Fic: Ringing (Numb3rs, Charlie Eppes / Colby Granger, Don Eppes / Martin)
Title: Ringing
Fandom: Numb3rs
Pair: Charlie Eppes / Colby Granger,
Don Eppes / Martin Fridegord
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Not mine, etc.
Feedback: Always Welcome
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Bedtime
“Don?” Charlie called without pausing his work. He was scribbling furiously on a whiteboard, and just glanced behind his back to make sure Don was listening.
“Yeah?”
“Something going on?”
“With the case? No.”
“But something else is going on?”
“What’s with the interrogation?” Don groaned.
“I’ve been working on this for the last half an hour, and that was the sixth time I saw you looking at me.”
“I wasn’t looking at you.”
“That’s what it looked like. Just spit it out.”
“I was looking at that.” Don pointed to Charlie’s left hand. “Are you and Granger ever gonna do something about that?”
“About this?” Charlie lifted his hand and wiggled the ring finger. “I told you, it’s more of a sign of commitment that an engagement. Can you imagine us eloping to Canada?”
“So it’s…. what?”
“A sign that we’re serious and committed. Right now that’s enough for both of us, and why are you suddenly so curious about it?”
“No reason.”
“Right.” Charlie snapped the cap on his pen and turned to face him. “It just hit you didn’t it?”
“What?”
“The anniversary thing. Almost two years.”
“Little bit. We had a fight this morning.”
“About what?”
“He has to fly to Dallas for few days, so we had to cancel our plans.”
“Work’s work, he can’t help it.”
“I know, and that’s not even the point. It’s just so annoying!”
“What’s annoying?”
“Fighting with him, because he doesn’t fight with me. He doesn’t even get mad.”
“How’s that a problem?”
“He just sits there and lets me rant and in the end I feel like a total moron for raving like that.”
“I remember, he has cow’s nerves.”
“He has what?”
“Cow’s nerves. Haven’t you ever heard that expression?”
“No.”
“No matter what you do, the cow just stares at you with big eyes.”
“Sounds familiar…..”
“But in this case you can’t milk it.”
“Chuck….”
“Sorry, I couldn’t resist that. So, any plans for the anniversary?”
“Not yet.”
“But you’re thinking about these?” Charlie wiggled his fingers again.
“I’m not sure. Remember what happened last time I bough a ring for somebody? It didn’t end well.”
“That’s totally different.”
“Think about it. If I buy him a ring, what do I do with it? Get down on one knee and read poetry?”
“Did I tell you how Colby gave me a ring?”
“No.”
“He wanted the whole thing to be unusual and exciting. So he drugged me and dumped me to the trunk of his car.”
“You’re kidding…..”
“No, he wanted to take me for a romantic weekend at a log cabin in the mountains. When I got out of the trunk, I hit him with a tire iron.”
“Maybe I really should try the poetry approach…..”
“It turned out well in the end!”
“Yeah, but I….. I’m not even sure what I’m gonna ask. We’re not getting married, so it’s not an engagement. Commitment ring sounds too girly-”
“Don. I never thought I would say this…. but you think too much.”
Don chuckled. “Yeah, but I’ve told you that. Are you gonna get back to work anytime soon?”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah…..” Charlie took his pen and continued his scribbling. “But tell me if you need company for ring shopping.”
“Thanks.” Don flipped his ringing cell phone open. “Eppes.”
“Hey, it’s me.” Martin greeted. “Got a minute?”
“Sure.”
“I got a call from the janitor. He had a visitor after we left in the morning.”
“Visitor?”
“A man who kept asking questions about our schedules and the security systems. He even flashed a badge. Anyway, the janitor got suspicious and said he would call you. The guy gave up and left.”
“I didn’t get a call.”
“He said your cell was off, so he called me.”
“Did he get a name?”
“No, but the guy was tall, red headed and had blue eyes. Sounds familiar?”
“Yeah.” Don groaned and took a deep breath. “I’ll call internal investigation and let them know he’s in L.A.”
“Have you told people what’s going on?”
“No.”
“Well, I think you should.”
“If he’s back in L.A. it’s because of me.”
“I know, but the last time he was here other people got sucked into it too. Charlie included.”
Don turned to look at Charlie. He was still scribbling, and didn’t even seem to hear what Don saying.
“They’ll get him, I don’t want to blow this out of proportion.”
“Don, last time that guy was here he caused a lot of damage and everyone has to be careful untill they find him. If you don’t tell Charlie, I will.”
“Okay.” Don agreed. "I’ll handle it.”
TBC