Banner by PaperWulf

(A/N) This is a side story that I'm working on sporadically in between chapters of “The Translation of 'Amore'”. I have NO idea where this story is going... but I hope you like it anyway. Depending on the amount of free time I have in between my nosy husband and my rampant little girl, I am unsure of the rate in which updates will be ready for this story. I only have six chapters written so far and have pushed it aside because I've hit a road-block >.< I don't think this is too original like most of my stories have been, but I'm sure my die-hard fans will enjoy regardless :)

Oh and I don't know if any of you diligently watch youtube, but this is HILARIOUS. This happened in Madison County, NY (I think) in Lincoln Park or something... it's so funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKsVSBhSwJg this is the version that was tuned and this is the original news footage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzNhaLUT520 . THIS IS FUNNY! He was so dramatic on the news that someone recorded him and used an auto-tuner to turn it into a song. EPIC.

Disclaimer This is just FICTION; a made-up story solely for your entertainment. This is a Bennoda fic and will contains slash, drugs, and underage sex. If you don't like it, don't read it!! You have been warned O.o

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“Wilting Rose”

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.::::...::::::Chapter One::::...:::::.

The brisk October wind danced through the colorful autumn trees, a rainbow of yellow, orange and red leaves whirling through the air. They twirled between the slowly baring trees like confetti, decorating the crunching grass. It was cold outside and the overcast sky was providing just enough light for this young artist – well, he wishes he could have been – to sketch the surrounding terrain that he found to be too captivating not to permeate on a sketchbook.

With a pencil in hand, the half-Japanese-American was sitting on wooden bench within the hospital courtyard. A few autumn flowers remained alive through the quickly changing seasons and the vibrant foliage hypnotized the artist. It couldn't be helped. Beauty had always marveled the man, excited him. Every time he saw something that caught his eye, he couldn't rest until he had successfully graced his sketchbook with the image. Art is his passion, his connection to happiness.

He shivered unnoticed against the wind, even though he is wearing a jacket over his scrubs. Yes, he works at a hospital. A male nurse to be precise. True, a nurse is typically a female; males are usually discouraged by the stereotype of a nursing position being just for women. How is it orderlies at mental hospitals are not stereotyped when they are technically nurses with a different title? He didn't think much of it, no one ever made fun of him for being a nurse instead of a doctor. Both were equally important, right?

His hand scribbled quickly across the manilla paper; dashes, lines, squiggles and waves all merging together to create a masterpiece – the world through his brown, soulful eyes. He had always had a gift for seeing the world for what it really is; disappointing, but so amazing – if you let it be. He chose to make the best out of life. Though his dream was to be an artist, considering he went to college for it, but his father, the Chief of Medicine at the hospital he currently works for, had silently pleaded for him to go to medical school. He didn't want to spend another eight years in school just to become a doctor and have it consume his life. If anything were to ever consume him, it would have to be the hands of art. Instead, he chose to go to nursing school to please his father. It was close enough, anyway. He grew to like his career choice; helping other sand still making his father satisfied. He wasn't a doctor – yet – but his father was at least grateful his son was in the field of medicine. Perhaps one day he could be convinced to become a skilled doctor. For now, nursing would have to suffice.

“That is absolutely stunning, Mike.”

The artist looked up from his sketch, now complete, and smiled graciously at the middle-aged woman. “Thank you, Rose. I would say that it's great to see you again, but definitely not here.” His tone was a little sullen, but he tried to remain bright for her sake.

“Michael,” her motherly voice dragged, “don't tip-toe around me. I'm just here for a checkup. After they removed that lump in my breast, I've been trying to be a little more optimistic.”

Rose has breast cancer. She's only forty-two! It hardly seems justice how cancer strikes at any age; the healthy or sickly. It has no remorse and no definite cure; only chemo-therapy, medication and prayer. Mike folded the cove over his sketch of the courtyard, packing it away into his satchel. He stood up and slung the strap over his shoulder and tossed the pencil into the opening of the bag.

“So, just on a break?” Rose asked the younger man.

“Yeah. I'm heading back in now. Care to walk with me?” His smile could make anyone melt.

“Of course.” She replied, looping her arm in his.

Mike was nothing less than a gentleman. He was kind to everyone, even to those that others wouldn't even consider being remotely decent to. Mike couldn't help his generosity. He was raised by the sweetest, most loving people. Even though his father's expectations weren't necessarily Mike's own, he was still pleased with Mike settling with a position in the medical field.

“How's your family doing? Have any new pictures of Otis?” Rose fell in love with his little boy. Whenever Mike and his wife, Anna, needed a babysitter, Rose would jump at the opportunity to watch their two-year old.

Since Rose's very first emission, when she was given the grave news just a year ago, she and Mike had become good friends. Despite their age difference, Mike really enjoyed her company. Of course they hit it off right away because she is a high school art teacher. She actually teachers at her son's school. Rose has four kids; Brian – twenty-four, twink girls named Amelia and Amanda – twenty years old, and a teenager named Chester – only seventeen. Only the youngest child still lives with her. Brian is in the military and is only on leave on holidays. The twins had gone to a nearby college right after high school and are staying on campus. Chester . . . poor Chester, so young and already the weight of the world was trying to crush him.

Rose is all Chester has ever had. His father was an abusive drunk that would beat Rose senseless if the need struck. Chester, at the tender age of eight, had become Jack's new target. He was getting bored with beating Rose all the time. After countless bloody beatings and an emergency room visit that almost cost Chester his life, Rose had left Jack and took the kids with her. Chester had never really fully recovered from the trauma the abuse caused him. When he got older, he became more abrasive, secretive, quiet. He only seemed to be nice to Rose. He wasn't close as all with his siblings. They didn't care much for him either.

“They're doing great. Well, I haven't really been home much. Nurses have been calling out left and right lately. It's the sick season, I guess.” Mike smiled awkwardly, his eyes lacking their usual zest. “So, like the little kiss-ass I am, come in like a good little boy and ditch my family.” He filled his lungs with the cold oxygen, holding his breath for a moment before forcing it out. “I'm such a lousy husband and father.”

“Don't say that.” Rose's hazel eyes drooped, her eyebrows dipping as low as her pout. “There's always turmoil before things can be considered fantastic. After all, you can't know when things are actually good unless they've been bad for comparison.

Her words made Mike smile. Maybe she was right. Mike was busy a lot, but that didn't mean he was any less attentive with his family when he was home. His family means everything to him. He takes pride in being a father. He takes pride in being the one that makes Anna smile. Lately, however, she hasn't been.

“How's everything with you at home? How's your son?” Mike's never met or seen pictures of Chester, but Rose is always talking about him every time she unfortunately has to make another worry-filled trip to the hospital.

“Well . . . he tries, he really does. He is still attending school, my class at least, but isn't doing so well. I'm afraid he's not going to pass his senior year. After we left his father when he was twelve, he's been so troubled. All he wanted to do was protect me, but he was just a little boy. He blames himself for everything. Chester does everything for me . . . and it absolutely crushed him when he found out about my cancer . . .”

“Is he still doing drugs?” They were now inside the hospital, walking to the elevator and entering it.

“I don't know, honestly. I can't tell the difference. He is the sweetest, nicest boy when he's around me, but then I get his teachers telling me he gets into fights with other kids and acts aggressively. You have no idea what it's like to hear your precious little boy crying in his room at night because he's lonely and feels so powerless against himself, and for me. Rose's eyes began to water and she quickly knuckled her tears away before they could fall.

Mike was sympathetic and rather empathetic, so his heart visibly broke as his friend's emotions betrayed her. “Oh, Rosie, I'm so sorry. Does he have any friends that he can talk to? What about counseling or rehab?”

“You try and get a seventeen year old boy to rehab. I mean, some weed – whatever – I can handle a little pot, but I think he's been doing harder drugs. If he does, he hides them well because I haven't seen any trace in his room. I worry about him so much, but with the cancer . . . I get so tired and overwhelmed so quickly. I . . . I can't do much for him. There's only two kids that I know of that he's close to. They come over the house a lot, but usually they hide out in Chaz's room or they hang out at the mall . . . I think.” She sighed, finally reaching the cancer ward.

Mike walked her to reception and greeted the nurse at the desk. “Yolanda, my beautiful chocolate angel, could I have Doctor Farrell take a look at this lovely woman for me?” Mike's smile was magnetic. Who could possibly resist him?

“Anything for you, suga'.” The large black woman replied. “Oh, and you might wanna duck 'n run 'cuz your daddy lookin' for you. Looks like anotha' long night if you say yes, baby.” Yolanda picked up the white phone off her desk and paged Doctor Farrell.

Mike sighed, taking off his side pack and jacket, tossing them under Yolanda's desk carelessly. “I really, really don't want to work late again tonight. Anna will kill me.”

“At least you work in a hospital, baby.” Yolanda pulled out a Twizzlers from the candy jar next to her and stuck the end in her mouth. “Want one, suga'?”

He shrugged, taking one of the red liquorice flavored treats. “Did you know that liquorice is actually the root derived from the plant, legume, which is related to beans and peas? This here candy is flavored with the extracts of the root.”

She gave him an odd look, chewing diligently on the candy. “Mhmn, that's nice, smarty pants, but don't you got some patients to be savin'?”

Mike smiled at his friend. “Enjoy your afternoon, mama bear.”

This was typical between Yolanda and Mike. In fact, everyone was oozing with sweet words and affection around Mike. There was something alluring about him that made it hard for anyone to walk away without pinching his cheeks and gushing over his adorable looks and enigmatic personality.

“Hey, Mikey.” Doctor Dave Farrell greeted his friend with a one armed hug before grabbing Rose's patient chart off the counter of Yolanda's desk. “You look beat, buddy,” he mentioned, noticing the tired circles that lingered under Mike's almond eyes, “don't let your father find you before your shift is over.”

Dave and Mike have been friends a few years now. Dave is still a resident, but in another year he will be a regular doctor. Mike has only had four years of schooling, but in the five years he's worked in Everhart Hospital, he's learned so much more than he could have in any school. He's always been a hands on learner; doing the work instead of sitting in a classroom was always a more effective way for him to learn. Dave had undergone eight years of school and must do two years of residency before being officially accepted as a permanent doctor.

He scanned the chart quickly before peering at Rose with a pleasant smile. “And this lovely, young lady must be Rosalie Bennington.”

She blushed at her doctor's charm. “Oh my, are all of your friends as handsome and sweet as you, Mike?”

Mike's cheeks tinted pink at her words. “I only keep the best company. I suppose that's why I was so drawn to you.”

She held her heart in awe. “You are so . . .” She sighed, unable to find the perfect word to describe the younger man.

“Amazing? Captivating? Romantic?” He answered with a wide smile.

“Modest?” Dave teased, leading them both to a nearby room. “Have a seat, Ms. Bennington.” He pointed to the clinical bed and she stepped onto the small step attached to the one-hundred and thirty degree angled bed-like chair. She sat on the edge onto the paper sheet that covered the bed. “Okay, nurse,” he grinned at Mike, “can you please take Rose's vitals and take a blood sample for me?”

“Absolutely, doctor.” Dave handed his friend Rose's chart and excused himself for a few minutes to go situate another patient.

Mike took out a pressure cuff and instructed Rose to roll up her shirt sleeve. He placed his stethoscope in his ears and listened to her pulse as the cuff was pumped with air, constricting her veins briefly before slowly releasing them. Mike read the meter with a small frown. “Your blood pressure is a tad bit low, but it could just be from your medications.” He removed the cuff and placed his stethoscope back around his neck. After putting the cuff around the meter and pushing the cart back into the corner of the room, he washed his hands in the sink quickly and dried them off before putting on a pair of latex gloves.

Rose watched Mike with stressed eyes, his stoic features were unlike him. He was hiding whatever he was feeling, trying to will the worry away. “Dave is a great doctor. He's still a resident, but his main field of study is Oncology, so whatever happens you will be in good hands, okay?”

She just continued to stare at him with furrowed brows. That couldn't be good. “The hardest part about this whole thing is the way my son is taking this. If I don't somehow beat this thing . . . I . . . I don't know what will happen to him. He'll be eighteen in five months . . .”

Mike strode over to her and sanitized the crease of her arm with a sterile gauze pad and inserted the butterfly-needle into her arm. The needle was attached to a tube so that he could take a few blood samples. “You can't think like that, though. You have to be strong for him and he needs to be strong for you. Next visit, you should bring him.”

Mike has never given up on anything in his life. He's especially never given up on those he cares deeply for. On Mike's days off, if Anna was busy at work, he would go and visit Rose. It wasn't often, but he went to see her every chance he could to see how she was doing. They would normally draw or paint together. It was nice to have someone just as passionate about art as Mike was. It was the perfect stress reliever. Rose is an amazing artist, better than Mike! He marveled at her work; the detail, the mood, the structure, the medias she's used – everything was perfect She captured his heart with her art. He wished the world could be as magnificent.

“I'm just so afraid to expose him to more of this.” She admitted with a crack in her voice.

He felt so strongly for this woman. If Mike had a single wish in this world, he would gladly give it to Rose; to wish her a long, cancer-free life. They did in fact remove the lump they found some time ago in her left breast, but even if cancer is caught in time and dealt with, it is the most unpredictable killer among the human body. Cancer could be in remission for years before resurfacing again, or it could spread quicker than chemotherapy or radiation can control it and take an innocent life away in as quick as a month.

“He really needs to learn how to deal with this too. The two of you are really close, it seems. He needs help if he's expecting to want to help you. You need to help yourself before you can help others, right?” He finished collecting the samples and removed the needle carefully, replacing it with a square piece of gauze and made her fold her forearm up to hold it in place. “Alright, my dear, I'm going to go take these to the lab and put a rush on it so we're not waiting forever for the culture results.” He handed her a soft pink gown. “Go ahead and change. The doctor and I will be back in a few minutes to proceed with your examination.”

She nodded and offered a small, anxious smile as Mike left the room. She couldn't help but feel as though something was wrong. Of course she has cancer, but as far as they new, it was under control. Mike walked briskly to the elevator, making his way down to the laboratory. He made sure to state the sample's importance so they would get results in a day or so. As he made his way back up to the cancer ward, his hairs stood on end; he felt like he was being followed. He was afraid to turn around, knowing in the back of his mind who it was.

'Please don't let it be my father', he repeated to himself, walking hastily down the hall.

“Michael,” damnit, it was his dad, “wait up, son. I need a favor.”

Mike stopped in his tracks, his shoes screeching against the waxy, gray floor. “What's up, dad?”

“I need you to work again tonight – it's only a few hours and you can take tomorrow off.” He bargained.

Doctor Kenji Hiro Shinoda, Chief of Medicine at Everhart Hospital. He is extremely respected by all the doctors, nurses and surgeons that work with him. Kienji is a talented, skilled doctor and is relatively lenient with everyone, but can be pretty strict when need be. His Russian-American wife, Marsha, is also a nice, professional woman. She is a board member at the hospital; if there are any decisions regarding anything at the hospital, the majority of the board members must vote in favor in order for the decision to succeed.

Mike sighed inwardly, unable to say no. “Sure thing. I have my own favor to ask, if you don't mind.”

“Sure,” he replied eagerly, “what's on your mind, son?”

“You remember Rose Bennington, right?”

He pondered for a moment. “She is the cancer patient that you've become good friends with, correct?”

“Every time she comes back she's always handled by random doctors that don't necessarily take . . . attentive care of her. She's special to me. Could Doctor Farrell be her attending doctor from now on?”

“Sure, sure, I'll keep an eye on his work though since he's only a resident. Cancer is a difficult branch to work in since most of the time things turn out for the worse.”

“It never gets easier, does it?” Mike normally works wherever he is needed, but lately he's been asking to work in the cancer ward, trying to understand the disease better for his friend.

Kenji patted his son on the back. “Not unless you grow cold and heartless. You just have to learn to keep your personal feelings separate from your job. It's harder when you make friends with ill people.” He offered a smile before walking away.

Mike huffed noisily. He couldn't help but want to be nice and befriend everyone he came into contact with. He could make even the sickest person happy and hopeful. It's just a shame he couldn't keep a smile on his wife's face. He walked over to Yolanda, who was sitting behind the reception desk, and retrieved his cellphone from his pocket. Yolanda immediately realized he had been asked to work and was now having to break the news to his wife.

“Sorry, suga'.” She gave him an apologetic look, holding another Twizzlers out to him. He waved his hand, rejecting the candy. She shrugged and nibbled on the end.

The phone rang a few times before Anna answered. “Hey, honey, should I guess what this call is about?” She sounded annoyed.

“I am so sorry, but it's only for a few hours. I should be home by eight-twenty. I'm off tomorrow, so we can spend all day together!” Mike chirped, hoping to elicit a cheer from his wife.

“Perfect, Mike.” She was even more agitated. “You do remember that I am going out of town for a few days for the proposal at work, right? The one day you're off and I'm not even going to be here!” Yolanda could hear Anna's distress loud and clear, giving Mike a look of 'oh, boy', unable to help but listen in on Mike's conversation. “I'm getting a little tired of you putting your job ahead of your family. What's it going to take for you to realize what's really important?” Her voice rose in anger. Anna was so sweet and such a warm woman, but lately she's becoming distant and easily angered at Mike; fed up with his constant working.

“I'm sorry, baby --”

Anna cut him off quickly. “Stop, just . . . stop. You care more about making your father happy than me. What about our son? He needs his father around.”

“I'll be able to hang with him all day tomorrow. Rose will be able to watch him over the weekend and he'll be back at daycare on Monday . . . Come on, Anna-buns, don't be like this.” Mike had a knot in his stomach. For some reason, he felt that Anna was trying to be subtle about her true feelings.

“I need to pack for my trip . . . I'll talk to you later.” The line went silent, the soft static filling Mike's ear as Anna hung up on him.

“Bye . . .” Mike said to the dial tone, shutting his phone and jamming it back into his pocket.

He walked off before Yolanda could say anything. She's a sassy woman with nothing but gossip in her life; Mike didn't need to hear what she had to say right now. He headed to Rose's room, his feet heavily padding against the floor. He was angry at himself for causing such an angelic person to become bitter – all because he couldn't say no to his father. When he reached his friend's room, he knocked before entering.

Dave was already in the room, waiting for Mike. “Sorry,” he apologized to the doctor, “dad found me.”

Both Rose and Dave frowned. “Sorry, buddy.” Dave squeezed the Asian's shoulder. “My sweet Rose, could you please pull down your gown and lay back so that I may examine you?”

She nodded and obliged. She's been through three pregnancies and more breast exams than she could count, so she was way past being shy while exposed in front of a doctor. It was mandatory for a nurse to accommodate a doctor during any sort of exam that required being “exposed” for legality purposes. Usually it would have to be a female if it was a male doctor and a female patient, but being at such high regards within the hospital, Mike was trusted without question. Too many people make false allegations of sexual abuse during these kinds of physical exams – not that Rose would never do such a thing; it was just the rules.

Dave hovered above her and with gloved hands proceeded with the breast exam. He used his index and middle fingers to circle around the soft tissue, feeling for any masses. “Good news,” he smiled, allowing Rose to place her gown back on, “no new masses since you've had those buggers removed.”

“That is great news!” Rose beamed a flawless smile.

“So, hopefully by tomorrow we will get your blood results back and they show that you have a high white blood-cell count!”

“I can't wait!” She chirped.

Mike tried to smile, but he just couldn't. He should be happy that Dave didn't find any more cancer-riddled lumps in her chest, but he silently felt things around him were falling apart, crumbling slowly around him. His unusual, sullen behavior didn't go unnoticed.

“Is there something wrong?” The middle-aged woman's voice was full of concern.

The younger man shrugged. “It's my wife,” he answered honestly, “she's upset with me. I hate disappointing her as much as I do.”

“Don't be so hard on yourself.” Dave patted his friend's back. “You're doing what you have to now so you can make a better life for your family in the future.”

Mike laughed sarcastically. “Anna thinks I'm a suck-up and that's the only reason why I work so much. She's right,” he stated plainly, “I'm too focused on my dad's approval than my family needing me at home. I'm such a fucking idiot.”

“No you're not, Michael, don't say that.” Rose was disappointed that Mike was thinking so poorly of himself. Rose loves him like another son and made sure to tell him that often. “You are one of the greatest people I know. You are a magnificent artist, a fantastic nurse, an amazing friend an a terrific husband and father. Not to mention you're supremely handsome and can play the piano like an angel.” Her words oozed out in a sugary tone.

Mike couldn't help but smile. “Rose, you are, without a doubt, the sweetest woman I've ever met.”

She waved her hand at him in disbelief. “Oh posh, your mother must be since she raised such a perfect son.” Rose stood up, still clad in the hospital gown. “You boys mind if I change back into my clothes now? My song will be home from school soon and I want to give him the good news.”

“Sure.” The two men said simultaneously.

“I will give you a call when your results are in; most likely by tomorrow, my dear.” Dave smiled, he and Mike leaving Rose to change in peace.

“Don't worry so much, Mikey,” he tried to put on his best reassuring smile, “things will work themselves out. Women are confusing creatures.”

Mike chuckled and agreed. “They certainly are.”

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ End of Chapter One ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

(A/N) Please read and review! I hope you found this to be a good start... I shall be posting another chapter in a week or so. I'm alternating between this story and “The Translation of 'Amore'”. I don't necessarily like to make you all wait so long for updates, buuut I figured a little suspense in between chapters will give you time to read, review and appreciate ^.^ Not to mention you all make me wait for updates! ::raises fists and shakes them:: ^.^ LOVE YOU!

<3 Shanny