"Don't' be ridiculous Tegan! That's not true. I'm out and about all the time. Anyway, the cold didn't make me sick the virus did"
"Yeah well the cold makes you more susceptible to viruses"
"It does not" Cam objected.
"Shit I feel terrible… It's my fault" Tegan mumbled, a tear rolling down her cheek.
"Tegan look at me" Cam said softly and turned Tegan's face towards her gently.
"I'm fine. I promise. And this is NOT your fault!"
Tegan nodded and wiped a tear that rolled down her cheek.
"When did… when did you… get the transplant" asked Tegan, stumbling over her words. Her heart was suddenly beating out of her chest, her mouth dry.
"I know what you're thinking. I thought it too… But it was the day after Lindsey died"
"I didn't think that… I… I mean they told me that Lindsey's heart went to a mom of 3 in San Diego"
"I don't know where mine came from but I think I want to find out. I want to say thank you for the greatest gift anybody can ever receive" Cam smiled.
"I don't know if I should be happy or sad that you didn't get Lindsey's heart" said Tegan.
"I got a heart, a really good one it seems, that's all that matters"
"I think I'm happy you didn't…. I mean I would have gladly given it to you make no mistake. But it would have been… weird right" said Tegan.
"So awkward" laughed Cam.
"I'm so happy you're okay" said Tegan and put her arm around Cam's shoulders.
"Thanks"
"Why didn't you want to tell me earlier"
"Ugh… I don't know… I just didn't feel… I didn't want to worry you I guess"
"That's just silly! Don't ever think anything like that again"
"I'm sorry, I should have told you earlier"
"It's okay, I'm just happy you're alright… so happy you're alright"
Tegan looked very shaken up.
"You okay?" Cam asked softly.
"Yeah, it just brought back some memories of Linds… sorry"
"I'm sorry. I wouldn't have told you if I knew it would upset you this much"
"No… I'm so happy you told me. I'm fine. Really" said Tegan.
Cam just swallowed hard. Maybe this was a mistake.
"So, that's why you didn't want to swim. You have a scar?" Tegan said with a hint of laughter in her voice.
"Yeah. Anyway, I got a bathing suit that covers it now. I'll be swimming soon!"
"Girl… you have no fucking idea how many scars I have. Seriously, show it off. It's good to get some sun on it by the way"
Cam smiled shyly. "Thanks Tegan. I needed to hear that"
"You're a warrior cam. And that scar is your badge of honour. I'm glad you have that scar because it saved your life"
"I guess you're right" Cam smiled.
"It's getting cold. Let's go inside. I don't want you breaking this heart too"
"Alright, thanks mother" Cam laughed.
"We almost didn't get the chance to become friends. We were both pretty close to dying I guess. So I think we should open a nice bottle of red tonight to celebrate life. Celebrate that we're still here!" said Tegan.
"We're very lucky" Cam smiled sadly.
"Yeah… some people don't get second chances like we do" said Tegan wiping a tear that suddenly ran down her cheek out of nowhere.
Cam took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Let's go in, the kids must be awake by now"
On their way back to the house they walked past Beth who eyed them suspiciously.
"Everything okay?" she asked and looked at Tegan.
"Everything's fine thanks" said Tegan and kept walking looking annoyed at Beth's babysitting attempts.
"This is annoying the crap out of me" Tegan sighed when Beth was out of earshot.
"She's just doing her job" Cam shrugged.
"I have a good mind to send them all back to LA"
"Don't do that. Maybe just tell her to back off a bit. I would feel better knowing you have an adult… or three with you if you need anything"
"Yeah I know… I know. I won't send them home I just don't want them hovering"
"Talk to them"
"Yeah. I will. By the way how did your date go last week?"
"What date?"
"You and Beth… um… you went out right?"
Cam sighed and looked away. "We went out for a drink, had a quick bite to eat and then went home"
"Wow, must have taken you all of an hour!" Tegan laughed.
"I made it clear to her that I don't want a relationship right now. I really don't. She needs to respect that" said Cam sounding mad.
"I'm sure she will, don't think she wanted a… relationship per se"
"What did she want, a quick fuck in the dunes? I don't do that" said Cam and stormed into the house. Tegan followed her looking perplexed.
"Hey, Cam… I'm sorry, I was just messing with you" Tegan said with her hand on Cam's shoulder where she stood at the kitchen sink downing a glass of water with a shaky hand. Tegan could feel the tension radiating from Cam.
Cam took a deep breath and turned around.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you" Cam said softly.
"Don't sweat it" Tegan smiled. "I hate it too when people nose around"
"It's not that I don't like her. I… I'm just not feeling it" Cam shrugged.
"I hear you. Nobody's pushing you"
"Thanks" Cam stared at the floor. Truth was she was lonely most of the time, she missed having somebody that loved her… in a special way. She just couldn't do it again. Not yet. She needed to focus on getting her strength back and getting her career back on track"
"Let's go get the monkeys and make some popcorn" Tegan grinned.
A/N: Remember that chapters 320, 321 and 322 are all new today. Please send me your thoughts and feedback. Love hearing from you