AN: Okay. I know this is going to piss off a lot of people but it won't be the first time. This is the finale...for now...there will most certainly be a follow up to this but for now, this is the end.

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If I could I would shrink myself and sink through your skin to your blood cells and remove whatever makes you hurt but I am too weak to be your cure.
Is this the way a toy feels when its batteries run dry?
I am the watch you always wear but you forget to wind.
--Brand New

School was like homecoming for Ryan on Wednesday. Most of the soccer team was out front when Summer dropped him off with Seth. Seth couldn't stop the jocks from sweeping him into the building, but Summer joined him and they went inside.

The team wasn't allowed to enter the classroom so Ryan was standing in the hallway talking to them.

"Here comes Dr. Kim, you better get in here," Seth warned, heading into the classroom.

Ryan ducked out of the hall as the jocks scattered. Dr. Kim followed him in, giving him a stern look.

"It's nice to see you, Ryan. You're looking much better, despite the arm," She said, softening her expression.

"Thanks. It's good to be back."

"Stay out of trouble, okay? I don't want to get on Kirsten's bad side again," She smiled, leaving.

"God, Ryan, Mom must have went off on everyone in town," Seth laughed.

"She's definitely protective. Did she make you wear a helmet or something when you were small?"

"No, dude, but when I first started skateboarding, I was almost in full body armor. I had safeguards where no one should have safeguards."

Ryan laughed.

"So. You worried about today?"

"Today? Why?"

"The doctor, dude," Seth stated.

"Nah. I mean, even if its bad news, it's going to take a couple of days for the results to come back. Whatever it is, we'll deal with it, right? I mean…I'm not giving up," Ryan said.

"That's cool, man. I don't know what I'd do without you," Seth admitted.

"Me, either," Ryan replied. The bell rang and the classroom started to fill with students.

Mr. Anderson stepped in and gave Ryan a smile and dropped a file on his desk. He started taking roll. Seth's desk was close to Ryan's but he was leaning over his shoulder anyway to see what it was.

"Seth. You can see it after class," Mr. Anderson scolded.

"Sorry…" Seth turned red and settled back into his desk. Ryan gave him an apologetic smile before returning his attention to the file.

Mr. Anderson quizzed the class and then lectured for the rest of the period. When it was over, Seth immediately pulled his desk close to Ryan's.

"So, man, what's that?" Seth asked.

"It's just my workbook. He had time to grade my stuff…" Ryan shrugged.

"And?"

"It's good. Here," Ryan passed it to Seth so he could look it over.

"Damn, man. You really are smarter than you look," Seth said.

Ryan laughed. "Thanks, I guess…"

"I'll see you after class," Seth said as the next teacher stepped in.

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Anna was quiet during their class but she was waiting outside for him once he was done with meeting with the teachers and Dr. Kim before his doctor's appointment. She took his hand and kissed him gently as soon as he recognized her presence. She pulled him to the side of the stairs.

"Hey," He laughed when she let him breathe.

"Hey. I wanted to ask you something," She whispered.

"What is it?" He wrapped his arms around her. She was shaking and he started to worry.

"Can I come with you today?"

"Today? Anna, it's just a check-up, nothing…"

"I know. But…I don't want you to be alone…"

"I won't be alone. Sandy and Kirsten are going to be there. God, we had to bribe Seth to keep him from coming…it's nothing serious," he said, running his hand down her cheek tenderly.

"But you said that they're going to make sure the cancer's gone…"

"They check that every time," Ryan replied.

"But…you're doing so much better off the chemo…"

"And hopefully I'll keep getting better. Don't stress, Anna. Why don't you come home with Seth after school? That way you can see me as soon as I get home and you won't sit at home alone worrying…"

"Yeah, I'll be sitting at your house worrying," Anna snorted.

"The fact that you want to go with me…it means a lot. But I don't want to make a big deal out of this, it's not a big deal. Okay?"

"You…okay, Ryan. I'll wait. But…but you know I'm here, right?"

"I know," He said, pulling her close and kissing her deeply.

Seth cleared his throat from behind them. "All right now, break it up. Dad's here for you," he said with a grin.

"Shit. I'll see you guys later," Ryan said, shouldering his bag and hurrying down the steps. The door to the BMW swung open as he reached the bottom.

"You think he's okay?" Seth asked.

"Yeah. I do."

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The best part of what has happened was the part I must have missed.
So I'm asking you to shine it on and stick around.
I'm not writing my goodbyes.
I'm not letting you check out. You will beat this starting now and you will always be around.
I'm there to monitor your breathing I will watch you while you're sleeping.
I will keep you safe and sound.
Does anybody remember back when you were very young?
Did you ever think that you would be this blessed?
--Brand New