Dedication:

Now that this story is finished, I would like to dedicate it to all of you who not only read it, but took the time to share your thoughts and reviews with me and let me know my words were being enjoyed. Many of the things you said about Numb3rs and about this story really resonated, and believe me I have read and re-read your comments many times over. I know it takes time and effort to type out a thoughtful review and I don't take that lightly.

Many thanks to AriesTaurus, Bunny1, Cady, Carol, Cassie, Catalina H, CerealKillerZero, chymom, csinumb3erslover, epalladino, fantasy27, KarinBear, Katie, Kim, Library Bum, LivsLives4Love, Loveisuniversal345, LUVNUMB3ERS, , PattyB, piano13, Rainbow Stevie, Rinne, Smiling!, some crazy girl who likes pie, Wenwalke, and Zaza.

PattyB, CerealKillerZero, Rainbow Stevie, and Rinne, your regular and wonderful reviews are the reason this story continued, and you have made my day more times than I can count. Thank you. There is someone who belongs in the above lists whose name has to to with graham crackers, and for some reason the site keeps deleting it. You know who you are :)

Outline/warnings/random disclosures:

This story grew out of a one-shot little fic I wrote about Don's reaction to Charlie's arrest in Worlds Collide, which made me wonder: how would Charlie react if Don were to be arrested? What about Alan, Amita, Robin, and the FBI team? How many pieces would that rip Don's world into? This story is the result of my continuing along that line of musing.

Don is framed and arrested for fraud, and while his friends and family remain firmly in his corner and fight to discover the truth, Don has to face many thoughts about his future and past - as well as possibly helping break the case that will determine his entire future. Charlie has to struggle through his emotions and work on the case, which happens to bring Charlie and Don even closer and helps Charlie gain an even more profound appreciation of what Don goes through as an FBI agent.

The original little fic, Tradition of Disobedience, is here on this site if anyone wants to read it.

Language: Yes, the characters talk. ;) Sometimes, they even swear.

Violence: No brain bleach will be needed. There are one or two scenes that might be considered disturbing as well as brief reference to murder and rape, and Don gets kicked around pretty soundly at one point, but overall this story is less violent then your average Numb3rs episode.

Angst and emotional hurt/comfort: Everywhere the eye can see. If I didn't make you tear up at least once, or at least get a little mushy inside, I didn't do a very good job.

Sexual content: Story assumes healthy Numb3rs canon relationships in the form of Don/Robin and Charlie/Amita. No graphic/adult content or pairings with titles like Billy/zoo monkey/Alan.

Guest characters: Brief visit by Gary Walker.

Ownership: I own a Kia subcompact running on three whole cylinders. I do not, unfortunately, own Numb3rs or anything remotely connected to it. (Wait. I own the DVDs, does that count?)

Chapter 1

EVENING, EPPES RESIDENCE.

Don, Alan, and Charlie raised their beers. "To the successful publication of yet another groundbreaking paper by Professor Charles Eppes," said Alan. "And to the hope that one of these days, something you write will actually tell me how to get my retirement fund back."

Don laughed. "Keep dreaming, dad."

There was a knock on the door, and Charlie jumped up to answer it. "David! Glad you decided to drop by." He peered out and saw the rest of the FBI team standing behind David. "Oh. You guys don't look like you came by to celebrate. Another case?"

"Yep," said Colby, his expression blank.

"Well, hey, guys," Don greeted, joining Charlie at the door. "Come by for some free beer?"

"Charlie, can you step out here for a minute?" asked David, consciously ignoring Don's greeting. Charlie joined him, surprised when David put a hand on his shoulder and held him.

Colby stepped forward, pulling out his handcuffs. "Don Eppes, you're under arrest for fraud. Put your hands behind your back, please."

Don raised his eyebrows with a grin. "Guys, it's not April fool's day."

"And I'm not fooling, Don," said Colby, his bearing quiet and sober. "Don't make this harder than it is. Hands behind your back."

Don obeyed, a hint of worry beginning to show when Colby actually cuffed him. He glanced at Charlie, the person most likely to reveal it in his expression should this simply be an elaborate prank.

"Look," said David. "This isn't even our case, the financial crimes unit caught it. We're just making the arrest because they figured it would go down quietly this way. I'm sorry."

Charlie's heart sank to the depths of his stomach when Colby started to escort his brother towards the back of a waiting car, and he tried to run towards Don. David was still gripping his shoulder, and he wrapped his arms around Charlie and held him, ignoring his struggles while Don climbed into the back of the sedan in a shocked stupor.

Only then did David let go, talking to Charlie quietly. "I'm sorry. I really am. We're taking him to the office, and you can ride down there with me. You need to understand this isn't our case, and we need to tread carefully if any of us want to stay involved at all. Understand?" Charlie nodded with a gulp, watching the sedan drive away with Don in the back seat.

"What can I do?" asked Alan from the doorway, speaking for the first time. His remarkable calm was betrayed by the beer bottle at his feet where it had fallen, forgotten, from his hand.

Charlie took a deep breath, trying to clear his head. "Uh – dad – call my lawyer. The guy I used when I sent that research to Pakistan. And – um – let Robin know. I – I gotta go."

"He didn't do this, did he?" asked Alan.

"Do you really have to ask?" snapped Charlie. "Of course he didn't. He didn't commit the Kennedy assassination, either."

"Boys – listen," interrupted Liz. "We're not jumping to any conclusions, but you don't arrest an agent like Don without solid evidence. This isn't going away."