A/N – A huge THANK YOU to all of the lovely followers, favorites and last, but definitely not least, reviewers – keep 'em coming! I can't tell you how much it means to me that you are still interested in this story and I can't wait to write it!

Mostly Naomi in this chapter but I assume no one really has issues with that…

Chapter 16 – Nauseating Risks

Emily's POV

It's always nerve-wracking to inject living beings with high doses of radioactivity. I've done it numerous times on mice and rats, even the occasional pig, but this was my first time involving human beings. We've never lost an animal to radiation-poisoning but every time you switch to a new species, you can never be sure how their bodies will respond. The issue for us however, was not how the radioactivity would be distributed but rather if the radiosensitizer would affect the sensitivity of the surrounding organs or concentrate on the cancer cells. The risk of causing any significant damage to the patients was small and the first cycle was always meant as a means of testing our theories before really pushing the limits. Regardless, I was feeling incredibly nervous and I wasn't sure it was exclusively because Naomi was included among the patients.

My job doesn't technically include staying with Kieran and JJ during the injections but this time, I couldn't stay away. The need to stay close to Naomi had overpowered me and I had told Kieran that I wanted to observe the treatments, starting with Naomi's. Believing, hopefully, that I was simply eager about finally starting the trial, he had had no objections and JJ seemed quite pleased at my peaked interest. It took most of the day to get through the first group containing the four youngest patients. The morning was spent administering the nanoparticles, allowing them to circulate in the bloodstream for four hours before infusing the 177Lutetium-labeled Somatostatin. Tomorrow morning, we would repeat the process with the final five patients.

The families were waiting for us in a conference room close to our offices, patiently awaiting news of today's procedures. Despite only having watched Kieran and JJ work, I was exhausted, the emotional stress of the last few days finally taking its toll. I wasn't the only one showing visible signs of exhaustion though. JJ was rubbing his eyes in the lift and didn't even have the energy to put on a smile as we entered the conference room. I noticed Cook standing next to Gina, taking hold of her hand immediately after seeing us enter. I could sense his anxiety, one he shared with each and every person in the room until Kieran finally spoke words of reassurance and good faith.

While the doctors were busy answering questions from curious family members including Gina, Cook discretely pulled me aside. Despite seemingly now approving of my spending time with Naomi, he was imposing and still scared me shitless. Less than 24 hours ago, he was ready to throw me, quite literally, out the window in order to protect her. Therefore it was than surprising when my heart beat a little harder in my chest after he grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the coffee-table in the back of the room. I patiently waited and used the time to wisely compose myself while he poured two cups and handed one to me.

"Here. You look like you need it."

I accepted the cup and smiled shyly in thanks. He still made me nervous, even if he was being considerate and friendly at the moment.

"Is he blowing smokescreens?", he asked casually before taking a careful sip of his steaming coffee.

I exhaled rather loudly, relieved in realizing that Cook was doing exactly what everyone else in the room was – asking the professionals their much needed questions. I turned and smiled at the young man. "No. He's telling the truth, I'm not sure he actually can be anything less than honest." I saw Cook nod in acceptance and he seemed more relaxed. It was odd really, that he seemed to trust me more than Naomi's physicians but then again, I did have a personal interest in his 'family member', making it a hell of a lot more likely that I wouldn't lie.

"So what happens now?", he asked, leaning against the table behind him.

"We do the rest of the patients tomorrow and then wait for a few days. We'll know much more on Friday." He frowned but didn't say anything. "She's asleep now, Cook, and will be for the rest of the night. You can't do anything for her until tomorrow", I said in an attempt at returning his kindness by setting his mind at ease.

"I can't do much for her then either." He clenched his jaw and determinedly pushed away from the table. "Right. You done for the day?" I confirmed his question with a hesitant nod, not really understanding where he was going with it. "Good. C'mon", he said and started toward the door. Without really understanding why, I threw my cup in the bin and blindly followed Cook out of the conference room and eventually all the way out of the hospital.

Naomi's POV

"Mum, please – ", another wave of nausea hit me and my jaw flew shut as I refused to let it get the better of me again. I closed my eyes and fought back the need to empty my stomach, not that there was a lot left in it to empty. The queasiness eventually subsided enough for me to finish my sentence, "Stop panicking, I'm fine."

The Wi-Fi at the hospital was surprisingly fast and I could see my mother's face clearly. Emily had provided Mum with an iPad and had spent a substantial amount of time explaining and demonstrating it to her. I didn't mind Mum being technologically challenged though, it had after all resulted in the chance to examine Emily's exquisite face as she sat in front of the camera explaining both the iPad and Skype.

"Naomi, you have been retching for three days now! That's not what they…" She lost her train of thought as her eyes drifted from the screen. Her voice was laced with worry and a hint of anger and I honestly couldn't blame her. I wasn't really feeling all that great but JJ had warned me that I might feel queasy for a few days post injection. "… Ah, here's Emily, she'll talk some sense into you."

My face lit up at the sound of Emily's name and I felt a bit better instantly. Again, how can anyone go through this without their own, private Emily? Her dark eyes were always the first thing that came into focus on the screen and as usual, they were smiling at me with a hint of surprisingly well-hidden anxiety.

"Still nauseous? We can give you something for that, you know. There's no need to be a hero." Her voice was deliciously teasing and slightly scorning at the same time. To my great dismay, her voice had recovered since the weekend but it still had a huskiness to it that kept sending shivers up and down my spine. Although currently I wasn't sure those shivers were attributed to my reaction to her astonishing sexiness despite being on a display on an iPad or to my tired body's refusal to retain nourishment.

I sighed and slid back in my bed. Mum moved away and let Emily fill the entire screen, making it seem like she was sitting in front of me. I fucking love this Wi-Fi! She ran a hand through her hair which she hadn't put up for once, making her actually look her age and less imposing. Her makeup was indistinguishable as always and she looked absolutely stunning. Seeing her looking perfect and, well, healthy caused me to feel bad about my own state but as Mum just mentioned, I had been vomiting for days and I had terminal cancer. If I looked anything other than the way I did, it would have been a miracle. Emily was watching me intently and I realized I had been staring dreamily at the screen instead of answering her.

I smiled, "No, it's alright. It's much better now anyway." Emily smiled warmly and nodded before her eyes drifted momentarily from the screen. When her focus returned to me, it was a completely different Emily. The look of worry and anxiety had been replaced by a wicked, passionate one and my body responded with a bright blush. Mum must have left the room.

"You look beautiful", she said and stared at the screen with a goofy expression, her head tilted and resting in her hand.

I snorted at her hilarious statement but couldn't help but notice the blush in my cheeks reddening at her compliment in the little frame showing my video-feed. "Oh yes, I'm sure I'm positively radiant at the moment", I exaggerated, faking throwing my non-existing long hair back with my hand. It made Emily giggle and my heart swell.

"So you really are feeling better?", she asked after the giggles subsided. I simply nodded and smiled. I didn't really feel much like talking and was quite content in just getting lost in daydreaming and gazing into her hypnotic eyes. "The nurses claimed you finished all of your meals today – including the disgusting chocolate pudding."

I broke into a short, loud laugh at the look of disgust on Emily's face as she mentioned the pudding. "I thought it was delicious, actually."

"Oh, that reminds me", she said and her demeanor changed slightly. Someone probably walked past and she felt the need to compose herself into a seemingly more professional bearing. At least from the outside, she was now looking as though she were in a serious discussion about my health. "Gina wanted me to ask if there's anything you would like her to bring tomorrow? Food, clothes, magazines?"

I almost screamed out 'Heat!' but I wasn't sure whether an accomplished intellectual like Emily would think badly of me for my tabloid-obsession or not, so I held my tongue. Mum would probably buy it anyway so there was no need to reveal myself to Emily. "Well, I wouldn't mind something that wasn't junk food and I am getting a little tired of the hospital food…" Emily nodded and looked pensive for a moment before smiling warmly but without affection. And Mum is back in the room.

I heard her tell Emily something but couldn't quite make out what it was. Emily nodded and sent me another smile before getting up. I was about to object but the words got stuck in my mouth as Emily moved away from the frame – for a split second I could see down her shirt and despite not wanting her to leave, I was dumbstruck from what I had just witnessed. Christ, I'm turning into Cook!

He had been very diligent in visiting me this week, spending most of his time in front of the iPad or making me laugh at his silly army-impersonation when he used the intercom instead. Last night, he and Emily had left together and he had spent the night on her couch after a long talk, presumably about me. Because of his selfless attitude, it had surprised me when he left early today, before I had received my dinner. He didn't say why and despite my curiosity, I didn't ask. He had been by my side for a week, only leaving when he was forced to and I completely understood if he needed some time to himself. Respecting his privacy had however not prevented me from questioning both Mum and Emily about his whereabouts and although Mum seemed clueless, Emily was definitely hiding something. I hadn't had a chance to interrogate her yet but I knew she would crack instantly, having noted that she was pretty much incapable of lying. She just cleverly avoided the subjects she didn't want to answer.

"I'm sorry, love, I have to step out for a bit", Mum said as she took a seat in front of the tablet again. I frowned at her, not willing to accept that both of my 'relatives' had to leave early on the same night. Emily came into frame behind Mum and when I noticed her hopeful expression, I immediately let go of any childish hurt about my mother abandoning me in my time of need. The look on Emily's face told me she would be my entertainment for the night and that was indeed a welcome treat.

I smiled at Mum and nodded. "Love you", she said and made a kissy-face at the screen before vacating the chair to Emily. She bent down to give Emily a little squeeze – they had been doing that for the past few days – and I noticed Emily whispering something to Mum, a cunning look spreading across my mother's face before she left the frame. What was that about?

I patiently awaited the change in Emily's face in order to determine when I could start speaking freely. When it came, she lifted the iPad from the table and placed it on her knees as she kicked off her shoes and threw her legs up on the table. She shimmied out of the black cardigan loosely draped around her shoulders, revealing the loose crimson, sleeveless top underneath. I almost gasped at the camera when she once again ran her hands through her hair, ruffling it a little before settling her gaze back onto me. The bright color of her top complemented her dark eyes and hair, spelling out her beauty, and the way she carelessly fixed her hair was just about the hottest thing ever. How a being so beautiful and sensual could be so utterly clueless of her beauty was both astounding and fascinating. For the first time today, I really started to resent the fact that I was locked up in isolation.

Emily seemed to read my mind as she beamed at me. "Only 13 more hours." Then her face changed as she matter-of-factly stated, "Until I get to shake your hand and play twenty-questions regarding your state of mind and general health for my questionnaire, of course." She grinned and it was absolutely endearing. She's adorable when she's trying to be funny. This happened quite often – her switching between extremely sexy and incredibly adorable, both of which resulted in my wanting to grab her and hold her close, although not necessarily as a means to the same end.

The indecency of my thoughts must have been shone through as Emily suddenly blushed. I bit my lip in despair as Emily's unrelenting appeal once again washed over me. My mind had gotten increasingly racy and rather graphic in my solitude, despite being more than a little aware that any of it was unlikely to ever unfold. Any kind of movement left me dizzy and exhausted and I wouldn't be able to manage more than kissing, at the off-chance that we got to spend any time alone without the possibility of being caught in the act. I smiled longingly as thoughts of all the ways we could enjoy ourselves in the privacy of my hospital room.

I cleared my throat as if to push those unnecessary but rather pleasing thoughts aside. "Well, I will gladly answer any question you might have and I don't expect any special treatment just because – "

A siren went off in a room close to mine and a nurse instantly came rushing past my window.

"Naomi, are you okay? Is that sound coming from your room?", Emily demanded to know, her tone full of authority but she couldn't disguise her panic. I couldn't see her face anymore since she had jumped to her feet and was now bent over, putting on her shoes.

"What? No." I was starting to panic a little myself and started to get out of bed, holding on to the iPad as I did. "What's going on, Emily?"

"Stay in bed, Naomi. I'll call back as soon as I can." With that, she ended the call and I was alone.

The siren hadn't stopped and I saw JJ run by the window. 'Stay in bed, Naomi'. The fuck I will. I carefully got up and a fresh wave of nausea hit me at the exertion of getting to my feet. Chemo had had a similar effect on me although the nausea had been a constant companion and my body had been in an uninterrupted state of extreme exhaustion. During my last stint of chemo, I couldn't even get out of bed without help and judging from the waves of queasiness I had been experiencing, I expected to feel as drained of energy now.

Surprisingly, my legs were able to support me and once the need to vomit had faded, I slowly and carefully walked to the window overlooking the hallway. The door to the room diagonally from mine was open and I could see JJ and two nurses working on an elderly woman I recognized from some of the information meetings. Selma, I think… Her roommate, a younger woman but still Mum's senior by at least a decade, was sitting in her bed with a terrified expression, her hands covering her mouth. A third nurse ran past me but instead of joining the team working on Selma, she stood in front of the terrified woman, presumably in an attempt at comforting her.

I stood there for a while, watching a nurse give Selma CPR while JJ gave orders and worked tirelessly. He was always so shy and insecure but at the moment, he was shouting at people, his hands and mind multitasking as he worked incessantly with his team to save the poor woman's life. Exhaustion finally hit me and I had to climb back into bed. I tried calling Emily on Skype a couple of times but there was no answer. After an additional half an hour, I noticed Kieran rushing by my window and shortly after, the team of nurses along with JJ walked quietly by, all of them flushed with the effort of saving Selma's life. Something told they hadn't succeeded though, as one nurse gently placed a hand on JJ's shoulder, showing him her support. It was all starting to freak me out and I tried calling Emily again.

It only rang twice before she picked up, this time using her iPhone and not the tablet. There was a ruffled noise and I heard faint voices in the background disappearing as Emily closed a door. Her camera was on but the room was too dark and I couldn't make out anything but her silhouette.

"Naomi? You still there?" She sounded distressed, alarm evident in her voice and I was instantly thankful that I couldn't see her face. I relied deeply on Emily's knowledge of the trial and if she was distraught about something, I knew I should be terrified.

Thank you for reading! :)

As always (it really doesn't need saying but I'll do it anyway), throw a review my way if you feel like giving me some feedback or your take on the story!

Emily sure hasn't lost sight of her infatuation so far… But, where was Gina off to all of a sudden? And why did Cook leave early? What happened to poor, old Selma?