Chapter Nine

Charlie paced, he paced around the room, up the corridor , back to the room. All the while wringing his hands and shaking his head.

Don had been brought back from recovery three hours ago. He was currently sleeping in a private room, his father asleep next to him on a cot Sandy arranged for them. She'd been there when Don had been brought to the room, Charlie and Alan already there waiting for him. He'd barely been awake and had managed a weak smile when he saw them, then drifted off to sleep. Charlie had stood over his brother as his eyes drooped and his breathing evened out. Sandy and Dr McLeary had been talking to Alan but Charlie was oblivious. He cared for nothing right now except Don. He had looked at his brother, from head to toe. The bruises on his face more apparent. His complexion so pale. The nasal cannula . IV's , into his arm. One red, the other clear. Shoulder heavily bandaged, left arm carefully placed across his chest to ease the discomfort. Right hand resting on a pillow. The cast a blue colour that Charlie knew Don would like. The fingers splinted against one another. Underneath the gown Charlie knew there was more bruising, more broken bones. His brother would take time to heal but he'd be fine, of course he would. He was Don. His big, strong, dependable brother.

He paced another lap around the floor. Passing nurses who had seen him walk by countless times before. They were used to this, restless relatives, unsure of what to do with themselves while their loved ones slept.

Megan had stayed with them, bringing coffee and water. Bringing sandwiches. Bringing comfort.

David had arrived shortly after they'd been told Don had been moved to recovery. He'd looked so distracted, so concerned. Megan and David had stepped outside the waiting room but Charlie had followed them down the corridor, heard every word.

"We found a tape there, all set up in the living room. Set up on a repeat setting. We're pretty sure Don was made to watch it."

"What was it? David? What was on the tape?"

"The rape and murder of a child"

Megan had visibly paled and leant against the wall.

"Megan, there's more, seems Bruton wanted to make Don suffer for hours. He had a set of surgical knives set out in the room. Don made it out of there in good time."

"Did you catch them all?" Megan's eyes had taken on a cold, determined edge to them.

"Got them all, Bobby and Sammy Kasey, and Bruton. He tried to take out Miller but Colby took him out with one hell of a punch. Floored the guy"

"Should have shot him"

David regarded his colleague carefully, the exhaustion and pain evident in her features.

"How is he?"

"He's going to be ok, physically anyway. He has mild hypothermia, exhaustion, they removed the bullet from his shoulder, set his hand and are bringing him through in a few hours."

"He was lucky"

"I hope he thinks so, did you watch the tape?"

David looked away, he took a deep breath and nodded.

"Bad?"

"Very."

"Where's Bruton now?"

"At the office, I've got to get back, we're going to question him about the rest of the operation."

"I'm coming with you, I want to see this guy for myself"

"Why did he show Don the tape?"

Charlie's voice startled both Agents.

"Charlie man, this guy is sick, he wanted revenge any way he could"

"Don shot his brothers getting that girl Kaylee, he wanted him to suffer. The way to make an Agent or police officer really suffer is to show them what they're most afraid of. What they're trying to keep behind bars. It's a tactic used by so many different agencies. Unfortunately it's also used by gangs."

"He made him watch that? Over and over?" Charlie's voice broke and he lowered his eyes to the floor. Megan placed her hand on his shoulder.

"He's going to need you more than ever now Charlie. Don't let him bottle this up. You know how Don can be"

"Yeah" Charlie kept his head down.

"Call me, for anything, even if you need to talk, I'm here ok?"

"Same goes for me man, anything you or your father need, you call"

"Thanks"

Charlie was walking with a determined stride , each step stronger than the last. He was going to get Don through this. His brother wasn't going to bury this like he had everything else. Charlie had told his father about the tape. Alan had nodded slowly, kissed Don on the forehead and turned back to Charlie.

"We'll get him through this Charlie, it's what families are for. We're a pretty strong bunch so I don't see that we can't make it through." He'd then kissed Charlie's head and left the room.

Sandy had motioned to a seat on the right side of Don, Charlie had walked around and sat.

Sandy was reading Don's chart, checking his vitals, all the while allowing Charlie to get used to her.

"Your brother is a strong man Charlie"

"You have no idea"

"If you and your father are anything to go by then I think I do"

Charlie looked at Sandy, with her kind eyes and soft face, so much like his mother. He willed his eyes to stay dry but a few rogue tears fell. He smiled through the haze.

"Thank you Sandy. Didn't know you worked in this unit as well"

"I took an extra shift, thought you might need a friendly face"

A few more rogue tears escaped Charlie's defences.

Each step more determined than the last, each step bringing him closer to the strength he needed. He was the big brother now. No arguments. Don was coming home to his house and he was going to look after him.

Would be able to though? Would he be able to stand by and hold Don if he broke down? Would he know what to do or would he hesitate? He'd felt such a need to hold his brother but they weren't like that. They didn't greet each other with a hug, they were closer than ever before but would Don allow him to open the final few doors? What if Don didn't? Would Charlie be able to force him? Did he want to? Don had always tried to protect him from this world, from these horrors, but here they were. Slapped him in the face and stared him down hard. Did he really want to know how much this had affected Don? Did he really want to hear?

He'd thought he'd lost his brother for good, thought they'd never find him. He'd looked so weak and small in the phone booth. His eyes had seemed to plead with Charlie for help.

He'd been carried for so long, it was now his turn to carry Don.

Charlie sat on a chair opposite the nurses station. He watched the late night comings and goings. His mind a jumble with numbers, statistics, games he used to play with Don. He tried to think of anything but the recovery that was about to take place. Was taking place. He needed to be close to his brother.

Standing slowly Charlie made his way toward Don's room. Sandy had told him that Don would probably be here for the next few days at least. If everything progressed well and no complications or infections raised their ugly heads then he'd be able to go home in six days. Maybe five.

Five days, and he'd have his brother at home, safe, close.

Quietly walking into the room Charlie saw Alan still asleep on the cot opposite the bed by the far wall. He'd moved in his sleep and the blanket had fallen. Charlie carefully laid it back across his father, tucking in the corners to prevent any draft from disturbing his fathers much needed sleep.

Walking over to Don, Charlie pulled the chair closer and carefully took hold of Don's left hand, mindful of the ribs he rested his arm over Don's ,across his chest and laid his head next to his brothers side.

The brothers slept, hand in hand, arm over arm.