All for Love

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Part 1: Chapter 11: Forgiveness

Adrienne sat in the corridor of the infirmary, her hands clasped together between her legs, looking down at the floor. Her face looked drained of emotion.

It's my fault. She kept repeating to herself. It's my fault. Why do I always screw up? She stood up sharply, and slammed her fist against the wall. As her fist collided with the wall, she screwed up her face and pain, grabbing her fist with her other hand.

"Shit!" She exclaimed.

"I'm guessing that hurt you more than it did the wall." A voice came from behind her. Addy didn't bother to turn around. She leaned her forehead against the wall.

"Yeah, well, brick walls are normally tougher to break than bones." She turned around to look at the blonde SOLDIER. "What are you doing here El?" She said more softly. Elena leaned against the door frame of some open double doors, arms folded. She shrugged.

"Can't a girl see how her friend is doing once in a while?"

"You didn't have to come down here."

"I didn't have to, but I wanted to." Elena pushed herself off the frame and walked towards her friend. "What happened anyway?" Addy shrugged and sat down again on the worn out red leather bench. Elena sat next to her.

"Nothing happened." Addy replied sometime later. The SOLDIER looked at her.

"Don't gimme that."

"Not gonna let it rest, are ya?"

"Nope." Addy sighed at her friend's answer. Shaking her head, she looked at Elena.

"....... We argued about something....... stupid." She hesitated. "I.... I stormed off into the slums. He came to look for me and got stabbed because of it." The strawberry blonde girl stood up sharply again. "I'm such a fucking bitch Elly!" She yelled so loud that a nurse from down the corridor gave her a look as if to say, 'keep it down.' Addy turn her head back to her friend. "I'm such a cow."

"Addy, come here." Elena told her, patting the sofa cushion next to her. Her friend complied. The blonde SOLDIER put her arm around her younger friend. "It's not your fault. You didn't know this would happen." Addy looked up, a tear trailing down her cheek.

"I know, but it doesn't make me feel any better." Elena didn't reply to that, she just lightly grabbed her friend's head and placed it on her shoulder, stroking her hair lightly. They stayed in silence for a few minutes, before Addy lifted her head up, wiping her tears away with her hand. "Thanks El."

"Don't mention it." The blonde smiled. A male cough from nearby alerted them both. Elena saw who it was and jumped out of her seat to salute. "Vice President Rufus Sir!" She shouted. Rufus looked a little stunned for a few moments before he smiled.

"I gather you're from SOLDIER?" He asked. Elena nodded automatically. "Relax. You don't have to salute me if you're not on duty you know."

"Sorry. Habit." Elena mumbled.

"So?" Addy whispered quietly, looking at the blonde male. He smiled again.

"He'll be fine. Go and see him if you want."

Addy stood up slowly and walked off down the hallway, looking in each and every room window. After a while she spotted Reno. She stopped and stared through the window for a little while. His face was paler than she was used to, making the scars on his cheeks look more prominent. She watched as his chest fell and rose slightly. Wiping a stray tear from her eye, she silently walked into the room, sitting down next to the bed. Adrienne sat down slowly, taking his hand in hers. She stared at him again for what seemed like hours, but could have only been a few minutes.

"I'm sorry." She whispered. "I'm so, so sorry." She brought his hand up her cheek. "I didn't mean to argue with you I didn't mean to let this happen to you I didn't............ and I'm babbling." She said softly, all in one breath. Another tear fell. "I can't lose you."

She fell silent. Only the sound of footsteps in the corridor and the faint hum from the machinery broke the hush. Adrienne's eye sight came to look at her ring. She fiddled around with it a little, staring at deep red and white colours. She stared at it for so long, her vision became unfocused and the colours merged together. She shook her head, clearing her sight and looked back at the red head again.

"You didn't get me this for nothing did you?" She murmured, her eyes gesturing towards the ring.

"Of course I didn't." Came a weak voice. She looked back at the bed again to see Reno's eyes open slightly. Addy gaped at him for a few moments before a smile slowly spread across her face.

"You're ok." She said softly. Reno looked around the room a little, then returned his gaze to Addy.

"Where am I?"

"In the infirmary." Reno groaned at the answer.

"Should have guessed." He shuffled around a bit and unconsciously tighten his grip on his fiancée's hand. "You're not mad at me anymore about......... you know?" He asked lightly. The strawberry blonde shook her head.

"I know you only meant good, although I never saw that at the time. I just hope Rufus can get me out of the shit I've put myself in." Reno looked at her blankly. "Remember? I kinda did something to Heidegger." The red head laughed a little and did a waving motion with his other hand.

"He'll get you out of it. He hates Heidegger." Reno then pointed to the window behind Addy. "Your mother's there."

"I don't wanna talk to her."

"You can't avoid her forever. She did it for you anyway." Addy looked at him in shock.

"What? How?"

"Remember when I got in trouble for that little boy? Scarlet bailed me out by doing............ that." He whispered.

"She did?" Addy exclaimed quietly. "I can't believe she'd do that."

"I guess it shows how much she loves you. Just go and talk to her." Adrienne reluctantly let go of Reno's hand and walked towards the door. She looked back at Reno for a minute.

"I love you so much, you know."

"I love you too." Reno whispered with a smile. Addy smiled back and turned to leave the room. She opened the door to let herself out and closed it again, leaning back onto it. There was an unconformable silence as Addy looked at the floor, while Scarlet looked at her daughter.

Addy suddenly looked up.

"Hey."

"Addy I..." Scarlet began.

"No, let me talk first." The blonde girl interrupted. "I'm sorry I just walked out. I didn't let you explain." She smiled at her mother. "I'm just worried about you." Scarlet smiled and took a step closer to her daughter. She gently stroked the girl's cheek.

"I'm sorry you had to find out like that." She whispered.

"I know how much you've done for me. I just wanted to help you too." She said, her voice wavering a little.

"I know you did sweetie. Everything will be ok." Scarlet's hand went to stroke the strawberry blonde's hair. "You and Reno are gonna get married and have loads of kids. Everything will be fine." Addy laughed a little.

"I dunno about loads of kids mum."

"Look, pity a woman in her old age ok?" Both of the women smiled.

"I'll try" Addy whispered. She noticed Elena looking at her from the other end of the hall. Elena waved a little then turned and walked off. Adrienne smiled again. Maybe everything would turn out alright......

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