A/N I hope you guys are enjoying my story. If you are then I'd like to hear you thoughts reviews are what makes me a better writer so please review. Anyways enough blabbing here's ch 8 enjoy!

Ch 8 The Operation Draws Closer

The next few weeks seemed to fly by for Don. Mostly this was because he had a murder case that took up most of his time. This suited Don just fine because it gave something else to think about. But during the down time when he was driving home he thought about the upcoming operation and this time the thoughts were good. "As soon as the operation is over Charlie will be able to have a normal life again," he thought with a smile. "And I don't even have to worry about my job. Merrick said that as soon as I was recovered I could come back to work on a trail basis." He continued these happy thoughts even as he was walking into his bedroom. "I should give Charlie a call to see how he's doing," Don thought as he climbed into bed. He looked at the clock which read 2:45 am. "He's probably asleep by now. I'll give him a call tomorrow and we'll talk. I'm sure I can find the time." Don decided, feeling a little guilty that he hadn't been spending enough time with his brother.

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The next morning Don gave Charlie a call hoping he'd catch him before he went to Cal-Sci.

"Hello Eppes residence," came his brother's voice.

"Hey Buddy it's me," said Don.

"Hey bro what's up?" asked Charlie glad to hear from his brother. "How's the case you've been working on. Megan told me that it going good."

"Yeah, yeah it is we're pretty sure we know who did it and David and Colby are going to pick him up today," Don replied.

"Really? That's great!" Charlie exclaimed. "Looks like you can manage just fine without my help bro. Guess I shouldn't be surprised huh?" He added a laugh at the end to let Don know he was kidding.

"Yeah sure Buddy," Don said with a laugh of his own. "But listen that wasn't why I was calling. I wanted to see how you're doing? I figured you might be nervous because the operation is only a week away."

"Yeah I am a little," Charlie admitted. "But who wouldn't be. How about you? Are you OK?" he asked concerned that Don may be having doubts again.

"Yeah, I fine Buddy don't worry," Don said truthfully. Then remembering the promise he had made about sharing his feelings more said, "Sure I'm a little nervous, but nothing big"

"Same here," Charlie said. "Listen I have to go to class now but why don't you come by the house later for a visit. I'm sure Dad will be glad to see you."

"Sounds good Buddy. I'll be over as soon as we wrap up this case," Don promised.

"Great see you later bro," Charlie said.

"See 'ya Buddy," Don said as he hung up.

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That evening as Don drove towards his brother's house in a good mood. Things had gone faster than he had thought they would with getting a confession out of their suspect. But then again Colby and David could be real persuasive at times. Don was glad that the case went so smooth because this meant less paperwork to do and more time to spend with his family before the operation. As much as he loved his job he knew that this time was better spent with his family. Although he knew that after he was allowed to go home his dad would insist that he recuperate at home with Charlie and there could be such a thing as too much togetherness. At the same time he couldn't help feeling that he should get as much done at work as possible because he knew that between the week he would have to spend in the hospital and recovery time he would be out of commission for at least six weeks. He also couldn't help feeling that the team somehow need him there to keep things together. "Don't be stupid Eppes," he thought. "The FBI won't fall apart because you're not there. Megan, David, and Colby are perfectly capable of handling things without you for a while. Besides it's only for a few weeks. So just relax." Convinced at these thoughts Don felt more at ease when he pulled up in the driveway.

"Hey Charlie you home?" Don called as he walked in the door.

"In here," called Charlie, from the garage.

"Hey," Don said as we walked through the door. "Whatcha working on?" he asked pointing at the equations on the board.

"Oh just working on some things for my class that I can work on while recuperating," Charlie answered as he worked. "Gotta keep busy you know since I won't be able to go back to Cal-Sci for a while and with the transplant coming up in 6 days 11 hours and 4 minutes I figured I'd better do it now."

"Sounds like a plan," Don said nodding his head. "I know what you mean about wanting to keep busy though."

"Oh?" said Charlie still working on his equations.

"Yeah well like take this case we just closed. I mean that kept me pretty busy these last few weeks. Kept my mind of the operation. But now that it's closed I have more time to think about it, which is a good thing, because it reminds me to keep in mind what's about to go down. I mean it's like what you said before, this is a huge thing that's about to happen. But at the same time it's a good thing too because I get to help you out and you get to be normal again," Don said, a little surprised at himself for being able to express his feelings so freely, which he usually didn't.

This must have surprised Charlie too because he stopped working and looked at his brother and said,"Don, you don't have to tell me what a big deal this is. Believe me I know better than anyone. I mean I'm the one who's getting the kidney. I'm also the one who's going to have to take medication to make sure I don't lose the kidney too."

"I know that Buddy," Don said. "I was just saying we shouldn't use work to escape. We should talk things out. Then maybe we'll feel better."

Charlie once again looked at his brother in surprise saying, "Boy Don this is so not like you wanting to talk and share you feelings. May I ask where this came from all of a sudden?"

"I'm just trying to keep my promise of being more open with you," Don answered. "Isn't that what you wanted?"

"Yeah it is Don and believe me I'm glad you're doing it but I think the best thing for us both to do is relax. And the way for me to do it is by doing math," Charlie said, going back to his work.

"Whatever you want to do Buddy. You know where I'll be if you need me," Don said as he left.

"Thanks Don."

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As Don left the garage he thought "Boy I wish Charlie would make up his mind. First he tells me that he wants me to be more open with him, then when I am he tells me he'd rather work. Brothers." He was so absorbed in his thought as he was about to leave that he almost ran right smack into Alan who was heading out there.

"Whoa there Donnie," Alan said grabbing his son's arm. "Almost had a collision there."

"Oh hey Dad. Sorry I didn't see you there," apologized Don snapping out of his thoughts

"Obviously. I take it that you saw your brother," Alan asked.

"Yeah I did but he seemed distracted though."

"Yeah he's been like that all day. I think he's just nervous about the operation and wants to keep his mind off it."

"Yeah I know how that is," Don admitted.

"Oh?" Alan asked looking at his son. "Are you having doubts again?'

"No, no nothing like that. It's just what I was telling Charlie before about me using work to keep me mind off of the operation. It's just our way of dealing with the nerves," Don explained.

"Oh, I see," Alan said. "May I ask how those nerves are doing now?"

"Well, I'm still a little nervous. But hey that's normal right?"

"Right," the elder Eppes agreed. "I'd be more worried if you said everything's perfectly fine."

"I figured as much. Well, I guess since Charlie is busy with work I'll head on home," Don said starting to leave.

"Wait Donnie I have a better idea. Since the operation is so close why don't you come and spend a few days with us. That way we can all head over to the hospital together and spend some time together in the mean time," Alan suggested, secretly wanting to have both of his sons with him so he could keep an eye on them.

"Dad that's not ness.." Don began. Then seeing the disappointment of his father's face changed his mind. "Alright yeah that's sounds... good. Some good 'ol fashioned family time," he said trying to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.

"Great. Well, why don't you go home and get your things together and I'll set up your old room for you," Alan said heading upstairs.

"Thanks Dad," Don said as he left. "It'll be great." To himself he said "I just hope we don't kill each other first from too much togetherness." He had a feeling it was going to be a long six days.

Coming soon Ch 9 The Operation and the aftermath