A/N: Thanks for the kind reviews everyone :) We're finally getting into the meaty part of the set-up here. And here is where you're gonna see why I had to do so much research before diving into this fic. I want to show this subject the respect it deserves and not just use it for a cheap emotional reaction from the audience.

Not much else to say except PLEASE review :) Enjoy, all.

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Chad winced as Sonny made another particularly dramatic stumble on the stage, followed by a loud and exasperated "Cut!!" from Marshall.

Something was wrong. There had to be. Sonny simply wasn't being herself. Chad loved her energy. She was always so bouncy and bubbly... Lately it seemed she'd developed more of a quiet charm. This was mostly due to the fact that she was just tired all the time. It made very little sense to Chad though. She got plenty of sleep, he made sure of that. And still, she would fall asleep on the way to the studio, her eyelids drooped heavily in the cafeteria, and she was having trouble concentrating during rehearsals, as was evident at this moment.

"I'm sorry Marshall," Sonny muttered apologetically. Chad cringed. Her voice sounded so timid and pitiful, almost like a young child being scolded by their mother. It simply wasn't like her. Sonny would have normally gave an enthusiastic apology and bounce back to her starting position to try again.

"Calm down, sweetheart," Marshall instructed calmly. "Take your time and start over, alright? No big deal."

Chad rubbed his arm uncomfortably. It seemed even Marshall was taking notice to Sonny's strange behavior, and opting to tread carefully around it. Sonny nodded, her eyes glistening slightly with unshed tears. Chad hated this. Just when he was certain he couldn't possibly watch any more, Marshall instructed the cast to take a break. Chad ran instantly to Sonny's side, not giving her the chance to get off the stage first.

"Sonny, what's wrong with you?" he asked nervously, taking her hands and carefully helping her off the stage. Sonny smiled weakly at him.

"You worry too much, silly," she responded quietly. "I'm just tired. I've been so busy..."

Chad frowned. "I got tired a lot too when I first started working on Mack Falls. But never like this. You're a whole different person, Sonny."

Sonny only continued smiling. "It'll pass, Chad."

Chad made a face. "Shouldn't you be a little more upset about this?"

Sonny's smile only seem to grow at this. "I can push through anything, Chad. Frowning won't solve anything."

No sooner had she finished her sentence when she wobbled slightly, falling forward into Chad's arms. Chad gripped her elbows tightly.

"I'm taking you home," he told her firmly, helping her stand up straight and walking her out the door.

He was even more concerned when Sonny didn't argue. Everything was an argument with them, even after they confessed their feelings with each other. It was always their 'thing' in a way.

He quickly ushered her into the car, driving off in the direction of her apartment.

---

The night went by agonizingly slow, but it was surprisingly relaxing. Sonny's mother was working late again and Sonny was too exhausted to go out anywhere. Chad had dragged a giant comforter out of her closet and snuggled up on the couch with her. Somehow she'd convinced him to watch both Twilight movies with her. Normally Chad would have refused until he won, but he didn't feel like this was a good night for arguing.

He continuously glanced down at Sonny throughout the movie. Her expression often appeared pained, though she'd viciously deny it when he commented on it. Stranger still, she seemed to be favoring the joints in her arms; massaging them as though they were sore.

The credits began to roll as Chad sighed and pulled Sonny closer to him.

"Are you sure you're alright, Sonshine?"

Sonny sighed. "Chad, stop asking me that. I'm totally fine."

"You've been kind of rubbing your elbows a lot..."

Sonny laughed his concerns off. "Just sore. Not used to being so active during the day."

Chad smiled a bit, trying to convince even himself that everything was fine. "Maybe a warm shower would help," he suggested. He nudged her and winked, attempting to lighten the mood. "I'll even help you if you want."

Sonny giggled as he clicked his tongue. "You'd like that wouldn't you?" She giggled again at his charming smile. "It's a good idea, but I'm so sleepy... I think I'll just go to bed."

Chad frowned again, standing up and leading her to her bedroom. Sonny flopped down on her bed without a word, hugging her pillow to her head. Chad pulled the comforter over her, tucking her in gently. Once she was settled, he laid down next to her and put one hand on her back, one on the back of her head, pulling her as close to his chest as he could get her.

Sonny giggled, looking up at him. "Chad, don't be silly. Go home. Your grandparents probably miss you so much."

Chad only held her closer. "I'm not leaving you," he spoke seriously, far too seriously for Sonny's tastes.

"Chad, let go," she complained. You're being ridiculous I'm just fine."

Chad tightened his grip a bit, prompting Sonny to stop her wiggling. "I'm not leaving you."

Sonny rolled her eyes with a smile, cuddling into his chest. Chad stroked her hair gently until she fell asleep. It didn't take long. She snored a bit, causing an unwanted smile to sneak its way onto his face.

He couldn't find it in him to fall asleep. He watched her face intently, observing the way her chest moved up and down with her breathing. She seemed so much more peaceful than the way she looked lately when she was awake.

Hours passed. Chad was nearly drifting off, the monotonous sound of the ticking wall clock lulling him to sleep. No more than two minutes later, Sonny began squirming in his arms.

He shot his eyes open, worried that she'd woken up. He frowned to see her still sleeping, albeit with that familiar pained expression on her face. He noticed this time that it was accompanied by sweat, however. He gently placed the back of his hand on her forehead, gasping quietly in surprise at just how hot she was. He quickly removed his hand when she winced at his touch.

Panicking, Chad reached over to the nightstand, grabbing his cell phone and composing a quick text.

"Gramma. Sonny's sweaty and hot and has been really tired. What do I do???"

The wait for her response felt like an eternity. He knew his grandparents weren't exactly text-savvy, and in fact, that the practice was very difficult for them. It still seemed to be taking a while, though... He nearly broke the top off his phone when it finally buzzed.

"Doc's visit wouldn't hurt."

Chad sighed. She wasn't one to mince words. Still, her advice made as much sense as anything else. Chad carefully placed his phone in his pocket before taking Sonny's shoulder and gently shaking.

"Sonny... Come on hon, wake up..."

Sonny groaned, sniffling slightly before looking up at him. Her eyes were bloodshot.

"C'mon Sonny. We're going to the emergency room," he told her, getting up and collecting a few necessities in one of her duffel bags.

Sonny frowned, before lifting a hand to her forehead, realizing what he was referring to, and wiping as much sweat off as she could.

"I'm fine. It's just really warm in here."

"It's freezing," Chad answered shortly, walking back to the bed and placing her coat over her shoulders. "Now let's go."

Sonny folded her arms and pouted. "You're being ridiculous."

"Maybe I am," he answered, picking her up and heading for the door. "But better paranoid than dead."

---

Chad paced back and forth in the hall outside Sonny's room, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. He idly wondered if anyone thought he was an expectant dad. That would be just what he needed: A good rumor on the front page of People tomorrow morning...

Being that it was rather late at night, they'd taken Sonny in right away. Their quick response did nothing to ease his worries, however. The more he paced, the more he contemplated what could be the problem. Maybe it was something as harmless as the flu. Maybe it was as serious as an impending heart attack or stroke. Either way, he didn't like the idea of his Sonny being in pain... He ran a nervous hand through his hair, quickening his pace. He nearly jumped out of his skin when the door finally opened.

"What happened, where is she, is she alright?" Chad demanded before the doctor had a chance to say anything.

The doctor merely raised a hand, waving him inside. His stomach was in knots as he stepped into the room, braving a look at Sonny.

He was surprised to find that she appeared to be perfectly healthy... Perhaps even peaceful. Granted, she was still sweating, and she still looked tired. But perhaps his wild fantasies about what could have been wrong with her made it seem as though it wasn't as bad as he was making it out to be. Chad sighed in relief, sitting down at the edge of her bed, next to her. He placed his hand on top of hers, some of his relief waning as he observed how warm it was.

"So... what's the word?" he asked, stroking Sonny's hand gently with his thumb. The doctor opened his mouth to speak, but Sonny raised a hand to stop him.

"I should tell him," she said calmly. Chad's eyes widened a bit. What was going on? Every possible outcome made no sense. He simply couldn't fit the pieces together.

Sonny sighed, squeezing his hand gently, and smiling weakly up at him.

"...It's a form of Leukemia."

Chad stared ahead at Sonny for a moment.

His hearing stopped.

His vision blurred.

His heart pounded so fast, he was surprised he wasn't having a heart attack.

He slowly released Sonny's hand, watching it fall out of his grip.

And then there was nothing.