Charlie was vigorously scribbling a lengthy equation on a black board when Don knocked on the doorpost announcing his presence. Charlie, who had been withdrawn deep into his own complicated world, needed more than a subtle knock on the door to notice his brother had entered the garage. Don, who had been well aware of his brothers mind being light-years away from where his body was realized he was unnoticed by his sibling.

For a slight second Don contemplated to scare the living daylights out of Charlie, but he quickly reminded himself that it was Charlie's turn to retaliate and Don already felt very uneasy that Charlie had taken his time to do so and had therefore decided to feel the pulse, his real reason for his visit. Throwing a second punch before Charlie had the chance to avenge, however tempting and opportune the situation might be, was not a wise thing to do Don realized.

"Hey Charlie…" Don said.

No response.

"Charlie…. Earth to Charlie" Don tried again.

Still no response

"Hey …CHAR- LIE!" Don raised his voice.

Charlie jerked his head towards the person who had called out his name.

"Hey… Don. What brings you here? I thought you had a day off today?" Charlie asked with a frown.

"Yeah… I do. It turns out though that I don't have much to do on this day off. So I decided to see what you were up to. I mean… doing. I meant doing" Don said.

Charlie wanted to smile. He knew exactly why his brother had come over. Although he was surprised, he thought it would take a lot longer for Don to come over and get a feel on the current status of the situation. Last night when Amita had explained what she had planned Charlie instantly knew this would drive Don absolutely insane. All they had to do was to get Alan on board.

After discussing the plan with Alan, his father in first instance refused. He wanted to stay impartial and didn't want to take either side as this was something between them. He couldn't help one son, and not the other. Amita had pointed out that if Don wanted his help retaliating against Charlie they would not hold it against him. Alan was free to help either son if he was asked to do so. After a short deliberation Alan consented. Amita had a valid point and in all honestly Alan was always up for a good prank. Not that he would ever admit to that out loud, but deep down he felt no remorse for what he had agreed to. Don's smugness when it came to being street smart even got to Alan from time to time….

"Well, I'm up to nothing really, just equations. As you can see…" Charlie replied pointing at the black board.

"I see. Have any other plans for today?" Don asked as he strode through the garage peering over papers scattered about in search of any hints of what Charlie had conjured for him.

"Nothing much really, I'm meeting up with Amita in a while. We have some things to go over." Charlie answered.

"Still working on that project of yours huh." Don said looking at Charlie as he couldn't find anything revealing any information regarding a possible conspiracy or attack against him. Not that if there were he would be able to recognize it, every piece of paper in the garage had mathematical equations written down on them. Even if one of them had information he wouldn't be able to identify it if his life depended on it.

"No, not on that project." Charlie said deliberately giving the shortest answer possible but leaving room for assumptions.

"Not on that project? Is there another project your working on?" Don asked with great interest.

"No" Charlie answered monotonously, knowing he was pushing it.

Don knew that with that short answer Charlie was up to something. And Amita was in on it too, he was sure of it now. Though he now knew that Charlie was brewing on an idea to get back at him but was not yet satisfied. He was perfectly fine with giving his younger brother a chance to get back at him for spraying his hair but had to admit that he was getting nervous not knowing exactly what Charlie had planned or most importantly; when. The investigative side of Don taking the upper hand he was suddenly overcome with the need to find out everything he could about Charlie's retaliation plans. Whatever his little brother was up to… Don was adamant to find out what. And be ready for Charlie when the time had come.

"Ok, well I'll leave you to it then. If there's anything you need just give me a call. I'll be with Dad watching the game. And say hi to Amita for me." Don said as he walked towards the door.

Charlie nodded and returned to his equations on the black board. Phase one of their plan had been set in motion. And Charlie loved it.

---

"Don, come give me a hand with this will you?" Alan said panting as he tried to haul a big box into the living room.

Don who had entered the living room just having visited Charlie in the garage rushed up to his father to help.

"What's this?" Don asked as he gave his father a hand.

"Don't know… some guy just delivered it saying Charlie knows what it's for." Alan replied a little out of breath.

They put down the box in the middle of the living room and stared at it.

"I wonder what's in it. It doesn't say who it's from or where it was sent from" Don muttered as he glared at the cardboard box trying it find some form of identification.

"None of our business either what's in it or who's it from as it's for Charlie. All I need to know is that I don't have to move that heavy thing another inch. Charlie will have to find a way to get that thing to where he needs it to be without my help." Alan replied sitting down in his chair.

Don had a gut feeling that the box had something to do with whatever Charlie had in mind for his pay back. He bet that Charlie didn't count on him being at the house today. That's right… Charlie said that he thought Don was off that day. He didn't expect him to be at the house, and now that box being delivered while he was here. Did Charlie look surprised when he saw him earlier? Did he seem startled? He must have been… yes, Don was sure of it now. Charlie looked startled when Don showed up unannounced in the garage. And now that box. He had to go get Charlie. Lure him out…. Find out what was in that box. Don felt victorious. So far it was one-nil in his favor. This might be his chance to sabotage what might become the tie.

"I'll go get Charlie." Don said anxious to see the look on his brothers face when he had to open the box with him in the house.

Alan shook his head. This was going to be most interesting. It would be tiring… having two boys had always been a challenge. But none the less it was always interesting. And this would not be an exception…

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