Disclaimer: -clears throat- I do not own Numb3rs or the characters in the show. I do not make any money off this story.
Thank you.
A/N: SEQUEL! -dances- Such fun! People wanted more of this story! I'm so happy!
Also, I might not update at least once a day like the previous story.
It was cold. It was really cold. Charlie shook his head, nope. Nothing in there. Switch. Still cold, but it wasn't as cold. Hm. Maybe? Charlie heard a grumbling noise and sighed, "I know! I know! Will you just shut up already?"
To the onlooker, Charlie would look crazy. Talking to himself and all, but in truth, he was. Not that long ago he was committed too.
But at the moment, Charlie was not thinking about his mental illness. He was trying to get the leftovers in the fridge. Great, Charlie thought, The leftovers I want is in the back. I've gotta move stuff. He sighed and started moving some of the things in the fridge as his stomach growled again. "Yes!" Charlie yelled triumphantly as he grabbed the container that he wanted. He put everything back in the fridge to look as they did before and went to put the food in the microwave.
Charlie sighed again. "Erg. I wish dad was here to fix me something really good to eat." He moved forward as the microwave beeped, telling him that his food was heated up. Charlie was smart, and remembered to get something for his hand because glass coming out of the microwave is hot, he didn't want a repeat of the night before when he had burned his hand.
Charlie put his plate on the table and was about to sit down when he realized that he forgot a drink. He rolled his eyes and made his way back to the fridge. He stuck his head in and looked around. He knew the type of drinks he could and couldn't have. Alcohol is a no-no. Caffeine is a no-no. Charlie shrugged. Milk or juice? Which went with left over box macaroni and cheese? Charlie nodded, making his decision. Milk.
Charlie heard a noise and he jumped, not expecting it, hitting his head on one of the shelves in the fridge.
He grabbed the milk and turned around. "Hey, Don."
Don nodded. "Charlie."
"What's up?" Charlie was temped to just take the milk carton with him. It was almost empty. He would be emptying it all in a glass. He shrugged. Might as well just drink from the carton. He started walking to the table, where his probably already cold macaroni awaited him.
"Oh, You know." Don started, grabbing a beer from the fridge when Charlie was out of the way, "Just checking up on you." Don paused, "And what are you up too?"
"Eating." Charlie said, indicating his plate of food. He poked it with his fork. "Though I think the food is no longer in a condition to be ate."
"Why's that?" Don asked, taking a swig of his beer.
"Because," Charlie started, poking the macaroni again, "This food is about two weeks old, and I've reheated some of this up last night and I must say that I was up early this morning in the bathroom."
Don chuckled, "Yeah. I know. I heard you."
"I woke you?" Charlie asked, bemused.
Don nodded, "Did not sound pretty. I was glad that I had pizza at the office." He watched Charlie poke the food again, "Don't eat that buddy." He paused as he heard Charlie's stomach growl in frustration. "I'll take you out. Chinese?"
Charlie quickly drank the carton of milk before answering, "Sure. Sounds great." Charlie threw the food away and followed his brother to his SUV. Once inside, Charlie asked the question that Don had been waiting for. "Don, how'd the case go?"
Don smiled slightly. "Well, I'm not going to jail."
"That's good."
Don laughed, "Yes, it is."
Charlie waited till they where out of the driveway, "So ..."
Don shook his head happily, "Well, I get one week off work without pay, and then I have to spend a month on desk duty."
Charlie nodded, glad that was it. That was all of it, right? "Anything else?"
Don sighed unhappily, "I've got to go to an anger management program." He mumbled under his breath.
Charlie smiled, chucking to himself. "I bet your angry about that."
"You bet your ass I am." Don couldn't but help laugh at his words. "But I'm glad with how the case turned out. It could have gone a lot worse."
Charlie nodded. He was glad that his brother was off the hook. "So, this is more than just feeding me. It's a celebration for winning the assault case."
Don nodded, "Oh, also I have to stay at least 100 feet away from one Ex-Doctor Ben Tirry."
Charlie raised his eyebrow, "So, they took his license to practice?"
"Yep." Don said. After a length he started speaking again, "How's dad? He did call today right?"
"Of course dad called. He calls everyday. He wanted to talk to you." Charlie said.
"Why didn't he call my cell?"
"It's dead." Charlie answered.
Don thought about this. He hadn't gotten a call in a while. "Hope no one needs me at the office then." He looked at Charlie, "So, how's dad?"
"He's doing great. and Aunt Ida says hi." Charlie said simply.
"What'd you two talk about?"
"The usual. Did I eat? Did I sleep? Is Don watching over me? Is Don staying the night like he promised? Did I take my medicine? How am I handling my first week away from my dad since coming home? Did I-"
"I get it." Don said, irritated a bit. "He's being his usual worrying self. But all of those questions where about you? He ask about me?"
"Other than the questions about me that concerned you?" Charlie asked, grinning, "Course he did. Is Don eating? Is Don sleeping? How's the court case going. Why won't his cell work?" Charlie stopped there, knowing that was enough for his brother.
Don nodded. "What'd you do today?"
Charlie rolled his eyes. He had to tell this to at least three people a day. It was really irritating. "I taught my classes. Helped students. Went home. Talked with Dad on the phone. And being as today is Friday, talked to Dr. Roland in person not over phone. Worked. Then I tried to fix me something to eat."
"And that's where I came in." Don said, pulling into a parking space. He knew that Charlie hated it when he asked his brother about his day. But Don had to make sure that Charlie was still okay. He did not want to see his brother like he was earlier in the year. It had broken his heart, learning that his brother was mentally ill with a disease that the person had to live with for their whole life. "You already know the high point of my day."
Charlie grinned as they where getting in their seats in the restaurant, "Yeah. And it's great to know." They ordered and Charlie continued the conversation, "How's Nancy? I mean, I know that you guys would often spend the night together," Charlie winked at his brother who chuckled back, "But being as you've been staying the night at my house every night to watch me," Charlie sighed, sad but true, "I'm sure you two haven't been able to see each other as much. Just wondering how she's taking it."
Don smiled, "Don't worry Charlie, she won't dump me because I have to watch my little brother. She understands. In fact she showed up in court today and we had lunch together." Don took a drink of his beer, "And how is Matt doing? I don't see him much anymore."
Charlie raised an eyebrow, as if he knew a big secret, "Did you know that Matt asked Ellen out?"
Don blinked at his brother, "Who's Ellen?"
Charlie smiled, "She's a student of mine."
"Oh." Don said, pausing, "No, I didn't know that Matt asked Ellen out."
It was quiet again. They thanked the waitress when their food came. Charlie stared down at his food and big smile spread across his lips. "Guess what happened today."
Don looked up, "Uh. I don't know."
"Guess."
"Give me a clue." Don protested.
Charlie shrugged, "Sure. It has to do with Larry and Megan."
Don almost choked on his food.
"You okay, Don?" Charlie asked.
Don nodded, "Just didn't expect it to be about them." He paused, "Alright, I'll guess. Uh. They went on a date?"
Charlie shrugged, "Sorta. I mean, the three of us when to lunch together. But what happened was Megan got Larry to-"
"More Green Tea, Sir?" The waitress asked Charlie.
"No thank you." Charlie said politely.
After the waitress left, Don was anxious, "So, What did Megan get Larry to do?"
"Megan got Larry to eat food with color."
Don blinked. Again, not what he was expecting. "Wow. He ate food with color for Megan."
Charlie nodded, taking another bite of his food, "It's really very extraordinary for him to do that, you know."
Don nodded, "Yeah. I've only ever seen him eat something that was white." Don paused, "So what did he eat?"
Charlie sighed. "It wasn't that big. She got him to try her salad." He paused, "It had no white on it at all."
"She didn't have any salad dressing, like ranch?" Don asked.
Charlie shook his head, "She had that like, western or Italian dressing, where it was colored. No ranch."
Don chewed his food thoughtfully. Everyone seemed to be going out with someone, except Charlie. Don and Nancy. Larry and Megan. Matt and Ellen. He knew that Amita was seeing someone at Harvard. His dad was seeing someone. David was seeing the woman who worked at the morgue. Don even thought Colby was acting happier than usual - probably had a girlfriend. He sighed and looked at his brother sadly.
Charlie noticed Don looked at him in pity. Charlie hated that look. He got it a lot. "What?" Charlie asked, annoyed.
"N-Nothing." Don said, was he that transparent? Did Charlie notice his pity. He sighed. Of course Charlie noticed it. His body language shouted that he was annoyed with how Don had looked at him. Don sighed. "Ready to go home?"
Charlie looked at his empty plate, then he answered Don, unattached, "Sure."
Don and Charlie both yawned. "That was a great game." Don said, turning off the TV.
Charlie nodded. "Yep. Hockey is always great to watch."
Don got up, "Come on, buddy. Let's give you your medicine then we go to bed."
Charlie followed suit and got up as well, yawning again. "Alright." He followed Don to the kitchen and took his medicine like a good boy.
Don patted Charlie on the back, "To bed."
"To bed." Charlie agreed.
They made their way up the stairs silently.
"G'night, Don."
"Good night, Buddy."
Charlie walked into his room and closed the door behind him. He didn't bother turning on his light. He amazingly made it to his bed through the mess. He laid down on his bed with a sigh.
He was almost asleep. But when he heard noises in his room, he opened his eyes quickly. He gasp in horror as he felt a pinch in his neck. He could feel something running through his system. He tried to get up and call for help but the man had put his hand over Charlie's mouth, making his cries inaudible. Charlie could barely see, it was getting all blurry. His body was going numb, but he still tried to fight the man. It felt too much like the muscle relaxant that he had been given before his ECT sessions. He glared up at the attacker before everything went black.