Team building exercise

Chapter 1

Cal looked around at the rest of the team gathered in the staff room and sighed wandering what news Connie was going to give them he smiled as he felt Ethan come up beside him

"Do you know why she wants to see us all" Ethan asked quietly so only Cal heard

Cal shrugged "either some news that's going to make our lives hell at work or a mass murder"

Ethan laughed Cal nudged him "relax we can't all have done something wrong"

Cal and Ethan turned forwards as they heard the tip tapping of Connie's shoes she cleared her throat as she entered and began to speak

"thank you for coming in early for this meeting, I know the past few months have been difficult with the crash and losing Jeff and well everything so I have just come from a meeting upstairs where myself and Guy have arranged for us to go on a team building exercise this weekend cover has been found for all your shifts and all expenses paid"

Cal laughed as he heard a couple of groans before Connie continued

"We are going to be separated into groups of 5 and we will be going orienteering, the list of the groups you are in has been placed on the wall at the back, bus leaves at 7am sharp on Thursday morning"

Cal turned towards the list and smiled when he saw the team he was in Ethan, Cal, Robyn, Max and Lofty

"You ok Eth, you're looking a little pale?"

Ethan gave a small smile "am I with you" Cal nodded and Ethan let out a sigh of relief

The rest of their now last shift of the week went quick and Cal and Ethan left after just one drink in the pub, they stopped to get a take away and then went home to have a quiet night in front of the TV before having an early start tomorrow Cal knew that there was something bothering Ethan but didn't know how to bring it up every time he had tried Ethan had snapped at him.

Cal grabbed them both a beer from the fridge before heading to the table where Ethan was sorting out the food Cal decided to try one more time "you want to tell me what has put you in this mood, and don't tell me your fine"

Ethan signed and sat down on the couch rubbing a hand over his face "a team orienteering exercise Cal, do you even know what that's going to be like for me?"

Cal frowned and shook his head before Ethan continued "as you're so fond of saying I'm most at home in a library Caleb"

Realization hit Cal like a kick to the stomach and he realized all at once what had his normally unflappable little brother worked up

As Ethan had skimmed over the real issue Cal decided he would do the same "it's not that hard Ethan you'll be fine I promise"

Ethan sniffed and Cal looked up at him swiftly before Ethan could wipe the tears from his face, Cal had no idea what to do and so he handed a beer to him Ethan looked relieved that Cal didn't say anything about the tears and he smiled a small smile at Cal before speaking In a small voice "at least I'm in your team right"

Cal smirked while answering "well I don't think there's any chance of you getting out of it, Lofty spoke to Mrs. B about skipping out and she pretty much said it was compulsory"

Ethan nodded his head falling to his chest and Cal stepped closer to him "hey its ok I'll be with you right, and you're older now it won't be like last time"

Ethan shrugged and Cal gave into his instinct and placed and arm around his shoulder pulling him in for a hug.

30 minutes later and they were sat on the couch eating Chinese and drinking their beer Cal kept shooting glances at Ethan who hadn't spoken in at least 20 minutes and Cal didn't think he could take it anymore he was about to break the silence when Ethan spoke up "right well I'm going to call it a night early start tomorrow"

Cal nodded slowly noting the time was only 8pm but chose to say nothing maybe Ethan would be more himself in the morning.

The morning dawned dull and wet and even Cal who loved the outdoors felt down Ethan woke in a worse mood than he went to bed with so after giving him breakfast and a coffee Cal decided to stay out of his way and went to pack his things they needed to be at the hospital at 7 for the coach.

By 7:05 they were away Ethan sat by Cal which would normally have shocked Cal as there were plenty of other seats but the tense way in which Ethan was sat told him more than words would Ethan was scared he needed comfort and Cal was the closest thing to that he could get so instead of saying anything he placed a hand on Ethan's knee and squeezed gently offering silent support Ethan gave him a sideways glance nodded his head in thanks.

For the rest of the trip the others on the bus were loud some were excited others were nervous if anyone noticed that Ethan was silent nobody said anything Cal joined in with the banter but always had one eye on Ethan who was looking paler by the second and Cal hoped against hope that he would be ok and that he had noticed the route they were taking the very same route they took when Ethan was 14 and Cal was 18 the same route that they joked along as they drove and that route only led to the one place they both swore they would never go back the place that haunted Ethan's nightmares the place where a friend was lost forever

That's it for chapter one guys hope you enjoyed, I will try and upload regularly but with work I can't promise anything. As always I love to hear what you guys thinks.

More characters will be introduced as the story develops but will mostly be around Cal and Ethan you know me I just can't help writing about these two.