Julia was sitting on the ground in the lotus position and was just about to do some of her breathing exercises when Sean stepped into the house. She stood up as quickly as her condition let her, "you're here at last!" She said while going to him.

"What's wrong?" Sean asked confused, "did Kimber check in with you?"

Julia shook her head, "not so far. I was hoping you would find her."

"So why are you so tense then?" Sean asked and looked at her scrunching his forehead.

Julia inhaled deeply before answering the question, "Sarah had overheard our previous conversation."

Sean's face suddenly lost colour, "what exactly did she hear?" He asked hesitantly.

Julia let herself fall onto a seat and crossed her arms in front of her chest, "enough to become suspicious," she answered sighing, "I know you've asked me not to tell her anything, but she virtually begged me to tell her what's wrong with her mother!"

"You told her that Gail has cancer?" Sean looked at Julia uncomprehending.

"No," Julia shook her head, "I told her that her mother's very ill. She doesn't know it's cancer."

Sean nervously grabbed into his hair, making it tussled while groaning quietly, "I would've liked you to wait with that. Gail'll be raving when she finds out we told Sarah."

"And please tell me what else could have I done?" Julia protested, "she's neither naive or blind, Sean! You should've seen her face when I told her. I have my reasons to be angry with Gail myself," Julia said, "how could she leave her children in the darkness about her state of health for so long?"

"Keep cool, Julia! Think of our child," Sean said calming her, "besides you can't change those things anymore," he let out a deep sigh, "when I got up this morning it looked like it's gonna be a nice day and then hell broke out on earth," he stopped short before continuing, "Kimber disappears without a trace, Sarah finds out her mother will die and Christian wants to call off the wedding..."

"What does he want?" Julia asked shocked.

"He told me a little while ago that he wanted to phone the priest and call the wedding off," he shrugged, "Kimber's gone...no bride, no wedding."

"I simply don't understand," Julia shook her head, "do you think she got cold feet at the last moment?"

"Honestly, I have no idea."

"But you've been together with her for a couple of month," Julia said and looked at him evocatively, "wasn't that enough time to search her soul?" She rolled her eyes.

"Was there a little trace of jealousy in your words?" Sean jollied.

Julia looked at him in indignation, "of Kimber? Nonsense! I just have problems understanding her sometimes. She often reacts so unpredictably and impulsively," she sighed, "I only hope she's okay. It's a bit strange that she doesn't give a sign at all," she said thoughtfully, "imagine, she could've been kidnapped somehow again and is lying in some hospital now...unconscious...bleeding..."

"Stop it Julia! A little bit more optimism please! The whole situation's already complicated enough without us having to paint some more added horror scenarios to the wall!"

"I'm sorry. It must be because of my hormones playing crazy just now," she apologised contritely.

"We now wait for the forty-eight hours to pass and if she somehow still doesn't reappear till then we report her missing."

"And I thought everything will be all right now," Julia sighed.

"Yes, that's what I thought too," Sean stood up and gave Julia a kiss, "I'll go over a couple more files," he explained and went into the study's direction.

Cedars Medical Center

Dr. Jeffries was standing next to the bed of her patient fully swallowed up by Gail's files and only looked up when she addressed him.

"How long do I still have to stay here for?"

Dr. Jeffries looked critically at Gail over the rim of the glasses, "you're too impatient Mrs. Pollock. But I have already told you that we have to keep you here at least for a week so that chemotherapy takes effect."

"Be honest doctor..." She took a deep breath before speaking about what bothered her, "do you think I have a chance?"

"Without this therapy it would be equal to zero," Dr. Jeffries avoided the question, "with this form of treatment we can achieve very good results. If we could've started with the chemotherapy a couple of month earlier, the chances of recovery would've been quite high," he cleared his throat, "we didn't finish with all the tests. That's why we can't tell you for certain yet how far the cancer had spread."

"What's further treatment like?" Gail asked quietly.

Dr. Jeffries flapped the files shut and looked at Gail long and thoughtful, "a new drug appeared on the market not long ago that should hinder these cancer cells spreading. This drug have only been tested on a few patients so far. But we already found an improvement with the well being by eighty-five percent of the test subjects. In some cases their cancer even got reduced in size. This antibody substance is administered though an iv, i.e. they would have to come every few weeks into the hospital, so that the infusion can be given to them. In addition the side effects are quite strong. Some of the patients complain about fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, general weakness. The same problem with any kind of chemotherapy by the way. Not only cancerous cells are destroyed but also healthy ones."

Gail was listening to the doctor in silence. If there was only a flicker of hope, then she would do what was necessary to get well. The thought of the side effects therefore didn't bother her that much. It couldn't be worse that what she was already feeling like, "I'd like to live to see my grandchild grow up," she said barely audibly.

Dr. Jeffries nodded, "all right. Let's get to the cost of the treatment..." He adjusted his glasses on his nose and opened Gail's files again, "there, this medicine's only in the testing phase, so the patient must carry the main part of the costs. For 12 treatments an approx.1500 dollar is estimated. I think, to see some visible improvement of your condition, we will approximately need a treble dose for you."

Gail became pale, "but... I do not have 4500 dollars..." She stammered, "when my husband died he only left debts behind. We have a mortgage on the house. I had to sell a lot of our things to survive at all. Max 's study fees already cost us a fortune... " She lost her voice and tears appeared in her eyes.

"What about your son?" Dr. Jeffries said quickly.

"My son?" She echoed.

"He surely earns enough as a plastic surgeon. Maybe you could ask him to stand the costs. If you'd like I could ask him too. Unfortunately I didn't have time for him this afternoon because I had to go to another ward. But I'll catch him again tomorrow."

Gail sat there as if thunder struck, "Christian was... here?!" She stuttered disbelievingly.

Dr. Jeffries nodded, "you were sleeping at the time, and I asked him not to disturb you. But he will surely pass here tomorrow again."

Thousand thoughts were revolving around in Gail's head. What did Christian want here and how did he know at all she was in hospital? It was probably Kimber, she considered. She looked up startled. The thought of Kimber hadn't occurred to her for a while, "how is she?" She asked anxiously, "is everything all right with the baby?"

Dr. Jeffries held his head contemplatively, "that unfortunately I do not know. After her collapse she was taken to another ward for which I am not responsible. In addition I am not authorized to talk with patients about other patients."

"Would you do me a favour?"

"If I can," Dr. Jeffries nodded.

"Could you try to find out how she is? Please!" Gail looked at him pleadingly.

"I could, but as I told you I'm sworn to secrecy," Dr. Jeffries repeated hesitantly, "I'm really sorry," he added when he saw Gail's sad face, "but you surely understand, don't you?"

Gail nodded hanging her head, "will you come back again later?"

"Yes, I'll come back once more on my round," Dr. Jeffries promised, "and no worries, I'll speak with your son about the costs of the anti-body therapy," he still added before he finally left the room.