Well I thought I would have got this out sooner but I guess not ^^; At least it's on time with the regular week update. Shorter chapter than normal, hope that's alright!

Ch. 5 Farewells Spring to Fall, Year 848

Nothing has changed much in the past year. The Survey Corps were still doing expeditions, getting flack for not accomplishing anything, arguing for funds, the usual. No one could predict how the last expedition could've gone though.

On the last expedition taken, it was populated by the new recruits of the 102nd trainees group. Being their first trip, it was time to see who would survive out beyond the walls. Three new recruits and a newly made squad leader were traveling in the left flank near the front. In the group was Calle as the leader, Petra, Auruo, and Byron as the newbies.

It was atrocious, more so than usual, half of the new recruits already dead. The expedition also ended with Calle severely traumatizing her spine and several cracked ribs, after hitting a tree. She was helped by Levi and gotten to an infirmary. The doctors believed she would need rest and she should recover, but her condition just got worst. She caught constant colds and phlegmy body rattling coughs, and didn't show any signs of getting better; she was soon excused to retire from all military activity.

Levi stood in Erwin's office, at the door that connected his bedroom to the office, afraid to go in and see Calle. He hasn't gone in there since Erwin requested for Calle to stay in his room, since her room has been given up for another squad leader. Who knows what she looks like now. The door swings open and he sees a very distressed and crying Petra. It only takes one look from her to say there is no hope for Calle, that her time is getting close. She shakes her head more tears spilling from her eyes, and runs off to wherever. Levi takes a deep breath and enters.

He walks into the warm room filled with flowers from soldiers, cadets, and people from Mitras. He stands at the door, hand still on the knob. He stares at the two people who haven't noticed him there yet. Erwin is there in the bed up against the headboard, holding her left hand, reading a book in his other hand. Calle is staring out her window to her right, a dazed dull look in her eyes.

Levi wasn't as surprised as he thought he would be at how Calle's condition looked, it was just how he imagined. Since she has been released due to her sickness, she hasn't cared to pamper herself as usual. Her auburn hair has grown out to stringy waves, just past her shoulders. Her amber eyes had dark deep circles under them. No makeup on her face showed how potent her freckles really were, and how she had paled considerably in the few months also, reminiscent of Petra.

She glanced around a little to find the short man standing by the door. Her face made a weak smile to him, her amber eyes still looking quite dead.

"Levi." Her voice had an inviting feel to it, causing him to walk forward hesitantly. He doesn't know how Erwin was able to stand seeing her so sick for so long. He wants to turn around and walk away from the pitiful looking girl. Erwin looked at Levi and gave him a small smile that mirrored Calle's. They looked like an old married couple sitting there, making a slight sharp stab in his heart.

Levi came to stand on the right side of her bed closest to Calle. "Calledora… How do you feel?"

"I feel… fine. Can't really say I'm miserable. It could be a bit worse." Her voice sounded surprisingly the same. Levi had expected her voice to sound hoarse and weak, but it still had her confidence in it.

"I wish I had come by sooner." Levi stared pitifully at her, ashamed he let his fear keep him away.

"It's okay, Levi. I'm not upset." She still smiled at him, "Just seeing and talking with you at least one time since you saved me is good enough." She patted the open space next to her as an invitation to the captain. Levi sat on the edge of the bed in his usual silence beside her. The three of them enjoyed the silence of the room to themselves for the rest of the afternoon.

Erwin sat at his desk completing paperwork. The sun outside was getting brighter as it rose above the building, letting all of its warm shimmering light in through the windows. A knock was beat on his office door, though he never looked up from his moving pen.

"Come in Levi." The only person to come during the lunch break to his office now was the mentioned captain. He has taken it upon himself to deliver Calle's lunch, as well as Erwin's, now. The door opened to reveal the shorty with a tray. Without a word, he placed Erwin's plate on his desk, and then began to the commander's bedroom.

"I believe she has just fallen asleep, leave it on the stand beside the bed so she can get it later." Levi gave a gruff hmph and opened the door. On the bed was Calle's figure turned away from him, wrapped up in blankets. He entered the room and set the tray on the stand. On his way here he was hoping to just sit and talk with her as normal.

Instead of leaving he sat on the bed and rested a hand on her shoulder. Though something to Levi felt… weird. Slightly nervous he turned Calle over so her face was seen. Her mouth was slightly agape and had an overall peaceful warm look on her face.

"Calle I fucking swear…" Levi tried to whisper a neutral stern voice, but ended up sounding panicked. Levi watched her and saw no rise or fall of her body. He put his hand underneath her nose trying to feel soft breathing. He felt nothing.

No

He put his ear to her chest, and heard nothing.

No

He pulled Calle's limp body into his own and held her for what seemed like eternity.

…

He set her back on the bed and tucked her in neatly. He cleared away stray hairs from her face and put her hands folded onto one another on top of her. Now she looked like she was just having a nice and beautiful nap. He left the room and closed the door behind him. Strangely he felt content, tired at the same time but mostly alright. He was expecting it to happen for the past few days now.

"Levi you were in there for some time…" Levi looked up at Erwin, who had been staring at the door since Levi didn't come straight out.

"Are you crying?" Levi was surprised at this question and lifted his hand to his damp cheeks. He hadn't noticed the leaks earlier. He looked back at Erwin, who gave him a knowing look. The commander's face was pale and had a dull look in his eyes. He got up with a shuddering sigh and walked to his bedroom door.

He looked at Levi when his hand was on the knob. Still keeping his commanding attitude he told Levi his orders "Go get the nurses to come here and tell them what's happened. Also get Squad 4, tell them what's happened also." He went into his room and gently shut the door.

Levi was heading towards the infirmary when he saw Petra going the opposite way with flowers.

"Good afternoon, Captain." Petra gave him a gentle smile despite the glare she got from Levi. She was about to pass him when he grabbed her arm.

"Cadet Ral, what are those flowers for?" He already knew the answer, but he had to have a reason to stop her from going to see her tragic cousin.

"They're for Calle, sir." Petra gave him a confused look, as to why he wondered who the flowers were for and why he stopped her. Levi looked at the flowers to see they were white carnations.

"Petra… Come walk with me, I need to do some errands." Petra slightly tugged at his grip. She just wanted to get the flowers to her destination. "It probably would be best if you didn't give those to Calle… just yet." He took a small, but audible gulp heard by the young cadet.

Then it hit her. He didn't glare at her earlier; it was a face of grief. Her eyes watered up fast and her face contorted with pain. "D-Did Calle…?" He nodded slowly and pulled her along the way she just came, while soft crying could be heard from her.

So now Calle has gone to rest, but this is not the end as there is one more chapter, an Epilogue of sorts.

A fav and review are always appreciated!