Things went back to normal after that case. He had stayed for a week after Don had taken the kill shot, ending crystals' life, to make sure the younger agent wasn't going to relapse from it. He had seen so many good men spiral down from something like that. He didn't want that for Charlies' brother. And he had made some progress with the Professor. They had talked a little more since that night in the garage and though they were not where Ian would have liked, they were on the right path.
It's been 2 months since he had left, making good sure all was well with the Eppes brothers, and every day that passed he missed Charlie more and more.
In a spare of the moment decision he put in for a week's vacation and was now just entering sunny L.A. He decided to surprise Charlie and show him that he was making an effort to be around more for him. As he pulled into the Calsi parking lot he felt a thrill run through him. He had told Charlie that he would catch him and Ian figured that was what it was. The thrill of being this much closer to his pray.
Locking his car he made his way to Charles' office, noting the students coming and going. He politely made his way inside and stood to the back, watching g Charlie help each student in turn. 15 minutes later and the last student made their way out. Charlie had yet to notice him but deciding his desire to walk quietly upto him and wrap his arms around him, he raised his arm to the shelf behind him and knocked. Charlie looked up, startled.
"Ian! What are you doing here?" He said, smiling. He didn't want to tell the older man, but he had missed him him alot.
"Well, I decided it was time to put some of my leave to good use. And what better place to go than beautiful Los Angeles." He walked closer as the spoke.
"Oh" Charlie said, packing his bag. "Got anything planned while your here?" He tried to sound uni terrestrial but he could hear for himself that he had failed.
Ian smiled widely. "Oh I've got many things go planned while I'm here." Charlie would swear he headed a double meaning in his words. For starters I wanted to take you to dinner" He stopped at the edge of the desk. He couldn't help but think about the last time they were here. Him on one side of the desk and charlie on the other, tears unscheduled in his eyes. He pushed the thought away.
"I'm sorry Ian, I can't. I'm having dinner with amita." He said, not sure why he felt guilty for having other plans.
Ian felt a wave of jealousy hit him and he had to fight for it to not show on his face. "Ahh, I see." He looked down, tryingredients to get a reign on his emotions.
"Yeah," charlie was saying, "she's leaving for London tomorrow." Ian looked up sharply at that. "She was offered a position at Cambridge and decided to take it."
Ian blew out a fast breath. So nothing intimate. Not that he had any right to be upset if it was. But knowing g that it wasn't helped. "Cambridge! Wow, tell her I said congratulations and I know she will do amazing things out there."
Charlie smiled. "I will. I need to get going before I'm late." He started walked to the door then turned back, " but I wouldn't mind dinner some time later this week, if you want." He winked and was gone, leaving Ian once again alone in his office. Charlie winked at him! He wanted to go out! Ian walked out of the office, making sure to lock the door on the way out, the smile never leaving his face.
*NUMB3RS*
It was another 3 days before he was able to arrange to take Charlie to dinner. Between his classes and helping Don with a kidnapping case, his time was well spent. He was at Dons' office waiting for him to finish explaining his findings to don and his team. As he wrapped it up he saw Don make his way to him. As he knew he would.
"Charlie tells me your taking him to dinner?" His voice told him he didn't like the idea one bit.
"Yeah, i thought Italian would be food." He told him. Not going into detail.
"What are you doing with my brother Ian?"
If it had been anyone else asking, Ian would have told them it was none of their damn business. But he knew he had fucked up with Charlie last time and therefore with Don. He needed to work on making it right. "I'm doing what I should have done the first time with your brother. I'm doing this the right way this time. All the way." Don bore into him thenough turned and glanced back, noting Charlie was finishing up with his team. Turning back to Ian he lowered his voice. "Do you love my brother?"
Ian stared back at him for what felt like hours. Did he love Charlie? "If loving Charlie is me not being able to think about almost anything else but him, hurting so bad by not having him in my arms, and not being able to see his face first thing in the morning and when I fall asleep at night, if that is me loving him thenow yes. I love him"
Dons' eyes widened. He was not expecting that. He could hear Charlie making his way to them. "Don't hurt him Ian. I won't let it go again."
Ian straightened up and nodded at him as Charlie came to a stop at his side. "Ready to go?" He asked.
Charlie nodded and together they made their way to the elevator. Ian could feel Dons'eyes boring into his back as he walked.
*NUMB3RS*
As they made their way to the restaurant they made small talk, about anything goes and nothing. Pulling up to the building Ian got out and made his way to Charlies' side, opening his door. Charlie was surprised. "Thank you." Ian smiled and grabbed his hand as he climbed out. They walked in together hand in hand and was seated immediately.
Charlie looked around. "Wow, this place is amazing! I feel like I'm actually in Italy."
Ian smiled. " I'm glad you like it. Have you ever wanted to go?"
Chair turned to him. "To italy? Oh yeah. It's number 3 on my list of places to visit."
Ian filed that piece of information away for later as they ordered their food. Conversation flowed easily through them as they waited and again as they enjoyed their meal and wine. Ian noticed their feet continuiously brushed against Charlies' though neither man said anything. As they waited for their check Ian reached over and gently took Charlies' hand. "I'm very glad you went out with me tonight Charlie. I've had a great time."
Charlie smiled and blushed slightly. "I'm glad I came too. I'm getting to know a side of you I didn't before. I like that."
Ian decided to be brave and brought Charlies' hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss to the inside of his wrist. Hearing a small intake of breath, he looked at Charlie and saw his eyes widened slightly. He placed his hand back down on the table and covered it with his own. "Charlie, I know you've probably figured it out by now, but I want something more with you this time. I want to do it right. Please give me a second chance to show you how I truly want to be with only you."
He felt like he had put his heart on his sleeve bit he didn't care. For this man, he would put his heart on the table bare for him.
Charlie swallowed heavily. "Ian, you have no idea how much I want that. How much I've missed being with you." Ian felt his hope rise. "But I can't." And his heart plummeted to his feet. "Why?" He had to know. What did he have to do to prove to this man that he would give anything to be with him.
Charlie looked at him sadly. "I can't go back to that Ian. Not knowing when I would see you again. Always wondering if your alone at night" Ian went to object but Charlie continued, " I know you said it would never happen again. But without you close ian, that doubt would always be there. And i'm sorry, I can't go through that again. The time apart was the worst. I need someone who would always be there for me. Someone closer to me than a phone call."
The words stung but Ian knew them to be the truth. That was exactly what Charlie deserved. "Do you want me to take you home?" Charlie nodded his head. Ian paid the check and they made their way to the car, slightly farther apart this time.
The car ride home was a quiet one. Each man lost in his own thoughts. Before they knew it, he was pulling up to the old craftsman house. "Thank you for dinner Ian. I really did have fun." He opened the door and was about to get out when Ian grabbed him by the hand and pulled him to him, sealing their lips in a desperate kiss. Charlie immediately melting against him. All too soon they broke apart.
"You have to know," Ian said, slightly out of breath, " I'm not giving up on you. On us."
Charlie smiled and gave him a small kiss. "You wouldn't be the man I know if you did." He got out of the car and walked up to the door, turning and waving he made his way inside. As Ian drove to his hotel he had his plan forming in his mind. He knew what he had to do. Now he just had to make it happen.
*NUMB3RS*
Charlie was parking his car in the F.B.I. garage 6 weeks later when his phone rang. Adjusting his bag, he answered it quickly. "Hey don."
Hey buddy. Where are you?
"I'm headed your way now. Just parked my car. Give me 2 minutes." He hung up and put his phone away. Don was anxious for his imputed on a robbery of a bank that happened over the weekend and with a new member on his team he wanted Charlie their to help get everyone in sync.
He made his way through security, then to the elevator. As he rode up he thought of Ian. He had not heard anything from him in 3 weeks. Where ever he was now, he hoped he was safe. As the elevator opened the first thing he saw was Don.
"Hey buddy. Thanks for coming over so fast. I'm still trying to get everyone back in a groove." He said as they made their way to his team's area.
"It's no problem Don. You know I love to help." As he turned the corner of theither destination his bag snagged and fell from his shoulder, falling to the floor. He heard his brother call for everyone. "All right settle down. Let's get this thing going."
Charlie straightened, bag in hand. As his eyes ran over everyone his eyes stopped on a face he had not seen in weeks. His bag fell again from his hand, this time forgotten. He heard his brother talking to him, felt his hand on his shoulder. "Charlie, meet the newest member of my team."
Charlie stood there, barely able to breath. "Ian."