CBloom2, it's not selfish to enjoy the Cal and Ethan scenes most - that's how I feel when I watch Casualty! I usually love the whole episode, but Cal and Ethan are special. I'm enjoying the challenge of multiple storylines, but I still enjoy writing Cal and Ethan most! Thank you for your review.

Tato Potato, thank you for your review. I didn't think Connie was in the right state of mind to be too severe - which is just as well considering Cal's condition! It is very difficult for Robyn too. She's a really lovely character and very loyal.

Gillian Kearney Fan, I do like the idea of Zoe being pregnant - sometimes doctors do make mistakes, especially in Holby City Hospital! - but I'm sure a lot of people have written about Zoe and Max having children. So I'd need to think of a special twist. Thank you for your review.

Tanith Panic, thank you for your review. I'm really happy you enjoyed so much of the last chapter. I'm really glad I got Lofty into a situation where Connie and other characters were able to appreciate him. I think everyone needs to appreciate Lofty!

consulting and insulting, thank you for your review - I'm so happy you've found and enjoyed the story. It sounds like we have similar opinions of Dylan and Zoe! I didn't used to like Dylan, but I'm completely in love with him now! I hope you enjoy the next chapter.

20BlueRoses, Cal is showing signs of improvement and Ethan's arrival will probably only help, but unless I have a miraculous recovery planned, it's still going to be a shock for Ethan! Thank you for your review - I'm so pleased you're enjoying it.

ETWentHome, I'm sure Ethan will want to get back to Cal as quickly as possible, even though he doesn't know Cal's woken up. Thank you for your review - I appreciate all your reviews, but this one gave me an idea which I've used in this chapter, so thank you!

Max's face fell slightly. "That doesn't sound good."

Zoe looked down at her hand, entwined with Max's, and her eyes filled with tears.

Max smiled at her. "Zoe, we're married and I love you. There's nothing you can't tell me."

Say it, Zoe. Just say it! "It's about… it's about my hen night."

Max laughed softly, then winced slightly in pain. "Did you have a stripper? Is that what this is about? You want to confess to me?"

"Yes… no…. well, yes…" Zoe was becoming confused now. She pressed her hand to her forehead and tried to think. "Max, I got very drunk. I don't know how because I don't think I drank that much. I didn't want to be hungover for my wedding. But I got very drunk and I woke up in the flat and… I'm so sorry, Max… there was a man there. I don't remember anything about it. He says all he did was bring me home because I was in a state and I couldn't find any of my friends, but Robyn thinks something happened and I'm just so scared she's right. I love you so much, Max, and I don't know what to do!"

Lofty was shaking as he re-entered the ED. He was used to seeing people in a confused state. He was even, to an extent, used to seeing injured colleagues. But nothing had prepared him for seeing Cal.

He went outside, still in a bit of a daze, and discovered Dylan sitting on a bench, staring moodily in front of him. Lofty felt a wave of emotion. He sat beside Dylan and threw his arms around him.

"Ben? What are you doing?" Dylan sounded confused, but then his voice changed. "What's wrong?"

"Everything," said Lofty quietly.

Dylan put a tentative hand on Lofty's back. "Yes, I know. It's very difficult."

Lofty blinked back tears. He let go of Dylan but stayed close to him. "I just saw Cal. I think he's brain-damaged or something."

"Ben, you're a much more competent nurse than I realised, but you're not qualified to diagnose a brain injury. Even if you're correct, a full recovery is possible. Wait and see what the experts say."

"I know you're right, but he… he was like a little boy," said Lofty. "So lost and scared. Mrs Beauchamp was different too. Sort of defeated and sad and… well, unsure of herself. Mrs Beauchamp never gets like that! Lily's keeping it together really well, but even she's different. She was giving Cal a cuddle and being nice to him. Lily! Where have they all gone, Dylan? And will we ever get them back?"

"Of course we will," said Dylan. "We've all been through a lot. It's going to affect us, but the effects won't necessarily be permanent. Not for Cal; not for Mrs Beauchamp; not for Lily..." An odd look came into his eyes. "And perhaps not for me."

Lofty put his hand on Dylan's arm. "You're going to be just as affected as anyone else, Dylan. If not more so because you weren't well to start with."

"I feel as though I'm not coping," said Dylan slowly. "As though everything is falling apart. Do you think anyone else feels like that?"

"We all do, Dylan," said Lofty. "Not necessarily all to the same extent or in the same way or at the same times… but yeah. All of us."

"So, my feelings; my reactions: they're… normal?" said Dylan.

Lofty smiled. "They're not a lot of fun for you, but they're completely normal, Dylan, yes."

Ethan was grateful for the warmth of Honey's hand in his. When he'd finally been told he could leave, he'd run into Honey's arms and nearly cried. On the journey home, he'd still been fighting tears. Noel had said a few supportive words and then left him to Honey. Now, as Ethan and Honey made the journey to Cal's room, he wondered how much more he could take; how much longer he could stay in control.

When they reached Cal's room, he stopped.

"Are we going in then?" said Honey.

Ethan was considering his answer when the door opened.

"Ethan," said Connie, much to his surprise. She almost always called him Dr Hardy. "How are you?"

"Perhaps a little bit wobbly by my standards," he said with a shaky smile. "How's Cal? Can I go in?"

Connie held up her hand. "Please wait a moment, Ethan. Cal has woken up, but he's very distressed and frightened. He's been asking for you."

"Then I'll go in at once," said Ethan, taking a step towards Cal's door, but Connie forestalled him.

"Ethan, before you go in, I need to tell you something. Are you happy for Honey to be with you?"

"He better had be because I'm not going anywhere!" said Honey. She put her arm around Ethan's waist and held him tightly.

Ethan's heart was beating fast. "I would like Honey to stay if that's all right. Is it bad news, Mrs Beauchamp? Please just tell me."

"All right," said Connie. "Firstly, I would like to stress that this could be nothing other than a reaction to the events of today." Connie's voice softened. "But he isn't himself, Ethan. I'm so sorry."

"Not himself?" burst out Ethan, as Honey held him more tightly. "What does that mean?"

"He's very distressed, confused and frightened," said Connie. "He doesn't really know what's going on, though he did recognise Lily and me. He can't remember very much of what's happened, though of course that's not uncommon with a head injury. He's had an MRI scan and we're waiting for the results. That's all I can tell you." Connie squeezed Ethan's arm. "I'm so sorry, Ethan."

Jacob sighed. "I'm sorry, Charlie. I tried, but I couldn't get through to him."

Charlie saw the regret and guilt in his face and smiled reassuringly. "It doesn't matter, Jacob. It's very difficult to get through to Louis. It means a lot to me that you tried."

"I don't think he's a bad kid," said Jacob. "He was really worried about you."

"I know. He was talking to me," said Charlie. "I heard his voice in my dream."

Jacob nodded. "It's like, his intentions are good, but when it comes to it, I think he kind of panics a bit."

"That's what I've been telling myself," admitted Charlie. "I've tried to understand. I've given him so many chances, Jacob. There have been times when I seemed to be getting somewhere. Times when he was doing really well."

"I think with something like that, there will always be ups and downs," said Jacob.

"I suppose the only question," said Charlie, "is how many ups and downs I'm prepared to go through."

He saw the shock on Jacob's face, though the other man quickly tried to hide it. "You're thinking of… of…"

"Of giving up on him?" Charlie gave Jacob a sad smile. "Yes, I suppose I am."

There was no censure on Jacob's face. "Sometimes, giving up can take more courage than carrying on."

"I think Louis would agree with that," said Charlie heavily. "The thing is, with something like this, I think you do have to be ready to make a change. If he doesn't feel ready to let the darker side go, there's nothing I or anyone else can do."

Jacob nodded, sadness in his eyes. He put his hand supportively on Charlie's arm. "So, that's what you're going to do?"

"That's what I need to think about," said Charlie. "I'm not a young man, Jacob, and not a healthy man. I need to consider myself too. It's not an easy thing to do after years of devoting myself to other people. But I need to treat myself like any other patient. Think of my own needs. Decide what they are. And then..." He stopped.

Louis had just entered the room.

Robyn jumped as she felt a hand on her arm. "What are you doing?" she hissed.

"I was going to ask you the same question," said Louise.

Robyn didn't know why she was so angry with her, but in truth she felt angry with everyone at the moment. Especially herself. Max had suffered so much and even though she was his sister and a nurse, she could do nothing.

"Okay, if I answer your question, will you answer mine?" said Louise. "What I'm doing is making sure you don't do anything stupid."

Stung, Robyn glared at her. "It's Zoe who's done something stupid!"

"Yeah, obviously, but that doesn't mean it's okay for you to do something stupid too," said Louise.

"I don't have time for this." Robyn looked through the window of Max's room again and gasped in horror. Zoe had got to her feet and was bending over Max. As her lips touched his, Max lifted a hand slightly and placed it on her hip. Robyn wrenched the door open, ignoring Louise's plea for her to stop, and rushed over to them. "I told you to tell him!"

Both of them jumped and Max gave a small cry of pain.

"Now look what you've done!" said Robyn, and burst into tears.

"I have told him!" said Zoe. "And he's decided to forgive me. Is that so hard to believe?"

Robyn stared at Max, tears dripping down her cheeks. "You're seriously going to take her back? After everything?"

"I already have done," said Max.

Robyn ran out of the room and into Louise's waiting arms.