See Chapter 1 for disclaimer

A/N: This is the final chapter enjoy.

Chapter 6

"Doctor Summers, this is my other son Don, Charlie's girlfriend Amita, and Don's team, David, Colby and Liz. They're FBI agents. Whatever you're going to tell me about Charlie you can say in front of them. Charlie's a member of their team and they need to know how he is as well."

Seeing the concern on the faces of everyone in the room, Dr Summers replied, "Ok Mr Eppes. Charlie came through the surgery fairly well. The chest wound was not as bad as we'd first thought. The bullet went in at an angle towards his right shoulder. We removed that bullet with no real problems. The bullet in his left arm gave us more trouble. It had obviously been there for a few hours."

"Yes" said Don, "He was shot at the same time I was this morning."

"I see. Well your wound was a through and through; your brother's was not. The bullet caused an infection to develop, which made it difficult to extract the bullet. We were able to do so, and we are treating the infection, however, in his weakened state, it is a very serious concern. He's in recovery now, and will be moved to a room in a little while."

"I want him in here with me." Don said in a low voice.

Dr Summers realised that Don Eppes was not someone to cross. "That, I think, I can arrange but he will not be conscious for at least a day. We have him sedated so he can use all his energy to fight the infection. Mr Eppes, you may see your son in recovery for a few minutes. I can take you there now."

Doctor Summers then looked at Don. "You will have to wait until he is moved in here I'm afraid. Your Dad can come back and tell you how he is after his visit. I would suggest that the rest of you go home and come back tomorrow."

"Doctor Summers," said Alan, "I would like Amita to come with me. She needs to see Charlie as badly as I do." Dr Summers agreed.

The three agents said their goodbyes to Don, and reminded him they'd be back in the morning.

Alan promised Don he would be back soon with an update on Charlie and made him promise to stay put and rest in the meantime. He even went as far as to tell the nurse to make sure Don did not try to follow him to where Charlie was. The Doctor nodded at the nurse, and she went into Don's room and started bustling around so that he didn't have the chance to get up and follow his dad.

A short while later Alan was back. Amita stayed with Charlie. Don was looking impatiently at the door as he walked in. "He's fine Don, very pale, has a few tubes attached to him, just like you do. Maybe a little feverish, but Doctor Summers says that should go away once the antibiotics kick in."

"I need to see him Dad." Don sighed. "I thought he was dead back there when David was carrying him." He'd been sure Charlie was dead then, and even knowing he was alive in the helicopter had not released that fear. Until he actually saw Charlie and had proof that he was alive, right in front of him, he wouldn't be able to rest.

"Don, I swear to you that your brother is alive, you'll see him for yourself in two hours, that's when Doctor Summers says they'll move him in here with you. Now relax until then and try to rest.'

"I called Robin on my way back from visiting Charlie. She sends her love and will be back the day after tomorrow.'

"Thanks for calling Robin Dad. I meant to call her, but forgot."

"Your welcome, now settle down, you're not going anywhere. Charlie will come to you."

Don knew he had no choice. There was no way his Dad or the doctor would let him go see Charlie, so he tried to relax as his Dad suggested. To his surprise he actually managed to doze off during the long two hour wait.

They closed the curtains around his bed when they brought Charlie in, but after he was settled they opened them again and Don could not stop looking at Charlie. He was here. He was alive. Yes he was pale as his Dad had said, but he was breathing on his own, and yes he was unconscious, but the doctor had said that was intentional so he tried not to worry.

Alan pulled a chair over to Charlie's bed and stroked his son's hair, then looked at Don and said, "Now that you can see him for yourself, will you rest and get some much needed sleep? He'll be right here in the morning."

Amita had also come in with Charlie, and was now sitting beside him holding his hand. She looked at Don and said. "He's going to be ok Don. Doctor Summers says he is already showing signs of improvement."

Don nodded and turned slightly onto his side facing Charlie. He let his eyes close and finally fell asleep.

By the afternoon of the next day, Doctor Summers had decided that Charlie was strong enough to be transferred to an LA hospital. The antibiotics were working and the infection had not spread, but they were still keeping him sedated and would not allow him to wake until after he was moved. Don's team were still there, and Larry had arrived during the morning.

Charlie and Don were to be flown into LA, and Alan went with them up to the helipad. After Charlie had been loaded Alan said to Don. "I'll see you in a couple of hours. David is driving Amita and me directly to the hospital."

"Alright Dad, tell David to drive carefully I'll see you soon." With that Don was loaded into the helicopter next to Charlie.

Don watched Charlie the whole flight, worrying that it was too soon to move him, even though his dad had told him that the doctors knew what they were doing. But everything went well and soon they were in a new room together, and Don was able to relax.

By the next afternoon Don was allowed out of bed, and the doctors were saying that he might be able to go home the next day. Charlie had been taken off the sedatives that morning, but had not yet woken up. The doctors did not expect him to wake for a few more hours, so Alan and Amita took the opportunity to go home for a much needed shower and rest.

As soon as they left, Don got out of bed and went to sit in the chair next to Charlie's bed. He took Charlie's right hand in both of his and just sat there watching. He must have dozed of because suddenly Charlie was squeezing one of his hands. Don jerked awake and saw Charlie looking up at him.

Charlie spoke first. "Don you ok? I was so worried about you, I thought that you were losing too much blood and the helicopter was taking so long to get to us."

Don moved to sit on the side of the bed and said, "Charlie, I'm fine, thanks to you. The EMT in the helicopter said that if you hadn't bandaged my shoulder the way you did I would have been in serious trouble. As it was you did a great job and I am living proof of that. So thank you."

"Schmidt! Did I get him? I thought I had. I tried to aim for his heart, because I knew if I only wounded him he could still shoot you." Charlie looked scared and upset.

Don sighed. He didn't want Charlie to feel bad about killing Schmidt. However, Don knew that Charlie had to be told the truth. He would find out anyway. Don told him, "Yes, your aim was good, your shot hit his heart, but you didn't manage to duck in time, so his shot hit you in the right side of your chest."

It was Charlie's turn to sigh now. "You know, I'm not sorry I shot Schmidt. He was a monster. He killed eight people and nearly killed the two of us. He deserved to die whether by my hand or by lethal injection. He deserved it."

Don was amazed and said so. "Charlie, I thought you'd be upset that you had killed a man, not happy."

"Actually Don I am upset. That was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but I had to do it, just like you've had to kill in the past. You got over it and carried on, so will I." Charlie was a little surprised that he didn't feel bad about shooting Schmidt, but knew that sometimes in life you have to do things that go against your very nature. This was one of those times.

Don smiled. "You know what little brother, I am very proud of you, the way you handled yourself out there, the way you looked after me, and it's a fact that we're both alive because of you. I love you Charlie."

Charlie smiled back at Don. "And I love you too Don."

The End

A/N: Thank you to all who stayed with me and read the whole story. A big thank you to everyone that took the time to write a review, all reviews are special and really appreciated.