Hi everyone!

Thank you so much for all the favorites, follows and reviews! It really means so much to me, so thank you so much for being so kind :) I'm so glad you're all enjoying the story.

Here's the next chapter, and I hope to get the next one out in a few days :)

~cosette141

"It's looking good," said Sarah with a smile, replacing the bandage with a fresh one as Chuck held up his t-shirt, where he was sitting on the closed toilet in the bathroom. "You're healing well."

Chuck smiled and nodded, not quite trusting himself to speak as her fingers ensured the bandage was on securely.

"How are the ribs?" asked Sarah, tossing the gloves into the garbage can.

"Not gonna lie, still pretty painful," said Chuck with a wince, still feeling them twinge even just sitting.

Sarah smiled sympathetically. "A few more weeks, it'll get better. Trust me," she added, and it was Chuck's turn for a sympathetic look from what was obviously Sarah's own experience. She sighed. "I guess it's my turn for a shower."

Chuck brushed a hand through his wet hair, just glad that he'd managed the shower on his own. He wasn't as off balance today, so things were already looking up.

"I should probably leave then, right?" said Chuck, mostly joking.

Sarah rolled her eyes.

Chuck shot her back a grin, and left her to her shower.

He really couldn't have handled if he had stayed, anyway.

Sarah had just closed the bathroom door when he heard Ellie call his name.

"Chuck!"

He hesitated halfway to his bedroom where he was planning to wait for Sarah. "Uh, morning sis," said Chuck, giving her a grin he hoped didn't look as nervous as it felt.

She smiled back from the kitchen, saying, "I made breakfast! All your favorites!"

Chuck watched her move some bacon from the pan to a plate.

His stomach growled.

"I… Wow, sis, smells amazing," he said genuinely. "I'm… I'll wait until Sarah's done and then we'll—"

"There'll be plenty for her after," said Ellie. "You need to eat. Come on."

Chuck sighed.

Slowly he made his way to the living room. Luckily, Sarah had given him a secret stash of pain medication that the doctors wanted him to take, and he was just beginning to feel them take the edge off.

"You're looking better today," commented Ellie, following him and watching him carefully as if to catch him if he fell. "Feeling better?"

"I am," Chuck lied, giving her a smile he hoped wasn't too strained.

Ellie set the plate for him on the coffee table by the couch. Pancakes, eggs and bacon. It smelled amazing. Chuck smiled. He sat down gingerly. "Thanks, El," said Chuck. He took a bite, and it was heavenly. He ate slowly, still having less of an appetite than usual. Chuck flipped on the Sci-Fi channel to an old Twilight Zone episode he's seen about a hundred times. "Awesome at work?" he asked.

"He is," she confirmed.

"You working the night shift?" he asked. He never could keep up with their schedules.

"Actually I took the day off to stay home with you," she said with a smile.

Chuck tore his gaze from the tv. "You did?"

"Of course I did!"

"Ellie, you didn't have to—" began Chuck. "Sarah's gonna—"

"I know." She sat down next to him. "But I am your big sister, and this is my job." Chuck couldn't help but smile; without their parents growing up, taking care of him really had been Ellie's job.

"Thanks," said Chuck sincerely.

Ellie smiled, then said, "I know Sarah wants to be the one to take care of you, but can I please just check your bandages?"

Chuck felt cold sweep through him.

He hugged the pillow in his lap a little closer.

"Uh…"

"Just once," said Ellie. "I just want to look once and then Sarah can be your caretaker from then on."

Chuck felt his heart beat faster. He still heard the water from the shower going. Of all the times he needed saving. "I… I mean, Sarah just did," he said quickly. "She's doing great, and… and she really likes… nursing."

Ellie's brows shifted with curiosity at his lie, but she sighed with a little impatience. "Chuck, I don't like to play the Big Sister card, but I want to make sure you're healing properly. Devon and I are worried about you, and I just want to make sure. Then I'll stop pestering you, I promise." She reached for his shirt, but Chuck held the pillow tighter, shifting back toward the couch. The movement made pain spark in Ellie's eyes, and twisted Chuck's own chest.

Ellie grabbed the pillow, trying to tug it away. "Chuck," she said, in that motherly voice she hadn't used on him since they were kids. "Just let me see."

"Ellie, stop," whispered Chuck.

She can't.

She pulled at the pillow again. "Chuck, I just want to—"

"Ellie, just leave me alone!"

Ellie recoiled at Chuck's shout, and the look in her eyes nearly broke his heart. He immediately regretted the reflexive shout, and said, "Ellie—"

But, with tears in her eyes, she just stood, and walked out of the room.

He heard her bedroom door click shut.

Chuck shut his eyes.

Why did protecting his sister always have to end up hurting her?

He needed to get this damn Intersect out of his head. He was done lying. He was done hurting everyone.

He moved to stand.

Pain pushed him back down.

He was done hurting, period.