A/N: My updates won't be very frequent, because school started yesterday. I'll try to write as much as possible, but I'm in my last year of high school so I'll probably have a lot of stuff to do. Don't worry, I won't forget to write, but sometimes it may take a while.
By the way, I haven't had time to check this chapter twice for grammar mistakes, so I'm sorry for any mistakes (that will most likely be in here). Also, I'm not a doctor, so if any medical information/symptoms are wrong, you can blame it on Google.
Out of all the scenarios Jane thought of, this was definitely one of the worst. This happens to other people, other families in other lives. Not to her best friend.
"I'm very sorry to tell you Miss Isles, but you have lung cancer."
"How bad is it?" Jane is the first one to speak. "Well, I will try to explain which type of cancer cells are present and tell you something about various treatments we offer to cure this type of cancer," doctor Browne says.
Jane nods automatically, Maura stays silent.
"Miss Isles has been diagnosed with Stage II NSCLC, that stands for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Stage II means that the cancer is only in the lung and nearby lymph nodes, not in the heart or other organs. That makes treatment easier, because the tumor can be removed through surgery and chemotherapy after surgery. However, in your case we recommend that you also receive chemotherapy before the surgery, because this will most likely cause the tumor to shrink and therefore easier to remove."
Maura pretends not to notice the way Jane's jaw clenches. It's Jane's way of trying to hold back tears.
"What's the prognosis?" Maura asks. It's the first time she has spoken since doctor Browne told them the news.
"The overall survival rate is approximately 30 percent. However, you're in good health, so we don't expect any complications and therefore your survival rate will probably be higher. Also, you're a woman, that tends to heighten your survival rate as well," He answers. Maura nods, unaware of the tears falling down her cheeks.
"I'll leave you two alone for now. I will send an oncologist your way to make a first appointment, he will be here in about fifteen minutes. You're free to stay in this room," doctor Browne says while he approaches Maura and shakes her hand, "I wish you the very best, Miss Isles." He shakes Jane's hand as well, nodding friendly when she thanks him for his help. He then leaves them alone, walking out the door into the hallway.
Jane looks at Maura and wonders how someone this beautiful can be struck by such an awful disease. Her honey blonde locks cover her face when she leans forward, burying her head in her hands. Neither of them know what to say, the silence is deafening. Jane gets up from the chair she's been sitting in and walks towards Maura, who's sitting on edge the bed. She joins her and places her hand on Maura's back, rubbing up and down for comfort.
The survival rate is 30 percent.
This sentence is on repeat in her head for the rest of the day. She hears it when the oncologist comes in to make an appointment, when she's driving them home and even when she's making dinner for them, because she insisted on staying with Maura. It doesn't go away. She doesn't think it ever will.
The next morning, Jane stands in the kitchen making coffee for herself when she hears Maura walking down the stairs. Probably thirsty or something, she thinks. Maura rounds the corner, fully clothed and ready to go. "Where are you going?" Jane asks, surprised. "Um ... to work?" Maura answers, looking at Jane as if that wasn't obvious. "But, I, you're," Jane stammers, not managing to find an appropriate response. "I'm the same person I was yesterday, Jane," Maura starts, "I'm going to work today. It wouldn't make sense to stay home. No one knows yet, they don't have to, and my appointment isn't until Tuesday."
Jane can't think of anything to say, so she simply nods. "If you really think you're able to go, I won't stop you. But the second you want to go home, you just come upstairs or call me and I'll take you."
Maura looks at her, maybe a little too long for just friends. Jane's used to it, she looks at Maura all the time, but has failed to notice until now how far they've passed the boundaries of "normal" friends. She doesn't comment on it, simply nods when Maura says that she'll do that. "I'm going to get my bag and then we can leave," Maura says and walks away from Jane, towards the living room. Jane manages to grab her just in time, pulling her back by her wrist. "Maur."
Maura turns around to look at Jane again. "Yeah?"
"Will we be okay?" Meaning, will you let me in on what you're feeling, can I take care of you, do you trust me?
"We will," Maura replies, the corners of her mouth moving up slightly, to something that can almost be called a smile.
Jane's day goes like any other one. She's upstairs doing paperwork and making phone calls, while Maura is downstairs in the lab. People come and go, talking to each other and leaving empty coffee cups on their desks. Just like any other day. Life goes on around her, as if her best friend hasn't just been diagnosed with cancer.
It's hard for her to keep a straight face when Frost asks her how Maura's appointment went, even though he knows that she avoided the subject yesterday. She manages to lie, saying that it went well, knowing that Maura doesn't want people to know. Not yet. Not until it's necessary. Frost of course believes her and nods, telling her that he hopes everything will be okay. She almost can't fight the tears that well up in her eyes.
The survival rate is 30 percent.
Not now, she says to herself. I'm working. Focus.
I need to see her. I need to make sure she's okay.
"Jane."
"Huh?" Jane looks up at Frost. He points at her desk. "Your phone was ringing?" He says, looking at her worriedly. She picks up her phone, only to see that Maura has called her. "I'm gonna go downstairs for a second. Maura says she's got something."
Frost nods. "Korsak will be here in a few, he wants to talk about that cold case you're working on? He said he's got some information for you."
"Okay, thanks. I'll be right back," Jane replies over her shoulder, already walking towards the elevators.
When she arrives at Maura's office, Maura's sitting behind her desk. "What wrong? Why did you call?" Jane says, the second she walks inside. Maura looks up at her. "Nothing's wrong. I was just wondering if we were still going out for lunch." Jane looks at her watch, it's indeed 2:30PM and they haven't had lunch. "Um, can we just grab something at the café upstairs? Korsak's coming to talk about a case." Maura nods, but doesn't close her laptop yet.
"What're you working on?" Jane asks. "Nothing important," Maura replies. Well, that response is nothing like her.
Jane raises her eyebrows and walks towards Maura's desk, trying to look at the screen of her laptop. "You're not shoe-shopping, are you? You just got this big delivery a few days ago." When Maura doesn't reply, Jane pulls the laptop away from Maura and towards her.
Lung Cancer Treatment
This article discusses various treatments for lung cancer and the possible risks this may ...
"Maura, why are you reading this stuff? We've gone over the treatment process multiple times with the doctor." Jane closes the laptop and Maura sighs. "I'm sorry. I just can't," Maura says. "I've never experienced something like this. I don't know what will happen, what the treatment will feel like or what the consequences are. I don't even know if I'll make it to next year, Jane."
"Maura, don't." The pain in Jane's voice makes Maura fall silent. "I know you'll make it," Jane continues, "we will make it."
"You can't know that," Maura replies, "what if something goes wrong or-"
"You don't like what ifs, remember?" Jane says, gently. Maura looks up at her, smiling.
Jane motions for her to stand up from her chair and wraps her arms around Maura, pulling her close. "I'm here. I'll always be."
A/N: Reviews make me happy. I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations :)