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'I don't think I've ever seen him so afraid.'

That's what Havoc thought as he waited in the hospital's waiting room with Roy. He couldn't help but go over all that had happened in what seemed like a short amount of time. Mustang and Havoc had been waiting for Hawkeye in the alley where she was to meet them when they heard the scream. Havoc had never seen his usually unshakeable commanding officer so afraid until that scream had pierced the air. It had been short, not even lasting for half of a minute before ending.

It was enough for Roy, though. He had immediately jumped to his feet and started toward where the scream had started, Havoc following after him after a few seconds' hesitation. Havoc had found it hard to keep up with the colonel, who seemed to be taking three steps every time Havoc took one.

When they had found her, bleeding and presumably unconscience, Havoc could see panic flood Roy's expression. When Roy had kneeled down beside Riza and started telling her to open her eyes, Havoc stood behind him, unsure of what to do. He stood there, hoping that the ever loyal Hawkeye would once again do what was asked of her. Havoc had the feeling that she would do anything for Roy, no matter what. In this case, it seemed she was willing to stave off death. The fact that she was ready and able to do that amazed Havoc. Perhaps, however, that is how true devotion and loyalty works. Death seems insignificant when you're trying to stay loyal to someone you care about.

When she did open her eyes and Roy told Havoc to find help, Havoc quickly complied. Luckily, a hospital was nearby. When he explained to the doctors what had happend, they sent out an ambulance to the location Havoc told them. Within minutes, Roy and Riza had arrived at the hospital and Riza was wheeled away on a gurney.

They waited in silence. Havoc wasn't sure what he could say at that point. Plus, he thought that, even if he did say something, Roy wouldn't really hear it anyway. He was lost in thought, his eyebrows drawn together in concentration.

Nearly two hours later, a doctor approached them.

"You two are with Miss Hawkeye, correct?"

Roy nodded. "How is she?"

"She lost a lot of blood," the doctor began. "We're worried about what type of long-term effects it possibly could have on her. The fact that she's still unconscience doesn't help matters. At this point, anything could happen. It all depends on whether or not she pulls through and wakes up."

The two were quiet for a few moments before Roy broke the silence.

"Can we see her?"

The doctor nodded and gave them the number of the room that she was in. Havoc, knowing that Roy probably wanted to see Riza alone, stood outside the doorway as Roy went in.

'This is going to be a long ride.'

OOOOOOO

'She looks so normal.'

That's what Roy thought when he saw Riza lying in the hospital bed, her long hair spread around her. She just looked like she was sleeping, so serene and still, like an undisturbed body of water. The only indicators that something was amiss were the IV in her arm and her skin, which had gone pale from the blood loss. She didn't look like she was fighting for her life.

Roy sat down in the chair next to her bed and took her hand, lightly stroking her palm with his thumb.

"Riza, it's me. I hope that some part of you can hear me because...because I need you to open your eyes. You're a fighter, so I know you can. You were able to back there. You just need to fight this. Whatever darkness that keeps you from opening your eyes, whatever keeps pulling you down, you need to fight it. I'm not going anywhere. Not until they drag me out. So, please, Riza...just please be OK," Roy said. He was so desperate at this point. He didn't want another person he cared about to die. All Roy wanted was to see that Riza was OK. He wanted to see her smile again. He wanted to walk beside her again. He wanted to hear her voice again, whether she be scolding him and calling him an idiot or assuring her loyalty to him. Roy wasn't sure what others would say about his list but he didn't think that wanting those things was too much to ask.

Ever true to his word, Roy stayed with Riza for the remainder of the day.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Havoc could hear him talking to her, telling her to fight. It constantly amazed him how much faith they had in each other. Roy didn't think for one second that Riza wouldn't make it. Havoc chuckled quietly as he looked up at the ceiling.

'Mustang...sometimes, he's an undeniable optimist.'

Havoc turned his head so that he was looking straight through the doorway. He watched as Roy held her hand. It was a small gesture, really, but Havoc had learned a long time ago that, with those two, it was the small things that really added up.

'If he's an optimist, though, then I suppose we all are. After all, optimists have faith, even when facing the unknown. If that doesn't describe those two, I don't know what does.'

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Later on, Havoc went into the room. Roy was still keeping a close vigil on Riza, who continued to be unresponsive.

"Colonel, we have to go. Visiting hours are almost up."

Roy nodded but didn't make any move to leave.

Havoc placed a hand on Roy's shoulder.

"I know you don't want to leave, Hawkeye, sir. I know that you're worried about her; hell, so am I! She's a fighter, though; I heard you say so yourself. She's going to be OK. When you come back tomorrow, she's still going to be fighting. As long as she's still fighting, there's going to be hope."

Roy sat there for a moment, seemingly letting Havoc's words sink in. Then, Roy slowly began to let go of Riza's hand. When he had completely let go, Roy got up to leave. Before he did, though, he reached out a hand to brush the bangs off of her forehead, his fingertips lingering on that spot as he whispered to her. Havoc could hear what was being said but he got the feeling that Roy probably didn't want him to hear.

He's not the brightest guy but even he understood that.