Chapter 1 Chasing Life "Wellness Program, My Ass!

Emma begrudgingly walked into Dr. Whale's office for what seemed like the millionth time. The Hospital where Dr. Whale's office was like any other hospital drab and uninteresting. Emma signed in at the front desk and then sat down to wait for the secretary to call her name. Emma was five minutes late, but when were doctors ever on time anyway.

A couple weeks ago Ashley, from the Human Resources department had told Emma about the Wellness Program that Regal's offers to its long term employees. Regal's is Boston's finest luxury department store that Emma works at as the night security guard.

The store itself was massive and oozed sex appeal in every detail. If Emma had one word to describe her place of employment it would be, decadent. Regal's in Emma's opinion was like one of those reclusive millionaires who own priceless art and won't let the rest of the world see it. Emma understood that while most people enjoyed the upper class look but most people did not enjoy the upper class price. This is why Emma thought why Regal's didn't get much business. It was too exclusive, too intimidating for normal average people.

Any normal girl would love to work in such a high end store, not Emma Swan. If there was one word to describe Emma it would be simple. She rarely spent money on herself and if she ever did buy something, it was from Target or a second hand store. It was just Emma's nature. Not that she didn't have money or anything, she was just very conservative with her money that's all.

"Now, Emma since you have worked here for…" Ashley paused and squinted at the personnel file on her computer, she continued, "-a year. You now qualify for the wellness program, "Ashley had said as she then handed Emma the glossy pamphlet. Ashley was the pretty blonde girl who worked in Human Resources, Emma noticed she never saw Ashley outside this office. Definitely, a workaholic Emma thought to herself as she eyed over the pamphlet.

"What exactly do I have to do to get on this program?" asked Emma as Ashley started typing away at her keyboard every so often pushing up her glasses that kept falling down her nose.

"Here at Regal's, to qualify for our wellness program, an applicant must complete an Annual physical, a complete blood panel, a urine test, and run a full-body comprehensive exam," Ashley spouted off the requirements for the program, all the while never stopping the tap-tap of her keyboard determinedly undeterred.

"A couple years ago, I had a heart transplant, how will that affect my ability to join the program?" tested Emma in a nonchalant voice. She anxiously surveyed Ashley's reaction to this news.

Most people would often treat Emma like a porcelain doll that would break once they found out about her transplant. Emma always appreciated the kind words and sentiments, but she honestly just wanted to put that part of her life behind her. But, it wouldn't hurt to have a little fun with Ashley who was rendered speechless at the moment. Ashley's tough demeanor broke as Emma cleared her throat purposefully.

Emma was met with a shocked Ashley who had stopped typing altogether, looking up she continued, "It shou… should…shouldn't be a factor as long as you are…. "Ashley's eyes wandered to Emma's chest. Emma always dressed to cover the faded scar that ran across her chest. Emma coughed to get Ashley's attention, "…healed," finished Ashley lamely.

"My eyes are up here, Ashley. " Emma said half-jokingly half flirting, honestly this girl was too cute. Humor, Emma had found, was the only way to make an awkward situation like this better, especially post-operation situations.

After a few seconds, Ashley realized where she was looking, blushed and then stammered a hurried apology, "Sorry I didn't mean to…" she said obviously quite flustered.

"It's okay, everyone is always curious, it's a natural reaction. Believe me… "remarked Emma with a broad smile, trying to lighten the mood.

"So, if I may ask… How long has it been since your transplant?" asked Ashely skeptically, she had now stopped multi-tasking altogether, mostly to give Emma her completely undivided attention. She was genuinely interested which caught Emma off guard. This abrupt change of attitude surprised Emma considering Ashley's work ethic she had witnessed just a few moments ago.

"You may," replied Emma with a charming smirk, "It's been six years… almost seven years now, "said Emma counting the years on her fingers.

"My life after the surgery was tough. It took a long time for my life to snap back into place. I just barely got back into the groove of working again, but I've never felt better honestly. " remarked Emma coolly, a growing smirk plastered on her face that did not go unnoticed by Ashley.

"Well that's great Miss Swan, again I apologize for earlier…" started Ashley, a blush growing on her face. Damn it, there was that blush again.

Ashley coughed then continued, "But as I was trying to say, once the wellness report is signed off by a Licensed Doctor, it will take one to two pay periods before you see the difference reflected in your paychecks, " Ashely stated, a genuine smile tugging at her lips.

"Are there any other questions I can answer for you Miss Swan?" asked Ashley, putting the paperwork that would need to be signed by the doctor on her desk. Emma shook her head in response

"No more questions, seems simple enough, "Emma replied casually, as she gathered up the documents off the desk.

"Hey…"Emma said trailing off. Ashely looked up.

"Yes?" Ashley asked raising her eyebrows ever so slightly.

"I just wanted to say. Thanks, I really appreciate you telling me about the program, it will help me out with the holidays coming up." Emma replied smoothly, it was a pretty lame excuse to tell Ashley. But, what else was she going to say.

"Hi, I am Emma and I am a completely neurotic about saving money. Want to clip coupons with me sometime?"

Ha! Yeah, right. Emma smirked to herself at this thought.

"Happy Holidays, Ashley, "Emma said walking towards the door to leave the office.

"You as well, Miss Swan, I hope everything works out for you, with the wellness program." shouted back Ashley, with a hand raised in wave of farewell.

As she left work that day, Emma silently wished to herself that she did have someone to spend the Holidays with. That is the problem with being an orphan. Holidays are the worst time of the year, because you are constantly reminded of that which you lack, a family.

A few weeks later…

As Emma continued to read over the pamphlet during the last couple of weeks she had found it to be beneficial. Emma found that if she was deemed to have a "healthy" lifestyle, she would be able to save money on her health insurance. Not that she needed to save any money per say. She had plenty of money saved up but Emma just liked to pinch a penny when she could.

Growing up in foster care had instilled in her the importance of being thrifty. The money she would save would be enormous apparently. Just by joining the program you could save up to a thousand dollars a year by lowering copays. The program also provided coupons for prescriptions, cash premiums, and a free gym membership. Score!

Emma seriously could not think of a reason to not join. It was practically free money. A golden opportunity, why not take advantage of such a program. It was a free program after all, she didn't have to pay a membership fee or anything. The free gym membership was bonus as well, Emma had been wanting to switch gyms anyway. The gym where she was at now was starting to annoy her. Lately, when Emma went there it was too crowded. She often had to wait for machines or weights to become available. This new program would change all of that.

Last week Emma had utilized her days off to complete all the requirements. It was a long and odious process, but Emma knew all the poking and prodding she had gone through would be worth it. The results of the blood and drug tests as well as the multiple CT scans she had done had finally came back from the lab. The purpose of today's appointment was to follow up on the multiple tests she did last week but mostly to have Dr. Whale sign the damn documents that Ashley had given her a couple weeks ago. She had tried to get the Dr. Whale's office to fax everything over that she would need. But the secretary had insisted she come in personally to take care of it.

She was suddenly jarred back to life by said secretary, who was waving her hands in front of Emma's face trying to get her attention.

"Hello…? Miss Swan? Dr. Whale will see you now," said the nice, but very agitated elderly lady.

"Uh thanks, sorry my bad. My mind tends to wander, "replied Emma as she cursed quietly to herself for spacing out.

Emma got up feeling uneasy, she was not the biggest fan of hospitals since her heart transplant. Emma had no reason to worry, right? It had been six years since Emma's transplant and so far, Dr. Whale hadn't seen any symptoms or signs of organ rejection. She worked out all the time, being single and alone gives you a lot of time to go to the gym. Yay for being single and alone. Or perhaps Dr. Whale was going to tell her that her donated heart had shown signs of rejection? Would she have to get another heart? Maybe tell her to change her diet? She had a perfectly well-balanced diet! Okay, so that last part really wasn't true. Emma's diet mainly consisted of a wide variety of TV-dinners, take-out, and fast food.

Maybe Dr. Whale was going to tell her that tell her that she failed the drug test? She had eaten a couple of poppy seed bagels last week. To Emma's horror, when she had watched Mythbuster's last night, one of her favorite shows. Honestly, who doesn't love a TV show where they blow shit up? She had devoured all the previous seasons while she was in the hospital for her heart transplant and still continued to faithfully watch the show ever since.

On last night's re-run she had discovered that poppy seed bagels can possibly yield a false positive for opiates in a urine drug test. God damn her love for poppy seed bagels, if they screwed up her chances at getting the Doctor's signature of approval, she was going to write a very strongly worded letter to owner of said Bagel Company.

An immense feeling of dread grew as she walked towards the door with the shiny nameplate that read Dr. Whale. Emma turned the handle on the dark mahogany door and slid into the office, she felt like she had been called to the principal's office as she sat down in the comfy chair opposite Dr. Whale.

"Hi, Emma I am glad you made it in today, "stated Dr. Whale as he pulled out her chart, he looked up at her sadly, "Let's get started shall we?" Emma gulped, she felt her stomach doing somersaults already.

Emma noted that Dr. Whale had a grim expression on his face. Emma frowned at this. She thought this odd, because usually Dr. Whale was so full of charm and swagger. He was a self-proclaimed ladies' man, or at least from what the nurses had told Emma. In the past Emma had frequented the Hospital often, with her heart disease then transplant she was pretty friendly with most of the staff there.

She recalled a couple of situations several years ago after her surgery where he had even asked her out. She had politely declined each time, considering she was his patient and all. In which Emma had to remind him every single time. Also, that she was more interested in women at the moment.

"Yeah, I suppose so…What you got for me Doc?" asked Emma in a weak imitation of Bug's Bunny. She shifted her weight back and forth.

"Well Emma… I am going to be completely straight with you…" Started Dr. Whale.

"Wait= "interrupted Emma, "is this some kind a gay joke or something, because I won't go on a date with you?! Unbelievable….."Spat Emma, getting up from the chair.

"No! Emma, please sit down. I am not trying to ask you out. Please sit. "He pleaded with her. Never, in all of her interactions with Dr. Whale had she seen him act so serious.

Emma sat down.

"Emma, now this may come as a shock to you. But, I ask that you let me finish and not interrupt me again okay?" he said pulling out what looked like multiple CT scans. Emma nodded compliantly her pulse began to race as Dr. Whale started speaking again.

"Now, we ran a full comprehensive exam Emma. Which you know included a CT scan of your brain. Initially, when we first came across the mass I was shocked, considering the excellent state of health all the other test results yielded." Emma's breathing became ragged as she continued to listen to Dr. Whale.

"To properly diagnose this mass, we had you come back in last week to take another round of scans to be certain. I am truly sorry Emma but we ran the scans again which sadly confirmed it. The mass in your brain is located here" stated Dr. Whale placing the CT scan on the light board above his desk and pointed to where the spinal cord connected to her brain.

"A mass? Wh...Wha…What the hell?" stuttered Emma shocked beyond belief. This is definitely not what she signed up for.

"The mass is located on your brain stem, which proves a challenge. Usually, in cases like this…. "Dr. Whale continued saying.

Emma simply nodded. She could see his mouth moving but she didn't hear anything, the room was a blur. Panic started to flood her body. The only words that she could comprehend coming out of Dr. Whale's mouth were….

"Malignant"

"Cancer"

"In-operable"

"High Risk"

"3 months to live"

Emma Swan had three months to live. As soon as she processed this Emma stood up.

"I have three months to live? But… I feel fine Dr. Whale! This is the healthiest I have felt since my heart transplant! " she asked half sobbing, half angry.

"Yes Miss Swan, unfortunately you only have three months to live, maybe less." Confirmed Dr. Whale.

"Well… Shit" Emma said.