Author's Notes-So I decided to add a second chapter to this after all this time. It's all CressidaRene's fault. Told me I should keep it going so I figured, why not. Would love to get some reviews!

Recovery-Chapter 2

"What, he's missing? Where the hell would he go at a time like this?" Darius was clearly angry about the predicament as he double checked the back room of the small clinic.

"He knows he shouldn't be out of bed let alone leave the building. Doesn't he know how cold it is out there," Heinkel stated. "We'd better go look for him before the doctors get back and say it was our fault again." He scribbled a quick note before they headed out.

ooooooooooooooo

::Earlier that day."

"What's wrong?" The old lady gave him an annoyed look as she leaned even closer. Edward stared down with dissatisfaction evident on his face.

"Can't I have something...more...solid?" He lifted his spoon allowing the brown liquid fall back into the bowl.

"Sorry, we're not a 5 star restaurant. Besides, you couldn't handle anything solid right now. Just eat your soup and be glad we're feeding you at all." With that, she turned and left the room. The state alchemist slouched more dropping his spoon back in the bowl. Despite the low growl that rumbled from his stomach, he was not up for the bland liquid diet. After getting a couple more days of rest seemed to help some and he was hopeful he could leave soon.

All this free time to think had him trying to figure out how to get a hold of Alphonse. It was a problem that he just couldn't figure out a solution to. How he had managed to stay sane he wasn't very sure at this point. But at least he could think a little clearer and was starting to feel better. He dozed off for a bit and woke up when he heard the front door open and close. Glancing down, he realized his soup had gotten cold making it all the less appetizing. Shifting his feet some, he decided it was probably okay for him to get up now. Maybe find something to eat in this place. Moving his 'meal' from his lap, he carefully slid off the bed and moved slowly to the front room. The two Chimeras were sitting at the small table, sleeping in the most uncomfortable positions possible.

Moving as quickly as he could manage, he started opening cabinets, looking for something decent to eat. He let out a quiet groan when he didn't find anything.

"Nothing? All they have is a bunch of medical stuff," he muttered to himself as he glanced out the window. It was snowing pretty heavy outside so leaving the building was probably not a good idea. Another growl from his stomach disagreed with him. Wrapping the blanket from the bed around his shoulders more, he quietly made it to the door. The hallway was much colder then the clinic and he clapped his hands together, transmuting the blanket into a jacket. "There's gotta be something to eat somewhere in this building."

ooooooooooooooooooo

"If he's not dead in a snow bank somewhere, I'm gonna kill em," Darius complained as they returned to the clinic after several hours of searching and coming up empty handed.

"Hopefully he was smart enough to come back," Heinkel added as they entered the clinic again.

"You need to hold still," they heard the old lady holler from the back room. They heard a weak objection in response and hurried back. "Good, you two are back just in time, hold him down!"

"Why did you two let him leave," The other doctor demanded as he tried to unwrap the bloodied gauze from the patient's stomach.

"We didn't let him do anything, he left on his own." Ed let out a shriek and tried to squirm off the table.

"Stop moving. It's your own fault. I've never had patient reopen the same wound twice. Once we get your stable again, I swear we're gonna tie you to the bed." The doctor made his point even more by roughly removing the gauze from the wound. Ed kicked his legs in protest and tried to pull his arms away from the the doctor's assistant.

"I'll stop, I'll stop!...Just...make it quit hurtin," the state alchemist pleaded, clenching his teeth.

"We can't," the old lady stated, getting him to wince up at her. "We're out of meds again." He whimpered back in response. "Maybe now you'll start taking this seriously." The doctor pressed his hands against the wound, trying to determine what damage he was going to have to repair again. Ed let out another particular loud yelp and shifted towards the edge of the table.

"You two! Hold him down!" The chimeras moved quickly, Heinkel grabbed Ed by the wrists and Darius took hold of his ankles. As Ed went to protest, the assistant forced something solid in his mouth and he instinctively bit down on it.

"Now be quiet and let us work," she told him. He couldn't think straight enough to even respond. There was more pressure at his side that resulted in more sharp pain.

"It's a complete mess. Even the internal stitching ripped." He continued to clean the wound out causing the teen even more stress. His whole body started trembling as a sob managed to escape. He couldn't handle this pain. He thought he could but the longer the doctor took evaluating the damage the more unbearable it became. He could feel bleed seeping from the wound and the thought was just too much. Heinkel and Darius suddenly felt the tension in Ed's arms and legs lesson.

"He's out," they both sighed in relief.

"That at least makes my job a little easier but we weren't kidding when we said we're out of pain medication. When he comes to again, he's still gonna be hurting."

ooooooooooooooooo

It was cold, undeniably cold. It was bringing Edward back to reality and he wasn't sure he wanted to go in that direction since last being there. His breathing was labored and he felt weaker then he had in days. There was a bitter coppery taste in his mouth that made him want to throw up. This feeling reminded him of back then. Right after he transmuted his brother's soul into that suit of armor. Those precious seconds waiting for Alphonse to wake up. Wondering if what he'd done had worked. Hoping that if it did, Al got to him before he lost consciousness and died.

"...Al..." He felt someone else nearby and wearily opened his eyes.

"Oh you're awake. So would you like me to tear open your side and save us time this go around, or do you want to do it yourself?" Ed groaned in response to the sarcasm. The doctor didn't wait for his answer. "Seriously, you lost more blood that you couldn't afford to lose. Either you're really stupid or just like paying us more money to stay here longer. I can't tell which it is."

"I'm glad I can be so entertaining. Re..aally." Despite his quick response, his voice came out weak. The doctor noticed how pale he looked again and shook his head.

"We resorted to packing ice on your side. Seems to be working but it makes you more susceptible to getting an infection."

"Grreatt..." All this because he wanted something decent to eat.