Again, not a doctor, not an expert. If you know better, let me know. Just another fanfic license I decided to take. LOL Thanks! And, just to remind you, I don't own Numb3rs, etc.
Charlie woke up to a feeling he could only associate with one of those crazy circus people who swallow fire to entertain. He couldn't remember volunteering his own protection to do something so insane, but he couldn't remember anything ever hurting like this before. It had to be that, right? Some cruel twist of fate?
But then Charlie opened his eyes and he knew his assumption was way off. His memory came back to him. He was in the hospital. Charlie could see his brother and father waiting patiently in the corner, both half asleep. Charlie was to stay in the hospital another day to watch for infections and so he could receive more fluids intravenously. His throat was badly burned by the substance that had been in his tea. It was believed to be some type of caustic substance, like a toilet bowl cleaner. The substance had left his esophagus and stomach burned and he was on corticosteroids and antibiotics to prevent infection. Days later, it still hurt to talk, but he was making progress one baby step at a time.
As the clarity of wakefulness came to him, the fear returned as well. Charlie didn't know what to think about this poisoning. It could have been a student. It could have been a colleague. It could have been a random attack. It could have been related to the FBI case he was currently working on.
The other option was the one that terrified him. Because it could have been related to the NSA case.
Charlie had really expected this to be over. The fear and the worry were still there, for sure. But that was different. Those problems were within him. But an attack against him? That was someone else entirely. That was an outside factor that he couldn't control, but could very well control him. Charlie listened to his monitor start speeding up and he forced himself to calm.
"Buddy? You okay?" Don asked, waking up fully when he heard his brother's monitor. It seemed to be a recurring pattern. Every time his brother woke up, the monitor would start going off faster. Don knew it wasn't a technical issue.
Charlie nodded. He wanted desperately to reassure his brother with words, but it seemed every time he tried to speak to his brother, Don would make him stop. It didn't make much sense to Charlie, considering Don was the one who asked him the most questions.
"Just one more day and you can get out of here, okay?" Don smiled, trying to be cheerful and reassuring to his brother.
Charlie smiled and nodded. He couldn't wait. He hated being on display. Bob Thompkins had tried to question him, but Don had kicked him out. Don had been by his side every second he was allowed. Alan was there the majority of the time, and both of them seemed to just stare at Charlie, like something might change. It was as if they were making sure they wouldn't miss one blink, one toss or turn. Charlie was getting sick of it.
Don scooted over closer to his brother to avoid waking his father. "We're going to find out who did this, Charlie. I promise. You're safe, okay?"
Though Don usually preferred a more proactive approach, this time he had assigned himself to watching his brother. Of course that wasn't to say he wouldn't send someone else to if he wanted to go out in the field. But this time Don stayed at the hospital and watched his brother, instead of hunting down who had done it. He really wanted to keep an eye on his brother, and not just for his physical well being. There was so much more at stake here, and Don didn't want just anyone in there taking care of Charlie.
"D-on..."
"Don't talk, Buddy."
Charlie shook his head harshly. "Don, I... trust you.... I know... you... will."
Don smiled at his brother's confidence. Charlie smiled in return until a coughing fit brought tears to his eyes. Don sat up, wanting to do something, but he wasn't sure what. He just rubbed his brother's back, willing the coughing to subside. Charlie only coughed a few times, but it was enough to leave him aching and tired. He leaned on the bed closest to his brother. Don brushed his brother's hair back as Charlie closed his eyes as he lay down weakly. Charlie barely smiled as he felt his brother's hand smooth his hair down.
"Thanks... for being here."
Don smiled. "Where else would I be?"
Charlie could think of enough places that would be more important than here. He really didn't feel like his brother needed to be baby-sitting him, but Charlie knew that it was a precaution Don found necessary. Either way, Charlie appreciated what his brother did for someone as insignificant as him.
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Before Charlie was released from the hospital, the doctor came in for one last exam. Alan and Don waited by the front desk in the waiting room for Charlie to come out. The doctor took a quick look inside Charlie's mouth, gave him a prescription for antibiotics, and then was on his way. Charlie had just gotten dressed when the door opened. He turned around and found a stranger in his room.
"Who are... you?"
"You don't remember me?" The man laughed, and Charlie went cold. The voice was all too familiar, bringing back haunting memories of a time he'd rather forget.
"Don..." Charlie wanted to hurt himself at how weak his voice was.
The man laughed again. "That's all you've got? I need to finish what we started. I just wanted to let you know. I hope you enjoyed the tea I made you."
Again, the sinister laugh ensued. Charlie was about to attempt a scream when the man turned and left the room.
Charlie almost collapsed onto the bed. His whole body shook with fear. Stoically, he left his room and started down the hall toward his father and brother. As he left the room, he began calling to his brother.
"Don... Don... Don..." Charlie's voice was still useless. With each call, he tried to raise his voice, but it was beginning to hurt more and more. When he was almost half way down the hall, he called to his brother once more and Don somehow heard him.
Don was barely paying attention when he heard the hoarse voice of his younger brother. He turned his head, sensing something wrong. He took a moment to look at his brother and he immediately recognized that something was horribly wrong. He stood and started running toward his brother. He stopped in front of Charlie, who had stopped walking when Don started running toward him. Don reached out and grasped Charlie's shoulders, looking into his brother's eyes.
"What happened?" Don demanded.
Charlie closed his eyes. "He... he was... here."
Don's eyes flared and he quickly walked around his brother, shielding Charlie's body. Walking backwards, Don pushed Charlie to the waiting room and into the seat he'd been in. Alan was watching them as they approached, feeling concerned and quite out of the loop with what was going on.
"Who was it?" Don asked roughly.
"One... of... them."
"Them? Who?"
"The... man... who pois... pois..." Charlie couldn't get the word out as he coughed and his throat burned. Alan provided a bottle of water he had just for Charlie. Charlie took a drink to cool the burning.
"Who poisoned you?" Don provided and Charlie nodded.
"Where was he? What does he look like?"
Charlie pointed and Don understood what he meant. He began giving a description, but suddenly stopped and shook his head back and forth. Don was confused, but with one look in Charlie's eyes, he knew he had to stop. Charlie's eyes were filling with tears as the pain of talking caught up with him. He couldn't do it, not here, not now. Don nodded and brought his family out to his SUV. He gave Charlie a notepad and pen to write with and Charlie took a moment to explain further what had happened. Charlie managed a smile as he wrote, recognizing how much nicer it was to write instead of talk.
Don watched Charlie write nervous and eagerly. He needed to know what had happened so he could tell his team. On the way home, he called David to come take his place watching Charlie. He needed to act fast.
Charlie handed over the notepad, and Don quickly skimmed it as he drove. He pulled into the driveway on two wheels and saw David waiting at the front door. Don waited long enough for Charlie and Alan to exit the car, said a quick goodbye, and drove off.
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Don made it back to the hospital in half the time it took him to get home. He had a feeling the man was no longer there but he began questioning the nurses and staff, asking if they had seen him. Don knew there was no way the man was just allowed to barge right in there, so he asked the front desk. One man thought he knew him, and Don demanded to look at the surveillance tapes. He went in to the security room and watched the footage. When he found the video of the hallway that led to Charlie's room, Don took it and ran. As he left the hospital, he called Bob Thompkins again and ordered him to meet him at the FBI office in ten minutes. He didn't say anything else. Didn't give him an option. He was coming, or Don would hunt him down, and both men seemed to understand that.
Don went to his office, nearly thrust the video in Colby's hand, and demanded his team meet him in the conference room. Colby moved quickly and put the video in and then quickly moved to a chair, hunched like a kicked dog. Within minutes, Bob came to their floor and Don waved him inside. Don slammed the door behind them and faced the worried, confused, and somewhat scared faces staring at him.
"Someone is after my brother and I better damn well find him within the next 24 hours!"
Bob looked sharply at Don, afraid of what he was saying. Charlie was still in danger? Impossible!
"He's on this tape and I intend to bring him in within the next 24 hours. Any questions?"
Bob got up and took Don's arm. The team was left shaken, wondering what all had happened. They had plenty of questions, but they were left unanswered as Don was forced out of the room by Bob.
"What the hell are you thinking?" Bob hissed when they were finally alone.
"I'm thinking you screwed up! There's still someone after Charlie and he says it's from when he was working for you. So what the hell did you do this time, Thompkins?"
"That's not possible! This isn't the FBI's case. This is a matter of national security!"
"My brother is not national, director. He's one man, and one I happen to be willing to put my life on the line for willingly any day of the week. Now either you're going to help us find the bastard who hurt him, or you're going to get the hell out of my way."
Bob looked angry a moment, but Don's fury overpowered Bob's. He finally sighed and consented, willing to make it a cooperative effort between the FBI and the NSA. None of the team had clearance high enough to know the details of Charlie's assignment. Colby had the highest and since he had a professional connection to Charlie and the assignment, Bob gave him the more sensitive aspects to work on. Don wanted let in, but he knew he couldn't push. There was no way in hell he was going to get kicked off this case. This was his little brother they were talking about. It wasn't just anyone. It wasn't just any case. This was serious, and Don needed to be informed every step of the way.
Don, Colby, Megan, and Director Thompkins all worked late. Around nine o'clock, everyone but Don had cleared out. At eleven o'clock, Megan came back looking for her cell phone and found Don half asleep at his desk.
"Don? Hey." Megan came toward him, speaking gently.
"What?" Don jumped, startled. He saw Megan and he calmed down. "What are you doing here?"
"I should ask you the same question. Go home, Don. Charlie needs you there, not here."
"I... I've got to catch this guy, Megan."
Megan smiled comfortingly. "I know, Don. And we will. But right now you're dead on your feet and Charlie is probably worried about you and scared stiff. Plus, David's been there all day."
"David! I completely forgot about him." Don stood from his chair and swayed on his feet, dizzy. Megan put a hand on his arm and steadied him. Don smiled his thanks.
"Go home, Don."
"I will."
Megan smiled and watched Don leave. She turned to her desk and searched for her keys, only to find them in the pocket of the coat she was wearing when Don called her minutes later to ask if she would shut down his computer.
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David knew the Eppes family well enough to feel comfortable in their home. Even so, he felt the tension in the house unnerving and definitely uncomfortable. He wasn't sure how to help Charlie. He offered kind words and gentle pats to Charlie's arms and shoulders. But nothing seemed to be helping. David tried to get Charlie to talk to him, but he realized that was a foolish idea, considering Charlie's throat was still raw. So David just kept an eye out for Charlie, watched out the window, checked on every sound, and tried not to get in the way too much.
He was relieved when Don got home.
"You can head out, David. I'll take it from here," Don said drowsily as he met David at the door.
David smiled and nodded in response. He wanted more information on the case, but he knew Don was tired, and, to be honest, he was too. So David said his good nights and left the Eppes house to head to his own apartment.
Don couldn't believe he had stayed away so long. He felt guilty for not being with Charlie all day, as he had been the past few. But he wasn't sorry he was working the case. He had many things to do to help his brother, and some times he had to choose one over the other. Don couldn't always be there by Charlie's side. Sometimes he had to put some distance between them so he could do the job he was professionally trained for, not the one he was intrinsically made to do.
"Donny, where have you been? You looked exhausted," Alan said to his oldest son.
"Hey, Dad. I've just been working on this, for Charlie."
Alan nodded. He understood Don felt he had been in the right place, but he couldn't help but wonder if Charlie would have been better off if Don had stayed. Charlie had been quiet all day, subdued, and a little jumpy. He had tried to stay in bed, but found sleep a hard thing to find, partially because of the fear and partially because David was hovering around him all day.
"Where's Charlie?" Don asked.
"He's upstairs in his room." Alan wanted to tell Don he should go to him, but Don had already started walking toward the stairs.
Charlie was laying in his bed, thinking it was finally quiet enough for him to sleep. David had left his side miraculously, so he tried to close is eyes and sleep. However, a knock on the door interrupted that idea. Charlie opened his eyes and found Don standing in the doorway. A sad smile lit up Charlie's face. He was happy his brother was there. It had been weird without him.
"You awake, Buddy?" Don asked softly.
"I'm awake," Charlie answered hoarsely.
Don smiled and turned on the lamp light on Charlie's desk. He didn't want the full light on for fear it would wake Charlie up further. But the lamp lit the room with a soft, warm glow that made it easy enough for Don to see his brother and find his way to the bed.
Charlie followed Don's movements with his eyes. Charlie waited until his brother sat on his bed before he sat up too. He continued to watch Don, not knowing what to say.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here, Charlie. I was working on catching the son of a bitch who did this to you. I hope you were okay."
Charlie nodded, but Don saw the lie immediately. It was plain as day by the tears that filled Charlie's eyes. He tried to hide them, but Don had already seen. Charlie turned his face away, and Don gently reached out and turned his brother's face back toward him.
"It's okay, Buddy. You're safe now, I promise."
Charlie knew that. It was just the fear from the day. He was never safe, never safe unless his brother was there. No one else could protect him like Don could. Charlie knew that deep in his heart. There was never any other hero. No other who would fight away the bullies, chase away the monsters under his bed. It had been true his entire life, and it was still true today. Don was the only one who could really protect him, even if the others who tried had FBI training and a gun.
"I was... so... scared."
Don's heart thumped. How could he have left Charlie for so long? It appeared that Charlie had been putting on a brave front all day, and now the dam had burst and there was nothing there to rebuild. Charlie's tears continued to fall, and Don reached out and hugged his brother tightly to him.
"Sh, sh. You're okay. I've got you."
Charlie sobbed. The man had found him so easily at the hospital, at CalSci. There was no doubt in his mind that he could find him just as easily here, in his own home. Without Don there, he had felt vulnerable and exposed. He felt like he lived in a glass house on display for all the world to see. Charlie needed his safeguard, and now he was finally here.
"Don't... leave me."
"Never, Charlie. I'd never leave. You're going to be okay. Don's here."
Charlie closed his eyes and pressed his face tightly into Don's chest. He shivered and shook, trying to feel safe by his brother's strong arms. He let himself slip away into the safety of his brother's presence and he finally found peace... and sleep.
Who has seen the preview for next week? HOLY CRAP! I cannot WAIT. Just as a heads up, I will probably be writing a story about that episode. I would not be surprised if I got some idea from it! So if there's a delay with this story, forgive me. I'd be too blocked with an idea about that episode, though, so be on the lookout for that. I'm sure it's coming! Thanks for reading and reviewing. And thanks for whoever it was who posted a youtube video and dedicated it to me. I really appreciate it. Thanks, guys! Love ya!