Alan didn't move from the seat between his son's beds until Don woke up; he jumped up and rushed over to his bedside.
Don's head was groggy when he opened his eyes to see a white room; the memory of waking up in Michael's white room flashed through his head, he sat up and looked for the thugs. Sharp pain shot through his side and he remembered that his ribs were injured.
"Donnie it's alright, you're safe." The soft tone of his father's voice soothed him and he let himself relax back on the bed.
"Dad" He didn't know what else to say, so that was all he said as he looked at his father. For the first time since they realized Charlie had been taken, Don felt relaxed and safe.
"You're in the hospital. You're safe now." Alan had tears in his eyes as he smiled at his eldest son.
"Dad where's Charlie?" Don was worried again, but it was only a short-lived emotion with his father's answer; "He's here too, He's fine Donnie."
Charlie was asleep in a bed to Don's right; he hadn't noticed him before because he was so relieved to see his father.
"Charlie? Charlie?"
"He's just sleeping Donnie, it's alright."
Don sighed, 'he's ok. We're safe and in the hospital.' Don couldn't help but still be concerned for his brother, he wouldn't settle until he spoke with Charlie and heard from him that he's ok.
Don finally managed to convince his father to go and have something to eat; "We'll both be here when you get back dad, you need to eat something." He reasoned.
"Alright, I'll be back soon." Alan reluctantly left quietly so he didn't wake Charlie.
It turns out that he hadn't needed to worry about waking Charlie because he was already awake; he turned his head and spoke, making Don aware for the first time that he was actually awake. "How is he?"
"Charlie, I didn't know you were awake. He's fine now that we're safe. How are you?"
"Yeah I'm… I'm alright…" Don chose not to question his brother's response, instead he thought about what he was going to write in his FBI report.
There was a soft knock at the door, followed by David entering the room. He smiled when he saw the two brothers awake; "It's good to see you two. Unfortunately though, I've been given the task of reporting your witness statements."
"All work no play" Don joked half-heartedly.
David sat next to Don taking notes from both brothers, putting down in words what happened to both of them, for just over an hour before the doctor came in and asked he leave to let them rest. David went back to the office to file his report, and the brothers both drifted into much wanted sleep.
Don and Charlie were in the hospital for two days before the doctor cleared them to go home and take it easy which they were glad to do, for the first day.
"Charlie stop pacing, just sit down and read a book or something." Alan was attempting to read the newspaper but was having a hard time because Charlie had been pacing around the house mumbling math gibberish for the past half an hour.
"I need to get back to school, I need to do some work." Charlie spoke the same response as last time he was told to sit down.
"Charlie go work on your blackboards in the garage" Don had finally had enough.
"Don…" Alan hadn't let the boys leave his sight since they got home, which was understandable.
"Dad, we are both here, he'll be fine."
Charlie hesitated for only a moment and then he was gone, off to scribble endlessly on his blackboards.
To Alan and Don the sudden silence was amazing and they both turned back to what they were doing.
Their silence was short-lived when a knock at the front door sounded. Don watched Alan get up and answer the door. 'It's probably Larry or Amita' he thought to himself, all the while staying alert just in case it was trouble.
It was indeed trouble, but not the kind either of them were expecting; Alan opened the door to several LAPD officers waiting to come inside. One of them held up a warrant while the others pushed past Alan and began searching the house.
"What's the meaning of this?!" Alan was furious that they didn't ask to come inside, or explain themselves.
Don stood up and went to talk to the officer in charge; "Officer what is going on?"
"Step back sir or you will be charged with obstruction of justice!" The officer even put his hand on his gun, as if Don was a threat. "Where is Charles Eppes?"
"He's in the garage… why?" The officer ignored Don and ordered his comrades to the garage.
"I am Agent Don Eppes of the FBI" he was angry now, "what is this about?!"
"I don't care who you are, back off!" Alan pulled Don away from the officer before he got himself in trouble.
Moments later the other officers re-entered the house with a handcuffed Charlie who looked more confused than anything. "Don what's going on?"
"Why are you arresting him?"
One of the other officers finally answered Don's question; "He is under arrest for aiding in the murder of a man."
All three members of the Eppes family were speechless as Charlie was escorted into the police car and taken away.
Alan turned to Don, furious and confused; "How can he… They must have it wrong!"
Don sighed, "Dad… If the man that took us killed whoever he made Charlie find, then the charges are correct. But they can't stand in court; he was the victim of a kidnapping by the same man." Don pulled out his phone and called David; "Charlie has just been arrested for aiding in a murder, I am going to need everything we have on his kidnapping ASAP."
