As promised, a new chapter. As of this moment, I have completed this story through Chapter 13. I haven't fully decided on how this will end; I'm having trouble making up my mind between several scenarios. We did buy a new house this week, and we'll hopefully be completely moved in within two weeks, but I have made sure to allow time to work on this.

Thank you to everyone who has read and especially those who have reviewed. I really appreciate the continued support. I'll do my best to not disappoint. Thanks to Roswalyn for beta-ing for me. I'm holding you to your word :)

Avoidance by Death

by lightwarai

Chapter 9

December 31st

(approaching three years after the accident)

Greg, dressed in black pajama pants and a soft gray sweatshirt, set the soft drinks on the coffee table and sat down next to Cassidy. "We haven't done a movie night in forever. I'm so glad we have this long weekend."

Cassidy grinned as Eric came into the room, carrying two large bowls of popcorn, topped with melted butter. He sat one down on the table in front of Greg and Cassidy, and held onto the other as he plopped down in the recliner. "This is definitely the life. I've been dying to watch all those movies I got for Christmas last week."

Cassidy shook her head. "You really cleaned up this year," she said, pointing to his clothes. He was wearing his new Seattle Seahawks hoodie and workout pants.

"What can I say? I look good in anything." He grinned and glanced at the clock. "Pizza should be here any minute."

Greg rolled his eyes. He picked up a pile of DVDs and began looking through them. "So what's first?"

"Nothing sappy. I don't want to see any tears tonight." Eric nodded towards Cassidy.

"What? How is that fair? I don't want to watch all football or boxing movies tonight," was her simple reply.

"Well, looks like your halfway in luck," Greg commented. He rolled his eyes. "We have four movies about racing, two movies about football, and three movies based off comic books. I can certainly see what tonight is going to be like."

"Hey, it's not my fault the lovely ladies at work gave me Christmas gifts." Eric grinned widely, winking. "I seem to be quite popular there."

"Especially with Jenny, right?" Greg winked.

Eric's eyes twinkled. "You know, I never realized just how interesting U.S. history really was!"

Cassidy groaned. "Some things will never change, I guess."

The doorbell to the apartment rang, cutting off any retorts from Eric, and Greg stood up to answer it, choosing to get away from the argument that was about to happen. "Why don't I get that?" he asked out loud, not expecting any answers.

But when he opened the door, the smell of pepperoni and ham that greeted him, but so did a face he hadn't expected to see.

"Hello, Greg. I hope I'm not disturbing anything," the new arrival offered in an amused voice. He held up the pizza boxes. "I took the liberty of paying for your dinner. I'm sure you don't mind."

Greg wasn't sure whether to be angry, nervous, or worried. He settled on confusion. "Uh, no." He stood there, gaping, completely caught off-guard.

"May I come in?" The newcomer flashed a smile, but Greg noticed it was a bit forced. "It's not polite to make your guests stand out here for too long."

Greg opened the door wider without a word, allowing him to step into the apartment.

As soon as they saw him, Cassidy and Eric quit arguing.

"I see some things never change. I have to admit, I wasn't sure you three would make it this long when you first came to me." The Gray Man sighed wearily. "However, this is not a social call."

Eric's eyes darkened, not trusting their visitor. "You've sold us out."

"On the contrary, no one knows of your existence. Still. And I plan to keep my word that no one ever will."

"Then...?" Cassidy prompted. She noticed the weary look and the unguarded way he had walked in. She felt her stomach do flip-flops. She jumped up and grabbed a chair for him to sit in. He took it with a small smile as he sat the pizza done on the table.

She sat back down on the couch, and Greg joined her. "Please, tell us."

He looked at the three, and singled out Cassidy. "Would you mind excusing us for a few minutes?"

In his mind, Greg began picturing all of the worst-case scenarios. Her father was dead. Hannah was dead. Ned was dead. Bess or George was dead. His father was dead. Laura was dead. His mind screamed at him, the images assaulting his mind. "We are family. Whatever you have to say, you can say in front of all of us."

He nodded. "I figured as much. There's no easy to way to say this, but please do not be alarmed," he held up his hand as the three each opened their mouths, ready to fire questions at him.

"A little over a month ago, your parents," he nodded towards Eric and Greg, "received some bad news. Your mother has leukemia."

Eric tightly gripped the chair's arm tightly. Greg just sat there, his mind still reeling.

"I'm not sure what you know about it, but it is treatable. However, in your mother's case, she needs a bone marrow transplant soon. They are having trouble finding a suitable match."

"I remember reading about it once." Greg closed his eyes, recalling what little he could remember. "Matches are more common among family, right?"

Before the Gray Man had a chance to reply, Eric had already jumped up and began pacing. "So we need to be tested. Do we need to go there or can it be done here?"

"Hold on, you two. I need to make sure you two understand. First, the chance of either of you matching is pretty low. Siblings have a twenty-five percent chance of matching. Parent-child matches are even less. I don't want to get your hopes up."

Eric shook his head. "It doesn't matter. We have to try."

Gray Man rolled his eyes. "I know that. However, if one of you is a match, this means traveling to New York. There is a center in New York City where the transplant will take place."

As they talked, Cassidy stood up and excused herself, retreating to the bathroom. Greg watched as she left the room, knowing she was struggling on the inside, but didn't question her. They would talk later. There was a more pressing matter at hand. He turned back to Eric and Gray Man. "I know what you're getting at. We could blow our cover, right?" Greg asked. Gray Man shrugged. "Like Eric said, it doesn't matter. We'll do whatever we have to. She's our mother."

Gray Man nodded. "I know. You just need to be aware. It's been a while since you came out here. I know playing detective was second nature to you both, but if you are truly serious about remaining hidden, then you will follow my rules this time."

Normally, Eric would have challenged the agent, but unfortunately, he was right this time. Gray Man had helped them get out here. Any contacts the former Frank and Joe Hardy would have had couldn't be used. They were at his mercy. Remembering the look on his face when he told them the news, Eric didn't doubt his sincerity and was genuinely concerned for their mother. "Fine. Whatever it takes. Just make it happen."

NDHB NDHB NDHB NDHB

In the bathroom, Cassidy sat on the floor, holding a wet washcloth to her face. The thought of going back to New York brought back memories that she didn't want to face. But she knew this was something that Greg and Eric needed to do. And in the off-chance she would be a match, she would do it, too. The news was so unexpected and sudden, it had thrown her for a loop.

But I can't let Eric and Greg go alone. That's not fair to them, after all that they have done for me these last few years.

Cassidy stood up and looked at herself in the mirror. The young woman staring back at her looked like a stranger. She had changed. Cassidy had tried not to think about it much before, but now it was obvious, and she couldn't ignore it any longer. The strong, courageous, daring teenager was lost, replaced by a fragile scaredy-cat. It just wasn't right.

She squared her shoulders. Her best friends needed her, and she wasn't going to let them down. She exited the bathroom. When she reached them, the Gray Man was at the door. "I'll give you two some time to think about it if you want. I know you would do anything for your family and friends, but I also know how much you've gone over the last several years."

Cassidy approached Greg and Eric, and stepped between them. The same expression on their faces was now mirrored in her own. Determination. She knew their answer, and from the look on his face, she knew the Gray Man knew it also.

She reached for their hands and squeezed them gently, but firmly. She would be strong for both men. She vowed to herself in that moment, that no matter what, these two would suffer the least. Their lives for the past three years had brought the three of them closer than ever, and as strong and protective as her feelings towards them had been before, now they were multiplied, and she would do anything to protect them.

They were family.

"We're going."