[[Here's chapter ten! This chapter takes place a tiny bit after chapter nine and you're (in the story) a lot more comfortable around Ed so that's why your acting a little different than usual (also you're having fun and not doing something serious so that too) Anyway, I kind of made up the recovery time from the stabbing, it's probably incorrect. Anyway, please ignore my lack of medical knowledge and enjoy!)
It had been two or three weeks since the incident and you were finally feeing like your old self. The dagger had gone pretty deep and you had lost a lot of blood so you definitely hadn't felt your best. But there was always someone to distract you from the pain. Ed had stayed at the hospital even after he had been treated to keep an eye on you, sleeping in a chair in your room every night, Al in the corner. You had protested at first, saying he they had work to do but they convinced you they had to protect you. Truthfully, it really meant a lot to you. Your room was completely filled with flowers thanks to your coworkers who had visited nearly every day, even Mustang. Riza would talk to you as the boys carried in huge teddy bears. Fuery had even cried when he saw you, he was so torn up about it.
The guys always brought you little gifts from the shop when they visited and caught you up on what was going on in the military. Havoc often sat beside your bed, taking the cigarette from his mouth and tossing it in a glass of water then chatted with you. You always smiled at this, he didn't go without smoking for just anyone but he knew you hated and the smell and in your condition, it just wasn't the best idea for you to inhale it. Falman would stand at the edge of your bed near the door, commenting in on stories and often telling how things really happened. Breda had brought you the giant teddy bear and you told him it reminded you of him, big and strong but still sweet.
Mustang always came but he didn't talk often unless necessary.
"Hey, colonel?" You asked one afternoon when he and the lieutenant had visited you. She was out of the room at the moment, grabbing you some food and you got your opportunity to ask something.
"Hmm?" He asked, turning away from the window.
"Not that I don't appreciate it but why do you guys always come to see me?"
He looked at you, seemingly examining your face.
"It's simple." he said, pausing. "You're part of the team." A small grin was on his face.
You were quite for a moment.
"It's an honor." You said smiling.
Just then Riza walked into the room.
"I brought you some mashed potatoes and-" she stopped seeing you two.
"I apologize, was I interrupting?" She asked.
Before Mustang replied, you spoke up.
"Nope! I was just saying how I was probably going to turn in early today. Thanks for doting on me all day, lieutenant Hawkeye. In fact, I doubt you've eaten all day...why don't you take her to dinner, sir?" You asked, smirking.
"I'm fine! I couldn't impose like that!" Hawkeye said, extremely out of her calm character.
"It's fine. We wouldn't want you to starve." Roy said.
"It's settled then!" You said happily.
"But what if something happens while I'm gone?" Riza asked, trying to get an excuse.
"I'll be fine! Besides, if anything happens I can call Ed or the nurse." You said, not letting her escape.
"We'll, I suppose it might be okay for a little while..." She said.
"Good! Go have fun!" You said, shooing them.
They walked towards the door then turned.
You put your hand to your forehead in a salute as they did the same.
"Lieutenant, Colonel." You said looking to both of them.
"Sergeant." Mustang said. "I expect you to be back at your desk in a few weeks." This was his way of caring.
"Of course, sir." You said smiling.
He nodded, a small grin passing on his lips then they dropped their hands and walked out, Riza giving you the evil eye as they walked out. You giggled. She'll be mad at you for now but she'd thank you later. They were so cute together.
"What're you so happy about?" Ed asked, walking into the room.
"Oh, nothing." You said, still smiling. "Hey, do you wanna go downstairs and grab something to eat? The lieutenant always seems to bring me the yucky healthy stuff." You said after a moment.
He looked at you in surprise.
"Are you sure you're ready to walk yet?" He asked worriedly.
"Come on, I'm not a baby." You said. "If a knife won't kill me, a little walk certainly won't."
He looked at you, not entirely convinced.
"Look, if I can't do it we'll just come back. It'll be fine. I just can't take being cooped up all day." You pleaded.
He sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "I guess a short walk wouldn't hurt anything..."
He sounded just like Riza a few minutes ago.
"Yay!" You said smiling.
He walked over to the side of the bed and you unburied your feet from under the blanket. You put them on the hard ground, the cold floor feeling odd after being under the blanket for a week. You then put your hand on Ed's shoulder and slowly put your weight on your feet. They felt like spaghetti, wobbly at first as you stood up. You shook, nearly falling over.
"Whoa!" Ed said, catching you before you toppled.
"Are sure you can do this?" He asked.
"Better now than never. I've just been in bed so long... it's weird." You said and slowly gained your bearings. Being that you had lost so much blood, it was hard. You slowly put a wavering foot forward, taking a deep breath. It hit the ground gently and you carefully moved the other one.
You took another few steps, still holding Ed's shoulder as you moved.
Then you bumped into the edge of your bed, sending a strike of pain up your side. You bit your lip as you grabbed it your side.
"Maybe this wasn't such a great idea." You said.
"You can do it." He said and you looked up at him. A look of determination filled his eyes.
"No, I can't." You said, feeling weak.
"But you are!" He said. "Here, take my hand." He said, reaching out his palm and giving you a gentle smile.
"Okay..." You said warily, taking his hand.
You both slowly moved forward again.
You smiled, taking bigger steps.
"I'm doing it!" You exclaimed.
"See, I knew you could." He told you.
You looked over, smiling.
Suddenly you realized this all seem so familiar. ...This is just like when we were climbing that tree!
"You know, we never really changed since Resembool." You said, still smiling.
"What are you talking about? Are you saying you got stabbed a lot back home?" He said, grinning.
"No!" You said, gently punching him in the side. "You know what I mean."
"I don't really see it. We all work for the military now and Al and I..."
"Just trust me, okay?" You said, wanting him to get the point.
"Okay." He said, retreating.
Suddenly, you both stopped making it to the stairs.
"I'm sure there's an elevator somewhere." He said trying to move forward but you didn't budge.
"No, I can do it." You said.
"I could carry you if you want." He mumbled.
"No, I can this." You said and he looked at you for a moment, unsure, but then he saw your determined look and nodded.
He opened the door for you and you clenched his hand harder as you put your foot on the first step.
This is easy you told yourself, I'm going down the stairs, not up.
You both went down step by step as you held on to Ed like a life line.
This isn't so hard.
You began moving more quickly, just like you used to.
You finally felt like maybe you were going to be okay. You couldn't waste it.
"Race ya!" You said, letting go of Ed's hand as you broke into a run down the stairs with ballerina like footing.
"What!? Slow down!" Ed yelled, surprised and chasing after you.
You both bolted down the steps but you were beating Ed as you ignored the erupting pain in your side.
You finally made it to the bottom of the stairs, breathing heavily and leaning on your knees.
"Are you okay?" Ed asked, concerned.
"Yeah, that was great!" You said, turning to him and laughing.
He stared at you, a quizzically expression on his face then he broke out into laughter himself. You both doubled over, cracking up. It was nice, forgetting fear for a minute. After a moment, the giggles faded and Ed looked at you.
"You really are insane, you know that?" He asked.
"Yeah," you laughed, smiling "but without this psycho, you'd be toast." You said, pointing your thumb at yourself.
"Would not!" He said defensively like a little boy.
"Course you would, every shrimp needs someone to protect em'." You teased, baiting him.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A TINY INCH WORM SO SMALL YOU COULD SMUSH THEM!?" He demanded.
"Me!" You said, smiling. "Now come catch me!" You ran out the stairwell door into the hallways.
He chases after you as you both rushed through the halls, people yelling as you went.
Ed was starting to catch up with you so you grabbed a wheelchair and threw it in his path as you turned a corner. You heard a crash as he collided. You stopped, looking back.
He wasn't supposed to crash into it, it was just supposed to be an obstacle! You thought worriedly.
You were walking back to see if he was okay just as he was rounding the corner, pushing the wheelchair like a mad man, a devilish grin on his face.
Crap! You turned around, running hard. He was faster though and soon you felt metal at the back of your legs, forcing you into the chair.
"Fine! You got me" you said, throwing your hands in the air.
Suddenly the chair stopped.
"Ed, why did you-" you paused, seeing the reason.
"Elicia!" You said, standing up and hugging the adorable little girl.
"Hi Sissy!" She said happily.
"What are you guys doing here?" Ed asked Mrs. Hughes who was standing beside Elicia.
"We came to see (name) here." She said, smiling. "I'm glad to see you've taken care of her, Ed."
"Well, I...urm." He stuttered as he blushed.
"We brought you stuff, sissy." Elicia said in her sweet voice.
"Really?" You asked, standing up with her in your arms, making sure to balance her on the opposite side of your hip from your stitches.
"Apple pie! I helped Mama bake it!" She cheered happily and Mrs. Hughes smiled, handing it to you.
"Wow, it smells delicious, thank you!" You said to both of them.
"You're welcome!" Elicia piped up and you laughed.
"Well, I'm gonna need some help eating an entire pie. Would you guys like to eat with us? We were just heading that way." You said.
"Could we?" Elicia asked, looking expectantly at her mother.
"Of course." Mrs. Hughes answered and Elicia cheered.
"Sorry Maes couldn't be here, he got caught up in work." Mrs. Hughes apologized.
"It's alright, I'm glad to see you two." You said, watching as Ed helped Elicia cut her pie with his one arm.
"So how do you know each other?" Mrs. Hughes asked.
"We grew up together." You explained.
"Really?" She asked and you both nodded. "(Name) here came to live with us when she first joined the army and had nowhere to go. She was so helpful to have around the house. Too bad she had to move out."
You smiled. "Are you kidding me? There was nothing for me to do, you always took care of everything." You said, making her laugh.
"So are you Sissy's boyfriend now?" Elicia piped up, making Ed spit out his drink. You immediately blushed.
"We're just friends!" You explained.
"Like brother and sister?" She asked making Ed turn bright shades of pink.
"Well, er, not exactly..." You said.
"Then why aren't you-" Elicia began but her mother stopped her.
"You know what? Why don't we go home and see if Papa's there?" She suggested and stood up, trying to get Elicia to settle down.
"But I don't wanna leave Sissy!" She said, whining.
"Don't worry. I'll come visit you soon." You assured her.
"Promise?" She asked.
"Promise." You said, smiling.
"Okay..." She said, still a little sad to leave.
Her mother took her hand and they walked towards the door. They waved as they left.
[[So that was chapter ten, I hoped you liked it. I know it's kind of random but I couldn't think of a thing to write about. Hopefully, next chapter will seem more on track. Also, I know you guys want some romance but I don't want to rush it. I promise it'll come eventually and you'll get to be with Ed. Anyway, please review! Those of you who did really made my day ]]