AN - I know that I haven't updated in a while. Sorry about that, life happened. It has a funny way of doing that lately. Anyway...new stuff starts with chapter 12. I'm not a doctor and I don't claim to be so all medical stuff is made up and if any happens to actually be right...pure luck. Oh...and the flash back in this chapter is Copyright of ABC Daytime and the Disney Corporation, no infringement intended, not that you guys care but someone at Disney might. Happy reading, let me know what you think. -Jenn

They sat there waiting; the entire family; Kristina, Molly, Ty, Jerry, and Alexis. They sat in the waiting area for what seemed like hours; watching the people go by. Family members coming to visit patients, doctors getting on and off the elevators, and nurses manning the desks. Dr. Patrick Drake had been unaware of any cancer diagnosis for Sam. When Alexis began to question him on Sam's treatment, he seemed to be just as shocked as the rest of the family.

Serveral Hours Earlier

Alexis was ready to burst into Sam's room and demand answers from her daughter. "What in the hell was she thinking?" She said aloud more to herself not realizing that Patrick and Molly were right behind her.

"Alexis?" She stopped and spun around to face the doctor behind her.

"What," she snapped.

"I was hoping to speak with you for a moment."

"Is this about my daughter's cancer treatments?"

Patrick looked confused, "It is about Sam...umm...I'm sorry...did you say cancer?"

Alexis looked to Molly and now Kristina, who had just joined the group. "Yes, Patrick. She has been diagnosed with cancer. Lung cancer. No doubt hereditary."

Patrick opened the chart that he held in his hands. "I'm sorry Alexis, but there is no mention of lung cancer or treatment for any kind of cancer on Sam's chart..."

"That's impossible..." Molly chimed in.

"No...no it's not. Not knowing your sister like I do." Alexis said in disgust as she rolled her eyes and shook her head. She knew Sam. She knew that Sam was aware of the symptoms and also knew enough to go to a different hospital and doctor if she was going to keep something like this quite for as long as possible.

"Mom, she told me and Kristina. Why wouldn't she tell the doctor?"

"Because she's stubborn...and stupid. She wants to do this her own way." Alexis looked toward Sam's room noticing, through the door window, that she was awake. "What the hell is the matter with you?" Alexis yelled as she entered Sam's room leaving the others in the hallway.

Sam slunked down in her bed, "So you've talked to Molly and Tina..." she said trying to avoid eye contact. "That should be a record for them...It took three whole hours."

"Cut the crap, Samantha. Why is Dr. Drake not aware of this? How come nothing is in your chart regarding diagnosis or treatment?"

"Because I'm handling this my way."

"Which is no way. Is that right? Ignore it and it will go away."

"I'm not that naive or that stupid. Ignoring it is far from my mind. But I don't want the chemo. I saw what it did to you and I don't want to go through that."

That's not an answer, and you know it. It's a coup out."

Flashback:

"I've been researching some interesting data on naturopathic cures and it says that detox cleansing and natural supplements are a lot easier on the system and there's a doctor of medicine in -- Chinese medicine actually that has some impressive --"

Confusion spread across Sam's face, "Why -- why are we having this conversation?"

"Because I've decided against doing the chemo."

"Your cancer is spreading."

"My cancer has affected two of my lymph nodes but it hasn't metastasized, and I know that Dr. Trent wants me to do the chemo, but I'm choosing to go an alternative route."

"Why don't you choose to try the traditional methods first?" Sam asked as she rose from the chair and aproached Alexis' bedside.

"I'm not talking about voodoo here, Sam. I'm -- I'm talking about actual viable alternatives that thousands of people --"

"Really? I heard the doctors, and chemo could save your life."

"Or the chemo could make me very weak and compromise my immune system so that if I get pneumonia again, the pneumonia will kill me."

"Cancer could kill you." Sam stated in a raised voice.

"The surgery was performed. The cancer is gone, so for all intents and purposes, I'm clear."

"You don't know that. How do you know that there are not some cells roaming around inside of you? They said it would take at least six months to kill them off."

"I know my body and I know that I can't handle the chemo right now, I can't. So whether I have a month or I have a year, I am not going to be put in a state of limbo like I was this week."

"Why does it feel like you're giving up?"

"I'm not giving up. I'm just choosing not to do the chemo and try something else. I may live; I may die, but I'm going to be participating in my own life when I do it, so all I need right now, all I'm asking for right now, is for your support -- you and Ric, I need your support."

End Flashback

"That's not fair. This is a completely different situation." Sam tried to argue.

"It's only different in one way. You were fighting to keep a mother that day and I'm fighting to keep a daughter." Alexis returned to the nurses station not allowing another word from Sam. "I want all of the necessary tests done to confirm this diagnosis." She demanded.

"Already in the process. Once the slightest bit of chance was brought to my attention I ordered them. I cannot release her, in good conscience knowing that there is a possibility because if that is the case and something unforseeable happens..." Patrick smiled, "I know who you're sueing first."

"Damn straight."

"I'll let you know when we have the results. However, due to patient confidentiality, it's up to her whether or not we can share the informaiton with you."

Alexis nodded, "I'll take care of that, you just run the tests."

Present time

"Watch the way she walks...she's a player." Molly said indicating a woman who had just exited the elevator.

"A what?" Tina questioned.

"A player, she likes to take risks. You know, see how far she can go without actually getting caught."

Tina watched the woman for a few minutes, "how do you figure that?"

Molly was giving Tina and Ty their first lesson in people watching, teaching them to take note of a persons mannerisms to determine their personality. It was an entertaining way to pass the time. "It's easy...look at how she holds her head when she walks."

"Okay," Tina observed. "She holds her head up, so?"

"So...that show confidence. She's not married."

"huh?"

"There's no ring," Molly pointed out, "a marriage/husband would hold her back." Molly explained. At this point, Ty and Tina couldn't help but to stare at this poor unsuspecting woman.

"She has a small bag," Jerry interjected. "She only carries what she needs. Get in; get out." Molly looked over to Jerry. "I see your sister has taught you a thing or two."

She smiled, "it comes in handy in court."

"Jerry, quit encouraging them." Alexis scolded.

"What? We're just passing time by watching the people move about, darling."

"Well, don't." Jerry laughed and turned back to the kids.

"How long is this going to take. It's been four hours." Alexis complained as she looked up to see Robin and Patrick approaching.

"Mr. and Mrs. Jacks..." Jerry and Alexis both stood. "The surgery went well. We removed the infected piece of her lung and have sent it to the lab. She will be in recovery for about two hours then we'll move her back to her room.

"Excuse me, Patrick, but you used the term infected, not compromised cells." Molly added; more as a statement and not a question.

"It's interesting that you picked up on that. I need to wait for the lab results to be sure, however, I think that we may be dealing with something other than cancer. Unfortunatley I cannot elaborate any more. I've already said too much."

Alexis turned to Jerry and the kids, "Something other than cancer? What could he be talking about?"

"I don't know, darling. But we'll know soon enough." Jerry answered as the group sat back down to wait for Sam to be moved to recovery.