Disclaimer: Don't own Numb3rs or the characters. Jasmine is mine.

This is the start of some Colby whumping, I make no apologies for that! There may also be some liberties taken with medical and tactical situations, if I mess it up too badly please feel free to correct me! Enjoy.

Chapter Four – Engagement.

"Charlie, what can you tell us about where these robbers are gonna hit next?" asked Don.

"Well I plotted all the previous robberies on a map and using those to define the area I believe that Bank of America has the highest probability of being next. I also determined that, in all likelihood, they will hit again this morning." Charlie pointed to the area on the map.

"Good job. Everyone gear up and be ready to head out in 15."

Everyone nodded and headed out.

Colby pulled up near the bank. "Let's head inside and wait for our hapless duo." He said, turning to David.

As they entered the building Don's voice came over their ear pieces. "Heads up, looks like our guys, two men, in their 20's wearing khaki trousers and blue shirts. I am sure I don't need to remind you that this pair have a lot of firepower, so be careful."

"Copy that Don, we see 'em." Replied David quietly, as he and Colby separated out.

The robbers would have no idea that the staff behind the counter were actually armed undercover agents, leaving David and Colby to protect the customer's remaining inside if it became necessary.

They watched the two suspected armed robbers enter the building, followed shortly after by Megan and Don.

Before anyone could do anything the two armed men had pulled out their weapons and were firing into the ceiling, this was quickly followed by shouts of "FBI, drop your weapons."

Both Colby and David stepped towards the men, who cornered did the unthinkable and opened fire on the two agents, they both dropped to the ground and before they could return fire watched as the two robbers fell as other agents fired in response.

A deathly silence spread throughout the bank, all that could be heard for a few seconds was a woman sobbing, and then all hell broke loose as agents rushed to both the robbers, Colby and David.

David was already getting unsteadily to his feet, he turned to look at his partner, who was laying face down, and realised he wasn't getting up.

"Colby!" He knelt down, grabbed his wrist and sighed with relief as he felt a pulse. "Man, can you hear me?" The response was a groan, not quite what David had hoped for but it was a start. Don and Megan arrived by his side.

"Colby are you hit?"

"Vest." Was all Colby could manage. Megan didn't wait to hear anymore and dashed off to get the attention of the SWAT medic.

Don helped David roll him onto his back, eliciting another groan out of Colby. They carefully sat him up as Megan arrived back with Brian Jones, one of the FBI medics.

"OK, let me take a look at him." Brian helped Colby to remove his shirt and Kevlar vest. "Bullet didn't penetrate the vest." He could almost feel the team around him relax, he checked under the t-shirt the agent had been wearing under his vest and gave Colby's rib area, where the bullet had struck, a gentle prod.

"Ouch."

"Yup, he's gonna have a nice bruise there, but he'll live." He handed Colby an instant ice pack and turned to Don. "I suggest you send him home for 24 hours, he'll be sore, but no permanent damage."

Colby opened his mouth to protest. "Oh no Granger, Medic's orders. David, take him home please, I don't want to see you until tomorrow afternoon Colby."

David nodded and led an unhappy Colby out of the bank into a media frenzy. "Dammit." The two men hurried away from the bank as quickly as Colby could manage, but not before their faces were all over the news.

Colby thanked David for the ride and assured his partner that he would be fine. He walked up to his apartment cursing himself for getting shot, even if it was his vest that was hit. He unlocked his door and threw his keys on the table in the hallway, at that moment his phone rang.

"Granger." He answered brusquely.

"Colby, I thought you were taking a witness statement this morning?"

"Jasmine, I was…"

"How come I just saw you on the news coming out of a bank following an armed robbery, with a man I assume to be David, no less? You told me that the rest of the team were working a drug ring."

"They were, this bank robbery came up out of nowhere and…"

The next thing Colby knew he was listening to a dial tone. He didn't know what to make of what had just happened.

Jasmine was eating a late breakfast whilst watching the news when she saw Colby and David walking out of a bank following an armed robbery. She couldn't believe he had lied to her about where he was going to be that morning. If he didn't want to see her, why didn't he just say so.

That is no way for him to treat me. I don't know who he thinks he is. I swore no man would ever treat me badly again. I will not let another man break my heart.

"Morning man, how's the ribs?"

"Hey David, tender, but it's only been a coupla days."

Just then Colby's phone rang. "Oh, hi Jasmine, how are you? I'm fine thanks. OK, I'll meet you there at 7pm tonight. No, I don't mind you calling but I really do have to get back to work."

David raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Colby had told him what Jasmine's reaction had been to seeing him on the news, he hoped his friend knew what he was doing.

Colby walked into the bar he had agreed to meet Jasmine at just after 7pm. She was sat at the bar with her shoulders hunched over, she looked up as he approached.

"Hi, thanks for meeting me, can I get you a drink?"

"Thanks, I'll have a beer please." The barman placed one in front of Colby. "So what do you want Jasmine?"

"I wanted to apologise, I don't know why I behaved the way I did after seeing you on the news."

"Look, I have to admit I was a bit surprised, it's not like we're dating, but what I told you was the truth. I did have to be in the office early to see a witness, but I finished with it early and Don's brother had come up with a location for some armed robbers, that meant the drug case took a back seat until these guys were apprehended."

"I guess I'm so used to being lied to that I don't know when someone is telling the truth anymore." She said sadly.

"I'm many things, Jasmine, but despite popular opinion I am not a player and I don't lie."

Jasmine nodded "I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me, and we can still be friends."

Colby looked at her carefully "Sure, we can be friends Jasmine, but that's it for me."

"OK, friends it is." She smiled at Colby and they talked for nearly an hour, clearing the air between them.

"Right, I better get going. Thanks for the drink."

"You're welcome. Take care, call me if you want to go for a drink sometime."

"I will, you take care too Jasmine."