Title: This Tear
Author: SydGillyKC
Author's Note: Thanks everyone who reviewed, and please keep it up! I live for reviews. Well, I promised I'd have this next part up soon, so here it is. This part is really off the top of my head. I still have to figure out exactly when to put in that major plot thing I mentioned before, so bear with me.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Syd, is there *anything* I can do? I just feel so helpless. I hate seeing you so sick," Francie said, obviously upset.
"It's okay, Francie. You're being here helps more than you know. Just- just talk to me about the restaurant or something. Take my mind off all this," Sydney suggested.
"Okay, um- oh! I didn't tell you about the asshole that came in the other day, did I? Oh Syd, you wouldn't *believe* this guy!" Sydney closed her eyes and listened as Francie told her very animated story. She tried to focus on Francie's voice instead of the nausea that seemed to consume her entire being. Finally, she succeeded and started to drift off. The last thing she thought before sleep overcame her was:
*Why* did this have to happen to me?
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter Four: Blood-Work
It was a week of treatment after treatment before the doctors told Sydney she could finally go home. She'd have to come back three times a week for chemotherapy, but, barring any complications, she wouldn't have to stay in the hospital anymore. For that, she was thankful.
The day she was to be released, Sydney waited anxiously for Francie to come get her. She wanted nothing more than to go home and be able to sleep in her own bed. Thankfully, she was feeling good that day. She hadn't had chemotherapy since two days before. The doctors decided that she'd finally settled on the right combination of drugs. They still made her so sick that she sometimes wished she were dead, but the horrible nausea and exhaustion didn't last as long as it had with the other combinations. The day after the chemo she usually felt fine.
Francie finally arrived and they gathered her things to leave. She checked out quickly and headed towards Francie's car. They were silent and Francie pulled out of the hospital and started to drive home. Sydney was still pretty exhausted from everything she'd been through the previous week. She looked out the window and smiled, though, happy to finally see the outside world again. The ringing of her cell phone snapped her out of her thoughts. She quickly reached down to her purse at her feet and took her cell phone out to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Syd, it's me," came Vaughn's voice. "I know Francie's taking you home and you can't talk. Just tell her this is a wrong number or something. I just wanted to tell you to call me when you get home. I mean, as soon as you feel up to talking. It's pretty important, ok?"
Sydney turned away from Francie and smiled, glad to hear his voice again.
"Sorry, wrong number."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
As soon as they got home, Francie insisted on helping Sydney unpacked. They spent half an hour putting Sydney's things away and joking around before Francie left Sydney alone to "rest," saying she was going to stop by the restaurant and to call if Sydney needed anything. As soon as Sydney heard the front door open and close, she went to her purse and once again dug out her cell phone. She immediately dialed Vaughn's number.
"Hello?" She heard Vaughn answer.
"Hey," she said, smiling.
"Hi," he said in a way that she knew he was smiling too. "How are you?"
"I'm good."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. I'm glad to be home."
"Good. I heard the treatments were pretty bad," he asked, his voice sad.
"Oh did you? What are you, a spy or something?" She said with a smile.
"Ha ha," he replied to her bad joke. "I'm glad you're doing okay."
"Thanks. So what did you want to talk to me about that was so important?" She asked, changing the topic.
"Oh, um, that doctor your dad has checking over all your results, he wants to do some more blood-work on you," Vaughn said, his voice serious.
"Why? Is something wrong?" Sydney questioned, his tone worrying her.
"No, no. I mean, it's probably just a precaution," he quickly said, though his voice wasn't as convincing as his words.
"Ok, well, what's the plan then?" She asked, deciding she probably wouldn't get him to say whatever he was worried about.
"The warehouse tonight. If you're feeling up to it, come around eleven. I'll keep my cell phone on, though," he said. She instantly knew he was trying to tell her in his own way that should she feel sick, she should stay home and rest.
"I'll be there."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Sydney lucked out when Francie had come home at ten, completely exhausted, having gotten caught up at the restaurant that afternoon. She checked on Sydney to make sure she was feeling okay and then went straight to her room. At 10:30, Sydney quietly left her room and grabbed her keys, heading for the warehouse.
When she arrived, she saw Vaughn's car already there next to another car that she assumed was to be the doctor's. She entered the warehouse to see Vaughn standing across from another man. The man was saying something and she saw Vaughn nodding occasionally. When they realized she was there, the conversation ended abruptly. She immediately knew they had been discussing her.
"Hey, Syd. This is Dr. Madison," Vaughn introduced them. Sydney walked over and shook the man's hand. He was maybe an inch or two taller than her and had gray hair. His brown eyes were friendly behind his thick-rimmed glasses. He smiled at her as they shook hands and she found herself weakly smiling back.
"So Vaughn tells me you want to do some blood-work. Is there anything in particular you're looking for?" Sydney asked, noting immediately how the doctor looked to Vaughn before giving his answer.
"We just want to make sure that SD-6 hasn't doctored your tests. We want to make sure we can trust them to treat you," the doctor responded in an assuring voice. One that didn't convince Sydney at all, but she knew better than to argue with the doctor. It was Vaughn she wanted to talk to.
"Alright then. Do you have the equipment here?"
"Yes. All we need is two tubes. A red top and a purple top. It should be quick and painless," the doctor said with a smile. He walked over to a kit that sat on a crate. He opened it and removed the necessary equipment. Sydney sat in a chair in the center of their little area and held out her arm for the doctor. He tied a tourniquet around her upper arm and inserted the needle. She looked up at Vaughn as the doctor took her blood to see that he was already looking at her. They shared a sad look before the doctor removed the needle, announcing that he was finished.
"I'll get these off to the lab right away. I'll let you know immediately if we find anything out of the ordinary," the doctor said, looking first at Vaughn and then at Sydney. They both nodded at him as he walked past them and out of the warehouse, leaving just the two of them. Vaughn watched as Sydney stood up from the chair and moved to lean against one of the crates. He immediately crossed the few feet the separated them and leaned next to her on the same crate. She looked up at him and for a moment, they just held each other's gaze before she looked away and to the ground.
"Something's up, isn't it?" She asked finally.
"What do you mean?"
"He's looking for something in particular, isn't he? I mean, he practically looked to you for permission every time he spoke," she said, walking over to the chair and sitting back down, suddenly not wanting to be so close to him while she accused him of lying to her.
"I don't know what he's looking for, Syd. As far as I know, he was just being careful about what he was saying because he doesn't know how much your father's told you. You know how intimidating your dad can be," he said jokingly. When she neither laughed nor looked at him, the smile quickly faded from his face and he walked over to where she was sitting. He took a deep breath and bent down so that he was eye level with her. She looked at him and for a moment, neither of them spoke. "Syd, listen. If he finds *anything*, if I hear about anything, I swear to you I'll tell you. You know that, right?"
She didn't say anything, just looked into his eyes. Without looking away, she reached out and took his hand. He quickly looked down at their joined hands as he twined his fingers through hers. He brushed his thumb back and forth over her knuckles and looked back up at her. He was surprised to see the faintest shimmer of tears in her eyes.
"I do know."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Sydney had her first outpatient session of chemo the next day. This time, since Francie was working, Will insisted on being with her. Sydney was actually glad for that fact, though, but only because she didn't know how she would otherwise get back from the hospital with how sick she knew she'd be after the treatment. She had to sit for an hour at the hospital while the IV line dripped the chemicals into her body, and then she was able to go home. She slept the whole car ride back to the house, but the nausea hit as soon as they arrived.
"Sydney? Syd? Are you okay in there?" Will called to her through the closed bathroom door. The only response he got was the sound of her retching. "Syd, I'm coming in." He took a deep breath and opened the door. The site that greeted him was to be expected, he knew, but it still threw him a bit. Sydney was on the ground, leaned over the toilet bowl. Will immediately kneeled down next to her. She backed away slightly from the toilet and began taking a series of deep breaths.
"I'm okay," she said breathlessly.
"Yeah right," Will said with a sad smile. As if to confirm what he said, Sydney suddenly grabbed for the toilet bowl again and started throwing up. "Oh, Syd," Will said, his voice full of the pain he was feeling for her. He rubbed her back softly until she was finished. He got up and grabbed a paper cup by the sink and filled it with water.
"Thanks," she said as he handed it to her.
"You think you're done?" She nodded.
"Yeah, I don't think there's anything left in me," she said as she reached over and flushed the toilet.
"Why don't you come sit on the couch for a minute? I'll get you some flat soda, that's supposed to help settle your stomach," Will told her. Sydney gave him an amused look. "Hey, I lived with my mother once upon a time, you know," he said as he helped her to her feet and led her out to the couch. As soon as they got into the living room, the phone rang. Will ran over to the kitchen to get it as Sydney sat down on the couch.
"Hello?" Will said into the phone.
"Hey, it's me," came Francie's reply.
"Hey. How are things at the restaurant?"
"Busy, but okay. How's Sydney?" Francie asked, causing Will to look over at her. She was stretched across the couch, flipping through the channels on the TV.
"She was pretty sick, but she seems a bit better now," he told her as he heard the TV turn off. Sydney stood up and looked at him. "Hang on, Francie," Will said into the phone. "What's up?" He asked Sydney.
"I think I'm just going to go lie down for a little while. Don't worry about the flat soda," she said with a small smile.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, yeah. I just have a little bit of a headache," she said before turning around and starting to walk down the hall to her room.
"Call me if you need me," Will called out.
"Okay!" She called back before he heard her door shut.
"Sorry, Francie, I'm back," Will said into the phone.
"That's okay. Actually I have to go, it seems I'm needed in the kitchen. Just keep a close eye on her, okay?" Francie said.
"I will," he assured her. They said their goodbyes and hung up. Will went to the fridge to see what they had to eat. He was searching one of the shelves when he suddenly heard a noise like a small thump coming from down the hall. He shut the fridge quickly. "Syd?" He called out, but didn't get a reply. He quickly walked down the hall and to her room. Her door was shut. He knocked a few times.
"Syd? You okay?"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Okay, thanks, Dr. Madison. Yeah, I'll give her a call right now. Alright, bye," Vaughn said into his cell phone before hanging it up. His mind was racing. He took a deep breath to try to calm himself and checked his watch. It was already past midnight. She'd definitely be asleep. The last thing he wanted to do was wake her, especially since he knew she'd probably still be sick from her treatment that day, but he didn't see that he had a choice on this one. Sighing, he picked up the phone and dialed her number.
"Hello?" Came a male voice that he recognized as Will's.
"Will? It's Vaughn. Can I talk to Sydney?"
"She's not here." Something about Will's voice instantly put Vaughn in panic-mode.
"What's going on, Will? Where's Sydney?" He asked, his voice frantic.
"She collapsed this afternoon. She's in the hospital."
To be continued.
A/N: Okay, so I finally got a general idea of exactly what to do when with this story lol. That big plot thing I keep mentioning will probably be in the next part, which I will try to get posted ASAP. And for those of you who are wondering, I do know whether she's going to live or not. Right now I'm just deciding whether to mislead you or not lol. So I'll just say in advance, no matter what you think as you read this story, you might be totally wrong lol. We'll see. Oh and just so you know, all the medical terms, like when the doctor was taking her blood, those are researched. The colored tubes are real. My dad is a doctor and my mom used to take people's blood. So, as far as I know, the terms I use are accurate. Ok, so now it's your turn. Review review review!!!
Author: SydGillyKC
Author's Note: Thanks everyone who reviewed, and please keep it up! I live for reviews. Well, I promised I'd have this next part up soon, so here it is. This part is really off the top of my head. I still have to figure out exactly when to put in that major plot thing I mentioned before, so bear with me.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Syd, is there *anything* I can do? I just feel so helpless. I hate seeing you so sick," Francie said, obviously upset.
"It's okay, Francie. You're being here helps more than you know. Just- just talk to me about the restaurant or something. Take my mind off all this," Sydney suggested.
"Okay, um- oh! I didn't tell you about the asshole that came in the other day, did I? Oh Syd, you wouldn't *believe* this guy!" Sydney closed her eyes and listened as Francie told her very animated story. She tried to focus on Francie's voice instead of the nausea that seemed to consume her entire being. Finally, she succeeded and started to drift off. The last thing she thought before sleep overcame her was:
*Why* did this have to happen to me?
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Chapter Four: Blood-Work
It was a week of treatment after treatment before the doctors told Sydney she could finally go home. She'd have to come back three times a week for chemotherapy, but, barring any complications, she wouldn't have to stay in the hospital anymore. For that, she was thankful.
The day she was to be released, Sydney waited anxiously for Francie to come get her. She wanted nothing more than to go home and be able to sleep in her own bed. Thankfully, she was feeling good that day. She hadn't had chemotherapy since two days before. The doctors decided that she'd finally settled on the right combination of drugs. They still made her so sick that she sometimes wished she were dead, but the horrible nausea and exhaustion didn't last as long as it had with the other combinations. The day after the chemo she usually felt fine.
Francie finally arrived and they gathered her things to leave. She checked out quickly and headed towards Francie's car. They were silent and Francie pulled out of the hospital and started to drive home. Sydney was still pretty exhausted from everything she'd been through the previous week. She looked out the window and smiled, though, happy to finally see the outside world again. The ringing of her cell phone snapped her out of her thoughts. She quickly reached down to her purse at her feet and took her cell phone out to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Syd, it's me," came Vaughn's voice. "I know Francie's taking you home and you can't talk. Just tell her this is a wrong number or something. I just wanted to tell you to call me when you get home. I mean, as soon as you feel up to talking. It's pretty important, ok?"
Sydney turned away from Francie and smiled, glad to hear his voice again.
"Sorry, wrong number."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
As soon as they got home, Francie insisted on helping Sydney unpacked. They spent half an hour putting Sydney's things away and joking around before Francie left Sydney alone to "rest," saying she was going to stop by the restaurant and to call if Sydney needed anything. As soon as Sydney heard the front door open and close, she went to her purse and once again dug out her cell phone. She immediately dialed Vaughn's number.
"Hello?" She heard Vaughn answer.
"Hey," she said, smiling.
"Hi," he said in a way that she knew he was smiling too. "How are you?"
"I'm good."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. I'm glad to be home."
"Good. I heard the treatments were pretty bad," he asked, his voice sad.
"Oh did you? What are you, a spy or something?" She said with a smile.
"Ha ha," he replied to her bad joke. "I'm glad you're doing okay."
"Thanks. So what did you want to talk to me about that was so important?" She asked, changing the topic.
"Oh, um, that doctor your dad has checking over all your results, he wants to do some more blood-work on you," Vaughn said, his voice serious.
"Why? Is something wrong?" Sydney questioned, his tone worrying her.
"No, no. I mean, it's probably just a precaution," he quickly said, though his voice wasn't as convincing as his words.
"Ok, well, what's the plan then?" She asked, deciding she probably wouldn't get him to say whatever he was worried about.
"The warehouse tonight. If you're feeling up to it, come around eleven. I'll keep my cell phone on, though," he said. She instantly knew he was trying to tell her in his own way that should she feel sick, she should stay home and rest.
"I'll be there."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Sydney lucked out when Francie had come home at ten, completely exhausted, having gotten caught up at the restaurant that afternoon. She checked on Sydney to make sure she was feeling okay and then went straight to her room. At 10:30, Sydney quietly left her room and grabbed her keys, heading for the warehouse.
When she arrived, she saw Vaughn's car already there next to another car that she assumed was to be the doctor's. She entered the warehouse to see Vaughn standing across from another man. The man was saying something and she saw Vaughn nodding occasionally. When they realized she was there, the conversation ended abruptly. She immediately knew they had been discussing her.
"Hey, Syd. This is Dr. Madison," Vaughn introduced them. Sydney walked over and shook the man's hand. He was maybe an inch or two taller than her and had gray hair. His brown eyes were friendly behind his thick-rimmed glasses. He smiled at her as they shook hands and she found herself weakly smiling back.
"So Vaughn tells me you want to do some blood-work. Is there anything in particular you're looking for?" Sydney asked, noting immediately how the doctor looked to Vaughn before giving his answer.
"We just want to make sure that SD-6 hasn't doctored your tests. We want to make sure we can trust them to treat you," the doctor responded in an assuring voice. One that didn't convince Sydney at all, but she knew better than to argue with the doctor. It was Vaughn she wanted to talk to.
"Alright then. Do you have the equipment here?"
"Yes. All we need is two tubes. A red top and a purple top. It should be quick and painless," the doctor said with a smile. He walked over to a kit that sat on a crate. He opened it and removed the necessary equipment. Sydney sat in a chair in the center of their little area and held out her arm for the doctor. He tied a tourniquet around her upper arm and inserted the needle. She looked up at Vaughn as the doctor took her blood to see that he was already looking at her. They shared a sad look before the doctor removed the needle, announcing that he was finished.
"I'll get these off to the lab right away. I'll let you know immediately if we find anything out of the ordinary," the doctor said, looking first at Vaughn and then at Sydney. They both nodded at him as he walked past them and out of the warehouse, leaving just the two of them. Vaughn watched as Sydney stood up from the chair and moved to lean against one of the crates. He immediately crossed the few feet the separated them and leaned next to her on the same crate. She looked up at him and for a moment, they just held each other's gaze before she looked away and to the ground.
"Something's up, isn't it?" She asked finally.
"What do you mean?"
"He's looking for something in particular, isn't he? I mean, he practically looked to you for permission every time he spoke," she said, walking over to the chair and sitting back down, suddenly not wanting to be so close to him while she accused him of lying to her.
"I don't know what he's looking for, Syd. As far as I know, he was just being careful about what he was saying because he doesn't know how much your father's told you. You know how intimidating your dad can be," he said jokingly. When she neither laughed nor looked at him, the smile quickly faded from his face and he walked over to where she was sitting. He took a deep breath and bent down so that he was eye level with her. She looked at him and for a moment, neither of them spoke. "Syd, listen. If he finds *anything*, if I hear about anything, I swear to you I'll tell you. You know that, right?"
She didn't say anything, just looked into his eyes. Without looking away, she reached out and took his hand. He quickly looked down at their joined hands as he twined his fingers through hers. He brushed his thumb back and forth over her knuckles and looked back up at her. He was surprised to see the faintest shimmer of tears in her eyes.
"I do know."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Sydney had her first outpatient session of chemo the next day. This time, since Francie was working, Will insisted on being with her. Sydney was actually glad for that fact, though, but only because she didn't know how she would otherwise get back from the hospital with how sick she knew she'd be after the treatment. She had to sit for an hour at the hospital while the IV line dripped the chemicals into her body, and then she was able to go home. She slept the whole car ride back to the house, but the nausea hit as soon as they arrived.
"Sydney? Syd? Are you okay in there?" Will called to her through the closed bathroom door. The only response he got was the sound of her retching. "Syd, I'm coming in." He took a deep breath and opened the door. The site that greeted him was to be expected, he knew, but it still threw him a bit. Sydney was on the ground, leaned over the toilet bowl. Will immediately kneeled down next to her. She backed away slightly from the toilet and began taking a series of deep breaths.
"I'm okay," she said breathlessly.
"Yeah right," Will said with a sad smile. As if to confirm what he said, Sydney suddenly grabbed for the toilet bowl again and started throwing up. "Oh, Syd," Will said, his voice full of the pain he was feeling for her. He rubbed her back softly until she was finished. He got up and grabbed a paper cup by the sink and filled it with water.
"Thanks," she said as he handed it to her.
"You think you're done?" She nodded.
"Yeah, I don't think there's anything left in me," she said as she reached over and flushed the toilet.
"Why don't you come sit on the couch for a minute? I'll get you some flat soda, that's supposed to help settle your stomach," Will told her. Sydney gave him an amused look. "Hey, I lived with my mother once upon a time, you know," he said as he helped her to her feet and led her out to the couch. As soon as they got into the living room, the phone rang. Will ran over to the kitchen to get it as Sydney sat down on the couch.
"Hello?" Will said into the phone.
"Hey, it's me," came Francie's reply.
"Hey. How are things at the restaurant?"
"Busy, but okay. How's Sydney?" Francie asked, causing Will to look over at her. She was stretched across the couch, flipping through the channels on the TV.
"She was pretty sick, but she seems a bit better now," he told her as he heard the TV turn off. Sydney stood up and looked at him. "Hang on, Francie," Will said into the phone. "What's up?" He asked Sydney.
"I think I'm just going to go lie down for a little while. Don't worry about the flat soda," she said with a small smile.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, yeah. I just have a little bit of a headache," she said before turning around and starting to walk down the hall to her room.
"Call me if you need me," Will called out.
"Okay!" She called back before he heard her door shut.
"Sorry, Francie, I'm back," Will said into the phone.
"That's okay. Actually I have to go, it seems I'm needed in the kitchen. Just keep a close eye on her, okay?" Francie said.
"I will," he assured her. They said their goodbyes and hung up. Will went to the fridge to see what they had to eat. He was searching one of the shelves when he suddenly heard a noise like a small thump coming from down the hall. He shut the fridge quickly. "Syd?" He called out, but didn't get a reply. He quickly walked down the hall and to her room. Her door was shut. He knocked a few times.
"Syd? You okay?"
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Okay, thanks, Dr. Madison. Yeah, I'll give her a call right now. Alright, bye," Vaughn said into his cell phone before hanging it up. His mind was racing. He took a deep breath to try to calm himself and checked his watch. It was already past midnight. She'd definitely be asleep. The last thing he wanted to do was wake her, especially since he knew she'd probably still be sick from her treatment that day, but he didn't see that he had a choice on this one. Sighing, he picked up the phone and dialed her number.
"Hello?" Came a male voice that he recognized as Will's.
"Will? It's Vaughn. Can I talk to Sydney?"
"She's not here." Something about Will's voice instantly put Vaughn in panic-mode.
"What's going on, Will? Where's Sydney?" He asked, his voice frantic.
"She collapsed this afternoon. She's in the hospital."
To be continued.
A/N: Okay, so I finally got a general idea of exactly what to do when with this story lol. That big plot thing I keep mentioning will probably be in the next part, which I will try to get posted ASAP. And for those of you who are wondering, I do know whether she's going to live or not. Right now I'm just deciding whether to mislead you or not lol. So I'll just say in advance, no matter what you think as you read this story, you might be totally wrong lol. We'll see. Oh and just so you know, all the medical terms, like when the doctor was taking her blood, those are researched. The colored tubes are real. My dad is a doctor and my mom used to take people's blood. So, as far as I know, the terms I use are accurate. Ok, so now it's your turn. Review review review!!!