I'm so sorry it took so long for me to post this. I tried to write it yesterday and couldn't get past the first section. I finished it this afternoon, but it was all wrong and I hated it. So I started all over again. It's better than it was before. And I'm sorry about the massive plot hole where some things happen the following day and some things happen the same day. I'm so annoyed with myself about that, but let's just assume everything happens on the same day.

Thank you so much for all your support with this story - you are all so lovely and it really helped a lot. I just wish I'd written a better final chapter. You are amazing and you deserve a really good finale.

tracys dream, thank you for your review - I'm so glad you've enjoyed this story. I hope the last chapter lives up to your expectations.

ETWentHome, thank you for your review. The trouble is, it never does seem like the right time for Cal to tell Ethan, but I'm glad you agree it was the wrong time then. Thank you - you're very kind to say it was beautifully-written!

totti10, I think Connie needed to hear it too, though perhaps Zoe's not best-placed to advise people on how to treat their boyfriends! I'm so glad this isn't predictable. Thank you for your review - and for the idea of Dixie lying beside Iain...

Tanith Panic, if I do maintain tension, I don't know how! I usually just write and hope. I think Zoe might have had a point, but it probably wasn't the best time, the best place or the best person to be making it! Thank you for your review.

20BlueRoses, thank you for your review. I suppose Ethan might be more lenient if he hears the news now - after everything they've both been through, the delay might not matter so much.

Thank you xCHOCOPOPx for the follow and favourite.

Iain pushed open the door and stood back awkwardly, allowing Dixie to go into the flat ahead of him. She paused for a moment, full of misgivings as she wondered firstly about the state of the flat and secondly whether this was really a good idea.

"You okay?" said Iain from behind her. "I promise you it's reasonably hygienic. I bring Rita round here all the time and she doesn't nag too much."

Dixie threw a smile over her shoulder at him and walked slowly in the flat. It was messy; it wasn't the cleanest place she'd ever been to, but she had to admit it could be a lot worse.

"Go and sit down and I'll make you a cuppa," said Iain. "Unless you'd prefer something stronger?"

"I don't think anything is stronger than your tea," said Dixie.

Her voice didn't sound quite right. It was a little higher than it should have been. Perhaps a little shakier. But it wasn't too bad.

Iain laughed. "You haven't even sat down and already you're insulting me!"

Dixie shook her head and tried to smile. "No, it's okay. I was only joking."

"Thought you might be," said Iain, and gave her a friendly push towards the sofa. Dixie realised it was too late to back out now and went to sit down. She felt tense and couldn't get comfortable, but she knew that was nothing to do with the sofa.

It was just… different. Staying overnight with a mate. She didn't think she'd done it for a long time. She knew she ought to be cheerful and try to be good company, but she wasn't sure she could manage it. Now she was finally here, she could feel tiredness seeping through her body.

But she didn't try to kid herself that she'd be able to sleep.

Not tonight. Perhaps not for many nights.

"Here you are!" said Iain cheerfully, returning with two mugs of tea. "Now, as you're my guest, Dix, and I want to make a good impression, what we can do is up to you. We can talk if you like – the guest picks the conversation. We can watch a DVD. Not everything I own is pornographic. Or we could just go to bed. In a completely platonic way because much as it breaks my heart, I think I've got as much chance with Cal as I have with you."

Dixie laughed. "I had no idea you felt that way about Cal."

"I'm a man of many secrets," said Iain.

For a while, the silence was companionable, but then Dixie's memories started to intrude and she turned quickly to Iain, saying the first thing that came into her head. "You do have a spare bed, right?"

"No," said Iain, "but it is a double and I did change the sheets since Rita last stayed over."

"You'd better not snore," said Dixie.

"You'd better not snore either," countered Iain.

Dixie punched him. "Hey! I thought I was supposed to be your guest."

Iain shrugged. "I say it to all my mates. And you'd better not talk in your sleep."

"You'd better not fart in bed," said Dixie.

"You'll soon find out, Dix," said Iain, laughing wickedly. "You'll soon find out."

Dixie groaned. "What have I let myself in for?"

But she knew the answer to that.

A night of distractions. A night of friendship and laughter.

A night she could probably get through.

Connie had to walk past the nurse's station three times before she finally saw Jacob. She didn't know if he heard her heels or somehow sensed her presence. He lifted his head and showed no surprise as he smiled at her.

Connie's eyes met his. Not a word was spoken.

Five minutes later, he arrived in her office.

"Shut the door, Staff Nurse Masters," said Connie.

Smiling, Jacob did as he was told.

"Jacob."

"Oh, so it's Jacob now, is it, Sweet Cheeks?"

"Jacob, thank you for coming to speak to me today," said Connie. "it was… thoughtful of you."

"Apology accepted," said Jacob.

He always did know how to make her smile.

Damn him.

"I just wanted to make sure there was no misunderstanding between us," said Connie.

"No, I don't think so," said Jacob. "I've always thought I understood you pretty well."

"I just like to keep my work and personal lives separate," said Connie. "I know I push you away. I push everyone away. But that's just how I am. In this job, we see terrible, devastating, emotional things every day. I have to keep a distance or I wouldn't be able to do it. That means all my emotions have to be at a distance. Sometimes I can't do it. But I always have to try."

"I get that," said Jacob.

Connie looked at him. "Really?"

"Sure," said Jacob. "But if the trying gets too much, you know I'm here, right?"

Connie hesitated, then nodded. She put her arms around Jacob and allowed herself, just for a moment to rest her head against his shoulder. "I know."

"Hi," said Zoe.

Max looked up from his sweeping and gave her a quick smile. "Hi."

He returned to his sweeping.

Zoe felt physical pain. This was Max, who was always so happy to seize any excuse to stop working. She took a step towards him, her arm outstretched, then she angrily asked herself what she was doing. That was what had got her into this mess in the first place.

"Look, about before," said Zoe. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I was upset about Cal. I said a lot of things I shouldn't have said."

Max carried on sweeping, his back turned to Zoe. For a moment, she thought he was going to ignore her, but then he leaned his broom against the wall and turned to face her. "We all say things we shouldn't have said sometimes. Especially when someone we care about is fighting for his life."

"I just really hope," said Zoe; "not that I have any right to ask this. I'm lucky that you wanted to be my friend once. I shouldn't be expecting…"

"Zoe, I'm sorry: this isn't really a good time," said Max. "I've got to work and I'm sure you have to, so…"

Zoe's head dropped and with it her hopes. "Right. Sure. I'll see you later."

"So maybe we could meet up for a drink?" said Max. "Just as friends, but…"

It was all Zoe could do not to throw her arms around his neck. "Yes," she said, unable to hide her relief. "That sounds good, Max. Yes. As friends."

"Do you think they're coming back?" said Cal.

Ethan stroked his arm. "I don't know, Cal. There might be more they need to ask you. But you did very well and I'm sure you'll be fine if they have to interview you again."

Cal looked as though he wasn't sure at all. "If they come back, will you be there?"

Ethan swallowed down his emotion. He wasn't used to seeing Cal so needy – at least, he wasn't used to hearing him admit to needing Ethan. "Of course, if that's what you want."

Cal nodded and closed his eyes. "I don't know…. I just need…"

"It's okay, Cal," said Ethan. "Whatever you need, just ask."

"Thanks," whispered Cal.

Ethan stroked his arm some more, surprised by how natural it felt. He took a deep breath. He couldn't let this opportunity go by. "And if there's anything you want to talk about…"

Cal's eyes snapped open. "Like what?"

"I don't know," said Ethan. "But…" He searched Cal's face: the sad eyes with the still slightly-swollen lids. "There is something, Cal, isn't there? Something you haven't told me?"

Cal gave him a pleading look, but he said nothing and finally he nodded.

"Something I should know about?" said Ethan gently.

Cal nodded again.

Ethan moved his hand down Cal's arm and took both his brother's hands in his. "Are you ill, Cal?"

A look of panic passed over Cal's face. "What makes you think that?"

"It was the way you reacted when the policeman asked you about health conditions," said Ethan. "I thought at first that you'd just had enough of the questions, but it wasn't that, was it?"

Cal looked at Ethan, fire in his eyes. A denial seemed imminent. But then the anger faded from Cal's face and he looked down at their joined hands.

"You don't have to tell me anything now," said Ethan. "I know you're tired and upset and it can't be easy to talk about. But please tell me this much, Cal." His voice trembled. "Are you ill?"

Cal's eyes were wide and desperate. "I don't know," he whispered.

Ethan wasn't surprised. He guessed Cal had been performing his usual trick of burying his head in the sand and trying to forget what might be wrong.

But although it wasn't a surprise, it was still a shock to hear it. His brother could be unwell… and he didn't need any further explanation from Cal to know it was serious.

Ethan tried to steady his breathing. He had to stay strong for Cal. He just had to.

"Cal, whatever's wrong, I'm here. I'll support you. I told you you weren't alone and I meant it."

Cal focused haunted blue eyes on Ethan. His lips trembled violently as he said the words. "Ethan, I'm so sorry."

Ethan felt an answering sting in his own eyes, but he knew he couldn't give in to it. "You don't have to apologise, Cal. And you don't have to tell me now. I know it's hard for you to talk about and you've been through so much already." His hands tightened on Cal's. "But I'm here, Cal, and I always will be. Whenever you're ready to talk, I'll be listening."