Once the flames died down everything was still. Everything.

Chapter Twenty One-Repairs

The only sound now was a familiar one. There was no rhythm to the gentle clanging but over the years Edward had become accustomed to it. The soft clicking of a tool against his automail. It was oddly soothing considering what he'd been through. Barely opening his eyes, he found himself staring at the floor again. It was a boring sight. Coughing lightly, he realized his throat was clear of any artificial contraption. He felt oddly warm and when he tried to move, he came to the quick conclusion he was still unable. There was a loud snap from his left leg, the kind of noise that was usually accompanied with pain. Suddenly he realized that he didn't feel any of the pain from before let alone anything unpleasant from his connected nerves. He sighed to himself as a sense of relief came over him. Something moved against his right side, pressing more against his ribcage. The peaceful moment was interrupted by the sound of a motorized tool that made his heart pound faster. Something was removed from the port and something else was being attached.

"Wow, these drills are soo nice. I've gotta get one when we get back to Central." He knew that squeal all too well. That enthusiastic joy for tools and parts and pretty much anything not girly. The pure glee of a gear head. But she was his gear head and her jovial voice was more calming then the silence.

"...Wiwry?" Edward moved his tongue around to feel an obnoxious amount of gauze still occupying his mouth. It was disgusting and he wanted to spit it out.

"Ed? You're awake?" She paused in what she was doing.

"Pleh," it was the only answer she received and instead of crying in relief, she found herself laughing instead.

"Hang on, let me get the doctor." She got up quickly and exited the room. Like he hadn't had enough of doctors as it was, he would have been content just being here with her for a couple more minutes. With her absent now, he found it easier for his mind to race. He wanted to know if he was back in Central or still up North. Winry's presence meant word had gotten to Central about the accident. He wondered if they got to Mustang in time. His injuries were worse after all. Shifting a little, he felt that same pressure at his side and it moved along with him. A faint smile came to his face as he realized if Winry was here, Van probably was too. Thus explaining the little ball curled up in the blankets next to him. The toddler always was very clingy to him anyway, so it was no surprise to Ed. He hoped no one had said anything hurtful to him. Edward had dealt with enough adult stuff at such a young age, he wanted to shield his own kid from as much as possible. Which was the reason he declined the offer his teacher made him to take little Van for training when he turned two.

Why was it he couldn't stay out of trouble whenever he went up North? Why was there always someone who wanted him dead? Of course this time really was a close call considering that he didn't have alchemy to save him anymore. The only reason he'd managed to survive his teenage years was thanks to that science. And yet Mustang was so useless. How he thought this was going to be such an easy mission Ed still couldn't understand. And they still had to deal with the stupid Steel Mason alchemist, who was soo loosing his certification if he had anything to say about it. Despite his anger towards the man though, he was still really irritated with the General.

"I old im, an now I geh oo lauff in hith stoopid fath."* Why he was still attempting to speak, he didn't know. He just sounded drunk or something. He could try to get all fired up about this but even he didn't have the energy for it. The door opened and Winry walked in along with Dr. Wilhelm and Lt. Kinstrel.

"Are you planning on staying awake this time, Major?" Ed actually managed to roll his eyes.

"Hah hah." The extra warmth at his side left as Winry scooped Van up and moved out of the way. The old doctor moved the blankets and opened the back of Ed's flimsy hospital attire. He slowly pulled two pieces of medical tape from his lower back before removing the needle connected to a thin plastic line. Despite his best efforts to be gentle, there was still the faintest sting that slowly moved up Ed's spine.

"Still got some bruising back here, although I think we did some of it." Edward groaned back, his eyelids fluttering slightly as a result to the pain he was now feeling. It subsided and he sighed heavily. After much effort and the help of the Lieutenant, they got him turned around. Even sitting up now, his arms felt heavy and the idea of trying to move seemed tiresome. After the doctor checked all his vitals and got the gauze out of his mouth, the older man stood back appearing satisfied. "You should be alright. Just take it easy for now, okay." Winry was half expecting a smart comment but instead Ed just nodded. Once the doctor left, the Lieutenant spoke up as he moved next to the bed.

"Sir, can I get you anything?" Edward's tired gaze shifted over to the younger man. He really just wanted to go back to sleep but apparently when he did that, everyone worried about him.

"Something to eat would be nice."

"Yes sir, Major. I'll be right back." Kinstrel saluted before leaving the room. Ed still didn't know how to handle that kind of respect. And it was really odd that he considered the Lieutenant an inexperienced kid. Winry moved around to his right side, placing Van back down next to him. Despite how tired he was and unwilling to move, he absentmindedly placed his hand on the toddler's back. Winry grabbed an extra pillow and placed it under his automail port so she could have it elevated some. Finally his brain started working again as he watched her get back to work.

"Where's my leg?"

"They had to leave it behind. General Armstrong damaged the port though in the process." Ed heaved his next breath in response.

"I wonder how they figured out where we were," his voice sounded tired as he blinked away the sleep that was nudging him.

"Where is Armstrong anyway?"

"He and Lt. Hawkeye went after that State alchemist." The mention of the Lieutenant brought about his next question.

"How's Mustang? Did he make it?"

"Yes, but you were both in pretty bad shape." Wearily he brought his head down.

"Sorry,...Winry. I didn't mean to worry you."

"I know you didn't." It got quiet between them as she started to concentrate more on what she was doing. A delicate smile graced her lips as something occurred to her. "They must have you on some pretty good pain medication, normally you wouldn't be so laid back during this." He sluggishly tilted his head as though nodding would take too much effort. And then he asked the oddest of the questions on his mind.

"What was with the stupid gauze?" A light giggle left his wife as she pulled away from her work.

"Did it bother you so much?" She got a better look at him to noticed the deep frown her inquiry brought to his face. He stuck his tongue out in response.

"It was soggy. Gross." Nodding her acknowledgment, she brought her concentration back to the wires she was carefully splicing.

"You had a seizure when they brought you in." Her explanation came out in a soft tone, revealing the thought bothered her. "Dr. Wilhelm told me you had a pretty bad head injury so they think it had to do with that. The 'soggy' gauze was to keep you from choking, or something." Shutting his eyes, he concluded that he wasn't ready to talk about all this just yet. Resting his head back, he breathed in deeply.

"What a mess," he muttered and she couldn't help but notice how worn out he really did sound.

"Are you feeling okay?" Stopping her work again, she glanced over at him. Getting up, she removed one of her work gloves and pressed her palm to his forehead. "Mmm, should have known all this damage to your port was going to have some side effects." He groaned softly, closing his eyes again. She moved to the bathroom nearby and returned with a damp cloth. "You know you can sleep, Ed. It's not like you're in any danger now."

"But I have to get a hold of Hawkeye. I've gotta tell them...stuff." Winry found herself smiling again. Leaning down, she kissed his hot forehead before placing the cool rag just above his eyes. He groaned again at her.

"I've still got quite a bit to repair before I can even attach your temporary. It'll be okay." As she smiled down at him, he finally brought his tired amber gaze up, worry evident in his eyes.

"If they're going after Keeton, they're in danger."

A/N-*So yeah in case you missed what Ed was muttering about earlier, he said "I told him and now I get to laugh in his stupid face."