Thank you for all the reviews! They're amazing and so are you.
beckyboogle, thank you so much - that's really kind of you. I hope I can keep it exciting. I'm happy to announce no-one will be dying... in this chapter.
Penelope salt, thank you for your review. I'm glad you're enjoying it. I'm sorry I couldn't update last night, but I will be updating every day until this story is finished.
Tanith Panic, thank you! I really am honoured to be compared with Shakespeare. I have been compared to Shakespeare once before, but that wasn't a compliment. I like your way better! Thank you for your review - I'm glad you're enjoying the different storylines.
Tato Potato, I can tell you this much. Either it will be Cal or it won't. Thank you for your review - I know I'm being a tease, but I really do appreciate your reviews.
ETWentHome, you'll find out where Ethan is soon. I'm glad you're enjoying the different storylines - that's a very interesting point about Charlie. I didn't think of interpreting it both ways, but it's good to know it's possible. Thank you for your review.
CBloom2, thank you for your review. I'm really happy you're still reading and enjoying it. I would have updated sooner, but I couldn't get into the house!
lauraamyx, thank you for your review. I'm really happy you're enjoying the different points of view - I've never written anything with so many before, so it's really good to know it's working. I hope you continue to enjoy it!
Georgy-Girl, I'm really glad you're enjoying it! You'll find out a little bit more about some of the characters in this chapter. Thank you for your review.
Lily stood frozen. She didn't need anyone to tell her what had happened. She didn't want to look; didn't want to see how much damage had been wrought with her friends still inside.
She felt hands touch hers. "I'll take over," Jacob said gently. "I know Ethan's here now, but he won't be at his best and you might be needed too."
"I will decide…" began Lily, but then she stopped. "No. You are correct, Jacob." She turned to Dixie and Iain. "Dixie, you're able to use the AED?"
"Yes, Dr Chao," said Dixie.
"'Lily' is fine," said Lily. "Please administer shocks if necessary."
She walked briskly towards the ED, her confident steps belying the terror inside her. She half-expected to see a crumbling ruin, but the ED looked the same as usual. There was minor chaos in the car park and Louise was standing on a trolley and demanding calm, while Noel and Big Mac walked between the lines of people, trying to soothe the more anxious individuals. Robyn was as white as a sheet but trying to help.
Lily decided she'd better find out what had happened. She went to ask the police for an update, only to discover they were holding tightly to Ethan, who was trying to get away from them.
"Please let me go in!" he begged. "My brother's in there."
"Ethan's a superhero, you know!" said Honey. "You wouldn't believe what he's done already today."
One of the policeman spoke firmly to Ethan. "If your brother is in there, he will be found and helped, but we can't let you go in until it's safe to do so."
Ethan stopped struggling and his eyes filled with tears. He looked more like a small boy than a superhero. "But he's my brother and he could be dead."
Honey put her arms around his waist. "He's not dead, Ethan. I'm sure I'd know if he was dead. I'd feel something in the air."
"It's my fault!" said Ethan, as Honey tried to wipe his tears away.
Lily took his arm and led him to a bench. "Now, why would it be your fault?" she said crisply as she sat beside him.
Honey sat on Ethan's other side. "No, it's my fault. Ethan came to see me, but he didn't tell Cal he was going so Cal thought he was in the building."
"You mean you weren't inside the building?" said Lily, her voice rising. "You were on a booty call?"
"No, he was rescuing me from the violent blackmailer I was cheating on him with," said Honey, as though this explained everything.
They heard another voice and looked up to see an irate Louise. "You mean Cal risked his life and his future happiness for you and you weren't even in there?"
Ethan, to Honey's clear dismay, began to sob even harder, but then he looked at Louise. "What do you mean: his future happiness?"
"His girlfriend was here," said Louise. "Blonde. Jailbird. Taylor something? She wanted him to go to the hospital with her and told him if he didn't go, she'd never see him again. He chose to go after you."
Ethan sat frozen in horror, but then he jumped to his feet. Lily and Honey pushed him back down onto the bench.
"No, Ethan. You are not going into the building," said Lily firmly. "All you will do is put yourself in danger and create more work for the emergency services – which will delay getting help to Cal. So you will stay here, please, and try to keep calm because we are the only two doctors and you might be needed."
Honey gave her an indignant look. "Ethan won't create more work for the emergency services! He's better than the emergency services. He's my superhero, aren't you?" She dabbed at Ethan's tears again.
"He might be your superhero, but right now, he is our doctor!" said Lily. "And the only superheroing he will be doing is emergency medicine."
Louise touched her arm. "Lily, his brother is in danger and he's blaming himself. He's not going to be in any condition to work and you can't expect him to."
Lily glared at her. "Exactly who do you think you are?"
"Someone who made the same mistake with Robyn," said Louise. She held out her arms as Robyn came towards her.
"I'm sorry: I know I should carry on working, but I can't!" wept Robyn.
Louise patted her back. "It's okay. You've done really well to keep working as long as you have."
"No: you don't need to work, Robyn," said Ethan. He took the tissue from Honey and wiped his face. "But I do. Cal and the others need me and this probably won't be my job anymore after today."
"Don't say that!" said Honey.
Lily gave Ethan a quick visual assessment and decided he was calm enough to work. "Of course this will still be your job. If one booty call is a reason to fire someone, then Cal would have left long ago." She hesitated, wondering if she dared to do it, especially with Honey watching, then she made her decision and gave Ethan a hug. "Cal has a habit of being all right and he is not one to break the habit of a lifetime."
Ethan nodded shakily. "Thanks, Lily." Then he gripped her arm so painfully, she almost cried out.
Two figures were making their way towards them, each supported by a policeman. One was tall and dark-haired. She was limping heavily but still wearing both her shoes. The other person was small and blonde and had a cut on her head.
Connie looked a bit shaken, but she made the effort to speak with her usual confidence. "Dr Chao. Good to see you. Dr Hardy. Glad you got out safely."
"Oh, I wasn't-" began Ethan, only to receive a swift kick from Lily. There was honesty and then there was stupidity.
"Mrs Beauchamp: you have a leg injury?" said Lily.
"It's just a sprained ankle," said Connie. "I'm sure Dr Hardy can deal with that. But perhaps you could treat Rita, Dr Chao: she needs her head examined."
"Excuse me!" said Rita.
Connie waved a hand graciously. "You're excused."
"If you'd like to follow me, Rita," said Lily, only to be stopped by a shout. She looked up to see Dylan and Lofty coming out of the ED. Dylan was walking unsteadily, his eyes wide and staring as Lofty supported him. It looked as though the nurse was speaking encouragingly to the doctor as they walked.
"Are you two all right?" said Lily.
"We're not hurt," said Lofty. "But Dylan's... we're both a bit shaken up."
Dylan was muttering to himself. "It's my fault. It's my fault. We shouldn't have left. I knew we shouldn't have left." He turned on Lofty. "Why did you let me leave?"
Lofty spoke soothingly. "It's not your fault, Dylan. Why don't we sit down for a bit? You look... I mean, I feel a bit shaky."
"It was my fault," said Dylan. "I should have heeded the warning. I should have known."
Lily bit back a sigh as she realised Dylan was in an even worse state than Ethan.
"Lofty, please stay with Dylan," said Lily. "Louise and I will treat Rita. Ethan, you will treat Mrs Beauchamp. You may, of course, stop if Cal is brought out or if you feel unable to work."
"Who died and made you clinical lead?" said Dylan.
"Fortunately, no-one," said Connie. "But if I had, the hospital would have been in very good hands."