Disclaimer: I don't own nothing save the OC's so don't sue, its all the property of CBS and whatnot.
Chapter 6: Coming Home
The sun slowly smiled over the city of Los Angeles as night gave way to morning. Charlie's eyes fluttered open as the light from the window shone into the room, hitting his square in the face. Charlie groaned loudly as he stretched out in bed, feeling a few vertebrae cracking. Charlie checked the time on the bedside alarm clock, it was 8:30 AM. Charlie heaved a sigh as he got up headed for the bathroom to take care of business. A few minutes later he was in the shower, enjoying another hot shower. Ten minutes later he stepped put and wrapped a fluffy white towel around his waist. He wiped off the mist from the mirror and stared at himself. His few days worth of stubble had turned into a beard. A trim was in order, he actually liked the look. He got his having kit from his duffle and pulled out the electric shaver and trimmer, setting to work on his facial hair. A few minutes later he walked out of the bathroom with a neatly trimmed mustache and connecting beard. He set to work getting dressed, when he was done he'd call the SUV that had dropped him off to pick him up and take him home. As he dressed, Charlie felt the feeling of fear slowly coming back.
Meanwhile, in a quiet suburb of Pasadena, Alan Epps was making breakfast while Larry and Amita set about making the table. The last three months had been a trying time for the Eldest Epps, not knowing where his baby boy was, or whether he was still alive of not, he would always be expecting his Charlie to be home when ever he got back from his book club or from the volunteer center. There were so many unanswered questions and no one to answer them. Larry and Amita had become more than just friends, they were part of the family now. Larry heaved a sigh, everything at CalSci had managed to move along, he, Amita, and a score of other teachers filling in for Charlie, but the students missed there beloved teacher, and the faculty missed there gifted colleague. One time, Larry had walked into Charlie's office to find Amita sitting at Charlie's desk, simply staring into space with a sad look in her eyes. They all missed Charlie, but Don probably missed him the most, in three months, the FBI agent seemed to have aged three decades instead, like any older sibling, not protecting Charlie from what ever it was that made his vanish off the face of the earth for three whole months.
Larry and Amita finished setting the table and help Alan with the plates of food. The three of them had just sat down, ready to enjoy some of Alan's fine cooking when there was a loud knock on the door.
" I'll get it". Said Amita as she got up and went to answer the door. When she opened it, she was greeted by a young man in a dark grey suit, with Blonde hair and blue eyes.
" Good morning ma'am, is there an Alan Epps here?". He asked.
" Yes, I'll tell him you're here". Said Amita as she turned to get Alan.
" That won't be necessary, I just came to deliver a letter to him, could you give him this?" Asked the Man as he held out the white envelope. Amita eyed him with suspicion as she accepted the letter.
" I will, thank you…" she trailed off.
" Finch, Tobias Finch". Said Toby before he turned and headed back to his SUV. Amita's gaze lingered on him a moment before she closed the door and headed back to the dinning room.
" Who was that?". Asked Alan.
" Some guy named Tobias Finch, he said to give you this Mr. Epps." Said Amita as she handed him the envelope.
" Hmm, wonder what this is about?" Said Alan as he ripped open the envelope and pulled out the letter inside. He silently read its contents.
Larry and Amita both watched as the older man's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates, his face paling, and his entire body language turning to one of severe shock, like he'd seen a ghost.
" Alan, what is it, what's wrong?" Asked Larry.
The question went ignored as Alan suddenly bolted from his seat and surprisingly, dashed into the living room, looking for the cordless phone.
" What was that all about?" Asked Amita while Larry picked up the letter and read it himself. Amita watched as the same shell-shocked expression crept onto his face.
" Larry what?…" She trailed off as she read the letter for herself….
Dear Epps Family,
This letter has been issued in regards to your son, Charles E. Epps. He is alive and well, for the past three months he's been helping us with a highly sensitive project. By the time this letter reaches you, Charlie will have already set foot on American soil, and will be on his way home as you read this letter. Please be advised not to ask him any questions on the nature of his absence for there will be dire consequences if any information is released. Again, we apologize for the long absence and I personally give you my deepest thanks for your understanding.
Sincerely,
Robert Thopmkins, NSA
Amita looked up from the letter in her hands and stared at Larry in utter shock. Meanwhile, in the living room Alan had dialed Don's cell number and was anxiously waiting for his eldest son to pick up. Then after what seemed to be an eternity he heard his son's voice answered.
" Epps". Came Don's voice.
" Donnie it's me, you gotta get here as fast as you can son, its Charlie. I just got a letter from the NSA saying he's coming home!" Exclaimed Alan.
He was met with stunned silence. At the FBI building, Agent Don Epps sat at his desk feeling like he been sucker punched in the gut. It took him a second to get his voice back.
" Stay where you are dad, I'm coming over." He said before flipping his phone shut and sprung into action. He grabbed his suite jacket and bolted for the elevator.
" Don!" Yelled Megan as she, Colby, and, David barely caught up to him.
" What's going on?" Asked Megan as she noted the tension in Don's body language.
" It's my Dad he just called saying that he got a letter from the NSA saying that Charlie's coming home." Said Don as he got into the elevator, his team following him.
" Do you believe him?" Asked Colby.
" I'll believe it when I see it." Said Don as they rode the elevator down to the lobby, strode out of the building, and piling into Don's SUV
Meanwhile, at the hotel room, Charlie had finished getting dressed. His outfit consisted of a black t-shirt with a red flame emblazoned over the chest. Over this he wore a dark red dress shirt with the buttons open, a pair of grey cargo pants and black sneakers. His hair hung in its usual unruly curls, and around his neck was a silver chain with his CIA ring dangling from it, putting up the facade of being a regular piece of jewelry. With one final look in the mirror on the wall, Charlie pulled out his cell. He speed dialed a number and waited for someone to answer.
" Agent Gold." Came an answer.
" Pick up". Was all Charlie said.
" Understood sir, we'll be there in five minutes." Said Gold before ending the call. Charlie closed his cell and picked up his duffle bag, he'd gone to the courtesy of remaking the bed.
With a final look around, Charlie picked up his room keys and headed out the door. The ride down was thankfully uneventful, when the doors slid open, he made his way to the front desk, the same clerk from the previous night was behind the desk.
" Good morning sir, checking out?" She asked with a megawatt smile.
" Yes." Was all Charlie said, the smile he managed to muster up as he handed over the room keys was a joke compared to the hers.
With a final nod, he turned and headed for the doors, his ride already pulling up.
Don's black SUV roared through the LA street, while barely maintaining the legal speed limit, the powerful vehicle quickly weaved its way through morning traffic and entered the quiet suburbs. In no time at all, Don was pulling his vehicle into the driveway of his Childhood home and shot out of the car, his team behind him. Alan, Larry, and Amita all looked up when Don came bursting through the door, going straight to his father.
" Where's the letter?" He asked, more like yelled. Alan strode over to his son and handed him the letter.
Don read the letter and felt his heart stop for an entire second before numbly handing it over to Megan. He and his father stared at each other while Megan, David, and Colby read the letter. Then all hell broke loose as everyone started talking all at once. It was like the New York stock market had moved into the living room. They were so engrossed in trying to out yell each other, they didn't hear the sound of another SUV pulling up, this time in front of the house.
Charlie felt a jolt when he saw his childhood home, now his house, and the black SUV parked in the driveway. He swallowed with some difficulty before he spoke.
" Thanks for the ride" He said to Agents Gold and Harris.
" Anytime sir". said Gold, while Harris nodded silently.
Charlie opened the back passenger side door and got out, he pushed the car door shut and watched the car drive away. He then steeled his nerves and began walking up the stairs to the front door. As he neared he could here the muffled bedlam and discern each voice. His Father, Larry, Megan, Amita, David, Colby, and finally Don. To his silent relief, the door had been left open, Charlie gently pushed the door open a little more and stepped across the threshold of his house. His presence was had gone undetected my the crowd of people in the living room. With a small smirk, he decided to let them carry on in their inane babbling. Charlie gracefully made his way across the foyer and the dinning room and into the kitchen. He was hungry.