ALEO and Jels - Thanks for betaing this chapter.

Disclaimer: not mine, I just play with them.
Rating: PG

Word Count: 2398

Feedback: Feeds the Muse

Sorry it took so long to update, hopefully it was worth the wait. Let me know what you think.

Challenge Word: Mind Games - Part 5

A drug induced haze created a place where time drifted without any real meaning. Don's condition hadn't shown any marked improvement. Pain continued to be his constant companion although not feeling his legs bothered him. The ache in his chest was unbearable at times but then the machine would force air in his lungs and it would dissipate for a moment, relieving the pressure causing his pain.

Frustrated at the lack of movement, being unable to even communicate about the simplest things did little to improve his attitude. Even worse were the times he would awaken and felt invisible as no one noticed him. It was difficult to open his eyes, but he could hear the conversations about him, the whispers and movement. Don tried screaming to show his family he was conscious but all that escaped was a thin moan. Voices would respond to illustrate they were concerned before fading in the distance.

Then his time would stand still once again, and he was drifting but going nowhere. But the rhythm of the machines surrounded him, reminding him how much of a cripple Don had become just because he was Charlie's brother. Worse, he was totally dependent on the nurses and the equipment to survive.

Damn it…Charlie it's your fault, I'm stuck here…why couldn't you have loved me…why? He would dream about shooting his brother and then his heart would pound and he couldn't breathe. In one of his more lucid moments he would feel Charlie pat his hand and he wanted to snap his brother's neck in two…but Charlie would live another day because he couldn't move…he was safe for now.

Other times in his dreams he would snap his brother's scrawny neck. Why? In his mind's eye he could see his brother asking, "Why?" with his puppy dog eyes just as his hands wrapped around Charlie's neck and applied the right amount of force, just so.

Then he would break out in a cold sweat or be off sync with the respirator and hate the sensation as more drugs were pumped into his system.

Don woke up and looked around, hearing Charlie speaking the word Thursday and his recollection of the past four days were murky at best. Everyone smiled and gave all sorts of encouragement, but he didn't feel alive or better. He still couldn't move his body, and his only form of freedom had been forcibly ended as his left arm was strapped down and his other arm was immobilized due to the dislocated shoulder. Tears of frustration threatened to well up in his eyes as his father and brother tried taking turns to entertain a very irritated agent.

Then shame would almost overwhelm him as he remembered wanting to snap his brother's neck in two. A gentle hand would touch him as tears gathered in his eyes. But something had changed because for the first time, he controlled the airflow into his lungs…am I getting better?

I need to get out of here. Thank God, they can't hear my twisted thoughts. I don't hate you Charlie, I just can't look at you and yet I can't look away, either. In my head I know it has nothing to do with you, but I can't let you waste your valuable time by spending it here. You should be doing something important. Special. Your life's work …

Pain cut off his thoughts, as he had to focus on just breathing. If he could breathe through the pain it got better otherwise it would threaten to drag him back into being unconscious. The stupid machines would then intervene and he could feel his body being controlled and manipulated all in the name of healing. Did he want to get better or would it be best to just let go.

Somewhere down deep a quiet voice screamed enough. It's time to get well…you need to get out of here even if it means you'll never walk again.

He opened his eyes. Through a blurry vision he could see the starkness of the white cubicle. Then a curly head block his view. How many times had he gone through this exact same situation, he wondered. The beeps of the machines didn't make him feel any better.

"Don, you're safe…you hear me."

Don tried to move his hand and realized it was trapped. Sweat beaded on his brow and he found it harder to hear anything that was being said. Images flooded his mind and he struggled because he didn't want to die. God when will this nightmare end, Please someone come find me, please.

"Please you have to let me release his left hand. Don't you understand, he was tortured almost to death…I won't let him harm self again." Charlie begged the nurse checking his brother's charts. How he wished Sandy was on duty but instead the dragon woman was on watch. Charlie had to find a way to reach her. She has to have a heart somewhere, right?

Ms. Cortez pushed her glasses on her nose and glanced at the charts. Yet, when Charlie reached for the strap holding his brother's hand captive, her eyes communicated quite effectively, that he was not to release Don's hand.

Remembering the last episode he complied. Charlie looked away for a moment and tried to compose himself. He wanted to scream at this woman with curly light brown hair and wondered if the bun on the top of her head made her inhuman. He could only watch when she put the chart down and walked over to the patient and continued to ignore his silent plea. Just as he was about to defy her anyway, she walked over to his brother and placed her hand on his bound shoulder.

"Agent Eppes when I tell you to do so, I want you to cough." With experience learned from working with her patients she quickly and effectively removed the tube out of his mouth. Then she fitted a nasal canal so that he could still receive oxygen. "If you keep improving you may be moved to a private room in another week provided there aren't any further complications."

Don licked his lips and tried to speak, but instead he started coughing. He attempted to reposition his hand but found it was still strapped down raising his anxiety levels and exacerbating his coughing spell.

She glanced at the professor for a moment before she addressed her patient. "Agent Eppes, I do hope we won't have to keep you here much longer, I think you'll be more comfortable in a private room, don't you?" She released his left arm from the strap and checked to make sure his right shoulder was still secured correctly in the immobilizer.

"In a couple of days they will start you on physical therapy for your shoulder. Once we know your upper body can handle it, we will work on helping you feel more dependent. If you will do your lung exercises, I'm hoping to avoid placing you back on a ventilator. The doctor wanted to wait one more day before we tried this but…due to your unique circumstances we are trying to accommodate your special needs. I need you to rest quietly, can you do that for me?" She smiled trying to lighten the mood as she spooned him a few ice cubes to suck on.

Don nodded as he enjoyed the cool sensations of the ice cubes. He suddenly felt exhausted and simply closed his eyes to rest. He prayed he could stay off the respirator and drifted off to sleep.

Ms. Cortez raised an eyebrow at Charlie and motioned for him to leave the cubicle so she could speak to him. "Professor, normally someone with his injuries is on a respirator for several weeks. The chest tube has done its job, therefore removed and the…"

"Look, I appreciate what you have done for my brother. But I think feeling so confined has been harming his recovery not helping him." Charlie's fighting back stance might have been comical if the situation hadn't been so serious.

"Which is why we are trying this approach. But if it puts him at any risk, we will do what it takes to keep him alive. He is not dying on my watch." Her eyes softened as she watched the younger brother trying in earnest to regain control of his emotions. "You have to find time for yourself. Mr. Eppes will be our special guest for a bit longer. You can't stop living to take care of your brother."

Charlie glanced at his brother. "I hear what you're saying but I need to be here when he wakes up. Then, maybe I can take your suggestion."

Ms. Cortez smiled. "Just pace yourself. Buzz me if he needs anything."

Charlie watched her leave. He couldn't help himself as he once again scrutinized the many injuries Don had experienced. A dislocated right shoulder, most of his fingers broken on his right hand, bruised kidney, punctured lung, broken ribs, and a swollen spine. God, what if Don can't ever walk again…will our relationship survive?

A sigh escaped his lips at the thought of Don never walking again. Then he continued the list of injuries. Don still had to deal with a fractured right thigh, a broken right ankle and a sprained left ankle. Charlie wondered, if not being able to feel his legs was a blessing in disguise? Then the beeps and sounds of the room reminded him how close he had come to never seeing his brother open his eyes, again. "Don open your eyes for me."

Don heard his brother's soft plea but he just couldn't face him right now. So it was easier to pretend he was sound asleep. How could he explain wanting to kill his brother. Nothing felt normal. But a sound pulled him out of his pity party. Someone was crying. Without thinking, he opened his eyes. He reached with his left hand before he thought. "Buddy, what's wrong?"

Charlie remained speechless. Instead he grabbed his brother's good hand and sat down next to him. Stroking his older brother's hand, he beamed. The smile remained on his face even when his brother couldn't stay awake and slipped into his first peaceful sleep since this whole nightmare began.

At least Charlie prayed it was a peaceful sleep. Lately, all he experienced was nightmares. I thought searching for you was the worse, but my algorithms can't help you speed up your healing. Everyone says you are a miracle, beating the odds. Please Don you've got to make a full recovery. I admit you're looking better. The first time I saw you when you had been rescued I thought we were too late. Then you moaned. Such a sweet sound.

Damn that first email. Charlie berated himself for a good ten minutes for not answering the first email. How was I to know that ignoring that idiot would lead us down this very dark path?

In his mind's eye he could read the first message over and over again. It was short and to the point.

Hey, Mr. Math Whiz Professor! You're so smart, why don't you match wits with me? You have one hour to respond.

Signed,

The smarter man.

Charlie rubbed the back of his neck and proceeded to recollect the second one that followed.

I see… you're ignoring me! That was a mistake; unfortunately, someone will have to pay…how do you feel about that? If you don't respond in forty-five minutes, someone you love will pay the price.

Signed,

The smarter man.

Charlie couldn't help it; he started pacing back and forth. The cubicle was tight space but he couldn't stop his mind from thinking about the emails. "Damn it, why didn't I get security on those emails right away. Don to think you paid the ultimate price because of my stupidity!" He must have screamed the words out loud because suddenly Don's eyes were open and he was asking him a question. How long have I been ignoring him?

Don licked his lips and tried again. "Charlie, damn it, answer me?"

"Sorry bro, could you repeat the question? I must have missed it." As he stepped closer and grabbed his frustrated brother's hand.

Don inhaled, "I can see that. You're going to get kicked out of here if you don't calm down. What's got you so agitated?"

What I need is a way to distract him; he does not need to hear this. "Look, I'm sorry I disturbed your sleep. Don't worry about me. I'll work it out, just a stupid math problem, I can't solve yet."

"Nice try…now spill. What is really going on?" Concern radiated out of his eyes but he didn't have a problem showing a little integration trick either. One way or the other you're going to spill your guts…little brother.

Charlie knew only a half truth would work when his brother was like this. Since Don wasn't in top form, he felt he could pull the wool over his eyes at least for a little while. "I was thinking about the jerk that did this to you. I wish I could have five minutes with him. I think a baseball bat could teach him a few valuable lessons, don't you agree?"

"Charlie…let it go. You're not to blame. Now get out of here so I can rest will you."

"Sure, Dad should be up in a bit. I'll see you tomorrow." He almost raced out of the room. Don had given him an out and he planned on using it. He almost kissed his dad when he accidentally bumped into him. "Sorry, Don resting. He's off the ventilator and I need to take care of something. Do you mind if I leave?"

Alan smiled, "No, because that was the plan. So Don is getting better. I just pray we don't have any more complications. See you tomorrow." He shook his head as Charlie practically raced out of the ICU ward. Walking into the cubicle he noticed a machine had disappeared. Oh there were plenty of machines still around, but the one monitoring his son's heart rate seemed to be fine. Taking a seat, he started his watch. Sleep well son, sweet dreams.