Amelia chewed hard on her lip as she watched Mr. Umutoni back as he lead her . He glanced at her and then away. "What is it?" she asked. She had a little burning at the bottom of her throat, nervous vomit. "What's wrong? Is Andrew alright?"

Mr. Umutoni stopped walking and brought his eyes back to her. "Dr. East. We've just received news that Dr. Fassbach was shot."

Her stomach fell. She made a small sound of choking and horror. "Is he alive?"

"Yes. But he is severely injured." He frowned deeper. "He is...severely injured." He touched her shoulder. "I would be ready for the worst."

Her heart felt like it was vibrating. "Where is he?"

"He is still in South Korea. They are planning on leaving soon and returning here."

"Soon? When is soon? Why not now? Who's taking care of him there?"

Mr. Umutoni looked at her with a sympathetic calm. "They will leave as soon as can be done safely. There are people there who can care for him temporarily. When he arrives back here he will be very well taken care of. "He touched her shoulder lightly. "But, Dr. East… as I said… I would be ready for the worst…"

She shook her head, feeling her eyes start to sting. "No. Don't say that." She bit hard on her lower lip. "We're supposed.. we…" Tears broke free to run down her face. She tasted salt with the burn of rising vomit. "He can't-"

The large hand on her shoulder became a little heavier. "Dr. East, why don't you come sit down for a moment?"

She sobbed once as he gently pushed her into a chair. "When can I talk to him? Can I talk to him?"

Mr. Umutoni frowned. "I'm not sure if he… I can see if that will be possible anytime soon…" He punched a number into his cell phone and waited. "Hello? Yes. How is his condition? He is. For how long? Alright. Can he hold a conversation? He is? That is interesting because she… Yes. Yes, I'll tell her. One moment." He turned back to Aemilia. "He is awake. And they will allow you to speak to him because he has been asking and they think that it will calm him. But they want you to be brief and try not to upset him. Alright?"

"Okay," she said, quickly swallowing and wiping away tears. She took a breath and took the phone. "Hello?"

"Aemilia?" He sounded terrible.

"Andrew? Oh God, Andrew, what happened?"

He coughed and her heart dropped. "I tripped."

"You.."

"I tripped while holding a gun."

"Oh God."

"I should have known my-" He coughed. "My clumsiness would get me someday."

"It hasn't gotten you yet. You're going to be fine. You'll be fine, Andrew."

She could almost hear him smile at her. "I hope so, darling… Aemilia?"

She swallowed. "Yes?"

"If I live-"

"Which you will."

"Alright. If we… make it out of this…" He paused. "Aemilia, if we make it out of this, will you marry me?"

Her eyes widened. "Wait, what?" Her stomach twisted.

"Aemilia. I want you to marry me. I know, it's a terrible thing to say… because I may die… soon… but.."

"Yes."

"What?"

"Yes, Andrew. You better not die now."

He laughed, a weak sound that sent pangs through her chest. "Ok."