Not what he thought Chapter 2, a numb3rs fanfic

It's been a little over a month since that day he hurt Charlie and no matter what he does, all he can think about is the professor. His curls, his smile, the way he felt in his handS when he was writhing underneath him. He longed to hold him again. Longed to feel the warmth of another body in his arms. But the thought of bringing someone else other than Charlie to his bed didn't even cross his mind.

He had tried calling the Professor but all of his calls went to voicemail. His text went unanswered. Finally after almost a month he called Don. After five minutes of "What in the hell do you want!" and "Why the hell do you care!" Don informed him that Charlie was fine, staying busy with classes and Don had gotten him to go hiking every weekend they were free. When Ian hung up the phone after that, the hole that had appeared in his chest after all that happened only ached even more.

He missed Charlie. He was looking for any excuse to see him. Even taking some of the vacation time he had stacked up over the years. So when he saw that the couple responsible for multiple robberies and deaths he was tracking was making their way to L.A. he didn't hesitate. Calling his supers to let them know of his progress he packed his stuff and made his way there.

Chapter Text

Crystal and Buck Winters were a thorn in his side that he was looking forward to pulling out. They were your modern day bonnie and Clyde. And he couldn't wait to put their heads and the end of his scope. While he drove he thought about Charlie. This case would keep them all busy but he hoped he could make some time to talk to the brilliant man. He didn't know what to do with all that was going around inside of him. He needed to talk to Charlie, to find if he had a chance to fix things with him. Charlie said he loved him, that he was falling for him. What that what Ian was feeling now? Was that why it hurt now not having Charlie near? He let his mind go blank as he drove into L.A. Putting his mind on the case. As he drove up to the his next crime scene, he let Charlie's face pull to the front of his mind again. He was smiling, god he really liked that smile. He made it his mission, on of many when it came to the curly haired genius, that he would get him to smile like that for him again.

*NUMB3RS*

The saying 'My heart dropped to my stomach' took on a whole new meaning when they walked into Charlie's office to see the young professor on a bed of nails, a cinderblock on his chest, and his friend Larry holding a sledgehammer above his head. Then when he brought it down onto the block, he almost drew his gun on the eccentric man. He released the breath he hadn't been aware he was holding only when Charlie got up and Don looked him over.

While filling Charlie in on the case he looked the younger man over. He looked like maybe he had lost a little weight but he knew of the professor's knack of getting into a project and loosing himself in it for long periods. He also noticed, on the few times Charlie would meet his gaze, that his eyes didn't hold their usual shine.

As they were getting ready to head out of the office, Ian held back. Letting Don and Larry head out before him. He did not miss the warning glance Don threw his way.

Charlie was nervous. He knew Ian stayed behind as he was gathering the things he needed to assist Don. Just as he saw how he conveniently stood in front of his office door. He waited for the other man to speak first. It didn't take long.

"You never got back to me." he said, sounding mildly irritated. Not what Charlie had expected to hear.

"I'm sorry, What?" Ian took a step closer then stood still. "You never answered my calls, or text'." Ah, so that's what this was about.

"Yeah well, I didn't think there was anything else to say." He finished grabbing what he needed before finally turning and facing the sniper. "I still don't."

Ian looked on at the man, the words cut but he knew he deserved them. "I don't know about you Charlie, "Charlie started. Ian had almost never called him by his name. Almost always using his title of 'Professor'. "But I have quite a bit I'd like to say to you. Preferably over dinner." He knew it was a long shot, but maybe if he saw he didn't want Charlie in just his bed, that he saw he wanted to spend more time getting to know him, maybe they had a chance.

Charlie shook his head. "I don't think so Ian. All has been pretty much said." He made his way to the door, stepping around Ian. Ian wanted to reach out to him but he knew his touch would be unwelcome. He walked out the door to follow after Don. He knew it would take time and patience. If it got Charlie back, he would become a damn saint.

*NUMB3RS*

Ian sat in his hotel room, brooding. They had gotten Megan back from Crystal's clutches earlier today, thankfully alive and aside from a bad cut to the arm, unharmed. But he knew he buried himself with Don more by wanting to go after Crystal instead of staying and helping Megan. It was something that could not be helped. This case was getting to him. With Buck in custody, it seemed like Crystal was taking on a whole new level of crazy. And it was thanks to the Professor again that they had found Megan in time.

Try as he might Charlie has not given him a chance to talk to him. He had given up texting him. And could only hope that the opportunity would present itself. And right before he drifted off to sleep he got his wish. His phone dinged at a little after midnight. Reaching over, he grabbed it and saw to his delight it was from Charlie.

-Come to the garage-

Not one to pass up the chance of a lifetime, he threw his shoes on, grabbed his keys and was out the door.

Charlie was working at his board when Ian walked in. Charlie paused, as if deciding on finishing his equation or not, before he placed his chalk down and turned.

"I've gotten the hint that your not going to give up on your quest to talk to me."

Ian chuckled softly as he made his way to the old couch. "No, I'm not." He looked at Charlie, wondering what was going through the other man's head.

Charlie looked back, a slightly puzzled look on his face. "Why?" Ian looked at him, slightly tilting his head. Charlie continued, "Why do you need to talk to me so bad Ian? I'm trying to get on with my life and here you are texting and calling and trying to corner me into talking! There is nothing to say! We had fun. I said that! Now we go on." His voice got softer toward the end of his outburst.

Ian sat quietly for a few moments, trying to get his head straight of what he wanted to say. Finally, he settled on the most honest. "I screwed up." Charlie looked taken aback at that. "Yes, at first you were just an ordinary fling." He saw the flash of hurt cross his face and hurried to go on. "But as time went on, I saw how much I really liked spending time with you. Not just in a bed. You fascinated me. I just didn't see it fully until it was too late."

Charlie rubbed his hands over his face with a frustrated sigh. "Ok, if that's the truth. If its true when you say I was the only lover you have had besides that one night, What changed? Apparently everything you just said wasn't enough."

Ian's stomach twisted at that. "No Charlie. That night..."anyway he said it was going to bad so he just had to say it. "I had just gotten off a really bad case. Had a lot of things messing me up. You were at your convention, or I thought." He looked guiltily at Charlie."I just needed something to take my mind away from it all."

Charlie sat, taking it all in. He knew they had not promised anything to each other. Ian had no commitment to him. But it still hurt to hear. "Why didn't you call me?"

Ian looked down at his hands on his lap. " I don't know. I guess it was too easy for me to fall back into my old lifestyle." He looked back to Charlie, begging him with his eyes to understand.

Charlie gave him a small sad smile. "And there lies the reason I couldn't continue." Ian drew back shocked. "No, Charlie..." He begged, "That was a stupid mistake! Your who I want to be with. i'm so sorry i hurt you like that! I'm sorry I didn't see it before. Please, give me a chance." He was not above getting on his knees if that is what the other man wanted from him.

Charlie stared at him again and stood, going to his board. "I'm sorry ian, I can't risk it. Not even for you. No matter now much I really want too." He wiped his board clean then made his way to the door.

"I'm not giving up Charlie." Ian called out as he made his way outside. Charlie turned and saw him by the door, desperation on his face. "I'm not giving you up, not again. I'll prove to you I can't be without you."

Charlie stood there, looking a little lost, "Can't Or won't?"

Ian stepped closer. "I know you enjoy a hunt Ian, but this is one your not going to catch." Ian continued toward him until there was a foot between them.

Ian looked at him, and if Charlie looked close enough, he could see the vulnerability in his eyes. "Can't you see Professor?" He stepped closer to him still, stopping when he was beside him and brought his mouth to Charlie's ear. "I do want to catch you, and I will.." His lips grazed Carlie's ear, causing the other man to shiver, "I will be there to catch you when you finish falling. That's what I want. A fresh start. Not what we had before. I want to be all yours, and you all mine. And hopefully, "He placed a gentle kiss to Charlie' temple before bringing his mouth back, " you will want that just as much as I have come too."

He kissed his temple again and started to make his way down the path.

When Charlie had gotten his breath back he turn and called out, "How do I know I will be the only one?" Ian stopped and turned. "Like you said, It was easy to fall back into your old habits. What makes me think I won't get hurt again?" Charlie asked, Uncertainty in his voice.

Ian smiled softly at him. "I was stupid once. I didn't see what I had in front of me. I do now. And I can't be without it, without you." His expression turned somber. "I don't want to." He turned and made his way to his truck.

As he drove off Charlie stood where he was, filled with mixed emotions. Yeah, what Ian had done had hurt him a lot. Could he really risk being hurt again by the same man? Ian had sounded so sincere when he spoke about wanting something more with him. Did he want that now? He walked up the steps to his home. He had a lot to think about. He would take his time and see what Ian does. See if he was willing to wait.