"Ok, I want an urgent chest X-ray followed by an X-ray of her leg!" Ethan's voice demanded. He grabbed the stethoscope from his brothers neck and began to examine his patient. He listened to the uneven breaths she was taking and handed his brothers stethoscope back. "She's going to need an urgent chest drain too. She's got a pneumothorax." Ethan explained his findings. "Pass me a gown and some drapes!" Cal's voice rang out. He pulled the drapes over Keira's small body and Ethan pulled her blouse open. "Dr Hardy, what's happening?" She whispered shakily. "Basically you've got a collapsed lung. We're going to insert a tube into it to drain the air from it." Ethan said looking at her reassuringly. Their eyes met. "Ok, will it hurt?" She asked. "I'm afraid so, but Dr Knight is my brother and he's very gentle." Ethan said taking her hand in his and raising her arm above her head. He adjusted the drapes giving his brother access to the site and placed the oxygen mask over Keira's face. Cal pulled on a pair of gloves. He reached for the scalpel that lay menacingly on the tray beside him. He placed a steadying hand on the side of Keira's chest. He could feel her ragged breaths and erratic heartbeat radiating through the palm of his hand. He clasped the scalpel between his fingers. He dragged the point across her chest carefully drawing a straight red line.
Keira whimpered as the scalpel sliced through her delicate skin, squeezing Ethan's hand. "It's ok, it won't be much longer." Ethan soothed grabbing a tissue and carefully drying her moistened eyes. She felt the sharp scalpel leave her chest. "Ok Keira, this is going to be rather uncomfortable." Cal said gently. He pressed his fingers into the incision and pulled it apart slowly. He grasped the clamp tightly and expertly threaded the tube into place. "Cough for me!" He ordered. Keira coughed weakly and the chest drain bubbled to life. "I'll suture." He nodded to his younger brother. He finished stitching with a flourish. He cut the excess thread and passed the equipment back to the nurse. "I'll just go and fetch you some morphine for the pain." Cal mumbled as he walked t of huge room. He strode back in brandishing a tray would of equipment. "Cal, she's afraid of needles." Ethan whispered quickly. Keira started to hyperventilate, her breathing was shallow due to the pain of her chest drain, she was curled up against the furthest railing of her he bed from the two young doctors. Ethan swiped a hand through his dripping hair. "Cal, let me do it." Ethan said, his hand out ready to take the syringe. "Here, I'll go and comfort her." He handed his younger brother the tray and walked to the other side of huge bed. Keira sat up slowly, wincing with each tug in her chest drain. She leant forwards and a few lone tears ran down her rosy cheeks. "Keira, darling, Ethan's going to give you something for the pain. I want you to keep looking at me. He put his arm across her shoulders and watched as she cuddled closer. Ethan prepped the syringe and tied a tourniquet around Keira's upper arm. Keira shuddered as she felt the tourniquet being tightened. "Just keep looking at me." Cal murmured stroking her messy hair. She buried her head into his shoulder when the needle pierced her skin. "Ok, Keira, it's all done now!" Ethan smiled. Cal disentangled himself from her grip and she sank back into the pillows welcoming the unconsciousness that swept over her as the pain faded away.
