Family Vacation

Disclaimer on chapter one.

All mistakes are mine and because of a new program I am using you really have to give me a break please.

Thank you to my wonderful beta.

Don inhaled deeply and said,"so I overheard you and Charlie a little while ago. First,are you okay?"

Amita looked at him stunned and dismayed that Charlie's brother had overheard them. She took a breath and said."Yeah,I am,or at least I will be.

"I haven't been able to put my finger on it, but I have known since the stabbing that something was bothering him -I just didn't know what it was. I knew he was acting weird around my dad and me."

Amita simply stood there and looked at him with a faraway expression.

"Amita, are you with me?" asked Don, staring at her with concern and confusion.

Amita shook her head and said,"Yeah,I am fine,I just.... I have to be honest; I have been so worried about him. He is so withdrawn me and from his students. Even his private work has suffered."

"I didn't know that." Don frowned and then looked at her. " I hope to get sometime alone with him this trip. I want to make him understand there is nothing he did that caused the stabbing. Concern and a hint of anger sounded in his voice at the mere suggestion that Charlie was to blame.

Amita pushed a stand of hair that had fallen in her face back behind her ear. " I know that you know what Alan said to him the hospital. I have tried to talk him, to tell him that what your dad said was because he heard Charlie blaming himself. I don't think he meant to imply Charlie was at fault;he was scared,and simply was to tell him that right then, his priory had to be find who did that to you. I will never believe that Alan meant anything more by that. Your dad is one of the sweetest men I know."

Don just stood there shifting from foot to foot looking at his brothers girlfriend.' boy he thought Charlie is one lucky man-she cares so much for him it is unbelievable.' snapping out of his thoughts, he looked back at Amita and he said, "you're right-my dad was scared,but regardless of the reason,my dad was wrong. I understand the heat of moment and the need to justify what Charlie was thinking, but he know s that Charlie takes things the wrong way,even on the best days."

Just then, they heard Alan call, "Come on you two! We're heading out!"

"Don thanks for listening" said Amita gratefully.

"Amita ,I didn't do anything,but you're welcome. And just so you know- Charlie loves you,he is upset and maybe a mixed up right now,but he cares about you."

" I know; I love him so much. I just feel like-," she broke off and hesitated. "Like I am going to lose him.

"Hey you guys coming?' asked Nikki, as she strolled over to them. She grinned and jerked her head at Alan. "He seems like a man on a mission and I sure don't want to mess with him."

Don clapped Nikki on the shoulder and grinned back. "Yeah, he can get pretty feisty . Come on, Amita,we'd better get going."

Amita took a breath as she saw Charlie walk up with Larry, and he looked at her smiled.'God that smile -i love that about him,' she thought,as she walked over to the two men.

"There you are" said Larry, as he spied her.

"Yeah,here I am,"said Amita softly.