He fought through the pain, never once letting his own suffering stop him from protecting Lance.


    Calliope knew deep down that Hudson''s death wasn''t really her fault.


    Doctors, after all, do everything they can to save lives, but there will always be regrets.


    Hudson was one of those regrets. It was like what had happened with her grandpa-when the endes, no amount of skill or effort can hold it back.


    Still, she couldn''t help but feel guilty.


    She kept thinking maybe she just wasn''t a good enough doctor. If she''d been better, maybe Hudson would have had a little more time. Maybe he wouldn''t have suffered so much.<fncf7c> This update is avable on FindN0vel</fncf7c>


    He was so young. He had his whole life ahead of him, so much talent, so much to give, and someone who loved him with everything they had. He could''ve had a life full of happiness, but instead, it was cut so painfully short.


    How could she not feel regret, or me herself?


    "I''m sorry, Lance. I just... I just wasn''t good enough."


    Calliope''s eyes blurred with tears as she looked at Hudson, knowing he''d never wake up again.


    If only she''d been better. She could''ve given him more time.


    She was sure Hudson had his own regrets, too. He could''ve aplished so much more, spent a lifetime with the person he loved. But his life had been so brief.


    "It''s not your fault," Lance said softly, lifting his head.


    "He just ran out of luck, I guess. So did I."


    He managed a sad, broken smile. "It''s not easy to find someone you love this much, someone who loves you back just as fiercely. And now... he''s just gone."


    "But Hudson told me he was lucky. He said maybe he used up all his good luck just by meeting me."


    "He told me his life, short as it was, meant something. He said he was happy. He was d to go with me by his side. He said I shouldn''t grieve too long."


    Lance looked up at her, his eyes shining with tears, but there was a smile on his lips—a heartbreakingly brave smile.


    "Callie, can you help me handle a few things? I want to stay with him a little longer."


    "Of course," Calliope said, nodding. She slipped out of the room, her heart heavy.


    She started making calls, letting


    Thet


    friends know, reaching out to the funeralhome, helping Lance get through the logistics that suddenly felt so overwhelming.  s


    Ss and Fagan were the first to arrive.


    "Ma''am, just let me know what needs to be done. I''ll take care of it," Fagan said, stepping forward immediately.


    Calliope gave him a few instructions.


    Ss came right up to her and pulled her into a gentle hug. He was all warmth and kindness.


    "It''s not your fault," he said, his voice low and strong.


    "No one''s death is ever your fault. You did everything you could. If it werent for you, they wouldn''t have had as much time as they did. don''t me yourself. You di@great. You stayed calm."  s


    "Go be with him. We''ll take care of the rest."


    He let her rest her head on his shoulder for a moment before heading off to help.


    Calliope lingered in the doorway, watching Lance.


    Lance was talking to Hudson, his forehead pressed to Hudson''s, holding his hand, lying close beside him.


    He looked utterly devastated, like he wished he could just fall asleep and never wake up either.


    Calliope''s heart felt like it was


    sinking. She knew death was a part of life. She''d seen it so many times


    but that didn''t make it any easier to say goodbye.  s


    She didn''t even notice Ss standing beside her until he spoke.


    "Everyone dies, Callie," Ss said quietly. "It''s something we all have to face, sooner orter."