1 week later
*Persephone*
"Thanks for letting me invite her over". Zac says, as he finish the last of his breakfast, smiling ever so happily. He has been going out with Laura for a week now and they are almost inseparable when she is of work.

I smile at him. He is so cute acting like a love sick teenager. Talking about her non-stop. And I look forward to get to know her better. "Of course she can come over Zac. I am not your mother you know".

"I know, but your house, so only polite to ask". He gets up. "I thought we could go swimming, I told her to bring her swimwear. Oh you are going to love her Kitty, she is sooo amazing, and she does this cute thing with her nose..".

He stops himself when Tom stumbles into the kitchen and yeah stumble is the right word. He slumps down in the chair, staring at the food in front of him. "Sorry darling but I am not really hungry. Could I please have a cup of coffee ? I don't think I can stay awake without it".

"Are you okay babe ? You don't look it honestly". I put half a cup of coffee in front of him. Seeing him like this makes me really worried. He looks so worn, with dark circles and his skin looks ashen, the poor make-up artists must have hell making him look normal.

He run a hand through his hair with a tired sigh. "No, I feel dead on my feet. But I just have to get through the last couple of weeks of filming".

"When is that doctors appointment ?" I ask and he is suddenly busy looking into his coffee. "Tom ! You did call the doctor right ?"

The way he hangs his head is enough of an answer. "I was totally swamped on set that day so I forgot baby. I don't have the possibility of taking time of right now. It is just a couple of weeks and I be all done".

"Tom !" A part of me wants to yell at him, but the way he winces at my voice makes me stop. "And you have a bad headache too right ? For god's sake you might be dead before you are done filming, with the way you look".

"Kitty don't make such a fuss, I am just tired okay ? It happens when you work on a demanding movie, just ask Zac". He say looking at Zac.

Zac holds his hands up, shaking his head. "Oh no, do not drag me into this one Tom. But she is right you look like death warmed over. Maybe you could let Laura take a look at you ? She is a nurse after all".

"Please Tom, let Laura look you over and if she say it is okay for you to go on working you won't hear another word about it". I beg him, rubbing my hand on his shoulder.

*Tom*
I reach up to grab her hand. I know something is wrong and part of not doing anything is that I am a bit scared what they will say about this. "Okay then, if she gets here before I have to leave".

"Well she is here now". Zac says, springing to his feet as the doorbell rings. I am happy to see him like this, so clearly in love and just so elated. He truly deserves it.

A couple of minutes later he comes back in with Laura in tow, their fingers laced together. He smiles like a loon. "So this is Laura, darling this is Kitty and Tom".

"So nice to finally meet the woman who has Zac smiling like a deranged idiot". I say, giving her a light hug, and Kitty does the same.

Laura looks at me, her eyes clearly scanning over me. "So Zac says that you are feeling tired and unwell ? And that you recently had acute heart failure due to an accident right ?"

"Yeah.. everything should be okay. I am probably just tired from work, but you know, better getting it checked". I can't really say the truth in from of Kitty.

Laura squints her eyes, then she nods. "Maybe there is somewhere private I can give you a check up. You know with less sounds and interferences ?"

"Sure". I say, getting a feeling she wants us to be alone for this and I really appreciate it. "If you come with me this way".

She gives Zac a soft kiss, her fingers trailing down his arm. "I'll be right back shmoopie". I look at him mouthing the word shmoopie and he sends me a glare that tells me that I am not allowed to say a word or he will kick my ass.

I walk into the living-room and closes the door behind Laura. When I turn she is looking at me. "Okay spill, because me and you both know things ain't okay and I need to know the truth to help you".

"I have an arrhythmia, it is a tachycardia and it is rather bad, I also have some minor scar tissue. I feel tired all the time and my heart feels like it skip beats several times a day. I feel dizzy and have a bad headache". I tell her.

She nods. "Take of your shirt and let me try and check your heartbeat". She says and I pull my shirt of. She steps over, placing her slim hand on my chest. After a minute she steps closer, sweeping her hair away and placing her ear on my chest, listening intently.

"So what is the verdict ?" I ask and pull my shirt back on. It is 2 maybe 3 weeks and I am done with the movie, it needs to be doable.

She is biting her lip, looking rather thoughtful. "You are getting medication right ? And staying of caffeine, alcohol and so on ? What about stress ?"

"Yes and I have remembered my medication, which is a miracle. I stopped smoking years ago and I haven't had a single drop of alcohol. I've had maybe a couple of cups of coffee, that is all. But I am in the middle of a movie, so I do stress and this doesn't help". I tell her.

She is shaking her head. "Honestly Tom, you should be in a hospital right now. Your heartbeat is way too fast and very irregular. You risk having a heart attack or another acute failure if you keep going like this Tom.. you are wearing your heart down".

"I have 2 weeks, 3 tops back on this movie. I can't stop now. After I can take a couple of months of if needed". I say, probably sounding like I am pleading.

She is biting her lip looking thoughtful. "To be completely honest you should get something done about this now..  You only got one heart and without it, well then one movie won't matter".

"What is it that I need done ? I mean apparently the medication isn't working, so what will they do then". I ask her. Inside I want to scream, Fuck this is so not fair.

She rubs her neck. "Well at this point I don't think medication is the answer, they might try resetting your rhythm or else you are looking at a pacemaker".

"Resetting my rhythm ? How do they do that ?" Honestly I do not like the sound of that. And it makes me sound like a broken computer.

She is fiddling with her necklace. "They will stop your heart and then restart it with an electrical charge, hoping that it will find it's right rhythm".

"So what you are saying is that I am looking either at a major surgery or a dangerous procedure ? Because I am guessing that there is a risk the heart don't start again". I ask her, feeling somewhat dizzy now.

"It is a pretty safe procedure now a days, but of course there is a risk". She says. "Tom you need to take this serious".

I take a deep breath. "I do, but this role is the most important of my career. If I need this big procedure I risk losing the role. Isn't it possible to postpone the procedure or operation for a couple of weeks ?"

"I won't recommend it, but I can't force you". She looks like she is thinking again. "I might be able to call the doctor and have him prescribe you some stronger meds. And you need to stop stressing, get enough sleep and stop doing any strenuous work out, because I can see you haven't stopped with that".

I nod. "I can slow down with the work out, I won't lose the muscles in a couple of weeks. And I will relax as much as possible. If you could do that, you will be my hero".

"But you need to promise me two things.. if you feel something is wrong or get the slightest bit worse you will go to the hospital right away okay ? And you need to tell Kitty that you are not okay".

I rub my index finger on my bottom lip. "I promise. But I don't want to worry Kitty, she has so much on her mind already. I will tell her about the arrhythmia, but not that I might need surgery.. please don't tell her or Zac. I will tell them when it's time".

"Tom you better not make me regret this". She says walking towards the door. "I have such a bad feeling about this to be honest".

*Persephone*
"So ?" I hurry over to Tom, sliding my arms around his neck, as he and Laura returns. She walks over to Zac, who immediately has his arms around her waist, snuggling into her. "What did Laura say ?"

"There is something I need to tell you love.. I might have kept something from you". He says looking nervous. "I have an heart arrhythmia from the accident. But I am getting medication. And as soon as I am done with the movie I will make sure to get the best expert to look it over".

I look at him wide eyed. "As in your heart beats wrong ? Why didn't you tell me Tom ? I have been so fucking worried about you".

"I am sorry baby.. I didn't want to give you more to worry about. I thought that you had more than enough with Tyler and Athena and the garage". He has his arms around me. Holding me into him. "I should have told you, but yeah my heart beat to fast and a bit irregular".

Part of me is angry, but mostly scared. Unsure how bad this is. "Don't ever not tell me Tom okay ? And is it dangerous ? Is that why you are so tired and worn out ?"

"Yeah I need my medication changed, that's all. I should start feeling better then". He kisses me softly. "Don't worry baby, everything will be alright".