Take a Bow

Chapter Two

Say your lines, but do you feel them?

Do you mean what you say when there's no one around?

No one around,

Watching you, watching me, one lonely star,

One lonely star, you don't know who you are.

Roy sat besides Ed's bed two day's later. Ed was still unconscious in the middle of the white bed that made his skin look a sickly pale. There was an IV in his left wrist and the life support beeped confirming a steady heartbeat. Doctors said that there was a chance that he might awake any day but there was still that chance that he wouldn't wake up at all. Roy patiently waited, holding Ed's hand, wishing to a god that he didn't believe in to make Edward wake up.

Alphonse sat in a corner near the bed, staring off into space. Roy was rarely able to tell what that suit of armor was thinking at times. And now was one of those times. Roy felt sick as he looked at his sleeping lover's calm expressionless face. Roy always heard about people who had family members or lovers that were put in comas that lasted for years and they were faced with the decision of turning of life support, ultimately killing their sleeping loved one. Roy closed his eyes. That won't happen, it was a small accident. He barely convinced himself as he looked at Edward's slowly rising chest. I shouldn't even be thinking about that now. It's only been two days. He'll wake up soon. I'm sure of it.

Roy would visit the hospital every day and every day would be the same. Ed lay there sleeping peacefully, unaware of the world around him. After a year, Alphonse went to stay at Risenbol and gave Winry's number to the hospital. Five months into the year that Alphonse left, Roy moved on. The only thing that kept him from dating was the nagging thought of how it was his fault for Edward being that way. Once in awhile Roy found himself wondering into Ed's room and watching over him. The nurses knew him and would greet him with a sad look.

He was glad that Alphonse loved his brother so much that he wouldn't give up on him. Alphonse did ask Mustang to send research books, saying that when his brother did wake up, he wouldn't be happy if he found out that Al didn't even work on looking for a way to fix their problems. Then a year after Mustang started sending books, Alphonse found a way to restore himself and did so.

Roy sighed as he looked out of his office window. Four years...He thought as he heard the phone ringing. He sighed as he picked it up, the voice of his best friend cheerfully talking to him. "You won't guess what my darling..." It went on and on. Roy almost thanked the phone when it beeped indicating someone on the other line. He flashed the phone. "Hello, Mustang-san?" Roy blinked not sure who was on the line. "Yes?" There was a brief silence. "This is the hospital. We called to alert you that Elric-san has awaken." Roy dropped the phone and ran out of the door, forgetting about his best friend that was wondering what was going on the other line.

Roy entered the hallway expecting to hear the blonde yelling at one of the nurses who could have called him short. Edward will be twenty this January... Roy thought as he entered the Doctor filled room. "Ahh, you must be Mustang-san." One of the doctors said. "Yes, I am." Roy replied, getting used to being questioned. "How is he?" The doctor wrote on his clipboard. "He's in fine condition, aside from the fact that he has a case of amnesia and he'll need physical therapy for weakness of limbs. That is to be expected though after being in coma for four years. Most patents don't wake up after a year." Roy nodded. "What type of amnesia do you mean?" The doctor sighed; Roy could see the blonde smiling while he was talking to one of the nurses, who must have been asking him questions.

"Amnesia is common with coma patents, especially when it was caused by some form of head trauma. I want you to talk to Elric-san, because he'd know you. I want to know if it's just temporary memory loss which he will recover from shortly or if it's the strong form of amnesia which means that his memories might be lost forever." Roy frowned and nodded. The doctor led him to a chair near the bed. Edward smiled blankly at Roy. "Edward, this is Roy Mustang, he was your commanding officer and friend. Do you remember him?"

Edward felt something tug at him as he looked at the familiar man. He frowned as the doctor talked. It was nagging him that he couldn't remember this man. "No, sorry." Edward said, shaking his head. He didn't know his name until one of the nurses told him when he woke up. He looked at the ceiling, Now that I think about it. I don't remember anything. Who I am? Who I was? He looked back at the man that was introduced as his superior officer had a hurt look on his face. "Edward, do you remember anything?" Roy asked him, keeping his hurt tone out of his voice after the doctors left. Ed looked down to his lap. "No I don't. I don't even know who I am. I'm sorry." Ed felt Roy wrap his arms around him and pull him in a tight embrace. Tears slipped passed his eyes. Why am I crying? Ed thought as he leaned against the warm arms.

Edward woke up to the doctor and Roy talking. "Yes, I can take him to my house." Roy said as he rubbed his hand in Ed's hair. "That's good. It's good for him to be with someone familiar." The doctor said as scratches could be heard on the paper. "I'm guessing that you'll tell his brother?" Roy nodded as he looked down at Edward to see his eyes open looking at him. Roy smiled sadly. "Yes, I will." Edward didn't know what to think, but he did feel comfortable in Roy's arms.

So I have a brother. Why didn't they call him? Ed thought as the doctor talked more. He didn't like listening to the windbag. "-You'll be able to leave as soon as your arm and leg regain some strength." Ed heard the doctor say. "So...I'm not leaving today?" Ed was disappointed. He didn't like the white walls. "We're not sure how worn away your muscles are, Elric-san." The doctor said and Edward nodded. Edward then guessed that he'd be out soon enough.

Ed's arm wasn't as bad as the doctor would have thought, but his leg was another story. The ligaments were worn and weak. He had visits from people at work that knew him. People he wished he could remember. Hughes was happy to tell him about everyone, including his seven-year-old daughter. Within a week's time, Ed was able to go home with Roy. The day he was going to leave the hospital, his brother showed up. Roy never saw Al after he left for Risenbol. Al stood at 5'6" which was about 5" taller then Ed, His hair was golden blonde and brunette, bronze golden eyes, but no where near the beautiful color eyes of his brother. He wore a white t-shirt and blue jeans, common work boots that were brown.

He also looked heart-broken when he found out that Edward didn't remember him. "I'm sorry." Ed whispered to his lap. "No, no, Nii-san. It isn't your fault!" Alphonse said cheerfully, just glad to have his brother awake at the moment. Edward smiled and then started asking his brother questions. Roy looked out of the window. When Al left, Roy helped Edward to get dressed and into the car. One of the things Roy noticed was how Ed was reluctant to go into the car, but he understood why.

I've always been in love with you,

Always with you.

You took my love for granted, why oh why?

The show is over, say good-bye

Say good-bye,

Bye bye

Say good-bye

Disclaimer: NO OWN FMA! Roughly translated for those of you who can't understand caveman talk. She odes not own FMA or the song "Take a Bow".

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