(Virginia 3 days later)
Voices. Distorted and muffled, like the ears picking up the sounds are under water, or somewhere so distant the sound is unable to reach there clearly enough for words to be made out. Some where in a medicated haziness, she dwelled in darkness and seclusion, lost within her own mind. She couldn't hear what was being said, couldn't make out the voices either, couldn't decipher the strange noises surrounding her. Her body felt heavy, dull throbbing pain pulsed some where, but it was hard to pinpoint it's exact location. Images flashed by her closed eyes, moving too quickly to be in focus, as she tried to concentrate on something...anything that could answer her burning question...
….where am I?
Thoughts interrupted, pain screaming throughout her entire body suddenly like a shock wave, she wanted to yell out but found her voice missing in action. As the wave of incredible pain subsided some what, she tried to concentrate more, honing in more in her mind on trying to move. She tried to wriggle her feet without success, then her legs but they felt as though they were strapped down, her fingers also refused to respond to the commands sent by her brain. It seemed as if her mind no longer had the ability to control her body and proved frustrating in every sense of the word. Resigning herself to the notion that she couldn't move, that she couldn't communicate to the outside world, the young woman drifted back into a medicated sleep. It seemed Jessica would not be waking up just yet...no matter how hard she tried to or how much she fought what her body knew was the best thing for her recovery. Sleep and plenty of it.
Outside the small hospital room that Jessica was placed in, the hallway bustled with nurses and doctors alike, going about their tasks in the treatment of patients. Opposite her room there was a waiting room, surrounded by windows with cream colored blinds and simple chairs, black with metal frames and all situated in rows. One row of seats were up against the wall to the left of the door, another length of seats sat along the far wall opposite the door and there were two rows placed back to back in the center of the room, with two coffee tables up against the wall on the right below the windows there and covered in old magazines. The ceiling was white tiles, with long fluorescent lights shining brightly and illuminating the room, casting odd shadows on the floor and in the corners. Right beside the door stood a tall potted plant, another was placed in the far corner between where the two sets of seats would meet, with two more at either end of the coffee tables.
Hohenhiem sat on the seat closest to the door, his head lowered and his eyes closed, as he lightly dozed sitting up ready in case the doctor in charge of treating Jessica came in with news. On the seats opposite him in the center of the room, Alphonse sat with his head propped up on his right arm and his chin in his palm, as Jennifer lay with her head in his lap. She was laying out along the seats, sleeping after trying to stay awake for too long, only managing to fall asleep with the help of Alphonse stroking her hair lightly with his left hand. It had been a long and uncomfortable three days, none of them wanting to leave the hospital, constantly waiting to hear some positive news about Jessica's condition. From the moment she had come out of surgery, Edward had been at her side day and night watching over her, being stubborn about leaving her and having to be dragged away to eat and freshen up.
The group had arrived at this hospital three days ago in a rush, Edward carrying Jessica in his arms with her sister trotting along side him panicking, Alphonse hurriedly staying close to Jennifer for support as his father did all the talking and got Jessica seen to. The doctor had urgently rushed her into surgery, diagnosing internal bleeding along with the other more minor wounds she had, he had gotten things rolling in minutes much to the relief of Hohenhiem. It had been a tense and drawn out wait, Jennifer sobbing softly as she clung to Alphonse, Hohenhiem himself was leant against a wall watching the doors that led to the operating rooms, while Edward had paced incessantly in the hall looking for all the world...like he was going to loose his mind with worry. By the time the doctor appeared again, some two hours later with a very serious expression, Edward had practically worn a groove in the floor. They all felt relieved when the doctor informed them the surgery had gone well and that now it was simply a matter of time to see if Jessica would make a full recovery. Luckily her injury hadn't hit any vital organs and aside from the loss of blood, superficial wounds and exhaustion, she was in a stable condition.
As the days passed one by one without so much as a finger twitch, everyone was starting to loose hope that she would ever wake, it was beginning to look as though she would stay in that sleep like state permanently. The doctor had assured them, over and over again, that this wouldn't be an easy injury to wake up from and that they needed to just give her time. The doctors words had come as little comfort to Jennifer and Edward alike, Alphonse doing his very best to be the rock Jennifer could cling to, Hohenhiem making sure to know all there was to know about her condition even if he couldn't always understand the terminology. It was really taking a toll on him to see the usually vibrant and strong girl laying there in an unconscious state. He blamed himself a lot for what had occurred, wishing he had dealt with that woman in the first place, instead of trying to run and getting his only friend involved. Costing him his life and ripping him from his daughters. Now here he was, watching as the eldest of those girls fought to recover, after risking her life to save them and her sister. Each of those three days had gone by so slowly and as the fourth day dawned, it seemed there was no improvement at all. With Hohenhiem, Alphonse and Jennifer sleeping after another long night, Edward had fallen asleep by Jessica's side. His head was resting upon his right arm, his blonde bangs draped over his face hiding his eyes a little, while his left hand rested on the bed loosely beneath her hand...waiting for movement.
Edward slept most of the day, after forcing himself to stay awake for long periods of time, he was completely depleted of energy. Alphonse had brought Jennifer in a few times during the day, staying close as she softly spoke to her sister, hoping to rouse her from her slumber. Hohenhiem engaged in lengthily conversations with the doctor, hearing that her body was stronger now than when she came in, but that if her mind wasn't she would most likely not wake up at all. This troubled him as he knew her to be strong, but he hoped that having all of them nearby and talking to her, that she would come out of it soon. It was just after one of these chats with the doctor, that Hohenhiem saw Alphonse bringing Jennifer back out of the room, she looked saddened with a hint of defeat in her eyes.
"Alphonse? Is everything alright?" Hohenhiem asked, as the two youngsters approached the waiting room.
"Well, she looks like she has more color, but she hasn't woken up yet dad, Ed's asleep next to her now...I guess if she wakes up he'll let us know." Alphonse replied, ushering Jennifer through the door, before looking back up at his father "I don't know how much more of this Jenny can take dad, she's so upset over this..Jessy is all she has left."
"Yes I know son, but your doing a fine job of helping her..makes me proud of you..and I'm sure that if anything will wake Jessica up it will be her own will to live. She has gotten this far on her own..I think she can make it the rest of the way too." He smiled, laying a reassuring hand upon his sons shoulder, Hohenhiem was trying to help him even if it was a small gesture.
"Hm, I do it because I care about her dad.." Alphonse turned to look at her "..She means the world to me. I sure hope she wakes up soon though." he added, before going into the room too and sitting beside her.
"Yes I know..." Hohenhiem watched him, then said under his breath "Both you boys and those girls mean the world to me too.." he muttered, before turning to look through the window that allowed you to view into the room where Jessica was "Yes, to me too.."
With the day slipping into early evening, the blue skies melting into hues of violets and midnight blues, till the only lights outside the windows left were from the car park lights and the moon. Most of the staff had gone home, to be replaced with the night shift nurses and porters, though the halls were relatively empty most of the time. Hohenhiem was sitting on one of the seats in the waiting room, though at that moment he was sleeping soundly, soft little snores emanating from him now and then. Jennifer was laid out along the seating next to him, her hair slightly covering her face as she lay upon her back, her chest slowly rising and falling with each breath she took. One of the nurses had draped a blanket over her earlier in the evening to keep her warm and placed a spare pillow beneath her head to make her more comfortable. Alphonse was on the seating directly opposite them both, stretched out on his side with his left arm under his head, napping lightly to recoup some extra energy. The faint sounds through the slightly ajar door, of bleeps and other usual hospital sounds, hushed voices from the nurses station as they chatted a little.
Across the hall in the small room with the white walls, the long windows that stretched the whole wall facing the door, with the one bed in it and the one chair situated by the bed..Edward kept up his vigil. He was asleep on his right arm again, his left hand under Jessica's with his palm facing hers, he had been holding her hand but when he fell asleep again his fingers had loosened. His lips were parted a little, his shoulders moving slowly as he breathed and his legs stretched out under the bed, the chair he sat on had become like a secondary home in the last four days. He had been reluctant to leave her, his worry about whether she would ever wake up, driving him to stay at her side all this time. With the heavy door closed, the room was dead silent save for his breathing and the faint beeping from the heart monitor, the atmosphere was otherwise still. It was about this time, in the quiet serenity of the night and the lull after the busy day of usual goings on, that Jessica's mind once more awakened.
Her thoughts floated to the surface through that haze caused by the pain medication, at first unsure of where or what was going on, vaguely aware of the beeping and the feel of lying down. It took her a few more moments to focus her mind, her body was stiff from non movement, her left side ached badly that much she knew for sure. Seeking past her pain and stiffness, she tried to take mental notes of every other sensation and sound, as yet her eyes refused to open at her insistence. The beeping seemed to be in time to her own heart beat, so that told her something at least, she was in a hospital most likely from her injury. Her awareness was growing in leaps and bounds, she could smell the disinfectant in the room and feel the starchy sheets covering her body, the softness of the pillows beneath her head too. Then as she logged all the smells, feels and sounds around her, she became aware of a warmth under her right hand. Concentrating hard Jessica attempted to move her limbs, starting first with her feet and gaining the satisfaction, of her toes wiggling at her command. Rolling her head to the side was difficult, but achievable with a few cracks of her knotted muscles, slowly all her limbs started to obey her will to move. With a little more effort and a few subtle groans, she managed to crack open her eyes, immediately being blinded by the small bed lamp attached to the wall above her head.
Her vision was not yet to full strength, instead of images she only saw fuzzy shapes and blurry blotches of colors, she blinked repeatedly trying to clear up the view. After some moments Jessica finally got her eyes a little clearer, now seeing her assumptions had been correct, she was in a hospital room..the tiled ceiling was all too familiar. A sudden rush of terror caught her off guard, her heart raced and her body tensed up, the fingers of her right hand curling up tightly. In her daze of just waking, she had regressed back to that day when she had woken in a hospital bed, to hear the tragic news her mother was dead. Small scared whimpers escaped her, her eyes darted around seeking out someone, anyone for comfort and answers. She hadn't realized her fingers had curled around anothers hand, till she heard the faint sound of movement to her right, somewhere just by her hip she figured.
Edward had been soundly sleeping, sheer exhaustion had taken him over and knocked him out like a light, though the position he had dropped off in had left him feeling aches all over. Something gripped his hand tightly, rousing him from his much needed rest and calling forth a soft moan or two, as he cracked one eye open to see what was going on. To his astonishment his hand was being held in a half death grip, long slender fingers curled around it and the knuckles pale white with the force of the hold, the hand trembling slightly from what he could only guess was shock or fear. Edward's lips curled up at the corner in a soft half smile, it was a sign and a good one in his opinion, Jessica was coming around and he would be the one she would see first. He wrapped his own fingers around her hand, gripping back lightly and running his thumb across the backs of her fingers, in a gentle soothing gesture to try and relax her a little bit. His voice was gravelly with sleep, he tried not to speak too loudly, from his spot on the bed he couldn't see her eyes were open yet...so for now, he would simply talk to her as he had done for the past few days.
"Jess, I'm right here...it's okay, just rest up. I'll stay right beside you okay, don't worry." Edward told her in a gentle tone, all the while soothingly rubbing the backs of her fingers.
"Nnmm...ah..." Jessica mumbled trying to speak, then coughed a couple times as though clearing her throat, before finally finding some remnant of her voice "..Ed..." she muttered softly.
"Huh?" Edward blinked, slowly lifting his head from it's rested position upon his arm, so he could look at her better "Ah! Jess!" he exclaimed in surprise, now seeing her open and wild eyes flitting from side to side in fear.
"Ed..." Jessica coughed again, her voice sounded worse than his own, most likely due to lack of use or fluids taken orally "What...happened?" she managed to ask him, before another round of coughs started up.
"Jess, don't try to talk!" Edward said, almost raising his voice as he jumped to his feet and sent the chair he had been sitting in flying backwards onto the floor, with a loud bang as the plastic chair back hit the polished floor "Easy okay, your in the hospital after you passed out. You lost a lot of blood and we brought you here, the docs worked on you, but you've been out of it ever since, we're all here okay." he explained.
"How..long?" Jessica said, her voice still as soft and croaky as it had first been, though she seemed more coherent now, even her death grip had loosened to a more relaxed hold.
"Four days Jess." Edward replied, leaning down to kiss the back of her hand, holding his lips there a moment "You scared the hell out of me, ya know that? I thought I was gonna loose you."
"Sorry..." Jessica seemed to smile just a little, then frowned "Jenny..where is Jen?" she seemed to get agitated then, attempting to look around the room.
"She's fine Jess. Al and dad are with her in the waiting room across the hall. She's probably asleep now." Edward assured her, leaning his right hand by her right side on the bed, so he could hover in her line of sight.
"Really?" Jessica questioned, now able to see his face above hers, it was clear his eyes were watering "Are you...crying Ed?" she asked him, puzzled.
"Huh? Me crying?" Edward blinked, then sniffed a little, trying to brush it off "No way, I don't cry..." then he gave her a cocky grin.
"Liar..." Jessica retorted, narrowing her eyes at him with a knowing half smile "I can see it...it's written all...over your face.." she told him matter of factly.
"Heh, guess I can't fool you huh?" Edward then wiped his sleeve across his eyes, the smile getting bigger, yet still holding sadness to it "How are ya feeling? Need me to get the nurse?"
"I feel stiff...my side..hurts a lot...and I'm...thirsty. Can I have..some water?" Jessica replied, licking at her dry lips trying to gain more moisture "I feel like...I have cotton mouth.."
"Water, right, I can handle that..." Edward moved to the small overbed table that was pushed to the wall out of the way, picking up the plastic pitcher along with one of the cups and pouring water into it then adding a straw to it, before returning to Jessica's bedside "Here, sip it slowly okay. The doc said ya can have a little at a time.."
"Kay.." Jessica took the end of the straw between her lips and sucked gently on it, drawing up the cool clear liquid and letting it wash around her mouth before swallowing it, this lasted for a minute or two before she let go of the straw "Thanks..."
"Your welcome." Edward set the cup down on the small bedside cabinet and then settled himself on the edge of the bed, taking her hand to gently hold it again "I'm so relieved your awake now..I was getting worried ya wouldn't ever open your eyes."
"I guess I'm..tougher than I look..huh?" Jessica said with a soft chuckle, then winced "Okay no laughing...makes my side..hurt just a bit..more."
"Just be careful okay." Edward told her, his eyes showing how seriously worried he was "I mean it, take it easy okay..we've been here for four days and no one has come after us."
"Yet.." Jessica frowned, memories clearing more as the images returned to her about what she had done "Hopefully, never...not unless they..can survive..well..never mind." she finished lamely.
"Jess, I would hope that someday you'll tell me what happened there." Edward clasped her hand, lowering his head to look at it "I really don't want you to think, that you have to deal with it alone.."
"Ed...I know your worried...I'm in this bed..putting up a good fight..to get well so we can all..go home." Her hand gently clasped his back, then she just had to ask, to be sure of what she recalled from memory "Ed..back there..did you..mean it?"
"Mean what?" Edward looked up in puzzlement, before he recalled what he had confessed, then his eyes softened and he smiled sweetly "Oh, that...yes I meant every word Jess."
"Really?" Jessica's eyes welled up, her hand gripped a little tighter again, tugging slightly to draw him to her "From the heart?" she asked him, her voice a bit smaller now.
"Hmm..." Edward sighed as he leant over, pressing his forehead to hers and his nose brushed alongside her own, as he whispered his next words with sincerity "Oh Jessy, yes from my heart, with all my heart, with all that I am...I love you."
"Mmnn, oh Ed..." Jessica couldn't hold back the joyful tears that trickled down her cheeks "I love you too...with my heart, mind, body and soul...I love you." she told him.
"You do? Am I really that important to you?" Edward asked, his right hand now gently caressing her cheek, placing a couple sweet kisses to her opposite cheek.
"Yes you are, no if's, and's or but's Ed..."Jessica rolled her head a little to press into his touch, sighing at those gentle kisses, squeezing his hand firmly "I can't..no, don't want to...live without you Ed...swear you won't..ever leave me."
"I promise, I'll never ever in a million years leave you." Edward nuzzled her lovingly "Wild horses, apocalyptic storms, nor crazy power hungry psycho's..will ever pull me from you. I promise you that."
"I'm gonna..hold you to that..ya know that..right?" Jessica teased, though it was affectionate and meant in a light hearted way.
"Heh, you do that. I wouldn't have it any other way Jess." Edward replied, with a soft chuckle and a few more kisses, before he sat up enough to look in her eyes "Think your ready for more visitors yet?" he asked her.
"Oh, but I must look a mess right now..I should clean up first and.." Jessica started to grumble about her appearance, only to have Edward still her head and lock eyes with her "Hm?"
"Jess, you look fine. Not a hair out of place I promise." Edward chuckled and smiled brightly at her "Your sister made sure to keep your hair tangle free. I think it helped her, made her feel like she was helping, in some small way. So I'll just go and get them okay..won't take long.." he said, starting to stand, but suddenly felt her grip his hand tight and tug it a bit too "Jess?"
"Kiss me..." Jessica requested, with longing in her eyes "Before you go...please..." she tugged again on his hand.
"Oh, is that all you wanted?" Edward leaned over again and hovered his lips against hers whispering "I'd say that's a fair request.." he said, pressing his lips to her gently, feeling her slightly chapped and roughened skin against his own smooth soft skin.
"Mmmnn..." Jessica moaned softly as they kissed, managing with some effort to raise her left hand and place it behind his head to stop him getting away too soon, fingers curling slightly to nudge at his scalp as her lips parted a tiny bit and her tongue darted out to brush the crease of his lips.
"Mmmnn..." Edward groaned feeling her tongue insisting on entry, he was happy to oblige her, parting his lips also and bringing his own slick wet muscle out to duel with hers a little...before he pulled back with one last peck to her lips "That's enough for now, I don't want to wear you out. I'll just go get Jenny, Al and dad okay..I'll be right back.."
"Kay, I'll be waiting..." Jessica then giggled a bit, watching him rise and head to the door "Not like I can run away anywhere right?" she told him as he opened the door, smiled at her, then walked out the room.
Waking up in a hospital bed for the second time in her life, hadn't been as traumatic this time around, it could even be thought of as pleasant. Waking to see the face of the one you love with your whole being, hearing they feel the same as you do and in such a sincere way too, was enough to bolster anybody into recovering faster. If she could survive a battle like that which she had gone through, come out the other side and still have those she cared about around her, well that just made it all the more rewarding. Jessica was sure now, she had done the right thing and used this ability in the best way she could, to remove a threat and protect her loved ones. She relaxed in the bed, awaiting the influx of activity to come, when her sister and the others came to see her. Jessica glanced at the windows and wondered what life would hold now for them all. There was only one thing she knew with any certainty at this point...they were free of those evil people.
Edward made his way across the hall, taking hold of the door handle and opening the half glazed door, walking into the waiting room quietly. He could see they were all sleeping and he didn't want them to wake up with a scare. He stepped up to his father, placing his left hand on his shoulder, he gently shook him to rouse him from the depths of slumber. Hohenhiem grunted a little at the sudden movement, his eye lids slowly lifting and his head rising up to look around him, seeing his eldest son he blinked to clear his vision. Once able to see properly, he lifted his head more to look Edward in the eyes, a concerned expression on his face. He hoped he wasn't being woken for some sort of bad news, but by the beaming smile Edward had, Hohenhiem's thoughts shifted to the positive. He raised a brow at Edward, a silent yet readable questioning expression, he unknowingly held his breath for what would be said.
"Son?" Hohenhiem said, his voice quiet so he didn't wake Jennifer up "What is it?"
"Jessy..she's awake dad." Edward beamed, his smile only got bigger as he relaid the news to his father.
"That's wonderful news..is she ready for visitors yet?" Hohenhiem asked him, bringing his left hand to the back of his neck and rolling his head, gaining a few loud cracks.
"Yeah, that's why I'm in here..to come and get you all." Edward replied, moving to wake up his younger brother with a gentle shake "Hey Al, wake up.."
"Nnmm..." Alphonse murmured, stirred a bit and then stretched before his eyes opened "Brother? What's going on?"
"C'mon, Jessy's awake.." Edward told him, before moving back towards the door of the waiting room "Ya coming to see her?"
"Jennifer.." Hohenhiem gently shook her "Your sister is awake, want to go see her?" he said.
"Okay, I'm coming brother.." Alphonse replied, sitting up and then getting to his feet with another big stretch.
"Uncle Hohenhiem..." Jennifer was still half asleep, slowly waking up and then it sunk in what he had told her, her eyes snapped open "She's awake! Yes I want to see her! Can I go now?"
"Yes Jennifer. Edward came to get us all..come on lets head in there okay." Hohenhiem told her, as he rose to his feet "Alphonse is coming too.."
"Alright.." Jennifer sat up, scratched the back of her head, she then swung her feet off the seat and stood up "Lets go."
Alphonse smiled at Jennifer and extended his hand to her, which she took in hers holding firmly, as he led her over to the door where his brother waited for them. Hohenhiem followed along behind them all, taking hold of the open door so it didn't close on the two youngest, Edward moving out of the way and crossing the hall to open up the door to Jessica's room. Jennifer walked across the hall with Alphonse at her side, her eagerness to see Jessica was evident in her demeanor, as she walked passed Edward into the small room as he held the door open for her. Alphonse let go of her hand to allow Jennifer into the room first, as he slipped past his older brother with a nod, Hohenhiem following in after them all. Jennifer moved to Jessica's right side, Alphonse and his father stepped to the bottom of the bed, while Edward walked around them both to stand by Jessica's left side.
As they all filtered into the room one by one, Jessica rolled her head to the side looking at in the direction of the doorway, softly smiling when she saw her kid sister enter. There were tears of joy when Jennifer approached the bed, Jessica lifting her right hand to reach for her sibling, Jennifer clasping it tightly and then giving her a half hug. Alphonse and Hohenhiem both smiled with relief, seeing Jessica looking better now she was conscious, watching as the two girls hugged and the soft sobs of joy filled the room. Edward simply sat on the edge of the bed beside Jessica and smiled realizing the girl he loved was indeed going to pull through. His father had been right all along, Hohenhiem felt glad that he had been right on the money, his belief in Jessica's inner strength had not been misplaced. Once the hugs and sobs were over with, Jennifer settled by her sister on the bed, matching Edward's position as the mood in the room changed. What had been a sombre four days, was now a happy moment of rejoicing, things were at last looking up for them all.
"I'm so happy your awake now Jess." Jennifer said, wiping a few errant tears from her cheeks "I was so scared you wouldn't ever come to."
"Aw Jen, I would never leave you." Jessica wiped at her sisters cheeks with her right thumb smiling "Who would keep you out of trouble huh? I have a job to do as your big sister ya know." she giggled, then winced a bit too.
"Ah! Jess don't hurt yourself!" Jennifer exclaimed in a panic, leaning forward a little, worrying for Jessica's well being.
"Do you need the nurse Jessica?" Hohenhiem interjected, about to head out of the room to fetch the suggested nurse.
"No, no..I'm alright. Just a bit sore is all.." Jessica smiled at him and her sister "Don't worry so much okay? I'm not through with this world yet."
"You shouldn't try to push too hard for now. You need to rest you know." Alphonse added, sounding like a mother hen, much as he had always been with his brother.
"Al, don't be such a mother hen. She'll be fine.." Edward looked over his shoulder at Alphonse and then back to Jessica with a smile "..I'm sure of it now."
"Oh shut up Ed, you were as worried as we all were, so don't try to pretend you weren't." Alphonse retorted, it was an amusing this to witness, the two brothers teasing each other.
"Hehe, now boys.." Hohenhiem said, chuckling a little at the almost normal behaviour, it felt so normal and casual too.
"What?" Both brothers questioned their father together, looking at him with puzzled expressions.
"Hehehe, c'mon guys..give it a rest kay?" Jessica giggled, winced once more, then waved her left hand in an offhanded manner "Don't start to argue on my account okay."
"Sorry Jessy.." Alphonse lowered his head, feeling as sheepish as his voice sounded.
"Yeah, sorry Jess.." Edward hide his eyes behind his blonde bangs and his shoulders drooped a bit.
"What is up with you guys?" Jennifer asked, really not getting it at all, she could never figure out the banter between boys sometimes.
"Oh now don't feel bad you two." Hohenhiem told them, with a soft yet deep chuckle, slipping his hands into his pockets.
"Yeah, no feeling down or bad about anything. I won't have it. Got it guys?" Jessica informed them both, with an amused smile "It's actually kinda nice to have you two acting so normal...makes me feel a lot better."
"Okay, I'll do my best." Alphonse replied, looking up at her and smiling, then his gaze moved to take in Jennifer and how happy she looked, compared to the last four days...the smile she now wore was lovely to see.
"Sure.." Edward lifted his gaze to meet Jessica's, his left hand finding hers on the bed and holding it gently, somehow that small contact was enough to make him feel better about everything "Anything for you.."
With the mood lifting more and more by the moment, the five people in the room coming to an understanding, they all relaxed into a comfortable banter. Hohenhiem had a lot of questions for Jessica, ones Edward also wanted to ask her but was too unsure of just how to phrase them, curiosity getting the better of the Elric men. Jennifer wanted to know how her sister has survived the falling pane of glass and was relieved to say the least when Jessica explained how she had just narrowly avoided being skewered by it. Jennifer had been amazed at what she classed as 'magic' and asked a million questions about it. The grilling her sister gave her over it was making Jessica's head ache all over. Alphonse did his best to explain the mechanics behind alchemy to Jennifer, which kept her occupied and redirected her boundless questions, towards him instead of her recovering older sister.
The evening wore on into the early hours of the fifth day, Jennifer long since fallen back to sleep in the chair that sat in the corner of the room, curled up on Alphonse's lap as he dozed lightly holding her. Hohenhiem was now sat in the plastic chair that had been home to Edward's posterior for the past four days. He was deep in thought about all that Jessica had explained about that day and the events that had occurred to suddenly bring forth her ability. Something he thought wouldn't be possible without the added aspect of a homunculus to open the gate with. While he was lost in thought, he glanced up to see Edward paying close attention to Jessica, making him reminisce about his beloved wife Trisha. Edward was still sat on the edge of the bed to Jessica's left, his left hand flat on the bed by her right side, as he leant over caressing her face with his right hand. Hohenhiem now wondered how he managed to be so gentle with an arm made of steel. Jessica was becoming drowsy again, all the talking had drained her and she was slowly drifting off to sleep, her heavy lidded eyes still fixed on Edward as he spoke softly to her. It didn't take too much more of his gentle words, before she had peacefully drifted off to sleep, he simply sat there and watched her sleep. Not planning on leaving her side at all. He would watch over her as she slumbered. He would always watch over her now. No matter what or who tried to harm her. Edward would be there beside her.
00000000000
(Virginia 5 weeks later)
Fall was well on it's way to the countryside of Virginia and the trees had already begun to shed their summer leaves. The resulting waves of dried foliage in an array of yellows, browns and reds, rolled across the fields and roadways dancing along with the wind. A lone vehicle appeared in the far distance of the long and winding tree lined road creating a disturbance as it passed through the piles of gathered dried leaves on the asphalt. Passing what were once thickly filled woodland, all that remained were half stripped skeletons of the majestic Big Tooth Aspen, Sycamore and Northern Red Oak's. Most of the grass that normally grew around the base of these great trees had long since withered away leaving behind nothing but straw like wisps where it was once lush. The wind blew across the land whipping up everything in it's path and tossing it asunder like the buds of the Dandelion in a summer breeze. The temperature outside was cold, with a bitter chill to the air, dreary and depressing weather indeed.
As the vehicle rumbled along the road, it neared the open iron gates of what was once a grand manor house, with usually manicured grounds. The grounds were now being reclaimed by nature, in the past six weeks weeds had taken hold, growing wildly up the foundations of the building as they tried to reach higher. The car pulled up to the gates and stopped momentarily, the engine purring away and the exhaust puffing out white clouds behind it, before slowly making it's way up the now leave strewn drive towards the house. Passing what were previously well mown lawns and shaped hedges, that were now shaggy and out of shape, the hedges looking like deformed creatures of someones nightmares. A flock of crows suddenly took flight as the car drove by, being startled by the loud powerful engine, they abandoned their scavenging for the safety of the half balding tree branches nearby. The car carefully negotiated the overgrown driveway and finally came to a stop just in front of the house.
The jet black Hummer still where it had been left all those weeks ago though now it was in desperate need of a clean. When the car engine shut off, the doors opened and five occupants filed out, coming to stand at the bottom of the steps that led up to the open doors of the manor house itself. The tallest of the group stood just behind the others, two young men standing close beside their respective girlfriends, as they all looked up at the house with trepidation and uncertainty of why they had come back. Only one of the group knew the answer to that question. Jessica had insisted on coming back here, there was something she felt she had to do, though she hadn't explained it to any of the others. Not even to Edward. She doubted it was possible to articulate it into words why she felt the need to come back. To be here where she almost died once again and where the world had almost witnessed another insurmountable horror. Her stomach rolled, she felt sick and light headed, though not from her previous injuries. She had all but healed now, only having to deal with the stitches to her abdomen and the itching they caused, as her body healed from the surgery.
"Are you positive you want to be here?" Hohenhiem asked Jessica, a tone of concern to his voice.
"Yeah, I have to do this. I can't leave it for someone else to find." Jessica replied, her eyes staring up fixed on the open front doors of the house.
"I don't like it here, why can't we just go? I mean they won't come after us right? Let's just go home, to the cabin, please Jess?" Jennifer's voice was small and pleading, her hand gripping tightly to Alphonse's.
"I know your scared Jenny, I really do believe it's safe now. But I think maybe this is something Jessy needs to do, after all she had a hard time of it. Right dad?" Alphonse tried to reassure her, he was all too familiar with doing what had to be done, it was how he had gotten to be with his brother again.
"Yes that is true son, I think perhaps once she does whatever it is she needs to do, I'm sure we'll head home and will officially be over with." Hohenhiem smiled softly, placing a large hand upon Jennifer's shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze "It shouldn't take long."
"Jess? What is it you need to do here? I still don't fully understand it." Edward said, his right arm securely around her back and holding her right side, almost as though she couldn't stand on her own without his help.
"Well..." Jessica started, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly "I have to make sure no one finds this place, there are things in there...that should never see the light of day." she told him.
"I don't like the sound of that. Please can we just go?" Jennifer complained, leaning closer to Alphonse and clinging a little bit from fear.
"Jenny would you prefer to wait in car with me?" Alphonse offered, putting his left arm around her and holding her firmly "We don't have to stand out here if you feel uncomfortable."
"Yes perhaps it would be best, Edward can you handle looking out for Jessica? I think I should stay here and assist Alphonse with Jennifer. She's pretty scared right now." Hohenhiem asked him, glancing over at his son and seeing the almost ghostly look on Jessica's face.
"Yeah dad, I got this. No problem." Edward replied, nodding gently as he watched his father and brother usher Jennifer into the car, he turned his attention back to Jessica "Think ya have enough strength for whatever it is ya got planned Jess?"
"Mhm, I do...but um..would you come with me? I might need your help with something." Jessica turned her head to look at him, determination mixed with touch of fear in those steely blue eyes.
"I'm with you all the way, I'll help however I can..." Edward told her, giving her a gentle smile as he recognized something in those eyes, a little of his own brand of responsibility "I'll always be here for you okay, you don't have to ask."
A soft curl of her lips and Jessica smiled, feeling better that Edward was so willing to help her, she pressed her forehead to his in a silent thank you. He seemed to get it loud and clear, as he adjusted his head a little to lay a soft kiss to her cheek, it was like a scene from one of those old silent movies. In any other circumstance it would have been very romantic. Hohenhiem glanced over to see the two eldest in their sweet moment, his shoulders relaxed a bit, just from the knowing that they could rely on each other. Once in the back seat of the car, Jennifer cuddled up to Alphonse and tried to avert her eyes from the house, it held too many terrible memories from that day. No matter how hard she tried to banish them, bury them deep in the far reaches of her mind, they still were too fresh to completely leave her alone just yet. Like a stubborn stain upon her thoughts, the images and events lingered, tormenting her in both wakefulness and sleep.
Jessica made her way slowly up the steps, Edward close by her side in case she lost her footing, the pair climbed the stairs towards the doors. The closer she got to the top, the more her stomach rolled and the worse the sickly feeling became, but it would only get worse the closer she got to that room. Six weeks of the doors being left open, had allowed the leaves to congregate in the foyer, the smell of decomposing plants left a musty scent to the air. It was a little overpowering the farther in they walked, now half way between the front doors and the doors to what was left of the atrium, Jessica stopped right there and panted like breathing was difficult for her. Edward became concerned, truly believing something other than her own memories of what she had done, were the cause of her current breathing pattern. It took her a few moments, she worked to calm her anxiousness and regain more control over her reactions, taking a last look back towards the front doors...she started forwards again with Edward right beside her.
Upon reaching the doors to the atrium, Jessica froze up and seemed to go as white as pure light, her body screaming at her to turn back. Edward watched her reaction and then let his eyes drift from her to the room before them. It looked like a major natural disaster had occurred in there, the floor all crumbled and chunks sticking up all over the place, like an earthquake had ripped through the room. The left over frame work from the roof, had all but crumpled to the floor now, twisted pieces of metal strewn about. The canisters that had been placed around the circle were now in pieces, the red liquid held within them having dried up and evaporated into the air, leaving only the memory that they had been there. A large dark stain was on the floor, not too far from one of those canisters, it was thick and well dried by now. The color was reminiscent of dried blood, though there was an incredible quantity of it, Edward puzzled over it a moment or two. In the next second Jessica was retching beside him, his eyes shot wide as he realized what that dark stain was, along with Jessica's reactions now..it was clear what had occurred and what was now before his eyes. Edward was now positive of what Jessica had done to protect them all, he understood it but wished her hand had not been forced on this matter, no one should have to live with the blood of others on their hands. He knew this one all too well. It dwelled on his own soul as well.
"Jess, we shouldn't go any further. Your not handling this well..I'm worried with all that retching your going to open your stitches up." Edward told her, trying to usher her back the way they had come, only to find she wouldn't move an inch "Jess? Didn't ya hear me?"
"I heard you. But I have to destroy this place. That's where I needed your help." Jessica coughed out, steadily regaining control of her body, she looked into his eyes with that same burning determination "I don't fully understand this ...thing I can do...your home world used it a lot right? How do I make this place disappear from the map?" she asked him.
"Jess..." Edward sighed, then realized if she was anything like himself, there would be no talking her out of it "The only thing that comes to my mind...is what was once done in my world. They buried a whole city in the ground..it was just swallowed up. I think trying to break the building down into it's core components might be too much for you."
"Okay, so I need a hole in the ground and then I just cover it...right?" Jessica asked, trying to get things straight in her head "I mean all I have to do is think it and put my hands together and boom I do it..right?" she added, almost nonchalantly.
"Heh, well yeah if ya want to put it in idiot terms sure...ya think, ya clap, ya do...but there is more to it ya know." Edward chuckled a little "Looks as though I may have to teach you what I know. Can't have you accidentally transmuting stuff haha."
"Pfft! Oh yeah right like I'm gonna mess up...I did okay before, without being taught a thing. Just you watch me Ed, I'll show you what I can and can't do." Jessica challenged, a playful air to her tone and she turned to head for the front doors.
"Hahaha, now listen I never said you couldn't do it Jess." Edward retorted, staying close by her and keeping the playful banter going "I just said your a novice at it. Ya have a ton of stuff to learn before your at the level I was at."
"Oh is that so?" Jessica said, giving him a sideways glance, daring him to tease her more.
"Yeah that is so...rookie." Edward chuckled and matched her look, locking eyes with her as if to say bring it on.
"Show off.." Jessica threw at him, starting to giggle as they neared the front of the house.
"Back in the day maybe..." Edward laughed, as the bitter wind caught them off guard and made them both shiver as they stepped out the open doors "Course now all I have is the know how and no way to use it...not like you. I'd say that's totally unfair."
"Oh so your gonna whine about it now? I died once when I was a kid, got hypnotized and forced to relive it again, not that I hadn't already in nightmares..and you say it's unfair I can do this...what ya call it again?"
"Alchemy for the hundredth time and yes I think it bites that I can't do it in this world, after being such a prodigy as a kid in my own world, I come here and I loose it all. To top it off my girlfriend now can do it..." Edward whined teasingly, then stopped at the top of the stairs and took her into his arms "But ya know, I don't care so much..least I get to pass on what I know." he said, kissing the tip of her nose.
"Hmm, so I get my boyfriend becoming my teacher..." Jessica ran a finger along the outside of his left arm "I wonder if I'll ever learn anything...your such a major distraction ya know.." Jessica countered, her tone so low that only he would hear it, as she continued to gaze at him.
"Heh, oh am I now? Well then I guess I'll have to be tough on you while I teach you. That way ya won't get distracted." Edward said, his voice going to a bare whisper as they moved to head down the stairs.
"Guess so teach.." Jessica giggled, holding onto his around his waist, when they reached the bottom she turned "So, a big ass hole and something to cover it with..hmm..."
"A what now?" Hohenhiem questioned, not completely sure of what she meant "Is there something I should know?"
"Relax dad, Jessy just wants to be sure no one find this place ever again...I suggested what had been done to that city..ya know the one below Central?" Edward told him, moving to lean his back on the car.
"Oh I see.." Hohenhiem replied, looking to him and saying softer "Is she strong enough or skilled enough to achieve that?" he asked.
"Uncle H you too? What is with you Elric men and doubting the women around you?" Jessica suddenly snapped at him, though not in a cruel way "Geez have a little belief huh..."
"Hehehe...there's your answer dad.." Edward chuckled, smiling at how feisty his girl was, he really couldn't imagine a more prefect match for himself.
"Sorry, didn't mean to insult. Just..." Hohenhiem said, raising his hands defensively "...don't over exert yourself alright?"
he told her.
"I won't..promise." Jessica assured him, before turning back to the house and thinking hard, a few mumbled phrases being uttered as she thought.
After several moments more of thought, Jessica insisted on them getting back in the car, deciding it was better to move further away from the house. Hohenhiem got in the back with Alphonse and Jennifer, with Edward riding shotgun, Jessica getting behind the wheel. After starting the car and reversing down the driveway, till they were now close to the iron gates, she stopped shut off the engine and got out. Coming to stand in front of the car she thought for a moment more. Edward got out and stood behind the open passenger door, while Hohenhiem, Alphonse and Jennifer watched from inside the car through the front windshield. They all watched curiously, waiting to see what Jessica would do next, as the wind whipped her ponytail about behind her. Time seemed to slow down, Jessica cleared her mind of everything to focus, one the one task of burying the house for good.
When she had the image in her mind clearly, she put her hands together and knelt to the ground, placing her hands on the asphalt of the driveway. At first it looked as though nothing was happening, but then it began with a low rumbling, somewhere deep within the earth beneath the car. Jennifer clung to Alphonse, the vibration terrifying her, as it grew stronger by the minute. Alphonse held her tightly, as his father just continued to watch, he wondered how his brother could possibly stay standing with all the shaking. It got stronger still, the whole car feeling like it was rocking side to side, the birds in the surrounding trees taking flight in fear. Edward kept his eyes on Jessica, worried she might try to do too much too soon after her injuries, but knowing he could never talk her out of it. As the rumbling became a loud cracking sound, the ground began to heave up around the house and loose pieces of masonry tumbled to the ground, as a large crevice formed like a moat around the entire property.
With an almighty cracking sound, the crevice grew wider and the ground immediately below the house crumbled away, the building tilted and wavered as it started to sink. Bit by bit it crept downwards into the ground even taking the Hummer along with it, parts of it toppling as it lowered unevenly, the glass in the windows shattering with the force from the house shifting as the foundations disintegrated under it's own sheer weight. It took what felt like forever to sink the house, the noise was incredible and the dust was flowing across the land like a cloud of fog, as it finally vanished from sight completely. Still knelt on the ground, Jessica now focused her thoughts to the covering up part of her task, concentrating hard she willed the ground to close up. The crater that had been formed to swallow the house, now started to shrink in on itself, the surrounding soil and even much of the drive too...shifting towards the center of the crater like water down a drain hole..piling on top of the house and filling in the empty space around it. As the rumbling, cracking and quacking subsided, the dust slowly settled to reveal nothing left of the house. Not even a door or pane of glass or a brick even. It was gone. Erased from the landscape and taking all it's horrific secrets with it. A blemish that had no business being left for the world to see. Jessica stood up and just looked at what was left. The wind dissipating the dust cloud, the soil settling into it's new position, the area falling quiet once more.
"Goodbye and good riddance..." Jessica muttered, hearing footsteps behind her she turned enough to look over her shoulder, seeing Edward come to her side.
"It's over with now." Edward said sombrely, putting his left arm around her shoulders "Ya did good...for a rookie."
"Hmm, thanks.." Jessica replied in a quiet voice, leaning into his side and putting her right arm around his waist "Let's go home.."
"You got it.." Edward said, laying a kiss to the top of her head, before turning to walk her back to the car.
Once situated behind the wheel again, Jessica started the Dodge and waited for Edward to get in the passenger side, once he was in she reversed the car out the gates. Turning the car towards the direction of the highway, taking one last look at the now lonely gates that lead to nothing but open space, she put the car in gear and pressed on the gas pedal. The car slowly moved away from the area that would haunt her nightmares for some time to come. But at the very least she had buried it from the public eye and knowing that made her feel that much safer. They wouldn't be chased any longer, wouldn't be harmed by anyone or have to deal with the pain of loosing those they loved anymore, she had seen to that. Those most important to her, were right there in that car with her and she now had a new ability, something that could prove handy at times. But it was clear that she would have to keep it hidden from the world, not let anyone see what she could do, other than the four people with her in the car.
Now was the time, for them to start again, to rebuild their lives...
….to live and never forget those...whom they had loved and lost...
….to cherish what they still had. Each other.
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