Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters from Numb3rs….

Though I would love to… I don't… Otherwise Enjoy!

A/N: I would like to start by saying I'm really sorry for taking so long with this new chapter. But I was having trouble with this one. It seemed as if I had began to lose all hope of ever finishing this until I saw a few reruns of Numbers recently and got my creative juices flowing. Things started to happen in the real world but enough about me. Back to the story.

A/N2: I hope that everyone likes this chapter and sorry for any mistakes in advance… ENJOY!

Don ran his fingers through his hair. Thinking in his mind over and over what kind week it has been and how this was farthest from what he expected when he woke up this morning. He looked over at Colby who just seems to be at end's wit. He wasn't sure what to really say to him because at the end of the day regardless if he was with Charlie or not he was still a guy from the office. He was never one to sit there and heartfelt meaningful conversations with coworkers. But he remember Charlie telling him to become better friends with Colby because he would be seeing more of him outside of work now.

(flashback)

"Don it's not like I'm asking you to do the impossible. One thing I know is that you are one to adapt when a new situation is thrown your way." Charlie said turning from his chalkboard.

"Yeah but we are okay with each other Charlie. I'm trying to tell you that." Don said as he continued to toss the tennis ball that he had took off of his brother's desk.

"Being okay is one thing but I want you to be comfortable with him like you are with me. We are a couple now and you can't keep acting like 'big shot boss' whenever he's there. That's not fair to me or him and you know that."

Don just shook his head letting out a sigh.

"Don't shake your head. You know I'm right Don. What you should do is ask him out to that new bar that opened over on Johnson and Main." he tried suggesting.

"Bar?" Don gave his brother a questioning look.

"Yeah a bar. A place where you go to have drinks and enjoy company with you friends and whatnot." Charlie said turning back around to face his board.

"No. Since when did you go to bars?" he asked.

"I overheard some students in the hallway earlier while I was preparing my lecture for my students." Charlie answered.

"Haha! Okay. I thought I was gonna have to keep my eyes on you. Trying to go out and get drunk and stuff." he replied as he continued to laugh.

"Anyways Don. He will meet you there at 830. I already told him that you wanted to go out." Charlie added.

"What do you mean that you already told him?" he asked.

"I already told him that you wanted to go out and have drinks with him after work so you two could connect and you were doing it because I asked you to." Charlie said with a smile.

"How do you know that I don't have any plans?" he asked

"Because all you do is work and come to the house and when you're not doing that you're sleep." Charlie replied.

Don gave his brother the look he always gave him before he did something bad like when they were younger. But he knew that no matter what he did or said that Charlie was gonna get his way so he might as well stop arguing and take one for the team.

" I don't like how you assume that I don't have anything to do but I'll do it." he said surrendering making his brother smile.

"Thanks Don." Charlie said still facing his bored trying to solve this problem.

"Welcome buddy. I'll let you know how it turns out." he said before placing the ball back on his brother's desk and heading out the door.

(end of flashback)

Don stood up and walked over to were Colby was sitting and took a seat beside him.

"How you doing Colby?" Don asked placing a hand on his shoulder

"I just want this to be over." he replied before he heard his boyfriend name fill his ears.

"Charles Eppes." the doctor said and was immediately greeted by the three men.

"He's out of surgery and we got it out and I would like to give my deepest apologies. This never happens and we will assure you that it will never happen again. You can go and see him now." the doctor finished before walking away down the hall.

"You got a trooper here. Two surgeries back to back like that and without any complications." she said checking the monitor making sure everything was okay.

"He's stronger than he looks." Alan said walking towards the bed.

" I was told about what happened and there will be someone in here shortly to discuss with you about the billing since technically we're at fault for the second surgery. You would just have to cross your t's and dot you I's and everything will be good." the nurse said

"Thank you." Allan said she walked out of the room.

Allan looked across the room at his son. He remembers all the days and nights when his sons were growing up. He began to silently talk to his son as he thought about the day he knew his son would be able to take on anything.

(flashback)

Everyday Don and Charlie would walk home everyday after school together. It was like Don was Charlie's own personal bodyguard because whenever his big brother was around nobody dared to mess with him.

He heard the bus drive down the street and looked out the window to see his sons but forgot that Don had practice so Charlie was just walking alone with his books in his hands. To be so young and so smart for his age children were always intimidated by him and picked on him because of it.

He watched as kid who was obviously older by a year but was still in the same class as him because he was held back. The kid knocked Charlie's books out of his hands.

"Hey!" Charlie yelled at the kid.

"What are you gonna do Eppes?" the boy asked pushing Charlie back.

"Leave me alone!" Charlie yelled as he tried to bend over to pick up his belongings.

"You going to go home and cry." the kid teased making faces.

Charlie just mumbled something under his breath.

"What you say? Your brother isn't here to help you now." the kid teased again before tearing up one of Charlie's papers that he received an A+ on.

"I don't need my brother. I can take you by myself." Charlie blurted out and before he knew it he jumped on the bigger kid.

Allan watched from the window ready to go out there as he watched the two boys. One second he blinked and the next Charlie was on top of the other kid. Charlie was smaller but he was swinging and hitting as if his life depended on it. He rushed out the door to grab his son, not because he was worried about the other kid but more for his son. It was obvious that it took the other kid off guard as Charlie was sitting on the larger kid's belly.

"Come on son." Allan said picking up his son who was still kicking and screaming.

"Let me go." Charlie yelled not realizing it was his dad holding him.

"You need to go home son." Allan said to the other kid as he stood up with a red face.

"Are you okay Charlie?" Allan asked as he picked up his son's books.

"He started it. I didn't do anything." Charlie stated not wanting to get into trouble.

"I know Charlie. It's fine." Allan said as they walked back to the front door.

Allan smiled as he watched his son looked over the torn papers that were shoved back in his books. He may not be able to win every battle, but right then and there he knew that Charlie would be able to take whatever would come his way.

(end of flashback)

Hope that everyone enjoyed this chapter.

-J

I hope that everyone enjoyed this chapter. Don't forget to review!

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