Disclaimer: You guys will soon learn that I entertain myself way too much on finding stupid ways to say no here...

A/N: Holy smokes people! Thanks so much for the reviews-- I never expected to get eight of them in less than twenty-four hours! You guys rock! For that I'm posting this second chapter so soon, and also it's a longer one. This chaper is a nice mellower one, but I suggest you guys enjoy because I have this story mapped out in my head and it's going to envolve a lot of cliff-hangers. Haha, so take this chapter and savour it! So yeah, I have nothing else to say, just thank you all for your reviews, and I'm glad you're enjoying it so far-- I hope you continue to do so! Thanks!

Two large steps was all it took for Don to reach his brother, and wrap him tightly in his arms. Grabbing a fistful of the back of Charlie's shirt, Don squeezed his eyes shut, letting out a choking sob. When he finally moved back, the elder Eppes used his hand to feebly wipe the emotions from his face.

"I'm sorry," Charlie's voice sounded small, "I-I'm so sorry Don."

"No, no," Don swallowed hard as he shook his head, and placed a hand on Charlie's shoulder, "Don't apologize."

"I-I should have called-called you," Charlie stuttered out, "I wanted to. But I--"

"Charlie, shh," Don squeezed tight with his hand, "Are you alright?" once again getting a look at the side of Charlie's face and neck, Don got his answer, "I mean, you have to-- I need to take you into the hospital Charlie. Get looked over."

Numbly Charlie just nodded.

Don moved fast after that. His mind racing as to what steps he needed to take. The first was to make sure Charlie was alright, or more appropriately, to find out what was wrong with him. Not sure of he was alright to drive, and yet not wanting to wait for an ambulance or someone else to take the wheel, Don ushered Charlie into his SUV and sped down the road.

"Don, you can slow down," Charlie admonished as the elder Eppes sped through a red light, "I don't think I'm going to die on the way there."

Don shot a warning look to Charlie for his choice of words. It was about halfway to the hospital that Don realized that he should get a hold of their father. Quickly he pulled out his phone, and paused before pushing Charlie's home number. Thinking quickly, he instead hit the number for Megan.

"Hello?" Megan's voice came over the speaker phone.

"Megan," Don spoke quickly while trying to maneuver through the traffic, "It's Don, I need you to do me a favor."

"Sure, what?" Megan quickly asked.

"I need you to go to my Dad's house and bring him to Brickly Memorial Hospital," Don instructed.

"Why?" Megan's voice shone with concern, "Don what's going on?"

"Don, watch it!" Charlie cried out as the FBI's vehicle swerved to avoid a rouge dog.

"Is that Charlie?" the voice came shocked and quiet from Megan.

"Yeah," Don swallowed at the close call, and yet had to smile, "Which is why I need you to get Dad. I don't want him to drive right now."

"You can barely drive!" Charlie shot out, clutching the handle of the door.

"Oh my God…" Megan's voice crackled through, "Don, do you want me to go meet you so you can--"

"I'll make it," Don interrupted, "I just need you to get my Dad. Tell him that I have Charlie, and that…" he looked at his brother sitting beside him and felt the lump return to his throat, "…and that he's alright."

"Alright," there was a pause on the other end of the phone, "It's really good to hear your voice again Charlie."

Charlie smiled from the passenger side seat, "Yours too Megan."

Don quickly ended the call, and finished the drive to the hospital. Once there, Charlie made sure to open his door quickly so as to not have Don have to come around and open it for him. Somehow the sight of a frantic Don upset Charlie, and he wanted to lessen the worry as much as possible. This didn't stop Charlie from letting Don's gentle arm lead him into the emergency doors.

"Hey!" Don's attention getting FBI tone rung out, "I need some help over here."

A nurse rushed over, "What's wrong?"

"My name is Don Eppes, I'm from the FBI," Don spoke the words that he knew would get the quickest attention as he flashed his badge, "This is my brother Professor Charles Eppes. He's been gone for many months, and I need him checked out. The works done."

"Don…" Charlie began.

"Argue and I'll hold your hand the whole way Chuck," Don teased good naturedly.

"Alright," the nurse looked over at Charlie, "Just come with me, and we'll get started."

"Let me know whenever you know anything!" Don called after the nurse.

Feeling his head spinning, Don decided to quickly find the waiting room, and sat down. Resting his head in his hands, Don figured he must have dozed off fore next thing he knew, he heard his father's voice.

"Donny!"

Snapping his head up, Don watched his Dad enter the room. Getting to his feet, Don accepted his Dad's embrace.

"Is it true?" Alan gasped, "Is Charlie…"

"He's alright Dad," Don smiled, "He came to my apartment about an hour ago."

"What did he say?" Alan asked, his eyes wide, "What happened to him?"

"I didn't ask," Don shook his head, and laughed lightly, "I was kind of… shocked I guess. I just wanted to get him checked out."

"Did he seem hurt?" Alan had unshed tears swimming in his eyes, and looked on the verge of hysteria.

"He had a bruise on his face, but that was it," Don assured, "Dad, just sit down. He's going to be fine. I was the one who made him come here. He's being checked out, and they'll tell us when they know anything."

Wordlessly Alan nodded, and sat down on the chair. Only then did Don notice the other people who were standing in the waiting room. Not only was Megan there, but as well Larry and Colby. Larry stood, looking more pale than usual, with his hands clasped tightly against his face while Megan stood beside him with a comforting arm around Larry's shoulder. Colby stood back, watching the entire scene with a serious sense of curiosity.

"Hey guys…" Don breathed, feeling even more exhausted than he had when he'd came into the hospital, "Thanks for coming."

"Charles would do the same," Larry mumbled quietly through his hands.

"Yeah," Colby spoke up, "Megan called me right after you called her, and there was no question about coming. David's on his way now too."

"Thank you," Don rubbed his hand over his face, "I guess we just… wait."

The time ticked by far too slowly for everyone sitting in the small waiting room. Thankfully the hospital wasn't busy that night, and so for most of the time the group of friends had the place to themselves. Constantly looking at his watch, Don waited as one hour turned into two, and then nearly three before a doctor in blue scrubs walked towards them.

"Family of Charles Eppes?" the man asked.

"Yes!" both Alan and Don spoke simultaneously as they jumped to their feet.

"My name is Doctor Bakery," the man spoke as everyone crowded around, "We ran a full series of tests on Charles. He seems to have a broken rib and left arm that is in the late stages of healing; just a simple splint is all that's needed for that. There are some bruises to his face, neck and part of his torso, though he assures me that they are causing him no discomfort, and I'm fairly certain that they are in the later stages of healing as well. Other than that, he is exhausted and slightly dehydrated, but I believe he is well enough to be released tonight. In fact, he is rather insistent on that fact."

Alan let out a relieved sigh as Don laughed lightly. The rest of the people in the room seemed to relax as a whole at the good news.

"Can I go see him?" Alan asked, his voice hoarse.

"Of course," Doctor Bakery agreed, "Just this way."

"I'll be there in a few minutes Dad," Don spoke as he placed a reassuring hand on his father's shoulder.

Alan nodded and Don looked back to Megan, Colby, David and Larry.

"We-we'll go," Megan cleared her throat of emotions, "I'm so glad to hear that he's going to be alright."

"We all are," Colby added, "Tell Charlie that, and let him know that we'll drop by tomorrow to see how he's doing."

"I will," Don nodded, "Thanks for being here."

"Any time," David insisted.

"Amita will be back tomorrow by noon," Larry spoke quietly, "I'm sure she'll be more than thrilled at everything that's taken place tonight, and will be insistent on checking on Charles' condition in person tomorrow."

Don simply nodded, and then watched as everyone left. Finding himself alone in the waiting room, Don finally let the tears fall freely down his face. He let the emotions of the past several hours escape him as Don sunk back into one of the chairs. After several minutes, Don finally felt calm enough to collect himself, and glanced at his watch.

Five minutes to midnight.

Don was just figuring out whether to go and find his family when he heard a voice speak up from the entrance.

"Ready to go home?" a grinning Charlie spoke.

"Hey," Don got to his feet, walking swiftly to his brother and placing a hand on his arm, "Are you sure you're ok to leave tonight?"

"He insisted on it," Alan spoke bitterly from beside his youngest; clearly himself unpleased at the idea.

"Well, as long as you're up to it Buddy," Don's eyes flashed concern, "I mean, maybe you should just stay until morning."

"Don, all I want to do is sleep in my own bed tonight," Charlie's voice was pleading.

"Alright," Don nodded, "Ok, come on."

With both Alan and Don on either side of Charlie, the three headed out towards the cool night air. Again Don began to feel light headed and dizzy, and suddenly was thankful at how close they were to home. The entire ride back to the house was done in silence. Don drove with Charlie sitting in the front seat beside him and Alan in the back, and though many times Don wanted to say something, the feelings that floated in the air seemed to speak enough.

"To bed Charlie," was all Alan said as the three gathered in the house.

Charlie nodded, and walked over to his Dad for a hug.

"I'm glad your back," Alan choked out as he held Charlie; careful of his ribs and arm.

"Me too," Charlie muttered, and let out a loud sniffle.

Turning to his big brother, Charlie smiled, "Don, I--"

"It's alright," Don stepped forward, pulling Charlie close, "It's ok Buddy. We'll talk tomorrow," he pulled back, "Just get some rest. And if I see you wake up at any point before nine, I am going to knock you back unconscious."

Charlie laughed, "Ok. Good night guys."

"Goodnight Charlie."

"'Night Chuck."

Don watched as his brother walked up the stairs towards the upper level before he finally let himself relax.

"You should get some sleep too Donny," Alan's voice still sounded stressed and strange.

Don laughed lightly, "If I can. I just…" Don ran a hand through his rough hair as he looked up at his Dad, "I just want to go up there, and watch to make sure he doesn't disappear, and that it's really him."

"It's him," Alan assured, "The whole time I was with him at the hospital he spoke to me about the probability of him recovering better at home or in the hospital."

Don laughed at this, "Yeah, that sounds like him."

"Now go up to bed," Alan demanded, "You need your sleep just as much as he does."

"Ok," Don breathed deep, "Good night Dad."

Don went upstairs into the familiar hallway. He paused at Charlie's closed door, and listened carefully; already he could hear the soft sound of his brother's snoring. With a small smile on his face, Don moved to the next room down the hall. Going inside, Don closed the door softly behind him and stripped down to nothing but his boxers. The bed looked so inviting, but there was one thing that Don needed to do first as he walked to a small desk and picked up the calendar.

He needed to know how long Charlie had been gone for.

"Oh Charlie…" Don breathed as he figured it out.

Four months. Two weeks. Six days.

The knowledge caused renewed tears to well up in the FBI's eyes, and so Don quickly decided it was time to get some rest. Almost instantly after his head hit it the pillow, Don was asleep.

...to be continued...