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Chapter Eleven

Don spent the morning dozing on and off. Alan and Charlie took turns watching him , one would go for a walk, stretch tired muscles then come back to relieve the other. Alan went for lunch , when he returned Charlie had asked if he had gone with Sandy. Alan had merely stared at Charlie and then continued to watch the TV. Dr McLeary came back mid afternoon . Don was awake and watching the TV, propped up on many comfortable pillows. He'd awoken after another nightmare, attempted to hide the fact from his brother and father but received disbelieving looks from both when he said he was fine. Alan and the nurse on duty had helped Don sit up , the nurse placing a sling around Don's neck. He was surprised when she carefully placed his left hand in the comfort of the material.

"You know it's the other one that's broken?"

"Yes Mr Eppes" She smiled at him and adjusted the IV in his right arm

"You need to make sure you rest your shoulder. This is the best position for it. It's the only way to ensure the skin, muscle and bone from your wound heal properly"

Don had stared down at himself and came to the realisation at the same time as Charlie.

"Hey, you can't use either hand Don"

"Was just thinking that myself"

Alan looked at his two sons incredulously.

"Do you mean to tell me that neither of you considered this?"

They had both looked at him blankly.

"Well aren't the FBI and math community lucky to have you two genius's"

Dr McLeary checked Don's vitals again and then stood in front of him with her arms folded. He regarded her carefully, fearing she was about to say that he had to stay here longer than the few days Charlie had promised.

"Don, do you feel like going for a short walk?"

"Definitely"

"Are you sure he should?" Charlie stood protectively next to Don. Alan laughed apologetically at the Doctor and moved to help Don sit further forward.

"Take it slowly Don, there's no rush."

Between the Doctor and Alan they had Don standing within ten minutes. He'd needed them both to help him sit and swing his legs over the edge of the bed. The lack of his arm and hands along with the broken ribs, was more of a hindrance than he could have thought possible. Every time he unconsciously moved to place his right hand down for leverage Alan had cleared his throat loudly. With Dr McLeary standing on his left and his father on his right, holding onto his arm and waist supportively, Don made his first steps in almost twenty four hours. He made it to the door, all the while Charlie standing by with a mixture of disapproval and pride on his face.

"Right, back to the bed"

"When you said you wanted him to walk a few steps you really meant it!"

Don threw Charlie an annoyed look. He'd wanted to go further but could feel his energy levels dropping. He needed to prove he was fine to leave as soon as possible.

Alan supported Don's back while the Doctor helped him swing his legs back up. Charlie held onto the rails at the foot of the bed. All three Eppes were waiting for the Doctor's opinion on the short journey.

"Not bad at all. I'm going to have a nurse remove the IV. You're allowed, with help, to go to the bathroom and back ,but no further. We'll see about walking around the floor tomorrow. For the rest of the day it's bathroom only. OK?"

Don nodded. This was one Doctor he wasn't going to mess with.

"Don't worry Don, at this rate you'll be on your way home in a few days"

Don smiled broadly at his father and brother. It was all he wanted. To go home.

"I want you to use that arm only for bathroom purposes. Even then I'd prefer you had help"

At Don's look of shock she continued.

"But from what I can see you'll be ok to do that yourself." He visibly relaxed.

"Mr Eppes, you'll need to help Don remove the sling before each bathroom visit. You won't be able to raise your arm higher than chest height Don so don't even try. You'll need to wear that sling for at least a week after you leave here. Even then it may be longer. You can remove it when you're sleeping as long as you don't move around too much. If you do then it's best to keep the sling in place. Your shoulder was damaged so it's going to need time to heal so no unnecessary movements ok? "

Don nodded. He wasn't listening anymore, the reality of his injuries was starting to hit home. He was going to need his families help for so many basic things. This wasn't sitting well with him.

"Your hand was broken in three places so that's going to take time to heal. Your fingers need to stay bound together so there's no using that hand at all. The internal bleeding seems to be stabilizing so we won't be needing to operate further. Your ribs will be pretty sore for a while and I bet you're feeling more bruised today."

"A little" Don smiled at the Doctor just as his stomach let out a growl of disapproval at being so empty.

"I'm going to send you up some food. We'll start you on soup, nice and light for your stomach."

Once the Doctor had left Alan sat back on the bed, arm across Don's torso, a look of no nonsense on his face.

"Did you understand all that Don? No using either hand unless you have to. Did you understand?"

"Yes Dad" Don had a tone that neither Alan nor Charlie could miss. Both wandered how Don was going to cope with having to be looked after like this.

Once the IV was removed Don looked longingly toward the bathroom, Charlie helped him to sit up while Alan removed the sling. Both men took up positions on either side of him.

"I can make it to the bathroom you know, you can both watch from those chairs"

"Donnie, walk forward or be carried"

Don glared at his father but started forward anyway. Charlie kept close to his right, holding his elbow, while Alan on his left kept his arm around Don's waist.

Once he had taken care of himself they helped back into bed, Alan fitting the sling back around his neck, gently helping him left his arm . Don had to admit to himself, every movement of his arm caused his shoulder to ache all the more. A least he had managed to go to the bathroom alone. At least that was something.

Don watched as Charlie scooped up more of the thick soup onto the spoon, carefully holding the bowl underneath as he made his way toward Don's mouth. He hated this, knew he was going to have to just get on with it, but still he hated it. Charlie watched Don's eyes, watched his face flush with the embarrassment of having to be treated this way. His heart broke for his brother yet repaired in the knowledge that he was helping. He was dealing with this. It was him, Charlie Eppes , feeding his big brother. He hadn't passed on this task to his father, instead he'd insisted on this being his job. Small steps, big advances. Don hadn't argued as they both thought he would do. Instead he'd smiled quickly at Charlie and then looked away. He seemed relieved that Charlie had taken control of this task. Charlie put the bowl down and reached for a tissue as a small amount of soup slid down Don's chin.

"Sorry bro"

"It's ok. Thanks. Thanks for doing this. Don't think I could have stood it if Dad had insisted on feeding me."

"You don't mind me doing it?"

"I hate this Charlie, but I'm glad it's you. You don't make me feel like a little child. I think Dad would"

"Not on purpose Don, he'd never mean to"

"I know that, it's just the thought of having Dad feed me it's like I'm a baby, with you it's different"

Don accepted another spoonful of soup. He'd even watched Charlie as the spoon entered his mouth, he'd looked away all the other times, trying to hide his embarrassment. Charlie held his gaze and smiled. Another door walked through. Another step closer to his brother.

"Where'd Dad go anyway?"

"He went to get a cup of coffee, via the ER"

Alan pulled the blinds closed and switched off the TV. Charlie was sleeping on the cot. Sandy had pulled a favour for them and the nurses allowed them to stay, turning a blind eye to the visiting hours. He'd enjoyed his lunch, enjoyed his coffee. She was such an easy person to talk to, they had both told their sad stories, both bonded over the small things death can bring. The feeling of the person lingering until they knew their partners were strong enough to carry on, the small things to be dealt with which each had relied on their loved ones for. For Alan ,the spiders. For Sandy, the accounts. She had to learn how to control the money. Peter always had taken on that task. She'd never been very good at keeping track of spending but now she was a pro. It had been such a fear to conquer. Would the three of them have enough money? Would her boys be able to go to college? Alan and Sandy had shared their sad stories and fond memories and the hour for lunch had flown by. So much so that their conversation had continued through Sandy's coffee break and a quick bite to eat after her shift. His boys had smiled each time Alan had come back into the room. They didn't say much, but their smiles had spoken volumes.

As Alan made a move for the comfortable lounge chairs one of the other nurses had stolen from the family room for him, he heard Don moaning in his sleep again.

"So sorry, can't save you."

He leaned over his son and noted his frown.

"No, don'tscream, don't scream, let her go"

Don's head began to move back and forth, Alan ran his hand through Don's hair and gently rubbed his thumb across his chest.

"Shhh Donnie, it's ok, shhhh"

"Mum?"

Alan was caught off guard by the word. He continued to rub Don's chest and caress his hair. All the while trying to keep his tears from falling.

"Shhh Donnie, go to sleep"

Alan wiped a tear away from Don's eye and watched as his face relaxed. His breathing evened out again. He turned his head and fell into a deeper sleep. Far away from bad dreams.

His intentions had been to sleep in the comfortable chair brought for him. Instead Alan stayed awake, thoughtfully staring at his son, remembering his wife, and thinking of Sandy.