A/N: This chapter is a little shorter but more intense. Hope you enjoy it. Reviews are always welcome.

Chapter Two

Charlie found himself back before the end of two weeks. He'd called every day, but on the tenth day he told Amita that he'd be returning the next morning. When Charlie came through the door with Agent Farmer, he saw both Amita and Alan sitting in the living room waiting for him.

"My God Charlie, what happened?" Alan gasped.

"I'm alright dad." Charlie went immediately to Amita who paled noticeable at the sight of him. "I'm fine," he said kneeling down by her side. "It looks worse than it is."

Amita ran her fingers over the butterfly bandages holding a cut closed on Charlie's forehead. She also saw the bruise along his right cheekbone. "I was pushed down and banged my face."

Charlie saw Alan walk up to Agent Farmer, who looked at him nervously. "I want to know what really happened. I'm sure it's more than Charlie is saying." Charlie looked on figuring he'd let the agent explain.

"There was a small incident at the safe house. Someone leaked the location to the people we were after and they came looking for us." Agent Farmer looked more uncomfortable still. "Agent Wills pushed Charlie down as they entered the house, that's all. As you can see, he's fine Mr. Eppes."

Then Alan asked the question Charlie had hoped he wouldn't. "Agent Wills? Is he fine too?"

Charlie decided it was time he intervened. "Dad, stop interrogating Agent Farmer. He has somewhere else he needs to be." Charlie shook the agent's hand and led him to the door. "Thank you for bringing me home and thank Agent Wills for me when you see him."

"Right Charlie." With that the agent left closing the door behind him.

Charlie saw Alan look at him as if he knew both men were hiding something. Alan spoke to Amita, "I'll go make tea for you. I think you should give your wife another hug after frightening her," he said to Charlie.

Charlie walked over to Amita. He knew his dad was more than likely on the kitchen phone calling Don. Alan had let things go too easily. Charlie sat down next to Amita and pulled her close. She said nothing but he could see tears on her cheeks. "It's okay Amita. I'm fine."

"I know Charlie, but I was so scared when I saw your face. What if I'd lost you?" Amita's arms were around Charlie and she was pulling him even closer.

When Alan came back in with the tea things, Charlie and Amita were still holding each other. Alan put the tray on the table and said cheerily, "Tea's ready. Let's all relax and enjoy a cup."

They'd just finished their tea, when Don burst through the front door. Colby was right behind him looking as grim as Don.

Don stared at Charlie's face, then turned and walked back towards Colby. I'm in for it now Charlie thought. When he reached the door, Don turned back and spoke, "Charlie, come outside for a minute please." Without giving Charlie time to reply, Don left, Colby right behind him.

With a shake of his head and a sigh, Charlie got up and followed Don outside. He'd known when his dad hadn't spoken about the incident, Alan had called Don and Charlie expected him to show up. As he exited the house, he found both agents waiting for him on the steps.

Don spoke just as Charlie closed the door. "Okay Charlie, I want to know what happened. Dad gave me your sanitized version. Now let's have the full version. Don't try to minimize it, I've already checked. I know Agent Wills is in the hospital with a bullet wound." Don walked right up to Charlie as he spoke, invading his personal space. Colby remained were he was.

Looking first at Colby, then at Don, Charlie sighed. He knew he'd have to tell Don the truth. "Not that it's any of your business Don. Agent Wills was shot when he pushed me down as the house was stormed. I'm fine, okay. The NSA kept me safe and returned me home now that the assignment is compromised. What else do you want me to say? You know I can't tell you about the assignment." Charlie was hoping that Don would drop this, but he knew how over protective Don could be. So he wasn't surprised when he didn't.

"No, but tell me if they caught the people who did this." Charlie saw Don watch his face and see the answer he'd needed there. "They didn't, did they?"

Charlie walked past Don and sat down on the steps. He really didn't want to do this right now. "Two of the men were killed when they attacked the house." Charlie knew he'd have to tell Don everything or he'd never leave. So he continued, "there were two other men that managed to escape. The NSA are still hunting them."

Colby sat down next to Charlie and spoke for the first time. "What are the NSA doing to keep you safe Charlie? I don't see any agents here?"

"I don't need protection Colby. No one knew who I was except the two agents."

Charlie felt Don sit down on the other side of him as Don ran his hand over his face and sighed, "I don't like it Charlie. They should have assigned agents to you until the other two men are caught."

Charlie watched as Don jumped up and started to pace. "Dad said there was a leak within the NSA. What if that person knew who you were and leaked that information as well? I think I'll have a talk with Agent Farmer and find out exactly what's going on."

Charlie had just opened his mouth to tell Don to back off, he could handle this himself, when he saw a black SUV come speeding around the corner. Both passenger windows were down with semi-automatics sticking out of them. As they drew level with the house they opened fire.

|TBC