Charlie stumbled out of bed early the next morning after hearing the clattering of pots and pans. He watched his dad in the kitchen and could see he was struggling with himself. Charlie frowned because he knew he was partly to blame for his father's distress.

"Damn." Charlie was surprised to hear his father curse. Alan pressed his hands to his face and sighed as he stopped to take a moment. He felt guilty for pressuring Charlie and for betraying his son's trust.

"Dad?"

He jumped when the center of his thoughts spoke from behind him. He smiled softly at his son.

"Hey, kiddo. I, um, I was going to make us some eggs. Is that okay? Will it be enough?" Alan turned his back to his son and got out some eggs from the refrigerator.

"Dad, stop. Please."

Alan stood and looked at his son.

"What?"

"Just... stop. Okay? Sit down." Charlie pulled his father by the arm and led him to a chair at the kitchen table.

"What is it? Are you okay?"

"No, because you're not okay. Look, Dad, I never meant to make you feel bad about what happened yesterday. I mean, I was kind of mad at you for telling Megan, but I understand you were trying to help me. Please, don't feel so bad about this. Okay?" Charlie reached out and squeezed his father's arm.

Alan nodded, tears in his eyes. "I'm just so sorry, kiddo. I-I didn't mean to upset you. I-I-I just wanted to help you and I know now that I just ruined it."

"Dad, no. Don't talk like that. I-I was upset it and I wasn't thinking clearly. It wasn't your fault."

"Well, I know there had to be some truth in what you were saying. I was being insensitive toward your feelings. I should have been more understanding."

"Dad, you can't understand. Only people who are going through this would. It's not really something you can imagine or pretend. You have to live it to understand. And with my situation, it's even more difficult. I can't put into words how much I don't want Don to find out. I know you can understand that because you know how hard Don pushes himself and how hard he'll be on himself when he finds out. But it's also different because he's my brother. There's something between us that makes us understand things about each other others don't get.

"The main thing that bothered me was how you made me feel so... so weak. I've always known Don is the strong one and I'm supposed to be the smart one. I get that. You wouldn't call Don stupid, would you, just because I'm the smart one?"

Alan shook his head.

"Of course not! Don can still have brains even though I'm supposed to be so much smarter. It's not fair to judge me weakly because Don is stronger. I know that, but I have my own strengths, and not just in intelligence. They're not the same as Don's, but when it comes to my family, I can be strong, too."

Alan smiled. "I know, son. I know. You are strong. Maybe I lost sight of that, but I know you are. You've gone this long already without anyone's help, though you've been blind in one eye. You've made it through without hardly any difficulties. You're amazing."

Charlie blushed, now embarrassed. "Really?"

"Of course." Alan leaned forward and hugged his son tightly.

"I know you are strong. I believe in your strength. And if you don't want anyone else to know, that's what you'll get. I'm sorry I seemed to doubt your strength. I didn't mean to. I was merely suggesting that you shouldn't have to be alone in this."

"I'm not alone. I have you."

"Yes, my boy, and you always will." Alan winked at Charlie and stood.

"Now, let me get to making those eggs, okay?"

Charlie smiled, relieved that things were now okay with him and his father. They'd keep this a secret as long as they could.

But how long would that be?

Don came over later that morning to grab a bite to eat.

"You guys okay now?" he asked when he walked into the kitchen and found Charlie and Alan eating together.

"What? We weren't before?" Charlie asked with a grin.

Don smiled back and went to the stove.

"Got any left for me?"

"Of course. There's plenty."

"Good, I'm hungry."

Don dished himself a plate of eggs and put a piece of bread in the toaster. He took his plate and set it down at the table before getting himself a cup of coffee. By the time he finished pouring the cup, the toast came up. He returned to his spot at the table and sat down.

"So I guess I made it at a good time?" Don asked between bites.

"What are you talking about? We're fine now, okay? What more do you want?" Charlie waved a hand at his brother.

"I was hoping to see you guys fight it out, you know, John Wayne style."

"Ha ha, very funny. Eat your eggs." Alan shoved his son playfully on the arm.

"What? You guys need to stop being so touchy all the time."

"Hush." Alan pointed to Don's eggs to signify he needed to eat. Don rolled his eyes and obeyed, feeling like a little kid.

Charlie sat in silence as he ate his eggs. He was deep in thought, thinking of how his brother hadn't found out yet. His father was to his left at the moment, so he didn't want to try to focus on him right now. Don on the other hand was sitting almost directly in front of him, so his brother wouldn't notice any difference in the way he looked at him. He just hoped his father wouldn't direct any questions at him for a while.

"So, Don, how's work going for you right now? It seems every time you come over we just talk about me," Charlie started a conversation.

"It's okay. I think things have slowed down since you haven't been around, but it's good."

"I'm glad to hear it. Before you know it, I'll be back."

"Not soon enough for me, Buddy."

Charlie smiled, happy to be missed by his brother. He missed getting to work with Don. He now spent his days at home being bored basically. Things had improved once he was able to do more things. He just couldn't wait until he could do things full time and get back to work. He actually missed work.

Charlie returned to teaching at CalSci four weeks later, having already started back with the FBI. He thrilled with the pressure, with the rush to get things done. Already there was never a dull moment, much unlike the many weeks before. He loved being back into his old routine.

His students noticed the change in the way he taught, how he wrote on the chalkboard. He never went very far to the left on the chalkboard. There was always the same cutoff point. Though they noticed, none thought much more of it and just accepted it as the way he wrote. They were just happy to have their teacher back.

Charlie was surprised when Megan showed up at his office around his lunch time. She was leaning against his desk when he walked in from his last class.

"Megan. What are you doing here?" He had seen the agent briefly, having worked on the case, but the two had remained apart most of the time.

"I came to apologize, Charlie."

"Is there something new about the case?" He didn't want to talk about it.

"Charlie, please. We need to talk." She reached out and grabbed his arm gently. He turned to her with an annoyed glance.

"So talk. What do you have to say?"

His words stung her. She didn't mean for it to be so bad.

"Please, listen. Your dad just wanted what is best for you. He told me because he knew you wouldn't ask anyone else for help. I haven't told anyone and I never plan to. This is your information to give out to whoever you please. I know it was wrong of you dad to tell me without your permission, but I promise I will never tell anyone. Okay?"

Charlie softened a bit, though he didn't want to. He had forgiven his father so easily. Why hadn't he forgiven Megan yet?

Because she had wounded his pride.

"Look, it's okay. I get it. I don't care that much that you know. It's just..."

"What, Charlie?"

He sighed. "I-I don't appreciate you telling me that I'm too weak to take care of my family."

"Oh, no! That's not what I meant at all! I know you can do this. You're brilliant, Charlie. You're more than capable of taking care of your family. I know that."

"No, you don't. You assume that I can take care of my family with my brains. Well, I can have strength, too, Megan. I'm not just some genius who is only good for his brains. The way I told Dad, you wouldn't call Don stupid because I'm the smart one, would you?"

"No, never. Your brother is very intelligent."

"Exactly! But, see, with me, people know me by my brains. They don't even think about my other traits. Sure, I don't shoot guns and I have never won a fist fight before, but when it comes to my family, I know what I have to do. I know how to take care of them and you implied that I didn't. Maybe you didn't mean to, but I know that's what most people think. It happens. I understand that. But, please, try to consider me as a person, not just a genius."

Megan smiled softly. He'd definitely gotten his point across.

"Okay, Charlie. I get it. I'm sorry if I made you feel weak. I know you're stronger than that, now at least."

"Thank you. You're forgiven."

"Good." She reached out and hugged Charlie.

"I'd better go see Larry. He'll wonder why I haven't come to see him yet."

"Okay. I'll see you later."

"Bye, Charlie."

"Bye."

Charlie was relieved to have that settled with Megan. He didn't like being mad at her. It was better to be on good terms with someone who could potentially save your life.

The next day Charlie was working at the board when his brother walked in. Since the door was to his left and Don slipped in quietly, he didn't hear or see his brother enter.

Don watched his brother work, amused at Charlie's obliviousness to his presence. He'd come to get some time with his brother. He was attempting to make up for the time they missed when they were supposed to go to the batting cages.

"Knock, knock," Don said with a grin, already anticipating Charlie's reaction.

Charlie jumped, causing him to draw a squiggly radical sign. "Don! How many times do you have to do that?" He placed his hand over his rapidly beating heart.

"It never gets old and you never learn."

Charlie rolled his eyes and took a deep breath. "So... what are you doing here? Any changes in the case?"

"No, no. Nothing like that. I want to take you out for lunch. You're free right now, aren't you?"

"Yeah, until two. Are you ready now?"

"Unless you're busy, yeah."

"Okay. Let me finish this real quick." Charlie quickly jotted down the ending of his algorithm and then turned back to his brother.

"Done."

Don chuckled. "Buddy, what's up with the board? Is there something wrong with that side?" He pointed to a section to the left of the board that was completely empty.

Charlie felt his pulse race again. He hadn't noticed that he'd been doing that. Usually, when he looked at the board he just concentrated on the section he was reading or writing on. Would Don think too far into it?

"I, uh, I don't know. I guess I was just too wrapped up in what I was doing to pick that side."

Don shook his head. "Whatever, Buddy. Come on. Let's go get something to eat."

"Okay." Charlie breathed a little easier when his brother didn't continue the topic any more.

When they stepped outside the campus building, Charlie expected to go to Don's car. When they didn't, he questioned his brother.

"Where are we going?"

"There's a new place down the street I want to try. It's called Dias Buenos. It's some Mexican place. I thought you might like it. It's close enough to walk and you know how traffic is this time of day."

"Doesn't that mean 'happy days' in Spanish?"

"I don't know. Does it?"

"I'm pretty it sure it does."

Don shrugged. "Well, it isn't very original, but who cares? Megan said she and Larry tried it and liked it."

Charlie smiled, even though by now he should be used to Larry and Megan dating. Don smiled, too.

"Well, it must be good if Larry liked it. He's a pretty picky eater."

"Is he really?"

Charlie shook his head as they stopped before getting to cross the street. "The lunch ladies hate him because he has to have his food a certain way."

Don laughed. "Is he still living out of his office?"

"Yes. I've offered him our guest room like a million times. He keeps saying he doesn't want to have to deal with furnishing a house."

"What? It's not that hard," Don said before they made a mad dash across the street.

"I know! It's not like he doesn't have enough money, either. Has Megan said much about it?"

"Too much. She tells me to tell you to talk some sense into him. Of course, she'd never tell him to stop."

"Of course not. Is this it?" Charlie looked up at the sign.

"Yep. This is the place. I hope it's not too crowded." He held the door open for his littler brother.

"Thanks."

They were seated quickly, but it was still rather packed inside. They sat at a booth and waited for someone to take their order.

"My next class will not appreciate this."

Don chuckled. "I bet not. So what are you getting?"

"I was thinking the fajita rollups. How about you?"

"Tacos."

Charlie smiled when a waitress came up to take their orders. When she left, he turned back to his brother.

"So what's the catch? Did Dad send you to keep an eye on me?"

Don was surprised and felt a little hurt. He didn't want his brother to think that every time he took his brother out "just because" that he'd think he had a plan behind it.

"No. I just wanted to spend some time with you. That's all."

"Oh." Charlie felt a little embarrassed for assuming his brother was up to something for having lunch with him. "Did you know I caught Dad peeking into my office yesterday?" He quickly changed the subject.

"No! Did he really?"

"Yes. Security took him away." He could barely contain the smile on his face.

"Get outta here!"

Charlie nodded his confirmation. Don broke into a fit of laughter and Charlie joined him.

Don ended up wiping his eyes from laughing so hard. But then he grew serious again.

"Buddy, I don't want you to think I have something up my sleeve every time I invite you out to eat or something. I just wanted to make up for the time we should have spent at the batting cages."

Charlie was touched that his brother cared that much. He had been upset about missing that time with his brother. He was happy his brother was trying to make up for that.

"I hope this time works out a little better." Don chuckled nervously.

"Don, you don't have to do this. Really."

"No, I want to. Look, you weren't the only one who was upset about missing time we'd spend together. I was looking forward to it, too, you know."

"You had?"

Don smiled softly. "Of course, Buddy. You're my brother and I want to spend time with you and not just at work. It was disappointing that we weren't able to spend more time together before but so soon after you were hardly able to do anything. I'm so glad you're okay now."

Charlie grinned at his brother. "I am, too. And, Don, I really don't think I would be here now as I am if it hadn't been for you."

"Well, thank you, Buddy, but I know it wasn't me. You have some strength in you, one I never realized was there before."

Charlie stared in surprise at his brother. He hadn't expected that.

The waitress brought their food and the serious talk was replaced by exchanges of the latest case and some simple conversation.

After Don insisted on buying, the two headed back to the CalSci campus. They had to stop again at the crosswalk and were surprised they were the only ones there to cross.

"It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" Don asked as he enjoyed the view.

"Mm-hm." Charlie, however, was keeping his eye on the sign across the street. When it said "walk," he began to obey.

The sound of screeching tires was nothing new for Charlie. Working in LA, he had grown accustomed to the many sounds of traffic whizzing by. So he didn't think twice at the sound of screeching tires, signaling someone cutting a curve too fast. The car had run a red light and, coming from his left, he didn't see it coming at him.

"Charlie!" Don reached out and grabbed his brother. Every move seemed in slow motion. He waited for the outcome, praying his reflexes had been fast enough.

Charlie was yanked back by his brother in barely enough time. With the power Don had pulled him, he was knocked to the ground behind his brother.

"Charlie! My God, are you okay?" Don hit the ground in front of his brother, amazed he'd come out of the situation alive.

Charlie nodded, though his racing pulse and sick feeling in his stomach would normally suggest otherwise.

After Charlie's nod, Don took that as his permission to yell at him.

"What do you think you were doing? Were you trying to get yourself killed? My gosh, Charlie, how could you have not seen that truck? What, are you blind?"

Charlie flinched at the word. It only took a moment for Don to realize what he'd just said. Could it be?

Don grabbed Charlie's head, forcing his brother to look at him.

"Charlie, are you blind?"

Charlie remained silent, terrified.

"Are you?"

Charlie looked away from his brother's eyes, even when Don shook him roughly.

"Answer me!"

Well, guys, I'm taking a leap of faith here. I hope my assumption that you guys will think it's time for Don to find out will prove correct. I'm sorry if you guys don't and I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update. This is kind of a cliffhanger, but it's just leading up to more angst to come. You're not missing anything too important yet except for Don's reaction when Charlie tells him that he is blind in one eye.

Thank you to all those who have sent me lyrics to help! I appreciate it! Right now, the topics I want for lyrics would be something to do with guilt or pain or misery. Something along those line. So, if you feel productive, look for some and send them to me if you can. Thanks!


This chapter's title comes from the song "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls. Man, I need to stop using their songs. LOL