Fullmetal Alchemist: Solitude
Chapter 10: Promise
Black. That's all there was. Just black and nothing else. But it wasn't a bad kind of black that was ominous; instead, it felt quite comfortable.
Yes, Miles felt perfectly content. Well, to be honest, he didn't really feel much at all besides a sense of "being."
Little by little, he began to regain his senses. A bit of eyesight came first as he realized he was staring into a black void. Then, he began to actually think. Finally, he began to feel.
Of course, he couldn't feel anything too well. All he could tell was that he was lying on his back, and that the surface he was against felt stiff.
And so, Miles stayed this way, though his sense of time was nonexistent. He could have stayed in this state for mere seconds or days for all he knew. But that didn't matter. He was perfectly tranquil for the moment.
However, his peaceful state was ended by the beeping. It was only a single beep, but it kept incessantly repeating. With each beep, more thoughts came into his mind, until he finally asked himself,
"Where am I?"
"He's going to be fine, Olivier. He's your Major – there's no way he would let himself die so easily."
"Easier said than done," said Olivier, holding Edward closely. She leaned back into her leather office chair.
"When was the last time you checked on him?" Asked Izumi.
"Five minutes and twenty three seconds ago."
"And what was his condition?"
"Unable to determine which way he'll go."
"You see? He has a fifty – fifty chance. He'll live for sure." Olivier smirked.
"He better. I'll never forgive him for leaving me alone with this," she said, glancing to Edward, who was smiling in her arms.
"Olivier," began Izumi, staring out the window. "You couldn't have accidently chosen a better father. He would never forgive himself either."
"That's not the point," said Olivier, bluntly. "I'm looking at straight facts here. He was shot at a vital point and lost a lot of blood. His chances …" She stopped, unwilling to finish the sentence. Izumi was silent for a moment.
"Look," she finally said. "You both survived the Promised Day. You fought off an ancient being trying to kill us all. Miles will survive a bullet." Olivier sighed, closing her eyes.
"Dammit," she said. "Why did I have to get so close to people?" Izumi smiled.
"Where would you be without us?" Olivier grinned.
"That may be true, but I still wouldn't be in this situation. Who am I these days?" She asked.
"Is that rhetorical?" Asked Izumi.
"More or less."
Edward gurgled. Olivier turned to look at him. God, he looked so much like Miles! She closed her eyes. What Izumi said was true: he was her Major, and he did have a chance of survival. But still! He had been shot, which was not a fun experience to say the least. And there had been so much blood. Living would be a challenge.
The room was silent.
The surface he was lying against was stiff. He could now feel something covering him. Was that something in his arm? Why did his chest hurt?
And that goddamn relentless beeping.
Oh.
That was obvious.
He was in a hospital.
"Should I call the Medical Ward again?"
"They'll call you as soon as something happens."
"God, why am I being like this?"
"Because you love him Olivier!"
A hospital?
What?
Why was he in a hospital?
She couldn't handle this.
The nervous anticipation was tearing her apart.
Remember, Remember, Remember…
Drachma, Drachma, Drachma…
Tunnels, Grenades, Bullets…
Black and White and Red.
Olivier?
Stop the sweating – this wasn't right.
"Just let him be okay." She looked down at Edward.
"Let your father be alive."
He had protected her.
Why did he have to save her?
He told her he loved her.
"Miles just survive!"
Suddenly, the phone rang. Olivier's eyes darted to the desk. Izumi literally leapt over to the phone, and picked it up.
"Major General Armstrong's office."
"Is the General there?" Asked the urgent voice on the other end. With Edward over her shoulder, Olivier approached. Izumi handed her the phone.
"General Armstrong speaking," she said curtly. "What is it?"
"This is Doctor Wilhelm from the Medical Ward." Olivier's heart stopped.
"Yes?" She asked, trying to keep the anxiety out of her voice.
"It's about Major Miles – you requested we call you as soon as his situation changed."
"So spit it out!" She commanded, unable to restrain herself.
"He just woke up; Major Miles will live."
Olivier stared into space, her jaw open. For a few seconds it was all she could do. All of her fears… none of them had been realized! Miles was alive! He was alive and everything would be alright!
"Sir?" Asked the doctor.
"Thank you doctor," said Olivier. "We will be down shortly." She hung up the phone.
"Well?" Asked an expectant Izumi. Olivier smiled.
"He's alive, and awake at that." Izumi's face glowed.
"That's a relief!" She said, before smiling at Olivier. "What did I tell you?"
"This is not the time for 'I-told-you-so.' Let's go see Miles."
"Sir, you have some visitors," said the red-haired nurse. Miles remained silent.
"Would you like to see them now?" She asked. He nodded. "Very well then," the nurse said, walking over to the door, and leaving the room.
"You can come in now," he heard her say.
Miles watched as a shadow entered the room, the first sign of a person. That shadow became a woman, and that woman was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen in his life.
Olivier entered the room proudly, with a strength written on her face. Her movements were elegant and regal as she made her way toward his bed. She was everything he knew her to be.
And in her arms lay their sleeping son.
Finally, she reached his bedside.
"You're lucky you survived Major," she began. "Otherwise…"
"Stop, Olivier," Miles cut in. Olivier looked slightly surprised. He coughed and continued. "I knew I would survive. Otherwise I wouldn't have taken a bullet in the first place. If I died, I knew that neither of us would ever forgive me." Olivier stared at him.
"You're damn right Miles," she whispered. Olivier bent over, and handed Edward to Miles.
"He's beautiful," he said, eyes glowing. "I could never leave either of you." Olivier smiled, and wrapped her arms around his neck. After a few minutes, Miles laughed.
"Not even a thank you? I did save your life," he said, winking. Olivier gave him a weird look before kissing his cheek.
"Thank you," she said. "For everything. You've brought me closer to everyone: my friends, my soldiers, my family; you've brought me this beautiful son; and, you saved this fort as well as my life. You let me continue to be around for Edward."
"You're welcome," said Miles, feeling smug. "And you too. You've done so much for me."
The two stayed in that position, smiling with each other and gazing at their son. It was truly amazing how quickly their lives had changed. A year ago, Olivier and Miles were feared, merciless soldiers of Fort Briggs, working only to protect Amestris. Now, they were still feared soldiers of Fort Briggs, but they were also a family.
Olivier smiled. Her past self would never believe any of this, but right here, right now, she wouldn't have it any other way.
"Did you mean it Miles?" Asked Olivier.
"Mean what?"
"What you said before you lost consciousness."
"Of course I did," said Miles. "Why do you ask?" Olivier hugged him tighter.
"Because I love you too."
AN: This is not the end of "Solitude." There is one more chapter after this one, so keep watch for it!
And thank you for all of the support I've had throughout this story, especially from Azulic Blade and Lalalupin. You guys are great! Until the next chapter!
-Eternity