#agentmorganscopilot

[shieldagentkayson]

A Preemptive Strike

Having Dean’s 30 year old self not only around, but sleeping on his couch right now, had been an eye opening experience for Charlie.  “His” Dean was still sleeping in Charlie’s room, almost recovered from the flu, but not quite, and Charlie decided to start fixing things now, before they had a chance to get as bad as they were described to him.

When the little boy woke up coughing in the middle of the night, Charlie took this as his opportunity.  He pulled Dean into his lap, “Dean, I want you to know that all I’ve ever wanted is for you and your brother to be happy.  I don’t care what happens to me in the future, you have to promise me that you’re going to live your life for you and not for anyone else.  Do what you want to do, go to college, get married, give me lots of grandkids if that’s what you want, you don’t owe me anything.  You and Forrest can make sure I’m taken care of, but you both have to become the men I know you can be, strong and smart and funny, probably a little bit stubborn, but in a good way.  Be a good man and live your life for you, promise me you’ll do that.”

“I promise,” Dean yawned sleepily and Charlie smiled, this was going to become a regular thing, he was going to tell both of his boys this as much as often as he could, so that they would grow up and be happy, that was all he could ask of them in the end. 

[shieldagentkayson]

Work Sucks, I Know

Working this particular night shift had been a complete disaster from the second Charlie had left the house.  First of all, he hadn't been able to find a cab, so he had to walk, even though it was freezing out.  Then, some asshole had tried to steal is wallet and had failed at that, but succeeded in jarring Charlie's neck back enough that it hurt him all night and had caused a pretty decent sized cut on the side of his head, which had bled like crazy for awhile until he had gotten it cleaned up, but he still a good amount of blood in his hair that he was going to have to wash out soon.  Overall it had been a long, irritating night and Charlie was in no mood to deal with anything when he got home.

Thankfully, when he arrived home, it was about 11:30 and both the boys were already in bed, so he wouldn't have to pretend like he wasn't in a bad mood in front of them.  He didn't see Fay yet, but the lights were on, so he assumed she was still up, somewhere.  He didn't think much of it though, he just threw himself onto the couch and closed his eyes, praying that the universe was done torturing him for one night. 

[shieldagentkayson]

Because why not?

After having a brief therapy session and a massage at the gym, Charlie went back home to talk to Fay about what had happened.  He went home and threw a grin at Fay, “So…I have plans for dinner tonight, are you okay with taking care of the boys, I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone, I hope that’s okay.” 

[shieldagentkayson]

There's nothing to worry about

When Charlie woke up that morning he could tell he was feeling a little off, he didn’t feel sick, something just felt off.  He laid in bed for a bit, trying to figure out what exactly it was that was bothering him.  There was an uncomfortable tickly feeling in the back of his throat and a pressure at the back of his sinuses, well that wasn’t good.  The emails said that the epidemic started with flu-like symptoms, thankfully it wasn’t flu-like, more like cold-like and hopefully this was nothing.  Probably just something Dean brought home from school or a reaction to the cat, it was nothing. 

He got up and put on a pair of sweatpants over his boxers and a sweatshirt over his bare chest, he was feeling a little chilly after all, but it was November, that wasn’t unusual.  He checked in Forrest’s crib, but he wasn’t there, obviously Fay had already gotten him ready for the day.  He rubbed his hands together and headed downstairs.  He went downstairs, sidestepping Selina and Howard, and headed into the kitchen.  He was about to say good morning to everyone, when the tickle in his sinuses took over, “Heh…heh…Hehchoo!” 

[shieldagentkayson]

Coming Home

Charlie had spent more than enough time in medical as far as he was concerned, the surgery had gone well and they had started him on some basic physical therapy and as much as it hurt, it felt good to be moving again.  Overall, he was feeling a lot better, though still weak and he tired far more easily than he would have liked, but he would take that in stride, especially when they informed him that he would be able to go home that day, as long as he promised to take care of himself and take it easy, and come in for therapy every day.  He had no problem agreeing to that and gathered up his things and headed out the door.  

A smart person would have called home and had them escort him home, just in case, but Charlie didn't want Fay to have to pack up the boys and get them all ready just for a short trip to SHIELD, so he went outside and hailed a cab, fully aware that he probably looked like an escaped mental patient, but not really caring too much about that.  He paid the cab driver and went inside the house, glad to finally be home, "Hello? Is anyone here?"

[shieldagentkayson]

♋ [but don't tell her. she doesn't know yet] - Fay

[shieldagentkayson]

You were right.

Charlie wasn't looking forward to explain to Fay and Dean what was going to have to happen, but he didn't really have much of a choice, it wasn't as though he could hide an extended stay in the hospital from two of the most important people in his life.  The nurses got to work admitting him and trying to get him comfortable in the hospital bed, which took awhile, but they were able to find a position that worked for him, and he asked that someone go down to the cafeteria and find Fay and his boys, he didn't want them to have to wait for too long and he might as well talk to them and then send them home.    While he waited he closed his eyes and tried to regulate his breathing so that he wasn't in quite so much pain, while he waited for the drugs they were giving him to kick in. 

[shieldagentkayson]

Medical

Charlie was exhausted, he was holding Dean's hand as they went up to Medical.  Normally he ran up the stairs, but this time the four of them piled into the elevator, since there was no way Charlie was going to make it up that many flights of stairs right now.  Pretty much everything was painful right now, but he held tight to Dean and tried to explain what the building was and what kind of work they did there and promising that later he would take Dean down to where his office was and show him all the things he did there, as long as Dean behaved while they were in medical.  He turned his body to look at Fay, "I don't think this'll take too long, but if it does, take them down to the cafeteria or something, I don't want them seeing....you know whatever it is they're going to do, I don't know how I'm going to react to whatever they're doing."