Disclaimer: I don't own anything Numb3rs, it's all property of CBS and whatnot, so don't sue.

Call of Duty 2: Back In Action

Chapter 1: A Regular Morning for a Secret Agent Man

Life for someone like me is a constant battle to keep the two halves from ever colliding with each other. They almost did on several different occassions, each time I managed to weave a few lies and half truths here and there to mask the real story. I know that my brother Don's suspicions have already been aroused, I will have to be more careful from now on. The sad thing is, trouble seems to follow me everywhere. I would love nothing more than to be able to stop putting up the facade that I've had since I was nineteen. I know that that's out of the question. It is so hard to live a life like mine, but I've learned to deal and find solace in knowing that even though I've ended countless lives with a swing of my sword or a bullet from my gun, I've kept countless more lives safe from the greater evils of this world. I will protect all that I love with every fiber of my being. I only hope that's enough.

Inner monologue of Charlie Eppes Codename: " Ghost"

The sun peaked over the horizon, bringing with it a new day over Pasedena. Alan Eppes awoke from a restful night's sleep. The Eldest Epped stretched before he got up and left the room to get to the bathroom. He was about to walk into his intended destination when the room at the very end of the hall caught his eye.

" I know I'm being a father hen." Thought Alan as he turned and headed for said room. He gently eased the wooden door open and spied the occupant inside.

Alan felt a small surge of relief and warmth spread across his chest when his gaze fell of his still sleeping son. Charlie, looked serene as he sleep, the soft light of the new morning dancing across a youthful face, making him appear even more young. With a small sigh, Alan eased the door shut and left his son to his slumber, it was Saturday.

When the door shut with a click, a pair of deep brown eyes slowly opened. A sigh escaped Charlie, he'd been feigning sleep when his father had once again checked to see that he was still there. Charlie felt a small pang of guilt, his father was still on edge, a full yearsince he'd come back from Zermatt. Charlie glanced at his bedside alarm clock, it was seven o'clock. Today, he was secretly going to a shooting range a buddy of his ran, he planned on keeping up his already razor sharp accuracy with a gun.

Charlie settled back into his pillow, another hour of sleep wouldn't hurt.

When Charlie woke up, it was quarter past eight. With a leasurely stretch, Charlie dissentangled himself from the sheets and headed for the bathroom to take care ofthe usual morning necessities. Twenty minutes later he was dressed and ready for the day and some of his father's excellent cooking.

" Morning Pop." Said Charlie with a grin as he bound into the dinning room.

" Morning son." Said Alan with a happy smile of his own, glad to see his son in a good mood this morning. The eldest Eppes set down the two plates of food he'd prepared.

Father and son set about eating and talking, enjoying the sunny morning.

" So Charlie, what are your plans for the day?" Asked Alan as he munched on some toast.

" Oh nothing much, plan on catching up with a buddy of mine later." Said Charlie as he finished his coffee and got up and headed into the solarium to finish grading papers.

An hour later he was headed out the door, with Alan trying desperately to mask his anxiety. Charlie felt another pang of guilt as he put on his jacket over the simple red and brown T-shirt and well-worn blue jeans he had on. He grabbed his car keys and with a reassuring smile to his father walked out of the house.

He pulled out of the driveway and speed off, eager to do his secret thing.

The roads were relatively uncrowded, Charlie pulled out of the highway and headed into the sunny hills, where Ralphy's shooting range was located at the base of a valley.

Charlie turned a corner and saw said building at the end of the road. He was hoping no one from the FBI was here, local Law enforcement were the real regulars at this range.

Charlie eased his car into a parking spot and killed the engine. He got out and headed up the stairs to the place where the real action was. When he reached the top, a man in his late thirties was waiting for him, Ralphy Johanssen, tall and well built with his longdred locks pulled back into a pinytail. When there gazes met, a wide happy grin spread across the african american's face.

" Charlie Eppes, where the hell have you been all my life?" Said Ralphy as he bound forward and enveloped Charlie into a big bear hug, which Charlie returned feebly as his feet dangled off the floor.

" What can I say man, I'vebeen busy. Now please put me down." Chuckled Charlie. Ralphy let go and Charlie found his feet firmly on the ground once more.

" You got my favorite noise makers?" Asked Charlie with a slightly predatory grin.

" Follow me." Said Ralphy with a knowing smile. The two men walked side by side past several people already shooting at their paper targets.

They came to stop at the very last booth, there waiting for charlie were two very powerful looking handguns.

" Fire away Math Geek." Smirked Ralphy.

" Shut up Ziggy Marley." Said Charlie with a grin as he watched Ralphy leave. He thenreached for the protective headphones and placed them over his ears. He clipped a paper target to the clip and then pressed the button, watching the paper glid backwards, seeming to diminish in size until it was a miniscule version of itself.

With a small sigh, Charlie picked up one of the guns, holding it in his calloused and well experienced hands. The feeling of holding a gun in his hand was something Charlie had gotten used to well before the sniper case and Edgerton. A smile formed on his face when he'd actually met Edgerton one final time before he'd left for Quantico. He still remembered the look of awed respect from the seasoned sniper's face when Charlie had actually beaten him at taking out three moving targets in under twenty seconds. Charlie had gained another friend that day.

With a steadying breath, Charlie extended his arms, his left hand supporting his right, he took aim and fired.

BANG... BANG... BANG...