Sorry about the language at the end of the last chapter. I still have trouble using bad words, though I'm just writing it down. Ha.

Don's POV

I was convinced. Carl Waits was abut as evil of a man that you could get.

After watching the tape of his interview, I truly believed it. His voice held such a sinisterness to it that it sent chills down my spine. It was no wonder Charlie was having trouble dealing with what happened to him. This guy was crazy!

David and Colby joined Megan and I in the conference room.

"Don, you do realize that Charlie's going to have to give his statement, don't you?"

Damn it. I hadn't thought of it. I had been too concerned with Charlie to think of that. I wondered how Charlie would take the news.

"I'll give him the maximum time, for emotional stress or damage, and then I'll bring him in."

They nodded in agreement.

"So it's clear? Waits is who we've been looking for?"

"We got the lab results. The DNA matched his. He admitted to doing it. I can't see how it could not be him," David said.

"It'll be nice to have this one finished. Any new cases?"

"Not yet. At least not for our department."

"Good. I don't think I'll take any more time off, but at least I can get home at a reasonable time tonight."

"Is Charlie okay?" Colby asked.

"He seems to be doing better. It's not as bad as the first night, but he still seems a little spooked."

"I'm glad he's all right. Things could have been a lot worse."

I felt a shudder run through me. I didn't want to think about that. I knew how bad it could be. Working with the FBI had shown me what could happen.

I thanked God the worst didn't happen.

Alan's POV

I watched Charlie carefully through out the day. Little did I know, he was watching me just as much.

Charlie laid on the couch for most of the day. Every once in a while he'd come into the kitchen and talk to me or get something to eat or drink. I tried making him something, but he turned it down.

When Charlie fell asleep watching television, I turned it off and decided I'd go outside to do my gardening then.

I went out with my gardening tools. I put on my gloves, knowing I'd need to pull lots of weeds.

I was almost done weeding the petunias when I heard Charlie scream.

Dropping everything, I ran inside the house.

"Charlie?" I looked around, but he wasn't where he had been.

"Dad!" I heard Charlie scream for me again, so I followed the sound of his voice and found him in the kitchen.

"Dad," he sighed when he saw me. He was still shaking, but I could see the relief on his face.

"I'm right here. What happened? Are you all right?"

He shook his head. "I-I couldn't find you."

I smiled sadly at him. I didn't know him being kidnapped would make him worry more about Don and me.

"I'm fine, Charlie, honest. I was just outside gardening." I held up my gloved hands to prove my point.

He nodded, understanding.

Seeing he was still shaken, I came forward and drew him into a fierce hug.

"I'm okay, Charlie boy. I'm right here." He nodded against my chest, but I could tell it still shook him. He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me tightly.

When he drew away, I backed up.

"You okay?" I asked.

"I'm okay, Dad."

"I'll be outside if you need me."

I went outside to continue gardening. This time, I moved closer to the window so Charlie would be able to see me.

I was finishing up when two cars pulled up beside the lawn. I shielded my eyes from the sun with my hand to see who it was. I recognized Larry and Amita.

"Hello, Mr. Eppes. Is Charlie home?" Amita asked.

"He sure is. I don't think he's asleep, but he has been napping off and on."

"We were just coming in to check on him. It's rather strange that he decided to take a whole week off. That's not like Charles," Larry said.

"No, it's not, Larry. I take it you didn't hear what happened?"

"No. What is it?" Amita asked, looking concerned.

"He was kidnapped." Amita placed a hand over her mouth in shock and Larry gasped.

"Charles? Is he all right?"

"Physically. He has a dislocated shoulder, but it should be healing soon. It's the mental and emotional health I'm concerned with."

"I can imagine why. Well, we'll just head on in."

They walked on up to the porch.

"Oh, and guys?"

"Yes?" Amita asked when she turned.

"Be... cautious. He's not exactly himself."

She smiled.

"Of course," She agreed.

I watched them go inside, hoping that Charlie would be up to visitors.

Charlie's POV

I was watching television when Amita and Larry came in.

"Hey, guys! How are you?" I asked as I stood to greet them. I was relieved to have something to take my mind off worrying.

"We're fine, Charles, but how are you is the bigger question."

"I'm doing okay, guys. Don't worry. Shouldn't you be preparing a class?" I asked Amita, knowing that one of my classes would be starting within the hour.

She smiled. "Probably, but I wanted to check up on you first. We knew something was going on when you took the rest of the week off. It's not like you."

I sat down on the couch and they sat in the other two chairs.

"I take it Dad told you?"

They nodded.

"How did this happen? I was just talking to you the other day," Larry said, clearly shocked.

"I was at a crime scene. You know the string o f murder cases we've been working on? Well, the murderer was there at the scene, and, well, he took me."

Both of them gasped in shock. Larry placed a hand over his heart in surprise.

"No!"

"Yes."

"So how long were you gone? It couldn't have been too long, could it?"

I really didn't want to talk about it, but they had a right to know.

"Around nine hours."

"Thank goodness it wasn't longer than that," Amita said.

We sat there in silence.

"So how did you-"

"Please! I don't want to talk about it!" I reacted before I could think. Amita and Larry's surprise showed clearly on their faces.

"I'm sorry, Charles. I didn't mean to pry," Larry apologized.

"I'm sorry, Larry. It's just frustrating."

"I can understand that. You have a right to be."

Amita sat in silence. After a few more minutes of silence, she stood.

"I'd better get back to work. I'll see you later, Charlie. I'm glad you're okay."

"Hey, hey, hey. I'm sorry if I was a little out of hand. That doesn't mean you have to leave."

"No. I should. I'll come see you before you return to CalSci."

"Thanks, Amita."

"Bye."

"Bye," Larry and I said.

I sat back down on the couch after I walked her to the door. I hadn't meant to scare her off.

Larry and I sat there, both not speaking. I looked over and found that Larry was studying me.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing. It just seems that you've changed is all. You're oddly pale and there's a look about you like you're a caged animal. Are you sure you're all right?" Larry stood and began to pace around the room.

"I'm fine," I said through gritted teeth.

"There, you see. The anger was never there before. Charles, have you considered seeing a therapist? Kidnappings can leave serious emotional damage if left untreated. You really should-"

"Larry! Shut up! I don't want to hear about your stupid theories on what's wrong with me! I'm fine!" I screamed, proving that I was anything but fine.

Larry took a step back, clearly surprised once again by my outburst.

"I think I'll be leaving now." He walked to the door.

I sighed. I shouldn't have acted out like that, but I didn't want to be analyzed. I didn't want to know what Larry could see wrong with me.

Don walked through the door as Larry approached.

"Oh, hey, Larry. How you doing?" Don asked as he held out his hand. Larry shook it.

"I'm doing well, Don. I was just visiting with Charles to see how he's doing."

"Oh, well, don't let me interrupt."

"On contrary, I was just about to leave."

Larry turned to face me.

"Just so you know, I hold no grudge over your words, Charles. You're clearly out of your element, so I'll not take your words to heart. I hope you are better soon." Larry walked out the door, leaving me staring at the door he just closed.

Don came into the living room, looking confused.

"What was that all about?" He asked.

"It's nothing."

Don sat down in one of the recliners. I was surprised he hadn't gone to get his usual beer.

"Hey, Buddy, I need to talk to you about something," Don said as he turned off the tv.

"What about?" I asked, not liking the sound of this already.

"We're going to need you to come in and give your statement. We'll also need an interview to know if we need to press any other charges to Waits."

Just hearing the name sent shivers down my spine.

"When do I have to come in?"

"You can have up to a week, but then we have to get you in and talk to you."

I nodded. This wasn't going to be easy...not in the least.

"Okay."

Don looked at me, as though trying to tell whether I really was okay with it.

"Good. When can we expect you in?"

"I'm not sure yet. I'll let you know ahead of time, though."

"Sure, sure. Megan and Colby will be doing the interview."

"That's fine." I was thankful that it wasn't Don. I knew he'd be listening and watching the whole thing, though.

Dad came in, dirt covering his knees.

"Where'd Larry and Amita run off to so quick? I was going to invite them to stay over for dinner."

"Amita has a class, and I kind of scared Larry off."

Don and Dad both looked at me, knowing Larry and I never truly fought over anything.

"What happened?" Dad asked as he came in to sit down on the other recliner. Don leaned forward, not wanting to miss anything.

"It's nothing. I just snapped at him is all."

"Why?"

"He was getting too personal. It's fine, really."

Dad and Don exchanged looks. I knew I wasn't very convincing that nothing went on. If I snapped at Larry, they knew something was wrong.

I stood and went to the stairs.

"Where are you off to?" Dad asked.

"To take a nap," I answered, though I doubted I'd get any sleep with my conscience screaming at me.