Author's Note: This takes place right before they get to the hospital when Riza has the placental abruption. This was my idea and Dailenna reminded me of it, so I dedicate this outtake to her :)
Maes Hughes was not really the type to panic. The last time he could recall a reaction even close to panic was when his little Elysia was born and there was enough snow coming down outside to cover his home beyond recognition. That said, however, he could feel his heart racing and nerves fraying as he helped Riza down to his car. It was still pouring outside as he shed his coat and put it on the back seat for Riza to sit on. Roy helped ease the dazed woman into the seat, and then sat down beside her.
"You'll be okay. Doctor Ballard will know what to do."
Roy's voice seemed very uncertain as Maes watched the two from his rearview mirror. Her face was blanched, devoid of color, amber eyes wide with some sort of muted panic, leaning forwards uncomfortably in the seat. Maes couldn't tell for sure, but he was fairly certain that she was crying. Roy's hand had snaked its way carefully into Riza's, and Maes could see her knuckles turning white from the pressure with which she held it. Roy winced.
Not being one to permit such obvious discomfort, Maes decided to take action. "Yanno, Hawkeye, I'm pretty sure it was you who told me that babies are not born in five months!"
Roy's eyes narrowed, obviously gauging Riza's reaction to the comment. He seemed more than ready to retaliate on behalf of them both if Maes' idiocy upset the uncomfortable blonde.
Her reaction made him wonder if he was losing his mind. Perhaps, he rationalized, that the blood loss was getting to her, or maybe the stress of the situation. For all he knew, the indestructible Riza Hawkeye might finally be losing what sanity she had left. After a moment of silence, her eyes met his in the rearview mirror, and she let out a soft, weary laugh, bitter and mirthless. "I hope you're right."