Chapter 1 – A look into the past
Dr Caleb Knight walked into the Ed department and hid a smile as he saw his younger somewhat geeky brother enter ahead of him, he loved his younger brother and was proud of the Dr he was becoming. That said their family wasn't big on showing emotions and he didn't see the need to mollycoddle him and being brothers it was his job to annoy him and yeah bully him a bit. A lot of the other members of staff of the Holby Ed department thought Cal hated his brother but that was untrue. Sure there was history between the two but Cal always protected his younger brother even way back when they were kids….
10 years ago
Caleb – 16
Ethan – 13 ½
Cal walked into the house and was instantly on guard his mother sat at the kitchen table and Ethan was cowering against the counter whilst Ethan's dad was above him shaking with rage he caught his mother's eye and she shook her head warning Caleb to stay out of it but Caleb heard the cries of his younger brother and acted on pure instinct his feet moved and before Eric knew what was happening he was pulled off of Ethan and against the wall where Caleb who along with Ethan and their mom had all been pushed against before – 10 years of abuse came tumbling out Caleb and before he knew what had happened Eric Hardy was laying on the floor with injuries no normal 16 year old should ever be able to inflict and when a small hand was laid on his shoulder it shook Cal out of his trance and he turned in time to catch Ethan as he fell against him sobbing. Cal lifted his brother up onto the counter blocking his view of their "father" and began cleaning his young brother up, Ethan flinched at every move and Cal could feel the anger rise him in again whispering to himself "How could you let him do it and just sit there mam" she didn't answer instead she checked on Eric and looked at Cal "he's still alive we need to call an ambulance" Cal shrugged "Do what you want, but if you do that then I will go down for it, but then why would you protect me huh you couldn't even protect the son you loved" Ethan whimpered and clung tight to Cal as Eric moved and whimpered in pain Cal held tight to him Cal turned his attention to him "Eth you're ok he won't hurt you again I won't let him" Ethan nodded before speaking "I want to forget this, forget him please Cal just get me out of here" Cal nodded and took his little brother towards the front of the house picking up the phone on the way he turned to his mam "I'll make it easy for you mam, I'll phone the ambulance then, once Ethan has been checked out at the hospital I'll phone the police and then you can decide if you want to save one child or two, but whatever you decide you keep that piece of trash away from my brother".
6 Months later
Cal sat opposite his brother in a grey tracksuit (standard attire for any teen doing time in a correctional facility) Ethan kept his head down the entire time in case someone looked at him, the only person he could look in the eye was Cal. Cal smiled at his dorky brother "How are things at home Geek" Ethan smiled "well mom just works and dad is out of the hospital but he doesn't come around at all the police gave him a restraining order" Cal smiled "Good, look Ethan when I get out of here I'm not coming home I can't live with her I've requested to go into care I'm going to go to school and I will become a Doctor but I'll do it without her. I wanted to tell you it's not about you I love you and I'm glad I did what I did, and if you ever need anything I will always be there for you I just forgive her Ethan I just can't." Ethan nodded tears in his eyes "We'll always be brothers though right?" Cal smiled "Always dorkface"
Chapter 2 – Back to the present
Ethan getting the feeling he was being watched turned and saw Cal looking at him he waved in greeting and waited for Cal to catch up with him " morning Cal" Cal smiled "Morning Dorkface" he quickly patted Ethan on the arm careful not to leave his hand lingering Ethan didn't like people touching him. Ethan shook his head wondering what had gotten into his brother as that greeting was actually nice instead of the normal scowl he gets off him. He shook himself out of the feeling and followed Cal into the staff room Call already in the scrubs was making a coffee "You want one" Ethan nodded. Ethan jumped and turned to Cal when they heard what sounded like a gun go off in the reception area Cal instantly on guard heard shouting and yelling and telling everyone to get down he grabbed a stunned Ethan and pushed him down onto the floor behind the counter then sat between him and the door to the room "Stay down and stay quiet and do not move you hear me" when he didn't receive a reply he turned to look at Ethan he moved quickly when he saw that Ethan had become pale and was shaking he grabbed him speaking to him "Ethan you're going into shock look at me its fine its going to be fine but you need to hear my voice ok" Ethan shook himself out of it and looked at Cal "What's going on Cal what's happening?" Cal shook his head "I don't know Eth, but that was definitely a gunshot I'm going to find out what's going on" Ethan shook his head "No we should stay here out of sight please Cal stay here with me" Cal shook his head "Someone could be hurt Ethan, I got to go see we can't just sit her…" the rest was left unsaid as a voice came over the tannoy "Dr Ethan Hardy and Caleb knight please come to reception your Daddy wants to see you" Caleb fell back to a sitting position next to Ethan who had completely fallen apart Caleb turned to him offering a small smile "well at least now we know who it is, Cal pulled a shaking Ethan into a hug, ok so you're going to stay here and I'm going to see what Daddy dearest wants ok" Ethan shook his head "no please Cal please stay don't go he's got a gun" Cal pulled back so he could look Ethan in the eyes "I should have killed him for what he did to you when we were younger this time he's going to pay, people are going to get hurt if I don't go there he'll lose his head and shoot someone if he hasn't already, I won't let him know you're here ok you stay where you are and I'll deal with him. Cal went to stand up just as the door to the staff room burst open and in walked Eric closely followed by a few members of staff. "Well well well it would seem my stepson is in here after all where is he Cal I know hes in here I watched him walk in just before you where is Ethan" Cal straightened up "nowhere your going to find out, what do you want with him?" Eric smiled "well I have some unfinished business with the little runt he just tasted so good last time ive tried to put him from my mind but I want him…..and this time you won't stop me ill make sure of that" Cal steps back as Eric raises the gun pointing it towards him. Cal stands firm "well your going to have to shoot me as it's the only way you'll ever lay a hand on Ethan or anyone ever again" Eric smiled and steadied his shooting hand just as he was about to shoot Ethan shakily got to his feet Cal closed his eyes and sighed damning his little brother for putting himself in danger "Dad please don't shoot him, leave him, us alone" Cal moved to block Ethan from his fathers view smiling a little as he felt Ethan move closer to him seeking what little comfort he could get. Cal spoke "Damn it Ethan you got a death wish kid? So you found us Eric what do you want and I swear if you say you want to touch Ethan I will kill you" Eric laughed "Well initially it was Ethan that I had unfinished business with but then you did hit me last time we met so maybe I should do a 241 day what do you say boys you wanna have some fun and play with Daddy" Cal could feel Ethan shaking and every part of him wanted to hit Eric but he had also noticed security moving silently through the crowd of onlookers towards his step dad and he was hoping to distract him enough so that they could get close to him and disarm him. His concentration was split between his stepdad and the gun to Ethan who was not in good state behind him, he could almost feel the fear radiating from his brother he put one hand behind his back trying to locate Ethan and wasn't surprised when Ethan grabbed onto it his breathing slowing a little bit, Cal whispered "Easy Ethan, just breath I'm here" Eric smiled at that "Still protecting the runt I see Cal thought I heard you two didn't get on care to tell me why that is" Cal laughed "even the weakest links can strengthen when confronted with a common enemy 'Dad'" just then the security officers and police made their move disarming Eric quickly and pinning him to the floor, Ethan jumped but Cal didn't flinch when they heard a bone crack. Ethan's breathing picked up a notch and Cal spun around and took him in his arms leading him over to the couch "Ethan Breathe your ok hes down your ok" Ethan shook and Cal sensing a panic attack and ignoring the crowd of colleagues behind him took Ethan into hug ready and expecting the sobs that wracked his thin frame as he broke down Cal held firm holding Ethan until he calmed, not saying anything just holding him when Ethan finally started calming down Zoe knelt in front of the boys "Ethan I need to check you out ok you look a little pale and I think your chest sounds wheezy do you suffer with asthma" Cal nodded for him "his inhalers will be in his bag in his locker" Zoe nodded and then spoke "so we're gonna fix his arm before the police take him we'll keep him away from you two though" Cal smiled "you better because I will kill him" Ethan whispered "I wanna see him, I want to ask him why" Cal looked at Ethan nodding "ok but after you get checked out ok" Ethan nodded before speaking "ok but you check me out no one else" Cal sighed "Eth you know I cant conflict of interest and all that" Ethan shook his head "then just give me my inhaler ill be fine, no one is touching me ok" Cal Sighed "ok how about I check you over but have someone in with us someone we trust" Ethan shook his head "no im ok I just got freaked he…..he just brought it all back is all il be fine" Zoe stood up and asked everyone to leave the room Cal turned around to Ethan "Eth no one here is going to hurt you, you know that but your breathing is really laboured, your clammy and im pretty sure your going into shock, you know as well as I do that you need to be checked out and hooked up to some oxygen we cant do that unless you agree to getting checked over, it is your decision but if you stand up and pass out we will have to check you over and I think that is a strong possibility right about now" Ethan squared his shoulders "I just need a few minutes and my inhaler im not stupid Cal I know how it works I just want to see him, then I want us to get on with our day" Cal stood up and Ethan grabbed him "where are you going?" Cal smiled "yeah your fine dorkface, im gonna go get your inhaler then we will go see Eric, but the first sign that you are not right and il get them to check you over got it" Ethan nodded not letting go of Cals hand "dude you'll have to let me go if you want me to get your inhaler, im gonna be just over there you'll see me the entire time" Ethan nodded and let go of him Cal turned and heard Ethan whisper "how many steps" cal turned back to him "about 10 dude chill out ok" ethan nodded but didn't take his mind off Caleb the entire he was the lockers.
20 minutes later
Ethan had his breathing under control and Cal motioned for Zoe to come back in the room "ok Zoe this is how its going to work, you clear the room so that Eric is alone you station police outside of the door and if anything happens to me you get Ethan out of there" Zoe nodded before saying "do you think this is a good idea" Cal shrugged "Ethan has lived in fear of this asshole since he was 13 years old if this will help him get over that fear then yes, do I think it's a good idea now not so much but Ethan Hardy the Dr and not a 13 year old kid who was physically, verbally and sexually assaulted by his dad needs to have control of this situation, Ethan has kept this bottled up inside of him for 10 years he needs this I just don't think its going to end the way Ethan wants it to today not with him like this but if he feels he needs it il help him, Ethan not stupid hes just scared and he doesn't want to be anymore" Zoe nodded understanding "I guess I can understand that and know that what happened today will not hav an effect on anything you two are still the doctors we know and love, but Cal this you the one that protects his kid brother it's a good look on you, don't lose it" she nodded in Ethans direction "he gonna need his big brother" Cal smiled "ive always protected him but he needs to depend on himself that way no one can ever hurt him again" Zoe smiled before leaving "Follow me and ill take you to him" Cal nodded and went to Ethan "ok Eth you ready for this?" when Ethan nodded Cal smiled you want to do this together Ethan smiled and nodded standing up he wobbled a little through adrenalin and shock and Cal placed a steadying and comforting hand on his shoulder silently they followed Zoe out the door and to their fathers bed each wandering if this was a good idea or whether he would follow through with his threat about hurting Ethan. Ethan stopped short just before getting to his room breathing heavy "What am I doing I can't do this, I, Cal lets go back I don't need to see him he'l be locked up after this anyway right" Cal sighed "Ethan im here whatever you decide to do but I do think you need to face him hes haunted your every move since you were 10 years old you've been terrified of him since you were 13 its time to put a stop to it, but I don't think today Is a good idea your going into shock, your breathing is irregular and you look like your about to pass out, I have no doubt you will stand tall when you face him I just think you should do it when you look like you mean it not looking like he still has control over you, but its up to you" Ethan looked up ignoring the glances that his colleagues were giving him and stared at Cal " I don't know if I can do this" Cal smiled "if this is happening then its happening to US, your not on your own and I wont let him near you, how about we get your breathing sorted you have a drink and a sit down for a bit then we come back, Eric the Ferret is not going anywhere for awhile you have time it doesn't have to be now" Ethan let a shaky breath out nodding just before his eyes rolled back as he passed out, Cal catching him before he hit the floor Zo close behind Cal states "Cal your call do I treat him?" Cal nodded "just you and I stay the entire time, where do you want him?" Zoe glanced at the curtain behind which their dad was being treated she glanced at Cal who shook his head she nodded "my office there'll be no prying eyes there" Cal waved off the offer of a trolly knowing it wasn't far he picked Ethan up and carried him, Just as he placed him on the bed in Zoe's office Ethan startled awake hitting out Cal ready for it caught his flaying hand "Easy Ethan its just me calm down before you do your wilting flower act again ok" Ethan hearing Cals voice calmed "What happened?" Cal smiled " you passed out Einstein, your in Zoe's office shes gonna check you over and before you start, we had a deal remember and I will be here the entire she wont need you to strip Eth just listen to your chest set you up to some oxygen and that's it" Ethan nodded leaning forward into Cals hand he nodded.
15 mins later
Ethan was on oxygen and his asthma was under control. There was a knock on the door making Ethan jump Cal smirked before saying "chill dude" he got up and went to the door looking back Ethan when he saw it was the police, he opened the door and nodded for them to speak the officer charge stood forward "Caleb knight?" Cal nodded and the officer continued "your fathers arms has been set and we are about to take him down to the station and start arrest proceeding we will be in touch for statements from all involved today" Cal nodded turning to Ethan "you need to do this know? or do you want to wait and go when he's behind bars?" Ethan looked up and pulled his oxygen mask off "now but your with me ok" Cal sighed nodding "for the record I think this is a bad idea" Turning to the officer he spoke " he better be handcuffed keep him where he is for 5 mins we'll be there" the officer nodded and Cal turned to him "you going to do your wilting flower act again?" Ethan smiled looking a lot more himself and shook his head "he cant hurt me not anymore" Cal smiled noting a better colour on Ethans face he he nodded "right then lets do this?"
