A/N you know the drill R&R please

Ch 11 Darkest before the Dawn

Two days later Charlie was allowed to move into Don's room.

"Hey Buddy, long time no see," Don said with smile as the nurse helped Charlie get settled.

"Hey yourself," Charlie said with a smile of his own.

"Bet you're glad to be out of the ICU finally," Don said.

"Boy you're not kidding, bro," Charlie said, still smiling. "I'm glad they let me move into your room. It'll be nice to have someone to talk to."

"Yeah, I'm glad you're here too Buddy," Don said truthfully "But you'll be having so many visitors that you'll hardly have time to talk to me." Then as if on cue there was a knock on the door.

"Hello, hello," called Amita as she entered the room followed by Larry.

"Hey guys. Come on in," Charlie said really glad to see his friends.

"Hello Charles. Hello Don," Larry said with a nod. "You're both looking well."

"Thanks Larry. I'm actually feeling much better," Charlie said, truthfully.

"Well, you look terrific," stated Amita, giving Charlie a hug. "You both do," she added looking at Don.

"Thanks Amita," Don said giving her a smile. "Why don't I give you guys some space," he said moving aside his bag of clothes so they could sit.

"Here let me help you with that," Amita offered reaching for the bag.

"No that's OK Amita I got it," Don insisted as he lifted the bag with a slight groan, which he tried to hide.

"I just didn't want you to strain yourself," she explained.

"Well thank you but I am perfectly capable of lifting a simple bag," Don said, a little irritated.

"Don she was just trying to help," Charlie said, surprised at his brother's tone.

"I know she was," Don sighed, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry Amita," he said giving her a guilty look. "It's just I get so sick of people thinking they have to do everything for me. Just because I had surgery doesn't mean I can't do things for myself."

"It's OK Don," Amita said. "I understand. I almost forgot that you are not someone who likes to have people help him. I'm sorry."

"That's OK. Look why don't we change the subject," suggested Don, to tried to argue.

"Good idea," said Charlie. To Amita and Larry he asked, "So how are things over at Cal-Sci?"

"Oh things couldn't be better," said Larry. "Of course having you there would make things better Charles. But I believe that goes without saying."

"Of course," said Charlie smiling.

Don just shook his head and turned to his baseball book, ignoring the stab of pain, to give them some time to talk. They spent the next couple of hours talking about classes in the fall and how Charlie was looking forward to teaching again. The next thing Charlie knew Amita looked at her watch and said, "Oh my gosh it's 12:30. Wow I didn't realize what time is was. Larry we'd better go if we're going to make our 2:00 classes."

"Yes well perhaps we should go," Larry said. "Unless you want prefer me to stay Charles."

"No, no you go ahead Larry," Charlie insisted. "You can visit me again tomorrow."

"Well, if you're sure Charles," Larry said, as he stood up.

"I am," Charlie stated. "Go please. I'll still be here when you come tomorrow."

"We'll see you then," Amita said giving Charlie a hug.

"Bye guys," Charlie said, watching them leave.

"Well goodbye all," Larry said as he was leaving.

"Bye Charlie. 'Bye Don," Amita said walking out the door.

"Bye guys," Don said looking up from his book.

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After Amita and Larry left the nurse came in to bring Don and Charlie their lunch. Don wasn't really hungry, in fact he felt kind of sick from the constant pain in his side, but he sat up anyways to talk to Charlie. "Bet you were glad to see them huh?" he asked debating on rather or not to eat the ham and cheese sandwich before him.

"Yeah it was nice to talk to them," Charlie admitted. "They're really good friends."

"Yeah they are," Don agreed. Then he made a face at his sandwich and decided he wasn't going to eat after all. He turned away with a groan as another stab of pain came from his side.

Charlie had apparently been looking at his brother and heard the groan because he said, "Are you OK Don? You're not looking too hot."

"I'm fine Buddy," Don said, although his side was throbbing. "Don't worry about me. You should worry about yourself."

"I'm fine," Charlie answered. "There have been no signs of rejection and I feel better than I have in a long time."

"I'm really glad to hear that Buddy," Don said, with a weak smile. He was going to say more but then the nurse came in to check on him and Charlie. After she was done checking Charlie's stats she went over to Don and took his temperature and said, "101. Do you feel alright Mr. Eppes? You're looking a little flushed."

"I feel fine. Just a little pain in my side," Don said, not wanting to worry Charlie too much.

"Really? It's been four days you shouldn't be having as much pain at this point. We'll see what we can do about that," the nurse said putting on her gloves. "Lay down please."

Don complied with a groan. The nurse began to feel along Don's stomach and side. When she got to the area around the incision and pressed gently Don couldn't help sucking in his breath in pain. "Does that hurt?" the nurse asked, having heard the gasp.

"No I always suck in my air like like," Don thought sarcastically. Out loud he say low enough so Charlie couldn't hear, "Yeah it does a little. Is it bad?"

"Well, Mr. Eppes the area around the incision is red and swollen. I'm going to get the doctor to come in and take a look," she said turning to leave.

"Is it serious?" asked Charlie, who apparently heard the whole thing.

"There could be an infection but the doctor will have to confirm that," the nurse said as she was leaving.

Don looked over at his brother, who had a worried look on his face, and said, "Don't worry Buddy, I'm sure that it's nothing."

At these words Charlie's expression changed from worry to anger, "That's what you always say, Don," he said, with an edge. "Why can't you ever admit that something's wrong? I mean if you were in pain all this time then you should have said something."

"Charlie it's noth.." Don began.

"Don please don't say it's nothing," Charlie interrupted. "If it were nothing do you think the nurse would get the doctor?"

"No I guess you're right," Don said laying back with a sigh. "And you're right Charlie. I should have said something when the pain didn't stop. I guess that's just me being pigheaded." He gave Charlie a guilty smile as he said this.

Charlie was going to comment on this when Dr. Robinson came in. "Hello Don," she said with a smile "Nurse Parker tells me you're having some pain."

"Yeah I am," Don admitted looking at Charlie.

"Well let's take a look shall we," the doctor said as she pulled back the curtin to exam Don.

After about a few minutes Dr. Robinson said with a frown, "Don I'm afraid we have to take you for some x-rays."

"X-rays why.. what is it," Don said, taken aback.

"I can't say for sure. But with some x-rays and tests we'll know better," the doctor said.

"Well what.." Don began.

"We'll know more after the tests," the doctor reassured. "Don't worry, Don I'm sure it's nothing but we have to make sure."

"I know," Don said as the nurse came with a wheelchair to take him to x-ray. "Just a little nervous."

"Hey what's going on?" Charlie asked, as he saw Don being wheeled away.

"Just going for some tests Buddy," Don said as he left. "Don't worry it's probably nothing." Then he was gone leaving Charlie alone with his thoughts.

Twenty minutes later Charlie was wondering what was going on when Alan came into the room looking worried. "Charlie," he said sounding out of breath. "What's going on? I just got a call from Dr. Robinson saying to come here ASAP. Something about Don."

"Yeah Dad I don't know what's going on myself. He was having pain in his side and then Dr. Robinson took him for some tests and that's all I know," Charlie said. Then he added with frustration, "And it's driving me crazy."

"Well, I'm going to find out what's going on right now," Alan stated, starting towards the door.

Just then the nurse came in the room wheeling Don in with her. He looked surprised to see Alan looking so worried because he said, "Hey Dad what's going on?"

"Dr. Robinson called me and told me to come right away. Didn't she tell you why?" Alan asked.

"No and I really wish she did because I'm starting to worry," Don said without thinking.

Just then Dr. Robinson came in and said to Alan, "Mr. Eppes thank you for coming."

"What's going on here Doc?" Alan asked, concerned.

"Yeah, I'm wondering that to," Don added.

"It appears that you may have some internal trauma," the doctor explained to Don. "I believe that it may only be a couple a broken internal stitches. But we will have to do surgery to repair it."

"Surgery?" Don asked completely in shock. "When?"

"As soon as possible," the doctor said. Then seeing the shocked look on Don's face said, "Don't worry Don. This is simple surgery. Even if it's the worst scenario it should only put your recovery back a day or two."

"So no complications right?" asked Alan. "Simple surgery."

"Everything is going to fine," the doctor reassured, as she left. "I'll go see if the OR is ready yet. Don't worry."

"Don't worry she says," Don thought. "Like that'll stop Dad from doing just that thing."

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An hour later Don was wheeled down to surgery again. Alan was waiting along with Charlie who had gotten special permission to come and see Don off and wait for a hour.

"Don't worry Buddy everything's going to be fine," Don reassured his brother. "I don't want either one of you to worry." He looked at his father when he said this.

"Little hard not to," Alan said. "But I know everything will be fine Donnie. Dr. Robinson said it's simple surgery."

"Yeah it'll be fine bro" said Charlie with a small smile. "Nothing to worry about Then seeing the attendings had come to take Don back he said squeezing his brother's hand, "I'll see you later. I love you bro."

"Love you too Buddy," Don said. Then looking at Alan said, "Love you both."

"Same here son," Alan said giving his son a hug. "See you later."

"See you," Don called as he was wheeled through the doors.

"Don't worry Dad," Charlie said putting his arm around his father. "He'll be fine. Remember it's always darkest before the dawn."

"Yeah I know Charlie," Alan sighed. "It's just hard to remember that sometimes."

Then Alan and Charlie went to the waiting room to await the news.

Coming soon Ch 12