A/N- So this story came to me while watching episode 5.21 "Disturbed" and realized I had never done a Numb3rs fanfic. So this is going to rectify that. I absolutely love the dynamic between Don and Charlie and really wanted a Charlie-whump story. So this was born.

No! It can't be!

Robert Posdner could not believe it, he had almost been caught during his latest kill. That was too damn close! He had been meticulous, so precise in his work that he just couldn't believe someone had figured it out.

The psychopath began pacing his study, blind rage threatening to cloud his judgement. Posdner took a few steadying breaths, swiping his hand over his face. Figured it out, someone had and Robert wanted revenge. Based on how they found him during his last job, he was going to be in custody soon.

Posdner grinned as he began to form a plan. One last hit, one last target.

N3N3N3N3N3N3N3N3N3N3N3N3N3N3N3N3N3N3

It was a beautiful Southern California morning. Charlie was in the dining room of the craftsman home he shared with his father, packing his work bag. He was enjoying the quiet of the morning, as Alan was already at school since he had an early class.

Charlie made sure to grab the notebook he was using to write his equations in for the case, stuffing it into his bag before setting it on the table. The math professor went back into the kitchen, placing a glass on the island as he went to the fridge to grab the milk. He was pouring the beverage when he heard a rustling sound just out of his line of sight.

"Don, that you?" Charlie called out, not getting a response. He shrugged, putting the milk back when he was struck from behind, tipping his glass and causing him to blindly thrust out his hand to catch himself. Charlie grabbed the light fixture instead, the force enough to snap the light off of the wall.

Charlie had been around the FBI long enough to work on some techniques to help when being attacked. He shoved his attacker towards the breakfast nook, smiling to himself when he heard glass shatter.

He took advantage of the momentary distraction and took off full tilt for the garage to hide. The resounding crack of a gunshot rang out behind him as he threw open the door and attempted to slam and lock it.

The doorknob exploded, the force of the blast enough to shove the door open. Charlie hid behind some of his chalkboards, keeping the room in the dark.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are professor."

A chill ran down his spine from the sing-song voice of the psychopath. He recognized that voice.

"Awww come on Professor. I mean you had to see this was coming. You figured out everything else, including who I was."

Charlie stayed as small as he could, watching Posdner circle the room. He glanced down, opening his phone out when a noise startled him. His head shot up to see Posdner grinning wickedly at him. The dead eye stare unnerved the mathematician.

"Gotcha."

Charlie's instinct had him up and running for another wall as the gun went off near his head. He began throwing his chalkboards at the killer to try to getaway, but Posdner stood at the door, deflecting them easily.

"And now Professor Epps, this is the end."

A loud bang, a flash, then silence enveloped the garage.

Charlie felt the impact of the bullet as it entered his chest just below his heart. He looked down, seeing the red stain beginning to spread as his amber eyes dimmed in shock.

The math professor's eyes dragged back up to Posdner, his knees buckling as his body became dead weight. Charlie collapsed to the ground where he stood, his last thought before his world went dark, I'm sorry Don.