Acknowledgements:

Omi as always
The BTN8rs - with apologies
The BTN Chatters - for their support

Disclaimers:

"A vague disclaimer is nobody's friend" - Willow, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
I do not own any Numb3rs characters nor do I have any rights to
anything related to the TV show Numb3rs. I plead fair use and claim
only my own writing and characters.

When Margaret walked into the principal's office she could hear his rant through the thin school walls.

"Of all the irresponsible things... I expected better of you!"

Charlie sat, swinging his feet nervously, looking very tiny waiting outside. His head was down, but when she walked in it snapped up and she saw the expression on his face: a mix of worry, relief and fear.

"What really happened?" she said, hands on hips.

Charlie glanced over to the closed door behind him and back, keeping his voice low.

"Carl and Raul and a couple of the other kids snuck into the pool area during recess. The gate was open just enough for us to sneak through. I know I shouldn't have gone with them..." He looked up and Margaret could see Charlie's need to belong clear on his face and understood.

"Go on," she said, her tone noncommittal.

"Carl pushed Raul in the pool, but Raul couldn't swim! No one seemed to do anything to help him so I ran and got Don and he jumped in and pulled him out. Now Principal Parker thinks it was Don's idea because he's the oldest and all the kids look up to him. He won't listen to me!" He glanced at the door, anxious. "I don't want him to get in trouble when it was my fault, not his."

"Wait here." She strode into the office to find Don, still soaking wet, but with a small towel slung around his neck. He looked up at her, ready to protest, but she stilled him with a hand on his shoulder. "Principal Parker! I heard about what happened and really there's no need to call the newspapers. I know Don's a hero for saving that boy's life, but your honest thanks is enough for his efforts on behalf of the school, I mean really, the lawsuit for leaving the gate unlocked could have gotten so ugly if that poor little boy had died, don't you think?"

"B-but Mrs. Eppes..." The principal floundered, clearly stunned.

"Come on, Donnie. Let's get you home and into some dry clothes." Don rose gratefully and joined Charlie waiting at the door. Margaret turned before leaving to fire her parting shot. "I'm sure Principal Parker can wait to show his appreciation until tomorrow's announcements over the public address system..."