Superheroes, by Lisa Paris (T)

[the-hobbet.livejournal.com]

Fandom: NUMB3RS
Pairing: none
Length: 74,132 words
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: Lisa Paris on FF.net
Why this must be read:

It's nice to see Charlie taking a turn at being a hero.

The brothers have been going through a difficult period, but when Charlie receives some devastating news, it's Don he turns to first. He invites Don for a weekend of camping and fishing, hoping it will bridge the gaps in their relationship. Unfortunately, the resistance both have to bringing up difficult subjects compounds the misunderstandings. But when trouble comes calling, both brothers will do anything to save the other.

Also, there's a bear.

Try it out

Charlie leaned back in the light oak chair; he thought that maybe it was a genuine Baedeker. He stared out through the open window and watched the play of sunlight through the trees. Not random, although most people thought so. His eyes tracked the dappled gold movements. He'd once read a paper about it – the so-called phyllotactic patterns of leaves.

"Doctor Eppes," the voice was smoothly diplomatic. "Do you have any other questions? Anything at all you can think of – this must have come as a shock, take your time."

A shock; well, that was a given. A full-on kick in the teeth, was more like it. He felt light-headed, his mind still reeling, but in some ways, it wasn't much of a surprise.

"One question," he tried to refocus on the matter in hand, but the leaf-patterns were oddly compelling. He sat up a little straighter and swallowed hard. This was no time to lose his self-control. "The most obvious one, I suppose. I want to know my long-term prognosis, if you should find out the tumour's malignant."

Superheroes