Disclaimer: I own nothing and never will…I will always be a freeloader without a dime to my name.
A/N: You wanted more Charlie hurties? Then here you go! Enjoy!
Don helped move Stephanie into his apartment over the next few days. She spent most of her time with Tim, who had been moved from the ICU. He was released after being treated for severe malnutrition and dehydration.
The police were still looking for their father. Tim moved in with Don as well.
Only when Tim was released did Don realize how long Charlie had been hospitalized. He hadn't seen his brother for almost three days but he didn't think either his father or brother would mind. He knew they'd understand.
He hadn't been to work for almost a month but Terry and David understood and covered for him. He probably would've lost his job if they hadn't helped him. During that month's hiatus he was in the office for no more than three hours a day and did most of his work either in the hospital waiting-rooms, or on his cell phone whenever he could.
He was hoping now that he would be able to get back to his regular workday schedule so he could catch up on what he missed…but he knew he was wrong to think so when he got a message from his father.
In brief the message said that something was wrong with Charlie and that he needed to get to the hospital. It had been on his cell phone and his father had left it the day before. He sounded extremely distressed and that worried Don.
He thought his brother was going to be alright.
He thought that the worst was over…
What had happened now?
What could've possibly gone wrong?
Alan didn't know what was going on. It was just a rush of words to him. He noticed that Charlie was having trouble breathing and pointed that out to one of the nurses. He left for not even five minutes to see where Don was and when he came back Charlie had a tube feeding him oxygen under his nose.
When Charlie's new doctor, Dr. Lean, tried to explain what was happening Alan wasn't listening. He didn't understand how Charlie was getting worse.
He was out of the ICU and was off the ventilator…now what?
He did pick up one word though.
Infection…
That wasn't so bad was it? They could fix that couldn't they?
But when he asked the Asian man about that his heart dropped when he saw him slowly shake his head.
"Sometimes the antibiotics work…sometimes they don't…I'm sorry Mr. Eppes. I'm afraid it's all up to your son…"
His words kept repeating inside his head.
Sometimes…
Sometimes they don't…
I'm sorry…
I'm afraid…
All up to your son…
I'm sorry…
I'm afraid…
Alan was afraid.
He was afraid of losing his son. He was so scared of losing him.
He couldn't lose another that he loved. He just couldn't…
Don entered Charlie's room to find him awake and his father asleep in the chair by the bed. Charlie was paler and had large bags under his eyes. He was still breathing on his own but it was shallower than before. He had a new room and a different tube-like machine to help him breathe.
When Don walked through the door Charlie had been looking out the darkened window. The sun had finally disappeared behind the LA skyline and left the once saffron and rose colored heavens a dark midnight blue and black.
"Hey buddy," he said gently walking towards his ill brother.
"You just missed it," he heard him mutter back. His voice was different, it rasped when he spoke. It sounded like a slight wheeze.
"What I miss?" Don asked ignoring a worried feeling that wormed its way into his heart and stomach. He walked over and sat down on the large window ledge next to half a dozen 'Get Well Soon' cards.
"The sunset of a lifetime." He smiled slightly but almost immediately started coughing. Don straightened slightly and waited for him to stop. He hadn't heard anyone cough like that before.
Charlie stopped and spit into a trashcan next to the bed. Then he sat back up and closed his eyes leaning into his pillows.
"Did Dad tell you yet?" he asked with his eyes still closed.
"Tell me what?" Don's stomach dropped.
"My lungs are infected." Charlie couldn't look at his brother and suddenly became interested in a small tear in the white blanket that covered him. His good hand started to fiddle with the loose strands of thread as he tried to ignore his brother's saddened eyes and the painful wheezing in his chest.
Don stared for a few moments waiting for Charlie to fill him in with some more information but when that didn't come his mind worked out all the possible outcomes of this situation.
He opened his mouth after a few moments but Charlie burst into that horrible cough once again. This time he coughed hard enough to throw him forward into a painful sitting position. Don rushed over to hold him up and keep him from jerking too much. Their father woke with a grunt and saw the situation but could do nothing but wait for it to pass.
Once Charlie had stopped and taken a few good deep breaths Don lowered him gently.
"Thanks…" the youngest Eppes said quietly. He closed his eyes slowly breathing deeply trying to ignore the pain his body was feeling. He didn't hear the small conversation his father and brother were having but opened his eyes after feeling his brother's warm hand on his shoulder.
"We'll be right back Charlie," he said quietly. "We're just going to be right outside. You try and get some sleep okay?"
Charlie gave a small awkward nod and closed his eyes again. Hearing the door opening and closing quietly. He drifted off listing to the beeping of the monitors, his wheezing breaths and his steady heartbeat.
All those sounds combined with the pain he felt told him he was still alive.
But for how much longer? the doctor hadn't actaully told him he had a chance of not surviving the infection but he wasn't stupid...
His thoughts on death fell away as his mind shut down but were replaced by something much more pleasant and memorable.
The sunset that evening truly was the sunset of a lifetime…
A/N: I know short but hey I like feedback and was wondering what you think should happen next.
I like little twists… I already have two different epilogues. One for if Charlie lives. And two where Charlie dies. (I'm rooting for #1! i dont like killing my favorite characters...) My grandmother died from a severe lung infection she got whilein the hospital so it isn't impossiblefor this to happen.
So please tell me what you'd wish to see. It's been so long since I updated so I thought you deserved what I had so far.
Thankies!
TheDudeLordOfFantasy a.k.a. Kathleen