Ed could hear the whistling from down the hallway. Dr. James Silas was always whistling when near Ed. He didn't mind it, as the sound was soothing and familiar. Also, he always knew when the doctor approached him. It felt good to recognize someone from a distance again. That was probably the reason for his constant noise making. It made Ed feel a bit embarrassed, but he couldn't help but appreciate the gesture.

"G'morning boys!" the young doctor said, chipper as ever, rounding the corner into his office. None of them appreciated that chipperness this morning, especially after the night they'd had.

"No Al today?" Dr. Silas asked and sat down behind the desk, with Roy and Ed sitting in front. Ed sighed, turning his head towards his lap.

Roy chimed in. "No, he left for his trip to Xing this morning."

"Ah, right! How exciting!" He scribbled something down on a pad in front of him.

"So, Ed. Let's take a look at your blood test results. I assume you'll be glad to know that the lab technician has finally stopped his nosebleed and that his nose isn't broken." Roy cleared his throat, trying to disguise a spontaneous grin.

"He got in the way, I wasn't trying to hit his nose!" Ed complained.

"Then just what were you aiming for?" Roy's smirkiness was obvious in his voice.

"I... I don't know... just... his face... in general."

"Aaaanyway", the doctor interrupted. "The test results still show that you are severely malnourished. If you don't put on some weight and take your vitamins, we're going to have to commit you back in the hospital."

"No, please!" Ed pleaded. "I'll eat. I'll take the gross vitamins! I can't stand being here!"

"You always say that," Roy mumbled, in a low monotone voice. His cynical side thinking that this would solve the problem of Al's not being home in the daytime while he was at work but immediately shrugged it off.

"I will, I swear. Please, just give me one more chance!"

"Very well." Dr. Silas said. "The physical unfortunately didn't show any positive changes either. Your body is not strong enough to handle the strain and weight of automail, and especially not automail surgery. And it probably won't any time soon. I'm sorry."

Ed crumbled down in his wheelchair, feeling absolutely defeated. Roy, seeing this, restrained himself not to scoop the too young looking boy into his arms, and cradle him, telling him how sorry he was. But he knew his nose would be worse off than the lab tech's if he tried a stunt like that.

"But, I do have some good news for once," Dr. Silas revealed.

Roy looked up from the boy in surprise, and Ed seemed to lighten up a little bit, but still protecting himself, not getting his hopes up. Listening intently.

As if reading his mind, the doctor added, "Listen, there is no miracle cure for what has happened to you, Edward. But we do still have options. First off, with automail out of the question, there still are good prosthetics."

Ed looked up from his lap. Why hadn't prosthetics crossed his mind? Despite being an amputee, he wasn't too familiar with that.

"The prosthetics are not as functional as automail obviously, but it may increase your independence a whole lot. Not to mention your self-esteem," he added.

"Uh... Yeah. I mean... It wouldn't hurt to try it, I guess." Ed answered in a low, hoarse voice.

"Absolutely not!" the doctor confirmed eagerly. "Not as much as automail, anyway!"

Ed seemed interested and more willing to be involved in the conversation now.

"And I have some more news," Dr. Silas said, somewhat hesitantly. Roy looked to the doctor, and back to Ed, who finally was looking up and towards the doctors direction. His clouded eyes looking tired and a bit incomprehensive, but altert. Roy noted that it didn't sound like bad news, the way Dr. Silas's voice was toned, but anything unpredictable tent to make Ed anxious these days. Understandably so.

"Spit it out," Roy said, a bit irritated of how long it took Dr. Silas to continue, instantly regretting his harsh tone. Silas looked as if he was looking for the right words.

"I don't want to get your hopes up. As I said, there is no miracle cure to your condition. But, I did reach out to one of my professors from medical school. He has specialized his research on the optic nerve and visual system, and is unarguably the best in his field."

Ed listened carefully, something that could remind Roy, if not knowing better, hope.

"I didn't want to tell you before I could confirm that he was willing to examine you. I did tell him about your case. He is a really busy man, and I might have shared some sensitive information to convince him. I'm sorry about that."

"That's okay," Ed said weakly. "When is it? T-the examination, I mean."

"He'll be in Central this Thursday. I took the liberty of rescheduling your physical therapy appointment, to clear the rest of the day."

"Thanks," Ed said, absentmindedly.

"Are you okay, Fullmetal?" Roy asked.

"Yeah. Yeah, I am. I'm... I'm just wondering, what exactly is he going to do?"

"Ah, yes," Dr. Silas answered immediately. "I know that you don't like anyone to touch your eyes. He knows that and is prepared for that. If you feel anxious about it, please consider taking a sedative about an hour before leaving for the hospital."

That was not what Ed wanted to hear. He startled a bit as he felt a hand on his back, feeling the circling motions and recognizing Roy's touch. His dad's touch. His adoptive father, anyway.

"We'll get through it," he stated firmly, still stroking his hand against Ed's back. "You'll get through it. You've been through worse."

Ed nodded, almost unnoticeably, tugging at his blanket, trying to loosen it from under his seat to securely cover himself, as he did when feeling especially anxious.

"Here, kid," Roy said in the warm voice he now had grown used to, helping Ed getting the blanket loose from under him, and over his shoulders. "You still with us?" he asked, Ed again nodding.

"Great," Dr. Silas uttered, a bit more muted than usual, but without losing his enthusiasm.

"His name is Dr. Bartholomew Smith. He will meet with you at nine o'clock this Thursday!"

Roy wondered why that name sounded so familiar.


Roy sat down, heavily in the car with another great sigh. Ed had dragged the blanket over his head like a hood, sitting in the passenger seat. Roy chuckled silently at the sight.

"Are you okay?" Ed asked, turning his head to Roy.

"Yeah. I'm just tired. And I have a ton of paperwork I need to finish tonight, that I'm not looking forward to."

"At least you got in the right seat this time."

Roy sneered silently.

"Mustang?" Ed asked, hesitant.

"What is it?"

"If you need some time off..."

"No, Ed. I don't need some time off."

"Yeah, you do."

"No."

"I'll be okay. Maybe... maybe Hawkeye could come over tonight," he stated, more than asking. "Or Havoc. Even Armstrong," he suggested.

Roy thought that he really must seem weary if Ed was willing to be watched over by General Armstrong, as the man hardly could keep his shirt on, in apparent sympathy for the kid.

"I can call Hawkeye when we get home, maybe she'll come by for dinner." Ed smirked. "...so I can have a nap," Roy added firmly.

"Yeah, you've been a trainwreck lately," Ed added teasingly. But then, his expression fell serious again.

"What's on your mind, kid?" Roy asked as he started the engine.

"I hope Al is doing okay," he answered, staring into space. Roy couldn't help but wonder what he was looking for.

"He's probably emptying the dining cart as we speak."

A faint smile appeared on Ed's face. "Yeah."


On the car ride back home, Ed was remenicing about the past year. Trying to remember the happy things, like him and Al being adopted by Roy, and living in his house. Al and Roy reading out loud from alchemy books, borrowed from the HQ official library, Ed soaking in the information, wondering how he was going about to get Al's body back.

He had started to feel useless, with no sight and missing half of his limbs.

Then, one night, he had gotten a really bad fever. He was tossing and turning in bed, while his feverish nightmares ingulfed him, once again.

Trapping him in that basement.

The wolfs were unusually vicious that night, snarling towards him, attacking every time Ed blinked, leaving them out of sight for just a second. Ed was fighting for his life. Gnarling and kicking towards them, unable to break out of his nightmare. His purgatory.

Then, after fighting for what seemed like days, the wolves finally got to his throat. Biting and pulling at his flesh. Bleeding, dizzy, weak. Being blinded, all that surrounded him was darkness, but he knew this was the darkest it had ever been. The darkest it would ever get. He was dying.

He died.

And- with a jolt, he woke up. Instantly grasping at his throat. His breathing was too fast and superficial. He threw himself up in a sitting position and started kicking at his bloodthirsty attackers with his left leg. But, there were no wolfs. No darkness.

Light.

This wasn't the basement.

He looked around at the familiar surroundings.

Looked.

He could see.

His arm and leg were back too, and his neck wasn't chained to that brick wall. He looked around, realizing he was at the gate. The large stone doors hovering above him. He turned around, expecting to see that smirk seethrough apparition, wearing his arm and leg. But he didn't. In front of him, a pale, and extremely thin boy was seated, his back turned against him. The sunken body was completely naked.

"Al?" Ed whispered. "Alphonse!"

Whispers turned into yells, as he ran towards his little brother. He looked even thinner than his own useless body.

Suddenly, it seemed like the world around him turned upside down- and he fell towards the floor, or the ceiling? Whatever.

Alphonses fragile body gone, replaced by the being he initially had expected to see. The Truth.

His smile, wide as ever.

Ed got back to his feet, running towards him.

"Where is Al?" He shouted, almost startled by the newly found strength of his voice. "Where is my little brother?"

"Equivalent Exchange," The apparition said. Ed stopping dead in his tracks.

"W-what?" He asked, confused and feeling a bit dazed.

"Equivalent Exchange," Truth confirmed. "This was not equivalent. This was not supposed to have happened and you will get your equivalent exchange. I'm sorry that I can't give you your eyesight back, as I am not the one who took it from you. I can, however, give you something else that you have lost."

Ed dropped to the ground.

"I...I don't understand," Ed said weakly.

"Yes, you do."

"N-no. This isn't real."

"It is, very much so."

"I want Alphonse," he whispered, burning tears clouding his vision.

"Speak up!"

"I want my brother's body back!" Ed shouted at the top of his lungs,

"Are you sure about this?" Truth asked. "You can't take it back."

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life!" Ed pleaded. "Please! Give him back!"

-

Ed woke up. He felt the sheets under him soaked in his own sweat. He opened his eyes, realizing he still couldn't see. His arm trying to find something- anything, to hold on to. Something to confirm where he hoped he was. Suddenly a hand came to the rescue. The hand was frail, skinny and felt slightly familiar. Ed whimpered as he pressed it, afraid of breaking it and yanked his hand back. It wasn't. It couldn't be.

"Brother...?" No. There was no way.

"Ed?"

-

"Edward!"

Ed suddenly snapped back.

"Edward, I'm here." Roy's voice sounded distressed.

"M-Mustang?" Ed asked, searching for his hand.

"Yes, Ed. I'm right here." His hand reaching out.

"Is Al..?" Ed began but stopped.

"Is Al, what?" Roy asked.

"Is he... His body?"

"Yes, Ed. You gave Alphonse his body back."


Roy carried Ed's light body back inside the house, leaving him on the sofa, retrieving to get his wheelchair. This had already been a long day, the clock only closing in on three. He had to call Hawkeye and admit defeat. He needed her, even Ed had noticed. He needed to sleep, unwind, talk. He needed to air his thoughts, and gain his strength back before the upcoming week.

Having his eyes examined was one of Ed's biggest triggers. Every time Roy tried to give him his eye drops, Ed went into a catatonic state of mind. No wonder, as the last time anyone touched his eyes, they forced them open and poured acid in them. How could anyone do something like that?

"Mustang?" He heard a weak voice utter, as he came inside with the chair.

"Yes?" He replied.

"Would you..." Ed hesitated.

"Would I what?"

"Would you give me my eye drops?" Roy was surprised by Ed's question. He never reminded him of his twice-daily double dose of eye drops. And usually tried doing it himself.

"You want me to give you your eyedrops?"

"Yes. I want.. I wanna try to get used to... you know."

"Yeah, I know. I'll help you."

"Thanks."

Roy went into his bedroom, rummaging through the medical bag and searching for the eyedrops. He found them at the bottom of the bag, proving their neglect. Returning to the living room, Roy could see that Ed had laid down on the sofa, breathing rapidly.

"Can we put on some music?" He asked in a frail voice, clearly on edge.

"That's a good idea. What would you like to listen too?"

Ed thought for a second.

"That... Arthur Collins record."

"Very well."

Roy looked through his generous collection of vinyl and found the record. The piano music started playing the cheerful intro to Hello My baby, as Arthur Collins started his merry chatter over the melody. Ed had gotten quite good at playing the piano himself. Using his left hand, he seemed to know exactly where to place his hand for the right notes. With small mishaps here and there, he would quickly find his way back. Roy could watch him for hours, gently laying down a bass note, making it linger with the pedals at his feet, bearly reaching, and playing simple melodies in the higher octaves. Returning to the bass tones, and continuing the melody.

"Are you ready?" Roy asked, and sat down on the couch. He helped Ed place his head on the older man's lap.

"Are you trying to be funny?" Ed replied, lacking some sarcasm in his voice that was supposed to be there.

Roy smiled.

"Just remember to control your breathing, right? I won't touch your eyes."

Ed looked thoughtful.

"Maybe you should," he answered.

"What?"

"I mean, the doctor probably has to at some point, right? Maybe, if I'm able to let you do it, I'm able to let him do it too." Roy chewed on the inside of his cheek, unsure if it would be a good idea.

Ed lay on the couch, breathing a bit too quickly as Roy slowly and carefully slid his hand from the boy's cheek towards his eye. Ed tried to focus on his breathing, feeling the increasing anxiety, and his grip on reality starting to slip. The wolves ominous growls in the distance, coming closer. He was being dragged by his hair, up the stairs and strapped down. They forced his eyes open. Moments later, he screamed in pain as the liquid was poured into his eyes.

The music.

The sound of the record breached through his living nightmare. He had a vague memory from his childhood. His mother holding him in his arms, with a big smile, singing that song to him. He remembered laughing, and singing along with the parts of the song that he knew.

"Hello my baby..." he heard his mom sing.

"Hello my honey..." it was the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard.

"Hello my ragtime, summertime gal..."

This is not the basement. He gained control of his breath.

"Send me a kiss..." he started singing quietly.

Remember to breathe, Ed.

"If you refuse me..."Breathe.

"Ready?" Roy asked hesitantly.

"Tell me I'm your very own..."


So, this was a long time coming I guess! I don't know if this story has a lot of readers, but for the few of you, here it is! I have to read through the original story again, as I have not worked on it for a while. But, hopefully your patience will pay off, and I'll be able to do the amazing original story justice!

Again, I would like to remind everyone that the original story is by RainFlame, and Dr. Silas is her original charachter!

Thanks for reading!