Charlie anxiously walked towards his father's room. He had to keep telling himself that his dad would pull through. He began thinking of the probability of a man Alan's age dying of a gunshot wound.

'No!' He commanded himself. He couldn't get lost in his numbers, not tonight, not again, and not with his father.

Don wasn't there and he couldn't have his father wake up alone. He needed to be there.

He walked in the room and saw his father resting peacefully. He looked at rest. Charlie hoped there wasn't any pain. He sat down in a chair and scooted it next to his father's bedside.

He placed his uninjured hand over Alan's. He hesitated for a moment before clutching it tightly.

He didn't really know what to say. Maybe he didn't need to say anything. He just watched the gentle rise and fall of the older man's chest as it synched up with the still, steady beeping of the heart monitor.

Charlie's mind wondered back to his mother. He had never been there for her. He was ashamed of that every day. He wondered if Don had ever done this. Just sat with her, words unneeded.

He squeezed tighter.

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Don pinched his nose and mentally tried to wake himself up. He had been discussing with his team all he could remember about the vehicle and its mystery drivers.

David and Colby were out searching the city. Megan watched Don from afar.

She felt so much pity for him. She went to him and put an arm around his shoulder.

He closed up and pulled away. He stood up.

"Do Colby and David have anything yet?"

She nodded regretfully. "No not yet. We probably shouldn't expect to find anything tonight anyway. Especially with this weather."

She walked over to the window. "This storm just isn't letting up."

He joined her, "I can't remember the last time I just watched a storm. My parents and I loved them."

She smiled, "and Charlie?"

"Completely terrified." Megan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Don smiled too, "yeah I know. Kind of put a damper on the family tradition. But what else is new?"

Megan threw him a stern look, "Don you don't mean that."

Don immediately felt bad. "You're right. I don't. I'm just frustrated."

She looked confused, "at Charlie?"

Don sighed, "no not at Charlie. At me. I shouldn't have left him there alone. I should be there. But I almost lost my father tonight. I still could. That scares me."

He laughed, "isn't that the stupidest thing you've ever heard? Here I am an FBI agent and I'm scared of not having any parents."

"It's anything but stupid Don. It hasn't even been that long since you lost your mother. Your father has been a great in your life. To lose him especially like this, it would break anyone."

Don stared at the lighting as it lit his face with soft purple. "Dad," he whispered.

Just then David came panting in the room, "Don."

Don and Megan turned.

"We got them."

TBC

Authors Note: Yeah I know this chapter is really short but I promise the next two will be longer. I can't believe I'm getting this many reviews! You guys are awesome. R&R please. Thanx buds!

Synbou- you're totally right about the protection thing. I didn't even think of that. "Slaps herself" Sorry, stupidity on my part. I hope you can forgive me.