Man, writing about Piper's dad from Jason's PoV is like, really hard. I've written 'Mr. McLean' so many times I'm tempted to call him 'Trish' or 'that actor guy' from now on.

Supernova Space: Yes, it's a Jason chapter! And he's caught feelings now!
minotaurbane: Exactly! Piper is the disgruntled kitten of the squad!

Blue VI.

Jason was pretty sure he was going to pass out from fear/nerves/worry before the doctor even took them in.

They were seated in the waiting area, him and Piper. It had been three days since Piper had fainted, two days since she'd taken a bunch of over-the-counter pregnancy tests and found them to be all negative, and one day since they'd visited a hospital and taken a bunch of complex tests.

For some reason, those tests took twenty-four hours to produce results. Doctor Sasha had been very understanding and non-judgmental. She'd told them that there was nothing to worry about and that it was probably just a fluke. And so Jason and Piper waited to be called in.

Jason's finger-tapping had risen to level 'violent' in the fourteen minutes they'd been waiting. It wasn't the worst thing they'd ever faced in their lives, but Jason was still on-edge for some reason.

Piper's hand covered his hyperactive one and have it a squeeze. "What's on your mind, Jace?"

Obviously, they already knew what the results were going to be. Since it was probably from one of her assignments, he was pretending to be the father in front of the doctor. Jason was just worried the doctor would demand parental authority. (Because people were idiots that way.) Piper was confident she could guilt-trip whoever the doctor was.

He met her eyes and tried to channel his inner caring boyfriend as the act required, because you never knew who was watching. "We aren't meeting Dr. Sasha again, right? I'm worried the doctor will be a narrow-minded boomer/Gen X who'll tell us to call our parents."

"I told you not to worry about that. You know I'm good at manipulation and stuff. First-hand knowledge!"

He smiled a little, remembering the time she'd been Katherine Hill and he'd been Alpha. "Wild Kat."

She shrugged, returning his smile. "Thanks, it's the trauma. But seriously, let's hope the doctor will be somebody sympathetic and understanding."

He nodded. "What do you want to do after this?"

Piper stretched her legs out in front of them. He tried not to stare. "Movie?"

That meant about two hours of alone time with her, which he'd take in an instant, but— "I don't think we'll have time for that." It was a quarter to seven and the sun was sinking fast. She was supposed to be home before eight. Movie plus waiting time at the theatre meant impossible.

"Your curfew is flexible, right? We'll Netflix at my house; I'll sneak you in."

Before he could do something stupid like flush at the thought of sneaking into Piper's bedroom after hours, he blurted, "Which movie?"

She pulled out her phone and doing a quick search for movies in her list to watch and re-watch. "I'm partial to Inside Llewyn Davis, but if you're not up for depressing and dangerously reflective, we can do a cute rewatch, like The Judge."

"Yes."

"Man, you're a sucker for RDJ, aren't you?"

Before Jason could answer, a woman called for them. "Katherine Hill, the doctor will see you now!"

So they got up and marched in. The room was sparse with medical-looking things scattered about. There was not much on the doctor's table and a baby boomer in the doctor's chair. He looked slow and wizened. "Hello, I'm doctor Maven. Have a seat, Ms. Hill and…"

"Jason Grace," he said, sitting down. "Boyfriend."

Nodding, he turned to Piper. "Ms. Hill, you took several tests yesterday, prescribed by doctor Sasha. Original symptoms were fainting and tiredness, along with a missed period. Is that correct?"

"Yes."

"May I call you Katherine?"

"Sure, doc."

Dr. Maven smiled, just a little painfully. "Katherine, may I confirm your age?"

Jason rolled his eyes. Here we go. One generational shaming coming right up!

Piper, for her part, didn't hesitate or change her tone. "Sixteen and four months."

Dr. Maven sighed, taking off his glasses. "I would advise your parents be here—"

Piper cut him off. "Mother dead, father busy. Same for him."

"I'm sure your father would like to be—"

"He's not coming, doctor," she said with finality. "Now, I know the tests show I'm pregnant and you clearly want to shame-lecture me, but trust me when I say that it's in everyone's best interests that you do what you're paid to do and nothing more."

Jason almost smirked at her antics. Not going the subtle route today.

Dr. Maven was silent for a beat, stoic. Then: "You are not pregnant."

What?

Piper looked as confused as he was, but neither interrupted the doctor.

"Fainting like that, twice and thrice… you were correct in assuming it was a symptom of pregnancy. But you aren't pregnant, Katherine. You haven't had your period yet, but it'll come in a few days and you'll know."

Jason's first reaction was a sigh of relief, but then he thought about the look that was still in the doctor's eyes. Pity and sympathy and pain—

"The tests diagnosed second stage colorectal cancer."

Jason's heart stopped.

It took a silent eternity for the words to sink in. He stared at the doctor, unable and unwilling to understand. His head spun and his limbs turned to lead. Piper… she has…?

Something in him broke hearing that death sentence.

But then the doctor started his rehearsed and detached and heartless cancer-patient speech. "Now, this isn't as cut—"

And Jason just about lost it. The anger was bubbling up, and for the first time since meeting Piper McLean, he let it flow at its own whim. He banged his hand on the desk, and demanded, "How accurate are these tests? You barely even took special tests! All you had were pregnancy tests! How do you know it's a correct diagnosis?"

Dr. Maven's turned to him, those sad and horrible and ugly emotions still in his eyes. "Cancer shows up… vividly, even in the least specific tests. Last time you told Dr. Sasha that various over-the-counter tests were all negative, yes? She was prudent and the tests she prescribed were wide enough. Further diagnosis will be done, yes. But I wouldn't tell you second stage if I was not sure about it."

That was another blow Jason was unprepared for. The matter was sealed. It can only be worse.

He wasn't about to fall back, though. His rage was lost but the fire remained. He did not look at Piper, afraid that seeing her would break what was left of him. He just took a deep breath and asked the next question. "What now? Tell me what we're gonna do from here. What are the options? I've heard about surgery and chemo. I remember last week The Telegraph said there were new, revolutionary drugs in the final stage of testing—"

"They say that every time," Dr. Maven cut in, softly.

This man is here to help us, Jason reminded himself. But even as he did, he started planning about looking for a better doctor as soon as he was back home. Mr. McLean will get us a better doctor, or Dad will.

"Look, Jason, five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer is sixty-five percent overall and twenty-one for stage two and above. As far as cancers go, this is far from hopeless. But it will pay you to not daydream. I, in particular, don't raise hopes and sugarcoat. If you want, I can transfer you to a doctor who does."

Before Jason could get one word out, Piper spoke up. "I have colorectal cancer."

Her voice was strange, far away. Jason turned to her, bracing himself for the worst.

But Piper was not devastated. She was staring at an anatomy chart on the far wall. Her eyes were dry and her posture was perfect. It scared Jason.

Dr. Maven tried to draw her attention. "That is what the tests diagnosed, yes."

"Which body part is that, doctor?"

Dr. Maven cleared his throat and said, "The large intestine, Katherine."

Piper pointed at the diagram. "The large intestine consists of the cecum, the bowels and the colon," she read. "Is it more specific?"

"Yes, the… the main center of activity is the ascending colon."

"Oh, cool. Colon cancer. Cancer of the colon. Same as Chadwick Boseman. He was diagnosed at stage three, you know."

Jason tried to bring her back. "Piper… who's that?"

She turned to him, her eyes a mix of disappointed and angry. "Chadwick Boseman, an actor most widely known for his role as Black Panther. He died of colon cancer last year. He was diagnosed at stage three in 2016. Weird how one R-I-P is all you have to spare. Will you forget me like that too?"

"Never."

Piper laughed mirthlessly. "I don't believe you."

Jason had no real reply to that, because in that moment, in her laugh, he saw her thoughts. He didn't know why or how, but he just knew somehow that she was planning something drastic.

With little hope of it working, he tried to get her out of the room. "Pipes, uh… why don't you go call your dad and tell him to send someone to pick us up? I'll join you in a minute."

And it was like the bland detached state came right back. She agreed without hesitation and left the room silently.

As soon as the door closed, Jason turned to the doctor. "Tell your assistant, receptionist, whatever, whoever, to keep an eye on her. She's going to do something stupid, I just know it!"

Thankfully, Dr. Maven realized the seriousness. He called the front desk and told them to be vigilant.

When the call ended, Jason straightened and started. "Here are the facts: I'm Jason Grace, son of Zeus Goldwing. She's Piper McLean, daughter of Tristan McLean. Money is not the problem. We won't shy from any expensive treatment and drugs."

"Okay—"

"If you know of any hospital or doctor or whatever even one percent better than you and this place, tell me. Whatever you stand to lose from passing us onto someone else, our dads will double it for you. Give me the amount; I won't judge. I'm a businessman's son, and I know money."

Dr. Maven was calm and measured. "I assume you gave false information at the front desk. Tell me your real phone numbers and I will send you the list of the best cancer doctors anyone can have."

Jason narrowed his eyes. "Tell me what you want. There's no shame, doctor. Money's everything. I am just as materialistic."

"I do not want any bribe money. Doctors are supposed to save lives, I will do my part."

"Just take the money. It'll just be further guarantee that you'll give us a better doctor. If you're a bad guy, you have nothing to lose; if you're a good guy, you'll feel more morally beholden to give us the best you can. And to not reveal to the media that Piper's sick."

Dr. Maven sighed and conceded. "I'll send you the details, but I can't in good conscience ask for a sum. Send me what you will. If I'm as 'good' as I think, all of it will go to charity."

Satisfied, Jason nodded and dictated his phone number. "Send me the list as soon as you can."

Dr. Maven nodded, all business once again. "Inform her family. Choose and visit the hospitals within two days. Until then, keep her away from spice, oils, fats, and roughage. No junk food. About seventy percent of her regular water intake. She's got no other illnesses, that's good. Don't let her exert herself. No exercises, no yoga. As far as you can, keep her lying down with a few pillows below her abdomen and pelvis."

He picked up a pen and started scribbling on his notepad. "I'm prescribing some medicine for nausea and lightheadedness if an episode happens in the future. The drugstore employee may say that they have better alternatives, but insist on these."

Jason took the proffered slip and asked, "Can you give me a general timeline?"

Dr. Maven was hesitant, but he obliged nonetheless. "For the first few days, she'll have to be tested more thoroughly. Then… well, stage two colorectal is nonsurgical, so she'll be assigned repressing drugs. Depending upon which treatments you choose, individual trials can take from three weeks to a year."

Just then, Piper's head popped in. "Arthur says he's five minutes out."

"I'll keep Mr. Grace for one minute more, Katherine."

That was enough to appease Piper. When the door shut behind her, Dr. Maven asked, "Did you catch all that or do I need to repeat?"

Usually he wouldn't have caught so many instructions, but presently Jason's mind was hyper-focused. Running-from-huge-carnivore level focused. "I'll remember." He stood up, chair squeaking as he did.

Although all he'd known all his life was snakes and wolves, looking at Dr. Maven made him realize that, in the end, the world was good people.

When Jason entered the waiting area once again, Piper was visibly impatient. "C'mon," she said. "Arthur will be here any moment and I don't want to let him see we're here. Dad must not know."

Why do you want to hide this?

There was no logic in it, but that didn't matter. Since she clearly wasn't willing to handle this properly, he would have to do it on his own. For the time being, though, he played along.

Piper grabbed his hand and, apparently deciding his walking speed was too slow, started dragging him with her down the hallway and then down the stairs.

Bounding down four staircases wasn't exactly following Dr. Maven's instructions. Hell, it isn't even safe for me! But he had to let her think he was on board with her idiotic plan, so he let her drag him in silence.

They ran as far as they could before Arthur arrived, which was three blocks' worth of running. The car stopped by their panting figures. They piled into the backseat.

"Home, please," Piper said with a smile.

When Arthur dropped them off, the first thing Jason did was casually take Piper's hand in his. He had to make sure she didn't run off and do something before he could tell Mr. McLean. Piper glanced at him but didn't protest.

They strolled up the driveway. "Your dad knows I'm here?"

"Yeah. I told him you were staying tonight."

"And did he accept?"

"Didn't exactly pose it as a question. And you know how he is. We leave him alone and he'll leave us alone."

Inside, the mansion was deathly silent except for the music and explosion sounds coming from the media room. How do I get them in the same room…?

Cautiously, Jason asked, "Hey, can we watch on the projector?"

Piper raised an eyebrow. "Dad's clearly in the media room watching shitty 90's shows. Besides, The Judge is not exactly a cinematography masterpiece which needs to be viewed full size."

He tried for a sad but winning smile. "Today's been a lot. We'll sneak the projector out of there without him noticing."

She agreed hesitantly. Jason loosened his grip on her, but just a little.

They headed to the media room. Howard and one other guy were standing guard at the door. The head of security held the door open for them as Jason pulled Piper in. Still holding hands, they walked to the back of the room to choose the equipment.

But before Piper could her hand pull away to pick up the items, Jason said in a loud voice, "Mr. McLean, do you trust me?"

Piper narrowed her eyes at him. 'What are you doing,' she mouthed.

Her dad tore his eyes away from the screen and blinked at them. "I… I do trust you, Jason."

"Then roll with this for just one moment."

Jason yanked Piper toward him, setting her into a spinning trajectory and crashing right into Howard's arms. While she was still recovering from the spin, Jason asked Howard to restrain her. "Make sure her hands don't move. I'll explain everything in a minute."

"Jason, what is the meaning of this?" Mr. McLean shouted.

"Please indulge me for a few minutes. I'm—"

"Don't you dare, Jason!" Piper shouted, thrashing in Howard's arms. "I'll kill you!"

"Piper, I'm doing this for your own good—"

"You owe me your life, you son of a bitch!"

"That's why I'm doing this. You can't—"

"Jason Grace," Mr. McLean said in a commanding voice, "I am only going to give you one chance. What the hell is going on?"

Jason took a deep breath and exhaled through his mouth. "Piper's trying to commit suicide and I have proof."

Tristan's eyes glinted. "Duke, restrain him and bring both of them to me."

Jason raised his hands over his head and let the guard hold him. His grip was bruising as he dragged Jason to in front of the couch. Mr. McLean switched off the TV and leaned forward in his seat, going full mob boss mode.

Before Piper could speak and ruin everything with her silver tongue, Jason explained his side. "She's going to fabricate a lie if you let her speak. I'm telling the truth and I have proof. In my pocket, there's a prescription in her name. We were just in a hospital. You can call the doctor to verify that."

"DAD DON'T LISTEN TO HIM."

Duke took out the prescription and handed it to Mr. McLean for inspection. Jason continued, "Three days ago Piper fainted out of the blue. We thought it was a sign of pregnancy but all the over-the-counter tests came out negative. So we went to the doctor yesterday and she took some tests—"

"JASON YOU SHUT YOUR GOD DAMN MOUTH RIGHT NOW—"

Mr. McLean stared at her. "Pipes, please calm down. Why didn't you want to tell me this?"

"IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS DAMN IT! Who do you think you are, to toy with me like this? To control me like this?!"

Jason could take no more of her callousness. "Howard, can you…"

Nodding, the bodyguard clamped a hand over Piper's mouth, silencing her.

Meanwhile, Tristan McLean was anxious. "What happened at the hospital, Jason? Why did you say that word?"

That sobered him up quickly. How do you tell a father something like that? Maybe the best choice was to leave it to the professional. "I… don't know how to tell you this. Can you… can you call the doctor? His name is Dr. Maven. Just… talk to him."

Mr. McLean narrowed his eyes at him inquisitively, but before Jason could explain, Piper bit Howard's hand and yelled, "It's cancer. I have cancer and it can't be cured so now LET ME GO!"

She was silenced again in a second, but the damage was done. Her dad looked between the two of them, trying to make sense of the situation. His face crumbled, a plea escaping his lips. He shook his head.

"No, please… What are you… Piper, please don't…"

It hurt to watch him break apart, everything laid bare and aching. His fists clenched, every breath a denial. Jason wanted to stop him, tell him that things were better. But things aren't better, not by much.

"Why would you hide this from me?" Mr. McLean said, defeated and dying. "Piper, what— what did I do wrong?"

Amidst the storm, Jason found his own voice. "She'll live," he said. "The doctor says she'll live. I've got recommendations for her."

"You… she won't die?"

"We'll make sure of it," he promised. "The doctor told me about the tests and—"

With a savage cry, Piper took down Howard and lunged at Jason. Only years of fighting for his life let him catch her wrists and overpower her. He turned her around and held her in a headlock, then used one leg to hold both of hers still. "What is wrong with you, Piper? Why do you want to die?"

"It's my life," Piper spat, "and I won't spend the rest of it counting heartbeats."

"Your life is not your own. Look at your dad. Look at what you did to him."

"Your stupid suicide helpline mantra won't work on me."

"I'm not telling you to spend the rest of your life counting heartbeats, Piper. I'm telling you to stop—stop trying to burn up like your life won't mean anything unless you live recklessly. At least try to live longer!"

"I don't care! My life has never been mine, at least let my death be my own! Can't you see?! Dad doesn't matter, Mom never mattered, Kira doesn't matter, and you don't matter! None of you matter because I want to burn."

"I won't let you." He turned to her father. "Sir, we need to talk. I know it's heartbreaking, but I need you to have her locked in a room."

Mr. McLean managed to order Howard to do just that. The bodyguard took Piper off him and dragged her away, careful to hold her properly after previous mistakes.

"She won't try to kill herself directly," Jason continued. "You heard her: she wants to go up in flames. We just have to make sure she gets treatment. Howard, get a female guard. I want her under constant supervision. And don't let her fingernails near you, she's venomous."

"What does that mean?" Mr. McLean asked, eyes wide and teary.

That brought a sad smile to his lips. It was all very illogical and wrong and terrifying. "There's a lot I can't tell you, but you need to know she won't hesitate to kill anyone in this room to escape."

"That's… why would she…?"

"Really can't tell you. Howard, can you take her away now? And please keep one other guard with you."

Piper was silent as she was taken away, but her eye promised a thousand painful deaths, just so there was no misunderstanding.

Jason waited for her to get out of earshot before he spoke again. He nodded at the prescription lying on the couch. "Now, the first thing we need to do is to get those medicines for her. They're for dizziness and nausea, so we'll need them ASAP."

"Duke, call Arthur and tell him to go buy this stuff."

"And tell him to make sure to get the exact same ones, no alternatives," Jason added hastily.

The guard dutifully took the slip and left the room to go call the driver.

Once they were alone, Mr. McLean said, "Why did she want to hide this from me?"

"She doesn't hate you or anything like that," Jason said. He was starting to understand Piper's side of things bit by bit. "It's just because you'll make sure she gets treatment. If only I know about it, she's free to do whatever she wants, because she's got a hold on me."

"Why does she not want treatment?"

"She's not suicidal. She's just… pessimistic. She thinks treatment will be a waste of time. She wants to live and complete her dreams as much as she can."

"Okay. That makes sense."

Speaking of time, we can't waste any. Jason went back into business mode. "Mr. McLean, it's too late now, but still— Are your guards trained in secrecy or not? Most celebrities make sure, but I'm just confirming."

"They can keep a secret."

"Next, Dr. Maven's going to send me a list of the best doctors we can get. We have to choose one of them and visit them in two days. I promised him money—"

"Any more than a hundred thousand and it'll be hard to keep it a secret from the media, from his end and from ours."

"That'll do," Jason said, "I'll tell you when I get the list. There's a bunch of other instructions for Howard, but those can be dealt with later. And Mr. McLean, I'm sorry for being rough when I was handling Piper—"

"Jason, if you hadn't done that… I can't even imagine how it would have ended up. You're a blessing for Piper and me. Thanks for… for everything."

"She's my friend, sir. I want her to live. I just want her to stay and breathe and not just… float off. I am indebted to her. I will save her."

So… I lied to you in the last chapter's notes. I'm a monster, I know. Here's the deal—

The C-word:
What - Piper has cancer. Colorectal, second stage, nonsurgical. Chemo is a viable option, and her dad can certainly afford it.
Survival - Piper doesn't want to spend the rest of her life in a hospital; Jason doesn't want her to burn up. She may or may not survive: it just depends on the kind of vibe I'm getting.
Why - Cancer is often used as a plot device because so little is known about it! The writer can let the character survive, die, relapse, or go comatose, with zero arguments!
Misc. - All hail Wikipedia!

By the way, this chapter was one of the first ones I planned for this fic. :)