Review Replies:

numb3rs mystery - Yes, she is. And it'll become clearer why she does what she does as the story progresses. And don't worry, you'll be seeing plenty of Don :) There will be more Don/Collin moments too.

Conny - In my experience, hospitals don't do much for stomach bugs anyway. They'll usually give Tylenol/motrin to lower the fever, some anti-nausea medicine, and if you're dehydrated fluids. But as far as why Chloe didn't take Collin to the hospital, and what she did do, you'll find out in this chapter. And she told Don because she thought he deserved to know he had a son, not because she needed help, as her aunt kind of talked to him about at the end of chapter 4.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews! I just couldn't stop writing this part of the story so you get another update quick :) Enjoy!

Chapter 6 – Talks and Apologies

Chloe was already out on the porch by the time Don got to the steps.

"I'm not apologizing," she said firmly as Don sighed and held his hands out in front of him in a placating manner.

"And I'm not asking you to," he told her sincerely, seeing she was about to continue her frustrated rant. Chloe let out a heavy breath, seeming to release the frustrated air about her, as she nodded tiredly.

"Look, about –" she started quietly, looking down, until Don interrupted her.

"I already knew."

Chloe looked up at him with furrowed brows.

Don sighed. "Your mom told me when I went to see her." Chloe nodded slowly with a faint smirk.

"You never said anything," she muttered as she sat down on the top step.

Shrugging, Don replied, "Didn't seem to matter." Chloe huffed slightly in amusement as Don added, "Until now," as he sat down next to her. Chloe raised her eyebrows in a 'no kidding' manner. "Look Chloe," Don started with a sigh. "I know how my Dad is. He worries a lot."

"Collin didn't need to go to the hospital. It was just a stomach bug that's been going around his school, the school nurse warned us Monday," she interjected fervently. "I called his pediatrician to make sure, and he said as long his fever didn't get worse and he didn't get too dehydrated I didn't need to take Collin to the hospital and it would go away on its own," she added defensively.

Don nodded. "How's he doing?" he asked gently.

Taking a deep breath as she ran her hands over her face, Chloe answered, "His fever went away with Tylenol, and he finally stopped puking and fell asleep about three this morning."

"Good," Don commented. "Did you get any sleep?" he questioned, not failing to notice that she was still wearing her work uniform.

Chuckling quietly, Chloe shook her head. "No."

With a slight smirk, Don asked, "You know what your mom told me?"

Looking over at him with a confused expression, she shook her head.

"She said sometimes she thinks you make a better mom than she does," he told her softly.

Chloe looked down with a light huff.

"She was right about one thing," Don continued firmly. "You are good at taking care of your brother."

She closed her eyes for a minute and took a deep breath. "Don," she started quietly, looking him in the eyes. "I didn't tell you about Collin because I need help, or so I can get a break."

Don nodded somberly. "I know that." He smirked as he told her, "Besides, your aunt already warned me not to do anything just to help you out. I'm pretty sure there was an underlying threat there."

Chloe smiled slightly. "Yeah, probably," she chuckled, looking back out toward the street.

"Look," Don sighed, turning serious. "I know how many hoops you would've had to have jumped through to become his legal guardian. Especially since you've been his guardian almost a year, and you only turned eighteen, what? About six months ago. You would've had to get emancipated first, and then get approval from all the right people to become his guardian."

"The social worker told me I was crazy," Chloe muttered.

Don gave her a small smile. "Nah. It's a crappy situation to begin with, you're just taking care of your little brother the best way you know how." Chloe bit her lip, but didn't look up. "I'm not trying to take that away from you," he assured her. "I just want to be a part of his life."

Chloe sighed, slowly looking over at Don. "He wants you in his life. You're his dad."

They sat in silence for a few minutes, just watching the quiet street. Chloe turned around when she heard the screen door creak open slowly.

"Hey bud," she greeted softly as Collin came outside slowly, still looking tired but not as sick as he had the night before.

"Hey kiddo, how you feelin'?" Don asked as Collin sat down in between him and Chloe.

"Better," he mumbled, leaning his head on Chloe's shoulder. "Is Grandpa mad?" Collin asked quietly, looking at Don with apprehension.

Shaking his head, Don assured him, "Nah, he's not mad. He was just worried about you, that's all."

Collin shrugged. "I know, he just looked kinda mad when Chloe told him she's my guardian," he commented.

"I think he was just surprised, that's all," Don told him comfortingly.

"'kay," Collin muttered in a small voice, closing his eyes as Chloe rubbed circles on his back.

Don glanced at Chloe and she gave him a reassuring smile.

"Can I have pancakes for breakfast?" Collin asked, looking up at Chloe.

Don laughed lightly, while Chloe rolled her eyes and muttered, "You must be feeling better."

Collin looked up at her and smirked, "Yeah, and you make awesome pancakes."

Chloe smiled, but chuckled and smirked at Don before telling Collin, "Why don't you ask your dad if he'll show you how to make 'em. He's the one who taught me anyway."

The look Collin had when he looked over at Don bore a remarkable resemblance to a puppy begging for a treat. Nonetheless, Don smiled and agreed.

-0-

"Hey Chuck," Don greeted when he entered the craftsman. "Dad home?"

Charlie nodded. "Kitchen." Don nodded and started to walk towards the kitchen, but paused and turned back around when Charlie asked, "How's Collin doing?"

"Good," Don informed his brother. "Chloe said the fever went away with Tylenol, and he stopped throwing up about three AM. He was feeling well enough to eat pancakes this morning so I'd say he'll be fine," he added with a smirk.

Smiling, Charlie said, "Good, I'm glad he's okay."

Don nodded and headed into the kitchen. He found his dad rewashing the dishes from the night before.

"Hey Dad," he said quietly to announce his presence.

Alan looked up and over at his eldest son, who didn't miss the worried expression on his face. The first words out of his mouth were, "How's Collin?"

"No fever, stopped throwing up at three, and feeling much better. He even kept down pancakes for breakfast," Don sighed, assuring his father that Collin was fine.

"Good," Alan nodded quietly. Taking a deep breath, he looked Don in the eyes and asked, "And what about the other thing?"

Don rolled his eyes. "Oh come on Dad, what about it?" he retorted.

"Donnie, your son is being taken care of by a kid! Doesn't that concern you?" Alan replied incredulously.

"No," Don answered honestly, and firm. When Alan started to open his mouth, Don continued seriously, "Dad, Chloe is his big sister. She's eighteen years old. She got emancipated last year so that she could become Collin's legal guardian, which means she had to get through a lot more red tape than most. And a social worker still checks up on them to make sure she's doing everything she's supposed to be."

Alan sighed. "That's well and good, but still –" But Don cut him off before he could finish.

"Dad, before you knew she was his guardian, were you the least bit concerned about his wellbeing?"

Watching his son for a minute, and taking a deep breath before answering, Alan admitted, "Other than worrying about how he's dealing with his mother being sick…No."

"Then what's the issue?" Don asked quietly. "Nothing's changed."

Sighing heavily, Alan nodded in concession. But he added lightly, "I still think she's too young to be taking care of a kid."

Don nodded. "She's too young to be dealing with a lot of things," he said soberly. Alan nodded in agreement as Don added, "But she's doing the best she can, and to be honest…that's pretty damn good."

Alan looked his son in the eyes for a minute before nodding slowly.

-0-

"Be with you in a minute," Chloe called when she heard someone enter the store, but didn't look up from what she was checking on the computer for a minute. "What can I –" Chloe paused when she looked up and saw Alan. "Hi," she greeted slowly, letting out the breath she'd been holding.

Alan gave her an apologetic smile. "I wanted to apologize for the other night," he told her sincerely. Chloe looked down. "Don told me what the doctor told you, and that Collin was better that morning. It's been a while since I've taken care of a sick kid. I overreacted, and I'm sorry for that," Alan apologized.

"You don't have to be sorry," Chloe sighed, looking back up at him. "You were worried about him. I get that." Alan nodded. Chloe smirked slightly as she told him, "The first time Collin got sick after I became his legal guardian, I took him to the hospital for what turned out to be nothing more than a bad cold." Alan smiled. "I'd taken care of him when he was sick before, but it's different when you're the one responsible for him and have to make the decisions yourself."

Nodding, Alan agreed quietly, "Yes it is."

"Look Mr. Eppes –"

"Alan," he corrected with a smile.

Forcing a small smile, "Alan," Chloe started, then admitted, "Under different circumstances, I would've probably taken him to the hospital last night."

"Why didn't you?" Alan asked with furrowed brows.

Chloe sighed heavily. "Because Collin hates hospitals," she answered simply. Seeing Alan's still puzzled expression, she elaborated, "That first time he got sick and I took him to the hospital over a cold…he had a panic attack in the waiting room." Alan's eyes widened slightly. "You think it's scary when he's running a fever and puking…try watching him hyperventilate, being terrified and not able to breathe."

Alan shook his head. "I can't imagine," he admitted quietly.

Chloe sighed, looking down as she continued, "Ever since our mom got sick, he's hated hospitals." She shrugged as she told him, "He's fine going to visit her or whatever, but when it comes to him being the one to go, or even me or my aunt or cousins…he freaks out. Panics. That's why I won't take him to the hospital unless he needs to go."

"It's gotta be hard on him," Alan said softly. "On both of you."

Glancing up, Chloe nodded slowly. Biting her lip, she sighed. "I may not be the best at this, but I do the best I can. And I promise you…taking care of my brother is my first priority," she told Alan firmly.

Nodding slowly, Alan replied, "That's good enough for me," with a smile.

Chloe smiled. "We good?" she questioned lightly.

Alan nodded, extending his hand. "We're good."

"Good," Chloe smiled as she shook his hand. "Cause Collin really likes spending time with his grandpa."

Smiling, Alan assured her, "The feeling's mutual."

A/N: Hope you liked that chapter! I probably won't get to update as quick next time cause I'm going on vacation tomorrow, but I'll try to have the next chapter up within the next week. As always, reviews are greatly appreciated!