A/N: Sorry! I know it took me a while to update. Though in my defense I was working on this story, just not this particular chapter...Anyway, I finally finished it. It would've been up a few hours ago, but I had to run out for a bit. But, thanks to all those who reviewed! And a BIG thanks to Adri1577 who gave me a great idea for this story! Anyway, here's the chapter, enjoy!

Chapter 2 - Going Back

When Don woke up the next morning, he at first thought he might've imagined the night before. Then he saw CJ asleep on the couch as he was getting ready for work. He was happy she was back, but part of him still wondered why she'd finally decided to come home. CJ had always been stubborn, a trait Don knew both he and Charlie shared with her, and when she ran away Don, who had already been working for the FBI, tried to find her, but she was determined to not be found. He had been working in Fugitive Recovery with Billy at the time, and even though he'd never had much trouble finding fugitives, Don wasn't able to find his little sister. He remembered even when she was little she'd always been the best at hide and seek, no one could ever find her if she didn't want to be found, so he stopped looking, thinking if she wanted someone to find her then she'd let them.

Three years ago when their mom got sick, Don decided to try again. That time he did find her though. She'd changed her last name to Mann and was living in Miami. She'd done a good job of staying off-grid too, the only reason he found her was because the police had picked her up after she got into a bar fight with some college frat boys who'd been harassing her. They didn't press charges, but the entry in the computer had caught Don's attention and led him to her. CJ had definitely been surprised to see him when he showed up, but he'd been thankful she didn't try to blow him off. He was glad to see she hadn't turned into an addict or worse, but she was still a mess, going from odd job to odd job, moving around all the time, though she did tell him she'd gone back to school and gotten her high school diploma. Though he tried his best to convince her to come back home, she refused to do it, and wouldn't tell him why either. He'd been mad at her for a while after that, but eventually realized he couldn't blame her, it would've been a lot to deal with, especially on top of everything else. When their mom died, he had been able to get a message to her, but, even though he'd held out a little hope, she didn't show up at the funeral.

Don, like he knew CJ was too, was dreading the conversation with their Dad and Charlie. Though he knew why CJ was, he was dreading it because he knew they'd probably find out about his visit to her a few years ago, but he'd made a promise and never told them about it. It had never been a secret that Don and CJ were close, even despite their eleven year age difference, and he was glad that that didn't seem to have changed, but he hoped that she didn't wait too long to patch things up with their Dad and Charlie. He knew from experience that the longer you kept things from those two, the harder it was going to be. And this was going to be hard enough as it was.

He pushed that train of thought out of his head as he fixed his coffee, deciding it was too early to start worrying about that stuff. He heard a thud in the other room and when he looked up Don saw CJ stumbling into the kitchen, still in her pajama pants and t-shirt, looking like she was still half-asleep.

"I see you're still not a morning person," he chuckled. CJ didn't even pretend to respond, instead just slumped onto the barstool and rested her head on the counter. "Here." Don pushed the coffee pot and a mug towards her.

"Thanks," she mumbled as she sat up and poured the coffee, downing the first cup quickly. She ran a hand over her face as she sat the mug back down, and actually seemed to be waking up, as she noticed what her brother was wearing. "Getting ready to go to work?"

Don nodded. "Yeah, we still have some paperwork to finish up from our last case, and I figured if I finish up soon enough we could grab some lunch," he suggested.

CJ grinned as she fixed another cup of coffee. "Sure, it shouldn't take too long for me to get registered for classes," she agreed.

Don smirked. "CJ Mann, college student," he teased. CJ smiled and chuckled, but looked a little reserved about something, Don noticed. "What is it?"

CJ took a breath. "It's Eppes again," she informed him. "I changed it back last year."

Don was surprised. He knew she'd changed her name, not only as a way to avoid being found, but mainly as a way to declare her independence from the family, and was surprised that she would change it back. But he was also glad, and CJ knew that. Neither had ever been one for talking about stuff, and had gotten good at being able to guess what the other was really feeling. So, in a minute, even without saying a word, they knew what the other wanted to say but never would. Don knew that CJ had come back because she missed her family, and CJ knew Don was just as happy to have his little sister back as she was to have her big brother back.

Don smiled. "Well, I gotta get to work kiddo," he told her, giving her a quick hug and kiss on the head. "I'll see ya at lunch?" he confirmed on his way to the door.

"It's a date," she called back.

They smirked at each other.

"See ya."

[][][][][]

"Finally," Don sighed as he finished up his paperwork.

"Not at all happy to be done are you?" Colby asked sarcastically, more of a statement than an actual question, from his desk where he was still working on his paperwork.

Don grinned. "I'm just glad I finished before lunch."

"Why, got a lunch date?" Megan teased, coming over to stand by Don's desk. She'd finished her paperwork a half an hour ago.

"Oh? I thought Robin was in court today?" David questioned, joining in the conversation. He too had already finished his paperwork.

"She does," Don answered, checking his watch and standing up to grab his jacket.

"So..." Megan prompted.

But before Don could reply CJ walked over.

"Hey there you are, perfect timing," Don greeted, giving her a one-armed hug.

"Really?" CJ looked at her watch and shrugged. "Huh. I thought I was running late, but oh well. Whatever."

Don just smirked and shook his head, but then noticed his team's questioning looks. "Uh, CJ, let me introduce you to some people. This is Megan Reeves, David Sinclair, and Colby Granger."

CJ smiled and shook their hands. "Nice to meet you."

"You too," they replied politely, but still looking at Don curiously.

"Uh guys, this is CJ...my little sister."

His team's reactions were expected. David and Colby glanced at each other and then back at Don and CJ, their looks clearly saying 'No way!'. Megan's face however was thoughtful, and if her eyebrows weren't raised in surprise they would have all thought she hadn't heard him. Don was bracing himself for what they were going to say. CJ, however, just smirked.

"You have a sister?" Colby finally said, both stunned and incredulous.

"Oh come on Granger, they're clearly related," Megan pointed out obviously. Don, CJ, and David snickered and Colby just rolled his eyes. It was obvious, they had the same dark hair, same dark eyes, same smirk.

"How come you didn't tell us you had a sister man?" David asked curiously.

Don shrugged. "Well, I just -"

"He didn't think I was coming back," CJ finished. Don took a breath as his team all were wearing curious looks, and he knew they wouldn't be satisfied until they got an answer. "I've been gone a while, and I haven't...really kept in touch with anyone," she informed them, trying to sound casual. Don noticed her pause and knew what she had been getting ready to say was 'and I haven't talked to any of them for eight years.'

"But you're back now," Megan pointed out, noticing the underlying tension between the pair that showed itself after CJ's answer and deciding to subtly change the subject.

CJ nodded. "Yeah, I've moved back."

"So, where's Charlie? Is he gonna meet you guys for lunch or something?" David questioned lightly, neither him or Colby noticed both Don and CJ tense when he mentioned Charlie, but Megan did.

"Yeah, tell him good job on that last case," Colby added. "I may not've understood what he was saying, but whatever he did was pretty cool, and it worked."

CJ sent a both questioning and angry look at her brother, who just mouthed 'Later.'

"No, we're not meeting Charlie, but I'll tell him you said that," Don told them, chuckling lightly about the last part. "See you guys later."

"Nice to meet you all," CJ added as Don started to walk away.

"You too," they replied, giving a small wave as they watched the siblings leave.

"Wow..." David sighed after they were out of hearing range.

"A sister..." Colby agreed.

Megan, though, narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips, trying to figure out what the two Eppes hadn't said out loud, whatever something it was that was why CJ was gone for a while without any contact with her family.

When the elevator doors closed behind Don and CJ, she rounded on him, thankfully they were the only two in the elevator. "Now, what the hell is Charlie doing working with you?" she demanded.

Don rolled his eyes and sighed, "I'll explain over lunch."

[][][][][]

Over their lunch Don had told CJ all about how Charlie had come to consult for the FBI, being sure to mention how big of an asset he was. Though CJ understood Don's point of view, and definitely understood Charlie's, she still wasn't too thrilled about the idea of both of her brothers involved in the same dangerous work, a sentiment Don not only agreed with but shared. He did assure her though that Charlie was never out in the field and he tried to keep Charlie from knowing all the gory details, and that eased her mind a little, though she'd never really had any doubt Don would try to protect Charlie, he always had, for both his siblings.

After that, the two just spent their meal playing catch up, though Don left out most of his work stuff and CJ just left out a lot, and Don suspected he probably didn't want to know what she wasn't telling him.

When Don brought up the inevitable subject of when she was going to talk to their Dad and Charlie, CJ tried to change the subject, even though she knew evasive techniques didn't work so well on a big brother who was used to interrogating hardened criminals.

"Come on CJ, when I asked you if you were going to tell them you were back, you said 'yes', you said you were going to talk to them," Don pointed out.

"Yeah, well, you know that when I say 'yes' it usually means 'eventually'," she retorted.

Don rolled his eyes. "I'm not letting you talk your way out of this one CJ," he warned her firmly. "You're going to talk to Dad and Charlie. And if you don't tell them you're back within the next few days, I will."

CJ's eyes shot up to meet her brothers, she knew he was serious. "Look, I move into my apartment in a couple days," she started slowly. "After that...I'll talk to them," she promised.

Don begrudgingly nodded. "Fine, but I mean it CJ...end of the week, either you've told them you're back or I have."

CJ rolled her eyes, but nodded reluctantly. "Deal."

[][][][][]

When Don got back to the parking garage, he felt like something was off when he got out of the SUV. He glanced down at the keys in his hand. He knew it was minute, but they felt different somehow. Then as he slowly turned them over in his hand as he headed towards the building, he realized there was a key missing. He stopped, he didn't have to be a genius or even think about it to know which key was missing and who'd taken it.

"Dammit CJ," he muttered under his breath, hopping back into the SUV and driving off.

[][][][][]

She knew Don would want to kill her once he figured out what she'd done and what she was going to do, which she also knew wouldn't take him too long to realize. But CJ knew this was something she had to do. She knew if she couldn't face this, then there was no way in hell she would be able to face her father and brother.

Taking a deep breath, she entered the craftsman house that had been her home for over sixteen years. Charlie and her Dad were out, that much she knew, Don had told her that Charlie was in classes all afternoon and that their Dad had a meeting with Stan. Not that she was trying to avoid them, though she was, but this would go better without them here.

When she first walked in, CJ noticed that not much had changed. Most of the furniture was still in the same place, most of the pictures were still on the wall, except for the ones of her, which she knew her father had put somewhere out of immediate sight to avoid questions by people who were just passing through. Knowing that not much else had changed, CJ made her way up to the room she knew wouldn't have even been entered in years.

Taking another deep breath, she slowly turned the handle and opened the door to her old bedroom.

It looked exactly the same as the day she'd left. All of her music and sports posters were still up on the walls, her books still messily stacked on the bookshelf, the radio still on her nightstand, closet door still halfway open.

She still remembered that day perfectly.

CJ sat in the dark closet, door shut for extra privacy in case her Mom or Dad decided to ignore the 'KEEP OUT' sign on her bedroom door, she knew if their parents knew about her phone calls with Don when he rarely returned theirs it wouldn't be good for either of them. She sighed when he still hadn't answered after the fifth ring. She knew he was probably on assignment and was somewhere he couldn't talk, that's the only time he wouldn't answer her phone calls, but she'd been hoping that maybe he was free, if only for a few minutes.

Waiting for the voicemail to pick up so she could leave one, otherwise he'd get worried and call Mom and Dad, she looked at the letter in her other hand. She'd been hoping he would've answered and she wouldn't have to send it, maybe not even needing it at all if he was still as good at those 'big brother pep talks', as she called them, as she remembered. He'd always been able to cheer her up if she was down or give her the little push she needed to do something or, like she thought might be the case this time, talk her out of doing something stupid. But the voicemail message came on and she decided the letter would have to do, she just hoped he would understand.

"Hey Donnie!" she started cheerfully, but quiet since she didn't want to be overheard. "I was just calling to...check in I guess, make sure you're still okay. Tell Coop I'll kick his ass if something happens to you." She smirked, knowing they'd both get a kick out of that one. But then she paused, trying to word the real reason for her call. "Anyway, I wanted to tell you...I'm sending you a letter! I'm putting it in the mail today, so I hope you get it soon. But um...yeah, uh...don't call back until you've read the letter. I'm gonna be busy for a while, so I won't be able to answer your call anyway." She chuckled lightly. "Guess the shoe's on the other foot now, huh? Look, I know you're curious, but...it's complicated, you should understand after you read the letter though." Or at least I hope you do, she thought. "Well, I should go...Good luck with your assignment! Be careful, or at least stay safe. I'm not sure when we'll get to talk, but....I miss you..." CJ swallowed, trying to hold back the tears that were starting to form as she started to realize the full effect her decision was going to have on not just her but her whole family. "Take care big brother. I love you." And she hung up, staring at the handset for another minute or so afterwards.

Taking a deep breath she exited the closet and stood over her bed, which she'd actually made for a change, not wanting everyone who came in her room after today to think she was a slob, even if it was true for the most part, a trait she'd picked up from living with her brothers. She looked down at the note on the pillow. She'd kept it short, it just said 'Hey guys, I know you won't understand, but this is something I just have to do. I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I love you all! CJ' . CJ knew that the contents of the note would basically be ignored, they wouldn't understand, they wouldn't realize it was something she had to do, they wouldn't believe she was fine, and they would worry about her, even question if she really did love them probably. This wasn't a decision she'd come to lightly, in fact she'd been thinking about it since Don and Charlie went off to college and then started their careers, but she knew her family wouldn't understand it. If anyone did, it would be Don, hence why he was the one she wrote the letter to, trying to explain.

She took another deep breath and grabbed her duffle bag, heading for the door, pausing only to take one final look around her room, and then she left.

CJ wasn't exactly sure what had happened here after she'd left, but she had a pretty good idea. She knew one of her parents, most likely her mother, had come in looking for her and found the note. Her parents probably then called all of her friends, or at least the ones they knew about, to see if she was there, and then called her brothers, but of course Don wouldn't have answered. She'd bet they probably called the police after their lack of success, but the cops had probably told them there wasn't much they could do about a runaway, which the note proved was what had happened, that CJ had run away. Then, probably, a couple days later Don would have gotten the letter and, after reading it several times to actually believe it, then called their parents, who would've been distraught. Then, she figured it was a safe bet that, Don came home as soon as he could. Though he would've had the usual 'Why did she tell you and not us?' conversation with Charlie and their parents, Don would've still tried to explain his best understanding of why his little sister had ran away. But CJ knew that Don probably never understood, and had probably stood in the same spot she was standing in now, looking around to try and work through what had sparked her departure, while Charlie had probably retreated into his math and refused to think about his sister.

CJ took a deep breath and went over to the closet, opening the door all the way, and sat down on the floor inside, resting her forearms on her knees and leaning her head back against the wall. It was the one spot in the whole house that had always been her safe haven, her sanctuary. When she was on the floor in this closet it felt like nothing from the outside could touch her in here, it was like time just stopped and let her relax and escape from everything.

Even now, she still wasn't sure if she'd made the right decision that day, if she was right to run away, if that had been the best thing to do, especially after Don's visit three years ago and how Charlie'd handled their mother's illness. Then again, CJ wasn't sure what she could've done to change things, nobody could've done anything for their mother and Charlie never listened to her in the first place so she knew she wouldn't have been able to bring him out of his cocoon. She didn't regret the decisions she'd made, but she still wondered what would've happened if she'd done even just one thing differently.

CJ heard the front door open and shut, and knew it was Don. Though she still puzzled and confused him often, he still knew her better than anyone else, and he would know that she would come here, and why.

She heard him pause and take a deep breath at the bedroom door, and knew he was steeling himself for the conversation they were about to have.

"Hey kiddo," he said softly, standing at the closet door looking down at her. It reminded him of all the times he'd found her hiding in here as a kid, trying to just escape from everything, trying to work through whatever was bothering her.

He remembered the last serious conversation they'd had in this closet when he was still living at home.

Don opened up the closet door and found his seven year old sister sitting on the floor hugging her knees. She didn't look up at him, or even acknowledge his presence.

"Mind if I join you?" he questioned lightly. CJ just shrugged, still not looking up at him, and he sat down next to her. "Come on kiddo, what's wrong?" he asked seriously, nudging her slightly.

She still didn't look at him, but she said quietly in a tiny sad voice, "You're leaving me."

Don sighed, thinking, So that's what this is about, though he'd known that was probably it to begin with. "CJ...I'm going to college, it's part of growing up. But that doesn't mean I'm leaving you," he assured her.

Now CJ looked over at her brother. "You're leaving. Charlie's leaving. Mom's leaving. I know 'why'! You guys get to go off to college! You get to be all grown up, getting away from all of us, and Charlie gets to go show everyone how smart he is, and Mom gets to watch him. That leaves me here by myself!"

Don just stared at his little sister. He was the one person who'd seen every one of her moods, or at least all the ones she'd been through so far, and knew how to handle them all, but this one...he'd never seen her so upset and feeling so alone before. He knew how she felt, but it still hurt to know that there wasn't much he could do about it either.

He pulled her into a hug, and she rested her head against his chest. "CJ...you're not gonna be by yourself, Dad's gonna be here too."

"'S not the same," she mumbled.

Don nodded. "I know. But look, we'll all be together for the holidays, you know Mom won't let us be apart for those. And hey, I'm not gonna be that far away," he said in an attempt to cheer her up.

"But you're going to be busy," she pointed out.

"Yeah, but how 'bout I make you a deal? When I have enough free time, I'll come back for a day or two and we can do something together."

CJ pulled away and looked Don in the eyes. "You mean it?"

Don rolled his eyes. "No, I'm kidding," he said sarcastically, earning a glare from CJ. "Yes, I mean it! When have I ever lied to you about something like this?" he continued seriously.

CJ thought about it, and grinned. "Never."

Don smiled. "Exactly. So, trust me. We'll be seeing each other. And hey, maybe Dad'll let you come to a few games."

CJ smiled. "That'd be cool," she agreed. "Think he'll go for it though?" she asked skeptically.

Don shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not. But Mom will, and she can talk him into it." The siblings grinned at each other. Don ruffled her hair, but she swatted his hand away, giving him an annoyed glare. "Besides kiddo, there's this thing called a telephone, and you can call me anytime," he added, sarcastic yet serious at the same time.

CJ smacked him for his sarcasm, but still smiled because she knew he'd meant what he said. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

"I'm gonna miss you Donnie."

Don smiled sadly, hugging her back. "I'm gonna miss you too CJ."

He hoped this time would work out as well as that one had.

CJ looked up at her brother, seeing the understanding in his eyes. "Hey," she replied quietly, then looked back down.

Don sighed, and sat down next to her. Neither said anything for a few minutes, they just sat there. When CJ sniffed, Don looked over and noticed the unshed tears in her eyes that were threatening to fall.

"Hey..." he started gently, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly. Don started to say something, but CJ continued before he got the chance. "I'm sorry I left, I'm sorry I wasn't here, I'm sorry I didn't come back with you, I'm sorry I wasn't here for you guys, I'm sorry I -"

"CJ!" Don said quickly, holding his hands up to stop her ramble. She met his gaze and he sighed. "CJ, don't apologize," he told her softly.

"But I -" Don waved his hand to cut her off, and she looked at him curiously.

He took a breath. "Dad and Charlie don't know I saw you three years ago," he admitted, knowing what she was thinking about, and feeling guilty for letting her think that was going to be an issue their Dad and Charlie had with her. CJ opened her mouth, but Don answered the question she was getting ready to ask first. "I never told them." CJ looked stunned. Don sighed, running his hands over his face. "I told Mom, and she made me promise not to say anything to them," he told her quietly.

CJ stared at her brother, both confused and curious. "Why?"

Don half-shrugged. "She said it would be easier if they didn't know. She knew how they would take it, and..." Don paused, but CJ motioned for him to continue. He took a deep breath and looked her in the eyes. "She knew you weren't gonna come back," he continued cautiously in what was almost a whisper. He saw CJ's face fall as she shut her eyes to block the tears he knew were welling up. "CJ..." he started, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder, but she shook her head. "Hey, look...she said she knew you weren't ready to come back. She understood that." CJ finally opened her eyes to look at him, the tears were streaming quietly down her face, but she knew he wasn't lying to her. Don sighed. "I didn't really understand, but...she was right. She said that even though she knew you weren't ready to come home yet, and probably wouldn't be for a while, that you would be one day, and that Dad and Charlie thinking that you just didn't know what happened would be easier than them being mad at you for not showing up."

"I should've been here, I should've come back," CJ insisted, shaking her head at herself.

Don shook his head slowly. "CJ..." He closed his mouth again, sighing. "Look, I'm not gonna pretend that I wasn't mad at you, because I was, at least at first," he told her truthfully. "But Mom was right...you weren't ready, and I get that." CJ raised her eyebrows skeptically at her brother, who chuckled. "I do," he reiterated firmly. "Or at least I did after talking to Mom," he added. She looked down, but Don made her look back up at him and continued seriously, "CJ...I'm not gonna say I understand why you left, because honestly I'm not entirely sure I even know why. But I do understand why you didn't come back home then, and I'm not mad at you." CJ smiled a little. "I don't think Dad and Charlie will be either." CJ quirked an eyebrow, and Don rolled his eyes. "Or at least not after you explain," he amended.

CJ looked down. "I don't know if I can," she admitted quietly.

"Yeah you can," Don told her confidently. "I'll help you," he added.

CJ threw her arms around his neck, hugging tightly. "I love you," she whispered, still crying a little.

Don closed his eyes for a second as he hugged her back. "I love you too kiddo." They finally let go of each other after a few minutes, and with a smirk Don said, "Come on, let's get outta here before Dad or Charlie gets back,...unless you want to see them now..."

CJ stood up quickly. "Let's go."

Don chuckled, but got up and followed her, closing the bedroom door back behind him as they left.

[][][][][]

The next day as CJ walked into the classroom, she couldn't help but be nervous. Especially after her breakdown yesterday, she didn't want to screw up again, she wanted to prove she wasn't a mess anymore. Even though she'd taken classes before, they were just a couple night classes at a community college, this was a bigger academic arena, so to speak. She sat down and took a deep breath, but even despite the nerves couldn't help but to smile as her excitement bubbled to the surface.

"Hi, are you new?" a redhead, who'd just sat down next to CJ, asked her.

CJ nodded. "Yeah. I'm CJ," she introduced herself, holding out her hand.

The girl smiled. "Lisa," she replied, shaking CJ's hand. "So...coming back to school?" she questioned.

CJ furrowed her brows. "That obvious huh?" Lisa nodded. CJ smirked. "Yeah, I decided to go back to school to get a degree," she shrugged, "make something of myself, I guess."

Lisa smiled sympathetically. "Yeah, me too. So, where are you from?"

"Oh, I grew up in Pasadena, but I've been moving around a lot for the past several years."

"Cool. I grew up in San Francisco, moved down here a couple years ago with a boyfriend. We split up, but I decided I wouldn't let my Mom be right about the move being a bad idea."

CJ smiled. "I can understand that."

Lisa smiled, and CJ was happy that she seemed to have found at least one person that she could at least be friendly with.

[][][][][]

"Hey," Amita greeted when she walked into Charlie's office. Then she noticed the look on his face. "Still not answering?" she guessed.

Charlie shook his head grimly. "I haven't been able to get an answer since a couple days ago. And Megan said they didn't have a case right now."

"Maybe he's just busy Charlie," Amita suggested.

Charlie shook his head though. "Don's avoiding me. I know it." Amita started towards him, getting ready to say something, but Charlie just sighed and shook his head, picking up his bag. "I should get going. They want me there early, and it's around lunch time so traffic'll be bad."

Amita nodded and watched him leave, wishing she could ease his mind somehow, but not knowing how to.

[][][][][]

"So, there's this really cool guest speaker coming in for a lecture this afternoon, and Professor Travers gives extra points for students who attend. I was gonna go, you're welcome to join me," Lisa offered as she and CJ were walking out of class.

CJ thought about it for a second. "Yeah, that sounds cool. What time?"

[][][][][]

"So, who is this guest speaker you're so excited about?" CJ asked as she and Lisa looked for seats in the lecture hall.

"Oh, you're not gonna believe it!" she gushed. "Dr. Charles Eppes, -"

Whatever else she was saying was lost on CJ, who felt all the color drain from her face. The only thought running through her head was 'Oh shit.'

A/N: Well, I hope you liked this chapter! I've already started the next one, but I'm not sure when I'll have it finished since it'll probably be long and I'm trying to get ready to go back to school too. I'll try to update as soon as I can though. And as always, reviews are greatly appreciated!