Penny’s POV
I just moped around the house for the next couple of weeks. My treatments were now bi-weekly and the side effects were less, so I just drove myself. I was going stir crazy, the only thing keeping me sane were my chats with Brian.
“How was your day Penz?”
“It was okay. I’m feeling okay after my treatment.”
“That’s great, hopefully soon they will be over completely and we’ll be together. How’s selling you Mom’s house going?”
“That’s actually going great. We got it all ready and listed it and they were getting ready to have an auction to sell the furniture and someone made an offer to buy the house at asking price and buy all the furniture also.”
“That’s wonderful, she will have a nice nest egg with that. I know it’s sad for you though, you loved that house.”
“Dad built it, I grew up there, but it’s a big house for Mom and with the land too. She had to let it go. But hey, let’s not talk about that. How’s Gwyn doing?”
“Oh well, you know Gwyn, she does her own thing.” I sensed some annoyance in his voice and facial expression.
“Are you two getting along okay” I asked.
“Yea sure, I mean she’s not here just to follow me around. I try to stay out of her way.”
“I know she can be like a little tornado sometimes, she’s just energetic.”
“Let’s not waste our time talking about Gwyn. I want to hear about Penelope.”
“Really Junior, a half world away and you still have to call me Penelope?”
“Yep, always Princess Penelope! Have you painted any?”
“I've tried painting and sketching; I just can't get motivated.”
“What about the twins, have you spent time with them?”
“Not much, they have been sick and as you know that means I have to keep my distance. I'm just so lonely and bored here all by myself. Tess has been over and we have gone to dinner a couple of times. I can only go on nights the restaurants aren't busy or during off hours.” I tried to hide how much I was struggling.
“I'm sorry, I miss you and wish you were here. I hope that helps.” He said with worry in his beautiful brown eyes. I wanted so much to look into those eyes in person.
“It does.” I tried to smile sincerely.
I heard Zack yelling for him. “I have to go Honey; I’ll call you later okay?”
“Okay Haner, I love you.” I said.
“I love you too, Haner.”

When it came time for the results of bi-weekly testing for progress, Dr. Callahan said that it was looking like I may see my treatments ending sooner than expected and possibly being with Brian the first week of July. I was going to wait to tell Brian; I didn't want to get his hopes up. I was so excited, I only made it until the night after the blood tests. I couldn't hold it in any longer, I may be able to be there on his birthday or at least maybe our anniversary.

No more moping, I was dancing on a cloud. After the testing I waited in anticipation of good news.

Brian's POV
Penny had texted me three times asking when we could talk, I was in the middle of interviews and didn't even know she had texted. Once I saw them, I was afraid she had bad news. As soon as I saw the texts, I called her.
“Is everything okay?”
“Everything is great!!!” She said.
“You mean, you're on your way here?”
“Not yet, but possibly very soon. Maybe by the 7th!”
“That is fucking awesome! I can't wait! When will you know for sure?”
“I went for testing today and Dr. Callahan is going to have the results rushed and call me as soon as they are back. I was going to wait to tell you when I knew for sure, but I couldn't hold it in anymore.” You could tell how excited she was.
“I'm glad you told me and I am glad it’s good news. Your texts scared me.”
“I'm sorry.” She said.
“It's okay, I love you and I am so happy. I gotta get back to work, I'll call you later.”
“Later, I love you.”

After that, I was in a better mood than I had been since we started out on tour. Everyone noticed, but I didn't want to jinx it by telling them why.


Four Days Later

Adam’s POV
Dr. Callahan called me, it was the call I had been dreading. Penny's latest test results were in.
“I'm surprised I haven't heard from you. Have you seen Penny Haner’s latest test results?” She said.
“Yes, she is going to be thrilled.” I tried to hide my anxiety.
“I thought we could conference call and tell her together.”
“Do you mind if I talk to her? Brian and I have become good friends and I promised I would deliver any news to her myself, good or bad. I will be her follow up for her future monitoring.” I lied to Janice, a colleague. I just felt dirtier and dirtier.
“Sure Adam. I hate missing it, it's always nice being able to give good news. But if that is what Mr. Haner wanted, I won't argue.”
“Thanks Janice.”

My time was up, I had to make a choice. Once I lied to Penny, I was in and liable. If I didn't, there's no telling what Gwyn would do. I called Gwyn, hoping that maybe she would let this crazy plan go.

“Penny's better, she's ok to meet Brian now.”
“What! I haven’t had enough time!” She exclaimed.
“Her Doctor in Ohio is the one who ran the tests, so she knows. She wanted us to tell Penny together, but I made up a lie and she agreed to let me do it.”
“Okay, then phase two of keeping Penny in the states starts now. It's just earlier than we thought.” She said.
“I don't know if I can lie to her and tell her she is actually worse and needs to come to California for a newly approved treatment.”
“You will do it. She has to go to California, away from her family and the Doctor in Ohio.”
“She will be miserable there. What if she doesn't buy it and calls her other Doctor? Also, Brian is not going to be okay with her doing that.”
“If Penny thinks it's her only choice, she will do it. No matter what Brian says. She trusts you.”
“That's the thing, she trusts me.” I had a knot in the pit of my stomach. “What if Penny finds out it’s all bullshit?”
“Then you will tell her that you did it out of your undying love for her.”
“She will use it to ruin me.”
“I guess it will suck to be you then.” She said sarcastically.
“Shouldn't you be worried if that happened? I will have no reason not to tell her everything. As a matter of fact, I could tell her she's ok now. She'll be on her way and you'll be done.”
“You don't want to do that. If you do either one, my promise to you is off.”
“Are you saying you would physically hurt Penny?”
“You know the answer to that, a promise is a promise. I don't want to have to do that, but if it's the only way then I will do what I have to.”
“You are psychotic.”
“Sticks and Stones, Adam. Just keep Penny there and in the dark and you won't have to worry about it.”

Penny’s POV
I waited anxiously for a call, I hoped beyond all they would say that all was good and I could go. Instead, Dr. Gabriel called me and said that I had a setback and not only did I need to go back to weekly treatments, but the treatment itself needed changed. He wanted to use a new drug that was oral instead of by IV. He said the medication had been very effective, usually with less side effects. OSU had not adopted the use of the medication yet. I would have to return to California.
“I don't understand, Dr. Callahan said I was almost cleared.”
“These things happen with your condition, it's quite possible the illness you had in April and last month had somehow laid dormant and then caused this relapse.” He said. “Janice should not have given you that false hope. She doesn't understand this condition as I do.”
“Is the new treatment safe?”
“It's safer and more effective. It just hasn't been out that long and still used mostly on the West Coast. It's your best chance of getting better once and for all.”
“Do you think I am going to be okay? I’m not going to die, am I?”
“Penny, this is just a setback. The traditional treatment weakened your immune system too much. This treatment will allow us to go forward rather having to postpone treatment until your levels are back up. I have every confidence that you will be 100% within 3 months or less.”
“I need to talk to Brian.”
“Absolutely, I understand.” Adam said. “Tell him to feel free to call me if he has any questions.”

I had a good long cry out in the gazebo. Not getting to go on the tour and having to be in California when most of my female friends were with the guys on tour at least part of the time was a double hit. I knew I needed to pull myself together before talking to Brian. I was not looking forward to this video chat.

Adam's POV
I felt so dirty after talking to Penny. I could hear in her voice that she was crushed by the “news.” I debated calling her back and telling her the truth, but I really believe that Gwyn would hurt her. I can't let that happen. I know Penny will be devastated if Gwyn is successful in her quest for Brian, but that is not as bad as the alternative. Honestly, my feelings for Penny have not changed and part of me was anxious to see her.

Notes