So Sorry for the hiatus. Things went down at my place and they are still happening. But I had time to do a few chapters. I feel bad but this should help!

I woke up sore as hell and thinking about what had just transpired. I had felt the loss of Ed next to me. I whimpered a little as I turned my head to see nothing beside me but knew he had to get back to work. No one could know what we had done. No one. It was like performing a taboo.
I sat up and wondered how long I'd been asleep and if what happened really happened. When I noticed I was still nude, I blushed and began to dress, still thinking it was all a dream and I was acting it out in my sleep. Even after I had cleaned up and made myself look presentable, I still thought it was a dream...a very real dream.

Soon, in the middle of me trying to vaguely figure out the differences between reality and my own imagination, the large heavy door to my bunker opened with a creak. I snapped my head around to the opening, looking to whoever was coming in. When I saw the blue uniform and blonde hair, I smiled.

"I'm glad you're awake. It's dinner time."

"Dinner, already?"

Ed nodded as he scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, you've been sleeping for a while.

I cringed a little, feeling bad for sleeping the day away while he was working. "Sorry."

Ed smiled softly, walking to me after creaking the large door shut. When he got to me, he gently kissed my forehead, instinctively making me close my eyes and smile. His gentle kiss still felt warm against my skin even after his lips left my skin.

"Come on," he said, helping me rise to my feet, "let's get you something to eat. Miles thinks you fell ill."

"Ill?"

"Don't ask."

"Wasn't going to."

Ed smiled to me before letting me get shoes on. After, we left, heading toward the cafeteria, intending on getting something to eat. But those plans were dashed when Miles caught us just before getting there.

"Elric! Lockert! General Armstrong wants to see you in her office now!" Miles called from the other side of the hallway.

I cringed a little. That woman intimidated me something awful during my stay here at Briggs. I never knew I could be scared of one person in my life like I am with her. But Ed turned around, making us head toward Armstrong's office. I grew nervous as I tightened Ed's old coat around me. I even took in a shaky breath when we reached her office.

"Elric! Miss Lockert!" she barked. "You're out of here."

I gave her a confused look. "What?"

"You heard me. You're released. Your cousin just called saying she was going to meet you in the town and to be prepared to leave the country."

My heart sank and found myself gripping Ed's hand tightly.

"Leave the country?"

"I cannot say more. But get your asses moving. You need to be out of here by morning."

I bowed my head. "Yes ma'am."

Ed and I walked back in silence. I couldn't say anything, still shocked from the news that I had to leave the country. Why would I have to leave the country? Taylor found out who was behind the attacks, right? Where would we go if we did have to leave the country? Xing?

Ed took me from my reeling thoughts that left me faded from the world by taking my hand. I jumped a little, being shoved back to reality from those thoughts jarring me a little. I looked to him. His golden eyes were soft and a little hurt, saying things I knew he didn't want to say aloud. He pulled me into our room and closed the door. His arms wrapped around me in a warm embrace.

"I don't want you to leave either," he said after a minute or two of silence. I looked up to him, silently asking why he had just said that. "I don't care what General Lockert has said about you, you're not a terrible person, and I will miss you."

My heart nearly shattered. I knew I had grown to feel strongly about Edward, but finding out he wouldn't be able to go with me, making me smile when I saw him, making my heart flutter. He made me feel alive and like the person I could be. I hugged Ed tighter, burying my face in his shoulder. I fought back tears.

Edward made me face him, his eyes had gone softer and a little darker. Silently, he brushed his thumb against my cheek before leaning in and gently pressing his lips to mine. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him back. My body rose with heat, pressing my body against his. Soon, the kiss became more fevered, more passionate than before. Ed's arms had tightened around my body and lifting me to my toes. My world faded to just him and I. The perfection that it was. There was no threat of me leaving his arms. No killer on the loose. Nothing to break us apart.

That's when my mind came to the conclusion.

I loved Edward Elric.