This will be a short story (3 or 4 chapters). Just want to finish it up so I can focus on other stories :)

"What if something goes wrong?" Kenna asks softly, pacing her hospital room. "What if they stick the scalpel in the good part of my brain and... I forget who I am?"

Bash sighs heavily. "Kenna, they are highly skilled professionals," he says to her. "Sit down, you'll hurt yourself.

Kenna shakes her head, continuing to pace. "I don't want this," she breathes out, breathing heavily. "I-I don't want the operation. It's too r-risky and I don't want to die-"

Bash stands up and pulls her into his chest, stroking the back of her head. "Deep breaths, Kenna. I've got you."

Kenna listens to him and closes her eyes, resting her head on his chest. "I'm scared."

"I know," he whispers. "Ten things."

"What?"

"Ten things that you should do the minute you're better," he tells her.

Kenna smiles softly. "Visit the Seine."

"Yeah?"

She nods. "The Eiffel Tower. Just... France overall, I guess. I'd like to visit Japan and South Africa."

"I'll start looking for flights," Bash says. "Anything else?"

Kenna shrugs. "I've never tried a hotdog before."

"What? Really?"

"My parents were health freaks," she explains. "We didn't really eat greasy or fattening foods..."

Bash chuckles. "Okay. I'll see where the best bratwurst restaurant is in Germany."

"Find someone," she whispers sadly. "Have a kid. Perhaps not have a kid, because of the shitty stuff that would be in me, but... have a glimpse of what it's like to be a mum."

Bash pulls away from her and cups her cheeks. "I'm sure you'd be the best mother."

Kenna smiles. "I know I would be." She swallows deeply. "Thanks. For calming me down."

"I'll be here, waiting."

"If it goes badly," Kenna starts. "Tell my family how much I loved them. And that I'm sorry for not telling them in the first place. And look after Mary and Francis-"

"You will do all of those things yourself," Bash says firmly. "Now get back in that bed and wait for the doctor to come back."

Kenna smirks. "You giving me orders turns me on."

"Jesus, you really don't have a filter, do you?" Bash asks, chuckling. "Now, go on."

"Oui, monsieur," she says sultrily before laughing loudly and getting into the hospital bed. "Thank you, Bash."

Bash takes his seat again. "What are friends for?"

She gives him a bright smile before she gasps. "I should store my eggs! Like, my doctor explained that I'll need radiotherapy and that can cause infertility so I should look into that before I start it, right?"

"It's up to you."

"I want kids," Kenna tells him. "I should store them. Lord, I've never even thought about that... Not that I ever expected to get sick. Shit."

"Don't think about that right now," Bash says softly. "Let's do it one step at a time, Kenna."

She nods and crosses her legs, starting to pick at her nails. "I hate waiting."

"Who would have guessed?" Bash teases her. "You'll be fine. Just stop doing that."

She frowns and looks down to see her nails bleeding. She curses. "I've not done that in God knows how long... I always did it when I was nervous or my anxiety spiked."

He gets up and takes a seat on the bed, pulling her hands to his thighs. "Deep breaths," he tells her and she listens. "In... and out."

"I had dreams."

"Dreams?"

She nods, her eyes watering. "They're pretty pointless now."

"Don't say that," Bash chastises her, rubbing circles on the backs of her hands. "Tell me about them."

Kenna raises her eyebrows but she starts with, "A toddler. She was staring into my eyes and she was just like a mini-me. She had the prettiest smile, her eyes wide and brown. She reached out for me and... I woke up. Then the next night, she was back. I carried her this time and held her against my chest and I sat down on this rocking chair and we watched the sunset together. I felt her warm body against mine, heard her soft coos, her fingers entwine in my shirt, holding me for dear life. Then, I realised..."

"Realised what?"

"It was a memory," Kenna whispers, looking down. "My mother used to watch the sunset with me. I'd babble away and it's crazy how I can remember but I do, I remember the little menial things. The things other people won't remember. I can even remember what she smelt like that day - she'd just have a lavender bubble bath whilst my father took care of me..."

"That's... That's pretty cool."

Kenna smiles wryly. "As I said, they're pointless because I'll probably forget them soon."

"Kenna-"

"My mother died of cancer too," she whispers fearfully. "She had breast cancer though and it was too late for her. I wanted to live life to the fullest but I didn't. I drank a lot, I did some bad shit, slept with random people but I never took the time to focus on what I really wanted."

Bash squeezed her hands. "You have a second chance," he tells her. "This time, you won't be alone."

Kenna gives him a warm smile and the door opens, her doctors entering. "Is it time?"

Seeing them nod, Kenna bites her lip and lets go of Bash's hands.

"Alright, I'm ready."

...

Bash slips his phone out of his pocket at the third hour. He scrolls through his contacts and his thumb lands on Mary's name. He's hesitant about it, knowing that Kenna will murder him if she found out that he told someone so he doesn't tell Mary. But he does call her.

"Bash, hi! What's going on?"

Bash swallows his nerves down. It is a rare thing that they call each other. They see each other face-to-face after all and she belongs to his brother. It wasn't normal to call your sort of ex who was with your little brother. He disregards his love life and settles on the topic of Kenna quickly.

"You and Kenna should talk more," he tells her. "I think she's feeling a bit lonely."

Mary gasps. "Is that... what she told you?" She asks, hurt. "Kenna's my best friend, she knows I won't ditch her or the other girls for that matter! Just because I'm getting married does not mean I'll not be friends with her anymore."

Bash sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "It's not that... I think she needs someone looking out for her, that's all. She needs a break, from everything. I don't know, it's not like I know her better than you do but even I could tell there's something not quite right."

"Are you... Are you seriously snapping at me for my friend being so closed off with me?" Mary snaps back. "Of course, I've noticed things are off with her! I suggested trips to the GP, I even dragged her over once and she managed to convince her way out of it."

"Then why don't you just sit down with her and talk things out," Bash suggests. "I'm sorry for even implying that you're ignorant but this is Kenna we're talking about. The same Kenna you tell me is the strongest person who has gone through a lot. I don't know everything about her or what she's gone through, but right now seems like a bad patch for her, I don't know."

"You're right," Mary's voice cracks shakily. "Kenna hasn't been right since her mum died five years ago. We'd just got our A-Level results and Kenna got a call from her dad saying that her mother was in the hospital and a week later, she was dead. Kenna refused to take a gap year, started getting into bad crowds and... We've only just got her back... I'll call her-"

"Give her some space for now," Bash quickly says. "And don't tell her that... we spoke."

Mary sighs. "I won't. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I'll be keeping a good eye on her from now on."

"Good. I've got to go, busy day."

"Alright. Bye."

"Bye," he mumbles, hanging up. He leans his head back against the wall and sighs, closing his eyes.

...

"Uh, Bash?"

Bash startles awake, rubbing his face and looking up to see a doctor looking down at him. "Sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep," he says, getting up and crossing his arms. "Is she alright?"

"The operation was a success," she replies. "We were able to remove all traces of the tumour. However, radiotherapy will still be needed. She isn't awake just yet, I just thought I would update you as her partner."

"I'm not her partner."

The doctor frowns. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to assume, she told me that I could update you on her progress and treatment. Normally we'd reserve information for family only."

"The thing is, she didn't want to tell them but I've been supporting her since her diagnosis," Bash says quietly. "If she gives her permission, I could still be involved, right?"

The doctor nods. "She gave us signed consent," she replies. "She didn't really put a label on your relationship with her."

"Right," Bash says. "We're friends."

"Glad to know," the doctor says and Bash can't quite get her tone. "She's resting but you will be able to see her after her initial check-up when she wakes. Shall I lead you to the relative's room?"

"Please," Bash replies, getting his coat and following her. "How soon will she start radiotherapy? She wanted to get her eggs frozen."

"Well, you will have a talk with the oncologist but I do believe that radiotherapy begins after the wound has healed which could be a few weeks, up to a month-long for it to be fully safe."

Bash nods. "I see," he replies. "Thank you."

"If you need any more information or advice, even support, we are all here to support you and your-Kenna," the doctor says, giving him a polite smile before leaving him in the relatives' room.

He's been here for hours. They arrived at nine in the morning and he checks his watch to see that it's past six in the evening. The sky is dark and he takes a seat, nervously shaking his knee as he wills the time to go quicker or better yet, Kenna to wake up soon.

In his pocket, he feels his phone buzz and he retrieves it and answers it.

"Mary?"

"I know this is probably weird, but can you get through to Kenna if you've spoken to her?"

Bash sighs. "I can't. We only talked the night of the engagement," he lies. "I'm sorry, I wish I could help more."

Mary tuts and clicks her tongue. "I see. Don't worry about it. She doesn't really ghost nowadays so it's a bit weird coming from her. She won't even answer Lola or Greer's calls. I almost asked her dad but he'll worry and I don't want to make a mountain out of a molehill."

"I'm sorry," Bash repeats.

"It's fine," Mary mumbles. "Thanks for looking out for her again. I'll leave you. Bye."

"Adieu," Bash replies, hanging up.

He puts his phone away and waits.

...

The doctor has already taken the time to warn him but when Bash steps into the room, his heart flutters in discomfort at the sight in front of him. She looks so different, different to the beautiful woman he's used to seeing, not that she still isn't beautiful.

But her face is swollen and her eyes are open but staring to the side where the sky is dark and starless. She's got an oxygen mask over her face and there are so many tubes and lines coming in and out of her, Bash can't see head or tails on the situation.

She still looks flawless to him.

"Hey," he whispers softly, waving when her eyes land on him in slight confusion and then recognition.

She weakly pulls the mask off and gives him a smirk. "Still breathing," she rasps out.

"Put that back on," he demands gently, coming to take a seat beside her and taking her hand. "Shit, can I...?"

Kenna nods. "I don't know. I guess," she says, her voice hoarse. "I need it, the comfort." She puts her mask back on.

Bash closes his eyes, calming his nerves before he opens them and gives her a smile. "Do you remember what we were talking about? Your dreams?"

Kenna blinks in surprise and then she furrows her eyebrows. Then her face relaxes as she turns away and her eyes water before she shakes her head. A sob escapes her lips and she grips onto his hand tightly.

"I-I can't remember," she says through the mask but Bash can clearly understand what she's saying. "I can't remember..."

"I think it's too soon," he tells her, shaking his head. "It's fine. You just need some rest and you'll remember."

"I want my mum," she breathes out. "I want her now."

Bash shakes his head. "No, Kenna. She's... She's not here."

"Call her," she begs him, taking her mask off as her blood pressure starts to spike. "Can you call her? Her number is..." She stills. "I-I don't know. What is wrong with me? Why can't I remember? Bash-"

Bash presses the emergency button and he bites his lip, holding her hand with both of his now as she continues to ask him things in distress. He hopes it's just post-op confusion, her heart rate now increasing.

"Please, Kenna. Calm down," he tells her as the doctors start to rush inside. "Calm down..." He says, letting go of her as he's pushed back. "I'm right here, okay? I won't leave you. I promise."

...

The next day, Bash returns and finds that she's been moved to the ward. He's got her a few things to help her feel at home as well as books and as he enters her cubicle, he sighs in relief to see her awake and alert.

"Sorry about yesterday," she mumbles shyly. Her face is much better. The swelling's gone mostly and her eyes sparkle. "You must have been so scared."

"No more than you were," he says, placing the items down on the table above her bed. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked you-"

"It's fine," she cuts him off softly. "It was kind of hard to hear that my mum was dead all over again before remembering it myself. I remember her phone number, we still have her phone... Silly, I know."

Bash shakes his head. "Not at all," he replies. "I remember keeping my mother's phone number even after she died. I now use it as a second phone for international calls but it's like a part of her is still alive. Her voice on the voicemail, the pictures stored in the gallery, the memories..."

Kenna lets out a watery smile. "You get it."

"Yeah," he whispers. "Doesn't lessen the pain but makes it-"

"Bearable."

"Yeah."

She lets out a groan as she attempts to move a little to grab her phone. "Shit."

"Are you in pain?" Bash asks her, moving to get her phone for her. "Whatever you need, I'll do it. You can't be concentrating on things like screens."

Kenna smiles wryly. "I think it's time to call Mary. My nurse said that she'd blown up my phone twenty-seven times this morning alone. I won't even get started on yesterday."

"About Mary," Bash starts, sitting on the chair beside her bed. "I told her to speak to you but I didn't bring up the tumour. I swear. I just wanted her to support you."

Kenna nods slowly. "I see," she says. "Thanks."

"You're not mad?"

"I can't exactly hide a scar on my head and a bald patch, can I?" She says shakily. "It's time."

Bash takes her hand and squeezes it. "Shall I call her here?"

"Please."

"Whatever happens, I'm here."

"Promise?"

"Promise," he says.

...

After ten days, she's at home. She's finally in her bed, her comfortable and plush and better smelling bed. At twelve days since she left the hospital, she feels the duvet tug and she turns to see Bash tucking it in to make sure she's secure.

"God, I haven't been tucked in since I was a kid," she tells him, making him grin.

"Well, get used to it," he says. He bends over to retrieve one of her many pillows from the ground and a box falls out of his back pocket. He picks it up and sheepishly shows it to her. "You'd think after your experience, I'd quit smoking."

Kenna shrugs. "You do you," she tells him tiredly. "Just-"

"Don't smoke near you? Already done. I was planning on having one but I had my mind on other things," he says, putting it back in his pocket before fixing up the pillow behind her back for more comfort.

"Bash, you really don't need to do all of this," Kenna tells him. "I can look after myself."

Bash looks at her dubiously. "So, you can move without wincing in pain and feed your dog without bending over and crying out in, guess what, pain?"

"Fine," she mutters. "Mary's coming over."

"I told her to get your food shopping in," he informs her. "Lots of vegetables and superfoods. You'll be back to fighting fit in no time."

"Until radiotherapy starts," she says.

"Well, yeah," he replies. "I've gone and helped you book that eggs freezing thing."

Kenna smiles. "Thank you. That slipped my mind."

"No worries," Bash replies, heading to the door.

"Where are you going?"

"It's quarter to six," he states. "I have to feed Duchess."

Kenna frowns. "Oh, yes. Did you take her for a walk?"

"This morning and I will after eight," Bash tells her. "Mary will be here with Francis and give you company,"

"Okay," she says. "Um, can you... can you get me..."

"Take your time."

She starts moving her hands to shape into what she wants to say before she finally gets it and says, "Water. My throat's dry."

Bash smiles. "Coming right up."

He leaves her bedroom, closing the door so her dog doesn't run inside before he makes his way to the bathroom to let it out. The dog is excited and he bends down to scratch the back of its head.

"So beautiful, aren't you?" He says. "Like your mama." It feels strange, inserting himself into Kenna's life like this.

She's the first stop of his day at eight in the morning, her dog gets walked and he cooks breakfast, lunch and dinner with snacks in between and a lot of fluids. He regulates her medication, comforts her in her times of distress and confusion. Helps her do some form of physiotherapy so she doesn't become lazy or stiff from being in bed all the time. He learns from the district nurse how to check her temperature, blood pressure and breathing and he records them down in a daily planner. Even writes down what she eats and what she stomachs fully to make sure she's getting all the nutrients she needs. He does her laundry, changes her bedding every two days because she gets sweaty quickly, helps her wash her dishes and lets her snuggle or sleep on his chest in front of the TV, cleans up and tidies things up even when Duchess sweeps around the apartment haphazardly. She's a very active Siberian Husky and he hates leaving Kenna just to take the dog out for long walks.

But his favourite is helping Kenna in washing herself. They both get dressed in swimsuits and he lets her lean her back against his chest in the tub as he cleans as most of her body as he can. She attempts at times, feeling embarrassed about the whole thing - the first time she sobbed throughout as she apologised - but he doesn't mind doing it. Being there for her every day as her friends and family visit for a few hours to offer their own support.

It gives him purpose. Just like it had when he did it for his mother.

Bash gets up, deals with Duchess's food before washing his hands twice and retrieving a clean glass to fill with water. He returns to Kenna's room and gives it to her. At first, she eyes it in confusion before it dawns on her and she smiles, taking a sip.

"Mary and Francis will be here very soon," he says. "Then I'll be off home."

Kenna's face falls. "Oh," she whispers. "I thought you were staying until 3 AM tonight as well?"

"I need more than four hours sleep, Kenna," he says softly.

"You can stay in the guest bedroom," she tells him. "Just bring your stuff over, I don't mind."

"I-I can't-"

"I need help," she says, shaking slightly as she puts her glass down on the bedside table. "I sometimes lie awake after you're gone because I can only sleep when you're near. I'm sorry, I've got so attached to you being around."

Bash gasps softly. "Oh."

She blushes. "Don't worry about it. I'm sorry, you don't have to stay. You have your own life. In fact, I think Lola and Greer have it handled tomorrow so you don't have to come. At all."

"Is that what you really want?"

Kenna's eyes water but she nods. "Yeah," she whispers. "I've been independent. What's a tumour, eh?"

Bash sighs heavily and comes to sit down beside her on the other side of the bed. "I thought you wouldn't want me around so much. I've been too overbearing, recording everything down from A to Z."

"No, I was wrong before," Kenna replies quietly. "I'm so scared, Bash. This... this has taken away my independence and I hate that. I hate that I need to rely on people. It reminds me of the time I..."

He turns to her. "You can tell me anything."

She nods. "I'm an alcoholic," she admits. "Two years sober. I started drinking after my mum died. I used it to shut everything out."

"Oh, I never knew-I'm sorry," Bash quickly says.

"It's fine," she says, smiling wryly. "I did drugs but not that much. I was terrified I'll be hooked on those after this but you distract me. I need you, Bash. I'm admitting that I need someone and God, is that a first."

Bash takes her hand in his and entwines their fingers. "Well, if you need me, you've got me."

Kenna smiles.