"Connor, get real. I have been tired, not sick. I'm not going to die, I'm only sixteen." Tom said from her seat next to Connor on the ride home. She was acting brave, but he knew that she also believed Lorne.

"Yeah the same age your mother was the first time she died."

"I'm not dying. I won't do that to all of you."

"I don't think you have a choice."

"I always have a choice. Wait, I have an idea"

"What?"

"First, I need a second opinion."

^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Tomorrow, I don't know how you knew," The Doctor began, "but there is a large amount of cancer in your knee. It wouldn't have bothered you until it spread to your upper body, except for all the stress you've been putting yourself under has made it spread more rapidly than usual. I am sorry, we can try some experimental surgeries, but it has spread too much to have much hope of a recovery. I agree with your first doctor, you have about a year to live."

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Mom, Dad, get down here." Tom screamed as she walked in the door. She heard stirring from upstairs and noticed guiltily that the clock showed that in was after midnight.

"Pet, what's wrong?" Dad jumped down the stairs with the concerned, worried eyes that he only gave to her or her mother.

Without answering his question, Tomorrow just collapsed into his arms and started crying. "Daddy I'm so scared."

"I can see that Pet, now what scares you and daddy will kill it." Spike assured her as he noticed Buffy coming downstairs.

"I'm dying. I have cancer like Grandma Joyce and I'm dying." Tomorrow blurted between sobs.

Halfway down the stairs Buffy fainted.