Holding On

They had been on Keller for hours, and Guy Self had come in especially, and had broken the news neither of them had wanted to hear. In the week since Ric's last CT, the latest scan showed rapid growth in the tumours, they were becoming out of control, the Steroids were keeping him afloat, suppressing the symptoms.

The next step to repress the pain that Ric felt and in doing so, they needed increase his Morphine dose, although this ultimately would leave Ric, sedated, but that was not the worst of it, Guy had to reveal the news he did not want to break.

Serena gently held Ric's hand, yet she focused on Guy, as did Ric, their eyes, both locked on Guy's pained expression.

"Ultimately" Guy began "From what we originally thought, we have you a three to six month window, I've discussed the latest scan with Mr. Hargreaves, with regret, and I need to inform you, Ric, you have days, rather than weeks. I understand that this is hard to take in; we need to discuss palliative care, when you are ready... I...” Guy stopped speaking, he just knew now was not the time.

Ric screwed his face, scowling, it felt that is was not supposed to happen so soon, this was all too quick, he had things he wanted to do before his life ended, things he wanted to do with Serena.

Squeezing Ric's hand tighter, Serena still could not look at him, she did not even look at Guy, and she just looked out into the empty space, tears starting to flood her eyes. Her emotions really getting the better of her, and she did not like that, she knew she was stronger than this.

Guy knew that, he should not linger, and he bowed his head, in respect of his two colleagues. If anything, he knew what they were both going through, having been there with his own wife, he had l...

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...g a bed, is perfectly natural"

"You know you shouldn't, health and safety, is the least of your worries"

"Who cares, I'm the deputy CEO, I could sack half the people in the places of they dared to disagree" Serena smirked as she clambered into the bed pulling the blanket of her, resting her head on his shoulder, and a hand on his heart. With Ric is a large, hospital airbed, there was enough room to slip in by his side, only just, but it did for her. "You said that you didn't want to die alone, so, while you sleep... I want to know that your heart is still beating, I want to feel that rise and fall of your chest, I just want to know, that you are still with me, and so you know that I am here" A fresh flow of tears streamed down Serena's eyes, creating a small warm wet patch on Ric's gown.

"Serena"

"Yes"

"I love you, and I'm sorry, that I am doing this to you..."