Jimmy. Just the mere thought of him turned Kevin's stomach.

Glancing at the clock, he realized it was well after midnight. It had been over an hour since Chrissy had wandered off, and he assumed she had fallen asleep, leaving him to his own musings. Turning off the lights, he padded softly down the hall toward the guest room. He automatically slowed his step as he approached Chrissy's room, not wanting to wake her, but a light was shining through the slightly opened door, casting eerie shadows against the walls.

He pushed the door open, intending only to tiptoe in quietly and turn off the light; but what he saw broke his heart.

Chrissy stood stiffly, her robe open to the waist, facing the full length antique mirror that had belonged to Morgan's grandmother. Even the aged, crackled glass could not soften the pain on her face as she traced her hands over her curves, seeming to memorize the shape of her breasts. Cupping their weight in her hands, she tipped her head back and sobbed softly, tears flowing freely down her face.

It was all he could take. In seconds he was behind her, his arms wrapping her in their safety, words of comfort tumbling from his lips.

As if she'd known instinctively he would come, she relaxed in his embrace, finally releasing the fears she had held inside for so long. It felt so good to be held ... it had be so long, so very long, since anyone had comforted her like this.

"Shh, Chrissy, stop," he whispered against her ear, brushing his lips across her neck in a sweet kiss. The touch was electric, and they both trembled in the aftermath.

"Kevin-"

"It's ok, Chris, it's just me." Of their own accord, his hands had traveled to her arms, rubbing warmth back into them.

But it was far from ok. Feelings that had been buried for years were surfacing and neither had any way to stop them, nor were they sure they wanted to.

Their eyes met and held in the smoky mirror, both seeming to realize at the same instant that Chrissy was bare to his sight.

Kevin moved first, gently tugging her robe closed and then pulling her back into his embrace.

"I'm scared," she whispered.

"We'll get you through this, Chris. You have to let me help you."

Holding him tighter, her voice was small. "It's not just the cancer, Kev. It's ... everything. It's ... *this*..."

"Chrissy, I would never do anything to jeopardize what you have with Jimmy." He choked as he made the promise, but he meant every word. "I just want you well. I want my best friend back, healthy and-"

"Whole?" She laughed with wry humor. "I can never be whole again. This fucking disease has seen to that."

Kevin set her away from him. Turning her to face him, he bent close so that they were eye to eye.

"Don't you get it? I don't give a damn about that. It makes no damn difference to me if you have one breast or four."

She giggled perversely at the image, wiping tears from her face.

"I'm serious, Chris. I just want you to live. Don't leave me like my dad did. He didn't have a choice, but you *do*."

"God--" She tumbled forward into his arms. The tables turned, suddenly *she* was the one offering comfort.

Neither knew how long they stood together, but soon Chrissy began to yawn.

"C'mon, squid, let's get you into bed."

"I'm *not* your squid," she quipped, her face contorting into yet another yawn.

He chuckled. "Maybe not, but you're too tired to argue with me. Hop in," he said, pulling back the covers.

"Stay with me..."

"Baby, I don't think that's wise." God, but he wanted nothing more.

"Please? Just be here ... hold me..."