hit her in the back, but she swiftly spun around and her eyes narrowed dangerously at Charlie. She scooped up a water balloon out of the bucket at her feet, and the fight was on.

Don and Colby had focused their attack on David, but Charlie hadn't hesitated to throw as many balloons as he could at Amita and she'd responded in kind. Charlie reveled in the thought that she might be off limits for Don, but not for him.

"What's that smile for?"

Charlie looked up to see Amita standing in front of him. "I didn't realize that I was," he replied in surprise. But now that she'd mentioned it, he couldn't seem to stop.

Amita settled onto the edge of the desk, close beside him. "Oh, yeah. Big smile. Kind of surprising, considering how thoroughly you were just trounced," she teased.

Charlie raised his eyebrows at that comment and pointedly reached over to tuck a long, wet strand of hair behind her ear. "Trounced, huh?"

She shrugged, but refused to back down from her claim. "Yeah," she grinned.

Gazing at her, he marveled at how beautiful she looked. Her wet hair was slicked back and her sodden clothes clung to her body in some truly fascinating ways. Charlie, on the other hand, strongly suspected he looked like a drowned rat. What truly amazed him about Amita, even more than her ability to look good in any situation, was her ability to fit comfortably into any situation. He dragged her along to family dinners and consulting jobs— any excuse to spend time with her. And she adapted to every new situation so well she made it seem effortless.

"You know," she confided, "I should have realized something was up when you called Megan. I can't believe you set David and me up like that! Don's right. You do have an evil streak."

In truth, his deception had been the result of belligerent impulsiveness rather than cunning strategy. Charlie smiled uncomfortably and decided not to correct her.

Glancing across the room, he watched Don laughing as he told a story about his academy days that featured his old friend Eddie Darnell. Colby and David didn't know the reason Eddie was on Don's mind today, but they were clearly enjoying the story anyway.

Don's regrets about lost opportunities and wasted time weighed heavily on Charlie's mind as he turned back to her. "Amita, would you consider giving me a second chance?"

Amita looked confused by the sudden change in topic. Charlie took a deep breath to steady his nerves and plunged ahead. "No rules about what we can or can't talk about. No elaborate plans for a concert weeks away. Just you and me, on a date. What do you say?"

Amita opened her mouth to reply, but before she could say anything, he interjected, "We'll go anywhere you want. You pick. We can even go to Pie 'n Burger." Frankly, he'd never liked the place. And ever since Marshall Penfield's recent visit, he'd come to truly hate it. But he'd start going there every day of the week if she wanted. His heart sped up as he anxiously awaited her answer and he had to force himself not to fidget.

"You know, I'm starting to think that place is overrated. I've heard Apple Pan is better," she replied with a soft smile.

Charlie's heart sank. That sounded like a 'no'. A little indirect, maybe, but he'd suggested a place and she'd rejected it. Called it overrated. Overrated like a professor who had started his career with a theory that had a flaw...

Charlie was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he almost missed her next words.

"…maybe we could try going there. On, um, Thursday? Would that work for you?" she asked, retucking her hair behind her ear in a nervous gesture.

"Where?" Charlie asked, genuinely confused, as he tried to shake off his depressing ruminations.

Amita's nervousness seemed to increase as she twisted her hands together in her lap and explained, "Apple Pan. I thought we could try Apple Pan instead. On Thursday, maybe? But if you don't…"

Delighted, Charlie reached over and picked up one of her hands to still the anxious movement. "Apple Pan sounds great."

Emboldened by the turn of events, Charlie forgot about the others in the room. Everything else fell away as he slowly leaned in to kiss her, praying he was reading the moment correctly and wasn't about to make a fool out of himself. She leaned in slightly to meet him, but just as their lips were about to meet the stubborn stand of hair he'd tucked behind her ear slipped out of place again and swung down between them.

With a slight chuckle, Charlie reached up to brush it away from her face. He let his hand linger, tracing a path down the side of her face in a gentle caress and felt a tiny shiver run through her. With a start, he glanced down at his other hand that still held hers and realized her hand was ice cold. "You're freezing!" he declared with sudden concern.

Charlie immediately sat back and shook his head. He couldn't believe he'd been so thoughtless. He jumped up off the desk and was about to offer her his jacket when he realized what a futile gesture that was. His clothes were just as wet as hers. Recovering quickly, he said, "Come on, let's get you home."

A look of frustration flashed though Amita's eyes before she closed them. For a moment, he was worried he'd done something wrong. But when she opened her eyes again, the perturbed expression was gone and she smiled up at him before standing up and slipping her hand back into his. "Okay, Charlie, let's go."

As they headed for the elevators, after pausing for a friendly wave and a few words in parting for Don and the others, Amita muttered under her breath, "On Thursday, remind me to wear a parka. And gloves. Maybe a scarf."

Charlie shot her a questioning glance, but she just shook her head and smiled.