Chapter 1: Never Too Late (Three Days' Grace)

Disclaimer: (Applies to rest of chapters) I don't own anything that Hiromu Arakawa made up.

"No! Roy! Wake up, please! You'll be fine!" Riza sobbed over the broken, bleeding body of her superior. There were too many injuries. She could do nothing but just sit there and watch him fade.

It wasn't supposed to have happened like this. The raid was supposed to have gone smoothly, and they were supposed to be home in time for dinner.

Instead, things had gone wrong from the start.

First, there was the leak. They'd never know who'd let out that the raid was going to be then and there, but someone had, and so they were ready. Barrels of oil were strewn around. Roy couldn't use his fire, no matter how tight his control was over it. It was just too risky.

Then, some of their gear had malfunctioned. Riza's gear was fine, as she always kept it in top condition, but Roy's gun, a loaner since he hadn't planned on needing it, had jammed at the worst possible moment.

He'd been shot. She had panicked, and it all spiraled downward so quickly after that.

Riza remembered taking a shot or two, but they weren't serious. In fact, she could barely feel them anymore. This was good, at least, because then she could focus on helping Roy.

She had tried everything- bandaging him with whatever spare material she could find, giving him water when he was conscious, trying to keep him awake- but to no avail. She had to face it. He was dying, and she was as good as a murderer for not trying to help him.

I just can't do anything. I tried, I swear I did! But in the end, nothing was enough. Riza sat back against the wall, pulled her legs to her chest, and cried. I failed you, Roy. I promised not to, but I did. I'm sorry, Roy. Please forgive me. I love you.

"Riza."

Roy couldn't be speaking… could he? It was his voice, but it was so clear.

I'm imagining things. That's it. The hole in her heart expanded faster than ever now.

"No. You're not real."

"Yes I am, Riza. Please stay with me!"

A sudden pain stung her abdomen, and Riza screamed. She was aware that she was gripping someone's hand.

But I was alone! Who-

"Riza, open your eyes! Come on! Please, Riza, I'm begging you! Look at me!"

And then she got it.

Roy wasn't in any danger at all, and he never had been.

It was Riza who was in danger of dying.

She barely opened her eyes. "Roy?"

"I'm here."

Riza nodded. "Thank God," she breathed.

"Riza, stay awake, please! I know it's hard, but you have to. Come on, stay with me. Don't close your eyes, Riza! No!"

Roy…

Nothing.

A/N: I leave the interpretation of the end up to you, the readers. I'm pretty sure of what most of you will go with, but I just don't have the guts to write it that way definitively. And that way, if you don't want that ending, well… There you go. You get to say what it is or isn't.

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