A/N Sorry, about the lack of update last week, I had to spend my time studying final exams which were this week.

Thanks to all Reviewers!!!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

"Something the matter with you, Charlie?" Alan Eppes asked observing his youngest son pick at his dinner and pointedly ignore his eldest one.

"No." Charlie replied flatly.

"He's upset with me." Don answered levelly while Charlie glared at him.

"I gathered." Alan replied glancing between the two of them with interest wondering what had gotten Charlie annoyed with his brother. "Any particular reason?" He asked mildly taking a bite of the lasagna they were eating for dinner.

"He's mad because I think that he might be a possible target for this guy who is targeting prodigies in different fields." Don explained.

"No, I'm mad because you're acting like I'm ten years old and can't take care of myself." Charlie answered back. "Besides you have absolutely no proof that this involves me in any way."

"And you don't have any evidence that you're not a target." Don countered.

"That's not my burden to prove." Charlie replied immediately. "If you want me to sit at home all day with the doors locked then you're going to need to prove that there is substantial evidence pointing in that direction, I'm not going to accept a 'hunch' as a viable conclusion."

"What exactly is going on here?" Alan asked warily cutting into their bickering, sometimes it seemed like they were in high school again.

"I already told you," Don replied. "We've had five prodigies each from a different field disappear from around the country, no one knows what happened to them, the bureau suspects the cases are connected, and we have no solid leads so far. I'm concerned that Charlie could be a target for obvious reasons."

"I think I heard something about that, didn't a woman disappear a short while ago from L.A.?" Alan asked a look of recognition dawning on his face.

"Last week," Don confirmed.

"Charlie, maybe you should trust your brother on this." Alan suggested his eyebrows drawing together in concern.

"Look, Dad, Don, I appreciate the concern really, I do. But I have classes to teach and research to do, there's no way I am going to put all that on hold for anything less than solid evidentiary proof. I'll be careful, I swear." Charlie replied.

"How about you let me drive you to work for awhile, buddy?" Don asked. "Everyone who went missing was alone at the time, and I really don't want to give this guy an opportunity."

Charlie rolled his eyes but acquiesced to his brother's demand.

"Now that we've got that settled, I've got something to tell the two of you." Don continued.

"What's this about, son?" Alan asked as he reached for his glass.

"The bureau has decided it's about time the different offices pooled their evidence on these cases, therefore the teams from each office that are currently working on the case are being sent over to L.A. tomorrow, as it turns out Uncle Fenton is consulting for the New Hampshire office on their disappearance. He's coming over with Frank and Joe and the rest of the agents tomorrow afternoon." Don explained.

"Splendid," Alan replied. "I haven't seen them since the wedding, I did talk to Fenton on the phone the other day, and he seemed rather preoccupied, although he did tell me that Gertrude had a new recipe she wanted to tell me."

"Probably thinking over the case." Don replied.

"Is he worried Frank is going to be a target?" Alan asked knowingly.

"When I spoke to him, he said at this point he's concerned, but he's not certain he should be yet." Don answered.

"You're having Frank policed, too?" Alan asked raising an eyebrow at his eldest.

"Yes," Charlie confirmed. "Not only did he call Uncle Fenton, he called Joe as well."

"Frank's not going to appreciate that." Alan observed. Like their cousins Frank and Joe were infamous for their stubbornness, neither of them were known to like being bossed around or treated like a child.

"Can you really blame me?" Don asked. "It seems like every time I talk to Auntie Laura, I'm hearing about how one of them was kidnapped yet again."

"That's a fair point." He conceded. "And, Charlie try not to be too upset with your brother, he's only trying to look out for you."

"It's fine," Charlie said offering his brother a small smile. "I know he's just being his crazy, over-protective self."

"That's right." Don said nodding his head before he registered his brother's words fully. "Hey-I am not crazy over-protective! I'm just cautious, that's all."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night." Charlie said with a grin, getting up and bringing his plate into the kitchen. "I'll be in the garage; I have work to get done. See you tomorrow, Don."

A/N Next chapter features the Hardys again. Review.