November 14th, 1958
Alphonse wolfed down breakfast the next morning. He was anxious to get back to Elicia but he suspected he was rushing things when he felt like Edward was dawdling over a meal. Roy and Riza left with Groves to go over to the government district to see what was going on with the situation on that end. "Are we ready yet?" Al asked impatiently.
"We'll get there," Winry replied calmly as Ed helped her with her coat. "Visiting hours will just be starting when we arrive anyway," she pointed out.
They all got into coats and went over to the hospital. The doctor - Bure Al finally registered his name - was waiting for them. ::She is awake,:: he said to Al. ::The fever broke early this morning. She is drinking and eating on her own.::
::That's good news!:: Al felt his heart lift. That was much better than last night. Surely she would remember him this morning, right?
::She is nervous around men,:: Doctor Bure continued. ::I've had female nurses caring for her. Still, she has asked for you.::
Al didn't respond, pushing past and heading into Elicia's room without further prompting. Elicia wanted him!
Elicia was sitting up in the bed, the remains of breakfast on the tray on the table beside. As he entered, she jumped slightly at the sudden movement before recognition lit in her eyes. "Alphonse..." she whispered softly. Tears budded in her eyes.
Had he done something wrong? She didn't seem afraid of him this morning, so Al kept moving forward. "Elicia, love, I'm here." He reached for her open-armed, hoping she would not panic the way she had last night.
She didn't. Tears started to run down her cheeks as she held out her own arms. "Oh, Al!" she sobbed and as he sat down she fell against him, crying her heart out again.
Al clutched her tightly; grateful that at least this time it was him in whom she sought comfort. "It's all right," he whispered. "I love you."
She did not reply immediately but continued to sob, her arms tightly around his chest.
::She will likely be emotional for some time,:: the doctor commented softly as he came in after Al.
Al understood that. He expected it. No one went through something so traumatic without emotional damage. ::I know.::
Several minutes later, Elicia seemed to have cried herself out for the time being. She sat up, looking tearfully up at Al and then gasped, her hand going to her head. "I, oh... don't look!" she looked away. "Please don't look. I..."
"Elicia," Al gently took her chin with his fingers and turned her back to face him. "It's all right. Your hair will grow back. You look fine. To me you always look beautiful."
"You really are blind," Elicia sighed, but a tiny smile twitched at the corner of her mouth. "It's awful."
"Nah," Al shook his head, smirking. "You have a pretty head."
"Oh, Alphonse," she clung to him again, not crying this time. At least, not as much. "It was so horrible! He... he lied! He said Winry and Riza were dead! Then he wanted to make... make me into a chimera! And when I tried to argue he..." she broke off again, tears falling.
"I know," Al forced the words through a throat tight with anguish. "I'll get him for this, Elicia. I promise you he'll be sorry Very sorry."
"Stay with me," she replied tremulously. "Just stay. I need you."
"I'm not going anywhere right now," Al assured her.
For a time they sat in silence and eventually she seemed to drift off to sleep against his shoulder. ::Is she still under sedative?:: Al asked the doctor, concerned.
::It wore off this morning,:: Bure shook his head. ::She is exhausted and her body continues to heal, from wounds, from illness, hunger, and fighting the chemicals in her system. Give her time.::
As if he had a choice. ::As much as she needs,:: he replied, as much to himself as to the doctor. While she looked like she was recovering well, the specter of the alchemical compounds within - what they could still possibly do - worried Al more than he dared to voice. Illness healed, wounds healed, it was that...that and her spirit that concerned him most.
Elicia slept for most of the day but Alphonse never left her side. Edward and Winry let him be for the most part, though Ed talked with the doctor again more than once about the possible dangers of the alchemy used on Elicia and methods for removing it. Ed would have preferred alchemy, but there wasn't an alchemist anywhere nearby with the knowledge or ability to neutralize the compounds without possibly killing Elicia. That was a risk Ed was not willing to take.
"I wonder how Roy and Riza are doing," Winry commented as they sat in the hospital cafeteria with Tore a little later, eating. Al had declined to join them though Ed planned to take food back up to his brother after.
"I hope they've got a whole battalion ready to go and get those guys," Tore commented ferociously around a mouthful of sandwich.
"I don't think we'll be that lucky," Ed admitted, much as he hated the truth of the statement. "The government brought us up here to try and find a way to bridge the gap between the alchemists and the military and people in Drachma, and all we may have succeeded in doing is cracking open a wider chasm."
Tore's triumphantly warlike expression sobered. "Oh...yeah. I hadn't thought of that."
"We need to work on your grasp of politics," Ed commented, taking a big bite of his own sandwich. "Remind me to add that to the regular lessons."
Tore groaned and rolled his eyes, but he nodded too. "You won't forget even if I don't," he pointed out.
"That's true," Ed smirked.
After lunch they took food back up to Al then settled into the waiting room again. Elicia was still sleeping but every now and then she cried out. Ed didn't have to guess to be sure she was having nightmares.
In the late afternoon, Roy and Riza rejoined them. Riza looked quietly speculative and irritated. Roy was downright pissed off. Very soon, Ed understood why.
"What do you mean they're doing nothing?" Ed stared at Roy in disbelief.
Roy snorted and shrugged cavalierly, but Ed knew it was show. "The government of Drachma has no plans to move against the alchemists hiding in mountains. Winry, Riza, and Elicia were rescued unharmed..."
"You call that unharmed?" Ed pointed in the direction of Elicia's room.
"They did not me!" Roy objected, holding both hands up in the air in front of him. "The girls are alive. As far as they're concerned it was a political kidnapping, thwarted, and there's nothing else to be done about it."
"They said that?" Winry gasped, horrified.
"Not in so many words," Riza replied, sighing. "They say they will investigate the matter further to be certain that such kidnappings do not happen again by putting out more police, and apologize to us and the government of Amestris for the incident."
"All more police will do is catch the kidnappers," Ed grumbled, glowering. What good was that? The alchemists could always hire more lackeys to hunt down poor citizens for their experiments. "That doesn't even touch the alchemists."
"That's what I said," Roy nodded. "They still think they can find a way to make peace. Or at least, they're afraid to shake things up in the open with the alchemists too much. They're a bunch of spineless cowards."
"We don't have to agree with their decisions, Roy," Riza frowned at her husband.
Ed leaned against the wall, looking down at his own crossed arms as he pondered the situation. "We don't have to abide by them either."
"I don't like that tone, Edward," Winry's sharp response held a warning. "What are you planning?"
Ed looked up. Good, they were still alone in the small waiting room for this floor. "Just because they're not planning to do anything about it doesn't mean that we can't."
"But you saw what happened with just us," Winry objected immediately. "What's going to be different?"
Ed met Winry's expression with a cool, hard one of his own. "This time...we know there are no living innocents inside we can save. Those cells were empty. Those chimeras are beyond saving. It's full of alchemists doing atrocious things with alchemy and thugs who don't care who they work for. They're terrifying the people in the area. For the people, we take them out."
"And get a little revenge on the way?" Roy smirked.
"Justice, revenge, call it what you like," Ed shrugged. He was good with either at the moment. They needed to be dealt with and there were so many good reasons they could pick as they wanted. "And who better to deal with alchemists who can't follow simple laws of human decency than us?"
"The three of us will handle them easily," Roy agreed.
"Four," Tore replied, butting in, his expression grim. "They turned my uncle into a monster. I don't know if they did anything to my mother, but they've hurt a lot of people."
Ed nodded. "Three," he repeated softly. "Al's not going with us."
"Why not?" Roy looked startled. "We could use him."
Ed met his friend's eye with an even gaze. He hated to do this. For the moment he didn't answer Roy's question. "Three alchemists and Winry," he added, looking over at his wife. "Who better to mess with their equipment and engineering?"
"What do you want me to do?" Riza asked curiously. At least she didn't question his authority on this mission, or that he might have a good plan. That was good. Given her ankle was still sore - worse after all the running and rescue - Ed wanted her to stay put. He was sure Roy would agree.
"I don't care if you have to get him drunk off his gourd or shoot him in the leg... keep Al here. He's in no shape for this," Ed replied, answering both Mustangs' questions at once.
Riza's next statement hit its mark perfectly. "He's at least as fit for this mission as you are, Edward." Ed was ready for her though.
"Not up here," Ed tapped his temple with one finger. "I've see Alphonse truly angry a handful of times, but never like this. He's not thinking with his head right now."
"And you are?"
Ed grinned; aware he probably looked a little maniacal. "I do my best fighting when I'm pissed."
"Don't you think it would be easier to keep him here if he was the only one to watch out for Elicia?" Riza suggested. "If I stay, he'll know there's someone else and he may run off anyway. I'm not going to shoot him."
She had a point there too. Still... "I don't think Al will think of that," Ed shook his head. "At least, not enough to leave Elicia alone, even for a few days."
"Do you really expect this to remain a secret?" Roy asked skeptically.
"It better, Mustang," Ed looked him in the eye. "He's got enough on his mind. Better we're gone before he knows what's happening. We'll leave early in the morning." He paused, looking around. "Unless you're going to argue with me about this while those bastards run free and have time to fix things up and make contingency plans."
There was a moment of open mouths that closed again and Ed felt a small twinge of satisfaction as Roy, Winry, and Riza all nodded. Tore looked downright eager.
"It's more expedient than arguing with the government," Winry agreed softly after a moment.
"Better to ask forgiveness later," Roy smirked. "Though Breda's going to have our heads when he gets a full report of the mess of things up here."
Breda..... "Has anybody talked to Central since this mess started?" Ed looked sharply at Roy and Riza.
Roy shrugged. "Your mission, Fullmetal."
Ed stifled the groan in his head. "I'll give him a call when we get back. Groves probably has, but if the publicity is even a quarter of what we got up here the last few days than HQ's got to be in a frenzy."
That turned out to be an accurate assessment. The Amestrians stayed at the hospital until visiting hours ended and then returned to the Embassy house for dinner. Al was so wrapped up thinking about Elicia that preparing for the next day's mission was almost heartbreakingly easy. After dinner Al vanished upstairs to his room and there was no difficulty in preparing. Roy explained the situation to Groves, who understood and promised not to breathe a word, but quietly arranged for them to take an available vehicle which would easily carry the four people going. Food was prepared for days of travel, money located for gas and other supplies, anything Roy and Riza decided they might need. Or Winry, who was clearly thinking of ways to destroy the lab without killing everyone inside. Tore vacated up to his own room and stayed out of the way.
Amidst the shuffle, Ed used the phone and dialed Breda's house directly. It was after dinner in Central too, so he was pretty sure that was the best place to catch him.
"Hello? Breda residence. This is Charisa speaking," a lovely polite voice came over the line.
"Hey kiddo," Ed replied, trying not to sound too tense about the conversation to come. "It's Fullmetal. Is your Dad there?"
From the momentary pause, Ed could tell she was surprised by the call. "Yes, Sir. He's here. Just a moment and I'll get him."
Ed tried not to chuckle at the reflexive Sir with the clearly military inflection. He waited and was rewarded barely seconds later with a breathless "Ed? Is that you? What the hell is going on in Drachma?!"
Ed couldn't help but chuckle briefly. "Well there's a fine welcome." He sighed. Time to get back to business. "We had a little...complication."
"A little complication," irony and sarcasm dripped in Breda's tone. "The girls were kidnapped! I take it you calling means that's no longer the case?"
"If they were, I wouldn't be wasting the time chatting," Ed confirmed. "Not that Riza and Winry needed our help. They got free on their own and we picked them up in the middle of the night in a snow storm."
"And Elicia?" Breda asked the question Ed had left him open for.
Ed sighed. "We had to break into an alchemist's lab to save her. They tried to make her into a chimera."
The righteous anger on the other end of the phone was evident; the same anger that everyone who knew Elicia apparently felt, whether they thought of her as Hughes's little girl or Al's wife; friend, family, anything. That such a thing would be done to Elicia of all people was enough to make any man mad. "What the hell? I thought the government was trying to work things out with the alchemists up there?"
"Well apparently no one's told the alchemists," Ed snorted. "That or they just don't care. The head of the lab, Tamirov's his name, seems to be the monster behind the madness. Groves and Roy and Riza spent the day sitting in on the government session. I'm sure things will be sorted out soon."
"They had better be," Breda replied gruffly. "Just don't start a war, Ed."
"Oh come on," Ed smirked into the phone. "I have no intention of starting a war with Drachma." Now, their alchemists on the other hand....
Breda knew him too well; knew all of them. "Don't get yourselves killed and don't tell me what you're planning. I'd like at least some plausible deniability the next time I have to deal with diplomatic relations."
"Yes, Sir," Ed replied, knowing without hearing the exact words what to read between Breda's lines. Breda knew that there was no way he couldn't expect Roy, Al, and Ed to deal with alchemists performing taboo transmutations. Making chimeras out of people might not be forbidden in Drachma, but that wasn't a government taboo; just one of conscience. "Anything else you want to know? I'm going to be out of communications for a few days."
"Not right now, though I think I already dread reading the report when you get back," Breda sighed. "I'm glad the girls are all right; the rest of you guys too. This is going to be a hell of a story isn't it?"
"Provide dinner and I'll give you one hell of a storytelling performance later," Ed promised.
"Done," Breda snorted a laugh. "Good night, Ed."
"Well that was vague," Roy commented from behind Ed as he put down the receiver.
"The less they know until we're done the better," Ed replied, turning to face him. "Besides, I want a few words with our hosts when this is taken care of, and afterwards I'm not sure Breda will ever allow me to step foot out of Amestris again."
"Not with your running record," Roy sighed. "They wanted our advice on alchemists. They sure weren't listening today."
"You and Riza told them everything we saw in there right?" Ed asked as they moved into the living room.
Roy nodded. "Riza told them about the chimeras, the transmuted humans, the cells, equipment, everything."
"What I don't get," Ed dropped down on the couch as he thought, "Is where they managed to get it all. We've heard reports of people being kidnapped, but not of anything being stolen for supplies. They seemed awfully well equipped for alchemists who complain about lack of funding and supplies."
"Theorizing about conspiracies now are we?" Roy snorted, taking the easy chair.
Ed shrugged. "Well what's your suggestion?" If Roy had any better theories he'd love to hear them.
"Could be backers in a private sector," Roy shrugged. "The government isn't the only one with money. Hell, in Drachma it looks like all the real money's in the old wealth."
After the dinner - which now seemed an eternity ago - Ed had to agree that Roy's idea made more sense. "Still, I plan on having a little chat with Elkhov when we get back. If he thinks just because he loaned us a truck and two soldiers that's enough to throw at the problem he's got another thing coming."
"As long as it's not your fist in his face," Roy smirked. He still didn't look pleased either though. "We'll deal with him after we deal with Tamirov."
"How many other alchemists do you think there are?" Ed asked, crossing his arms behind his head.
"Other than Tamirov, only two or three," Roy replied thoughtfully. "We killed two outright on the first raid. There were a couple of others out there with him, but I think they're substandard. They weren't very skilled and I think he's only taught them so much to keep them from being more powerful than he is."
"Figures," Ed snorted. "Good for us though." That would make them much easier to deal with. Tamirov was the one that worried him.
He and Roy went back and forth for a while on their observations of the laboratory and the best way to deal with destroying it. With Winry and Tore messing with the electrical system and gas-lines, and Roy's flames in conjunction, destroying the building wouldn't be too difficult. But Ed wanted to get some answers out of Tamirov first, and that meant a confrontation. Blowing him up without getting information would be a complete waste of an opportunity.
"I think that's about all we're going to get out of this," Roy yawned. "We're worrying it like an old bone at this point."
Ed nodded, yawning himself, and sat up. "I should head upstairs and get ready. Morning's going to come all too soon." Given the plan was to leave at four, very early indeed.
Tore was lying on his back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling of his room when he heard a soft knock on the door. "Come in," He called out. Whoever it was would have a good reason, and it wasn't like he had the authority to really order anyone around here out.
"Mind if I come in?" It was Fullmetal who poked his head in the door.
Tore sighed and shrugged. "No. Any particular reason?" His head felt stuffed full the last few days as he tried to absorb everything he had seen, heard, and experienced. The quiet was kind of soothing.
Fullmetal crossed the room and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Just wanted to make sure you were ready for tomorrow." From his tone, Tore understood that he meant more than if Tore had packed enough warm clothes and supplies, or done his homework he hadn't touched since the women were kidnapped. Tore had actually tried, but hadn't gotten very far. There was just too much buzzing around his mind.
"As ready as I can be," Tore admitted, smirking. "Tamirov makes me sick. I can't wait to kick his ass for what he did to my uncle." He hoped Fullmetal couldn't tell how nervous he was.
"We all want to kick his ass for our own reasons," the older alchemist replied with a matching smirk. "I just need to know you've got your head on straight and you can handle the stress."
Well that was straight forward. "You think I can't handle it?" Tore asked, scowling.
"Did I say that?" Fullmetal rolled his eyes. "I'm asking you if you can handle it. There's no shame in staying out of a mission that's over your head. I think it's well within your abilities, but I know how tough it is to deal with some of this stuff."
"What a pep talk," Tore sat up, legs crossed in front of him. He might as well be honest. "I've had nightmares about my uncle," He admitted with a shrug. "But who wouldn't right? I didn't freeze up then and I'm not going to now. We're gonna put those chimeras out of their misery and deal with the alchemists. I don't want to miss out on that no matter how creeped out I get."
Apparently that was the answer Fullmetal was hoping for. He smiled. "Good cause this is probably going to turn into a fight at some point."
Tore grinned. "Bring it! I'm tired of just sparring with you and True Soul and Ethan when he's around."
"Don't get too psyched up yet," Fullmetal chuckled, standing again. "We've got a few days before anything really happens. We have to get back there first. So try and sleep. You're going to need it."
When he was gone, Tore lay back down and tried to get comfortable. He felt a little better after the discussion. Much as he hated admitting it, he got comfort from knowing that his Teacher really did care, and that Tore wasn't the only one shaken up by dealing with things like chimeras. His uncle's eyes in that mangled creature's face gave Tore shudders and nightmares. The worst part though, was wondering just what had been done to his mother, or if they had been separated. Tore was almost sure now that his mother was dead, but the mystery remained; when, how? He wouldn't grieve until he knew for sure.... He wouldn't cry until he knew.
Roy found it easier not to plan to sleep. Over the years he had learned that this was the best way to get himself relaxed enough that he might actually do so the night before a critical mission or battle. This evening he hoped the old trick would work like it was supposed to. Once he and Riza were packed, Roy swept his wife gallantly and playfully into bed and - careful of her ankle - lost himself in the only pastime that ever gave him true pleasure outside of and above alchemy. Time with Riza was sweet and playful, yet excitingly satisfying.
"You're less...ferocious, than usual tonight," Riza teased later as they lay under untangled sheets.
"I don't need to be when you let me catch you so willingly," Roy chuckled; a tired, satisfied sound that faded quickly. "Besides, if I want violence and action I'll be getting enough in a few days. Not everything we do should be like that."
"Indeed not," Riza agreed softly, as if she sensed his shifting mood. "Be careful, Roy."
"I'll try," he promised, and it wasn't empty. He would try, but in these situations he knew that it might do no good. "I have every intention of coming back to you in a few days."
"Good, then don't die," Riza's lips quirked into a small grin. "I'd rather you come back to me alive and intact." The playfulness was appreciated; it was just what he needed tonight.
"My dear lady," Roy nuzzled her neck, too tired for more, damn it. "That is one thing you will never have to worry about."
Alphonse had no interest in what anyone else was up to tonight. He heard Roy and Riza on the other side of his wall - quiet as it was the place wasn't sound proof - but barely registered the sound. All it did was make him lonely and acutely aware that Elicia was not at his side but alone in that cold, sterile hospital room.
Even a full stomach was no consolation for an empty bed, an anguished heart, and a head full of thoughts and emotions and worries so wrapped up in each other he thought his head might explode. Al closed his eyes and tried to sleep, but every time he did he saw Elicia as he had when they first found her again, or just yesterday when she leapt away from him screaming in panic.
It helped that she knew him today; had sought his comfort. Still, he could only barely fathom how deeply she was hurting inside. They knew only the barest details of what had been done to her. Elicia refused to talk about it further. Questions led to bouts of sobbing that distressed Al, but the doctor seemed to find unremarkable and unproblematic. He said it was normal; typical.
If this was normal than Al definitely had no interest in seeing what abnormal cases entailed! He just wanted his wife to be all right; to heal physically and mentally and to be with him again. This wonderful vacation had become a nightmare he could see little way out of other than the hard, long road he knew was coming. It had been bad enough with Ed, and some of the other alchemists, and even Jean Havoc, when they had been captured, tortured for months, but not broken. Even Ed, who had been treated the worst, had not broken.
Elicia... Elicia was not that tough. As strong as her spirit was, Al had never had any illusions that his wife was a warrior. She was smart, funny, clever, and not afraid of anything that existed within their sphere of life in Central.
Nothing could have ever prepared her for this. Now, Al couldn't help but wonder if that was partially his fault. Not the attack - much as he wished he had been there - or what had been done - they could not have arrived sooner - but in preparing Elicia for the world beyond the safety of Amestris. Even Hughes's death was nothing more than a memory for her.
Was there anything Al could have done to give her a better chance? He did not know. Now, he feared most only two things. The first was that the compounds in Elicia's body might still somehow be able to change her before they could find an alchemist skilled enough to neutralize them. The second was that she might not ever be his Elicia again.
That thought left Al in knots; head, heart, stomach, muscles.... everything seemed tied in tangles and wrapped in undecipherable patterns, strangling him.
Yet from sheer exhaustion sleep came, bringing with it dreams that were often unpleasant, but not enough so to wake him.
Edward had just as much trouble falling asleep, though for entirely different reasons. He had lied before, plenty of times. He'd been a sneak, a thief, a cheat, and in those instances it had never actually bothered him. This however, was not quite the same thing.
"Your ears are spitting smoke," Winry commented sleepily, looking up from her usual spot in his arms. "Trouble sleeping?"
Ed sighed. "Some. I'm sorry, did I wake you?"
"Yes you were thinking that loudly," Winry smirked. "You keep fidgeting."
"I'll try and hold still," Ed promised, hoping she would slip back to sleep. He had no idea how she fell asleep so much more easily than he did. Probably from years of having to get up multiple times during the night to deal with children or patients - usually him.
"Something's bothering you," Winry didn't let his lack of a reason stop her. "What's wrong?"
"You're too damned observant, that's what," Ed tried to play it off lightly, but he knew it was too late. "I just.... I hope Alphonse forgives me for this someday," Ed sighed.
"Ah, guilt," Winry gave him a squeeze. "Are you rethinking bringing him along?"
"No," Ed shook his head. "Al should be here with Elicia. You've seen him. His mind's not on anything else right now and she's so shaken up she needs him." Seeing Elicia quiver like a rabbit and panic so easily was painful, far from the spunky young woman, the confident adult, he was familiar with. "I really don't think he's thinking straight right now. You know how he gets when he gets really emotional." Ed still remembered Al's reaction when he thought Ed had lied to him about his memories all those years ago. More recently he remembered Al's reaction to having to blow the tunnels in Aerugo with innocents inside. His brother was more sensitive than a lot of guys. "Am I over-reacting?" he asked Winry. That was what really worried him.
Winry did not respond immediately, thinking things over and clearly considering Al's personality and the situation for herself. "No," she finally shook her head. "I don't. Elicia needs him more than the mission does, but he's probably going to be mad that we didn't tell him."
"Do you think he'd insist on coming?" Ed was sure of it, but he valued Winry's opinions. Often she was better at reading people than he was.
"He'd certainly try," Winry nodded, her hair sliding in silky strands against his skin. "He's going to be upset."
"He wants to go after them as badly as, or worse, than we do." It was bad enough that Ed had had to tackle him in the hospital when Al found out what they had done to Elicia. He didn't think Al was thinking any more clearly about the situation now. "I'm afraid he'd do something stupid."
"The decision is made," Winry pointed out gently. "Roy and Riza agreed to it too. If it were wrong, or we'd misjudged Al's mental state, I think at least one of us would have voiced an objection."
We; they were all in agreement and she put herself beside him in the decision. "You know I love you, right?" Ed asked, kissing her gently.
"I know," Winry chuckled as she closed her eyes and kissed him back. "Though I thought it was more worship the ground you walk on."
Ed smirked. "Dream on, beautiful."
"Only if you do too," Winry smiled. "I love you, too. Now get some sleep."
As they curled up again and Ed closed his eyes, he found that sleep came a little easier this time. He still felt guilty about the mean trick they were pulling on Al, but he did think, eventually, even Al would agree it was the right choice.
