A/N: I apologize for the delay. My muse has been hiding because of real life. I will try to not keep you waiting too much but between life and lack of internet it has been hard. Also I noted the repose to my last posting. I was trying to replace chapter 11 because of the errors I found upon rereading it, but it didn't put it where it was supposed to go and now I don't know how to fix it. If anyone can tell me how, it would be GREATLY appreciated.

Disclaimer: I don't own Numb3rs or the characters. This is my first fan fiction. Constructive criticism is welcome just please be nice about it. Thank you all for the reviews.

Chapter 21

Alan sat in the chair watching his eldest son. Don was pacing the room, "Don, could you please sit down? I know that you are worried but it's not helping."

Don ran his hand through his hair as he came to sit down next to his father. "I'm sorry dad. I should have come over that night you called. Maybe this wouldn't have happened."

"Don, there is no way to know what would have happened. Unfortunately, there seems to be a lot of things going on that none of us knew about. Charlie has been keeping things to himself lately. Now we just wait to see what will happen next and deal with that. No one person is to blame for this. You and your team found him that is what is important."

Alan looked at Charlie. His skin was so pale. There were many tubes running into him. 'My son, what were you thinking? We love you no matter what. You should know this. You need to come back to us. Everything will be alright.'

Charlie felt like he was floating. A white mist surrounding him everywhere he looked. 'What is going on? I can't see anything.' He could hear a faint rumbling sound but he couldn't tell where it was coming from. It was warm around him and he was tired, so he just surrendered to the nothingness around him.

Amita and Larry had returned to CalSci for classes. After Larry's class was over he found himself sitting looking out the window thinking of his friend. 'I don't understand why Charles would not even talk to me or Amita about how he felt. He has always come to me before for advice.'

Amita walked into the office. "Larry, are you okay?"

"I am fine Amita. I am just thinking about everything that has happened in the last few days. It is a bit overwhelming. I have been trying to figure out what Charles was thinking."

"I honestly have no idea what he was thinking and am beyond trying to at this point. All we can do is wait for him to wake up and ask him." Replied Amita. "We both will go to the hospital after our classes and see what is going on. Hopefully he will be awake by then."

"I must go get ready for my next class. I wish that I could just cancel it and get to the hospital. Waiting is not my thing. I am worried about Charles and cannot concentrate on class." Answered Larry.

"Trust me I know the feeling but there is not much we can do about it. I'll see you afterwards and we'll go up to the hospital. Alan will keep us posted if anything happens." Replied Amita as she left the room.

Charlie had been taken down for his CAT scan. Dr. Stephens walked into the room to talk to Alan and Don. "His scan shows there is some swelling that wasn't there before. I've started him on medications to reduce the swelling. So all we can do right now is wait. I will order another scan in few hours. I am going to continue my rounds but if you need me for anything just have the nurse page me. Hopefully he will wake up soon."

Colby knocked on the door. "Don how is Charlie doing?"

Don turned to him. "He still hasn't woke up. The doctor says there is swelling but we just have to wait."

"Have either of you eaten yet? I know you have been in here since he came out of surgery." Asked Colby.

Alan looked at Charlie. "I don't want to leave him alone. He might wake up while we are gone."

"I'll stay with him. You both need to take care of yourselves to be able to help him later. You know I'm right Alan. You would be the first to tell your sons this." Said Colby.

Don looked at Charlie. "You'll stay here till we get back?"

Colby shook his head. "After everything do you really need to ask? He's family to us too. You should know this by now Don."

"Alright we'll go get coffee and something to eat but we're coming right back here." Stated Alan in a no nonsense tone. Don reluctantly followed his father. He knew he wouldn't win an argument at this point.

Colby sat down in the chair next to Charlie. "Whiz kid, I don't know what is going through your mind right now…Actually I don't know what has been going through your mind for a while apparently. But if it is how I felt after I was arrested by the team. You probably are feeling betrayed by all those people that you have helped before. None of us knew anything was going on. I don't know why you didn't tell us. I took you up to talk after the incident during the Bonnie Parks case. Thought it was a clear point that you could talk to me anytime you needed to. Guess I wasn't clear about that. You know you have so many people confused right now, Whiz kid. I know you are strong man. You've proven it so many times, but now I think that you need some people to lean on. That is what friends are for, we all do at one point or another. You need to wake up and tell us what we can do to help you. Not a mind reader man wish I was it would help in interrogating suspects. Well I guess we will just wait for you to wake up, not going anywhere man. Somebody or another will be here at all times."