AN: Apologies for the long wait! Things got a little crazy for a while there, but I am back now!

Enjoy the chapter!

"You'll need to take it easy the next couple of days," Sam explained to Riza. She had finally been able to venture out of her bed, however the fever still remained and her leg throbbed in pain.

Currently, she was sitting on the couch wrapped in two blankets wearing a pair of jogging bottoms and a hoodie. No matter how many layers she added, the shivering would just not stop.

"Here," Roy offered, holding her a hat and a pair of gloves. "Try these."

Eagerly, Riza shoved the woolly hat over her head and donned the thick winter gloves. At this point, she would try anything.

"Don't change into a wolf until next week," Sam urged, continuing his instructions. "If you do it will confuse your body and it will take longer to fight off the fever and the last of the poison."

"Don't change. Got it," Riza replied as her teeth chattered. She shut her eyes, snuggling down further into her layers. Her breath warmed up her cold nose and she relished in the feeling. The added hat and gloves were already helping to raise her body heat.

Turning to Rebecca and Roy, Sam spoke in a low voice. "Keep an eye on that fever. They are worse than human fevers. Delirium is likely to set in. Riza will begin to see and hear things that aren't there."

"Is there anything we can give her to help?" Rebecca asked. She frowned as she watched her old friend. Riza shivered violently, despite being next to the roaring fire.

Sam shook his head. "Nothing will be strong enough. Because we have such a high body temperature normally, the intense fluctuation plays on the mind. The results can be dangerous, if unchecked," he warned.

"How dangerous?" Roy asked. If Riza was to become a danger to herself, he wanted to know.

Sam sighed. After a moment, he finally answered. "I watched a man throw himself of a cliff once." Silence reigned on the trio as both Roy and Rebecca absorbed this information. "He thought he was jumping into a swimming pool. The fever was at its highest. He was trying to cool down."

"Jesus."

"That's right. So believe me when I say, you need to keep an eye on her."

Heart pounding, Roy turned to look at Riza who remained shivering under her layers. Her eyes were closed and her face looked strained. No matter what they had tried, they couldn't warm her up. Sweat prickled over her brow and her hair was permanently stuck to her forehead.

"Look, I'm not trying to scare you. I just… I know how bad it can get." Roy didn't miss how he cast his eyes downwards. There was a flash of pain that crossed his face.

"This happened to you?" he asked. They way Sam looked at him, he regretted asking.

"Yeah. Happened to my partner."

Shit. You just had to put your foot in it, didn't you?

"Look man, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

Sam waved his hand in dismissal. "How were you to know? I couldn't save the man I loved." Sam's gaze met Roy dead on. "Don't make the same mistake as me." Rebecca and Roy watched in surprise as he picked up his bag. As he straightened, he was back to his usual, bright self.

Roy was also slightly unnerved. Why had Sam mentioned it in that way? Did he really love Riza? He cared for her a great deal. He didn't want to see her hurt or suffer any longer. As he watched her struggle against the cold and sweat he wanted to ease her suffering –.

Oh my god.

His face froze, eyes widening.

"And with that revelation," Rebecca began as she watched Roy carefully a grin on her face. "We thank you so much for your help Sam. Truly. If you ever need a roof over your head or help, let us know," the brunette added sincerely.

"I was happy to," he grinned at Roy. It looked like he had been hit by the Realisation Train. "Just give me a call if you need me. Keep me posted on where you are too. If you happen to move on I can point you out to some people who would help you on your travels."

"Thanks."

Rebecca nudged Roy in the ribs gently. He had been silent and wide eyed throughout their conversation. Snapping out of his daze, he thanked Sam.

"Take care of her," the blonde haired man winked.

"I… I will." Instead of the bewildered look which had graced his features as he offered his thanks to the blonde werewolf, there was determination.

"Hey Riza," Sam spoke quietly, lowering himself to her eye level. Riza opened her eyes, the lids heavy. She smiled at the blonde man, glad to see him.

"Hey Sam. Got any leads on how to heat up a cold werewolf?"

Sam chuckled. "I'm afraid not. You just have to ride it out I'm afraid."

"Well isn't that swell," she chattered sarcastically.

"Take it easy, okay? And remember, the dreams aren't real." Gone was the easy smile on his face. Instead, he looked at her seriously. Riza's foggy mind couldn't make out what he meant by that. "Remember who is real and who is here for you. Promise me?"

"Uh, yeah. I will."

Sam smiled. "Call me if you need anything. I'm heading back west."

"You will be missed. Don't be a stranger."

"I won't. Now, get some rest."

"Aye, aye, captain," Riza muttered, snuggling down further into her blankets.

Sam left them with a grin, a wave, and a promise to return soon.

"I'm going to miss that guy," Rebecca sighed longingly.

"Me too," Riza stuttered. "He has been a big help."

Rebecca rolled her eyes. "Not what I was meaning, but okay."

"I don't think he is interested, Becca."

"I know… But still. He was so… perfect." Rebecca trailed off and entered into a daze.

"Okay," Roy murmured quietly to himself, leaving the brunette to indulge in her fantasy.

Snapping out of it, Rebecca burst into action. "I'm going into town for supplies. We need more food, especially with the growing numbers in our household." She shot Roy a playful look. "And, no offense you two, but I need out of here. I've got a serious case of cabin fever."

"How do you think I feel?" Riza muttered. "At least you can go. I am stuck."

"A couple more days and you will be back on your feet," Roy offered.

"Not fast enough," she replied haughtily.

Roy smiled, not taking the tone she used to heart. She was frustrated. He would be too. Hell, he felt stuck and helpless after his run in with the wolfs bane and that was nowhere near as bad as what Riza had experienced.

"I know the feeling."

Riza paused, but then shot him an apologetic look.

"I'll only be a couple of hours," Rebecca announced, returning to the main room. "Behave now you two," she grinned. Before anyone could retort, she was out the door.

Riza sighed heavily as another shiver overtook her. The constant attempt at getting warm had left her exhausted. She closed her eyes in defeat, accepting she would never feel warmth again.

They blinked open again however, as she felt the couch dip beside her. Another layer was added to her outstretched right leg, taking away the chill she felt in her foot. Roy had retrieved her duvet from her bed and draped it across her. Slowly, she felt herself relaxing.

"Is that better?" he asked softly with a smile.

"Oh my god, yes." Riza basked in the heat the thick duvet provided. Closing her eyes, she buried her nose into it, hoping to warm up her face as well. "This is my life now. I live in this cocoon."

Roy chuckled. He wrapped an arm around her and closed his eyes. He had asked Sam about channelling his body heat. He had mentioned it briefly before while explaining what happened to a werewolf's body as it recovered from the poison. Apparently they could channel their heat and focus it on one part of their body. It promoted regeneration and healing. Sam had been more than willing to teach Roy. Now, he channelled heat to his arm around Riza, focussing on the limb and transferring the energy.

"How did you do that?" she asked quietly. When Roy opened his eyes again, her brown ones were looking into his.

"Sam taught me. I wanted to help, and it seems this is the only way I can."

Riza was silent as she studied him. In truth, she wasn't sure what to think about Roy Mustang. She was touched he was willing to help her so readily. However she couldn't shake the feeling there was an underlying motive there. Nothing hostile, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Riza had guessed it was simply guilt that kept him here beside her. She swallowed, her heart constricting in her chest. She didn't want him to be here because he was guilty. She wanted him to be here for an entirely different reason.

However, she surmised, she knew that wasn't going to happen.

Riza tore her eyes away from his before he could see the sadness there. Her body had responded to his as he had wrapped his arm around her. Involuntarily, Riza had shifted closer to him, desperate to get next to the warmth. She felt like a fool.

Feigning pain in her leg, she hissed and sat up, retreating away from Roy and the warmth he had provided.

"Are you okay?" he asked, worry laced in his voice.

"Yeah, fine," she replied through clenched teeth. "Just a bit of cramp." Instead of returning to his side, she – regrettably – turned towards her right and leaned against the arm of the chair. Her eyes closed of their own accord, exhausted. She welcomed the wave of tiredness that washed over her. Knowing she was a coward, Riza let it overtake her and drifted into sleep.

"Riza?" Roy asked quietly as she shut her eyes. All of a sudden, she had pulled away from him, as if she had been bitten. Roy couldn't understand it. True, her leg was still bothering her, but the move was so sudden, it didn't feel genuine. Had he said something wrong?

"Riza?" he tried again, louder this time. Slightly panicked, he hopped up from his seat and moved around to her face. Oh my god, please still be breathing.

He placed a hand at her nose. Sighing relief, he pulled away as he felt breath. Light snoring followed soon afterwards.

Relax, she just fell asleep.

Roy began to rise from his crouch, but something stopped him. He remained in place simply watching her. For the life of him, Roy couldn't understand how he had missed how beautiful this woman was. Even pale as a ghost and drenched in sweat, Roy didn't want to look at anything else. He gently wiped away the sweat running down her forehead.

Roy eventually returned to his seat beside Riza. Heeding Sam's warning, he would keep an eye on her. If he was going to do that, he would sleep at the same time as her. His schedule was still out of whack after being awake for almost thirty six hours.

So, he closed his eyes and drifted off as he listened to Riza's light snoring.

Riza looked around her, confused by her surroundings. Grey concrete stretched before her, both on the floor on the walls. There were no distinguishable features in this room at all. If there were no gravity, she wouldn't be able to tell which way was up.

In the distance, someone whispered her name. She recognised the voice, but could not put her finger on it. Her feet carried her towards the sound, drawn to it. The room never changed, however. The plain concrete remained, blackness stretching out before her. Oblivion was before her, and Riza felt terrified, however the voice continued to call her.

The longer she walked, the louder the voice became, and the more desperate. Recognition came to her slowly as she began to run.

Roy.

He was desperately calling to her, as if in pain.

Riza was sprinting now, but the room never changed. She tried to call out to him, but her voice was stuck in her throat. She couldn't talk, count even scream.

There was the sound of metal hitting flesh and Roy's voice died in his throat, leaving someone gargling in its place.

Panic fuelled Riza. Her heartbeat was erratic, both from exertion and panic.

No…

"Roy!" she finally managed to croak out quietly.

As if she had summoned him, the darkness ended and he lay in the middle of the room.

Lying in a pool of his own blood.

Wild eyes met Riza's, begging for her to help him.

"Roy!" she screamed, falling to her knees. Pain flared in her right leg and she landed just out of Roy's reach. Tears fell down her face as she watched him struggle, holding a bloodied hand to his neck. Blood poured out of it freely and leaked onto the grey floor.

"No, no, no," she cried, trying to drag herself to his side.

After an eternity, she finally reached him, grasping his hand tightly.

"Please don't die Roy," she cried, begging him to hold on. "I need you."

"Riza," he whispered, his grip on life failing. His grip slackened on her hand, causing Riza to cling on tighter.

"No, Roy! Roy!"

"Riza," he whispered, eyes rolling back in his head.

Then he was still.

Very still.

"No, no, no," Riza whispered in horror, bringing a bloody hand to her face. The smell of the blood hit her, making her vomit.

"This is all your fault," someone hissed behind her. Whipping round, Riza found nobody there. "First his parents, and now him. You are working your way through the family."

"No! I didn't!" Riza cried, placing her hands over her ears. "Shut up!" she screamed.

"Riza," the voice taunted. Riza could hear the grin its voice. "Riza…"

"Shut up!" she screamed.

Something whipped her over onto her back. Riza struggled through her tears, trying to tear away from the invisible pressure holding her down. A bloody sword appeared above her, hovering in mid-air. Riza eyes widened in terror. She was stuck. She couldn't move and that this was going to fall any moment.

As the sword fell, she closed her eyes and thought of Roy. Pain exploded in her stomach. She coughed and spluttered his name as the life left her.

"I'm coming."

"Riza!" Roy called to her desperately. It was as if she was possessed. He had tried to rouse her a number of times, but he couldn't do it. Roy had awoke to the sound of someone banging about the house. Opening his eyes, he saw Riza was out her seat and had left the house. In an instant, he had sprang after her. She was a few feet out of the house, limping heavily into the snowy forest.

Her eyes were open, but unseeing. Like a blind man, she ran through the forest as fast as her injured leg could carry her.

"Riza, wake up!" he called, walking backwards in front of her. He tried numerous times, but nothing was getting through. Her stare was vacant as she shouted his name and screamed.

Roy was terrified.

This was the delirium Sam had spoken about. It was frightening how he couldn't rouse her from her dream-like state. She was calling to him, and he was answering, but there was no response. From her cries, Roy could tell she was living in a nightmare.

All of a sudden, she dropped to the floor.

"Riza! Are you all right?" Roy dropped and caught her before she hit the ground. However, her injured leg was already twisted below her body. That will hurt when she wakes up. Shit! I need to snap her out of this!

As Roy tried to calm her down, Riza dragged her body across the forest floor.

A wail escaped her. It was so loud, Roy had to cover his ears.

"Shut up!" she yelled over and over again, covering her ears. "Shut up!"

"Riza, snap out of it!" Roy shouted back, firmly. She twitched in response, as if recognising his voice. "You need to snap out of this," he repeated in the same tone. Gently, he rolled her onto her back, cradling her head on his thighs. Roy stroked her hair as she struggled against his gentle restraint. He lowered his forehead to hers, willing her to wake up. He wasn't a praying man, but he was in that moment. He prayed to every god he knew that Riza would wake up from this nightmare.

Riza gasped, life returning to her eyes. She coughed violently, her head lifting off his thighs. Relief flooded him. He shifted around to her front. He cupped her cheek gently, the other hand resting on her shoulder.

"Riza, snap out of it," he tried a final time, his voice desperate with fear.

The blonde froze at the sound of his voice, wild eyes lifting to meet his.

A disbelieving smile appeared on her face for a brief moment. "You're alive," she whispered desperately. The relief was clear as day in her voice. "You're alive!" Throwing her arms around his neck, Riza cried into his t-shirt.

"Hey, shhh. I'm alive, don't worry." Roy rested his head on her shoulder, his hands circling around her back. Steadying them both, he shifted on his knees for better balance. Riza was holding on tight enough, however Roy couldn't help but pull her closer to him. Burying his face in her neck, he closed his eyes, thanking all the gods he had briefly prayed too.

She had returned to him.

"It was just a nightmare," he reassured her.