Charlie shivered roughly as paramedics loaded his father onto a stretcher. He knew that they were in a rush. He looked down at the spot where his father had fallen.

'So much blood.' He looked away. The stretcher left the house. Charlie rushed after them but was caught by Don.

"Hey. Take it easy buddy." Don tightened his grip on Charlie's arms.

Charlie tried to wriggle free, "Don let me go! I want to go with him."

This genuinely surprised Don. Charlie's eyes were so pleading. Don worried that Charlie was barely holding on but he also knew that Charlie needed to be with Alan right now.

"Go with them, I'll follow you." Don released Charlie.

Charlie nodded gratefully but looked at his big brother with fear in his eyes.

"He's gonna be fine Charlie," Don was trying desperately to believe this but seeing his father like that. The wound was bad. Don always found so much strength in his father. He depended on him. He was terrified. He didn't dare show this to his little brother. If Don couldn't keep it together, how would Charlie?

Charlie nodded again then hopped in the ambulance.

Don got in the SUV and followed them; he needed to know who did this. The thunder was relentless. It only increased his anger. He cursed out loud. He picked up his cell phone.

"It's Don. Listen I need you to do something for me."

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Don sat in the waiting room. He and Charlie had been there a half an hour already. Nobody would tell them anything!

Don looked over at Charlie, who was painfully gripping his left hand. Don regarded him with concern.

"Charlie, what is it buddy?" Don reached to take his brother's hand. Charlie tried to pull away but Don was too quick.

He turned Charlie's hand over to reveal a deep gash in his palm.

"Oh, Charlie! Why didn't you say anything?"

Charlie flinched in pain and blinked back tears. "I cut it on the glass when I climbed through the window."

Don sighed. "O.K. but why didn't you say anything?" Don was a little more forceful this time.

"Don, don't you think there's a far more urgent situation going on than my hand," said Charlie bitterly.

Don looked at the cold white floor. He didn't know how to comfort him. He didn't even know what to tell himself.

"Yeah buddy, you're right but, as much as I'd like to, there's nothing we can do for dad right now. You need to get checked out."

"It's not that bad Don, honestly. It's all right."

Don put a gentle had on his brother's shoulder. "Charlie please? Just do it for my sake. And dad, what's he going to say when he wakes up and I tell him you've bled to death?"

Charlie chuckled. Tears flowed freely now. His injured hand shook. Don wrapped his arms around Charlie. After a few moments they stood up and went to find a doctor to stitch up Charlie.

TBC

Authors Note: Um…yeah…I really hated the first hate the first part of this chapter. I don't know. I really wanted to get it finished and my muse decided to check out on me. It took me all weekend! Oh well there it is. Hopefully if I ask real nice my muse will come back. R&R please! Thanx buds!