Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Departure ( Chapter 2 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

 

Chapter 2: Departure

 

The sun shown down onto the bed of the couple, it's warmth radiating in causing the man to stir. Something felt odd to him, and yet at the same time so familiar. `Wha?' Opening his golden eyes, he saw nothing out of place. He was in a room much like any other. `Where?'

 

Then he felt someone behind him shift, bare arms tightening around him. Instantly he tensed. `Who???' Turning slowly he could see the face of a woman, still asleep. Her curly brown tresses matched the length of his own. Noting that, he also realized that his hair was hanging loosely about his shoulders. Why wasn't it in a braid?

 

“Jacob…” The girl mumbled, opening her eyes slightly, revealing their blue-green hue. Smiling she kissed his shoulder gently. “It's still early. What's wrong darling, can't you sleep?” When he pulled away and sat up she frowned. `What's wrong with him this morning? Is it because of that guy last night?'

 

As she sat up her husband went through several shades of red before turning away. “Cover up!” He ordered, extremely embarrassed. After she'd done so he looked back at her and realized his dilemma. He couldn't exactly just get out of bed. And what was he doing in bed with her anyway? “Where am I?”

 

Scowling, Briana touched his shoulder but he shrugged it off. “You're home of course. Jake, what's gotten into you? Is it because of that man last night? Look if you want, we can try to find him so you two can talk.” Shaking her head she frowned at him. “I think he said his name was Alphonse. But he didn't seem to want to talk either.”

 

“Al?” What did this girl know about his brother? “Where is he? And would you quit calling me Jake, or Jacob, or whatever! My name is Edward.” He watched as those eyes seemed to turn a darker shade of blue. She trembled slightly as she realized what had happened. “Who are you and where am I?” He asked again.

 

“Jacob…” She breathed as she trembled again. Holding tightly to the cover with one hand she placed the other over her eyes. “You… you're…” He didn't know her, didn't remember her. Trying to regain her composure she told him, “You're at home, and I'm Briana, your wife.”

 

Shaking his head, Ed pulled to the edge of the bed. “I told you I'm not Jacob. I've never seen you before in my life. Now where's Al? Where's my brother?” This couldn't be real. It was a nightmare. Yet as another tear rolled down her cheek his heart told him to comfort her. Pushing that feeling aside he ordered, “Tell me where Alphonse is!”

 

“Gone.” She told him, sobbing. “He left after you wouldn't talk to him last night. He said it was better this way. He wouldn't even tell me about your past. And you didn't know him!” She glared at her husband, heartbroken by his cold reaction. “Jake… Edward, please, you have to remember me.”

 

Shaking his head, the alchemist grabbed the top blanket and wrapped it around himself. Snatching up the clothes off the floor he backed out of the room and closed the door. Finding the small bathroom he put them on quickly. `What's going on here? Maybe it's Envy playing games with me…'

 

Then he saw his face in the mirror. Why did it look so strange? It seemed… older somehow. His hair was defiantly longer too. Pulling on the pants, he shook off the thought. He couldn't be married to that woman in there. He'd never forget about Al, would he?

 

Briana was wearing a robe when he came out of the bathroom. She tried to touch him but he pulled away. “Please… Ja… “ She caught herself before he scowled. “Edward, don't leave me.” He was already headed for the front door. She pressed herself against it in a desperate attempt to stop him. “At least talk with me!”

 

“Why should I?” He questioned, pulling her from the door. `Why do I want to stay? I don't even know her.' Unlocking the deadbolt he caught a glimpse of her longing eyes. What was it about those things that set his heart on fire? “I'm not anybody's husband.” He told her roughly.

 

“Then why are you wearing a wedding ring?” Her voice seemed to break although she tried hard to keep it strong. Her face was wet with tears. How could he do this to her? Weren't he and Jake one and the same? Wasn't this Edward Elric still her husband at heart?

 

When Ed looked down at the silver band, he seemed confused. `It's a trick. Someone's playing a sick joke.' With a scowl he pulled it off and threw it at her. “Why don't you keep it, as a memento? And if this was Roy's idea, you can tell him for me that it wasn't very funny.”

 

As the door slammed shut, Brie fell to her knees. `He's gone… Jacob is gone.' Pressing her hands to her ears, the woman let out a wale that did not go unnoticed by the alchemist outside. Her heart was broken, her world was gone. He'd been the only family she'd ever known. And now he'd left her all alone.

 

Edward felt a twinge as he heard it. Rushing down the steps he swore to himself that he'd get back at Roy for this. `Good actress he found though.' But why would a performer affect him so strongly. Noticing the smoke from a train he ran for the station. Once in front of the ticket booth he told the man, “Central.”

 

The man behind the glass smiled. “Just in time Mr. Everton, you almost missed it.” Pointing to the train he laughed as the blond scowled, searching his pockets frantically for money. “Don't worry about it Jacob. You can pay me back later.” Handing him a two way ticket he laughed. “Brie not going with you?”

 

“No.” Edward, told the man hastily. Taking the tickets he rushed for the train. He would've only needed a one-way but it didn't seem to matter right then. Climbing aboard just as it began to pull away he thought, `This is some elaborate hoax Mustang's pulling. I wonder if Al agreed to it.'

 

Walking along the isle he rubbed his left ring finger. Glancing down he realized it was strangely raw where the band had been. How had they managed that? Then he heard it, the unmistakable sob of Alphonse. Physically he couldn't cry, but he sure sounded like it. Pulling open a door he looked in. “Al?”

 

Glancing up, the armor was startled. “Br… Brother? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be back at Brook Haven with your wife?” When the other Elric scowled deeply he saw the change in those golden eyes. Somehow they were different than the night before. “Do you remember me brother?”

 

“AL!” Ed slammed the door to the private car shut. “What are you talking about? Did you have something to do with this whole thing?” Slouching onto the seat opposite his sibling he put his head in his hands. Why did it seem like what he was doing was so wrong? “What's going on Al?”

 

Placing a gauntlet on his automail shoulder Alphonse tried to make him understand. “There was an accident three years ago brother. I wasn't able to find you. The military pronounced you dead. But you were with that woman. You had amnesia and you… got married.”

 

When Edward glanced up, it was obvious this was hitting him hard. He knew the younger Elric too well to still think this was a joke. “So she really was my wife?” Receiving a nod, he felt sick. `That means the tears were real.' Pushing back that thought he said, “We've got to talk to Mustang. We've lost three years worth of searching.”

 

“But…” Al wanted things to go back to the way they were. Yet he was too tenderhearted to just move on without a second thought. “Don't you think you should do something about that girl? She seemed to really care about you brother. Shouldn't we…” But he stopped when he saw Ed shaking his head.

 

“We don't have time for that Al. I can't have a wife and look for the philosopher's stone.” Glancing out at the passing scenery he sighed heavily. “It wouldn't be doing her right. Besides I don't even know the girl. So pretending wouldn't be the thing to do either. I'll talk with Mustang and get my watch back. Then we'll continue like normal.”

 

Alphonse didn't say anything. Somehow what his brother said and the look in his eyes didn't fit. He was already missing this woman he didn't know. It was better to let things go for the moment. He had his brother back. They could worry about everything else later.

 

 

“Hello Max, can you tell me if Jacob came through here?” Brie stood in front of the ticket window at the train station. After having cried her heart out in the living room, she pulled herself together and got dressed. She'd checked around town, but no one had seen Jacob. This was her last hope.

 

“Why yes Mrs. Everton. He left for Central just this morning. What's wrong? Didn't you know?” When she bit her lip the man behind the booth picked up on the mood. He'd known the couple for some time. They'd seemed to be perfectly happy. What could have gone wrong? “Would you like a ticket?”

 

Brushing away the tears before they had a chance to fall, Briana nodded. Fishing in her purse she found the money and paid. “You gave those to him on credit, didn't you?” Receiving a nod she pulled out the extra cash. “This should be enough for both. Don't worry about it Max. I'm sure it'll work out.”

 

Moving to take a seat on the bench she hoped she was right. Things seemed to be going from bad to worse. A tear streaked down her face once more. `How did it come to this? How could he forget all about me?' Closing her eyes, she leaned her head back against the wall behind her.

 

“Excuse me miss, are you alright?” When Brie opened her eyes she saw a girl standing before her. She was close to her same age, with long blond hair and blue eyes. In her hand she held tightly to a suitcase. “Mind if I sit down?” When Briana shook her head the other girl took a seat next to her. “I'm Winry.”

 

Looking at the blond, she felt horrid. How bad must she look for a stranger to ask about her? “Briana, but everyone calls me Brie. And as for your question, no I'm not doing so well.” A sob seemed to come from nowhere forcing her to lean into her hands. She just couldn't hold herself together.

 

Placing a gentle hand on her back Winry whispered. “It'll be alright. I'm sure whatever it is, things will work out.” But her words did little to subdue the tears. Frowning she glanced up to see her train pulling in. “This is my ride. I'm headed to Central. How about you?”

 

Slowly Brie lifted her head and stared at the train. She'd never been to the city before but had heard it was big. “Central.” Was all she said. Standing on weak legs, Winry helped her onto the train. The stress seemed to have taken it all out of her. She'd lost everything, including energy.

 

After they'd taken a seat Winry ventured to ask, “So what are you going for, to see someone?” An affirmative nod was all she was given. “I'm going there to see a friend of mine. Do you have a place to stay?” A shake of the head was her answer. “Maybe you could stay with me. I'm sure my friend wouldn't mind.”

 

Glancing at her, Briana managed a slight smile. “Thank you. I hadn't even thought ahead far enough to figure a place to stay.” Turning back to the window, she sighed. Closing her eyes, and leaning her head against the glass she drifted off into a thankfully dreamless sleep.