It was the day of Ethan's last shift. He wanted to leave more than stay. He didn't feel that anything could change his mind about leaving. He thought about moving to Australia where doctors can work less for more money. Less stress for Ethan. But there was one person who didn't want him to go even though she was the only one that knew:

Lily saw Connie arrive for her shift. She hesitated whether or not she should speak to her boss about Ethan but she bit back her tongue and went into her office.

"Mrs Beauchamp." Lily spoke confidentially.

"Yes?" Connie responded, slightly caught off guard as she puts her phone down in her coat pocket quickly.

"You can't accept Dr Hardy's Resignation." Lily spoke strongly.

"I can't? Why?" Connie mumbled as she looked down at her desk.

"I..." Lily thought, this isn't about her. Connie looked up at Lily, awaiting an answer. "He's too good a doctor. We can't afford to lose someone of his calibre."

"Well, as general principle, I don't want anyone working here whose heart's not in the job so..." Connie didn't go on. She knew that Lily would understand.

"You can't believe that. It's Ethan." Lily huffed slightly.

"People burn out, Dr Chao. You should know that more than most, after Alicia." Connie frowned. Lily looked down in guilt. Does Connie not know what she had done? "It's a daily challenge here. Perhaps he's given up."

"Maybe. Doesn't mean we should give up on him." Lily sighed then left Connie's office leaving Connie to go back to her phone.

Cal walked up to Ethan who was standing at a computer looking at Australian job advertisements, Cal was hoping that Ethan would have decided to stay.

"So Nibbles. Have you thought about what you are going to do? Are you staying or leaving?" Cal asked as Ethan quickly shut the web page.

"Keep your voice down, Cal. I don't want anyone knowing that I'm leaving." Ethan anxiously pleaded.

"Why? You having second thoughts?" Cal asked.

"I..." Ethan thought then sighed. "I don't know but Mrs Beauchamp has asked to see me."

"Maybe she can persuade you to stay." Cal groaned as he walked away from Ethan. "But Ethan remember this; you're a great doctor. Not a very good brother but a really good doctor." Cal smiled lightly then continued to walked away. Ethan took in his brothers words then walked in the opposite direction to Connie's office.

Ethan stood outside Connie's office. Once he saw Connie returned to her office, Ethan followed her in.

"Sorry. Mrs Beauchamp, you asked to see me?" Ethan asked.

"Yes. About your resignation. Ive been looking for your replacement so-" Connie was cut off by Ethan.

"Okay. If it's about my notice period, I'm-" Connie cut Ethan off this time.

"And I've found someone." Connie finished her sentence.

"You have?" Ethan asked, stunned.

"Mm." Connie mumbled.

Oh. Who is it?" Ethan asked.

"Dr Shales. Paul Shales, from Edinburgh. He can start immediately." Connie answered.

"How immediately?" Ethan asked again.

"Next week."

"Right." Ethan felt slightly hurt that he was being brushed off so quickly. "That would mean-" Ethan was cut off once again.

"Today is your last shift. Yes." Connie spoke, trying not to sound sad.

"I see." Ethan sighed.

"Do you have a problem?" Connie asked.

"No, no, I suppose not. It's a bit sudden." Ethan hesitated. Connie could see Ethan was undecided about his resignation.

"Why don't you take some time to think about it, okay? Wouldn't want you to rush into anything." Connie requested.

"Um, how much time?" Ethan asked anxiously.

"End of today." Connie answered.

"Ooh. Okay." Ethan exhaled deeply. Connie suddenly remembered.

"Dr Chao seems to think your resigning is a mistake." Connie suggested.

"Does she?" Ethan frowned.

"We all have bad days now and then. It's how we respond that matters." Connie stared at Ethan, she could see he was taking in her words. She's hoping this has changed his mind. "End of today." Connie repeated as Ethan nodded then left the office.

A few moments later, Ethan went to sit outside with his head looking down at his arms and hands resting on his leg. He was torn between both ways. Everyone is saying he should stay and that running away isn't the answer but he was struggling deeply. He heard the sound of footprints coming his way but chose to ignore it until he heard that familiar voice.

"Dr Hardy? You okay?" Ethan looked up at the voice.

"Alicia? What are you doing here?" Ethan asked, slightly surprised.

"Oh we had to transfer a child here and the paramedics forgot a couple of papers for him so I said I would bring it here after my shift." Alicia replied.

"Is this just an excuse to come see everyone?" Ethan raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe." Alicia bit her lip as she cuddled the file. Ethan chuckled as did Alicia.

"Well I'm glad I got to see you today." Ethan responded.

"Why?" Alicia asked.

"I'm leaving. Today." Ethan sighed. Alicia's smile went.

"What? Why?" Alicia asked.

"It's just the system here. It's unfair on the patients." Ethan responded.

"Is it wise though? Leaving patients when you can help them get through the system? You're an excellent doctor, Ethan. This hospital would be losing a great one. Lily would be losing a great friend, her only friend probably." Alicia advised.

"It's too late to do anything now. Mrs Beauchamp's already found my replacement: Dr Paul Shales." Ethan scoffed.

"Shales, Shales, Shales." Alicia thought. "I'm pretty sure that's the same name as that Holby Pulse writer. He done the article on Robyn. Funny coincidence." Alicia smiled. Ethan sat there and thought then lightly smiled.

"Yes...coincidence." Ethan pondered. Alicia thought about it as well then remembered why she was here.

"Right I better get these documents to Mrs Beauchamp." Alicia then walked towards the ED, taking a deep breath as she entered into reception. She looked around to see everything was the same.

"Alicia?!" A squeaky voice called. Alicia turned her head to the side to spot Robyn walking towards her. Robyn embraced her in a strong hug.

"What are you doing here?! Have you come back?" Robyn asked excitedly.

"Ah no, I'm afraid not. Just dropping off some documents for Mrs Beauchamp." Alicia responded to Robyn's disappointed face.

"Why?" Robyn asked.

"They're for a boy that got transferred here from St James." Alicia replied.

"You're working at St James now?!" Robyn's excitement picked back up. "That's great. That's great that you are still an F2 somewhere." Lily who was about to enter reception through the doors that were next to the elevator, saw Alicia and Robyn but hid on the other side of the doors listening to their conversation.

"I'm not an F2. I'm a registrar now." Alicia stated. Lily smiled slightly. She hoped that her mentoring helped slightly but she couldn't help but feel a little bad.

"That's great!" Robyn squealed.

"Yeah, I suppose I kind of owe Dr Chao a little. She did mentor me." Alicia suggested.

"By Alicia, you helped you. She just bullied you. Louise told me everything." Robyn frowned.

"It's in the past now, Robyn. I'm just hoping to move on from it. Starting with these documents to Mrs Beauchamp." Alicia smiled.

"Awesome. I go to go cubicles anyway." Robyn smiled as she walked next to Alicia to cubicles. Whilst Lily looked down thinking if she should apologise to Alicia or to leave it and move on like Alicia has done.

Chapter's slightly long so I'm breaking it down into two parts which I will release sometime tomorrow.

I'm honestly struggling with this story. Writing normally is seriously boring me. I'm quite surprised with myself that I haven't hurt any characters so far.