Cal is younger than Ethan who doesn't have the gene.

This chapter was prompted by bronny9, with the prompt: Cal and Ethan head off on a camping trip, but when Cal falls ill will he be ok?


The Secret Life Of Casualty.

Chapter 389.

Cal and Ethan were exhausted after work, but were thankful that they had the weekend off. They were looking forward to chilling out in front of the TV when Ethan turned to his brother, he'd just had an idea.

"What?" Cal asked, he recognised that look on Ethan's face.

"How about we go camping?" Ethan suggested. They'd gone on camping trips with Matilda before she died.

Cal thought Ethan was mad, but he was always up for adventure.

"Well?" Ethan looked at Cal.

Cal nodded and headed to his bedroom to pack some stuff for the trip. Ethan was doing the same in his bedroom, when the older one was packed, he carried the bag out of the room and placed it by the door. When Cal was packed, he did the same.

"Here, let me help you, " Said Ethan.

"I can manage" Said Cal, carrying the bag down the stairs, even though, he was younger than Ethan, he still liked having his independence, he wouldn't give control to Ethan, unless he absouately had too. Cal unlocked the front door and put his bag in the boot.

While Ethan put the tent in the boot, Cal messed about with the radio.

"What are you doing, Cal?" Ethan asked.

"Got to have good tunes, Ethan"

Ethan shook his head as he got in the drivers seat and Cal got in the passenger, both belting up and hitting the road.

Cal was driving Ethan crazy by singing along to the radio. He was tempted to tell him to "shut up" but that wasn't in his nature. Shortly after that, they pulled in to the camp were they would be staying for the next few days.

Ethan was in charge of putting the tent up while Cal was in charge of unloading the food they'd brought on the way down. Once they were set up, they sat inside the tent, Cal was playing a game on his phone, while Ethan was reading. At around 10, they bedded down for the night, each getting in their sleeping bags. The boys both got a few hours until Ethan heard a coughing noise and it didn't appear to be him.

"Cal, what's wrong?" Ethan asked, putting his glasses on his face. He'd been woken up by his brothers coughing.

"D-don't f-fel w-well" Cal rasped.

Ethan wished that he had his stethoscope with him, but he'd left it at home.

It looked like their trip would have to be cut short. Ethan helped his brother walk to the car and helped him with his belt. It'd take them a few hours to get back to Holby. Ethan knew it would be a good idea to call Charlie. He dialled the number, hoping he'd pick up.

"Hello?"

"Charlie, it's Ethan"

"What's up?"

Ethan explained. "Cal started coughing" Ethan risked a look in the back and to his horror, Cal was now unconscious.

"Ethan?" Charlie said, noticing the line had gone quiet.

"He's unconscious. " Ethan said, panicking.

"OK, I'll get RESUS ready, you just get him here" Said Charlie.

"Thanks Charlie"

"See you in a few"

"What's going on?" Duffy asked, looking at her husband.

"Ethan is bringing Cal in" Is all Charlie said as he put on his dark blue scrubs.

Ethan put his lights on, as the roads were now pitch black.

Several hours later, Ethan pulled in to the hospital. Cal was waiting for him.

"What happened, Ethan?" Charlie who looked at the boys like they were his sons, asked.

"He started coughing and lost consciousness "

Charlie nodded. "We'll get him in to RESUS"

Ethan watched as Cal was wheeled in to RESUS, as Cal and Zoe transferred him on to the bed, he made no signs of waking. After using her stethoscope to listen to his c, hest, when she did, she heard some crackling

Feeling like he was going to collapse from the stress of worrying about his brother, Ethan managed to sit on a reception chair, seeing his colleagues look at him: Robyn, Louise and David all gave him looks, he stared back at him, as the doors to RESUS finally opened and Charlie come out, heading over to Ethan. Ethan swallowed, his mouth dry at the thought of loosing his brother was scaring him.

"Ethan" Charlie finally said, just as Zoe joined him, adjusting her stethoscope around her neck.

"Tests reveal that Cal is suffering with pneumonia" Zoe said.

"Can I see him?" Ethan asked.

Zoe nodded. "Of course"

Ethan stood and walked in to RESUS, to see his brother laying on the bed: An oxygen mask over his face, an IV in his hand, giving him antibiotics. Zoe joined him. "He'll be kept in overnight "

Ethan nodded, he understood it was important for Cal to get better. "I'll go and get you some things, " He said.

Cal nodded, removing the mask from his face. Ethan shook his head.

"You need to keep that on, " Zoe said.

Ethan kissed his brothers forehead before heading out of the hospital, to the car park. He unlocked the car doors and got in to the drivers seat, turning on the engine as he pulled out of the car park, towards their flat.

In the flat, Ethan headed in to Cal's messy room: the bed was unmade, dirty socks and undies on the floor.

When Ethan returned to RESUS, Cal was asleep and he didn't want to disturb him, so he put the bag away so that no one who was looking after Cal, could trip over it. He sat in the chair, bracing himself for a long night until his brother woke.

It was the next morning when Ethan opened his eyes to see Jessica checking his brother and making notes in his chart. He rubbed his eyes, trying to get the sleep out of them, just in time to see Jessica leave, most likely to update Cal's notes on the computer.

"Please wake up, " Ethan begged, taking his brothers hand and holding it against his cheek.

"E-than?"

Thinking that his mind was playing tricks on him, Ethan stood up as the voice spoke again, Ethan realising it was Cal, from behind the mask.

"Cal?" Ethan whispered.

Zoe, walked in, hearing Ethan speak to his brother.

After checking him over, Zoe gave him the all clear to go home. Ethan nodded, he'd heard all this before and even gave the advice to his own patients.

Ethan decided to make his brother a bed up on the couch, it saved him from walking up and down the stairs, everytime he wanted something. Ethan got a call from Connie, asking if he'd do a shift. Ethan refused, wanting to spend time with his brother.

"Shall we watch a DVD?" Ethan asked.

Cal wanted too. Ethan put it on and then put his arm around his brother.


Thank you for reading.