Erhuard sighed as he dialed the phone, hoping to get through this time. He had to speak to a patient's family about scheduling said patient's upcoming operation… But it seemed he was thwarted every time in the last half hour.

The patient was a little girl, of about ten and was referred to him by Gabe after it was discovered she had issues with her abdomen.

"Kid has some pretty nasty tumors around her pancreas. Think you can handle her?"

He said yes but it seemed every time he got through… There was something to go awry.

The first time, he had been hung up on due to the mother dropping the phone and hurrying off somewhere. There had been a giggle heard before the phone was hung up.

The second time, there had been no reply the person had just hung up.

"One… Two…" He murmured before he heard it being picked up.

"Hello?" A little voice asked.

"Hello this is Dr. Muller from Resurgam… Is Mr. or Mrs. Warner present?"

"... Leave me alone." The voice sounded sad as he realized this was the patient in question.

"... Don't you want to get better?"

"Stop it."

"I'm not going to hurt-"

He had to pull the phone away when the phone had been slammed down.

"Ugh…"

"Y'know, I got the same thing when I tried calling about her test results. Kid's sneaky when it comes to avoiding us."

He looked to see Gabe leaning against the doorway. Erhuard sighed. "She needs the surgery whether she likes it or not. I don't know why she'd want to stay sick…"

"It's not staying sick, no kid wants that. It's the idea of getting cut open or being back in the hospital. Take a gander at her file."

The surgeon nodded, taking another look. The information hadn't changed but something jumped out to him more so than it had the first time.

Hospitalized for meningitis… Nearly died…. Goodness… No wonder she's stubborn… Let's see… Had to undergo a spinal tap but she was unconscious at that point… Still…

"Then I'll just have to take a different approach."

Gabe shrugged before both doctors cringed hearing a crash. "Excuse me, I gotta go make sure Wonder Smoker doesn't have a broken neck."

"I'm sure Alex appreciates that nickname." Erhuard muttered as the diagnostician left.

He dialed again, mentally counting the rings.

"Hello?" It wasn't the child's voice this time.

"Hello? Is this one of Rizabelle Warner's guardians?"

"Yes this is her father Ron. Who's calling?"

Yes!

"My name is Dr. Muller from Resurgam, a colleague has referred your daughter's case to me. I trust he's made it aware of the best course of treatment."

"Yeah he said she needs an operation-Riza stop trying to take the phone please-Sorry she's been moody ever since the last appointment."

"It's fine… Children right?"

"Yeah… Anyway… When can we do it?"

"I'd like to examine her myself before we make any dates for the actual operation, but can you bring her in for a pre-op exam on the thirteenth?"

"Yes, my wife hasn't been feeling herself lately so I'll be the one bringing her in-"

Both the father and the surgeon cringed hearing a little girl shrieking in the background.

"I'm sorry that's my daughter. But yes, consider it made."

"Alright thank you and I apologize for the distress."

"It's fine…"

They hung up and Erhuard sighed, running a hand through his hair. He wasn't the best with children, he would acknowledge that. His appearance could be intimidating and yet… His patients hadn't freaked out on him yet.

This one may prove to be a challenge.

So my patient's a screamer…. Joy….

ooooooooooooo

Now here they were just looking at one another.

Erhuard got a good look at Rizabelle, noting she was paler than the photograph on her file. She was still ill so it was no surprise. She was trying to hide behind a toy as she peered out at him with large blue eyes.

Riza… Didn't know what to make of the doctor in question. He was dressed nicely yes, but he also had those red eyes… She had never seen eyes like that.

Or rather, never seen them outside of a book.

"I'm… Dr. Muller… I'll be your doctor for the course of your treatment." He introduced himself to the girl. "You're Rizabelle… Correct?"

"Riza."

"H-Huh?"

"Only call me Rizabelle when I'm in trouble. I like bein' called Riza." She replied a bit shyly.

He nodded. "Alright Riza it is… May I examine you?"

"... I'm not sick…" She whimpered. "I don't wanna be in the hospital more…"

Erhuard frowned, shaking his head. "Riza… You are sick.." He hesitated before tilting her chin up. He tried to give her a gentle look. "But we can cure you. That way you can be better… Don't you want that?"

"It's gonna hurt… That's what all the kids at school say… They'll say it'll hurt… And it hurt for awhile when I was in the hospital last time…"

"You were very, very sick… But you were strong too. You didn't let it beat you did it?"

"No…" She blinked. "I guess not…"

"Then you got nothing to be afraid of."

"Okay… Thanks, Doctor…"

"Anytime… Let's get started shall we?"

"Ahuh!"

oooooo

And now I'm bored… tired… and sore… Riza sighed to herself, looking out the door to her hospital room. She wanted to play but… Part of her was just exhausted.

And of course… There's nothing… To… DO...

The door opened as Erhuard came in with a clipboard… and someone following behind him. A young boy with light brown hair and dark brown eyes.

"Hello, Riza." Erhuard nodded, looking to his little follower. "Erm… I apologize for bringing a guest with me. He likes to follow me around."

"It's okay… I don't mind." Riza smiled shyly at the boy in question. "Hi… I'm Rizabelle… But I prefer Riza."

The boy returned a similar shy smile back. "I'm Vincent… but people call me Vinnie."

She giggled. "I like that… Vinnie it is!"

Erhuard went over to Riza, doing a quick exam.

"Well, you're improving. this is very good."

"So I can play again soon?" She gave him a puppy eyed look. "Please?"

Erhuard nodded. "Yes. Just keep resting for another day or two and you'll be able to be on your feet again."

"Okay…"

"Don't worry. Red Eyed Mister is always right." Vincent grinned up at the surgeon.

Riza blinked before trying not to giggle. "Red Eyed Mister?"

Erhuard sighed, chuckling a little.

"One of Vincent's nicknames for me."

"I like it."

"I also sometimes call him Dr. Red Eyes."

"... That one's the best one!"

Erhuard got a sheepish look.

"If you think so."

Riza nodded quickly. "Ahuh! It's cool! … Like you."

Erhuard got a surprised look in his eyes.

"Me…?"

The girl nodded quickly. "Ahuh! You got really cool red eyes, you're a good doctor… Hehe… And you remind me a little of a vampire-In a good way I mean! I love Vampires."

"He's like a Jedi master. Not a sparkly blood sucker." Vincent scrunched up his nose.

"I mean real vampires!"

Erhuard shook his head… a small smile coming across his face as he chuckled.

"Children, please."

The kids both blinked before grinning.

"Hey, you smiled!"

"Awesome!"

"Huh?"

Erhuard looked to the closest mirror in the room, realizing he was indeed smiling… and not a creepy one. It was a gentle one. The one he had been working so hard to master.

Vincent went over to the doctor holding out a fist. "That calls for a fist bump!"

Erhuard had seen Maria do this "fist bump" with Gabe a few times… and a few rarer times with Tomoe… He never really been offered one before. Erhuard made a fist, bumping it gently with Vincent's.

The boy grinned. "Fwoosh!"

Erhuard chuckled, making a similar sound.

"Awesome!"

Riza giggled shaking her head. "Dr. Red Eyes is funny too!"

"Never been told that before…" Erhuard muttered a little.

"H-Huh?" She tilted her head. "Did I say somethin' wrong?"

"No, no, just…" Erhuard lowered his head a little. "Generally… despite me working so hard… I still get dirty looks from people time to time."

She frowned before carefully getting up and hugging him. "Aww… That's not fair…"

Vincent hugged him as well. "Yeah… you're so nice… and a great doctor… People don't know what they're saying."

Erhuard was surprised at the gestures as he slowly brought his arms around them.

"I…"

"Just be yourself… They don't like it then they're being bullies." Riza got a little determined look. "And if anyone's bein' mean they'll have to go through me!"

"And me!" Vincent chimed in. "No one's mean to our awesome doctor!"

Erhuard felt touched hearing this.

"... Thank you…" He smiled gently.

The children smiled back, hugging him a little tighter. "You're welcome." Vincent chirped.

Riza nodded quickly. "Ahuh!"

Erhuard held them close… taking in the comfort that was this moment of acceptance.

oooooo

"Gotta catch me!"

"RIZA!"

Erhuard was chasing after the little girl who was giggling as she ran. She was doing much better now… and was full of energy… and was always up for a game of tag with the doctor.

"So slow! You'll never catch me!"

"Can't catch me bro! You're too slow!"

Getting serious deja vu here….

Erhuard picked up his pace, getting closer to Riza before he found himself diving for the girl, catching her in his arms.

"Got ya!"

Riza squealed laughing as she hugged him. "You did! You won!" She giggled, smiling up at him.

Erhuard chuckled, sitting up with the girl in his arms. He was completely out of breath, but felt triumphant.

Riza nuzzled him a little, in a good mood. She had her fun and now just wanted to rest for a moment. "Thanks for playing with me."

"You're welcome… laughter is one of the best medicines after all."

"And it doesn't taste bad either!"

"That's right."

Click.

Erhuard and Riza looked to see Maria around the corner of the hallway with her phone, smirking.

"Haha! I have proof!"

"... But he won't show up on film!" Riza pointed out. "He's part vampire!"

Erhuard was quiet before getting a rather childish idea… but he couldn't help himself.

He looked to Maria giving a semi hiss, holding Riza protectively.

"And I hate cameras."

Maria was quiet before she burst out laughing leaning on the corner a bit. "OH MY GOSH!"

"Yeah! No cameras for Dr. Red Eyes!" Riza hugged him, giving her own try at a menacing look… But it failed as she started giggling.

Erhuard shook his head, picking Riza up as he stood up.

"Come on, I think Vinnie would like to see you."

Riza nodded quickly holding onto his labcoat. "Yeah! I wanna see him too!"

"Careful there Kid, she might get a crush on him." Maria snickered.

Riza tried to hide her face as she blushed a bit. "I-I don't have a crush!"

Erhuard ignored her, heading down to the pediatric ward.

"Ignore her, she teases me about that kind of thing too."

Riza looked up at him blinking. "Really? … Do you like someone? Like like I mean."

Erhuard got a little red in the cheeks.

"Erm… Um…"

"You can tell me! I won't tell anyone! Promise!"

Erhuard glanced to the side.

"Well… Dr. Tachibana is rather kind…" he muttered.

Riza's eyes widened a bit before she smiled. "She is nice… I bet she likes you too… Who wouldn't? You're kind… Awesome… You're just… A really good person…" She hugged him a little tighter. "I think you two would be good for each other."

Erhuard smiled, stroking her back. "L-Let's not get ahead of ourselves…."

"Okay…" She giggled. "But your secret's safe with me. Promise." She gave a little salute. "Riza honor!"

"Thank you…"

"Welcome-"

They heard a crash as they both looked down the hall to see Vincent getting up from a fallen over stretcher.

"... Vinnie?"

"Lucas you hit another nurse…"

Riza shook her head and lowered her voice. "And between you and me, I think this one's gonna need me around more."

"Agreed."