Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Hospital ( Chapter 17 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Chapter 17: Hospital

 

Being wheeled back into her room, Briana waved the nurse away. “No, please just let me sit for a while.” When they had gone she turned to Ed with a smile, who was in his place at the chair beside the bed. This was obviously going to be one of her better days. Alphonse had gone back to the house with Winry. “Come here darling, your hair is a mess.”

 

Grinning he got up and moved to sit on the floor before her. Handing her the brush he'd gotten from the table he sighed. “Did you do this for him?” When she gave a noise between a grunt and a moan, he persisted. “Did you brush Jacob's hair? I saw some of the pictures you have. He wore it down.”

 

Nodding slightly she refused to be upset by his comment. Unfurling the braid she placed the rubber band around her tiny wrist. “Yes.” She paused, “I used to brush your hair. It was something I always did after you'd taken a shower.” Laughing slightly she continued. “You were always complaining about the tangles.”

 

Stopping her hand with his automail one, he turned his head to look at her. Her eyes peered deeply into his, as if to say she didn't want to be questioned on the matter. Retuning to his previous position he allowed her to carry on. “So I guess Jacob let you do a lot for him.”

 

Squeezing his shoulder lightly she frowned slightly but kept on brushing. “I did a lot for you Edward. Let's stop all this nonsense about Jacob versus you. You and he are one and the same.” Kissing his head gently she continued. “I love you Ed. And I still want to care for you.”

 

The alchemist smiled, closing his eyes he leaned back against her chair. “I love you too Brie, and thanks, for putting up with me.” Laying his head on her lap he reveled in her arms being draped around his neck, her palms resting on his chest. He took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

 

“I can't finish if you don't sit back up dear.” When his grin broadened she giggled. Running her fingers under his neck she thought back to when she'd first fixed his hair for him. He'd been in the hospital and frustrated with his automail. Since then he'd preferred for her to put it up.

 

“How was physical therapy?” He asked, a question that seemed to come clear out of the blue. Still he wasn't looking at her. “The doctor says you're doing well. Apparently you can do everything but walk. And here I thought I'd get to take you home and look after you like a child. You've ruined my plans.”

 

When he did peer upward, he saw that the expression on her face had changed. Turning around he put a hand under her chin. “I'm so sorry darling. I didn't mean to upset you. Please don't cry. I was only joking. I'm happy you've come so far, really I am. Oh please don't cry.”

 

Shaking her head she didn't allow a single tear to fall. “It's not that. It's just… Oh I don't know! I thought I'd be taking a baby home in a few months, but now I feel like one myself. I can't do everything I want to and it's frustrating.” Finally, as the salty droplets did break through, she allowed him to come forward.

 

He was still on his knees but leaned so that his arms were around her. “I know it is, but you'll get used to it. Then you'll be able to do everything you did before. Just wait, I'll be eating your cooking again before long.” That lifted the edges of her lips just a little, which was enough.

 

Wiping the tears away, she tried to get her emotions under control. “Turn around so I can finish.” He complied, allowing her the chance to run her fingers through his hair. Her own desperately needed washing. The nurses had done the best they could but it still felt oily. How she longed for a long steaming hot bath! But for the moment it was out of reach.

 

“Brie?” She gave a slight sound like `what'. “I was so scared when I saw you standing there with Envy. It was like he was ripping my world apart.” The brunette leaned over, wrapping her arms around him once more. “I thought I'd lost you Brie. I don't know what I would have done if you had died.”

 

Kissing his neck, she squeezed him in a tight hug. “It's alright now though. Like you said, I'm alive, and that's all that matters.” Sitting up straight she finished brushing out the tangles. “I've been thinking, maybe while you and Al are gone on your trips I can stay with Winry. I'm sure she…”

 

“No.” He interrupted, his voice conveying his conviction. “We're not going anywhere.” She started to speak, but he held up a hand to stop her. “Not for a while anyway. I don't want to leave you until I'm sure you're going to be fine. Even if you were with Winry, Envy could attack again.”

Briana sighed, she'd thought of that. But hadn't that man's intention been to kill the baby rather than her? Otherwise he could have stabbed her through the heart. `Of course if Ed hadn't come in, he may have done both.' Shaking away the idea she began to weave the locks into a braid.

 

“Hey, it's good to see you out of bed!” There, standing in the doorway with a bouquet of carnations was Wyatt. He paid little, more like no, attention to the blond, who was scowling at him. “I'm sorry it took me so long to get here Brie but I've been so busy with work.”

“It's okay.” She assured him, poking Edward in the side to make him get up from his kneeling position. She wasn't happy with his behavior toward her friend. Accepting the flowers she inhaled deeply. “Oh they're absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much.”

 

He took a seat in the chair which the alchemist normally sat in. That made the shorter mans blood boil rapidly, although the taller gentleman still chose to ignore him completely. “So are they going to be sending you home anytime soon, because you look perfect to me.”

 

Briana noticed that her husband was standing behind her, his hand on her shoulder. It was almost as though he were trying to tower over his rival and lay claim to her at the same time. “I'm afraid they want to keep me for a little while longer, make sure I can get around without too much trouble.”

 

Shaking his head, Wyatt sighed. “Ah well, I suppose they know what's best.” For the first time since arriving he glanced at Ed. A frown seemed to cross over his face. `I can't believe he won't tell me exactly what happened. He better not be the one to blame.' Aloud he asked, “So she'll be staying with you?”

 

The scowl had remained firmly in place the entire time and was not about to be moved now. “Of course she will. She's my wife after all. Why, do you have a better idea?” His temper was getting the better of him. He didn't like how this guy expressed liberties with his woman.

 

“Well, you are a state alchemist, so I don't see how you'll be able to take care of her.” Before there was an explosion he continued. “I've heard a lot about you Fullmetal. You go off and leave Central for several weeks at a time. How can you expect to watch over her if you're not here?”

 

“I will be here!” Ed was being pushed to his limit. He started to move around the wheelchair when he felt a hand on his. Looking down he saw that Brie was still giving Wyatt a calming smile, but something was off. `She doesn't agree with him but she doesn't want a fight either.' Sighing he added in a less threatening tone. “I'll be doing some research here at home until she's well.”

 

With a slight nod the man rose. “That's what I wanted to hear. Take good care of her, you're a lucky man.” Leaning down he took Briana's hand and kissed it. “Bye, I'll call and check up on you later.” He started to leave but before passing he whispered to the blond, “State Alchemist or not, if you hurt her you're dead.”

 

As the door clicked shut, the brunette allowed her shoulders to fall with a sigh. “Oh Ed must the two of you argue over me?” When he came around and kneeled at her side, she cupped his cheeks in her hands. “You've already won the battle, so it's time to quit fighting.”

 

Pulling her into a kiss, he was remorseful for having gotten so upset. “I'm sorry Brie, he just drives me crazy the way he looks at you.” A knock on the door made him moan. `How many people are going to come through here today?' He wanted time alone with his wife. “Come in.”

 

“Fullmetal.” A man came into the room followed by Riza. “It's good to see you doing so well Mrs. Everson. I am Colonel Mustang, your husband's superior and this is Lieutenant Hawkeye.” Taking her offered hand he shook it. “I've heard so many good things about you.”

 

Giving him a smile and nod, Brie tried to figure out what would be an appropriate response. Edward didn't exactly get along with this alchemist and she knew it. “I've heard a lot about you as well. It's good to finally be able to meet both you. I guess I was out quite a while.”

 

He grinned, before turning to Ed, “I've heard that you requested to stay and do research in Central for at least a few months. Arrangements have been made so that you can take home as many books from the library as you need. There'll be no restrictions made. I'm sure that should be suitable.”

 

Maybe he'd been wrong about Mustang. The older man seemed to understand why the blond didn't want to leave town. “Thanks Colonel, that'll be a big help. But I get the feeling there's more to your reason for coming here. You didn't just come as a social call, did you?”

 

`He knows me too well.' Roy thought to himself with a frown. “No, I need to speak with your wife.” Turning his attention back to the young woman he continued. “You realize that what happened to you has been kept a secret from the media. Even the doctors don't know how it happened. Tell me, what do you remember?”

 

“Everything.” It was one word that was dripping with a mixture of venom and sadness. She despised the creature that had done this to her. “I can remember the noise he made when he came in. I thought it was Edward. He even took that form. But before killing my child he… changed.”

 

Nodding, it was just as the Flame Alchemist had feared. “I'm going to have to ask you to try and forget it if you can. I realize that it will be hard to do but it would be best for everyone involved. We can't allow any outsiders to know. Even military personnel must be kept in the dark. Understand?”

 

She bit her lip before sighing heavily. “I understand that that thing wasn't human, and so it has to remain under wraps. I won't speak of it to anyone, but I don't see how you can expect me to forget such an event. That beast took my baby from me. You can't really ask me to just put it out of my mind.”

 

Riza stepped forward. “It's alright, we understand. So long as you don't tell anyone things should be ok.” She was taking the liberty of explaining so that her superior wouldn't say something he'd end up regretting, or setting Edward off on another infamous tirade.

 

“Very well then.” Roy said, turning on his heal to exit. That was all he had wanted to make sure of. “See you later Fullmetal.” He threw the comment over his shoulder carelessly. Once in the hallway he told the lieutenant, “He's certainly found a rare gem, hasn't he?”

 

“Yes sir.” Hawkeye agreed. She wasn't just saying that, she truly believed it. Briana was stronger than she looked, and that was something Ed needed in a woman. Without it, she wouldn't last long following the Elric family. But maybe Brie could at least help keep his temper down. It sure seemed like she'd managed to do so thus far.

 

Once they were gone however, the woman in question broke down. She sobbed into her husband's shoulder until there were no tears left to cry. After that, he'd placed her on the hospital bed to sleep. Yet even in that state she was unable to escape the nightmare that was truth. Her baby had been killed, murdered by a changeling of sorts.

 

The only one there to quell her fears when she woke screaming out with the pain was Edward. Silently he vowed he'd get revenge for what had happened. He'd never been able to kill the homunculus before, but now a fire had been lit that would burn until their child had been avenged.