A/N: Chapter...this is one. I don't know what I'm saying right now, I'm so out of it, so please just read and enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't have the energy to move, let alone own something like FMA.
Chapter 40: Falling Into the Rhythm
The next morning Eric was outside the dorm wearing clothes fit for exercise at dawn, as he'd promised. He looked tired, but I knew he was unused to waking so early and that he would gradually fall into the pattern and be more energetic. I smiled as I approached him. "Are you ready?" I asked cheerfully.
"For what? You never told me what we would be doing," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.
"We're going to run. Secret number two of protecting yourself: avoid conflict altogether. This sometimes requires a quick escape." I stretched lightly, warming up my muscles for the physical activity.
"Seriously? You're teaching me to run away?" He looked speculative, and I didn't blame him. After all, I did sound a little bit crazy.
"Are you questioning your teacher?" I joked, "But to answer your question, yes and no. Sometimes running away is the best line of action, but regular exercise plays another important role: It strengthens your muscles and raises your endurance. With training you may be able to stand your ground in a fight, but without endurance to back it up, if the fight gets long, you're going to lose." I touched my toes one last time (Which was harder to do than it had been before I had grown) and then turned, gesturing for him to follow me. "End of lecture, let's get running. We still have to change and eat breakfast before classes."
I started off and he followed me, uncomfortably at first, but soon falling into the rhythm and the breathing pattern. We ran in silence for nearly a mile and a half, and I was proud of him for making it that far. To cool down as we made it back to the dorms, I slowed us to a jog and finally to a walk. It felt good to run, I had been more focused lately on my studies and looking out for Eric than on taking care of myself, which had included neglecting my morning run.
Old habits were returning to me, and I longed to go and spar with Al to finish my morning workout, though I knew it was impossible. 'But,' I thought comfortingly to myself, 'Soon I'll have a new sparring partner, and I can already tell that he's going to be very good when he's gotten some training.'
xXx
"Eric, guess what?" I asked him as he exited his classroom.
He smiled at me (His smile was getting a little brighter every day. I think the good diet and the exercise were helping.) and responded, "I don't know. What?"
"You remember about a month ago you asked me if I was going to be a doctor?" It seemed that for a moment we had traded roles. I was nearly bouncing up and down with excitement. It had been ages since I had been so enthusiastic about anything.
"I recall that. What about it?" His question was asked off-handedly, but as things started to fall together in his mind I saw recognition slowly light his face. "You're going to be a doctor?" he asked, his smile growing brighter as the idea was allowed to grow.
I gave an energetic nod. "I talked to my advisor today, and he's told me that I can simply add another major. Most of the basic medical courses are already on my schedule anyway, so I can continue as I have been. I think it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. And really, it's all thanks to you, because without your prompting I would never have even considered it."
"Ed...that's amazing. Wow! You're going to be a doctor." He hugged me, and I gladly accepted it. I had definitely decided that Eric was one of the best friends I had ever had, and surely my best friend in England. He was a great guy, and I couldn't believe that I was so blessed as to know him.
The jeers and insults thrown from Jackson's followers (Who seemed to be everywhere, probably because they were) broke through the happy fog and brought us down to earth. I smirked at them, gave a jaunty little wave, and murmured to Eric, "Secret number two." We took off, laughing, towards the tennis court to have our training session before dinner.
xXx
We went to dinner after training, and I was glad to see how eagerly Eric ate. He was beginning to get some meat on his bones again, and it was a comforting thing to notice. Everything was going fine as we got up to leave...until Jackson came up to us. Usually he did not bother us at meals, but apparently he had decided that it was a good time.
"What do you want?" I asked him, unconsciously putting myself slightly in front of Eric. Jackson watched this with a critical eye.
"Protecting your lover, are you? I heard what you two have been doing. Having sex in public places, are we?" he sneered at us. I could not stand this man any longer. Kicking the shit out of him multiple times seemed to have no effect on him, and I must confess that I had never dealt with anyone quite like that before.
I snorted at him. "Not with you," I said sarcastically, "You're not really my type. Too much muscle and not enough brains." I made sure that I was speaking loud enough that anyone who cared to listen would be able to hear. Let this story travel, I didn't care.
"That was disgusting," he insisted, "You are the most infuriating person I have ever met."
"Funny, I was about to say the same about you. Also, I'll have you know that if you weren't such a snobbish asshole I would never have bothered with you at all." I stepped forward slightly, putting myself fully between him and Eric. Whatever happened, I knew that Eric was not ready to protect himself just yet. 'Let me fight your battles for you for just a little longer,' I thought at him, 'You'll be ready soon, but not yet. Let me do this.'
"What did I do? You are the one who has been attacking me since your first day." He had the gall to look offended.
"As I recall, I introduced myself to the class and you insulted me and called me a woman." A low murmur passed through the room as students who had been there related the story to others.
"I did no such thing," he protested, a look which he must have thought innocent on his face.
"Really?" I asked, "Let's get a witness report then." I pointed at a young woman (One of far too few at the university) and said, "You there. You were there, were you not?" At her nod, I continued, "Then do you recall what happened that morning?" I asked her with all the grace of a lawyer.
Trembling (Though I had no idea why) she stood and told everyone in as strong a voice as she could muster, "Mr Elric was introducing himself, and Mr Jackson asked if he was really a man. When Mr Elric confirmed it, Mr Jackson insisted that it was impossible and they were about to start a fight when the professor interrupted." She sat abruptly, apparently finished with her statement.
"Now then," I followed, "All of you," I addressed the crowd, "Can see who was at fault in that particular incident, can you not?" There was a murmur of assent, and cheerfully I said, "Let's continue then, shall we?" I proceeded to analyze every single confrontation between us and bring up witnesses for each, sometimes several when their stories were incomplete. A few times I had to call on Eric to fill in details, but for the most part I left him out of it.
Finally, I finished my case, looking to Jackson. "Do you have a defense?" I asked him swiftly. I happened to know that he was a law major, but as I watched him splutter and accomplish nothing useful at all, I knew that I had won. Eventually he realized that no one was paying attention to him (I was examining my nails and many people had returned to their meals.) and his speech trailed to a stop. "Ladies and gentlemen," I called, regaining their lost focus, "Have we reached a verdict?"
A professor—whom I had not noticed before—stood and called back, "I do believe we have, Mr Elric. Those who believe that Mr Elric is innocent of all charges of harassment and assault on the exception of self-defense say 'I.'" There were unanimous 'I's throughout the room. "Those who believe that Mr Jackson is guilty of those same charges for being a royal bastard, say 'I.'" Again, unanimous 'I's rang out. "Those opposed to these charges say 'nay.'" The room was quiet then, and I silently exulted. Another victory. I had missed the feeling of defeating evil so completely.
"Mr Elric, I do believe you have your verdict. Now that you do, I want you in my class. You have the talent to be a great lawyer." The professor smiled widely at me, and I could not help but smile back.
"I'm terribly sorry professor, but I'm already going to be a doctor and a physicist. I'm afraid that there is no room left in my schedule."
"A pity, you could perhaps have been the greatest lawyer England had ever seen. Still, I wish you luck in your ventures."
"Thank you professor," I said, bowing respectfully, "I will try to make all of Cambridge proud." Turning from him, I went to Eric. I had heard, as I was speaking, the little hitches in his breath that meant he was trying not to cry. Without a word, I took his hand and led him out of there. I did not have to stop and think before taking him to my dorm. He needed comfort, and a place where he could cry without being ashamed of his tears. I could give him that.
Haha, just realize that I've finally reached chapter 40! Woot! Please leave me a review to encourage me to make it to 50! (Oh man, I really hope there aren't that many chapters.)
