Chapter Six
As the sun rose the next morning, a weary and exhausted team Mustang entered the emergency room. They'd worked all night with Armstrong and his team along with all the other soldiers and paramedics. They'd managed to account for every person in the building after the law firm receptionist was found and identified. She was able, with the partners at her side for support, to identify every deceased body as the missing Paralegal and HR teams. After stabilizing the building with alchemy, they'd handed things over to the next group of soldiers who'd arrived for the day. Mustang left orders with the General in charge and they'd immediately headed for the hospital for word on Riza.
Roy entered the busy hospital and sighed. The waiting room was full to bursting with the people from the scene with minor to moderate injuries. At this point they looked as exhausted as he felt. The nurse at the desk looked at them with a sigh and waved them over.
"Please tell me you don't have more to bring us. We're swamped at the moment," The nurse exhaustedly said.
"No, we've found all civilians. As long as the soldiers doing clean-up are careful this is it," Roy replied with a gesture to the crowded waiting room. "We're actually here to see my Captain. She was brought in yesterday."
"Oh yes," The nurse reached over and grabbed a file from the massive pile and flipped it open. "Riza right? She's upstairs on the surgical floor. I can't take you, but if you take the elevator up to the third floor I'll call ahead so the nurse up there can help."
"Thank you," Roy nodded and headed for the elevator with the rest of his team on his heels.
His heart hadn't stopped beating erratically since she'd been crushed although he hoped he'd done a good job of hiding how scared he was. He'd never thought he'd have a new image to haunt his nightmares, but the sight of her bleeding out in front of him was slowly being overridden. They arrived to the nurse station on the third floor and a nurse was ready with a file in hand.
"Brigadier General Mustang right? You're actually listed in her file as her emergency contact," The nurse said with a smile to Roy's surprise. "She had surgery to repair the bones in her right thigh that were crushed. She's got a broken tibia in her left leg and her right shoulder was dislocated. She'll be in a wheelchair a while until her leg breaks heal, but otherwise she'll be fine. I just checked on her about twenty minutes ago actually and she was awake. She's in room 312 if you'd like to see her."
Roy let out a sigh of relief and nodded his thanks. The rest of the team took seats in surgical waiting room as Roy headed for the room the nurse pointed out. As much as the nurses' words helped, he needed to see her to confirm she was really ok. As he entered the room, Riza was laying back in the bed with her eyes closed although he could tell she wasn't truly asleep. As soon as the door gently closed behind him, her eyes popped open and immediately softened.
"Hey," She whispered.
"Hey," He replied and took the seat next to her bed that faced the door. He'd pulled the shade on the window for the door so they were in relative hiding so he reached for her hand to tangle his fingers with hers as his other hand reached to cup her cheek. "I'm so sorry, baby. I wanted to be here and follow you and I feel like I've let you down by staying."
"No, don't Roy," She roughly whispered. "You had to stay. Everyone was watching you and you were amazing."
"I know, but still. Watching you being loaded into an ambulance and not being able to acknowledge how scared I was felt so wrong," Roy explained as he ran his thumb across her cheek to catch the tear that had trailed down. "I hate this law so much."
"I know. Me too," Riza agreed. She ran her thumb that was wrapped up with his across the back of his hand to comfort him as best she could. "We'll get through this."
Roy leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. He placed his forehead against hers and whispered, "I love you, Riza."
"I love you, too," She whispered back. Her heart fluttered at hearing her name on his lips which was still somewhat new.
Roy didn't linger much longer so as not to draw any further attention to themselves. They'd also decided when she was released, as much as they both wanted Roy to take her home, that it would be better for Rebecca Catalina to do it. Riza had put her foot down beyond that and told Roy she'd come up with an excuse to make Rebecca go home so he could take care of her from there.
Two days later, Rebecca was wheeling Riza through the door of her apartment as happy barking emitted from the living room. Hayate ran to greet the two at the door as Rebecca turned to close the door behind them.
"Hey boy," Riza happily replied. She patted her lap and the dog took the opportunity to jump up for a cuddle.
Riza scratched behind Hayate's ear as he put his paws on her chest to lick her face. A tear ran down Riza's cheek which was quickly licked away by the dog as if he knew she'd want to hide it from Rebecca. So much had happened and Riza was quickly spiraling now that she was home safe.
"Ok Riza," Rebecca happily said from over her shoulder. She seemed indeed unaware of the turmoil brewing within her friend. "Shall we get you in the shower as best as we can?"
"No thanks Rebecca," Riza replied knowing Roy would help with that later when he came by. "I'd rather just get in bed and sleep."
"Are you sure? Is there anything else I can help you with? You can't possibly take care of yourself right now without a bit of help," Rebecca said with hands on her hips.
"Yes, I'll be fine. The guys are already planning on coming by in shifts to bring groceries and walk Hayate. If I need anything else my next-door neighbor is usually home. She's a retired nurse so I'll be ok," Riza reached out to grip her friends' hand. "Thanks for bringing me home."
"Of course. Let's get you in bed," Rebecca helped Riza into her pajamas then got her settled in the bed. "Call me if you need anything, ok? Please?"
"I will. Thanks Rebecca," Riza tiredly smiled as Hayate circled the pillow next to her head and plopped down.
A few hours later Riza was awoken from a deep slumber by the sound of a key in her door. A familiar voice greeted Hayate as the door closed and Riza sighed in relief. The door to her bedroom was pushed open by Hayate's nose with Roy on the dog's heels. Hayate turned back to Roy with a smile and a tail wag as he eagerly waited for a head pat for a job well done which Roy quickly gave. He then toed off his shoes, took off his jacket and climbed into the bed beside her. She immediately let herself get wrapped in his arms as much as she could and rested her head against his chest.
"How are you feeling?" Roy whispered as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"Tired and a little bit of pain. And honestly a bit stinky," Riza whispered back with a chuckle to match his own. "I really need to shower, but it seems daunting."
"Well, that's what I'm here for. But we can take our time. I'm enjoying this," He replied. He rubbed against her back as she nodded in agreement against his chest.
They sat in comfortable silence simply enjoying each other. Just knowing she was safe was everything to him. She might be battered and bruised, but she was here and alive. He pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"The woman you saved wants to meet you to thank you," He whispered into the silent room. "Her name is Sarah."
"I'm glad to know she's alright. Physically at least," Riza replied.
"Are you alright?" He asked looking down at her head on his chest.
Riza sighed knowing he wasn't asking if she was alright physically. She felt like she could honestly answer him although she wasn't sure he'd believe it.
"Yes, I think so. I was just doing my job. I'm more worried about how long I'll be in this stupid wheelchair," Riza gestured to the chair on her side of the bed.
"We'll make it through this together. I'll be here every step of the way," He promised.
"I know. Thank you, Roy," She whispered as she looked up to accept the kiss he pressed to her lips.
Later that evening, after they'd managed a rather messy shower that left the water all over the floor and Roy's clothes they were cuddled back in the bed with Hayate curled up on his bed in the corner. Riza was almost asleep against his chest as he ran his fingers gently up and down her arms. Hayate was snoring from his bed which didn't seem to faze Riza at all. Roy smiled despite everything they'd been through the last few days. He'd never felt so content in all his life. He pressed a gentle kiss to Riza's forehead.
"Riza, when this law is gone," Roy began with a hesitant tone to his voice. "Will you marry me?"
Riza's breathing stopped and she sat up to stare at him. An adoring look graced her face and she nodded.
"Yes, Roy. I will," She replied with a soft kiss to his lips.
Roy cupped her jaw and pressed a firm kiss to her lips then helped her fully settle in the bed as they both feel deeply asleep for the first time in days.