Disclaimer: I don't own anything Numb3rs, it's all property of CBS and whatnot, so don't sue.

Chapter 29: Breakfast Anyone?

Don Eppes was awakened from his slumber by the delicious smell of fresh coffee and the sound of something frying in the direction of the kitchen.

" Bless you dad." Grumbled Don as he sat up and stretched. Today was mercifully and day off for the FBI agent.

As Don stretched leisurly, the sounds of someone coming down the stairs. Confused now, Don walked out into the hall to see who it was and was stunned to see his father Alan, complete withbed-head.

" Morning Donnie." Yawned Alan.

Instead of relying in kind to his father, Don asked a question.

" Dad, if your on the stairs, who the hell's making breakfast in there?" Don indicating the kitchen with a thumb pointed to that room.

Alan sleepy face vanished instantly, being replaced by one of concern and alertness as he joined his oldest son at the bottom of the stairs.

The two Eppes men quietly made their way through the dining room, Don imediately switching to FBI Agent mode, telling Alan to stay behind him as he led the way. When the sound of someone walking around the kitchen was heard, Don sprung into action.

" FBI DON'T..." Don's voice died in his throat as his eyes grew wide. His jaw was probably making good friend with the floor, and the gasp somewhere behind him signaled that Alan propably had the same expression as him.

A pair of very amused, almost black, brown eyes stared back at them.

Charlie turned and slid the last pancake out of the frying pan onto the medium sized stack he'd already made. He then set the frying pan back down on the stove and turned back to his stupefied brother and father.

Swallowing down his nervousness, Charlie walked forward, coming to stand at arms length from Don. The two brothers stared at each other before Charlie tentatively reached out with a finger, pushing Don's slackened jaw shut.

" I thought I'd make you guys some pancakes, since you like'em so much." Said Charlie quietly.

Then he felt all the air leave his lungs as a pair of warm familiar arms pulled him into avice-like hug. With a shaky sigh, Charlie wrapped his arms around Don, hugging him back.

" Charlie?" Whispered Don, still not believing himself, even as he hugged the warm body to him.

" Hey big bro, sorry I startled you guys so early in the morning." Whispered Charlie, feeling the familiar burn of tears behind his eyeballs. After several more minutes spend hugging each other, Don finally pried himself away from his baby brother.

Charlie had only a second to grab a breath of air before he felt another pair of arms encircle him.

" Since when do youcook?" Asked Alan, his voice gruff with emotion as he hugged his youngest child.

"Every once in a while. I'm nothing compared to you though." Said Charlie as he snuggled his face into his father's shoulder, clinging to the older man.

When they pulled apart, Charlie felt a hand on his arm, turning him around so that he faced his brother once again.

" When did you get back?" He asked.

" ... Last night." Answered Charlie sheepishly.

" What! When?" Asked a shocked Don.

" I came home at like... 9:30 or something like that. No body was home so, I let myself in. I guess, I just fell asleep by the time you guys got home and woke up early this morning, decided I'd make you guys breakfast." Shrugged Charlie.

Both Don and Alan looked at Charlie like he was from another planet.

The three Eppes men stood in silence before they all broke down into hearty fits of laughter.

Their happy laughter echoed through the house.

Charlie felt warm and at peace as he watched his father and brother dig in to the pancakes he'd made.

Which were surprisingly good.

Later that day, Don and Charlie headed into the FBI offices where Charlie was all but pounced on by Colby, Megan, and David. They started bombarding him with question after question, which he could not truthfully answer.

After they left the FBI Offices, Don and Charlie headed over to CalSci to surprise Larry Fleinhardt. The poor man nearly fainted when he caught sight of his young friend and colleague.

And so the day was spent with Charliegetting reaquanted with the life he'd left behind for three long months.

Throughout this day, Don was like a second skin barely giving Charlie any time to himself. It was understandable.

That night, Charlie went to sleep in his own bed with only one troubling thought.

" How long can I stay this time?"