Eddie sat up groggily. He vaguely remembered being carried up here. He shuffled to his door, yawned, and headed to the dining room.

By the hue outside and the quietness all around him, Eddie could tell that he'd missed dinner.

But something even better than one of Trudy's meals awaited him at the end of the table. A freshly-made hoagie on a plate in front of her, Patricia sat there, a small smile on her face.

"'Bout time you're up. You realize you slept for like, three and a half hours, and you won't be able to go to bed anytime soon."

Her voice was humorous, which Eddie couldn't believe. She had just found out that she had cancer, and she was trying to be funny?

Nevertheless, he was glad she was. He couldn't imagine Yacker not being, well, yacking.

He sat down at the chair to her left, and she offered him the sandwich. He gladly accepted, because when you're searching through books for four hours, you get hungry.

He devoured his hoagie quickly, and then shoved the plate aside. He knew what he had to say, and he didn't need any disruptions (ahem, plate) to get in his way.

"Yacker?" She looked up, and Eddie took her hands. He expected her to yell at him, or hit him, or something, but she stayed perfectly still.

"I can't lose you," He whispered, but she heard him, and they both bit back tears.

Then there was silence, as they both let everything fully sink in.

Patricia, always hating awkward silences, cleared her throat.

"So…I have this thing…that I need you to help me with."

Eddie's head shot up. "I'll help you with whatever you need."

She nodded. "I heard that a lot of people…like me…make a bucket list. You know, a list of things they want to do before they die. I started making one, but…some of the stuff on there. I would really like someone to do them with."

Inside, Eddie's heart galloped. There was a list of things that Patricia wanted to do, and she wanted him to do them with her?

"Of course! What's some of the stuff on there?"

She thought for a moment. "Go ziplining, climb a mountain-stuff like that. You sure you're up for the job?"

He grinned. "Definitely."

After a moment of them silently smiling at each other, Patricia stood up and walked to the doorway. Before she left, she turned back to him.

"Goodnight, Slimeball."

"Goodnight, Yacker."

So, short chapter (sorry 'bout that) but lots of Peddie!