November 21st, 1958
Alphonse wished he felt more reassured by the fact that the hospital willingly discharged Elicia that morning. She was over being ill as far as that went and there was little remaining to show any physical injury or abuse save for her lack of hair. Still, it was a depressingly traumatic experience getting Elicia downstairs and into the car. It was little consolation that the Drachman government had picked up the medical bill as an apology. Elicia clung tightly to Al's arm the entire time, bundled in her coat and hat, staring nervously at any unfamiliar people, startling at sounds. When they got to the door she froze, standing ram-rod straight and still for five minutes before Al, Winry, and Riza together managed to coax her outside and the short distance to the car.
It was only once they were inside it and had pulled away from the hospital that Elicia seemed to relax at all. It was only mildly better getting her into the house. She seemed to be looking for attackers behind every corner. "It's all right," Al reassured her several times.
Inside, he helped her with her coat, but she insisted on keeping the hat on until they were up in their bedroom. "I think...I'd like to take a bath," Elicia said after a long quiet moment.
"Sure," Al smiled, taking it as a hopeful sign that she wanted to do something other than curl up in bed and hide. "You get ready and I'll draw the bath." He started to head for the door, but Elicia's hand on his arm stopped him. He turned around and saw her hesitant expression. "What's wrong?"
"I... Just wait a minute and I'll come with you," she said, then looked embarrassed. "I'm just kind of...jumpy right now. Please don't leave me alone."
Alone? They were perfectly safe inside the Embassy house and he was just going down the hallway to the bathroom on the same floor. Stifling a sigh, Al smiled patiently and nodded. "Of course. Whatever you want, Honey."
It only took Elicia a few minutes to change and wrap up tight in her bathrobe. The hat never came off her head. They went into the bathroom and Al drew the bath to the temperature he knew Elicia loved, added some scented oil they had, then stepped back as she stepped out of the robe and slid delicately into the water, using his hand as something to balance with. She settled in, then leaned her head back, closed her eyes, and sighed softly. "That...is heavenly," she said then. "I haven't felt truly warm in so long."
"Well you're warm now," Al leaned over and kissed her cheek.
Elicia's eyes popped open wide as she startled slightly. Then her face flushed and she smiled sheepishly. "Sorry I..."
"It's okay," Al reassured her again. He had lost count of how often he had lately but he was getting used to the idea that he would be saying it for quite some time. "You've been through a lot. It's my turn to spoil you, okay?"
Elicia's expression softened and for a moment Al feared she would burst into tears again but she didn't. "Thank you. Will you stay?"
"Of course I will," Al promised with a smile he hoped was reassuring. He did not want her to feel guilty about what had happened. He wanted her to heal, to regain her strength and her confidence. It wasn't her fault, but he knew she blamed herself for not being stronger or more capable, despite how ridiculous that idea was. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be."
Al sat and watched as Elicia began to wash. She turned down his offer of assistance and, while it hurt a little, Al stifled the feeling of rejection. Of course she didn't want to be touched by someone else right now; even if it was him. "Where is everyone?" Elicia asked after a few minutes.
"Winry and Riza are still here somewhere," Al shrugged. "Roy, Ed and Tore went over to the government district to have some words with Elkhov." He didn't say anything else for fear of upsetting her. "We're going home tomorrow," he informed her instead, hoping the good news would make her feel better.
"Tomorrow?" Elicia looked startled. "But what about the mission?"
"That's what Ed and Roy are finishing up," Al replied. Roy had invited Al along, but he had declined so he could be with Elicia. Al found it irritating still that it wasn't Ed who had asked, but he supposed that might just be coincidence, not by design. "We have train tickets to head home in the morning."
He had hoped for a happier expression. Elicia looked scared. "But... but we'll be on the train with all those people I...." she looked away from him then, turning sharply. "Never mind."
Al reached out and took her left hand. "No, I can't. You're hurting. It will be perfectly safe, Elicia, I promise. I'll be there, and Winry and Riza and Roy and Ed and Tore. You'll be protected and we've got a private berth for just you and me. You don't have to leave it if you don't want." Except for restrooms and the like, but that didn't need to be said. He just wanted her to feel like she wasn't going to get attacked again.
"All right," Elicia sighed, looking slowly back at him. "I...I do want to go home. I want to sleep in our bed and be safe in our house and see my Mom, and Alyse and... be safe." A single tear fell from her cheek. "I just wish I didn't feel like such a coward!"
"You're not a coward," Al stroked the hand he held. "You made it back to Petrayevka didn't you? You made it here from the hospital. No one's going to hurt you again. It'll just take a little time for your nerves to settle."
"I know," Elicia agreed though she looked skeptical. "I just hope it doesn't take a very long time. I don't like being like this. I don't like being a burden."
"You're not," Al insisted. "You're never a burden. You're my love, and I'm happy to do anything that makes you feel happy." He smiled weakly. "It was in the wedding vows after all."
Elicia finally squeezed his hand in return. "That it was. Well I guess I can't force you to neglect your duties as a husband... can I?" She joked timidly, but to Al it was already a vast improvement.
"No," his smile got a little bigger. "No you can't."
Edward, Roy, and Tore - who had insisted on coming along - were required to sit and wait for nearly an hour before Elkhov had time to speak with them in his office, and that was an hour past the time Ed had bothered to call and schedule! He was not only angry and frustrated, but a little stir-crazy by the time an aide came out and motioned them inside.
::Well that took long enough,:: Ed growled at Elkhov when the door closed and the three of them were alone with the man. ::You owe us an explanation Elkhov! We came up here because your government asked us to help you come up with a plan that would help mend the rift between alchemists and government up here, encourage working together, and improve the situation. From what I've seen the alchemists around here want nothing of the sort! On top of that, you're letting them get away with kidnapping the destitute and using them for inhumane experiments! So what is this really about? Do you want a way to work with alchemists or to control them?::
Elkhov's expression went from concerned to perplexed to angry by the time Ed was finished. ::Now just a moment!:: he bellowed. Ed wasn't even remotely intimidated, but it was the first time he'd seen Elkhov angry. ::You go too far, Elric,:: he growled. ::At least hear the issues before you go laying accusations like that at our feet!::
::Fine, explain,:: Ed crossed his arms and stood there, waiting. This had better be good!
Elkhov was still glowering and standing behind his desk, looking down at Ed. He did not sit. ::As you may have noticed, the government is of two minds about the alchemists in this country. Myself and Chairman Akhatova are both in favor of a peaceful solution. However, there is a large portion of the conservative old blood that would rather see alchemists wiped out or kicked out of Drachma entirely. This hostility and the general public fear have lent the alchemists mystery as well as ammunition and reason against us. Do you think I like having to placate the people with the wealth and influence to cause another political upheaval if they are too displeased? It hasn't been that long since the old monarchy was overthrown - not in the grand scheme of things. Everything must remain in careful balance or we will throw Drachma back into chaos and destruction. I doubt Amestris wishes an unstable nation on a long neutral border any more than anyone else.:: He looked away from Ed then and glanced at Roy. Ed glanced in the same direction and saw a knowing look in his fellow alchemist's face.
::You have a point," Ed replied begrudgingly. ::But that doesn't explain why you let these kidnappings go on like this, and these alchemists go about experiments that no sane government should allow.:: Theirs had once; it hadn't been sane then.
::We had not located them for more direct negotiations,:: Elkhov replied. ::They hide well in the mountains, as you have discovered, and have turned down any offers to this point. Kidnappings are a matter for the police and they have been on those. Obviously getting back the victims has not been a task feasible once they are out of Petrayevka. You cracked that ring as well, as Mustang reported,:: he nodded in Roy's direction again. ::For that Drachma owes you some gratitude. The kidnappings should stop now. However, your actions beyond that point have enraged a large portion of the government.::
::What should we have done?:: Ed snorted. ::Left our wives in Tamirov's hands? Let Elicia get turned into a chimera or die in the attempt?::
::I mean after that,:: Elkhov retorted sharply. ::The rescue was supplied and staffed with military personnel.::
::Two men,:: Ed sniffed, unimpressed. It had been better than nothing, but far less than they really could have used.
::And a truck we are not asking you to pay for,:: Elkhov smirked humorlessly. ::It was your choosing to go outside of your position as guests of the Drachman military and destroy the alchemical laboratory, attacking Drachman civilians - however crooked - on Drachman soil without the support or approval of the government.::
::Is that what you told Breda?:: Ed asked. ::We weren't acting as Amestrians, Elkhov. We weren't acting as your guests or consultants. In case you have forgotten, Mustang and I - and my brother - are all alchemists. State or otherwise, alchemists are supposed to work for the people, not use them, and who but other alchemists can keep them in check? We saw a threat to the people - and a lot of your people were afraid of Tamirov and his men for very good reasons - and we dealt with it.::
::Tell the old blood and the rest of the government to make that distinction.:: Elkhov clearly disliked where this conversation was going as much as he had their actions. ::You have very likely just set us back months of negotiations, both between government factions and with any other alchemists out there.::
::I disagree,:: Roy startled Ed by stepping in smoothly. ::You have just proven to the alchemists of Drachma that they are not invincible, nor will their mysterious status protect them and allow them to carry on abhorrent actions. Now is the perfect time to offer terms for working together in place of antagonism. They gain more, including safety, by not antagonizing you further.::
That finally made Elkhov pause. ::You, both of you, will explain this in front of the Council in their meeting this afternoon.::
::Gladly,:: Roy nodded.
::Sure.:: Ed didn't feel like arguing with Roy when they were both arguing with Elkhov, who at least seemed inclined to believe Roy's idea that this might be the most convincing thing that could have been done towards finding neutral ground and maybe a way to get the alchemists to work with the government. It was twisted logic, but Ed understood why Roy was considered nearly the diplomatic genius that Breda was a tactical one. ::But you let us tell it our way. We'll give them what we came here for; our consulted opinion. We won't play into a particular agenda.::
::Deal,:: Elkhov nodded, then he sighed and seemed to deflate a little. ::This situation has been a mess for far too long. Do what you came to do, then please, take your wives home and see what you can do to keep things peaceful on your end. I will do my best to keep them so here. The last thing we need is to strain the relationship between our countries over this.::
::On that at least,:: Ed replied, ::we all agree.::
It was late in the evening - past dinner - when Edward, Roy, and Tore returned from the government district. Winry was glad to see them, but worried at the tired looks on their faces. "What happened?" she asked as they crashed out on the living room furniture.
"They just spent three hours convincing the Council that your actions against Tamirov were in Drachma's best interest and part of some excellent little-known government plan to convince the local alchemists that working with the government is safer and more profitable than continuing to be antagonistic," Groves commented as he came in behind them.
Winry listened, slightly awed, as Roy went into an account of just how they had done that, including a detailed account of what had been in Tamirov's laboratory, and also hinting that he had been controlling most of the hostile alchemists as well as performing experiments dangerous to Drachma as a whole. Tore had even explained - briefly - how his uncle had been tricked by them and turned into a chimera, his mother killed. The thirteen year old Amestrian boy made a convincing argument.
When Ed and Tore had finished their part in the explanation, Winry looked at them all. "That sounds like quite an afternoon. It was fairly quiet here."
"How's Elicia?" Ed asked without budging from where he lay sprawled on the couch.
"Nervous, but doing all right considering," Winry replied honestly. "She took a bath and she and Al ate up in their room this evening. She doesn't mind guests if you want to say hello tonight."
"All right," Ed replied noncommittally, and Winry couldn't help but wonder if he was reluctant to talk to Elicia, or if it was because Al would be there too. Winry hoped that Ed and Al worked out the tension between them soon for everyone's sakes. Al would forgive Ed with time, Winry was sure. He wasn't the type to hold a grudge.
"Well would you boys like something to eat or drink?" Winry offered, steering the conversation in a more productive direction. Riza and Mrs. Groves were out doing a few last-minute errands before they would all be heading home tomorrow. "It sounds like you had quite a day."
"Food please," Tore perked up immediately.
"I'll second that," Ed chuckled.
"Coffee please," Roy replied, sounding tired. Not that Winry blamed him given the performance they had all just pulled off, with Roy heading it up. International disaster averted, it was definitely time to head home!
November 22nd, 1958
Elicia gritted her teeth, screwed up her courage, and did her best not to tremble as they loaded into the cars, drove to the train station, and boarded the train for Amestris. She hated feeling so helpless, so weak and vulnerable, but the fear would not ebb, or if it did it would come back when she least expected it. She startled easily at sounds, distrusted crowds, and the worst part was when her mind would take her right back to Tamirov's clutches. The thought of his hands on her, and more... she did her best to avoid those thoughts. The flashbacks turned her into a trembling bawling mess and she couldn't afford that right now.
They made it to their berth without incident and Elicia felt mildly safer as the door shut behind her. The small space, with a small window out, felt cozy and safe, protected. Alphonse was with her. Edward, Winry, and Tore had the berth to their left, and Roy and Riza the one to their right. No one could hurt her. There was no danger.
So why was she shaking like a leaf?
Elicia felt a little more like herself than she had in the hospital. At least here, away from so many people speaking Drachman, less isolated from her family, it was a little better. Riza had also done something entirely unexpected, but much appreciated, the evening before. When Elicia got up this morning, Riza had presented her with a wig that she had spent hours looking for; one that looked much like Elicia's own hair, the style was even similar, though it was at a length where it flipped in playful layers brushing her shoulders. Elicia had worn it like that before. At least with it on she looked more like herself, and it made her feel much less self-conscious.
Now, the only damage left really was on the inside.
"Do you want anything?" Al asked as he stowed their suitcases. They'd had breakfast at the house. "A drink? Anything?"
Elicia smiled and tried not to look as flustered as she felt. Al was trying so hard to be strong, supportive, and spoil her rotten. It reminded her of when she was carrying Will and Alyse, or even of her own attentions toward him when he came home from the war, emotionally wrung out and dealing with his own inner demons. "I'm fine for now," she assured him as she sat down on the bed and peered out the window. "How about we just spend some time together? Just us? I... I'd like to just snuggle for a while, maybe." Last night they had slept in the same bed, but there had been little enough of that. As safe as she felt in Al's arms, being touched much made her uncomfortable right now, and it made her feel terrible to see Al's face when she requested they not curl up together. It was a first, and she hoped it would only last a short time. She wanted being held by her husband to feel the way it was supposed to again!
Al nodded, smiled, and sat down next to her, holding out his arm and allowing her to lean against his shoulder. She leaned in gently, grateful that he was gentle and not pushy. "That sounds like a wonderful idea," he replied softly as he kissed her cheek. "There's nothing I'll ever want more than to spend time with you."
"Or I you," she replied. Elicia felt herself relax a little as the train jerked and began to pull away from Petrayevka. Safe...safe... she reminded herself of that, and hoped that someday soon, the rest of her would believe it.
Author's Note: And...finis on another one! For those actually reading this the week of August 18th, 2009 (original posting), take note that Story 36 will begin next week. I've reserved this Thursday for the start of something Special. :) And yes, that means more FMA related posting.
