CHAPTER 7

Riza stood patiently at the Central train station. Her uniform shone in the bright spring sky. It was a beautiful day, not too hot, not too cold. Riza always enjoyed being out in the sunshine. She felt the sun beaming on her face and enveloped in warmness on her cheeks. She glanced down to her watch. 2:53, only a few more minutes before Winry's train was scheduled to arrive. She always loved that girl. Beautiful, kind, and sharp as a tack. She especially noted her dedication to the troublesome Elric brothers. No matter what, she would always drop everything for them. The fact she was able to get to Central in just 24 hours was impressive in and of itself.

Whistle

Riza perked up as she saw the train quickly approaching. She readies herself as it pulls in. People began to pour out of the cars, men in business suits. Women and children, families visiting. All kinds of people rode the trains to and from Central. A small bob of blonde hair in the sea of people wasn't hard to spot. Winry's hair shone brightly in its signature ponytail. She began waving her down. Winry quickly spotted her and bounded her way towards her, stumbling slightly due to the heavy suitcase she was dragging along.

"Good to see you, Miss Winry." Riza smiled.

"Lieutenant Hawkeye, it's good to see you… Despite the circumstances…" She said, a twinge of sadness ebbing from her voice. Riza quickly held out her hand and took the suitcase from her. It was heavy. Very, very heavy. She was shocked a girl of Winry's stature was able to carry it with somewhat of ease. "Have you heard anything about Ed?" Winry asked as they began walking towards the parked car.

"The Colonel called not too long ago and said he was doing better." She replied, trying to relieve as much anxiety as she could. She could see Winry was visibly nervous. Her fingers had skin peeling off of them from anxious picking.

"Th-that's good." She said softly. Once the pair reached the car, Riza popped open the trunk and placed Winry's luggage inside. She then opened the door for Winry to get in. She wasted no time getting in herself and speeding off towards the hospital.

Roy sat at the edge of Ed's bed, twiddling his thumbs. Ed hadn't awoken since the Doctor had come in. However, he was in a much more peaceful sleep than previously. Roy was thankful for that. Roy told Al to go take a walk and get some fresh air. Even though Al couldn't enjoy the breeze, let alone even breathe it in, he still needed that crucial time to himself. He'd been caring for Ed round the clock. The small hospital room was much too quiet for Roys liking. He had opened a window to let some of the beautiful day pour into it, the curtains fluttering in the sunlight. The subtle beeps and hums of the machinery filled his ears, along with his thoughts. Ed still hadn't been awake long enough to tell him what had happened. Questions racked his brain, speeding around and around inside like planets in orbit. He stood and looked out the window, taking in a deep breath.

A stir drew his attention back to the bed. Ed's eyes slowly fluttered open. He was staring straight up at the ceiling.

"Fullmetal?" Roy asked.

Ed did not respond. Roy could tell his breathing was growing ragged, his eyes glued to the ceiling, unmoving. "Shit." Roy thought, hurrying to the boy's side. He grabbed his hand.

"Fullmetal… Edward, talk to me." He said in a hushed voice.

Ed pulled his hand away so fast Roy barely had any time to react. Ed had thrusted himself upwards into a sitting position and was looking frantically around the room. He seemed disoriented. Roy quickly tried to ease the boy back onto his cot, but Ed's strength was returning. He thrashed and fought back with his one arm.

"Fullmetal! Stop this!" Roy commanded, hoping the sternness would draw him back. Tears pricked Ed's eyes.

And he screamed…

He screamed louder than Roy had ever heard someone scream.

It was blood curdling. The scream ripped from his vocal chords with such force, Roy was afraid he'd start coughing up blood. Ed ripped the oxygen from his nostrils and the IV from his arm. Roy did begin to restrain the boy in his thrashing, getting up on the bed behind Ed and wrapping his arms around him.

"Shhh… It's okay… You're safe now…"

"Help! Help! I'm being crushed. I can't breathe…!" Ed screamed. His screams then shifted to violent coughs. Before long, three nurses flooded into the room.

"Get a sedation!"

"Wait!" Roy yelled, bringing his attention back to the squirming child in his arms.

"Breathe… You're safe, Ed…" Roy kept mumbling the reassurances into his ear, holding Ed tightly in his embrace. Ed's coughs subsided and he began to quiet to a low whimper. His body relaxed slightly.

"There you go... Great… You're doing great, Ed." The words coming out of Roy's mouth were so strange to him, yet felt so right. He wanted to help Ed, he wanted to protect him.

Ed's breathing slowed to a gentle rhythm. Roy smiled at the small heap in his arms.

"I'm going to lay you back down now, okay?" Roy asked. Ed gave a small nod. Roy quickly got up and positioned Ed back in a lying position. Ed's eyes were closed.

"The nurses are going to help put the IV and oxygen back in." Roy said. "No oxygen… Please… I don't like how it feels…" Ed said, much like a small child. Roy glanced up at the nurse. She smiled.

"We can leave it off for now." She replied. Ed nodded. The nurses gently began to work on Ed. Roy was always thankful for the military hospital. They were always gentle and understanding with the patients, especially ones as stubborn and temperamental as Ed. Most of the nurses knew Ed well by now since he was prone to get himself in trouble.

The nurses finished up and left, leaving Roy and Ed in an odd silence.

"Sorry." Ed said. Roy looked at him in almost shock. Ed was never one to apologize. Especially to Mustang. He could see his face turning a slight red from embarrassment.

"Don't sweat it." Roy replied. The awkward feeling floated around the room.

"A-are you in any pain?" Roy asked, trying to bring things back to normal.

Ed shook his head. "Too doped up to feel anything." Ed said. Roy wanted to snicker, there was that smartass charm he had come to know. Although his voice was laced with exhaustion and unease. Roy hesitated for a moment.

"Fullmetal… What happened there?" He asked, not wanting to bring him back into a panic. He asked the question slowly. Ed shook his head.

"They found me. We fought. That's all." He said. Roy knew Ed was not one to give detailed reports. He decided to drop it for now, not wanting Ed to have another flashback. He'd press further when he was better.

The silence continued.

"You don't have to stay, ya know." Ed finally said, finally opening his eyes to look at the Colonel.

"I have nothing else better to do." Roy replied.

"You just don't want to do paperwork." Ed snickered. Roy pursed his lips.

"You're right. Thanks for giving me a good excuse." Roy said as a smile crept on his face.

"You're welcome Colonel Bastard." Ed said. His voice grew quieter and weaker.

"Get some sleep, Fullmetal." Roy said, but he didn't need to tell him. By the time he finished the sentence, Ed was already out like a light.

It feels like days since Al had left the hospital, but in reality it's only been about twenty four hours. The day was magnificent. Birds chirped, the wind blew just strong enough to brustle the leaves gently. Al wishes he could feel the cool air hit his face, but staring at the tree would have to do. The world was bustling around him. Everyone seemed in good spirits and motivated. The weather really does have an effect on people's moods. Especially in a busy place like Central. Al was thankful for the Colonel, but his pangs of worry for Ed were still present. He couldn't get Ed out of his head. What if something happened while he was gone? What if Ed had another panic attack? These thoughts swirled in Als mind. He decided to sit against a small tree and try to enjoy nature a bit more and clear his mind.

A small cat was perched on a ledge nearby. Al would have smiled if he could. He got up and quickly bounded over to the small animal, reaching out his large gloved hand to pet it. The cat reared back and bit his hand. Al laughed, as he couldn't feel the pain. The cat looked confused. Al was giggling away. "Cute!" He squealed.

"Al?" A familiar voice in the near distance made him turn. Winry had her head sticking out of Hawkeye's car, waving to him. Al quickly patted the cat on the head and bounded over to the car. His stature makes the vehicle look small compared to him.

"Winry! When did you get in?" Al said lightly.

"Just a little bit ago. We are on our way to the hospital, want a lift?" She asked. Al nodded and quickly squeezed himself in the car. If he was a normal person he would be in immense pain from the weird angle he has to sit in, but thankfully for him, having no feeling did have its perks.

"I thought you'd be in the room with Ed." Winry noted. Al nodded as best he could with his head scrunched against the ceiling.

"Colonel Mustang told me to get some fresh air and he'd watch over him for a while." Al said. Winry smiled at Al and turned back around in her seat to face the front. The rest of the ride was silent, only broken by small chatter every now and then.

Once the trio reached the hospital, they wasted no time. Al grabbed Winry's bag and quickly bounded into the hospital. Hawkeye and Winry were quick to follow. Al made a few turns and reached the small wooden door leading to Ed's room. Al stepped aside for Winry to open the door. She gently turned the handle and pushed slightly, trying not to make any noise. What they saw surprised them. Ed was laying on his back, snoring gently. Colonel Mustang was hunched over, leaning his head on the bed, eyes closed and breathing deeply. Hawkeye quickly pushed aside to get into the room and jostled the Colonel.

"Huh… Wha?" Roy said. He looked around with half open irises, suddenly, his eyes shot wide open and he flung his head back upright. "Lieutenant!" Roy said, obviously surprised, but kept his voice low enough to not wake Ed.

"Sir." She replied, almost with a smile on her face. Roy quickly moved his hair into position and sat upright, looking at Winry's small stature. Al came in from behind her and gently set her things in the corner of the room. Winry's eyes were glued onto Ed. Roy stood.

"I'll give you some privacy." He said, walking past Winry and out the door. Hawkeye was quick to follow. The door shut gently and Winry let herself crumble. She ran to Ed's side and grabbed his flesh hand. She pulled it up to her face and sobbed, tears pouring down her face onto Ed's hand.

"Edward… What happened… Wh-what happened to you?" She said through hiccups. Al knelt beside her and put a hand on her shoulder, trying to give some comfort. Winry shook as she sobbed harder into Ed's small hand.

"Ur getting snot on my hand…" A small voice peeped. Winrys shot her glance up to see Ed's eyes opened slightly. The bags under his eyes were dark and he looked like he was barely keeping himself awake.

"Ed!" She leaned over and gently embraced him. Ed wrapped his flesh arm around her as much as he could without disturbing his shoulder.

"Sorry about the automail…" Ed said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Don't you worry about that, idiot." Winry sniffled. "How did this happen..?" She asked.

"Don't you worry about that, idiot." Ed smiled. Winry sat up and glared at him.

"Ugh. Still as passive as always I see." She said, relieved he was still able to make jokes. Al put his hand on Ed's.

"How are you feeling, brother?" Al asked, gently.

"I'm fine, Al." Ed heaved. He was obviously in pain, but didn't want Al or Winry to worry too much. "So, when are you gonna fix me up?" Ed directed his attention over to Winry. Winry stuck out her lip in almost a pouting form.

"That's all you're concerned about?" She said, wanting to smack him on the head. Ed tried to laugh but it was quickly replaced by a wince. "Maybe I shouldn't patch you up until you're healed so you don't do anything reckless!" She said, Ed smiled tiredly.

"Aw come on, Winry…" Ed's voice grew more sluggish.

"Get some rest, brother. We will be here when you awaken." Al said gently.

"No, no. I'm okay." Ed said, his eyes forcing themselves shut like a pair of heavy doors slamming.

"You need your sleep to heal." Al replied. Ed's smile faded and his breathing grew deeper and more rhythmic. His mouth began to hang open as he drifted into slumber.

"I don't think I've seen Ed this tired since his automail surgery." Winry said quietly, trying to not wake him. Al nodded.

"I still don't even know what happened… This is the most awake he's been since the accident."

Just then, the door gently slided open to reveal Ed's doctor. He was clutching a small clipboard. "Just coming to do my rounds! How is he feeling?" He said excitedly.

"He is finally awake and talking. He just went back to sleep." Al said.

"Oh, good! He is a strong one, for sure. Did he wake up panicked this time?" The doctor asked, making his voice quieter than before to not wake Ed. Al shook his head.

"No. Not this time."

"Perfect! I'll be by in a few hours to see if he is awake to check on his stitches. Please don't hesitate to ring if you need me!" The doctor said quickly, obviously busy with many other patients. He bowed slightly and left the room, gently sliding the door shut behind him.

"Panic?" Winry asked, her voice coming out as a small squeak.

"Brother has been having some panic attacks about the entire thing. Doctor says it's just a concussion and the drugs." Al said, trying to reassure her.

"Oh Ed…" Winry said, turning towards Ed. Tears pricked her eyes, until they spilled over like a waterfall, dripping onto the bed in gentle plops. "Why does misfortune seem to always follow you?"