Author's notes: Yay! I got more reviews. By the way, school is over as of today, so I'll be updating more often. After this story is over, I will not be working on the sequel right away (it's called "The Winner Takes It All") because I have an idea nagging at me for a Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends fic. Don't worry- I'll still read this category (unlike Fairly Odd Parents, which I sort of lost interest in). I've been ASOUE obsessed ever since fourth grade, so I think I'll stick with this.

By the way, read my other stories too please! The final chapter for "Coming Clean" only got one review, and it's been up for over a month. And my other stories could use some reviews. I don't mean to nag, just so you know.

Now for another (morbid) chapter.

Chapter Ten: Reactions and Secrets

"Excuse me?" Klaus asked.

"I said," replied the doctor sadly, "you have tuberculosis Mr. Baudelaire. I'm sorry. That means that the tissue in your lungs is deteriorating."

Klaus let it sink in. He was too shocked to add that he knew what the word meant. He thought for a moment before responding.

"So… what do I do?" he inquired.

"Nothing. There's nothing you can do. We just have to wait until… until…"

"Until I die?"

"I'm afraid so. It's a pity- you seem like a smart kid. The future you might have had…"

"How long do I have?"

"Not long. That was a very late discovery. I'd say… oh, about a month at the most. Two if you're lucky."

Klaus was silent once again.

"Should I get your friends and let you tell them?"

Klaus nodded. "Yes. But please don't mention this to the girls. I don't want them to know just yet."

The doctor left to get Duncan and Quigley. They seemed happy to see Klaus, but their expressions changed when they saw the grim expression on his face.

"What… what is it?" Quigley asked, dreading the answer.

"I found out why I was coughing up blood," Klaus replied.

"And?" Duncan was getting impatient.

"I've…I've got tuberculosis."

Silence. The two male Quagmires looked at each other with shocked acceptance.

"Oh Klaus," Duncan finally said, breaking the silence.

"How long until…?" Quigley asked, not wanting to say 'until you die'.

"One month, maybe two."

More silence.

"What," Quigley asked, "exactly are we going to tell the girls?"

"Nothing," Klaus replied. "I don't want them to know."

"Klaus!" Duncan exclaimed.

"We have to tell them something! How you explain the blood?" Quigley added.

"I'll wipe it away before they see it," Klaus answered. "C'mon- I don't want them to worry about me. Tell them when I'm dead and gone."

"Fine- on one condition: That if you end up in the hospital again (which I'm guessing you will), you'll let us tell them," Duncan said.

"Deal."

Quigley shook his head. "I thought you were smarter then that, Klaus," he muttered under his breath.

"What?" Klaus asked.

"Nothing."

Author's notes: Basically three notable things happened in this chapter:

1. We see Klaus, Quigley, and Duncan's reactions to the news.

2. We find out that Klaus only has one, maybe two months to live.

3. Klaus makes Quigley and Duncan promise not to tell Violet, Isadora, and Sunny that he has tuberculosis.

I hope you guys (and girls) enjoyed this! Review, please!