westlife4ever80, I'm not sure we'll get him to admit it quite yet, but I think Dylan would do pretty much anything for Angela. Even something really difficult for him like comforting a distressed colleague! I'm so glad you still like their relationship. Thank you for your review.

Bonnie Sveen Fan, it is a good thing Dylan was there when Cal needed someone and he is surprisingly good in this kind of situation, as he showed in last week's episode with David too. Thank you for your review.

X-Sammii-X, thank you for your review. I'm glad you've enjoyed catching up with this story. You have no reason to feel bad for getting behind - it happens to everyone and that definitely includes me, so please don't worry.

BexieID, thank you for your review. I'm so pleased you enjoyed the chapter. I sometimes save chapters as a kind of reward for getting through something that was either difficult or unpleasant or just to celebrate the end of a really long day!

Tanith Panic, thank you for your review. I'm glad you like the way Dylan supported Cal. You'll find out about Ethan in this chapter. I'd really like it if Cal and Dylan became friends in Casualty. It would help take Cal's mind off Sam and Ethan. I'm not sure Sam wants to be friends with Cal and Ethan's just being an idiot.

LoveFiction2016, I think Dylan is definitely a bit of a softie inside! I love that side of him too. He might well show more of it in this story! Thank you for your review.


Cal was grateful for Angela's presence as they walked into the office. The sight of the desk and chairs made Cal tense up. A knot of apprehension formed in his stomach as he wondered what might be wrong. He knew it might be something fairly small – though probably not that small considering they'd called him away from his job – but nothing would seem small when it was Ethan.

He sat down and Angela took the seat beside him. "It's not necessarily anything serious as it is Ethan's first full day here, but we don't want to ignore it and do nothing unless we're sure it's the right thing to do. Ethan won't eat; won't talk; won't stop crying. But he does keep saying your name."

Cal's eyes welled with tears. It wasn't as bad as it could have been, but Ethan was so sad and he didn't see what he could do.

"We were wondering if you might be able to persuade him to eat," said Angela. "Not because we've given up – we definitely haven't – but it can be helpful sometimes to see a patient interacting with someone who knows them well. It can help us get to know the patient a bit better and get to know the kinds of things they respond to. It doesn't always work, of course – he might respond to you because you're his brother. But we're concerned and we'd really like to give it a try if that's all right with you."

"Yeah… sure. Of course we can try," said Cal. He looked helplessly at Angela. "But why would that work? If I couldn't help him before. Why would that change now?"

"I'll be honest - sometimes it doesn't l," said Angela. "But sometimes people try to hide their feelings – from themselves as well as from other people. Even though they might be feeling terrible and it's very clear they do feel terrible, they haven't completely given up and at that stage, they sometimes do have the strength to resist help. But when a patient makes a decision like Ethan did, then they're very often asking for help or at least admitting they can't manage alone. There's often a change in their mindset in this point. Much as we want to help someone before they reach that stage – and we really, really do – it's not always possible."

"No. I suppose not," admitted Cal. "In the ED, if a patient refuses treatment, there's not really very much you can do."

"We do have a little bit more power than that, but our problem is similar," said Angela. "We can only do so much. But situations do change; mindsets can change. Perhaps Ethan is ready to be helped now."

Cal tried to speak casually; as though he wasn't terrified. "So can I see him?"

"Of course," said Angela. "We'll go now."

Cal was trembling as he got to his feet. His chest felt tight and the walk to the ward seemed impossibly long, but then he was there, his brother right in front of him, and he wished he was still walking because he never wanted to see his brother in this state.

He blinked away the tears that were threatening to fill his eyes and sat down. "Hey, Ethan." His voice trembled slightly, but it was remarkably steady for a man who was watching his brother cry with great, groaning sobs, his face buried in his knees.

Ethan didn't reply.

Cal touched his shoulder and felt Ethan start slightly in response. "It's Cal. I'm right here, buddy. Want to have a proper cuddle?"

The relief that hit him when Ethan lifted his head and looked at him almost made Cal cry again, but he knew he had to be the strong one. He sat on the bed and pulled Ethan into his arms. Ethan wrapped his arms tightly around Cal's waist, his sobs quieter now. Cal stroked his hair and murmured every stupid cliché that came into his head, but it didn't seem to make matters worse and that seemed all Cal could hope for at this time. Not making it worse.

At last, Ethan lifted his head, his face sticky and wet from crying. Cal offered him a tissue and was so pleased when Ethan took it and used it by himself.

"That's right, Nibbles. Well done," said Cal, wondering if it was all right to say that or not. He didn't want to patronise him, but he was proud of his little brother. Cal had been depressed. He knew how much effort it could take to do anything at all and Ethan was much more depressed than Cal had been.

"Cal…" said Ethan, looking up at him; the name saying so much and so little.

"Yeah, I know," said Cal. "It's horrible for you and you can't see how it's going to get better and everyone keeps trying to get you to do things. It is really hard. But it's the first step to getting better and you can do it, Ethan. I believe in you."

Ethan said nothing, but his gaze was fastened on Cal.

"Okay. I don't want to be a nag because it's so annoying when you do it to me… just messing… but Angela says you're not eating," said Cal. "I know you're probably not hungry. Being sad either makes you want to eat everything in sight or nothing at all. But you're a doctor. All that nutrition stuff is a bit annoying, but it is usually right. Except about brussel sprouts. No way are those things meant for human consumption."

Ethan sniffed and his lips quivered a bit. It might have been an attempt at a smile.

"So how about we get something and eat it together?" said Cal. "You could just have a tiny bit. I don't mind scoffing more than my fair share."

"You never do," whispered Ethan and rested his cheek against Cal's chest.

Cal hugged him.


Dylan was about to check on a patient, but he stopped when he saw Cal walking towards him, his head down. He considered saying nothing. Everyone knew about Ethan and they'd probably offer better support than Dylan could. But still, he found himself asking: "How's Ethan?"

Cal looked up and stared at Dylan for a moment as though he was having trouble understanding what he'd said. "Um…" His eyes seemed to focus. "Better than I was expecting. I got him to eat something. He's having therapy now. He didn't want to do it and I don't know how much he'll participate, but he's agreed to give it a go."

Dylan nodded, unsure what to say. "First sessions can be the most difficult."

"That's true," said Cal. He rested his hand briefly on Dylan's arm. "Thanks for your support, Dylan. It really helped."

Dylan nodded again, uncomfortable with the physical contact, but he didn't want to show it. "If… if you want to go and see Ethan again, I can cover for you."

Cal's eyes widened slightly, then he smiled. "Thanks. That would be really good if I could go up a couple of times during the afternoon. I probably won't stay long unless… something's happened, but if you could keep a bit of an eye on my patients…"

"Of course," said Dylan.

"Thank you."

For a horrible moment, Dylan thought Cal was going to hug him, but to his relief, he just patted him on the shoulder and left.


Dylan was relieved when the end of his shift finally arrived. For once, he was able to leave almost on time, but he felt like he'd been working for a lot longer. Helping with Cal's patients as well as treating his own had probably contributed, but he felt it was more than that.

He'd always done well with staying detached from the other doctors and their personal problems – Zoe, of course, excepted. But somehow he'd found himself involved in the problems Cal and Ethan were facing and he realised he was actually worried about them.

"Dylan?"

Dylan felt his mood and his energy lift almost immediately. It made little sense considering Angela was involved in Ethan's care and the fact she wanted to speak to him could mean more bad news, but nevertheless, the sound of her voice made him feel lighter and calmer. "Angela."

"I'm glad I caught you," said Angela, falling into step beside him. "How are you?"

"Fine," said Dylan awkwardly. "How's Ethan? And, er, you, of course."

Angela smiled. "I'm well, thank you. Ethan's making some progress. I just hope…" She broke off. "Sorry. It doesn't matter."

"No, you can tell me," said Dylan without meaning to. "If you want to. If it's not confidential. Though even if it is, you can trust me."

"I…" Angela looked at him for a moment. "I just hope I'm helping him and not making it worse. It's difficult when you know a patient. As I'm sure you know. I always want to help my patients. But with Ethan, it seems more important that I help him and that might be affecting my judgement. I shouldn't have called Cal away from his job just because Ethan wouldn't each his lunch. I worried him and it disrupted the ED. But I had to do something."

"Maybe you shouldn't be working with him," said Dylan.

Angela looked a little hurt.

Dylan felt angry with himself. Why couldn't he just say the right thing? Everyone else managed it. "I mean… as you said, it's difficult to work with someone you know and although it can only help him to have the support of an excellent mental health nurse, perhaps it might help him more if another mental health nurse fulfils that role and you continue to be Ethan's friend. Which is another role I'm sure you'll perform very well."

Now, Angela looked not so much surprised as startled. And definitely not hurt. "An excellent mental health nurse?" she said as though she could hardly believe it.

"Yes. You are," said Dylan. "I wouldn't say that unless I meant it."

"Oh, Dylan…" Angela seemed quite emotional.

Dylan waited for the impatience and irritation, but it didn't come. "You really do need to believe in yourself, Angela. I'm sure there are plenty of people who do believe in you, including me, but you need to as well. We all have moments of self-doubt, but we can't let them take control."

"You're right," said Angela, sounding more like herself now. "And I usually wouldn't."

"But it's different when you know the patient," said Dylan, genuinely sympathetic. He paused for a moment. "Do you like boats?"

"I… yes," said Angela, looking slightly surprised. "Yes, I do."

"If you'd like some company, then you're welcome to… no. Of course you don't."

"If you're inviting me to visit you and Dervla, Dylan, I'd love to."