Burning Flames ¦ Evan Buckley

Chapter 79 - Radioactive

Radiation day had come and El was thankful that her stupid low iodine diet was over and she could go back to enjoying dairy and sushi like she did normally. She didn't know how long she was going to be stuck in the lead lined room however she packed enough to keep her occupied for the foreseeable.

Eddie picked her up that morning knowing he wouldn't be able to see her now for 2 weeks due to her being in hospital for a number of days and the restrictions that come after she is released. "I've told Bobby I should be back at work at the start of the month" El spoke as they drove to the hospital, this procedure not taking place at the private hospital.

"I'm sure Buck will be glad to hear it" Eddie confirmed, "We all will, the team isn't the same without you" He smiled over at her.

"I've missed it so much" She sighed, "But I already feel a lot better, all things considered. The blood test showed that I should be on the right dose of Levothyroxine so hopefully I can make it through the 24 hour shifts" She chuckled.

"You know you need to tell them what's happened though right?" Eddie spoke.

"Yeah, hopefully they won't put me through any assessments. They didn't with you so I think I should be okay. I'll take Bobby out for coffee to tell him, better than doing it at the firehouse" El responded, hoping that she wouldn't have to retake a lot of the previous assessments.

"Hopefully, plus I think Bobby will just want you back on the team" Eddie confirmed, placing his hand on top of hers for a few moments before releasing he had likely pushed a boundary. All this time he had been spending with El had caused him to have a connection with her that he didn't even feel for Ana.

The rest of the car ride was quiet, El didn't know what to say, what could she say? She didn't have any sort of feelings of affection towards Eddie other than that of friendship. Her heart lied with Buck and only Buck. No one else in the world was able to compare to him, nor did she want anyone to compare to him. Buck was her one.

They pulled up to the hospital and El made her way out, grabbing her bag and waiting to say goodbye to Eddie. Eddie stood in front of her for a short moment, "Well, good luck, you got this" Eddie spoke softly, "This is going to be the last step then you can carry on with life"

"Thank you...Eddie. For everything" She gave him a soft smile before they pulled one another into a tight embrace. El pulled away, her eyes revealing just how frightened she was.

"Querida, you got this" Eddie reassured her, his hands resting on her shoulder, "Show Cancers who's boss huh?" He encouraged, "Now go on, you don't want to be late"

With that, El made her way inside, fear and worry seeping through her body. She just wanted to be okay. She didn't think it was much to ask for but here she was, fighting cancer. The rest of the day was fairly smooth sailing. She had had her injections the last 2 days and it was time to take the radioactive pill. The pill came in a thick lead container, easily weighing 3kg. The radiation specialist couldn't even touch the pill; it was that radioactive which made El all the more concerned as to how she was allowed to consume something of that significance.

"Okay, so you need to put the warm water in your mouth first, then place the pill in and swallow as quickly as you can, we don't want it to start dissolving in your mouth" The man spoke. "Once you have done that I need you to step back so I can take your readings. You got that?"

"Yep" El nodded, although she had to admit that this was quite terrifying. She was about to be a mini chernobyl. She took the warm water in her mouth before picking up the cup which held the small white capsule that was about to destroy the rest of her cancer. She wasted no more time, not wanting to stare at it any longer. She tilted the cup into her mouth and swallowed the pill instantly. She placed the cups back down and moved backwards for him to take her readings.