I'm back from the dead, again! I'm sorry I've been away so long but I've just had so much happen in my life in the past few years. I won't get into it since I don't really want to ramble on about it.

My New Years resolution is to finally finish this story. This story has been out for 8 years now and it's been without an update for close to 3 years. I'm so sorry I've neglected this story for so long.

Anyway, here is the long awaited chapter! I don't know how many chapters this story will end up being, though with my estimations the story hasn't really reached halfway yet. I'll start working on the next chapter as soon as possible though!

I really, REALLY, want to thank you all for following this story for so long. You guys have the patience of saints and I really appreciate it. I read every comment and every follow or fav. I love hearing from you guys and I appreciate every fav, follow, and comment. You guys are awesome and I hope I don't disappoint with this story!

Thank you all so much for everything and I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 8

The colonel awoke to the sound of bird song, a gentle background noise that beckoned him into the depths of sleep. He was never known for waking up early any way. Though, as he attempted to go back to sleep, he was alerted by the quiet sounds of two people having a conversation. They spoke in hushed voices, unaware that Mustang was already awake. As he began to awaken more he was able to make out who were talking and the general subject of the conversation.

"And remember that one time teacher caught us looking at the books she kept in her nightstand?" Al asked in a hushed tone, followed by a raspy laugh.

"Of course! It's not our fault that we thought they'd be alchemy books instead of romance novels! I mean, who would have thought she'd be into them anyway?" Ed's voice was light and full of humor; he seemed to be in much better spirits compared to the day before.

"I thought we were going to be killed for sure! Thank goodness she was in a good mood that day and only let us off with a lecture!" Both boys laughed quietly at the memory, even Mustang smirked at the thought of two young boys rummaging through their teacher's nightstand. Good thing she only had books in it.

The colonel slowly sat up from his slouched position in his chair. He had fallen right back to sleep as soon as Al returned from talking with a nurse. His back felt stiff as he straightened up, suppressing an annoyed groan. He opened his eyes slowly, adjusting to the morning light.

Al sat with his back to him, his bulky form almost hiding his brother from sight. Ed was sitting up in his bed, pillows tucked behind him to help keep him from falling back too far on the bed. He was still wearing his oxygen mask and an IV was still connected to the back of his hand. Mustang thought he seemed paler than normal, but he chalked it up to the morning light that was shining on him from the window across from him.

"Remember how she'd wake us up in the morning if we slept in too late? I'm surprised none of her pans had huge dents in them!" Al laughed in response as Ed continued on. "Though maybe she got the dents out when she hit them again the next morning."

It was good to see the two boys in good spirits, Mustang mused. The day before had been so somber, maybe some good sleep was all Ed had needed to lift his mood. Though as Ed broke into a small coughing fit he was reminded of how injured the boy really was.

"You've been coughing a lot this morning brother, should I go get a nurse to come in and check on you?" Al's worried tone unnerved the colonel, he couldn't remember if Ed had been coughing the day before. But with how stressful yesterday had been he trusted Al's memory over his own rattled mind.

"I'm fine Al," Ed spoke through another rasping cough, "It's probably just a little cough I picked up."

"Okay, but if it keeps up I'll tell a nurse." Ed let out a frustrated breath but didn't pursue the issue further.

Mustang stretched out his arms in front of him, hoping to ease the stiffness that had taken a hold of his neck and back. He heard and audible crack and let out a small breath of satisfaction.

"Good morning col- I mean, Mustang." Al's voice made him jump a little, he hadn't' realized that the noise from his back had been so loud.

"Good morning you two," Mustang said quickly, "Don't mind me, I'm still waking up. It's good to see you two are feeling better than yesterday."

"They came in a little earlier and gave brother some medicine to ease his pain. Though I am worried about his coughing, it's good to see him feeling better." Al looked fondly at his brother as he spoke. "I think those pain killers make him talkative though."

Mustang let out a small laugh at that, watching as Ed pulled a stubborn face. "How are you feeling now Edward?"

"I'm feeling a little better, but everything still aches and my chest feels heavy." He frowned a little as he placed his automail hand on his chest, letting out a small cough.

"It's probably from your punctured lung, I'm sure you'll feel better soon." Mustang tried to reassure Ed. He exchanged a glance with Alphonse, seeing in his soulful eyes that he was worried as well.

"I'll be fine; the two of you worry too much." Ed said with a small shrug. "It almost reminds me of that time I caught a cold after we trained with our teacher. She wouldn't let it go and made me stay in bed the rest of the week!"

"But brother," Al said with some confusion in his voice, "I thought she made you go to the doctor that day. You freaked out over the shot he gave you and teacher had to hold you down."

Edward's eyes widened with a mix of disbelief and confusion. "That couldn't have been what happened," he said quickly, "I would have remembered that for sure."

"The doctors did say you would have some memory loss from the concussion. You probably just can't remember it right now." Al said gently, but Ed didn't seem to hear him.

He stared off into space for a moment before speaking. "What else have I forgotten?"

"Don't dwell on it too much brother, you just seem to be forgetting the details of an older memory. I might actually be wrong about it too." Al spoke slowly and calmly as he reached out a hand to rest it on his brother's shoulder.

Edward jerked away, eyes widening with distress. "But I've forgotten other things, like how I ended up here in the first place. Why can't I remember that?" Mustang quickly stood up, rushing to the injured boy's side. He cast a sidelong glance at Al, this wasn't good. If the boy knew the answer he most likely wouldn't be able to handle it with his weakened mind.

"Calm down Edward," The colonel spoke gently, keeping his hands by his sides as to not overwhelm him. "The memory doesn't matter, just focus on what's happening in the present instead."

"Mustang is right brother," Al said in a soothing voice as he cast a thankful look towards the colonel. "There's no need to worry about it."

But Edward seemed to ignore both of them; his eyes were gazing at the window across from him as though he could actually see it. "There was a girl, she needed help. Then I was chasing after someone…"

"Edward, just forget about it. You don't need to remember what happened." Mustang held Ed's hand with his own and the boy didn't resist the contact. He stared ahead as a horrified look crossed his face.

"Then I slipped, he pushed me over the edge…All those nightmares are true…" He whispered in fear, his eyes widening until they seemed they would pop out of the sockets.

"Edward, calm down, there's-"The colonel was cut off as the boy began to shake violently, his breathing becoming more and more erratic and strained.

"I can remember the way he looked at me. I can see his face, the eyes, the smile he had." Edward's head began to dart back and forth as he spoke. "He's here, I can feel it, he's here somewhere."

"Brother he's not here; it's just Mustang and I!" Al cried out in a desperate attempt to calm his brother. But the colonel knew Ed wasn't really there at the moment. He had seen many a soldier break down on the field of battle and knew the boy was lost in the traumatic experience.

"How do you know he isn't? I can't see anything, it's all dark!" Ed let out a strangled cry, his lungs seeming to give out before his scream even began.

"Brother, please…"Al's voice broke as he placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. This time he wasn't pushed away, Ed seemed to be exhausting himself.

"He's going to finish me off, he wants me dead and he's going to kill me." Ed's voice was weak and raspy, his eyelids twitching as he tried to keep them open.

"Edward, just try to breath. Everything is okay." But Mustang knew it was futile to calm the boy. His eyes had already closed and he went limp, his head lolled back against his pillows.

The colonel looked towards Al, who still had his hand on his brother's shoulder. "Here, let's lean him back, I think he's passed out from the shock."

Al gently pushed his brother back into his pillows, letting him lay down properly. As Mustang reached past Edward's head, to rearrange a pillow, he brushed against his forehead. He almost recoiled at the heat radiating from the boy, not knowing if he had a true fever or if he had almost literally burnt himself out from the fit.

"Al, go get a nurse and tell them what just happened. He's burning up too." The armored boy didn't hesitate as he rushed from the room, leaving the colonel alone with Ed. He looked down at the unconscious boy before him, hoping that he would make it through this, both mentally and physically.