Somewhere among my mass of un-finished stories, and random quotes, I lost chapter 3. I had to go through and re-write it, which upset me, but if you're disappointed, then please don't hold it against me. This was also the reason why it took so long for me to update. I apologize in advance about the short-ness-Jazmine
I'M RIGHT HERE
Chapter Three: The Real Reason
As usual, Jazmine hadn't listened to Roy. She wanted in on the action, and the only way to do so was by finding it herself. She had heard him yell, which scared her, since she had never heard him yell. She skipped a few steps, tumbling, and got up as if it never happened. No one would notice anyway. She made her way, limping, over to Gracia's house, and stopped on the bottom floor. Elysia's room was on the bottom floor, since her little "Accident" three months ago. Jazmine went over to the window, tapping on it, and waited for someone to answer. It was cold out. Really cold. Shivering, she watched as a small figure walked to the window and opened it. Offering her slender hand, Jazmine was able to get inside. She giggled when she saw Elysia, but quickly stopped and dove under the bed when she heard foot-steps.
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Roy began to pace the room. There was a good possibility that he would wear a hole in the floor. Maes only watched. He coughed lightly to allow it to register in Roy's mind that he was still in the room. Roy mumbled something, Maes didn't hear, and in an instant a flurry of girls was jolting toward them, and each went to their respective parents. Well, tried too. Jazmine wound up clinging to Maes' leg, and Elysia wound up on top of Roy, who had fallen when she jumped at him. From the looks of things, Roy was out cold, but then again, he was very deceiving. Jazmine went over and poked him, absently. In turn, he grabbed her hand and pulled her down into a tight hug. She giggled and tried to pull away, while Elysia poked her dad's leg, who put her on his shoulder. During all of this, they managed to Miss Riza, who had whispered something in her sleep, but Gracia caught it, and went into the room, slamming the door shut. The men looked up curiously, and Roy set Jazmine down, leaning with his ear pressed against the door.
"Daddy, eavesdropping is bad. Mommy said so." Roy only half-heard what Jazmine had said.
"I know, but I want to know how your mommy is doing, and no one wants to tell me."
Jazmine folded her arms defiantly. "It's still bad!"
"I Know Jazmine. That's why you should never do this."
Maes looked up at Roy, now sitting on the floor with a sleeping Elysia in his arms. "Hypocrite."
"Shut-it, Maes, your no better." Roy snapped.
"At least I don't DO what I tell them NOT to."
Jazmine huffed again and looked over at Elysia. "She's sleepy."
"Yeah," Maes answered, admiring Elysia.
Gracia had yelled, which startled Roy, and caused him to back up a bit. When she got no answer, she threw open the door and yelled at whoever was listening. "I need wet towels, NOW!"
Maes blinked and shoved Elysia to Roy, running off to do as she asked. Roy tried to sneak a look, but she slammed the door on him again.
"I told ya eavesdropping was bad." Muttered Jazmine.
"Yes," he said acting like a saint. "I've learned my lesson, father, I'll never do it again. I swear."
Maes slapped him upside the head and knocked on the door; Gracia took the items, smiled at Maes, and slammed it shut again. Now Maes was curious. Both Roy and Maes pressed their ears against the door. Jazmine only watched and poked the sleeping Elysia, who was now on the floor.
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Riza smiled at Gracia. It had been a while since someone had taken care of her. She never really let anyone near her. She looked over out the window, when Gracia began to speak. "It's ok, dear; the medicine should take effect soon. I'm so terribly sorry we didn't realize it had to be diluted."
Riza merely shook her head at the apology. She had nearly lost her voice, but there wasn't much she could do about that. "It's ok," she whispered. "As long as I'm still here."
Gracia smiled. She truly was a fighter. Gracia shook her head when Riza began to pale again, and put the small tin on the floor beside her, when Riza began retching again. She was beginning to think it was a bad idea trying to tamper with fate. Look at what happened to Edward and Alphonse. She shook her head and laid the damp cloth on the younger woman's head when she stopped. Brushing her bangs out of the way, Gracia smiled a bit. "It'll get better, you'll see."
Riza managed a slight nod, and looked out the window again. "What was...the real reason?"
Gracia looked over at her, shocked slightly. "The real reason?"
"Why...did you...save me?" She managed to rasp out. Gracia laid a hand on her arm, and began to speak.
"I didn't want to see poor Jazmine-Chan grow up without her mother. Nothing is worse then being alone. I know this because I was alone half my life, until I met Maes. The dear he is took care of me after the war, just like he took care of Roy. He's really a sweet person, deep down. Even if you may not know him all too well, Maes had a troubled past too. Jazmine is still young yet. You're her biggest influence in life. The other reason was because," she paused a moment, then took a deep breath, continuing. "For the longest time, you and Roy had been acting like nothing was wrong. Like you left intentionally. You didn't. Your reason was Jazmine. His reason was you. You were both lost, and I wanted you to have what I had. So you didn't have to be alone. It would have...upset us if you died. You're like a sister to me, and I love you just as much. And Roy...well, Roy has his own problems, but with you by his side again, I'm sure he can work through them."
Riza smiled again, ever so slight, and half-heartedly answered her. "Thank you."
Gracia nodded and walked to the other side of the room. She took the things from earlier that she hadn't used, and opened the door. Roy was sitting on the steps, and Maes was holding onto Elysia. It would have looked innocent, had she not known both of them so well. "Maes, go take Elysia to bed. Roy, come with me."
The both nodded and gave each other sympathetic looks, scattering. Jazmine followed along with Roy, holding his hand tightly. He was still confused as to how she got there, but she was here, and that was all that mattered.
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Gracia began to put the items away, talking to Roy half-heartedly. She wasn't even sure he was listening, anymore.
"Her condition is starting to improve, but she seems to have no will-power." Gracia whispered.
"I want to do all that I can to help. Is there anything I can do?" Roy yawned, and looked to Jazmine, who had fallen asleep against his shoulder.
Gracia shrugged again and looked over to him. "The best I can say is to be there for her. She'll get better eventually, but it will take time. I think of everyone, Jazmine can cheer her up. Jazzy is good at that."
Roy nodded and looked to Jazmine again. Such an angel. "Alright. Can I see her yet?"
"Give it a few more hours. I'm sure you heard her retching."
He nodded and blinked a few times. Was it possible she was worse then before? "Alright. Mind if we crash here?"
Gracia smiled and shook her head. "You can stay in our room. Maes won't be sleeping tonight. I need his help with something."
Maes groaned from the doorway and glared at Roy. Roy smiled and gently shook Jazmine awake. Jazmine looked up, absently, and clung to his hand. With her nails. He winced and picked her up, hanging her over his shoulder. "Do you mind if Jazmine stays with Elysia?"
Gracia shook her head. "Not a problem. I'll take care of Jazmine. You go to bed before you collapse."
He handed Jazmine to her and kissed her goodnight heading off to bed.
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Riza blinked a few times. It was dark in the room, save the moonlight in the window. She closed her eyes and slowly opened them to adjust to the light. When her eyes finally adjusted, she noticed someone leaning against the wall. Had she one of her guns, she would aim it at the person, but the height was also a dead give-away that she didn't need them. The figure made its way over to her, and sat on the floor beside her bed.
"Hi Mommy."
A smile played at Riza's lips. What a beautiful little girl. She hadn't seen her in a week, and wanted to hug her, but right now her boy wouldn't allow her to get up without getting sick again. "Hello Jazzy."
It was nice to hear her mother again. She was beginning to wonder..."I had a bad dream and daddy's in such a deep sleep that I can't wake him up."
Riza nodded and held out a hand to the little girl, playing with her hair. "Why not...talk to...Gracia?"
"Mr. and Mrs. Hughes were working on something. They wouldn't tell me what, so I came up here. They won't let daddy see you."
Riza nodded sadly and pulled her hand away. "Daddy would...get...upset."
Jazmine walked to the side of the bed and laid her head on her mother's chest. Riza smiled and stroked the young girl's hair. "You'll be ok, Mommy. Mrs. Hughes says you're getting better."
Riza nodded and closed her eyes, slowly drifting to sleep. Jazmine hugged her and walked out of the room. "As long...as they want...me here." Riza whispered as Jazmine walked off.
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A shrill scream broke the silence of the night causing the family to shake out of the dreary stupor. When it pierced the silence again, Gracia fumbled to Riza's room. Gracia threw open the door and, letting her maternal instincts take over, checked her temperature. Riza only huddled under the blanket, shocked. She had that dream again. The same one she had when she was 'dead'. They promised her she wouldn't dream, but she did. She had nightmares. This one, in particular.
She noticed Maes walking over, and kicked the door shut on him. This was her time to talk to Riza, and she would damn-near make sure she was ok. She went through hell and high water to get her back, and there would be even MORE hell to pay if she were hurt.
"Riza, can you hear me?" By now she had gotten her voice back, but she hadn't answered. "Riza, it's ok, it's only me."
She heard the younger woman cry a bit, and shook her head. This medicine was making her act really weird. She was hoping it would wear off soon; it wasn't like Riza to be jumpy.
"Riza, it's ok. No one wants to hurt you." Riza slowly pulled the covers down and looked into the older woman's eyes. Years of experience was shining in them. It made Riza think of an owl. She nodded, and fell asleep again.
"She'll be fine," she told them as she walked out of the room. The only one who wasn't there was Jazmine. She sighed slightly and pat Roy on the shoulder as if to say 'I wish you luck', and wandered off again. Now Roy was curious. Ignoring Maes' protests, he threw the door open, and was shocked at what he saw. This wasn't Riza...
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WEWT! CLIFFIE! I bet you all hate me now. MUAHAHAHAHA! New episodes start on Saturday -does a jig- Yippee! Anyway, if you look under your seats, there's a basket of tomatoes. Feel free to assault me if this chapter sucked. Thank you for 21 reviews! I'm so proud! -Sniffles- This is the most I've ever gotten! I broke my personal record! Thanks, all of you! Sorry it took so long to update . Next chapter will be up in 2-5 days. Thanks! Peace! READ AND REVIEW! -Strikes a Vash-like pose- LOVE AND PEACE!