Connie heard three sharp knocks on her door. All she wanted to do was be alone with her thoughts. Her thoughts about Alfred, but it seemed that was not going to happen and the knocking continued. She instructed the person to come in and saw Rita and Ethan. Rita was the last person she wanted to see, but seeing Ethan looking so panicked, she knew that Rita wasn't there to cause trouble.
"We think Cal may be in a bit of a situation... Rita spoke carefully. Connie nodded her on to continue but Rita just didn't have the words, and Ethan couldn't bring himself to say anything about it. "Well...er..." Rita played Connie the recording, finding it easier for her to not say anything and to have proof. Two birds with one stone. Connie's face turned from being expectant, to one of dread, and one Rita had never seen on the Clinical Lead before.
Ethan was sitting in a world of his own though, not quite believing the situation that unfolded. In some way he blamed himself. He was the one who called to police on Taylor. It was his fault she was arrested. It was his fault Cal is so upset, and it is his fault he wasn't there for his brother. If he had been there for Cal, then he wouldn't have felt the need to get drunk.
On the other hand, Cal chose to get drunk over talking to his brother. True, they weren't really close a year previously, but Ethan and Cal had grown to each other. Ethan wanted to be there for Cal, but he just didn't know how to if Cal wouldn't speak to him.
Ethan was stuck, believing two different things at the same time. As was Cal.
Cal knew that he was in the wrong for accepting a drink off of a complete stranger, but in his drunken state, he could have done anything. However, he shouldn't have been out in the first place. Cal knew what state he could get in when he drinks, so he should've done the sensible thing and stayed at home. Instead, he did what he always had done, causing all of this.
If he told anyone, they would all just lecture him about his stupidity or idiocy. He'd seen enough of these cases to know how to avoid these situations, and yet he was the stupid one that didn't. It was all his fault and he intended to keep it a secret.
Before Connie could say anything in response to the voice recording, she heard Ethan mumble something incoherent from the back of the room, before he walked out. "What did he say?" Connie asked confused.
"Something about being there for Cal…I don't really know…" Rita told her. "What are we going to do?" She sighed. If Cal wasn't going to tell anyone, they would have to find a way to get through to him.
"Honestly, I have no idea." Connie admitted, standing up to be face to face with Rita. "We can't do anything if he doesn't tell anyone."
"How many people admit to these things, though? They always need some push in the right direction." Rita pondered, remembering her experience in these matters.
"He should know what to do. He's a doctor for god's sake!" Connie almost shouted. Her anger wasn't because of Cal, or because he wasn't saying anything. No, it was because one of her members of staff was in this situation. She could only guess how badly Cal must be feeling, and wanted him to know he had the support of everyone.
"Maybe he'll tell Ethan?" Rita asked. In truth, she knew that would be a long shot, as did Connie. They'd had their 'ups' and 'downs' while at Holby, but right now, they were defiantly experiencing a 'down'. "Actually, he won't…" Rita corrected herself, not allowing Connie to come in with a snide remark as she would usually do.
"We could find some excuse to take some blood from him…then check for a date rape drug in his system…" Connie speculated. Rita smiled admiringly at her, before nodding her head in agreement. "I mean, we need an excuse…" That was the worst part. There was no reason why Cal needed to be tested for anything.
"Well, what about…he looks tired, and we want to check if he is okay?" Rita suggested. "Or he looks unwell, and we want to check if he's caught anything."
"He's been looking unwell ever since Taylor's arrest. He's just tired. He'll never believe our motive." Connie had just put her foot in Rita's idea, and Rita grew slightly agitated. In another situation, she probably would've retorted, 'I'd like to hear your suggestions, then', but in this case, she was happy to let it pass.
"Well, we'll just have to try and get it out of him then." Connie threw her a knowing glance, which Rita returned with a slight smile. "Should be easy enough…" She joked, causing Connie to share a grin with her.
"Cal's a stubborn man. He won't tell anyone, I doubt he'll even tell Ethan. He hasn't already, and he has had chances to." It was more of a spoken thought, and she wasn't expecting a reply. Rita just nodded in agreement. "Hang on, what about his patient…the one going to SARC?" Light bulb moment. "Can't she convince him?" Rita took out her phone and played part of the recording.
"No. You are not to tell anyone, understand?!" Came Cal's voice. It sounded harsh.
"Why shouldn't I? They'll find out sooner or later..." She reminded him. Connie was still surprised at how she seemed calm. It baffled her the first time she listened to the recording too.
"They won't. I'll make sure they don't." Cal sounded determined. Rita and Connie knew it would be hard to get Cal to tell anyone, even confidentially.
"They will. What about your bruised arms or chest? Your obvious nervousness..."
"Don't tell them. Just...don't" The harsh manner and tone Cal's voice took on was unmistakable. It sounded like he was determined not to let anyone find out. It was obvious Imogen wouldn't convince him. The light bulb went out.
"Bruises, of course! How could I have been so stupid?" Connie spoke exasperated. It was like she was hearing the conversation for the first time. "He has bruises!" Rita's face was half-way between confusion and bewilderment. On examining Rita's face, Connie explained herself. "He's wearing a long sleeve top. That means he MUST be hiding bruises! He never wears long sleeve tops with his scrubs." Rita could slap herself for being so stupid.
"So, all we have to do it get Cal out of that top." Rita concluded. The smile that she had faded. "That won't be easy…" Connie's hopeful grin faded too. This would be harder than they thought.
Well, this was basically just a filler chapter, but we'll see Cal again next chapter, which should be up in the next couple of days, hopefully!
Thank you for reviewing the last chapter, and for the favourites and follows so far. It helps when you know people are enjoying what you write! This is actually turning out longer than expected. Originally it was meant to be a three chapter story- about 3,000 words. But, through a suggestion, it has grown longer. There has been another suggestion from Casualtylovver, and it is not stupid, don't worry. You might be able to see that suggestion come to life in this story.
Please review if you have a spare minute!
