Yep, two chapters in one day. This one is short cause I'm way tired and stuff, and I didn't really know what to write for this chapter...the next chapter will be from Mustang's point of view for anyone who wants to know.

This chapter was really personal for me. Cause in 3rd grade I was in and out of hospitals. They constantly stuck me with needles and ran tests that led to nowhere. I'm terrified of needles and still have scars from the IVs and blood tests. These memories haunt me to this day, I still have nightmares of what they did to me. I almost cried writing this chapter...since what Ed does is what I do when I wake up from a nightmare.

Yeah sorry for that, just all tired and stuff and I had to look up stuff on chemotherapy treatments that made my skin crawl, I don't advise looking it up unless you aren't afraid of needles and stuff.

Please enjoy and review and favorite. I lovels you all so much that I put two chapters up in one day ^^ and I might have the next one finished tomorrow or Monday depending on if I'm playing World of Warcraft or sleeping lol.


Memories

I was lying on Mustang's bed, looking up at his tan ceiling with unfocused eyes. I wasn't really seeing it, instead my mind wandered elsewhere, to memories that I wanted gone forever…

Doctors, so many doctors, crowding into that small hospital room. Each was looking at me with sympathetic eyes; one of the nurses had tears in her eyes.

"Malignant." Was the only word they said. Then the world seemed to spin, nothing seemed right. Which way was up? Was it night or day? Was this really happening to me?

I cringed at the memory, curling under the blankets as though they could shield me from the whirling thoughts in my mind.

Needles…I hated needles…they took every opportunity to stick me with one there…and that thing that they had put in my chest to give that single lung the chemotherapy that it needed…the worst part was the needles…

"No needles, please no, stop…" I whimpered to myself, covering the bend of my arm with my automail hand, body shaking in terror.

The chemotherapy was bad too, days after I was weak and sick, unable to eat without throwing up…then back to the hospital for more injections…more blood tests…

"NO!" I shrieked, writhing with terror in the bed, head lashing from side to side. I heard footsteps; they were coming closer and closer. "No more fucking needles! No more fucking pain!" I screamed, curling up at the head of the bed, shaking with terror.

Needles…the prick of the needles…it only hurts for a little…but the pain seems like an eternity…don't look…I looked once…the horror of seeing that strange metal object entering the blue vein in your arm…begging for them to stop…writhing in their arms as I tried to free myself…

"Brother, calm down your safe…" I felt Al's metal hand on my shoulder; I hadn't even noticed that he and Mustang had entered the room.

"Needles…no needles…please no more needles…" I heard my voice break; I was holding back tears of terror. Mustang pulled me into his arms, holding me like a parent would a child.

"Edward, there are no needles here. Your next chemotherapy session is next week, and after that you have to go back one more time and then you're done." I curled closer to him, savoring the warmth of his body, the feel of his hand gently rubbing my back.

"I don't want to go back…it's scary…needles…" I shook again. I heard Mustang mutter something to Al, and then heard clanging footsteps leaving the room.

"Al's getting your medication; you'll feel better after you take it. I promise." I shuddered. I hated constantly having to take pills to keep the pain away, to keep these nightmares from taking over my life.

"I'm tired of this; I want it all to stop…" Tears began to stream from my eyes; it felt like all hope had faded from me.

"It will Ed, I'm here and Al's here. We'll always be here; we'll never let anything hurt you." Then he began humming. It sounded familiar, like my mom's song that she would hum to Al and I when we were ill or scared. I heard Al's footsteps clang into the room, heard the sound of pills rattling in the bottle as he passed them to Mustang.

"Here Ed, they'll make you feel better." He pulled me out of his hug and held up the pill to me. I took it quickly, swallowing it dry even though it tasted horrible. I then hugged Mustang again, desperate for his comfort.

"Did Al tell you about the song mom used to hum?" I asked eyes half closed as the pill slowly kicked in.

"Yeah, I told him what you said about it and I know it will help you."

"It has…I haven't heard it in a long time…"

"Do you want me to stay with you until you fall asleep?"

"Yes please." I murmured, feeling him lie down in the bed with me still in his arms. I buried my head in his chest, listening to his heart beat slowly and gently. I sighed and closed my eyes, drowsy from the medication.

"Sleep now Ed…" Mustang whispered, resting his head against my neck. I heard him begin to hum again, the sound echoing in my mind and soothing me. The bad memories retreated to the back of my mind, only letting the wonderful memories of before this terror whirl in my mind instead.

"Good night brother." Al whispered, his hand gently rubbing my back.

"Good night Al." I muttered back, I burrowed closer to Mustang, "good night dad." I whispered into his chest. I felt him stiffen; he normally did that when I would call him dad. Then he relaxed and let out a sigh.

"Good night Ed." He whispered. I knew he was hesitant to call me son, but I didn't care. As long as he was my dad in my eyes that was fine by me.