Author's note: Well that's it. All done. I originally posted a different version of chapter 4 but on some constructive criticism I rewrote it. I am much happier with this version and I think it fits the story a lot better.

I'd again like to say a big thank you to all of you who reviewed. It really is the best motivator. I look forward to writing more in the future.

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When Alan arrived home at around six o'clock, he was surprised to find his youngest son asleep on the couch. Must have been a hard day, he thought. Deciding Charlie needed the sleep, Alan left him and started preparing dinner.

At 7:30, Don arrived, eager to eat whatever Alan was cooking. Walking in the door, he called out to his father, only to be received with a harsh shushing. Pointing in the direction of the lounge room, Alan indicated to the couch. Glancing over Don noticed Charlie curled up, fast asleep. Walking quietly over to Alan in the kitchen, Don whispered, "What's he doing there?"

Alan shrugged, busy leaning over the stove. "I found him like that when I got home. I think he had a rough day at work."

Don looked at his father quizzically. "He wasn't at work. I called him there and Larry picked up. He said Charlie had called in with a personal emergency. I tried to call his cell phone and the home phone but he didn't answer."

"And you didn't think to call me? He could have been in trouble." Standing with his hands on his hips Alan was a force to be reckoned with, but Don didn't have the energy to get into an argument.

"I'm sorry. Larry said he sounded fine. He just assumed Charlie had slept in and couldn't be bothered coming in."

But Alan was quicker than Don gave him credit for. "Because Charlie does that all the time?"

Defeated Don leant over and put his elbows on the bench. "Dad, I'm sorry. Okay. Anyway it's not like I'm Charlie's keeper. I do have a job to do."

Turning back to the cooking, Alan mumbled, "Well at least he's okay."

Rolling his eyes slightly, Don made a note to himself, that next time Charlie called in sick he would send a whole team round to check on him. At least then his dad couldn't complain about his lack of trying.

"Have you talked to him yet?"

Alan shook his head at Don's question. "He hasn't been up yet, but seeing as this is almost done, you can go wake him. Unless of course you have something better to do."

Smiling despite himself, Don wondered how long Alan was going to keep this going.

"I'll go."

Walking back out into the lounge room, Don made his way to the couch where his younger brother slept. The sight of Charlie curled up, a blanket half draped over his shoulder, hit him in a way he thought he had out grown. It was ridiculous really. A fully grown man feeling sympathy towards another fully grown man asleep on a couch. At least Alan would be proud.

Reaching down Don, grabbed Charlie's shoulder and shook gently. "Charlie, hey Charlie. Come on Buddy, time to wake up."

Realising what he was doing, he quickly looked over his shoulder, self-consciously thankful that no one from work was watching him. Seeing that Charlie wasn't even close to waking up, he got down on one knee. Groaning as his muscles protested, he shifted slightly, his leg came into contact with something that fell over and hit the ground with a clunk. Looking down, Don spied an empty beer bottle, and craning his head round the side of the couch he saw two more. No wonder he couldn't wake Charlie.

Leaning down closer to Charlie's face, he raised his voice slightly. "Charlie. Wake up. Charlie."

Mumbling, Charlie slowly came round. Blinking unseeing in Don's general direction, it took him a moment to register where he was.

"Don."

"Hey, buddy. Welcome back to the land of the living." Pausing a moment to gauge Charlie's reaction, he continued, "You okay?"

Struggling to sit up, Charlie continued blink, as if trying to get rid of some image stuck in his head. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm...fine. Great."

Don nodded, "Right. Because you weren't at work today. I called and Larry told me you wanted a personal day. And dad, he's kind of pissed no one told him." At Charlie's startled reaction Don corrected himself. "At me. He's pissed at me, not you. I think he's just worried about you."

Charlie scrubbed his face with his hands and then ran them through his hair. Don was also starting to get a little worried. It seemed that Charlie was having a hard time waking up. Probably just the beer, he's not used to drinking during the day.

"Had a little party, huh." Don picked up the fallen beer bottle and waved it around. "How come you didn't invite me?"

Charlie smiled sheepishly. "Only had three beers left. DIdn't want to have to share."

Don put a look of disgust on his face, and swiped at Charlie's head. Charlie put his arms up to protect himself, but in reality Don's aim was way off.

"So I guess that means there's no beer left for dinner. I don't know why I come here anymore. The service is terrible."

Charlie laughed at that, but it didn't last long. The same dazed look appearing on his face after a few seconds. Lifting himself up, Don took the place Charlie's legs had been. The force with which he threw himself down almost propelling Charlie into his lap.

"Sorry. But my legs were killing me."

Shaking off Don's apology, Charlie drew his legs up to his chest. Then smiling slightly, "You're getting old."

Going at Charlie for real, Don managed to get his younger brother in a headlock. "You better take that back or you're going to lose your head."

But Charlie was laughing too much to talk and after a moment Don released him, shoving him gently back into a sitting position. For a moment neither of them spoke, both recovering for the sudden exertion.

"But honestly Charlie, is everything okay? Larry did say it was a emergency."

Charlie started to answer but stopped mid-word. Taking a moment to think, he continued. "I got a letter this morning. A friend of mine died. Killed himself. I just needed sometime to think it over."

Don was shocked. This was the last thing he expected. "God, Charlie I'm so sorry. Are you okay? Who was it?"

Charlie shrugged off Don's concern. "His name was Jack, he was at Princeton with me." Don nodded his head in recognition. "It's okay. I'm okay with it now. It just took a little time. It was, you know, a shock..." Charlie had to stop himself as he felt his self control slip. Sensing Charlie's distress Don put an arm around his shoulders, squeezing as he felt a shudder pass through them.

"Hey Buddy. I'm sorry. You could have called me, or dad. Or even Megan, if you wanted to talk. You're not alone, you know that right?"

Turning to look at his brother, Charlie had tears in his eyes. "I feel alone."

Taken back, Don loosened his grip on his brother slightly before holding him even tighter. "Well you're not. And now that I've told you, you can't forget it. No matter what happens Charlie, you're never alone."

Leaning into Don's shoulder, Charlie felt himself relax for the first time all day. Felt himself let go. It was okay now. The world hadn't ended. His life wasn't over. It was okay. Don was here. And his dad. And Larry. He was surrounded by people who cared. And even though they may not understand, they tried. And that was important. In fact now that Charlie thought about it he was ashamed he acted so stupidly.

"I know. I know I'm not alone. I do. I just forget sometimes. I need to be reminded."

Don snorted, "Don't we all." Sensing Charlie relax, he loosened his grip. " Hey we should probably go help Dad set the table."

As the two brother got up, Don placed his hand on Charlie's back and steered him towards the kitchen. "And when Dad starts going on about family responsibility I'm going to need you as a character witness."