A/N – Alright, guys. Thanks forall the love!Here's the next chapter! Enjoy.

---

Chapter Thirteen…Not This Time

---

Sadie groaned and settled deeper into the couch. It was already 8:30 and Mitchem still hadn't picked her up. He hadn't even called. Sadie was livid.

For tonight's date, she opted for a deep purple satin dress that barely fell to her thighs. It was a little extreme, but she wanted Mitchem to regret not talking to her for a week.

A hard knocking on her door startled her. Jumping up, she bolted for the door. She smoothed out her dress and opened the door slowly, trying to look less desperate.

"Sadie, I--" Mitchem started. He looked her up and down, a satisfied look crossing his face.

"Save it." She grabbed her coat and threw it on. "You better be an amazing cook."

"I brought these for you." Mitchem smiled at her and held out a shopping bag from Tiffany's. Her eyes widened as she opened the bag and pulled out a long black box.

"Mitchem…" Opening the box, she gasped. Inside was a diamond tennis bracelet. "You shouldn't…"

"Sorry I'm late," he muttered.

"I…I forgive you." Mitchem smiled at her.

"Good. Want some help putting that on?" She nodded and handed him the gift. Clasping it loosely around her wrist, he took her hand in his. "Glad you like it."

---

Mitchem sighed and sat down on his couch. Sadie settled in next to him, cuddling close. "That was nice. Thank you."

He looked over at her, an intense look burning behind his grey eyes. "Sadie Harrison, I like you."

"I like you too, Mitchem." He leaned over and pressed his lips gently against hers. Without another thought, Sadie opened her mouth, allowing him access. His tongue mixed with hers and she moaned quietly. He moved his hands up to her face, the two of them pulling each other as close as humanly possible.

With everything that had been going on in the past couple of weeks, she needed this. She needed a break from planning funerals. And calling relatives. She needed a release.

Everything left her mind and all she could think about was Mitchem. And how wonderful it felt to feel loved. Or at least wanted.

Mitchem's hands wandered down to her waist then to her upper thigh, slipping under the soft fabric of her dress. And Sadie didn't protest. How could she?

---

Jude busied herself in the kitchen, wiping the table and counters, washing dishes. Anything to take her mind off of the phone call she was supposed to be getting today. The doctor office had called and left a message yesterday, saying the results would be back today. And she had been a nervous wreck ever since.

Tom set his hand on her shoulder and she jumped, another bout of coughs coming on. "God, Tommy! Don't scare me like that!"

"Sorry," he muttered, recoiling at her sudden anger. "Look, Jude. I know you're worried about this, but we can get through this together."

She looked up at him, tears glistening in her eyes. "I'm sorry," she choked out.

Tom melted, pulling her close to him. "It's okay…We're okay…"

Suddenly, Jude's cell phone erupted with "White Lines" and the two of them jumped. "This is it," she muttered, grabbing it from the table. Flipping it open, she took a deep breath. "Hello?"

"Hi, is this Jude Harrison?" a deep voice asked.

"This is her," she said, voice getting raspier by the second.

"This is Doctor Brown. Your test results are in. We'd like you to come in to discuss them. Would that be possible?"

Jude's throat tightened. "I…Yes."

"Maybe tomorrow?" Her doctor was fairly pleasant, and Jude hoped that was a good sign.

"Tonight's fine." She was desperate. Very desperate.

Dr. Brown was silent for a moment. "Well, we're closing down here. But you can come in if you'd like."

"Thank you." Jude hung up the phone and looked at Tom, whose eyes were filled with concern. "We can go now."

---

Sadie tugged on Mitchem's belt, loosening it. His mouth moved to her neck, nibbling lightly. She pressed her body against his.

Sean Paul's voice drifted into her ears and Mitchem pulled back from her in confusion. He took a few deep breaths, running his hands through his hair. "What is that?"

"My phone," she muttered, reaching into her purse and checking her caller ID. Disconnecting the call, she threw her phone back on the floor. "No one important." She gave Mitchem a smoldering look before kissing him hungrily.

---

Kwest sighed and set his phone down. Sadie wasn't answering at home or on her cell phone and he was starting to worry.

He wasn't sure why he had taken up such an interest in her. Maybe it was because she was hurting and he wanted to play Prince Charming. Maybe he had always felt like this, but her mother's death had brought it out. He didn't know.

All he knew was that he wanted to make her feel good. And that he would do whatever he could for her. But he hadn't talked to her since that day he had dropped her off at home. Not that he hadn't picked up the phone a million times and hung it up. Tonight was the first time he'd actually dialed. And now that she wasn't picking up, he was disappointed.

And slightly worried.

---

Tom pulled his Viper into the doctor's office parking lot and put it into park. "You ready?" Jude nodded and got out, walking inside. Glancing around, she walked nervously up the steps. Tom materialized behind her, setting a reassuring hand on the small of her back. "You'll be fine."

Dr. Brown was waiting for them in the office and quickly ushered them over to the chairs. Tom sat down next to him, while Jude opted to stand. It was easier to pace.

"Jude, your test results came back," he began, an unmistakable concern rising in his voice. "I'm afraid we'd found some cancerous cells…"

Everything went blank. Dr. Brown's words echoed in her mind. Cancerous cells…cancerous cells…cancerous cells…

It was the last thing she remembered before her world went black.

---

A/N – Okay, leave me feedback. 195 reviews for the next update!

And tell me which song "Not This Time" is from to get a preview!