He Cares 💕

Chapter 3

Naveen had only called Ethan to his office to catch up, as well as talking about the team and Ethan himself. The past few weeks Dr. Banerji could help but feel that Ethan was distracted. Naveen knew Ethan well and he knew when he wasn't at the top of his game. Naveen had asked about basically everything. He asked about work, if anything here bothered him, he asked about home, about his parents and how his mum was trying to contact him. Still nothing seemed to be the reason he was off. One last thought popped into the doctor's mind. "Ethan, how are things going between you and Dr. Lorelli?" and that was it, Naveen had cracked the case.

"Naveen, it's-" Ethans words lingering in the air.

"It's not nothing Ethan, I know her, and I know you. It's normal to care for her, even if it's not in the professional way." The older doctor's words made Ethan realize how much he needed her, "Ethan, if she really means that much take the rest of the day off, go find her."

"But my patients, my work-"

"Ethan," Naveens words were toned with care, and the slightest ounce of annoyance. "Given you had time to come here, your patients are all stable. We both know that any work you have you'll finish tomorrow. Trust me, you need her right now more than this hospital needs you both. So for the love of his just go already."

His words sunk into Ethan, the room falling silent while he planned his next moves. "Thank you Naveen, Thank you," and with that Ethan picked himself up to go find her.

All would have been merry, he would've found her and forced home, taking her to his apartment. He would have cooked for her, he would have cuddled with her, he would finally be able to sleep next to her like he wanted so desperately to do; but Ethan was a doctor, so nothing going to plan was common. He had gotten to the hall just as he heard Dr. Trinh screams. "TIFFANY!" the young doctor cried. "Tiffany, it's alright you're going to be ok, somebody get her on a bed, now!" Ethan looked in the direction to see her bleeding and unconscious on the floor. Panic rose as he felt his heart momentarily stop. Ethan felt his body jolt towards her, but arms were holding him back. Before Ethan could break down into a crying mess next to her, Naveen had pulled him back into his office.

"Breathe Ethan, Breathe." Naveen had pulled him into a hug, feeling tears soak his shoulder.

"I can't, I don't remember how to. Naveen god dammit what happened."

Naveen had never seen Ethan this distraught, he was shaking, trying to calm himself but floods of tears escaping him.

"Ethan I don't know, but I promise she'll be ok. Go home and figure yourself out. When I find out what happened I will tell you." Ethan didn't want to leave, he wanted to be there for her, he wanted to care for her. But he knew she was in good hands, and so in a mindless trance found his way back to his apartment.