Don reentered the hallway to look for Charlie. He sighed when he saw his baby brother asleep in the tiny cold chair. Charlie had his knees pulled all the way up to his chin. They were pressed tightly against his chest. His arms were wrapped protectively around himself. He looked like he was freezing. He probably was.

Don walked over and sat in the chair next to him. He felt Charlie's shirt. It was still damp but it was drying at least.

Charlie's face was paled.

'He's probably going to get pneumonia from being out in that rain. For a genius he doesn't think that much.'

He gently brushed his brother's soft curls aside.

Charlie looked so peaceful. Don didn't want to disturb that. As a child Charlie had been so innocent.

Don loved and hated him for that. So in a way it pained him to see the prodigy grow up and lose some of that, especially since he had started helping Don on cases.

Don felt guilty every time he exposed Charlie to the evils of the world. But guilt was an emotion and Don had been trained to bury emotions. It was part of the job.

Now watching Charlie sleep he saw some of the innocence from Charlie's childhood come back.

Except for his nose. His nose was starting to swell. Don hated that. He didn't mean to hit him. Hey, if anyone else had dare hit his brother he probably would have killed him.

He was supposed to protect Charlie from pain not cause it. He hoped that they could come back from it.

"Don't hate me buddy. I'm so sorry," he whispered in complete regret and anguish.

Charlie didn't stir. He hadn't heard. He just continued with his steady soothing breathing.

Don wished he could go back to sleep. He waned to be innocent too. Charlie shifted a bit. His arms had a death grip on his legs.

Don felt bad for him, the hall was almost empty now. It had to be almost dawn.

Don stopped a nurse who was passing. "Excuse me can I get a blanket."

The nurse smiled sweetly, "of course I'll be right back."

It was pretty cold in there. Don shivered. "I wonder what time it is," he asked no one.

Soon the nurse was back. Don stood up and took the paper thin "blanket" from her.

"Thanks."

"No problem. Is there anything else?"

"No thanks, we're fine."

"All right then," with that she was gone.

Don unfolded the thing in his hands and carefully placed over his brother. Charlie murmured something but didn't wake.

Don sat back down in the chair. Part of him wanted to leave before Charlie woke up. Run again but then there would be no hope of making up with Charlie.

He forced himself to say and watch over his sleeping family.

His eyes started to droop. He didn't want to sleep. To keep himself awake he hopped to his feet to find the bathroom.

Inside he took a long look at himself. His eyes were dark and his skin was like a ghost. He turned on the faucet and splashed ice cold water on his face. A jolt went through his brain.

He looked back up into the mirror. 'All better.'

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A loud clap of thunder crashed causing Charlie's eyes to snap open. He was sore. He looked around.

'No wonder I'm sore. No one can sleep in this position.'

He slowly and painfully eased his legs back to the floor. He started stretching his arms.

The blanket that was covering him fell to the ground before he noticed it. He picked it up and wondered how it got there.

He supposed it didn't really matter and being as cold as he was he tightly wrapped it around him. He tried to cover as much of himself as he could.

He was able to peek in his father's room from where he sat. He could see the older man sleeping. But Don was no where in sight.

Unbelievable! He left again.

Before Charlie could react his older brother came around the corner. Charlie was relieved that he was still there.

Don saw that Charlie was awake. 'Well here goes nothing,' he thought.

He sat down next to Charlie, "hey, you're awake."

"Yep and you're still here."

"I was just in the bathroom."

Charlie rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, "so how'd it go with dad? You guys talked right?"

Don nodded, "yeah we talked. We're okay."

"Good. You should be."

"Yeah," Don leaned down and spoke low but firm, "but are we okay?"

Charlie knew that they weren't. He also knew that he didn't want to fight with Don anymore.

"Yes." He answered quick and hard. Like uttering the word was difficult for him.

"You don't mean that, do you?"

"Well what do you think? You hate me. Everything that I said earlier I didn't completely believe until you hit me! That just confirmed everything."

Don looked away in shame, "it shouldn't have. I was angry. I know it's no excuse but that's all it was. Anger. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"You never mean to hurt me but you do more than you realize. You've been doing it for years."

This stunned Don into temporary silence. "What do you mean?"

Charlie started to lose his composure. "It doesn't matter Don. Just forget it. I said we were fine and we are."

Charlie stood up and started down the hall.

Don panicked, he stood up quickly. "Charlie wait!"

Charlie turned but didn't stop moving, "don't yell, this is a hospital you know."

Don rolled his eyes and caught up with Charlie. He grabbed him by the arm but was careful not to hurt him yet a third time in one night.

"Don let go."

"Okay," he did so, "but you have to hear me out. Please."

Charlie saw the pleading his Don's usually stoic eyes and it reminded him of his own eyes.

He decided to give Don a chance to make it right. After all it wasn't like Don hadn't forgiven him on numerous occasions.

Charlie hung his arms limply at his side and gave his full attention to Don.

"All right I'm listening."

Don didn't really have anything prepared he just had to make Charlie forgive him.

"Look buddy. I know that in a lot of ways I'm not exactly an ideal brother."

"Neither am I," Charlie chimed in.

Don was grateful Charlie had said that.

"Neither of us are. But I have been trying. You have to know I would do anything for you. I'd never let someone hurt you. It's just some of the things you said tonight were, well, true. I didn't want to face them."

Charlie was touched by the confession, "I didn't mean to upset you. I just didn't understand why you were acting so much like…me."

Don laughed softly. "We've both screwed up in situations like this. I guess when you hid away from us, from mom when she was sick I was so mad. I thought you were so selfish. Tonight maybe I got it a little more. Maybe I'm starting to get you a little more."

Charlie's eyes brightened, "really?"

"Yeah, absolutely. Look I don't think I'll ever regret anything in my life as much as I'll regret what happened tonight. I'm so, so sorry."

Charlie put his hand up, "I know you are. I am too for everything that you've ever blamed me for."

"Me too buddy."

Don cautiously wrapped his arms around his little brother. This time Charlie didn't fight him or try to shrug him off. He returned the embrace tightly.

Don felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He smiled ever so slightly and continued rocking Charlie.

They stayed that way for a few minutes until Don finally let him go.

"All right Chuck, now why don't you tell me the truth, are we good?"

Charlie nodded sincerely, "yeah, we really are."

"Good, now let's not mention that punch to dad."

"I agree, speaking of let's go see the old man."

"Better not let him hear you call him that."

"Hey Don does it seem brighter in here." They both stopped and listened.

"I don't hear anything. I guess you're safe I think the storm's over now."

"You know I don't think that they bother me any more, seriously this time."

Don looked at Charlie with respect, " I believe you. Seriously this time."

"I love you Don."

Don playfully shoved him, "back at you little brother."

They went back to their father with a renewed sense of family. They knew they would be all right now, seriously this time.

The End

Author's Note: OMGsh. I think I'm going to cry. I can't believe it's over. I had so much fun with this fic and you guys have been awesome. Really. I'm going to try and write another soon but I don't know how long it'll take me. You know school. This week was my spring break so I've had plenty of time to write. Anyway happy Easter! Oh and wish me a happy birthday. Tomorrow's the big 16 for me. I'm so excited! R&R please. Thanx buds!

BTW- just so we're all clear I don't own Numb3rs or anything to so with it. However, like I said it's my b-day tomorrow so if anyone wanted to give me Don or Charlie…just throwing it out there.