a/n - This gives a little detail but not heaps about medical stuff. Scan through that part if you're a little squeamish but it really doesn't go into gory stuff at all

Chapter 3

Grace had chewed through her fingernails by the time the day swung round for the biopsy, distracted at work, not wanting to spend time with her friends as she knew she was bad company. Opting for lots of early nights, she was too caught up in her brain to sleep but desperately needed it because of how little she was actually sleeping at all, eyes heavy and sore from how exhausted she was. She knew she looked dreadful but was trying the best she could to remember that the chances of it being anything were slim, especially at her age. Easier said than done though.

"Let's go," Sara said, swinging by her house with plenty of time to get to the appointment. Grace was very thankful her best friend was feeling well enough to come with her to this one. She'd read it could be painful and didn't really want to talk about that with anyone else. She and Sara shared everything so she could be honest without having to hide anything.

"Coming, coming," she grumbled, buckling herself in. "You're acting like we're heading to something fun and you're in a hurry to get there."

"I'm in a hurry for you to get this over with so we can go out after," Sara said, wriggling her eyebrows. They'd talked about going to a club later today so they could have something to look forward to. That's if Grace felt up to it which she really didn't think was likely. Still Sara was ever hopeful.

"I'm not sure what the point will be of going out, I might feel gross," Grace said as they drove through the streets.

"Getting laid might help though," Sara replied, giggling. She was a firm believer in having fun and Grace was usually her companion in that although she didn't really do one night stands the same way Sara did, preferring to connect with someone intimately after they'd built enough trust.

"I don't think I will want anyone touching me today but we can go get some drinks. I might need to drown my sorrows."

"Chin up chicken, it'll be OK," Sara said and reached for the radio, cranking up a song they both loved.

"Namjoon asked me to message when you go in for your appointment."

"Mmmmmm, OK." Grace was humming along a little to the words, heart beating a little quicker with nerves. Man, she wished this was over, she hated needles and pain.

"He seems worried about you," Sara continued.

"Yeah, he's been really sweet. But thank goodness it's you today. If my boobs hurt after this, I don't think I could handle him blushing if he asked if I needed him to do anything for me."

"Yes, he has been very attentive," Sara said, glancing sideways at Grace to gauge her reaction. Sara, Elsbeth and Jin had talked about it between them, what they thought they could see at least from one side of the friendship but they hadn't talked about it directly with either of their friends, not wanting to make it uncomfortable if they were wrong. But the way Joon had been the last few weeks with everything that was going on with Grace made them think they were onto something. He was definitely messaging Sara more to see how Grace was feeling.

"What's that supposed to mean," Grace said, frowning as she looked across at her friend. Sara turned her head back to the road, focusing on getting them there.

"Just that he seems more worried than I expected."

"I think he's just caring in general. You know how sweet he is. Sometimes it drives me crazy. Like please, you can't be that nice all the time."

"I think he can be and is. Although," and she glanced at Grace again as she spoke, "I think with the right person he could let his guard down a little and be not so nice in the best meaning of the word."

"He is probably still hurt from his break up with Seo-Yun, so I don't blame him for having a wall up. But why would we want him to be not so nice? We like Joon just the way he is."

"Yes, we do don't we," Sara replied, sounding a little cryptic.

"You're being weird today," Grace said, changing to a different track on the playlist. "Is this part of trying to distract me?"

"Something like that," Sara answered as they continued to drive towards the hospital. It wasn't, she was just trying to get some truths out of Grace but maybe she wasn't ready and maybe today wasn't the right time.


Namjoon was distracted, looking at the time and tapping his pen on the desk. Eventually Jin looked up.

"Can you stop that or I'll throw my keyboard at you," he said, only half joking.

"Oh, sorry, sorry," Joon said, dropping his pen with a clatter onto the desk, running his hands through his hair. He knew he should be concentrating more but it was difficult today, knowing his friend was going through something he had no control over. Sighing, he started to tap his fingers instead and Jin got up from his own desk, coming to lean against Namjoon's, crossing his arms.

"OK, what's up?"

Namjoon sighed again and leaned back in his chair, looking at his colleagues who were all caught up in their own world. "I'm just not feeling it today," he answered, face twisting in distaste when he thought of the reason why.

"What's going on?"

"Grace has that appointment and I'm just feeling off about it all. I mean, I know she'll probably be fine but there's that small chance. You know?"

"Hmmmm, I'd be feeling the same if it was Ellie. I mean it would kill me if she was going through anything to do with her health."

"Well, yeah, Elsbeth is your girlfriend, that makes sense."

"Yes, interesting point," Jin, said, raising an eyebrow.

"Why are you looking at me like that hyung," Namjoon asked, confused at the look on Jin's face.

"Why exactly," Jin replied, half smiling.

"I'm too stressed for this conversation," Namjoon said, standing up to walk over to the kitchen, making himself a coffee. Jin followed him in, grabbing a mug down for his own drink.

"I think you might need to ask yourself why you're so worried Joon."

"She's my friend, of course I'd be worried."

"Would you worry as much if it was Sara, or Elsbeth or me?"

"Of course I would," Namjoon said, frowning so his forehead dipped in the middle. "You're all important to me so I'd like to know you're all OK."

"I wonder though if your friendship with Grace is different. You really care about her."

"I really care about you all. I'm not sure what you're getting at."

"So it would seem," Jin replied. "Well, when you're ready to admit it to yourself, I'll be rooting for you," he continued, taking his drink and walking back to his desk, leaving Namjoon to stare at his retreating back, still confused. Admit what?


The local anaesthetic had done it's job, Grace turning away as the needle was piercing her skin, relieved that when they'd done the biopsy itself, she couldn't feel anything. Turning her head away, she'd listened as the doctor had explained what she was doing and distracted herself by counting how many bones were on the poster of the skeleton on the wall next to where she lay. She knew they had to take a sample of tissue to analyse and was grateful that it was only one breast that had come back with any concerns. Still, she was living inside her head, waiting until they told her she was free to leave.

Getting dressed again, the doctor spoke through the changing curtain.

"So, you'll feel a little sore today once the anaesthetic wears off and probably for the next few days too so rest and don't do any vigorous exercise. That result should come back in the next two weeks and then someone will give you a call to let you know the outcome of the biopsy."

Grace allowed herself a moment to smile although if anyone had seen her, it would've looked more like a grimace. She wouldn't be going out drinking to get laid tonight then, Sara would be disappointed. But the thought of a two week wait to find out what was going on wasn't something she was happy with. She just wanted it over with.

"Thank you doctor-nim," she said as she buttoned up the rest of her shirt and pulled the curtain back.

"You're welcome, drink lots of water the next few days and rest as much you can. That will flush out the anaesthetic faster. And avoid alcohol if possible."

And there goes the rest of the night. "OK thank you," Grace replied, heading out the door, wincing a little as she swung her bag onto her shoulder, brushing her breast as she did. She couldn't feel it as it was still a little numb but she didn't want to bang where it was covered up.

Sara was in the waiting room on her phone when she arrived next to her. "Let's go," Grace said and Sara gathered her things.

"Back to mine to get dressed for a night out," she asked hopefully, eyeing Grace. She could tell she didn't want to talk about what had just happened but maybe she would after she had a few drinks in her.

"Back to mine for a quiet night of water and Netflix," Grace replied and Sara groaned. "Well, you can drink, they just suggested drinking water would help me," Grace explained.

"OK then, back to yours. Shall we invite the others?"

"Nah, lets just hang the two of us," Grace said as they walked out of the hospital. "There's only so much sucking face I can stand of Jin and Ellie when I'm already feeling a little nauseous."

"Oh are you? Do you need anything?"

"I'm not really but they said to expect to feel a little yuck later when the anaesthetic wears off."

"Does it feel weird now," Sara asked, curious. "Like, if I touched you in the boob, would you feel it?"

"It's numb and you're a freak. If you touched me in the boob, I'd probably punch you back."

"And that's why we're friends," Sara laughed. "Not Namjoon either?"

"Yes, I'd also punch him if he touched my boob."

"Would you though," Sara said with a grin and Grace turned her head sharply to look at her friend.

"Of course I would, consent and all that."

"Hmmmm, well I actually meant no Namjoon tonight either?"

"Just us two please," Grace said. "He'd have a puppy dog look on his face when he looked at me tonight and I don't think I can handle it."

"Yes, he really does care about you. Which reminds me, I said I'd let him know it was done."

They'd arrived at the car and had already pulled away to leave.

"I'll tell him," Grace said, pulling out her phone.

Grace – It's official. I don't like needles and I'm a baby when it comes to anything like this but it's done and I'm OK

NJ – I don't blame you, needles aren't fun and I can imagine it wouldn't be nice to have one somewhere like that. I'm glad you're OK. Are you with Sara?

NJ – OMG, not that I'm imagining it specifically!

Grace was smiling to herself at Joon tripping over his words. She could imagine him worrying about what he said and hurrying to reply to fix it. He was so funny sometimes.

Grace – Yeah I am and you're funny. I know you wouldn't imagine anything improper. You're a honey

"Who is making you smile like that," Sara asked, seeing the look on Grace's face as she text him back.

"Oh, it's Joon, he's such a dork."

"A dork who can make you smile. Just the kind of dork we like," Sara said, smiling back.

Grace turned her whole body towards Sara and leaned back in her seat, eyeing her up. "Why do you sound like you have a hidden meaning in what you're saying."

"Do I?"

"Yes, that's the second time today. I noticed it earlier too."

"And both times was when we were talking about Namjoon. Funny that," Sara said, not holding back her grin this time.

"Yeah it was actually so what are you talking about?"

"Don't you think it's interesting how he can make you smile on a day that kind of sucks and he's so concerned about you? Almost like, you're not friends."

"What? We are friends."

"Are you though," Sara said, pulling into the space outside Grace's apartment. "Or..."

"Or what? He's one of my closest friends and you know it," Grace sounded a little grumpy now and Sara decided to just come out with it.

"More than friends."

"What are you talking about. We're not and have never been. He's just my Joonie."

"Your Joonie huh," Sara answered as they walked up the path towards the front door.

"Yes and if you're trying to suggest there's more between us, think again. We're both really comfortable and happy with our friendship."

"Do you know that for sure," Sara asked while they rounded the second flight of stairs and up to the third.

"Well, it's not like we've talked about it but then there is nothing to talk about."

"If you say so," Sara replied, frustrating Grace a little more.

"Yes, I say so. Don't make it weird. You know guys and girls can be just friends and even really good friends without anything happening between them."

"Do you think so, name some."

"Name some? Like some of our friends? OK, how about James and Laura?"

"She likes him."

"Does she," Grace said, startled at the news. She'd never seen it.

"Yup, she told me one night when she'd had more drinks than normal but she knows it would change their friendship so has never done anything about it."

"Well, what about Sammy and Rose?"

"He likes her."

"What?! No! They argue all the time."

"Yes, they do but it's all banter really and they would fight for the other."

"Do you think she likes him back?" Grace was into this conversation now, blissfully unaware a bunch of people in her world liked each other as she unlocked her front door.

"Definitely. But again, I think one or both are scared that it will change everything between them so who makes the first move right?" Sara was kicking her shoes off inside the door, watching Grace as she talked. Did she have any idea was Sara was getting at?

"Wow, well maybe it would but maybe it would be awesome and they'd be so good together."

"Yes, well, that's always a strong possibility Grace," Sara smirked as she realised Grace thought they were just talking about others and couldn't see the parallel at all. But she'd planted a seed at least and maybe it would get her thinking.

"One of them just needs to grow some balls and say something," Grace was saying as they walked into the lounge, flopping onto the sofa. She winced as she settled, realising the numbness was gone and she could feel some throbbing in her chest.

"Yeah, wouldn't that be a good idea," Sara said. "Do you need me to get you something for the pain bubs?"

"Just some ibuprofen and some water I guess but help yourself to anything I have in the fridge."

"I think I will," Sara called back as she walked into the kitchen, rolling her eyes. If Grace was as blissfully unaware about what was actually building between her and Namjoon as she seemed to be, she'd probably need to have a drink to get through the night. Or maybe it would loosen her tongue more. Either way, the day already felt long and she grabbed out a tumbler for water and a wine glass for herself. If she could help them both to be happy, that was her mission over the next few months. Especially if it would distract them all from whatever was happening for Grace. Who didn't enjoy a good love story, she thought to herself as she walked back in, handing Grace the painkillers and water and settling in for a night with her best friend.


Two hours later, starting the second movie of the evening having demolished the food they had delivered, the drink had definitely loosened Sara's tongue a little more.

"So, back to earlier. Namjoon."

"They're all words in a sentence that isn't complete Sara," Grace said, shifting in place. She felt a bit achy now, pain relief wearing off, tiredness kicking in.

"You know what I mean," her friend replied, sending a non threatening glare her way. "He could be the perfect man for you."

"Why do you think that," she asked, playing along to see where this went. He was one of her favourite people, but perfect man for her? Not likely.

"He's just so Namjoon," Sara answered.

"Well, yes he is and we love him for it but you know he's not my type. Jungkook on the other hand, he definitely is."

"Yes, I know that. Bad boys and all that. But since that hasn't ever gone anywhere, maybe you should look closer to home."

"What's closer than someone you work with?"

"Maybe someone you share a lot with? Who is there for you in the tough times? Who cares about you more than themselves?"

"Why are we back on this again? Namjoon and I wouldn't work. Even if there was even any feelings or attraction there."

"He's hot though right? Admit it?"

"Yes, he's attractive."

"Attractive? He's hot! Maybe not in a Jungkook, 'hey look, I've got tattoos, sexy as and I'm good at everything' kind of way but definitely in a 'highly intelligent, look at my thighs, when I'm hot, I sweat through my top and you can see my very buff chest, I'd literally fall over trying to make you happy' kind of way."

Grace laughed at the description but couldn't deny it. Everything she said was true. "Sounds like you should go for it yourself Sara."

"Me and Namjoon? Nah, we wouldn't work at all! But you and Joonie? Yes!"

"Why are you so convinced we'd work?

"Because you love each other Grace!" Now Sara was getting a little exasperated. They could all see what was plainly obvious but she didn't know why Grace couldn't see it too.

"Yeah, as friends," Grace replied, sensing the alcohol was catching up with Sara.

"Man, if what you have is just friendship, your future partner has a lot to compete with."

"I think you need to switch to water now and stay the night or I'll call you an Uber," Grace said, wanting to change the conversation. It was starting to make her stomach do weird and unexplained things.

"I should go home, all my clothes are there for work tomorrow. But think about it Gracie. There's definitely more there."

"OK, OK," she replied, placating Sara as she called for an Uber. But her brow was furrowed and she felt confused at why what Sara had said was weighing on her mind. Joon was a friend, always had been and she hoped, always would be. But more? It was a foreign thought, the word stuck in her head and not able to come out to her tongue to be spoken out loud. More? She shivered at the thought, unsure why it made her unsettled. And then she laughed a little to herself, realising she didn't have to worry. Her and Joon? It was all in Sara's head anyway, nothing to trouble herself with.

Still, when Sara was gone and she was in bed, having finally found a position that didn't hurt to sleep, her heart galloped a little as a text came through.

NJ – How are you feeling? I hope you sleep well. Let me know if you need anything and I'll be there

That's the kind of thing lots of friends would say to each other right? So, why did it feel differently when she read it more than once? Why did it feel like everything Sara said was crashing down on her, making her scroll back through their text conversations and try and see if there was anything valid in what Sara had said? Sure, there was banter between them, he often checked to see if she needed anything and even more so since all of this medical drama started. But she'd do that for him and any of their other friends.

She didn't reply as suddenly she didn't know what to say. Tucking her phone back in it's spot, Grace rolled to her side, staring at the place in her curtains that didn't quite shut, thinking thinking until her eyes finally closed all her confused thoughts away.