So when we last left off, Lima got wounded. But here's the next chapter, so enjoy!

I sat on my bed, staring at the now empty bed next to me. I could feel Sierra and Hotel's concerned gazes on me as I imagined my partner knitting on it like she did so regularly. It felt so empty with her not being in here with us.

I sighed, lying down on the bed as a knock on the door caught our attention.

Sitting up, I watched as Sierra walked over to the door, opening it to see a nurse.

"Ms. Hawthorne?"

"Yes?"

"A word please."

Sierra left the room, closing the door behind her.

"Delta."

I turned to face Hotel, who was leaning against the head rest of his bed. He seemed to be looking at nothing as well until remembered that there was the team banner over the desk. I sat up, looking at it as well, particularly at the "L" and "D" which represented Lima and I. I could feel the depression rise even more as Hotel said, "…don't worry…I miss her too."

Suddenly, the door opened.

We both looked at it, revealing Sierra, whose eyes were shadowed under her bangs. I opened my mouth to ask what happened, only for her to raise a hand, stopping me. I continued watching as she looked up and said, "…get ready."

"Huh?"

Hotel stood up off his bed as I scrambled to my feet as well. Sierra opened the door, showing us the way out. I hesitantly left the room, followed by Hotel, then Sierra, who closed the door. I was about to turn around, only to spot Team SWRD standing just outside. I was about to walk up and clobber Sword, only to get stopped by Sierra, who said, "Let's go."

I walked aimlessly, following the group as we made our way to the medical wing.

I couldn't help but think about what I could've done to keep what had happened from happening. I sighed as we continued walking about, suddenly stopping as we reached a certain room. I blinked, confused as Sierra sighed, holding the door handle as she turned to face me.

"Please don't do anything rash," she said to me. I blinked in confusion as she repeated the same to Wind, who nodded in agreement. I watched as she sighed, swinging the door open as Wind walked up behind her. Suddenly, the door flew open as Sierra stepped to the side. A blur of white flew past as Wind was tackled to the opposite side of the hallway. I almost couldn't believe my eyes at the sight of Lima rubbing her cheek on his. She did have a bandage on her forehead, as well as on the upper part of her left arm and assumingly down her body to her waist under her patient's garments.

"Because," Sierra stated, "If she's gonna be on my squad, she isn't dying that easily!"

With a sigh of relief, I walked up to them as Wind said, "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Lima—wh—how—huh!?"

Lima grinned sheepishly at him as I pat her head, causing her to turn around as I said with a cracked voice, "What's up…partner…?"

Suddenly, Lima was rubbing her cheek against mine. I closed an eye as she pecked my cheek, and said, "…I'm alright…."

"Hey," Wind said, "Where's mine?"

Lima then jumped on him, smothering his lips with her own as he greedily returned the gesture. I held back from laughing at Sierra gawking in amazement. Hotel didn't show it, but he was surprised as well.

"Umm…Lima, was it?"

I glanced at Sword, who was scratching the back of his head. I then noticed Dagger, who gave him a pat on the back, causing him to shoot her a look. He sighed, walking up to my partner, causing all of us to get on edge as Lima eyed him cautiously. Her ears perked, presumably at the sound of something that caught her attention as Sword said, "Umm…th…tha…tha…."

"C'mon," Dagger said, "You can do it!"

"Shut it," Sword said to him, turning back to face her. Lima's ears wagged happily as she smiled. I stared on, confused, as Sword turned back and said, "Th…thank you…for…protecting me."

Lima got off of Wind and walked up to Sword, causing him to blush and instinctively back up. She stared into his sky blue irises, leaning up to him, taking a few sniffs of him. I watched as he clenched his fists, almost instinctively, his arms trembling as he held himself back. Lima then rubbed her cheek against his, causing him to hold his breath. I chuckled a bit as she then pecked him on his cheek, catching him off guard as she said, "…you're welcome…."

"I'm glad Lima's alright," Ruby said to me, lying on my chest outside.

I hummed in agreement, feeling her shift over so she was propped on her elbows, hovering over me. I stared up into her silver eyes. She stared down into my own eyes as I smiled up at her and said, "I think we just cleared things up with Team SWRD as well."

"Oh? That's good," Ruby replied, leaning down, pressing her forehead against mine. We continued staring into each other's eyes, instinctively leaning towards each other, our eyes closing as our lips closed the distance between each other. I wrapped my arms around her waist, feeling her pull away, our eyes meeting again. Her irises seemingly sparkled as we grinned at each other.

Ruby sat up, pulling me with as she said, "Sorry, I've got class in a bit."

"Yeah," I replied, "Go get'em."

Ruby kissed me again, disappearing with a cloud of roses in her wake.

Picking up a petal, I kissed it, smelling her scent with it.

I seriously wonder how she manages to make these.

Just as quickly as I picked it up, however, it dissipated. I chuckled to myself, standing up and stretching. I then looked at my uniform, dusting off the dead leaves that were catching onto it as I noticed the sound of footsteps approaching me. Turning around, I took notice of Sword and Dagger walking up to me, the former's hands in his pockets as he greeted me.

"Yo."

"Afternoon," I replied, turning to face him. He leaned against the tree that Ruby and I were laying beneath, sighing as Dagger did the same. I raised an eyebrow in curiosity as Sword asked, "Hey…how do you…well…cope with Faunus…?"

What the fuck…?

I blinked in confusion, then began laughing. Sword looked up at me as I finally regained my composure and said, "Well, they're human as well."

"How do you know that?"

Dagger seemed about ready to hit him until I cut her off.

"Easy," I replied, "What's the difference between…well…'us' and 'them?' Virtually nothing unless you count the ears and tail."

"B-but," he tried to argue, "Aren't they more animal-like-?"

"Stop it."

I startled him from cutting him off.

"If you're trying to turn me into a racist, you can forget it. I don't discriminate, and I love my friends equally," I replied, seeing him look down on himself. I smiled and walked up to him, placing my hand on his shoulder, catching his attention. Sword looked up to face me as I said, "Look, I'm not going to change your mentality; that's your own problem. But I just want to say thank you for not hitting her earlier."

"Sword..."

I turned to Dagger, who positioned herself so she was facing his front. I smiled at her as she turned to me and nodded in acknowledgment, looping her arm around Sword's as I began to take my leave.

"I'll let you talk it out with Dagger," I said to him, "So I'll see you later."

Umm...so and so had Dagger rein him in...yeah...