A/N Many apologies for the lack of updating, but you know how life can get. I'm not in the greatest mood as I write this, so it may be a bit off. (Why can a low-cost spay-neuter clinic charge $15 to get my cat fixed, but then other vets charge $185! I am quite angry at my boyfriend for not calling the low-cost clinic months ago when I first told him to call. Boys.)

Also, the next couple chapters will be a vain attempt to get everyone caught up timeline wise. (David and Colby and various other characters.) I've decided that I'm not going to add anything with the kidnapper(s) until later. I like keeping you guys in suspense.

Disclaimer: Don't own them. Wish I did though…Might actually be able to afford to eat after Orlin gets snipped.

Quantifiable Love

Chapter 8: Sooner or Later

It was the night from hell. The accident in the driveway seemed bad enough, but it was nothing compared to the scene that was waiting for them in the house: a scene that assailed all their senses.

First off, it was too quiet. Much too quiet. And after softly calling out to Charlie, Don and Megan, the silence succeeded in killing any hope that they had of anyone still being around.

The house was dark, but in the shadows they could see overturned furniture and broken lamps and picture frames. Whoever had been in the house at the time had put up one hell of a fight.

"I'll clear the downstairs and garage, you take the upstairs." Colby still wanted to hold a little hope that at least someone was in the garage. Hopefully that someone was Charlie. After all, he would be the most likely person to be seeking refuge in the garage.

"All right, I'll call in some backup as well." David was find it hard to remain professional. This just wasn't any crime scene. This was his team – his friends. Don and Megan were incredibly valuable to this case. He just wasn't sure he'd be able to figure everything out. Hell, even Charlie was essential! He couldn't even remember how many times Charlie had saved their asses and pulled an equation out of wherever the hell his equations come from.

Oh Charlie…You shouldn't have been involved in this…

Aside from the furniture by the base of the stairs and the door, nothing else was disturbed in the downstairs. The indication of a clear path of struggle left Colby without any hope of finding anything or anyone in the garage.

The calmness of the outside gave off a false feeling peace. Colby was on edge, uneasy with nervousness. There was nothing outside, and nothing in the garage. In fact, it looked as if Charlie hadn't been in the garage in a couple of days. Back inside David was sitting on the bottom step, seemingly lost in thought.

"Upstairs cleared?" Though the fact that his partner was just sitting there made it obvious nothing was amiss upstairs, he still had to double-check.

"…Yeah. Just evidence of a struggle. The usual: broken/displaced furniture, blood, bullet holes…" David was having a hard time keeping his emotions in check. He was pissed and heartbroken all at the same time. He knew that Megan and Don were most likely attacked outside. All the evidence pointed to it. Alan was out of town, visiting some family. He wanted Charlie and Don to come along. But a case came up and Don had backed out, and then he had asked Charlie in to consult for them, leaving Alan to go alone. David was grateful that Alan was gone…Though he didn't have any clue how he was going to tell him that his sons were gone, possibly forever. While he wasn't sure about the state of Don, the blood and bullet holes left little to the imagination for Charlie.

It only took a few seconds and a few choice words before Colby checked his anger. "We'd better get a team here. Get blood samples and see if we can get bullet casings, the works."

"I've already called them in. Should be here soon." David was regaining his professionalism, but he was still having a hell of a time being detached. He only hoped that they would be able to continue to work on the case.

"One of us should call Alan." Though it was a suggestion that neither wanted to volunteer for, they knew that they would both have to explain to Alan sooner or later.

But it would have to be put off until later, for their backup had just arrived.

A/N I know, short chapter. Perhaps your outrage will prompt you to review? Thanks for sticking with this story, I'm trying my best. (I've never written Numb3rs before, and I'm not good at the crime-stuff.)