Spring Break, Baby

Part One

Charlie gets a phone call out of the blue from an old love. This will have long lasting repercussions. Settle in for quite a ride! Sylvia, May 27th 2007

"Charlie?"

"Susan? Susan Berry? Hi, how are you?" Charlie excused himself from the student he had been confirming an appointment with.

"Well, not so well actually. I have had some rather bad news, I'm afraid."

"Something I can help you with?"

"I – I don't have a lot of time left."

Charlie was confused. The connection overseas wasn't all that good. He was having a hard time hearing and understanding his former girlfriend. "Susan, are you …well, no. You already told me you weren't too well. What is it, Susan? Can I help you with something?"

"Charlie, I know this is an awful lot to ask at such short notice, but, you are about to have spring break from Cal Sci, aren't you?"

"In two weeks. Why?"

"I'll be glad to pay for your ticket. I really need to see you in person to explain everything properly, Charles. "

"Wait. Are, are you asking me to come over there? To come to see you. Isn't that going to be a bit awkward, with your significant other and all?"

"If, at all possible, Charles. As I said, I know it isn't much notice. Let me arrange a flight for you. Please. When would you be available? And, my 'significant other' as you put it so kindly, is no longer in the picture. He turned out to be a prejudiced swine and I left him. The reason all that transpired I will explain when I see you. Charlie, don't worry. I know you are in a relationship with someone else now, but…"

More than a little mystified, but, knowing Amita was going to a conference with Dr. Finch, Charlie broke in. "Look, Susan. I am seeing Amita, but you and I…we have a strong history. You want or need me there, I am there. I didn't have anything else planned for spring break. No seminars scheduled." His brother had no time available to take off with him to do anything during the break, and his dad was working on a consulting project with Stan. The professor couldn't think of one good reason to decline. "I'll get my own flight though, Susan. You don't have to pay for it."

"I may not have to, Charlie, but, I really want to. Please, it would be your gift to me."

Charlie shook his head. "Okay, Susan, okay. Just e-mail me when you have my itinerary, will you?"

"There is a lovely inn in the village where I live, Charlie. I truly appreciate you being so gracious about this."

"Nonsense, Susan. We are still friends, right?"

"Very, very special friends." There was a slight laugh in her voice, as it sank to a throaty, suggestive whisper.

"Susan, you wicked woman, you!" Charlie laughed.

"Your passport is all current."

"Yeah, I'm ready to roll as far as that goes."

"Thank you so much for this, luv."

"It's perfectly okay, Susan."

"I'll e-mail you as soon as I have it set up, Friday afternoon two weeks from now; will that be okay for you to fly out?"

"Actually, if you could make it the evening, Don can take me to the airport and I won't have to worry about long term parking on my end."

"I'll e-mail you everything as soon as it is all set up then. Thank you again, Charlie."

"Well, I guess I'll see you soon." When she clicked off the line, Charlie looked at his cell phone thoughtfully, before he shut it and slipped it into his pocket. "That was just --- weird."

"Talking to yourself, bro?"

Charlie turned and smiled, when he saw Don leaning against his office door. "I was just musing out loud."

"Uh-huh. Problem?"

Charlie shrugged. "Not unless you consider an all expenses paid trip to England in the spring time to be a problem. "

"Yeah? Consulting on something?"

"Frankly, I don't know how to classify it. I have your data for you, Don."

Don frowned at him. "Sheesh, Charlie, I didn't figure you had time to get that done yet. I just thought you might like to go out to lunch. You can tell me about this mystery trip."

"Who's paying?"

His brother grinned at him. "Even Special Agents have expense accounts, Chuck. Where do you want to eat?"

"Your treat, you pick." Charlie shrugged. He grabbed his computer bag and hustled down the hall after his older brother.