When Don, David, and Colby arrived at CalSci Don had them go check on Charlie's office on the third floor. Colby and David both drew their weapons and headed up the stairwell. Don moved slowly down the hall, systematically opening classroms and finding them empty.

When Don reached the lecture hall located toward the center of the building he looked through the glass and felt his heart stop. Rosemary was in the classroom, her back to Don and she held a gun calmly on his brother. Don pushed the door open quietly and listened to the conversation unnoticed. Then he joined the conversation.

"Drop it Manning. Now!" Don's tone was flat-his eyes were the only indication of what he was feeling. Rosemary quietly turned around after saying something to Charlie. Don watched Charlie turn and step towards the middle of the aisle-halfway between Rosemary and Don. His eyes were resting on Don.

"Why do you hate me? Do you want me to die?" Charlie's voice was strained. Don swallowed hard.

"Charlie, I don't hate you." Don nodded his head toward Rosemary who had stepped up just behind Charlie, the gun in his back. "The phone call I got at headquarters. It was her. She, she threatened dad's life, Charlie! I had not choice." Rosemary, shielded behind Charlie suddenly raised her gun and fired it into the ceiling. Charlie jumped and Don tightened his hold on his weapon.

"Shut Up Agent Eppes! Because of you, Mark died! He should have, he should still be alive! He..." In the midst of Rosemary's rambling Don glanced at the door at the back of the lecture hall near the blackboard. It was the only other exit to the classroom. Hearing Rosemary's voice change he turned his attention back to her and his brother.

"I'm going to give you a choice, Agent."

"What kind of choice?"

"Mark stepped in front of a bullet meant for you! It should have been you that died." Don drew in a deep breath as she loosened her hold on Charlie but kept the gun on him.

"Your weapon over here now! Slide it!" Keeping his focus on Charlie, Don did as he was told.

"Good. Now back up and Charlie move four steps forward." Looking at his confused brother, Don nodded slightly as he did as he was told. Charlie did the same.

"Now, Agent Eppes. Here is your choice. Are you fast enough to stop a bullet? I am going to count to three. Then I will shoot. Right now, your brother is in the path of the bullet." Don wanted to scream. Charlie looked horrified. Rosemary looked crazy. She was crazy, but it was an intelligent crazy. Don looked at Charlie. His resolve strengthened. It looked like one of them would die and Don wasn't going to let it be Charlie.

"One, two, three." Don had dived at Charlie when Rosemary had hit two. A single shot rang out as Don tackled Charlie and brought him down to the ground.

Don was aware of nothing but his brothe ras he lay shielding him-fully expecting to hear another shot. He slowly became aware of several footsteps in the room and found himself being pulled off of Charlie.

"Don! Don! You okay, man?" Don slowly realized David was trying to pull him to his feet. Breathing Don stood and slowly nodded.

"I'm fine." Don freed himself from David's grasp to look at Charlie and relaxed when he saw Colby helping his very confused brother up.

"Don!" Charlie was shaking, he still looked frightened and confused. It wasn't a look Don liked to see. Don closed the distance between them and took Charlie shoulders in his hands.

"I'm sorry Charlie! I'm so sorry!" Charlie gently pressed his thumb over his brother's lips to halt his rambling.

"It will take time Don. But we'll be okay. What about Dad, did you find him? Is he okay?" Don nodded.

"He's fine Charlie. I had Megan take him home and I TOLD her to stay with him, didn't I?" Don raised his voice at the last part as he looked over at Megan, crouched by Rosemary's body. Megan looked up at him unflinchingly.

"Someone had to be here to save your sorry hide, Eppes. Besides, your dad was insistent." Don's brain finally registered with the events and seeing Megan behind the back doors of the lecture hall.

"Wait. You shot her Megan?" Colby and David were confused.

"Someone had to do it." After LAPD and more FBI showed up the scene became chaotic and everyone was caught up in it for a few hours. After giving statements, reports and a hundred other things you have to do at a crime scene, everyone was ready to call it a night, or day as the sun was now rising.

"So, are you giving us a lift home, Reeves?' Don asked, once they had made it outside. Megan smiled.

"Watching the reunion scene when your dad gets a hold of you two? No thank you. I'm sure you two will be plenty busy resting for a while." Ignoring Don's look, Megan gave Colby and David a ride back to headquarters while Don and Charlie headed toward Don's SUV. The ride home was quiet.

Both brother's met a very relieved father at the door and they all quietly settled themselves in the family room. They sat in silence for a while until Alan broke it.

"I think it might be a good idea for all of us to see a counselor. Together and possibly seperately." Don and Charlie both nodded. Don's fatigue was quickly catching up to him but before any of them left to rest, Don knew he needed to say something. After glancing at Charlie, Don told their dad about tthe threat, the phone call, and the devastating choice he had made in hurting his brother.

Charlie spoke a little next. About the hurt and anger he had felt and also some guilt for being so tired abd worried as to have really believed what Don had said. Both Don and Alan were quick to reassure him. They knew it would take time, but it was something all three of them had.

Alan spoke a little about what Rosemary had told him while he had been her prisoner and his feelings about what she had said and tried to do. A few tears were shed. After sitting quietly for a few more minutes, all three of them decided to get some much needed rest, Don agreeing to stay in his old room.

Before heading upstairs, Alan pulled Don and Charlie to him.

"I'm proud of you both. You both did the best you could possibly have done. I love you both." Don and Charlie both returned the sentiment and then they headed upstairs.

Don waited until his brother and father were in their respective rooms, then he went into his own room and shut the door. As he settled himself on his old bed he thought a little.

He knew the coming days would be rough as they worked through the ordeal and hurts that Rosemary had left in her wake. He thought about what his dad had told them. About Rosemary wanting to split them apart. He shuddered at how close she had come to succeeding.

The wounds that had been inflicted would be slow to heal, he knew that. He smiled at his final thought. It was a simple equation. He and Charlie may fight and have their differences of opinion, but with their dad's guidance which was freely and abundantly given-even when it wasn't wanted, he and Charlie were brothers.

No matter how deeply they may hurt each other with words and even fists some days, their brotherhood, their bond, would always keep them together. Don smiled and finally let his eyes drift shut.

Each day would bring new challenges. As a family they could overcome each and everyone. There was no stronger connection that Don had than that of his family and their love. No matter where he went or what he did, he could always come home to them.

End.

A/N : Endings are not my strong point! I hope this ending worked okay for everyone! Thanks for reading. Jschaw