Authors Note; Writing this because I know me, among others, really missed seeing Ethan in Saturday's episode so hopefully this makes up for it a bit and explains his absence:P
"Come on Ethan, we're going to be late." Cal told his younger brother, who still hadn't appeared from his room.
"Yeah just coming", was the weak reply Cal recieved.
This worried Cal slightly; Ethan was never late for anything, especially not work, it was always Ethan chasing Cal to get out of bed for work. And he really didn't seem right.
He knocked on the door to his brother's room.
"You alright in there Nibbles?"
"Yeah."
Unconvinced, Cal went into his room anyway.
Ethan looked terrible.
"What's wrong with you? If I didn't know you better I would say you were suffering from all my hangovers rolled into one. But that would require you having a life and going out to drink in the first place so I doubt that."
"Nothing, just feeling a little under the weather." Ethan replied.
Judging by the fact he didn't engage in their normal banter, Cal knew his brother was definitely ill.
Despite his best efforts to hide it, Ethan must have noticed the worried glance his big brother gave him.
"It's just a cold Cal."
Cal remained unconvinced; Ethan was as white as a sheet with sweat on his forehead; despite this he was wearing a jumper that looked like it had just been taken off a cat.
"Why are you wearing that?" Cal asked.
Ethan looked fed up with his brother at this point; yeah ok Cal had teased him about his "granddad" clothes before but this time he was only asking out of concern.
"Because I'm cold, why else would I be wear-aaah" Ethan stopped, mid sentence, making a grunt of pain.
"Ethan? What is it? You okay?"
"It's just a headache. Come on Cal, we're late", the younger man said and made his way towards the door, not anticipating Cal to stand in front of him, blocking his way. Ethan looked up at him in confusion.
"You can't go to work in this state. I think little Nibbles has the flu. You must have got it from that patient you treated on Tuesday."
"I'll be fine Cal, I don't want to be off and leave the ED shorthanded."
Cal sighed. This was so typical of Ethan, still wanting to work despite being ill, he had been like this as a kid too.
"Look you don't want to pass it on to already ill patients do you? Just have a day off, I'll tell Connie"
Ethan seemed to consider this for a few seconds before finally agreeing.
"Go to bed. And stay there. I'll bring you some paracetamol at my lunch break." Cal told his brother before going to get him a glass of water.
Ethan looked suspicious.
"Why are you being so nice? What do you want?"
Cal laughed at his brother's cynicism; truth his, he just doesn't want his little brother to be ill.
"Just want you to get better so you can cover my shifts for me again of course."
"Ah" Ethan said, seeming to believe his excuse.
"Bed. I'll see you later" Cal told his brother, gently closing his brother's bedroom door.
Cal hoped Ethan would get better soon; he would miss seeing his little brother at work for the next few days if truth was told.
Plus, who else would he annoy? Yep, Ethan definitely had to get better soon.
A'N; The End. Nothing special but like I said, I just really missed Ethan :P hope you enjoyed :)
