Plot: Karen's sister shows up with bad news.
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to "Will & Grace" nor do I receive any compensation for this. I just really love theshow so please don't sue me.

It was a cool spring day and Grace Adler Designs was open for business. Grace was hurriedly working on some sketches she had for a meeting later that day when a young, brown haired woman walked in. Grace thought she couldn't be more than 18 or 19.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm looking for Karen Walker," the girl said in a sweet voice.

"Aren't we all. Sorry, she hasn't come in yet. May I give her a message for you?"

"Could I just wait here for her? I called the house and Rosario said she'd already left. Oh, where are my manners? I'm Angela, but everyone calls me Angel. I'm Karen's sister. You must be Grace."

The young woman sticks out her hand and shakes Grace's.

"Nice to meet you. Karen never mentioned you before."

"Doesn't surprise me. She's fiercely protective of me."

"Funny, I didn't think Karen could be protective of anyone but herself. No offense."

"None taken. See, she acts very different with me that with everyone else. She isn't as big a bitch as everyone thinks. Just a bit misguided at times. She believes she's doing things for the best, but it doesn't always workout that way. She basically raised me. Mom resented me because I was a menopause baby. So, sis took over."

"That is a lovely way to explain her. You must really love her."

"Yeah, I do. Please, don't tell her I told you this stuff, okay? She'd kill me."

"Your secret's safe with me. Why are you here, anyway? Seeing the sights?"

"Well, sis just wanted me to transfer here to be closer I guess." Angel said this with a bit of uncertainty in her voice. Suddenly the door flew open and Karen walked in with packages piled high in her arms.

"I'm late, sorry. Oh, I sound insincere. Im late! Honey could you help me with these packages?"

Angel signalled to Grace not to say anything and walked over to take the packages away from Karen's face.

"Get anything for me?"

"Of course not..., oh, hey sweetie. How was your trip?" Karen dropped the packages and the sisters bumped bellies. The two embraced and Karen whispered in Angel's ear, "Angel, baby, you look tired. You okay?"

"Yeah, but, I need to talk to you alone."

"Kare, we aren't very busy today. Why don't you two take a long lunch? Spend the afternoon together."

"You're the boss. Let's go."

"Bye, Grace, it was nice meeting you." Angel yelled this as Karen pulled her out the door.

At lunch Angel ate little. Karen tried not to show her concern.

"Honey, you really do look tired. Wanna get a facial or something later?"

"Well, there's something I need to talk to you about first. I went to the doctor last week like you asked me to, and I found out why I have been so tired lately."

"Why? Too much studying? Boys? What?"

Angel grasped Karen's hand as tears formed in her eyes.

"This is hard to tell you but, I just have to come out and say it. I have ovarian cancer."

"Oh my God," Karen whispered. She put her face in her hands trying to compose herself and figure out what to say. She moved her chair closer to Angel's, hugging her. Angel put her head on Karen's shoulder, sobbing.

"Shh, baby, it's okay. Big sister's here."

Even she didn't completely believe her own words. In the back of her mind, she was terrified. She tried not to show it but it was in her eyes. Karen was trembling along with her sobbing sister, sad and angry at the same time. For the first time in her life, she didn't know what to say. She wanted to be brave for Angel's sake. She was the older sister and was supposed to be the strong one. The thought of losing the only person who really knew her and loved her no matter what was killing her. She found herself wondering if someone could die of a broken heart. At that thought she whispered, "Oh, Lord". A prayer she didn't mean for anyone else to hear.

Angel looked up at her. Her eyes teared up as she looked down at her frightened little sister. She hugged her even tighter and said, "Were going to get you the best doctors Stan's money can buy".

"Kare, I love you so much. Thank you for being so good to me."

"I love you too."

The two embraced again and went to the limo so that no one would see Karen cry, breakdown was a better term. Angel and Grace were the only ones who had ever seen her do that.

They went back to Grace's office. Karen went back to the swatch room with Grace to tell her that she needed some time off to spend with her sister. As Grace said yes they heard a thud in the main part of the office.

They rushed in to find Angel lying on the floor, unconscious.

Karen ran over and held her sister's limp body in her arms. She whispered, "Baby, you can't leave me. You're gonna be okay."

Grace looked confused by Karen's words, but called 911. They got to the hospital and waited for Angel to wake up. Grace held the frightened Karen.

"Karen, what's going on? What's wrong with Angel?"

Holding back tears she said, "She has cancer. She just told me today. I brought her here to watch over her. This shouldn't have happened."

"Karen, there was nothing you could have done. She's only 20 years old. Cancer doesn't discriminate."

Just then Jack walked in.

"Hey, Kare," he said, sadly.

"Hey, poodle."

"Who's your daddy?

"You are."

They hugged one another.

"How's Angel doing? She's such a sweet kid."

"I know. She's still unconscious. We don't know anything yet and they wont let me see her. Why wont they let me see her?" she cried.

Jack hugged her and nibbled her ear for a minute. That always cheered her up. Karen saw Angel's doctor and ran over. She grabbed him and asked, "What's going to happen to my sister?"

"Mrs. Walker, your sister will need surgery to remove the tumor on her ovary.

For now she is stable but a little weak. Awake and asking for you."

The doctor showed her to Angel's room. She went into the dark room and saw Angel lying there, so weak. Angel tried to lift herself up.

"Hey, sis."

"Hey honey. You scared the hell outta me, you know that?"

"You know I'll do anything to get your attention."

They both giggled, uncomfortably. Angel grabbed her side, coughing.

"You okay, honey? Comfy? Do you need anything?"

"I'm fine, better now that you're here. Just tired. I know you're worried and I love you for that, but I'm a big girl and you can't fight all my battles."

"I know, but it should be me lying there, not you." She sat there holding Angel's frail hand.

"Don't say that! I've had a wonderful life thanks to you. I wouldn't trade it for anything."

"How bad is it?"

"About the size of an orange I think they said. I have to have surgery tomorrow and the doc thinks he can get it all. I'll be out in a few days and with chemo/radiation I may be able to fight it. He said I will need someone to drive me and take care of me. I may be weak for a while."

"Just think of me as your personal nurse. I'll do whatever it takes to get you well. I'm not going to give up and I won't let you, either. Just tell me what to do."

"Thanks. I knew I could count on you. I just need you to be there like you always have."

The door opened and in walked Jack McFarland with two roses. He handed one to each of his friends. He kissed Angel on the forehead.

"Now, what's this I hear about you getting a face lift and Karen won't let me?"

They all laughed.

"Hey, baby. What's up?" Angel said this with more energy than she had shown in a few minutes. She sounded like herself again.

"Just me," he giggled. "How ya feelin'?"

"Fine, but I think she needs a hug."

She smiled at Karen.

For the five days that Angel was in the hospital after the surgery, Karen barely left her side. After a year of radiation, sickness, check ups, and wigs,

Karen looked almost worse than Angel did. She took care of her diligently during the day and most nights, only sleeping about two hours between watching

Angel sleep or be sick (if it was a treatment day) crying and even praying, she was exhausted. She didn't mind the nights so much. After all, it got her out of sleeping with Stan and he was very understanding about it. Grace, Jack, Will, and Rosario helped out as much as they could but, Karen was so protective of her precious baby that she wouldn't allow anyone to do too much. She wanted to do everything so she could make sure it was done right. She appreciated all their support but that was the way she wanted it.

Karen took Angel for her second six months checkup and after some tests they discovered that all traces of cancer were gone.

"Thank God. So she's going to be fine?"

"Yes, but, she still needs to get her checkups at least every six months."

Angel got stronger everyday with Karen's love fuelling her. She was true to her word and never gave up. Angel's hair grew back quickly and more beautiful than ever. She was able to go back to school in the fall. She was even dating a young gynecologist.

After classes ended for Christmas, almost two years had past, Angel went to visit Karen at work. There was a huge diamond on her finger.

"Guess who's getting married?"

"Jack," laughed Karen as she hugged her little Angel.

"So, the doc finally did it huh?"

"Yea, Karen, I want you to be my matron of honor and give me away. Grace, I want you to be my bridesmaid."

"I'm honored," squealed Grace.

"Well, we have become good friends in the past two years and you have been so supportive through everything."

"Now, what dress to wear?" piped in Karen. "Anything you want on Stan." She appraised the ring as she said this. "Oh, good for you, honey. He is definitely a keeper."

"I know."

The sisters hugged.

Will walked in, "Ah, a Kodak moment. Angel, be careful. If you touch her long enough she'll leach all the sweetness out of you."

"Shut up, Wilma," the two said in unison.

"See, I told you. You sound more like her every day."

"Thanks for the compliment, Will. She's been my rock, so strong. She never gave up on my getting well."

"Honey, you're stronger than I will ever be."

"When's the big day?" asked Grace.

"Valentine's day, two months. I know it isn't much time but, do you think we can handle it, Kare?"

"Of course, two months, two weeks, or two days, it doesn't matter. My little girl will get the perfect wedding. You've been through so much, you deserve whatever you want."

"Oh, thank you so much. You're the best."

"I know."

The next two months were filled with planning. Karen did what she did best, take charge and go shopping. Everything had to be perfect for her baby. When the day finally arrived and Angel was a vision in Valentino. Karen was ravishing as always.

"You know, this is what I have always dreamed of for you. Never be sad my angel. I'll always be here for you. I love you."

"Thanks, Karen. I love you too. You don't know how much I appreciate you. You've always been there for me. You're the only Mom I've got."

"Oh, honey."

"It's time," yelled Grace.

Karen was beaming from ear to ear as she walked her little sister, her baby, down the aisle. She raised Angel's veil and kissed her on the cheek. She even teared up. Putting Angel's hand in the hand of her husband to be, she whispered, "You take care of her." He smiled at her and nodded. Everyone was surprised at how sentimental she could be. Grace was sniffling and Jack wailed like an infant. He leaned over to Karen and whispered, "Our little girl is all grown up."

"Yea, I know, poodle."

After the ceremony they danced all night long. Jack came back to the penthouse with Karen.

"How does it feel now that she isn't here for you to take care of?"

"I miss her but she and Alex will be living right down the street and besides I have a new place to hide on Oyster Tuesdays." They both laughed and fell asleep in each others arms.

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