Alan didn't realize how long he'd been sitting at the hospital until Charlie reappeared. "Hey," he said softly.
"Oh, Charlie," Alan sat up straighter. "What time is it?"
"Nearly 8:00," Charlie replied, "here, I brought you something to eat."
Alan accepted the white take-out box. "How's he doing?" Charlie asked, sitting beside his father.
"He's been asleep for a couple hours now. His fever's down and his blood sugar's up so that's a good sign."
Don stirred and opened his eyes. "Hey," he croaked, "what, you bring Dad dinner and I get jack?"
Charlie and Alan smiled. "Glad to see you're feeling better," Charlie said.
"Yeah," Don rubbed a hand across his face, trying to wake up, "what time is it?"
"8:00," Alan replied.
"That means the game's on," Don said reaching for the remote.
The Eppes men settled back to watch the game. It wasn't long before the doctor appeared. "Well this looks like fun."
"Be better with a beer and a steak," Don said.
The doctor laughed. "I take it you're hungry? That's a good sign. I'm afraid you're still off beer and steak for a while though."
The doctor looked over Don's chart, then listened to his chest and looked into his eyes and mouth. He adjusted one of the IV's. "Well Agent, you're looking pretty good here. I'll have some food sent up for you. If you stay like this and keep something down you can be out of here first thing tomorrow. Anything else you need?"
"I think I'm okay. Thanks Doc."
"Well then, I will see you later. Good night."
Don managed to keep down the soup and jello that were brought to him. Alan and Charlie left around 11:00 for home and Don slept well, but was awake early and ready to leave. "Now," the doctor said sternly, "you can go back to work on Monday. You need to eat food that will be gentle on your stomach; soup, toast, etc. Drink lots of water and no beer."
"With rules like that I'm going to need a beer," Don muttered.
"Monday," the doctor said firmly, then smiled. "It really was a pleasure meeting you. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to give me a call."
"No offense, Doc, but I hope I won't have to take you up on that anytime soon," Don said.
The doctor laughed. "Take care of yourself, Eppes."
Don barely tolerated being taken out in a wheelchair. Once outside he blinked, trying to adjust to the sunlight. Then he blinked again. Megan was leaning against her car, sipping coffee. "Well hey there," she said as he walked toward her. "You're looking better."
"What are you doing here?" Don asked, confused.
"Your dad called. He thought you might try something like this," Megan said with a smile.
Don tried to stop the smile from spreading across his face. "Something like what?"
"Like leaving the hospital early so you could take a cab to work," Megan said knowingly.
"So they sent the one person I can't say no to," Don finished.
Megan smiled. "Let's go. I don't have all day here you know."
Don shook his head but got in the car anyway. "This isn't the way to my apartment," Don said after about ten minutes.
"Who said we were going to your apartment?" Megan asked.
"You know, kidnapping of a federal agent can get you twenty-five to life," Don said.
Megan just smiled and continued driving.
Don groaned when he realized where they were. "No, no, you are not taking me to Charlie's!"
"Sorry, Don. I'm just following orders," Megan said turning down the street.
"Yeah, well, I'm your boss and-"
"And you're on vacation until Monday, which makes me in charge," Megan said calmly, pulling into the driveway.
"I'm not going in there," Don said as Megan stopped the car.
"Are you four years old?" Megan asked with a laugh. "It's your family, Don. Go on. I promise the bull pen will still be there on Monday."
Don sighed and obediently got out of the car. "Get some rest," Megan called as he made his way to the door.
Don shook his head and went inside. "Dad!" he called.
"Oh, hey Don," Alan said, coming out of the kitchen. "I made up your room. You can head straight on up."
Don raise his eyebrows. "Dad, I'm not going to my room. And I wanna talk to you!" he called as his Dad moved away from him. "You have no right to send one of my agents to the hospital to take care of me!"
Alan turned to face him. "It worked, didn't it?"
Don gaped at him wordlessly. "Sit down, Don."
Don found himself sitting on the couch and suddenly found himself very tired. "You want something to eat?" Alan asked.
"Nah, I'm good for now," Don said, settling back into the couch cushions.
Alan tossed him the remote and Don turned on the TV. "Did Charlie have class this morning?"
"Yeah, he should be back by lunchtime. He wanted to check on you so he cancelled his afternoon class."
"I don't need a babysitter," Don said.
"Give him a break, Donnie. You should have seen his face after Megan called. He was really upset. Let him take care of you a little bit."
Don glared at his father. "I'm not eating anything he makes."
"I don't blame you," Alan replied, coming to join him, a glass of water in hand. "Drink."
Don obeyed and then sat back to watch the game. "Wow, that was a good play, did you see that Donnie? Don?"
He turned and saw his oldest, mouth open and fast asleep. Alan smiled and turned back to the game. He could fill Don in later.