April 13-July 20, 2010

Author's Note: I nearly forgot about my deadline… opps. Luckily I was on the computer and remembered huh? Phew…

Disclaimer: Ugh… I do NOT own FMA!

Chapter Twenty-Three: Shocking

It was a few days later that Ed was finally back to his usual self. Even though he still had a slight fever, he was doing unnaturally well for someone who had just been kidnapped and tortured. The doctors said that it might have been caused by his fever—Ed would have a hard time remembering what happened to him because of the headache that came from his fever. It was the only time that the others were glad that Ed had a fever when he was kidnapped. Now all that needed to be fixed were his more severe injuries and his automail. Winry was at the dorms getting the new automail that she had created for Ed. They planned to install it today, she was getting a bit of help from Alphonse; he was going to connect the nerves at the same time as Winry so Ed didn't have to feel excessive pain.

When Winry got to the room she was greeted by Ed and Al. The others were at work so it was only the three of them. Al seemed to be in a good mood, but Ed looked like…well not very excited. It was usual of course, every automail patient hates the reconnection and they had a right to of course! It was a very painful procedure for most because it was just like shocking them. Winry was not very sure on how Ed was going to react to the electricity shock on his leg and arm, since he was being tortured with them but he needed to get his arm and leg on anyway. She hoped for the best. Winry took off the old arm and leg and checked the ports for any damage; none. She went ahead and placed the arm and leg in and began tweaking with it. She called Al over to the switch on Ed's arm and told him to pull it when she gave the signal. She readied herself by Ed's leg.

"Get ready Ed." She warned

"Okay Al! One…two…GO!"

They turned the lever at the same time. When they did the watched Ed cringe and suppress his scream. Right after that he just began breathing heavily. Winry was dumfounded. Usually he would actually scream and panic. It would take her and granny lots of coaxing to get Ed to lie down like that. Even Al was looking at Ed in a weird way. He was so ready to get his brother to calm down after they connected his automail. But he was already calm and just breathing haggardly.

How strange… this isn't like brother. I wonder why it didn't hurt him so much… Wait! I think this is because of Ed getting electrocuted it that house. That must have hurt Ed more than this…he must have gotten used to a more painful shock so it didn't hurt him as much when we connected the automail. I really hate that man for hurting brother so much!

"H-hey… why are you…both so quiet?" muttered Ed.

"Oh… we just found it strange that you didn't react to the automail that much this time…" said Winry.

"I guess it just doesn't hurt as much anymore."

I knew it! Thought Al.

Ed sat up slowly and tested his arm. It felt better and easier to move than the last one. He grinned at Winry and said that they were great. Winry beamed at the compliment and began telling him more about the automail. Little did she know that Ed wasn't actually listening, he was too busy thinking about what happened to him at that house. The connection seemed to pull back what happened at little more clearer he remembered how everything felt and not just knowing what happened. It wasn't a surprise to him though—seeing as he was though enough to get past the whole ordeal. He had to be.

I can't just sit here and reminisce. I don't care what happened to me! I want to get Al's body back! Those stupid guys just held me back further. If I ever see them again… I'll make sure that they understand how pissed I am at them! I guess that I have to thank Mustang for getting a search party for me next time he visits. But he didn't actually do much I guess. He found the address but it was Al who did the actual work. That guy really is useless.

"Hey Ed! Are you even listening to me?" Winry yelled, while holding her wrench to his face.

"S-sorry! I spaced out! NO! Don't hit me Winry! I just began to reco- OW!"

Al looked at the two and sighed. But he was happy at the least, things were beginning to go back to normal. He continued to watch the two bicker, sometimes interfering when someone was about to hit the other but he just usually observed. When Ed began to look tired Al instructed him to go back to sleep and just continue on with the argument later. Of course Ed would refuse but then with both Winry and Al against him he didn't really have much of a choice. He went under the covers and closed his eyes. But they didn't know that he wasn't asleep yet.

"Al… why do you think that he didn't freak out about the automail this time? It was so strange that he just laid down by himself. I have never seen anyone do that before."

"Really? You didn't figure it out? Ed was electrocuted when he was there so I think he just was used to a more painful shock so he didn't really react to the automail this time."

"Oh."

"Don't look sad Winry… I know that it hurts to remember what happened to Ed. But if he doesn't care we cant let him see that we are still worrying about him. He will just get flustered by it. Even I don't know why he is so calm about the situation. I mean as soon as his fever went down he was so calm and relaxed. He just talked about the whole think like it was just a distant memory. It worries me that brother might be trying to hide that he was scared because it might show weakness."

"Yeah I thought about that too. But I didn't really remember seeing Ed scared when we were in there. He mostly look…well…like Ed. He was really mad at the guy and was still really stubborn towards him even thought he was already tired and injured. I guess he just doesn't really care about what happened. He is such a thick-headed idiot. But I'm happy that he isn't going to be mentally scarred by this."

"Yeah. I wouldn't want to see Ed all scared. Its just too weird to picture. Actually I can't even picture it…"

"Same. But at least he is happy. Everyone is so relieved that Ed is back to normal, even the Colonel. But he looks like he is about ready to tackle Mr. Hughes each time he get near Ed."

"He must be worried about that picture he took when he reacted to Ed suddenly waking up! HAHA!"

They didn't notice Ed shift his face away from their view as they kept talking about the picture that Hughes had taken.

I wonder what that picture looks like. Why doesn't Mustang want me to see it? Is it embarrassing! Oh! I want to see it!

Ed smiled to himself and fell asleep making plans to get the picture from Hughes the following day.

Author's Note: Dum-dum-dum-duumm… Mustang is not going to be very happy about this. Warning I think the next chapter will be the last. Sniff, why do all good things have to come to an end?