Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Meeting ( Chapter 6 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

 

Chapter 6: Meeting

 

They'd been back in town a week and Edward was beginning to suspect something. He'd passed the test with flying colors and gotten his watch back. Yet for some reason he wasn't ready to leave Central. He felt as though there was still something he had to do there. That's when it happened.

 

Walking along the sidewalk with Al, he spotted her. There, just coming out of the grocery store across the street, brown curls swaying as she walked along carrying two bags. “Her.” Was the only word he breathed before dashing across the street, leaving Alphonse to call after him.

 

The familiar voice made her turn her head just as he came face to face with her. “Jake!” His eyes burned with something she couldn't explain. It wasn't anger, but something so familiar that she refused to accept it. In an instant it changed, becoming upset. And yet a hit of what had come before still hung in the linings.

 

“I'm not Jacob.” He said huffily. “You're Briana, the one Al told me about. What are you doing here? You're supposed to be back in that little town that I left.” He refused to give into his heart, which wanted him to wrap his arms around her and never let go. Logic said he couldn't love someone he didn't know.

 

“I'm sorry Edward.” Brie bit her lip and cast her eyes downward. She didn't want a scene there on the street, especially not after just having met an old friend in the store. She was sure he was still close enough to witness the display. “I lost my job back in Brook Haven. But I found one here at the library. Please don't be angry.”

 

“How can I not be?” But was he? Was he truly upset or enthralled with the idea of her being so close. He could smell the scent he'd breathed in that morning when he first got his memory back, and it was wonderful. “You don't have any right to come here and screw up my life!”

 

“Excuse me.” A tall brown haired man broke in. His green eyes peered down at the short blond with distaste. “Brie is this guy bothering you?” He'd known her when they were kids. Anyone who could make such sadness enter her eyes wasn't worth having around. “Why don't I walk you home?”

 

Shaking her head slightly, she thought of what the alchemist would do when he realized just how close they lived. Alphonse still had his cats so they stayed in the apartment rather than moving to the dorms. “No thank you Wyatt. I'll be fine on my own. By the way this is Edward, the Fullmetal Alchemist.”

 

Studying the shrimp beside him, he almost laughed out loud. But he knew the reputation of this dog of the military. He also realized that Briana was the same height. So instead he decided to be more tactful about the matter. “It would seem to me, that a state alchemist would know how to treat a lady.”

 

By this time Ed was fuming. “This is none of your business.” Turning to the so called lady he ordered, rather roughly, “We need to talk. Now.” Placing a hand behind her back he glared at the other man and with a curt tone added. “I'll make sure she gets home safely.”

 

The slight smile Briana gave was enough to quell Wyatt. He turned from the couple, sticking his fists in his pockets and realizing he still had her number and address. `I'll make sure and check up on her.' He didn't want to let her go, but knew better than to deal with an alchemist who'd come back from the dead.

 

Alphonse watched the action from afar. His sister-in-law had shot him a glace that said “Don't try to step in.” He wasn't sure what would happen, especially if they went back to her place. But this was enough to find a payphone and call Winry. She'd be dying to hear about what was happening!

 

 

The brunette didn't say anything. She reveled in the feel of his being willing to touch her. It wasn't as rough as she'd expected, rather it was lightly placed against her back. In some ways it seemed almost hesitant. They made their way to the park and took a seat on one of the benches. She sat her bags beside her before looking back into his eyes.

 

There it was again. That look that was something she felt could no longer be real. “I'm sorry I've upset you Edward. I had no choice but to take the job that was offered me. I'm not trying to butt into your life.” No she wasn't trying to butt in. `Just show him that I can become a part of it.'

 

Shifting so that his arm was around her waist he sighed and stared up at the sky. “It's alright. I don't have any business telling you where you can and can't live. It's just that…” Glancing at her sideways he felt his heart pulling toward her. Sliding his hand from around her he tried to shake the feeling. “You have to understand. I've got things I have to accomplish. What Al and I are doing is dangerous. I don't want you getting hurt. I'm sorry about your husband.”

 

To Brie it sounded as though he were telling her that Jacob was dead, killed by his own hand. She couldn't believe that. “It's not your fault. The doctors told us this day might come. I chose to take the risk that I might… loose him.” She watched the ground, thinking how appropriate a light shower of raindrops would be. “Can we at least be friends?”

 

Ed was watching her closely now. She refused to look at him. `She seems so helpless, so frail.' How little he knew about the woman before him. “I'm not sure that's such a good idea. But we can at least be civil, can't we?” She nodded, still not turning her head. “Al and I will be leaving town from time to time. Maybe you could take care of his cats for him. I'm not sure who he used while we were in Resembool, but I doubt he'd mind if you took over instead.”

 

A slight smile crossed her face. They'd managed to keep the friendships between her, his brother, and Winry well hidden. Finally peering into his eyes she said, “I'd love to.” How much she wished she could tell him that she loved him. But things had to be taken one step at a time.

 

“By the way who was that guy back there?” He glanced back up the road in the direction they had come. Jealousy had already taken root, although he didn't realize it. “He seemed to be very protective of you. But you haven't been in Central long. How well do you know him?”

 

That had to be her husband speaking, Briana just knew it. “He's an old friend I knew when I was little. Back before I met… Jake.” She'd almost said you but felt the need to separate the two men. That was what Ed wanted and so, for now at least, she'd humor him. “Wyatt and I went to the same school. Jacob never knew him.”

 

Nodding, as if still not completely believing her, Edward decided to speak of what he'd been mulling over of for a long time. “I think I'd be best if… uh… you have to understand that I'm not your husband.” She glanced away, already knowing what was coming next. “But I think you and… well I think there should be a divorce.”

 

Brie was scowling now. That wasn't what she wanted. She'd never thought it would come to this. But he was speaking to her now. `Maybe if the marriage is off, his resistance will weaken and I can win him back.' Sighing she weaved her web a little more, “I… If you're sure that's what you want. Like you said, you're not Jacob, you just look like him.”

 

Replacing his hand at the small of her back, the alchemist smiled. “I think it would be better for you. Then you'd be able to move on. And… you have to understand, my work is so dangerous. I don't want to put you in harms way.” He was relieved when she nodded.

 

He didn't realize that to her his words meant that he still did care, at least in some small way. It wasn't a declaration of love, but it was an affirmation that he didn't hate her. She smiled at him. “Do you want my number? So that you can call me before you leave town?” He frowned slightly, wondering at her reasoning. “I mean so I can know when to take care of the cats.”

 

“Oh!” His grin returned, one that she'd first seen back in the hospital. Pulling out a pad and pen he allowed her to jot it down. “What about your address? I'll need to know where to have the papers sent.” At that she hesitated, handing him back the pen. “What is it? I thought we agreed it was for the best.”

 

Shaking her head solemnly she explained, “It's not that it's just that…” What was a good enough lie to get her out of this one? If he knew she was only two buildings over from him all their work would be undone. But it was the only place she could afford at the moment. Collecting her bags she turned to him with a smirk of her own, “I don't give my address to strangers.”

 

“Hey!” He followed as she started to get up and walk away, as if playing the game of teens from a movie. “How can you call me a stranger? I know your name and you know mine. Not to mention the whole…” He couldn't admit their marriage, not after all he'd said. “whole Jacob thing.”

 

She turned to look at him from over her shoulder. Stopping she shook her head, her brown curls bouncing. "Nope, you said that you're not Jacob. So that means that you're nothing more than a stranger. But since it is Al's cats that I'm going to be taking care of, I gave you my number. That should be enough."

 

Catching up so that he was walking beside her, Ed tried again. "But, don't you think I should have it anyway, just in case?" She shook her head which puzzled him. It was like she was toying with his mind. But surely she wouldn't do that, she was too meek and pale. Wasn't she?

 

"Look don't you think someone should know? What if something were to happen to you? We would need to know where to find you." She gave him a smile that showed she'd figured out what he was doing. So he tried a different tactic. "Al could drop the cats off at your place." Again she wasn't buying it. Finally giving up, Edward sighed heavily as a sign of defeat.

 

Taking pity on him, Briana laughed lightly. It wasn't the kind to make him feel bad and wasn't taken that way. "Don't worry Ed, I'm sure it won't be long before we're good enough friends for me to let you know. Just give it time." Kissing his cheek lightly, she walked away leaving him standing with a satisfied smile across his lips.

 

 

Alphonse could see the change as his sibling walked in the door. There was an extra light in those golden eyes that hadn't been there since the before their mother had died. It seemed as though some of the passion Jacob had possessed was beginning to shine through into Edward.

 

"How did it go brother? Is she upset?" When the blond shook his head, Al was surprised. How could Briana not be crying her eyes out? "Well then, what happened? Did you tell her what you told me, about getting a divorce I mean?" He received an affirmative with a mere movement of the head. "Brother! You have to tell me what happened!"

 

Snapping out of his daze, Ed glanced up. "Oh, sorry Al. It went just fine. I explained to her that it was better if the marriage was ended. Oh..." Fishing into his pocket, he pulled out a folded piece of paper. "Here's her phone number. We'll probably need to keep it on the fridge. I told her you'd be willing to let her take care of your cats while we're gone. I hope your friend won't mind."

 

Shaking his head, Al decided that Briana must be a better actress than he would have thought. "No, I'm sure they won't mind. But you're sure she's alright with it? I hate to think of her at home alone crying." Then another thought crossed his mind. "You didn't happen to get her address did you?”

 

He could have sighed with relief when the alchemist shook his head. “No, for some strange reason she didn't want to give it to me. Said we were still strangers.” He grinned slightly. “I guess she was getting me back for saying I didn't know her.” A spark entered his eyes. “Hey Al, why don't you get it for me… I mean us.”

 

That wasn't what Alphonse wanted to hear. “I guess I could uh… try…” Turning from him he decided he'd better change the subject and quick. “So brother, Winry was wondering how your new arm's doing. She was afraid it might still need a few adjustments.”

 

Frowning Edward was beginning to wonder if something was going on. There seemed to be a lot more calling back and forth since his return. They'd never kept in touch that much. “No it's doing just fine. But, when did you talk to Winry?” And why on earth didn't he already know about it?

 

“Uh, oh she called while you were out.” How was he going to cover for this one? “She's just glad to have you back brother. I think she's worried that you might disappear again. You know how she gets, always concerned. And you have to remember, she thought that you were dead for the last three years.”

 

Maybe that was all it was. But still the alchemist wasn't quite sure. It sounded too simple. “You're right Al. I guess I'm just a bit paranoid since this whole thing with Briana. Seeing her today was like…” He trailed off not wanting to say it aloud. `Like finding my heart again.'