The Gate

By Gozilla

Disclaimer: I don't own anything and I don't have anything. So don't sue me!

Please excuse my poor English. -

Reviews are most welcomed!

Enjoy!

Summary: (Spoiler! AU-post TV series, Sequel to "Brothers from Two Worlds") Edward faced an opportunity to return to the alchemy world. But what price did he has to pay for passing through the Gate?

Chapter 2 - Waiting

An hour later-

Winry waited impatiently outside of the room with Grandma Pinako as the doctor checked on the young alchemist.

"I am worried, grandma." Winry said, her hands holding tightly in front of her chest, "He looks really bad."

"I don't know." Grandma Pinako said, frowning in worry, "Also, I wonder what Ed has gone through. He looks much matured and grown quite a bit."

"And his automail limbs are gone." Winry said, "His missing limbs are replaced by some strange artificial limbs..." she stopped as she saw the doctor came out of the room, sadness filled his face.

"How is he?" Grandma Pinako asked. Winry stood beside her.

"I am sorry that there is nothing else I can do." The doctor said, "He is seriously hurt with multiple broken bones and deep wounds. He is bleeding inside with the internal injuries. Not to mention the massive injuries on his head. It is a miracle that he is still alive, though barely."

"But I really doubt that he... forgive me for being honest, I really doubt that he could survive for long." the doctor continued, "He may... hmmm... leave... at any moment. I have given him a large dose of strong pain-killer so that he won't suffer much pain. I am sorry. I will come again tomorrow to check on him." and he left the house.

Winry felt as if her heart was being torn into halves at the doctor's words. She turned to her grandma, desperation filled her blue eyes, "It cannot be true... Grandma, Ed just came back... How could he leave us so soon?"

"Go and stay with him as long as you can." Grandma Pinako patted lightly on Winry's back, her voice filled with sadness, "That poor kid must have gone through many difficulties for coming back. We must not let him... leave... alone." she said as she walked away, "Stay with him, Winry. I will make some chicken soup for him."

Winry went into the room. Edward slept peacefully on the bed, his body wrapped in bandages, with blood seeping through the thick bandages. His face was as pale as a piece of paper.

"Ed?" Winry called gently, holding back her tears, "Ed? Wake up, you lazy pea."

"Don't... call me that..." Edward said in an extremely weak voice as he opened his eyes.

Winry smiled through teary eyes, "Of course, you have grown up so much now that you are taller than me now."

"Winry?"

"Yes?"

"I miss you..." Edward whispered, giving her a warm smile.

Winry could no longer hold back her tears. She gently hugged Edward, careful not to disturb the wounds, "I miss you too, Ed. Welcome home."

They enjoyed the quiet moments with the presence of each other. It was the moment they had been waiting for years. Though both of them knew that the reunion would be short, they just wanted to treasure the very moment.

A few moments later, Winry let go of Edward.

"Where... is Al?" Edward asked, he was losing the fight against sleep as he felt his eyelids weighted a ton.

"Al is not here." Winry said in an apologetic voice, "He is travelling around the country, trying to search for clues about where you are and how to regain his memories."

"His memories?"

"Yes, Al lost his memories from the time of the transmutation of your mother to the day you restored him." Winry said, worried as she noticed Edward was struggling to stay awake, "Don't worry, Ed, we will find him and bring him back as soon as possible. Now, take some rest. We will take care of everything, alright?"

"Hmm..." Edward whispered as he gave up to blackness.

After making sure Edward was comfortable and asleep, Winry quietly left the room.

"How do you mean that I can't talk to him!" Winry shouted at the telephone, furious.

"General Mustang is very busy." came the overly-calm voice of the military operator, "Besides, though you claimed that you know the General personally, we cannot verify your identification. We cannot just let some unknown person to disturb the General. This is the military, you know."

"Alright, alright!" Winry said, trying her best not to destroy the telephone, "Then at least let me talk to Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye, pleeeesssaaasseee..."

"It does not comply with the normal procedure." the operator replied in her irritating calm voice.

"Please, this is really an emergency." Winry pleaded, "Just tell her that it is about Edward Elric and let her decide whether she wants to talk to me or not."

"Hmmm..." the operator hesitated, "Alright, I will check with Lieutenant first. But I have to emphasise that it is an exceptional case."

"Thank you very much!"

Winry waited for less than 10 seconds as someone picked up the phone.

"Winry, is that you?" came Hawkeye's voice.

"Yes, it is me!" Winry said excitedly, "Ms Hawkeye, I need your help! Please let me talk to General Mustang immediately."

"I am sorry but General Mustang is having a meeting at the moment." Hawkeye said, "Let's see if I can help. I understand from the operator that you have news about Edward. What is it about?"

"He is back." Winry urged, "But he is in very bad condition and he may... he may die at any moment. We must find Al and bring him to Ed before it is too late."

"What?" Hawkeye's voice lost her usual calmness, "What happened? Where is he now? Do you know where Al may be visiting?"

"Ed is at our home in Rizenbul." Winry was on the edge of crying, "He suddenly appeared at our door step about two hours ago, virtually covered with blood. The doctor said that he is very seriously injured and won't survive for long. Ed is asking to see Al. But I have no idea where Al is. That's why I call... I need your help to find him... quickly. Please... help me... I don't know what to do..."

"Stay calm, Winry." Hawkeye felt Winry's distress, "I will inform General immediately and we will do everything we can to help you and Edward. All you have to do is stay with Edward. We will call you once there is any information about Al."

"Thank you..." Winry hanged up, praying that, with the help of the military, Al would make it in time.

Three days later-

Winry felt as if her heart would explode as the anxiety building up in her heart was getting unbearable for her. She waited for three days but there was no response or update from the military. She tried to call Hawkeye again but the operator kept telling her that the lieutenant was not in the office.

But what was hurting her most was Edward. Despite the daily help from the doctor, Edward's condition was constantly deteriorating. He slipped in and out of consciousness over the past few days, his time of being conscious kept decreasing.

Winry hardly left Edward's bedside now, afraid that Edward might wake up, or worse, die without someone by his side. Even though she tried her best not to think about it, she knew that the inevitable end of her best friend's life was approaching quickly.

"Win... Winry..." a weak whisper broke Winry's train of thought.

"Ed." Winry smiled as she was glad to see Edward awake again, "How are you feeling?"

"Just tired..." Edward whispered, he did not feel any pain as the doctor had given him some very strong pain-killer, "Where is Al?"

"He... he is on his way to come here." Winry lied, "You will definitely going to see him. He will be here soon."

"Really?" Edward said as blackness overwhelmed him again, "I will... see him... soon..." as he closed his eyes.

Winry sobbed softly, holding Edward's hand, "Please... Al... come quickly..."

End of Chapter 2

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