numb3rsflashfic | The Last Thing They Expected by dollydani (Challenge #1 'Last')

This may seem pretty familiar to anyone who read the original draft that was up briefly a couple days ago. Well, one scene in particular was bugging me, so I went in and reworked the story a little. The premise is the same, just with a few differences. I apologize for any confusion the switch may have caused.

Title: The Last Thing They Expected
Pairing/Characters: Charles Eppes/Colby Granger
Rating/Category: PG-13
Word Count: 4,471
Spoilers: Calculated Risk
Summary: Things don’t go quite as Charlie and Colby planned
Notes/Warnings: I had hoped that I’d be able to write these two without angst, but the plot bunnies said otherwise. *sigh* Don’t you just hate it when they do that? Future!fic (takes place 7 months after ‘Calculated Risk’). I hope I don’t turn off too many readers by introducing an OFC. I don’t know where exactly CalSci is located, so I made my own assumptions. Cuca’s is an actual restaurant near my home in Southern California and they really do have the best Mexican food I’ve ever tasted. Written for Challenge #1 ‘Last’.

The Last Thing They Expected

They weren't supposed to find out this way. The plan was for Charlie and Colby to have a nice, quiet dinner with Don and Alan and then discuss it over drinks afterwards. In fact, it was the last thing they expected that revealed their relationship to David.

What Charlie and Colby didn't count on was a trigger-happy suspect.

Colby didn't even remember what the case was about, just that he and David had gone to the suspect's house to bring him in questioning. David hadn't even knocked yet, when gunfire sounded from the other side of the door. Colby remembered bullets plowing through the wooden door, one catching him in the shoulder before he could dive for cover. He remembered David yelling and their backup officers running toward them with their guns drawn, but everything else was lost in a haze of pain.

The next thing he remembered was a paramedic hovering over him, trying to ask him questions. He could faintly hear David answering for him. He remembered crying out in pain when the stretcher accidentally bumped the floor of the ambulance as it was loaded. He also remembered whispering a name just before the darkness claimed him. "Charlie."

3*8*1*18*2*25

Don paced the waiting room, his cell phone clutched in one hand, his brow furrowed with worry. Every few seconds his eyes fell on the clock, waiting for when he knew for sure that Charlie would be out of class and in his office.

He passed David and Megan on every trip from one end of the room to the other. David's white dress shirt was stained red with blood 'Colby's blood. God.' and Megan's lips were pressed tight together in worry.

Whenever someone passed the waiting room doors, Don looked over, hoping to see a doctor or Dad or just about anyone who could give him good news to give his brother when he called.

1:15 and Don called Charlie's cell. It rang twice before Charlie answered.

/"Don? What's up?"/ Charlie asked and Don could tell that Charlie was worried.

Don breathed deeply for a moment, steeling himself. "Charlie," he finally managed but stopped, trying to figure out how to tell his brother that his lover was fighting for his life.

/"Don, you're worrying me. What's going on?"/ Now Don knew for sure that Charlie was worried, he could practically hear Charlie frowning.

"It's Colby, buddy." Don said his voice just above a whisper.

Stunned silence for a moment, then, /"Oh god. Where are you?"/

"Cedars." Don answered.

/"I'm on my way."/ Charlie said and then hung up.

Don closed his phone with a sigh.

"Don?" Don whirled around to face Alan.

"Hey, Dad." He said wearily.

"You call Charlie?" Alan asked.

"Yeah, he's on his way." Don said, his voice strained as he sank onto one of the couches scattered throughout the room. "That had to be the hardest call I've ever had to make." He confessed as he ran both hands through his hair.

Alan reached out and squeezed Don's shoulder. "What have you heard?"

Don shook his head. "Not much, he's in surgery last I heard."

Alan nodded and sat down next to Don. "So we're playing the Waiting Game, then?"

Don nodded. "Yeah."

3*8*1*18*2*25

Charlie fairly ran into the waiting room. He paused on the threshold, his eyes flitting over its occupants before locking on Don. He strode across the room, his eyes fairly begging Don to tell him this was a joke.

But, the sympathy on his face told Charlie better than words that this was real. Colby was hurt. "Wh-what happened?" Charlie whispered.

Don looked over Charlie's shoulder to David. Charlie turned to look at David, his eyes immediately going to his stained shirtsleeves.

David cleared his throat before speaking. "We went to bring a suspect in for questioning on a case, the suspect opened fire before we could even knock on the door. Colby got hit in the shoulder and went down."

"Will he be okay?" Charlie asked, his eyes still focused on David's shirt.

"I-" Don started but was interrupted by David.

"I think he will, Charlie." David told him. Charlie's eyes met David's questioningly. "You know the last thing he said before he passed out?" Charlie shook his head mutely. "He said your name, Charlie."

It hit Charlie then, just what David was saying and his eyes widened in surprise. He looked around at Megan, Don, and Alan and saw the knowledge and understanding in their eyes. They all knew, and, to all appearances, didn't mind. Charlie ducked his head to hide the tears that suddenly sprang into his eyes. "Stupid allergies." He muttered as he wiped his hand across his eyes. The others in the room just smiled.

A tense, waiting silence descended upon the room as the five occupants settled in to wait for any news.

3*8*1*18*2*25

An hour later, the silence was broken by a soft, hesitant voice. "Charlie?"

Charlie's head popped up in surprise and he turned to the woman standing in the doorway. "Cass!" He said as he stood and crossed to the woman. "What're you doing here?" He asked her.

"The hospital called me, I'm listed as next-of-kin. I came as soon as I got word that Colby was hurt." 'Cass' explained, her green eyes darting over Charlie's shoulder to take in the people ranged around the room. "Have you heard anything?"

Charlie shook his head. "Not since I've been here."

Cass' face turned grim and she looked over her shoulder towards the nurses' station. "I'll be right back."

Charlie watched as Cass strode purposefully towards the nurse manning the desk and spoke to her for a few moments. When the nurse turned to check the computer, Charlie saw Cass sigh and say something that made the nurse turn around with a chagrined expression. Charlie smiled slightly and wondered whether Cass ever got tired of seeing that look. The nurse spoke again then Cass nodded and walked back to where Charlie waited. "What'd they say?" Charlie asked softly.

"He's still in surgery, but they're optimistic." Cass replied. She stared at Charlie for a few moments before reaching out and touching his shoulder. "He'll be fine, Charlie, he loves you too much to leave you." She told him softly.

Charlie nodded, his throat tight.

Cass smiled encouragingly at Charlie before taking his arm and turning him to face the others. "Come, introduce me to all these people who have shamelessly eavesdropping on us."

Charlie chuckled shakily as he looked around at the curious expressions on everyone's faces. "Everybody, this is Cassandra Granger, Colby's sister." Charlie looked at Cassandra and squeezed her arm. "Want to take a stab at putting names to faces?"

Cassandra smiled and looked closely at everyone. "It's not that hard, actually." She nodded to Don and Alan. "They're Don and Alan," She smiled when they nodded. Next, she looked at Megan. "Megan," Megan smiled and nodded, lastly, Cassandra turned to David. "And David." David waved. Cassandra turned her attention to Charlie. "Do they, ah, know about...?" She trailed off.

Charlie nodded. "Yeah, don't know how, but they do."

Cassandra chuckled softly. "Well, if you two behave the same way around them as you do around me..." She trailed off with a grin.

Alan, Don, Megan, and David all laughed as Charlie blushed and looked down.

“No,” Don replied. “They’re actually pretty discrete,” Don paused, a grin forming on his lips. “Well, they were.” Laughter filled the room once more, but stopped abruptly when a doctor appeared in the doorway.

“Miss Granger?” He asked, his kind blue eyes on Cassandra.

Cassandra turned and faced the doctor. “Yes?”

The doctor stepped forward, offering his hand. “I’m Doctor Tallis, I performed the surgery on your brother.”

Cassandra shook Dr. Tallis’ hand, a worried look appearing on her face. “How is he?”

“Quite well, actually. The bullet missed the main arteries, but it did do quite a bit of damage to the muscle, so he’ll need to go through physical therapy for a while, but he’ll soon be right as rain.” Dr. Tallis informed her.

Cassandra sighed with a relief, a smile replacing the worry. “Thank you.” She said sincerely. “When can we see him?”

“He’s being moved to Recovery as we speak, so he should be settled in about fifteen minutes.” Dr. Tallis looked around at the people in the room. “You’ll all be able to see him, but only briefly, and he’s still under the effects of the anesthesia, so he won’t be very coherent.”

Cassandra nodded her understanding.

Dr. Tallis smiled kindly and turned to leave, but turned back. “There was one thing, he kept calling for someone named ‘Charlie’.” He looked at the three younger men curiously before leaving.

Charlie cleared his throat, a slight blush staining his cheeks.

Cassandra turned to Charlie, a kind smile on her face. “Want to go first, Charlie?”

“I--, you--.” Charlie stammered in surprised.

Cassandra chuckled. “I don’t mind you going first, Charlie.” She stepped forward and hugged him. “You love him as much as I do, it’s only fair.” She whispered in his ear.

When Cassandra stepped back, Charlie looked into green eyes that reminded him so much of his lover’s eyes. “You’re sure?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I’ll stay here and get to know your family better.” She replied with a grin.

Charlie smiled and hugged Cassandra before heading for the door. He turned on the threshold and looked at Cassandra. “You sure you’ll be alright with them?”

Cassandra laughed softly. “I’ll be fine. Go to him, he needs you more right now.”

Charlie nodded and continued out the door.

3*8*1*18*2*25

Don looked over the woman who knew Charlie and Colby so intimately. Cassandra was tall, maybe an inch or two shorter than Colby, and slender with short, wavy, dark blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail and lively green eyes. He vaguely recognized her from the family photos Colby had on his desk, but in those pictures she’d been…Don didn’t want to say ‘cleaner’ but, the woman he saw before him was far different from how he had pictured her in his mind. He had pictured her as a prim and proper woman with impeccably neat clothing, but in actuality, her jeans were splattered with paint with a skull, dagger, rose, and bluebird patch on the right back pocket; her brown leather boots were scuffed and cracked from age; she wore a green long-sleeved shirt over a white tank top, and the green shirt had the sleeves pushed up and was also splattered with paint. On her left wrist she wore a wide dark leather watch and on her right, was a reddish-brown leather cuff. Don could also see a faint smudge of blue paint on her cheek.

Don was brought out of his musings as Alan stood and approached Cassandra, who had grown increasingly nervous as the silence lengthened. “Hello, there. I’m Alan.”

Cassandra smiled gratefully. “Hi. Charlie and Colby have told me so much about all of you.” She looked at Don. “Especially the incomparable Don Eppes.” She finished with a grin.

Don chuckled and shook his head. “Well, I don’t know about ‘incomparable’. But yeah, I’m Don.”

Megan stepped forward next, drawing Cassandra’s attention. “Hi, Cassandra. I--,” She paused, her brows drawing together in a frown. “There’s no polite way to ask this…” She trailed off, still frowning.

Cassandra smiled reassuringly, “That’s alright, I’m surprised it’s taken this long for someone to mention it.”

David joined the small group, confusion in his brown eyes. “Mention what?”

“I’m deaf.” Cassandra stated simply. "Well, mostly deaf." She amended.

Don, David, and Alan stared at Cassandra in stunned silence for a moment while Cassandra and Megan grinned.

David turned to Megan. “How’d you figure it out? I haven’t seen her use sign language, and she knew the doctor was there, even with her back turned.”

“Well, I noticed that Charlie made sure Cassandra was looking at him before he spoke, plus, she has hearing aids.” Megan explained.

Cassandra smiled. “Feel free to call me Cass, just about everybody does. Except Colb, he calls me Cassie.” Cassandra turned to David. “As to the sign language, I lip-read, it throws people off, but I prefer to lip-read when I’m in public. And, I saw everyone’s attention shift to the doorway, plus,” She pointed to a framed painting on the wall opposite the door. “I saw his reflection on the glass.”

Don moved closer, drawing Cassandra’s attention. “So, you’re Colby’s sister?”

Cassandra nodded. “Twin sister to be exact.”

Alan frowned slightly. “Who’s older?”

“Colby is, by about a minute.” Cassandra answered.

Alan nodded.

David spoke next. “How did you lose your hearing, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Cassandra shook her head. “No, I don’t mind. I had a very bad ear infection and high fever when I was about two-years-old. My parents were going through some difficult times, money-wise, and couldn’t afford the medicine or doctors’ bills.”

“Ah.” David said with a nod.

“Anything else you wanna know?” Cassandra asked, looking around at the people surrounding her.

“What do you do? For a living, I mean.” Megan asked.

“I’m a freelance graphic designer and painter. I also take the occasional translating job, mostly for local conferences, conventions, stuff like that.” She explained.

“Really? Where do you live?” Alan asked curiously.

“Fontana. It’s about fifty miles inland.”

David thought for a moment. “That’s where the California Speedway is, isn’t it?”

Cassandra smiled. “Yup. I haven’t been to any races, but it’s helped boost the population.” She grinned. “Of course, the vacant lots that are being turned into housing tracts help too.”

“Why don’t we sit down? If I know ‘the lovebirds’ they’ll be a while.” Don suggested with a smile, eliciting a laugh from everyone.

The small group settled on the couches and chairs. Cassandra smiled when she noticed that the others had situated themselves so she wouldn’t have to move her head too much. She had a feeling she was going to enjoy her time with them very much, but she was anxious to see her brother. She glanced down at her watch and decided she’d give Charlie another ten minutes before joining him.

3*8*1*18*2*25

Charlie walked down the hall to Colby’s room worry dogging his every step. It seemed as if, with every step he took, his worry grew even more. It was irrational, he knew, but he couldn’t help it. He and Colby had only been together for six months, so everything was still new, but there was a familiarity that had grown over those months.

He smiled as he thought back to the first time Colby had come to his office. It was during the Shay case and Colby had come by to check if Charlie’s list of viable suspects matched the list Megan had put together. Charlie had been taken aback when Colby fairly ran from the room when Charlie confirmed that Morton Standbury was on his list. Afterwards, he’d shrugged it off and gone back to work. When Colby left abruptly the next couple times he’d come by, Charlie had gotten suspicious, so, the next time Colby came, Charlie confronted him. After much ‘hemming’ and ‘hawing,’ Colby had told Charlie that he was attracted to him. Charlie had been stunned at first, having never been on the receiving end of a man’s romantic leanings. He’d told Colby that he needed some time to get used to the idea and had been surprised at how understanding Colby was about the situation.

It hadn’t taken Charlie very long to get used to the idea. In fact, a month after the Shay case was closed; Charlie and Colby were a couple, a closeted couple, but a couple nonetheless.

Charlie came back to the present to find himself standing in the doorway to Colby’s room. His worried brown eyes trailed over his lover’s form, reassuring himself that Colby was, indeed, still alive. Quietly, he slipped into the room and pulled the single chair up to Colby’s bedside. Before sitting down, Charlie leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to Colby’s forehead, relief filling him when it wasn’t feverish.

With a weary sigh, Charlie sank into the chair, his hand automatically reaching out to take Colby’s. A single tear slid down his cheek as he sat staring at Colby’s sleep-softened features. Charlie had only ever felt able to be this vulnerable when he was with Colby. When Don had been shot, Charlie had shown the anger, but not the fear and worry that it had stirred within him. But with Colby, there was no anger, only fear and worry.

As he continued to watch his lover sleep, Charlie’s thoughts drifted once more.

Their first ‘date’ had been surreal. At first they hadn’t known what to talk about, all they, ostensibly, had in common was their work with the FBI. Colby had told Charlie that he liked how Charlie used analogies when he was explaining the equations that he used. Charlie had mentioned that he’d used a basketball analogy once. And they went from there. The discovered that they had many common interests: basketball, video games, and snowboarding, to name a few. One date had turned into three dates, which became five dates. Now it was six months later, and Charlie couldn’t imagine a life without Colby in it and didn’t want to.

Charlie started at the soft knock on the room door. He looked up to see Cassandra standing in the doorway. “Hey.” He said softly.

“Hey.” She replied, equally as soft as she moved to stand across the bed from Charlie. “Did he wake up at all?”

Charlie shook his head with a soft sigh.

“He’ll get through this, Charlie.” She told him firmly.

“I know. He has to just to keep the two of us happy.” Charlie replied with smile.

Cassandra chuckled softly. “Yeah.”

Charlie looked down at his watch then cleared his throat and stood from his chair. “I have to get back to CalSci, I have a class in an hour.”

Cassandra nodded. “I understand.”

He smiled gratefully. “I’ll be back in a couple hours.”

“All right. I’ll text you if he wakes up before you get here.” Cassandra offered.

“That’d be great. Thanks.” Charlie told her. “Bye.”

“Bye, Charlie.” Cassandra said softly and watched as he left the room. She sighed softly and sat in the chair Charlie had vacated. “You better get through this, Colb. Charlie would be heartbroken if he lost you.”

3*8*1*18*2*25

Charlie wandered down the hall towards the waiting room, his thoughts a million miles away, or at least on the night before.

The Previous Evening

Charlie was seated at his desk, grading tests for his ‘Math for Dummies’ class, earbuds firmly ensconced in his ears. As he worked, he’d occasionally shake his head or chuckle over his students’ answers. One or two would have him frowning and thinking ‘where in the world did they come up with that answer?’

Between the headphones and his focus on the tests instead of his surroundings, he didn’t know someone had entered the office until a familiar pair of hands landed on his shoulders moments before equally familiar lips nuzzled his hair aside and caressed his neck. “Colby.” He moaned as the hands began to knead his shoulders, easing the tension that had gathered during the day. He felt the lips curve up in a smile as they nipped and sucked their way up to his ear and tugged the earpiece out of Charlie’s ear, before latching onto the lobe and nibbling gently.

“Missed you today.” The familiar voice whispered in his ear as the hands and lips continued their pleasurable assault on his body.

“Missed you, too.” Charlie whispered back as he reached up and removed the other earpiece. He groaned as Colby worked a particularly stubborn knot.

“Tough day?” Colby asked softly as the knot loosened and Charlie nearly went boneless in his chair.

“Yeah,” Charlie replied chuckling softly as he turned slightly to look into Colby’s soft green eyes. “Remind me never to do all my grading in one day.” He reached up and grabbed one of Colby’s hands, tugging him around so Charlie could see him properly. Colby obliged and moved to stand next to Charlie’s chair. Charlie leaned back in his chair, his eyes still locked with Colby’s. “What about you? How was your day?”

Colby shrugged, not relinquishing his hold on Charlie’s hand. “The same as usual. Stupid criminal thinks he won’t get caught after doing something illegal, we catch him anyways, stupid criminal won’t talk without his lawyer, so Don sent us home for the night.”

Charlie grinned. “So, you’re free for the rest of the night?” He glanced at the clock, 9:30 PM.

Colby grinned as well. “Yep.”

Charlie pushed his chair back and stood. “Lucky me.” He whispered just before he kissed Colby.

Present

Charlie sighed as the waiting room came into view. He and Colby had planned on having dinner with Don and his father that evening and telling them about their relationship. But, apparently, that wasn’t necessary. Charlie entered the waiting room, his shoulders slumped, eyes still clouded with worry and fear. Don and Alan immediately stood and crossed to Charlie’s side.

He met Don’s eyes. “I saw him, but he didn’t wake up.” He said softly.

Don reached up and squeezed Charlie’s shoulder. “He’ll get through this, Charlie. He’s a tough guy.”

Charlie nodded. “Yeah, I know.” He sighed. He glanced down at his watch. “I have to go, I have a class in forty-five minutes.”

Don nodded. “Do you want us--?”

Charlie shook his head, “No, Cass will keep me posted. Thanks, though.”

“Sure.” Don said with a nod.

Charlie smiled faintly. “Talk you later.”

“Bye, Charlie.”

Charlie nodded slightly then turned and left, not meeting Alan’s eyes.

3*8*1*18*2*25

Charlie was, once again, seated at his desk in his office, but this time his thoughts weren’t on his students or tests; they were halfway across town with his lover. The truth was he didn’t have a class; he just hadn’t been able to spend another moment in that hospital room. Yes, he loved Colby more than he had ever thought possible, but having to stand by and watch another loved one recover from a gunshot wound. He thought it had been bad when Don was shot, but with Colby, it was a whole other ballpark. He couldn’t explain why, but it was.

Charlie sighed in frustration. He had to stop thinking about this or it would drive him crazy. He stood and picked up his chalk and walked over to the latest equation he was working on and lost himself in the numbers and symbols. Normally he’d have music on to help keep him focused, but he wanted to keep an ear out for his cell phone, for when Cassandra would let him know that Colby was awake.

When his next class rolled around, he still hadn’t heard anything, but he knew that he couldn’t afford to cancel a class this close to the end of the semester, so he gathered his notes and headed for the classroom.

Again, he lost himself in his work, this time letting the rhythm of the class take his mind off his worries.

When his phone vibrated at his hip halfway through the class, he jumped slightly before smiling apologetically at his students. “Sorry guys, but I have to check this.” He grabbed his phone and checked the message. He smiled in relief as he read the short but to-the-point message. ‘He wants you.’ He looked back up into the curious faces. “Class is dismissed, homework is all the odd questions in the chapter review.” He said as he gathered his notes, anxious to be with Colby.

3*8*1*18*2*25

Cassandra was still seated in the only chair in the room with a sketchbook in her lap when Charlie entered Colby’s room half an hour after Cassandra’s message. A smile lighted his face when he was greeted by that familiar smile. He perched on the edge of Colby’s bed gently, taking one of Colby’s hands. “Hey.”

“Hey, yourself.” Colby replied softly, his voice a little slurred.

“How’re you feeling?” Charlie asked.

“Like I was shot in the shoulder.” Colby said with a faint laugh.

Charlie frowned. “Seriously, Colb.”

Colby sighed, his eyes closing briefly. “Seriously? I feel like shit.”

“You’re entitled.” Cassandra commented with a smile.

Colby smiled a little. “Yeah.” He whispered as he slipped into sleep once more.

Charlie reached out and brushed a few strands of Colby’s hair off his forehead tenderly.

At a soft knock on the door, Charlie reluctantly pulled his hand back and looked over at the door, alerting Cassandra to their visitor. “Doctor Tallis, let me guess, time for us to leave.” Charlie asked.

Dr. Tallis smiled apologetically. “I’m afraid so. Colby needs his rest.” His gaze shifted to Cassandra and he frowned slightly. “It looks like you do too, Miss Granger.”

Cassandra nodded. “Yeah.” She whispered.

“Good.” Dr. Tallis said with a compassionate smile. “Is there some way I can reach you?”

“Um, you can call my cell and I’ll relay any messages.” Charlie offered.

Cassandra smiled gratefully as Charlie rattled off his number.

Dr. Tallis nodded once he’d written the number down. “Okay, then. I’ll call you if anything crops up.” He smiled at the pair then turned and left.

Once the doctor was gone, Cassandra wilted a little, her fine veneer of calm disappearing. She smiled tremulously when Charlie reached over and squeezed her hand. “God, Charlie. I almost lost him.” She whispered, her eyes on her brother.

Charlie reached out and turned Cassandra’s face towards him. “Yes, we almost lost him. But, he’s still here. Focus on that and you’ll get through this just fine.”

Cassandra nodded then stood. “Come on, oh wise one. I’m hungry.”

Charlie chuckled and stood before moving to Cassandra’s side and offering his arm. “So what else is new?”

Cassandra smiled and took Charlie’s arm, letting him guide her from the room. On the threshold, she paused and looked back at her brother, her worry reappearing.

She looked at Charlie when he touched her shoulder. “He’ll be fine. I promise.”

Cassandra bit her lip and nodded. “Yeah, he will.” She said, true conviction in her voice. “After all, he has us rooting for him.” She finished with a grin.

“Yeah, he does.” Charlie replied with a laugh. “Come on, I owe you dinner.”

“Owe me? No, no, I owe you.” Cassandra countered.

“I believe I promised you the best Mexican food you’ve ever tasted, the last time you were in town.” Charlie replied.

“Ha! Nothing beats Cuca’s.” Cassandra argued good-naturedly.

“We shall see, Cass. We shall see.” Charlie answered as they started down the hall.

“Yes, we shall.”

End.

Notes2: Kudos to anyone who guessed that Cassandra was deaf before she revealed it. : )