Bad Doctor Days

Cassandra Cillian walked out of the medical offices, the bright sun gave her a slight headache. She had her 3 month checkup, which included blood tests, CT scan, a quick infusion of her medicines to attempt to cure the tumor and discussing how she felt. Usually she left feeling drained, sore and depressed. All she wanted to do was go home and pretend life wasn't unfair. Even the sun seemed to bright today, then all she could do is wait for the results she knew would come tomorrow. Until her phone rang and she glanced at the number. Dr. Franklin. Cassandra sighed and knew her day was about to get worst.

3 hours later.

Cassandra sat on her couch watching Pride and Prejudice as the tears fell freely. Her tumor had grown to the size of a tangerine. She was now given closer 2-3 years. 2-3 years was still a lot but it was less then she hoped for. But that seemed to be her life balancing between hopes and dreams that may never come true and stark cold reality. She learned a long time ago that dreams held one back. As the movie finished up, she turned off the TV and moved to leave her apartment. She had spent enough time wallowing, time to get on with life.

The annex was busy; the librarians were organizing the artifact that were collected from before when the library disappeared. Eve had given Cassandra the day off knowing that this was the day of her doctor's appointment. She would call her later and they would cry and give into the tub of ice cream. Or they would blast music so loud and laugh all night because she was given ten more years. Eve watched as her librarians bustled around. Ezekiel was hanging from the rafters installing a security system, Flynn was using the card catalog, Jenkins and Stone were suddenly trying to move a book case for more artifacts. They were arguing about what era this particular book case was from. Even with Cassandra on a day off the library felt empty without the young red head sunny disposition.

Jacob helped Jenkins move the book case and then glanced at his watch. 4:30pm. He knew that Cassandra had a doctor appointment. Everybody knew she had one. Hopefully she would give everyone an update.

Ezekiel was rambling about something about a movie. Jake wasn't really paying attention. Until the anteroom went still. Even Jenkins who usually bustling became still. Jake looked over to the door and saw why the room had become silent. There stood Cassandra, dressed in a drab black outfit, nothing like the woman they knew. Jake immediately noticed her red rimmed eyes and pallor of her face. She had gotten bad news.

"Hi everyone, I just wanted to come and work. I got some really bad news today and All I would like to do is research something. I can process everything tomorrow. Right now I am going to give each person one question. That's it. Just one" Cassandra said softly as she stared at her feet and a traitorous tear ran down her cheek.

Jenkins asked "Miss Cillian, do you want to still be a Librarian?"

Cassandra laughed and felt tears slip from eyes. Of course Jenkins would ask that.

"Yes until I'm not able to anymore" Cassandra asked.

Eve asked next "Okay mine is two questions sorry Cassandra, first are you in any pain? Second are you still the Cassandra we love?"

Cassandra smiled again at the bitter sweetness of each question. She took a deep breath and answered "Not any more pain than usual. Headaches and nosebleeds might happen more often. Seizures too. But other than that I'm the same Cassandra."

Flynn walked over and grasped her hand "Anything else we should know?"

Cassandra sighed this was harder than she thought "I might be slower than usual, I'm taking a new medicine and will have to travel with oxygen tank from now on. I might need more help" she answered.

Ezekiel starred at his friend and asked "Will you come to the movies with me this weekend?"

Cassandra responded as a brighter smile adorned her face "I will anytime you want me. I'll come as long I get to pick once and awhile."

Cassandra's blue eyes shifted to Jake's grey ones. She looked at his face. Jake clenched his jaw and suddenly he turned and left the anteroom. Cassandra's eyes shifted to the ornate marble floor as a pain in her chest was worse than finding out she had 2-3 years to live.

Eve walked over to her friend and gave her a gentle hug. When she released the red head, Cassandra noticed tears in her guardian's eyes. Cassandra felt more tears roll down her cheek.

"Cassandra we are a family; we will stick with you 'til the end. We will also make sure that when the times comes you will not be alone." Eve said quietly to her friend.

Cassandra smiled at that and then asked "Can we get to work now?"

Everyone laughed a bittersweet laugh and stopped staring at the red head as she moved into her lab.

Hours Later

Cassandra with her head on her work station scribbled through the tears that ran down her face. Pi's number comforted her as she continued writing the long number. Suddenly she smelled something sweet and spicy with caused her numbers to change to red and warm. She quickly wiped away the remnants of her tears away and glanced up. Jake was standing holding her favorite coffee mugs.

"I thought you would like some more fuel" Jake said quietly and sheepishly much like that evening when she brought him some coffee. "It's that chai, you liked so much"

"Thank You Jacob" Cassandra said softly through a watery smile.

"I have three questions for you? Three I need to ask and you need to answer." Jake said.

"Okay, go ahead." Cassandra answered as politely as she could without her heart breaking.

"Number 1. How long do you have?" Jake asked.

Cassandra sighed and answered quietly "2-3 years."

Jake gasped and sat down. Not expecting that short amount of time.

"Next question? Are you planning on betraying us again?" Jake asked quietly not meeting her eyes.

Cassandra breathed and responded "Never."

"Are you afraid?" Jake asked as his grey eyes starred deeply into her blue ones.

Cassandra suddenly felt the rush of tears spring forth. "I'm terrified" She whispered as her knees gave out. But Jake was by her side in a instant and caughht her before she fell. On the cold floor of the annex he rocked the petite red head until her sobs had subsided into quiet sniffles. Life was not fair, Jake knew that but right at this moment he wished that Cassandra would have a cure. He was still staring at the floor.

"Jake" Cassandra whispered as she pressed her lips against his in a bittersweet gentle kiss that tasted salty from both of their tears. When she pulled away she smiled at his wrinkly smile.

"What was that for?" Jake asked quietly hoping not to destroy the moment.

"I'm not wasting anymore time?" Cassandra responded.

Cassandra kissed Jake once more with more passion this time and Jake returned the kiss. Afterward he got up and helped Cassandra up. Jake held out his hand which she took.

"Come on Cassie, I know the perfect place to eat breakfast tomorrow morning." Jake said

"And where would that be?" Cassandra asked with a perfectly arched eyebrow raised.

"Paris" Jake said simply.

Cassandra's real laugh tinkled around the empty annex, she followed as Jake lead her across to the back door and dialed up Paris.

She glanced at Jake and decided that not wasting time was one of the best things that happened today. Cassandra could cope with 2-3 years as long as nothing changed.