Sixteen year old Ellie Bartowski was awakened by a nurse about two hours later by a nurse.

"He's awake, and he's asking for you." She said.

"Thank you. Um… what room is he in?"

"203. Over there." She said, pointing.

"Okay. Did you get a hold of my dad?"

"Not yet."

Ellie smiled and thanked the nurse before heading toward the direction she had pointed. Ellie paused at the door of Chuck's room. She was nervous at what she might find behind it. She took a deep breath, and turned the handle.

Chuck was lying in a hospital bed. He looked pale and small and helpless. There were wires connected to him from all over the room and the Beep. Beep. Beep. Of the heart monitor. He smiled when he saw her.

"I'm sorry Ellie. I shouldn't have pulled his mask off."

"Sorry! Chuck, if anyone should be sorry, it's me."

"Why would you be sorry?"

"I didn't protect you."

"Ellie, no offence, but you're a sixteen year old girl against three grown men. I don't think it would have helped much."

Ellie giggled. "I guess not."

"Is Dad here?"

"They can't get a hold of him."

"Oh."

Ellie felt anger rush through her at Chuck's disappointment. He should have been there. He could have protected Chuck. Then they wouldn't be in this mess. He should be here now. He should be here worrying over Chuck, and dealing with all the medical things. Not her. She shouldn't have to protect Chuck.

But she did.

"He'll be here eventually. Don't worry Chuck."

The nice doctor from before, Dr. Harper, her nametag read, came into the room. "Ellie, may I speak with you outside for a minute?"

Ellie left the room with Dr. Harper, sending a reassuring smile over her shoulder for Chuck.

"Ellie, do you have any other relatives we could call besides your father?"

Ellie shook her head. Nobody except her mother. And she had no idea where she could be. "Why?"

"You don't need to worry about it…"

"Yes I do. Chuck is all I have, and I'm all Chuck has."

Dr. Harper sighed. "Chuck needs more surgery, but we need your father's consent to do it."

"And he's still not answering his phone?"

"No."

"Can I give consent?"

"No, you're not even eighteen."

Ellie sighed.

"Are you sure there isn't anyone else?"

"I'm sure. Unless you can find my mother, we don't have any other family."

"What's your mother's name?"

"Mary Bartowski."

"Thank you. Why don't you go be with your brother?"

She nodded and headed back into Chuck's room.

Ellie was definitely worried now. She sat by Chuck's bed, holding his hand all night. Waiting.