Caroline sat at the kitchen table looking over the pill bottles lined up in front of her. "Pharmacy or drug dealers stash, I can't decide which this is" she commented as Tim walked in.

"Neither " Tim replied giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Have you taken anything yet?"

"No, I don't know where to begin, or if I really want to" she said discouraged when Tim sat down next to her putting his arm around her shoulder.

"I know, Darlin. Lets sort them out. These two you take for the pain and nausea" he stated moving two bottles towards her. "These you take to lessen and prevent the headaches. This one you take for anxiety and this one is for birth control" he explained, seperating each from the line.

Caroline stared at the bottles, "how am I going to remember which is which and when to take them" she asked quietly.

"All the instructions are on the bottles, sweetie" he said showing her the labels.

"But....." She looked at him, tears welling up in her eyes. She stood and ran down the hall to their room, Tim quickly followed her. Trying to close the door before he reached her, he stepped into the doorway, grabbing her into his arms. She pushed him back, he held her tighter until she finally gave in and sobbed into his chest. He lifted her, carrying her to their bed, laying her down gently before crawling in alongside her. He  cradled her in his arms, stroking her hair, trying to soothe her. Soon he felt her body relax, an occasional sithed heard. Once she was asleep he too drifted off.

****

Caroline thought long and hard about her recent diagnosis. She had her moments of self pity and worry but remembered what she had told herself 'regardless of what is found, my life with Tim will always be filled with love, fun and devotion'. She had finally come to a decision, talking it over with Tim may be the hardest part, next to telling her parents about any of it. She had been advised by Dr. Kim to take the week off from school and avoid stress after the episode in his office. Tim had tried to stay home with her but she absolutely refused to let him, he had his studies and she didn't want to interfere with any of them. He reluctantly gave in and left her alone for a few hours each day.

 She was lost in her thoughts while sitting in the back room amongst her paintings, not hearing Tim walk in. Not wanting to startle her he quietly said hello before walking over and leaning his head on her shoulder.

"Hello yourself" she replied with a slight smile.

"What ya doin" he asked, sliding his arms around her.

"Nothing really, thinking mostly" she replied as she caressed the side of his face.

"This is a good room for thinking. Surrounded by what makes you happy" he stated.

"You make me happy " she told him as she turned to give him a light kiss. He smiled into her kiss and said "just as you do me".

Caroline stood taking his hand and then motioned to sit with her on the floor. She looked into his eyes, took a deep breath and began " we need to talk, Tim." He looked at her with a raised brow, she never called him Tim. "Tim? You never call me that" he questioned a bit worried. She smiled as she spoke "no, it's always been Timothy but that seems so formal now that I really think about it. And I know you really prefer being called Tim, all your friends and family call you that, so from now on so will I". He smiled at her, moving a lock of hair out of her face "Darlin, you can call me anything. Besides when you say it, it's not authoritative. I've never minded that from you"

She sat there, holding his hands, trying to form the words"...I...um...I've come to a decision and I hope that you will understand my thinking...damn this is harder than I thought" she told him.

"Take your time and just tell me" he told her while rubbing his thumbs along the back of each of her hands.

"When I first went to meet with Dr. Kim I wanted answers, not expecting the ones I was given, but nonetheless answers. I had decided that day, after all the testing was completed, that no matter what, my main focus was you, our life together and that I wanted it to continue as it has always been. I want it to be filled with love, devotion and fun...lots of fun. I've thought long and hard about what Dr. Kim said, the options he gave me, gave us to deal with this...this...whatever it is in my head. I....please don't hate me for this and please understand...I decided against any of the treatments, Tim" she told him, now looking down at their joined hands.

Tim let go of her hands, pushing his through his hair as he stood and started to walk around the room. Stunned by what she had just told him, he had no words. Caroline stood, walking towards him. He turned "and where was I when this decision was made" he said curtly as he walked out of the room. Tim grabbed his keys, heading for the front door, Caroline yelled to him to wait but he closed the door before she reached him. She leaned against the door as the tears began to roll down her face, hearing his truck leave the driveway.