Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist, hell I don't own the title to this fan fic. FMA belongs to Arakawa-sama and the title and song belong to the writers, editors, and whatnot of Martina McBride. I do not condone abuse nor am I a fan of it. I also do not own any characters from Naruto or familiar characters from other series, they belong to Kishimoto-sensei and their respective artists.
A/N: Dark themes, child abuse, violence, language. This story is fictional and should it offend anyone please do not read. Flames will be used to make smores and comments and constructive criticism is welcome. This story is un-beta'd and edited by me. Oh, and here's a shocker, Hoenhiem is the good parent in this, OMFG. lol.
Chapter 8
Step by step, heart to heart, left right left
We all fall down
Step by step, heart to heart, left right left
We all fall down like toy soldiers
Bit by bit torn apart
We never win
But the battle wages on
For toy soldiers
I'm suppose to be the soldier who never blows his composure
Even though I hold the weight of the whole world on my shoulders
-Like Toy Soldiers: Eminem
It was better this time, at least he could admit that. He hadn't forgotten how horrible he'd felt or how panicked he'd felt waking up the last couple of times, but he knew in the back of his mind that it was only a matter of time if he didn't see anyone soon with his own eyes. The nurses kept trying to reassure him that his family and friends were alright but how could he believe that when all he felt were lingering touches that weren't there and all he could see were their faces in his memories and hear their voices in his mind.
He still felt groggy and he still felt like one huge bruise and that oxygen mask was still there but his hands were still restrained so he couldn't very well remove it to test whether or not he needed it and he let out a sigh and regretted it when his chest throbbed. His eyes didn't open and his body felt like it was reacting slowly to any of his commands so it was ten minutes of trying to open his eyes, so he thought before they finally opened and he could see again. The room was still too white, but it was a room and the lighting was dimmed even if the sun poured into the room from the window at his back.
A nurse came in then and light poured into the room from outside the room and then the lights in the room were turned on because the nurse had seen him looking at her. She was middle aged, skinny, red hair, green eyes, pale skin, wearing simple purple scrubs and she looked nice enough.
"Well good morning Mr. Elric."
Ed grunted and tried to say something but his throat was still raw and sore and didn't want to let him use his voice.
"Ah, that's right, Edward. I'm sorry. How are you feeling, any better?"
Ed waved his hand a bit to signal the same and the nurse nodded, "That's understandable, you lost a lot of blood and its' going to take a few days before it replenishes itself. We had to keep you restrained because you kept fighting us, and the attacks as well as you're constant attempt to lie fully on your back. When you have visitors we can remove them but while you sleep its' best to keep them so you don't cause further injury to yourself."
Ed gave her a thumbs up to try and convey he understood. He hated this, he couldn't talk, he couldn't move, and the simple motions with his hands sent shocks of pain from his back up his spine and back to his fingers making certain to pause and sent a jolt of pain straight to his head and through his chest on the way there.
"We're going to slowly bring you off the doses of medication that we give you for your attacks but the pain medication will continue, I'm sure you're in a lot of pain."
Another thumb's up and she nodded, "It's another twenty minutes until I have to change out your meds but I will bring some pain medication back for you. If you feel like you're going to be conscious a while I can send word to those waiting to see you downstairs."
A third thumbs up and an attempted nod that only made him wince back, that stab wound was close to his spine, if the pain he felt from the simplest of movements was any indication. The nurse nodded, "Alright, I'm leaving the door open," she reached over to the bedside table and grabbed a remote looking thing and laid it next to his hands and pointed to the red cross button on it, "Just hit that button if you need anything. I'll be right back."
Then she turned and left and Ed didn't bother to give a thumbs up in response, it would take too much effort on his part. He stubbornly refused to let his eyes closed, he didn't want to sleep and even if he worried about the next five or ten minutes giving his mind enough time to think about all the negative scenarios he wanted to believe the nurse, he wanted to know they were all alright. When she came back in he was grateful that the panic had yet to set in again and she offered him a smile.
"They will be up here in less than five minutes, can you hold out that long Edward?"
He gave another one of his thumbs ups and she nodded, "Good. Now do you want to try and sit up some? If we keep that foam cushion of yours behind you I think we can still manage to sit you up without ripping or tearing that wound you have."
Ed flexed his hands and ground his teeth to force back the groan of pain threatening to sound and the nurse offered another smile before she set the small cups she had on the bedside table. She walked over to him and slowly reached out for the restraints, Ed forced a deep breath and held still while she undid them once they were no longer tied to the bed rail Ed shifted a bit with his hands placed on the mattress.
The nurse reached out and grabbed his right arm, "Hold on a minute, you don't want to lift up that way it's going to cause you a lot of pain. Let me help you alright?"
With a lot of careful shifting and maneuvering and the help of the nurse they eventually got Ed into a seated position. She raised the bed up so that it was easier for Ed since he was still too weak to hold himself upright for very long and he sank back with a sigh and then lifted his right hand to the oxygen mask. She gave another smile at that and pulled it off careful not to let it catch in his hair and then she walked around the bed and opened a drawer in the other bedside table and pulled out an oxygen hose, the kind that had the hooks that went in someone's nose.
By the time she finished with that there was a light knock on the door. Ed turned his head and he felt a calming wave of relief flood through him at the familiar sight of Al, Winry, and his father standing there. There were timid smiles on their faces and Ed opened his mouth to say something but then his gaze turned back to the nurse when she placed a finger over his lips and it was then he noticed she was actually wearing gloves.
"I wouldn't try that voice of yours just yet sweetheart, lets' give you your meds and then I will change out the fluids and you can visit with them. But don't push yourself too hard, you still need a lot of rest."
Ed gave her a slight nod, at least some of the pain he'd woken up to earlier was becoming more bearable, he didn't know if it was any less than before but he found it easier to ignore. It was Hoenhiem that stepped forward to stand at the side of the bed on Ed's right when the nurse did just as she'd said. She changed out the antibiotics and then helped him take the two pills on the bedside table. Ed found that he couldn't swallow that much water and detested that because he was thirsty as hell.
She just continued to smile, "Don't worry dear, in a day or two you will be able to drink all that you want to. Now that you're awake and can finally visit with your family and friends I'm going to talk to your doctor and ask him to come speak with you and your dad."
Hoenhiem looked at her then with a polite smile and Ed felt like flinching back but didn't when his hand was suddenly seized by Winry who was there at his side. Al came over to the other side of Ed and there were tears in their eyes but Ed was grateful that they weren't all out crying, he hated trying to console people, he was never any good at it and it made him feel awkward and helpless.
"I know he's constantly been having blood and antibiotics given to him through his I.V. but why the wait on an all out blood transfusion?"
"There were some risk factors and we also needed to wait for the blood to arrive, your son has a very rare blood type Mr. Elric. I am going to speak with his doctor and inquire whether or not the blood has arrived and then we will go from there. There will have to be a few tests run before the transfusion can take place, normally from one hour to two and then the transfusion itself takes four hours."
"Does it hurt," Ed rasped out with a voice that was just as raw and hoarse as his throat felt.
"It might at first but it will get better and if it gets too bad we can give you something for the pain. Now, don't talk too much and drink only a little bit at a time of that water, if you want to lie back down again let your dad help you move, don't strain yourself. I'll be back or the doctor will come see you when I get some news alright dear?"
Ed gave a slight nod, he didn't care if he was acting like a little kid, he felt too horrible to give a damn about appearances. He didn't pull his hand free from Winry's when the nurse walked out and he shifted his gaze to Hoenhiem. Hoenhiem gave him an obviously relieved smile while his eyes tried to convey that everything was going to be alright. Al had jumped into action when the nurse left and he went looking through the doors searching for something until he came up with a dry erase board and a small marker.
Al turned to grin at Ed who smiled in return and reached out for the board.
"That way your voice can heal from that respirator thing they had in you. Brother, how are you really feeling?"
Ed grinned and wrote on the board then turned it back to Al, it read Alright, just sore, weak, and tired.
"That doesn't sound like alright to me brother," Al said with his hands on his hips and a glare. Ed tried to laugh but it turned into a short coughing fit. He waved Al's worried look off and erased what he'd written by pulling up on the blanket over him and using that. Then he wrote, It's my lungs, they are trying to expand so I cough, nothing to be worried about Al.
Al looked at Winry who moved to sit on the edge of the bed still holding Ed's hand in her own, Winry nodded to him.
"He's right Al, because his respiratory system failed to pump enough oxygen into his blood because of the amount of blood he'd lost it has to build its' strength back. Coughing is a way to exercise your lungs and will make it easier for his body to build up the oxygen in his blood and replace the blood he's lost. He's already had two blood transfusions, one when he arrived and then another during surgery. They are slowly giving him blood right now," she nodded to the bag of blood from the I.V.
"He has more coloring now than he did the last time and he does look better too," Al commented with a soft smile. Ed returned the smile and reached for Al's hand. Al took it and with a gentle shake they released hands and Ed looked back to Winry and then to his board and erased it to write, Are you alright, they didn't show up and hurt anyone did they after I passed out?
Winry exchanged glances with Hoenhiem and then smirked when she looked back at Ed, "I knew that was on your mind. I kept telling your doctor not to keep you drugged up, to let you see us when you were conscious, but he . . . I don't like him," Ed knew she was about to say something his father was probably not going to like hearing. It wasn't just him that cussed a lot, when it was just him and Winry she could rival him in the different types of insults that came from her mouth.
"But we're fine son, none of us were hurt by them and they were arrested."
Ed glanced at his father and gave a nod then set to his board again, this time writing out What's being done about this?
"A lot, to tell the truth. I don't think you need to know right now. You have other visitors waiting downstairs. Naruto, Sasuke, Mrs. Uchiha and her oldest son are waiting to see you."
Ed erased the board again and then wrote out I don't want all three of you to leave.
Hoenhiem smile, "Alright, one of us will stay here with you. We're going to be staying here with you at the hospital anyway. I have to stay here as your father."
"I'll go stay with Naruto," Al piped up and Winry, Ed, and Hoenhiem looked at him surprised. Al smiled and explained, "I want to give Ed and Winry a chance to talk and he's my brother so I have to see him all the time," Al ended that with a playful smile directed at Ed.
Ed glared at Al Thanks little brother, I love you too.
Al laughed and it made Ed feel a bit better then Al further explained, "Besides, I really want to have a chance to tell Sasuke happy birthday and I can come back with them tomorrow."
Hoenhiem smiled, he knew why Al was really volunteering to leave and how hard it must be for him. He and Ed had already been through so much and always stuck together. Al was playing it off as though it was for simple reasons, but it was because Al wanted to give his brother and Winry a chance to spend time together before Winry had to leave. It didn't matter if they were still going to be able to see each other again, it was the simple fact that Winry would be further away and there was also the possibility that all of them could end up not seeing one another again.
Hoenhiem cleared his throat, "Alright, well I'm going to take Al back down and speak with Mrs. Uchiha and have Naruto call his folks to confirm that Al can stay with them and then I will send them up to see you. I'll be back up shortly."
Winry nodded with a smile and then Al walked around the bed and gave her a hug before walking back to Ed's left side and giving his a careful hug. Al smiled brightly at Ed, "Love you brother, I'm glad you're going to be alright."
Ed wrote out just before Al left Of course, was there really any doubt.
Al laughed again, "Guess not, you're always alright brother," then Al walked out with Hoenhiem.
Ed turned to Winry, the pain meds were helping but now that he'd seen everyone and his frantic thoughts were settled his mind had cleared. What is really going on and what's really going to happen?
"I don't think I should-"
Come on Winry, I can handle it, I'm not a little kid and you know that I'm more mature than most.
"That's not the point, if I tell you and you can handle it then you're going to have to talk to those detectives sooner and I'm scared to tell them everything."
Scared to tell them everything. Damn it Winry, what the hell was all this shit for then? You want to go back to that hell you were living in all this time? You want to give them a chance to hurt you again?
Winry released his hand and stood up shaking her head, "No, I don't. But what if they get out, what if they come after me or you since it was because of you that anyone is even trying to do anything now. I was living with that since I left the orphanage and I just-I . . . I don't know how else to live, I'm confused and lost and how am I supposed to try to live a normal life when I never have and it's . . . It's too much right now . . . "
"Winry," Ed rasped out and she turned back to look at him with tears glistening down her cheeks, her eyes were wild and frightened and Ed raised his right hand up and held it hovering in the air there. Winry looked at his hand and then her eyes traveled up to meet his and she eased her way back to the bed and sat down there on the edge. Ed lowered his hand and she let out a sigh and quickly wiped away the tears before she turned her gaze to stare at the floor, "I feel like a little kid, here I am crying and you're the one who's-"
Ed stopped her by nudging her with the board and shook his head, she looked down to see his sprawled handwriting there. Don't try to make this seem like I'm the one who's hurting more than you, I know you're pretty damn selfless, another reason you never said anything. They hurt you for years Winry, its' time they paid for that.
"They hurt you too Ed," Ed shook his head and erased the board then wrote out Not nearly as much as they've hurt you, this is nothing compared to what you've been through. I really do know how it feels to be trapped in something horrible and how frightening it is when you get a chance to escape. When you go through something like that, its' hard to believe its' real when you get a chance to escape.
"How do you-" Winry was cut off when there was a light knock at the door and Ed and Winry's exposed emotions closed off as they looked to see a smiling Mrs. Uchiha standing there in the doorway. Sasuke was held at her side by her firm grip on his arm and Ed smirked at the display earning him a dark glare from his friend. Mikoto walked fully into the room and right over to Ed's bed and leaned down to place a light kiss on his forehead making him blush in embarrassment, he offered his own glare at Sasuke when he noticed the smirk on his face.
"I'm glad you're doing better Edward-kun, it's good to see you up and awake."
Ed erased the board Thanks Mikoto-san.
She continued to smile at him and then she turned to introduce her older son, "This is Itachi-kun, he came down for Sasuke-chan's birthday."
"Mother, do you really have to use that honorific," Sasuke asked indignantly.
Mikoto glared at him and then went back to smiling as Itachi stepped forward. He inclined his head in a slight bow and said, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you Elric-san, my parents and outoto speak very highly of you."
Ed had the decency to flush in embarrassment once more and quickly responded Ed or Edward is fine and thanks, pleasure to meet you too. One thing was for certain, the board allowed him to reply without his usual flustered stuttering or inputting 'Umm's and Uhh's.' Itachi smirked and then said in the usual stoic tone of voice Ed had become accustomed to hearing from his time around Sasuke, "Of course Edward-san."
Ed scowled, it was definitely a fact, all Uchiha's were bastards and loved to embarrass him. The whole san thing at the end was over the top, there was no need to address him in the Japanese equivalent of sir. Winry laughed softly from where she sat on the edge of his bed and he turned his scowl to her. She just laughed louder and it was Naruto that broke through at the next moment with a cheerful hello and bounded across the room to bounce onto the bed.
Ed was ready to kill him after that, his less than soft landing jostled the bed enough to jostle him and then he felt a sharp pain shoot right through his injured leg, the wound in his back, and the gash in his arm and travel straight through the rest of his body in sharp, unrelenting amounts of pain. He closed his eyes tightly and clenched his fists and then gritted his teeth to hold back the cry of pain that want to rip through his vocal cords.
When he opened his eyes at the sudden loud yelp and bang he saw that it was actually Winry that had seized Naruto from the bed and had punched him straight in the face and was now straddling him on the floor with her hand raised in an attempt to punch him again. Ed watched as he took in several deep breaths to try and make the pain ebb away or ease up on him and noticed that Sasuke was standing next to his bed with his hands in his pockets looking at him. When Ed glanced at him Sasuke turned his attention back to Winry and his best friend on the ground at her mercy.
"You idiot, he's hurt enough as it is, think before you act," she reached down and seized his shirt in her hands and shook him, "I know you're the class clown but now is not the time for you to be horsing around."
"Oh my, this is certainly something to walk in on," a voice Ed recognized called from the doorway. Ed turned his gaze towards the nurse standing there with a smile on her face. She turned her gaze from Ed once Winry released Naruto and got to her feet, she returned to sitting on the bed next to Ed once more and gave the nurse an innocent smile that threatened to make Ed scoff in disbelief. How could she go from threatening and beating up on Naruto to smiling innocently at the nurse, that took some talent.
He nearly laughed at his own train of thought but thought better of it when he remembered how much it hurt to cough. The nurse came over to his bedside as Mikoto and Itachi cleared the way. Sasuke pulled Naruto to his feet who was rubbing at his jaw where Winry had hit him. "She's hits pretty hard," Naruto glared at Sasuke, "how could you just stand there and let her hit me teme, your supposed to be my best friend."
Sasuke shrugged, "You deserved it."
"Bas-" Naruto stopped when he received a glare from Mikoto and the nurse who was working at unwrapping the bandage around Ed's arm. Ed smirked when Naruto looked to him and Naruto narrowed his eyes at him, Winry cracked her knuckles casually and Naruto looked away quickly. Ed really wished he could laugh, it was always entertaining to see Winry knocking the hell out of Naruto when he was an idiot and the continuing pain from his leg and back made him wish he wasn't hurt just so he could kick Naruto's ass himself.
The nurse had finally finished unwrapping the wound and Ed glanced at it, ignoring the fact that everyone else had turned their gazes to zero in on the wound as well. There were six neat stitches through the gash and the skin looked mildly irritate around the wound, it didn't hurt that much when you compared it to the other injuries at least. The nurse turned her gaze to him, "Is your arm bothering you any?"
Ed shook his head and she nodded, "Good, I'm going to apply some anti-septic to it and then put a clean bandage on it. I will need to have a look at your other injuries as well," she paused to look around the room. "All of you will need to wait out in the hall for that, it shouldn't take that long."
Before Naruto or Winry could try to protest Mikoto spoke up, "Of course."
The nurse nodded with a smile and then she stood fully and walked back to that bedside table from before and opened the skinnier drawer at the top and pulled out a few things. She opened the drawer beneath it and did the same, again it took Ed a moment to realize that she had gloves on. It must be some hospital sanity policy or something, the only time she didn't keep the gloves on was when she gave him his meds or changed out whatever was hooked up to his I.V., guess the bags were enough to keep things sanitary.
She carried everything back to the bedside table at Ed's right and set them down, picked up what Ed knew to be an alcohol swab and then some sort of metallic looking tube that he took to be the hospital issue neosporin and a gauze pad and roll or medical tape. She put the gauze and tape in the pocket at her hip on her shirt and then opened the swab and proceeded to clean the wound on his arm. It burned but not too much and Ed didn't even notice that Winry had seized his hand again. If it wasn't for the fact that she'd done that earlier and it actually helped him stay pretty calm he would have been embarrassed or protested the notion.
After that she squeezed some of whatever was in that tube onto her finger and lightly applied it to his arm, closed it, put it in her other pocket then brought the gauze and tape out. She opened the gauze, situated it, and taped it down then threw away the trash and looked around at everyone. Mikoto ushered everyone out and looked at Ed as she stood in the doorway, "I could stay in here with you if you like Edward-kun."
Ed contemplated it and then glanced at the nurse. The nurse nodded, "She's an adult for one, and a mom for another, its' fine if you want her to stay in here."
Ed nodded very subtly and Mikoto offered a gentle smile and closed the door before turning back towards him and crossing the room to stand at his bedside. The nurse looked at Ed, "I'm going to check your leg wound first and then your back."
Ed nodded, this was the first time he'd be fully conscious for this bandage changing thing so he didn't know what to expect or how much it would hurt. He glanced at the nurses name tag when she grabbed the blanket and sheets to pull them down so she could see his injured thigh. Ed flushed at the fact that he only had boxers and the crappy gown on now that the blanket was pulled back. But Glenda, as her tag said, kept a professional and concentrated expression on her face and he felt the flush fade. Mikoto stepped forward and brushed back his bangs and he looked up at her, she smiled and moved her hand to rest on his shoulder in a comforting gesture.
In those few moments Glenda had removed the bandage from Ed's thigh and when he looked back down he grimaced. His skin around the wound was dark purple and there were staples in his leg instead of stitches. His skin was also red and swollen where the staples went in and he looked for his board only to have Mikoto hand it to him. Ed wrote out Why staples and not stitches while Mikoto said something to the nurse, "Glenda-san, Ed-kun has a question for you."
Glenda looked up, "The wound was pretty deep so they wanted to be prepared. When it heals some more they will take out the staples and probably add stitches instead."
"How deep was the wound," Mikoto asked.
"Hmm, I believe it was at least four inches deep. That was one of the reasons he lost so much blood. One of the blood vessels was hit and there's a significant amount of nerve and muscle damage. It's going to be a while before Edward will be able to walk on it."
Ed grimaced and Mikoto chuckled, "Will he need to use clutches or a wheelchair?"
Glenda continued to work and Mikoto glanced at Ed when he hissed as she cleaned the wound and applied the medicine to it. "Considering where the wound is as well as the wound on his back which is much more serious, I'd say he is going to have to be confined to a wheelchair. It's going to take at least two weeks for the wounds to heal fully enough for there to be no risk that he will rip them open again. But even after that he will still need to use a wheelchair. It's going to take a little longer for the muscles in his leg and nerves in his back and leg to heal enough for him to even want to attempt to walk again. The wound to his back was close to his spin and they had to stitch the ligaments to his vertebrae as those were damaged as well."
"I take it that its' policy for the attending nurses to be aware of their patients cases, how is it you can remember the details with Ed-kun when you surely have many other patients as well?"
Glenda finished bandaging Ed's leg and stood up while she answered with a smile, "Thank you Mrs. Uchiha for the compliment. It's a lot of work and it is also policy for the nurses to know in case anything should happen we can alert the doctors. I think of it as experience and practice when it comes to remembering, plus Edward has grown on me since I saw him," she turned a smile to Ed. Ed blushed and looked away and Mikoto gave a light laugh, "Yes, he can be a dear when he wants to. I think it has more to do with the pain medicine than anything, he's never taken well to being helped or taken care of."
Glenda laughed then and looked at Ed, "Is that so? Well I'll have you know that if you prove to give me any trouble I'll have to let you see the side my kids at home see when they are difficult."
Ed swallowed and Glenda laughed kindheartedly, "Let's get you turned over and tend to that wound on your back. Let us help you move, don't start doing it yourself or you're just going to make it worse on yourself."
Ed gave her a nod, his leg was throbbing incessantly but it did feel a bit better with a clean bandage and that medicine was dulling the throbbing some, at least it had stopped the stabbing pain from earlier. He tried to help as much as the two women allowed him to and it took nearly twenty minutes to get him onto his stomach. Glenda untied the gown and pushed it off to the side so that his back was bare and Ed shivered from the cold air hitting his back.
He turned his head so that he rested a side of it on the bed and could look at Mikoto who was now sitting at his side, she'd pulled a chair up next to the bed and was now threading her fingers through his still lose hair. It was one of the few ways to get Ed to relax and stay calm and something mom's usually did because they knew that worked with kids. It probably was also because Ed could guess that maybe she'd had to console both of her sons on more than one occasion.
Mikoto looked closely at the wound on Ed's back, it the other two wounds looked painful then this one was agonizing. It was black and blue around the wound which was a violent red and swollen around the staple and it was also diagonal starting from his waistline at the small of his back and going to an angle towards his spine. The closest part near the spine was stitched with thick thread and there was dried blood, both new and old on his skin. Glenda was careful to remove the soiled bandage slowly so as not to pull at his skin or the staple and stitches.
It looked horrible, even though the wound was two days old it still looked really bad and Mikoto felt a rush of sympathy run through her, how grotesque. How could anyone do this to another person, make them have to feel such pain and have such a wound. As she looked at it and Glenda cleaned it with the alcohol her attention was brought back to Ed when he tensed and a weak, breathless, groan passed from his lips. Mikoto reached down and grabbed hold of Ed's hand and squeezed and he closed his eyes tightly and held her hand tightly. She continued threading her fingers through his hair soothingly with her other hand and leaned forward to whisper softly to him, "It's alright Ed-kun, just a little longer and it will be over."
Mikoto glanced at Glenda once more who gave a sympathetic smile as she applied the medicine and set to bandaging it once more. Mikoto looked back at Ed as another groan escaped him from the light bit of pressure Glenda had to apply to tape the gauze down, it wasn't directly over the wound but the bruising and swelling had to be rather poignant. When she finished she fixed Ed's gown and they spent another twenty minutes adjusting Ed on the bed so that he was lying down, he didn't want to sit up anymore and neither of them could blame him.
Mikoto lowered the bed and leaned forward to place a light kiss on his forehead and brushed back his bangs again, "You get some rest, I'll have everyone come say their goodbyes for the night and send Al-kun up here as well. He's going to stay with us since Naruto-chan is staying with us for the next two weeks while his parents are out of town. Don't push yourself, you need rest to build up your strength dear."
Ed gave a weak nod and smile and Mikoto offered her own smile. Mikoto turned to leave and then turned back to smile politely at Glenda, "I was wondering if I could talk to you for a moment outside Glenda-san."
"Of course Mrs. Uchiha."
The two walked out of the room and left the door cracked and Ed could hear muffled sounds of Mikoto and the nurse telling everyone something about making it short and quick so that he could rest or something. Ed tugged the blanket and sheets around him more securely and could feel his meds finally fully setting in and it made it harder to keep his eyes open and stay awake. Sasuke was the first one to come back into the room, it would probably be Winry that would be the last as she was staying anyway.
Sasuke came in alone with everyone waiting out in the hall, "I hope you feel better, it sucks that you're going to be stuck with-"
Ed waved his words off, "S'kay Sas'ke," Ed managed to rasp weakly and Sasuke let out an inaudible sigh. "I'm not good with this, they are doing something are they not?"
Ed nodded and Sasuke glanced at the door to see his older brother standing there smirking and huffed, "I'm gonna go, the two detectives working on this case are family friends, they went to school with nii- Itachi-san."
Ed smirked at the slip up, it did seem that Sasuke called his brother by an endearment and it wasn't often Sasuke showed his softer side. It was rare even around Naruto as the two fought and argued most of the time, it was like they were a married couple or something. Ed's smirk turned into a mischievous grin, he planned to ask Sasuke about that particular thing later. One would assume he was asexual but no one was really asexual after all and it was around the time everyone was going to start getting curious.
Ed was pulled out of his train of thoughts when Sasuke held out his hand towards Ed, "See you tomorrow."
Ed reached out tiredly and they shook hands, well as much as Ed could anyway and then Sasuke pulled back and walked out. Ed didn't expect him to say anything else, he was surprised by what words he did get out of him. Naruto was the next one in the room and he offered a bright grin and Ed couldn't help but to grin back. It was funny, Naruto was a year younger than him and that made him a year and a half or so younger than Sasuke but sometimes the kid could act like he was older. He stopped at Ed's bedside and rubbed his neck with a nervous smile, "About earlier, I'm really sorry about that, I didn't mean to hurt you, was just excited and happy to see you up and awake and that-"
"Stop. S'fine 'Ruto," his voice was getting better but it still hurt to talk and his voice was starting to slur badly with how exhausted he felt at the moment.
Naruto heaved a heavy sigh, "Thanks, I'll be more careful. I hope you get better soon and get some rest and that. Uh . . . I guess that's it. We're all coming back up here tomorrow, I don't know if the elder teme is coming with or not but yeah. So, see you later Ed and I won't get Al into any trouble. The Uchiha's are pretty strict so there's not much I can get into anyway," he ended on a laugh.
Ed nodded and Naruto came forward and shook his hand for a second then turned and left, he stopped at the door and said over his shoulder; "Don't do anything with Winry I wouldn't."
Ed would have thrown something at him but there was nothing within reach so he just glared darkly and Naruto laughed and walked out. Itachi and Mikoto came back inside the room and Itachi offered a nod and said, "Take care," then left and Mikoto kissed his forehead and ruffled his bangs again and then she left with a smile and stern words for him to rest up and take care of himself.
Winry came back inside after that and closed the door then turned off the light and took residence in the chair Mikoto had moved to the bedside earlier. She smiled and said to him softly just before he closed his eyes, "Go to sleep Ed, I'll still be here when you wake up." He let those words sooth any frantic thoughts his mind might conjure up.
Mikoto sent Itachi, Sasuke, and Naruto back downstairs and told them to send Hoenhiem and Al back up so that Al could say a brief goodbye and goodnight to Ed. It was only four in the afternoon but with what she'd seen of his injuries and the paleness to his skin, even if she'd heard he had more coloring, and how weak he was, it was very unnerving and heartbreaking. She'd gotten to know Edward quite well as he was dragged to all of Sasuke's friends and Naruto's friends birthday parties for Sasuke or Al's sakes. She'd gotten to know that what the schools and anyone else said was mostly true. Of course with Roy being her brother she'd heard quite a bit about Edward including the story from his past as that came a natural knowledge for academic reasons.
She glanced in the small window of the room to see Winry had turned off the lights and was sitting in the chair at Ed's side watching him sleep with a tranquil look on her face. It was doing the young woman well to be around Ed and she would make sure to get her story as well so that she may possibly be able to help her.
Glenda broke her out of her thoughts, "Do you mind waiting until Mr. Elric arrives, for legal reasons mostly."
"Of course, that's perfectly alright. As you can tell I'm worried and wish to know all I can about Ed-kun's condition for obvious reasons."
"I understand, he is a friend of your sons and from what many know about your family he's also a prized student of your brothers' as well as the older brother of your sons' best friends' friend, if that makes any sense."
Mikoto and Glenda shared a laugh and then Mikoto said, "Ah yes, there's all of that of course. He's also a very special young man and he's grown on me and my family."
"I would say so, I've known him for all of twenty-four hours and I already want to do all I can. But of course as you pointed out earlier, he's not always this pleasant."
"He has manners of course, but usually his very rambunctious and outspoken, it comes with him being very independent."
"Hello ladies," Hoenhiem called from a few feet away, they turned to him with pleasant smiles and Al said hello to them before looking pointedly at the door. Glenda laughed and nodded,
"Go ahead young man, he may be sleeping however."
"Could you give us a moment to talk amongst us adults Al-kun?"
"Yes Mikoto-san, of course," Al said politely before stepping forward and easing his way into Ed's room. Once the door was closed behind him Hoenhiem and Mikoto turned to Glenda. Glenda smiled and held up a hand, "Give me a moment and I will go get his chart to make sure what I'm saying is factual. I know how hard it is to get all the details from the doctors so I'm going to try and tell you all we have on his condition."
Hoenhiem and Mikoto nodded and watched her walk away and then Hoenhiem turned to Mikoto, "How, better yet, what did you do to get her to tell us everything Mikoto-san?"
"My and my husband's family name have a lot of sway, I'm sure it was enough persuasion for her to see me and my son's in person. We normally get the best possible service and therefore many are more than willing to go over the top and making sure we are well informed."
"Ah, have you dealt with hospitals before?"
"I have, for more than fortunate reasons like giving birth. Our influence and power does make enemies after all."
"Yes, it does seem that way," Hoenhiem said tonelessly and Mikoto watched him in silence but before she could ask him about it Glenda walked back over to them.
"Do you have any specific questions?"
"Have you managed to get in touch with Ed's doctor?"
"I have, but he's in surgery at the moment. He was called to the E.R. earlier today and he's been there since."
"What is this doctor's name?"
"Dr. Vaso, Mrs. Uchiha."
"Ah, I recall this doctor, he's an arrogant man, but as he did save Ed-kun's life I can overlook his usual attitude."
"It would be greatly appreciated Mrs. Uchiha."
"Can you give us the details of the surgery and what Ed is going to be going through from here on out?"
"Of course Mr. Elric. The surgery had some complications. Of course you're aware that his blood loss was a major concern. I don't know if you were told but the reason for that wasn't because of an artery being hit but because of a blood vessel being damaged in his leg and his back. His arm is a deep wound but it's going to heal just fine. There was a good amount of nerve and muscle damage in both wounds and . . ." she glanced at the file in her hand and opened it. She took a few seconds to skim through the pages and then she said, "The ligaments were damaged in his back near his vertebrae and in his wounded leg. He's going to need physical therapy, that is an educated guess from my experience and what I know of injuries," she said as she looked back to both of them.
"How much pain is he going to be going through throughout all of this," Hoenhiem asked while trying to keep the emotion out of his voice.
"He's going to be in a lot of pain Elric-san. Nerve and muscle damage is very painful and while muscle damage can be repaired and the strength can be rebuilt there's little that can be done about nerve damage," Mikoto answered simply.
Hoenhiem sighed, "Thank you."
Glenda gave a sad smile and continued, "She's right, while we can repair most of the damage the nerve damage is something we can do very little about. The physical therapy is going to be very trying on him and it's going to effect his mood. He's going to need as much support as he can get throughout this and I know there's a legal case he is undoubtedly going to be a part of. I know that there is more than one person at stake here and I'm sure he's very strong willed, but try to make sure he doesn't push himself too hard, especially for the next two weeks."
"He does have a catheter in doesn't he?"
"Yes Mrs. Uchiha, he does and until the blood transfusion and the recovery from that I think it's going to remain that way. This morning I was able to take the oxygen mask off so he's breathing mostly on his own right now, I think he's going to make a really good recovery, as long as he doesn't over tax himself."
Both of them nodded and Glenda addressed Hoenhiem, "If you wish Mr. Elric, there is paperwork you can fill out to get some assistance paying for what it's going to cost to stay here at the hospital and pay for parking and food. I can also get some paperwork for you to talk to a social worker to help speed up the process of getting some assistance. I understand you do have health insurance so medical bills and prescriptions are fortunately taken care of. It's the least I can do considering how long you're likely to be here with your son."
"I would appreciate all you can do and everything you have done so far Miss Glenda."
Glenda smiled, "Of course, I work this floor from seven to seven six days a week. When I am here I will do all in my power to help you in any way that I can."
"How long will Ed-kun be here in the hospital?"
"At the very least I would say three weeks, at the most five."
"Is it going to be possible for Ed-kun to be present for the legal obligations?"
"In three or more weeks, we can allow the detectives to speak with him during visiting hours but any lawyers will have to wait until he is discharged."
"Thank you very much Glenda-san."
"Of course Mrs. Uchiha. Is there anything else I can do or any questions I can answer for you Mr. Elric?"
"Ah yes, the visitors' policy, I know normally the hospital only allows two overnight visitors to stay here, but Winry is temporarily in my custody and my son Al-"
"Say no more, I understand. I will get to that paperwork as soon as possible in case anyone else gives you any trouble and to alert the night staff. I heard that your youngest son would be going with Mrs. Uchiha for the night, I believe it would do him some good to get away from the hospital and get some rest."
"That brings up another thought, I know I have to be here as Edward's father, but should I have to leave for any reason, if even for a short period of time is there anyone that I can give permission to talk to the doctors or get information for?"
"I'm afraid not, unless they were blood related Mr. Elric I'm afraid that can't be done. I'm sure this is going to be very trying for you. While you are here I would be glad to keep a close eye on him but you're the only person with any authority with any of the paperwork or talking to the doctors."
"Thank you again Miss Glenda."
"Of course, have a good night Mrs. Uchiha and drive safely."
"Before you go, could you possibly give me your information, I wish to leave a formal thanks for your services."
"Of course, I will be right back with that information Mrs. Uchiha."
Glenda turned and walked away, she returned in a few more minutes with a sticky note and a quickly written name and phone number as well as her work number. Mrs. Uchiha thanked her once more and then turned to Hoenhiem, "You must have faith Elric-san, it's going to be rough for you but I believe that you and your boys will make it through this as well as Winry-chan. Call me if you need anything at all and I will be here bright and early with Al-kun in tow."
Hoenhiem smiled, "Thank you very much for everything you've done Mrs.-"
"Tut tut Mr. Elric, I told the boys earlier, Mikoto-san is fine."
"You may call me Hoenhiem then Mikoto-san."
"Of course, try and get some rest yourself tonight and make sure that you and Winry-chan eat well and sleep well, there's no need for your health to decrease at these times, much better to stay strong so you can be strong for Ed-kun."
Hoenhiem nodded, "Yes Mikoto-san."
Mikoto smiled and bowed her head to him, "May your days bring you as much solace and peace as possible. Thoughts and well wishes to you and yours will be ever present in our minds and hearts."
"I wish you the same and drive carefully Mikoto-san."
"Always do take care, I will wait here for Al-kun."
Hoenhiem turned from her and went into Ed's room trying to stay as quiet as possible, and nodded to Winry who was watching him as he walked in. Al got to his feet from where he was kneeling at Ed's side holding his hand and he squeezed his brothers hand before turning to Hoenhiem. "He's sound asleep at least, brother sleeps through everything, but he's usually sensitive to my presence."
Hoenhiem nodded in understanding and offered a smile to which Al returned before his son stepped forward and gave him a hug. Hoenhiem returned it and then pulled back to look at Al directly, "I don't have to tell you to behave yourself and stay out of trouble, but please call me or send me a text or whatever those things are when you get there."
"I will dad, I'll even let you know when I'm going to bed too, I love you, take care of brother and Winry until I come back alright?"
"Of course Al. I love you too, now go on, Mrs. Uchiha is waiting for you."
Al hugged him again and Hoenhiem smoothed his hair down as he hugged him back, Al gave a hug to Winry and a smile and then he made his way quietly out the door. As Hoenhiem watched him leave he idly wondered how he could have left and never cherished what time he could have had watching his son's grow up. There was so much he didn't know about them, so much they had to have been through that he didn't know and he should know because he is their father. What really made him think in such a way was more than Ed being injured . . . His oldest son was so strong, so protective, and mature even if he had temper problems and seemed angry all the time. Ed had proved time and again that he knew how to take care of Al, how to console him, how to let Al know only the need to know. Ed could make selfless decisions without thinking of the consequences to himself and protect others.
Ed is rash, outspoken, independent, strong, hell stronger than any of us could ever hope to be at times. He constantly brushes offenses aside after some time and he's able to be there and lead and take charge and protect anyone that needs it without thinking about it. How in the world did my son get such strength, where did he learn to do such things, has he always given all of himself in everything he does? Even the simplest, easiest of things, like standing up for a friend or doing school work, or playing the violin?
He always just throws himself headfirst into everything and so many people seem to see the same incredible person Ed is and will continue to be when they meet him or even just see him. I have two sons to be very proud of, both are brilliant, talented, ambitious, strong, devoted, loyal, selfless in their own ways, and they are my sons above all else. I hope one day that I can be forgiven for having left them to face their mothers' illness and death alone and whatever they had to live through to survive until I returned. I hope they can forgive me for making them leave Britain and come to the States and start all over again. I have confidence one day Al will truly and fully forgive me if he doesn't already, even if he really shouldn't, but I don't think Ed will even if he knows why I had to leave.
Three hours went by at a crawl and Winry discovered that Ed snored, lightly so it wasn't too bad, but he still sored and she was going to jot that down in her mind as one of the many things she could use to tease her best friend. She spent a lot of time picking on him, teasing him, talking to him, thinking about him, wondering what he was doing. She wondered how recent this was or how long Ed would occupy most of her thoughts. Even when seeing him weak and frail and hurt in the hospital he still looked strong and like a protector to her, she'd never admit that aloud, Ed's head was often big enough on its' own. But she supposed he acted that way for his own reasons, it was now, when he was pretty much defenseless that she could see another side of Ed that she had never see before.
Here, lying in a hospital bed, depending on others, he was just like everyone else. He was a twelve year old kid in need of help and protecting and rather than seeing it as weak she saw it as endearing and brave because it also took strength to accept help. She grimaced internally to herself, It takes strength to accept help, she knew that now, could see it because of Ed. What he'd said earlier, his attempt at consoling and complimenting and helping made sense to her. She owed it herself and the Elrics and everyone else trying to help all of them to tell them the truth. She had to open up and she had to trust everyone around her to help her and keep her safe and from having to go back.
She was going to have to apologize to the detectives, Dr. Harrison, and Miss Rachel and Kazuha. She'd behave poorly and immaturely and she really was better than that. If Ed could accept help and he was proud, independent, and strong then she definitely could because she certainly didn't feel that way. Ed was hurt because he'd protected her, he'd risked his life and nearly lost it to try and get her out of the situation she was in, to prevent her foster parents from hurting her anymore and she wasn't going to let that go to waste.
Her mind made up she finally let her thoughts settle down and closed her eyes intent on trying to get some sleep even if someone came in the room every hour to check Ed's temperature, pulse, and blood pressure, she was really tired. She'd slept very little in the last two days with everything going on and spinning out of control and her body needed rest, demanded it. She opened her eyes to study Ed's sleeping, relaxed face for a moment and then her eyes slid shut and she fell into dreams about a possible, happy future that may just be attainable now.
