The Waters of Lethe
Disclaimer: I don't own FMA, I just like to play around in it's world and torture Ed for awhile.
Author's note: Post series AU, may contain spoilers. Rated for violence, blood, character death, and perhaps sex. It's a drabble series about Edward's life in our world as he struggles to let go of painful memories. Some movie events will happen, just not as they did in the movie.
Warning: Will eventually contain lousy German, and even worse Japanese. Plus possible movie spoilers.
Beta: Kittygirl109
4. Plans Are Made (Plane werden gebildet)
Edward picked up one of the passports and opened it to the first page. His picture stared back at him, but the name was false: Edward Bauer. He quickly scanned the rest of the page before turning to Hohenheim in confusion. "We're Swiss?"
His father shrugged, "Our alters were British citizens, but we technically don't own allegiance to any country. Because the British Embassy is in Bonn, it would be too far away to help us in case of trouble. Switzerland is a neutral country and the German government cannot follow us once we get past it's borders."
Edward carefully considered his next question. "But won't the Nazis also consider we would flee to Switzerland?"
"That is where the different currencies come in. This gives us more than one option - they will expect us to go west - to France or England, or north - to Switzerland or the Netherlands. But I don't believe east - to Poland or Russia, or south - to Italy or Spain will be thought of. Plus, we can exhange our money at any large bank without suspicion and buy passage to yet another country - would you like to see America?"
Edward shook his head at his father. The man was excited, like a child planning a make-believe adventure to the moon, but this plan was fraught with danger. But before he could broach his concerns, Hohenheim suddenly sobered up. "I can see it in your face Edward, you think I am making this up just to get you out of your funk, don't you? Well, I can assure you Madame Eckart was quite serious, she means to open a portal to our world and now she believes we are 'Shambalans', she wants to have us under her control."
For the second time that night, Hohenheim laid his large hands on Edward's narrow shoulders. My son is so thin, does he has the strength? "Listen closely. I want you to go to the attic and fetch two of our suitcases. Pack yours with a few changes of clothes and whatever books or mementoes you absolutely cannot live without. When you get back downstairs, go to the front hall closet and chose a jacket and a coat, then take them to that old chest by the window which overlooks the courtyard. Here are your travel documents and passport, put them in the coat pockets, then hide them in the chest. The day worst comes to worst, you can just grab everything and go out the window."
Edward grimaced, "Father? You will come too, right?" There was a terrible sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach and now he regretted finishing his dinner.
"I will try, Edward." Hohenheim assured him. "But if I can't, I will try to stall them, or even misdirect them so you at least can get away, I - " The ringing phone cut him off, so Hohenheim patted Edward's shoulder then turned away and went into the living room to answer the ringing summons.
From the study, Edward could faintly hear his father speaking. "Yes, I am watching the time Fraulein Eckart, I will be there. No, I won't keep Herr Hitler waiting, the meeting will start promptly. Goodbye."