DISCLAIMER: Fortunately Shuumatsu no Izetta doesn't belong to me. So all rights are reserved to Ajia-do Animation Works.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: I guess I got inspired again quickly. In any case I'm going to stop holding back when I think something's stupid as far as writing goes. Like under my normal temperament I wouldn't have posted this. Not because it's bad. But because I don't think it's good enough. In any case I won't bother you guys about it. Enjoy.

Yes, Lady Finé

(1944)

"I just don't see it. I've looked over her x-rays over and over. There's no damage to her spine that I can see." The doctor stated as he shuffled though various papers from his bag.

Finé for her part could only sit across from him and gently touch the rim of her teacup. Shortly after things had settled down Finé took Izetta to the best doctors in the country and had even enticed some to come to Eylstadt for the sole purpose of treating Izetta. This one was the sixth prospect. It seemed that the political and financial clout that Finé had come to posses was worthless in the face of Izetta's broken body.

"You mean to tell me that you cannot help her?" Finé spoke just barely above a whisper. Lotte stood behind Fine attempting to look as inanimate as possible though her periodic breaths gave her away.

"I didn't say that. If you, your highness would only consider..."

"I am not taking Izetta to Atlanta. She's been put though enough poking and prodding. I will make available whatever you will need. I will bring anything or anyone here that you need. But Izetta will not leave Eylstdat." Finé offered firmly but desperately.

"If your highness could only see. There is nothing that can be done here. With all do respect I cannot bring a whole hospital here and ask my colleagues to uproot their families and lives to come here to treat your girlfriend..." The doctor was unable to catch himself before breaching not only protocol but by making an insulting prod into Finé's life.

"I can understand your point doctor. I would not expect you to bring a whole hospital here to treat my girlfriend." Finé stated in the same tone that the doctor had.

As she stood Lotte pulled the chair from behind her. "Be that as it may and I usually don't make this insistence but for the remainder of your short time here in my country you will remember whom you are speaking to. Now, kindly see yourself out. If you should find a need to speak to anyone about this your generous stipend will not only be extracted but the full force of my crown will be let down upon you like the thunder of the Almighty. Am I clear?" Fine stated firmly. The Archduchess rarely made threats. But given the tone set it wasn't without warrant.

Without waiting for a response Finé turned to face Lotte. A clearly warn expression played across her face.

"See that the doctor finds his way to the airport. Make sure that the remainder of his trip is 'uneventful'." Finé stated as she turned and walked down the all of the modest sized house. Soon after she entered the room where Izetta sat.

And as Finé looked to Izetta she found an expression she hadn't seen in quite sometime, anger.

"What's wrong Izetta." Finé promptly leaned in towards Izetta's face so she could hear her clearly. Only to find the sharp pain of a slap across her cheek. Dumbfounded Finé fell back onto her rear as she saw Izetta's tears roll down her face.

"... not … mean … Finé" Izetta said with sharp rasps though it clearly pained her to so.

"You heard me talking to the doctor. Izetta, I'm trying very hard. I'm trying very hard for you." Finé said as she barely held back her own emotions. It wasn't slap that hurt. It was the distrustful look at Izetta gave.

Izetta shook her head from side to side as she raised her hand and pointed at Finé and mouthed the words. 'For you, not me'.

"What do you want me to do Izetta? I have to do something. I have to help you. I'll do whatever I have to. I came so close to losing you. Izetta … please … I didn't mean it like that … please … don't be angry with me." Finé said in between sobs.

Even though Izetta was feeling a pain that Finé would never know, she reached out towards Finé. Admittedly she had just slapped Finé away a few moments before. And soon found herself holding her arms around Finé as the latter trembled in her arms.

Finé realized this was the same thing that always happened. Izetta was always the stronger one. The one who always pulled though. The one who always smiled and never cried. Well until now. Even in the last few years and beyond Finé could not remember a time when she saw Izetta cry.

Finé decided that was to change. She was going to start right here and right now and stop fighting for what she thought Izetta wanted and start fighting for Izetta's love instead.

Izetta jumped with surprise as she felt Finé's lips touch her cheek and then her forehead and then to the other cheek.

"From now on I'm going to fight for you Izetta. Not for what I want your interests to be or what I think they should be. From now on I will keep you in my thoughts and not just the thought of you. I'll..." Finé soon found herself back down on her knees again as Izetta kissed her softly. Finé quickly forgot words and returned the kiss with another.

Soon Izetta soon found her hands tracing though Fine's hair. The problems of being crippled for life melted away as Izetta felt the core of her existence being pulled towards Finé. Izetta slid her hands along Fine's collar and then along the bare warmth of Finé's exposed neck.

"Izetta, we shouldn't. Not when things are the way they are." Finé's voice broke the magic of the moment and Izetta began to feel her body resting back down into the wheelchair. Still, Izetta returned a final kiss to Finé's head.

"I'm sorry. I just don't think it-" Finé soon found Izetta's finger to her lips with a smile as to calm her.

"...someday..."

(Present)

Finé had made her way quickly though the after-party and now found herself back in her car and speeding away from the opera house.

"That ended up not being as boring as I thought it would be." Finé quipped.

"I thought it was beautiful. That Brunhilde was absolutely stunning." Bianca stated from behind the wheel.

"Oh? Should I tell Lotte not to expect you." Finé teased.

"So mean." Bianca said under her breath.

Finé looked out the windows to see that it was still light out. Surprised she rolled down the window slightly allowing a slight breeze in.

"I'm surprised it's still so light out for being near seven o'clock" Finé stated as she watched dusk commence.

"We should stop for pie." Finé said with the anxiousness of a child.

"Lady Finé … how old are you?" Bianca asked in faux serious tone.

"Let's say I'm ten instead of nearing my thirties." Fine stated rather triumphantly.

"Yes, Lady Finé, we can stop and get you some pie." Bianca chided.

Fine quickly shucked her regalia into a case next to her seat and seemed excited to be going for pie.