A/N - Thanks for the nice reviews. You guys are very encouraging for keeping the story going and I hope you are not disappointed with where it goes.

Chapter 3

As his final class of the day was leaving, Charlie reflected that today, for the first time in so long, he felt a bit more in charge of where his life was going.

He had some time to work on the exams before his student was due. The student was Mark Brady. Of all of the students that Charlie had spent extra time tutoring, without a doubt, Mark was his greatest success. He was very bright but he had been failing the class when Charlie returned to teaching. Mark was nearly to the point of throwing in the towel and dropping the course. Charlie knew that would have been tragic for Mark's future and he would have had to change his major had he given up on the course completely.

After spending a few hours with the young student, he saw that light of comprehension in his eyes and Charlie knew that all this had been worth it. Mark had made a complete turnaround. The professor was proud of him and he had to admit that he was also proud of himself. Mark would go far in his life.

Charlie's phone rang and he knew without looking at it that is was Don calling about the case. He let voice mail get the call and returned to his notes.

After he and Mark had finished and were set another appointment for Friday evening, there was another student waiting at the door. As Chelsea was coming into the office, Charlie rose to greet her. He knew that Chelsea needed this math course but she did not seem to grasp the information and while it was a challenge he would normally welcome, she did not seem to be putting forth the needed effort.

Just as he was starting to talk to her, the door opened and the irate brother that Charlie has not even seen since the end of the child killer case, came into his office. Don asked the girl, "Could you please excuse us for a few minutes?" Charlie asked Chelsea to stay where she was but to open her notes to where they had left off last time and he would be back in a minute.

He walked out of the office and Don followed. Charlie knew that this could get loud and did not want any students who may still be around at this hour to overhear. He walked into the classroom and closed the door behind them.

Don's eyes were smoldering and Charlie was determined that he would remain calm. "Don, I'm sorry but as I tried to tell you yesterday I can't..."

The older brother again cut the younger one off. "Charlie, I thought I explained to you that I need your help with this case."

"Yes Don you did say that but the point remains that I do not have the time to spare right now."

"Oh, what's the big deal Charlie? You give some lectures, grade some tests. I'm sure you can make the time with more effort on your part."

"No Don, I can't. I have a job of my own and responsibilities that I have neglected in order to assist you with YOUR job. As a result, some of my students have been struggling and all of the extra time I've spend with them has still not made up for the time I missed while I was doing your job. I might remind you that not only did I put your work before my own but I also did not appreciate the treatment I received from you while working the case and ever since then. No Don, I will NOT help you with this case."

"What did you expect Charlie? A lot of kids died. We all worked hard on the case and we were all exhausted when it when it was over. The world does not revolve around you and if you were expecting a medal, sorry we disappointed you. After all it's not like you're an agent. You are a consultant, nothing more."

Charlie shook his head slowly and said "Yeah, nothing more. Excuse me, I have a student waiting for some assistance. She is likely to appreciate my time just a bit more."

He turned to leave and Don yanked him back by his arm. "Charlie." The irritation was clear in his voice.

Charlie pulled his arm out of his brother's grasp and said, "Keep your hands off me. Go find yourself another consultant." He started to walk away.

With more anger, Don again grasp Charlie by the left arm and Charlie made a fist and punched Don in the mouth. For a few seconds, they were both in shock, but Don recovered and balled up his own fist and punched Charlie.

The punch knocked Charlie off his feet and flat on his back. Don could not believe what just happened. "Charlie...I'm sorry..." He reached down to help the his brother up.

Charlie refused Don's hand and picked himself up and walked away from Don. His vision was blurred and he stumbled but caught himself right away. Don started to follow Charlie. Charlie turned and looked at him, with what Don could only call a defeated look and he said, "Look Don, after the semester is over I'm going away for a while. I would appreciate it if you would stay away for the few remaining weeks."

Charlie went back to his office and closed the door. He apologized to Chelsea and even though he was dizzy and his ears were ringing, he was able to go over some things with her and he hoped it would help her.

After she left, Charlie, gathered up his notes and headed to where he left his bike. Don's SUV was in the parking lot and Charlie ignored him. As he unlocked his bike, Don walked up to him. Charlie did not look at him and pulled the lock off.

"Charlie, I'm really sorry that I hit you, this case has us frustrated." Charlie knew that whatever he said to Don was not going to make any difference; Don simply did not hear him. So, Charlie did not say anything.

"Let's put your bike in the SUV and I'll give you a ride home,. We can talk tomorrow."

With a tired sign Charlie said, "Don, just go home, your home, and leave me alone."

The professor could see that he had busted Don's lip and he felt a twinge of regret but he also knew that he would most likely have a black eye in the morning, so the regret was short lived.

As Charlie slowly biked home, he took the time to think over what had happened with Don over the past several months and he knew that his decision was the right one. He loved his parents, he missed his mother terribly. But Don was the one person that Charlie had always looked for acceptance from. He had soaked up every bit of attention that Don had ever given him. But Charlie suspected that he was now and always had been a disappointment to his older brother.

Charlie knew he was not what Don would have wished for in a brother. When they were kids the younger brother had treated older one like a God, most days Don had treated Charlie like something he would scrap off of his shoes.

Charlie had thought that he and Don were finally getting closer after they started working on cases together. But Charlie had to wonder if he was blinded by his desire to have a close relationship with his brother and the possibility that maybe Don was just seeing the advantages of having a math genius help out with his cases who just happened to be his brother.

His mind drifted back a ways to the Sniper case and Charlie knew that that concern was no act. Don had truly been afraid for him. Could it be that maybe Special Agent Eppes was more afraid of losing his consultant than losing his brother. Charlie shook his head; No he did not believe that. Don was a protector by nature. He knew that his brother cared about him if for no other reason than he was his only sibling.

But Charlie knew it was time for him to grow up and break away from this hold that Don had on him. He knew that a close sibling relationship could never work if there was only one sibling making the effort.

Charlie had spoken to the dean that morning and he had also made some calls. He was actually looking forward to his future. Charlie parked his bike in the garage and headed into the house. The youngest Eppes was hoping for a chance to talk to the oldest one but saw that again his father was not home. He went to the refrigerator and took out some leftover lasagna. Charlie put it in the microwave and took his backpack upstairs to his room.

After eating some of his dad's famous lasagna, Charlie went to bed. The next two weeks would be busy ones and he needed to be as rested as he could.