Disclaimer: I don't own, or profit from, these characters or franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. In fact if I did I'd make different choices.

If you are familiar with this song then you know it is a sad one. So this is your Kleenex alert.

Chapter 5 – Skin

"Sara Beth" Brennan called to her daughter it's time to go." Turning to Booth who was sitting at the kitchen counter drinking yet another cup of coffee she said "I don't understand why she is moving so slowly this morning. I told her we had to be at the Oncologist at 9. Sara hurry up" she yelled in utter frustration.

Booth looked at his wife and smiled slightly "I can understand her delay. I don't want to go and he isn't going to be talking about me. Although if it's bad news I wish it was me." He smiled sadly and his eyes had a suspicious shine to them that looked a lot like they had last night before he went into his study to "be alone" he said.

Brennan had know he had gone in there to cry just as she had gone into hers for the same reason. They were trying to put on a brave front. No sense upsetting everyone unless they had to. They would know soon enough when they had their appointment with Dr. Perry.

They arrived at Washington Cancer Institute in time for Sara's appointment even though her Father had to almost physically pull her out of her room and into the car to get them there on time. They were directed to the second floor where someone drew Sara's blood while Booth and Brennan filled a myriad of paperwork.

Finally the nurse called them in and lead them to an examination room. For the last three days the three of them had barley talked and now in the small room the silence was becoming oppressive. Booth knew his daughter had to be scared to death but he just didn't know what to say. It seemed wrong to say everything was going to be ok this wasn't like a Christmas lie this was life and he wouldn't lie to her about something this important.

Finally Dr, Perry came in and introduced herself. She explained she would do a brief examination then they would all go into her office and talk.

Booth and Brennan looked over their daughters head and had one of their silent conversations. They both knew in that moment the news would not be good.

After they were all seated in Dr. Perry's office she began "well Sara Beth I'm sure you want to know what is going on with you and what happens next. I looked over your pediatricians records and he was very through. The blood test we took today only confirmed our diagnosis. You have what is called Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Or AML. It is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. The bone marrow makes many unformed cells called blasts. These Blasts normally develop into white blood cells that fight infection. However, in AML they are abnormal and can't fight infections. Your bone marrow is also making abnormal red blood cells and platelets. They are crowding out the normal red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets your body needs. Low numbers of red blood cells can make you tired and low platelet counts, like yours is today, can lead to the bruise you have that hasn't gone away. So because you are in an acute phase we will begin your treatment right away. We have a new chemotherapy and have had very good results with patients in your age range. Do you have any questions?"

"Will my hair fall out? She asked her eyes full of tears.

"Yes Sara Beth it will, and you may have some joint pain and nausea and vomiting but we will make sure you are as comfortable as possible. Remember you are a member of your healthcare team so when you have unasked questions or concerns you only have to ask. Mr. Booth Dr. Brennan do either of you have any questions?"

"What is your cure rate Dr. Perry?" Brennan asked.

"Perhaps that is a question better left for a future time after we see how Sara Beth responds to the initial treatment."

"Perhaps" Booth looked at him "it is a question best answered now. We have raised a strong daughter whom we hide nothing from. She will only ask us later or research the information on the internet. I would rather she hear it from you."

"Our current treatment has a 6 in 10 remission rate, but a lot depends on how healthy the patient is and their state of mind. I believe Sara Beth is healthy and it looks like she has a good support system so I see no reason why she won't be one of the 6."

The next morning her Mother and Dad were going to take her to her first Chemotherapy treatment and Booth had wanted to make her some of her favorite pancakes. In the world of pancakes she was her mother's child she love chocolate chip. So when the batter was mixed he went to get her. Knocking on her door he softly called "Sara I made pancakes for you sugar plum."

"Come in Daddy but I don't think I want any pancakes."

"You nervous about today?" he asked.

"Yeah, I don't like needles and they said they are going to put a permanent one in. That doesn't sound like much fun. Plus I didn't sleep last night either."

"You didn't sleep why not sugar plum?"

"I kept dreaming about dancing and having the wind flying through my hair then I would turn around and it would be gone. Daddy will I be ugly with all my hair gone?"

He sat down and took her into his arms. "No sugar plum you could never be ugly. When you were a baby you had the most beautiful little head. It took a long time for you to grow hair and I used to love rubbing your little bald head. You'll be perfect just like you are right now. What ya say we go get some pancakes"

A few weeks later Brennan came into Sara's room with a surprise. They had been looking at prom dresses before her diagnosis and she had pick the one she had wanted. Today Brennan had gone and gotten her the dress and everything to go with it. She was going to be beautiful when she went to her Prom with her best friend Robert.

"Mom how can I go now" she looked up at her Mother with hands full of hair. "Look it's started falling out and it's in clumps." She started to cry again "Robert won't want to take me now. I'm going to call him and tell him to take someone else."

"No Sara Beth you aren't. Robert said he wanted to take you no matter what, that it was important to him. Sometimes it's important to let those around us in during the hard times. Don't be like me. Robert is your friend, let him be one. Now let's see what can we do. You know I have heard of a lot of girls shaving their heads just to get it all off at once. You want to do that?"

It's quarter to seven, that boy's at the door
And her daddy ushers him in
And when he takes off his cap
They all start to cry
Cause this morning where his hair had been
Softly she touches just skin

And they go dancing
Around and around without any cares
And her very first true love is holding her close
And for a moment she isn't scared

B&B&B&B&B&B&B&B&B&B

This is titled Skin – Songwriters Doug Johnson and Joe Henry. This is one of their sadder songs but then again it's so great at the end that there was no way I could do anything but just put in the last verse and the chorus.

Nyre

Songwriters: Doug Johnson; Joe Henry

Sara Beth is scared to death
To hear what the doctor will say
She hasn't been well, since the day that she fell
And the bruise it just won't go away

So she sits and she waits with her mother and dad
And flips through an old magazine
Till the nurse with the smile stands at the door
And says, ?Will you please come with me?

Sara Beth is scared to death
?Cause the doctor just told her the news
Between the red cells and white, something's not right
But we're gonna take care of you

Six chances in ten, it won't come back again
With the therapy we're gonna try
It's just been approved, it's the strongest there is
And I think we caught it in time
And Sara Beth closes her eyes

And she dreams she's dancing
Around and around without any cares
And her very first love is holding her close
And a soft wind is blowing her hair

Sara Beth is scared to death
As she sits holding her mom
?Cause it would be a mistake for someone to take
A girl with no hair to the prom

For just this morning, right there on her pillow
Was the cruelest of any surprise
And she cried when she gathered it all in her hands
The proof that she couldn't deny
And Sara Beth closes her eyes

And she dreams she's dancing
Around and around without any cares
And her very first love was holding her close
And a soft wind is blowing her hair

It's quarter to seven, that boy's at the door
And her daddy ushers him in
And when he takes off his cap
They all start to cry
?Cause this morning where his hair had been
Softly she touches just skin

And they go dancing
Around and around without any cares
And her very first true love is holding her close
And for a moment she isn't scared