A/N: Okay, so here's the promised second chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Numb3rs.

I've been trying to get as far away from myself as I can
Some things are too hot to touch
The human mind can only stand so much
You can't win with a losing hand

-"Things Have Changed," Bob Dylan

Chapter 7—Choices

David was watching Don carefully. His boss looked bad. He was covered in blood that no doubt hid additional wounds from view. He was hanging from one arm, the handcuff that held him in place clearly cutting painfully into his wrist. It looked as though his knees were barely touching the ground and David imagined that the strain on his arm must be agonizing. Don's other arm hung at an odd angle, clearly broken. Don's brown eyes were clouded with pain, although they had cleared slightly with the intensity of Don's need for them to escape. His eyes were slowly drifting closed. Don had, David realized, given up.

"Don," David said sharply. "Don, you need to stay awake." Don looked at him. David thought he saw confusion in his boss' eyes, but it was hard to read his facial expressions—the lower half of his face was coated in blood.

"Why?" Don's voice was calm and quiet.

"Because if you close your eyes now you may not open them again," David told him.

"Honestly, David, at this point I don't much care," Don said tiredly. Robin glared furiously at him.

"Well, we care," she said, her voice hard. "I care. So you will not be closing your eyes, Don." Don looked at her, a look on his face that she couldn't quite read.

"Always have to fall for the stubborn ones, don't I?" he asked finally, and Robin smiled reluctantly as she saw the corners of Don's eyes crinkle in a grin.

"And thank goodness you do," she told him, her eyes still determined but her voice lighter than it had been moments before. Don saw the rest of the team visibly relax. He could see it on their faces: they thought he would be fine now. They thought he was planning on making it out of this.

Don himself felt better, stronger than he had in what seemed like forever, although in reality he knew that how he felt was nothing close to his normal energy level. He pushed the pain back to the corner of his brain and fought to keep it there. Now he had to worry about getting his team out, because they weren't going to be doing it on their own. It was Robin who had done it. Robin who had reminded him of why he loved her so much, who had reminded him that he couldn't just sit here while the people he cared about were threatened. He needed to get them out. They clearly weren't planning on taking care of it themselves, so he would have to do it for them.

When Hett reentered, Don turned to him. Hett noted that his victim's eyes were clear of pain and fear.

"Why did you have my team come here?" asked Don. He was pretty sure he knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it spoken aloud, to know for sure. Any information he had would help.

Hett walked over to the line of captives chained to the wall. Don watched from his position as Hett surveyed his team. Hett walked towards Robin. Don stiffened. Robin was glaring up at Hett.

"I asked them here," said Hett, leaning down to brush his fingers down Robin's cheek, "So that they could watch you suffer. So that they could watch you die." Hett stood, turning away from Robin. "You remember, Eppes, when I told you that I had no reason to hurt you, that there was nothing I wanted you to tell me?" Hett's eyes were locked with Don's. "Well, I was telling you the truth. And the only reason these others are here is because I knew that it would hurt you more. I'm still torturing you, Agent Eppes. I will never stop." Hett turned abruptly, and Don suddenly noticed the gun in his hand, just as it was whipped across Robin's forehead. It was a move similar to the one Hett had used on him. Robin gave a short little yelp before her body lolled sideways, held in an awkward position by her cuffed hands. Don yelled and lurched forwards, falling back as his weight yanked on his injured shoulder. Hett looked at him carefully. Then Hett knelt, looking down at Robin. He slowly brushed his fingers down her arm. Don's entire body was shaking with fury when Hett's fingers brushed mere centimeters from Robin's breast. The threat was clear.

"No!" he shouted, finally regaining control over himself. He had been frozen in place, unable to say or do anything. Colby and David were watching Hett, horrified. Megan looked like she wanted to throw up—or strangle Hett. Robin still wasn't moving. There was blood trickling down her forehead.

Hett turned to Don, his hand still close to Robin's chest. "It is your choice, Eppes," he told him. "You see, I'm reasonably certain that I can break you either way. There may be a slight time difference, but that doesn't concern me. So you choose: would you rather I break you mentally"—Hett gestured down towards Robin—"or physically?"

Don gritted his teeth. There was no doubt in his mind about what his answer would be. He was sure that no one in this room had any doubts. But it was one thing to think it, to know it deep inside of himself how he would die. It was another thing to say it aloud. To seal his fate.

"I'm waiting," Hett said. In Don's moment of inner struggle, he'd moved away from Robin, past Megan—thank god, part of Don thought—and over to Colby. Now he was lightly resting his foot on Colby's injury. He began to push down. Don saw Colby grimace and clench his teeth against the pain.

"Physically," Don spat, knowing that he had no more time for hesitation. Hett nodded, stepping away from Colby, and then looking over at Megan.

"You would have been next," he told her, sounding rather disappointed. Megan glared at him. Hett turned back to Don. "You should be grateful that I'm letting you choose. I'll be back, Eppes."

Alright, so I hope that no one thinks what I did to Robin was too mean. I originally had it happen to Megan while Megan was conscious, and it was slightly more graphic, but then I decided that that was just too cruel, given Megan's previous reaction to such things (see the season 4 episode "Power"). And I definitely toned it down for Robin-I take no pleasure in physically hurting her, although emotional angst is okay. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter!