Disclaimer: I don't own anything Numb3rs, it's all property of CBS and whatnot, so don't sue.
Chapter 17: A Revealing Coversation And More Than Just A Math Geek
" So, you gonna explain to me whatI just saw on the mats?" Asked Colby as he took a bite out of the grilled chicken sandwich he'd ordered. He gazed at Charlie from across the table they were sitting at, outside of the sandwhich shop across the street from the Gym. The FBI agent watched as Charlie gave a small shrug before answering.
" When Megan interviewed me about the whole Jenshio incident, I told her I knew the basics of Samurai swordplay, which was once true but,I've learned a hell of a lot more since then." Said Charlie with a small, mischivous grin.
" I still can't wrap my head around this man, I mean, a week ago you were a total wreck, now look at you, you're the new King of the Mat! Said Colby, the disbelief still evident in his voice, though not as volumous as it had been twenty minutes ago.
Upon being refered to as the new " King of the Mat" Charlie let out a fit of chuckles that lit up his entire face. Colby simply stared at the other man, it was like seeing the Charlie he'd first met on his first case on Don's team, happy and vibrant. But, all too soon, Charlie sobered up and looked at him thoughtfully.
" Colby, there is are a lot of this I choose not to reveal to the rest of the world. Don thinks that I'm lousy when it comes to keeping secrets, then last year he finds out that I have top level NSA clearance, then he finds out that I sometimes help out the NSA on top secret projects." Said Charlie calmly. Colby nodded.
" The reason why I'm still not a wreck about Koyuki Jenshio is because... It wasn't the first time someone killed themselves infront of me." Said Charlie quietly, watching as Colby's expression grew into one of shock yet again. These words shook Colby to the core. Charlie let out a small sigh before he continued.
" When I was ninteen, one of my friends took a gun and blew his brains out, and I was standing a few feet away when he did it. Don and dad don't know about this because I never told them but, my mom knew and... I learned to deal with it. People like me, us geniuses, we have a higher probabilty of getting depressed to the point of wanting to... have it all end." Said Charlie quietly, as he gazed at Colby, the other man could see the hint of pain behind those almost black eyes.
" My God Charlie, I'm so sorry but, you should've at least told Don about what happened with your friend. That was way too much for a nineteen year old to deal with." Said Colby as he shook his head and gazed at his friend.
"Back then me and him, we didn't see much of each other,he didn't need to know, and, I had mom." Said Charlie as he took a bite of his tuna melt. Colby stared at the man sitting across from him and saw not the innocent looking, seemingly easy going math genius he had come to know. Now, he saw quiet strength and dignity, someone who truely knew the harshness of the real world. All of the assumptions Colby had had blew right out the window.He was never going to look at Charlie the same way ever again. But, one question still remained.
" Charlie, I don't mean to be rude or anything but, why areyou telling me about all this instead of David or Megan?" Asked Colby somewhat sheepishly.
" Why, what's wrong with talking to you? Asked Charlie. Colby blinked several times at this question.
" Oh, well... I'm not exactly the sensitive type Charlie." Said Colby with a sheepish smile.
" Well, maybe I'd like a little less sensitivity." Shrugged Charlie with a thoughtful gleam in his eyes. He gave Colby a dazzeling smile before returning to his sandwhich. Colby's gaze lingered on Charlie a moment before he too went back to finishing lunch.
" Wow, I'm never gonna look at Whizkid the same way ever again. Hell, I should stop calling him that." Thought Colby as they finished their meal. Ten minutes later, the two of them were heading back to the gym.When theygot back inside, a few heads turned, andfour guys walked up to them. They were the four Kendofighters Charlie ahd defeated. Colby felt himself tense as Foxbrokeaway from thefour and walked up to Charlie. The two men stared at each other, Fox a clear head taller than Charlie, but there was no intimidation in Charlie's gaze.
"Charlie Eppes, I speak for us all when I say, welcome to the gym." Said Fox with a smile, which Charlie returned as he shook hands with the last man he had defeated, the best of the four. He then shook hands with the other fighters, Kyle, Terrance, and Takeshi.
" Oh and one other thing newbie, we'll be expecting a rematch." Smirked Fox.
" I look forward to it." Smirked back Charlie.
Colby released the breath he didn't know he was holding. Charlie turned and gave the FBI agent a small smile before the two of them headed to the Jiu Jitsu mats. This time, Charlie would be the spectator and watch his friend in action. Besides, Colby was giving him a ride home afterwards.
Charlie sat cross legged on the mat and watched Don's personal " Tank" in action as he took down his opponents.
An hour later, the two of them were heading for Colby's silver SUV. From the driver's seat, Colby noticed the black and red symbol tattooed on the back of his passenger's neck.
" It's Japanese, stands for Ghost" Said Charlie, effectively startling the FBI agent out of his staring. Colby felt a momentary surge of confusion as to how Charlie knew he'd been staring at his neck, then he remembered the other man's Kendo abilities and how senses could be hightened with that kind of training. This sturred several more questions in Cobly's mind as he headed for Casa Eppes, among them was just what else was the " Whizkid" capable of?
One thing Colby Granger did know now was that CharlieEppes was more than just a Math Geek. Much more.