*Waves* this is my first multi-chapter Numb3rs fic. I unfortunately missed the series when it originally aired and have fallen in love with it in reruns. And since I've been watching the reruns they're skipping around with episodes. I've tried to piece together what I don't know of the show from the web. Please let me know of any mistakes.

I've set this in an alternate version of season two so Terry's still there. I always liked her with Don so look for lots of that pairing in this fic.

There is mention of my previous short ficlet 'Sweet Reality' in this but you don't need to read it to follow this.

Title: Long way home
Author: Cindy Ryan
Timeline: AU early season two
Pairings: Terry/Don, Charlie/Amita
Summary: When a mob boss is released from prison Charlie is forced into the Witness protection program and his death faked to protect his brother.

It was just after noon when Charlie Eppes emerged from his office and walked outside. He followed the familiar sidewalks his nose buried in his notebook. It wasn't until two shadows fell across his notebook that he looked up. Charlie had been so engrossed in the equation that he hadn't noticed the two men in dark suits and sunglasses who had matched his steps. Charlie stopped dead and looked at who he assumed were government agents.

"Can I help you gentlemen with something?"Charlie asked as he stepped to the grass moving out of the swarm of students.

A man in his thirties with short blond hair removed his sunglasses. "Professor Eppes we need you to come with us."

Charlie stood his ground. He'd been dealing with government agents long enough to know how to handle them.

"Why? You haven't even told me who you are or who you work for."

The man glanced at his partner an Asian-american male the same age before taking out his badge. "We're U.S. Marshals and it's urgent that you come with us."

Charlie frowned. "Why?"

"If you value your brother's life, Doctor, you'll come with us."

Fear iced its way up Charlie's spine at the mention of his brother. He swallowed hard and nodded.

"We'll explain on the way."The Asian man stated grimly as the flanked Charlie once more and led him to the parking lot.

Forty minutes later Charlie found himself sitting in a nondescript office building in Burbank. A manila file folder was set before him on the conference table and flipped open.
A group of photos took up the left side and a familiar police file took up the other.

As Charlie stared at the pictures memories returned and his fear for Don grew. The case in question had occurred six months into the mathematician's consulting for the FBI. The Russian mob was doing an illegal drug operation in the local bars. Two young woman had over dosed. David had gone undercover as a bartender and his cover had been blown he'd nearly been killed. Don had shot the ring leader the rest had gone to jail.

"They've escaped?"Charlie asked his gaze not breaking from the file before him.

"No."The Asian agent who Charlie had learned his name was Daniel Wu. "They were released, time served."

"That's not possible."Eppes replied puzzled. "It hasn't even been a year."

"That's our justice system at work."Vu replied with a shake of his head. "We think they bribed somebody highup."

"So you're saying they're coming after my brother?"Charlie inquired.

The blond agent, Whitman nodded. "You, your brother, your father, your brother's team. Anybody they can get their hands on."

"So how will my going into witness protection prevent that?"

"We believe your death will be enough revenge for them. An eye for an eye."

Charlie swallowed hard. That part of the U.S. Marshall's plan was still hard for him to comprehend. Fake his death? He couldn't do that to his friends, his family. Leave his life for a new one was one thing…..to do this?
As he looked from one serious marshal to the other Charlie knew the danger was very real and very imminent. His family and friends meant everything to him. Charlie knew he'd do whatever he had to do to protect them.

"What do you need me to do?"Eppes asked grimly.

FBI Agent Don Eppes was going through stacks of case files as he sat at his desk that wednsday morning. He'd come in early hoping to pile drive through some of the stuff. Terry was out on a coffee and pastry run stating she'd need more sugar to make it through the morning. Don had completely agreed with her. Usually he didn't mind trial prep it was part of the job. But today he just found it completely boring. Plus it didn't help that the weather was perfect even for southern California. Low eighties, blue sky, light wind.
If there weren't so many files Don had been tempted to move the trial prep outside.

Half an hour later Terry returned balancing two cardboard trays of coffee and two white medium sized bags.

"Let me give you a hand."Don offered as he stood and moved around the desk.

"Thanks."The blonde woman replied with a grin as she kicked his office door shut behind her. "Though I could've used your help in the garage."

"Should've called me."Don chided as he set one tray of coffee on the desk and took a bag from his colleague.

"I was kidding."

"I'm assuming the rest is for David and Colby?"Eppes asked with a grin.

Terry laughed. "I don't think we could consume all this coffee on our own. I'll be back let me drop this off to them."

"Okay."Don replied as he sat on her desk watching Terry leave his office and enter the bull pen.

The longer he worked with Terry old feelings were starting to emerge mingled with new ones. As brief as their relationship had been at the academy it'd been a good one. Don enjoyed having Terry as part of his team. It was nice having somebody that knew him to have his back in the field.

They were falling into a comfortable friendship. He didn't have to pretend with her. As much as Don would like to pursue something sexual with Terry he didn't want to ruin that friendship.
It was just nice having her back in his life.

Don's desk phone rang and he lazily reached back to pick up the receiver nearly knocking off a stack of files in the process. He hastily grabbed for them as he spoke.

"Eppes."

"This is Detective Paul Wyatt of the LAPD. I need you to come to down to CalSci campus."

One word echoed through Don's thoughts as he stood.
Charlie….

"What's this about?"Don inquired struggling to control his imagination which was coming up with different ways his brother could be in trouble.

"There's a situation involving your brother, Charles Eppes that I'd rather not get into over the phone."

"On my way."Don replied as he hung up the phone.

Terry came back in just as Don was leaving. "Where are you going? We still have hours of prep ahead of us."

Eppes shook his head as he grabbed Terry's arm. "LAPD just called. Something's going down at CalSci."

"Charlie?"

Don nodded. "They wouldn't go into details. Let's go."

Terry had offered to drive but Don had quickly nixed the idea. Lake assumed he needed the distraction of the traffic to keep his mind off his brother.
As they maneuvered the familiar mess of Los Angeles traffic Terry watched her friend. Don's handsome face was pale, his mouth set in a grim line. His hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles were white.

Reaching over Terry placed a gentle hand on Don's right arm. She hated to see him upset and hoped that whatever trouble Charlie had gotten himself into it would be resolved quickly and without incident.
Though with the Eppes brothers track record with danger Terry knew the odds weren't in their favor.

Reaching the main parking lot of the CalSci campus Don's heart clenched. It was a sea of crime scene tape, squad cars, fire trucks and ambulances.
Firemen were hosing down a burnt vehicle at the far north end of the lot.
As the scene sank in Don remembered a nightmare he'd had a few months earlier.
A dream that had caused him to wake up shaking and in a cold sweat.
In it Charlie had been killed in a car bomb.
Don's tortured gaze went back to the burned out car.
Small possibly the same size as Charlie's Prius.
Icy fear snaked its way up Don's spine.
No…..Dear God….no.

Not bothering to switch the engine off Don threw the SUV in park and opened the door. He vaulted from the car cell phone pressed to one ear.
Don barely registered David and Colby pulling up behind them in an identical black SUV.
The only thing that mattered to Don was finding his brother.
His nightmare could not be coming true.