Disclaimer: I own nothing…

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Wednesday 11:05am

It had been more than a day without any change. His fever wouldn't break, and he had yet to regain consciousness without some form of delirium.

In short…it wasn't looking good.

Don kept running the complications through his head, problems the doctor told them could arise at any moment due to lack of treatment. Brain damage…spinal damage…vision, hearing, and organ failure…he could end up losing his hands and feet due to lack of circulation. The antibiotics used had stopped the bacteria from doing more damage but what was already done to the genius couldn't be reversed.

It was a long night for everyone involved. They sat in the waiting room diligently waiting for any sort of news. They weren't allowed to see him until his condition stabilized.

How did none of them notice this downward spiral? The doctor had explained that some cases of meningitis come about suddenly, in mere hours. It was ridiculous to think that he or his father could stand by Charlie, a grown man, at all hours of the day, protecting him. Don couldn't help but think it…

They were allowed into his room, one at a time. Alan went first and came out pale and shaky, sitting down heavily upon his return. So naturally Don took his observation skills and used them to try and prepare himself for Charlie's condition. Tried to prepare himself for what he would see when he went into that room. He thought he had ready himself for what he would find behind the glass, when in reality nothing he could've done would have left him less stunned.

There were monitors everywhere, that was his first thought upon entering. The heart monitor was emitting a fast paced, yet steady beep, that was mixed in with the many other sounds in the room. He could barely see his brother under all the equipment, but when his eyes finally fell on him…he found himself unable to move any closer.

That was his brother? That small, pale, creature? That was Charlie?

There was a mask covering up most of his face, but the part that was showing was pale and dabbled with sweat. He saw that most of the curls were swept back, probably his fathers doing, but one still managed to escape and fell into the center of his forehead.

Slowly he made his way to the bed and brushed the curl back in place. He hadn't realized how close he was until he pulled back. He'd never known his brother to be this silent in all his life knowing him. It was…unsettling… His brother was only ever silent when sick... illness caused him to be a different person entirely.

"Charlie…" he didn't know why he started talking, and immediately snapped his mouth back shut. Charlie couldn't hear him, he was sure of it but… "Charlie, it's Don."

He didn't know what there was to gain by relaying this information to the obviously unconscious man before him, and it was then that he felt more ridiculous then he ever had. What could he hope to accomplish? Words could do nothing for his brother? What could he hope to say? Did he think that his brother would awaken just like that for him?

He was about to turn and leave, but stopped himself as he noticed his brothers eye lids twitch. Maybe it was a trick of the poor lighting or even possibly a trick of his mind, but Don swore he saw it.

And then he swore he heard it, "Don…" If anything it was smaller than a whisper that was mixed with the whooshing of the ventilator, but still it was something he could hope on.

"Yea, buddy, I'm here, and Dad, Amita, and Larry are outside." He took a deep breath, not knowing what to say. "I keep thinking of high school, Charlie. I can't help it. You would always run to me when you were being picked on or needed someone to talk to. I was mad at you because of how mom and dad babied you. I thought you were whiny, and lets face it, you were but…you had a right to be. I…"

Don swallowed, as he realized that he had tears in his eyes. He took his brothers lifeless hand, which was surprisingly cold compared to the rest of him, and squeezed gently.

"I'm sorry that I never listened to you. Sorry that I didn't understand, and I know that it doesn't mean much now but…I can't help it. I need to say it. I love you buddy… it's taken me this long to say it…"

He gave his brothers limp hand a squeeze as he bowed his head.

'don't let me be too late…'

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TheDudeLordOfFantasy a.k.a Kathleen