Charlie couldn't believe it. Here he was, Ian Edgerton, the newest member on his brothers team. Mister 'I will never settle down'. He had always said his life will always be out of a bag of clothes and his truck. And yet, he was now part of the L.A. F.B.I. God he couldn't believe it. As he looked at Ian he saw that the other mans expression was almost...afraid. Like he wasn't sure how Charlie would take his presence. And now that Charlie thought about it, how did he take it? Ian had hurt him. Bad. He had always told him that he couldn't try for more again because with Ian on the road he would always wonder if there was someone else with him at night. And that was a valid fear! Ian had said that he wouldn't give up. And he didn't. He settled down to try to win Charlie back. But did Charlie want to go back.
He thought it would be something they would discuss. Something they would sit down and talk about together. But Ian had up and decided to transfer to his brothers team, without asking him how he felt. While he no doubt was thrilled that Ian had finally made a move to show him that he was serious about wanting more with him, he was also upset that he just assumed Charlie would be ok with it. That Charlie would just up and take up back because of it. And Don. His brother knew how badly he had been hurt, that night and after. And he had not once since then asked him if he was interested in trying again with the sniper. Also without his consent he allowed Ian to come to his team. Not knowing, or maybe without caring, how his brother felt about it. The more he thought about both Ian and Don, the more the upset was turning to pissed off. Neither man had given his feelings on the matter any consideration. Had asked what he wanted. Did he want Ian to move here and give him another chance? He honestly didn't know. And now that choice had been taken from him.
He looked at both his brother and Ian, finding identical looks of apprehension on their faces.
He couldn't deal with this. Not now. He had any time to prepare for seeing Ian again. Much less long term. And he was just as mad at his brother. Grabbing his pack off the ground where it had dropped, he spared each man a look that he was sure showed how he felt, and walked the 15 steps to the elevator. He pressed the button with more force than necessary. He just needed to get out of here. The doors opened thankfully quickly. As he walked in and turned to push the button for the bottom level his gaze turned to Don's team, all of whom where on their feet looking back at him. He saw Ian step forward as the doors were closing but thankfully he took no more as they finally shut.
*NUMB3RS*
No one on Don's team knew what to say. They had all slowly found out about what had transpired between the two men. And almost everyone had been on Charlie's side. But as time went they had all figured out that yes, Ian was an asshole who broke Charlie's heart, but that they were not in fact together at the time. So they slowly started warming up to him. No one knew how Charlie would take Ian's addition to the team. While everyone thought it would be a little tough, no one had thought he would just leave. Finally it was Megan who broke the silence.
"Ok, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Charlie had no idea that Ian was going to be here, let alone be the new member. And that's not me speaking as a profiler. That's me saying that because anyone with eyes could see that." She looked at both men and saw looks of guilt cross their faces. She shook her head and turned, leaving the men standing there. David and Colby, both silently deciding that both men needed a minute to themselves, left together to get coffee.
Ian sat back down his chair and placed his head in his hands. "I just keep fucking up" he said almost too quietly for Don to hear. Don sighed and sat down next to him. As much as he wanted to blame Ian for this, he was who had started it all, he couldn't. He should have asked Charlie what he thought of it. Damn it he screwed up. "No, not just you Ian. I should have talked to him about all of this first." He sighed again. He needed to talk to his brother but he was not sure if he would be welcome right now. He looked at the clock, only 2 in the afternoon. No matter how badly he wanted to go after his brother and make things right he knew he couldn't leave work in the middle of the day. He turned to Ian who was staring at the ground, looking as if he is trying to decide if he can run after the man Don now knows he loves. Seeing as it was only his first day at the new office he could not send him out either. Not that he would. It may be selfish of him, but it killed him to know he had unintentionally hurt his little brother and longed to make things right.
Ian sighed and looked up to don. "Don't suppose I could beg my new boss to let me go chase after his brother?" he said, only half joking.
Don laughed a half hearted laugh. "Sorry Ian. You know I can't." Ian nodded his head. "Yeah, so what more am I needed for?" If he could go straight after Charlie then he atleast wanted to get on with work so the day would go by faster.
Don stood up and grabbed a manila folder and handed it to Ian. "Some papers to fill out and we have a meeting with the director at 4." He paused. "Listen Ian, I know your going to want to go straight to Charlie after you leave here but I need a favor." Ian looked at Don, already knowing what he was going to ask. "Already done Don. I don't like it, but I can wait until you talk to Charlie." Don sighed in relief. "Thanks man, It's just.. you know we didn't have the best relationship growing up. But we're close now. I don't want to lose that." Ian nodded. He really did understand. He knows how close Charlie is to Don. He doesn't want anything to come between the bond they have now. "I know. Its ok, I can wait."
Don nodded. "Alright, lets get some coffee and get you started on those papers. I need to find the others and listen to them tell me about how I'm an idiot and an asshole." Ian had no doubt he would be hearing the same speech before he left.
*NUMB3RS*
Charlie sat on the old sofa in the garage but for once, not working on his numbers. His mind was too wrapped up in everything that had happened a few hours ago. All he could think of was Ian. He was really here. And as selfishly as he would like to think that he was here for him, he didn't stay long enough to find out the motives behind the snipers actions. He got up and started pacing. If Ian asked him for a real relationship, could he say yes? He really wants to. Every time he sees Ian he remembers all the reasons why he fell in love with him in the first place. Even if he did get hurt he didn't regret it. Ian was truly a good man. And even good men make mistakes. Charlie's was not asking what they were to begin with. So In a way he guessed they were both to blame.
He had been pacing and thinking over everything so hard that he didn't hear the door creak or footsteps approach until he jumped when a hand landed on his shoulder. He turned sharply, ready to lash out when he saw his brother standing there, looking slightly guilty and a lot like he wanted to laugh at him for being startled like that. "DON!" He laid a hand on his chest as he sank into the sofa once again, breathing slowly to try to slow his heart rate.
Don walked over to the sofa and sat down opposite Charlie. "I'm sorry buddy. I thought you heard me. That door is loud." He rubbed his hand behind his head, a sign to Charlie that his brother was nervous. "It's ok, I just got a little too deep in my head." He knew why Don was here. Don knew he was upset. Of course he did. His brother had always been the first to pick up on how Charlie was feeling. "I honestly expected for Ian to come first."
Don shook his head. "No. I asked him to hold off. He was ready to bolt after you right when you left, I was too. But I know that you needed some time. I'm sorry Charlie."
Charlie looked at his brother. He knew Don didn't mean to hurt him. But he wanted him to understand. "What are you sorry for Don?"
Don wiped his hand over his face then turned to Charlie. "I'm sorry for not talking to you before I accepted Ian' transfer. I'm sorry for not telling you about his request. I knew why he wanted to come here. I thought.." He sighed. " I thought I was giving you a chance to be happy. If he was here you would smile more again. But I didn't ask if that was what you wanted. I never asked again how you were after that night. I knew you were hurt, were still hurting, but I never talked to you about it again. And then I just assume that because Ian decided he wanted to move out here for you, that you would just be ok with it. I didn't have that right. I'm so sorry buddy. I should have asked you before anything what you wanted. Talked to you about Ian and if you could even try again with him. I should have done a lot of things differently."
Charlie sat there, letting his brothers words wash over him. His brother got it. Without him having to tell him his brother knew exactly how he felt. His brother would always know him better then anyone else. And the anger he felt toward him vanished. Because though his brother screwed up, he had done it to try to help him. To give him a chance to be with Ian. Charlie grabbed Don' shoulders and pulled him into a tight hug. Don was startled for about a second before he wrapped his arms around him and squeezed him tightly. "I'm sorry buddy."
Charlie held him for a moment longer then pulled back to look at him. "It's ok Don. I was mad, but I know why you did it. Its ok." He smiled. It really was ok.
Don exhaled a breath he didn't realize he was holding. His brother wasn't mad at him. It was a good day. "Ok, good. I'm glad." He laughed, then sobered up. "Are you ok with having Ian here Charlie? If not, I could see about putting him on a different team. You would still see him, but no where near as much." His paperwork had already gone through Ian didn't have the option to leave again. But there were other departments for his expertise.
Charlie didn't think it would be a problem to see him everyday. Not even everyday seeing as sometimes he didn't come into Don' office for days at a time. "I think I'd be ok Don. Honestly? I've missed him. Very much. Even after everything I still thought about him all the time." Don nodded his head. He wondered if Charlie knew that Ian was in love with him. He would not say either way. If he didn't it wasn't his place to bring up. "Good. I'm glad it won't make you uncomfortable." It was quiet for a few moments. "He's staying at the Marriot." Charlie looked at him, confused. "Just in case you wanted to talk."
Charlie bowed his head slightly. That was something he had to think about. Yes, Ian was here permanently. Yes, they could see each other more. But could he really trust Ian with his heart again. Could he place his love on the man who could break it so completely. Could he risk it?
"What room number?"