AN: Now to deal with the aftermath of everything. Can Winry and Edward's relationship survive this attack? Can Edward ever forgive himself? Can Winry deal with the feelings she has shoved down?
Ties of friendship Chap.11
Dr. Knox gave WInry her pain killers and she laid on the bed as she watched the scenery go by outside. Edward made himself comfortable in the chair. She wondered why he was so distant. Did he not want to touch her after the attack? After Dr. Knox left she felt cold and she wanted Edward near her.
"Edward I'm cold" she wondered what his response would be. He got up and opened the closet and grabbed an extra blanket as he turned around to lay it over her he noticed the tears forming in her eyes.
"Winry what's wrong?" He asked sitting on the edge of the bed.
Her emotions were all over the place "You don't want to be around me anymore. You find me disgusting don't you?" She looked in his eyes "It's because he touched me isn't it?" she was angry and upset and she didn't understand.
He tried to calm her down "Winry I could never find you disgusting and I love being around you. But your hurt and right know I don't want to hurt you anymore." He looked in those questioning blue eyes of hers and his heart melted "I tell you what move over and I'll get in next to you." It made her feel better that he was going to get in bed with her. She moved herself over and he climbed into bed with her he put his arm under her head and they both laid there watching the scenery go by till she finally fell asleep. He laid there and watched her sleep as he held her. He never closed his eyes, he couldn't because every time he did he saw it happen all over again in his head.
It was a few hours later when Niki knocked on the door. Edward slid out of bed careful not to wake Winry. Niki was on the other side of the door as he opened it holding a plate with sandwich's on it for them.
"I brought food!" she smiled when she went in as he stepped to the side "Is she sleeping?" she whispered looking at WInry.
Edward grabbed a sandwich "Yeah, she's been out for about an hour now." He turned and sat in the chair and took a bite.
"Alright then I'll bring dinner later" She turned to walk out and Edward stopped her "Thank you NIki" he said reaching for the doorknob and opening the door.
"You're my friend Ed and I want to help the both of you." She noticed he looked more exhausted then he did last night "Ed how much sleep have you gotten?"
He really didn't think about sleeping he didn't want to close his eyes because every time he did he could hear Leo's neck snapping in his hands "None."
Niki was getting worried now she knew he needed sleep or he wasn't going to be in any shape to help WInry. She walked out and he shut the door she stood there for a few seconds hoping he would just lay down. Then she went to find Dr. Knox to ask him if maybe something else was wrong.
Edward finished his sandwich and bent down to take his boots off when Winry began to thrash around and cry in her sleep. He got up and walked over and tried to wake her up then she yelled "NOOOO!" and sat straight up and grabbed him around the neck.
He slid his arms around her and held her tight "It's okay I got you and nothing's going to hurt you again." he whispered as she leaned back and looked at him then he helped her lay back down. He bent down and took his other boot off and laid down beside her 'Damn it I knew this was going to start haunting her dreams but I was hoping we'd be at Briggs before this happened.' He put his arm over her just to let her know he was there as she laid her arm over his and gripped it tightly. He knew that was her way of telling him not to move it.
'My wife, my lover and my best friend I failed in protecting you once but never again. You are my one reason for living.' He thought as he lay next to her running the strands of her hair through his fingers 'I know you're hurting and I can't imagine the pain or how deep it goes but I will be here whenever and however you need me.' He reached over and gave her hand a slight squeeze and just watched over her.
He closed his eyes for what seemed like just a few minutes and he would open them periodically. The last time he opened them he saw her staring at him.
"You haven't slept have you?" she asked after watching him do this for the past thirty minutes.
"I'll be fine" he said sitting up and reaching for a sandwich "Are you hungry?" he asked her and she nodded so he handed her one. She nibbled on the sandwich as she watched his fumbling movements 'He's driving himself to pure exhaustion and I know his head is probably killing him. I haven't even seen him take an aspirin. Why is he doing this? Is it because he feels guilty for not being there? He needs rest.'
"Edward you need sleep." She pleaded with him as she continued to eat the sandwich.
"I'll sleep later right now I'm getting you safely to Briggs." He swore he wouldn't sleep till he heard Olivier Armstrong's voice.
It was about seven o'clock the next morning when Niki knocked on the door with coffee and breakfast. When Edward opened the door he looked terrible. She brought the food and coffee in and sat it down.
"Oh thank god coooffeeee" he reached for it and sat down in the chair took a sip and then sat it back on the tray.
Niki didn't understand how he was still functioning "Ed you look like hell."
He yawned and rubbed his eyes "Winry had a really bad night." He told her resting his head in his hands with his elbows on his knees. He covered his eyes and yawned again as she continued talking to him then she heard him slightly snoring 'He fell asleep in that position?' she thought as she stared at him and sat in the other chair.
A few minutes later his head shot up "Huh? Did you say something?"
"Wow Ed five minute cat naps. When did those start?" she asked concerned "Do you even remember falling asleep?"
He yawned again and rubbed his eyes once more "I guess they started last night." He grabbed the coffee cup and this time he downed it.
"Alright then I'll be back in a couple of hours but we should be pulling into the station about eight o'clock tonight. Are your friends meeting us there?" she was hoping they were because it was cold up here and she hated the cold.
"I know where to meet them." He smiled a sleepy smile "Just dress warm." She nodded her head and turned and left him to his occasional five minute cat naps.
About seven thirty that night Edward started bundling Winry up in a scarf, Jacket and mittens "Are you warm enough?" he asked as he buttoned her coat.
"Yeah" she told him knowing full well he wasn't in any shape to fell the cold as exhausted as he was. Dr. Knox knocked on the door and came in to give her the pain killers she needed for the trip down the road and up the mountain.
Mustang called Olivier and informed her that it would probably be better if Miles and Scar meet them at the station.
"Fine" she replied coldly "Now Mustang do you want to inform me on what's going on or is it another surprise like the last time he and his brother showed up?"
"General I can't go into details but you'll understand when you see him." Mustang paused then Olivier heard concern in his voice "He needs your strong guidance right now Olivier so please help him because he's in a very dark place."
"I understand." She told him confidently as she hung the phone up she wondered what he had meant by a very dark place. She wouldn't find out what he meant till Edward got there.
The train pulled into the station and Miles and Scar were looking for Edward. Then they spotted someone who looked like him carrying a woman off the train. Scar knew it was Edward so he began to walk over towards him and that's when he noticed the bandage around Edward's head and realized it was Winry he was carrying. Niki and Dr. Knox followed him carrying the suitcases.
"Edward" Miles' eyes widened when he saw him "What the hell happened to you?" He asked while Edward was trying to lift Winry into the cart but he was so exhausted. Scar walked over and took her from him.
"Here I got her Fullmetal" He lifted Winry into the back then turned to Edward and watched him sway back and forth a little and putting his hand on Edward's shoulder "Are you alright?"
Niki walked up "Lieutenant Colonel Anneke Kashmir" she stuck her hand out "You can call me Niki for short." Scar looked at her and stuck his hand out.
"Hello" he looked back at Edward "Is he okay? What's wrong with him?"
Niki shrugged her shoulders "Nothing that a lot of sleep won't cure." She jumped in the back of the cart and stuck her hand out for Edward to take so she could help him up "Come on sleepy head."
He took her hand "Ha ha very funny." He smirked then after she helped him up he moved over towards Winry and put his arm around her as he pulled her scarf down and reviled her face. Scar and Miles were both in shock at all the bruises.
"What happened Edward? You need to tell us now." Major Miles insisted.
"I'll wait till the General's present because I'm too tired to repeat it twice." He replied yawning.
Major Miles tried to avoid all the bumps he could in the road. It was about thirty minutes when the Briggs wall came into view. Edward remembered the first time he ever saw it 'The General was standing CRAP! In the same spot she is now' he thought looking up at her. With her long blonde hair blowing in the slight breeze he realized he felt like that fifteen year old she confronted six years ago.
"Major Miles I'd like to get Winry settled before I talk to her." Edward requested hoping Miles would figure out he didn't want to talk about it in front of her.
"I'll take her to the room." Scar volunteered "You need to go talk to her." Edward asked Winry if that would be okay and she agreed. 'Here I go again trusting my wife in someone else's hands' he thought but he knew he had to face Olivier sometime so he might as well get it over with. Major Miles led Edward and Niki to the Generals office while Scar took Winry and Dr. Knox to their rooms.
Edward stopped outside the General's office and NIki actually thought he looked scared until she realized he was trying to fight off another five minute cat nap.
"Snap out of it ED!" she said sharply and he jumped slightly and shook his head. Miles opened the door and Olivier had her back to them she flung herself around and looked at him.
"Well Edward what have you-" She stopped when she looked at him 'He looks exhausted, troubled and broken down he's a mere shell of the boy I once knew' she thought as she noticed the fire in his eyes was gone now they were cold 'the eyes of a killer.'
"Hello General" he could barely make eye contact with her and that was not like Edward. "Can I please have a seat before I fall down?" He walked over to the chair and sat down. Olivier shot Miles a look and he shrugged his shoulders. The door opened a Scar walked in "I put the girl in their room she's making herself comfortable."
"EDWARD! What the hell happened to you?" Olivier demanded an answer and Miles walked over and whispered in her ear "You should see his wife it looks like someone beat the hell out of her." Olivier's eyes widened as she walked over and looked at the back of Edward's head then walking back to her desk "TELL ME FULLMETAL!" She slammed the tip of her sword on the ground "I want to know everything" she glared at Edward "Leave nothing out."
He began to explain everything and Olivier could feel herself getting more pissed as he went on. He got to the part where he snapped Leo's neck and his head dropped "I never really believed in taking a life till that particular moment." He then glanced at Olivier "It felt good to snap his neck." He got to the part about Winry losing the baby and tears rolled down his cheek.
"I see" Olivier turned and thought for a minute trying to shake off the tears 'This boy and girl have been through hell, and to lose a child' then she about faced and smirked at him "How's the head Edward? You look like you could use a few stitches and a lot of sleep."
His head went down "I'll be fine."
She slammed her hand down on her desk "This is where you start listening to me runt." She ordered Miles to get Dr. Knox and when they came back she told him to sew up Edward's head and he did. Then she ordered Edward to get some sleep and told him she didn't want to see him till he was rested. She also ordered Scar to watch over them in their room in case there was a problem with Winry. Dr. Knox gave Edward a pain killer and told him to get some sleep.
Scar walked Edward and Niki back to their room with Olivier leading them. She wanted to see Winry and she wanted to make sure she understood that if Edward didn't get some sleep he wouldn't be worth a shit. Edward had informed Olivier about Winry's nightmares and he was starting to feel the effects of the pain killers by the time they got to the room.
When he opened the door Winry sat up on the bed and turned on the light Olivier took one look at her and turned to Edward "Now I understand why you felt satisfaction breaking his neck." She walked closer to Winry "I'm sorry about the baby. You're welcome to stay her for as long as it takes to recover." She began to explain to Winry that Edward had his head sewn up and was given a pain killer. She also informed her she wanted him rested up so she was leaving Scar to watch over both of them "Not that anything will happen to you in Briggs. But if Edward doesn't wake up at least you know someone's here that's awake."
Winry fully agreed with the idea knowing Edward hadn't slept in days. About this time Edward started feeling sleepy so he laid down on the bed. Winry curled up next to him and Olivier turned and told Edward she'd see him after he slept as she left she told Scar to sit and keep watch over them then her and Major Miles' walked out and down the hall.
Miles turned to her "Do you think they'll be okay?"
Olivier had a stern look on her face "They have a long road ahead of them."
Scar pulled up a chair and sat there thinking 'Why the hell am I the one keeping an eye on them?' he was getting really bored and tired himself so he closed his eyes for a few minutes and couple of hours later he heard moaning. 'They better not be doing what it sounds like their doing while I'm in the room' then he realized it was moans of painand he heard Winry whispering no in her sleep. As he opened his eyes to look she began to thrash around some and she seemed to be fighting someone. So Scar stood up and walked over to the bed "Girl" he shook her on the shoulder "GIRL" he said louder. Her voice was getting louder and all she kept saying was no then she yelled out "NOOOO!" as she turned her body towards Edward. His arm immediately went over her shoulders and he pulled her closer as she buried her face in his chest "Ssssssh, I got you" he whispered and slightly moved but Scar knew he was still asleep 'His unconscious mind is amazing even with the pain killers and lack of sleep he's still aware of her in distress' Scar watched for a minute as Winry calmed down in Edward's arms. Then he walked back to the chair and sat down as he watched them do this almost half the night he realized that the bond between them was strong and he also knew Edward was well aware of what was going on even if his eyes were closed.
Edward opened his eyes, stretched and yawned then he sat up and realized Scar was still sitting in the chair as he looked over he saw Winry still sleeping. "Hey Scar I got it from here so you can go now." He swung his feet to the cold floor.
Scar nodded and stood up as he turned to leave Edward stopped him "Thanks Scar."
Scar nodded again "Your welcome Fullmetal alchemist but you had it under control even in your sleep."
Edward didn't know what he meant but he chuckled "I'm not the Fullmetal alchemist anymore so Edward's fine Scar."
Scar walked to the door and turned the knob "Alright then Edward I'll see you later."
"Yeah" Edward replied as Scar shut the door then he leaned over and kissed Winry's head 'Well honey looks like it's just you and me today' He thought then got up and went to the bathroom. When he finished splashing water on his face he opened the door to see Winry sitting up on the bed with her knees pulled to her chest and her head rested on them as she cried.
He ran over "Winry what's wrong? I thought you were still sleeping?" he put his hand on her back.
"I-I-I'm sorry Edward" She cried as her emotions and guilt finally began to surface "The baby" she whispered softly "I feel so empty inside Ed." She gave him a pleading look. He sat down next to her and pulled her into his arms.
"I know Winry" he whispered then held her tightly as she cried so hard it made his whole body shake. 'I knew this was coming she's finally letting everything out. I wish there was some way I could take the pain away but she's so fragile right now.' He thought as he just held her and stroked her head with his hand.
"Ed I failed you" she cried out "I couldn't even protect our child." She then buried her face back in his chest.
He shook his head slowly "No if anyone failed anyone it was I that failed to protect you and our child Winry." A tear rolled down his cheek as he kept stroking her hair with his hand "I am so sorry I should have been quicker and I will never forgive myself for that."
"NO Ed" she sat back and looked at him "If I would have just stayed home none of this would have happened and everything would be fine right now."
He slightly smiled at her and sighed "No Winry it wouldn't be. Those guys would be alive and you'd be still hiding out like a prisoner."
"Are you saying this was meant to happen?" she asked him questionably and he knew he had to be careful the way he answered her.
"I don't think it was meant to happen but it did and we have to live with it now." He pulled her closer to him "We'll have plenty more chances to have children but without you Winry there would be no more chances."
She wiped the tears from her eyes "I see" she said softly knowing he was right because without her he couldn't have children unless he met someone else, and with as much trouble she had getting him to marry her she knew he'd probably never marry again.