Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters.

Chapter 9

Elena's POV

I finally found Dr. Drake's office, giving the door a sound knock. I heard a gruff 'come in'. I twisted the knob, pushing in the door open. Dr. Drake looks up, waving me over to have a seat. "Sorry, I knew you wanted to talk, but I got caught up with some patients. I have the time now." Dr. Drake turned his attention away from the computer, turning his attentions to me.

I sat down on my seat, pushing my hair back over my shoulder. "No, that is okay. It gave me some time to think to myself, weighing my options about chemotherapy." I started off, smiling at the cute photo of Dr. Drake and his family.

"Is there any questions I can answer for you?" Dr. Drake clicked at his pen.

"Lets say this miracle happens… what would be the next steps for me?" I asked, sitting back against the sturdy chair.

Dr. Drake stopped his clicking, looking a me for a moment. "If the chemotherapy works, we would have to remove the tumor, especially from your brainstem first, followed by a series of surgeries. My primary worry is effects the chemotherapy will have on tumor of your brainstem." Dr. Drake broke down the situation.

"How could it get worse?" I bit at my nail, but stopped when I realized what I was doing.

"Well, your seizures could worsen. You could become paralyzed temporarily, more than likely permanent. Your symptoms now could amplify."Dr. Drake explained.

I took a deep breath, looking towards the ceiling, not believing my luck. Not believing even more the words that left my mouth. "Fine. Lets do this." I said, nodding my head.

Dr. Drake did a double take, his mouth even dropped a little. "What?" He repeated, eyes widen.

"I want to go through with the chemotherapy, Dr. Drake. I could possibly be making the stupidest decision of my life, but I'm taking the major leap of faith." I responded, giving a grim smile.

"And no one pressured this decision on you?" Dr. Drake inquired, studying me closely.

I shook my head, feeling a pit opening up in my stomach. "No, all me and my craziness." I countered, appreciating that Dr. Drake's concern goes beyond just my health. He recognized me as a person, not just another patient.

"If that is what you really want, I will make arrangements with the Oncologist to determine your regimen, but first we need to perform the thoracentesis to remove the fluid from your lungs, then we can talk about the following steps." Dr. Drake ordered, getting up from his seat.

I followed his lead, using my oxygen tank as leverage, wincing from developing pain in my muscles. I felt a firm hand on my shoulder, directing me back into my seat. "Let me go grab you a wheelchair. Rest." Dr. Drake ordered, leaving the room.

I frowned as I heard a cry from out in the hallway. I turned my head back to see a crying little boy, chocolate curls wearing a t-shirt and overalls. I got up, despite the stiffness and headed to the door. I looked both ways to see no one around.

The boy looked to me, glassy blue eyes, started to wail. He was red in the face. He couldn't be no more than four years old. He startled me when he lunged at my legs, causing me grab at the door frame keeping me from falling over.

I reached down, rubbing at his back. "It's okay, sweetheart! You are okay. Where is your parents?" I asked, not really expecting an answer, but he did calm down.

"How about we find your parents, cutie?" I tried to take his hand, but he just lifted his arms up, wanting me to carry him. The thought made me ache. I bent down, placing my hands under his arms. I lifted him, him immediately locking his legs around my waist, arms wrapping around my neck.

"You're lucky you're cute." I teased, smiling. He shied away from look, tucking his head in my neck. I locked my hand around the oxygen tank and started to walk away from the office, walking towards the main desk.

I rounded the corner to see a distress man and Elizabeth, talking frantically to the security guard that I recognized that work my floor. Before I could get anyone's attention, the little boy perked up, screaming, "MAMA!"

Elizabeth and man's head whipped in my direction, not wasting a second heading my way. Elizabeth burst into tears, plucking the child from my arms, cradling him close. "Aiden, we were looking for you everywhere! You're okay." Elizabeth mumbled, eyes closed, while the handsome man hovered, kissing the little boy's head.

I smiled at the scene, but also feeling out of place. "I found him in the middle of the hallway, outside of Dr. Drake's office." I said, ensuring the distress parents that the little boy was okay, safe.

"Elena, thank you. I'm sorry for the trouble." Elizabeth apologized, reaching out taking my hand. I squeeze her hand, shaking my head her silliness.

"It was no problem. We had little bit of adventure." I tickled the little boy's chin, letting out a cute giggle, wiggling away from me.

"We still appreciate anyways. I'm Nikolas Cassadine." Nikolas reached his hand out for me to shake, which I returned.

"Hi, I'm Elena. Nice to meet you." I returned, smiling. Nikolas' hand released mine to ruffle the little boy's hair.

"And this little rascal is Aiden. Aiden, can you say hi?" Nikolas urged, looking down at Aiden.

"Sister!" Aiden yelled with a bright smile. Elizabeth and I's eyes widen, Nikolas pushing down Aiden's pointing hand.

"Umm, he is… learning new words. We have baby girl at home, teaching him new terms." Nikolas explained, taking the little boy from Elizabeth's arms. "We are going to see Dr. Newton. See you later. Nice to meet you, Elena." Nikolas walked away quickly, not seeing my hand wave.

"I think that is enough excitement for the day. Why are you out of bed?" Elizabeth questioned, turning the conversation.

I shook my head, looking back to the petite woman. "I was discussing chemotherapy with Dr. Drake. I decided to go that route. Simultaneously, we cuffed our hair behind our ear, stopping we when realized what we were doing. We laughed at the coordinated act, pulling our hands away.

"How are you feeling about it?" Elizabeth lead me over to a nearby bench. We sat down.

"Nervous, dread, but that's no different from when I wake up everyday, not knowing what tribulation I'm going to go through. Both paths end with my death. Plus, I made a promise to my brother that I was going to fight and that is what I'm going to do." I rambled, looking off.

"I have faith that you can beat this. You are not alone in this battle. You have people that is going to be there every step of the way." Elizabeth's gripped my hand, nose tinting red against her pale skin, eyes glassy. I had this sense that there were some undertones I wasn't comprehending.

"Don't get soft on me, Elizabeth. I have my Mom doing all that." I teased, trying to lighten the mood. Elizabeth giving me a half smile. I glad she had her heart on her sleeve, it let me know she wasn't the right person to ask this task of. I could tell she was already attached to me, emotions in turmoil.

"I cry when I see puppies. Don't worry about me. Maybe after your procedure today, you can rest in a real bed after a couple of days." Elizabeth tried to perk up for my sakes.

The thought made me happy. "And some real food! Even fresh air sounds nice. I miss home, especially my friend Elijah." I wistfully said, thinking about the man of my heart.

Elizabeth's smile spread across her face, sparking joy in her eyes. "What's the story there?" She nudged my arm.

I smiled solemnly. "Nothing to exciting. Elijah is someone I greatly admire, but someone who has had my heart since I was twelve, not that he will ever know. Plus, he is with someone else. I could never let him burden my sickness, but he has been a very supporting role in my life. When I became paralyzed, he visited me everyday, reading to me, bringing me flowers. He spoiled me!" I laughed, realizing I was craving that attention. More importantly from him.

"Well obviously you mean a great deal to him, Elena. His actions speaks louder than his words." Elizabeth countered.

I was about to say something, but was interrupted by frantic call of my name. "Elena!" I whipped around, seeing my Dad looked haggard.

Fear chilled my blood as I jerked, ignoring the protest of my body. "Dad, what is wrong?! Is it Mom?"I questioned, falling into his grasp.

"No, Elle. I got a call from Liz, Caroline's mother. It's Jeremy!" My heart dropped, my mind going to the worst possible situations.