Hi everyone. I thought it would be interesting to explore what would happen if Hanssen was ill and needed treatment at Holby. Reviews are very much appreciated. Hope you all enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Holby City.

Henrik Hanssen glanced up at the knock at his door.

"Come in," he called. He smiled as Ric entered the room. "Ah, Mr. Griffin, how are you feeling?" Ric returned the smile as he seated himself gingerly in the chair opposite.

"Much better, thank you." He raised an eyebrow at the paperwork covering the other consultant's desk. "Have you got quite enough to do there?" he asked. Henrik grimaced.

"Apparently not." He shook his head in resignation. "It'll be a relief when you are able to operate again." Ric grinned.

"Well, it's your decision. If it's getting too much…" Henrik snorted.

"Ric, I am not letting you operate yet. You're not fully recovered and my workload is manageable." Ric grinned and shrugged.

"Worth a try," he said. "Although Jess would probably have something to say about it if you did." Henrik smiled.

"Yes, I expect she would," he agreed. "How is she by the way?"

"She's fine, and pampering Jake outrageously." He shook his head. "I'd forgotten how many sets of clothes babies seem to need." Henrik chuckled, but his smile turned soon wistful.

"Yes, I know what you mean," Ric glanced at him sharply and began to ask a question, but the Swede quickly changed the subject. "So other than trying to land me in trouble with your daughter, was there a reason you came to see me?" Ric frowned slightly, but he shook his head.

"I've been unable to do my job for far too long," he explained. "It's very frustrating." Henrik nodded sympathetically.

"I understand, but you know I can't allow it yet." He thought for a moment. "If you continue to improve at your present rate, then you may be back in theatre by the end of the week." Ric grinned.

"That sounds good to me." With a grimace, he pushed himself upright. "I suppose I'd better get back to my own work." Henrik nodded.

"Don't overwork yourself," he said. Ric glared at him mock severely.

"Talk about the pot calling the kettle black," he retorted. "You're worse than Connie was." Henrik smirked.

"Thank you." Ric rolled his eyes.

"That wasn't a compliment, Henrik." He shook his head. "I'll see you at the meeting later?"

"Of course."

Henrik got to his feet and stretched as the door shut behind the other consultant. Ric really had made a remarkably quick recovery. Glancing at the clock, he realised he was due to inspect Darwin in less than ten minutes. It looked like the paperwork would have to wait until after the usual fighting. He grimaced. Performing Ric's operation had earned Ric's friendship, but he was aware that Elliot was still wary of him, and the registrars were not much better. He had yet to have single conversation with Jac were she did not try and advance her career, and Greg had yet to impress him. In fact, the only person he trusted on Darwin was Sahira, and that only because he had known her for so long. He glanced at the clock again. With Ric still technically on sick leave, Keller was understaffed, and he resolved to check in on the ward on the way down. Ric would never forgive him if he caused any more damage to his beloved department.

For once, Keller was relatively peaceful, and Henrik felt some of the tension leave his body. He had quite enough on his plate without having to worry about Keller too. To his surprise, he felt the breath catch in his chest momentarily, and he frowned. The last time that had happened…

"Mr. Hanssen." Henrik turned at the sound of his name.

"Good morning, Mr. Levy," he replied. "Everything alright down here?" Sacha nodded.

"Yep, no problems at all," he said cheerfully. He continued to talk as the two of them made their way to the nurse's station, but Henrik found his attention wandering. He was still finding it unusually hard to take a deep breath, and he was beginning to feel stirrings of concern. A moment later, he could not suppress a gasp as a sharp pain shot through his chest. Sacha caught his arm in alarm as he staggered.

"Mr. Hanssen! Chrissie, we need help over here." With an effort, Henrik found the breath to speak.

"Call Darwin," he gasped. The pain was already intensifying, and he knew from experience that it would only get worse. "Spontaneous…pneumothorax." Sacha's face lit up with understanding.

"Chrissie, call Elliot, he's got a collapsed lung." He turned back to Hanssen, and was alarmed to see his lips were tinged with blue. "Damn." Carefully, he eased the consultant to the floor, propping him up against the wall to help his breathing. He looked up with relief as Chrissie came running over with an oxygen pack.

"Thanks. Did you get hold of anyone?" Chrissie nodded as she handed him the mask.

"Elliot's on his way down. He said give him oxygen and keep him still." Sacha nodded as he helped Hanssen position the mask, and was relieved to see the Swede's breathing ease slightly.

"Did you hear that, Mr. Hanssen?" Hanssen's face was ashen, but he gave a faint nod at the registrar's enquiry. He fairly radiated tension as he fought to prevent further exclamations of pain escaping. Sacha and Chrissie exchanged a helpless glance, and it was an enormous relief when Elliot Hope arrived on the ward.

Despite what Chrissie had told him, Elliot was still shocked by Hanssen's condition. He had never seen the Swede looking anything less than in complete control, and the sight of him in such agony was surprisingly distressing. Masking his surprise, he knelt next to the consultant.

"Henrik, I need to listen to your chest," he said calmly. "Can you lean forward for me please?" Hanssen grimaced, but did as he was asked. Elliot listened carefully, and nodded.

"Yes, definitely a pneumothorax, and quite a large one by the sound of it." He frowned. "Have you ever experienced this before?" Hanssen nodded.

"Four times," he said. His voice was tight with pain. "The last one occurred twelve years ago…then I had a pleurodesis." Elliot sighed.

"I should have expected that." The shape of their chest cavity meant that tall, thin people were more likely to suffer a collapsed lung than anyone else, and Hanssen took both to the extremes. He glanced at Sacha. "We're going to have to move him to Darwin and insert a chest drain," he said. Sacha winced sympathetically.

"I'll get a trolley." He dashed off, and Elliot looked back at the consultant.

"We're going to take you up to Darwin," he said. "Do you think you can stand?" Hanssen closed his eyes for a moment, but nodded.

"I may need your help," he said quietly. His dark eyes met Elliot's, and Elliot saw genuine fear behind the Swede's practised mask. If this had happened as many times as the consultant said, he would be well aware of how uncomfortable the next few days would be. Elliot was fortunate enough never to have suffered a pneumothorax, but he had treated enough cases to understand how much pain the Swede must be in. Unfortunately, the only reliable treatment, the chest drain, was renowned for being both painful and uncomfortable. Hanssen was in for a bad week, and, despite his antipathy towards the man, Elliot would not wish that on anyone. He laid a reassuring hand on the consultant's shoulder.

"I'll do everything I can," he promised. Hanssen's eyes closed in relief, and he gave a grateful nod. His eyes opened again as Sacha returned with the trolley, and he sighed. Elliot winced as the sigh triggered a fit of hacking coughs, causing Hanssen's face to contort with suppressed agony. The fit subsided a minute later, but the consultant was deathly pale and clearly struggling to breathe. Sacha glanced at Elliot, the concern clearly visible in his face.

"Would it be better to insert the drain down here?" he asked. Elliot shook his head.

"He'd need to be monitored on a CT ward anyway, and it'll be more difficult to move him with the drain already in place," he explained. "But we need to move quickly." Sacha nodded grimly.

"Alright, let's do it."

It took both of them to help Hanssen on to the trolley, and by the time they reached Darwin, the consultant was fighting to remain conscious. Elliot was relieved that Darwin was so busy; all three registrars were off attending to their various patients. He had a feeling Hanssen would not want anyone to see him in his present condition. With Sacha's help, he wheeled the trolley into a side room and began hooking him up to the monitors.

"Sacha, can you fetch a surgical kit for me please?" Sacha darted off, and returned with the tray a few moments later.

"Got it." Elliot nodded absently.

"Good, we'll also need two sets of scrubs and gowns." Sacha glanced at him questioningly.

"Don't you want Mr. Douglas or Ms. Naylor to assist?" Elliot shook his head.

"It's not a complicated procedure, and they need to see to their own patients." He glanced at Hanssen awkwardly. "If it's alright with the both of you of course." Sacha nodded.

"Keller's quiet at the moment, and I'm up to date on all my work."

"I have…no objections either." Elliot frowned at the consultant.

"You need to keep the mask on," he said firmly. To his surprise, Hanssen obeyed without argument. Elliot sent Sacha off to fetch the gowns and anaesthesia before returning his attention to their patient.

Hanssen had recovered some of his composure, but he was still very pale. He watched without comment as Elliot checked the surgical equipment, but Elliot got the feeling that he was glad of the company. Relations between the two consultants had been strained ever since Connie's departure a few months back, but Elliot knew the Swede would still chose him before any of the other CT specialists. Ever since Ric's operation, Hanssen had treated him with a certain respect and Elliot had begun to return it. There was no questioning Hanssen's ability; he had demonstrated on multiple occasions a skill bordering on the virtuoso; Ric's recent operation was an excellent example. No, there was no doubt in Elliot's mind as to his capability. It was his ruthless efficiency that was the trouble. He had heard from Sacha how deeply the man committed to his patients, but the ease with which he ordered redundancies was something Elliot found disturbing.

Elliot shook his head sharply. Regardless of what he might think, the Swede was still his patient, and Elliot had duty to get him well again. He glanced at the clock, noting absently that they were both going to miss the consultant's meeting, but it could not be helped. Hanssen's condition was stable for the moment, but they really needed to get the drain in. He was about to go and investigate why Sacha was taking so long when the registrar appeared in the doorway holding the anaesthetics, the gowns slung over one arm.

"Sorry," he said quickly. "Jac caught me, but I told her some story and she lost interest." He glanced at Hanssen. "How are you doing?" The consultant shrugged slightly.

"I have had better days." His voice was muffled by the oxygen mask. Sacha winced as he handed Elliot the drugs.

"I'll bet." Hanssen opened his mouth to reply, but Elliot's glare warned him not to push his luck. The CT consultant nodded his thanks at Sacha, who was struggling to contain a smile.

"Thank you." He glanced back at Hanssen."I'm afraid you'll need to remove your shirt so that I can administer the anaesthetic." The Swede grimaced, but leant forward and began to carefully peel off his jacket. He did not ask for help, and Elliot did not offer any; he knew how proud Hanssen could be. It was several minutes before the painful process was over, and Hanssen broke into another coughing fit as he lay back against the pillows. Elliot raised an eyebrow pointedly, but did not comment as he readied the anaesthetic. He glanced back as the consultant's coughing died away.

"Are you ready?" he asked. Hanssen nodded, forcing his muscles to relax with a visible effort. His jaw clenched as Elliot injected the drugs, but otherwise did not react. Elliot sighed as he set the needle carefully to one side.

"We'll have to wait a few minutes for it to take effect," he said apologetically. Hanssen nodded, and Elliot remembered that he had been in this position before.

While they waited, Elliot and Sacha donned their gowns and gloves, and Elliot talked the registrar through the procedure. It was not complicated, but since the drain would have to remain in place for at least a few days, they had to make sure it was positioned correctly. In Hanssen's case, determining the location was simple; there was already a closely grouped pattern of scars from previous drains on the side of his chest.

A few minutes later, Hanssen indicated that the anaesthesia had taken effect, and Elliot glanced at Sacha.

"Are you clear on everything?" he asked. Sacha nodded confidently.

"Crystal." The CT consultant glanced at Hanssen.

"We're ready," he said gently. The Swede nodded, and twisted slightly to allow them easier access to the site. He seemed more resigned than concerned, but Elliot caught the flash of apprehension in his dark gaze before he closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath, Elliot made the first incision.

The procedure went smoothly, and it was not long before Elliot was putting in the final sutures around the tube. He tied off the knots with practised ease and stepped back to admire his handiwork. The long tube ran from the consultant's side to an enclosed drainage system. This would gradually remove the excess air from the chest cavity, and already it seemed to be having an effect. Hanssen's breathing, while still rather more laboured than Elliot would have liked, was sounding far better than it had earlier. He studied the stitches for a moment before glancing up at Elliot.

"An excellent job, Mr. Hope," he said. "Thank you." His voice was hoarse with the strain, but carried some of its old authority. Sacha nodded agreement.

"Very nice." The admiration in his voice was genuine, and Elliot smiled as he removed his mask.

"You're welcome." His voice turned firm. "Now, you need to get some rest." Hanssen opened his mouth to protest, but Elliot cut him off. "You're my patient, and the best thing you can do now is rest. You've been here before, so don't try and argue." Hanssen held his gaze for a moment, before nodding reluctantly.

"Very well." Elliot nodded approvingly.

"Good." He hesitated a moment. "You know I'll have to tell the rest of the staff?" Hanssen nodded.

"Of course." Elliot looked relieved.

"Thank you. I'll try and make sure they don't bother you." The Swede gave him a slight smile.

"That would be appreciated." Catching the weariness in his voice, Elliot frowned.

"Alright, I think we'd better leave you in peace," he said. "I'll be back in a couple of hours to take you for an X-ray." Hanssen nodded.

"Thank you, both of you, for your assistance today." Elliot smiled.

"You're welcome. I'll see you later."

"Get well soon," Sacha added cheekily. Hanssen frowned, but both of them could see he did not mind, and even before they had left, the Swede's eyes had closed and he had fallen into an uneasy slumber.

Sacha glanced at Elliot as the consultant shut the door behind them.

"Is he going to be alright?" he asked. Elliot looked thoughtful.

"He should be," he said slowly. "I may to have to talk to him about having another pleurodesis to reduce the chances of this happening again, but he should make a full recovery." Sacha looked relieved.

"Good." He sighed. "I'd better get back to Keller." Elliot nodded.

"Thank you for your assistance today," he said. Sacha waved the thanks away.

"Not a problem. If there's anything else I can do, just let me know." Elliot smiled.

"Thank you."

Elliot sighed as Sacha left the ward. He had quickly realised that the news that Hanssen was ill would be received with mixed feelings, especially here on Darwin, and he knew that Hanssen would be equally ill at ease. Keeping his patient calm while still maintaining morale among his staff was going to be a difficult task. Elliot sighed again as he saw Jac and Greg approaching. Time to tell them the news.

I've never had a collapsed lung, so I had to Google the symptoms and treatment. Hopefully it's not too inaccurate. Please review.