So, I did another chapter because I quite like Alicia and Ethan as a couple and there aren't enough fics about them. I have lots of ideas though and some writing that could be used for later chapters. This is a bit of a filler and I'm not too happy with this one - I've had exams this week though so do excuse any funny wording or grammatical errors. Any advice, comments or ideas or general messages are appreciated! :-)

Alicia awoke with a start, sitting up in the bed and then looking into the mirror, sunlight streaming through the cracks in the blind. Her face turned pale, but she breathed a semi sigh of relief when she realised it wasn't a stranger beside her. He stirred and rolled over.

'Morning.' Alicia said, quietly. He squinted with one eye.

'Time is it?' He asked. She checked her phone on the bedside table.

'Ten to eight.' She mumbled.

'Well, later than usual...' Ethan yawned, rubbing his eye.

'We didn't sleep until late, did we?' She said quietly.

'That's true. How are you feeling?' He asked. She closed her eyes gently.

'Sorry, that was silly thing to say. What I meant was-' Ethan was interrupted by Alicia.

'It's fine. It's.. fine. I'm fine. And you?' She asked.

'Yeah.' He nodded. 'I don't want things to be awkward though, as crazy a thing to say as that is.' Ethan breathed.

'Ethan, things aren't any more awkward for you than they are me. And vice versa. I feel a bit down after waking up because now we've literally got to go out into the real world where we don't exist and that messes with my head. And tonight I've got to go back to mine and your brother's home and...' She pressed a hand to her face, anguished. Ethan was patient. 'And if I see him tomorrow, I just can't.. I don't know how to say it.' She said faintly.

'I'll do it... I'll break it to him.' Ethan offered.

She gave him a look. 'You'll break yours and Cal's relationship all by yourself? Cal is all you've ever had. I don't care how you think you feel about me, Ethan... I can't be the one to lead to a rift between the pair of yous.'

'Well Alicia, you've got to choose something at some point.' He said, sympathy gone from his voice now.

'I know, alright, I know.' She sighed, burrowing her head in her hands. He chose to stay where he was and didn't go comfort her. A part of him felt bitter.

'I'll sort it. He won't be cross if I tell him, or if he is, he'll direct his anger at me and not you.' Alicia said.

'You don't know my brother. We'll do it together, how about that?' Ethan made eye contact with her now. 'Alright fine.' She nodded.

'Okay? Well let's get to work then.' He nodded briefly and she returned it.

'Cal.' Ethan jogged up to his brother who continued walking, presumably ignoring him. 'Caleb..' Ethan caught up now, out of breath. Cal turned round before reaching the hospital door, not without a slight roll of the eye at his younger brother.

'What now, kid?' He asked. Ethan tried not to wince and remembered what he was there for, as Cal, oblivious, sipped at his filter coffee.

'Look. There's something I need to tell you.' Ethan started, all too aware Alicia wasn't with him as planned. He hoped she'd understand his motive behind doing it alone.

'What is it, you alright bro?' Cal furrowed his eyebrows now at Ethan's serious expression.

'Well...' Ethan started, and Alicia came up alongside him, breath ascending in billows into the cold air.

'This isn't easy..' Ethan let out a nervous laugh. 'I'm just going to be direct, because Ethan says, there is no easy way. Ethan and I, we've... well. I thought as we were down for fun, you might not be that bothered, but I realised better tell you now than later on.' Alicia gabbled.

Cal's expression slowly changed, taking it all in. 'What?' He let out a choked reply. 'Yes, I know you didn't break up long ago, and I'm sorry...' Ethan nodded, trying not to maintain eye contact longer than absolutely necessary with his brother, but sensing he was very much staring him out. 'I'm sorry- we're sorry.' Ethan stuttered, stumbling over his words.

'This is out of character, I thought you were kidding for a second, but, a slag though she is, at least there's the decency of the truth in her.' Cal shook his head. 'Now, that's not on!' Ethan said, furiously. Alicia looked like she'd been slapped, then dashed off into the building without looking back. 'Look what you've done.' He hissed.

'Alright Nibbles, she's hardly innocent is she? She's flaunting around how much of a woman she is so she can't just run away when she hears the truth about herself.' Cal spat.

'How dare you? How dare you?! I- We... have tried to tell you nicely! How else would you have preferred to find out?' Ethan shouted.

'My own little brother. All those times I've defended you, stuck up for you, and you go and sleep with my ex. You've really outdone yourself. Well done.' Cal shoved Ethan on his way past.

Ethan's first thought was Alicia, but he caught Lily's attention and sent her to find her. It wasn't going to be straightforward, yet he didn't feel the relief he imagined he would. In fact, this felt worse. He started to doubt himself and his motives. Keeping quiet would have without doubt been better.

Lily walked into the on call room quietly. 'Alicia.' She said.

'Yeah, sorry, I'll start my shift in five, it's just I-' She started.

Lily shook her head. 'Those brothers. Nothing's ever straightforward, is it?'

'Cal called me a...' She started. Lily waited, patient as ever. 'A slag. He said.' Alicia finished eventually.

'And did anything lead up to it?' Lily questioned, folding her arms.

'Yeah. Yeah... I broke something to him.' Alicia looked at Lily anxiously. Lily paused, as if putting the pieces together.

'You and Ethan have slept together?' She sighed.

'Makes me a terrible person, doesn't it.' Alicia sighed. Lily didn't answer. 'It was more than once, it's been for a while, I just feel a complete connection with him.' Alicia looked at Lily.

'I understand that... I don't think it makes you a bad person, either. If that's of consolation to you. Dr Knight, he, fears commitment. All girls want commitment, right? And, for what it is worth, you cannot help your feelings. You broke up with him months ago, and the past is in the past.' Lily advised.

'You've got good advice Lily, you know that? Alicia smiled weakly.

'Ethan's a good guy. Feelings aside, make the right decision. Don't hold yourself back. That's what matters.' Lily reached for the box on the side and then leaned to hand her a tissue.

'Take as long as you need, you know where to find me.' Lily said, and left. It was five seconds until the sound of high heels on vinyl was no longer audible. Her face crumpled and she sobbed.