Tension radiates up and down his spine, wondering – could he measure up? A litany of phrases rushes through his mind. What if… could have…should have. And for a tiny moment he zones out and time stands perfectly still. Could he have prevented this? Should he have reacted differently? What if he had gotten to Don's apartment sooner? Trying desperately to still his mind so he could focus on the present.

Ding, Swoosh, Beep.

Several sounds snap him back to reality, listening and realizing that some of them sounds aren't coming from Don's room. Inhaling a deep cleansing breath, Charlie gathers his nerves to enter the tiny space. At first glance, he avoids looking at Don. Instead his eyes scan the various machines that his brother is now hooked up to. Efficient machines dependent on math and science to operate. For a brief moment he smiles, allowing familiar thought patterns to create a small distraction and give a minuscule amount of comfort. However, once his brain connects the dots and he recognizes Don, he can't but help but berate himself for his momentary lapse.

Drip, Drip

Cautiously, he steps over to him. He picks up Don's hand and fights back the tears. Can't cry…get a hold of yourself…This wasn't the brother he knew – that he depended upon. Still. So still and lifeless. Guilt rears his ugly head and for a moment he stands frozen as his thoughts overwhelms him.

How many times had his brother been there for him?Okay, there were the few times he had let him down, the few times he had wished his brother dead…Oh, God, I didn't mean it…I was just a kid…don't let him die. Please…Desperately he fights to maintain control, but a single tear slides down his cheek as he looks up at the ceiling. This isn't his brother. His brother is the G-Man. Action. Always ready for action. Confident and full of life.

Leaning closer he struggles to say what is on his heart. Knowing that if Don was awake he could never get away with baring his soul, but no longer unable to still his voice.

"Don, I wish I had gotten the message sooner. I…I…forgot my cell phone was off. You know me, always working on math. I was so excited…getting somewhere, the equations bursting forth like fireworks and I couldn't ignore them…I…I didn't want to be disturbed." Taking a short pause to catch his breath. But his voice wouldn't remain silent. He continued on, despite the occasional stuttering – something he would be embarrassed about if Don was awake. In the stillness, Charlie gathers his resolve to clear the air. To just get it out in the open.

"I just had to solve it. Answers… so many answers… to so many captivating questions…you know how I am…once I get started, I just can't stop…so I turned my cell phone off ...you can understand that, can't you?" emphasizes Charlie as he scrambles to get the rest of his words out.

Feeling stronger, more sure of himself, he moves closer and dares to stroke his brother's face once with his right hand, all the while wishing for a response. Then he gently squeezes his brother's hand with both of his own hands as he continues to stand by his brother's side, feeling small and inadequate for the job of caring for his older brother.

"Now, I know you're out of it. Couldn't get away with it, if you were awake. Don't you realize you're in danger of receiving a hug? I could hug you and you can't stop me…Don, you have to wake up." The last part he barely above a whisper, feeling as if he's some kind of character in a TV show, not a real person living a very real nightmare.

Beep, Drip, Beep, Drip

"Now, who's being stubborn?" His mouth curves upward creating a slight smirk. "How can you be in charge, if you stay asleep? Now, is a perfect time for me to go through all your stuff. You always did have cool stuff. I'm warning you…Can't stop me if you don't wake up." Charlie's grin slips off his face as guilt once again assaults him.

Nothing – no response. Just the machines and the steady rise and fall of Don's chest are all the company Charlie has. "Damn." Charlie rests his head on his arms refusing to let go of the connection he feels in his hand…afraid to let go.

"Don, I know something happened – something really awful. Hiding isn't what defines you. Please, bro. You have to wake up."

"I'm sorry, but it's time," assaults his ears as a young nurse interrupts his precious time with his older brother. "You can come back in an hour. Dr. Hinchman told me that a friend of yours was waiting. Do you remember how to get back to the waiting area?" Charlie turns and stares into her kind blue eyes, then shakes his head not trusting his voice just quite yet, his piercing eyes requesting help and understanding. Taking one last look, he leaves to find David. It was time for some answers. He needs definite answers to fill this aching hole inside of his heart.

With a purposeful stride, Charlie finds himself face to face with David. Before he could demand anything, David stops him in his tracks with a simple question.

"Charlie, have you gotten hold of Alan?"

Startled, Charlie stumbles and David manages to catch him before he falls.

"I can't believe I haven't called him," he says. "I…I don't know how it slipped my mind…how can you forget to call your dad?"

Kind eyes and gentle hands help Charlie to sit in the typical hardback hospital chair. A simple smile of encouragement and he knows that he can do this. He pulls out his cell phone and calls his dad.

Ring…Ring…

He stares at the phone in disbelief as it transfers to a Voicemail.

"Dad, Look…I need you to call me back as soon as you get this message. It's urgent. Be careful, Charlie." He ends the call and expectantly looks for reassurance from David.

"David, I need to know what on earth happened. According to your message, Don was being dropped off at my house and I was to meet him there. If I hadn't dropped by his apartment…if Don had fallen while he was alone…I don't even want to think about the consequences…I…" The words rushed out of his mouth.

"Charlie, I can't give you all the details," David softly states. Charlie's eyes gleams with rage but David next phrase deflates him before he can respond.

"No, it has nothing to do with your clearance level…I made a promise to Don." He places a hand on Charlie's shoulder and hopes he'll understand. "I really don't know all the details, but under the circumstances, I think I can say this much."

Gratefully, Charlie nods his head and braces himself for some very disturbing images. David sits in the chair next to Charlie and struggles with finding the right words.

"It involves a kidnapping of a little girl. To be honest, in the beginning it was a routine case – simple procedure – by the book. You know what I mean? So simple…but suddenly everything went south, and no one was prepared for what happened next. Complications…they don't always prepare you for the complications. You try to think of all the possible scenarios, but it's never quite that easy. One minute Don is ordering him to let the girl go, and the next – he's down. Shots are being fired and everyone is ducking for cover. Loss of control."

Ding.

Charlie's sidetracked by the elevator door, but he immediately regains his focus when he hears the word 'hostage'.

"Don took one in the chest – I think he hit his head, too – and before any of could react, he was a hostage. Now we had two victims to rescue and it was anything but calm. It got messy and ugly fast. Before we could regroup and stop it, Don and the little girl were dragged out of our sight and behind closed doors."

"Don, was taken hostage? But…"

"Yes," David cut in. "I still can't figure out all of the events. We can guess at some of them, but Don…Don couldn't accept that he was the one that was rescued. How can any agent prepare for that? The little girl he was supposed to rescuing, is instead killed by a single bullet and saves Don's life." David shook his head. "Charlie, can you understand how devastating that was for Don? When I finally got to him, he is holding her in his arms, whispering and encouraging her to live. Her lifeless eyes said it all. He was in shock and couldn't comprehend that it was over. If his body hadn't chosen that moment to shut down, I don't think we could have gotten him in the ambulance."

Clearing his throat, and wiping his eyes, Charlie asks, "Was Dr. Hinchman his doctor?"

Looking Charlie in the eye, he answers simply. "Yes."

"Why didn't Don stay overnight or at least wait till someone could come and look after him? I wish I had gotten the message sooner, then maybe…"

"That seems like logical and sound advice, but logic wasn't ruling Don." David adds, "Against our better judgment… we all gave in to his demands. Not without extracting a few promises, but obviously his word didn't mean much."

"But why wouldn't the doctor keep him? Charlie searches for clarity and some kind of comprehension about the unthinkable. "He ignores sound medical advice didn't he?" Charlie probes.

"You know your brother. His injuries weren't that bad. A bruise on his chest from the Kevlar vest stopping a bullet, and a slight concussion. His heart was fine, so the doc just wanted him monitored. I got a call from the office and couldn't stay. Otherwise, it might have gone differently. I drove Don to his apartment to pick up a few things. All the while he promised to grab a cab to your house. But we can see how he followed instructions." For a moment, he stares at the floor and dreads asking the question knowing the answer won't give any comfort or stop him from wondering: What more could he have done?

Charlie stands, clenching and unclenching his fists, "I've got to get out of here for a bit. I need some air…too little air… I've got to go."

David stands, too. "Fine, but your not leaving my sight. I've got enough to deal with, letting Don trick me like he did. I'm your five o'clock shadow. Where you go, I go. Lead on… let's go get some air. We've got another thirty minutes, before you can see Don again."

Gratefully Charlie nods as he searches for the nearest exit. He feels a hand on his shoulder, guiding him and he realizes he's not alone. No matter what happens, he isn't alone anymore.


A/N: Put this at the end so you don't have to read if you don't want to. Carol the nurse was loosely based on an experience I had in the hospital. She was unprofessional and degrading. I was in too much pain, to deal with it. She wasn't fired even though we complained about her the first night. Several of the nurses apologized for her rude behavior. She worked the night shift. My guess to the reason, was so she did less harm. So that is why I didn't have Carol fired. I doubt we will see her again. I just sort of used the character to release some bad stuff for me. I don't believe all nurses or doctors are bad, but I must admit. I avoid going to the doctor unless I can't find any other way for something to heal. Doing it right now, trying to see if my sprained foot will heal naturally.

I don't hate doctors, I just don't trust them. Had too many bad experiences. But I think Don and Charlie will be dealing with the nice ones. I know they are out there! Hope that explains Carol.