Leo snapped awake. Something had woken him up but there was no noise, the lights were off. He looked at his watch, 2:17 am. He didn't remember having a bad dream. But something wasn't right.

Then he heard it. The unmistakable, hideously painful sound of dry heaves. Leo sat up and looked over at the other bed. Empty. He grabbed his crutch and hobbled over to the half closed bathroom door.

He gently pushed the door open.

"You're a mess." Leo grabbed a towel and soaked it in cold water. He carefully lowered himself next to Jordi who was sitting against the wall. Jordi's face was flushed and sweaty. His shirt was soaked in sweat and vomit.

"Let's get this off."

Jordi swatted his hands away. "It's gross."

"That's why we need to get it off." Leo tried again. "It's just vomit. Okay. I mean I puked on myself plenty of times. So not a big deal."

Leo tossed the shirt in the sink. He handed Jordi the towel to wipe off his face and hands.

"My mom's gone." Jordi said softly, his voice choking.

Leo sighed. "I'm sorry."

"I never should have let her stay. I was stupid. She never sticks around." Jordi sobbed. "She never wanted me. She'd probably be glad if I died."

"Don't say that, Jordi. She loves you. I mean she's your mom."

"No she doesn't. If she loved me she wouldn't leave me all the time."

With the words, a flood gate opened. Leo pulled Jordi into a hug and let him sob. He could feel Jordi shaking. He started to feel really pissed. As much as Leo was annoyed by the hovering parents and all their angst, at least they cared. At least they came around. Doctors could tell them they had to keep a brave face cause getting worked up and anxious was bad for sick kids. Jordi's mom really did a number on him, and Leo wished she'd come back so he could tell her how nasty that was.

He wanted to say something but what could he say. So he just sat there. He sat there letting his friend cry. He sat there wishing there was something he could say that would make Jordi feel better.

Eventually the shaking stopped. Jordi dried his face with his shirt sleeve and sighed.

"Sorry."

"Don't be." Leo smiled. "It's been a rough couple of days. And chemo's hell. I did it, remember."

"yeah. thanks."

"Sure. Feel free to lose it in front of me any time. I won't judge."

"Don't tell Dr McAndrew okay. Or Nurse Jackson."

"Hey," a voice startled them. "What's going on?"

Leo stood up as Nurse Gomez came into the room. "Jordi was throwing up."

"You're supposed to call a nurse." The tone was firm but not mean. Leo knew he wasn't really in trouble.

"I was just about to." Leo slipped out of the bathroom and let the nurse help Jordi back to bed. A few quick notes and the nurse disappeared.

"Leo." Jordi whispered. "Would you? Just until I fall asleep."

Leo perched on the side of the bed. "Anytime."