Chapter 16
Charlie and Amita walked slowly across the campus. They had both been very subdued in the morning. Alan had both tried to question them but it was easy to dismisshis concerns with the never too old 'just tired. We were up late last night working on an equation'. The campus was bright and sunny but Amita felt far from a sunny day
"Charlie, what are we going to say?" Amita said as the administration building came into view
"I don't know. Just tell the truth. Ask John to stay quiet until we're finished talking and then...well we'll see from there" Charlie answered quietly as they approached the entrance
"Hello Dr. Eppes, Dr. Ramanujan. What brings you two here today?" Shirley, Dean Adams' secretary asked
"I wanted to speak with John. Is he free?" Charlie asked in return
"Yes, for about an hour" Shirley spoke as she looked at her planner
"Thanks Shirl" Charlie said trying to flash her a smile but it failed. Shirley's smile faltered after she looked back at Charlie and the serious Amita but said nothing other than
"I'll tell him that you're on your way up" Charlie gave a short wave and turned and headed towards the stairs. Amita turned and followed him. As they reached the middle of the stairs, it seemed to Charlie thatthe closer they got to the Dean's office, the harder it was for him to take those steps but somehow he found himself outside the Dean's office. Charlie swung his arm up (which now seemed to weigh fifteen pounds) and placed his hand softly on the doorknob. He made the motion to turn but Amita put a hand on his shoulder
"Charlie before we go in there, I just want you to know that no matter what happens in there, I love you"
"Amita-" Charlie started
"Hold on. We made the decision to be with each other together a long time ago and I still want to be with you no matter what. I love you, you are the best thing that ever happened to me, nothing will change that"
"I love you too" Charlie whispered and kissed the top of her head. With one more deep breath and squeeze to Amita's hand Charlie turned the doorknob and greeted the dean.
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"Don? Don? DON!" Terry called out to her very distracted partner after watching him pushing papers around on his desk.
"Yes?" Don looked about and saw a slightly annoyed Terry looking at him "Sorry Terry a little spaced out today"
"May I ask why?" Terry asked scooting her chair next to his
"If I said no would you listen?" Don quipped a smile tugging at the corner of his lips
"No I wouldn't" Terry answered lightly punching Don on the arm
"I got up early this morning and figured while I'm up I might as well stop by the house, eat, and then drive Charlie and Amita to the campus but dad said they had already left. I didn't really think anything of it, ate breakfast and then left for work. Though when I got to my desk, I looked at the list of summer classes Charlie and/or Amita are teaching neither of them have classes until an hour from now"
"It isn't unusual for Charlie and Amita to go in early. Maybe they're there for office hours. Maybea project"
"No, that's not it. Office hours are on the schedule and they just finished the project they were working on. It just doesn't feel right"
"How about at lunch we go and find out what was going on?"
"Nah, I'll talk to them tonight over dinner" Don said turning back to his desk
"You sure?" Terry asked laying a hand on Don's shoulder. Don forgot what he was doing for a moment. Though he would never admit it, he missed Terry sometimes...well most of the times
"Yeah, I'm sure" Don answered and then before he could stop himself he added, "Do you want to come to dinner too? I'm sure my dad would love to see you" Don secretly prayed. They could both use some time to just laugh with the family
"You know what, why not" Terry added. She had been waiting for that. Not that she would ever tell Don but she missed him and some of her best memories since Don came back were over dinner at the Eppes'
A/N: Ok so some fluff with Don and Terry. I like Megan but I miss Terry, I really want some love in Don's life, and not that lawyer either
