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Four Little Words Can End It All

Chuck ran. Ran out of his penthouse. Ran out of the building. Ran into and out of his limo. Ran into the building and past Vanya who gave him a grateful smile. Ran into the elevator. Ran up the stair and to Eric's room. Chuck opened the door to find Eric laying on his bed, staring blankly at a piece of math homework. Eric had changed out of his school uniform as most St. Judes boys did after school. However, Chuck was slightly puzzled as to Eric's choice of wardrobe. He had changed into a pair of pj pants and an over-sized sweatshirt, definitely not the usual choice of clothing for the Upper East Side. Plus, it was only four in the afternoon. Something was up.

Eric looked up when he heard the door open and was shocked to see Chuck standing before him. Eric subconsciously tugged his sleeves down, a small motion that did not go unnoticed by his brother. Worried, Eric shot Chuck a look that hopefully told him to go away and that everything was all right. Unfortunately for Eric, he was nowhere near that lucky.

"Eric," Chuck said cautionary, "What's going on?" Chuck glanced around the room, which looked a touch too neat in his opinion.

"You tell me," Eric said, fixing his brother a glare, as if daring him to continue, "You're the one who came bursting into my room." Eric hoped if he acted annoyed enough, Chuck might just follow Dan's lead and leave him alone.

"What's wrong, E?" Chuck asked gently, he knew no one was home. This could be his chance at some answers.

"There's always something wrong with me!" Eric spat, looking up at his brother, "Nothing's changed. Every think maybe this is how I always am and you were to self-absorbed to notice?"

He sat on the younger boy's bed and looked at him. "There's nothing wrong with you, Eric. There's obviously something wrong going on in you life though. And I want to help. But I can't help unless you let me," Chuck begged. He just wanted Eric to talk to him so he could help.

Eric struggled to put it into words. "There's nothing wrong with my life. My life is perfect." Eric had a false smile on his face when he said that. "I have everything. It's me Chuck. There's something wrong with me. It's obviously not because my life's been so hard. So it must be me." Eric said all of this simply. As though it was fact.

"It's not you," Chuck said firmly, "You are a wonderful person. Something bad just happened to you. Why can't you tell me what it is?"

"It's me. Chuck, there's something wrong with me. Normal people don't go through this," Erich sighed, "Dan was right. I am a horrible person."

Chuck froze,"What? Dan said that to you?"

The change in Chuck's tone worried Eric. "He was just telling the truth, Chuck," Eric hastily explained. He didn't want to get Chuck mad at Dan. After all, Dan was right. He didn't need to hurt anyone else.

Chuck got angrier at that. He couldn't believe Dan would say something to hurt Eric. Especially after what Chuck had told him. And Eric talked about it like it was completely normal. "No, he wasn't! I don't know what possessed him to say that, but don't believe him for a second. Don't you dare," Chuck said, furious.

Eric shook his head sadly, as though Chuck was a foolish person who just didn't understand, "He's right. I know you want to help me. And I love you for it. I really do. But don't you get it? It's too late. I'm to fucked up."

Chuck grabbed Eric by the shoulders and started shaking him."Shut up, Eric! Don't you dare say that ever again! Dan is an idiot! There is nothing wrong with you," Chuck's voice softened and he let his brother go, "Let me in, Eric. Just let me in. Let me help. I love you so much, E."

Eric broke down and started to cry, "I can't, Chuck! I'm hurting you! Dan's right! I hurt everything I touch!"

Chuck's heart broke. How could Eric think he was hurting him. Eric had never hurt anyone. He was there for everyone when they needed him and never asked for anything in return. "No you don't. I love you. I'd do anything for you. You're my little brother. I'll take care of you as long as you'll let me. Hell, I'll take care of you even if you won't let me."

"You shouldn't have to make sacrifices for me!" Eric said, angry, "I've hurt everyone. Serena, Jenny, Dan, my dad, my mom, and you." Eric shook his head, "I've gotta stop."

Chuck froze, "Eric, what are you talking about."

Eric just kept shaking his head over and over. It was almost as if he didn't even see Chuck. "I've gotta stop. I'll destroy everything. Everyone. I'll be all alone again. It'll never end unless I end it. I gotta end it.

Eric got up and made his way to the door, as if in a daze, then took off at a run. Chuck took off right after his brother, terrified at the thought of what Eric might be about to do. Chuck raced after Eric, but fell as he reached the stairs. Cursing, Chuck got up and ignored the throbbing pain in his ankle. Just as Eric got to the elevator and pressed the button, Chuck caught up behind him and grabbed him around the waist and pulled him back. Eric fought back. He fought Chuck like he had never fought for anything in his life. Harder than when he fought Nate, and even though Chuck didn't quite have his best friend's strength, he fought with everything he had. He was fighting for his brother's life, he feared. Eric yelled so loud if Vanya hadn't been on duty, security would have been called. Eric hit, scratched and kicked Chuck, but Chuck would not let go.

All of a sudden, the fight seemed to go out of Eric. At first, Chuck did not let Eric go, fearing it might be a trick to get him to do just that. Then, Eric screamed. He wasn't screaming like he had before when Chuck held him. He screamed like his body was on fire. He fought harder than he had before, screaming like he was dying. Then, Eric let go.

Eric started to cry, "Oh my god! It hurts! It hurts, Chuck! The pain! It won't go away! Why won't it go away?"

Chuck carried Eric over to the couch and held onto him tightly, fearing if he let go for a second, he might loose his little brother. "Its okay, Eric," Chuck soothed, "Its going to be okay."

"Make it go away! I can't take it anymore! It hurts!" Eric cried.

"I know, E. I'm gonna make it," Chuck promised.

Then Chuck heard something that made him freeze. "I want to die."