Challenge Word: Mind Games - Part 4

Hopefully all errors have been caught. The muse provided an idea…this is no longer a one shot, but it is WIP. Hopefully the muse will continue to flow. I did try to add a bit of humor at the end...did it work?

Reviews help inspire the muse…so let me know what you think if you are willing, but thanks for reading even if you don't review.

Disclaimer: not mine, I just play with them.
Rating: PG-13 (I think it is really Kt but if the question changes it…well to be safe. Next chapter back to Kt)
Word Count: 2435

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Charlie analyzed his brother sleeping patterns while simultaneously counting the repetitions to the respirator. Although his laptop was sitting adjacent to his chair, he couldn't bring himself to pick it up. Images of Don's ordeal flashed through his mind.

Don had been mentally and physically tortured all because of him. Why did I ignore the first two emails? Thankfully he had noticed the third one, but thinking it was a joke he had just sent wrong answers until the sixth email. The attachment sent with the sixth email had changed everything. A picture of his brother battered and bloody.

Charlie had reread the email over and over almost committing it to memory. The words haunted his dreams and several nightmares had Don pointing a finger at him and then accusing him of not loving him. He could see the words in his mind even now.

Well, I see that you don't love your brother after all. Every time you give us a wrong answer he pays, so far he has a few broken ribs and a few broken fingers. The ankle doesn't count…he tried to flee. Silly boy thought he could run away.

It's not our fault he fell when my boys got a little rough with him, now is it. So technically he started with a sprained ankle before I laid a hand on him.

So do you love your brother or not? If you want him to live…you better help us and not tell anyone. Of course we won't care if he dies…but will you?

Tears flowed freely down his cheek as he thought about the sixth email. Charlie couldn't work and he couldn't tell anyone how scared he was to read an email now. Don wasn't the only one scarred during this awful situation.

At first he had complied and kept it a secret only giving some correct answers vainly searching for a mathematical solution that would rescue his brother and not destroy the Los Angeles area. But then he discovered their objective and he couldn't keep giving them the correct answers nor could he allow his brother to be killed because of him.

With a heavy heart he had turned to Colby. He didn't know why he asked him first for help, but Colby had taken charge and quickly contacted Megan. His emotions were numb as he feverishly tried to accomplish all of the necessary tasks.

Two major threats to neutralize, one the water supply plus uncover the bomb before it would release toxic gas into the city and the most important objective locate his missing brother alive. Although the mad man had been smart, he hadn't stood a chance against Don's team.

Motivated to bring their leader home, they had burned the midnight oil, and finally gotten a break when David found the license plate of the van that had kidnapped a federal agent. Colby had gotten the picture of the leader from the surveillance tapes and the whole thing began to unravel as they planned their rescue of the missing agent.

Charlie had watched them interrogate Matt Femmel through the glass. He had bragged about hurting his brother.

"You should have seen him plead, he begged me to stop. The man's been broken. How does it feel to know you got there too late?" Femmel cackled as they dragged him out. He didn't stop laughing until he accidentally tripped.

Megan had driven Charlie home. Colby had managed to catch them before they left the building.

"Charlie, I'm afraid that Femmel had a little accident. Nothing serious just a few bruises and maybe a twisted ankle, but he's not laughing anymore. You remember that." Colby kept his face straight but a smirk escaped on the last sentence. "Tell Don we will be by as soon as they let him have visitors. Keep us updated."

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Don opened his eyes and blinked a few times trying to clear up his vision. A hazy recollection of the doctor's last response, something about they needed him more alert in case he had another setback. So he wouldn't be sedated enough to induce a coma but it would allow him to rest, at times.

As his eyes came into focus so did his reality. Control, his control was definitely missing. The machines forced the air into his lungs. Pain announced its presence at least in his upper body; his lower body might as well not exist. Paralyzed…I'll never walk again. They're just trying to spare my feelings.

Another forced breath announced the unnatural rhythm of the machines. The gentle beeps surrounded him as well as the left hand was once again strapped down. He couldn't move. Various emotions flooded him. Not again…please not again.

"Don look at me, you're safe." A hand touched his brother's face. Charlie tried not to react to his brother's flinch. So he repeated the words hoping to get his brother to look at him. "Don you're safe…no one will hurt you again. You're finally safe."

Through misty eyes he turned to face the voice. Charlie, it's Charlie. Please, I need my hand free. Tears fall down as he tries to communicate with his brother. The air rushed into his lungs creating a very vulnerable sensation.

Finally Charlie thinks about the strap holding the good hand down. "Oh, I'm so sorry bro. We have to do this when you're sleeping or unless one of us is watching you. You try to pull the tube out, and we can't let you do that yet. I know it hurts." He captured the hand and squeezed it as he used his other hand to wipe away the tears on his older brother's face. "I'm sorry…Don. I'm so sorry."

"I'm sorry sir, but I'm going to have to ask you to step out for a bit. I need to check his vitals. I'll be cleaning his wounds; it will take some time. You can come back and visit with him when I get the tasks finished."

Charlie reluctantly let go and he could have sworn he saw his brother's eyes pleading for him not to leave him alone. So he spoke to him, "Don…I'll be back just as soon as they let me. You be good and don't give this pretty nurse any problems." He winked and quickly kissed the top of his brother's head. Then he simply walked out the door wishing he could stay.

The nurse though professional could sense that her patient was distressed. So she talked to him hoping that it would help to calm him down. She worked quickly as possible, but it was time for a sponge bath and tending to his multiple wounds would take some time.

"Don, I see your feeling a little shy, but you've got nothing to be ashamed of. You're a very handsome and strong man." She started with the bandage on his right hand. "I'll leave you covered as long as possible. Why don't you close your eyes and try to rest." She hummed a simple tune hoping it would help him to release the tension.

Don didn't want to rest; he couldn't explain it. Anytime someone touched him other than his brother or Dad he felt as if he was being violated. Will I ever enjoy a woman's touch or feel normal again. What's wrong with me? Tears flowed and he couldn't help it.

Sandy felt her patient tense up and realized he would need assistance to relax. The doctor had already approved something just in case it was needed. "Mr. Eppes, I'm going to give you something to help you rest…I'll wait till your under before I finish…Let me call your brother back." The nurse pushed a sedative into his IV. As soon as she finished administrating it, she called for the Professor.

Charlie quickly stepped over to his brother and held his hand. "I've got you, you're safe…. Go to sleep Don…no one is going to touch you while I'm keeping watch. I promise."

The nurse smiled at the professor. "Thanks, you wouldn't think a man that looked this fine-looking would be so shy."

"He's not, but something's happened, something awful…you don't think they," he couldn't bring himself to ask.

"No, he wasn't sexually assaulted if that's what your afraid of." She looked at him uncertain how to continue. "I think it has something to do with the lost of control. He can't control anything; he is totally dependent. It may have to do with shame more than anything else and that is actually a normal reaction. We just have to remind him of his strengths."

"How soon before we can wean him off the respirator?" Charlie inquired while he rubbed circles on his brother's good hand.

A male voice answered, "Let's not rush it. I think we tried to do it too soon last time. Let's let his body heal at a little slower pace. He has gone through a lot of trauma. As soon as it is advisable, we will wean him off." Doctor Stone replied a man in his forties.

"I'm not in any hurry, but I know he is. He's really emotional. It's not a normal reaction for Don."

"But this situation is far from normal. He's paralyzed, on a respirator and dealing with major emotional stress. Frankly I'd be more concerned if he was being stoic and detached." Stone examined the patient and scribbled some notations on the clipboard.

"When he gets a little more control, Don will most likely try to hide his feelings and that will be the most dangerous time, I'm afraid. Didn't you say that he's done some therapy?" Doctor Stone inquired and then got really quiet.

Charlie nodded and tried to sooth his brother as he could sense his uneasiness of being touched by two different people. Although the nurse was efficient and quick, it appeared that Don was getting more restless with the added attention.

Don felt hands touching him and he just wanted to be free. The bat bounced off his skull and shoulders. Something was stopping his breathing; a tube, he needed it out, now. A hand held him down, but he tugged with all his might and pulled at the object.

Charlie was in shock for a split second as his brother forcibly wrenched his hand free. Before anyone could react, the hand was grabbing the tube and trying to yank it free.

Sandy reacted quickly. She grabbed the man's hand and shoved Charlie out of the way. Before Don could do too much damage, the left hand was once again strapped down. He had pulled a stitch, so she raced to get some gauze.

The doctor reexamined the patient. "We got it before he did too much damage. I'm sorry, but you're not to unstrap his hand until we can wean him off the respirator. He could do permanent damage to himself. You don't want that. I'm going to increase his sedatives. He's just too agitated."

"Sir, you need to step out of the room, while we finish our exam. As soon as it is possible, you can sit with him. But please leave him strapped down; it is for his own good."

Sandy understood that the brother was scared. "It's not you're fault, it's really uncomfortable…it's natural for him to do anything to pull the tube out," as the nurse guided him out of the room.

Charlie left feeling like a failure. He bungled the job and his brother paid the price. His father was walking towards him. He couldn't help it, he sobbed. Alan threw his arms around him.

"Please, tell me he's alright…tell me I haven't lost my boy." Alan patted his younger son's back and pulled him into a tight embrace.

Charlie couldn't get control of his emotions and Alan feared the worse. Luckily the Doctor Stone came out at that moment and heard the father's question.

"Mr. Eppes, Don has had a setback. He tried to yank out the tube. We have to keep his left hand strapped down, but actually he is progressing quite well. I don't think he harm himself even with the stunt he just pulled."

The doctor continued, "He isn't in a drug-induced coma, but he is heavily sedated. He won't wake up as much but he's responding to the treatment…so you can feel upbeat for now. We've got a long way to go before he is out of danger, but he is improving."

Stone motioned for the two gentlemen to sit in the chairs in the waiting area. Charlie managed to get his emotions under control. Alan kept his hand on his son's arm.

"Don has so many things to overcome. The swelling isn't coming down, yet. But the chest tube is doing its job. I think we will be weaning him off in a few days, but I'd rather be cautious with everything he's endured at this time. So let's give him a week. I'll be monitoring for complications that can show up from being on a respirator, but on the whole I'm pleased with his progress." The doctor smiled encouragingly.

Charlie had to ask, "Doc, do you think my brother will ever walk again?"

"Charlie, I can't say. These types of injuries are difficult to call. I'm still optimistic and you should be too. We must help Don to believe he can recover as a depressed patient can totally hinder any healing that's possible. He's depressed enough…but I can't start any anti-depressants yet. So your support is really important to his recovery."

"Can we see him?" Alan inquired.

"As soon as the nurse is finished she will allow you back in the room. Right now, sleep is his best medicine. You've both been very helpful with his recuperation." Stone replied as he left the men in the room with his patient.

Alan stood next to his firstborn. He couldn't bear to leave him alone. Fear gripped his heart. "Donny, I'm ordering you to stop giving me a heart attack. Have pity on your old man." Changing tactics, "Donny, you're a mess and I'm gonna fuss over you for several months to come. Just try to stop me."

Unable to sit, he stroked his son's left arm. Just you wait…you're gonna get tired of rib eye. Sorry I can't serve you beer for some time I'm afraid. But as soon as you're able, we'll be eating some red meat."

Charlie crossed over to his father, "Dream of rib-eyes Don. Some mash potatoes and fried shrimp. All your favorites…you might even hate them when we get done with you. I'll cook. I'll try not to burn the steaks…well most of the time."