Brendans POV

Deep down I knew what her answer was going to be... But it still hurt like a mother fucker. It's clear now that I never had a chance with her.

Well I guess this is my cue to leave. Don't make this awkward Brendan.

I feel my shoulders slump in defeat as I turn away from her and head towards the door.

I feel her soft fingers graze over mine as she attempts to stop me from walking out the door. "I'm... sorry Dan." She whispers before letting my hand drop against my side. "It hurts me to see you this way, but just because I don't love you the way you love me, that doesn't mean I don't care about you."

At this point I don't know whether this is meant to make me feel better or worse. I continue staring at the floor with my back towards her, wishing I was anywhere else but here right now.

Dammit. Why did I stop drinking. I could be drunk right now and in the morning , I could easily just pretend this never happened.

"Are.. are you ok?" I hear her question and it snaps me out of my daze. "Please say something."

Don't say it Brendan. Don't fucking say it.

"Why are you still pining after someone, who clearly doesn't want anything to do with you?"

Yep. You went ahead and said it.

You fucking twat.

I turn around, owning my words. The look she gives me cuts deep, but I maintain my composure, knowing that what I had just said was God's honest truth.

"Excuse me? You're basically doing the same thing." She spits out.

She got me there.

I feel my body tense and my ears heat up momentarily, ready to fight her accusation, but there was no point. I had to own it. If I want her to be honest with me, then I need to be translucent with her.

"True." I reply flatly, looking at her dead in the eyes. "Shame on me for wanting something I can't have, even though it has the potential to be something incredibly beautiful."

Her eyes widen a little before they fall to the floor and away from my unwavering gaze.

"Dan..." She says, choking on my name.

The sound of vibrations cuts through the air and I watch as she pulls her pager out of her pocket, saving me from yet another rejection.

"Dammit." She whispers in irritation.

"What is it?" I ask, stepping closer towards her.

"I'm being called in." She says still looking at her pager.

"Didn't you just leave the hospital?" I ask.

"Yes, but that's just how it goes when you're an intern." She says in a matter of fact tone. "Ugh and I just sent the babysitter home."

It took me only half a minute to think before my mouth went ahead and spoke for me. "You go and I'll stay here and watch Blake."

Ok rewind... I'm gonna do what now?

"What? No way!" She says with a look of shock on her face. "I can't ask you to do that."

"I don't mind." I shrug.

"Well I do." She replies. "He doesn't even know you. That's just weird and freaky. I don't even know how you are with children."

"Wow! So much trust and confidence in me then." I reply as I roll my eyes at her. "Have you forgotten I've got 2 nieces and I practically babysit your brothers ass 24/7."

"My brother's 30 not 3." She says condescendingly.

"And yet he still can't wipe his own ass." I reply with a smirk.

"Gross." She says rolling her eyes. Her pager vibrates, silencing us once again. "Dammit! My resident is going to kill me."

"Will you please just trust me Treacle." I say as I take her shoulders and spin her to face me. She pushes the pager back inside her pocket and lets out a deep sigh, before looking up at me.

"Fine." She says reluctantly. "But don't make me regret this Dan."

Bradley's POV

I couldn't sit still to save my life.

My legs continue to pace the narrow corridor in the hospital, as I impatiently wait for an update on our dad.

"Surely we should get an update soon?" I say, letting my impatient thoughts leek out of my mouth. "It's been fucking hours."

"It's been half an hour." Benji says unbothered. "Now can you stop pacing around, it's doing my fucking head in."

You're doing my head in.

"You're meant to be chill right now." He continues. "Or did Jay do you dirty and give you the shit stuff?"

"Excuse you." JD pipes up as he pushes his back off the far wall that he was recently leaning against. "I don't know what you're insinuating, but I always get the good shit thank you very much. Nothing less than perfection for the J man."

He winks at me and I roll my eyes in reply. I was still slightly buzzing from his last joint, so I knew it wasn't naff, but I still didn't feel as relaxed or numb as I normally would.

"Why don't you come and have a seat lads." He continues. "Looks like it's gonna be awhile."

I look over to Benj and his eyes are fixed on me, yet his stare goes beyond my current position.

What is he thinking about now?

"Look out for Brad for me Jay." He finally says, still looking me up and down. "I'm gonna step out and make a phone call."

Who does he need to call?

"Alright Benj." Jay replies and we both stand there, watching Benj slowly walk away from us. I quickly found myself lost in thought, as my mind wanders over to Lexi for the first time tonight, after hearing her voice.

What is she doing now?

Did things go well with her and my brother?

Was I rude to her on the phone?

Why isn't she here with Benj?

Should I text her?

"What's on your mind B?" I hear Jay say behind me and I slowly turn around.

"Hmmm?" I reply still lost in thought. " Oh...Nothing."

I make my way towards him as he leans his back against the wall again, cocking one eyebrow at me.

"What?" I shrug.

"I know you intimately little one." He says cheekily. "Now spill."

I remain silent. What does he expect me to say? That yes... once again, I am still thinking about Lexi.

"Brad." He goads as he lightly punches my shoulder.

I sigh in defeat. Fine.

"Would it be a total dick move if I sent Lexi a text?" I confess and as soon as the words leave my lips, I am immediately ridden with guilt and regret.

"Hmmm... that depends." He says.

"On what?" I ask.

"On whether you want to have the shit kicked out of you by Benj." He states.

Dickhead.

"I'm being serious Jay." I say as I punch him in the shoulder.

"So am I." He says. "But it does depend on what you want to say to her. She's just been on a date with Benj and you don't know what's happened between them tonight. I think it's best you speak to Benj first about what exactly is going on with them two. God knows you don't need any more complications right now."

Fuck. That's true... But would a single text really complicate things? I guess it all depends on what it says.

So what exactly did I want to say to her right now?

Benjamins POV

I made my way outside and surprisingly I wasn't even itching for a smoke. In fact, what I wanted at this exact moment, was something a lot more substantial.

I slowly take my phone out of my pocket. I had charged it in the car on the way to the hospital, but it was only on 45%.

It'll do.

I find Lexi's number and dial it, ignoring the weird feeling of butterflies in my stomach, that were creeping its way through my body. Was it nerves, adrenaline or something completely different?

After two long rings, I hear her worried voice on the other line.

"Benji?"

"Hey Kitten." I reply.

"How are you?" She asks and immediately curses herself under her breath. "Fuck. Wait no.. don't answer that. That was so stupid of me to ask."

"It's alright." I reassure her. "We're at the hospital now, dad's currently in surgery."

"I.. I don't even know what to say." She says and I can sense the awkward tone in her voice. "I'm so sorry Benji, I wish..."

I cut her off quickly, not wanting to hear anymore about my current situation. "Lexi, I just wanted to say I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" She asks.

"For leaving you so abruptly tonight." I continue. "Under normal circumstances, that would be a dick move and although my reason for leaving is justified, I just wanted to let you know that I didn't want this night to end this way."

"Oh!" She says surprised. "No that's ok. I understand why Benj. You really don't need to apologise. I just... feel so helpless. I wish there was something I could do."

Just then my eyes wander over to my right as an ambulance pulls up outside the front of the hospital. Three different couples were also standing nearby, with solemn looks upon each of their faces.

"Benj? Are you still there?" I could here Lexi talking, but I was busy fixated on the strangers before me. Watching, listening... studying.

"I just don't think I could do this without you." I hear one male say to his female companion before they share an intimate kiss.

"I'm so happy you're with me tonight. I would be a right mess if you weren't here." I hear another female say to her male companion, before she reaches out to him for an embrace.

The foreign sentiment triggers something deep within me and before I know it, the words slip out of my mouth so naturally, as though it had been on the tip of my tongue the whole night.

The line goes quiet and I can barely hear her breathing on the other end. I check my phone screen to make sure the call is still connected.

"Benj?" I hear her say. "Sorry.. I can't hear you, you're breaking up. What did you say just now?"

I breathe out a deep sigh, but whether it was out of relief or frustration... I couldn't tell.

"Nothing." I reply flatly. A nearby clock tower chimes, signalling the time to be 10:45pm. "It's late. You must be tired."

"No it's ok. I don't mind." She says.

"I'll call you tomorrow." I continue on. "Goodnight Lexi."

I disconnect the call before she has a chance to reply. I shove the phone back into my pocket and pull out my cigarettes. I light one up and run our brief conversation through my head.

I wish you were here? The hell was that Benj? What was I thinking?

I finish the remainder of my cigarette in pure frustration, before making my way back inside the hospital.

Sort your head out Benj.

Audrinas POV

Despite the fact that my insides were contorted in pain and worry, I went against the feeling and trusted Dan to look after my son.

Although I've only ever left Blake with his usual babysitters, this would be the first time I am leaving him in the hands of someone who is a complete stranger to him.

Oh God I hope I did the right thing.

I know deep down Dan would never harm him or put him in any danger. Despite not seeing Dan for over 4 years, I still very much trusted him. He is a good person.

Blake will be turning 4 soon and he no longer wakes up during the night, so I knew he wouldn't be any trouble for Dan. Hopefully there wasn't too much going on in the hospital, so it would allow me to get back home, well before Blake woke up in the morning.

The usual 30 minute taxi ride to the hospital was cut in half due to the late hour. I thank the taxi driver as I threw the door open and run up the stairs towards the entrance, pulling my hair up in a tight bun.

My pager continuously vibrates inside my pocket, burning an invisible hole through the fabric.

Fuck. I'm coming already.

It was unusually a little more chaotic that normal inside. I quickly make my way through the bodies blocking the entrance way and head towards the nurses station.

Ah Olivia is still here.

"I'm here, I'm here." I say, breathing out.

Damn. Why do I feel so unfit right now. Fuck my life.

"Where you been girl?" Olivia says as she looks up from the computer screen. "I've been paging you for the last hour."

"I know, but I was already at home." I reply, trying hard not to let the fatigue settle in.

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't realise you clocked off already." She says. "It's been hectic here so I haven't been paying much attention to the roster."

"That's ok. Life of an intern right?" I reply.

"Who's looking after the little one then?" She asks.

"Just a friend that happened to be visiting tonight." I reply sheepishly. "It's a long story."

Please don't ask anymore questions.

She cocks an eyebrow at me but doesn't push the subject further. "Well you better head into OR2. We've got multiple traumas tonight."

Dammit. Sounds like a long one again.

I hope Dan and Blake are ok. I'll have to message them before I head in.

"Here is the case you're assigned to." She says as she hands me a new patient folder. I scan through the file, skipping the basics and going straight to the injuries.

Plane crash. Hasn't been one of these for awhile.

Perforated kidney. Damn, Physio will hurt like a bitch afterwards.

Hmmm.. quite a few injuries here. How old is this patient?

I glance over at the patients age when something else catches my eye.

"Holy fuck what?" I scream out, dropping the folder on the floor. "Brock Vaughn?!"

Oh my god. Oh my god. Mr Brock! Benjamins dad? No! Oh my god.

"Jesus Christ Audrina, what is the matter with you?" Olivia says as she comes around to grab the folder off the floor. "Keep it down will you. His family are just around the corner."

I could feel my chest tighten as panic sets in.

Oh my god please don't let him die. Please don't let him die. Oh god... please don't let him die on my watch either. Fuck, this can't really be happening right now.

"Are you ok girl? You've gone pale." I hear Olivia say as she settles back in behind the counter, giving me a weird look.

Breathe Auds. Just get through it.

"When you say his family is just around the corner." I say cautiously. " Who exactly is here tonight?"

Just then I hear footsteps behind me come to a halt and the feeling of someone familiar standing close by, courses through the air.

Then I hear it. It's unmistakable. I would know, because I've been in love with the person that this voice belongs to since forever.

Benjamins POV

I had been trying to pay attention to Jay discuss our dads situation, as the three of us make our way back towards the nurses station, when a familiar presence stops me in my tracks.

I would recognize that chestnut brown hair anywhere. Why oh why did it have to be right here, right now?

"His family are just around the corner." I hear the silver haired nurse say behind the desk as her eyes glance awkwardly my way.

"When you say his family is just around the corner. Who exactly is here tonight?" I hear Audrina say quietly. I don't even bother looking over at the other lads. I can already feel the pure disgust radiating off Brad.

"You've got to be shitting me." I say bluntly.

Some of the other staff nearby turn their heads at the sudden commotion. A few patients loiter around as I wait for Audrina to turn around and face us.