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Chapter Text

Catch Me When I Fall – Chapter 1 (A Swing)

Will Halstead, one of the doctors that worked in Emergency Medicine for Gaffney’s Medical Center, hadn’t been the biggest fan of when the new COO, Gwen Garrett came on board. He was less of a fan when he realized what she was doing.

His own father had been brought in by the Chicago Fire Department because of a fire. He knew it was against rules, but he hadn’t cared when his dad had coded. It wasn’t like they had an available doctor at the time.

He tried to stay on the sidelines when his dad and Jay decided to argue about the apartment again. Not like it had been the first time and it didn’t matter how much he tried to warn Jay. This was not the time nor place. Not while he was in the hospital.

Will had asked Connor if he would step in since he wasn’t allowed to treat his own dad. Who still had an infection that Connor wanted to have checked out before he went to see what Dr. Choi needed.

But he watched as Pat pointed out that Jay wasn’t the doctor, Will was. It was during this that Will felt it best to step out for a moment. Knowing it would just get heated, especially by Jay. That hadn’t stopped Jay confronting him about.

“Thanks for the help back there, was really great,” Jay muttered.

“Jay, I am not going to get into between you and dad. Not while he is in the hospital. All you are doing is riling him up and I am trying to keep him stable. Just let it go, Jay,” Will told him.

“Oh, and make me the bad guy?” Jay asked before scoffing. “Just like always.”

It had been that argument before a nurse got Will’s attention when his dad had gone into V-fib. It hadn’t mattered on anything he did. Sam had confirmed it for him, that his father was braindead. There practically were no EEG wavelengths.

Jay had been furious about what Sam said after and he understood. They had waves and waves of patients. Another of the patients could use the vent that his father was on. But it wasn’t a demand as Sam looked at him.

It didn’t make it any easier to hear for Jay to practically call him useless. He had learned as a doctor years ago that loss came along with the degree and profession. It hadn’t been easy in the beginning. It certainly didn’t make it better since it was his own father. But it seemed that Jay had no problem blaming him. What else was new?

Will had turned to face out the window as he looked down at his hand. The silver ring that rest on his left finger. There was no point in trying to argue about it with Jay. He always saw it as him being right.

Then Gwen had approached him that they could keep his dad on the vent for long as possible. It didn’t make any sense why Gwen tried to appear understanding. Maybe because Jay had been there with him.

It was after that Will found out the real reason. She was trying to save her ass and prevent the hospital from taking a hit.

That fucking bypass! They were using his own father just to avoid liability. He couldn’t believe it… and that they would do that to him and to use his own family…

It had been Connor that pointed out to him to check his last surgery, as it was something he had brought up when he had spoken to Mr. Halstead before he coded. He gave Will a reassuring grip of his forearm and he looked into Will’s eyes.

It might been the first smile since his dad had brought in. “Thanks, Connor.” And he had really meant it. They hadn't really gotten on at the beginning ever since he realized that he was that Rhodes. But their working relationship had gotten a lot better. Finally able to look past the name. 

Maybe the worst decision that Will could have made was to convince his own brother of this. That was when the argument started.

Jay hadn’t cared that the hospital was using their dad to avoid liability.

I don’t care that you feel betrayed,” Jay told him.

“Jay, listen to yourself. They are using him!” Will shot back.

“That’s your problem, not mine!” Jay snapped, making Will back out of the treatment room.

“Jay! He’s gone! You need to accept that!” Will tried again.

He didn’t feel the harsh shove or the punch that sent him flying into the Nurse’s station. His head colliding with the edge of the desk before crumbling to the ground.

Jay had already turned his back and was back in the treatment room.

Connor had just gotten back from doing Stella Kidd’s surgery, a firefighter with Chicago Fire Department. He had heard enough of the argument before he jumped into action.

“Will! Maggie! Monique! Get me a damn gurney!” Connor ordered.

“We don’t have any rooms,” Maggie told him.

“I don’t care. We’ll make room upstairs!” Connor snapped before feeling the back of Will’s head. That was when he felt blood.

He eased an arm under Will’s legs before lifting him, taking care of his head before placing him on the gurney.

Maybe it was the shouting that caused Jay to come back out of the room Pat was in. He felt a little guilty as he watched Connor lift his brother.

"Jay. You need to leave. Now." Connor ordered.

"He got hit by a punch. He's fine. I'm not leaving. So, what's the problem?" Jay told him.

"At this very moment, the problem is you. Now, thanks to you, I have a colleague to treat. So, you're done here."

"I'm his brother."

"That's funny. Because you sure don't act like it. Maybe next time me and my sister have an argument, I'll just punch her to serve the point. Sounds fair," Connor's voice was harsh.

"That isn't the same and you know it!"

"Is it? You tell me. How about we ask Will? Oh, yeah, he's currently unconscious because of you. So, you better hope that he comes out of this," Connor narrowed his eyes.

Connor started to push the gurney before yelling towards Maggie.

"Get him out of here or I will!"

Connor never stayed to see if Jay stood there or not as he wheeled Will upstairs. Taking the first room that was open. They must have just discharged a patient, for which he was thankful. He wasn’t above kicking them out at this moment. They could find someone in another room or in the ED.

“Come on, Will,” Connor muttered as he placed in the IV himself after he hooked Will up to the monitors. He needed to keep an eye on his vitals. So far, they were steady.

But the redheaded doctor never woke up once as Connor was checking his pupils, that was when he noticed his airway. It looked like he was clamping down as he eased a tube down Will’s throat to intubate him. Whatever injury he sustained was enough where it was causing him not to breath on his own. He was going to kill Jay when this was over with.

That was when there was a knock at the door before it was opened.

“Dr. Rhodes,” Dr. Choi walked into the room. “I was just told what happened. How is he?”

“He was clamping down on his airway but he’s not responsive. He’s going to need a CT scan on his head and maybe page Dr. Abrams…” Connor informed him. “I need a Neurosurgeon…”

“I’ll give them a call,” Ethan replied.

Connor nodded as he stared at Will’s vitals until they wheeled Will out of the room for the CT. It was after that Sam stopped by. He stayed out of the room until Sam closed the door behind him. He wasn’t the only one that wanted news about Will. Sharon Goodwin had been in the room asking about him. It was no surprise that she had been informed about Will’s condition. Though he wasn’t sure if she had been told the reason why it happened yet.

“Anything Sam?” Connor asked.

“It’s not looking good at the moment. The impact to the back of Will’s head is putting pressure on his brain. It needs surgery to remove the pressure. Medication won’t be enough I’m afraid. I should let you know there may be some memory loss.” Sam told him.

“Is he going to wake up?” Connor asked.

“That is entirely up to Will. It’s not uncommon that a TBI will leave them in a comatose state. I’ll know more after the surgery.”

Connor nodded, “let me know.”

Sam nodded before walking down the hall. They would probably be wheeling down there soon for the surgery.

Connor didn't move until Sharon came out of the room.

"How are you holding up?" She asked, her voice was gentle.

The question honestly surprised Connor, they were colleagues... and he supposed friends. He wasn't exactly sure why she was directly the question at him. Sure... he was the first doctor that had reacted. Anyone would. 

"As good as I can be. We don't know if he has a concussion from the impact. Sam says he needs surgery, but he hasn't waken up once," Connor admitted.

"I know. They said you were witness to what happened," Sharon commented.

"Not completely. I just had finished the surgery for Stella. I had been able to stop the bleeding without taking out her lung. I had spoken to Will about where his dad had a bypass surgery recently. But Jay had taken a swing at Will. I don't know why... Knocked him into the Nurse's Station. He's not moved since."

"Jay?" Sharon repeated, it was a shock to hear, even for her. "Okay. I'll see what I can do. I'll check back on you later."

Chapter Text

Catch Me When I Fall – Chapter 2 (No Change)

It hadn’t been easy when Sharon had to announce that Dr. Halstead had to undergo surgery but still hadn’t woken up yet. She knew that her staff was anxious for any news. Any sign that he might wake up. The fact that Dr. Abrams would be performing the surgery wasn’t lost on them.

She was hoping for the same kind of news as everyone else.

Sharon hadn’t seen what happened and knew only by rumor about what happened in the ED that afternoon. Not many had been able to give her an accurate description of the events quite yet. Even if she had been there in the beginning, she still would have allowed Dr. Rhodes to intervene as he did. Nobody at Chicago Med would have been able to remain unbiased when it was one of their own doctors.

Everyone knew the policy about treating family. It seemed in this situation it had been for the better even though it hadn't prevented the diagnosis of Mr. Halstead being braindead. She had yet to get the full explanation from Dr. Rhodes about the events. Just not quite yet.

Dealing with security and the Chicago Police Department had been tiresome enough. Adding Sergeant Hank Voight to the mix had not helped matters. This had been hours after learning that surgery was necessary for one of her doctors.

Even Maggie had been surprised that Dr. Halstead would need surgery. She hadn’t seen what happened herself but had been away from the desk at the moment. It was obvious that she felt guilty that she hadn’t been there to see anything. But the rumors were everywhere.

Nobody knew what was true and what wasn’t, only that it seemed that Dr. Halstead was in critical condition at that moment.

Ethan was back in the ED after checking with Dr. Rhodes hours ago. He had been the first few to know about Will’s condition since everyone had been desperate for answers. He had been the first to notice the direction Natalie was going. Which attracted the attention of everybody else.

"Natalie? Where are you going?" Maggie asked.

Her friend had just released her patient and was heading towards the elevator.

"Uhh. You know, just wanted to see how Will was doing," Natalie replied. She had a guilty look on her face.

"Look, Nat. I know we are all worried about Will right now. But he's still not awake and they're still monitoring him," Maggie told her. "I don't think seeing him hooked up is going to be doing anyone any favors right now."

"Maggie. Maybe he just might. We don't know if and when he will."

"Wait, hold up. I thought you let this crush of yours go, Nat. He's already told you no. That isn't going to change anything. Memories or not," Maggie told her.

"We don't know that. I just thought—"

"Nat, no! This is not fair to Will. He lost his memories, and you are playing with him. Even if he does wake up, you already lost your chance with him.  Do not do this to him. He will not forgive you when he finds out." Maggie told her. “And he will.”

"What if he doesn't?" Natalie shot back.

"Doesn't?"

"His memories. It doesn't mean he will. Come on, Maggie."

"No! What you are doing is manipulation. And he will come to hate you for it. Can you really live with that? And I won't blame him for that. You need to give him some space."

“Will isn’t going to hate me. There isn’t anything wrong with me just talking to him. And it’s not like he’s with anyone. What’s it going to hurt?”

"What if you slept together?" Maggie shot back, finally losing her temper on her friend. How could she not understand on how bad this was going to backfire? 

"What?" Natalie asked, baffled at the turn of conversation.

"If a woman had no memory and a man slept with her after telling her they were dating, we would be calling it rape," April sneered from behind her. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing and from Natalie no less. One of their own doctors!? It was baffling to witness.

“It’s—it’s not—”

"Just because roles are reversed doesn't change the facts!" April continued. "It would still be rape."

"How is he?" Natalie asked instead, not liking the way the conversation went.

"Why? So you can manipulate him further?" April was on the defensive. She knew that Dr. Halstead was currently unconscious, and Dr. Rhodes had to intubate him to help him breathe till he could do so on his own. Ethan had been there right before Will had been taken to surgery. He had told her before Sharon had said anything to them. She hadn’t been the only one begging for answers. 

She knew that Dr. Rhodes cared about any patient he had. But it was on another level since it was Dr. Halstead. She understood. One of their own doctors had been attacked in their hospital. It was enough to make anyone worried how Will would make it through. Or if he would wake up. To escape the argument that was starting to brew, she made her way upstairs.

"How are you holding up?" April asked after she entered Will's room.

Connor was in the corner of the room, his blue eyes never left Will's face. He slightly jumped hearing April's voice. He hadn’t expected anyone to come in unless it was Sharon. It wasn’t like there was much of an update that he could give her. Will’s state hadn’t changed once. 

"Fine," He muttered.

"Oh yes, dear Will is unconscious, and you have a face that looks ready to murder." April shot back sarcastically. "That just screams fine. Now, what is it? Because you don't look fine.”

Connor shrugged, "we don't know if he'll come out of it. Sam relieved the pressure it placed on his brain." He sighed, "his own brother... I just..."

"What happened?" She asked, after all she hadn’t been there until they were wheeling Will into his own treatment room. Since they had to get scans and eventually ordered a CT.

Connor ran a hand through his hair, "I'm not sure exactly. He had a disagreement with his brother. I saw him hit the desk and he never moved."

"And you didn't kill him?" April asked, shocked.

Connor shrugged, "we argued... kind of had more pressing concerns. And I doubt Will would appreciate it if I got a murder charge against me. Even if it was in his honor. What kind of friend would I be?"

He was trying not to think about the events that led to this. Because he still wasn't against the idea of giving Jay a piece of his mind. He still refused to admit how much it terrified him at seeing Will slumped there. Not moving. Not even a twitch when he was moved onto a gurney. Thoughts hadn't been spared when he had to intubate him. But he still wasn't waking up.

He glanced down at where his ring used to be. Seeing that it had to be removed in order for his surgery. He still had it but he would need to make a phone call. In the end, it had been placed back on his finger. 

Normally he probably would have kept it on him. Giving it back to Will after he woke up… if he woke up. For now, it rested on his finger.

Chapter Text

Catch Me When I Fall – Chapter 3 (Who are You)

There had been signs that Will was due to be waking up soon. It kind of worked out since Stella had just undergone surgery that all the firefighters were here. It was that in mind that Connor marched down the corridor to find a specific person.

Brian Zvonecek. He had short and curly black hair with brown eyes. He had a mustache and goatee. He was known as Otis by his fellow firefighters. He hadn’t quite got the story of how the man got the nickname.

It had been easy to find him at Stella’s bedside, currently recovering. Which meant that the rest of the firefighters were lingering in the lobby or back at the Firehouse until some of them switched out. 

“Brian,” Connor called.

Otis looked behind him, “oh, hey. Doc.”

Connor looked around in the room, seeing other firefighters he recognized, Christopher Herrmann and Kelly Severide.

“A word, if you don’t mind.”

Otis look back at Kelly, “I’ll be back Lieutenant.”

Kelly gave a nod.

Connor walked further down the halls before stopping at the elevator.

“Dr. Rhodes? What’s going on?” Otis asked.

“Hang on,” Connor told him before getting on the elevator. Gesturing for Otis to join him.

Otis was starting to look concerned. “Is this about Kidd?”

Connor shook his head, “I didn’t think you would want the others to know in case they aren’t in the know.”

“What are you talking about?” Otis asked.

“I know you’re married to Will,” Connor told him.

Otis’ jaw dropped, whatever he was expecting to hear. It wasn’t that.

“I don’t know what you heard—”

“Save it, Brian,” Connor cut him off. “I get that you might be hiding from the others in case they give you shit. I don’t care about that, but I care about your husband. He never shuts up about you…”

Connor shook his head in fondness at the last remark.

Otis' face went slightly pink before his mind caught up with what he just said.

“Will?! What happened?” Otis wanted to know.

Connor sighed, “well there is a story to that. I’ll stick to the short version first here. He was knocked unconscious and has suffered brain trauma. He’s had a CT scan already because of the injury. It placed pressure on his brain and they had to perform surgery. It’s possible there’s a TBI. Dr. Abrams believes there might be some memory loss. Just— just be prepared for that. But I figured you’d want to see him.”

Otis nodded and followed Connor to Will’s room. A frown formed the moment he looked at Will. He wasn’t moving. But it didn’t last long.

It was at that moment that Will's eyes fluttered for a second. It made April gasp, but she didn't need to. Connor noticed.

It took a few minutes before he saw brown eyes look at him. There was a coughing noise before Connor was at his side.

"You're okay, Will. I'm going to remove the tube. You couldn't breathe on your own for a bit." Connor told him.

Will nodded his understanding before he felt the tube eased out. He felt the cough right after. It was never a nice feeling when that tube was taken out.

How are you feeling?"

"Sore," Will's voice was raspy.

Connor nodded, "you'll feel that for a bit. Do you know where you are at?"

"Uhhh. Hospital. Ummm... what happened?"

"You don't remember?" Connor asked.

"Nothing that makes sense. Can't be at Med since the ED isn't open." Will commented.

April gasped at that, a hand rising to cover her mouth. Her brain was clicking fast to place what Will had just said.

Connor ignored that, "why do you say that, Will?"

"Do you not watch the news? They're still rebuilding since the explosion. And I'd remember if I worked with you." Will told him.

“This isn’t good…” April muttered to herself before shaking herself out of it. “Will, do you remember my name?”

"It’s April, right?" Will asked, brows furrowed trying to remember her name. He was sure it was a month name. He recognized her easily, he had worried she had a concussion after that grenade had gone off. She was a determined one, he saw that firsthand that day.

"Yeah," the dark-skinned beauty nodded her head while looking him over in concern. Sharing a sad look with the handsome brunet standing at Will’s side. The way his brow was furrowing, he looked worried about something. His hand kept twitching in impatience.

"What's the last thing you remember?" April asked, gnawing on her bottom lip in worry.

"I'm not—" Will rubbed at his head, it still felt tender.

April reached out to stop him. "Careful. You just had surgery. What's the last thing you remember? You know me, right?"

Will's eyes widened in surprise. He didn't think he had been hit by the blast as that had been several weeks ago. Aftereffects maybe... he then nodded, "working at East Mercy as help until the rebuild for Med is finished. Mrs. Goodwin spoke to me yesterday that they were getting closer to reopening the ED soon, but she still thought it might take a while. She's been talking to the mayor since he's been helping with the contributions. Why are you asking, you were helping the nurses just yesterday."

"Oh god" April muttered sharing a look of horror with the man who had still not yet introduced himself.

"How far back is that?" The other doctor asked as he buried his face into hands, rubbing his palms over the stubble growing on his jaw and chin.

"Seven years... it... it took a while to fully rebuild the ED. The day it reopened was the train derailment..." April replied as she trailed off. It had been a year or two before Connor had even showed up at Med as their Trauma fellow.

Seven years... she couldn't believe it. It seemed so long ago, and they had lost so many of their doctors and nurses. Before she knew Maggie or Ethan. They both had been there when they had opened the ED.

April looked over at Otis and he looked shocked.

"What?" Will demanded when the man went white with shock and fell back into the bed that he had been sitting upright in. "Seven years!? What do you mean seven years?" He hated that he felt so lost in their conversation, like he wasn’t there.

"Will, lo—," Otis started, before pausing, swallowing down the endearment, hoping Will hadn't noticed but by his baffled expression he wasn't so lucky.

“I’m Br—”

“Brian,” Will nodded. “Firefighter. I remember you had helped that day and even put out that fire. Uhh— never thanked you for putting that blanket over…”

Otis’ lips thinned before nodding. “It wasn’t everyday that we get a call at a hospital.”

"Will,” Connor drew the redhead’s attention. “My name is Connor Rhodes; I am an Attending here at Gaffney as a Trauma and CT Surgeon. We have worked together for over five years now."

Will felt his mouth drop open in shock. Five… Five years?!

"But Will," April took over, "It's been seven years since the bomb. As you can see, I am just fine. And so is Brian."

"Amnesia," Will muttered, "You got to be joking!? I've lost seven years?!" he asked hysterically.

"Will... this isn't permanent. I know that you know that. I don't know if you know Sam, but he's—" Connor tried to explain.

"Head of Neurosurgery, I know," Will cut off.

Connor gave him a sad smile and Will immediately felt guilty for snapping. It was kind of him to try and explain. There was no way for this Connor to know what he remembered. To get the level of aggravation that he was currently feeling.

"Sorry," he muttered.

"It's fine," Connor brushed off with a weak smile, "this can't be easy for you."

“Easy for you to say…” Will muttered.

"But that's a good sign. You're remembering bits and pieces" Connor replied. "But Sam did your surgery on your head. It’s going to feel tender for a while. He did confirm that you had a TBI. While mentioning that it was a possibility that you might have some memory loss."

"Some?!" Will asked, flushing at how high and panicked he sounded. "Seven years is not some!"

"Will. I know this is a lot. We aren't expecting you to just jump back into things. And we know that seven years isn't just a small number. But brain injuries are never straight forward. You—" Connor cut himself off. He knew what he was going to say. Will had treated patients with brain injuries but... he hadn't treated her yet. He wouldn't know about Gina and her pregnancy. That she also had surgery on her brain to relieve the pressure. Sam also performed the surgery.

“I what?” Will wanted to know.

"Sorry. Never mind, I wasn’t sure where I was going with that. It doesn’t change that you may remember in time. But that's not always a guarantee." Connor told him.

It pained him to say it. Because he wanted him to remember. To remember them. To see that look in his brown eyes after they treated a patient and went out for drinks because of how hard the day was. Even if that meant he wouldn’t shut up about Brian.

Will didn’t look like he believed Connor. He was going to say something else; he knew it.

"But we are here for you Will, every step of the way," April promised. "Ethan and Maggie will just be relieved you are awake."

“You have no idea on good it is to see you awake, Will,” Brian told him. “We will make it through this. You have no idea of the support you have. Not just at Med here but at CFD too.”

Will blushed at the surety in Brian’s voice. He was sure something was going on between them, the way the firefighter was looking at him, and worried, and now this dedication to helping him adjust. There had to be something. Like… it was something he might have done. He wasn’t sure how he knew that.

"Great… so seven years… what else have I forgotten?" Will sighed with a frown.

Whatever might have been said was cut off by the knock on the door before it opened.

It was Mrs. Goodwin.

"Dr. Halstead. It's good to see you awake." Sharon smiled. She had been worried when she had been informed that Dr. Abrams needed to perform emergency surgery. She had even been in the room as she listened to Sam’s explain the procedure. Even saw when Dr. Halstead had still been unconscious while intubated.

Sam had said that Dr. Halstead had remained in a comatose state but that wasn’t uncommon. But there had been signs that he may wake up soon. It had been a tense moment for the entire hospital. Everyone was waiting for news. Good or bad.

"Mrs. Goodwin" Will greeted the older woman with respect but also a fair bit of confusion. Why was the director visiting him? April and Connor had said he worked here for years, but still the worry in Mrs. Goodwins eyebrows when she walked in, and the relief etched into her smile when she saw him sitting up awake.

"Sharon," Connor spoke, "Sam was right about possible memory loss," he broke the news as gently as he could. He wasn’t the only one feeling the pain that their friend and colleague didn’t remember them. He couldn’t imagine what Brian must be feeling at that moment. But he had deserved to know.

"How bad?" Sharon asked in dread.

"Apparently I've lost seven years," Will piped up, watching as the formidable woman folded in on herself, collapsing into a spare chair. Hands covering her mouth as she stared at the stubborn man she had come to care about like a child or nephew. Despite the trouble that came with the redheaded doctor.

"Connor," Sharon immediately turned to face the doctor.

"He doesn't remember me at all," Connor confirmed. “But he does remember Brian… just not everything.”

Will watched as Sharon gasped as her eyes flickered over to the firefighter. His eyes hadn’t left Will. It was painful to watch. The amount of pain there… it would be unbearable.

"What don't I know!?" Will looked between Mrs. Goodwin and Connor. There was something he wasn't being told. And it was big.

"Will... this isn't on you. But..." April looked up at Connor and Sharon. "Only you can tell yourself that. I'm sorry."

Will looked frustrated. But there wasn’t anything there. He just saw the black hair and brown eyes of Brian and brown hair and blue eyes of Connor. What was he missing!? It was obvious that he was supposed to know him. He didn’t really know Brian except the few times he treated him for injuries here and there. He was trying not to sink at the fact he lost seven years of his life. "I want to see Jay."

"Dr. Halstead. I am afraid that won't be possible at the moment." Sharon cleared her throat. She was still trying to regain composure after hearing the news. Sure, there was always something Will Halstead was getting in trouble for. But she always admired his dedication to his patients. She couldn't imagine what Brian was feeling at that moment.

To be so close and yet feel so far away. It reminded her of when she got the news of the divorce of her own husband.

"What? Why?" Will immediately began to panic again, "Was he hurt as well?" He struggled to throw the blanket off his legs, Brian immediately reacted, leaping forward to steady him, strong hands pushing him back onto the bed, 'oh that’s attractive,' Will thought to himself at the show of the firefighter’s strength, but also his care as he kept his touch gentle. It had the desired effect of stopping him from getting out of the bed though.

"Will. Will. You need to relax and that means not getting up yet." Brian said, resting his hands where Will's thighs were. “I know I am not a doctor. But I do know that much.”

Brown eyes looked to meet blue, “right?”

Connor nodded.

"What happened to my brother!? Why can't he see me?!" Will demanded.

"Well, I better head back and inform every one of the good news," Sharon got up. “I’ll be back to check on you later, Dr. Halstead.”

Nobody was breathing a word about Jay. Yet knowing they couldn't say a word. It was one thing to say how many years of memories were gone. But to reveal that the reason was their own brother... that was another. Nobody wanted to admit it to Will.

"Please," Will turned to Connor, his brown eyes wide and watery as he begged, "is my brother okay?" The fact of losing seven years of his life had left his mind at the thought of Jay being hurt that he couldn’t even see him.

"He is fine," Connor immediately folded, desperate to soothe Will's fear. "He has just been banned from your room for now."

"Connor," April got his attention.

Connor drew his eyes from Will to look at April.

"He's going to find out either way. The entire ED saw it and they are going to be talking about it. It is going to get out. It should come from you," she told him.

"Why isn't Jay here?" Will asked, eyes flickering between Connor, Brian, and April.

"He was asked to leave the hospital," Connor told him.

"Why? What did he do?" Will's heart started to sink.

"Something happened to your dad today..."

Will shook his head in denial, "no. Dad is just fine. He's at his apartment. I spoke to him just the other day."

"You did seven years ago. Will, your dad was in a fire and CFD brought him in.” Connor cleared this throat. “Umm… Brian was one of the firefighters that brought him in. But he coded and went without oxygen for too long. Dr. Abrams confirmed that your dad is brain-dead due to the lack of oxygen. He was taken off the vent."

Will bit his lip, he didn't want to believe it. "Jay wouldn't let that happen... I know he wouldn't."

"We don't know but you and Jay had an argument. He threw you at that desk. You weren't moving. The TBI, Jay is the cause of that. Which you are able to press charges if you—"

"No! You're lying! I know Jay. He wouldn't..." Will's lip trembled.

"Will... I'm not the only one to see this. Jay has been banned for your protection. Mrs. Goodwin has banned him from the hospital for the time being."

"Why tell me then!? You obviously wanted to keep me in the dark!" Will snapped.

"Because April is right. You would have found out regardless. I'm trying to protect you!"

Will snorted, "right... you don't even know me. Why would I want your protection?"

Connor sighed, "April... Brian… can you? I—"

April gave a quick nod.

There weren’t words needed since it was obvious that Connor couldn't quite deal with this. He had stormed from the room, leaving Will with April.

“I swear Will… can’t you just—” the argument died on April’s lips. She forgot. Will didn’t know Connor and yet he was arguing with him just like they had when they first met. They had never told her what made them stop fighting. But she wasn’t the only one that was glad that they had. Then there was the presence of the firefighter, Brian… she could tell there something was between them. It wasn’t like doctors and nurses hadn’t dated firefighters before. She had even had a thing with Kelly.

“What!?” Will was defensive. “He was being an arrogant ass.”

“Doing what?! Trying to explain something that he knows will be very difficult for you. He was being compassionate, and you are the one being an ass. He is—” April told him.

“A trauma fellow and I’m… just a resident…” Will mumbled.

“Will… you haven’t been a resident in years. You been working here as a physician in Emergency Medicine,” April was confused.

“I— I don’t know. There was something there. An… argument I think.” Will mumbled.

“Ohh.” April blinked. This would have been really good to have Connor still here. Maybe he would have been able to make sense of whatever Will was talking about. Because if it had been a memory, she didn’t want to disrupt it.

She chanced a glance over at Brian. It was hard to read what he must be thinking at that moment. He had looked furious a moment before when Connor admitted what Jay had done. She had a feeling that he would be having words with the detective later.