Stand By Me by Fullmetal Pyromaniac

Chapter sixteen


Overall Elizabeth was having a pretty good day, she'd woken up at a reasonable time, breakfast was actually edible, and she found out that she liked a new type of tea- mint.

She had finished her book and started a new one- Throne of Glass, and she had started reading a manga that King had given her to borrow some time ago. Her father had scheduled to visit her the next again day, and Veronica had begun going out with Griamore ("Finally!" Elizabeth had told her) so all-in-all things were going well.

Even Meliodas had seemed more cheery, Merlin had noted, which pleased Elizabeth immensely. The sun was shining brightly, birds were tweeting, Elizabeth just felt happy. After her second cup of mint tea, Elizabeth went for her usual tests. She answered questions with a smile, she joked a little with Merlin and Arthur, and managed to ignore and tolerate Vivian's rude attitude. Something about the nurse seemed both familiar, and strange.

"You're doing well" Arthur had stated after the tests had been carried out, Elizabeth had found she'd been more tired this time than others, "I know this must be tiring for you, you're in a stable condition"

"Does this mean I'll be getting out soon?" She asked hopefully, Merlin looked sympathetic as Arthur shook his head.

"Not yet, you're not getting any worse but that doesn't mean you're getting better yet. We're going to work on some medicine for you, do a trial run and see how it works out. We'll need to keep you here for a bit in case something goes wrong, but if all goes well we'll give you a prescription and send you on your way. Does that sound good?"

A little disheartened, Elizabeth nodded, "I understand, don't worry"

Arthur sighed a breath of relief, "Thank you for being so understanding, as soon as I get the medication I'll call your family in so we can discuss it before we put you on the trial run" he wrote something on his clipboard, "Now Vivian, if you would, please escort Elizabeth back to her room"

"Sure" Vivian said disinterested, she smoothed down her uniform and took Elizabeth by the elbow and helped her out the room. Though as soon as she had closed the office door, Vivian began walking faster, making Elizabeth step up to a light jog to try and keep up. She reached her room just as her legs began to burn.

"Finally, geez, if you were walking normally it would take ages to get here. Unfortunately I have more important things to be doing" Vivian snapped, slamming the door and stalking down the corridor. Elizabeth sighed and sat on her bed, her legs were aching badly. Digging her hands into the bedsheets, Elizabeth clenched her teeth and tried to bear through the pain.

The hurting eventually subsided, and Elizabeth decided to go see Meliodas. She left her room and knocked on the door to Meliodas' bedroom. A voice called for her to come in, she did, and Meliodas looked up to her.

He seemed even better since the last time Elizabeth had seen him, Meliodas gave her a grin and set down his phone.

"Hey Elizabeth, what's up?" he asked brightly, Elizabeth returned his grin.

"Hi Meliodas, you're looking better today!"

"I feel better, so what're you doing here?"

"I was just about to head to the club room, so I was wondering if you wanted to accompany me" she replied, hands behind her back and shifting from -slightly sore- leg to leg. Meliodas, who was lying on his bed in his pyjamas, turned himself so he was sitting on the side of his bed.

"I'd love to, but Merlin should be along any minute just to check up on me. You go ahead and I'll catch you up in a minute" he gave Elizabeth a thumbs up.

"Okay sure, I'd love to. See you in a bit!" She waved and closed the door behind her, waving to Merlin as she saw her walk along the corridor to Meliodas' room. Elizabeth began the slow walk to the club room, wishing she still had her wheelchair that had been left in Arthurs office thanks to Vivian's incompetence and rush.

She soldiered on however, her legs weren't sore anymore, just slightly numb.

While walking, her thoughts varied to Meliodas. His recovery was nothing short of miraculous, remembering how awful he had looked compared to now, it was amazing. Elizabeth felt her cheeks heat up at the thought of the blond boy, she had been harbouring her crush for a little while now, but didn't know how to act on it. Diane would probably be the best person to speak of it to, Veronica would end up scaring him away -although...she hadn't already, and Margaret just wasn't the advice-y type of person.

Not to mention that Diane had the same sort of feelings for King, who seemed like he returned her feelings if how red he became around her was any indication. Elizabeth wondered if Meliodas felt the same way about her, maybe he would, but maybe he-

I can't feel my legs, was the first thought before Elizabeth fell to the floor, a sharp pain shot through her head as she lay on the cool linoleum.

I...is this...blood? she asked herself, bringing a weak hand to her forehead and feeling the cool slick that oozed out of it, it was red, it certainly was blood. She felt faint, her vision was slowly growing blurry and filling with black dots. She raised her head off the floor slightly, and opened her mouth.

"Meliodas..." she whispered, I can't just lie here, "Meliodas" she said, a little louder this time, I need...his help... and with a final breath and burst of adrenaline, Elizabeth raised her head and screamed, "Meliodas!"

She barely heard the confused reply and pattering of footsteps as his sock-covered feet came into view and he kneeled down beside her. Meliodas lifted her bleeding head onto his lap and began shouting for help. His shouts grew softer and softer until they faded into the darkness of unconsciousness.

...

It was too bright in Elizabeth's room. It was too white and clean. Elizabeth's head ached, and as her eyes opened, a buzz sounded in her head and her eyes felt like they were burning. She groaned and tried to sit up, only to be gently pushed down.

"Don't sit up, just lay there for a bit, rest" the voice said, it was calm and motherly, Elizabeth managed to fully open her eyes to reveal the Seven Deadly Sins, plus Arthur and Vivian, watching over her carefully.

"What...happened?" Elizabeth asked groggily, Merlin sighed, writing on her clipboard.

"You fell, as far as we're aware. Can you remember what happened?"

She closed her eyes, thinking hard. "I...I was walking to the club room, then I couldn't feel my legs, I collapsed and hit my head, so I shouted for Meliodas and he heard me...that's all"

"Were you feeling any discomfort beforehand?"

Vivian gave her a glare, "No...I felt okay, just a little exhausted after the tests this morning"

"You left your wheelchair, why didn't you come and get it?" Merlin asked, with a hint of irritation in her voice.

"I didn't think it'd matter, I didn't feel bad. Just tired, I feel better now honestly"

"If you ever forget it, just call us, okay? and if you ever feel tired you need to tell someone, me, Arthur, Vivian, anyone!" She sounded worn out, and guilt flooded Elizabeth.

"I'm sorry" she said, Merlin placed a hand on her shoulder, then helped Elizabeth sit up in her bed. The

"It's fine, just remember that for next time. We'll come back later, but we'll let the sins catch up with you. They were all worried" Vivian, Arthur, and Merlin left Elizabeth in the Sins' company.

The minute the three had left, Diane wheeled herself over to Elizabeth and hugged her tightly.

"Elizabeth! We were all so worried about you!" she cried, Elizabeth hugged her back gently.

"I'm sorry for worrying you all" She said sincerely, closing her eyes and resting her chin on Diane's shoulder. King gave a small smile and Ban made jokes, Meliodas had brought the book to Elizabeth's room and decided to hold the club meeting in there, even Gowther had made her a present, a book filled with interesting conversations he had overheard and strange facts, also a few pictures.

As all her friends surrounded her, laughing happily together Elizabeth came to a conclusion about her journey with her illness and with her friends. Things would be okay.


End of chapter sixteen.

A.N. Bonjour, guess who's in a great mood! Me! I got an A for my French which is very good. But enough about me; hmmm interesting chapter huh?

Things are warming up *evil laughter* how are you all doing? Good? Bad? Let me know, cause I care 'bout'chu

I don't know what's wrong with me tonight xD

Anyway, last chapter got so many reviews! It was outstanding! I was actually so freaking happy! Please keep up the reviews, it really does motivate me to write! ^_^

so Read! Review! Follow! And Favourite!

I have a twitter now too! Follow me Fullmetal_RUBY I'm doing a Q&A and I post vaguely interesting things along with sneak peaks of future chapters ;)

See you soon! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Love you all!

- Ruby xxx

(By the way, if anyone knows the program 'Marrying Mum and Dad' they're filming in the village where I live today...it was weird seeing the van xD)