A/N 1...Sorry this chapter isn't long. I was going to make it longer, but I had to cut it short if I wanted it posted any time soon. I'm still going to post a longer chapter, but just not yet.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist

Chapter 25

Ed woke up again feeling warm. He was lying on something soft, wrapped in a fluffy embrace. He could hear a conversation going on around him but he couldn't make out what was being said. He, instead, decided not to waste energy trying to figure out what was being said and focused on the soft warmth that surrounded him. It was so soft and fluffy. He would pay to lie there forever.

Then it dawned on him. Where was he? It wasn't warm outside, and neither Roy nor Hawkeye packed something this soft or fluffy. He began to squirm, trying to force his eyes open to take in his surroundings. But when he opened his eyes, he was greeted by darkness, which worried him.

"Edward, calm down."

Ed calmed down after figuring out who the voice belonged to.

"R-Roy," he croaked, reaching out with a trembling hand to find Roy. His hand made contace with flesh and tightened his fingers around the arm. He was pried off a seconds later and felt a hand giving his a light squeeze.

"I'm here, Ed," Roy said softly.

"W-where are we?" He asked weakly. His throat was so dry and he was so thirsty. He wanted water so badly.

"Open your eyes and you'll see."

Ed did as Roy told him and forced his eyes open to small slits. He could see again, but everythng was blurry. He blinked slowly a few times before his gaze came to rest on Roy.

Ed could tell that he was lying in a cot and wrapped in a blanket. He was freezing despite the warmth of the blanket.

He was in some sort of tent or a small house. There was a small table beside the cot that held a few pill bottles and a glass of water.

"Is he awake?" A voice asked from the other side of the room

"Yes. Do you want to see him?" Roy called.

"If he'll let me," the newcomer said.

Ed turned and saw the newcomer. A man he didn't ever want to see in his life. His breath caught in his throat and he made a sudden dash to get away. The boy knocked the cot over in the process and he fell to the ground, the cot landing on top of him, and his head smacking against the ground. He groaned, feeling like he was being squashed. He tried to push the cot off of him but his weakness wasn't helping. He couldn't even push it an inch. And his head was really starting to hurt. The damn floor.

"Ed!"

That was definitely Roy's voice, but Ed could vagley hear it above the pounding, searing pain in his head.

The weight of the cot suddenly vanished and Ed felt himself being flipped onto his back. Ed opened his eyes, realizing that they were closed, and found himself staring straight up into Roy's dark, kind eyes.

"Are you hurt?" He asked quickly.

Pain shot through Ed's head like a million daggers, causing him to groan, voicing his pain and discomfort. He screwed his eyes shut again, trying everything he could to get rid of the screaming pain in his head.

"Ed." Someone tried to shake him but he weakly swatted their hand away, curling in on himself, head cradled between his hands. He could hear panicked voices rising up around him. The only thing the voices did was add to the piling mountain of pain. He couldn't even think properly anymore. He wanted it to go away.

He felt another hand on him and he pushed it away his his hand before pressing it against his head again.

"Ed. Answer me, damn it." That was Roy.

Ed felt himself being shaken and his stomach gave a lurch. No. Not again. Not here. He tried to steady his breathing in an attempt to hold it in. He could feel the queasiness becoming worse and worse with every shake.

Why wouldn't they stop?

His breathing becamed laboured.

In a seconds, he rolled onto his side and vomited harshly on the ground. The shaking stopped and voices rose in concern again. Ed vomited painfully, unable to stop. He vagly recalled crying, hands holding him steady on the ground as he trembled violently.

Why wouldn't it stop? He wanted it to go away. Everything. It hurt. He couldn't.

His vomiting decreased before he was left only dry heving, his stomach empty. He panicked until he felt hismelf bein lifted off the cold ground and held in someone's arms. He couldn't only sit there, eyes screwed closed, shivering from cold. He was wrapped in a blanket, leaning against someones chest. He could smell coffee and felt someone's breath close his face. They were wiping off his chin and bangs with something soft.

Ed countinued to cry, head hanging low, headache piercing. Why couldn't it just go away? He felt hismelf being moved, carried somewhere. He was too weak to protest. He was too weak to open his eyes. He was so cold. He felt sick. His head hurt terribly. He wanted to sleep so badly.

The rocking motion caused by walking ceased as he as lowered down. He felt softness wrap around him, suffocating him. He momentarly tried to get away before a soft voice spoke to him. He couldn't make out what was being said, but he could hear the softness that laced the words and bound them together.

He must have passed out at some point or another, because then next time he regained consciousness, he felt himself pressed aginst something warm. He tried figure out what the warmth was, but nothing came to mind.

Everything was silent. There were no sounds. He could hear snoring, but didn't know where it was coming from.

A few minutes later, he decided he wanted to know where he was, and he forced open his eyes.

He was in the same place as he was the last time be woke up. But instead of lying on a cot, he was on the floor, on a pile of blankets. The warmth was coming from Roy, who slept silently, arms wrapped around Ed. The two shared a lage blanket that trapped the warmth.

Ed, comforted by Roy's presence, burrowed closer to him, careful not to wake him up. He could feel the warmth wrapping aorund him, originating from Roy. Ed knew that he couldn't have been warm because he was shivering. It was no doubt Roy that was warm. He could feel the warmth that pressed up against him.

Subconsciously, he took a fist full of Roy's shirt in his hands, and fell asleep promptly.

Roy hefted Ed onto his back, careful not to wake the sleeping boy. He stooped slightly at the sudden weight before standing at his full height again. Ed's slow, even breaths tossed around Roy's hair bit as he walked across the room.

They were in a transmuted shelter Hohenheim had made while he had Al were in Xing.

The two had appearently, as Hohenheim had explained, come to Xing for a plant that only grew there. It took a while for them to find it, probably because they were looking in the wrong spot. They found it yesterday and werer eplanning to go back to the North today.

Al insisted that Ed come with them, which Roy reluctantly agreed to. He knew it would be a terrible idea to seperate Ed from Al again but he had his doubts after Ed's little 'incident' the night before. He just saw his father and knocked the cot over and then got sick all over the floor. Since then, the boy's fever had been up and down.

To make sure Ed wasn't going to do something on the train like that, Hohenheim agreed that, if Ed woke up, he'd go sit somewhere else. They had the option to give Ed a drug strong enough to knock him out, but Roy felt gilty about pumping so much medication in the boy's small body. He still had those other pills, which he could use if something were to happen. Not only did they lower stress, they were able to knock someone out a few mere minutes after taking them.

However, Roy decided that medicine was the last resort. He'd rather try everything before forcing the kid into a medicine induced sleep. Roy could tell Ed hated medicine just by looing at him and his reluctancy to swallow a pill.

The five of them were nw on their way to the train station to catch the earliest train. Roy carried Edward on his back, no one having the heart to wake him. After what happened last night, it was agreed that Edward needed as much sleep as he could get.

As they walked to the trian station, Roy tell that it was going to be very hot that day. He was already sweating, and he could hear the change in Ed's sbreathing. It was more heavy, no longer soft and gentle.

They walked for a fair bit, stopping only to rest in the shade for a few minutes. Roy feared that Ed would over heat in the sun and insisted to stop at least every ten miutes or so.

By the time they finally, finally, reached the train station, everyone – with the excetion of Al – was exhausted. Even Ed, who slept the entire time, seemed to be breathing heavier than before.

The wait for the train was only a few minutes. The group got on and sat in the seats close to the back, so as not to draw attention to themselves. Two soldiers, an old dude, a suit of armor, and an unconscious child with two automail limbs sure did draw the attention from the few other passengers on the train.

In the back, Roy shared a seat with Ed, who had taken to using Roy's lap as a pillow. The boy was curled up, a realtively peaceful look on his face.

Across from the two of them, sat Hawkeye and Alphonse, both of which stared at Ed. There was a sympathetic look in Hawkeye's eyes that showed just how much she cared for the young, sick boy.

Alphonse, on the other hand, had no facial expressions, but Roy could tell, just by the way he held himself, he cared just as deeply for Ed as everyone. The two were brothers after all.

Hohenheim, who had claimed the seats across the asial, stared at Ed with pity. Roy couldn't figure out why. He wasn't looking sympathetic like Hawkeye, and he didn't have the air of a father to him either. He almost looked...disppointed.

But why would he be disappointed? There wasn't any reason for him to be. So why?

The train started, speeding down the tracks. Roy had his arms in front of Ed for two reasons. One: The train wasn't the smoothest of rides and Ed, several times, almost rolled right off the seat. And two: The boy had latched onto one of Roy's arms and refused to let go. Roy didn't have the heart to pull away.

Roy just happened to glance up and anded on a sight that made his heart skip a beat. Hawkeye had dozed off, leaning against the side of the train, breathing softly. Roy didn't blame her for falling asleep. She barely got any sleep last night because she and Roy were watching over Ed, whos fever had suddenly spiked. Even after Roy had fallen asleep with Ed in his arms, she remained awake for a good hour after.

Roy didn't blame her.

And he didn't have the heart to wake her. She just looked so peaceful sitting here, sleeping. Just looking at her, Roy couldn't stop the light blush that dusted his cheeks.

Ed woke up with a jolt, his eyes snapping open in sync with the gasp he released. He looked around in blind panic. His gaze landed on Roy, which was enough for him to even out his breathing.

Roy's here. Roy's here. Roy's here. There's no bastards.

Ed thought, trying to reassure hismelf. His father wasn't there. He wasn't. He managed to rid himself of the small panic that was welling up within him. A hand, soft and gentle, landed on his shoulder, drawing his attention to the arm the hand belonged to, and finally to the kind face of Roy.

"Roy," Ed croaked, his throat terrible dry. "W-where are we goin'?"

"The North. Al's here." The older man pointed a finger, dragging Ed attention to the seat across from them.

Hawkeye was sleeping, which surprised him, and sitting beside her was Al.

"Alphonse," Ed said, smiling at the sight of his brother.

"Hello, brother," Al greeted. "I missed you."

"I missed you, too," Ed said. He yawned and felt his eyelids closing. Why was he so tired? He didn't want to sleep, but he could feel the raw strength of the force that was forcing his eyes closed and his mind to shut down. He didn't want to sleep, but he found it hard to do so much as think. His concentration was diminishing. He felt himsef drifting further further away. The conversation happening right there souned like it was coming form the other room. His eyes were closed and he lost the fight.

He couldn't hear, see, think, or feel anything by the time he passed out. It was just numb silence. He hated it.

The train finally reached north city after a good three hour train ride. Roy moved Edward onto his back with some difficulty and prodded Hawkeye's shouder, who woke with a start.

"We're here," Roy told her.

He could see the Lieutenant despearately trying to process everything as fast as she could, but to no avail. She was far too tired, and with the lack of sleep she had last night, she was in great need of a long rest tonight.

Roy walked off the train in wake of Hohenheim and Alphonse, praying – despite not being religious – that Ed wouldn't wake up and see his father. Maybe Roy will be able to make it so Ed didn't either snap or break down when being in the same room as the man.

Now that they were in North City, the cold was unberable. Roy pulled his thin jacket tighter around him, npt having expeccted the sudden blast of cold air after being so accustomed to the boiling heat that was Xing.

Roy was kind of regretting not packing any coats. He knew that Xing was hot so he didn't bring anything thick. He could feel Ed shivering on his back, freezing. Roy wished that he could have given his coat to Ed, but Hawkeye told him that he had to wear something and that Ed could get warmed up when they got to Alphonses' place.

It was about a ten minute walk, and by the time they reached the small house, Ed was terribly cold. His face was unbelievably pale and there was a light blue tint to his lips.

The three newcomers were led into a small living room where a single couch sat in fornt of a fire. Hohenheim disappeared for a few minutes before returning with an armful of blankets.

"Wrap Edward in these before he get's worse," he instructed as Roy set Ed down on the couch. He gratefuly accepted the blankets from Hohenheim and proceeded to wrap Ed in them. By the time he was done, a fire was alive in the fireplace, warming everything up and bathing Ed in a pale orange glow.

Roy sat beside Ed wrapping his arms around the boy to give him any warmth he could offer. Ed slept on soundly, ignorant to where he was or what was going on. Thankfully, his shivering ad decreased and he didn't look nearly as pale as he did outside.

Ed stirred slightly but settled back down almost instantly. He didn't look like he was going to wake up any time soon.

Roy pressed his hand against Ed's forehead, frowning slightly at the slight wave of heat that radiated off of it. He'll bring E'ds fever down after he was sure the boy was warm.

Alphonse clanked forward, a steaming up in his hands. "Does brother want this?" He asked. He handed the glass, which contained hot chocolate, to Roy. "It'll warm him up."

Roy, no matter how much he didn't want to wake Ed up, did so anyway. He shook the boy gently. "Ed. It's time to wake up. Ed." He shook him softly until Ed squeezed his eyes shut tightly before opening them slowly.

"Roy," he rasped, leaning close to Roy.

"Ed, Al wants you to drink this." he brought the steaming mug into Ed's line of view, waiting for the boy's eyes to focus.

Ed reached out with a shaking hand to take the glass. Roy continued holding the glass, assisting Ed as he brought the rim to his mouth and slowly drank a few sips before pulling back

"Thanks Al," he mumbled, falling aginst Roy, half asleep.

"Do you want to get some more sleep?" Roy asked.

Ed shook his head, but Roy could easily tell that consciousness wasn't going to last much longer. Even then, the boy was struggling to keep his eyes open. He weakly held onto Roy's pant leg with his free hand, The other was holding onto the blankets that were placed on top of him. Roy pat Ed's head lightly.

"Please try to get some sleep," Roy said. "You look like you could use some."

"But..."

"At least try to sleep," Roy said, tucking the blankets tighter anround Ed and putting the young boy's head in his lap. "I'll be right here when you wake up."

"Okay," he whispered. "I hope you're...not...lying."

Roy watched as Ed's eyes closed and his breathing evened out. The hand that had taken a fistful of Roy's baggy pants in his hand, was limp. Roy closed his eyes and set his hand down on Ed's shoudler. "I promise, Ed. I'll be here when you wake up. I won't leave."

He put his head against the back of the couch and, without meaning to, fell asleep along with Ed.

It was an annoying wake up call, if you were to ask him. Ed might not have wanted to go to sleep in the first place, but he certaintly didn't want to wake up afterward. It was the worse torture there was.

Anyway, his wake up call was as small, bundled up package of hell. There was a pressure on his his side, a loud, headaching squeak, a wooden bang, swearing, splashing water, and a foul smell. And all of that was bundled up in a tightly wrapped package completed with a bow of suffocation.

Yeah, the blankes were blocking his air way, pressing against his face, which he realized was pressed up against the back of the couch.

He pried his face away and took an intake of sweet, sweet air.

It took a few minutes to realize what the terrible alarm clock really was.

Appearently Alphonse opened the kitchen door, which had rusty hinges which caused a squeak. It got jammed so he pulled, accidentally ripping the door off the door frame. Roy had dropped a glass of water on the ground and swore. And Ed realized ed the foul stink came from his own sweat.

He pushed himself up, blinked away sleep, and gazed at the aftermath of the incidents that led to Ed's awakening.

Roy as kneeling on the ground, picking up the shards of glass that came form his broken cup while Hawkeye helped him mop up the water. Alphonse was fixing the door.

Ed swept his gaze across the room before it came to a halt on one figure. Anger, and possible panic, welled up in him. Those eyes. The same eyes. He could feel himself shaking from rage, while, at the same time, felt his heart pounding against his rib cage.

He couldn't be here. Why? Why? Why did he have to be there? Why?

Then Ed realized something. Hohenheim was with Al. The two were staying in the North. This was their house. It made perfect sense why Hohenheim was there, but why were he, Roy, and Riza there as well?

He remembered going to Xing in search of Al, but he vaguely remembered anything that happened after that.

He began to mentally jot down everything he could remember, even if it was faint.

I passed out outside.

I woke up and fell and hit my head.

I threw up.

I woke up with Roy.

I was on a train.

Al talked to me.

I drank something sweet. It taste good.

The couch suffocated me.

Making it back to the present, Ed couldn't recall having anything to do with Hohenheim. Much less see him.

But none of those answered his question. Why was he in the North?

He tried to think of a reason, but every thought path he took ended in a dead end. He retraced his steps, went the other direction, but got lost again. He couldn't remember or think of a reason he was in the North.

Suddenly, a voice broke into his thoughts. He felt hands shaking him, squeezing his shoudlers lightly. Ed blinked, shaking his head to clear it of the jumbled mess of thoughts and pull it back into the present.

Roy was kneeling on the floor in front of him, calling him name and shaking his shoulders. Ed's head shot up to stare Roy straight in the eyes, startling the old man.

"Hey, you don't need to look up that quick," Roy told him, putting him arms in the air, surrendering.

"S-sorry," Ed apologized.

"There's no need to be sorry," Roy said, patting Ed lightly on the head. "But are you alright? You were looking stresssed a minute ago."

"I'm fine," Ed replied stiffly, hangind his head low, bangs covering his eyes.

He suddenly felt a warm hand on his shoulder, surprising him. He looked up just as Roy pulled him into a hug.

"I know something's bothering you. So please tell me what's wrong."

Ed hesitated. He couldn't tell Roy when he was there. He couldn't. He didn't know why he couldn't. But he just couldn't. "I can't," Ed whispered. "I just...I just can't I'm sorry, Roy. I'm sorry." He pushed his head into Roy's neck. The Colonel pat his upper back gently.

"Why can't you?" Roy asked innocently his voice so soft.

"I'm sorry," Ed apologized, voice weak. "I just can't."

"Shh, it's alright. I know." Roy pushed hismelf up onto the couch, alowing Ed to crawl onto his lap and take a fistfull of his shirt in his hands, subconsicously afraid that Roy would abandon him like that bastard.

Ed slowed his heavy, stressed breaths before looking up into Roy's eyes, watching the light dance in the shining obsidian. Roy smiled gentle down at him. Ed relaxed and sank into Roy's armth, pressing his head aginst the older mans chest. Roy pat Ed's flesh shoulder gently.

Ed wiped away the tears that were beginning to gather in his eyes. He sniffed and shut his eyes. Roy hugged him gently, trying his hardest to calm Ed before he started crying. And he was doing a damn good job at it.

Minutes later, Ed was no longer on the verge of tears, and was instead sitting beside Roy, head resting against his shoulders. Ed stared at the far wall, forgetting about what he was thinking about. He yawned, tired, but not tired enough to sleep.

There was a shuffling sound from the other side of the room and Hawkeye walked over, a plate in her hands.

"Edward, Alphonse made this for you." She held out the plate, where a sandwich was placed on top.

Ed took the sandwich in shaky hands, ignoring the plate. Eyeing the sandwich with a critical eye, Ed took a bit. About a minute later, the sandwich had disappeared. "Thanks," he mumbled, returning to hiding his head against Roy's shoulder.

"Roy. When can we go back home? I miss it there," Ed asked sadly.

"Soon, Ed. Soon." Roy ruffled Edward's hair playfully. "Have you been feeling sick lately?"

"I've been feeling better," Ed admitted. "Sometimes my stomach gets upset, or I might get a headache, and I get really tired. But other than that, I've been feeling much better lately."

"That's good to hear," Roy said to him. "Perhaps you're finally getting better."

"I hope so." Ed pressed against Roy, when suddenly, Roy stood. "Roy?"

Roy turned back and offered Ed a gentle smile. "Just stay there. I'll be back in a minute."

Ed watched, sadly, as Roy disappeared into another room. Ed did as he was told and sat there, waiting for Roy to return, and wondering what was so important that he had to leave.

A/N 2...I'm sorry I was late with posting this chapter. I was going to post it three days ago but I forgot. Two days ago this Huge spider crawled across my bed. I hate spiders and I wouldn't go near my bed for the rest of the night and my computer was on my bed(the spider was under me). And yesterday I spent most of the day playing video games and forgot. So here's an update, sorry for beng late when I said I would o it in a week. I'll post the next chapter in a week, but if I don't post it, don't hesitate to PM me to remind me. Also, I know this chapter has a lot of spelling mistakes, btu I'm going to fix them in a few days.

Anyway thanks to BigChillFreak, DamenTheDiamond, Brenne, Attackoneverything, 1animegal, I Had A Dream, Gust, and Dashita Tichou for reviewing.

Well, that's about it. 'Till next chapter.