"Wait a minute," Alphonse Elric said in disbelief as he walked along the corridors of the hospital with Jean Havoc. "Elysia was there! Elysia Hughes? What was she doing there when Edward was shot?"
"I'll let Ed explain that one," Havoc said hoping Al wouldn't pursue the subject anymore.
"What do you mean by that?" Al asked suspiciously. Havoc didn't answer. "What is it that you know about my brother that I don't?"
"Like I said," Havoc said not wanting to bruise the younger brother's ego of knowing more about Edward. "He'll explain."
"He'd better. And what of this man that shot him? What did he have against Ed?"
"He was from Liore," Havoc explained glad to be off the subject of Elysia and Edward. "His mother was a true believer in Cornello and was killed in a clash of protesters who wanted to bring Cornello down. He said if Ed hadn't exposed the church, his mother would still be alive."
"Bastard," Al said under his breath. "Don't people know how to move on with their lives instead of wallowing in their self pity and then blaming others for what they end up doing to themselves?"
"He'll be going on trial tomorrow. I think all of Central wants to lynch the man," Havoc said.
"It's what he deserves," Al said vehemently.
"Are you really Alphonse Elric or an imposter I picked up from the station?" Havoc asked a little surprised by such words of hate. Al had always been the gentler and quieter of the two brothers. Havoc knew Al wasn't weak but he never uttered anything hateful against anyone.
"I know," Al said slightly ashamed of himself. "But to come up on someone and just shoot, without giving them a chance to defend themselves. That's what bothers me. And that he did it to my brother. He's been through enough already. Sometimes I just wish he would retire from the military. He's a target and I'm not prepared to lose him."
Havoc didn't know what to say to Al to comfort him any. He had always known the military was a touchy subject between the two Elrics. Plus he had been feeling guilty that he hadn't been there to keep Edward from being shot. He was supposed to watch Edward's back.
"How is Ed really?" Al asked worriedly. "Should I prepare myself for the worst?"
"No," Havoc said. "There's still the possibility he could develop an infection. He got out of surgery yesterday morning so he won't be able to sit up for awhile. But he seems to be his old self. He was cursing up a storm this morning when the doctor wouldn't give him a straight answer. Ed was trying to get at least his arm back. I hope Elysia was able to get him to calm down."
"Elysia?" Al said. "There's something else going on. Why won't you tell me?"
"Because it's your brother that should be telling you," Havoc replied smiling as they stopped in front of the door to Edward's room. A security officer saluted Havoc as he knocked then opened the door to usher Alphonse in, following after him.
Al was taken aback when he saw Edward lying on the bed with his eyes closed. He was reminded of that day of their failed attempt of human transmutation. The memory was still fresh when he had come to seeing Edward, slumped against the wall, blood everywhere and his brother without an arm and leg. Not wanting to dwell on the past or for Edward to see how worried he was, Al shook off the painful memory and composed himself. He walked up to the side of Edward's bed.
"Hey Ed," Al said quietly, giving his brother a light shake. "I'm here now."
Edward's eyes fluttered open. It took him a few seconds to focus on his brother. When he was able to see his brother clearly, he smiled.
"Hey, little bro," Edward said drowsily.
"How are you feeling?" Al asked.
"Alright, as long as they keep the drugs coming," Edward said laughing a bit.
"Well, I heard you were feeling like your old self earlier today," Al said slightly relieved to hear his brother laugh.
"Yeah," Edward sighed. "That damn Knox. I asked if I could at least get my arm back and he said I'm the doctor and I'll give it back when I'm good and ready," Edward said imitating the older, grouchy man. "Then I told him I was a General and he'd better show me some damn respect and give me a straight answer. Then he stuck a fucking needle in me. So if I fall asleep in the middle of a sentence, it's his fault."
"I think you could use the rest," Al said glad to hear his brother was the same as usual. Though he didn't look it. Edward was ghostly white and incredibly thin. He had always had a lean build but Al noted that he probably hadn't been eating very well before being shot. He thought maybe it was the stress from the last mission but he had never known Edward to let work affect him physically before.
The door to Edward's room opened and Alphonse turned to look. He was surprised to see Elysia enter.
"Oh Al!" Elysia exclaimed coming towards him. "It's so good to see you."
"It's good to see you too," Al said giving Elysia a friendly hug. "I heard you had some Edward Temper Maintenance to handle earlier."
Elysia looked over at Edward who was rolling his eyes and laughed.
"I wasn't that bad," Edward said defending himself.
"True," Elysia said. "He could have gotten worse if Dr. Knox wasn't prepared with a syringe full of morphine."
"I see how it is around here," Edward complained. "No respect for a General when he's helpless."
"Ed, there's a reason Dr. Knox doesn't want you using your automail. You need to listen to him and do as you're told," Al said.
"Are you sure Ed's the oldest?" Havoc piped up grinning. He always got a good laugh listening to the two Elrics go back and forth.
"Why don't you go get some work done?" Edward said turning on Havoc. "Instead of hanging around here like my damn babysitter."
"Ed, I swear you haven't grown up. You're so rude to people. I'm amazed anyone even listens to you," Al sighed.
"They'd better listen if they know what's good for them," Edward said. "Besides, Havoc has no feelings. He likes being insulted."
"True," Havoc agreed smiling. "I'm a loyal dog of the military. Permission to be insulted some more, sir!" He said snapping to attention and saluting Edward.
"Permission granted," Edward said trying to keep a straight face as he returned the salute with his left hand.
"You just encourage him," Al said turning to look at Havoc.
"Because I know it's all bark and no bite," Havoc replied with a wink.
"Fuck that," Edward said starting to feel extremely tired from talking so much. He wanted to talk to his brother some more but he was feeling what little energy had come to him fade away and there was something he wanted to tell him before he went back to sleep. He looked over at Havoc. Havoc seemed to sense what was on his General's mind.
"Hey, Elysia, let's leave the brother's to talk for a bit," Havoc said.
"Sure," Elysia said catching the hint and Havoc escorted her out of the room.
"Elysia," Al said before she left. "Winry's train is coming in later today; perhaps we can pick her up and have dinner later. We can catch up."
"Sure," Elysia said smiling. "That would be nice."
Once Havoc and Elysia left the room Al turned on his brother. "What the hell was Elysia doing with you when you were shot?"
"Long story," Edward sighed. "I'll tell you more. Just not now."
"Is there something between you two?" Al asked already knowing the answer.
"Yeah," Edward said.
"Ed! It's Elysia!" Al exclaimed still not sure if he believed it. "How did it happen?! Don't you think you're a little too old for her?"
"I know! It just happened," Edward explained feeling a little embarrassed about Al mentioning their age difference.
"It's just a little weird, I still think of her as a little girl," Al said thoughtfully.
"I did too, until I saw her when she came back to Central with Gracia," Edward said in his defense.
"Well," Al said patting him on the shoulder. "I'd like to talk with you more but you need your rest."
"Yeah, okay," Edward said drowsily. He could see in Al's eyes that he didn't really believe that Edward's feelings were genuine. He could see the doubt and it hurt Edward to see it in his brother's eyes.
"But one more question," Al said before Edward fell back to sleep. "Is it serious? Do you love her?"
"Yes," Edward said without hesitation hoping he could get Al to understand how he really felt about Elysia. But it was hard; he was weak and didn't have the stamina at the moment to try to do anymore convincing.
"Good," Al replied. "I'm happy for you," he added despite feeling doubtful about the situation.