Ratings: T
Warnings: Medical

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters in this story: living (or passed) human beings or fictional characters. These events never happened, according to history or as the original author intended them. This is a work of fiction and is not intended to offend. For entertainment purposes only. Thanks.

Author's Notes: Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all my readers! Happy Birthday to Levi, as well.

Chapter 4: DECEMBER 17th - Morning

Levi and Erwin had returned to the hospital the night before. Isabella appeared to be stronger, having had her dialysis during the day. They spoke for a bit, discussing her treatments. In order to avoid Levi fretting about whether he was a match or not for her surgery, Erwin brought them all pizza to enjoy, rather than the hospital food that Isabella had confessed she was growing sick of.

They had talked about Erwin's friends then, informing Isabella about Hanji and Mike. Levi informed Bella all about Mike's family's cafe and how he worked there now, and Erwin spared no detail in how Hanji's impulsive research antics got in the way of his work some times. Despite their revelation, Erwin and Levi kept their thoughts about Furlan's feelings to themselves, using the topic of Erwin's friends to keep from asking Bella about Furlan. They told many stories about the cafe and the pharmacy, and even about Thomas and Amelia, that they spoke late into the night and finally fell asleep without finishing their conversation.

Levi and Erwin had woken later than usual, finding a nurse checking Isabella's vitals already. "How's she doing?" Levi asked, sounding groggy with sleep.

"She's doing well," the nurse informed him, then nodded. "We have your results back, I'll page the doctor to come and give you them."

"Oh, good." Levi replied, sitting up more alert. "I really hope it's some good news." He sighed.

Erwin kissed his temple and hugged him from behind. "I do too," he whispered.

It was a moment before Doctor Reiss entered the room. He greeted them with an apologetic smile, which caused Levi's shoulders to slump.

"I'm not a match, am I?" He asked, sounding defeated.

"I'm afraid not," Doctor Reiss replied, standing at the foot of Isabella's bed. "I know how hard it is for all of you to hear that. But we are doing everything we can. I can check on the donor list to see if we have any news."

Levi nodded, closing his eyes. He sighed heavily, feeling a wave of despair wash over him.

"It's not easy," Doctor Reiss continued, hoping to support Levi and Isabella through their situation. "But Bella's young and strong. The dialysis helps. She's not in critical condition yet."

Levi looked at Uri then, and the dark circles under his bright eyes aged him. "I just want her to be okay." He replied, "She has no other family that I can contact. I know they would have been the best option for a donor."

Doctor Reiss nodded. "I know," He replied, "But she has you. And while you are not a match for her, you can still support her through this."

Levi nodded, standing up and approaching Isabella. He took her hand and kissed it, before squeezing her hand to offer her a silent sign of encouragement.

Uri smiled, watching Levi support his sister. He had watched Levi support his uncle the same way through his illnesses. He glanced to the blonde man in the corner, who was watching Levi with concern in his sky blue eyes; he was glad that Levi had someone who was finally supporting him as well.

"I will go check on the list," he informed Levi. "And I will give you an update if I have any."

Levi nodded, then glanced at Uri. "Thank you," he replied, his voice a whisper in the otherwise silent room.

The doctor left then, leaving at a brisk pace, determined to find some way to support the Ackerman family.

Furlan entered just as Uri left, and his sharp grey eyes picked up on the doctor's hurry. "What's the update?" He asked the room, "Have they found a donor? Are you a match?" He directed his last question to Levi.

Levi inhaled sharply, then turned away from Isabella to look at Furlan. "We need to talk," he stated firmly, then stepped towards him. "Alone."

Furlan's lips pressed in a firm line and he glanced towards Erwin, before he nodded curtly once.

Levi turned his attention to Erwin. "I'm going to go for a walk with Furlan," he informed him. "I would appreciate it if you could stay with Bella."

Erwin nodded. His blue eyes were filled with concern, but he understood Levi's independence. He stood up and pushed his chair closer to Bella's bedside, then sat down again.

Levi smiled at Erwin, grateful for his support. Then he left the room, leading Furlan out of it.

"I'm not a match," he confirmed, speaking directly to Furlan the moment they had left the room.

"Damnit," Furlan exclaimed. "God damnit."

"And you're not a match either." Levi continued, seemingly undaunted by Furlan's reaction. He didn't care where they were walking, but they had found their way to the elevator, so he pushed the call button to summon it. He figured that they should head to the cafeteria, as it would be a good idea to get some breakfast.

"Yeah, we established that already," Furlan replied, as if he was greatly annoyed by this fact. He looked towards the lights at the top of the elevator that indicated which floor it was on.

"Do you love her?" Levi asked, staring at Faldran. He spoke in a tone of accusation.

Faldran turned his head sharply to glare at Levi. "Why would you- what?!" He gasped, then shook his head. "No!"

The elevator arrived and made a small bell-tone to inform them it had arrived. Several medical workers left the elevator as the doors opened, and then Levi and Furlan stepped inside. Furlan hit the button for the main floor and the doors closed.

"Do you love her?" Levi repeated, this time in a gentler tone.

Furlan glanced to Levi and this time there were tears in his icy eyes. He exhaled shakily, then glanced away. "You should have stayed with Flagon." He mumbled.

"I'm happy with Erwin!" Levi exclaimed, frustrated with Furlan's response. "What does this even have to do with me and Flagon? Why are you so hung up on us?!" He demanded.

"Because if he was with you he wouldn't have been with Hannah!" Furlan shouted back.

A silence surrounded the elevator as Levi finally understood what had happened between himself and his friends. He breathed a sigh of relief as the elevator made its 'ding' to inform them they reached the main floor. The doors opened and Levi led Furlan off the elevator.

Rather than head to the cafeteria, he led Furlan to the main entrance of the hospital. They stepped outside into the sunny December day and stared at each other for a long time in silence.

Finally Levi asked his question aloud. "So, you think that if I was dating Flagon, he wouldn't have slept with your girlfriend?"

Furlan sighed. He scratched his arm as an excuse to hug himself. When he spoke, his voice was soft and full of honesty. "Look, I know Flagon wouldn't have cared if you were dating him or not. I do know that. It's just… easier to believe that if you were here, and not over there, that things would have been different."

"Furlan, nothing would have been any different," Levi stated, trying to be compassionate to his friend. "Except I would be unhappy too. And so would Erwin, and Mike, and Hanji, and all these other people whose lives are involved in the decision I made." He reached out to put a hand on Furlan's shoulder, but stopped when he realized their height difference made his gesture of comfort comical. "So Hannah cheated on you with Flagon? That shouldn't affect me and you, or you and Erwin, or any of us to Isabella."

Furlan nodded. "I know," He murmured, "But then she got sick. And I realized that, I like her as a friend a lot more than I liked Hannah. And then I realized that I might not like her as a friend, but really… well, you know. And once I realized that, it's just a brain itch that doesn't go away, Levi! And now she's sick and I can't make her better! And I don't want to lose her without telling her how I feel, but I don't want to tell her when she should be worried about her life right now, not how her best friend from childhood feels about her!"

Levi nodded, then stepped closer to Furlan so that they were standing directly in front of each other. "I know," he replied, then wrapped his arms around Furlan. They rarely hugged in their friendship, but Levi was certain that this was a time that Furlan needed it.

The taller man wrapped his arms around Levi and squeezed him tightly. He knew Levi wasn't the kind of guy to hug just any of his friends, so it meant a lot to him that he would still hug him after how he had blown him off recently. "I'm sorry," He breathed, beginning to cry on Levi's shoulder. "I… I didn't know what to say. And you're her brother. I didn't want to hurt either of you."

"I know," Levi repeated, rubbing Furlan's back. He held his friend for as long as he needed to. "I know."

"What do you think they're talking about?" Isabella asked Erwin, shifting in her hospital bed.

Erwin hummed, trying to buy time to think of a good excuse. He figured Levi had decided to ask Furlan directly about how he felt about Isabella, and he didn't want to be the one to inform her of that. Especially if they were wrong in assuming so.

"Probably how to find a donor for you," He replied with confidence. "Maybe who else they could ask to test if they match."

Isabella nodded. She sighed and then rolled her green eyes. "I'm not worried," she confessed to Erwin. "I know I didn't accomplish a lot in my life that I wanted to, but-"

"Don't start talking like that," Erwin cut her off. "They're going to find a donor for you. You're going to be fine."

Isabella gave Erwin a weak smile. "Can I trust you not to sugarcoat it for me?"

Erwin chuckled. "Have I sugarcoated anything I told you in the last few days?" He asked, raising a thick eyebrow.

She laughed. "No," She replied, "But that doesn't mean that you won't."

"Smart girl," Erwin commented. "But I won't."

Isabella laughed some more. Then she held her stomach and made a sound of pain. "Ugh, laughing hurts." She gasped.

"I'm sorry," Erwin apologized. "They say laughter is the best medicine. And I am a pharmacist."

Isabella giggled. "Okay, that was funny!" She smirked.

"Erwin Smith?" A voice interrupted them. It was Uri.

"Yes, doctor?" Erwin replied, turning his attention to the smaller man. "What can I do for you?"

"I'd like to speak to you," Uri replied. "In private."