Happy New Year everyone, hope you had a great new years eve. Just watched the episode and really felt for Ethan with regards to Cal, and I wonder if he'll stick to his resolution. What I do want to know however, is why the writers are turning Cal back into a selfish idiot? We have seen some real flashes of caring, big brother Cal yet the writers insist on dragging him back down to the level he was at when we first met him (in my opinion obviously).

Anyway, enough ranting. Thank you so much to everyone who read the first chapter and reviewed or favourited the story. I'm so glad that you haven't deserted me. Here is chapter two...

Chapter 2

Cal was brooding.

He picked up his glass of whisky, watching the amber liquid as it swirled around in the glass. Laughter from the other side of the bar made him look up and also caused his stomach to clench as he watched his girlfriend laughing, joking and flirting with their colleagues. He really liked Alicia. She was no strings attached fun, although not so much fun when she had asked him to go to Christmas dinner with her warring parents, but she had accepted his excuse for not supporting her even if he had stretched the truth slightly.

What had crept up on him however, was feelings that he hadn't expected. When they had first got together, it had been a bit of fun. She hadn't been looking for anything permanent and neither had he. He had been aware that his brother had had feelings for her and for once the older brother hadn't muscled his way in, but when it had become apparant that Ethan wasn't going to act on those feelings (he had told Cal as much), Cal decided to act on his own. But just lately, things had changed. Cal could feel himself falling for her. Every waking moment was spent thinking about her (when he wasn't preoccupied with work) and he knew that his relationship with Alicia could become something more permanent. He'd contemplated proposing to her. He'd even got as far as looking at rings and planning a big production...until he had found the cufflink on her bedroom floor.

Obviously he questioned her about it and almost believed her when she said that she didn't know anything about it. But he knew who it belonged to. He had bought the exact same ones for his brother as a birthday present and a quick check of Ethans's room, while he was at work one day, confirmed the fact that he was missing a cufflink - which could only mean one thing...he little brother was having an affair with his girlfriend!

Part of him felt almost proud of his brother, after all Cal was quite accomplished at doing the same thing without a second thought about the consequences. The other part of him was livid. How dare they both do that to him.

"Are you going to join us grumpy?" he heard his girlfriend's playful tones.

"In a minute. I'm just waiting for Sneezy and Sleepy," he half smiled.

Alicia burst into peals of laughter as she threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek, "Come and join us. You never know, it might be your night if you play those cards right," she told him huskily.

"I'll finish this and get the next round in," he told her as she untangled herself and made her way back to the group, glancing over her shoulder and blowing him a kiss.

Normally that would have sent him into overdrive but tonight he just shook his head as he swirled his drink once more. How could she? How could she carry on as if nothing is happening with him while all the while she's having an affair with his brother?

Suddenly Cal began to realise that the love and respect that he thought was there was actually starting to diminish - she was playing them both. He needed to put a stop to it sooner rather than later. He also needed to let his little brother know what she was like even though he knew it would hurt him. Cal had been on the receiving end more times that he cared to admit but he knew that it would affect Ethan more. He could imagine that now Ethan would be struggling with his emotions due to the fact that he'd never done anything like have an affair before, so if he knew that Alicia was playing them both...Ethan did not need that type of stress on top of everything else that he was dealing with. He made a decision there and then. He got to his feet ready to confront Alicia, only to have fate get in the way once more.

Louise barrelled through the door, almost taking it off it's hinges, "Alicia!" she shouted, gaining the young doctor's attention, "Are you alright?" the nurse demanded, breathing heavily from her exertion.

Alicia looked surprised, "Erm yeah...why wouldn't I be?"

By this time silence had descended on the pub, "Some guy came into the ED, his arm dripping with blood. He said that you were being attacked - Ethan..."

Cal's ears pricked up on hearing his brother's name, "What about Ethan?" he demanded, a knot forming in his stomach.

Louise looked at Cal, fear evident on her face, "Ethan left the department to find Alicia...that was half a hour ago...he hasn't been back..."

A collective gasp was heard throughout the pub as Cal blocked out everything and everybody and stormed out of the building, all angry thoughts about his brother had melted away into fear for his safety.

Suddenly, he was aware that everyone had followed him out of the pub. He felt a hand on his shoulder, "Don't worry Cal, we'll find him," Charlie reassured him.

The young doctor set off round the East side of the building, his heart pounding with every footstep - anxiety coursing through his body as minute after minute passed by without finding any trace of his brother.

"Cal!" He heard Max's voice from just in front of him. He dashed the the direction of his voice and found the young porter clutching a mobile phone - Ethan's phone.

Cal dragged in a deep breath as nausea washed over him - what could have happened to his brother?

Cal and Max rounded the next corner together.

The older man' s heart missed a beat.

Slumped against the wall was his little brother, dark liquid pooling round him. After a split second of shock, both young men leapt into action, Cal reaching his unresponsive brother first. There wasn't much light where they were, but there was enough to show Cal that the younger man was in serious trouble, "Max, go on ahead - I need a stretcher...now!"