David had come to hospital early that morning, leaving Leora with her carer. He wanted to go through Bianca's treatment again. He couldn't afford to make any mistakes.

Griffin came and found him in the labs later that morning as he was going through Bianca's blood work.

"Is this for Bianca's new procedure?" asked Griffin, picking up David's notebook and glancing at his notes. His voice was quiet and conversational but there was an edge to his tone David didn't like. "I was speaking to Kendal this morning and she said you had a new treatment plan for Bianca starting today. But I thought that can't be right because David hasn't mentioned anything to me. In fact you haven't mentioned it to anyone."

David scowled. He had been keeping his new plan to treat Bianca quiet for just this very reason; he knew there would be opposition.

He looked up at his old colleague; how things had changed. Griffin had once been all about pushing boundaries for the greater good and now he was just another safe, boring, pill pusher. And as far as David could see, that was the difference between a good doctor and a great doctor.

"I believe the only way forward with this treatment is to introduce a new formula of the Orpheus serum directly into her spinal cord." explained David, "Treat her whole nervous system in one dose."

Griffin stared at him, a frown on his face.

"You know, I had hoped Kendal had misunderstood when she described the treatment to me but no, you are seriously considering introducing an experimental nerve agent directly into Bianca's spine!"

"Short of surgery, she doesn't have any other option." said David, leaning back down over the microscope; trying to ignore the harsh tones of the younger doctor.

"But why are you even considering such a dangerous procedure?"

David sat up pushing his chair away from the desk in frustration.

"Because it isn't working! The Orpheus treatment should have healed the nerve damage by now; instead it is making things worse. I've been tweaking the formula, the dosage and nothing works." David stared at Griffin. "She is running out of time, her nervous system is still deteriorating, she could end up paralysed again. I won't let that happen. I promised I wouldn't let anything hurt her again."

"But surely that is more reason to step back and try and find out what is really happening!"

"No." said David fiercely. "I know what is happening! I need to target her whole nervous system; I need to strengthen the dose. It is all or nothing."

"But the risks! David this could kill her!"

"I won't let that happen."

"David, look at yourself! How hard have you been driving yourself on this? Maybe you should just accept that you can't help her anymore. Take a step back."

"What, I just let her be paralysed? What would your girlfriend say if she could hear you say that about her sister?"

"I'm not saying that! But you don't know what is really going on with Bianca's nervous system. No one does. I say withdrawn you Orpheus treatment; that is what is making her so sick, and then we can see how her nervous system reacts. For all we know it could heal itself again."

"So we sit and wait for a miracle?"

"It is safer than rushing this experimental treatment on Bianca. I won't allow it!"

"You!" gasped David incredulously. "You won't allow it?"

"I've already called the hospital board. I am going to call for a halt on the Orpheus treatment."

"You don't have the power."

Griffin, stared confidently back at David.

"That is where you would be wrong!"

…

Bianca sat up in her bed a small smile on her lips. Her mind was playing through scenes from last night; the party and Marissa's goodnight kiss… especially Marissa's goodnight kiss.

The door to her room opened and David walked in with a wheelchair, a determined expression on his face.

"Is everything alright?" she asked.

David gave her a wide smile.

"Bianca, I'm sorry but I've had to move your treatment forward." he said, moving to unhook her from the heart monitor.

"What, to right now?" asked Bianca, surprised at the sudden rush.

"It is due to reasons beyond my control." said David in a soft calm tone. "But everything is prepared so I can bring forward the procedure without any complications."

"Well if I'm honest I would rather get it over with sooner rather than later," said Bianca nervously, "I'd just be worrying about the size of the needle all day otherwise."

"That's a girl." said David as he helped her from the bed onto the wheelchair.

Once she was settled David put a hand on her shoulder.

"Trust me Bianca, in a few hours you will be back to your old self again. I promise."

…