Niall collected the drinks from the bar and slid into the seat next to Caoimhe, giving her a grin.

"When Auntie Niamh said we were visiting her friend, she mentioned you but I never connected you with the Niall from One Direction" Caoimhe said shyly. 

"I actually like that you didn't. Here I'm just Niall. Everyone knows me and treats me just like they always did, before X-Factor and the band. I can be me" Niall said quietly.

"But being famous must be cool?' Caoimhe wanted to know.

"Yeah, and no. It's cool doing stuff you love doing and getting paid for it. And we have the best fans on the planet. But being famous and well off doesn't prevent sh*t happening in your life. I've learnt that the hard way".

"Niall, you'll get through this. You're going to get well again. You just need to look after yourself better. I bet your Ma will be taking the best care of you."She tried to sound as reassuring as possible as she knew Niall often felt very low. "And there are new treatments being  trialled every day."

"Have you seen this?" Niall pulled out the dog-eared article from his wallet. He kept it with him the whole time , knowing what could be possible gave him hope. Caoimhe took it from him and read.

"Wow! Niall, that sounds wonderful"

"It does. And I need to get well enough. Paul Taylor says it's possible if I can get my health improved. The band is on Hiatus for a time. If I could just get it done now , then I'd be free to live normally. I could tour again."

"But Chemo, Niall. That's pretty brutal for most people. Are you sure you want to go through it...willingly?" Caoimhe looked at him, her face grave " Do you understand what that involves?"

"My hair falls out?" Niall said, shrugging.

"Niall, that aside. that's just one thing. Chemo kills the bad cells in the body. That article says it's needed to reboot the body's immune system to pre MS state. It kills the bad cells but it poisons the body to do it. You could get very sick, be permanently tired, have bad headaches, pain. Your skin gets sore, your concentration is affected. And that's not all. You immune system will be totally down, you'll be open to other illnesses. Nerve pain, bleeding gums, possible infertility The list is so long. You'd need to go through that before the stem cell treatment. And it's not certain it will work."   She looked down at the table, not wanting to see Niall's expression.

"You said ' I could' not 'I will.' Caoimhe, I'm going to talk it out with Paul but at the moment, I want this treatment so much. I must be an awful person 'cos I don't want to live with this over my head. The not knowing what I'll feel like from day to day. Not knowing if I'll end up in a wheelchair, having someone feed me like I'm a baby. I can't do it" Niall whispered, shame faced. Caoimhe reached out and placed her  small hand over his and squeezed gently. Niall raised his eyes and smiled briefly. "I'd better take you back home. Ma will be mad if I keep you out too long." He stood and helped Caoimhe to her feet. "Please don't say anything to Ma or Auntie Niamhe. I want to keep this to myself."

"You've my professional word, Niall. My lips are sealed. And I do wish you well. Just make sure you know what's involved, for your own sake."

"Did you have a nice time with Caoimhe?" Maura asked Niall later that evening. "She's a pretty girl. And how wonderful you know her. Fancy that, your nurse. It's a small world. Will you be seeing her again?"

"Maybe Ma. She's a nice girl but don't you try any of your matchmaking. What happens .happens.I'm off to bed now. Maybe I'll Skype with the lads. I miss them".

"Goodnight, son. Give my love to the boys when you talk." 

"Will do. Night, Ma".

 Niall gave his mother  a quick kiss and headed up the stairs to bed. Once in the privacy of his room, he powered up his laptop and signed into Skype.

"How you doing, mate" Liam's face appeared on the screen "Enjoying being home?"

"It's Ok. Ma is constantly trying to feed me to fatten me up. It's working" Niall grinned back. "How's LA? Met up with Hazz yet?"

"Not yet. We're meeting up with him and his family tomorrow. Not long until his big day. You coming over for the party?' Liam wanted to know.

"Thinking about it. Won't be able to celebrate with alcohol though. It's still banned" Niall said grumbling.

"That's rough, Ni, but you are getting better? How's the stomach?'

"Not so sore now, doesn't hurt when I push on it. That's something, I suppose. Hey Li, you remember that Irish nurse I had? The pretty one?" Liam said he did "Well, she's here. Took her out for a drink this afternoon. Turns out she's staying with her auntie who happens to be an old school friend of my Ma.And they came to visit today"

"It's a small world" Liam said' are you going out again?

"Li!" Niall said but blushed slightly as he did. Liam smiled to himself but didn't pursue the subject, changing it to Louis and the new baby.

"Honestly Li, I don't know what to believe. The paps have gone into overdrive, Ma says. I've stayed off everything. Just not got the motivation at the moment" Niall admitted.

"Stay off it, Ni. Have a break and relax" Liam said encouragingly. He, Louis and Harry all hoped Niall would stay in his own little bubble at the moment. There was too much happening and they were afraid that all the media stories would be too much for Niall in his current state. He only hoped nobody mentioned Zayn's forthcoming interview on the Graham Norton Show. Heaven only knew what Zayn was likely to say and they were worried about the effect on Niall.

The two young men chatted back and forth for another hour until Niall's eyelids started to close.

"Hey Nialler, time you got some sleep.. We'll talk soon. Take care, Bud"

"You too, Bro".

Niall yawned and put his laptop to one side before getting off the bed and stripping off and climbing under the duvet once more. Sleep came quickly but his dreams were not pleasant. All his worries about the final stages of MS mixed in with memories of his conversation with Caoimhe wove together in to dark dreams. He started tossing and turning in his sleep, arms flaying about as sweat poured from his body. Then his terrified screams rang through the house.