NOTE: I know this storyline might be a bit far-fetched and beyond the realms of logic and reality, but I'm using it as dramatic licence. I hope this won't bother you, readers too much. But, please let me know if you think this isn't working :)

"Oh, Ethan." Emilie sighed. "And Cal knows nothing about this?"

"No, and please don't tell him." Ethan begged.

"Don't worry I won't tell him. But, didn't you say something?"

"How could I? Things have been so much better over these past 6 months I didn't want to ruin it."

Minutes later Cal re-entered the room. He saw Ethan and Emilie deep in conversation.

"Everything okay?" He asked sitting back down next to his brother.

"Yeah, everything's fine." Ethan smiled at him. "How's Matilda?" He asked changing the subject.

"She's fast asleep."

Just then Ethan's mobile rang. He looked at the caller ID and his heart suddenly stopped.

"Uh, I need to take this." Ethan said getting up.

Cal looked at his brother. He was acting strange. Lately he had been quite jumpy and sometimes in the night when Ethan thought Cal was asleep, Cal could hear his brother crying in his room. On those occasions Cal would stop by Ethan's bedroom door and linger. He would have knocked but, felt like Ethan wanted to be on his own so he would return to his own room and lie in bed listening to his brother sob. Cal wondered what Ethan was upset about. Yet, every time Cal would bring it up Ethan would brush it off and change the subject like he did just now.

"Is Ethan okay?" Cal asked Emilie.

She nodded, not knowing what else to say. She knew Cal had the right to know but, she had promised Ethan she wouldn't say anything to him. And she wasn't the one to break her promises. Ethan soon came back in and although Ethan pretend everything was alright Cal could see something wasn't right.

"Who was that, Nibbles?" Cal inquired.

"Uh, Zoe. She wants us back in. Well, she wants me back in but, said you should come in when your shift starts." Ethan quickly told him. "So I better be going then."

Ethan hastily walked out of the room before Cal had the time to open his mouth. Arriving at the hospital he was spotted by Zoe.

"Ah, Ethan. Have you got a minute?" She said solemnly.

Ethan nodded. The two of them headed towards the staffroom where they could have some privacy. Both she and Ethan took a seat.

"Uh, okay Ethan. What I'm about to tell you…." Zoe hesitated.

"Zoe, just get to the point. What do the results say?" Ethan said.

"It's not good news I'm afraid. Your CT scan shows there is an abnormality in your brain. And it is putting pressure on your nerves. That's why you've been experiencing these headaches." Zoe told him sadly.

"How long do I have left?" Ethan asked barely audible.

"We can't be sure. It could rupture in a day, weeks, or a month."

Ethan bowed his head. It was final. He was dying. There was nothing he could do to stop it happening. It was a ticking time bomb and only a matter of time before it exploded.

"Have you talked to Cal about this?" Zoe asked.

"No."

"Ethan, he needs to know."

"No, I don't want him to find out. He's happy now since we've adopted Matilda. I don't want him to worry about me now that he's got his priorities."

"You're his brother. You're his priority too."

"No, I'm not going to tell him. And neither will you. Promise me, Zoe. Promise me you'll keep this between you and me."

Zoe slowly nodded. Leaving Ethan to be alone for a few moments to take in the news she went back out to reception. Ethan remained where he sat, his breathing becoming labored. He took in deep breaths. Now that he had a diagnosis all that was left to do was carry on with his work and not let it get in the way. He wanted to make sure Cal was going to be alright before he left. He would keep up appearances for his brother and his niece's sake. Placing his stethoscope around his neck, adjusting his glasses Ethan followed Zoe out of the staffroom.

"Right, this is Amy Wylde. 15. Involved in an RTC. She's got a suspected neck and back injury, fractured left shoulder, a few cuts and bruises and a suspected broken right tib fib." Dixie said as Ethan, Rita and Lofty rolled into RESUS.

"Thanks, Dixie." Ethan replied. "Right, I want full FBCs, U & Es, 1 litre saline and someone call CT and x-ray."

Just as Ethan began treating his patient, another patient rolled in. Cal was in charge of this one.

"Can I have 2 units of blood, 1 litre of saline and full FBCs as well as U & Es." Cal called out.

The two brothers worked on their patients. Cal's patient was stablised. Ethan was about to send his patient up to CT when all of sudden he felt a tickle in his throat. He coughed to clear it. But, as he took his hand away he noticed there was a few spots of blood. Dizziness took over and Ethan began to sway. He heard someone scream out his name before everything went black. Cal looked over his shoulder. Ethan lay on the floor with Rita kneeling down beside him. Cal rushed over.

"Ethan!" Cal called out.

Ethan was unresponsive. It was then Cal noticed the blood trickling from his brother's lips.

"Where's the blood coming from?" Cal asked now worried.

Rita shrugged her shoulders.

"Okay, Lofty go and find Zoe." Cal instructed while he and Rita placed Ethan on a trolley.

Seconds later Ethan began to come around but, another coughing fit took over. More blood began to come out of his mouth. The doors to RESUS opened and Zoe walked. As she entered she saw Ethan on the bed, blood pouring out. She quickly went on with her examination.

"I need a CT can immediately." She demanded.

"What the hell is going on?" Cal asked stepping away so Zoe could treat his brother.

But, Zoe was listening to him.

"Great, his left pupil is blown." Zoe said as she shone a light in his eyes. "He's arrested."

Rita stepped up and began chest compressions. Cal staggered back as he watched on. Why wasn't anyone telling him anything? His brother was dying and he was helpless.

"Zoe, can you please tell me what is happening?" Cal raised his voice.

Zoe turned to him. She knew what she had promised Ethan, but right now that didn't matter. Ethan was dying and Cal needed to know.

"He's had a brain aneurysm. And it's ruptured. If we can't get the swelling down in his brain then, we are going to lose him." Zoe finally told him.

Cal was stunned into silence. He didn't know what to say. He took one last glance towards his brother then as fast as he could he ran out of RESUS.

"Lofty, go after him." Zoe said indicating with her head.

Lofty obeyed and went in search for Cal.