The Waters of Lethe

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA, just the original characters I've created. I just like to play around in it's world and torture Ed for awhile.

Author's note: Post series and very AU. Some movie events might happen, but differently

Warning: may contain movie spoilers, also bad language, violence, blood, death and maybe sex.

29. Fever (Fieber)

Edward must have gone quite pale because Rudolf's scarred face suddenly took on a look of concern and the light in his brown eyes softened. "Do you feel unwell, Shambalan? If you can hang on just a few minutes longer, we are almost to Major Howard's house."

The car turned off the main road and onto a circular driveway, before it pulled to a stop in front of the house. "No, I can't get out here," gasped Edward, Lady Howard would have a major fit if he commited such a faux pas. "I am only an employee and must enter the house at the back."

The driver must have heard him because he put the car back into gear and drove on to a short service road which curved around to the back of the house. Edward didn't really want Rudolf to touch him because the man made his skin crawl, but his legs trembled so badly when he got up. He would have fallen out of the car if not for Rudolf's help. One of the male servants - Edward recognized him as Daoud - came out to investigate the strange auto. He rushed forward to help when he saw Edward as Rudolf explained, "Herr Bauer became unwell at the dig site and he needs to go straight to bed."

With Daoud's help, Edward made it inside and through the kitchen area to his small room where he collapsed on the narrow bed. He just lay prone on his back with his flesh hand over his eyes while Daoud removed his shoes and pulled a blanket over him. He groaned lightly when Daoud put a slightly cool hand on his forehead. "You are feverish, perhaps you have gotten too much sun. It can be bad for ones with fair skin. Rest awhile, and I will bring you some soup later."

Daoud smiled reassuringly and Edward gave him a sketchy grin back before he closed his eyes and fell into a light doze.

He awoke several hours later, sweating and gasping from a troubling dream he couldn't remember. Night had fallen and his room was dark,except for a weak halo of light cast by his bedside lamp. Edward looked about in surprise when he realized omeone had removed his clothing and dressed him in his pajamas.

He jerked back,startled when a large black shadow at the side of his bed moved towards him. "Shhh," soothed an unfamiliar voice. "It's quite all right. I am Dr. Forbes. Your employer called me in to examine you. Here, take this."

Dr. Forbes was a large, balding man with a fringe of flyaway brown hair around his head like an incomplete halo. He was dressed like an unmade bed in a cream colored linen suit over a pink shirt and red tie. His hands were large and square with short fingers and well-kept nails. His right hand slid underneath Edward's shoulders and lifted him effortlessly into a sitting position, then his left hand placed a tiny white pill between Edward's lips. "Here's some water, swallow it now. There's a good lad."

"What was that?" Edward asked as Dr. Forbes gently lowered his head back onto the pillow. "So much fuss over just a little fever. I'll feel better after a good night's sleep."

"That was quinine, Mr. Bauer," Dr. Forbes explained in his quiet, patient voice. "And it's your new best friend,because you are suffering from more than just a 'little fever'. What you've really got is malaria."

Author's note: This is bad, very bad. Eckart will soon know where Edward is and he will have to flee again. But now he is too sick to move...