This is my first fan fic story so comments would be much appreciated. More Chapters on the way.

A Brother in Need

Don Eppes woke up one day thinking that this would be just like any other day. Little did he realize that this day would change his life and the lives of his father and brother forever. He started out the day the way he always did with his usual cup of coffee and a bagel with cream cheese as he read the morning paper. After he ate he took a quick shower, shaved, and headed for the FBI.

LA traffic was something that Don hated more than anything, he just didn't have the patience to wait and do nothing for sometimes hours at a time. But he felt it was worth it to get to a job he loved and a team that he considered family. He was still thinking this as he pulled into the parking garage of the FBI building.

"Hey guys", he called to his team when he walked through the door.

"Hey Don," called fellow agent Colby Granger walking up to Don, a folder in his hand. "Got a case that just came in"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"String of robberies have been reported in the up-scale part of town. Nothing out of the ordinary until the 10th and most recent robbery in which the owner and his wife were killed until then no one was hurt," explained Colby as they walked into the meeting room which Agents David Sinclair and Megan Reeves were waiting for them in.

"So what's the problem?" asked Don as he and Colby walked in.

"The only trouble is that we're having trouble determining where they'll strike next because these robberies seem to be scattered," Megan said as Don and Colby took a seat.

"This looks like a job for Super Chuck," joked David causing Colby and Megan to snicker.

Don rolled his eyes and said, "Yeah, just don't call him that to his face".

"Right," said Colby still smiling.

"But seriously guys get him up here will you please," Don asked.

"Sure thing Boss," said David as he got out his cell phone.

Half an hour later Charlie Eppes was in the FBI meeting room working on some equations for the case. As Don watched his brother worked he was amazed at how quickly he could come up with the right answer. But something was off today. Don noticed that his brother looked pale and kind of puffy in the face. He also noticed that he was kind of slumping when he wrote.

"Hey Buddy you OK you look a little pale," Don asked putting a hand a Charlie's shoulder.

"Huh.. oh yeah sure I'm fine," Charlie replied, without looking at his brother. "Just a little tired".

"You know if your sick you can go home and rest and we can handle the case,"

"No that's OK Don I'm fine really,"

Don didn't really believe him but decided not to argue "Just feel free to leave if you feel any worse."

"I will I promise," Charlie said as Don was leaving.

When Don went back to check on Charlie's progress an hour later he was surprised to find him sitting at the table with his head down, sleeping.

"Hey Buddy wake up," Don said, gently shaking his shoulder.

"Hmm.. OK, OK I'm up," mumbled Charlie slowly lifting his head.

As he looked at his brother Don noticed that Charlie looked more flushed and his eyes were glassy looking.

"You sure you're OK you look pretty bad," Don asked with concern.

"Geez, will you lay off I'm fine," snapped Charlie as he struggled to stand.

"Whoa buddy I'm just worried about you there's no need to get so mad."

"I'm sorry Don, I guess I don't feel 100," Charlie admitted with a weak smile.

"No kidding" said Don as he put a hand to his brother's forehead. "You feel pretty warm why don't I take you home."

"That's not ness... ," Charlie began they as he stood he swayed and steading himself stopped and agreed to let Don take him home.

"Well, I'll grab my keys and we'll go," Don said turning to leave.

"Thanks Don I..."

Don turned around to see why Charlie had stopped and was shocked to see that Charlie was on the ground out cold.

"Charlie!" Don cried racing over and dropping beside his brother. "Charlie, Charlie can you hear me?" he cried shaking his brother.

"Megan! Colby! David! get in here now!" Don shrieked fear rising.

Megan burst in followed by David and Colby.

"What happened?" asked Megan kneeling beside Don.

"We were talking and he said that he didn't feel well then he passed out cold", Don explained.

"He looks so puffy and swollen", commented David pointing to Charlie's arms and face.

"Yeah and he was running a fever to", said Don, quietly still holding on to his brother's hand.

"I'll call an ambulance," said Colby getting out his cell phone

"Don't worry Don I'm sure that Charlie will be all right," Megan said putting a comforting hand on Don's shoulder.

"Thanks Megan, I'm sure your right,"said Don grateful at his friend's words.

"Please, God let her be right," he silently prayed as he moved to let the paramedics do their work.

An Hour later Megan came through the doors of the waiting area of Mercy hospital to find Don and Alan sitting there.

"How's Charlie doing?" she asked sitting down by Alan.

"Doctors are still looking at the test results," sighed Alan rubbing his eyes. "Don't know why it's taking so long".

Don opened his mouth to say something but before he could they saw a blond haired women wearing a white coat come towards them.

"Mr Eppes, I'm Dr. Robinson sorry it took so long but we have been busy today," the doctor said extending her hand to Alan then to Don.

"Not a problem Doctor. How's my son?" asked Alan shaking the doctor's hand.

"Your son is very ill, Mr Eppes," Dr. Robinson said. "He has Chronic kidney disease which is when one suffers from gradual and usually permanent loss of kidney function. "

" How serious is it?" asked Don glancing worriedly at Alan.

"His condition is quite serious, I'm afraid. You see Chronic kidney disease is divided into 5 stages of increasing severity. Your brother is in stage 5 where there is total or near-total loss of kidney function and patients will need either dialysis or transplantation to stay alive. However, in Charles' case the later may be needed due to his veins not being able to withstand the needles for dialysis for long," Dr. Robinson explained.

As she was explaining this Don looked over at his father worriedly. Alan was looking at the doctor with wide eyes as if not able to fully believe what she was saying.

"How long can he receive the treatment?" Alan asked, his voice cracking a little. Don put an arm around his father for support.

"Charlie is reacting well to the treatment so I think he should be good for at least six months."

"That's good right" Don asked, still trying to process the information.

"Yes very good", Dr. Robinson replies. "It may mean that he may not have to have a transplant but he may want to consider that option."

Don and Alan exchanged relieved glances and asked the doctor if they could see Charlie.

"Of course. He's in room 231 right down the hall," said the doctor pointing down the long hallway.

"Thank you doctor," said Alan as he went down the hall.

"I'll call Amita and Larry and tell them what happened", offered Megan.

"Thanks Megan I'd appreciate it", said Don as he hurried to catch up with Alan.

When Alan and Don entered the room they saw Charlie in bed with his eyes shut hooked up to the dialysis machine. Don couldn't stand seeing his kid brother like that so pale and weak looking. He took a step towards him and called his name hardly able to keep his voice from breaking. As soon as he spoke Charlie opened his eyes and smiled weakly at his family. "Hey guys," he said softly.

"Hey Buddy how are you feeling"? Don asked gently putting his hand on his brother's arm.

"You gave us quite a scare pal", said Alan who was standing beside Don.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to worry you," apologized Charlie, looking down.

"Hey don't be pal we're just glad you're OK now," Alan said gently stroking his son's hair.

"Yeah I'm fine it's no big deal just a little kidney problem," said Charlie trying to sit up.

"Whoa Buddy just take it easy" Don said gently pushing him back on the pillows. "This is a very big deal. Did Dr. Robinson explain the situation to you?"

"Yeah, she did and I know how serious it is", Charlie said leaning back a little and not wanting to show his fear looked down at his sheets.

"Don't worry son everything will be alright your brother and I are hear for you and we will make sure that you get better," said Alan.

"Dr. Robinson said that the only way I can be normal again is to have a transplant", stated Charlie looking back up at them.

"How do you feel about that?" Don asked studying his brother.

"Well, I don't know right now all I can think of is going home".

"The doctor said you have to stay here tonight for observation but she said that you can go home tomorrow so we may as well get some rest," said Alan as he pulled up a chair.

"You don't have to stay Dad," Charlie said.

"Are you kidding there's nowhere else I'd rather be than with my son," Alan said with a smile.

"Thanks Dad," Charlie said smiling back. "Are you staying too Don?" he asked looking at his brother.

"You bet I am" stated Don settling down in his own chair.

"Thanks bro. Well, Goodnight"

"Goodnight."

"'Night Buddy."

A week after Don and Alan had brought him home, Charlie was feeling much better and Don noticed how the puffiness had disappeared from his face and the color had returned. Still, he couldn't help but worry about how his kid brother was handle the dialysis and the needles that had to be poked into him every time. His face must have shown his worry because the next thing he knew Charlie was saying to him, "Don't worry so much bro, I'm fine."

"I know but I can't help worrying", said Don.

"You're as bad as Dad" Charlie said with a laugh.

"I'll take that as a compliment," Don laughed ruffling Charlie's hair.

"Hey anyone home" called a familiar voice.

"In here Larry" called Charlie glad to hear his friend's voice.

Larry Fleinhardt walked in the living room carrying a box full of papers and books followed by Amita Ramanujan , "Oh I'm glad you're home Charlie. How are you feeling?" Amita asked with concern.

"I'm fine Amita thanks. What's all this?" Charlie asked Larry pointing to the box he had set on the table.

"I'm glad you asked Charles because when I heard about your situation I took the liberty of doing some research on kidney transplants and their success rates. I'm sure that you'd be wanting to look at the numbers and doing your own equations".

"You didn't have to do that"

"I know I wanted to be of some help."

"Well, thank you" said Charlie reaching for the box.

"Whoa there Buddy, you sure you feel up to this?" asked Don pulling his brother's arm back.

"Don I told you a million times I feel fine and besides that I need something to read while I'm on that stupid machine," Charlie said, exasperated. "Besides Dad hovers around me so much the only time I get to work is when I'm on dialysis" he sighed.

"Yeah I've been wanting to ask you how that's going?" Don asked.

"I've been wondering that as well Charles", Larry said, sitting down beside Charlie.

"Well, I'm getting used to it. I'm even getting used to having this," Charlie said pulling up his sleeve to show the red area where a permanent graft had been placed in his arm so that his arteries and veins could be accessed more easily.

"That looks painful Buddy," said Don with sympathy.

"It's not so bad" Charlie said with a rueful smile. "The worst part of this thing is not being able to eat what I want or drink when I want and feeling crummy all the time".

"Sounds like no fun at all," Amita said sadly her arm around Charlie.

"It's better than being dead, which is what I'd be if I didn't do this," Charlie said matter-of-factly.

"That's true," Larry said.

"You guys don't need to be so worried but I appreciate your concern."

"We're just concerned about your health Charles"

"I know and I appreciate it but I'm fine really. I just want people to stop treating me like I'm made of glass and let me do things on my own," Charlie said, his voice rising a little.

"Whoa there Buddy calm down if you really feel that way then we'll lay off", Don said putting a hand on his brother's shoulder.

Just then Alan walked in and asked "What's the shouting about? Charlie are you alright?"

"I'm fine Dad just a little on edge," Charlie sighed.

"You sure? You look a little flushed? You should lie down " Alan asked putting his hand on his son's shoulder and trying to get him to lie down.

"Dad I'm fine I don't need to lie down," Charlie insisted shrugging his father's hand off.

"I still think you should..." Alan began.

"Dad let's talk", Don interrupted taking his father's arm and staring him into the kitchen.

Charlie gave his brother a grateful look as they left.

"Dad I think you need to give Charlie some space," Don said after they were in the kitchen.

"What do you mean?"

"I think that you're smothering him and doing too much for him."

"In case you have realized it Don but your brother is sick and he needs our help."

"Yeah, I know that Dad but the doctor said that he could do things if he felt up to it."

"I think I know what's best for my son," Alan said glaring at Don.

"I know that you think it's what's best but Charlie needs to feel important and feel useful so he doesn't fell like and invalid."

"Don, I appreciate your concern for your brother but I do know how to take care of my son and I know what he needs better than you so stay out of it," snapped Alan storming out.

"Dad, wait I.." Don started. He groaned. "Great that's all I need is for Dad to be mad," Don thought miserably.

The next day Don went back to the house hoping to make amends with Alan. When he went to open the door he was surprised when Alan opened first.

"Oh, Donnie good I'm glad you're here. I wanted to apologize for snapping at you yesterday."

"Dad I.." Don started.

"Donnie, please let me finish," Alan interrupted. "I thought about what you said and you were right. Charlie does need to feel important and I guess I have been smothering him lately it's just I've been so worried about him. I just don't want anything to happen to him," Alan continued his voice shaking.

"Dad I know you love him, I do too, but if we continue to do things for him he won't feel any better," Don said putting a hand on his father's arm.

"I know that and I'll try not to do so much," Alan said sniffing a little.

"I know Dad," Don said giving his father a hug.

"Thanks Donnie," sighed Alan giving his son a smile.

"Speaking of him where is ol' Chuck-a-roonie?"

"In the garage I think he's working on the robbery case for you."

"We closed that case yesterday."

"Oh well then why don't you see what he's up to."

"Don't mind if I do," Don said heading towards the garage.

"Hey Charlie whatcha doing?" Don asked entering the garage.

Charlie looked up from the book he was reading and said "Oh hey Don I was just doing some research."

"Yeah on what," Don asked looking over his brother's shoulder.

"Just some things on kidney transplants that Amita and Larry dropped off the other day," Charlie said back to reading his book.

"You really sure you want to do this?" Don asked.

"I'm not sure of anything yet but based on these numbers and statistics the chances of a successful transplant are very good."

"Mind telling me about it?"

" No problem. Well first of all A person who needs a kidney transplant undergoes several tests to identify characteristics of his or her immune system. The recipient can accept only a kidney that comes from a donor who matches certain of his characteristics. The more similar the donor is in these characteristics, the greater the chance of long-term success of the transplant. Transplants from a living related donor generally have the best results.

Patients also need to undergo extensive testing to ensure their suitability for transplantation. Also, there is a shortage of organs for transplantation and sometimes patients have to wait months to years before getting a transplant." Charlie explained.

"Wouldn't a relative be the best bet?" Don asked.

"Yes a relative would be since they would have the most similarities," Charlie admitted.

Charlie could see that his brother was deep in thought but before he could say anything Charlie said, "I've already talked to Dad and Dr. Robinson about this and we did some tests to see if I'm eligible but I think we should make another appointment with her and you, me and Dad should go down and talk to her when we get the results."

"Good idea," Don agreed a little disappointed that Charlie hadn't talked to him first.