This is horribly late but I hope it will be worth the wait! Sorry!

Previously...

"Fullmetal!" Roy snapped, he hated the look in the kid's eyes- it wasn't the controlled but equally deadly fire he was used to seeing, this was a blazing and uncontrollable flame.

The doctor did not seemed fazed as he thanked Mustang, "He isn't here right now."

Looking at the doctor unbelievably Mustang breathed through the hysteria that threatened his being, "What does that mean?"

"His pupils are dilated…heart rate is above normal... this is classic signs of a traumatic flashback Colonel Mustang. If this boy has truly been through what we hypothesize then as of right now he is flashing back- reliving everything."

Mustang looked to Ed as the child's eyes still blared, the kid was clearly elsewhere but ready to fight, despite all the injuries and pain. He grimaced as he looked away and back to the doctor, "I see, waiting any longer is not going to help his situation… I will allow further physical examination to prove or disprove your hypothesis."

Roy grit his teeth as the doctor nodded, he hated that he was even uttering such words and he hated that he couldn't get his own subordinate to just say it- but he also knew it was all more complicated than that. The person that attacked him was Sin after all, the bastard had not only raped every child he came across but brutally murdered them as well- only one got away and that was the one Mustang had somehow saved the day he stumbled across the scene.

He remembered the child all too well- he had even attended the traditional Ishvalan funeral for the boy only a few short months later as the thirteen year old had committed suicide from the trauma. He remembered how tense the air was that day as he stared at the lowering coffin with the last of the Ishvalan race around him, he could feel the cold glares from every angle and he knew in the end that he deserved it.

Regret plagued Mustangs mind as his gaze was set on the broken boy in front of him, thankfully the unpleasant feeling was cut short as the doctor spoke once more.

"I will give you a few minutes with him as I go prep a team, I want to make sure our hypothesis is right about this so we can provide the best treatment both physically and mentally."

Mustang nodded as the man left, his eyes drifting back to the now shaking teen, "Fullmetal…Ed…hey, look at me." He was uncharacteristically surprised as the boy's eyes looked up at him reluctantly, their dullness returning as Ed spoke.

"…you agreed didn't you?"

Damn, even in a flashback the kid had still managed to hear, Roy sighed, "I don't really have a choice here Fullmetal, if you tell me the story- the real story then no, we don't have to do anything."

"Tell you…" Ed coughed, tiny specks of blood appearing on his white hospital blankets. "Shit…again?"

"That's not surprising, you had to have strained your lung in all the fighting against us you just did. I'll tell the doctor-"

"Wait." Ed rasped, "I-if I tell than they won't do anything else?"

Roy nodded, finally letting go of the calmed automail arm.

Tears formed at the corners of Ed's eyes as he tried to speak, the words wouldn't form, the thoughts flooded as they pooled around his brain making a lie impossible to tell. "He's going to find me again…if I tell you everything- he might come sooner." Ed hated the weakness he was displaying but at the same time- a rational amount of fear was a necessity of life, especially now.

Roy turned away from the broken teen, rage pulling at his senses for this demon that had attacked his subordinate, "he won't get to you again, I'm not going to let that happen." Turning once more this time to face Ed with determination, "I promise."

It was as if those two words were the key as the shaking intensified, golden eyes reignited with a vengeful fire as Ed swallowed every scream telling him to stop, "fine."

What are you doing?! You can't tell! You can't say anything! You have already said too much! Are you really going to trust this bastard? He is only concerned because you were and still are his ticket to a promotion.

"I-I have a question first."

"Yes?"

"Why do you care?"

"Why do I care?" Why did Roy Mustang care? He cared because this was his subordinate, he cared because if rape truly was a factor like he had been told this whole time then it was unacceptable in all senses of the situation. He cared because this was Edward Elric. He cared because this pre- teen childish thing laying in front of him all broken up behind a poorly put together mask was hurting. He cared because this boy was his comfort- his faith in humanity was restored with this very boy and damnit, he was important to him whether Roy liked it or not. Now, if only he could voice every single reason in one phrase… "Because you don't deserve this."

Not quite the answer even Roy was expecting to mutter but in some way it had wrapped up every thought neatly. Thankfully it had seemed to satisfy Ed as well somehow.

Looking down in an attempt to hide his embarrassed blushing Ed looked everywhere but at the Colonel in front of him as he spoke, "So you guys are going to protect me If I tell, right?"

"There is no deal here- we will protect you Fullmetal. I just want you to tell me what happened- I don't have to tell Alphonse, although I think you should know that he has heard about you possibly being raped.

Ed's eyes darkened, "So he hates me…"

"Hates you?"

Ed tightened his grip around the hospital blankets in false hopes that the courage would come and he would mutter the embarrassing and unacceptable truth.

Stop stalling…just say it- "I was."

Roy was confused now. "You were….?"

The confusion disappeared as Edward raised his head, his lips were pressed together as it seemed he was concentrating all of his energy to pull back the tears that had long since trailed down his face making streaks across the pale skin. "I was."

"I see." So that was it then, the golden-haired boy in front of him, the boy that went through three kinds of hell and still fought against every odd that was stacked against him with such a fiery spirit had somehow been raped as well now.

Ed fought against his reflexes as the colonel hugged him lightly also knowing the dangers of getting too close, as he backed away Ed was shocked to see a single tear get wiped away by an already stone faced colonel. "You are going to be ok."

Ed smiled a genuine smile as Roy sighed, "alright, I'm going to get the doctor since you decided to cough up blood again- I didn't know that tiny body of yours could actually obtain so much energy to even cause damage in your state!"

The smile slipped away as Ed flailed his arms- "Who are calling so small his organs can be mashed up with a single step!?"

Roy smirked clearly satisfied with himself as he left the room and quickly went in search of the same doctor that had left only moments ago, his lighthearted expression fell as he tried to steady the unsettling sickness taking over him. His subordinate, responsibility and inspiration- raped.

Mustang shook his head from the thoughts as he spotted the doctor not too far from the main lobby, the colonel made his way over to the desk the doctor was occupied behind, "Excuse me doctor, my subordinate just coughed up more blood- not a lot but I figured the runt better get it checked out." He didn't bother saying much more, his mind had to process the simple fact of rape happening before Mustang could even mutter the horrifying reality.

The older doctor chuckled a bit, "Of course, you know I have had Ed as a patient every time he comes through and no matter how gruesome the beating I can always predict the hardest parts coming in his recovery period."

A soft smile melted from the fake neutral facial expression that Mustang had plastered on, "Fullmetal knows how to put up a fight that's for sure, he never ceases to-"

SLAM.

Mustang looked around in alert as he expected to see a fallen binder or anything normal of the sort but he knew better. "Fullmetal…"

Without even listening to the doctor Roy quickly rounded the corner to find Ed's hospital door shut- not only that but upon trying to enter Mustang found the door supposedly locked. "Fullmetal!"

A muffled gasp came from the other side- a clear motivator for Roy to hurry and get the hell on the other side of the door he faced. Backing up he rammed into the wooden door- astonished as it did not budge.

Ed withered back into his covers as he tried to pace his unsteady heartbeat, Mustang had just left only after giving him the most comforting yet out of place hug and reassurance ever. Ed was surprised that he hadn't full on attacked the man after the light-hearted hug- it was just instinct now but he knew he was not in any immediate danger.

Laying back he sighed, I'm not weak…the bastard just caught me off guard and it was either tell or get probed. I had to tell…but I wonder how much Sin knows at this point, is he really coming back? The others would protect me and I can sure as hell defend my own-

Looking down at his still bashed up auto mail arm Ed flinched, he could barely move the thing and the stinging of trying to move it earlier still hurt. Ok so maybe I'm still a little worse for wear but still, if I had to fight I could.

Closing his tired eyes Ed let his mind drift back to the conversation that happened only five minutes prior, what does he think of me now? Wait…why do I even care what that bastard thinks?! Still…he didn't seem mad or anything- not at me at least, just concerned. Honestly, I would prefer anger over concern any day…he also said Alphonse was at least semi aware of what happened. No… This event doesn't change anything…

Tears threatened his eyes once more as he clenched both his hand painfully. He felt awful everywhere and no matter how much morphine they supplied his body with he could still feel the sickening after effects of what Sin had done.

Don't focus on it…I still have to get Al his body back and turn things back to normal- no matter what. Nothing has changed. I can do this-

SLAM.

Ed sat up ignoring the blossoming pain he had just caused, wood splintered from the door as an angry Sin transmuted it- no one would be able to get in as the hinges melted around the door frame. Turning sharply Sin smiled manically at the shaking teen, "Ah! They really took care of you my Fullmetal Alchemist…it's a shame that it's time to go though!"

Ed had no idea what to say, all he could hear was the deafining heartbeat in his ears as he stared at the man in front of him with the utmost hatred and fear. The sound of Mustangs desperate attempts to bust the door open gave him the courage to speak, "There is no way in hell I'm going with you, you sick bastard! You are just a loser that couldn't follow a simple order in the war and now look at you! A puppet of the military." Ed smirked as confidence seeped through his veins, the rage fueling every fiber of his exhausted being, "That's even worse than being a dog you know, you are truly the lowest of the low."

Sin glared, "Now, now remember the deal Fullmetal? While I was taking away the last of your childhood I told you…do you remember that?"

Ed's eyes automatically watered at the way the man was speaking, "shut the hell up! I don't know what you are talking about!"

"Aw, I had feared that! Luckily I have something that can help."

Ed backed away the best he could as the man neared, syringe in hand, "no need to freak out dear boy, this will help jog the memory a bit for you. I had a feeling you were a little too strong, you shouldn't repress memories you know- not good for the head." The man laughed in borderline hysterics as the syringe broke skin, Ed gasped as the reaction was immediate.

"You..bastard…" Golden eyes dilated as each flashback poured painfully into his skull, he was reliving everything over and over.

"Well, do you remember?"

Ed let out a shaiky breath of air, "I…don't really have a choice. I swear if you hurt Alphonse I will-"

"Come now Fullmetal- we both know that I will follow through on any and every deal."

Ed shivered at the yellowing teeth smiling back at him, "…fine." He held out his automail arm with agony as he transmuted it, the blade produced gleamed at him as Ed glared at the man staring back at him. "Too afraid to do what needs to be done? That really is too bad Fullmetal-"

"Damnit!" Ed struck with one sickening blow, a thud reached his ears as he drifted. As for what took place next Ed wasn't for sure as he could only feel a few sensations, he felt warm but not in any normal way as he was getting weaker as well. He could hear some kind of fighting in the background but as for who and what and where…he drew a blank.

Golden eyes lazily opened taking in the hazy scene around, ok…laying on my side, ugh that bastard couldn't have let me die on my bed? No- no I'm not dying…I am cold though..its like I have a blanket on me but my insides are cold.

"You are not going to take him again!" Snap.

Ed's bangs brushed against his face as the fire weaved around him, Mustang and Sin fighting- that makes sense. I need to get up and help. Trying his damndest to move Ed soon found that mobility was not quite an option as he had no energy. A pair of hands soon supplied him with enough energy to hit whoever was trying to capture him, his adrenaline left him as quick as it came leaving an unconscious Edward.

"Damnit…" Hughes sighed as he dragged the rather heavy teen to the exit of the room, looking up he caught eyes with Roy who nodded his appreciation.

"Jeez Ed, this is the second time you have tried to attack me today and this is how you repay me?! You are lucky I dodged that last hit ya know." He knew he was babbling but honeslty the man couldn't help it as he finally made it into the hallway, putting all his strength into just pulling Ed along with him. The adrenaline rush was taking its toll as his hands shook, survival was key at this point and Hughes could feel that fact in every sense of the word.

"Get off me…go away…"

Without stopping Hughes looked down at Ed, "You are ok Ed, its Hughes…you are going to be ok."

"A little too early to be assuming that wouldn't you say Hughes?"

Hughes looked up, his eyes narrowing at the sight of Sin holding a borderline unconscious Roy Mustang above him, "I'll be taking the boy now."

Ed's eyes snapped open at that, the image in front of him was hazy but he could see Hughes standing in front of him ready to defend him as his daggers were resting between his fingers. His heart dropped however when he saw Sin holding Mustang by his collar in the air. "S-stop it! Just let him take me, you damn idiots! He won't kill me! He still needs me to-"

Sin raised his hand towards Ed as he growled, "I suggest you shut the hell up kid, you have already said too much!"

Mustang grit his teeth as he saw Sin about to attack Ed one handedly, he dug his nails into Sins wrist, "I don't think so. Now Armstrong!"

Sin looked displeased as glass stung his face, a massive man barreling through the nearest window, "Release the colonel Sin, do not think I do not remember you- or your weaknesses."

The low threatening tone of the massive man that stood menacingly in front of him seemed to cause a change of heart as the colonel fell with a thud, Sin looked at Ed and smiled. "Looks like you won this time my sweet Fullmetal- but we both know that it won't last." Sin held up his hand as red glowed from it and caused smoke to fill the air, Ed felt Hughes practically hug him as he tried to stay close. By the time the smoke cleared Sin was gone leaving a bruised and bleeding colonel Mustang, a shaking Ed, and ashaken up Hughes in his wake.

"Colonel Mustang sir, do you need assistance?" Armstrong questioned respectively.

"No I'm fine." Roy winced as he stood, swaying slightly as he kept his left arm close to him- it was likley broken. "Thank you for helping."

"I'm just glad to have been here when I was, sir. What is Sin doing alive- and why is young Edward his target?!"

The hysterical whispers of Armstrong set Mustang on edge, he had to be careful, no one in the military knew about Edwards encounter with Sin or even that Sin was alive for that matter. His own subordinates all knew but Mustang hadn't even informed the fuhrer himself that the supposed assassin had been Sin. "I will inform you of everything later, right now we need to get Fullmetal hidden the best we can, somewhere Sin doesn't know about…also…I need you to tell me more about Sin, Armstrong."

The broad man nodded, "the Armstrongs have an abundancy of secret caverns and living quarters to the west of Central. Sin would never be able to track Edward, they are also guarded heavily as well. You are welcome to use any of them at your leisure."

Mustang thought on that and sighed, " I will take you up on the offer…I know that Sin will be able to find us no matter where we are but if we can gain some time then it will be worth it."

"Right, I will be joing too then, there is much to talk about it seems. I'll go round up transport- I'll see to it that everything is not suspiciously done."

Mustang nodded as Armstrong walked off, turning his gaze over to Fullmetal and Hughes he held in a sigh as the boy was staring ahead. Hughes talked on and on trying to get the kid to just mutter a word but to no avail, his eyes widened when the golden head of hair slumped forward as Hughes caught him and laid him back on the floor.

"What just happened? Is he ok?"

Catching the sense of urgency Hughes held his hands up, "He is fine, just exhausted, he is bruised up pretty bad and his arm will not stop bleeding. Although it's not a lot thankfully."

Feeling his stomach drop even more Mustang quickly made his way back to the hospital room, he saw the random blood splattered about where he had been fighting but there beside Ed's bed sat a pool of crimson.

"Hughes wait here, I'm going to find a doctor. Keep putting pressure on his arm and try to wake him up!" Mustang cursed himself, he should have known when he saw the kid staring ahead just moments after the fight. Ed was not exhausted at that point- he was going into shock. There he had been talking to Armstrong when he should have been chasing a doctor down in the first place!

Finally finding the doctor hiding behind the lobby desk Mustang all but dragged the older man to the scene, "he got cut badly in the arm…it's been at least fifteen minutes and it hasn't stopped bleeding."

It only took a few minutes for the doctor to inspect the boys arm before he set into action, "Colonel please gather as many nurses as you can find- I'm sure most of them have left but I need a team asap. His radial artery has been severed- he won't last much longer if we can't stop the blood and get this boy a transfusion.

With that Mustang was off only to be stopped short by Hughes, "Roy, stay here with Ed, he's going to need someone when he wakes up and you can't get around very quickly in your state. I promise I'll find some help, ok?"

Emerald eyes reassured the doubt in the dark ones that stared back, "very well, see you soon- and Hughes?"

Hughes turned to looked at him one last time.

"Thank you."

Hughes grimaced, "don't thank me yet Roy, we have a real mess on our hands." Turning to run once more Hughes was gone leaving Mustang and the doctor to hover over a paling Edward.

Handing more gauze over to Mustang the doctor pressed against the teens arm once more, "thanks to your friend there he has slowed the bleeding considerably but in order to preserve the oxygen levels enough to support his organs we are going to need blood now. Just put pressure here on his forearm and I will return as quickly as possible."

Nodding Mustang took the doctors place, an uneasy sensation came over him as he tried to keep the flashbacks at bay, there was too much blood. Too much blood to make any of this ok and even seeing Ed knocked out Mustang knew that the emotional pain was just as bad. He breathed slowly trying to calm himself down, he was no good in a panic and that was not going to help ed.

Readjusting his seating position Mustang winced as Ed's automail cut into his knee cap a bit- "what?"

Looking down Roy saw that Ed had transmuted his arm into a blade- probably his only defense. Mustang thought to himself.

Upon closer inspection though he saw small words transmuted as well, they read: I'm sorry.

Mustang looked at the transmuted blade in sickening realization as it was drenched in blood, the wound was self-inflicted. Narrowing his eyes Mustang grit his teeth for what was likely the hundredth time that day as he looked at the unconscious teens face, "Fullmetal you better not die…you have way too much to explain."

Hope you enjoyed! I'm not going to even promise any specific update dates but I will work to get the next chapter up soon enough! Feel free to voice any comments or criticisms! Thanks for reading!