AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Thank you all for your continued support for this story. Hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Chapter 11

Kyle groaned and let out a deep aching cough as he grabbed his abdomen in a quick reaction.

He glanced towards Phoebe with his distressed crunched up face and noticed the young women had not stirred in the bed.

Kyle had not gotten much sleep during the night with his lower back aching and his abdomen throbbing. Still the tough Braxton had sucked it up.

Kyle looked at the clock on the bedside cupboard and saw it read seven-o-five.

Kyle swung his legs over the edge of the bed, wondering why they felt like he had lead weights attached.

He felt dizzy and weak as he slowly stood himself up to head towards the bathroom.

Reaching inside the bathroom, Kyle rubbed his head, feeling a sense of heat radiating from his forehead and come to think of it, Kyle wriggled and felt the sensation of sweat droplets that seemed to be covering his body.

Kyle attempted to use the toilet but found himself straining to pass anything.

Kyle let out a painful gasp and hunched over as the pain he felt had become agonising.

Finally he was able to pass a small amount of urine, but not without a searing burn.

As Kyle tried hard to keep his balance he noticed the presence of blood that had passed out through his urine.

Kyle didn't have a second more to register what was about to happen next, until he had bent over the toilet and expelled a pool of vomit.

Kyle grabbed a cup from the sink and ran himself a glass of water; taking a large sip to rinse out the vile vomit taste.

Kyle was well aware something wasn't right and so made his way back out of the bathroom back towards the bedroom to get some more rest, however his plan was tarnished when he met Phoebe in the doorway of the bedroom.

Phoebe had woken up a little while later than Kyle and he saw the time had now reached seven-thirty; Kyle had been in the bathroom for over twenty minutes; stunned with utter disbelief he had been in there for so long.

"Morning Kyle," Phoebe cheered, stretching her tired sleepy muscles.

"Morning," Kyle managed to croak out.

Phoebe noticed Kyle holding his abdomen again; exactly like he had yesterday.

"Kyle is something wrong?" Phoebe asked.

Not wanting to worry Phoebe after his previous stint in hospital, Kyle planned to just rest off his pain and sweaty, feverish symptoms.

"I just feel really tired. I'm gonna lie down again," Kyle replied, and as he made his way towards the bed, Phoebe watched Kyle shuffling slowly.

Kyle however did not make it to the bed.

Right before her very eyes Phoebe watched Kyle collapse to the floor, gasping in agony.

"Kyle! Kyle!" Phoebe screamed and ran to her partner's side; kneeling down.

Kyle looked like he was gasping and choking.

In a panic, Phoebe rushed to the bedroom door and yelled for Brax.

"Brax!"

Brax had already heard the thump as Kyle had hit the floor and had already made his way towards the sound.

"What the hell happened?" Brax questioned as he entered the room to see Kyle on the floor.

"I...I don't know I got up and he wasn't there but by the time he came back he looked pale and kept holding his abdomen all hunched up, then he collapsed," Phoebe said in such a rush that Brax had to listen carefully to hear it all.

Brax was now beside Kyle, with his hand rested on his upper arm.

"Kyle, can you hear me; what is hurting mate; can you tell me?" Brax asked.

Kyle only groaned as his eyes flicked open and closed, succumbing to the dizziness and burning fever.

Brax furrowed his brow and moved Kyle's weak hand away from his abdomen.

"No," Kyle mumbled, however he was no match for Brax's strong hand.

Brax pushed Kyle's hand to the side and rolled up his shirt; gasping at the sight in front of him: Kyle's abdomen was swollen and coloured dark purple and blue.

"What the hell is this?!" Brax exclaimed and immediately stared at Phoebe.

"Don't look at me, I had no idea," Phoebe defended, still in a state of shock herself.

"Well we have to get him to hospital now, because by the looks of this I can't be certain that he doesn't have some internal damage. Come on and help me get him up," Brax instructed.

Phoebe pulled herself together and helped Brax stand Kyle up.

"He's all sweaty," Brax commented out aloud and rested his hand on Kyle's forehead, feeling the burn.

"He's got a serious fever, so whatever is causing this is serious," Brax stated and hoisted Kyle up around his shoulder.

Brax rushed Kyle through the doors of the hospital with Phoebe rushing in behind.

"We need some help over here!" Brax called.

Nate had been passing in the halls to the reception desk when he saw Brax rush in with the sweaty and semi-conscious Kyle hoisted against his arms.

Nate tossed down his clip board at the reception desk and rushed over to the brothers.

"What has happened?" Nate asked; quickly assessing Kyle visually.

"I don't know, he just collapsed this morning and his abdomen is covered in severe bruising. Nate, he's sweating and burning up something fierce," Brax explained.

"Okay, come and bring him through to our emergency beds," Nate instructed and helped Brax take Kyle towards the emergency ward.

As Kyle was placed on the bed, Nate was quick to begin his assessment of his vitals.

"His pupils are responding, but with lacking reflex, and his temperature is forty degrees. Now you said he had bruising on his abdomen?" Nate clarified.

"Yeah, but I didn't know and Phoebe said she didn't know either," Brax responded and Phoebe standing behind Brax, shook her head.

Nate pulled up Kyle's shirt and gasped at the swelling.

"Wow, this is serious. Nate began pressing down on Kyle's abdomen and through his semi consciousness Kyle let out painful yelps.

"I cannot feel any broken bones, but I will send Kyle immediately down to imagery to have an ultrasound on his kidneys, liver, and stomach. From your brother's responses to my touching and his fever symptoms I can almost guarantee that there is some internal damage," Nate explained.

Nate drew up some analgesic medication and inserted it into Kyle's left arm muscle, then repeated with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory injection to reduce Kyle's swelling and fever.

"These two injections will help with his pain, fever, and swelling," Nate explained.

Nate jotted down the medication and vital notes on Kyle's hospital chart.

"I will page the nurse to set up Kyle for his ultrasound straight away, now you both may remain with him until he has to go, but for now I have other patients to attend to; one being your other brother, who should be fine to go home today," Nate explained.

"Kyle will be fine, he's settling down now from the medication, so there is no need to be alarmed now," Nate assured, after seeing Brax's worried glance.

Phoebe rested down next to Kyle's bed and held his hand.

"Why didn't you say something Kyle?" she whispered.

Brax couldn't help but wonder as well as he tried his hardest to push away his anger towards his younger brother for keeping this a secret.

Nate went to leave when Brax called him back.

"When do you think this may have happened?" Brax asked.

Nate shrugged, "looking at the state of the bruising, I'd say maybe one or two days; it's very recent."

Nate gave a weak smile and left the room.

Brax sighed and thought back to what Casey had said yesterday about Kyle being different; had this occurred yesterday, but when?

"Phoebe did anything happen yesterday that made Kyle show any signs?" Brax asked.

Phoebe shook her head as she squeezed Kyle's hand tight.

Kyle had since drifted off to sleep given his high dosages of medication, mixed with his delirious fever.

"Oh wait: he did take a while to put the rubbish out last night, just before you came. I didn't think much of it and he never seemed hurt, but maybe he was hurt then?" Phoebe recalled.

Brax sighed in frustration.

"What the hell was he doing outside at night on his own?! Even a few minutes could be critical!" Brax ranted.

A nurse came into the room about ten minutes later.

"Kyle is being taken to ultrasound now, so you both may wait here if you like," the nurse with blonde hair spoke softly.

Phoebe kissed Kyle on the cheek and let the nurse wheel Kyle out.

Back in Casey's room, Nate was reassessing the youngest Braxton.

"It seems your family has a knack for getting themselves into trouble and landing up here in hospital," Nate commented.

Casey furrowed his brow in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"Kyle came in not that long ago; he is in need of an ultrasound, because he has somehow sustained another nasty blow to his abdomen," Nate explained.

"What: I have to go see him," Casey said in haste and made an attempt to shuffle out of the bed.

"No you don't, not until I have given you the all clear that you can go," Nate replied.

"Well can you do that then?" Casey spat, slumping back against his pillow.

Nate nodded and finished checking Casey over.

"He will probably be in imagery now so there is no rush," Nate said.

"Well Casey, you are all free to go, but I want a full rest on that wrist for the next four to six weeks and I want a recheck at the four week mark," Nate ordered.

"Yep," Casey quickly replied.

Casey stepped out of the bed.

"What room is Kyle in?" Casey asked as he started slipping his shorts on with some difficulty with one arm.

"In the emergency ward, room 106," Nate answered.

"Brax is waiting with Phoebe, so I will tell him you are ready to be discharged and send him down here."

While it was all just a waiting game for Brax and Phoebe, Brax had made the phone call to Ricky, who was over with Bianca and to Heath who was covering shifts at the gym; telling both of the dramatic news.

As Casey was still struggling with his shorts, Brax appeared in the doorway.

"Need any help?" he asked.

Casey looked up and gave a nod.

"Yeah I could use some. With my arm in a sling it's kind of hard to dress myself," Casey admitted.

Brax approached Casey and helped him get his shirt on.

"How is Kyle; what is happening?" Casey asked.

"I don't know. They haven't bought him back from having the ultrasound done," Brax answered.

"Case, you were right in saying there was something not right; I just wish I'd spoken to him sooner," Brax reflected.

Casey rested his hand on Brax's shoulder to fully stand up.

"You can't blame yourself," Casey commented.

"Who else am I to blame Casey; I was meant to keep an eye on Kyle and yet here he is beaten up again."

Casey shrugged and Brax helped Casey grab his belongings as the two headed back to Kyle's room.

"Hey Casey," Phoebe greeted upon seeing the two brothers.

"Hey Phoebe," Casey answered.

"Any news?' Brax asked.

Phoebe shook her head.

Not moments later Nate returned to the room.

"I have the news on Kyle's injuries," Nate started.

"It appears that he has severe damage to both his kidneys, to the extent that one has ruptured, causing some bleeding internally. Now we need to get Kyle into surgery immediately, but we also need a suitable donor to provide a fresh healthy kidney for Kyle, because although one can remain healthy with one kidney, because Kyle's remaining kidney is already compromised, his chances of survival and full recovery are very slim," Nate explained.

"Well can't you get him a kidney?" Phoebe said quickly.

Nate nodded, "It can take months to find suitable donors..."

"Nate we don't have months; I won't let my brother die from this!" Brax said determinedly.

"And he won't, that's where his family comes in. Sharing the same blood it's possible a sibling can donate," Nate explained.

"Fine, I'll do it," Brax answered without a moment's hesitation.

Casey's eyes widened at Brax's statement.

"No Brax; are you crazy?" Casey exclaimed.

"Casey, stay out of this. What do I have to do?" Brax inquired.

"Well we need to run a few tests to make sure you are a healthy match then we can prep you for surgery," Nate explained.

Brax nodded in agreement.

"Brax, what are you doing?" Casey asked again, only for Brax to ignore him.

"Casey, when Heath and Ricky get here, you tell them I'm going into surgery," Brax instructed.

"No, I won't. What if something happens to you?" Casey protested.

"It's a very successful procedure Casey, Brax will be in no danger at all with our skilled anaesthesiologists," Nate assured.

"Well then why can't I donate?" Casey said, wanting to protect his two older brothers.

Brax gave his brother a glare, having had enough of Casey's arguments.

"You're not blood," Brax answered in a frank tone, letting his concerns for Kyle overwhelm his way of thinking.

Casey looked at Brax with look of disgust.

Since he had found out his real paternity everyone had still claimed he was blood, but for Brax to outright say that, cut Casey deep.

"Thanks a lot," Casey spat.

Brax sighed heavily, "That's not what I meant," he said sternly, hoping that Casey could understand.

Casey turned his head away from Brax but his worry for his brother still outweighed the hurtful words.

If on cue, Ricky and Heath made their way into the room.

"Heath you have to say something," Casey pleaded.

"Say what?" Heath queried.

"I'm getting tested to go into surgery to donate one of my kidneys to Kyle," Brax explained.

Ricky's eyes widened and she approached Brax, placing her arms around him.

"Kyle has a ruptured kidney that needs removal immediately, but as I explained before you both came, Kyle's remaining kidney is not healthy enough to sustain Kyle's recovery," Nate explained.

"Okay Brax, are you ready?" Nate asked.

Brax nodded and gestured with his hands.

"Be careful," Ricky whispered and kissed Brax.

"What are you doing mate? Doc, can I be a match too?" Heath asked, also getting his protective barriers up.

"Yes, possibly, if you wish to be tested too, but we haven't a lot of time," Nate explained.

Brax shook his head.

"Forget it Heath, you have a pregnant wife who needs you; if something happens she and the baby are going to need you," Brax stated.

"Thank you for doing this Brax," Phoebe praised.

Ricky kissed Brax again.

"We have to get going Brax; time is critical with your brother," Nate instructed, reminding the family again of the situation they were in.

Brax nodded to the four people remaining in the room.

"I'll be back before you know it."

Brax turned towards Casey and gently slapped his good arm.

"I didn't mean what I said; you know that. We'll talk about it later," Brax said with a smile.

Casey nodded and turned away, still feeling a little hurt.

After Nate and Brax had left, Heath turned towards Casey.

"What was it that he said?" Heath inquired.

"Nothing," Casey mumbled.

In one of the examination rooms, Nate took a sample of Brax's blood to test and gave him a thorough health check.

"Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Nate asked.

"Without a doubt doc; when it comes to one of my brothers needing help, then I'm jumping in the deep end, even if it risks my own life," Brax said with sheer determination and with a sense of pride; his brothers meant the world.

Brax was quickly prepped for surgery while Kyle was beside him in the theatre room, already prepped.

Doctors worked on both Braxtons to complete the surgery in just a few hours.

Brax's procedure had been completed before Kyle's due to the procedure being less invasive than that of his younger brother, but as Brax was wheeled back into the recovery room, Kyle was not too far behind.

Heath, Ricky, Casey, and Phoebe had waited until Brax and Kyle had woken up from their surgery.

"How you feeling bro after your surgery?" Heath asked.

Ricky leaned down and gently kissed Brax.

"Yeah, don't feel any different," Brax replied, "Is Kyle up yet?"

"He's stirred but Nate said he's heavily sedated by his pain meds," Ricky answered.

Brax attempted to reach out to pull the adjoining curtain away to see his brother, but Casey jumped to his aid and pulled it back for him.

"Thanks mate," Brax groaned.

Kyle lied in the bed with a fluid bag attached and his shirt off, revealing a large stitched up incision wound, bigger than Brax's, on his left hand side.

Phoebe was already beside Kyle's bed, muttering to her lover to coax him to wake.

Brax let out another groan and slowly shut his eyes.

"We all should be going," Ricky suggested, "Let you get your rest."

Brax gently nodded as he relaxed back in the bed.

"Catch you later," Heath fare-welled.

"You staying here, Pheebs?" Ricky asked.

Phoebe nodded, "Yeah, I want to wait till Kyle wakes up."

Ricky smiled at her friend.

Ricky, Heath, and Casey were on their way out when Brax called Casey back.

"Case, come here a second," Brax requested.

Casey approached his big brother and waited to see what he wanted.

Brax reached his hand out to touch at Casey, however narrowly missing.

"Case, you know I never meant to say you weren't blood before," Brax explained.

Casey nodded and pursed his lip in understanding.

"No I need you to understand," Brax said more firmly, sensing his brother's look and knowing full well that Casey was just agreeing with him.

"I do Brax," Casey mumbled.

Brax gave Casey a hard look, "Do you?"

"Casey, you know you will always be Heath, Kyle's, and my brother, and nothing will change that. I shouldn't have said it like I did. I just meant that you wouldn't have been a match for Kyle; do you get me?" Brax asked, remaining hard with his voice.

Casey nodded.

"It's fine: really Brax. You should get that rest," Casey replied with a small smile.

Casey waved goodbye to Brax and Phoebe, and met Heath and Ricky outside, where the three then headed home.

Brax turned his head to look at Phoebe and Kyle.

"I can't thank you enough for saving Kyle's life," Phoebe spoke.

"It's no trouble," Brax replied, "he means as much to me as he does to you, but you can tell him he's going to get an earful from me when he's awake and well enough, for not telling me about all this," Brax warned in a low drowsy voice.

Phoebe smiled.

"You just might have to wait in line," Phoebe replied and gazed lovingly into Kyle's eyes.

"I can't believe you scared me like this again Kyle," she reprimanded.

Brax weakly smiled and turned his head back to look at the ceiling as his eyes slowly began to shut again.