Before I begin, I'd just like to thank each and every one of my reviewers on this one. I know the subject matter is not easy, and I really, really appreciate you guys sticking with me through this. I try to make the drama and emotions as truthful as possible, which, while painful, is ultimately what I'm trying to do. We have experienced cancer first hand in my family and I never want to belittle the pain and suffering that many people have to endure on a daily basis.

If you wish to raise queries, concerns or thoughts with me, please, either leave me a [constructive] review, or a message on my page.

There are two very special people I'd like to thank for their continued support with this, but I shall do so anonymously; you know who you are.

Gosh…that A.N. was longer than I'd planned! Let's get on with it, shall we? Again, Nik rocks my socks and calms me down before I post my updates. HUGS.

Recommendation: Tripod by vampire lover 44. One of my gals knew what I was writing about and urged me to read this. It's OUTSTANDING.

As always, SM owns it all.

Edward

Bella was visibly shaken. She'd not uttered a word since she'd seen the blood; crying out in panic. She currently sat beside me, practically in my lap, her breathing coming in quick, tormented bursts. I hadn't realized just how much Bella hated the sight of blood.

I gave myself a mental slapping. How could I be worrying so much about Bella when my sister was in such a state? As much as I love Bella, she knew my family came first. She'd urged me to sit with her, but we were not yet allowed to see her. Dad was with her, but the rest of us had to wait. The scene waiting for us when we approached the ER was one of controlled panic. In mere seconds the doctors had whisked her away into a separate wing, beginning their barrage of tests. It only occurred to me now that it was as a precaution against the many germs that floated around in the ER. Alice's severely compromised immune system could not have handled that.
Mom hovered close to the door of Alice's room, ready to jump the moment that anyone approached from the other side. She kept glancing back at Emmett and I, as if she wanted to ask us something.
"Mom…what is it?" I spoke quietly.
She shook her head, coming to join us on the uncomfortable furniture.
"Just…something that your father and I were discussing."
"What?" Emmett prodded, his hand still clasped tightly around Rosalie's.

"Alice's platelet count is very low; a combination of both the lukaemia and the treatment. They're giving her infusions that are in the hospital's bank, but Carlisle believes it would be more beneficial if - "

"I'll do it." I resolved before mom had even finished talking. Emmett's brow scrunched in confusion.
"Do what? Huh?"
"Donate blood. It's best if it comes from family."

Realization was evident on Emmett's face, and he soon nodded fervently.
"Absolutely! Suck it outta me!" He boomed, holding his arm out. Bella chuckled softly whilst Rosalie flicked his nose.
"Ape. Esme, if it will help, I'll give mine too." She spoke, snuggling further into Emmett. Bella froze a little beside me. I could tell she felt a little on the spot to help Alice in the same way.
"Bella abstains. She'll be no good to Alice all jittery and fainty." I teased gently, kissing her forehead. Her body calmed instantly, and mom gave a weak smile.
"Not to worry my darling. Thank you Rosalie. I'll talk to Carlisle." She gazed for a moment at Emmett, then me, tears glistening in her eyes.
"You're the best big brothers that angel could have ever asked for."

I smiled softly, extending my hand out to my mom. She took it willingly, squeezing it with more strength than I thought her body contained. Our eyes met momentarily before we both gazed to the far side of the waiting room.

Jasper.

He was taking this badly. I had watched their interactions over the past few weeks and you didn't have to be a mind reader to work out that something very special was beginning to develop between them. I was hopeful for them. Jasper had been my best friend for as long as I could remember, and he was the best guy for my sister. He balanced her out; brought out the best in my already fantastic baby sister.

Now he just looked lost. I don't even think he'd heard a word of our conversation.
"Jasper?"

My mom's voice was soft, maternal. Here she was reaching out to Jasper when she didn't know even know how her own daughter was doing. Instead of the frantic, panicked mess she'd been on route to the hospital, she was now more Zen; more hopeful. She gently released my hand, gliding over to Jasper and taking his hand in hers.

He looked up slowly.
"Hm?"
"We were talking about how to help Alice. Her platelets.." He nodded, squeezing my mom's hand.
"I heard. I'll do it. If it'll help her; I'll do anything."

Jasper

I'll help her. God, I'll do anything to help her. Carlisle was in the room with her, as was Dr. Young and a handful of nurses. I didn't know if they were trying to get the bleeding under control or to try to find the cause of it. The room was filled with nervous tension, every one of us pinning our hopes on Carlisle coming out of that room soon with some good news.

What followed doesn't exactly fit into my definition of 'good news'. Carlisle emerged from the room looking exhausted. Esme was at his side in an instant, her eyes not leaving his face.
"She's stable. Like we suspected her blood-work isn't good, but that's a given, considering the treatment. Her platelets are at a dangerously low level, so any bump or knock can cause bruising and bleeding.
"She didn't bump anything." Bella blurted out, coloring instantly as she realized that she'd just interrupted Carlisle. I didn't mind. She only said what we were all thinking already.
"That's true Bella. Dr. Young is worried that she might have an infection, which would explain the cough. A bad cough can actually damage the delicate membranes in the mouth and nose, which is probably what happened due to her delicate condition. I'll reiterate though, that she's alright."

Esme's relief was visible.
"Can we see her?"

"Yes love. She's sleeping though, so quiet, ok?" He smiled gently, gazing at each of us as we filed into her room.

She looked so small in the large hospital bed, her features beautiful and serene as she slept. The only reminder of what had occurred hours before was the large red stain on my t-shirt. Emmett had given me his sweater to wear over the top of it, joking that other patients and family might be a little disturbed by the sight of it.

"What happens now?"

The quiet, curious voice belonged to my sister.
"We wait. They've run tests on just about everything, and we need to see what the results are before we consider our next course of action."

"But the bleeding…the bruising…?" Edward asked, sitting on a chair near Alice's bed.
"It's possible that the initial rounds of chemotherapy have been unsuccessful in eradicating the leukemic cells. If the tests results show that this is the case, we'll have to up her dosage."

"Up it!" Esme shrieked, only to be shushed gently by her husband. Alice stirred but remained asleep. Her fear was mirrored in everyone else; leaving a heavy thickness of foreboding in the room.
"Carlisle the side effects…! Her body is weakened so much already…how will she handle it?" She cried quietly, burying her head into Carlisle's chest.
"Es if this cocktail of drugs isn't doing its job then there's nothing else we can try. We need to explore every avenue. Besides, our girl's a fighter. You know that." He smiled, dropping a gentle kiss onto Esme's hair.

I had to agree. So far, despite everything that Alice had been through, her grace and determination to fight this thing was inspiring. As I looked around the room at the scared yet hopeful faces of her family, Rose and myself, I knew that Alice was in good hands.

Good hands or not, we soon realized that Alice's fate wasn't in our hands, much as we might have wished it was. Around 5pm, Alice began running a fever. 100.5; which to a healthy individual poses no harm, but a compromised immune system made the fever much, much more dangerous. Since we were still waiting on the test results, all we could do was ride it out. The nurses administered painkillers via her IV to try to bring her fever down, but with little success. It almost killed me to leave her when visiting hours closed, but Rosalie and I were not allowed to stay. I'd instructed Edward to keep us posted on her condition, and with heavy hearts, Rose and I left the hospital.

Rosalie fell asleep on the couch just after midnight, her phone still clutched in her hand. I willed my weary body to stay awake.

3.02am

Her fever's spiked to 102. They're still fighting to bring it down, no success yet. Visiting hours start at 7.30am. Edward.

There was no way I was falling asleep after receiving that text. I spent the next 30minutes on the phone to Edward. He was moving between Alice's room and the cafeteria, fueling his tired body with enough caffeine to stay awake for her. I told him I'd be there as soon as I could. I only hoped that Alice knew that too.