Title: Vignettes - Part 6: Beauty

Author: ladygray99

Chapter: 6/36

Pairing: Charie/Colby, Larry

Rating: FRC

Disclaimer: Belongs to many other people, not me.

Warnings/Squicks:

Summary: What moments mark a friendship, a love, a marriage, a lifetime?

Previous chapters: Publication

Notes: We’re getting closer. Really

Beta(s): The amazing irena_adler long may she write.

Beauty

Agent Granger knocked on the door marked ‘Professor Eppes.’ He could hear the scribbling of chalk on the other side of the door. He knocked again then carefully let himself in. Charlie was at a board writing equations at top speed. Every board was covered in small scribbles as if conserving space was important. The chalk dust had settled in the younger Eppes’ dark hair, giving it a strange gray shimmer. Colby had been asked by Don to drop off some reports. He was tempted to just leave them but he wasn’t sure where. Every surface was covered in notes. Colby thought it was like Charlie’s brain had exploded.

 “Can I help you, Agent Granger?” Colby spun around to find Larry Fleinhardt.

 “Larry. Thank god. Don wanted me to give these to Charlie.”

 “Are they urgent?”

 “No, just some old stuff for some database.” He looked over his shoulder to Charlie who hadn’t acknowledged them. “Is he ok?”

 “He’s been at this for three days. I don’t think he’s slept.”

 “What is it?”

 “Beauty.” Larry replied in a slight whisper. Colby gave him a questioning look, “Cognitive emergence.” He clarified.

 “The whole thing?!”

 Larry gave a chuckle. “No. Not even close. But it’s an important bit. Like the corner piece of a puzzle.”

 “Ah. Can I leave these with you?” He waved the files.

 “Certainly.”

 There was a loud snap. Colby turned to see broken chalk hit the floor. Charlie stood still, his breathing heavy, like he had just run a marathon or had a good cry. It was hard to tell which. He turned slowly to find Larry and Colby warily looking at him, unsure of what he might do next.

 “Eureka.” Charlie whispered, not knowing why his throat felt dry or his eyes burned.

 Colby sprinted across the room as he watched the slow buckle of Charlie’s knees. It wasn’t the best catch but he managed to keep that brilliant brain from cracking against the floor. “If this is the corner piece I hate so see what putting together the sky does to him.”

Larry gave a smile that Colby thought looked a little sad.

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