Title: Talk You Down

Rating: T

Summary: Guess it was also time he started treatment before it was too late, huh?

Warnings: Medical Terminology

Disclaimer: I own nothing and no harm is meant.

Beta: None, all mistakes are mine.

"Cody, I...I have cancer."

He watched as the younger man blinked once then twice, dropping his hand away from Ted's face, resembling a fish. Opening and closing his mouth several times, whatever words he was trying to say getting lost in transmission.

Several more seconds of silence ticked by until Ted couldn't bear it any longer.

"Cody." he whispered, or more like breathed.

Cody closed his eyes, taking a small breath before choking out.

"You have...umm, could you say that again."

"I have cancer," Ted repeated slowly. "Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, to be exact."

Leukemia. Though Cody never professed to being a damn genius, he knew leukemia spelled bad news. Something or other to do with blood cells either not forming correctly, not having enough, or having too many. In other words, your blood was fucked up.

"What exactly does Acute Lymphobl....what does that mean.?" He had to swallow passed the lump in his throat just to get the question out as he opened his eyes.

"Basically," Ted began, "Blasts or immature white blood cells are in production overdrive which would sound like a good thing, only they're not developing, just blocking out the normal cells in my bone marrow."

Done speaking, the room was plunged into silence again as his words started to sink in.

Not exactly sure on what to say cause he sure as hell didn't want to send the blond into one of his increasing fits, Cody said nothing. But he did move. Sitting was almost impossible since his mind was racing at 100 miles per hour with twice that number in questions and possibilities. Some good, most bad.

He stood from the bed, walking back over to the bathroom then over to the bedroom window. Frown marring his features, his hands fidgeting in front of him as he thought back over the past couple of months.

Ted could only watch, fear rising while his friend paced back and forth. His first thought when Cody jumped up was that the young man was leaving. Hell, Ted would be dead in a couple of years at best, might as well leave with a few good memories while you still can, right?

Silly? Most definitely, but he couldn't help it. This was the reason he hadn't told anyone. He was afraid, plain and simple.

Another five minutes disappeared with each man brooding, one burning a hole in the carpet, the other perched on the side of the bed. Cody was the first to speak again, but his voice sounded distant probably because his mind was still analyzing the past week.

"So your blood is...it's fucked up" The chuckle that escaped was as hollow as it wanted to be. "That would explain the fatigue, it had to account for your sudden temper."

"I was in pain." Ted revealed, absently wishing Cody would come sit back down next to him. "The excess cells have caused swelling of some of my lymph nodes and just recently my spleen." Or the least the young man could do was look at Ted instead of whatever was so damn interesting out the window.

Cody hadn't meant to sound like an ass, it's just, this was some heavy shit. His best friend was dying here for Pete's sake. A hell of a lot to take in at once knowing each morning he could wake up alone. Speaking of which...

Part of the wish was granted when Cody turned around to lean against the windowsill. Tears threatening to fall as he struggled to hold them back.

"What...what are your chances for.." he trailed off, gesturing vaguely with his left hand, too afraid to say the words.

"There's a 20%-75% survival rate of five to ten years, give or take." This was the part he hated. "Treatment would include chemo, steroids, radiation, and possibly a transplant or two." Lowering his head, he continued. "I'm considered one of the lucky ones since some can die within a matter of weeks."

Like finally sliding the right key into a lock, everything just clicked in Cody's head.

"Wait a minute." He took a small step forward, hands held out in front of him as his face screwed up. "You've known all this time and you didn't tell us."

Ted winced, the last three words were a bit louder than the rest. Raising his head, he looked into clear pissed off blue eyes. He didn't even open his mouth to defend himself, he couldn't.

Un-fucking-believable. Talk about a kick below the waist.

"You just said some die quick." He was yelling now, hand pointing accusingly at the other man. "Have you even started treatment, told your family? Were we just supposed to find out once your fucking body was found?" Face now completely red and breathing clipped, Cody stared, demanding an answer.

Harsh, yes, unexpected, no.

Ted cautiously stood, his own hands held out in a peace offering. "I just needed a little time, Codes." He stated calmly. "I-"

"Time, Teddy?! Time would have put you six feet under and left all of us standing around like idiots."

"What the hell was I supposed to do, huh?" Ted snapped. "I'm a dead man walking no matter what. The treatment will most likely make me sicker than before, sidelining me for good. Zapping my strength and causing my fucking hair to fall out. Even after all that, I'd still die in my damn prime." The tears started coursing down his cheeks as he finally let go. The past two months of pent up emotions finally breaking through the dam he'd built that night at the hospital.

"Tell me....what I'm supposed to do." Came the broken whisper before he collapsed back onto the bed, head held in his heads.

He never heard Cody move, only felt his presence,his arms wrapping tightly around his own shoulders as he knelt in front of him.

The outburst frightened Cody. With the way Ted spoke, it was almost as if he didn't want to fight at all, like he just wanted to die.

Holding on for dear life, he rubbed soothing circles into the older man's back as his face rested in the mop of blond hair.

"I'm sorry, Teddy, I'm so sorry." The words were choked as his own tears burned tracks down his cheeks. "But I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here through everything. We'll get through this, it'll be.."

He paused as Ted tensed. He couldn't say okay, that'd be a joke and a punch to the other man's face right about now. Hell, there wasn't much he could say.

He moved his face next to Ted's as he mumbled sorry, gently kissing his cheek. "We'll all be here for you, man. You just have to trust us."

Silence, that good old friend from a little while ago, yeah he was back. It was comfortable this time as the brunette continued to stroke his friends back.

Slowly, shoulder's dropped as the tension drained away from the blond. He was dog tired to say the least. Maybe if he let a few more members join the club, the burden wouldn't be so much. He could pull his strength from others on the days he felt like shit. Those days were starting to come around more often than not.

Guess it was also time he started treatment before it was too late, huh?

"You'll stick around even when I'm bitching and puking everywhere." There was a hint of a smile in those words as Ted raised his head. The small glint in his otherwise dull blue eyes making Cody smile.

"Yep. Well, maybe we'll stick you with Randy on those days." The mock horrified look cast his way had Cody cracking up with laughter, Ted soon joining him. An honest to God sound neither had heard escape Ted in a long time. Music to both their ears.

As the laughter died down, Cody reached up and gently stroked the marred right cheek. "Yeah, we'll be here no matter what."

A/N: I'm not sure, but I kind of want to continue this. Let me know if it would be a waste of my time or not.