Man, am I good or what? I got this up before school started! YAY! I thought about leaving this for a few days and then posting, but I figured you'd want this ASAP. So here you go!

Don spent the night awake, holding his brother's hand. Sleep wouldn't come. Don knew Alan and Charlie would be upset, but it wasn't his fault.

Alan arrived at eight-thirty with a thermos of hot coffee and a box of donuts.

"Hey, Don. How's Charlie doing?" Alan asked quietly as he set the stuff down on the only table in the room. He walked over to Charlie's bed and saw his sons' clasped hands. It sent warmth to his heart.

"He slept most of the night. The doctor said they'll be in to prep him for surgery soon. Did you know they're going to have to shave part of his hair?"

"Oh, yeah?" Alan grinned. Charlie would hate that. He'd been pushing him to get a haircut for a while now.

Don nodded, smiling. "Dr. Smith said that his hair should be long enough to cover it up, but he'll have to be careful."

Alan watched his oldest son carefully, catching the tired tone of his voice. He felt some concern.

"Did you get any sleep last night?"

Don shook his head no.

"Oh, Donnie. You should have come home with me."

"No. I mean, it wouldn't have done any good."

Alan sat down on the chair on the opposite side of Charlie's bed that Don was sitting. Facing both sons, he liked being able to see both at once. His main focus now, though, was Don.

"You want some coffee? Donut?"

"Coffee sounds good." Alan began to stand. "No, no. It's okay. I'll get it. You stay put."

Don reluctantly let go of Charlie's hand, which fell limply after Don let go, and walked to the table. He poured the hot coffee into a plastic cup. The donuts held no appeal to him, so he ignored them and returned to his chair.

He took Charlie's hand again.

"Did he wake up last night?" Alan asked Don.

"Yeah, about four in the morning."

"Was he okay?"

"He was a lot calmer than I expected. He seems a little scared, but he's all right."

"That's good to hear." Alan stood and got himself a cup of coffee and a jelly-filled donut. Don watched as his father ate and he felt his stomach churn. Soon Don had to get up and rush to the bathroom. He was thankful that Charlie had his own bathroom because he didn't think he'd make it if it was any farther.

Alan followed at a much slower pace. He tore off a paper towel and ran it under the faucet that was pouring out cold water.

Don leaned back against the counter when he stopped emptying his stomach. He closed his eyes against he misery he felt.

Alan kneeled down and wiped at Don's face with the cool paper towel. He wished he could wipe the pain off his son's face so easily. The furrow to Don's brow showed his fight. He was fighting himself, fighting to forgive himself. And he was losing.

"Don! Dad! Is anyone there?" They heard Charlie frantically ask loudly.

Don stood too fast, wanting to get to his brother as soon as possible, and he was caught by a dizzy spell. He reached out for something to steady himself and found his father's arm worked well. Alan held onto Don to keep him from falling.

"Are you all right?" Alan asked over Charlie's repeated question.

"I need to get to Charlie."

Don got out of Alan's hold and went to his brother.

"Hey, Charlie. It's okay. I'm right here." Don's voice startled Charlie. He hated not being able to see.

Charlie was sitting up in bed. The fear showed plainly on his face. When he heard Don, he reached out for his brother, though hardly knowing where to reach. Don took his brother's outstretched hand. Charlie pulled his brother closer to him. He grabbed onto Don's arm, wrapping his arms around it as though giving it a hug. Charlie pressed the side of his face into Don's biceps.

"Charlie, I'm here, too." Alan reached out and touched Charlie's shoulder. Charlie flinched, not expecting the touch.

"I'm sorry." Alan hadn't meant to scare Charlie. But what other fears must he be facing?

"I-it's okay. You just startled me." Fearfully, he tightened his grip on his brother's arm.

Don brought his other hand around and squeezed Charlie's shoulder.

"It's okay, Buddy. We're right here with you."

"Wh-where were you?"

"We were in the bathroom." Don answered.

"Both of you? At the same time?" Charlie's confusion could be heard plainly in his voice.

"Your brother here has been throwing up."

"Don? Are you all right?" Charlie tilted his head upward, though it didn't make a difference. He still couldn't see.

Don avoided Charlie's face. "It was only twice. Don't worry about me."

"Twice is still two more than usual. What's wrong?"

"Well, lack of sleep for starters," Alan added.

"Don! You were supposed to get some sleep last night. Why didn't you?"

Don was getting uncomfortable under all the attention directed at him. Charlie was the one that was hurt, not him.

"Because I couldn't get any. Can we just drop it?"

"He won't eat any donuts either," Alan informed Charlie.

"Well, not if I'm going to throw it up anyway," Don argued.

"You should eat something, Don," Charlie said.

Having all he could take, Don pulled out of Charlie's embrace. Charlie gasped in surprise and reached out for his brother's arm once more. Only, Don was too far away for him to reach.

"I'm fine. Just back off!" Don said angrily, then went out of the room.

Charlie moved his hands in front of him as he frantically searched for his brother. He whimpered in fear as his hands only touched empty air. Alan moved to Charlie's hands and took one in his. Charlie pulled the hand close and grabbed onto his father's arm, leaning into it.

"You're not Don."

"No. He left."

"Is he mad at me?"

"No. I think he's just mad at himself."

"I wish he wouldn't be. It's not his fault."

"I know. I wish he did, too."

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

Don walked outside the hospital. He wouldn't allow himself to go far away from his little brother, but he needed some fresh air. He found a group of benches just outside the hospital and sank down on one. He didn't get a long time to himself, though.

"Don! I'm glad we caught you. How's Charlie?" Megan asked as she came walking up with Colby at her side.

"Tell me you caught the bastard who did this to him." Don deliberately avoided the question as to how Charlie was doing.

"Yes. The lab identified his finger prints as a set we found at one of the crime scenes. David is working him over in the hopes he'll give the other three guys up. Hopefully, we'll have this one wrapped up by the end of the week."

"Good."

"Now, back to the first question. How's Charlie?" Megan repeated.

Megan sat on the bench beside Don and Colby took a seat on the bench across from theirs.

"He'll be in surgery today."

"Surgery? What kind of surgery?" Colby asked.

"To relieve pressure on his brain."

"Other than that, he's okay, right?" Colby fought for a direct answer.

Megan studied Don closely. She knew whatever else there was it wasn't good.

"Don?" She spoke softly, touching his shoulder.

Don leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees as he buried his face in his hands.

"He's blind. Charlie may never see again and it's all my fault."

Megan gasped, placing her hand over her mouth. Colby felt ready to tear Adam Wess, the man who hit Charlie, a part as anger took over.

"He... he may get his sight back though. Right?" Megan prayed it was so.

"Maybe."

Don rubbed his face.

"I take it you came here for my statement?" Don looked up from his hands.

"Yes. That is, if you're up for it." Megan could see how Charlie's injury was taking its tole on Don. He always blamed himself when things went wrong.

Colby took out a notebook and pen.

"I stopped at Melissa Thomas' house with Charlie. I left him in the car, expecting to be just a minute. I was going to get her statement. When I went to her door, no one answered. The door was slightly ajar, so I let myself in. When I went upstairs, I found her body. I called David and as I went to a window, I saw a man swinging a baseball bat at Charlie's head."

"Adam Wess," Colby informed him.

"We were supposed to be going to the batting cages. When I went outside, Wess was pulling out of the driveway. I took a few shots, but missed. Charlie said he was trying to stop Wess from taking my car when Wess hit him in the head."

"Did he say anything about hitting Wess?" Megan asked, remembering what Adam looked like.

"Yeah. Why?"

Colby grinned. "Well, Wess has a pretty black eye. Looks like Charlie has a hell of a right hook."

Don looked down at his watch.

"Damn it." Don stood.

"What's wrong?" Megan asked.

"Charlie's supposed to be heading into surgery right now. Let me know if there are anymore breakthroughs in the case!"

Don took off running inside the hospital. Knowing the elevator would be too slow for him, he took the stairs two at a time.

He rushed to Charlie's room and felt his heart drop when he found Charlie's bed empty.

"Donnie? Are you all right?" Alan asked when he saw Don at the door.

He wasn't all right. He had been mean to Charlie. He shouldn't have snapped at him. Now he wouldn't get the chance to apologize until Charlie got out of surgery.

"Don?"

Alan rushed to his son's side as Don's legs weakened beneath him.

"Wh-where's Charlie?" Don asked tiredly.

"He's gone back to surgery."

Alan started leading Don toward the elevator, hoping he'd be able to keep Don upright.

"Where are we going?" Don caught on to the direction they were headed.

"We're going home, son."

"No. I-I have to stay with Charlie." Don fought to get out of his father's embrace as they entered the elevator.

"He won't be out for a while, okay? We'll be back before he wakes up. I promise."

The elevator doors closed, keeping Don inside. Alan leaned his son against the wall of the elevator until the doors opened again.

Alan let Don lean on him as they made it out of the hospital.

"Mr. Eppes!" Alan turned at the sound of his name being called. He smiled, relieved, when he saw Megan and Colby walk up to them from the parking lot.

"What are you two doing here?" Alan asked the two agents.

"We just saw Don, but he ran off. Is he okay?" Megan looked at Don, who was barely conscious.

"He didn't sleep last night and he hasn't eaten in a while. Can you help me get him to my car?" Alan directed his question to Colby.

"I'd be glad to, sir."

Colby wrapped one of Don's arms around his shoulder while Alan took the other side.

"Here we go, buddy," Colby said as they started toward Alan's car. Megan led the way to the car and opened the door to let Don in.

"You know, David, Colby and I fought to get to come here. We played Rock, Paper, Scissors. I won first, then Colby. So David was left at the office."

Alan smiled. "It's good to know the three of you care so much about my sons."

Don collapsed into the back seat with a groan. Alan shut the door and started for his side.

"Thank you both for your help. I wasn't looking forward to doing this by myself."

"Anytime, sir. You take care of your boys for me, okay?" Megan said, smiling.

"I will. Thanks again." Alan got into his car, waving to the agents as they moved out of the way.

Alan got Don home a few minutes later. Don woke up when they arrived home and assured Alan that he could make it inside by himself.

Alan went straight to the kitchen and heated up some soup for the two of them, adding something extra to Don's bowl.

"Eat up. You'll need your strength," Alan said as he set the bowl in front of Don.

Don ate his soup in silence. Alan watched him carefully, hoping Don wouldn't notice the change.

When Don was finished, he went to the living room. Alan followed soon after.

"We need to head back soon," Don said, yawning.

"We will."

"I-I have to be there when he wakes up."

"You will be."

"I'm going to lay down for a minute. Tell me when you're ready to leave."

"Okay."

Within minutes, Don was sound asleep. Alan smiled to himself. Maybe he hadn't needed to add the sleeping pills to Don's soup after all.