"Come on, Nibbles! Be a little more cheery." Cal reprimanded his little brother.

It was early on Christmas morning and Ethan had just finished a night shift.

"Cal." Ethan groaned. "It's 6.00."

"So? It's Christmas." his brother retorted back.

"So, I 've got another shift in 3 hours."

Cal looked over his shoulder.

"I thought you had today off like me?"

"I did. But, it's Christmas and, well they need more staff."

"But, this year it's special. This year it will be Matilda's very first Christmas with her dad and favourite uncle." Cal said trying to get Ethan to stay at home.

"Nice try, Cal. But, I've got to go to work."

"Come on, Eth. Stay and help me finish decorating the flat before Matilda wakes up."

As if on cue, the two brothers heard a soft wailing sound.

"Great." Cal muttered. "She's probably upset because mean 'old' uncle Ethan is not going to be here."

Ethan rolled his eyes.

"Again nice try. Seriously, though I do have to go to work."

"Yeah, alright." Cal mumbled going to fetch Matilda.

Minutes later, Cal returned, his daughter cradled in his arms. Matilda gurgled as she entered the living room and saw all the bright decorations hanging from the Christmas tree.

"I think she likes them." Cal smiled.

Soon it was time for Ethan to go to work. He bent down and kissed his niece, who lay in his brother's arms.

"Have fun."

He patted Cal on the shoulder.

"See you later."

"Yeah, see you later." Cal replied.

Eventually, after Cal had managed to calm Matilda down by rocking her back and forth he was sat watching the TV. He wasn't paying much attention to what was happening when suddenly some breaking news came on. The reporter had stated an ongoing hostage situation was taking place at Holby hospital. Cal didn't bother with hearing the rest of the report. He took Matilda and drove frantically to the hospital. He prayed Ethan was okay. Getting out of his car, Cal saw a huge crowd gathered outside. He scanned the crowd hoping to a catch a glimpse of those familiar blond curls and glasses. But, he didn't. He started to panic. Where was his brother? Why wasn't he outside with everyone else? Spotting Charlie, Cal rushed over to him carrying Matilda with him.

"Charlie! What's happening?"

Charlie turned around when he heard Cal's voice.

"Patient apparently got agitated."

"Okay, but where's Ethan?"

That's when Charlie hesitated and Cal knew why Ethan wasn't outside. He was inside. He was the hostage.

"Why aren't the police doing anything?" Cal raised his voice.

"They need clearance before they can enter."

"Clearance? From who?"

"Higher authority."

"But, my brother's in there!"

Before Charlie could protest, Cal handed Matilda to him and ran towards the hospital.

"Excuse me, sir." An armed policeman said. "But, you can't go in there."

"No, you don't understand. I'm a doctor. I can help." Cal replied hoping the policeman would let him pass.

The policeman firmly shook his head.

"Still can't let you in. I've been informed by one of my colleagues that there is currently a doctor in there. I can't let you risk your life as well."

Cal couldn't care less. He just wanted to get Ethan out, alive if possible. Ignoring the policeman's shouts Cal ran into the building. Upon entering it was deadly silent. The silence unnerved him and all he could think about was Ethan scared while a patient was threatening him. Arriving at the doors to RESUS, Cal stopped in his tracks. Coming from inside he could hear shouting and then the familiar voice of his brother trying to calm the patient down.

"Please," Ethan begged. "Please just put the scalpel down."

"NO! WHY DIDN'T YOU SAVE HIM? WHY DIDN'T YOU SAVE MY BROTHER?"

"I'm really sorry your brother died and I'm sorry we couldn't save him. But, we did everything we could."

The next thing Cal heard was a loud scream and then a crash. Before he knew what was happening there was a lot of shouting and the patient was being restrained by two policemen.

"Can I get a doctor in here!" Another policeman shouted.

Cal rushed in. There was a pool of blood on the floor and Ethan. He had a nasty wound to the chest. He ran over and took over from the policeman.

"Can we get him onto a trolley and roll him into peads?" Cal instructed as Zoe and Rita came in.

Ethan was soon hooked up to machines.

"His BP's dropping." Rita announced.

"We need to stop this bleeding." Cal said as he continued to put pressure on Ethan's chest.

"Cal, you can't treat him" Zoe said taking control.

"No, I'm not leaving him!" Cal replied refusing to move.

"Look, why don't you go back to Matilda. We'll come and get you when he's stable."

Cal hesitated. Finally he walked out of RESUS. He didn't notice the blood still on his shirt as he stepped out into the fresh air.

"Cal?" Charlie asked carrying Matilda. "You okay?"

Noticing the blood, Cal nodded slowly.

"Ethan?" Charlie inquired handing Matilda to him.

Cal nodded again.

"How is he?"

"I don't know." Cal whispered holding Matilda close to him. "I just don't know."

Cal kissed Matilda gently on the head praying he wouldn't lose his brother. Praying Matilda wouldn't lose her uncle. As if she could sense something was wrong Matilda gave a little whimper.

"I know, Toad." Cal whispered tightening his hold on her. "I'm worried about uncle Nibbles as well."