"Hello, son."

When I hear those two words come out my blood boils. I'm amazed he has the guts to call me his son after what he's done to me and Ethan. Our father had left our mother 24 years ago when I was only 10 and Ethan was 6. Since then I've decided our father was dead to us.

"You have no right to call me your son." I whisper to him through clenched teeth.

"Well, it's good to see you again, Caleb. And how's that brother of yours? Still the same old Ethan he was? Not really succeeding in much?"

Our father's never really liked Ethan. He's always believed Ethan wouldn't amount to anything when he grew up. Well, our father's wrong. Ethan is a better man than he'd ever been.

"It's Cal, by the way. And yeah, Ethan's fine. But, he's not what you thought he'd be."

"Oh? He's finally made a success of himself." Our father replies sarcastically.

I dare not answer him. I know what he'll do if I did. He would just find some other nasty comment to say about Ethan.

"How we doing on that CT scan?" I ask Lofty, not wanting to talk to our father anymore.

"Uh, yeah. CT will be ready to receive him in about 10 minutes."

I nod. I tell Lofty I'm going out to fill in the forms and ask him to keep an eye on the monitor.
_

Ethan's P.O.V

I understand why Cal wanted I to keep away from him, but I'm an adult now. I don't need looking after. I take my gloves off in frustration and throw them into the disposal bin.

"Hey, you okay?" Robyn asks me sensing something's wrong.

"Yeah, couldn't be better."

"Is it Cal?"

"When isn't it Cal?" I say with a sigh.

Robyn chuckles slightly. She suddenly remembers something.

"Oh, yeah. Connie wants to see you in her office." With that she leaves and returns to her patients.

"Great." I say to myself.

Reaching Connie's office I hesitate slightly. There is a nagging feeling in my head that I know why she wants to see me. But, the again how would she know. Surely, Cal couldn't have talked to her already? Knocking on the door I wait for a response.

"Come in."

I push the door open. I see Connie at her desk and she looks up from the computer screen as I stand in front of the door with my hands behind my back.

"Ah, Dr. Hardy. Do you know why I called you into my office?" She asks, hands folded together upon the desk.

I shake my head nervously.

"Aren't you supposed to be somewhere?"

I don't answer her. She continues.

"I thought I gave you strict orders that I wanted you and Dr. Knight to lead the incoming RTA?"

I nod.

"Well, what exactly are you doing in cubicles then?!" She demands.

"Um..." I begin to say, but Connie cuts you off abruptly.

"I don't want your excuses, Dr. Hardy. I'll have a word with Dr. Knight. In the meantime I want you to return to your patients. But, I warn you, don't ever disobey me again. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Mrs. Beauchamp."

Connie gestures with her head for me to leave. I close the door behind me.

"Cal's going to be in big trouble." I say to myself.
_

Cal's P.O.V

I'm in reception just finishing off writing up my patient's notes when I the sound of high heels clicking down the corridor. I brace myself for what I'm about to hear.

"Dr. Knight. A word in my office."

I put down the pen I'm holding and follow Connie into her office.

"Look, before you..." but, I'm cut off.

"I've already told Dr. Hardy that I didn't want any excuses. Why on earth did you disobey my orders?" Connie inquires.

"Well, if you would let me finish my sentence you would know why." I respond.

"DON'T use that tone with me!"

"I'm sorry, but if I could finish what I was going to say?"

"Fine. Tell me why you decided to go against my orders." Connie asks.

'The patient that was involved in the RTA, well we...me and Ethan kind of know who he is."

"What do you mean 'kind of know who he is?"

"He's our father."

Connie is quiet for a moment.

"Cal, why didn't you say something as soon as he was brought in?"

"Because he's been dead to us for 24 years."

"Well, seeing he is your father you can't treat him. I'll get Zoe to take over from you."

"He's not my father. He never was. Not since he left our mother."

"Still, I can't have a family member treat him."

Although I'm glad Connie tells me Zoe's going to take over, he's still technically my patient.

"I still want to treat him."

"Cal..."

"Look, Connie. If you're worried about emotions overruling my professionalism then you don't have to worry. I feel nothing for him."

"Very well. You may treat him, but I will still get Zoe to supervise you. If anything goes wrong you let her take over, understand?"

I nod in reply.