Finn Ashton lay sleepily on his side, curled up in a ball. The sleepiness was due to the mild sedation Carolyn had given him prior to his bone marrow aspiration and she had decided to continue straight on with the spinal tap puncture while he was so relaxed.

"Okay," she smiled reassuringly at Ben as she made herself comfortable on the stool next to the examination table Finns was lying on. "You need to hold on to the top of his hip Ben."

"I know," Ben sighed as he reached to pull Finn slightly into his body. "I've done a few of these," he stated sadly, knowing how uncomfortable the procedure was going to be. He was just happy that Finn was not completely awake. Hopefully it wouldn't be too painful for him but, when Finn started to groan as the needle went into his spine, he knew that it was just wishful thinking.

"It's okay, Finn," he soothed. "Just keep as still as you can, sweetheart."

"It's hurts," Finn mumbled, pulling his legs up into his stomach slightly as he whimpered in pain.

Ben quickly placed a hand on his legs, halting the movement. "Just keep still a little while longer," he urged, flashing Carolyn a worried look.

"Please, Papi!" Finn cried out as Carolyn pushed the needle in further. "Make it stop!" He begged.

"I'm nearly there, poppet," Carolyn told him as she continued to concentrate on the job at hand. "Nearly there, I promise."

Finn was shaking under Ben's touch and as he started to scream, all Ben wanted to do was tell Carolyn to just yank the damn needle out but knew that he couldn't so he rested his chin on Finn's head. "You're doing so well," he soothed. "I am so very proud of you. You need to hold on just a little bit longer. It will be over soon and we'll go and find mami and Connie and tell them how brave you've been."

"Make it stop!" Finn continued to cry despite Ben's best efforts to placate him and Ben looked at Carolyn, begging her with his eyes to hurry up.

Carolyn smiled softly. "Nearly there, nearly there," she assured him and, after one final push which made Finn scream even more, she gently pulled out the needle. "You did such a great job, Finn," she praised as she then placed the syringe in emesis bowl her nurse held out for her. "Get this straight to the lab," she told her college, snapped off her gloves and covered the still trembling boy.

"You need to lie still for a while now," she told him, watching as Ben jumped off the bed and pulled up a chair at his son's side. "I'm going to fetch you a drink and you can have a nap if you want to," she altered the bed setting so her patient was more upright, smiled reassuringly at Ben and then gathered her things together. "I'll leave you two alone for a while," she said while grabbing Finn's half empty water jug "and I'll be back with some fresh water for you soon."

Ben glanced up and smiled. "Thanks Doc."

"No problem," Carolyn smiled back and then left the cubicle, drawing the curtains behind her to allow Ben and Finn some privacy.

She was so grateful that part was over for the young boy.

Xxx

Sam Carter took a deep breath, plastered a smile on her face and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

She opened the door at the sound of Lilly's voice and poked her head round. "How are you doing?" She asked softly.

"We are just fine, aren't we Connie," Lilly replied, looking up from the book she was reading to her daughter.

"That's good," Sam stepped into the room and shut the door behind her. "Carolyn is ready to see you now," she told Lilly as she sat on the edge of the large bed that took up most of the VIP suit. "I'll stay with Connie."

'"I-is Finn a-alright?" Lilly stuttered. "I m-mean, are all the tests over."

"Yes," Sam nodded while she spoke. "Ben told me to tell you that he's peacefully sleeping and the infirmary staff will watch over him while you both speak to Carolyn."

"Oh, okay," Lilly managed to smile before turning to her daughter who was still sleepy and curled up on her lap. "Would you like Sam to read your story for a while? I will be back as quickly as I can."

"'Kay," Connie yawned and then picked the book up off the bed. "It's 'bout a girl and a ickle dog," she said and passed Sam the book.

"It sounds just lovely," Sam smiled, took the book and then made herself comfortable on the bed. "Come on then," she patted her lap and chuckled as Connie quickly crawled over. "Let's see what's going to happen next." Sam picked the little girl up and sat her on her lap. She smiled at Lilly as the Connie quickly settled in her arms. "I've got her," she reassured softly.

"Thank you," Lilly mouthed and then hopped off the bed. "I will be as quick as I can."

"No rush. We're just fine, aren't we Constance."

"Uh huh," Connie agreed and rested her head against Sam's shoulder as she started to read the story.

Happy that her girl was in good hands, Lilly started to make her way to the infirmary with a feeling of dread deep in the pit of her stomach.

Xxx

"Okay, I've collated all my findings and have sent a preliminary report to The Children's Hospital in Aurora. Now, this is one of the leading centres of excellency in the whole of country and Finn will be in the best hands possible."

Carolyn looked at the faces of devastation gathered round her desk, her heart breaking for her friends. She had just explained that Finn, more likely than not, did have Leukaemia. Infact the hospital had been so certain that they wanted Finn to be admitted first thing in the morning to start treatment.

"You will need to report to The Rick Wilson Centre for Cancer and Blood Disorders on the seventh floor," she continued with the information as she passed Ben a pamphlet giving him full details about the hospital. "Just follow the Bear signs."

"Okay," Ben nodded slowly as he started to flick through the pamphlet.

"Jarred Freeman will be meeting you there at 8am and will be Finn's lead physician. He will probably do a couple more tests and discuss what is going to happen next."

"Okay," Ben mumbled softly, not meeting Carolyn's eye.

"He and his team are the best there is and he will be able to answer any questions you have and we will, of course give you as much support as we possibly can too, won't we Daniel?" She turned to Daniel who was sat next to her and he leant forward and placed his hand on top of Lilly's.

"Of course we will," he agreed. "We are only a call away."

"We appreciate that," Lilly smiled tentively. "We are most grateful, aren't we Ben," she turned to her husband who was still sat with his nose buried in the pamphlet. "Aren't we Ben?" She repeated, giving his leg a slight nudge.

"What?" Ben looked up.

"We are most grateful for their support," Lilly reiterated softly.

"Yes, yes we are," Ben nodded before starting to read again.

Daniel and Carolyn exchange concerned glances. "Are you okay Ben?" Daniel then gently asked his friend.

"It d-don't k-know," Ben replied. "I- I don't u-understand. E-everything is going s-so f-fast. T-too f-fast."

Lilly quickly grabbed her now shaking husband's hand. Ben had been so strong through everything so far but she could see that he was now struggling to hold everything together. "It's going to be okay, you know that. Finn will get the best possible treatment and we will be going home really soon. We have to be strong."

"I know, I know but..."

"No buts' Benjamin. Finn needs us."

Ben hung his head with a deep sigh. "I know he does," he agreed softly. "And we will be there for him," he looked up and smiled shakily. "Sorry about that."

"Nothing to be sorry for," Carolyn smiled back. "I know it's hard and that there is so much to take in but, like Lilly said, Finn will be getting the best possible treatment and we will be with you all the way."

"I appreciate that. Thank you," Ben nodded and then cleared his throat. "Right. Is there anything else we need to know?"

"The General has arranged a staff car to pick you up a 7am in the morning," Daniel continued to explain what was going to happen. "The hospital will provide a family room for you all over night seeing as you are from out of state and then we have found a nice apartment just a few minutes from the hospital for you to stay in while Finn undergoes his treatment. Sam and I will move your belongings in while you're at the hospital."

"Thank you," Lilly smiled.

"Also," Carolyn interjected. "We think it's best for Connie to stay here tomorrow. You will need to give Finn and the Doctors your full attention."

"That's a good idea," Ben agreed, knowing that his daughter would not be happy having to wait around in the hospital for hours.

"There is a crèche for siblings at the hospital that you might want her to go too after Finn's admission but I'm sure she will be happier to be with some familiar faces for tomorrow."

"I'll bring her over in the evening," Daniel stated. "And also give you the keys to your apartment and anything else you can think of at all."

"Okay, I'll start making..."

A knock at the door then cut Ben's reply short.

"Come in," Carolyn called and one of her nurses poked her head round the door.

"Finn's awake and is upset," she told them and Lilly pushed up out of her chair.

"I'll go," she smiled at Ben and patted him on the shoulder. "You stay here and go through the arrangements again."

Ben reached up and gave her hand a squeeze. "Okay my love," he smiled back. "Tell Finn I won't be long."

"I will," Lilly promised and then turned and followed the nurse out of the room.

"Right." Daniel waited for her to go and then pushed two boxes towards Ben. "We have got you and Lilly a cell phone each," he smiled. "We figured that you will probably have to do shifts to stay with Finn so it will be easier for you to keep in touch with each other. I have programmed in all the hospital numbers you will need along with mine, Sam's and Carolyn's personal numbers. You can contact us day or night for anything, even if it's just to talk."

Ben picked up one of the boxes and turned it over to read the instructions. "How on earth am I going to be able to explain this to Lilly," he sighed, knowing that there was nothing like this back on Mandana.

"I don't know," Daniel admitted "but I think that's going to be the least of your problems," he chuckled. "You have a gas range and three televisions in your apartment."

"Oh boy!" Ben sighed again. "This is going to be very tricky." He looked at Daniel who was still chuckling and burst out laughing himself!

"Lilly is going to freak!"

Xxx

The hospital waiting room was full.

Ben was surprised. It was barely eight in the morning and parents with their sick children on their knee took up every single chair. It was easy to identify the children who had already been diagnosed. The baseball caps, the bright coloured headscarves and knitted beanies gave them away and were a stark reminder of what was going to happen to Finn over the next few months.

The seriousness of the situation hit Ben hard when Finn groaned in pain and tried to curl up on his lap. His boy was as sick as every child in the room was.

"Are you hurting?" He asked as he gently stroked Finn's back.

"My tummy hurts some," Finn admitted with a sigh and Ben turned to Lilly and gave her a worried look.

Lilly reached over and ran her fingers through Finn's hair.

"Do you want to lie down?" She asked softly and patted her lap.

Finn slowly uncurled, rested his head on her knees and stretched out so he lay across his parent's laps and sighed in relief when his father started to massage his stomach.

"That feels good."

"Try and sleep Finny," Lilly urged gently and started to card her fingers through his hair. "We could be waiting for quite a while."

Finn turned to face her, wrapped an arm round her waist and Lilly pulled him in tighter. After exchanging another worried look with Ben she rested her head back against the wall and waited, again.

It was going to be a very, very long day.

Xxx

"Finn Ashton?"

Ben woke from a light doze with a start when he heard his son's name being called. "Here!" He held his hand up to acknowledge the nurse standing in the doorway with a chart clasped to her chest.

"Finny," he shook Finn's shoulder slightly. "Time to wake up buddy."

As Finn groaned and started to push up, Ben glanced at his watch. It was now gone ten and it felt as if they'd been waiting forever.

"What's happening?" Finn asked, knuckling his eyes as he looked round the room.

"It's time to go Finn." Ben lifted his son off his lap, stood, stretched his aching limps and then took Finn's hand.

Making sure Lilly was following; he led his son towards the examination room.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," the nurse smiled as she greeted them. "Follow me."

"Is it always as busy as this?" Ben asked as he stepped into the room.

The nurse continued to smile as she reached to close the door behind them. "It's one of our quieter days actually."

"Really?"

"Oh yes, normally there are people waiting in the corridors as well." She pulled back the curtains that surrounded an examination table and then turned to Finn. "Right young man. Can you hop up on here for me?"

Finn glanced up at his father, obviously feeling very nervous and Ben smiled as reassuringly as he could.

"It's going to be okay," he whispered and Finn, after flashing his mother a look of concern, reluctantly climbed up.

"Why don't you take a seat," the then nurse turned to Ben and Lilly. "I just need to take a few details and then Mr Freeman will see you." She nodded towards the plastic chairs to one side before opening Finn's chart.

"Right, young Finn," she smiled as took a moment to scan the information. "My name is Polly and I will be one of your key nurses," she then glanced up and told her patient before closing the file again. "You will meet Tim later and we will both be making sure you are as comfortable as possible. If you are worried in any way or don't understand what's happening then talk to us, we are here to help you, okay?"

"'kay," Finn nodded slowly, biting his bottom lip worriedly.

"Try not to worry," Polly patted Finn's knee. "You're not alone, we're all here to help you through this," she soothed and then turned to her equipment trolley. "Right, I need to have a listen to your heart," she stated, picking up her stethoscope. "Slip your T-shirt off and lie down for me poppet."

Finn quickly pulled his shirt off and lay on the table.

Polly warmed the bell and then placed it on his chest. "Try and relax Finn," she urged gently and started her examination.

When Finn sighed heavily, his parents knew that he'd had enough of all the poking and prodding and weren't surprised

Their little boy had been so much in such a short time.

xxx

Ben and Lilly sat in silence and watched the young nurse go through her tests. They didn't really know what to say, what to ask or even if they were supposed to ask anything anyway!

Polly obviously didn't know they were in the medical field themselves as she continually kept up a commentary as she examined Finn, going into great detail about every procedure.

They actually found her reassurances very welcoming, she explained everything carefully and calmly, never promising anything either way and for that, they were grateful.

"Right." Polly eventually closed the file she'd been making notations in before grabbing a gown from the end of the bed. "You need to change into this Finn," she told the young boy who was lay, trembling slightly on the table. "I will leave you with your parents while and I go and see if Mr Freeman is ready," she nodded over to Lilly and Ben who were both immediately on their feet.

"I won't be long," Polly smiled and then drew the curtains back round again, leaving the Astons alone.

"Right," Lilly unfolded the gown. "Let's get you changed," she smiled at Finn and then helped him into the gown while Ben bent down and removed Finn's shoes and socks.

"I'm c-cold," Finn complained, wrapping his arms round his waist.

"I know, Finny," Lilly made quick work of tying the ribbons on the back of the gown and then reached for a blanket and wrapped it round his shoulders. "Just snuggle into this." She quickly sat at his side and took her in her arms. "You'll soon warm up," she added and started to rub his arms to get some extra warmth into him.

"I liked P-polly," Finn shivered in her arms.

"Good," Ben smiled as he folded Finns clothes before putting them away in the overnight bag they had brought with them. "She does seem very nice," he agreed, tucked the bag away under the table and then sat the other side of his son. "Do you understand what's happening Finn?" He then asked resting what he hoped was a comforting hand on his son's knee.

"I'm sick and I need special medicine to get better."

"That's right," Ben nodded slowly.

"And the medicine might make me more sick for a bit," Finn's shivering started to lesson as he relaxed in his mother's arms.

"Probably, yes," Ben agreed sadly. "But everyone will make you feel as comfortable as possible."

"That's what Polly said," Finn turned his head and smiled.

Ben returned the smile. "Yes she did and she's right."

The Ashton's then sat in silence for a while, each of them lost in their own thoughts until Polly poked her head round the curtain.

"Mr Freeman will see you now," she smiled. "We need to take Finn down for an ultrasound while you are with him so we will meet up with you in his room later."

Lilly felt Finn stiffen in her arms. "You will be just fine," she reassured and gently kissed his forehead. "Polly will look after you, won't you Polly?" She turned and smiled at the nurse who was now pushing a wheel chair into the cubicle.

"Of course I will," Polly smiled back and then patted the seat of the wheel chair. "Hop in young man. We have a date with Dave the scan man."

Finn giggled and then pushed off the table and sat in the chair.

"Here we go," Polly grinned and undid the break. "I promise not to go too fast." She turned and winked at Lilly and Ben before pushing Finn out of the room, making the noise of a racing car as she went.

Ben and Lilly waved their son off and turned at the sound of their names being call and, after taking a deep breath, they went with the young Doctor who was waiting for them.

It was now the moment of truth, they would soon know what exactly was going to happen to Finn.