A/N; Hey guys, I'm writing this story because of a request I got from a reader asking if I could write a story involving Ethan getting bullied and caring Cal. I do requests if any of you would like me to write a story for you then feel free to PM me and I'll do my best :) Also, I know a lot of people, me included, were disappointed when Cal ruined the caring moment of him rushing over to Ethan when he got knocked over by the schoolkid with a mean comment so I address that here in this story :P Anyway, hope you enjoy.
Summary; When a violent bully from Ethan's past arrives in the ED, will Cal be there to protect and comfort his little brother?
Disclaimer; I do not own Casualty or Ethan and Cal. Only character I own here is James.
"I don't even remember my bullies names."
Well that wasn't strictly true. Yes, Ethan had forgotten a lot of the names and faces from his tormentors at school but there was one he could never forget. And he was right here in the ED.
"James?" Ethan said, taken aback.
The patient, who had a cut on his head that needed stitches and a black eye (clearly in a fight, guess some things never change) looked up at his doctor.
After a few moments of confusion and a blank expression on his face, he smirked. That same smirk that had tormented Ethan so much 10 years previously.
"Ethan? Well, well, well, haven't you grown."
Robyn smiled kindly at the pair.
"Oh you know each other?"
Ethan nodded.
"Yes, we do."
"Yep we go way back don't we Ethan?" James added.
"I'll leave you to catch up then, you're in great hands , but as you already know Ethan you will already know that."
James smiled sweetly at the nurse until she left.
Ethan wanted her to stay, to not leave him alone with this bully, but then he punished himself for being so pathetic.
Ethan had so many conflicting emotions at seeing his bully again.
Fear, humiliation, anger.
No. He would not be scared of him, he might have been able to hurt him when they were teenagers but Ethan was an adult now.
Furthermore, Ethan was a doctor and James was his patient, Ethan was the one who had the authority here.
Maybe James had grown out of his bullying phase anyway.
"Still as small and pathetic as you used to be then?"
Maybe not.
"James, you're my patient and I'm here to treat you. That's all. If you would let me get on with my job please." Ethan said, trying to keep control over his professionalism.
"Yeah how does that feel having to be the one to treat me with a black eye and bleeding? If I remember correctly, you were the one always left with the bruises and blood by the time I had finished with you."
He couldn't do this. He was being pathetic, he hadn't seen James since they were teenagers, yet here he was almost falling apart getting reminded of it.
The constant abusive remarks about his appearance, his personality, his family...
What he said about his mother, Cal, his father...
And worse of all, the constant beatings..
That was back when Ethan and Cal were close and it wasn't unususal for Cal to come into his little brother's room and find him crying and beaten and Cal used to clear him up and mutter swear words until his breath. Before he left.
"Oh having a flashback are we?" James said tauntingly.
"Would you just let me treat you so you can leave." Ethan said, stammering his words.
"Oh you want me to leave? But we were just going down memory lane" James smiled and stood up.
Even now, he was so much taller and stronger than Ethan was.
"Where were we?" James smiled, closing the door.
"Robyn, have you seen Ethan?" Cal asked the kind nurse.
He wanted his advice on an unusual symptom his patient was displaying and couldn't find him anywhere.
"Yeah he's with a patient. Might be a while, they're catching up."
"Catching up?"
"Yeah, he's an old friend."
This made Cal frown.
He recalled Ethan not having many friends back at school, which old friend was this?
"Oh?" Cal enquired.
"His name's James, James Donald, do you know him too?"
James? Cal scanned the name in his mind for a few seconds before coming to a conclusion.
Shit.
"Where are they?"
Robyn, confused at Cal's reaction, gave Cal the details and with that, he set off.
"Sit down James." Ethan instructed, trying to not show his fear.
"Don't you remember Eth? You don't tell me what to do, I tell you what to do."
"James this is ridiculous, we're not boys anymore. When are you going to grow up? I've made something out of myself since I last saw you, clearly you haven't."
He was just so angry over the years at school where James had made his life hell.
Now, he could finally stand up for himself.
However, he soon realised this was the wrong thing to say as he saw the look of anger go across James' face and then swiftly punched Ethan in the stomach.
The pain of it distracted Ethan and he didn't hear the door open at that exact moment.
The only thing he heard was the distinct sound of his big brother's voice saying "Get away from my brother."
A/N; Oooooh, big bro Cal isn't going to be happy in the next chapter. Hope you enjoyed first chapter and please review and tell me what you think. To the reader who wanted me to write this story from the bullying idea, I hope it lives up to your expectations :)
