Becci 'D': 2nd Chapter up. Hope you enjoy ^_^

Alphonse and Winry were on the next train due for Central. When they heard the news about Edward they were both shocked. Winry insisted she was going with Al too, god knows what state Edward would be in. He may need her automail skills or just a friendly face to cheer him up.

"Al? I'm worried about Ed" sighed Winry.

"Me too, I just keep thinking on where he could have gone? I mean it's not uncommon for brother to disappear for a long while but he always comes back!"

"hmmm..." was Winry's response as she put her head in her hands and stared out the window. "I think were near central. We should be stopping sometime soon".

Train station

"uh hah! Here comes the train!" chirped Fuery. "Hopefully they will see us?"

"Well is should be easy for us to spot Alphonse" said Falman "Speak of the devil there he is"

"MR ELRIC SIR! OVER HERE!" Fuery waved his arms and jumped up and down at the same time to been seen over the crowed. Alphonse saw him and waved.

Hospital

"Alphonse!" Roy stood up and greeted him.

"Hello Colonel Mustang, Lieutenant Hawkeye" Al looked over at Edward. He was still unconscious. "How is my brother doing?"

"No change, He is still the same as he was when he arrived at the hospital. Just a lot more stable".

"Oh" was all that Al muttered. Winry looked shocked and tearful. She didn't realise how bad of state he was in.

Roy broke the silence "Alphonse, in order for me to try and figure out this situation. I need you to explain to me every detail you can remember before Fullmetal disappeared?"

"Oh right! Yes Colonel" Al bowed at him "Well you already know that we were at Resembool. As brother had to have his arm fixed".

"HE BROKE MY AUTOMAIL AGAIN!" Winry huffed as Al gave a nervous laugh.

"Well lucky for Ed, he didn't break it that much! Anyway it didn't take long for Winery to fix it but we decided to stay just for a little while. As it has been a long time since we had gone home. That evening before he disappeared..."

FLASHBACK

Everyone had just finished dinner, Ed and Al went outside to watch the world go by before Edward decided to call it a night and go to bed. Edward was staring up into the sky deep in thought.

"What's up Brother? You seem quite distracted today?" asked Al.

"Huh? Oh!...It's nothing Al. I just can't seem to stop thinking today that's all" Ed smiled at his younger brother. "Don't worry so much".

"You should go and see her. Go and visit mum?" Al suggested.

Edward looked surprised "huh! What makes you say that?"

"Well I know something is bothering you, so don't lie to me Ed I can tell! You usually get a little down when we come home. But every time you go and visit mum you always come back with a smile on your face." If Al could smile, he would of done while thinking of this memory. "So go see her?"

Ed smiled at his brother, Al knew him well. Could read him like a book.

"Yeah you're right Al. In fact you're right most of the time!" He stood up and patted Al on the head "I see you later"

END FLASHBACK

"Then I watched him walk off towards the cemetery. That's the last time we saw him" Al explained.

"But why didn't you call to report him missing?" asked Roy.

"Well as I said to Winery earlier, it's not unusual for brother to disappear for long periods of time. So that first night I was worried but didn't think too much of it".

"The next day some of the local people had said they have seen Ed around. So we just assumed he turn up later" added Winry.

"It wasn't to later on we realised something wasn't right. In fact that day just before sergeant Fuery rang. I was just about to inform you myself Colonel" explained Alphonse.

"I see" Roy had is hand clasped at his chin again in thought. "Has Lieutenant Havoc..."

Before Roy could finish his sentence the sound of Edwards heart monitor suddenly beeped fast and loudly. Everyone immediately turned to look at Edward.

In Ed's mind

'What's going on? I can hear voices' Ed's mind said to himself. He felt like he was floating in midair. Everything was white, just nothing. All Ed's mind could comprehend was the muffled sound of a conversation nearby him. 'I can't remember what happened? Am I alive? Hello?' It didn't matter how much Ed's mind ranted on with questions none were answered. Confused and puzzled Ed's mind then realised another sound. Beep... Beep... Beep... Beep... 'Huh? I know that sound'. Beep Beep Beep BeepbeepBEEPBEEEEP...

Edward released a small groan from his dry throat, his eyes twitched and flickered half open. They were dull and glazed over.

"HUH! BROTHER! Hey Brother Can you hear me!" Al asked with hope in his voice.

Ed didn't respond, he just lay there staring into space. Everyone looked at each other not sure what to do, but before anyone had time to think of something Ed then blinked. Some life came back to those golden eyes, his expression then changed to the look of shock!

"Fullmetal?" Ed's body jumped to the sound of the Colonel's voice. Startled he looked in the direction where the voice had come from. Ed's shaky breath could be heard, he then spoke in a small croaky voice.

"W, w, what...huh what's...going...on?" Ed asked dully.

"Oh Brother! Where have you been?" Al chirped relived his brother was awake and responding.

"You had us all worried Ed" said Winery with a teary smile.

"mmm, I don't...understand!" Ed moved his hands and clutched his head. "It hurts" he croaked out. Edward looked really confused; he couldn't take in the situation in front of him. He groaned "what's...going...on?" he said again.

The Colonel stepped up and took rest in the seat in front of Ed. "Fullmetal, I need you to follow my finger with your eyes ok?" Ed slightly nodded as Roy held up his index finger in front of Ed's face. He swayed his finger to and throw for Ed's eyes to follow, but the injured boy couldn't keep up. "I think he has a concussion, It would explain the utter confusion and unawareness. It might be possible Fullmetal has temporary memory loss"

Even though Roy was no Doctor, He did have some medical knowledge due to being in the military and all. Everyone knew he was probably right, no doubt about that.

"Fullmetal, do you have any idea on what happened to you?" Roy asked.

Ed stared at the colonel with a daze and shook his head slowly "Please Colonel...It hurts..." Roy was about to say something when Ed suddenly sat up in a coughing fit. Again the sound of the heart monitor going into frenzy could be heard throughout the room.

"Oh my god! Brother!" Ed was coughing up fair amounts of blood through his fingers onto the bed sheets.

"Quick! Someone Alert somebody!" Ordered Colonel Mustang 'He must have internal bleeding somewhere?' he mentally thought "Its ok Edward. Just spit it up, do not swallow it" Roy said as he rubbed Edwards back. Ed nodded to him as his coughing died down.

Falman was the one who shouted to a Nurse for a assistance and it wasn't long before a Nurse and a Doctor rushed into the room. "Sorry everyone, could you please leave the room and wait outside" said the Nurse "The doctor needs to check Mr Elric, you can come back in shortly" As she shut the door behind them.

In the corridor

The time they had been waiting outside Ed's room Havoc and Breda had returned with their findings. They told them all what they found but it wasn't much use to them. There was no evidence in telling how he got back here in central?

It had been a few long minutes before the sound of a door opening could be heard in the quite corridor. The nurse had stepped out and smiled at them.

"He's ok, but urm? The Doctor asked to see his guardian, as he is still a minor after all."

Again everyone looked at each other; Roy stepped up and took charge again. "I suppose it would be me" He turned and looked at Al. "If that is ok with you Alphonse?" Al nodded in agreement.

"I am Colonel Roy Mustang; I am Edward Elric's commanding officer. I'm afraid he does not have any parents to represent him and his only family member here is his brother. Who happens to be only 14" he said as he pointed to Al.

The Nurse looked up at him with surprise "Oh, so you're a minor too?" She said nervously. She looked back at Roy "That's fine I can accept that. Please come in the Doctor will explain". Roy followed the Nurse.

They all watched with concerned eyes as the Colonel disappeared behind a closing door.

Ed's room

Roy re-entered Edward's room with a feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach. He didn't know what to expect. Roy quickly glanced at Ed first to discover he was unconscious again before he looked at the Doctor.

Roy gave a nod to the doctor "Hello, I am Colonel Roy Mustang" he introduced himself.

The Doctor gave a small smile "Yes, I am aware of who you are. I am Doctor Gerrard. I need to have you consent for Mr Elric. As we immediately need to get him to surgery. I believe he has internal bleeding in his chest area with needs to be stopped".

'Just as I feared' thought Roy "Why do you need my consent?"

"As the risks of surgery have to be done in a vital area and complications can occur".

Roy didn't like the sound of this statement, he sighed. "Yes that's fine, but I wish to see Fullmetal come out of that theatre alive and well. So please do all that you can to succeed this?"

The Doctor nodded "Don't worry Colonel; I have to inform you of the risks before a procedure can be done. I have faith in my team".

The sound of doors being crashed opened startled everyone. Edward's Doctor and Nurse had barged through the doors with Ed's bed and started to push him fast straight past them. Another Nurse dashed passed to help push Edward away from them.

"Brother?" Al said suddenly realising what had just happened.

Roy stood in the doorway from where Ed had just came from starring down the corridor in the direction Ed was being taken. All eyes then turned back to him.

"What's going on sir? What's happened to the kid?" asked Havoc startled.

Roy sighed in thought. Despite what the Doctor told him he was worried still. "I'm afraid Fullmetal needs some surgery to clear up some internal bleeding they expect he has".

Winery gasped, tears formed in her eyes again "W, what? Oh my god! Is he going to be ok? Please tell me he's going to ok?"

Roy didn't answer he stared down the corridor where Edward just was.

"Sir!" shouted Lieutenant Hawkeye. Startling Roy out of his daze. "Is Major Elric going to be ok?"

"I'm sorry, I just don't know. Doctor Gerrard informed me he has faith in his team so the best we can do is just wait and hope that everything turns out alright".

Few hours later

Roy didn't seem the point of having everyone hanging around getting in the way at the hospital. He sent Havoc, Breda, Fuery and Falman back to headquarters to follow up on any leads on Edward. Also to have the area he was found at cleaned up. He reassured the 4 of them that the moment they heard any news he will directly call them at the office. As usual he had left Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye by his side.

Roy had lost track of time just waiting around. He knew he had other duties to attend but he could catch up with that later. What was important was seeing Edward Elric was going to be ok and back to his usual self. He knew it didn't always seem they saw eye to eye but he did care for the kid. He felt he had to be a 'farther figure' to both these boys and guide them on the right path. They had no one else. Also the years of working together he saw them both as alleys and friends. Even though he wasn't going to tell the cocky young teen anytime soon. He had to keep the squirt in order.

"Lieutenant" Roy said suddenly breaking the silence.

"Yes sir?" she responded.

"How long has it been?" he asked.

Riza paused in thought as she calculated "I believe it's been around 3 hours now sir".

"Hmmmm, I really hate waiting!" Roy said as he rubbed his hand down his face as he looked up at the ceiling.

"Colonel?" Roy looked over to Alphonse. Both of he and Winry have been so quite he nearly forgot they were here.

"Yes Alphonse?"

"Brother will be ok. He is reckless and often jumps into situations most people wouldn't. So it's no surprise that things like this have happened before. But he always pulls through stronger and more determined than ever" Al reassured.

"I know, there's no stopping the kid. I just hate waiting around without knowing the facts. My mind just cannot stop thinking" Roy replied "I am hoping we shouldn't be waiting too much longer now".

It wasn't until another half hour had passed that the nurse who spoke to them earlier was making her way towards them. The 4 of them looked at her with hopeful eyes. She gave them a bow and smiled at them.

"Hello" she greeted. "Mr Elric is doing ok and is currently in the recovery room. Visitors are not allowed in there so when the Doctor says so I will come and collect you to see him".

"Thank you" responded Alphonse.

"The Doctor will explain things in detail when it's time too" she added. The nurse then left them to their thoughts once more.

The time passed by quicker than they expected this time, and before they knew it all of them were being escorted to Edward's hospital room. This time the covers on Ed's bed were pulled half way up his body and they could see his bruised bandage up torso. They had removed Edward's automail arm, it was lying on a table nearby.

"The Doctor will be with you shortly" said the Nurse before she left the room.

Everyone's attention turned back to Edward. He looked a lot more comfortable as his breathing was more even and consistent. Ed had a peaceful look on his face and he didn't look so pale either.

There was a knock at the door and Doctor Gerrad walked in. "Hello again" he greeted calmly. "My suspicions were right. He had internal bleeding. A broken rib had punctured a lung and that was the source. We had to take Mr Elric's automail off as I know it's been damaged. The electricity current that is used to connect to the nerves interfered with our equipment. I have to say though I think Mr Elric's face changed when it was removed. It was like he was relieved. It may have been causing him pain. No worry's, my surgeons corrected the problem and there shouldn't be a reoccurrence". He informed "He will slowly recover, he is currently recovering from the anaesthetic but I cannot tell when Mr Elric will wake up".

The look of relief spread across their faces.

"Thank you very much Doctor. Thanks for saving my Brother" Alphonse said as he bowed at him.

"Just doing my job" The Doctor smiled and then left them.

Winery who had been awfully quiet this whole time spoke up "thank god Ed, I was so worried".

"Sir?" Roy looked up at Riza Hawkeye. "Yes Lieutenant?"

"I think it be best if we go back to our duties, now that we know Major Elric is going to pull through. We can come back and check on him again tomorrow. I believe the others would appreciate the help back at your office?".

Roy stood up "Yes your right, Alphonse could you please inform us in any change in Fullmetal?"

"Yes Colonel that's not a problem" said Al.

Roy lightly tapped Al on the shoulder "See you two again soon" with that both the Colonel and Lieutenant left the room.

Winry and Alphonse looked back at Edward who still looked exactly the same as they first walked in the room.

"Well, I better get working on Edwards arm AGAIN. Remind me to bop him on the head when he wakes up!" Winry said as she stood up and rolled up her sleeves.

"Winry! I think brother could do without another concussion!" he laughed nervously

That night

It was now late in the night and Edward had still not woken up from this deep slumber and his friends were still no closer into working out what happened to him. It was a big mystery to them. But not to someone else.

A mysterious figure had been watching everything from the sidelines without even alerting any suspicion towards him. He had a creepy grin formed at his lips as he watched with excitement in his eyes. "Phase 2" he muttered to himself before disappearing.

Winry had insisted in staying with Al for the night in Ed's room and was extremely tired. She tried to sleep but these chairs were not made comfortable enough for that. She did doze off here and there. Winry stood up with a yawn and stretched her arms. "Al lets go find a coffee machine or something. I really need caffeine buzz right now" she said as she rubbed her eyes. "I just can't sleep".

Al nodded "ok" he said. 'Brother hasn't moved at all so it's unlikely he's going to wake up tonight, a break would be alright' Even though he wouldn't benefit from any coffee but as Winry asked him he would go with her.

The pair of them left Edward's room in hunt of a cafeteria. This was the opportunity the strange man had been waiting for. He watched the two walk further away first before he entered the room.

"Hmmm...Look at you! You have survived well. I wasn't expecting you to escape like that. The experiment had just begun" He said as he stroked Ed's hair. "Soon you will be a dangerous weapon against the military not working as one for them".

The sinister man grinned as he put his hand in his pocket to retrieve something from it. He pulled out a syringe with some form of liquid in it. The man's grin grew even wider as he jabbed the needle into Edward's skin. The boy didn't flinch or make any sound.

He started to laugh "Hahaahaaa, Phase 2 complete" He said as he left Edward's room.

The figure had just turned down a corridor just as Winry and Alphonse were walking back. They got to Edward's room and re-entered it.

"Thanks Al, I need this" Winry said as she help up her cup in a gesture to show what she was talking about "It refreshes' me a little".

"That's ok Winry, I didn't think Brother would of woke up anyway" Al said. He looked over at Ed. He noticed something, his brother was bleeding slightly from his shoulder. He went closer to have a look.

Winry noticed "What's wrong Al?"

"Look, Brother is slightly bleeding here" He said as he pointed and Winery had a closer look.

"It's just a little trickle! Don't worry, hey look" Winry then wiped his shoulder with a tissue "See? You can't even see anything there. He's alright".

"Yeah your right Winry" But Al was a little bit suspicious to where it came from.

The day after

The next day there was still no change in Edward. He just lay there deep in a slumber. Winry had in the end stayed up all night, but the night wasn't a waste. She managed to fix Edward's automail. Her and Al had put it back on him, as he was unconscious anyway he wouldn't of felt the pain when the nerve's reconnected. He would of done if he was awake. It wasn't till the afternoon time that the Colonel had returned with Lieutenants Hawkeye and Havoc. He greeted the pair of them and asked how things were? Alphonse just told him that his Brother had stayed the same since he last saw him. He forgot to mention his suspicions what had occurred earlier last night.

"I see" Roy responded, he looked over at Winry who looked exhausted "Miss Rockbell would you like to get some rest? As you do not look like you slept at all last night". He offered.

Winry needed some sleep, but she didn't want to leave. She thought about it for a moment. "Yes I do" She finally responded. There was no denying it she did need some rest.

Roy nodded "Lieutenant Hawkeye, would you be so kindly and take Winery back with you. I think she be better off with you then Lieutenant Havoc!" he said with a smirk on his face.

"HEY! What's that suppose to mean!" Shot back Havoc.

Riza saluted "Yes Sir that's fine" She turned and smiled at Winry "Shall we go? We can go back to my home" she offered.

"Thank you so much" Winry smiled back. The two of them then left.

Havoc then turned back at the Colonel with a un-amused face. "Colonel you trying to say I perv after school girls now!" he said with a glare.

Roy shrugged "Who knows" he said with a smile.

"That's rich! It takes one to know one sir, so your probably like school girls too!" Havoc retaliated as Roy started to laugh at the situation.

Alphonse looked on with amusement, he had never seen them act so jokingly before. He couldn't help but chuckle at the two of them. As the laughter could be heard through out the room they failed to notice Edward. As this little commotion was going on he had woken up and was sitting up staring into space with no emotion in his eyes.

"GAH!" Havoc shouted out with surprise in his voice. He was pointing at Ed, slowly Roy and Alphonse turned around and jumped in surprise. This was unexpected.

"Huh? Fullmetal?" Roy said in shock. He then realised Edward was just starring down onto his lap, he wasn't even blinking. The Colonel approached Edward "Hey Fullmetal?" he said, still no response. Roy then placed his hand gently on Ed's shoulder to shake him slightly. But the minute Roy touched him Edward then screamed out. Roy immediately took his hand off with surprise unsure what had just happened. Alphonse and Havoc looked on with worry not sure what to do.

Edward then stopped shouting out and was panting for a second before he turned his head and looked straight into Roy's eye's. A sweat drop formed and dripped down Roy's face he wasn't expecting what happened next.

"why?…" Ed whispered.

Roy looked puzzled as much as Havoc and Alphonse.

"Edward?" Roy questioned.

"WHY!" He repeated through grit teeth.

"Edward I…?" Before Roy could say anymore Ed suddenly grabbed Roy by the collar of his shirt. His eye's boiled with rage.

"BROTHER! STOP!" shouted Alphonse.

"What the hell! Is he hallucinating!" questioned Havoc.

"FULLMETAL! Snap out of it!" said Roy.

"WHHHY!…Why did you do it! What have you done to me!" He raved "I'M NOT YOUR SICK LAB RAT!"

Roy didn't understand what Ed was saying to him "Edward! EDWARD!" he shouted. "Look at me!".

"Hey kid it's the Colonel!" shouted out Havoc.

Edward released his grip slightly. He seemed to be realising what he was doing. He blinked a couple of times, his eye's had life in them again they shook with horror. He released Roy "oh my god" he stuttered.

Roy put his hand on Ed's shoulder and looked him in the eye. "Fullmetal, it's alright. You were just acting out a dream" Roy reassured.

"I,I,I…" Ed felt teary but he held it in.

"Brother, do you remember what you said?" asked Alphonse. "Was you dreaming about what happened to you?"

Ed looked at Al he pressed a shaky hand onto his forehead. "I,I,I t,think so. I'm not sure" he replied.

"Fullmetal I think you should lay back down" insisted Roy "Your wounds are bleeding".

Edward looked back at Roy and then down at himself. His little ruckus had reopened his wounds as blood was seeping through the bandage's. Ed then laid back down.

"I'm sorry Roy. I,I…don't feel like myself" Ed emitted.

'He called me by my first name' His word's shocked them, especially Roy as Edward had never apologised or even said his name like that before.

"It's ok Edward, Now that your awake do you remember anything at all on what happened to you?" Asked Roy.

Ed looked up at the ceiling in thought "I think I have a vague memory" he groaned "My head is throbbing, all I can remember is I had just visited our mum's grave. I left as it was getting late. Then suddenly someone had put something over my head from behind. Then I was bounded".

"So, we can conclude that you was kidnapped" Said Roy.

"I am sorry, my mind is hazy" Edward then began to look very tired "I don't feel…right"

Havoc notice Edward sweating "Colonel, Check the kid's head" He pointed his finger at Ed. Roy looked at him and noticed what Havoc was motioning. He placed a hand on his head, he was burning up.

"You should rest Edward" said Roy.

"Yeah…but s,something isn't right" Edward was starting to drift off. "I,I'm not me….." He said as he closed his eye's.

"Colonel, Is brother ok? What doe's he mean?" asked Alphonse.

"It's ok, He has a slight temperature and probably still has drugs left in his system. Of course he doesn't feel himself. Edward isn't thinking clearly" explained the Roy. But he was wrong, Edward himself knew something wasn't right.

End Chapter 2