Flashback in Regan's POV

Bill Regan discovered Dan Mangan standing on the Wheeler's boat dock, angrily canting rocks into the lake with a slingshot, and instantly felt relief wash over him. The young man had been looking everywhere for his eighteen year old nephew. There had been something odd about the boy's behavior earlier that afternoon, and Bill had begun to wonder if Dan was upset about something. He knew now that he had been right.

Something must have happened at the doctor's office, today. Bill thought to himself.

He swallowed down the bitter taste of guilt at having not gone along to the appointment with his nephew. He knew it wasn't his fault, but he couldn't help but feel badly about it. He'd been tied up with some responsibilities relating to his job, so he'd trusted Dan's old guardian, Mr. Maypenny, to go in his stead. Looking at the air of vulnerability surrounding the teen at the moment, Regan had to remind himself that his nephew was now a legal adult. He could make his own decisions about his healthcare. He didn't necessarily need Bill to accompany him. But, Regan couldn't help himself from wanting to take care of Dan; he'd grown to love him as deeply as if he were an extension of himself. Like a little brother. Or, a cherished son. That kind of bond was something new to Bill.

He silently watched Dan, considering the best way to approach the youth. He knew Dan didn't get upset as quickly as his hot-tempered uncle, but when he did, it could be very intense. Regan didn't want to start an argument that might make the sick young man even more ill, for Dan had just recently been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a type of cancer that had also taken the life of his mother, Bill's sister.

"Dan?" Regan asked quietly.

The boy turned briefly, with a look of frustration, and then whirled back away to launch another rock.

"What?" Came his cool response.

"Are you…okay?"

What am I saying? Bill admonished himself, silently. Of course, he's not okay! Less than a month ago, he found out that he has a potentially fatal illness! How could I ask such a stupid question?

"I've been better." Dan quipped and chunked another rock. He kept his face turned away, unnerving his uncle.

"Um…wanna talk about it?"

Dan pulled back the rubber sling in preparation to send another stone flying, but then, as if all fight and air had gone from his body, he stopped mid stretch, brought the slingshot down with slouching shoulders and coughed to mask his emotional state.

"Can…can you just…let me have some time to myself for a minute, first? I'm…a little…I need to…I'm dealing with something, right now."

It was as if the young man's words were shards of glass being thrust into Regan's heart. Dan had never been anything but patient and brave about his situation, and this sudden change in attitude was very frightening to the red headed groom. He had to force himself to back up and not rush forward with comfort. Everything within him made him want to stay and drag whatever was hurting Dan out of him, but he sensed that it was important for the boy to be alone. He decided to honor his nephew's wishes.

"Okay, sure." Regan said, backing away some more. "I'll…I'll be in my apartment. When you want to, we can talk. I'll have some supper ready. Have you eaten?"

"I'll come eat with you in a while. I won't take too long. Promise. Just…give me minute. Please." Dan's voice had broken off in a shaking plea.

"Absolutely. No problem." Regan assured. "I'll um…go get dinner ready."

The walk back to his apartment and the wait that followed were some of the longest moments in Bill Regan's life. He tried not to imagine why Dan was so shaken up.

He's just realizing the seriousness of all of this. It's okay. He's going to be fine. He was just trying too hard to be brave. This is normal.

But, Regan couldn't stand the thought of the tough looking young man being scared of anything. He was a nervous wreck when the dark-haired boy finally came through his door a little later.

"I'm sorry…" Dan began.

"No, it's okay," Regan interrupted him. "Anytime. You just take all the time you need."

"I'm not scared, Uncle Bill." Dan said quickly. "It's not about that."

Regan hadn't realized he had been holding his breath, but it was suddenly apparent as it escaped his body in a long release. He was amazed at how much Dan's words had assuaged his own anxieties. He repeated the offer he had extended out on the dock.

"Want to talk about it?"

"This is…kind of…not something…easy to talk about," Dan said shyly. He sat timidly on his uncle's couch and ran his hand through his long, black bangs.

Regan decided to cut through the tension by teasing him.

"Does it have anything to do with a certain Belden from Idaho?" He figured Dan's girlfriend was a safe topic to joke about as he sat down beside him on the couch, but he was stunned when the young man suddenly jumped up in frustration and crossed to the other side of the room.

"Please…don't tease about her…this isn't easy." Dan said in anguish.

"Dan, I'm sorry." Regan breathed. "I…I had no idea this involved her…I mean..what happened? Did you two break up?"

"No! Uuuuggghhh! It's not completely all about her…it's…it's just." Dan slammed his palms down on the little kitchenette table and hung his head. "Just…let me do the talking, okay? This is humiliating enough for me. I…can't joke around…right now." He stood there, leaning on the table with his eyes closed. It was a stance Regan had been known to make when he was locked in an internal struggle. The sight of it in Dan's posture made his gut wrench.

"Whatever you want to say…I'm listening." Regan said, sobering quickly.

Can you guess what Dan is so upset about? Read on and see.