A/N: Some romantic fluff at the end of this chapter. Slight relief from the angst :D

Chapter Six

"I've been waiting for you to come round," Jane said by way of a greeting. "I've been waiting for six months."

"I know, I'm sorry," Christian said as he sat down at the table.

"You just left, no goodbye; nothing. You haven't called to tell me you were okay; anything could have happened to you."

"I should have called you and I'm sorry I didn't."

"So what brings you back to Walford?"

It's Syed," Christian sighed. "He's sick."

"Oh my God," Jane gasped. "What's wrong?"

"Leukaemia," Christian explained.

"How is he?"

"Not good. He locked himself in the bathroom and shaved all his hair off last night. Then he spent the rest of the night crying. I don't know what to do," he sighed, tears filling his eyes.

"What do you mean?" Jane asked sympathetically, resting her hand gently on his shoulder.

"I don't know how to help him. I see him and I know he's scared and hurting but I can't do anything to help him feel better."

"You just have to be there for him. Just hold his hand and reassure him so he knows that he's loved and has someone to take care of him. If he wants more then he will tell you but until then just be there."

"Thanks," Christian smiled weakly and hugged his sister.

Zainab found Syed sitting at the table in the kitchen clutching a mug of tea so tight his knuckles were white. It still shocked her to see him with no hair, just as it had done the previous evening when he had finally emerged from the bathroom with tears running down his face. It broke her heart to see him like this; he was usually good at hiding his feelings and emotions but now he just looked so broken, so scared.

"How are you feeling pappoo?" She asked, using his childhood nickname as she rested her hand on his shoulder.

"I'm okay," he replied with a fake smile on his face. Not even he could make that sound convincing.

"You're lying," Zainab called him on it.

"I'm lying," Syed repeated. "I'm not great but I'm not feeling too horrible either. Just tired all of the time mostly."

"You should rest then."

"I'm sick of resting, it's all I do. I just want to do something normal and pretend like none of this is happening to me. Just for one day, I'd like to feel like me again."

"I know you're feeling down, but it will get better eventually. You just have to believe it."

"And what if I can't?"

"Then I will do it for you," She told him as she grabbed his hand and squeezed it gently. "I will pray for you and be there for you through all of this. Your father will be as well and so will Christian," Zainab told him. Syed was surprised that she had mentioned Christian; she was still very cold towards him. Maybe she was beginning to realise that he was there to stay and she would have to accept him.

"Thank you mum," he smiled. He stood up from the table and put the mug into the sink.

"Maybe you should leave the house, go for a walk or something like that. It might do you some good to get some fresh air in your lungs."

"Maybe later. I'm going to lie down for a bit," he told her before he left the room. She heard him close the door to his room.

Zainab frowned. She didn't like how insular Syed had become since returning home. Today had been one of the rare occasions he had actually left his room; choosing to mostly hide up there and not speak to anyone. It wasn't good for him and she knew she had to do something to get him out of the house. Only thing was, the only person she knew who could get him to do that was her least favourite person on earth.

Who was just walking through the door.

"Christian, can you come in here," she called out, trying not to choke on her words. It was going to take a lot to be able to do this.

"Yes Zainab," he said in that fake cheerful tone he often used when speaking to her, often just to humour her.

"I need you to do something for me," she said.

"What would that be?"

"I need you to get Syed out of the house for a few hours. It's not doing him any good being cooped up here."

"I agree," Christian replied. "Which is probably a first."

"Just take him out somewhere, please."

"I know just what to do," Christian smiled and hurried back out of the kitchen. "Just give me an hour," he said before leaving the house.

"Come on we're going out," Christian announced as he entered Syed's room. He grabbed hold of his hand and pulled him to his feet.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Syed protested.

"I think it's a great idea," Christian retorted as he pulled a black woolly hat over Syed's head. "Don't want your head getting cold," he grinned. "Come on," he said as he practically dragged Syed out of the house.

"Where are we going?" Syed asked.

"Wait and see," Christian replied.

They stopped outside the Cafe. "What are we doing here?" Syed asked, "It's closed."

"You ask far too many questions, you know that?" Christian replied as he opened the door and held it open for Syed. "What d'you think?"

Christian had made it look beautiful, magical even; full of candles flickering in the dark. He had covered one of the tables with a red tablecloth; a candle and a single red rose adorning the centre.

"You didn't have to do this."

"Yeah I did," Christian smiled. "You're worth it."

"Thank you," Syed smiled a genuine smile and hugged Christian. "This is amazing."

"I made us some dinner. Just sit down and I'll bring it over," he said pulling one of the chairs out for Syed to sit down on.

"Ever the gentleman," Syed laughed as Christian brought over two plates.

"Enjoy."

"Thank you for tonight," Syed said again as they arrived home. "It was amazing. You are amazing," he said as he slowly sat down on the bed.

"Glad you had a good time. We'll have to do it again."

"If we get the chance to," Syed replied with a bittersweet tone in his voice.

"What do you mean if? We have a long and happy future ahead of us and nothing, not even this is going to stop that. When you get better..."

"Don't you mean if?"

"No, When you get better," Christian repeated with even more emphasis on the 'when.'

"I am going to marry you."