"Do you need help?" Frank asked for the zillionth time.

Weakly, Joe sat back on his bed and rolled his eyes at his brother.

"Frank, I told you- I’m FINE." Well, that wasn’t exactly true. His muscles were resisting every move he made. Almost every twist or turn caused him pains so sharp he had to take a deep breath before continuing. His head pounded, his ribs ached, his shoulder was stiff. Worst of all, he couldn’t remember much of anything. THAT was what scared him. Still, he was relieved beyond anything he had ever felt before that he could actually walk. Plus, the doctors kept telling him that short-term memory loss was normal. It was that hope that allowed him to keep on going.

"But…well, I mean...do you want soda? Maybe water? I can get you something to eat," Frank insisted, eager to do something- anything- to help.

Joe settled comfortably back in his bed, and smiled at Frank, putting on his best front to mask the pain. "Frank," he said, "I know you’re worried. But you know me—I’m unstoppable!"

Finally Frank relaxed for what seemed to be the first time in days. "All right," he answered, and just kept staring at Joe.

Finally, Joe couldn’t take it any longer. "What?!" he asked, feeling Frank’s eyes on him.

Frank blushed, realizing he’d been caught. Can he see into me? Frank wondered. Does he suspect that I suspect him? After a pause, Frank added to himself, Do I even really suspect him?! He’s my kid brother!

"Nothing," Frank mumbled. Then, after thinking better of it, he decided to tell Joe what he KNEW was true. He had been given a beautiful opportunity to enjoy life with his brother. Despite his worst fears, he wasn’t about to take that for granted. Not yet. "I’m glad you’re okay, Joe," Frank replied. The words were difficult at best.

Joe smiled. "Yeah, me too," he joked.

"It’s just when…I mean, when I saw you in the woods. You know, a lot happened. I felt….I mean…"

"Stop," Joe interrupted, cutting his brother off. He wasn’t used to seeing Frank at a loss for words or so flustered. He also wasn’t used to seeing that look in Frank’s eyes. Whatever was wrong with his brother, Joe knew he’d eventually find out. Clearly, though, something was wrong. "Frank," he said. " Look, I know what you’re going to say. Don’t think about it. I’m alive; I’m fine. But…are you?" Joe had to ask. Even though he was physically exhausted and his body was screaming for sleep, he hated to see Frank distraught.

When Frank didn’t answer, an idea hit Joe. "Is it Callie?" he asked, and he didn’t miss the fact that his brother stiffened considerably at the question. "What’s the matter?" he prodded.

"Nothing," Frank answered at last, deciding not to worry Joe. He stood up and looked down at Joe. "But I AM going to find her and get something to eat while you sleep," he added. "I’ll send in Vanessa. Hang in there, kid, okay?" With that, Frank squeezed Joe’s hand and left the room. Muttering under his breath about weird older brothers, Joe decided to drop the subject, and drifted off to sleep.

Frank left the room, pausing for a moment to catch his breath. What could he say to Joe, anyway? Why did he still feel so awkward telling his brother that he loved him? Because for the first time in my life, I’m doubting him, he answered silently. At the same time, he wasn’t ready to give into those doubts yet.

Frank saw Vanessa and Callie in a nearby waiting room, and walked up to them, gently placing a hand on Callie’s shoulder. She jumped and reeled back until she realized it was Frank. Relief flooded over her face.

"Hey," she said softly.

"Hey, yourself," he answered, and reached for her hand. Turning to Vanessa, he told her that Joe was awake and continuing to improve. He informed her that, thank God, he was walking, and looked to be in pretty happy spirits.

"I bet he’ll be in even BETTER spirits when he sees me," she added, glowing, and Frank was happy for a moment. Vanessa deserved some joy at last; she’d been a trooper through everything.

"I agree," he added, "so go see him!" And with that, Vanessa smiled and headed in the direction of Joe’s room.

Frank turned to Callie. Over the past few days, she had been a wreck. Although she tried to hide it, Frank could tell that she was still very afraid of the fact that Nash was still loose. She was also deeply hurt still about the choice he had to make; she had to be. Although she assured him otherwise, her eyes, which he could always read so well, betrayed her. Worse still, Callie was hiding something from him, something so terrible it seemed to come to her alone in her nightmares. He respected her enough not to pry, but he was worried.

Her frightened reaction when he had touched her by surprise was indicative of her behavior as of late. Although he wanted to be with her and to comfort her, he really had no idea how to do it. He’d stay with her forever; he just hoped that she’d be okay to continue without always HAVING to have him around. Callie, always independent by nature, was now always with him. He didn’t mind, but he was concerned for her.

"You, um, want to get something to eat?" he asked her.

"No," she said, squeezing his hand, "But I’d like to talk to you for a minute."

Nodding, Frank guided her to a nearby couch, ready to listen. For the first time, it seemed like Callie wanted to talk. He pushed his fears about Joe and Callie to the back of his mind as his instincts to protect Callie and to help her kicked in.

"I just wanted to say thanks," Callie said.

"Thanks?!" Frank repeated, totally caught off guard. "What on earth for?"

Callie smiled, and Frank put an arm around her. "Because I know I’ve been acting strangely lately," she said, and he held her a little tighter when he felt her shudder. Looking up at him, she continued. "Frank, I’m so …I don’t know. Guilty? Scared? Upset? So much has happened lately," she went on, quietly.

"I know," he answered, gently.

Taking a deep breath, Callie added, "There are so many things, Frank… I can’t tell you." She felt her eyes well with tears, wanting desperately to spill everything to him. But Joe had made her promise not to even mention the kiss, even though he seemed to have no recollection of it. THAT frightened her. In any case, she wouldn’t betray her word.

Frank felt his heart momentarily pause. What was she talking about?!!! Tell me, Callie. Please. He’d never so badly wanted to hear something, and NOT hear it at the same time.

But Callie made no attempts to go further. She just went on, "And every time I’m alone, I think of Jenkins…and what almost happened…" Her voice trailed off, and Frank saw her fighting with tears. At the mention of those words, Frank immediately felt his temper boil. He’d get Nash if it was the last thing he did. No one would do this to Callie…to Joe. If Jenkins had been successful in his attempt on Callie, Frank couldn’t even fathom what he would have done. The possibility of it alone cut at his heart.

Gently, he pulled Callie into his arms, and felt better when her arms wound tightly around him and held him back. She muttered something against his shoulder.

"What, baby?" he asked her. "I didn’t hear you."

"I said," she answered, momentarily pulling away from him, "That I’ll be okay. Joe’s the one you should worry about."

Frank smiled; he couldn’t help it. That was just like Callie not to think of herself. "Ah, Cal," he said, and pulled her back into his arms, "You have every reason to be upset."

"But…"

"No ‘But’", he answered, and ran his fingers through her hair.

"I just need a little time, " Callie responded slowly. "And then I’ll leave you alone and tell you to go play with your friends or something because I need a girls day out."

Frank laughed softly, and kissed the top of Callie’s head. "I can think of worse things than spending time with my girl," he answered, almost feeling the mood beginning to lighten.

Finally Callie laughed, too, and snuggled closer, enjoying this rare private moment in the chaotic past few weeks. "Yeah, well, too much of you and Joe is a testosterone overload," she quipped, "so don’t get used to it!"

"Okay, okay," Frank replied, just happy to be here with Callie. All doubts escaped his mind at the moment. "Chicks!" he teased.

At that moment, Callie looked up and smiled at him and instinctively, he leaned down and kissed her deeply, ignoring his usual decorum about public displays of affection. It felt so wonderful to have his fiancée in his arms again, his brother safe, life beginning to start anew….

A small giggle caused Callie and Frank to break apart, and they looked up to see Vanessa. Callie blushed, but Frank shot her a playful look and said, "Go way!" before kissing Callie again.

Callie, laughing, broke free of Frank, feeling better than she had in a long time. Frank looked at Callie, and saw the love in her eyes. Vanessa looked at both of them, and for a brief moment, all seemed right with the world.

"Joe’s awake, and he demands food," Vanessa said to the couple. "Would one of you like to escort me while the other keeps my lovely boyfriend company?"

"I’ll go," Callie said. "I haven’t seen Joe in a while. And I’ll tell him you said he’s ‘lovely.’ He’ll love that," she joked.

"Guess it’s you and me, partner," Vanessa said to Frank, and extended her arm to him. Before he got up, Callie gave him a kiss on the cheek and whispered too low for Vanessa to hear, "I love you, baby." With a wink at Vanessa she headed off to see Joe.

As Callie entered Joe’s room, she saw him, up and smiling, and relief flooded over her. Before she realized it, tears had fallen onto her cheeks, and Joe looked at her concerned, as she sat next to him.

"Cal? What’s the matter?" he asked. Since Callie’s confession about what had happened between them, Joe felt slightly uncomfortable around her. He was getting mixed signals, and he didn’t know if it was because of reality or because of his haze of pain that had clouded him the past days. Still, when it came down to it, Callie was a special person in his life, and always would be. If only he could remember what had happened….

"I’m just happy you’re okay," she said, taking his hand. Initially hesitant, Joe decided to act like he normally would and squeeze her hand back. They began talking about putting this horrible incident, the whole thing, behind them, and how great the future was going to be. Joe wished he could actually mean what he said when he told Callie to forget about it. I already have, he answered himself wryly, knowing there was no humor in his thought.

As they chatted, Vanessa and Frank headed back to the room.

"Drat!" Vanessa said, as a soda spilled onto the floor.

"You should have been called "Grace", Frank teased her.

"Oh, hush!" she sighed. "I’ll go get another soda for Joe. Can you bring the rest of the stuff to the room for me?"

Still in a good mood, Frank replied, "Geez! Guys still have to carry everything."

"My hero!" Vanessa sighed, playfully batting her eyelashes at him. "Chivalry is not dead!" She handed Frank the tray, and he headed towards the room. When he was almost there, he took a quick glance in and what he saw made his heart stop, and he felt the color drain from his face. Joe and Callie were holding hands. He heard his brother’s voice.

"Remember, it’s done and over with. Let’s move on. Some secrets are meant to be kept, okay?"

And as Frank stared in disbelief, Joe finished his conversation with Callie. He had emphasized to her that there was no reason to subject Frank and Vanessa to the horrors they had been through by telling them everything. Joe really wanted to move on.

Frank hadn’t heard that part, whispered low. He DID catch the end of Joe’s statement, though.

"So, kid… let’s not worry," he said to Callie. "Frank and Vanessa never need to know."

Tears caught in his throat, Frank’s hands trembled so that he spilled the other soda. I guess it was too full and could only take so much, he thought numbly, staring at the scene in horror. Just like me.