" Charlie?" Don called out, " Charlie, open the door."

Nothing happened. However, Don could hear the clatter and mumbling stop.

" Charlie! Open the door! I know your in there."

For a moment nothing happened. Then suddenly the knob turned and the door opened. Charlie poked his face out.

" Hey, Buddy," Don said, " Can I come in?"

At first Charlie didn't answer. After a second of consideration he opened the next to it, with his head down, he gave Don access. Don stepped into the room. Charlie closed the door softly and turned back to Don. He refused to look Don in the eye.

Now that he had a full view of Charlie, Don looked at his younger brother. Charlie had definitely been home long enough to change. He wore an old t-shirt, sweatpants, and socks. Comfortable clothes, Don thought to himself, he's definitely been home for a while. The casual attire didn't fool Don for a second, though. Charlie seemed more haggard then he had ever seen him.

" Short day," Don said trying to get a conversation going.

Charlie looked at Don and offered a weak, and fake smile, " Yeah," he replied.

Walking over to the chalkboard he began writing again.

" They wanted us out of the building," he said softly, " I just thought I'd work on the equation for Larry's new project. I've been avoiding it," he added sheepishly.

" Oh, go ahead," said Don stepping behind his brother.

For a few minutes the clatter of chalk was the only sound in the room.

" Charlie," Don said finally, " I know what happened."

Charlie's hand paused for a millisecond and began again. Don caught the pause, however, and knew Charlie was going to try and dodge the questions anyway he could.

" What are you talking about, Don?" Charlie asked, his voice devoid of all emotion.

" Charlie, do not start this," Don snapped the worry and annoyance finally breaking through, " Do you even know what it's like to get a call saying there has been gunfire in the vicinity of yourbrother!Do you know what it's like being scared to death because he didn't call you! Having NO idea WHERE he is and on top of that being called in because someone was shot...!"

Charlie snapped his head back at Don.

Dropping the chalk, his eyes franctic, he demanded, " SHOT! Christina? Is she...?"

Don drew back in suprise. He hadn't expected this reaction. At a lost for words all he could do was shake his head. The meaning was clear.

All the blood seem to drain out of Charlie. His arms hung limply at his side as he shuffled to the old recliner. Dropping onto the seat he burried his head in his hands. Don could only stare. Not in a million years would he have expected this kind of reaction.

" Charlie," he mumbled, " I didn't know..."

" She was brilliant," Charlie mumbled behind his hands, " I was so impressed...I had hoped I could have been her thesis advisor. She had such a promising career...how could anyone," he looked up at Don with lost eyes, " Did she...did she suffer?"

Don was at a loss to answer. He said the only thing hecould think of, " I don't know."

Charlie burried his head in his hands again. Moments passed in silence. Finally Charlie stood up. His eyes were no longer lost, but burnedwith a fury Don had never seen in his younger brother.

" I want to help," Charlie said, " I want to help catch whoever did this."