Perfection

Word Count: 587

Summary: It was reaching perfection. They were reaching perfection.

Characters: Charlie Eppes, Ian Edgerton

Pairing: Charlie/Ian Edgerton

Rating: PG
Spoiler: When worlds collide
Setting: after High Exposure
Author's Note: Written for the Rewatch Challenge on sniper_voodoo. Prompt: High Exposure.

Feedback: Can't breathe without it.

Disclaimer: I'm not making money with this fanfic. The tv-show Numb3rs and the characters appearing within it belong to their producers and creators. Any similarities to living or dead persons are purely coincidental and not intended.

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Charlie stared at the koi and pushed his hands deep into his jeans pockets. The fish didn't seem to mind him watching them and he felt better out here by himself than inside where everyone was waiting for him to decide what to do about his security clearance. They wanted him to fight for it but Charlie wasn't so sure if he wanted to. He liked working for the FBI but he didn't want to force Don and his team to endure the interrogation that, according to Robin, would get him his clearance back. And he was scared of the FBI deciding that they couldn't trust him any more. Charlie couldn't handle being rejected. Not where his work was concerned.

"Penny for your thoughts," a man said.

Charlie turned his head, startled, and looked at the agent standing next to him. He hadn't even heard him approach.

"Ian," he said. "You startled me."

"Sorry," the sniper answered but he didn't sound like he meant it.

"I thought you had already left."

"No. I'm not tired." Ian looked around as if he was seeing the house for the first time. "So I took a walk in your garden."

"Found something of interest?" Charlie asked, his eyes gliding over the lawn, the trees, towards the garage and the house to settle on the roses his mother had loved so much.

"Not really," Ian answered. "But it's beautiful."

Charlie smiled.

"My mother was the one who wanted a house with a big garden."

"And a koi pond?"

Charlie laughed.

"That was my dad's idea. My mom was actually shocked when she heard what he'd paid for the fish."

Ian laughed, too. Then they were quiet for a moment, watching the fish. Ian's hand was warm on Charlie's shoulder.

"Well? I still wanna know what you were thinking about."

Charlie sighed deeply.

"My security clearance. Robin told me that she could help me get it back."

Ian nodded.

"You should. We wouldn't have been able to solve this case as fast as we did without your help."

"I'm not sure if I want it back," Charlie answered.

"Why?" Ian asked, surprised. He was frowning.

Charlie shrugged.

"It's not just about me. If I want to get my clearance back, Don and the team will have to answer some rather awkward questions and I don't want them to feel like they have to do it, just because I'm … well, me."

"I'm sure they wouldn't mind."

"But I do," Charlie answered stubbornly. "I do mind."

Ian narrowed his eyes.

"What's this about? You not wanting to push the team into doing something or you being scared that you won't get your clearance back?"

Charlie rubbed his forehead. Ian smiled.

"Got it in one, huh?" he asked. "Okay. I can understand that. But Don wants you back. The team wants you back. It's obvious, Charlie. They'd do anything to get you back." Ian put an arm around his shoulders. "And I'd feel better if you'd work for us."

There had always been something between them. Some kind of link or deep hidden friendship. Their connection had always been different but not uncomfortable. That's why Charlie didn't feel surprised or shocked or insecure when Ian kissed him. What they did right now was only the next step in their relationship.

It was reaching perfection.

They were reaching perfection.

END

10/10