HI all, sorry it's taken so long for the next chapter, but I'm back at work after the Christmas break so I'm a bit shattered and I've kind of started losing inspiration for finishing it, but I will try my best.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read it whether you have reviewed it or not, I appreciate it very much.

Chapter 3

Max took off running at a dead sprint at the tone in Cal's voice. Cal meanwhile, scooped his brother up in his arms and began to make his way to the ED as quickly as he could. As he got nearer the hospital, the lighting was getting brighter. Cal's breath caught when he saw the mass of red swallowing his brother's green scrub top. Tears pricked the older brother's eyes as he glanced once more at his prone little brother, "Hang in there Ethan...please...not like this..."

He became vaguely aware of the cracking and banging of fireworks all around him and realised that they must have gone past midnight, "Some happy new year this is little brother," he gasped as the dead weight that he was carrying seemed to grow heavier with every step he took.

Before long a trolley appeared with Max and Charlie in tow. Cal gently laid his brother on it then began pushing it straight away.

They burst through the doors to be met by Lily, who was already gloved up, "Oh my...Ethan," she gasped. Almost as quickly as it left her, the professional doctor emerged once more, "Can anyone tell me what happened?" she asked as she guided them to Resus. Charlie immediately grabbed some gloves, as did Cal, "No Cal, not this time," Charlie advised gently.

Cal looked ready to argue, but one glance towards his brother, whose scrub top was now cut open exposing a gaping knife wound, soon put paid to any arguments. He nodded slightly and took a couple of shaky steps back trying to still his trembling hands.

Suddenly, more staff rushed into Resus, all jumping to attention as Lily barked her orders, "His lung has collapsed. We need a chest drain...page surgery, this wound needs surgery..."

Cal felt his legs begin to let him down as he watched Lily insert the drain. He was thrust back into that awful memory of when he had had to perform the same proceedure on his brother.

He felt someone gently take his hand. He glanced down and noticed that Alicia had joined him, her own face pale and pinched with worry, "Oh my...Cal what happened?"

Normally upon seeing a young woman in such distress, Cal would automatically comfort her, soothe the anxiety away, but not today - today he had more pressing things to deal with.

"He got stabbed. Apparently he was out there trying to help you," he finished.

Alicia's hand flew to her mouth to stifle a sob, "Is he going to be alright?"

"He needs surgery, so who knows..." Cal replied, dragging his hand from out of hers - staring intently at his brother.

Lily approached him, "He's stable for now. Looks like the cold actually stopped him from losing to much blood, but obviously a by product of that is that his slightly hypothermic but the surgeons have told us that they can take care of that. I'm sure he'll make a full recovery Cal. We're taking him to theatre now. I suggest you go and get some rest," she advised as the surgical nurses came for Ethan.

Lily watched them leave and blew out a long breath that she hadn't realised she had been holding.

Cal noticed how weary and worried she looked and pulled her into a hug," Thank you Lily."

For once, Lily didn't pull away, "Just doing my job," she told him, desperately trying to cover her own shaking hands.

Cal nodded and smiled slightly at her, "I'm going to the staff room while I wait - I can't go home just yet," he told her and Alicia.

"Can I join you?" Alicia asked tentatively.

"I guess so," was all Cal said.

The two doctors walked into the staff room and Alicia immediately filled the kettle. She kept glancing at Cal, surprised by just how worried he really was about his brother, "He's going to be alright Cal - you heard Lily."

Cal shrugged, not meeting her eyes, "What's got into you Cal? I know you're worried about Ethan, but you have barely looked at me or spoken to me all night..."

Cal dragged in a deep breath, "Of course I'm worried about Ethan, " he ground out, "But you just carry on like nothing has happened!"

Alicia looked confused, "I don't know what you mean..."

"I bet you don't!" he spat out.

Alicia was surprised by his tone but decided to leave him until he was ready to talk, which turned out to be not that long.

"I know about you and Ethan," he told her, now watching her face intently.

Before Alicia could say anything, she watched him retrieve something from out of his pocket, "I found this on your bedroom floor," he showed her the cufflink, "I know it's Ethans because I bought them for his birthday and when I checked at home, one of them was missing," he was breathing a little heavier, trying to control his emotions.

"Look Cal, it's not what you think..." Alicia began.

"Oh I'm sure it isn't. Ethan just happened to drop his cufflink while...what? Putting up a shelf?"

He took a small amount of satisfaction at seeing Alicia's face crumple, but not as much as he'd expected.

"What do you want me to say?"

"Oh I don't know, how about the truth?" Cal demanded.

Now it was Alicia's turn to take a deep breath as she looked him in the eye, "It wasn't planned...Ethan had told me at Christmas that he loved me, but that he couldn't and wouldn't do anything about it because I was with you and he wouldn't hurt you. Then you stole his Africa presentation - he was so angry Cal, I've never seen him like that. He came over to the flat ranting about it, then he went on about you letting me down and hurting me and that he couldn't bear it - then one thing led to another..."

"Do you love him?" Cal demanded.

"What? I..." Alicia stammered.

"It's simple enough Alicia, do you love him?"

"I don't know," Alicia answered honestly, "I like you both..."

"Well you're going to have to make a decision Alicia because you can't have us both like you have been for the last couple of weeks. You also need to know all the facts..."

"What does that mean?" she asked in confusion.

Before he could answer, Lily walked into the staff room, "Ethan's out of theatre..."

Had planned to finish this with chapter 3 but it kind of got away with me, so probably one more chapter will do it. I hope I can get it posted quicker than I did this one.