CHAPTER NINE
This chapter has a bit of medical stuff which I have done my best to get right, but if I've gotten something wrong feel free to point it out.
The next days are the hardest. Myka is cornered with Helena's incessant nagging to start the usual treatment routes, Pete's hovering and questions about when she plans to go to the hospital and her parent's endless phone calls about the status of her health. Everyone wants to know what she is going to do next. Everyone hangs just at the edge of her vision.
Pete cracks fewer jokes. Claudia is less vibrant. Steve tries his best to be helpful. Even Artie is not like himself. They all treat her like she is suddenly fragile. That if they speak too loud she might break or die. Everyone except Helena. Helena pushes her, she is stubborn. She wants what she wants and that is Myka, alive and well. And she is going to do everyone in her power to make sure that happens.
The B&B is littered with stacks of research and treatment options. Every spare minutes between hunting artifacts is dedicated to saving Myka. Sleep is a concept that does not exist anymore.
After the scans and the tests comes back, the team's spirit wavers for a bit. It has spread beyond her abdomen and is in her liver. It is attacking her lungs. Nowhere inside her is safe. Myka is expected to set an appointment for a hysterectomy which will be followed by twenty-one days of rigorous chemotherapy.
Myka lies on the couch waiting for Helena to bring her some tea. When Helena comes into the living room she looks over at the woman smiling at her and she smiles back. She never mentions how the once mighty agent looks small and frail. She stays tough. She cannot afford to waste precious time breaking down. There is nothing to break down for, Myka is going to be fine.
Helena hands Myka the cup and settles down beside her.
"You look like you finally got some sleep," Myka sips the tea.
"I did"
"Good, you look worse than me and I'm the sick one"
"Myka, you need to go to the hospital. You need to try. Don't make me lose you without a fight. I can't Myka, I can't" Helena holds onto Myka's hand squeezing it tight.
Myka can see the terror clearly etched on Helena's face. Myka may have accepted her fate as one that is inevitable but she realizes that Helena cannot.
"Alright," she whispers.
Helena looks up at her, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Alright?"
"Alright"
/
Pete, Claudia and Helena take Myka to the hospital the next day. They move things along as fast as possible lest Myka change her mind. Artie and Steve stay back to hold down the fort.
They get her checked in and find the best doctors possible. Pete and Helena hound Dr. Wilder for details on the surgery and the risks involved. She patiently answers their questions and assures them that Vanessa will be allowed to lend a hand where she can. After countless assurances they return to the room that will be Myka's abode for quite a while.
Helena leans in to graze Myka's lips. Pete makes a choking sound from the back and Claudia smiles. Perhaps they can still save her. Pete comes forward and punches her shoulder lightly. When Claudia hangs back Myka looks over to her.
"Come here you," She opens her arms wide.
Claudia flings herself into her arms a little too fast and Myka lets out a groan laughing.
"It'll be okay, Claud" she whispers in the younger agent's ear.
Myka watches all three of them with their faces trying to hide the fear that is clear in their eyes.
"I won't die you guys," She reassures them, "At least not today. But just in case, can I have a moment alone with Pete?"
Helena and Claudia oblige and Pete ligers back awkwardly. She can't help but think awkward is not Pete's color.
"I'm going to be fine, Pete. You can relax. You'll be fine."
"You don't know that"
This isn't going to be a light fun conversation filled with their usual teasing and taunting, they both know that.
"You're like a brother to me, you know that right? I mean you're more family than my actual blood. Pete, if anything happens to me-"
"Myka please don't"
"If anything happens to me, just-"
Pete nods. "I know. I will"
Myka takes his hand and pulls him in for a hug. Pete lets a few tears loose and when they are both done they look at each other, Pete is the first to look away. As he starts to walk out of the room Myka stops him.
"Don't tell my parents until after, okay. I don't want them to worry"
Pete nods. "Okay."
Myka does a one on one with Claudia next.
"Claud!" she smiles. "It's been so long since we've hung out"
"Well you know you were busy… with the cancer and lady loving and everything"
Myka laughs.
"That lady of your really is something you know"
"I know"
"It's good that she is back. She's good for you"
Myka tilts her head.
"I mean you wouldn't have ever listened to us. It seems the way to change your mind would be your pant- or lack thereof"
"Claudia!" Myka exclaims.
"What? Truth hurt?"
They leave it at that and Claudia walks out leaving just one person in the hallway.
Helena stands in the doorway unsure if she wants to walk in. This was after all her idea, why is her stomach in knots?
"Come here, you"
They walk towards each other and Myka pulls her in for a kiss. Their mouths collide into a soft long embrace where their hands fumble to etch every part of their body to memory. When they come up for air their eyes meet and stay there.
"I love you, Myka" Helena brushes strands of brown curls away from the woman's face.
"I love you too"
"Don't die on me, we're going to live long and happy. Wells and Bearing"
"Bearing and Wells"
"Bearing and Wells"