Note: You knew I'd eventually have to get up to this point. ;( . While this IS depressing, I tried to add some sweetness to this chapter. Enjoy.

Was he surprised by the news? Maybe a bit.

The whole day, throughout the case, all Granger could think about was: How was he going to tell Hetty?

Thankfully, she already knew.

Hetty's office

'I don't want to know how you found out, do I?' He asked.

'We're partners, I get concerned sometimes.' Hetty answered. 'I'm sure you get concerned about me sometimes.'

'Sometimes'.

'So, how much time do you have left?'

'It's unsure.'

Silence.

'Do you, want to hang out?' He asked.

'Not tonight. I'll see you tomorrow.' Hetty responded, sadly.

Then she went home.

'Well, she handled it much better then I thought she would.' He thought.

1 minute later

'You still have to tell her you love her. She deserves to know.' He thought.

Then

'No. You'll just break her heart. She's too nice to suffer a broken heart. She doesn't deserve to be with a guy who doesn't have long to live.' He also thought.

Oh, what to do?

At Dovecote

How was she supposed to react? Give him a hug? Tell him everything was going to be all right? 'Well, maybe I could've done something other then just leave. But would it have mattered?' Hetty thought sadly to herself.

She was fighting to keep her job, she had an agent in the hospital recovering from a coma, Now she finds out she may lose her partner in the process? 'How can things possibly get any worse?!' She thought, and shed a couple tears.

And she got some wine, and drank, and drank.

The next morning

Hetty woke up with a vicious headache, feeling terrible, and wondering if she'd ever feel better again.

'Oh good, you're awake. How are you feeling?' Granger asked.

'What are you doing here? And how did you get in?' She asked.

'You drunk dialed me, three times. I got worried, and you gave me a key to this place.'

'Dear God, if I said anything embarrassing, then I'm very, very (ow!) sorry.'

'I'm not saying anything about that, but. In a way, I don't blame you for getting drunk like this. I mean, you're fighting to keep your job, Kensi's in the hospital, and you find out your partner may be dying, I get it.' Granger said.

Then Hetty looked like she was going to puke.

6 minutes later

'I got you a pill for your headache.' Granger said.

After sipping water , 'I feel so embarrassed.' Hetty said.

'It's okay, really.'

'I look like such a fool.'

Gently stroking her hair, 'You, Henrietta, are not a fool. And as long as I'm still able to, I will try to take care of you, whether you like it or not.' Granger responded.

Sniffling, 'Sometimes, I think I don't deserve you!'

'I sometimes think that as well.'

They stayed home the rest of the morning.