'Ethan?!'

Ethan was lying still. His eyes were open but he wasn't breathing.

'Ethan?!' The anxiety and anxiousness increased in his voice.

'Ethan?!'

'Ha! Got you.' Ethan let out his breath and looked towards his brother.

'You son of a b-'

'Ah Dr Hardy. I see you've finally decided to wake up.' Ethan's doctor walked in.

'Yeah and scare the living day lights out of me.' Cal muttered. As if he hadn't been through enough his own brother was now pranking him, the brother who had been at death's door for weeks. What was he playing at?

'I'm your doctor, Jane Parker. If it's okay with you both then I'll tell you about your treatment plan.'

'Yeah that's fine.' Cal answered for Ethan. He may be alive but he had just given Cal the fright of his life.

'Right Dr Hardy-'

'Ethan.'

'Right Ethan. You probably saw the cage on your leg.' Ethan glanced down and saw the giant bulge where his leg would lie. He hadn't noticed it- he was too distracted with pranking his brother. 'You've shattered it pretty badly but we're hopeful that with the right treatment you'll be back to full strength.'

'When?'

'You also had severe crush injuries to your chest. You've broken most your ribs and you punctured your lung.' So that's why it hurt so much when he held his breath! But was it all worth it to see Cal's face. 'Again you should be fine after the correct treatment.'

'When?'

'When?' Cal joined Ethan's question.

'Your chest should be alright in another few weeks but I would avoid strenuous activities and sports for at least another month. Then we'll assess you and give you the go ahead. As for your leg.' It looked like it pained her to say it. 'You're looking at about two months with the cage and a further month on crutches. At least.'

'So when can I go back to work.'

'I'm afraid to say it will be about four or five months. It does depend on how quickly you heal and how effective your treatment is.'

Ethan's doctor turned and left.

'Well...' Ethan blew out his chest. Wincing slightly at the effort.

'Yeah. That's a long time.'

'I feel like I've been given a death sentence.' Cal winced at the word 'death'. 'Sorry.'

'We'll get you home soon. Find you some of your boring documentaries to watch.' Cal cracked a smile.

'Boring? I think you're very much mistaken.' A shadow cast over his face. Whatever he was thinking about clearly wasn't great.

'A penny for them?'

'What?'

'A penny for your thoughts Ethan. What's going on in that little head of yours.'

'I was with Lofty and Ian.' Ethan pushed himself up from the bed frantically looking around the room. He attempted to twist around but he couldn't. The pain was too much. The collapsed back down onto the bed breathing heavily. Cal reassuringly placed his hands on Ethan's shoulders. Forcing him to calm down.

'They're fine. Thanks to you.'

'But-'

'Seriously shut up. They're fine. Ian's downstairs waiting for someone to take him home and Lofty is at home being looked after by Robyn. Oh and guess what?!'

'What?' Ethan attempted to reflect the excitement from Cal's voice.

'Ian has a sister. A hot sister.'

'Cal. He's in a hospital bed. Do you really think I care whether the sister is hot or not?'

'You don't care do you?'

'Nope. But do you know what I do care about? Food. I'm starving and could murder a muffin so off you go.' Ethan smiled sweetly at his brother until the older man gave in and left to find a cake.

Ethan flicked through a magazine by his bed. It was all boring. Nothing caught his eye and he quickly dumped it back in it's spot. He may have only been conscious for a little while but he was bored. So very bored.

'Ethan!' It was Lofty. Robyn wheeled him in , expertly negotiating her way around the beds. 'How are you?!'

'Still here! Aching and fed up but I'm alright- you?'

'Pretty much the same story. They want to remobilise me soon. Get me out of this retched chair.' Lofty glanced up towards Ethan. 'Sorry.'

'No- don't be. I'm glad that you're making such a good recovery. I can't expect too much too fast. You've had to be patient and I have to be too.'

'How are you managing to be so positive?'

'I have absolutely no idea. I guess I know how lucky I am and that the people around me really are the best.'

'That's probably the best way to think about it.'

'Yeah.' An uncomfortable silence settled in the room. Robyn, who had been silently standing in the corner, finally broke it.

'Right. I better take this one home. Hope you're feeling better Ethan. Say hi to Caleb for us too.'

'Will do.'

Robyn wheeled Lofty out, leaving Ethan with his own thoughts.

Lofty was fed up. Robyn was fed up. Cal was fed up. Ethan was fed up. Ian was fed up. Jess was fed up. Everything was slow. Nothing changed.