This chapter is dedicated to Matt Cappotelli for when he had to get "the worst haircut ever." I hope you're doing well! You're such an inspiration!

Don woke from a long nap. He was surprised when he found it was already 1:30.

"Dad!" he called, ready to leave for the hospital.

"What's the matter?" Alan walked into the living room, drying his hands with a dish towel, from the kitchen.

"We need to go. Charlie will be waking up any minute."

"All right, all right. Let me finish the dishes." He turned toward the kitchen.

"Daaaaad!" Don whined.

"Don't 'dad' me. It'll take two minutes."

The two minutes were two minutes longer than Don would have liked. He paced the floor in front of the door, wanting to leave immediately. He wondered who'd taken care of his car and when he could get it back. He'd drive himself to the hospital if he didn't have to take his dad's car.

"All right. Let's go."

Don hurried out the door, looking back to make sure his father was following.

Don squirmed in the front seat during ride to the hospital. He wanted to be there with Charlie. He needed a change of clothes, but he wouldn't mention it to anyone unless someone else said something. It would only mean more time away from Charlie.

As if reading his mind, Alan said, "I brought some clothes for you to change into. You left them here a few weeks ago. I figured I'd hang onto them in case you needed them until you noticed they were missing."

"Thanks, Dad."

"No problem."

Once at the hospital, Alan was left in the dust as Don ran up the stairs to Charlie's room. He was saddened to find his brother's room still empty. He stood there, staring inside. Alan soon came up behind him.

"I forgot to tell you. I got a call from a nurse informing me that Charlie's surgery was taking a little longer than expected."

Don felt panic rise in him as he spun around to face his father. "Why? What's wrong?" He feared the answer.

"Nothing, nothing. They said it was normal and Charlie was doing well."

Don sighed with relief as he sank into the chair he'd occupied earlier. Alan set the bag of clothes in front of him.

"Why don't you get a shower before Charlie comes back? Come on, it'll make you feel better."

Don reluctantly complied, making his father promise to knock on the door if Charlie was brought back. Though hesitant at first, Don began to enjoy the warmth from the shower. He felt groggy by the time he got out.

Shortly after Don got out of the shower, Charlie was brought back to his room. He was still under from the anesthesia.

"Let me know when he wakes up," Dr. Smith said, gesturing to the button on the wall.

"We will. Thank you, doctor." Alan looked over at his youngest son. He looked younger when he was asleep.

Don reached over and lifted some of Charlie's hair, revealing the thick lines that had been shaved. It was hidden easily with his longer hair.

"This is definitely the worst haircut he's ever gotten." Don grinned at his father.

Alan laughed. "I've wanted him to get it cut for a while, but not like that."

Don took hold of his brother's right hand, rubbing circles on the top with his thumb.

"I think I'm going to walk around for a bit. I should be back before he wakes up."

"Okay."

Once Alan left, Don leaned on Charlie's pillows, trying to take up as little as possible. Soon he was asleep again.

Charlie woke up frightened. It took him a while before he remembered where he was, though he wasn't sure since he couldn't see. It wasn't as dark as before. Instead he saw a faint grayish color. He wasn't sure if he was alone or not, but assumed he was when no one spoke to him. However, he wanted to make sure.

"Dad? Don? Anyone?" Charlie asked loudly.

Extending his search, he reached out his hands in front of him.

Don was sound asleep when he felt someone touching the top of his head. Gasping loudly, he shot up, screaming.

"Ah!" Charlie screamed when what he was touching moved and spoke. He backed up on his bed, further away from whatever it was.

"It's okay! It's okay. It's just me, Charlie," Don said when he realized he'd scared Charlie.

Charlie fought to calm his racing heart. "D-Don?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry, Buddy. You startled me, that's all."

"Wh-what were you doing in here?" Charlie tried to stop shaking.

"I was asleep."

Charlie smiled. "Good."

Don reached over and pressed the button to inform the doctor Charlie was awake.

"What'd you do?" Charlie sensed the movement, but didn't recognize it.

"I pressed a button on the wall that tells the doctor you're awake."

"Oh."

The doctor walked in soon after.

"Hello, Charlie. How are you feeling?"

"Okay. A little groggy, but okay."

"That's good to hear. Your surgery went well. Tell me, are there any changes to your vision?"

"Um, yeah. It's not so black anymore. Now it's more gray."

"Good! That's excellent. Let me try something."

Don watched as the doctor moved toward to doorway and stopped at the light switches. He turned the lights off silently.

"What do you see now?"

"It looks black again." Charlie frowned.

"And now?" Dr. Smith turned the lights back on.

"It's grayish."

"Good. Charlie, when you saw the black, the lights were off and when you saw gray they were on. That's a good sign of improvement considering you just got out of surgery not so long ago. I hope that with each day your sight will improve."

"Me, too." Charlie smiled shyly.

"I'm sure you do. You'll have to stay here for the next 48 hours for the mega-dose corticosteroid therapy. Then you'll have to come in every three days so we can monitor your progress."

"Okay."

"All right. Get some more rest."

The doctor left the room.

"Is he gone?" Charlie asked Don.

"Yeah, he left."

"Where's Dad?"

"I'm not sure, Buddy. He went for a walk, but I haven't seen him since."

Charlie leaned back on his bed heavily. It was a relief to know that his vision was improving. But he was scared because of what he didn't tell the doctor.

"Don?"

"Yeah, Buddy?"

"Will you give me your hand?"

Don smiled softly and laid his hand in Charlie's.

Charlie grasped his brother's hand tightly. Don scooted his chair closer and Charlie took hold of Don's arm again.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you, Buddy."

"It's okay. Are you still mad at yourself?"

"Yes," Don answered honestly.

"I figured."

Charlie leaned his head on his brother's shoulder. He felt a shudder pass through him.

"Don?"

"Mm-hmm?"

"I'm scared." Charlie tightened his hold on his brother.

Don felt his heart squeeze.

"I won't let anything happen to you. I'm right here."

It wasn't that something else would happen that scared Charlie. He was only seeing gray in his right eye. What he was afraid of was that he wouldn't gain his sight back in his left eye.

Charlie fell asleep on Don's shoulder. Don couldn't help but smile at his little brother. He rested his head atop Charlie's curls. He was surprised when his father walked in.

"Dad! Where have you been? I thought you were just going for a walk."

"I was, but I decided to go home for a few minutes. Oh, and I stopped by your apartment."

"My apartment? What for?"

Alan tossed a bag to Don. Don opened it up and looked inside, pleased to find two changes of clothes, a razor, and a pillow.

"Thanks, Dad." Don smiled gratefully up at his father.

Alan noticed Charlie was sound asleep on Don's left shoulder.

"Did he wake up?"

Don smiled as he looked at his brother.

"Yeah. He was up for a little while."

"And? How was his vision?"

Don smiled bigger thinking of the high possibility that Charlie might get his full vision back. It seemed it was becoming more likely.

"He could tell when the light was on and when it wasn't. Dr. Smith said that's a good sign."

Alan grinned with pleasure. "That's wonderful! See? You have nothing to beat yourself up over."

"Well, Dad, he's not out of the woods, yet."

"I know, I know. But I'm sure he's going to be back to his old self soon."

"I hope so."

Don didn't leave the hospital the rest of the time Charlie was there. Charlie's vision gradually improved until he was able to see "tunnel vision." Don and Alan were both there when he was supposed to go home.

Charlie requested a moment alone with Dr. Smith. Alan and Don waited in the lobby for Charlie to be brought down to them.

"You wanted to speak to me, Charlie?" Dr. Smith asked when he walked into Charlie's room and shut the door behind him.

Charlie's vision was so limited that he had to move his head around a lot to see certain areas. He could hardly see the doctor's whole face. It was getting on his nerves being able to see, but not enough.

"Yes, I have a confession to make to you, but I must be sure that doctor-patient-confidentiality will be enforced still."

"Of course. What is it?"

Charlie took a deep breath. "I can't see out of my left eye."

"At all?" Dr. Smith was surprised, though he had suspected Charlie was stretching his vision's improvement. That was normal, though.

"No. I was hoping it would catch up with my right eye's progression but... well, it hasn't."

"I'm sorry to hear that. A final call won't be made for 3 months as to the permanency of your blindness. Give it time. It is still possible that you'll regain your vision in that eye."

"I hope so. Don't say anything to my brother or father, but especially not Don."

"As always, the confidentiality is kept. But, if I may ask, why don't you want them to know?"

"Don blames himself for my injury. If he knew I may not get my sight back in one eye, it would make him feel that much guiltier. And I don't want Dad to have to keep such a big secret from Don. Besides, if he knew he'd baby me even more than he already will." Charlie chuckled.

Dr. Smith smiled. "Your family is very close. There aren't many who are as close as you are. It's refreshing to see a family who cares so much."

Charlie beamed. "Thank you."

Dr. Smith stood and took the wheelchair from the corner of the room.

"Shall I take you to them now?"

"Yes, please."

With the help of Dr. Smith, Charlie made it into the wheelchair. Dr. Smith brought him down to the lobby, Charlie already been signed out.

Don turned and smiled when he saw Dr. Smith and Charlie coming.

"Dad," Don got his father's attention.

When Alan turned, Don nodded in the direction Charlie and Dr. Smith were coming from. Alan's face lit up when he saw his youngest son. He was thrilled with the prospect of bringing Charlie home.

"Ready to go home, Buddy?" Don asked when they came up to them.

"Yeah."

Don gave his brother a hand getting up. Charlie latched onto his older brother's arm so he could lead him.

"I'll see you Friday, Charlie," Dr. Smith said.

"Bye."

"Let's head home." Alan started to the door.

Don walked slowly to the door. Alan had already brought the car around so they didn't have far to go. Don looked down at his little brother and noticed that his eyes were closed.

"Why do you have your eyes closed, Buddy?"

"I, uh, it gives me a headache, only seeing so much at a time."

"Okay." Don frowned. He figured Charlie would want to look around. It was bad enough he wasn't supposed to get on his computer for two weeks. Why cut out looking around outside, too?

Charlie opened his eyes when he got to the car so he could see to get in. It was hard, though. He hated how little he could see and how much he had to depend on others for help.

Don planned to go to the office after he saw Charlie home. He'd told the agents to have his SUV brought to Charlie's house when they were done with it. He'd gotten a call yesterday saying that it would be there waiting on him.

Alan pulled into their driveway. He was happy that Charlie would be back home. Though he didn't like seeing Charlie hurt or barely seeing, he was glad that he'd be able to doctor his son for once.

Charlie waited on Don to help him out. He misinterpreted the edge of the car and fell forward. Don caught him before he stumbled forward.

"I've got you, Buddy. You all right?" Don looked down at Charlie's face full of surprise. Charlie's pulse raced with the jolt.

"I'm fine." Charlie straightened and waited for Don to start walking as he took his brother's arm again.

"Where to?" Don asked when they were inside the home.

"Bed," Charlie replied. He'd missed his own bed, though he hadn't lost any sleep with the one from the hospital.

Don laughed. "Okay. Take it easy on these steps, though."

Don and Charlie went slowly up the stairs without any incidents. Charlie loved the limited sight of his room. He felt at home.

Don led him to the bed. Once there, Charlie sat down, and then laid back.

"Comfy?" Don asked, smiling widely.

"Yes. Thanks for taking me home and for staying at the hospital with me. It... it means a lot to me."

Don took Charlie's hand and squeezed, feeling a tightening in return.

"Anytime, Buddy."

"Where are you off to now?"

"The office."

"Okay. I'll see you later."

Don smiled. "Yes... Yes, you will." Don couldn't explain how much that meant to him.

If he only knew.