Disclaimer : still do not own anything.
Chapter 2: Sick
Cruz opened her eyes and felt Bosco's hand on hers. Suddenly overwhelmed with nausea, she grabbed the bowl and heaved whatever had been left in her stomach into it. Bosco woke to the sounds of her retching and sat up. He gently pulled her hair back and rubbed her back in gentle circles. Her tense muscles relaxed slightly under his touch, her neck muscles ached from being tensed, throwing up. She finished and collapsed heavily against the bed. Her face was sweaty and her hands trembled, she felt as though her energy had been drained out of her, she could barely see straight. Her throat burned from being sick so many and already she wanted to give up, it wasn't like her but she had never been through something so painful before. "Bosco" she croaked weakly "I don't want to do this, make them stop" Bosco felt as though his heart had been ripped out "I can't Cruz, I can't let them take away your life, and without this that's what we'll be doing" A tear slipped down Cruz's face "Do you really think I want to live like this? In this hell hole?" Bosco shook his head "The doctor said it will get easier, you just have to trust him. Just try and get through this first round then we can go home" Cruz nodded in agreement "I'm cold" she said. Bosco grabbed her the extra blanket on her bed and tucked it tightly around her "Thank you" He nodded, trying to keep his emotions at bay.
That afternoon when Bosco left for work Amy came back over to sit with Cruz. "He is telling the truth, it does get easier, it's still painful but the first session is always the worst. Another thing, always get someone to be there when you're being sick, just get someone to help you. If Bosco's not here ask me or one of the nurses to stay with you. It's just too hard to do this alone. When I first started chemo another woman gave me that advice and it really does work, she stayed with me when my husband couldn't be there." Cruz smiled faintly "Thanks Amy, I'm really glad to be staying with you, you know you really helped me." Amy smiled back "I'm glad to be able to help you." It was amazing, this woman was at least 2 years younger than her, but Cruz felt so mothered with her, she felt so safe. "Amy, how long have you had cancer?" Amy smiled ruefully "Just going on three years" Cruz's heart dropped, this poor woman had suffered three years. Cruz turned over in her bed and quietly said "Amy, I think I'd like to be alone for a while if you don't mind" Amy nodded and Cruz let the pillow slowly soak up her tears.
Bosco gripped the steering wheel firmly in front of him, listening to Faith blabber on about something Charlie had done when he was with his father. "Bosco? Hello, are you listening?" Bosco didn't reply, he couldn't. Faith continued "Anyways so then I was like you can't go out with her she's a slut like Cruz" Bosco slammed the brakes "Don't you ever say that about her again!" he shouted. Faith withdrew slowly "What is wrong with you today?" She asked. Bosco stared at her hard before saying "None of your damn business" "No Bosco, it is my business, people just don't change, you hate Cruz" Bosco shook his head "You know, maybe you should just give her a break, people go through hard times." Faith's interest was piqued "Come on Bosco what's going on?" "No" Bosco said as he started the car up again and drove to the station.
Cruz shivered underneath the blanket, she wanted to go home, she wanted to sleep, she wanted Bosco. She wiped away the tears furiously, she had cried so much over the past two days. She heard footsteps in the door and looked up "Bosco" she cried with relief. He smiled and walked over beside her bed "Hey, how are you feeling?" "A bit better I guess" He nodded "That's good, look Cruz, I don't want to make you uncomfortable by staying here, you made it clear that you didn't want me to see you like this." He got up to walk away and Cruz almost started to cry again "No Bosco, don't go." He looked back, hope showing in his eyes "No, I want you here, I want you to stay with me" He nodded, a look of relief on his face and settled down next to her. He would never leave her again he promised himself, never.