Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist. All rights belong to their respective owners.

Part 4

It's always intrigued Ed how he could make out bits of information through the haze. This time, he noted a bit of significant information. Though his eyes remained closed, he strained his ears to hear the muted voices of the nurses nearby.

"Did you hear? Apparently, they're sending a Colonel!"

"Well, what for? It's not like there's much to see out here… and why would the military suddenly take such an interest?" The second nurse's voice sounded bitter at the prospect of having the military's dogs around.

"Well, that's what I wondered! And the Flame Alchemist no less! I wonder if he's just coming out here to get rid of this town. I really can't think of any reason they'd have to do anything. After all, I'd say we're doing a pretty good job of dying out all on our own…" The nurse didn't try to hide the sarcasm in her voice.

Ed strained to hear more, but some violent coughing from the bed a few down from his own interrupted their conversation. Ed opened his eyes, tired as he was, and forced himself to sit up. His breathing was labored, and his chest felt pinched tight. However, this wasn't what caused his distress.

Ed was desperately trying to make sense of what he'd just heard; surely he wasn't sick enough to become delusional, was he? However, if he wasn't just imaging it, then it meant the Colonel would be there to check up on him. He froze in shock at the idea.

No. No way! There's NO CHANCE I'm gonna let that jerk see me here…

Determined now, Ed pulled himself up and grasped the bed for support. Carefully, he put his feet on the ground and tried to stand…

"Hey! You're not supposed to be moving around!" One of the nurses from earlier exclaimed with a worried look. Hurrying over, she tried to convince Edward to get back into bed, but he merely shrugged her off.

"I'm bored… I wanna get out of here." He felt bad about lying, but he really didn't feel like telling them he was the Fullmetal Alchemist; it would only arouse more suspicion. He hadn't told anyone, as per his orders, and thought it best. Last time, he and his brother hadn't been given the best reception… he was lucky no one seemed to recognize him.

"Well, you're not going anywhere right now! Besides, it's late and you need rest. If you like, I can set up a way for you to go outside tomorrow. How's that?" The nurse sounded incredibly like Winry as she scolded Edward.

Grinning slightly at the thought, Ed nodded, realizing he couldn't argue unless he wanted them to get suspicious.

"Can I have my stuff back, then? I'd like my clothes and my coat…"

"Sure thing, sweetie…" The nurse gently guided him back to bed, holding him up as he suddenly stopped for a coughing fit. Calmly, she drew out a handkerchief as she watched the small boy cough blood into it. As soon as he finished, she tucked him in, only just resisting a sudden urge to give him a peck on the cheek. She watched as he rolled over and sighed in exhaustion.

Checking the clock, she stepped out of the room, now emptier with all the recent deaths, and shut the door quietly. She went to sit at a nearby table, where some other tired-looking nurses were discussing the illness currently on their hands.

Absently, the nurse, Clara, traced her finger along the rim of her cup as she considered the blond alchemist. He must have forgotten her already, because he never showed any signs of recognition. Either that, or he was very good at hiding things. She wouldn't be surprised, seeing as how he so effectively beat her in Aquroya. A small smile graced her lips, remembering her stunts, but was quickly erased by the thought of the now sunken city. Such a beautiful place…

She meditated on how she'd come to Xenotime, mainly seeking a new nursing job, but partially hoping to find Edward. She knew it was a slim chance, and so she was pleasantly surprised to hear he was back in town. Of course, she'd only known it when she saw the little blond head of hair passing through the crowd. Not to mention anyone could hear his short rants from a mile away. Clara suppressed a little giggle, then sighed sadly.

Clara's brow furrowed as she thought of the epidemic… she'd heard rumors about this place, and she was trying to piece together what Ed had found here regarding the Philosopher's stone. She hadn't seen the giant suit of armor following him around, and that too was a mystery. She shook her head, trying to clear her head. She was a bit too tired from lack of sleep; she couldn't think straight.

Instead, Clara's thoughts turned to Edward again, and how sick he'd become… She frowned, hating the thought of such a short-tempered and determined boy looking as he did. She recalled how muscular and fit he'd been when she'd first seen him in Aquroya, as compared to how thin and weak he looked now. She hated it. He was too much of a fighter.

Shaking her head again, Clara tried to redirect her thoughts elsewhere, focusing instead on her gratitude. She was glad to see that the fire in those golden eyes hadn't died down, not yet.

The voices of the other nurses pierced her reverie, and she turned her attention to them.

"What do you think, Clara?"

"Hmm?" Her face reddened a little in embarrassment; she hadn't been listening.

The other nurse's face was understanding. "We were just discussing possible causes for this…" She didn't need to finish.

"Hmm… well, I agree, it is strange. It doesn't seem to be contagious, since none of us have gotten sick, but maybe the key is in the terrible cough they all have. It seems this town had problems with that before."

Another, younger nurse spoke up. "Yeah, I'd heard that too. I wonder what caused it… or if it's even the same thing!"

"Yeah…" Clara tuned out again, and turned her head to stare at the closed door, behind which all their patients lay.

The question is… why is Edward the only one coughing blood…?