Fic: Meeting the Eppes, Colby/Charlie, chymom, PG-13

[chymom]

Title: Meeting the Eppes

Series: Michelle’s Worst Nightmare,3/21

Word count: 1,769 words

Author: chymom

Characters/parings: Colby/Charlie, Don, Megan, David, OC’s

Rating: PG-13

Warnings: None

Spoilers: Not any in this post.

Summary: Don finds out why Colby is late to work. Why is this woman here?

Disclaimer: I do not own the Numb3rs people. However anyone that you don’t know as part of the show is mine

Beta: KOSMOSemulator, Paranoid_Woman, and Serialgal

Author’s notes:  Any and all honest feed back is always welcome.

Previous Chapter:

Michelle’s Worst Nightmare

Chapter 3: Meeting the Eppes

As Charlie was fixing the eggs, he couldn’t help but glance out the kitchen window. He could see that Colby and Michelle were counting to talk, and Rae was still holding on to her tight. Figuring that Colby had things under control, he set out finishing the eggs and toasts.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Colby looked at Michelle earnestly. "I want to help you. However, first I need to call my boss, and let him know why I

am over an hour late for work. Are you okay with that?" Michelle nodded and waited for him to make his call.

++++++++++++++++++++++

In the war room, the team was reviewing a case. The sound of Don's cell made everyone stop what they were doing.

"Eppes."

"Don, you’re needed at Charlie’s house. Bring Megan and David with you," Colby said and then he hung up.

"Colby says we’re all needed at the house,” Don informed. The other officers were moving almost before he was finished speaking.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Arriving at the house, the team found Colby and a ragged looking woman standing in the driveway. Instinctively, Colby stepped in between them and her. He didn’t want them to frighten her any more. Once Colby was sure everyone was calm, he introduced every one.

"Michelle, this is Agent Don Eppes. He is Charlie’s brother and my boss. This is Megan Reeves and David Sinclair. They are also FBI agents. We won’t let anything else happen to you all.”[Michelle really wanted to believe him but, she thought that no one could keep them safe.

"We hate to impose on you all  anymore than we have to. After we get cleaned up, we’ll leave you to your day,"she said nervously, looking around the yard. Thanks to his experience in the Army, Colby had learned the look in Michelle’s eyes well. It was pure fear.

"Michelle, please, you look drained, as does your family. Do you think the kids would benefit from some real sleep and food? I am willing to bet that it’s been a long time since you all had any real food or rest.” He hoped that by emphasizing the help the kids needed, Michelle would stay at least for the day.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In the kitchen, Charlie had just finished the toasts. He was almost done with the first batch of eggs, when May came to the door way. At first, she just stood there, watching Charlie. When she realized that he had seen her, "I’m sorry," she stammered. "I won’t do it again."

Charlie looked at her for a second. “Your name is May, right?” He waited. May nodded.

"Why don't you have a seat? Or, if you’d like, you could help me. We need plates for everyone, including Colby and myself."  He watched as her face lit up. Charlie didn't want to scare her any more than she already was so he kept his distance. However, he stayed close enough to help if needed.

His request may have been simple,but to May, it meant the world. For the first time in a long time, someone had asked her for her help. There was no yelling, no screaming and no pain. May decided in that moment that she could trust Charlie. She had seen how Michelle had trusted these men. She had felt safe enough to talk to Colby. With Charlie, she felt like she could be herself.

Minutes after May had come in the kitchen, another child was in the doorway. "I’m Charlie, and you are…?” Charlie calmly asked.

"I am Michael," the young child said. Unlike May, he was not as comforted by Charlie.

"Michael, why don't you come in and have a seat? May and I should have the food ready in a bit."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The more time that passed without Michelle saying a word, the more nervous Colby became. He wanted her and her kids to stay but didn’t want to upset her anymore.

"We’ll stay for today and then be on our way. That is if it’s okay with you and Charlie," she said. Colby relaxed a little. "You’re welcome to stay longer if you want." He saw

Michelle and Rae following him to the kitchen. Don and the rest of the team came in a few minutes later, hoping to keep Michelle at ease.
 Upon entering the kitchen, Colby gave Charlie a quick kiss. At his appearance, Michael lifted his head.  Charlie had to smile to himself.

"Cole, you have someone watching you."

Colby turned to see Michael sitting at the table, watching him. He also saw that May was watching Charlie. "Yes, so do you, Angel." Then Colby walked to the table to say “hello” to Michael. Michelle was still holding Rae and looking out the door. May was now helping Charlie at the counter. Michael was talking to Colby. Everyone was busy , so Michelle watched them until Sharon and Lee came into the room.

"Michelle, the bathroom is in there,” said her mother Sharon. “There are a few things for Rae to put on." She walked past Michelle to sit at the table with the kids.

"Thank you. Rae and I will be back in a minute. Kids, don’t be in any one’s way," Michelle
said, although she got the feeling that her warning was not really needed. She knew that Rae would like to play in the water, but to her it would be heaven sent. The year-and-a-half they had been gone, the kids had only got access to cold water, so they hadn’t spend much time playing in it.

After the kids had their plates, Colby introduced the team. “Sharon, kids, these are agents Eppes, Reaves, and Sinclair.”

“Don looked from Charlie to Colby. "What is going on?" Michelle spoke up.

"Agent Eppes, this is my mom Sharon,my nephews Michael and Lee and my niece May."

Rae looked up to see Don. For the first time in a year and a half, Rae let go of her mother and went to someone else. Colby watched Rae walked over his boss, and once she reached him, she held her hands out asking to be picked up. The children gasped.

"You’re the first person other then Mom and Grandma that Rae has gone to," May informed Don. Colby could see that Rae going to Don had helped Michelle relax some. Rae snuggled in to his arms and started to yawn. Don didn’t know what to think. The faith that this child apparently had in him made him glow with pride. At the same time, he told himself that no one would hurt this child when he was around.

"Michelle, I’m sorry. I wasn’t sure what to get out for you,” Charlie said, looking at Michelle’s clothing.

"I have some smaller sweats and a few shirts in my room. If you like them, you’re welcome to use them," Don said.

”I’ll get them. Sharon, would you take them to her?" Colby asked, getting up to retrieve the items.

Michelle gave her family one last look. Deciding that for the first time they were safe, she went to get in the shower. A few minutes later, Sharon brought the clothes in.

"How long are we going to stay here?” She liked this family and didn’t want to see them hurt. Michelle’s voice came from behind the shower curtain.

"I told Colby we would stay until we could eat and get some sleep. Then we wouldn’t impose on them anymore." Sharon nodded.

"I am taking it that you trust these men. Especially Agent Eppes, since you left Rae with him." She wanted to find out how far her daughter really supported the agents.

"There’s something about Colby and Charlie that makes me trust them. Agent Eppes seems like an honest man. I think we can trust them. Since Lee is not with you, I’m guessing you do as well."

"Yes, I do. Lee is eating with Agent Sinclair,” Sharon smiled. “Why don’t we go back?" They went downstairs. Upon entering the dining room again, Sharon was handed a plate.

“What would you like to drink?” Colby asked.

“Anything is fine with me. Thank you,” she said, sitting down at the table. By unspoken agreement between Colby and Don, the group ate without asking any questions. Michael was sitting in Colby's lap, May was beside Charlie, Lee was in David’s lap and Sharon sat beside Megan.

Don was standing in the doorway looking at the group and holding a now sleeping Rae in his arms. He was trying to think of why these kids would be eating as if they hadn't had food in some time. It suddenly hit him they were on the run. He just didn’t know what from, yet.

Michelle was not the kind of woman that Don would normally notice. For some reason, he found himself watching her.

"Michelle, what would you like to drink?” Colby asked a minute later, noticing the looks that Michelle and Don were giving each other.

"Whatever is left after the kids are done is fine with me. Just no milk," she responded. Megan handed some water and a plate of eggs and toast to her.

Michelle sat and played with the eggs for a while until Don came and sat next to her. His actions put her at ease. At least, easy enough to eat.

"Sharon, why don't I show you all the bed rooms so you can get some sleep?" Colby asked. Over time, Sharon had started to look at Michelle for answers.

"Go ahead, get some sleep. We all need it.”She and the kids followed Colby toward the stairs.

"Let them sleep in our room; that way, they can all be in the same place," Charlie told Colby.

When the kids and Sharon were settled, Colby came back and joined the others in the living room. Michelle was on the couch near, Don who was still holding Rae in his arms.

Colby and Charlie both could tell that Michelle was more at ease with Don around than when they had first meet her. They weren’t sure if it was that she knew everyone now or if it was something else. Colby had the feeling that somehow Don had made a difference in Michelle and Rae's level of calmness.

David and Megan were sitting in two of the three chairs in the room.  Charlie was in his and Colby’s favorite chair.

"Is everyone okay upstairs?" he asked, as Colby entered the room.

"Yes, Sharon said thanks to everyone." Colby sat down and patiently waited to find out who would ask Michelle the first question.