Disclaimer: I don't own FMA or the characters. I just own this storyline. Title of story inspired by Gavin Digraw

Chariot - Ch. 3

Hello

Something...cool? It feels so consoling...just let me stay here. "You'll be fine now. We won't bother you again." Who-? Who is that...he's so... Calm. Please don't leave me. I've been waiting for someone...to talk to. Please just stay a little longer.

The cool feel of his touch or what ever it was, began to evaporate as I regained consciousness. No... Please don't leave me...! In that instant I shot up from my dream. I sat there breathing heavily and staring at the face of my protector before I covered my face with my hands. I wouldn't let him see me cry. Not that bastard.

"I'm not here to judge you Edward." He sat there so silently, just waiting for me to stop crying or perhaps just waiting for me. He knew I was hiding too, that smart...

"Where's Armstrong?" I asked after I'd removed my hands from my face and was now just staring down at my wet cold hands.

"I sent him to help Hawkeye with some paper work on the Stone." He placed the bowl of cold water and the wet cloth he'd been using to whip my forehead with on my bed side table; the thought of his hands on me sent chills down my spine.

We sat there in silence for hours just listening to nothing and everything. I hated how he didn't try to comfort me. He always had a way of doing things his way. Somehow he'd known that the last thing I needed was another lecture on how much of a wuss I was being about all of this.

In his own annoying way he'd comforted me in a way no one else had been able to. The sun had begun to set just as he got up from the chair he'd been sitting in and he nodded at me before saying, "I may come back by tomorrow. I'll bring you some food. Al told us how you haven't been eating."

I pushed myself down into my clean blankets nuzzling my face into the soft covers. Maes had taken it upon himself to come by and change them when I'd gotten up to use the restroom earlier today. Sneaky creep, but I was grateful; I mean, if I couldn't smell good at least my sheets could.

My face was still pressed into my pillow when I made a muffled request to Mustang. "Sorry?" He said in a slightly amused tone.

I turned my head out of the pillow ever so slightly and said in a quiet voice trying not to look him in the face, "I asked...if you could," I stopped not really sure if I should go on, but he nodded urging me to finish.

"Stay with me." I abruptly added not wanting my request to sound too needy. "Just until I fall asleep I mean. Its not like I need you to, I'll...be.."

I was trying to finish, but somewhere in the middle of my rambling he'd taken off his jacket and sat back in his chair. I pushed myself even further into my covers about up to my chin and nodded in thanks.

"I know you need people right now. I'll stay for your sake Edward." As an hour or so passed I began to feel my eyes weighing down and through the final scene of my vision before I fell asleep I say him...still sitting making no move to leave as I fell into my dreams.

E

R

E

R

It was about seven in the morning when I woke up in that same arm chair I'd fallen asleep in the night before. My back ached, my head ached, everything felt stiff, but one of my subordinates had needed me. Ahh, when I'm furor the first thing I'm doing is putting extra beds in all of my militaries dorm rooms.

Ed. I looked over at him my face softening at the sight of him so peaceful. Perhaps my presence here hadn't been wasted. Al had said he slept better with someone in the room, even if he couldn't bare their touch, Ed still needed people to help him through this.

He made a soft muing noise in his sleep and I knew he was fine. I didn't know if I'd be able to handle him having a nightmare. The noise stopped to a low hum and then his large golden eyes opened, he rubbed them clear of sleep, and then...he grinned, just ever so slightly.

"You stayed the whole night Mustang?" He asked though an early morning grog. "Well of course I did Edward. Can't have one of my best Alchemists on bed rest and me not doing all I can to get him back out on the field.

His grin faded and as I rose to leave his eyes followed me. I wanted to stay longer, but the way he'd looked at me told me it was time for me to leave. It was as if he'd been happy I'd stayed with him and then something just cut him off from it.

"I'll be back later to check on you Ed." And then I left, without another word.

A/N:

Not much to say on this chapter. I don't really like it, but I guess I'll be able to hear what all of you think of it as soon as you review or e-mail me.

Update sometime this week if I don't have an $$ load of school work.

Later