Holy Moly! Your eyes do not deceive! I'm so so so sorry this has taken forever and a decade to appear. It wasn't my intention at all. I was gonna put this up just before New Year but then I got transferred to a different ship while my ship was put into dry dock and I forgot to take my computer with me! How blond am I? Anyway, when I came back, I got promoted to AssMan which basically means 14 hour days turned into much longer ones especially at the beginning when literally nothing was working. When I came back to what I wrote before dry dock, I was completely unsatisfied with it. So now here it is, the long awaited chapter 21 and I hope you all like it.
And please don't hate me . . .
Chapter Twenty-One
Eve stood next to the window, leaning against the wall for support as she looked out upon the vastness of the neighborhood below. There wasn't much to see but now that she could move around without her skin tearing she didn't want to stay cooped up in her bed. She decided tomorrow would be her last day at the hospital if the results did not improve. Dr. Williams was right. If this was the end, she didn't want to be here. Getting up the nerve to tell her mom she was done wasn't high on the list of things she wanted to do either. Frankly that scared her more than the treatment not working. How do you tell someone who gave you a reason to live that you couldn't do it anymore?
Like clockwork, Ethan knocked on the door and poked his head in. "Morning."
"Hey." Eve turned away from the window and shuffled to the bed. She sat down heavily and took a deep breath while tracking Ethan with her eyes, watching as he prepared to take the blood sample and organized her next round of Chemo. 'I don't think I can watch this,' she thought directing her attention to the window again. It was normal out there. She could use a little normal.
Ethan spilt his attention between the cart and Eve. She sat with her arms locked, bracing herself upright and swinging her legs like a five year old as she squinted at the sunlight streaming through the window. Her sole focus was anywhere but him. 'Maybe I pushed it too far,' he thought with a somber smile. He looked at the cart, double checking that everything was in place. Satisfied that it was, he pushed the trolley toward the bed and waited for Eve to acknowledge him. She held her attention away so he stretched out his glove covered hand to her. "Could I have your arm please?"
"Oh, yeah." Eve's movement stopped quickly as she turned her attention to him while pulling up her sleeve. "Sorry."
The corner of Ethan's mouth twitched in concern, "You seem awfully distracted today. Everything okay?"
"No," she answered quickly but then shook her head, "I mean, yeah- Yes. I . . . I'm fine." She was aware how much her avoidance of that question bothered the people in her life but she always gave the answer she wanted to feel, the one she wanted to be true. One of those mind-over-matter, fake-it-til-you-make-it sort of things, and knowing this test was basically deciding her future she was trying her best to be fine with that.
"Okay," he said uncertainly as he fixed the saline flush. Eve watched his every move with growing anxiety. She hadn't brought up their conversation and he didn't know if he should either. While he couldn't be certain that's what had her in such a state, he could only guess it's a big part of it. Uncomfortable was the last thing he ever wanted her to feel around him. The whole situation must be on her mind all the time. She needed someone to confide in besides family and he wanted to be that person.
Just as Ethan was about to put the syringe in the IV, Eve grabbed his wrist. "Wai- wait." He looked down at her expectantly. "Just wait." Eve let go and brought her hands to her face, slouching forward to rest her elbows against her knees with a sigh. Tears started to form in her eyes as she fought against sour thoughts and second guessing. She brought the heels of her hand to cover her waterlogged eyes, clenching her fingers tightly around her hair in a vain attempt to stay in control.
Ethan crouched down and dipped his head to look at her. Ever so gently, he pulled her hands away. As if intuitive of her plight, he said soothingly, "Hey, we don't have to do this now, Eve."
She sniffled as her head shot up to look at him. "Yes we do," she said vehemently, wrenching her hands away from his. She doesn't want anyone's sympathy right now. If she had it, she knew she would change her mind. "Every morning- every morning you take a blood sample. Don't ruin the system." She shook her head and closed her eyes tightly, causing the tears her hands had been hiding to fall. Her voice shook with desperation. "Don't make this harder than it is. If you don't do it now, I might change my mind."
Ethan shook his head confusedly. "Change your- what are you talking about?" She just stared at him with red stained eyes like he should already know and his heart sank. She had chosen and this test was the decisive factor. "Oh, Eve, that's- that's . . . I don- I don't-"
She turned away from him, intent on fortifying her walls. "You don't have to say anything, Ethan." If this was how he was taking it, she could only imagine how her mom would.
He could tell she was closing herself off again. "Wait, Eve. Stop." If she wanted his support, he would give it to her. He took hold of both her hands again, holding tightly when she tried to break free. "Stop. I'm sorry. Okay? I'm sorry. I support you in whatever you decide."
"Ethan, you look like your whole world caved in," Eve said meeting his gaze. She didn't understand why he was taking it hard. Sure they were friends but in reality they hadn't known each other for that long. Was it possible to feel so close to someone after such a short amount of time? They had clicked straight away and he was someone she felt like she could lean on, but at the same time she wasn't one to lean. All of that aside, though, she'd rather the conversation not go down the road of feelings. It would be easier to not dive into that yet- if ever- so she avoided it. "How can I do that to my mom again? She was already there after my dad died. We just started picking up the pieces. I don't want her to go back to the way she was before."
"But we still have the results to look at, right? If they show improvement-"
"I know I can't keep it from her anymore," Eve interrupted. "I physically won't be able to do it. She's gonna come in here today and know there is something wrong and I won't be able to stop myself from saying it." She sighed in frustration, "God, why does this have to be so complicated?"
Ethan rubbed his thumb across her hand. He had to do something for her, say something that would help. He took a deep breath and blinked rapidly to hold back tears of his own. Swallowing loudly, he fought for control of his emotions. Eve's natural instincts were to protect the people around her so he must remain composed so she would stay open. He had to be the calm she needed. "What would you have me do? How can I help you?"
Eve clenched her jaw and turned away. She squeezed his hands for strength and said quietly, "Just take the test, okay?"
"Alright," he said nodding slowly as he released her hands to stand. "Alright." He took a shaky breath in hopes of gaining his confidence. Everything moved in slow motion once his fingers gripped the syringe. The sound of the lid being pulled from the needle was enhanced in the silence, the ping drawn out in echoes as it connected with the trolley. His heart beat rang loudly in his ears as the needle aligned with the IV. He could swear he heard the needle pierce through and the blood fill the capsule. After it was done, Ethan taped her name on the side of the syringe and placed the sample on the cart. He inhaled sharply through his nose and faced her. "There. It's done."
Eve's face contorted in sorrow as she sat staring at the viol of blood. This was it. It's out of their hands now.
Ethan watched Eve's grief take over as he sat down next to her. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her to his chest. Her façade fell away with his actions and she buried her face in his shoulder, muffled sobs escaping with every breath. He could feel her tears soak his skin through the thin layer of cotton. He shut his eyes and squeezed her tighter against him. "It's gonna be okay," he whispered, pressing a kiss to her temple and rocking back and forth in hopes of providing some form of comfort. "It's gonna be okay." He wasn't one hundred percent certain who he was trying to convince more but for the first time in a long time, he found himself praying for a miracle.
Sarah awoke with a stretch feeling more rested than she had in a long time. As she looked around her surroundings, she noticed Chuck had arranged his room to look almost exactly as it had at Ellie's, which made her smile with utter fondness. Chuck didn't like change but he could roll with the punches better than most. It was nice to know he'd always try to keep some things the same. Maybe that was how he kept things semi normal amid all the chaos.
Speaking of chaos, she'd created quite a bit yesterday. Memories of last night bombarded her mind and she groaned in disappointment. Couldn't she have just dreamt about the argument and pretend like nothing was wrong today, that no apology was necessary? But it could never work that way because that would be too easy and everything always has to be complicated. Why couldn't things ever be simple?
The door squeaked open slowly and Sarah scampered for her knife but it wasn't under the pillow. It hadn't been her intent to stay here last night. It just happened to turn out that way. At the familiar sight of curly brown hair, she let out a sigh of relief.
"Morning," he said pushing the door open upon seeing she was awake. "Sorry to disturb you but Ellie called." He wiggled her cell phone in his hand. "She wanted to see if you were still up for lunch with Grace and her. I didn't think you'd mind if I answered since it was just Ellie." Chuck scuffed to the bed and sat on the lower corner keeping his distance from her.
"Right," she said her voice raspy with sleep. She cleared her throat. "Lunch. Did she say what time?"
He dropped the phone in between them and shook his head. "She said you'd have to call her back but Grace doesn't get off of work for another couple of hours."
Sarah nodded. "Okay." She scooted down the bed grabbing her phone on the way, an awkward tension settling between them. She knew she had to apologize to him but she wasn't sure where to start. The thought of looking at his face and seeing the resentment he must feel made her cringe so she focused on the phone in her lap, hoping for her mouth to open and the right words to come out. Everything she had planned to say last night escaped her memory once again. She felt like her wheels were stuck spinning in mud. It was ridiculous, really, how she could pull some stupid excuse out of thin air when she was caught somewhere she wasn't supposed to be but to have her say something she needed to, something important, and it's like the entire English language evaporated from her mind.
Chuck watched Sarah carefully, deciding if she would actually say anything. Her mouth kept opening and closing like she was going to but then nothing came out. He didn't want to make things easier for her by starting the conversation. Even though he'd pretty much forgiven her, she didn't know that and it was her responsibility to set the record straight- not his. She said hurtful things last night and he'd be damned if he started to fix it. He wanted to know she would care enough to try first, that he was important enough for her to try, regardless of what Casey said. As the tension escalated, he saw her bite down on her bottom lip and furrow her brow in concentration. He looked away, piercing his lips together in resignation. Apparently she didn't want to try at this moment. 'Maybe later.' With a small nod he said, "Okay, well, I'll leave you to it." He pushed himself off the bed and Sarah grabbed his wrist.
"Wait, Chuck," she said without looking at him. "I jus- I . . . I'm trying to figure out what to say." She looked up tentatively to see Chuck without an expression. "I don't- I don't know where to start."
Chuck's head rolled downward. If he left now, would she follow or would she not try at all? 'Well, Chuck, it may be her responsibility to fix it but it's yours to let her have the chance.' With that, he reclaimed his seat on a sigh. "Sorry is a normal place to start."
Sarah let go of his arm with relief. He chose to stay for now but how long would he keep choosing that? 'Don't screw up and maybe it will be longer than you think.' "It doesn't seem like enough to only say 'sorry'."
Chuck's lips slanted teasingly. "I said it was a normal place to start."
It'd surprised her that he made a joke. 'Maybe this won't go so bad.' She offered a tight smile to his jest before turning serious. "I am sorry, Chuck. I don't know what I was thinki- actually, that's not entirely true. I knew I was thinking about everything that could have happened, not what actually did. All of these worst case scenarios popped into my head and it was easier to be angry and betrayed than to admit that I was . . . well, I was . . ." she sighed in submission. "I was afraid and I panicked. So many things could have happened to you and nobody would have known. Not Casey or Ellie . . . me. You're too valuable to loose and not just because you're the Intersect- that is important. I have to believe that's important. But it means nothing compared to you. Too many people rely on you. And for you to just . . . disappear . . ." Her head shook as if she couldn't fathom the idea. "It would ruin them."
"But it didn't happen-"
"That's not the point, Chuck," she said earnestly. "Beckman told me the new Intersect would be up and running by the weekend. Maybe it was irrational or stupid but with Casey off duty, I was afraid she'd order me to kill you. But then she started asking me about other options and feelings- I didn't know what to do. I handled everything all wrong and I'm sorry, Chuck. I'm sorry I didn't consider that you wouldn't knowingly jeopardize yourself with Beckman- sorry I didn't think about the fact that you would do everything in your power to make sure you'd never go to a bunker. I wasn't being fair to accuse you of that, especially the part about betrayal and-" she found a fraying thread on his comforter very interesting as she continued, rushed and embarrassed, "-and when I said you were looking for sex. It's just that you can be so frustrating sometimes. I know that's not a good excuse but you're not like the majority of men I come across and sometimes I forget that. Sometimes I need to be reminded."
"I can be rather frustrating at times," Chuck nodded understandingly. "I'm sorry about that."
"It's not your fault. It's just your nature." She picked at her fingernails as she thought about what else to say. There must be something she's missing, something she's forgotten. It seems that her lack of real world experience is greatly affecting the best friendship she's had in . . . well, ever.
"Well," Chuck said pushing to a standing position, "apology accepted. Breakfast is on the table if you want some."
Sarah grabbed his arm in shock, making him sit down again. "That's it? You're not going to tell me what to do to fix things? I'm forgiven just like that?" She never realized the answer to her problem could be as simple as sorry. But it was like when you were a child, wasn't it? If you did something wrong, you'd say sorry and that'd be it. Your mom or dad would forgive you and you'd move on. So when had sorry stopped being enough? 'When you decided to make it more complicated than it has to be.'
"Sarah," he said, "a good friendship doesn't need apologies to be mapped out by the other. You have done enough for me to forgive you. In all honesty it's kind of nice to know that even the best spy can be surprised by something." Sarah laughed causing Chuck to smile. He slapped her thigh lightly, "Promise. Apology accepted."
"Well, that was easier than I thought it'd be. I mean, I am sorry but I thought you'd want . . . more." 'Like an answer . . .'
"I'm not going to take anything you're not willing to give. It's your choice. I know you're not good at feelings but all I ask is that you think about it. What you want. What you really, really want. And please only consider that. Leave everything else out of it, okay?"
Sarah licked her lips and nodded, "Okay." Everything about that moment would have been perfect, except Chuck didn't say anything about what Beckman had said. "But what about the Beckman thing?"
"Only what you want, Sarah-"
"I know, but just answer the question, Chuck," she interrupted.
His eyes fell to the floor with sadness. "As much as it sucks, General Beckman and I have an understanding about the future. My future."
"What does that mean?"
He sighed glumly, "It means that I trust- well, hope she'll do what's best." Chuck shook his head, clearing the thoughts he didn't want to have yet. With the new Intersect coming online, he'd have to deal with them soon enough. "So breakfast?" he said grabbing her hand and pulling her to her feet. "I know your going to lunch in a few hours but I figured I'd repay you for all the times you cooked for me. Actually it's probably better that you are eating lunch later because I'm not promising an edible meal. Unless of course your name starts with M or J."
Once Ethan had gone, Eve called her family to see what time they would be arriving. She wanted to know how much time she had to decide what to say to them. Lucky for her, they all had something to do. Her mother had errands to run and calls to make to the insurance company, Grams had a conference call with the Pentagon and Uncle Casey was on 'Chuck watch.' Each of them offered to come sooner but she told them to finish what they needed to first. She needed time to find the most delicate way of breaking the news. It couldn't be too abrupt. It had to be done tactfully. Tact wasn't something she was normally short on but this was an astronomically different issue than she'd ever had to deal with. She had no clue where to begin.
So here she sat, with less than an hour to go and no closer to deciding how to approach the topic. Telltale signs of panic were starting to rear their ugly heads. Eve stood up and began to pace away energy she didn't have to spare. As expected, dizziness came and she moved to the window to rest her forehead against the cool, glass pane, taking deep breaths in a futile effort to relax. 'In through the nose, out through the mouth. In through the nose, out through the mouth . . .'
Trisha finished up her errands earlier than anticipated and decided to go to the hospital. Eve hadn't sounded like herself when she called. Trisha wanted to check on Eve as soon as possible. She distractedly walked the halls while searching through her bag for her phone, glancing up every so often to make sure she didn't run into anything. When she found it, she sent a quick text off to Casey letting him know she would meet him at the hospital. He replied he was parking. She smiled as she pushed through the door to Eve's room. "Hey, baby. How's your-" she stopped short when she saw Eve leaning against the window. "Eve?"
When Sarah finished lunch with Ellie and Grace, she called Casey. He told her to meet him at the hospital and then after she met Eve, she could take Chuck home. Sarah knew he'd never admit it, but Casey wanted Chuck to meet Eve too. Chuck was their asset after all, but most of all he was their friend. She saw how he reacted when they both thought Chuck had been blown up in the NerdHerder. Chuck was important to him whether he wanted him to be or not. The car beeped twice signaling the doors being successfully locked and Sarah headed straight to the entrance. She was early so she leant against the wall to wait for Chuck and Casey.
Sarah left with Ellie a few hours ago, leaving Chuck to kill time by himself. He didn't want to bother Casey since he was taking time off his time off to watch him and let Sarah have a life. All he'd been doing was sitting in front of the TV switching between video games- even beating one but the usual satisfaction never came. 'I am so bored!' Chuck sighed and dropped the controller. 'Movie time.' He went to the kitchen and opened the pantry, searching for some popcorn as he decided what movie to watch when the doorbell rang. Chuck felt his heart jump to his throat at the unexpected sound and then rolled his eyes at himself. 'Stop being so paranoid, Chuck.' Even still, Chuck crept quietly to the door and looked through the peep hole. His shoulders dropped upon seeing Casey. "Hey, Casey. What's up?"
Casey shook his head. "Eve called. I have to go to the hospital and with how you're sneaking around I assume Walker isn't back. Get your coat."
"Am I that transparent?" Chuck asked reaching for his wallet and keys.
"No, moron. Walker called." He gave a little half grin. "And I figured. But now I know." Doing an about face, Casey walked toward the Crown Vic.
Chuck closed the door and ran to catch up with him. "You know Casey, one of these days I might surprise you." He opened the passenger side door and got in.
"I'll be sure to alert the media," Casey said shutting his door and starting the engine.
As with most of the time they spent together, the drive to the hospital was made in silence albeit more comfortable than usual. Chuck tapped lightly on the door frame to pass the time knowing that Casey preferred the radio off. Traffic was unusually quiet and they made it to the hospital in no time. Casey easily maneuvered his car into the parking stall and they walked to the front entrance. Chuck noticed Sarah immediately and felt the corners of his lips rise.
"Sucker," Casey muttered but not quiet enough for Chuck not to hear.
Sarah scanned each face that passed, looking for the familiar ones of Chuck and Casey. Upon seeing them, a small smile crossed her face. "Hey guys."
"Walker," Casey said as she fell in step with them. The automatic doors opened and Casey shepherded Sarah and Chuck down the hall. Just as they rounded the corner a loud shrill pierced the calm.
"Help me! Somebody please help me!"
Casey recognized Trisha's voice instantly. His eyes widened with fear as he took off running down the hall, Chuck and Sarah following close behind.
As Eve whipped her head to her mother, darkness swirled over the edges of her eyes. She pushed off the window and tried to take a step. "Mom," she said breathlessly, feeling the ground coming closer to her.
"Eve!" Trisha shouted, dropping her purse to the ground as she rushed to her daughter's side, sliding across the floor on her knees. "No, no, no, no. Come on!" she cried, pulling Eve close to her. "Help me! Somebody please help me!" With trembling hand, she brushed away Eve's bangs. Eve's breath was coming in short and haggard, her eyes struggled for focus. "I need you to look at me. Come on, Baby girl. Look at me. Please-"
Doctors and nurses swarmed the room, taking Eve away from Trisha. They hurried about, shouting out numbers and checking vital signs.
An attending backed Trisha toward the door. Trisha's eyes never left Eve's body as she asked in alarm, "Is she going to be okay? What happened?" Her mind was numb and she had a difficult time processing the attending's response before realizing she'd been shoved into a wall.
"I promise you, Ma'am, we will do everything we can for her, but we need space. You have to step outside."
"What happened?" Casey asked as Trisha was shoved into his arms.
"We're working on it, Sir," she said, gently but successfully pushing Trisha out the door. She closed it quickly and ran to aide the doctors.
Casey took a step to the right, dragging Trisha with him as he looked through the window. Trisha realized she hadn't been pushed into a wall but into the arms of her former protector. It was easy to fall back into the role of asset as she burrowed into John's side for strength, openly crying as they watched.
Chuck and Sarah watched as the doctors hustled around the room, catching their first sight of Casey's niece. Her blonde hair was covered with a forest green bandana. Her skin marred and pale. To Chuck, she looked frail yet resilient. He turned and saw Trisha clinging on to Casey, their eyes glued to the room. He could see Casey's jaw clenching as he swallowed and the tears falling from Trisha's eyes.
When the doctor moved far enough away for Sarah to see the girl's full face for the first time she felt a strange sense of familiarity. It was unlike anything she'd experienced before. The girl's eyes closed and then opened once more, looking toward Chuck before sliding to Sarah. Their eyes locked and instantly she knew why. "Oh my God," Sarah gasped quietly. 'It can't be . . .' The girl's eyes rolled back and Sarah pressed a hand to the glass.
Eve could barely register the doctor's encouragements as they poked and prodded her. Her sole focus was on her mother holding to Uncle Casey as they watched. She felt her eyes rolling back and fought against passing out.
"Come on, Eve. You need to stay awake."
She focused again to the window. Everything was hazy but she was certain she saw a face she never thought she'd see again. She took in as much air as she could to speak but found herself unable to form any words. She blacked out before confusion had a chance to settle in.
Casey blinked and looked away. He grabbed Trisha's arm and pulled her away from the window. "Come on. Let them work." She shouldn't have to watch Eve literally die. Watching her battle with cancer was bad enough. He knew all to well what it was like to watch a person you love die. Pushing her down to the seat, he sat next to her and crossed his arms.
Chuck watched Casey walk away with concern. Sarah appeared to be consumed by what was happening in the room and he assumed she was watching on in Casey's stead. He looked away from the room anxiously thinking of something to do. Death wasn't something he was good at. He still liked to pretend pictures of dead people were pictures of people sleeping. He needed a distraction. A small amount of relief came when he'd though of just the thing. It was helpful and would let him leave the area for a bit. "I'm gonna call General Beckman." Sarah nodded absently and he left, dialing her number as he rounded the corner. She answered after only two rings.
"Bartowski, I'm in a mee-"
"General-" he interrupted. He'd never had to share news like this before. It made him nervous and he felt a little like crying. He brought his fist to his mouth and bit down hard.
"Bartowski?"
He took in a sharp breath through his nose. "General, I think you'd better come. Eve . . . sh- she collapsed."
"I'm on my way."
The excitement wore down and the medical team started to trickle out of the room. The doctor wore a grim expression as he left, dropping the file in the wall holder. Sarah watched him walk away before her eyes fixed on the girl. She knew the girl was still alive by the monitors she was attached to. 'I have to know before it's too late.' She glanced to the file and then covertly around the area. Casey and Trisha were preoccupied with talking to the doctor and Chuck had left to call Beckman so there was no one to get in the way. When she was certain no one was watching, she grabbed the file and casually left, heading straight for her car. She had to know. And this file held the answers.
She pressed the button on the key ring for the trunk and pulled back the carpet quickly. With practiced temperance the combination to the safe was entered. Sarah grabbed the briefcase she'd put there days before. She opened the case and searched through the thick files. When she found the one she needed she began comparing information.
Name: Evelyn Jane Meyers
DOB: October 29, 1984
She opened the medical records she stole and ran her finger down the page.
Name: Evelyn Jane Fisher
DOB: October 29, 1984
Sarah compared all the doctor's visits, immunization records, previous injuries and everything matched up. Everything. Right up until the day it was like Evie had vanished into thin air.
Sarah took what she needed and slammed the trunk. She walked with haste to the cardiac unit in search of Devon. He could help. She scanned over all the anonymous faces until she found the one she was looking for. Devon was exiting from a patient's room. 'Okay. You can trust him. He knows your secret,' she said as if trying to convince herself. 'You don't exactly have a lot of options. Hell, you don't even have a lot of time.' Suddenly nervous, her hands shook around the files as she started hesitantly towards him.
It had been fifteen minutes since she was kicked out of the room. It felt like hours but it was only fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes since she saw her daughter being hoisted from the ground. Fifteen minutes since her daughter's eyes closed. She could only pray that it wasn't for the last time. The doctor finally emerged from the room looking rough but that could just be because it'd been a long day. She hoped.
"Mrs. Fisher?"
"Yes?" she asked nervously as she stood.
"We've stabilized your daughter but she's still very weak."
Her heart loosened with the news. She let out the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "But she's okay? She will be okay?" The look on the Doctor's face was enough for her heart to clench again.
The doctor swallowed, "For now." He knew what her numbers were like. Eve was a fighter but sometimes fighting isn't enough. Sometimes it was never enough. "I've called Dr. Williams. He's on his way to check up on her. The nurse is still in with her. Why don't you get a cup of coffee before you go back in?"
Trisha nodded and blinked back tears. "Okay. Thank you," she choked. She looked at Casey as the doctor walked away. "I thought it was over. I thought-"
"Shh. It's okay. She's okay," he said hugging her tightly.
Once the call ended, Chuck stayed away to settle his nerves. There was no place for them here. Feeling as ready as possible, Chuck came back around the corner. What he saw was enough to change his whole perspective on Casey. Casey was consoling his friend with a tenderness Chuck had never witnessed before. He'd never been more proud to know him than in that moment. Casey was a real life terminator to Chuck but seeing this softer side helped him see Casey more as a human being and less as a robot. He stepped to Casey's side and whispered, "I called General Beckman. She's coming."
Casey gave a grunt of thanks and a little nod. "Where's Walker?"
"She's-" Chuck turned to look by the window but Sarah was no longer there. "Well, she was right there. I'll find her."
Devon looked through his patient's chart, filling in the most recent updates. He'd finished her surgery five hours ago and came straight away after she'd woken. He liked to personallycheck up on his patients as often as possible. "Okay, Mrs. Duncan, everything is in order. We'll need to keep you for observation for the next few days and Marcy here is gonna be with you until you leave."
"I remember," the old lady said. "It's your wedding right?"
"That's right. It is." Devon couldn't hide the smile if he wanted to. "Do you have any questions for me?"
"No. Thank you for everything, Dr. Woodcomb."
"It was my pleasure, Mrs. Duncan."
Devon handed Marcy the chart and started for the door when Mrs. Duncan shouted, "You be good to that wife of yours, you hear?"
"I will, Mrs. Duncan. Believe me, I will." He came out of the room smiling, thoughts lost somewhere between his wedding and his bride to be. Out of nowhere Sarah popped up, startling him. "Sarah? What's going on?"
"Devon, I need your help." Sarah pulled him around the corner to be out of earshot. "I need to know what's wrong with Casey's niece."
He shook his head. "I can't tell you that, Sarah." Devon pulled her into one of the family waiting rooms. "Do you have any idea how much trouble I could get into? I could loose my job." He didn't know she'd already taken the file.
"Casey is my partner, Devon. My partner. He needs help." She hesitated with divulging her true reasoning. She hadn't told anyone about her search for Evey except Director Graham. And he's dead. "It's different now that I see it for myself."
"Sarah-"
"I promise you won't get fired. I'm very good at keeping secrets."
"I know," he said blandly. Devon sighed and shook his head. "I'm not gonna break my oath. I won't. But I will tell you what I know. Gossip is all the rage these days."
"Fine. I'm waiting."
"She's suffering from a rare form of leukemia. When her body stopped responding to chemotherapy, her doctors relied only on radiation while they searched for other options. I don't know who found out about the trial Dr. Williams runs but somehow they did and submitted an application. He rejected it at first because she's practically a million miles away from recovery and it's her second time."
"She's had it twice?"
"Yeah. Apparently she called Dr. Williams and was very diplomatic in talking her way into the program but its not looking good, Sarah. She's not responding. She's not declining either but there has been no change. The doctors and nurses are all pulling for her but sometimes there is nothing you can do."
Sarah nodded while she processed, thinking of alternatives. "What about a donor?"
His head started to shake before she even finished the question. "There's something in her blood that makes for slim chances of finding a donor. A blood relative has to do it and Eve was adopted."
She nodded and took a moment to let the news sink in. 'If she was adopted then it could be her.' She licked her lips and held out the file to him. When he reached out to take it she yanked it away. "Before I show you this, I need you to promise to keep this between us, okay? No one knows about this except me. Do you understand?" Devon nodded and she handed over the pages to him, watching intently as he read.
He skimmed over it with furrowed brow, taking in as much information as he could. When he realized what she was insinuating, his jaw dropped in disbelief. "You think Eve is your sister?"
"Yes." Sarah shifted uncomfortably waiting for him to speak but he said nothing. "Look, Devon, I just want to know if it is my Evie. I could be right," Sarah pushed. "And if I am then it's possible I'm a match, right? I could fix this."
"But what if you aren't?"
"Then this is our secret. Like I said, no one knows what's in this briefcase."
Devon sighed and stared pointedly at Sarah, considering his options. He wanted to help but it would be smart to find out what the consequences were. "What happens if you are?"
Sarah looked away with sadness. "Then I'll most likely be reassigned or forced into retirement. Either way, I'd have to leave Burbank."
"What about Chuck?"
"He'll get a new handler-"
"That's not what I meant. I know you have feelings for him. Are you even going to tell him?"
"What do you want me to say, Devon?" she spat in frustration. "That I'm so in love with Chuck the mere thought of it petrifies me? Well it's true. But I can't help the fact that my only sibling, who I've been looking for for a long time, is dying. I may be the only person who can help her. Don't think for one second it would be easy to walk away from either of them." Her jaw quivered with effort to hold back the tears at the sudden realization. She can't have both of them. Her body shook with anger and sadness and she slapped her legs in defeat. "I loose. Either way, I loose. That's my fate."
"Why can't you have both?"
"The CIA spent a lot of time, money and effort creating Sarah Walker. I'd be blowing my whole cover. Almost eleven years worth of work and that puts everyone at risk especially considering my childhood. I'd have to leave to make sure there are no ripples."
Devon nodded and bit on his lip, feeling insensitive at questioning her intentions. Clearly things could be as complicated as Sarah and Chuck always say they are. "What do you want me to do?"
"I know about your background in research at UCLA. Take the test."
So there you go. Thank you to everyone who checked up on me in my absence. It's meant a lot knowing you guys still think about my story. Believe me, it's always somehow on my mind too. I hope I didn't disappoint.
P.S. Fanfiction wouldn't take my breaks in the page so hopefully bolding parts made it easier for you guys to read. If you saw the chapter and then didn't, that would be why. Sorry =)