Thanks to all who reviewed, favourited and followed the story. It makes me so happy you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it:)

So, this is the end, but don't be sad; where one story ends, another begins!

Epilogue

"It wasn't your fault," Riza's kind voice cut through the uncomfortable silence. Her hand squeezed the man's hunched shoulder reassuringly. Havoc just sighed.

When he had called everyone into hospital this early in the morning, they had expected something bad. They all knew that they were living a dangerous life, but hearing that their comrades were hurt during a mission wasn't something they could get used to. Every time, they found themselves thinking about what they could have done to prevent this, over and over, although they knew they couldn't undo what had already happened. That was how Havoc felt right now. When he had finally reached the two injured alchemists, they were both unconscious. Terribly pale and embracing each other like they were holding on for their lives. If it weren't for their chests visibly moving with every breath, they could have been dead. For some reason, seeing them so still and silent like that had terrified the lieutenant more than when they were actually in pain.

Havoc wasted no time to get them into hospital. They didn't wake up; the only responses to the blond man were a few murmurs. At least it meant they weren't in deep unconsciousness. He wrapped them both in military blankets he found in the car and took them in. Havoc also noticed that the colonel's wound was redressed. That had to be Ed's doing. He was really grateful to the young alchemist for taking care of his superior when the lieutenant couldn't. Was the cuddling also the kid's idea? It seemed nearly impossible, but Havoc knew very well what was in the boy. He might act like a tough teenager but he still cared deeply about those around him.

The ride back to the town was agonizingly slow. Havoc had nearly damaged the car in his haste to reach his injured comrades, but with them in the car he had to drive more cautiously. He had tried not to shake them too much, but the road just wasn't smooth. Far from it actually. Maybe it had been good that the two were unconscious. When they finally reached the town, it was just matter of minutes to get to the hospital. Then it was up to doctors.

Havoc then called the rest of the team and Alphonse there and filled them in while they were waiting for the colonel and Ed to get treated. When the lieutenant told the others what had happened, he couldn't help but feel at fault. He was the one who had stepped on the transmutation circle. He should've waited for the two alchemists and not tried to uncover it on his own. Havoc was playing out the events of the night all over again trying to find out what he should've done better. Hawkeye obviously saw his misery and tried to calm him down. No good, he wouldn't calm down until he could see Mustang and the kid and hear that they were alright.

They couldn't do anything but wait. At least neither of the two injured was in danger of dying. That made it all much more bearable. They both had to undergo a surgery but they weren't really fighting for their lives. Although just the fact that they were not dying didn't mean that they would be alright. Havoc's reeling mind wouldn't rest until a doctor walked through that damn door and told him that they were okay.

The white sterile room provided no comfort for its occupants. Nobody talked. The stillness and silence reminded Havoc of the sight of his two injured comrades, leaning against the tree in an embrace, unconscious. He tried to get that haunting image out of his mind but there wasn't anything else in the room he could concentrate on, only his worried friends. There were no windows. It had to already be dawn outside but they couldn't tell. Only the clock on the pale wall showed the time passing by.

It was at least another half an hour before the doctor finally came in. From his smile it was obvious he had good news. Everybody was filled with relief.

"You all are here for colonel Roy Mustang and major Edward Elric?" the doctor asked at first, slightly bemused. When he had left to take care of his two patients, there had only been one soldier waiting there.

All occupants of the room nodded, so the doctor continued. "They both got out of the surgery without complications and now are resting. The colonel's left leg is badly broken and his muscles are torn but fortunately none of the damage was too severe. In a few months his leg will be as good as new. Young Elric got out of it a little better, no broken bones."

"No?" Havoc was surprised. "I thought he had broken ribs. He had trouble breathing and moving and such."

"Torn ligaments." Answered the doctor. "And torn muscles as well. That will get you similar troubles as broken ribs. The ligaments that hold the rib to the spine were torn, presumably due to a great pressure. But it's nothing that can't be healed. We sewed the torn muscles and ligaments and gave him a brace to hold it all in place. I'd say two weeks of bed rest and then some rehabilitation and he'll be okay. Beside that he has a great amount of lacerations and bad scratches and bruises, but they're not that severe. We only had to stitch a few of the deepest wounds. Both young Elric and the colonel were also treated for blood loss, exhaustion and dehydration. We expect them to sleep a lot the first few days."

"Can we see them?" Alphonse asked with hope shining in his red eyes. He had to make sure his brother was okay.

"Yes," smiled the doctor. "For a moment. They're still sleeping."

Only then did Havoc finally let himself fully relax. To see his two comrades- although covered in bandages with IVs attached to their arms- sleeping safely and peacefully filled his heart with relief. He had done everything that he could have and now they were all going to be okay.

"Can I turn the page?" Al's soft voice asked.

"Just a moment, Al," Ed answered. He was a little slower with reading in this position.

That morning Edward had been released from hospital, to his immense joy. It was boring to death in there. He was back in his comfy hotel room now, but was still ordered to bed rest. Not that he minded much; even if he could move around without help now, he still hurt a lot. His earlier attempt to read in bed had led to severe back pains and Al had had to take the book from him. Ed finally found a position on his right side where he was more or less comfortable, but there was no way he could hold a book like this. Fortunately his little brother agreed to hold it so that they both could read. His metal body couldn't get tired so he didn't mind sitting a little uncomfortably. Ed had to read while lying on his side, which was a little difficult but he was glad he could read at all.

"Brother, don't you think you should rest?"

"I'm resting!"

"Studying alchemy isn't resting, brother. You should take a nap or something, and not strain your healing muscles."

"I'm not, that's why you're holding the book!"

Al ducked his head a little at his brother's annoyed tone. Ed sighed and his voice softened.

"Hey, Al. I'm okay. I'm sorry for earlier. It doesn't hurt that bad anymore. But I'm bored and it's slowly driving me crazy and I need to read something. I'm not tired enough for a nap anyway."

"Okay," the armored boy mumbled. Then he lifted his head and pinned his brother with his soul-fire eyes. "So are you going to listen to the doctor's orders this time and not try stupid things like sitting in the bed and reading while your back isn't healed yet?"

Edward chuckled. Overprotective little brother. Ed remembered the first time he had woken up in the hospital. Al was there, worrying just as Ed knew he would be, but happy to have his brother back and safe. The teen himself was happy to no end when he heard that both he and Mustang would make a full recovery without any complications. For a moment he was really worried for the colonel, but the man was alright now. Havoc told him the colonel was more or less okay when he found them, partly thanks to the boy. Ed was assured Havoc wouldn't tell anyone about the cuddling, to his relief. The blond soldier actually looked grateful. And when Ed looked at Mustang, the man smiled at him. Really smiled! It was probably the closest to 'thank you' that he'd ever get, but it was enough.

Ed smiled to that memory and looked back into his brother's eyes. They made it out alive. He could still be there for his little brother and continue his mission to get their bodies back. All it would take is a little time and some doctor's orders. The teen wasn't very happy about it, but if it made make his precious little brother happy, he could do it alright.

"Okay, Al. I'll follow the doctor's orders and I promise I won't do stupid things anymore."

"Really, brother?" Al asked enthusiastically.

"Yeah. As long as you're gonna hold the book like that."

Alphonse laughed. "Okay, it's a deal!"

Roy Mustang laid in his bed and read. His broken leg was laid comfortably on a stuffed pillow. He was finally home from the hospital and was looking forward to two months of medical leave. Hawkeye had promised him she would bring his paperwork to his home since he could work alright while his leg was healing, but when she saw how much pain he was still in, his faithful lieutenant decided the paperwork could wait for one or two more weeks.

So Roy enjoyed the free time he got and just rested, since he couldn't do much more. He was glad he was allowed to use crutches to at least get to the bathroom and back to bed. Fullmetal would be back on his feet weeks before him. Not that he'd be jealous, he was actually really happy for the boy. The doctor had told him that with some time and rehabilitation the kid would get a clean bill of health. No permanent damage. Just what they all hoped for.

Two days ago he had been told that his team had managed to find the terrorist group and arrest their leaders, including the alchemist that had tried to kill them. They had beaten the terrorists even without his or Edward's help, and Roy couldn't help but feel proud of his men. Alchemist or not, every man could be killed with a single bullet, and Hawkeye was a damn good sniper.

What made him feel bad though was when he heard that Havoc had been injured during the operation. Shot in the arm. Mustang didn't know if it had something to do with it, but Havoc had been hurt in the cave too. A bruised back sure wasn't a severe injury but it still had to hurt. It could slow the blond soldier or make his movements stiff. In a fight, something like that could lead to injury, or worse. Havoc probably ignored his bruises due to the more serious injuries Edward and Mustang had sustained. Maybe it was silly but Roy felt responsible. It was his man who had gotten hurt after all. Riza reassured him though that it was only a flesh wound and Havoc was enjoying his medical leave with a beautiful woman right now. Mustang had to smile at that. He was sure his lieutenant had made up some nice story about getting hurt while being a hero and that he'd find enough young women willing to listen.

There was the sound of a key in the lock of the main door. Mustang relaxed against the pillow. He could recognize Riza's soft steps on his carpet. She had probably just returned with the groceries. Since he had a broken leg and still couldn't move around much, the simplest things like shopping or basic chores were really difficult for him. That was why his loyal subordinates took shifts and every day he had someone to come and take care of things. Riza had even cooked him some delicious dinners. Roy felt deeply touched. They weren't just his subordinates; they were like a family to him. With Edward and Alphonse counted, they made one really crazy family, but Roy wouldn't replace it for anything.

He thought of Hughes; the man annoyed him with his advice to get himself a wife all the time. Maybe he just wanted for Roy to have a family, someone who'd stand by his side no matter what, until the end. If that was the man's concern, he didn't need to worry anymore.