AN: I can't believe you all got me past 100 reviews! Seriously it means so much to me. Thank you to every single one of y'all! This chapter isn't my favorite, but I hope you enjoy =]

Saturday 3:36 AM

Finally it's calm in the West Wing as all the injured people from the highway crash are being taken care of. No serious injuries so Cheryl checks on all of them one more time before clocking out, again. She text Brendan 4 times but he doesn't respond. She knows he's most likely fine, but there's always that part in the back of her mind that's shouting 'He's in trouble. I need to find him. I need to help him. Be the sister he deserves for once and protect him.' So Cheryl checks everyplace she knows he would be at. The break room, the nurses' station, the schedule board, the cafeteria, and finally Stes room. He's nowhere.

"Sean...Sean have...have you seen...Brendan?" She struggles to get the sentence out as she has been running back and forth in a panic.

"Breathe Cheryl. He said he was going to the North Wing to start writing up a treatment plan or something like that."

"Oh thank god. What time was this?"

"About 30 minutes ago."

"Ok thanks." Cheryl gives him an apologetic smile and leaves. She doesn't want to get perceived as a crazy surgeon so she decides not to run there. She picks up her pace as she walks down a very deserted hallway. When the doors for the North Wing appear in her sight she says 'screw it' and runs. Luckily for her it's empty. It's completely different over here as there isn't much movement going on. Some lights are turned off to allow the patients to be more at rest. This though makes it difficult for the staff as she soon discovers when she trips right over a child's chair.

"Fucking hell." Cheryl picks herself up and limps over to the nurse's counter and hopes Brendan is there. She smiles to herself as she sees the lamps on the counter are turned on. Right in front of those lamps is her younger brother, eyes glued to this paperwork. She doesn't want to surprise him so she lightly taps the counter to get his attention and waves when he looks up.

"What you doing here?" Brendan puts down his pen and spins his chair around so he can look at her.

"Well you never responded back to my text so was just checking up on you." She moves behind the counter and takes a seat on a chair next to him.

"Sorry I got it back there charging."

"Oh ok. So what you doing here anyway. Kinda lonely." She looks around and it really is. There is no one here besides them two. If a pin was to drop you would be able to hear it. The lights in all of the patient's rooms are turned off.

"I had to redo my patients' physical therapy plan. She kept complaining that it was too difficult so since I had time I figured I should just get it over with."

"Oh. Have you made Stes plan yet? We're going to move him over here in a couple days remember." She sees him tense up a little and then his eyes flick in another direction. "What?"

"Nothing. I haven't made them yet. I'll start on them later."

"Is everything alright? I don't mean to pry but you two seemed all buddy buddy and now well...I don't know. You get into an argument or something?"

"No. Just drop it."

"Ok ok forget I said anything." She throws up her hands in defeat. "I'm heading off then. Bloody exhausted. So just text me when you get out and then call me once you get home ok."

"Yep. Go get some sleep you look awful." Brendan gives her a playful smile and pushes her chair with his legs.

"Oi you!" She has to grab onto the counter to prevent herself from falling off the chair. "I do not look bad!" She walks over to him and hits him with a folder she found. "Asshole."

He gets off the chair and gives her a hug. She holds on longer than him and then waves goodbye. Brendan goes to the back room and removes his phone from the charger. He finishes up his paperwork and places it on the slot on the door of his patients' room. Brendan checks on all the rooms and makes sure all the patients in the wing are asleep. He walks out the door just as another nurse walks in. As he slowly walks back to the West Wing his pager goes off. Not once but twice. He picks up his pace and then full on runs when his pager goes off alerting him that there is an emergency.

Once he makes it back to the wing he sees a few nurses over by Stes room so he heads over and makes his way around them to get inside. He sees some blood on the bed and on Stes arm. Brendan realizes what Ste did. In a haste he must have woken up and forgot he was here and completely forgot he had wires attached to him. Ste managed to dislodge himself from two.

"Get off me I'm fine!" Ste yanks his arm away from Noah as he was trying to inspect the damage.

"Ste I need to look at your arm. You could have damaged a vein." Noah tries to grab his arm again but Ste still refuses. "Stop that. You're being difficult."

"Am not!" He becomes almost childlike. Lynsey is there too so she tries to intervene but gets the same response, only Ste is more polite to her. Brendan sighs and moves over to him. Ste hadn't seen him come in. Brendan makes a grab for his arm but Ste shuffles away from him.

"Can you stop? I just want to see your arm for a second Steven." He extends his hand and Ste reluctantly gives in. Brendan moves closer to see if anything appears damaged or bruised. He lightly presses on his arm and doesn't see any reaction from Ste.

"Any pain?"

"No. I'm fine honestly. Just some blood. No big deal."

The rest of the nurses walk out of the room except for Noah who is still standing by the bed. Ste stares at him for a second not knowing why he is still here. "Mate I don't need you." It comes out cold but Ste could care less at the moment. He figures he will apologize later. Noah stomps out of the room as if throwing a tantrum.

"I'm just gonna clean the blood off then." Brendan grabs a couple of wipes and disinfectants and cleans off the wounds. After that he reattaches the wires. "Done."

"Ta."

"No problem." Brendan automatically sits down on the chair next the Ste without even noticing it. "So what were you trying to do exactly?"

"Nothing. I woke up all disoriented and forget about these fucking things." He tugs on them to emphasize his point.

"Alright alright stop messing with them. There not attached with super glue you know."

"Like you care." He says it under his breath so unless you were right next to his mouth you wouldn't hear it.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

"Right. Go back to bed then. I guess I'll just stay here, keep an eye on you."

"Yeah sure whatever." Ste moves his head so that he isn't staring at him. After a couple minutes he's back to sleep. Brendan leans back on the chair a little and stares up at the ceiling counting down the time till he gets out.

Saturday 5:18 AM

Brendan's phone vibrates in his pocket and it wakes him up. He wasn't even that tired but in a room with nothing to do you might as well just sleep. He looks over and Ste is still sound asleep. He figures he won't wake up anytime soon so he might as well just leave. He organizes the room a little and then walks back over to Stes sleeping form. There is no smile on him now and he thinks maybe he has something to do with that. He shakes his head and gets the thought out of his mind. Stes hair is once again in his eyes so Brendan gently moves it away. He stares at his lips and very softly runs his thumb over his bottom lip. Ste suddenly opens his mouth and sucks on his finger for one second before Brendan moves it back.

"Fuck you Steven you been awake this whole time?"

"No you just woke me up."

"Sorry. I'm gonna go." Brendan doesn't have to look away as Ste hasn't even bothered to open his eyes.

"Fine but let me guess were not gonna talk about this either."

"No. Im sorry I didn't...it was a...I don't know...forget I did that." Brendan finally notices Stes eyes aren't open. "Why aren't you looking at me?"

"Don't feel like it. When you leave make sure not to slam the door to hard yeah." Ste goes back to facing away from him and Brendan stands there for a couple seconds confused.

"Umm ok. I'll see you tomorrow then." Ste doesn't respond to him. "Erm...bye I guess." Again no response so Brendan just walks out leaving more confused than ever.

Brendan spends the remaining time in the break room staring at the clock. Once it hits 6 he clocks out, text Cheryl, and heads home.

Saturday 6:45 AM

Brendan throws his keys and wallet on the kitchen counter and walks upstairs to his bedroom. He takes a quick shower and puts on track suit bottoms and a white T-shirt and climbs into bed. His phone rings so he picks it up without even checking who it is.

"Yes Chez?"

"Thanks for my call."

"I was taking a shower I was about to call." He turns on the tv and flicks through some channels.

"How are you? Good day at work?" There's a bit a movement on her side so he assumes she's just getting up.

"Yeah I'm alright. Work was the same as always." He turns off the tv once he realizes only the news is on.

"Well I'll let you get some sleep. I told the board of director that you would be there around 5 or 5:30 so please please be there on time. Oww fucking hell." He hears something slam on her end.

"What was that?"

"Nothing hit my elbow on the damn door. Anyway you'll be there right?"

"Yeah I'll try getting there early."

"Thank you. Have a goodnight. I love you Bren remember that."

"I know. Love you too." He hangs up the phone and lays his head on the pillow. He hears cars passing by outside and people getting up to start their days. Their happy days. He closes his eyes and tries to get some sleep.

***"Cheryl can you pick this up for me sweetheart since your brother refuses to do it."

"Sure dad. Anything." She jumps off the sofa and starts picking up the random books and toys off the floor. "He's so lazy sometimes my brother is. Right dad?"

"Yeah. Yeah he is." Seamus stares straight at Brendan who is sitting on the very edge of the sofa with his knees brought up as if it's his only protection.

"Bren come help me please." Cheryl skips over to him with a huge smile on her face. The ridiculously large bow in her hair almost covers one of her eyes. She touches his knees and he jumps back.

"Don't touch me. Don't." He shuffles back a little and brings his knees up as far as they can go.

"Ok sorry what's wrong with you." She tried to look into his eyes but he avoids them. He looks over to the side and sees Seamus flick his eyes to the hallway.

"Cheryl honey could you go clean your room actually." He smiles at her warmly.

"Erm ok. Is Bren gonna clean his too. It's a mess."

"He will in a bit. Don't come out of your room till it's spotless."

"Yes Da." She looks at Brendan one more time and lightly touches his hand then gets up and goes to her room.

Seamus waits to hear her move things around as he knows once she starts she gets so focused on the task and spends a good hour on it. "Brenda get up." He moves to stand in front of him. "Now."

Brendan shakes his head and hugs his knees tightly. "Da Cheryl's here. Please not now."

"You think she honestly cares about you. Do you? She's disgusted by having you as a brother."

"No. No she's..." Tears start forming in his eyes but he holds then back.

"Maybe I'll go pay her a visit then." Seamus turns around and starts walking towards her room.

"No leave her alone."

Seamus walks back over to Brendan who is lifting himself off the sofa and he grabs him forcefully by the arm. He gets dragged through the hall and gets pushed violently into the room. The door slams closed hard so Cheryl stops for a second and walks out of her room to investigate.

"Bren?" She doesn't hear anything back so she moves down the hall. "Bren? Brendan?" She gets spooked when Seamus opens his bedroom door and tells her he's fine.

"Go back to cleaning angel."

She tries peeking through the small open crack in the door and she barely catches Brendan against the wall. "Can Brendan come help me clean my room?"

"No. Just go. He will be out in a second." Seamus closes the door and Cheryl just walks away.

Saturday 4:48 PM

Ste wakes up from his 3rd nap that day to see Brendan pacing back and forth in his room. He's facing away from him so he observes him for a while. He's wearing a green military style shirt with the sleeves rolled up and black jeans. His hair his once again perfectly styled.

"What you doing ere?"

"Oh didn't know you were up. Sorry I can leave if you want?"

"Do you want to?"

"No."

"Ok then pull up a chair." Ste smiles at him and gets one in return. "I thought you said you didn't come in till tomorrow."

"I don't work till tomorrow but I got some meeting with this head of director."

"What about?"

"I don't know. He's never liked me and I'm just waiting for the day I get the boot."

Ste notices Brendan is nervous. His leg keeps going up and down and his eyes are deep in thought, as if he is practicing what to say.

"I'm sure you'll be fine."

"Hopefully." Now Brendan starts to chew his nails so Ste has to stop this.

"Stop being so nervous. Got an idea. When's your meeting?"

"5:30."

"Good we got time. Let's play a game."

The nerves go away as Brendan stares at him completely confused. "What game?"

"Truth or dare."

"You can't even move."

"Well mine will be a lot of truth then. You up for it?"

Brendan shrugs his shoulders. "Go on then."

"Ok so we get 3 passes each. Truth or dare Bren?"

"Why am I first?"

"Cause I'm injured."

"That excuse is gonna run out soon. I'll take dare."

Ste was expecting truth so he has to think for a second. "You're gonna hate me for this. You got Jens number?"

Brendan's head drops as he knows what he's going to say. "Yes."

"Let me see your phone."

"What are you gonna text her?"

"You'll see. Or you can pass."

Brendan takes his phone out and pulls up Jens number and hands it over to Ste who has a mischievous smile. Ste types a small message and then holds onto the phone.

"You gonna give it back?"

"Nope."

"So how am I supposed to know what you sent?" Brendan looks at him and it clicks in his head. "She's gonna come over here isn't she?"

"Maybe."

"I hate you. Your turn."

"I'll take truth."

"You tell Amy about me?"

Ste wasn't expecting that but it's an easy question. "Yeah said you were my nurse didn't I."

"That all you said?"

"Well maybe I said you looked umm...intriguing."

"Intriguing huh. Ok." Brendan smirks at him as Ste starts blushing. "I'll take truth this time I guess."

"What has Cheryl said about me?"

"Well she's talked about your injuries and that you seem very attached to me. Are you?"

"Well you're the only one that's here so I mean...I guess...but it's only...umm..never mind." Ste could have slapped himself as he basically just answered his question just by stuttering like a love struck teenager. "Let's move on. I take truth again obviously."

"Is Doug just your employee?" Ste looks at his eyes and for once he thinks he can read them. He detects a very small ounce of jealousy in them. But just as soon as it's there it disappears. The blank eyes come back to the front and he becomes unreadable again.

"We dated for a month but he was too needy and clingy. Then I apparently forgot to tell him happy 2 week anniversary and he started crying. Literally hysterical crying. Bloody awkward." Ste looks over and sees Brendan actually smiling for longer than a few seconds.

"He's just emotional Steven. What if I spend the nights crying myself to sleep?"

"You don't so it doesn't count."

"I know I don't but that's not the point."

"To bad I'm not answering it. Truth or dare?"

Brendan crosses his arms and tries to look annoyed only to get Ste laughing at him. "Truth."

"You said that ring wasn't a wedding ring so what is it?" Suddenly he feels tension in the room and sees Brendan sit up straight. "You can pass Brendan."

There is an internal struggle within him. One part of Brendan wants to just blurt it out and the other part is pulling him back in. "No it's fine. Umm...my Ma gave...she gave it to me...a year before she...died. I try wearing it every day to remember her." He lifts his hand up but looks more depressed than happy. "Anyway forget that. You're up."

"Dare."

"What the hell am I gonna have you do?" Ste shrugs his shoulders. Brendan stares around the room to try to find something. He spots something and goes to the food tray on the table.

"Oh you bastard."

"We'll be even after this." Brendan peels it for him and then places it in Stes hand. "Dare you to see how much of that banana you can get in your mouth."

"Ah Bren that's sick."

"Oh I'm sure you done worst. Go ahead." Brendan focuses right on him and motions for him to start. Ste gives him a fake evil eye and opens his mouth. He slowly starts putting in the banana and stops half way. When he looks at Brendan he sees his tongue run along his lips. Ste looks him straight in the eyes and moves the banana further in. He hears Brendan's breathing hitch. Ste decides to get into it more but before he can the door comes flying open and he almost chokes on it.

"Brendan I just got your text." Jen looks like she just ran all the way. She's out of breath and her hair is all over the place.

Brendan keeps looking at Ste who is coughing up bits of banana. "Need some water there Steven."

Ste gives him the middle finger as he tries to compose himself. Once he gets himself together he looks over at Jen then gives Brendan a smile.

"What exactly did I text Jen?" Brendan glances over at Ste for a second.

"You know what you said Brendan." She pouts her lips and puts her hands on her hips. "So when do you want to?"

"Umm do what exactly?"

"Don't get all shy on me now. Not after what you said." She starts walking over to him and Brendan pushes his chair back a little. A pager goes off and it turns out its Jens. "Oh come on! I gotta go but I'll be thinking about it the whole day." She winks at him and runs off.

"So I think I'm gonna kill you after this."

Ste explodes into laughter and it fills the whole room. Brendan takes a pillow and lightly hits him in the face. He catches the clock on the wall and realizes he's going to be late if he doesn't go.

"I gotta go before Cheryl yells at me for being late to this meeting."

"You gonna come back?"

"If you're lucky." He gives no emotion and heads off towards the director's office. When he gets there he takes a deep breath and knocks. When he hears a 'come in' he turns the handle and walks in.

Saturday 5:27 PM

Inside the office is Cheryl sitting on a chair against the wall and the board of director is sitting behind the desk.

"Hello Brendan take a seat."

Brendan ignores Cheryl and takes a seat in front of the desk.

"How you doing today?"

"Fine Eoghan. Yourself?"

"I'm doing quite well thank you. So I called you in here to discuss your progress."

"I'm pretty sure all my patients have recovered well and there doesn't seem to be any problems."

Eoghan looks over at Cheryl but she just stares at the ground. "I'm not talking about your patients."

"Talking about me again huh. I'm not doing this a second time." Brendan gets off the seat but Cheryl manages to grab him before he leaves.

She whispers so softly so that Eoghan doesn't hear him. "Please just sit there and listen. I don't care if you fake through all of it just sit back down."

Brendan reluctantly sits back down. "What do you want to know?"

"Well looks like when we gave you your leave of absence you were told to seek counseling."

"I did."

"Yeah you went to one counseling session and you never went back again. I wanna know if you intend to go back. I don't think a nurse should be crazier than his own patients."

Before Brendan gets a chance to respond Cheryl bolts up from her chair. Fire showing through her eyes. "Don't you dare speak to him like that. You got it?"

"Sis it's fine." He tells her to sit back down and she doesn't take her eyes off Eoghan. "I don't have any plans to go back as I think I'm perfectly fine."

"Really? The notes from the psychologist said you refused to open up and you were very uneasy. She also wrote that you been to counseling before when you were younger. What happened there?"

Cheryl gives him a silent plea with her eyes and says no but it's too late as she sees her brothers' eyes go distant and she can't pull him out of it.

***"Cheryl and Brendan Brady. The doctor will you see now."

Cheryl leads the way all the while holding onto your arm. You both walk in and see an elderly woman; she looks about 60, standing by a desk. She gives both of you a warm smile.

"Hi my name is Ruth. It's a pleasure to meet you two. Please take a seat." She makes sure not to make any sudden movements or try to give them a handshake. Knowing what they both have gone through she knows the last thing they want is to have a stranger even touch their hands.

Cheryl takes a seat and you take the chair next to her. This place seems safe but you keep thinking he's behind you so you stay on guard. You look behind you every couple of minutes until you just give up and concentrate on what the lady is saying.

"So I believe Cheryl you set up this appointment. I went over a bit of your history and I just want to say I'm so deeply sorry for what you both went through. Whatever you want to say I'm here to listen. You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to ok. We will go at you're pace. Do you want to start Cheryl?"

Cheryl fidgets a little and looks past the doctor not making eye contact. "Umm we need help. I think we need help. My brother needs help. I...need help." Her eyes show nothing. Their blank and empty. "I saw things I wouldn't wish on anybody. I...I saw things being done to him that I wish I could take from him."

Brendan starts rocking back and forth but doesn't make eye contact with any one. Cheryl looks over at her brother and for the first time the doctor sees her eyes light up.

"I saw...I saw our father...start taking Brendan's belt...off." She lifts her hands up and looks to be in a trance. "I had to do it."

"Do what Cheryl?"

Brendan finally lifts his head up and when Ruth meets his eyes she sees a broken soul.

"His blood. His blood. My hands are covered in it."***

"Bren! Brendan." Cheryl snaps her fingers in front of him and Brendan comes back.

"Sorry what?"

"Eoghan was saying that we should just look at different psychologist."

"I told you both no! I'm fine! What more do you want from me." This time Brendan walks out of the room and hears Cheryl apologizing in the distance.

Saturday 6:07 PM

"You ok?" Ste sees Brendan hovering by the door.

"I don't know."

"You can come in you know."

Brendan stares at the floor the whole time while he makes his way next to Ste.

"What would you do if everyone around you told you something was wrong with you?"

"Listen to them. Sometimes people see the things you can't. They may be wrong though but you'll never know until you give them a chance." Ste lightly grabs a hold of his hand and runs his thumb over his skin. He moves his fingers up his arm and comes with centimeters of Brendan's scar. He looks up at him and meets Brendan's eyes. They show sadness and fear. When he tries to touch his scar Brendan pulls his arm away and settles back onto the chair and crosses his arms across his chest.

"Do you think something's wrong with me?"

Ste knows something is wrong with him but won't push it. "I think your fine."

"You're lying but thank you."

"So you wanna tell me what's going on in that mind on yours."

"A lot of things but nothing for you to worry about."

They sit there in silence for a couple of minutes only sharing a few glances at each other.

"You ever think about how life would be different if you got a better beginning?" Brendan breaks the silence.

"All the time but I think if you keep thinking that it'll only destroy you over time. I think everything happens for a reason whether it's to make you smarter, stronger, wiser, anything really in life."

"What if it hasn't made you any of those things?"

"What has it made you Brendan?"

Brendan looks at him and then runs his hand over his scar.

"Broken."

Ahhh sorry that wasn't a very happy chapter huh. And sorry that there wasn't a lot of Ste. Was it bad? I hope not. And look how freaking long I made this chapter geez I apologize lol.