Disclaimer: Well, finally, huh? The end is near, so this is the last time I'll have to say this, but…don't own any part of Numb3rs or any of the characters. OC's remain mine. Let's finish this.

ONE WEEK AFTER THE COTTAGE…

Tie game, seven all. The situation looked serious for Don Eppes and his FBI agents. They were pitted against a team of federal prosecutors, and the lawyers had gotten lucky, knotting it up in the top of the seventh. Two on, two out. Ordinarily, that wouldn't have been a source of worry for Don, player-manager of the team. The agents could expect a squib grounder to second or third, and a quick easy out.

Not so this time. Batter at the plate was Kerri Walton. To Don's dismay and Colby Granger's well concealed pride, Kerri bore responsibility for three of the legal eagle's seven runs all by her own self. Her petite, shapely frame hid a deadly accurate sense of timing when it came to connecting with a softball. Walton had one homer with a runner on, and her third RBI came as the result of a fifth inning double. Not only that, Don knew the FBI's pitcher was tired.

Should have taken him out last inning, but the team was shorthanded. Both his relief pitchers were pulled away on a case at the last minute. Bob Jennings would just have to hang in there and get that one last out. He saw Jennings peer in for the sign, nod and begin the pitch.

Inhabiting his usual second base, Colby easily kept his eye on the batter. Ready in a fielder's crouch, he blew a kiss to Kerri. As planned, she was distracted enough to be staring at him and not the ball. She colored as it whizzed by.

"Strike one!" the home plate umpire bawled. Kerri threw a frown in Colby's direction. He grinned.

Two more strikes, Don thought. Just a couple more, Bob. Come on, you can do it. The pitcher shook off the sign, nodded at the second. First came the wind up, then the pitch…

WHACK!!! Don winced at the all too familiar sound. He didn't even have to look. The ball sailed over Granger's head well into center field. Even with Nikki Bentancourt's commendable hustle, first one then a second run crossed the plate. The next batter produced the squibby grounder, but the damage was done.

Running into the dugout from first base , preparing for their turn at bat, David sought out Colby. "Would you please stop doing that?!"

"Stop doing what?" Colby replied, doing his best to look innocent.

"Blowing kisses at her when she comes up to bat. Every time you do that she gets another hit! Your love jones is killing us! Knock it off!"

Colby busted out laughing.

Don should have been first up, but had to call time as he got a call. He answered, and after a few minutes of muffled conversation motioned to Colby.

"Work?" Granger asked his boss.

"Not exactly" Don replied, "but work related, and you're not going to like it. Neither is Kerri."

"What is it" Colby asked him cautiously.

"Jackson Lucern. Federal lockup's disagreeing with him. He's looking to play let's make a deal, and I think Roger Kendall's going to accommodate him. The man has to do something to repair his public image. Make up for all the brown nosing he did before the Lucern's and Sahar were busted.

"Deal?! Deal how? And with what?! What could he possibly have that he thinks will get him out from under the kind of charges he's up against?!" Colby became aware he was shouting. "Sorry, Don, I…" he ran out of words and took it out on his glove, hurling it into a corner of the dugout.

Robin Brooks came running over from the opposing team's dugout. "Are we still playing or not, Eppes?" she prodded jokingly. Seeing the disgusted look on Don's face and Colby's alight with anger, her gin faded fast.

"What?" Don told her. David came close to listen, and Robin waited until Kerri could be included in the conversation. Don explained more fully.

"Jack Lucern has been hiding an ace up his sleeve. Seems that, uh, the Taliban and Al Qaeda weren't Sahar's only customers for those little nasties Dr. Gerrard whipped up. Lucern claims there are others, and he knows who they are. He wants to deal the id's for reduced charges, maybe a lighter sentence, who knows. Thing is…" he looked at Colby, "he says he'll only talk to you. He specifically requested, no, demanded you."

"Why me?" Colby queried, still furious.

"Who knows why this character does anything, Colby. But those are his 'conditions.' He turned to Robin. "Why don't we just call this one. You guys win."

Brooks indicated her agreement and went to give her team the news.

Colby went to Kerri, pale and disbelieving at the news.

"Don't worry. No way is he walking away from what he did." He tried to reassure her.

"This is like some kind of bizarre nightmare that I can't wake up from." Weariness made her take a seat on the dugout bench. She knew full well why Jackson Lucern insisted he would speak only to Colby Granger. Jack planned to tell Colby what she herself should have told the man she loved weeks ago. She couldn't live like this any longer, with the knowledge of it hovering in the corners of her life like some kind of malevolent shadow. Colby needed to know, he deserved to know. Not from Jack, but from her.

"You and I need to talk. Before you go see Jack. It's important" She could see the worried bafflement in his eyes.

"Ok, let's talk. Whatever it is, you know you can tell me." Colby felt the need to shield her. That demon was back.

"Not here. Can you meet me at my place in about an hour?" She gave him a tremulous smile.

"Yes, of course. I'll be there. Kerri, I promise, whatever it is, I'm not going anywhere. What kind of knight in shining armor would I be if I ran away at the first sign of trouble, huh?" He kissed her. "One hour."

They temporarily went their separate ways.

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The hollow clamor of the federal detention center filled Jackson Lucern's days and nights. It's constant, irritating buzz permeated the walls, floors and ceiling of the place. Housed in 'protective segregation' Jack found the ceaseless babble annoying. In fact, one of the most annoying aspects of his present circumstances.

No chance of a second bail hearing. A double count each of kidnapping and aggravated assault, one of attempted murder, and criminal confinement, all being committed when he was already out on bail… "Charlie Mason'll get bail before I will" Jack snorted bitterly. Nope, this was home for the foreseeable future, no matter how good his 'dream team' proved to be, or how good a deal he could wring out of that slug Kendall.

And why? Because of Walton and Granger, panting and slobbering all over each other like mongrels in rut. He still didn't get it. Why would she choose anyone else when she could have had him? I could've given her everything she could ever want, Jack simmered, and the only payment would've been her body for as long as I desired. A cheap enough commodity, so why would the little slut value it so much? He shook his head uncomprehendingly.

It made no difference now, at least not right now. She'd had her chance. Jacks' agenda for tonight had only one item on it. His upcoming conversation with FBI Special Agent Colby Granger. Jack looked out of the narrow window of his cell, anticipating the exchange highly. Kerri Walton would regret spurning him. After my little chat with Granger, a lot of people are going to regret not treating me with more respect.

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Kerri paced the floor of her apartment, chills overtaking her although the early evening temperature hovered in the high seventies. Splashing cold water on her face from the bathroom sink, she stared at her reflection in the mirror.

Great. Eyes red-rimmed from weeping. Face blotchy, nose running. If this kept up, she might not have to tell Colby anything. He'd take one look at her and bolt for the hills. But she couldn't stop the tears. She loved him, and, though he'd not spoken the words, she was pretty sure he felt the same way about her. She'd never hear those words now. Not once they talked. At the ballpark, Colby'd sworn nothing could ever make him leave her, but he was wrong. A knock on the door made her jump.

"Kerri? It's me honey." Colby. She went to answer it, feeling as if her life were ending.

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The other thing that bothered Jack the most about being locked up was the complete lack of privacy. As a 'special risk' prisoner, his cell was continually monitored. The camera mounted in one corner, protected by a clear laminate casing covered every inch of his abbreviated space. He couldn't even relive himself without an audience, he reflected morosely. In addition to that, the guards did frequent visual checks, allegedly for his benefit. "Suicide watch" they maintained. Sure, right. He'd taken to ignoring them, refusing to look up whenever they showed, peering in as if expecting to find him gone. Stupid, Jack jeered silently. Where do they think I'm gonna go? He checked the digital clock built into the wall. Almost time for another meddlesome intrusion by his keepers. Parking himself on his bunk, he picked up a magazine he'd already read three times. They could treat him like a zoo exhibit, he couldn't stop it, but he would not give them the satisfaction of letting them know how much it irritated him. Right on cue, he heard approaching footsteps. He put his head down and pretended to read. The steps slowed, then halted in front of his door. Jackson's calculated indifference went away as the door unexpectedly opened. None of his lawyers were scheduled for a visit, and they would have called first anyway. Raising his head to see who it was, at first he was pleased, thinking the visitor meant freedom. Then he saw the eyes. That's when he understood that his freedom would take a much different form than he'd hoped for.

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"Kerri!" Colby's concern increased upon seeing the signs of her upset. "Baby what is it? Please tell me what's wrong! Please let me help. When I told you earlier that there's nothing you could tell me that will scare me away, I meant that. Look, maybe there's something I should tell you first." He gently shushed her attempts to speak. "I should've said something a long time ago. Guess I've just been working up the nerve, but Kerri, I love you. I'm in love with you. I've known for a long time, and I want you to know, too." He folded her, weakly resisting, into his arms. "I'll have you to understand, Ms. Walton, that when we Granger men fall in love, we don't do it half way. I'm all in. That means you're stuck with me. Me Tarzan, you Jane."

Instead of helping, his pronouncement of love seemed to make things worse. Pulling away, she started to cry again. He tried to comfort her but she shook him off. "Please, please don't. I love you too, so much. I really need to tell you this and I won't be able to say it if I'm that close to you." She couldn't put it off anymore. This was it. She started to utter the words she'd always hoped in her heart she would never have to say.

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Paying up graciously as the captain of the losing team, Don Eppes wound his way thru the tightly grouped tables of the Foamin' Fool, a tall glass of beer in each hand. Buying a round for Robin's team was getting off light. At least for now. Rock solid certain the lovely Ms. Brooks would give him no end of grief about the game, Don figured if he played his cards right, maybe he could salvage something besides a ribbing out of the evening.

"Um, little slow coming back with my victorious refreshment aren't you, Agent Eppes? But then, you and your guys have been a little slow since this afternoon. Slow in the field, slow at the plate." Her best Cheshire cat smile waited on him. He saw Sinclair wince in sympathy and shrugged. She was just getting started.

"Just drink, huh. You haven't by any chance ever heard of being a gracious winner?"

Batting her eyes outrageously, Robin simpered, "Aw, does the big strong FBI agent need a hug?"

"Look, woman…" Don began. His never turned off phone sounded.

Robin gloated. "Saved by the bell!"

Finger in one ear to block out the noise of the bar, Don flipped the phone open. "Don Eppes. Yes, that's right."

The others could only hear Don's end of the conversation but they could all see the effect it had on him.

"What!!!? How long ago!?... What happened!?... I thought he was being constantly monitored!... No, you know what, just keep the area clear! Get everybody out of there! We're on the way!" Ending the call, Don tossed the phone onto the table, too angry even to curse.

"Don, what happened?" Robin asked. David, Nikki were listening too.

"Guards at the MDC found Jackson Lucern dead in his cell about twenty minutes ago. They have no idea what happened."

"He was on twenty four hour watch, constant monitoring!" David exploded.

"Yeah, I know" Don said. "Come on, let's go. Call Colby. Have him meet us there. Sorry, honey" he apologized to Robin.

"Sorry, nothing. I'm going with." Brooks and the rest of her fellow ADA's trailed Don's team.

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Driving away from the Metropolitan Detention Center, Clarence kept one hand on the wheel as he began unbuttoning the shirt of his purloined guard's uniform. His new employers didn't much care for the idea of Lucern having a confab with the Bureau. They would be pleased with the results of tonight's work. He certainly was. The world was a better place without Jack Lucern in it. Some days, he reflected, his job did have its perks. He sighed. Time to become someone else, again. Too bad. Although it was many identities removed from the name he was born with, in a lot of ways, he'd miss being Clarence.

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Five miles away, Kerri Walton's phone rang. It went unanswered.

Unable to watch his face while she told him, Kerri went to stand in front of a large casement window overlooking the street.

"You remember me telling you about my parents, right?" she asked.

"Of course I do. Your mom's the retired school teacher and your dad's the retired cop. I'm still sorry our trip to see 'em got aced out by you and Robin getting sent to Denver. At least I think I am." Colby's attempt to lighten the mood didn't work. He could tell from her body language that Kerri was still very distressed.

"When I told you about my folks, I kind of left something out. Something you have to know. Something I should have told you long before now. Resting her head on the pane of glass, she continued. "Steven Walton, my, my dad, he…he's actually my stepdad. Don't misunderstand me. He's the best father in the world. He treats my mother like a queen, and he's always loved me like I was his. He's a fine man, a good man. I'm very proud and happy to be his daughter. He married my mother and adopted me when I was two. My…my, my biological father was a man my mother met when she was a freshman in college. He was charming, good looking. She was a small town girl. He swept off her feet. A true whirlwind romance. At first, she said he seemed like the perfect guy. But then, after a few months, things started to change. He got…possessive, aggressively so. He started following her, showing up in her classes. Trying to control who she could see, spend time with. What she wore, even what she ate. He started to really frighten her, so she tried to distance herself from him. She broke off their relationship. He didn't take it well. She finally had to literally run way from him. Quit school, practically go underground. She never told him she was pregnant with me. My birth certificates says 'father unknown'. She was so relieved when he never found her" Kerri took a long, shuddering breath.

"I've known Steven Walton was my stepdad since I was a very little girl, but it never made any difference to either of us. I mean, you should meet him, Colby. He's the greatest. There's nothing he wouldn't do for me. Not once did I give any thought to looking for my biological father. I wasn't curious about him at all. Then, when I was eighteen, my senior class went on a trip. I was so excited. I was so naive. I never saw it coming. He was working at one of the places we toured. Apparently, at eighteen, I looked exactly like my mom did at that age. He knew who I was right away. Eventually, he made contact. He also made sure to tell me to keep it from my mother. Said she wouldn't understand, that she would try to keep us from getting to know each other and that we, he and I deserved to have a relationship. I was so stupid. Such a teenager. I told myself I was eighteen. A woman now, so I could make my own decisions, right?" Kerri's voice was soft, choked with regret.

"Over the next few months, he called or wrote. After I went off to college, that made it easier to keep it from my parents. At first, I thought it was great. It felt like I had this tremendously exciting secret. He made it seem like the two of us against the world, you know?" She huffed bitterly. "That didn't last. He started showing up around campus, outside the buildings where I had my classes, when I was out with my friends, even watching my dorm. Then I started getting these notes, suggesting what I should wear, that maybe some of my friends were people I shouldn't be spending time with. I guess the breaking point came when I found out my phone was bugged. I asked him point blank if he was responsible, and he actually admitted to my face that he was. After that I told him to stay away from me. That I didn't want to see or talk to him again. I knew my mother was right about him. I threatened to go to the police, the courts. He backed off. Left me alone. I don't think he wanted any part of being investigated by the authorites. I got the impression his life couldn't take the scrutiny. A few years later I found out why." She stopped, giving Colby an inscrutable look.

"It was all over the news, for weeks, filled with lots of ugly words like espionage and treason. I cringed every time I saw his face on the TV or in the newspapers. And held my breath that no one would ever make the connection. My god, Colby, the damage he did, to so many people, to...to you." This time her eyes were filled with a peculiar type of muted pain.

Colby straightened, a numbness gripping him as the significance of what she was saying became clear.

"His name was Lancer, Colby. Mason Lancer"

THE END

Author's note: So that's the big tada. Where do Colby and Kerri go from here? Haven't decided yet. Think I'll take a little writing time off and think about it. Later, gators.