Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, but if I did *smiles evilly* the possibilities are endless . . .

I take in the form standing before me in the white room. He hasn't changed at all, except for his body, which has become slightly frail. His blue eyes hold warmth once taking me in, and he hesitantly takes a step towards me.

I'm sure that he notices the extent of my malnourishment, but his eyes don't betray any disappointment or disgust that I'm sure is boiling under the surface.

Besides, any repulsion he may have wouldn't matter any to me, because just the sight of him pleases me. It is the first time I've seen him in months, and during that short time, I have managed to half-starve my body and recoil into a depression. It was my first separation from him, and I didn't handle it well.

He told me that he would be moving alongside his divorced father, and I obviously didn't handle it well. My parents were so concerned, that they referred me to a therapist, which had little-to-no effect.

When I got the phone call inviting me here, in a hospital of all places, to see him, my heart jumped. I could actually feel it beating, which I couldn't distinguish ever since his departure. I had immediately fled to here, attracted to any possibilities of seeing my best friend.

We went through school, puberty, and, finally, high-school together. Neither one of us would know what to do if the other were to leave. That's why this whole ordeal has been catastrophic.

Now the sight of him standing there, hungrily consuming my image with as much intensity as I am, pushed me near the verge of tears. His strong arms suddenly entrap me, and my slightly weaker arms don't fail to do the same.

We tightly embrace, and neither of us wants to let go. I just savor the feeling of the protection his arms inspire, and his warmth.

But the fact that he isn't nearly as unbreakable as he was before he left doesn't escape my notice. I pull back, concerned about his health.

"Why did you leave?" This wasn't the question that I had originally wanted to ask, but it is the one vying for my attention the most.

"That's what I wanted to talk about. I have something to tell you." The words cross his mouth almost reluctantly, and his probing eyes have reverted downward.

"What is it?" My voice wavers under the fear that I have for those few words.

"I'm, well, I'm going to go away. Permanently."

"You-you're not staying?" My heart stops beating momentarily, and my eyes start getting heavy.

"Well, not exactly." He pauses, as if expecting me to interrupt. I remain silent, urging him to go forward. After a few seconds of staring into my eyes, he continues.

"I'm dying. As it is, I only have a few days. When I left, it wasn't that we were moving. I left to search for a cure. I have a severe form of cancer. I didn't tell you about this, but I've had it for months. I'm expected to die about any day. I was searching the country for a hospital that knows of a cure, but I wasn't lucky. I requested to spend my last days around you, and I hope you don't mind spending some time with me as a final wish."

I'm shocked to oblivion. I can't breathe, and my breath comes in short raspy gasps. My heart speeds up, and now comes in light fluttery pulses. My legs start to buckle underneath me, and then we topple over.

"I'm sorry, but my energy levels aren't the best right now. As is, I can barely stand for a few minutes . . ."

"It's okay." I help him up, and assist him to the bed. He looks gratefully up at me. Just then, the door snaps open to reveal one of the best looking men I've seen. Well, aside from Henry, but he could be a male model.

"Hello, I am Doctor Cullen. I take it you're Bella. Henry has said so much about you, and it's nice to finally meet you." He smiles, and his honey colored eyes are warm. I nod, still incoherent from the emotions that are pulsing through me. I look at Henry, who's eyelids are gradually sinking. I smile in spite of the awful news I have just received, and push his hair back, which has fell ever so slightly in front of his eyes.

"He's a good kid." I nod, not taking my eyes off Henry. "Mr. Masen isn't handling it too well, but you seem calm. I'm his doctor, by the way."

"Yeah, well, it's nice to know his doctor, even if you can't help him any." My voice sounds weak, and my insides feel hallowed out.

"I will do anything to make sure he finds peace, and I'm a capable man." He has a hard look in his eyes, and I can tell he's stubborn. But his tone is suggesting he has an extra capability, as if he can make Henry well, despite the sureness of Henry's death. Something about Doctor Cullen is off, whether it's his confidence, or the too-serious edge in his voice. But I have a feeling that I can trust him, and that's enough to give me hope about Henry's ability to recover.

But what if he doesn't? I know that I will become a wreck. Heck, even in the few weeks that he left, I stopped eating, and went into a miniature depression. But knowing that he's dying is much worse than knowing that he's still rooming the earth, with the possibility to meet him again one day. I try to calm myself, and realize that I haven't thanked Dr. Cullen.

I turn, intent on making eye contact with him, but the room is empty. I didn't even hear the door close, and yet it is tightly shut. I whisper out a feeble thank-you with the feeling that he might be able to hear me, and I swear that I get a ghost of a laugh back.

Any disappointments? Wishes? Demands? I'm all open for any requests. And, just as a reminder, I am team Edward all the way, and Henry is just an important character in this story. I hope you enjoyed!