Chapter 8: Decision

There was a complete silence for the whole duration of the journey back to Charlie's house. Each of them deep in his own thoughts.

Alex was going over what he had just learnt about Peach in his mind and thought about the offer he had just got earlier that day, or was it earlier that year. So much had happened. Why did he always have to go up against the people that had a bad past, or were just plain mad?

He went about deciding whether or not to accept the offer. But in the end, he knew he had to. It was his job, even if he didn't like it, and as much as he didn't like it, Alex wanted to see it to the end. He had been told about the kids, and had sympathised with them. Alex also didn't like Peach, and more so, Munchie. They gave him the creeps; at least Peach was attempting to be friendly, and managed it well. But Munchie was just plain freaky.

It was a blur when they got to Charlie's home, Don was driving on autopilot. But once they arrived, everyone was immediately roused from their musings and entered the house to a waft of Alan's cooking.

Charlie went straight away to his chalkboards in the garage, and Alex and Don went to the lounge and turned the TV on to a baseball match that was being broadcasted live. After a pause, Alex turned to Don and proceeded to tell him of his decision.

"Don, Peach offered me a place to be one of her students, and I'm going to accept. I'm going to still take Charlie's maths classes as well," Alex said.

"Did I hear you correctly Alex?" Don asked. "You want to take that class? You want to take that class from the daughter of a drunken German immigrant that didn't know English, an illegal immigrant?"

"Also her mother is an American born citizen. But no, you didn't hear wrong. I might as well get as close to Peach as possible," Alex elaborated.

"We have David trailing her," Don tried once more to dissuade Alex, but he was not to succeed. Don had grown fond of him during the time of their short association, and didn't want Alex to get into trouble, even if that was part of his job description.

"Yeah, well, I'll be doing my job, as much as I hate it. That's what I was called in for right?" Alex replied.

Don nodded reluctantly.

At that moment, Charlie entered the lounge, deep in thought, looking for something.

"Charlie?" Don called.

Charlie gave no response.

"Charlie?" Don called again, louder.

Still nothing.

"Charles!" both Don and Alex shouted together.

Charlie jumped.

"Sorry guys. Thinking."

"That's fine Buddy," Don assured Charlie.

"I think you have a right to know this," Alex started.

Charlie turned his attention to Alex.

"I have decided to take up Peach on her offer to study her Chemistry classes, as well as taking yours."

"What about the FBI file, description, about Peach?" Charlie asked concerned.

"I remember," was Alex's only response.

"It's really risky considering that we don't know what she's doing and there a re many chemicals around. The risk factor is round about 80 per cent," Charlie explained in an effort to dissuade Alex.

"How did you work out those probabilities?" Alex distracted Charlie.

Charlie led Alex and Don to the garage and started on the explanations. Alex and Don, however, only used Charlie's talk to cover their own conversation.

"If you need back-up, call me," Don was saying.

"Yeah, I will. But if I'm captured, I may be more of a help," Alex said. "One recurring pattern I've noticed is that the bad guys always seem to go into their bad guy rant about the plans, to me anyway."

Recurring pattern. Don thought. Must be Charlie rubbing off on him.

Out loud, Don said, "I don't like the idea Alex."

"Got others?"

There was a pause then Don slowly shook his head.

"I haven't got any others."

"There you go. Well I'll tell you that I don't like what I have to do anyway," Alex said. "I'll keep you updated Don."

"Be careful Kiddo."

"Will do."

"Thanks Alex," Don said, and left for his apartment.

Alex turned his attention to Charlie's speech and actively took part in it. Once Alex understood well enough to Charlie's satisfaction, Charlie stopped and turned to talk to Alex.

"Alex, seriously, don't do it."

"Do what Charlie?" Alex asked, feigning innocent puzzlement.

"Peach's class."

"I want to learn some Chem. as well," Alex replied, and it was true.

"Alex, leave the crime fighting stuff to Don. Keep yourself safe," Charlie was seriously concerned, and didn't hear Alex's answer. "It'd be a greater risk for you to get involved, than for Don to bust Peach. As the numbers show."

Alex smiled. "I don't know about leaving it all up to Don, but I will keep myself as safe as I can."

"Don's good at his job," Charlie wasn't giving up without a fight.

"I know he is," Alex replied.

"Let him do his job without having to worry about you," Charlie persisted.

"Of course I'll let him do his job," Alex said. "But I also need to do mine." He was contemplating to tell Charlie his role in this whole matter.

"Alex, you're job's to learn."

"And I'm learning for you, Charlie."

"You know what I mean."

Alex sighed, "I know." Deciding not to tell Charlie in the end.

"DINNERTIME!" Alan called from the kitchen; bring both teacher and student back to the present.