Tim sat in the second row of the hospital chapel, leaning forward against the first row, his head resting on his arms. "Why her, why not me" he whispered. "She doesn't deserve this pain, this uncertainty. Please take this from her, give it to me. It's my fault, it's all my fault" he began to cry. He suddenly felt a hand upon his shoulder. He quickly wiped his eyes, before sitting up to see who was behind him.

"It's not your fault, Tim. This is not something you caused to happen" she said softly. As he turned he saw the woman, a tear slowly sliding down her cheek.

"I thought I was alone in here, I'm sorry if I disturbed you" he responded.

"I come here often, to reflect and pray for my patients and their families" she said as she offered him a tissue. "I know you don't understand all that is happening or the reasons why. None of us do, but please Tim, dont blame yourself. It's not your fault, it's not Caroline's fault, it's not anyone's fault" she tried reassuring him.

Tim lowered his head while wiping his eyes "I feel like we're being punished, she's being punished, because of me" he said, his voice cracking.

She reached over, lifted his chin to look into his eyes "no one is being punished. Sometimes bad things happen to good people, to make us stronger, wiser. Then we can become better examples to others, to empathize and sympathize with their situation. You understand what I'm saying don't you Tim". He nodded in agreement, he knew she was right.

She began to stand, he placed his hand on hers "Thank you, Chris. I'm grateful that you're here for her". She smiled as she turned and walked away.

Tim sat there for a few minutes longer, praying for the strength they both would need in the days to come.

****
Caroline woke to Tim laying alongside her, his arm draped across her waist. She smiled as she nuzzled against him until the sounds of the monitors in her room reminded her of the reality of where they were. She turned her head towards the noises 'is this what my life, our life is going to be like from now on? I want no part of it if it is ' she thought to herself. Taking a deep breath she turned back towards Tim, he was awake, looking at her with those deep dark eyes, smiling.

"Good morning my love" he whispered, giving her a soft kiss.
"Morning " she replied while gently touching his cheek with the back of her hand, just as a lab technician entered with a cart of various supplies. He advised her what he was there for and checked her hospital bracelet while asking her name to confirm who she was. "I also need a urine sample" he advised while handing her the collection cup. "Give me as much as you can" he told her as Tim helped her out of bed and to the bathroom. The technician stood there, his arms crossed over his chest, checking his watch.

Caroline emerged a few minutes later with nearly a full cup with a paper towel partially around it and handed it to the technician.

"Seriously" he replied rudely looking at it while putting on his gloves.

"You said as much as possible" she replied. He made a few notations and headed for the door with the samples on the cart, never uttering another word to either of them.

Tim helped her back to the bed "why be so rude, I only did what he asked" she commented.

"Don't worry about his pissy mood Tim replied. "Ha ha" Caroline responded sarcastically, making them both laugh.

"Ah, laughter is the best medicine" Nurse Janzic greeted as she entered the room. "How are you feeling this morning Caroline" she asked while checking her vitals.

"Better, can I go home?" she asked reaching for Tim's hand.

"Dr. Kim will be in shortly to see you and let you know. In the meantime, would you both like breakfast?".

Tim was starving, he hadn't eaten since yesterday, neither had Caroline as a matter of fact. They only had the drinks from the cafe when they ran into her father yesterday. Her father, how in the hell were they going to handle him when he finds out. Tim shook his head, trying to get tghat thought out if his mind.

"Tim, is that a no for anything to eat or drink" the nurse asked.

"Huh...what?...oh, sorry....uh no..I mean yes I would like a cup of coffee and maybe a muffin or something" he replied pushing his hair back.

Caroline looked at him "baby, you ok" she asked with a questionable look.

"Yeah, I'm fine" he smiled.

"Ok, well I'll get your coffee and muffin, Tim and your sweet tea and toast, Caroline. Be right back" she told them.

About an hour after they had finished their breakfast Dr. Kim finally came to her room. "I apologize for the delay, the lab took forever to get your results to me and I wanted to review your chart one more time before we get started on treatment". He continued on with what he began to inform them of yesterday as well as everything he had explained to Tim.

"Do you understand Caroline. Do you, either of you have any questions " the doctor asked. Caroline sat there, fidgeting with her fingers before saying " can I go home now".

Dr. Kim looked at her, then Tim. " You see the sooner we can begin treatment the better the advantage we have in ...." Caroline cut him off by saying "I understand what you've told us, can I please go home now ".

"Dr. Kim, thank you for everything and understanding this is more than overwhelming. If you could just give her a little time to absorb all of this, we would be truly grateful" Tim expressed.

The doctor nodded and added "please, by all means take some time but I must advise not too long. I am writing a few prescriptions for you, you can get them from the hospital pharmacy. If you have any changes, I want you to contact me immediately. I will give you my direct cell number again. Caroline, I would like you to continue the journal you started, it's been extremely helpful in understanding your condition. Nurse Janzic will be in to help get you ready to go home while I prepare your discharge papers."

Tim shook his hand and thanked him once again for everything before he left the room. He turned to Caroline, who now was leaning back against the bed staring at the ceiling. He didn't say anything, knowing she was consumed in her thoughts. He gathered her clothes from the closet, laying them across the foot of her bed. Nurse Janzic came in, began unhooking all the machines. Tim kissed Caroline on the cheek and told her he was going to get the car. She only nodded in acknowledgement before he walked out.

It wasn't like her to pry into the lives of her patients but she felt she needed to say something to Caroline. "You do know how much he loves you" she stated to her. Caroline looked at her as she continued "I overheard him in the chapel last night. He was asking for forgiveness, feeling this was all his fault, asking why you and not him. I know this is hard, just try not to push him away, is all I'm saying" she said softly as she wiped a tear from Caroline's cheek.