Charlotte's POV...

"Charlie! Are you feeling alright? You look like you haven't slept in days! I'm concerned! " Nate caringly points out.

"I haven't been sleeping well," I admit.

"My follow-up scans are today and I'm worried about the results."

"Do you want me to come with you for support? I know you'd rather have Levi there, but since you haven't  told him or anyone else about what's been going on with you, I think maybe you need me!" Nate professes his concerns to me.

"I'll have Sarah keep Levi occupied with some extra stair climbing while we sneak away for your appointment," he tries to convince me.

I find myself nervously pacing around my office. "I don't know," I say to him.

"Charlie, we talked about this. You've gone through this alone long enough, I'm coming!" Nate says sternly. "And I'm driving you, now let's go," he adds before taking my arm and leading me out the door, unnoticed by anyone else.

I'm happy to have Nate here with me, he's become one of my best friends and I don't know what I'd do without him around. My guilt is tearing up my soul though, it's Levi who should really be here supporting me. My lack of energy doesn't only come from the treatments I've been hiding, it's more the bitter fatigue of self-reproach and the anticipation of the regret I'll have when Levi finds out what I've been keeping from him.

Two weeks have passed since our day together at World's End park. My emotions have been out of control all week, knowing that Levi's graduation party is tomorrow and after the weekend, he'll be flying back to London. Neither Levi or I want him to go, but we've talked about it in length over the last week, and we both have come to realize that he needs to go. It won't be for long. After he completes the job Mark has lined up for him and after I take care of this stupid brain tumor, we'll be together again. As long as my current issue is gone before Levi's work finishes, I should be good.

What concerns me the most about sending Levi home, is the amount of uncontrolled leg spasms he's been having during the last two weeks. They aren't too intense or painful lately, but they're there. They happen mostly in his left lower leg, where his calf and ankle muscles have lingering effects from his spinal cord injury. He's regained just enough strength and muscle tone so that he can walk and climb stairs on his own, but when he's tired or anxious about something, that's when the spasms return. I had a new brace made for him a few days ago. The brace reaches higher up his calf, but it seems to be helping with his gait and gives him more support when using the stairs without a crutch. Levi's done exceptionally well during this program, considering this brace is the only assist he needs after such a traumatic injury.

"We're ready for you Charlotte," the nurse breaks my train of thought.

Nate and I have been silently sitting in the hospital waiting room.

"I'll be right here waiting for you," Nate says.

After my scans, I grab Nate and allow him to accompany me into the doctor's office to hear the results. Having a friend with me is comforting, I have to admit. The doctor explains that my treatments are working, but they want the tumor even smaller so that it'll be easier to remove. So, Starting next week, my treatment increases to five days a week for the next four weeks, and then surgery. Nate squeezes my hand assuring me that he'll help in whatever way he can. I thank him with a nod, and we head outside to his car. The drive back is so quiet, one can hear a pin drop. Nate is worried for me, I can see it on his face. Neither of us want to speak about the obvious. I'm just glad Levi won't be here to witness my bad days ahead, he'll be home and happy and doing the things he's missed out on the last year.

"Thank you for coming with me today," I smile at Nate.

"I'm here whenever you need me," his smile wary.

"Thank goodness we have a busy night and day tomorrow planning the graduation party, I need a good distraction," I say.

When we return to the rehab center, I find Levi working in the gym with Sarah. She was having Levi stretch on the mat. Levi turns towards me and instantly beams when he catches me staring at him. I can't help staring, even now. He's more handsome to me every day. His dotting bright eyes, beautiful face, and perfect body, I will never get enough of him. He doesn't mind my gawking either, I think it boosts his manly ego. There is so little time left for me to be able to lay my eyes on him before he leaves, I begin thinking to myself. I'm going to soak him in as much as I can.

Levi catches my frown from just thinking of him leaving and raises his hand out to me.

"Come here Love," he says.

I walk over to the mat where Levi and Sarah are sitting. Levi grabs my hand and pulls me down to kiss me.

"Thank you for working with Levi," I say to Sarah.

"No problem! I'll catch up with you guys later," Sarah replies.

Levi's is still holding my hand as I move in front of him to sit on the mat with my legs crossed. I can see that he's been working hard this morning from the amount of sweat showing through his shirt. He's been around me long enough for me to know when he's trying to hide his pain behind his smile too. I know he's tired and sore from his workout and the stairs take a toll on his muscles.

He hasn't had any many spasms in the last two days and I suddenly have an overwhelming feeling of needing to protect him from having any at all. I reach for his lower left leg and grasp just under his knee and his heel, resting his leg on my lap. Levi quietly looks at me with appreciation for what I'm doing. I remove his leg brace then start gently massaging his calf muscle. I notice his lips begin to curve upwards and his gaze on me sincere as a feeling of relief takes over him.

I massage his calf muscle a few minutes, pressing into and making circular strokes around his tight muscles before moving onto his ankle and then his foot.

"Does this help?"I ask him.

"Yes Love, thank you," he softly confirms.

"Good! I've been really worried about you, I don't like when you have those painful spasms, and I'm worried about you having any more when you're back home," my voice cracking with anxiety. Who's going help him with these when I'm not there. I'm so protective of him, I don't want anything bad to happen. I really shouldn't be letting him leave, but I have no other choice, I know what will happen if he stays.

He reaches for both of my hands and holds them in his, tracing hearts with his thumb on my palms.

"The new brace is working, and you've shown me different strategies on how to help myself, I'll be fine, no need to worry about me," his voice is soft and full of gratitude.

I know there's more he wants to say because he doesn't want to go. There is more we both want to say, yet we are either afraid to say it or we're just trying to avoid talking about the inevitable. It consumes our every moment together, the elephant in the room that neither of us want to acknowledge. He's leaving to pursue his dreams and I don't want him to feel bad about it at all.

I look up and peer into his troubled blue-green eyes and can almost feel his trembling heart.

"I love you! You know I love you, right? I don't want you to feel like I'm forcing you to leave because you think I don't love you," I slowly and genuinely say to him.

"I know my love, I just don't like knowing we'll be apart, even if it's for a short time," he quietly responds.

"How about we spend this weekend enjoying your party, hanging out with your friends and family, and spending our time together having fun!" I smile.

"Brilliant!" He smiles back at me.

I gently pull my hands away from his and attach his brace back onto his leg. He ties his sneakers back on and I stand up beside him, reaching my hand down to him so that he can grab it.

"Come on, we have a lot of work to do to make this party of yours a spectacular one," I smirk.

"Plus, everyone is flying in tonight, so we have plenty to prepare for," he adds.

Levi grips my hand as he stands himself up. He squints his eyes as soon as he shifts his weight onto his left foot, but whatever pain he felt quickly resolves.

"Levi, are you okay?"

He pulls me into his side and kisses my temple but doesn't answer me, he only smiles and squeezes my hand while we walk together out of the gym. Levi looks relaxed now so I won't pressure him any further, he isn't going to admit anything even if I ask. We've just agreed to have fun this weekend. The conspicuous elephant will have to remain camouflaged for now.