Yeah, very long chapter. Please review or you'll make the authors very sad.

Chapter 6 Transplant and Memories

"Cody, no," Carey said, standing up and walking over to him.

He looked at her with a feeling of surprise, "Why not?" he asked, "I want Zack to have one of my kidneys. He needs the transplant—"

"I know he does," Carey said, "But I'm not going to put your life in danger to save Zack's."

"My life won't be in danger. People have kidney transplants all the time."

"Cody, I'm going to have to agree with your mother," Jake said, stepping in, "at least for the time being. You need some time to think about something like this. You need to meet with a psychiatrist and undergo tests to make sure that you're a suitable donor."

"We're identical twins," Cody interrupted, "I'm more suitable than anyone else in the world."

Jake sighed, "You have your whole life ahead of you. Unless there are no other donors, we generally use adults or donated organs."

"I don't play sports," he pleaded, "I don't need two kidneys."

"I'd like to undergo the tests," Carey said, "I can start right now."

Jake nodded, "I'll take you down in a minute. Zack's condition is our top priority right now. When he wakes up our psychiatrist, Dr. Evans would like to have a quick word with him. Not everyone is eligible for organ transplants. Not everyone can handle the idea of having someone else's body parts in them. Unless it is extremely urgent like in the case of Zack or a car accident victim for example, the procedure to get on the organ donor list takes months. After a few tests we can decide whether or not he'll make the cut."

"You can't do that!" Cody exclaimed, "You just said he needs a transplant! You can't not give him one."

"I don't think you'll have to worry about him not making the list," Jake said gently, "We're taking into account that he has only had a few hours to deal with this prognosis. We understand that he may or may not be thinking like himself right now."

"So what happens now?" Carey asked.

"We'll do the tests on you," Jake replied, "Do you have any other family in the area? Any other family who is over the age of eighteen that is," he added when Cody opened his mouth.

"My husband," Carey replied, "I mean my ex-husband. He's not in the area but I left him a few messages."

"What if they aren't suitable donors?" Cody asked.

"We'll put him on the waiting list for a day or two. That's really all he has. If we don't get anything that would work for him, we may have to turn to you."
"Wouldn't it save a lot of time to just take the kidney out of me now?" Cody asked, "I don't want it anyways."

Jake laughed softly, "If we find one our way then you and Zack can both get out of this with two working kidneys."

Cody turned to Carey, "If they don't find one can I donate one of mine?"

She bit her lip, "I don't know Cody."

"Please mom, I want to do this," he begged with tears springing to his eyes, "for Zack."

She looked at Jake.

"It's a very standard procedure;" he told her gently, "plenty of people can live perfectly normal lives with one kidney. And Cody is very strong and in good health. If it weren't for his age he would be the perfect candidate to donate."

Carey sighed, "If there's no other way, then yes, Cody. You can donate your kidney to Zack."

"I'll take you down for the tests now, Carey," Jake said, "This won't take long."

"I'm going to go sit with Zack," Cody announced. He left the waiting room and went to Zack's room.

He walked in quietly, knowing that Zack was still sleeping. He sat down in the chair beside his bed and stared at him. He was bandaged up and his bruises stood out against his light tan skin. His nose was still slightly bleeding and the bandage on it was almost completely covered in blood. Although the excess fluid had been drained from Zack's lips, they still looked a little swollen. Zack's stomach rose and fell as he slept. Cody picked up his hand.

"I hate seeing you like this, Zack," he whispered, "And I hate that it's my fault."

Cody sat back in his chair and thought back to what happened the morning of the fight.

Cody was walking down from Honors Biology to the cafeteria. Lunch period had already started a few minutes earlier, but he stayed in the classroom to put the science equipment away. He wasn't very hungry. He just spent the last hour dissecting worms. The last thing on his mind was food.

"Hey Martin!" called a familiar voice.

Cody whirled around and saw Drew and his two best friends, John and David, walking toward him.

"Um, hi," Cody said nervously. He looked around. There was no one else in the hall.

Drew shoved him against the locker and punched him in the stomach, "I have a problem with tattle-tales, Martin. But I'm not going to deal with you here. Meet me after school, at three o'clock in the football field."

"I didn't tell on you," Cody muttered through clenched teeth as he clutched his stomach.

He thought back to earlier that day. Drew dropped his plastic water gun by Cody's desk. Their homeroom teacher, Mrs. Morris, told Cody that water guns were not allowed in school and that she would have to confiscate it. Cody just told her that it wasn't his and that Drew dropped it.

Cody didn't understand why Drew was so mad at him. It was just a stupid water gun that couldn't have cost more than a few dollars. And Drew didn't even get in trouble for it.

Drew punched him again, harder this time. Cody doubled over.

"I mean it Martin. Be at the football field at—"

"What do you think you're doing?"

Cody looked up and saw Zack standing there. He sighed with relief.

"I'm teaching your twin here a lesson," Drew replied. He kicked Cody in the shins, "You got a problem with that?"

"Yeah, I do," Zack said, loudly, "leave him alone!"

Hearing the commotion in the hall, one of the eighth grade teachers opened her classroom door and saw Drew holding Cody up against the locker.

"What's going on out here?" she asked sternly.

"Nothing," Drew, David, and John said all at the same time.

"It doesn't look like nothing," said the teacher, "You know the school's policy on violence, Drew. I'll see you in detention."

"I have football practice at three thirty!" Drew exclaimed, "I can't be late or I'll be benched for Saturday's game."

"You should have thought of that before you started a fight," the teacher said, "Now go straight to the principal's office for the rest of your lunch period. I'm calling him and telling him that you're on your way—David and John, you too."

Drew glanced at Zack and Cody, "This isn't over," he muttered under his breath.

The twins watched as Drew and his friends walked dejectedly down the hall.

"You boys get to the cafeteria," the teacher said, "and next time you see someone start a fight, get a teacher. Don't try to stop it on your own."

Zack and Cody walked down to the cafeteria.

"Are teachers really that stupid?" Zack asked angrily, "We can't just tell on the people who start fights. That'll just make them madder."

Cody nodded, "Thanks for getting me out of that, Zack," he said softly.

"No problem."

The two of them walked into the cafeteria, hoping that their troubles with Drew were over.

Cody shook his head as the memory came back to him. If he hadn't pissed Drew off with the stupid water gun thing, he never would have picked the fight during lunch. And Zack never would have had to break it up, so Drew wouldn't have gotten mad at him.

'It's not just my fault,' Cody thought silently as he rubbed Zack's arm, 'It's Drew's fault too.'

After about an hour, Carey returned to the room with tears in her eyes. Jake was with her.

"What's wrong?" Cody asked immediately.

She sat down, "I'm not a match for Zack," she said softly, "I can't donate one of my kidneys."

Cody looked at Jake, "Does that mean he goes on the waiting list?"

"Yes," he replied, "He's top priority. If any kidneys come in that match his DNA, it will go straight to him."

"And if they don't."

Jake and Carey exchanged glances, and then he looked at Cody, "We're not going to worry about that just yet."

Carey sat down beside Cody and stroked Zack's hair.

"I'll leave you guys alone for awhile," Jake said, "I'll be back when we have any news."

"Thank you," Carey said.

"I still can't believe this is happening," Cody said after Jake left, "It doesn't feel real. I keep thinking I'm dreaming and I'll wake up any second."

Carey kissed his forehead, "I know," she said, "me too."

From on the bed, Zack opened his eyes. He had been awake for a few seconds, "me too."

The Martins fell asleep within minutes. The past two days had been exhausting. Jake passed out in his office chair. Jack Cole, who had been looking over Zack's tests results, x-rays, and surgery reports, didn't get any sleep. He was formulating his strategy for operating on Zack. He'd need a large team. He'd need to use a very strong anesthesia since the surgery would take well over eight hours. Jack sighed as he rubbed his eyes. He couldn't believe that Jake wasn't going to use Cody's kidney. Zack needed help fast. The kidney could be done before the big operation. The other problems weren't developing as fast as once thought. Jack could do it that evening if Jake would just let Cody donate a kidney. Jack sighed and got up to go find Jake. The halls were deserted. Jack looked at his watch. Six-thirty. He needed to get some sleep after this.

Jake was awake and looking over some new x-rays of Zack.

"What do you got there?" asked Jack.

"Dental x-rays taken after Zack's surgery yesterday. The two false teeth we put in are causing an infection in his mouth. He needs to have them replaced," said Jake.

"Surgery?" asked Jack.

"No. I'll send him down to the oral clinic this morning. They'll fix him right up," said Jake.

"Jake, I think you're making a mistake in not letting the brother donate a kidney," said Jack. Jake sighed.

"We're running out of time. The transplant will be a hundred times more complicated if I have to operate on other parts of his stomach as well. Don't forget he has other organs that need care," said Jack. Jake rubbed his eyes.

"I want to try every possibility before I send Cody to the operating room," said Jake.

"And what if Zack dies while he's waiting? Then what? Oops, I fucked up. No. That would leave you in deep shit," said Jack. He sat down.

"Are you nervous, Jake? Afraid problems might occur for Cody during surgery?" asked Jack.

"A little yeah," said Jake.

"Then let me operate on him," said Jack.

"You're operating on Zack," said Jake.

"I'll do both. Have someone remove Zack's kidneys while I'm operating on Cody. When Cody's kidney is taken to Zack's operating room then I'll go with it and put it in him. That way you know their both in good hands," said Jack.

"Normal transplants don't work like that," said Jake.

"This isn't normal. This is a race against time," said Jack. Jake sighed.

"Fine. Let's do it," said Jake. Jack smiled.

"OK. I'm going to go sleep until noon and then I'll be back to meet the boys," said Jack. Jake nodded. Jack stood up and left. Jake leaned back in his chair. As much as he thought jack was a loose cannon, he knew he would get the job done. He just hoped it would work.

Jake contacted Diane Evans to see if she was in. He found that she had the day off. Well, there goes having her talk to Zack. At least for the time being. Jake met with Cody and Carey right outside of Zack's room. Jake had sent Zack down to the oral clinic to have his false teeth replaced.

"After some careful thinking, I've decided to go ahead and test Cody to see if he's eligible," said Jake.

"Yes," said Cody. Although the idea of surgery scared him a little, he was glad that he could help his brother.

"One of the best surgeons in the world is going to work on both boys if Cody's eligible. He's going to take the kidney out of Cody and then go put it in Zack," said Jake.

"When?" asked Carey.

"Tonight if Cody is eligible. When Zack gets done in the oral clinic, I'll go talk to him to see if he's up for this. Dr. Evans is out today," said Jake. He checked his watch.

"Let's go get those tests done now," said Jake.
"Want me to go with you?" asked Carey, putting a hand on Cody's shoulder.

"I'll be fine," said Cody. He kissed Carey goodbye and then went with Jake.

The tests weren't that major. Blood test. Ultrasound to make sure Cody's organs were in good health. A physical. It took an hour for the blood test to come back. The news was good. Cody was a perfect match. No shock there. Jake and Cody went to go inform Carey.

"Perfect match," said Jake.

"So it's happening," said Carey.

"Probably," said Jake. A nurse tapped him on the shoulder.

"Zack just got out of the oral clinic. Jack is talking to him. As far as I know, Zack will go through anything to make himself better. He's in good health. The transplant can happen," said the nurse.

"Thank you," said Jake. The nurse left.

"So you guys can hang out until surgery time," said Jake.

"Thank you, Jake. For everything," said Carey. She and Cody went to go sit in Zack's room.

The surgery was scheduled for seven. Zack and Cody were brought into the prep area at around six-thirty. Jack was waiting for them.

"Mrs. Martin. Hi. I'm Jack Cole. Jake got held up somewhere so he won't be here for the start," said Jack, shaking Carey's hand.

"That's OK," said Carey. Jack turned to Cody.

"You must be Cody," said Jack. Cody nodded.

"Just a quick question before we rock and roll. Ever had surgery before?" asked Jack.

"Last year I had my appendix removed and the year before that I had my tonsils taken out," said Cody.

"Zack?" asked Jack.

"Had my appendix taken out last year. Not to mention the surgeries I had recently," said Zack.

"OK. So you both kind of know the drill. Transplants require a lot of anesthesia so you'll be tired when you wake up. You'll be pretty weak too. But don't worry. You're in good hands. Cody, I'll operate on you first. Zack, there's an awesome surgeon named Dr. Fox Carson who is waiting for you inside the OR. He'll talk to you when you get in there. He'll remove your kidneys but I'll show up later to put in your new kidney. Any question?"

"How long will it take?" asked Cody.

"Two hours for you. Four or five for Zack. Might be a little longer then that," said Jack. "So I'll see you in there." He left. Carey spent a few minutes with her boys. Nurses after awhile to take them into surgery. Carey kissed her boys goodbye. Cody leaned over his gurney and gave Zack a kiss on the cheek.

"Good luck," said Cody.

"You too," said Zack. The two brothers waved goodbye to their mom and each other and then were wheeled into their respected operating rooms. Carey sighed and prayed that nothing would go wrong.