Charlie shivered as soon as he reentered the hospital. He didn't slow down until he saw his brother in the hallway.

Don sighed when he saw Charlie. As the younger man got closer Don noticed something odd. Charlie was wet.

Charlie stopped a few feet away from Don. He tried to catch his breath for a minute.

"Don." He struggled for oxygen.

Don looked Charlie up and down. "You're drenched. What happened?"

"I was outside," he said simply.

Don was shocked, "you went outside? In the storm? By yourself? You were out there the whole time?"

Charlie rolled his eyes. There it was again. "Yes Don. I was outside."

Don still wasn't quite grasping this, "why were you outside?"

"Don please! Tell me about dad," Charlie pleaded.

Don put a hand on his brother's shoulder. Charlie tensed up but didn't pull away.

"All right, all right. He's in here." Don led him into his dad's hospital room.

Both Alan and Charlie's faces lit up when they saw eachother. Charlie made a few steps inside but stopped when he noticed Don wasn't following him. He turned to face his brother.

"Don aren't you coming in?"

Don backed up a little. "You need to talk to him alone. I'll be back."

Charlie looked uncertain. Don knew what he was thinking. "Don't worry buddy. I'm just going to talk to the doctor."

Charlie still didn't look away. Don felt frustration resurface but fought it back down for their father's sake.

"Charlie, I promise. I'm not going anywhere."

Charlie met Don's determined eyes and nodded. Don left his father and brother alone. Charlie turned back towards his father. Eventually he found his way to a chair.

Alan looked at his son with a million different emotions and questions going through his mind.

Relief that his youngest was safe. Confusion over why he was wet. Wondering what had gone on between Charlie and Don. Mostly had Charlie been gone the whole time Alan had been unconscious.

Alan reached up and touched Charlie's face. Charlie didn't want to cry again.

"Dad," Charlie's throat hurt to utter that one syllable word.

"Oh Charlie, it's all right." Alan felt pity for the boy.

Charlie found his voice again. "Dad. I'm so glad you're okay. I thought--."

Alan interrupted, "why are you wet? Where have you been?"

"I'm wet because I was outside in the storm," Charlie noticed his dad's surprised eyes, "yeah I know me in the rain. Anyway I was outside because I fought with Don. I fought with Don because I was here and he left."

This wasn't what Alan was expecting to hear. "Charlie hold on. Don took off?"

Charlie knew he was going to get it now. He hadn't meant to rat out his brother.

"Well yes. But it was only to find the people who did this. Then he came right back. I just took it the wrong way."

Alan nodded, not quite believing his son, "but you stayed?"

Charlie nodded, "right here the whole time."

Alan was touched. That was two surprises within the course of a minute. "Thank you Charlie."

"I know you probably thought that I wouldn't be here. I don't blame you. I know how disappointed you were when mom was sick. I told myself tonight that I wouldn't do that again. Not to you, you forgave me for running once I don't expect that again."

"Charlie listen to me. I wasn't disappointed. I was confused and hurt but I still loved you. Your mother understood so I had to try. I'm glad you were here tonight. But even if you had run away tonight I would've forgiven you. No matter what you do I'll forgive you."

Alan put force behind his words. He desperately wanted his son to know how much he loved him.

Charlie didn't no what to say. He leaned over and the two men embraced tightly.

"I love you Charlie."

They pulled back. Alan laughed.

"What's so funny," Charlie wanted to know.

"You're soaked."

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Don watched them from the hall. He couldn't hear what they were saying but he was glad when it seemed that they were okay.

That was more than he could say for him. He didn't even know how to begin to apologize and he knew that he owed apologies. To both his dad and Charlie.

As he looked in on his family he couldn't help but feel a little excluded. He wanted to join them and forget about the nightmare they had all suffered through that night.

He wouldn't though. He wouldn't ruin their moment. Instead he sat back down in the waiting room chair and leaned his head against the wall.

Listening to the sounds of occasional thunder his eyes closed and soon he drifted off into a much-needed sleep.

TBC

Author's Note: Well I think I'm almost done. I hope that chapter was longer. I'm always looking for ways to expand them. Oh well. I'm really glad you guys are enjoying this. I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint. Parts of it felt a little too sweet but…I don't know. Can you guys tell I have low self-esteem? Anyway R&R please. Thanx buds!