Hi everyone! So, it did not end there. It just took me a reallylong time to write this. So, I'm sorry if any of you readers have forgotten the story line. :)

I came up with a last name for Christian (and Satine) because I couldn't remember if I came up with another one in one of my other chapters. And, you know, I was kinda too bored to check it out. :P

So! I believe I'm ready now. Here it is!

Chapter 8: The Diagnosis

Christian

I grip the corner of the sterile exam table, my eyes flickering anxiously from surface to surface, taking in the features of the docteur's exam room. Everything is white, everything clean- and it's blinding my eyes, making me blink. Or maybe it's just the fear and apprehension that has taken over my heart.

My other hand is resting on Satine's shoulder, every once and a while squeezing it or weaving a finger through her auburn curls. I can't take my hands off of her; every time she moves, it's as if a shock of anxiety is tearing through my veins, reminding me of what's to come.

We had given Satine's blood to be tested about an hour ago, and we were still waiting in the bare room, expecting a docteur to come into the room at any moment. I don't know if I'm wishing for him to hurry up- or never come.

I hear footsteps in the hallway, and as one, we both tense up, listening for where they will stop. She's shivering, and I take a quick glance down at her, to see her beautiful blue eyes filled with fear, her already pale cheeks completely void of color. I turn back to the door, listening, listening…

The footsteps pause at the door, and after a moment that lasts for hours, I hear the doorknob turn as someone steps into the room.

It's a man, wearing a docteur's coat, his pale blonde hair slick and straight against his scalp. A pair of spectacles rest on the bridge of his nose, and his slight mouth twists up in a customary smile.

"Bonjour, Monsieur and Madame…" he takes a quick look at his chart. "Adams. J'ai juste pris les résultats de votre test dos des labs." He gives a quizzical smile, staring at the both of us. "Préférez-vous le français ou l'anglais?"

"My husband is English, so that would be best." Satine's voice is strained and weak, and I grasp her hand in mine, smiling at her reassuringly. The docteur nods his head, being discreet about the thoughts that were no doubt crowding his head, from looking at Satine and me. What must we have looked like, an English man finding a beautiful French wife? I guess that was it.

"As I said, I just got the results from our labs." His face was a mask, and I can feel a stone plummet into my stomach. This is the part that we've been dreading.

"The consumption is still in your body." It's as if I've taken a physical blow, and I blink a couple of times to clear the lights that have taken over my eyes. I squeeze Satine's hand, and I can hear her give a sharp gasp, covering her face with her other hand.

"However, the virus has become dormant. Simply, this means that it's resting in her cells, not multiplying." The docteur pushes his glasses up on his nose a little higher, as I stare at him, trying to take it in. "This means that, at the moment, Mrs. Adams should begin to feel better each day."

"Wait…" I find my voice. "Does this mean that… that Satine has more time?"

"More time? Yes, I believe so, depending on what your perspective is. Satine can have weeks, maybe months or years left. We can't tell."

"Years?" Satine's voice is faint, and I feel the same way. I almost fall down with relief, and a smile spreads itself across my face. I can't help it; I turn to Satine, and I see that she's smiling too, not very wide, but still there. I give a soft laugh, kissing her softly on the cheek.

"However, at one time or another, the virus will become active once more. It might take a while, but it will come." The docteur gives a sad, remorseful smile. "I'm sorry."

"No.. no, this is great news for us." I laugh, feeling a rush of happiness take over my head. "We were thinking that she could be gone in days! But," I become somber again, "is there anything that we can do for it? And how does it become active again?"

"There is a cure that is in experimentation, but if it does come out in time for Mrs. Adams, it is very expensive. As for the causes behind the awakening of consumption, it is not completely known, but there are some valid reasons. Stress is very prominent, as well as weakness or poor health. However, it can become active at any time."

I take it all in, nodding, my hand squeezing Satine's all the time. "Thank you, docteur. Thank you for everything." I turn to Satine, helping her off of the exam table. Already the room seems cheerier to me, and I smile widely, kissing Satine's forehead.

"My pleasure." His job done, the docteur left us alone, as we made our way out of the hospital, the landscapes of Paris bright and tranquil, the air sweet, our love pure and fresh. Her hand is warm in mine, and I smile at her, taking up her chin in a kiss. Even if there is a time limit, it's better then nothing. We have time.

End of Chapter 8

So… Not the best ending of a chapter, but good enough.

Unless of course you think it should end there.

I really don't know where to go after this. I would like to go on, come up with a couple more chapters, but what do the readers think? I'll have a poll up on my profile; go vote, and tell me what I should do! Thank you!