Guest, thank you very much! A couple of people did ask me to continue it so I am, but I'm glad you liked the first three chapters.

AV Mabs, I'm glad you enjoyed the reverse psychology! I just had a feeling that might work with Cal. And I'm not always stoic. If I'm upset, then I'm really upset! As you know haha.

CBloom2, well it's not very short, but I have written another chapter and it does include what you said. Thank you for your kind review!

Tanith Panic, maybe women are so tough, they don't need to be told to man up! My mum and sister are definitely the toughest people I know and I've often wished I took after them. But I'm sorry it offended you and I've changed it.

GiraffeGirl, thank you for your review - I'm really happy you enjoyed it and that you found it believable.

Minnie4114, it's so good to see you back, I've missed you! I'm afraid the conversation isn't very deep as Cal isn't really up to it, but it is a conversation!

Rose, thank you for your review and I'm so happy you're enjoying it. I'd already written the chapter by the time I got your review, so it's not quite what you suggested, but I hope you like it.

TheAtomicCheesepuff, thank you for the idea, I like it! I'm a bit worried this story has kind of come to a natural end with this chapter, but maybe it could work as a separate (though linked) story with more focus on Ethan and the other doctors?

Cal was expecting Ethan to lecture him all the way home, but his brother said very little. Cal sat with his eyes closed and hoped that either the journey or his life would be over soon.

"We're here," said Ethan.

Cal sniffed and gathered up the numerous medications and tissues on his lap, only to drop most of them as soon as he got out of the car. Ethan patiently picked them up and insisted on carrying them. The stairs seemed extra steep today and Cal kept stopping to cough or sneeze, but finally they were in the flat.

"Go to bed," said Ethan gently.

Cal had hoped being in bed would make him feel better, but he felt as exhausted and bunged-up as ever. "Why can't you just shoot me, Ethan?"

Ethan smiled. "Because I'd only miss you," he said, and left the room.

Ethan returned ten minutes later with a tray, but Cal was asleep.

He didn't look well. His forehead was still shiny with sweat and his pale cheeks contrasted sharply with his red nose. His breathing was certainly laboured, though no more so than Ethan would expect from someone with a bad cold.

Ethan put the tray on a chair, then pulled back the bedclothes and put the hot water bottle he'd filled beside Cal. Cal immediately felt its warmth and, without waking up, wrapped his arms around it. Ethan removed the decongestant that had found its way into Cal's bed and tucked him in.

Ethan quickly scribbled a note, gave his brother one last look, and went back to work.

Cal awoke slowly. At first, all he knew was that he was in bed and he was warm. Then he realised he couldn't breathe through his nose and his whole body was aching. Cal closed his eyes and groaned as the memories came back to him. He'd gone to work when he shouldn't have; he'd managed to offend half his patients; and as usual he'd needed his little brother to rescue him. His surprisingly unsympathetic little brother, though he had calmed down a bit when they'd got home.

Cal sneezed. It seemed to hurt every part of his body. He lay there and sniffed, not wanting to move, but he decided he needed a tissue and reluctantly sat up. Propped up against the tissue box was a note from Ethan. Probably a list of chores Ethan wanted him to do. Cal dropped the note on the bed and put the tissues next to his pillow so he could reach them without sitting up. Sitting up was overrated.

He left the note where he was for a while, feeling too ill to care much about anything, but eventually, curiosity won out. Ethan's writing was still far too legible for a doctor, but Cal was grateful on this occasion. Deciphering difficult handwriting wouldn't help the headache that was pounding across his forehead.

Cal, I had to go back to work, but I made you some cheese on toast. I'm sure it will help even if you're not hungry. There's a flask of tea too and some more tissues. I brought your new box set too in case you feel like watching it. If you need anything else, phone me and I'll pick it up on the way home. I hope you feel better soon. You'll hate me for this, but I'm glad you came home. I was worried about you. Ethan

Cal thought the whole substance of the note could have been communicated in a couple of words, but Ethan never used a couple of words when a paragraph would do. Ethan had gone to a lot of effort, Cal realised. He still didn't quite understand why Ethan had told him to stay at the hospital and get on with his work, but Ethan had spent his whole life saying weird things.

Cal didn't want to sit up again. He definitely didn't want to eat, but he knew he needed food and Ethan would worry even more if he didn't eat it.

Maybe, for once in his life, it was time for Cal to make the effort for Ethan.

Ethan was exhausted when he got home. He hoped he wasn't coming down with Cal's cold. He didn't think there was much chance of avoiding it, but maybe he could stay healthy until Cal was back at work.

He went to Cal's room and tapped on the door.

"Come in!" said Cal. He was still nasal and rather hoarse, but he sounded more welcoming than he usually did.

Ethan saw at once that Cal's plate was empty, save for a few crumbs. "How are you?"

"Getting there," said Cal. "Would you like some tea?" He held out the flask. "I saved you some. And I didn't put a spider in it this time." He looked slightly shamefaced. "Actually I didn't put a spider in it last time either."

Ethan didn't want to take Cal's tea, but Cal's expression was almost pleading. He sat on the edge of the bed and drank it. "Thank you. That's very kind of you."

Cal seemed a bit embarrassed. "You've been kind to me, haven't you? So it's only fair I should be kind to you. Ethan… I'm sorry I was so stupid and stubborn."

Ethan resisted the urge to take Cal's temperature. He really must be ill if he was saying things like that. "It's okay. I probably did go over the top with the nagging."

"You didn't," said Cal tiredly. "I was making a mess of everything. I shouldn't have been there."

"You didn't make a mess of everything," said Ethan. "The only patient you really didn't help was yourself."

Cal's eyelids were drooping. "Maybe."

"But you're looking after yourself now," said Ethan.

"No." Cal sneezed. "You're looking after me. As usual."

Ethan gave him a tissue. "Let's call it a joint effort. An unusually successful one."

Cal blew his nose. "First time for everything, I suppose." He closed his eyes.

Ethan stayed with his brother until he was asleep.