Array of Consequences

By joyfulmusic

Summary: Everyone assumes Alphonse Elric was killed. Two years later Edward gets married. What happens when the seal containing Al's soul is discovered? Naturally Ed tries to fix his armor, but something goes terribly wrong. What will the consequences of this new array it cost Edward?

Author's Note: I might be offline soon so I'm posting this chapter before it's fully edited. Just in case. :)

I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist

Chapter 25

Zenobia yawned before a smile slipped across her lips, as a pair of cool arms encompassed her. With lashes still held firmly closed, she reached behind her head, to stroke his cool metal cheek. She was unwilling to open her eyes, afraid of waking up, only to find herself alone once more.

"Love you." A voice murmured, causing her muscles to stiffen. Her brow furrowed as she felt a familiar gauntlet rub against her arm, moving up to entangle its fingers with hers. "Aren't you going to get up?" It questioned, apparently concerned by her lack of response. "Noba is something wrong? Look at me."

Her eyes fluttered open at his request. However instead of smiling, as he'd expected, she was frowning, looking as though she didn't know him. "Noba," He began again, shifting to gently caress her cheek. "what's wrong? Is it the baby?"

Shaking her head, she began studying him. "No… It's not the baby." But she wasn't sure what more she should say. He didn't seem to notice anything different, hadn't grasped what had startled her. Finally, choosing her words carefully, she asked, "It is you, isn't it… Edward?"

"Of course." He chuckled. "Why would you…" Then he paused, finally realizing what should have been obvious. "My voice." He trembled, a hand unconsciously going to his throat. Then another thought came to mind. "I've got to check on Al." He informed, quickly disentangling himself from the covers, without bouncing the bed too much.

Reaching the doorway, he glanced back momentarily. She simply nodded, which was enough to send him down the hallway. Without knocking, he entered, noting that the coughing had been silenced. His sibling was sleeping soundly for the first time in a long while.

Edward glanced down at the young man, long blond hair fanned out around an all too familiar face. Laying a hand on his shoulder, Ed gave it a light shake. "Alphonse." He whispered, having to give two more nudges before a pair of golden eyes blinked up sleepily at him.

"Brother?" Alphonse questioned, pushing back the long bangs. With a groan he sat up, feeling every muscle protest the movement. "What is it?" He yawned, shaking off the last of his slumber. "Is everything alright? Is it Noba? The baby?" With that thought he was suddenly alert. "Is it…"

"No Al." Edward shook his head quickly. "I just… I had to hear your voice." He watched as Alphonse's brow furrowed. Then a light seemed to come to his eyes as awareness dawned on him. Both simply stared at the other for a long moment, unsure how to process the information.

"We got our voices back." Al finally concluded in hushed awe before enthusiasm won him over. "That must have been what the coughing was all about. Brother, this means that something did happen when that array was triggered! Something…" But he stopped, taking in the figure that now stood in the doorway.

She seemed to be in a state of shock, her face slack, her eyes wide. She didn't move until he reached out to her. "Noba, we got our voices back." He informed, his happiness waning as she moved closer. Instead of sharing in his joy, she was studying him, her brow knitting together.

Finally, her hand came up, her fingers weaving through his golden hair. "It's shorter." She explained, bringing both hands up to cup his face. She remained silent for a moment before continuing. "You're changing. You don't look so much like Ed anymore… You did last night. But this morning… you're… different."

The changes were subtle, so much so that Edward had to study his sibling closely to see what she meant. "She's right." He conceded, moving to retrieve a mirror from the bathroom so that Al could see for himself. Handing it over he murmured, "The nose and the cheekbones."

Alphonse had to stare long and hard before he could see anything. It was understandable though. Since they had traded bodies, he had avoided looking in the mirror except when absolutely necessary. Realizing that his in-law's face was still melancholy he mumbled, "I'm sorry Noba."

She blanched at his regret, and it was enough to make her regain her senses. "Why on earth should you be sorry?" She questioned, quickly deciding to avoid his answer. "Al this is a good thing. It means you're getting your body back. Isn't that part of what you two were trying to do?"

"What's going on?" Winry complained, entering the room in her night shirt, her hair a mess of unbrushed tangles. "Do you three have any idea what time it is? And how late I was up last night?" Yawning to prove her point, she asked, "I'm gonna put on some coffee. Anybody want some?"

"I do." Al said, a slow smile forming across his lips when she realized who the reply came from. Her jaw dropped as she stared at him. Stretching a bit more, Alphonse swung his legs over the side of the bed. "I thought you were gonna make us some coffee? Do you want me to do it?"

Still she didn't move, not until he'd crossed the room so that she stood in the way of his leaving. "Al?" She gasped, earning her a nod from the smiling blond. Throwing her arms around his neck she hugged him close. "No wonder you three are up! Why didn't you wake me?"

"We only just found out." Edward mentioned, moving to wrap his arms around his wife's shoulders. "We're going to get dressed. Al, you make breakfast, you're better at it than she is." When Winry threw him a glower, he laughed. "I can tell by the way Noba pushes it around on her plate."

"Hey!" Zenobia exclaimed, "Don't you go dragging me into this! It's this baby that makes all the food taste funny." But then she softened. Turning to her in-laws she insisted, "I am going to get dressed. You three can sort out who's making breakfast."

When she passed the two blonds, she was followed by her husband, who received a whack from Winry's wrench. After he glanced down, the mechanic pointed out, "I couldn't throw it at you while Noba was standing in front of you." Grabbing the younger man's arm she muttered, "Come on Al, let's put on that coffee."

Edward simply chuckled again before trailing after his wife. Upon entering the bedroom he found it unoccupied, the door to the adjoining bathroom closed. Taking a seat on the bed, he considered his brother's apology. 'He must have thought it was like losing her husband all over again.'

The door clicked open and Zenobia came into the room wearing a dark green maternity gown, her hands still working on tying up her hair. "I guess this means the array worked. Al will get his body back." But her eyes held only a muted warmth. There would be no switching back.

"Noba…" Edward soothed, reaching out to take her into his arms. Although she tried not to, she cried softly at the loss. What could he possibly say to ease her pain? He could think of nothing. Instead he simply massaged her back, whispering her name into her hair as she clung to him for support.

"I'm fine." She finally mumbled, pushing back and brushing the tears from her eyes. Forcing a slight smile, she considered, "At least now I don't have to see you every time I look at him." She couldn't suppress the moan, or the tears that followed. "I'm sorry Edward. I didn't mean that."

"No." He murmured, pulling her to his chest once more. "No, I understand." He understood more than he was willing to say. Not only had it been hard that one time, to see Alphonse with her at that press conference months earlier, but other times as well. Each time Al had been close to Zenobia, jealousy struck him. Jealousy for what should have been.

"I love you Edward." She whispered, holding herself as tightly against him as she could. With her eyes closed she could almost feel his warmth, his strength, surrounding her. "I am happy for Al, but I wanted so much for it to work out for both of you. I wanted so much…"

"I know." He soothed, pressing his lips to the top of her head. "I wanted it too. But this way the public won't think he's me. It'll be so much easier when we return to Central. I can finally be with you." He paused at her gasp. "Noba?"

She breathed heavily for a moment before shifting to smile up at him. "The doctors, they won't think he's you. You can be with me in the delivery room!" Her face finally began to glow with happiness at the idea. "We don't have to pretend anymore. Not ever, ever again!"

"Never." He confirmed, earning him a genuine smile. Suddenly she moved to press her lips against his. With eyes closed, her hands grasping the back of his head, pulling him to her. He could taste the salt on her lips, and she, in turn, could feel his hair between her fingers. But neither would speak of such impossibilities.