"How could that be, we thought the lieutenant was recovering…."
Roy shot a quick glance at Breda, who had mumbled out his thoughts audibly before looking away to the window and the view outside. He had believed the same; no one had given any thought to the possibility of a rejection; and the lieutenant's current dire status was prove of their negligence.
Falman peered from his superior to Breda and Kain before raising his own thoughts about the issue;
"All she needs is another bone marrow, why don't the rest of us give a shot and see if our own are suitable?"
Havoc nodded his head seriously, Kain's eyes lit up brightly at the obvious solution; for a brief moment; the atmosphere in the ward was much lighter, only to be interrupted by the colonel who cleared his throat.
"For now, Havoc and Kain are the only ones who could actually be a donor." He cast a knowing glance at his other two soldiers, Breda caught his gaze while Falman heaved a sigh of regret when he realized what he meant by his sentence.
They were seriously injured; all thanks to last night's events. And that meant; their bodies are not healthy enough to give blood, nor bone marrows or any major surgery. The group of four was cut down to two, and what are the chances that they would be suitable?
"We have to try!" Kain declared in a firm tone while nodding his head vigorously; he knows that the chances would be slim, however they must try. Havoc peered at the colonel before licking his own lips; deep in thought. Falman folded his arms as the colonel began to pace around the room once more; ignoring the sting riveting from ankles. It was a couple of minutes later when the colonel finally spoke,
"I will inform Knox about this then." Roy said, before turning his gaze to an alarm clock nearby. It was 3pm, time moves pretty quickly around here; or was it just the feeling of being helpless that caused the seconds to tick by that rapidly? He thought silently before limping his way towards the door, Kain was about to speak again as the colonel's hands were at the handle of the sliding door when the door had opened up in a swift movement; startling the colonel as well as his team who were watching right behind him.
The person who appeared at the door was no other then the person Roy was about to look for; Dr Knox was beaming at them, confusing the men with his apparent happy expression with a time as dark as these. He wiped some beads of sweat from the side of his head before entering the ward, beckoning Roy to follow him. Roy observed the man; he seemed to have rushed down from somewhere. The doctor walked to the centre of the room and threw a brown file on the table on Breda's table before exclaiming,
"An exact match, we found a suitable bone marrow for Miss Hawkeye!" Roy's expression changed rapidly, to a slight confused, happy and puzzled look; Kain jumped happily beside him while a relieved grin was seem on Havoc's and Falman's face. The doctor had expected the joyous reaction; Roy patted his old war time friend's back before returning to the issue,
"Who is the donor?" Roy asked quickly, not knowing that Havoc had picked up the brown file and scanning through the text. His expression unreadable as he placed a hand on the colonel' shoulder;
"Miss Kathy Belle…" He uttered out, Roy spun around; glanced from the solider to the file and the doctor; he pulled over the file and read the title of the documents out loud.
"Transfer and replacement Organ Department…" Roy placed his palms over his mouth as he pieced the information together; the news from central headquarters that came to him at noon, as well as the most probable consequence of the events that took place a night ago. His eyes scanned the following text; it was in a table form and each one was the name of most commonly transplanted body parts and their status. So far, it was concluded that she was suitable for transplants.
Havoc gripped the colonel's shoulder rather tightly, his bones struck cold from what he had read. She had signed the documents; to donate any of her usable organs to anyone who was in need of them. This could only mean one thing… Roy gazed at the rest of his team; realized that he had not mentioned; the conclusion of this case that was already set.
Without speaking or looking at anyone, Havoc strides away from his group and left the ward; Breda glanced at the space which used to be occupied by his friend while Kain gaped; surprised at the 2nd lieutenant sudden exit. Dr knox Changed his gaze from one solider to another; taking note of their expression before returning it to the man standing in front of him. Roy closed the file and gazed to the time; 3.15pm,
"Knox, if consented; when would the lieutenant be able to undergo the surgery?" Roy questioned the doctor, who shifted his sleeves aside and counted the hours on his watch,
"The earliest slot we have is the one at 6pm."
Roy nodded, and turned away to face his other soldiers. Kain in particular seemed rather worried at the sudden drop in temperature in their atmosphere, isn't it good now, that the lieutenant has a bone marrow that suits her? What on earth caused the 2nd lieutenant to leave and now the colonel empty expression? He glanced to his other two colleagues, but as he did so; the colonel stalked out of the ward with a soft 'excuse me', leaving the door shaking in its hinges,
Falman and Kain gazed at the doctor; as though looking for an answer, Dr Knox in turn adjusted his collar nervously, "The transfer and Replacement department was built from order of central city…the Criminals who…were sentenced to death were either a 'sacrifice' or a donor." He explained cautiously ignoring a gasp from Falman, he continued, "Their organs were taken to save other patients who needed them…"
Kain backed away slightly, not because of what he heard but from what he finally pieced together, Kathy Belle was sentenced to death…? Breda shifted his pillow straighter and leaned back into them, the court decided about their sentencing pretty quickly, Falman shook his head slowly, there was no trial to this case, seeing that Miss Belle admitted to everything and whatever she said matched to evidences, several seconds passed; and it was only until when the doctor had announced that he was going back to his rounds when Kain spoke up,
"Did Miss Kathy agree to the operation?"
Dr knox placed the file under his arms, and sniffed before answering the young soldier.
"Yes…"
0o0o0o0o0o
Kathy/Laura rubbed her eyes sleepily; the magazines these days are very much boring and dull; she leaned back in the chair, the one next to her bed and yawned. She peered out of the window and stared at the tree that was next to the frame, it was only then that she noticed a creature looking back at her. The magazine returned to the side table, as she made her way slowly to the window.
It was a bright blue song bird, it tilts his head slightly as Kathy approached, the lady taps on the glass and the song bird jumped back from the sudden sound. Although a little scared, the small creature flapped its wings and came closer to the window. Soon, it was standing on the branch next to the window and Kathy observed its smooth and straight feathers, it seemed to be a house bird and not a stray.
Kathy would have spent more time on the creature if she had not heard the door slide open behind her, she turns her head slightly; the blue song bird took off from the branch as she realized seconds later who the visitor was.
"Mr Havoc…" she said, but before she could do anything else. Havoc stride forward and stood in front of her with a solemn expression on his face, Kathy stared, she did understand that sadness in his eyes, the pair of golden eyes bore into the soft blue ones however Kathy's eyes formed a curved moon shape seconds later; she giggled a little before speaking.
"Why the sad look on your face? You should smile, smiling makes a person happy." She added in with a slight comforting grin. For a moment, Havoc looked grim but he quivered a little when the lady in front of him expressed happiness, she was going to die and take most of the blame for Fluorite…how could she be so nonchalant about it? It isn't fair!
Havoc gestured that they should both take a seat, Kathy returned to her bed while Havoc took up the chair she vacated a little while ago, "I heard…about your sentence…" he began, only to be interrupted by Kathy who kicked him in the shins.
"Ouch! What did you do that for?" Havoc protest painfully, rubbing his shins with his hands. Kathy sniffed loudly, before punching him in the shoulders gently.
"If you came here to ask me why I am not upset or crying because of it, then I rather you leave!" she said, harshly and coldly. Havoc stared; the pain ebbed away with her words. Though, he was still stubborn enough to put his question across.
"Don't you find it unfair? That you have to take up the blame for him? Because of lack of evidence against him for the murders of the other eleven people, even though he was the one who forced to you to kill them…?"
Kathy's head was slightly bowed as she answered, her eyes covered by her fringe, "I was the one who did it, their blood are all over my own hands…"
"That is enough to land myself the death sentence; there is no point to run away from this truth…" Kathy added in quickly as she pulled the bed sheets over her but refused to look directly to Havoc's eyes.
The solider sighs softly, he could not think of anything else to say, what comforting words could be used in this situation? He rubs his hands together nervously, he was here because of what he had heard, about the fate that awaited her, the unfairness in the sentence and probably; to be here if…she needed someone to comfort. But hey, what can he do? Why was he acting as though he could change reality?
"…Is dying painful?" she whispers, Havoc could have sworn he had thought of the question in his head if he had not seen her mouth moving. At that curious moment, the door slides open loudly shocking both the solider as well as Laura; the colonel strides towards them, with a rather solemn look written all over his face.
"Yes, it is." The colonel replies her question. Kathy stared at the new visitor while Havoc stood up and saluted to his superior. He approached the lady, Havoc moved aside to let him pass. The dark eyes met with the blue ones, Kathy gave a small smile; she heard his answer and it was the same as hers, deciding not to ask what he had said; Kathy redirected her question.
"It has been such a long time…Colonel Mustang"
The colonel nodded and took the seat that Havoc had just sat on recently; he peers at the lady before dropping the documents on his laps and folded his arms. The blue pair of eyes observed the dear man sitting in front of her, as well as the awkward one who lingered behind him. Roy could remember the same pair of bright blue eyes years ago, that awfully cold night after Master Hawkeye's funeral which he visited Kcarl, the little girl who was 'his sister' was now the grown woman in the hospital bed talking to him. It was disappointing of him that he did not take note of the resemblance earlier.
Kathy tilted her head slightly before speaking, "I am sure you didn't visit; just to stay silent…" Havoc makes his way over to the sofa nearby, keeping his own ears wide open into the conversation of his superior and the lady.
Sure enough, the colonel pulled the document from the brown file and gripped it tightly in his fingers; he breathed in deeply, "Thank you…for this…"
The lady softened her expression considerably; she gazed at the colonel and nodded with a slight smile. Though slowly her gaze drifted away landing on the documents in his hands instead, it was then she realized that there was something missing on the documents.
"You have not signed the papers. The surgery cannot start without consent…from your end" Kathy said, jabbing the bolded line at the bottom bearing the words 'Signature of guardian'. She raised an eyebrow, curious about the colonel apparent hesitance. It was clear that he was here, not just to express his gratitude.
"Miss Belle, I can help you with this case…All I need are more evidence that Kcarl forced you to murder those people, If you do…At least your sentence would be not be death! " Roy expressed loudly though his voice trailed away after his last words, his eyes were set on Kathy for several seconds and when the latter answered; it had the hint of sadness.
"…But then it would be a life sentence…?" The lady grimaced and shook her head gently; "I don't want to be trapped in another cage, not again." She sniffed and peered into those dark eyes; Roy leaned forward from his chair and folded his arms. "I do not want to put an innocent person…"
"Innocent? Innocent?" Kathy had raised her voice, this time shaking her head furiously and had placed her hands at the side of her head. She glared at Roy, "I am not innocent!" in a swift motion she grabs the left arm of the shocked colonel and shook it firmly, "Mr Mustang, please; there is no time to waste any longer, the lieutenant will die if you keep worrying about such minor things, you can't afford to wait any longer. Take my bone marrow and save her, isn't Miss Hawkeye important to you?"
"Kathy, calm down!" The lady blinked rapidly, her fingernails were digging deep into the colonel's flesh meanwhile her gaze had found Havoc, whose expression was most unreadable; she had lost control of her emotions, slowly; Kathy released her hands but bowed her head. "I'm sorry…" she whispered.
Havoc made his way towards Kathy and placed his hands on her head, giving it a quick rough rub messing her hair slightly. The colonel slipped the documents back into the file and stood up, Havoc glanced at his superior who nodded; he had the file under his arms and his coat over himself as he strides towards the door.
"I understand, Miss Belle." Was the last thing he said before leaving the two behind in the ward and when the door closed with a respectful snap; Kathy put her hand to her face and over her eyes,
"It is really okay, I don't mind…" she utters under her rapid breath before looking away to the sky, a surprise awaited her; the song bird had returned, it was perched on that same branch once again; looking at her curiously. Havoc sat down, this time on the edge of her bed; Kathy twitched slightly but Havoc did not budge from where he was, instead he placed an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to him. Her head was on the side of his left arm, Havoc glanced at her from the corners of his eyes, and those were surely tears that are falling…
Havoc did not speak and neither did Kathy, they sat in this manner for the next few minutes, it was only after half an hour did a nurse and a guard enter the ward; stating that she should get ready for the surgery and that visiting hours were also over. Havoc was shooed out of the room, not before whispering something into Kathy's ears which caused the dear lady to break into a grateful smile, in between those lines of sadness.
An apple will be waiting for you when you get out of there, so make sure you stay strong.
0o0o0o0o0o0o
Meanwhile, at the east wing of the hospital; a sullen and solemn person sits on the chairs nearby; he had rested his head on the wall behind him and stared blankly into a wall opposite him. This was where the observation wards were, and he was the only soul lingering around; it was not at all similar to the noise existence wards at the west wing. It was quiet here, all a person could hear was the soft wheezing of the air vents above and the occasional entering and exiting of doctors and nurses.
Roy felt the sting in his eyes which was a reminder for him to blink, the man closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again, returning his blank stare against the wall. His mind began to replay his memories, from the confrontation between himself and kcarl, the lieutenant's bone marrow rejection, to Kathy Belle's ultimate fate and her reluctance to clear her name.
"Why…" Roy whispered to himself, these few days had been particularly hard on him; draining to certain extent as well. Kcarl carried out his plans, hurting his team and forcing him to fight an unwilling battle, her illness that refuses to recover and the issues between them that he could not resolve, Kathy Belle / Laura Tailly who have to carry the consequences of what Kcarl had done, she had murdered others however it was not her totally her fault; she was manipulated and yet; there was nothing he could do save her.
"Lieutenant…it might be easier to handle if you were here…" He breathes, forming an area of condensation on the glass plane, Roy had rose from his seat and was leaning on the large piece of glass that form most of the wall of the observation ward; with his own eyes on her; the lieutenant pale and unconscious with an oxygen mask covering most of her face, as well as several medical tubes sticking out from her wrist. Pale yellow, brown and transparent fluids within each of them, few inches of the silver colored needle could still be seen attached to her flesh. Roy placed his palms on the glass…
"Lieutenant…"
"Colonel!" Roy bumped his forehead unwillingly on the glass from the shock of the sudden booming voice; he spins around only to come face to face to his youngest solider who saluted to his superior. Roy regained his posture quickly, took a quick glance at his slumbering lieutenant then back to his sergeant. He gestured for Kain to be at ease.
"Is something the matter?" To the question, Kain shook his head vigorously however he looked rather abashed to be there, something that the colonel was quick to notice. "Spit it out." Roy ordered firmly.
Kain bowed his head slightly, before taking out an object from his own pockets; it was a gun. He handed it over to the colonel, with the handle towards his superior. The colonel stared at the gun, somewhere in his mind he remembered the gun shot he had heard during their final moments with Kcarl; the one that saved his life as well as the lieutenant. Roy peered at the young soldier,
"I could not just stand by, and watch him endanger your lives; I apologize for disobeying your orders."
The colonel received the gun from Kain, "My orders were not to get yourselves involved…" he noticed his subordinate cringe a little as though he was about be lectured or punished severely, silently; he puts a hand on Kain's shoulder.
"However, if it wasn't for this bullet you fired, I would not be standing here, right now …"
"Sir?" Kain uttered uncertainly, he threw glances at the hand on his shoulder.
"So there is no need for apologies." Roy said finally as he pushed the gun back to Kain's outreached hands, Kain peered at his superior curiously; but did not speak only shoving the gun back into his own pockets.
Roy turned to face the glass window once again; his expression rearranged to his most worried and sullen one, only his gaze remained the same, cold and yearning for the lady to wake. Kain stood beside the colonel, his own eyes followed the gaze of the colonel's to the lieutenant, and even though they did not speak. It was clear as crystal to what the colonel was thinking.
"I'm very certain; that the lieutenant will wake after the surgery." Kain said, in a half cheerful voice, bringing some form of smile upon Roy's face; though it slides off rather hastily.
Roy narrowed his eyes while absorbing what his solider had just said; if she did wake, everything would be just the same, wouldn't it…?
His gaze observed the lieutenant's slumbering body; she looked frail, pale and ill. Not at all, like the lieutenant that belonged to his office, how he yearns for her return.
It was only for a brief moment, just five seconds that it took for the colonel to realize that he was no longer staring on the closed eyes but was actually looking at a pair of soft and weak light brown ones.
Riza was looking in his direction, but her eyes were hazy and wet. Roy blinked a couple of times to make sure he was not dreaming, he pounded his fist on the glass plane separating them.
Riza gazed at the two silhouettes standing right over there; however she could neither speak nor move. All she could do at that moment was to recognize who they were; it did not take long for her. They were special people, after all.
"She is awake. Isn't she?" yelled the colonel, Kain jumping up and down excitedly right next to him; Confirming that it was not a dream that he was having.
Meanwhile Riza had pulled her gaze away from the two persons; her eyes scanned the room she was in. An observation ward, she had been here before. But…it was only then that the lieutenant peered down, finding herself being administered with drips and an oxygen mask puzzled her. Why is she here…?
Hello, my friends. I am sorry about the slow updates these few days, was getting really distracted by other things. Well; this is the next chapter, I hope you will like this chapter as much as those before. As usual, reviews are very much welcome!
Cheers; Mushimio92