"Thump"

A/N: Ok, just a little one-shot that struck me. I pulled this straight out of thin air as I went. That's right, I didn't plan it all. Hope it doesn't suck too badly. R&R.

Disclaimer: So mine in my dreams. So not mine in reality. Sucks to be me.

……………………………………………………………………………………………… Thump-thump, thump-thump

The steady beat of his heart radiated through his chest.

Thump-thump, thump-thump

Where was he, what happened? It all came back in shattered fragments.

Thump-thump, thump-thump

He felt pain, such pain. He remembered the raid but not how he wound up on the floor. And in such pain.

Thump-thump, thump-thump

There were voices above him, but the darkness crowded his vision and he couldn't see who was calling him, he just felt the pressure on his stomach. The pain was killing him, and he tried to tell them to stop pressing on his stomach but his tongue couldn't form the words in his mouth.

Thump-thump, thump-thump

He vaguely heard the words that were spoken in what seemed to be fleeting whispers; he knew logically they weren't really whispering, but everything was muted, dampened except the radiant vibrations of his beating heart.

Thump-thump, thump-thump

Officer down. Suspects in custody. Armor-piercing bullets. Ambulance.

Thump-thump, thump-thump

The words he heard made little sense to his spinning mind, yet he could hear them talking to him, telling him to hold on. Help was coming and he thought vaguely that help was a good thing, and that it was coming here was even better.

Thump-thump, thump-thump

He was being lifted off the ground; he was so tired. He just wanted to close his eyes and sleep but they wouldn't let him. And then suddenly he heard yelling, and it was so familiar…

Thump-thump, thump-thump

Someone was holding his hand. Calling his name.

Thump-thump, thump-thump.

Someone was speaking.

Thump-thump, thump-thump What are you doing here? Thump-thump, thump-thump I heard on the news, oh god, there's so much blood. Will he be ok? Thump-thump, thump-thump

The voices faded a little before returning as he was set down.

Thump-thump, thump-thump He's my brother dammit! Of course I should be here! Thump-thump, thump-thump

Oh, it's Charlie he thought. He shouldn't be here. In all the haze he knew that was true.

Thump-thump, thump-thump

And yet as his younger brother held his hand on the way to the hospital, Don couldn't help but think how glad he was for Charlie's presence and his murmuring reassurances.

Thump-thump, thump-thump

The beating of his heart is the only constant thing. That, and the warmth of his brother's hand in his.