I know there have been billions of fics on this episode but I couldn't resist a little one sided brother oneshot. Enjoy :)

Title: Grateful
Author: Cindy Ryan
Category: episode tag "The Fifth man"

Recovering in a hospital one loses track of time. Mainly it's the pain meds, but it's also the lack of a daily routine. The only scheduled things in a hospital were meds, bandage changes and meals.
Don blinked groggily and opened his eyes. From the dim sunlight coming through the window Don couldn't tell if it was morning or evening. He carefully eased himself into a sitting position against the bank of pillows. The stab wound was a dull ache today instead of the last few days of fire needles.

The room was empty and Don was glad his father had gone home hopefully to get some sleep. Don was worried that his being in the hospital was taking it's toll on his Dad. Picking up his cell phone from the bedside table Don saw it was late afternoon almost time for dinner. Through a yawn Don noticed a bright green gift bag with pink handles sitting on the visitors chair that was pushed close to the bed. It took two tries but the FBI agent snagged the pink handles and pulled the gift gingerly towards him. Don set the bag on his lap and flipped the green tag over to read who it was from.

Don had assumed it was from Robin or Nikki instead he found his brother's familiar scrawl. Smiling Don opened the bag and saw the latest issue of his favorite baseball magazine. He pulled it out and set it aside. The rest of the bag's contents consisted of a portable cd player with headphones and a small wood block puzzle. Don studied the puzzle that was shaped like an hexagon with numbers on each piece. With a shake of his head Don knew it'd take weeks for him to figure it out. Putting the puzzle back in the bag Don put it next to the magazine and picked up the cd player. He opened the lid and found a blank cd with 'Don's get well mix' written in black sharpie on the top.

Putting the headphones on Don switched the cd player on and hit play. He skipped through the songs to see what was on it. It was mainly a mix of Rock both old and modern with one jazz and a few pop songs thrown in. There were fifteen songs total and just as Don was about to switch it off he was surprised to hear his brother's voice. It took Don a minute to realize Charlie had left him an audio letter.

Settling back against the pillows Don closed his eyes and listened to his brother's rambling.

Don,

Thought you'd enjoy a care package since I'm sure by now you're going stir crazy. I know I don't say this often enough, but you're the best big brother anyone could have. Seeing you in the hospital scared me...

I know you love what you do and you're very good at it. Guess what I'm trying to say is I'm grateful to still have you around.

Get well soon..

The audio file ended there and Don opened his eyes a smile crossing his face. Charlie had it wrong, he was the lucky one. Despite all their differences growing up Don was grateful for the friendship he and Charlie had now.

Another yawn escaped Don and his eyes closed once more. In minutes he was fast asleep the headphones still on his head and one hand resting on the cd player.

end