Chapter 24:

November 2001

Soraya stood nervously outside the office of the WWE Chairman. Survivor Series was approaching fast and the entire locker room was tense at best. Each team was the brink of extinction after this Pay-per-view, but Soraya had faith that her WWF friends would pull through. They were the superior company in her opinion.

She just wished she could still be a part of it. She had put it off long enough, but now she had run out of time and options. There was only one thing left for her to do. So, with steely resolve, she lifted her fist and rapped lightly on the door.

Jessica McMahon opened it about three seconds later. Soraya had obviously interrupted a meeting between the her and her father. "Hey Soraya, what's up?"

Rolling her shoulders, Soraya offered her friend a slight smile. "I needed to talk to your father, if that's ok?"

Jessica looked over her shoulder at Vince for conformation and he nodded his consent. "All right, I'll come back later."

"Wait." Soraya grabbed her wrist before the caramel blonde could disappear down the hallway. "You should hear this too."

"Okay." Jessica frowned worriedly, but closed the door so the three of them remained in the office.

"It's not the news, I'm hoping for, is it?" Vince frowned in concern, already knowing why the smaller blonde was there.

"No Sir," Soraya shook her head. "I'm afraid it's not."

"What's going on?" Jessica raised an eyebrow curiously, as she watched the small exchange between her friend and her father.

"I'm going to have to take a leave of absence, Jess, for medical reasons." Soraya informed her. "I have cancer and require chemotherapy."

If a pin dropped, it would have been heard, as the youngest McMahon regarded her friend in shock. Her father lowered his head into his hands and groaned. Soraya had seemed so young, so healthy after the surgery that he had hoped it had been taken care of.

Fifteen Minutes later

Soraya and Jessica both stepped out of the Chairman's office, their eyes red rimmed and slightly puffy. They had discussed the Pittsburgh blonde's leave of absence and changed the Diva's match at Survivor series into a Battle Royal to determine a true Women's Champion. Jessica, Lita, Trish, Ivory, Molly Holly and WCW Women's Champion Jazz would partake in it.

"This can't be happening." Jessica shook her head in denial. "Just tell me it's a bad dream."

Soraya shrugged helplessly. "I wish I could, but it's not."

"How long have you known?" Jessica questioned, her mind was full of them.

"Almost a year now." Soraya replied. "I've had surgery and done radiation therapy. Chemo is my last option."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Jessica demanded. "I would have helped you, been there or something."

"I know you would have." Soraya touched her friend's shoulder in an effort to sooth. "Only your father, Regal and Benoit knew. I didn't want to be treated differently Jess, I didn't want the pity. I got enough of that from my break up with Mark. And don't deny it, if you knew, you would have treated me differently. It's hard not to, even Benoit treats me like a china doll sometimes."

Jessica couldn't refute her statement because it was true. Although for the most part, she acted like a real hardcore, badass rebel, she was a softy inside, always looking out for others. She probably would have tried to coddle Soraya at the slightest sign of weakness.

"It's what makes you such a good person, Jess, don't feel bad about it." Soraya assured her. "Besides, I promised myself that if it got really bad, I'd tell you and now I have."

"What are you going to do now?" Jessica asked.

"I'm going to go out there and tell the fans about my leaving for a little while, and then I'm going to come back here and say my goodbyes." Soraya smiled at her friend. "Jess, you're my first true female friend, this isn't goodbye forever and I'll keep you informed every step of the way. I'm going to get through this and be back here kicking ass and taking names. Just you wait and see."

The Arena

The crowd popped as Marilyn Manson's "Tainted Love" hit the titantron. Every monitor backstage tuned in, as Soraya appeared on the stage, blowing kisses to the crowd and starting down the ramp. Jessica had promised that every WWF superstar would be seated near a monitor and listening to what Soraya had to say.

Soraya relished the moment, knowing it would be awhile before she experienced this again. She entered the ring and posed on each turnbuckle, before a receiving a microphone and waiting for her music to die down.

"Thank you." She saluted the crowd for their response to her presence. "Thank you everyone, I appreciate that. I'll tell you, I'm really going to miss this."

They fell silent, confused from her statement.

"I know you all were looking forward to the five on five Divas match at the Survivor Series." Soraya continued, pausing to let the crowd pop again. "I hate to be the one to tell you this, but that match won't be taking place.

They booed in response to that comment.

"There will; however, be a Battle Royal to determine a true Women's Champion instead. WWF Women's Champion Jessica McMahon, Lita, and Trish and Ivory, Molly Holly and WCW Women's Champion, Jazz will all participate." She explained. "The reason for this is because I unfortunately must take a leave of absence from the WWF."

The booing and jeering grew louder.

"I have a much more personal match to contend with outside this company, with my toughest opponent yet." Soraya began to pace. "You see, earlier this year, I was diagnosed with stage one Breast Cancer. And at first the odds looked good, I had surgery, did radiation therapy and it didn't take away from wrestling. But now we've moved into stage two and I have only one option left, chemotherapy."

There was a roar of outrage and sympathy from the crowd. Several members of the audience looked devastated. Even JR and King had fallen silent at her omission.

"As you can tell, this isn't a decision I make willingly. There's nothing in this world that I love more than when I come out to this ring and perform in front of each and every one of you." Soraya went on. "I love most of those people backstage too and the last thing I want to do is leave, but life has given me no choice. Make no mistake, I will beat this thing and I'll be back. Do you want to know why?"

The crowd responded positively.

"It's because of the support I get from everyone in this arena, everyone watching at home and all those who are behind me backstage. You give me the strength and I'll fight like Hell to beat this, or my name isn't Soraya O'Toole." She smiled for them one last time. "I love you all, and hopefully, I'll see you again sooner, rather than later."

Instead of playing her music, as she made her exit; Soraya left to the sound of overwhelming applause. Tears stung her eyes and rolled down her face, as she traded high fives and thanked the fans for the well wishes. As she reached the top of the ramp, she turned and posed for them one last time, hoping it wouldn't be the last time of her life.

A/N: This part makes me so sad. Soraya's trying so hard to be strong for everyone else who's devestated around her, and inside she's terrified. Coming up next, Soraya says her goodbyes. And then I have one more suprise for you all before we conclude this fic as well and move onto it's sequel. Stay tuned and review!

Awprncss4386: Let's hope so anyway.

Asher02: Thank you. We'll have to keep our fingers crossed for Soraya.

xxHungryeyesxx: I liked Farooq of the APA, I've never really liked Bradshaw, mabye I subconciously knew what a jackass he'd turn out to be lol. I miss Billy Gunn actually, although I didn't like his Chuck and Billy tag team. Oh, and would kill to see the intensity of Shamrock again. The man was freak, but in a good way ;)

Jewelgirl04: haha don't worry Danielle, everyone's entitled to their opinion. BTW, I think you'll be pleased with who I've chosen for Soraya in the sequel.

Xinnlagjin: I love Ron lol!

Aaron: What can I say, Soraya's life has never been easy. But that won't kill her can only make her stronger. It gives her deeper elements. She'll fight it tooth and nail, that's for sure. And now that everyone knows, it won't just be Benoit to support her.

Pinktink79: Aw hunn, I know what an exciting feeling that is! Once you're completely past writer's block, you'll feel like you can't stop typing lol. That's great though! I wish you all the luck in completely getting over it, lol like my pun?

Alkira Sonoma: Well then Soraya thanks you for the compliment.