This took me longer than I expected. I've been sick mentally and physically lately and I've been focusing on getting better. I haven't even started thinking about the fifth chapter yet, I'm just too worn out. So next chapter might be awhile, but it will eventually be out. I'd say more in this little note but I'm really tired and just want to take a nap.

Hope you all like, thank you so much for all the favorites, follows, and reviews. They really make my day.

Love you!

Chapter 4

"Edward, stay calm. The doctors said this might happen." Mustang resisted the urge to place his hand on Ed's shoulder. The boy lowered his hand but didn't cease in his shaking.

"I don't even know what happened. Why am I here?" His voice rose in pitch and volume. He reached around with his automail hand, bumping into the cast on his leg. The heart monitor began to make a high pitched beep as Ed's heart continued to pound. The colonel turned and saw lights flashing on the machine under the pointed line that was Ed's heartbeat.

"Colonel, why am I here? What happened?!" Edward's head was darting back and forth as he attempted to see anything around him. His pupils were abnormally large and his breaths came in short, painful, gasps.

"You were chasing a thief and fell; Al can tell you more when he gets back." As if his words had summoned him, Al was standing in the doorway, a nurse at his side running into the room before him. She stopped at Ed's side, syringe of clear fluid in her hand.

"Edward, I need you to lie back down and stay calm. I'm going to give you something for the pain then I'll give you something to calm you." She reached for his hand but Ed pulled it away, turning his head toward her in panic.

"No! Why can't I see anything, what's going on?!" His words came out so fast and slurred with fear that Mustang was surprised to hear the nurse respond.

"You hit the back of your head really hard, that's where the vision centers of the brain are located. Your sight will return as you heal, it's not permanent." Ed seemed doubtful but he reluctantly held out his left hand. The nurse smiled at him even though he couldn't see it. She put the syringe into a socket on the IV that was attached to him and slowly pushed the plunger. Edward winced as the medicine entered his system and tried to pull his hand away but the nurse held it in place.

"I know it stings a little but it will help. Now I'm going to give you a sedative, don't be alarmed if it stings slightly like the first." Ed's breathing picked up, shallow and raspy, as the nurse pulled out a second syringe from her scrubs. She removed the first and put the new syringe in its place. Mustang could hear the heart monitor, which had calmed slightly, pick up speed as the boy flinched. He let out a small cry as the medicine entered his veins. The nurse finished and pulled the needle from the socket, giving Ed's hand a small pat.

"That wasn't so bad, now was it? Give those a few minutes to kick in fully and you'll feel better." She smiled and put her hand on his briefly before turning away.

"If any of those happen to not kick in within the hour don't hesitate to get me. Also if you have any questions ask away." The nurse got up from her crouched position beside the bed. As she began to leave Ed spoke up.

"When will my vision return?" He sounded calmer but there was still fear in his voice. She turned her head to face him with a sigh.

"We don't really know it might take a week or two, possibly a month to fully recover. You really banged up your brain when you fell, it will take some time to heal." She sounded sad at not being able to give a definitive answer. Ed nodded and lay back down, turning onto his side to face Mustang. The nurse waited a moment then left the room.

"What if I never see again?" He whispered and the colonel saw tears glistening in those clouded over eyes.

"Your sight will return, just give it a little time." Mustang responded and Ed slowly turned his head to try to look into his eyes. Tears began to run down his face as he stared at the colonel's shoulder.

"Promise to stay, both of you. I-I don't want to be alone in the dark." He reached out his left hand, straining against the IV. Mustang felt his heart crack as he took the boy's hand in his own. Seeing someone so strong fall so far down was heartbreaking. The colonel had seen plenty of men break down during the war, but this was different. Ed hadn't chosen this fate; he had been forced into it by some greedy thief.

"You know Alphonse will be by your side the whole time. I'll try my hardest to be here as well. I'll stay here as long as you need me." Al nodded and the colonel held Ed's hand tighter. The boy visibly relaxed, drying the stray tears away with his arm.

"Thanks." He whispered, eyes beginning to close. Ed then went limp, hand going slack in the colonel's. The glow of Al's eyes seemed to glow brighter.

"Is he okay? Why isn't he moving?" The armor boy put his hand on his brother's shoulder in an attempt to wake him. Ed paid no heed to Al's touch.

"It's okay Alphonse. Sedatives can do that to people. Let him sleep and maybe he'll feel more like himself when he wakes." Mustang replied calmly, carefully placing Ed's hand back onto the bed. As their hands separated the boy began to feel around, face showing clear distress. Quickly the colonel took his hand again, watching as Ed slowly relaxed.

"Don't worry, I'm still here and I will be as long as you want me to be." Mustang promised, not just to Ed, knowing that it was true. He would be there as long as they both needed him, and even after he would be. He wasn't one to go back on his promises.