Title: Feels Like Home Part 4/?
Fandom: Numb3rs
Pairing/Characters: All main Numb3rs characters including Megan (I'm not ready to admit that she's gone!) plus a few original characters. My muse makes me think that there will be some love in here somewhere. I'm just not sure where yet. I think that he's keeping it a secret!
Summary: When a loved one shows up in LA will Don, his family and his team be able to protect her from the life that she's trying to leave behind?
Rating: I'm not really sure how this whole rating system works, so I'm gonna say given the Warnings that I've provided, you should probably be at least old enough to vote if you want to read this story.
Warnings: Adult Themes. Abusive Relationship. If you are at all sensitive to these things, please don't read.
Spoilers: Everything up to the end of Season 4, I suppose
Disclaimer: I own nothing but a notebook and a pen.
Author's Note: All mistakes are mine, as this story has not been beta'd by anyone other than me. Mostly because it's the first piece of fiction that I've written in about 10 years and I'm really nervous about posting it! So if you are the sort of person who offers comments, I implore you to be honest about what you think! If it's poo, please feel free to tell me! I'm going to put on my thick skin for this!

"You get yourself reported as a missing person, cross state lines and get taken into protective custody by the FBI!" Don exclaimed, jumping up and pulling out his cell phone.

"What? No!" Not nearly as agile as her cousin, Grace struggled to get to her feet. Alan and Charlie immediately moved to help her stand. "Thanks," she whispered to them. Turning back to Don practically yelling, "Absolutely not Don! That wasn't the plan! I can't possibly ask you to do that!"

"You aren't asking me Gracie! I'm telling you; that's just how it's going to be." He told her using his best Agent-in-Charge tone to let her know that he wasn't willing to negotiate with her.

Cautiously approaching him she gently placed her hand on his arm. Speaking softly, "Donnie, I appreciate that you're trying to do what you think is best here; but we haven't seen each other in a long time, and I'm sure that what I've told you tonight has come as quite a shock." Don made a noise as if to interrupt. "No. Please let me finish." Calmly she continued, "Emotions are running high in this room right now. You are understandably upset, and I'm hormonal and exhausted. I don't expect to be reported missing until at least Sunday, so how about if we both just take a step back and talk about it again tomorrow when we've had time to get some perspective."

"Perspective, Grace! Really?" Don yelled moving closer to her until they were standing toe to toe, his anger escalating despite her attempt to calm him. "For the better part of your life Grace, you were like a little sister to me and Charlie; a daughter to our parents and now you walk through that door," raising his arm he turned to gesture toward the door and as he turned back, arm still raised time for Don seemed to simultaneously slow down and speed up. Grace cowered away from him, Charlie moved between them and Alan was ushering Grace away toward the kitchen.

And then Don froze. The realization of how his action had been misinterpreted washing over him.

Moving to collapse onto the couch, Don looked up at his brother, a look of remorse on his face. "Charlie...I would never...I mean, you know that right?

Sighing and lowering himself back into the chair that moments before he had moved from, Charlie studied Don for a few seconds, using the time to collect his thoughts. When he finally spoke, it wasn't to yell at his brother, as Don had expected. Voice even Charlie said "Yeah, Don, I know; and dad knows and I'm sure that Grace knows too."

As if on que Alan walked back into the room. Face furious, eyes filled with disappointment.

"Or maybe not," Charlie mumbled.