Alrighty, so here we have the next update. Bit on the same lines as the last chapter and dull (I know), but I feel that it's important to include the 'tellings' to the family. Just bare with me.

Anyway, so I arrived down in south Western Australia to 'fine-tune' a production by school kids. So excited and day one, we had a blast. Fingers crossed it all goes to plan. And don't even ask how I got this done. Somewhere on the hour and fifteen minute flight, with a little more added tonight. But wow, an update so soon! I am on a roll.

Thank you to quonoeye and aussiebabe290 for reviewing last chapter.

*Later that day, afternoon*

Rachel crossed the front lawn of the Rafter's house, before walking the short distance to make it next door. Walking up the terraced front, Rachel knocked swiftly on the door, before taking a step back to wait. It wasn't long before Rachel heard the recognisable footsteps coming from behind the door. The main door was swung open to reveal Ben.

"Hey Rach. I thought you were with Jake?"

"He's gone to work with Dad," replied Rachel, stepping in as Ben stood back to allow her to enter. "How's Nathan?"

"We haven't seen him yet," answered Ben, walking in front of Rachel to cross to the kitchen. "You want a drink?" Rachel shook her head in response.

"Where's the rest of your 'people'?" asked Rachel with a smile. "You look like a bit of a loner."

"Your hilarious. Nah, Carbo's at work, Mel's in the shower. You already know where Nathan is," replied Ben with a cheeky grin.

"Do you think I could go talk to him?" Rachel asked. Both her and Ben looked towards the staircase, considering Nathan.

"He hasn't come out yet. But be my guest," replied Ben, moving to open the fridge. Rachel nodded and headed for the stairs, taking them one by one.

She reached the door she knew her youngest brother would be in. Rachel gave it a gentle knock, before opening the door enough to pop her head in. Nathan was lying with flat on his back, staring up at the ceiling. He was still in the same shirt he had been wearing the previous day and his bed didn't appear to have been slept in.

"Hey you." Rachel moved over towards the bed. Nathan turned his head slightly at hearing her enter. Rachel didn't say anything further at this point; she merely went and sat on the bed, causing Nathan's head to move at the shift in weight.

"You want to talk?" Rachel asked, after the silence had lasted several minutes.

"There's not really a lot to talk about. I got rejected as a donor," Nathan replied, his voice in almost monotone.

"Yeah, I know. And that's kinda what I want to talk to you about." Nathan, still lying on the bed, turned his head to face his older sister.

"I'm not going to be induced in some depressive coma Rachel. I don't need another councillor," Nathan told her.

"I'm not here to counsel you. I'm your big sister Nathan," Rachel told him. "I'm just here if you need me."

"Thanks." It was quiet, and it was short, but they were meaningful words that Nathan spoke. Rachel smiled slightly, and made a decision in her mind.

"Hey Nathan. Look, ah, there's something I want to tell you," Rachel faltered slightly on her words. "Actually, I need to tell you."

"Well then, are you going to tell me?" Nathan replied in a sarcastic tone. Rachel thumped his shoulder, to which he replied. "Hey alright! I'm listening."

"I'm going to give it a go," Rachel started, not knowing what more to say.

"Give what a go?" Nathan asked with a yawn, rubbing his eyes. "Skydiving?"

"No stupid. I'm going to see if I'm a compatible match for Chel." Nathan sat up at this, not sure if he had heard his sister correctly. Before he had the chance to say anything further though, Rachel spoke again. "Look, I'm not trying to take anything away from what you did. I'm not. You did an amazing thing Nathan."

"Oh yeah, so amazing that it's not even going ahead," Nathan remarked as he pulled himself up to lean against the wall.

"Don't start. It's still amazing," Rachel replied firmly. "Anyway, I'm doing it because if I turn out to be a positive match, we could very well get to keep Chel in our lives. She missed everything until now; we can't lose her already." Nathan nodded.

"That's really good Rachel. I can't save her life, but maybe you can," Nathan reasoned, to which Rachel nodded.

"Exactly. It's not about me trying to outdo you or rub anything in. We all want the same thing," added Rachel.

"To save Chel," Nathan finished for her.

"Yeah," said Rachel, nodding her head. "Are you okay if I go ahead with testing?" Nathan paused, before smiling and nodding.

"Yeah I am." Nathan's smile stayed. "And when you decide you want to go and talk to the clinic, I'll come with you if you want. I went through that part of the process. It's just an offer, but..." Rachel cut him off, reaching forward to pull her brother into a tight hug, a tear rolling slowly down her face and landing on his shirt shoulder.

"Thank you."

*Karadonis House* Kitchen

Rachel came back down the stairs to head back out. Nathan had gotten up and headed for the shower after Melissa had come out. Reaching the bottom step, Rachel took a few paces towards the kitchen, where Melissa was sitting at the table, reading a newspaper and eating an apple. Whilst Ben was doing something at the bench.

"Hi Rachel," Melissa said as Rachel neared the table, smiling warmly.

"Hey," Rachel replied, rubbing her arms as if she was cold. But she wasn't cold, possibly just a little jittery after the conversation she had just had with her youngest brother.

"How is he?" asked Ben, looking up from the bench. Rachel thought about her words, before nodding with a realising smile.

"He's okay. He's just gone for a shower." Ben threw down the tea towel he had been holding, moving over to take a seat next to Melissa at the table.

"Good, we don't have to call in the shrinks in white coats then," to which, Melissa thumped him. "Hey!"

"But we talked," Rachel continued. "And I've made a decision, and I don't want you guys to be left out."

"Okay..." Ben replied hesitantly. "You're not moving to Africa or anything are you?"

"Africa?..." both Rachel and Melissa replied with a laugh.

"I was just asking..." Ben said quietly. Rachel laughed.

"Well no. But I am going to see if I am compatible to donate a kidney to Chel." Melissa and Ben both didn't say anything, both too stunned to speak.

"Nathan can't. That's one thing. But he's not the only one who can try," Rachel continued.

"I can too," Ben said in realisation, it all clicking at hearing Rachel's news.

"Wait, let's look at that if it comes to it, alright?" Rachel took a seat at the table opposite the couple.

"You really thought about this," said Melissa. "I think it's really good if it's something you want to do."

"I want Chel to be in our lives," concluded Rachel. "Simple as that."

"She missed all our childhoods," added Ben. "She should at least be here now."

"Exactly. Look, nothing's definite yet. It's just something I was thinking about. But I didn't want to keep this from you," said Rachel.

"Have you told Mum?" asked Ben. "She flipped out about Nathan, remember?"

"We spoke. She's not thrilled on the idea," replied Rachel. "But she knows that she can't make the decision for me. Besides, she gave Nathan her support in the end." Ben nodded.

"I'll leave you guys to it," Rachel said, standing up again. "Let me know if anything happens with Nathan."

"Sure. Bye Rachel!" called out Melissa as Rachel headed out towards the hallway near the door.

"Bye Rach," added Ben, quietly. With Rachel gone, Ben turned to his wife. "Wow."

"Yeah, wow," agreed Mel.

*Rafter House* Rachel's Bedroom

Rachel was lying on her bed, her laptop opened as she used her fingers on the mouse square, scrolling up and down the page she was on.

Looking up when she heard a knock on the door, Rachel saw her Mum stick her head around the door, a mug in her hand. Rachel groaned as she pulled herself up from the lying on her chest position, sitting cross legged on the bed. Julie smiled as she neared the bed, before holding the mug out towards her daughter.

"Hot chocolate." Rachel laughed before accepting the drink. Julie sat down on the edge of the bed, following her daughter's gaze to the computer screen still open.

"Sounds so scary," Rachel admitted before taking a sip of the warm drink. Julie smiled slightly at her daughter and nodded.

"It is. It's not a simple day surgery Rach."

"I know, but this is about life and death," replied Rachel, taking a breath in. "But how do you get over the initial fear? That's what's going to stop me."

"You be yourself and you be brave," Julie smiled. "You do it because you think it's what's right." Rachel smiled, setting the mug down on the bedside table before shuffling over to her Mum and hugging her tightly. Julie hugged her back just as tight, and they sat there for several moments. A knock at the door caused them to draw apart again, both looking up in the direction of the door.

"Hey, I'm not interrupting?..." queried Jake as he took on step inside the door.

"No, come in," replied Julie cheerily. Jake didn't fail to miss Rachel as she wiped what appeared to be tears from off her cheeks. Breaking everyone's thoughts, was the cry of infant Ruby.

"That'll be me," announced Julie, standing up and heading for the daughter. Jake watched her go, before joining Rachel on the bed. He caught a glimpse at the computer screen as he sat, everything making sense.

"I take it you told your Mum?" he asked, trying to look directly at Rachel.

"Yeah I did. She picked something was up the moment I set foot back in the house," Rachel laughed nervously, and Jake joined in. "I also told Ben and Mel." Rachel paused. "And Nathan."

"How did Nathan feel about it?" said Jake.

"He was all for it. Actually made him smile that there might be another option for Chel." Rachel wiped another stray tear track from her face. "Now to tell Dad."

"So it's decided then?" Rachel looked up when Jake asked this last question.

"Yeah. It's what I want to do. I don't want to lose Chel when we've barely gotten the chance to get to know her," Rachel admitted honestly. Jake nodded, looking down. Rachel caught his glance, which prompted her to speak again. "I know you don't feel happy about this. Trust me, I'm not exactly jumping for joy. But it's something I want to do." Rachel paused. "But that said, I don't expect you to just shut-up and accept it. You don't have to stick around and support me with this. But you have to understand that this is something I want to do. Need to do."

"Rach, I already told you. I'll be here for you, every step of the way. Doctor's appointments, healthy kick diet whatevers..." Jake laughed at his own words, causing Rachel to do the same. Neither spoke for several minutes, but when the silence was broken, it was Rachel that did it.

"Is Dad home?" Jake nodded simply.

"Then this is the time. I'm going to tell him," Rachel stood up determined. Jake remained on the bed, looking up.

"You want me to come with you?"

"No, it's okay. I'll be back soon though," Rachel told him with a smile, gliding out of the room and down the hallway.

A matter of minutes later, it was in the shed/office that Rachel found her Dad. Collecting up some wires from the work bench, Dave turned around when Rachel called out hello.

"Dad, there's something I need to tell you."

Wrapped... for now. Like I said, these are dud chapters, but I think it's necessary.

I promise to update as soon as possible, whenever that may be. In the meantime, would love to hear your thoughts...