Never Left Behind

3

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Pieck was finishing up paperwork in her office. Just then her cell phone rang.

"Hello?" she answered.

"Hey, it's Reiner," Reiner replied.

"You're calling late...what's up?" Pieck asked.

"I need your help..." Reiner replied.

"It's Gabi...she's been hurt...bad."

"Call me when you get here and I'll let you in," Pieck said.

"I'll get my medical equipment ready."

She hung up and set to work.

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There was a chime on Pieck's phone. She quickly headed to the door. There was Reiner holding a sleeping Gabi.

"My god...what happened?!" Pieck asked seeing Gabi.

"We got into an argument, she ran away, then on her way home a group of thugs beat her up," Reiner replied.

Gabi mumbled and woke up.

"Where are we?" she asked sleepily.

"The doctors," Reiner replied.

"I-I wanna go home..." Gabi said.

"Easy, it's okay," Reiner replied.

"I can't take care of your injuries at home, but Pieck can."

"I... I just want to go home..." Gabi whimpered.

"I-I'm tired and hurting..."

"Pieck's going to help you," Reiner said.

"Then you can go home."

"I want to go home n-now," Gabi replied as tears slipped down her cheeks.

Reiner was getting concerned. He set Gabi down. Reiner knelt in front of her.

"Gabi...what's wrong?" he asked.

Gabi shook her head and sniffled.

"Hey, it's okay," Reiner said.

"Are you afraid?"

Gabi was quiet.

"Gabi, you can talk to me," Reiner said.

Gabi looked at him.

"It's okay to be afraid," Reiner said as he dried her tears.

"I-I shouldn't...I should have been stronger..." Gabi replied.

"No, that's not true," Reiner said.

"Y-you weren't afraid," Gabi replied.

"I was," Reiner said.

"Seeing that guy holding a knife to your throat...I was terrified."

"You w-were?" Gabi asked.

Reiner nodded.

"I was afraid I'd lose you," he said.

"I was afraid that I was going to break the promise I made to your parents and you."

Gabi sniffled.

"Fear is part of being human and it is nothing to be ashamed of," Reiner said.

"You were brave tonight, don't think otherwise."

Gabi smiled a little.

"Now, I need you to go with Pieck and let her fix you up, okay?" Reiner said.

"After, we can get ice cream and head home."

"A-all right," Gabi replied.

"That's my girl," Reiner said.

Pieck walked over and took Gabi's hand. The two headed back to her office while Reiner stayed in the waiting area.

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Pieck came out a while later.

"Where's Gabi?" Reiner asked, worry in his voice.

"She dozed off so I figured I'd let her rest for a little while I talked to you," Pieck replied.

"H-how is she?" Reiner asked.

Pieck sighed.

"She's got several rather bad injuries..." she said.

"I can tell you about them if you want."

"I need to know," Reiner replied.

Pieck nodded.

"The minor ones are a split lip, several scratches on her arms, hands and face as well as a significant amount of bruising on her torso and arms as well some bruising to her face. She does have a rather unpleasant black eye too."

Reiner sighed.

"T-the bad ones?" he asked.

"Her nose is broken, she's got a broken wrist, nasty sprained ankle and the cut on her collarbone required stitches," Pieck said.

Reiner slowly sat back, his heart sinking.

"Sh-she'll be okay though?" he asked.

"It will be months of healing but yes, she will be all right," Pieck replied.

"Also, I will be her personal doctor. I know she trusts me and I don't want any of this getting out, you know, about her condition."

"Thank you," Reiner said.

"I really appreciate your help, thank you."

"Happy to help," Pieck replied.

A quiet yawn caught their attention. A sleepy Gabi came out of the door.

"What are you *yawns* talking about?" she asked.

"Nothing sleepyhead," Reiner replied.

"Just thanking Pieck for her help."

Gabi rubbed her eyes.

"Oh! Don't do that!" Pieck said.

"You'll aggravate your black eye and cause more pain."

"O-oh..." Gabi muttered.

"But it doesn't hurt."

"I gave you a pain killer to help so you'll be able to sleep tonight," Pieck said.

Gabi hugged her with one arm.

"Thank you for helping me, I'm sorry I was a pain at first...," Gabi said.

Pieck bent down and hugged her back.

"You weren't a pain at all, I'm proud of how well you handled everything," Pieck said.

"You did good."

Gabi smiled a bit.

"But...I did hear something about Reiner taking you to get ice cream on your way home," Pieck said with a smile.

"Can we still?" Gabi asked looking at Reiner.

"Of course," Reiner replied.