Breakfast was ready but Charlie had lost his appetite. He still could not get his head around what happened over the last nine hours. Not knowing what Amita had told Don about what happened that morning when Don remarked his hair really was out of control as 'she' had said drove him nuts as well. The whole event just kept running though his head like a film on repeat and it made him nauseous. God, he could not have handled the situation any worse!

Amita felt guilty for blowing off Megan the way she did, but she just couldn't answer her question. When had said 'no' she lied, it did have to do with Charlie, but the "old not being true any more" boar reference to herself. She was confused, when she saw Charlie this morning, she didn't just see Charlie, she saw the man Charlie. It was as if her mind finally caught up with her and finally registered that Charlie is, in fact a MAN and a very attractive one that is, even with completely out of control hair.

Megan set the table while thinking about what she had done to scare Amita off. She knew whatever Amita was trying to say it definitely had to do with Charlie. As she turned to look at Charlie she was now was certain, he had that worried introvert look on his face. Something happened and she had no idea what.

Don was oblivious to what was going on with his brother and Amita. Worried introvert looks were part of Charlie; he wore that look on his face most of the time so Don didn't think much of it. Amita was getting her stuff ready for the hike and seemed fine. But then again, women were hard to read, it was still morning, he hadn't had his caffeine shot yet and Don was hungry.

Larry still sitting beside the window was observing the other four and felt there was something funny in the air today. And it sure wasn't rain………..

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Breakfast went by fast and fairly silent. No one really made an effort to make conversation accept for Larry. Well… conversation…..

He had one very bad habit that not many knew about as he avoided getting caught in situations where this habit took the upper hand; he did not react well to long silences. Whenever he got caught in one of these situation he couldn't help himself and starting saying the weirdest things or revealing best kept secrets in hopes to break the silence. This breakfast was no exception….

"….. Did you know that male mice sing an ultrasonic song to the partner of their choice?" Larry blurted out.

Four people stopped what they were doing staring at Larry.

"It's true, scientists found this out a while ago during a behavior study on male mice and their reaction to pheromones. Very fascinating."

Charlie smiled faintly at his friend as he knew about his dislike for uncomfortable silences. But nothing came to Charlie's mind to get some kind of conversation going and the room went silent again.

"….. Did you know that the Romans considered the gladiators sweat an aphrodisiac?

Again all eight eyes were focused on Larry who visibly was suffering from the silence at the table.

Amita excused herself from the table having to use the ladies room being an outhouse at the back of the cabin as Larry continued feeling he had to explain his earlier statement.

"After a day of fighting the gladiators bathed in olive oil. The oil contained the sweat of the gladiators and also testosterone. They stored the testosterone spiked oil in little jars. For woman to rub themselves with this substance it upped their testosterone level making them more susceptible for….."

"Larry, what is up with the pairing analogies?" Charlie quickly interrupted before Larry actually was going to finish what he was about to say.

Megan snapped out of her thinking and Don was done having breakfast at once. They both stared at Larry.

The pressure of the silence and the looks from Don and Megan must have been too much for Larry because he started rambling all the wrong things.

"Well…uhm… it's not so much interesting details on pairing in general more of interesting details on human interactions or better said the lack of human interaction more related to certain people than others meaning that might apply to you or me for that matter as we a quite similar in that way not that I'm implying at all that there is a lack in human interaction in general when it comes to you but more so in relation to the other gender…"

As if in slow motion Don felt himself unable to stop the flow of words from Larry's mouth and Megan not being able to comprehend what was had just happened just looked at Charlie as she saw he had connected all the dots.

"Don, I need to see you outside" Charlie said in a deep voice trying to control his anger.

"Charlie… I…" but Don didn't get to finish.

"NOW Don!" Charlie told him forcefully.

Larry mouthed I'm-so-sorry at Don as the two brothers left for the front door. Megan looked at Larry with a pitiful face. She felt so sorry for Larry and he knew that he hadn't meant to blurt things out like that at all.

When Charlie felt they were far enough away from the cabin he turned to look at Don. With clenched teeth and arms folded over his chest he waited a few seconds to get himself together.

"Don would you care to explain to me right now what the hell is going on here?"

"Charlie, look… don't get all upset. We meant well. We felt you two could use a little hand that's all" Don said in an apologetic tone of voice as he saw Charlie was about to pop a fuse.

"What the hell are you on about Don? Charlie had to force himself not so shout as he felt the anger building up inside him. Amita was still inside and he did not want her to know what was going on.

"What on earth made you think you have the right to interfere in my private life? Or to use Larry's way of putting things, the lack of my private life! Charlie sneered at Don. "You have no idea of the way things are Don!"

Amita was about to return to the others as she notice Charlie and Don missing from the table and Megan very busy talking to Larry who had a very worried look on his face. Both did not notice Amita had returned to the cabin. She walked in the first bedroom to see if she could find the boys. When she couldn't find them there she went to the bedroom where she and Charlie had spent the night. She saw Charlie and Don outside, Charlie looking upset and Don making calming gestures. Curiosity taking the upper hand she opened the window a bit in hopes to could hear what the two were talking about. As it turned out she was going to hear more than she bargained for….

"Charlie, I think you're overreacting a little here."

"I'm overreacting! How dare you Don? This is not about me! This has nothing to do with you! You have no idea what you have could have, if not already caused with your interference!

"Charlie would you calm down a bit! It was Don's turn to raise is voice." What is the big problem little bother! We know you like her you've said so and she seems quite fond of you too. We just went for a hike for crying out loud and you only spent the night in the same bed together!"

"Have I Don? Have a really ever said out loud I liked Amita? And has Amita ever said to you in person that she likes me? Has she Don?" Charlie's fuse was really about to pop.

Amita's couldn't believe what she was hearing. Did Charlie just imply he didn't like her?

"What is with you man! Even if no one has ever said it out loud your body language says enough Charlie! We all have seen the looks; you even asked her out on a date! Don's anger started to rise. Charlie was not telling him exactly why he was so upset causing Don to put more pressure on his bother.

"Now how is this not about you then, huh? If you had shifted into second gear a while back we most likely wouldn't even be having this stupid argument in the first place!"

"BECAUSE SHE'S NOT READY TO COMMIT TO ANYONE DON!"

Charlie had exploded. Blowing Don away completely. Charlie had never, ever in his life before screamed at him like this before. Don pulled himself together and tried to keep Charlie communicating with him.

Amita sat down on the edge of the bed. She could hear herself saying it to Charlie in her head, when Charlie had thought she went out on a date with Penfield. She never thought he would actually remember that let alone take her words so seriously. If only she knew.

"Charlie, I'm sorry I didn't know. You never said anything."

"I shouldn't have to say anything Don! This is my personal life. It's not like you're sharing every detail of you private life to me either! Charlie still sounding angrily.

"Charlie, try to reason a little. We're brothers, if I had a personal life outside of the bureau believe me I you would be the first to know. I just want to see you happy buddy. And she seems to do just that whenever she's around."

Charlie seemed to have calmed down a bit. He had stopped making wild gestures and stopped pacing.

"You do like her thought, right?" Don asked with one raised eyebrow.

"No" Charlie answered.

Amita felt the tears swell up in her eyes and her stomach formed itself into a knot. Nothing could have prepared her for what she had just heard. As could nothing have prepared her for what she still was about to hear…

"No!" Don repeated stupefied

Charlie took a deep breath to in preparation for what he was about to confess,

"No Don. Liking her doesn't even come close anymore. I'm in love with her" Charlie stared at his shoes.

I love every little thing about her but didn't want to lose her friendship knowing that she is not ready to commit to anyone. So I have kept my true feelings a secret from everyone. Or tried to anyway…. That's why I got so upset yesterday night when we had to spend the night in the same room, and blew up when I figure out you three were trying to force us together. Amita means the world to me Don. I'd rather only have her as a friend then to lose her completely."

Amita's stopped breathing. Her nails clenched in the cover she stared at Charlie through her tears not believing what she had just heard. He loved her. He has just said out loud that he was in love with her. That she means the world to him. Breathe Amita. Breathe. She managed to snap out of it when she realized Larry and Megan were still in the other room probably unaware of what had been discussed between the two brothers and wondering what was taking her so long to get back from the outhouse. She quickly got up, wiped the tears from her face and walked back in the room to join Larry and Megan before Charlie and Don would come back.

Don looked at his little brother and put on hand on his shoulder before pulling him into a tight hug. Charlie didn't protest.

"Hey Don… sorry I yelled at you. Even though you kind of deserved it." Charlie said when Don let go.

"That's ok buddy. And hey, and I'm sorry for interfering. Let's go inside and I'll inform Larry and Megan to stand down on operation Hike"

"Please tell me you're joking on the whole operation Hike thing Don" Charlie pleaded.

Don just laughed as he and Charlie walked back to the cabin. Charlie feeling relieved that he had been able to share what he had kept inside for so long, but also scared not knowing how to deal with Amita. She just wanted to be friends. If she caught on on what had been planned he might lose her….