Buried Demons 26

[cerealkiller0]

Title: Whiskey is for Brothers

Pairing/Characters: Charlie, Don
Rating: PG
Prompt: #141 Alcohol
Word Count: 300
Disclaimer: I don't own Numb3rs.
Series: Buried Demons
Summary: The other Eppes brother shows up...

Charlie was in the zone. The term had just started and he could tell already that it was going to be a good one. He had a few new students whose boundless enthusiasm for mathematics was leading to inspiration. He wanted nothing more than to head straight for the garage and settle in for a night of work on his equations.

In his rush, he failed to notice another's presence until a voice in the dark nearly induced heart failure.

"Hey Charlie."

Charlie whirled around to find Don slouching into the couch, loosely holding a whiskey bottle.

"Don!" Charlie exclaimed, hunting for the light switch and flipping it on. "What are you doing?"

Don winced as light filled the room. "Thinking."

Charlie frowned, taking a good look at his brother. Don looked exhausted. Haunted even. Charlie was unsure how long he had been sitting alone in the dark, staring into space. He didn't think he'd like the answer.

"I didn't see the SUV... How did you get here?"

"Ian dropped me off."

"Edgerton?" Charlie questioned, perking up. "He's working with you? What kind of case?"

Don's darkening face made Charlie wish he hadn't asked. "It isn't pretty, Charlie."

"Oh." Charlie floundered. He wasn't always the greatest at conversing with Don, and it seemed that tonight he was being particularly aloof.

"Want a drink?" Don questioned abruptly, holding out the bottle.

Charlie hesitated. Don knew he didn't really drink liquor. He wasn't quite sure if Don genuinely wanted him to drink or if his brother was mocking him. Charlie almost refused, but then looked over Don's disheveled appearance and knew there was no way he'd leave his brother alone.

"OK." Charlie took the bottle and sat down, taking a swig - careful to hide the wince from Don as he swallowed.

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Comments

[cat-13145.livejournal.com]

Ouch. Poor Charlie and Poor Don. SOmeone needs to figure out what is going on.