Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Parting ( Chapter 22 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Chapter 22: Parting

 

“I'll be fine. Now you'd better get back on the train.” She had to stretch upward to meet his lips. They seemed hungry, almost desperate. `He's afraid he won't come back. But why?' She allowed him to indulge in the kiss although she realized the mechanic was blushing and looking in the opposite direction.

 

“Be safe.” Edward murmured into her ear before backing away. His eyes held the same old longing she'd seen many times before. He didn't want to leave, but knew he had to. Turning toward Winry he cleared his throat to gain her attention. “Take care of her. Don't let anything happen.”

 

The blond waved her hand at him as if that were a given. “She'll be just fine Ed. You worry too much. Take care of yourself and Al. You two are the ones I'm worried about.” She glanced at the armor, which was now leaning over the wheelchair giving his sister-in-law a hug.

 

Briana had been the one to start such. She didn't care if he couldn't feel like everyone else. She treated him as a normal human, which included expecting him to be at the table for meals. “Take care of him.” She whispered, tears lacing her voice, her arms still around his neck.

 

“I will. Take care of yourself.” Alphonse murmured back, so only she could hear. As he pulled away he touched her cheek, taking care to remove the tear in the edge of her eye without his sibling noticing. He knew how much she cared about both of them. But he also understood why she worried more about Ed. He was more likely to be careless, more apt to be the one injured.

 

As the whistle blew the two headed for the train. However just before boarding, Edward ran back and stole one last kiss. “I love you.” He breathed before rushing back to the car he'd be riding in. Climbing aboard, he watched his wife as it began to pull away from the station.

 

Brie's throat was tight with tears yet to fall. Finding her voice just in time she called, “Love you!” His grin returned, waving vigorously out of the door where he'd entered. “Come back…” She whispered as the sight became nothing more than a distant speck. Sobs broke through.

 

Winry watched as the woman leaned over, her face cupped in her hands. It was reminiscent of that first time she'd seen her at another station miles away. Wrapping her arms around the girl, she let her continue crying until there were no tears left. “It's alright, they'll come back.”

 

The brunette dried her eyes on the handkerchief her husband had left her. He'd slipped it to her just as they had reached Resembool. `Take this, in case you ever need it.' She hadn't looked at it that closely and wasn't until then that she noticed in the corner he'd created a symbol using alchemy. In old scrip he'd looped together the E from his name with the B from hers.

 

A slight smile crossed her lips as she stared at it. “Did you get the letter I sent you?” She asked, still studying his handy work. The mechanic nodded although she had a worried look on her face. “Do you think it's possible? Can it be done or am I just reaching for the stars?”

 

Winry frowned. “It can be done. In fact I've come up with a way to make it work. But Brie… it would be extremely painful. Are you sure you want to try?” The expression on her face was enough of an affirmation. Standing the blond took hold of the handles to the chair. “Alright then but I warn you it won't be perfect. It won't be like it was before. Maybe later I could make it better. But…”

 

“But for now we'll try what you've come up with.” Briana finished, resolve already set in her heart. `I don't care how much it will hurt. I want to do this. Not only for myself but for him.' She'd sent the letter shortly after the mechanic had left Central. Ed knew nothing about it.

 

 

The train ride was a silent one. Neither of the Elrics seemed to want to speak of the subject that had been going on just before arriving at their old hometown. Finally Alphonse couldn't stand it any longer. He had to say something. “Brother, this is a good lead, right? I mean, it's not just fairytale?”

 

“Yeah Al.” Edward murmured, peering out the window. “I just hope that if we find the stone it has enough energy to get your body back and give Brie back the use of her legs.” It was apparent he didn't care about his own limbs. “But we'll worry about getting you back first.”

 

The armor nodded. `That's what Brie wants. She doesn't care about herself, just about us. Maybe that's what makes their bond so strong. Maybe that's why their relationship works, because she's willing to let him put me first. Still… I wish he didn't have to.' But that was a wish he knew could never come true until his body had been returned to him. Until then, she would come second.

 

It wasn't a matter of devotion or even of love. They all understood that Al's body was the most important goal. It was common among them, although to Alphonse his brother's limbs were just as significant. “Colonel Mustang didn't say anything about Envy when you called, did he?”

 

Ed shook his head. “No word on him. No idea where he might be. It's like that homunculus disappeared off the face of the earth.” Making a fist with his right hand he slammed it into the seat. “But I will find him, and I will make him pay for what he's done to her.”

 

“Brother,” Al stared, gaining him the attention he wanted. “The doctors, you never told me. Is she… They said she lost the baby but… will she ever be able to have another?” The air in the car changed, becoming thick and heavy. Suddenly it seemed a great deal darker.

 

“No.” The alchemist breathed, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. Swallowing hard he wanted to kill himself for allowing such a thing to happen. “She'll never be able to walk… or be a mother… or any of the things she should be able to. And it's all that bastard's fault.”

 

Bowing his helmet, the soul in the suit wished he hadn't asked. He'd expected as much but hadn't had it confirmed. It wasn't just the physical damage that had been inflicted, but the mental pain as well. She wasn't the same as she had been before. When his brother wasn't around she would suffer bouts of tense apprehension.

 

Her fear of being left had more than doubled, leaving her to scream out in the night. It was a wail he'd heard several times since she'd come home. Sobs would rack through her without warning, no condolence would help and they just had to be played out. He hoped Winry would understand the outbursts.

 

 

Gripping the sheets beneath her, Briana cringed. Her eyes were shut tight, her teeth clenched. Letting out the breath she'd been holding she released the material. Breathing hard she asked. “This is going to work isn't it? I mean, you connecting these wires will allow me to move the muscles and braces right?”

 

Winry nodded. A week had passed, giving her ample time to prepare for the procedure. “I wish you would have let me anesthetize you though.” Her grandmother was watching with interest. She'd been the one to help with the plans. It was up to her granddaughter to put it into action. “It would have been easier if you weren't awake for this part.”

 

Shaking her head Brie scowled. “No, I don't want to be like that again. I was in a coma for over a month. I want to be able to wake up and go to sleep on my own.” It was a real fear, one that kept her from sleeping soundly at night, although she'd never mentioned it to anyone.

 

“At least that was the last one.” Pinako said, coming up to inspect the work. The cords were connected to the muscles through a hole in the flesh. Several relayed signals from the many nerves though the muscles and on to the metal braces. Those were attached to her legs with straps like normal wooden legs.

 

“Yeah but now we have to attach them electronically.” The blond frowned looking at the bolt that, when tightened, would connect the circuits. Taking a wrench in hand she noticed granny already had one and was poised, waiting for her. “This is going to hurt so be ready.”

 

Briana nodded, closing her eyes and clenching her teeth. “One…” The mechanics began to count together, “Two…” Tension was thick in the air. “Three!” With that they tightened the nuts, sending the current through both legs, completing the path.

 

Her eyes flew open with this new sensation where there had been no feeling. Her body tensed, her chest raised as her mouth opened wide to scream. Nothing but silence filled the air, her voice gone with sheer pain. As the flow evened out she collapsed into unconsciousness.

 

 

Edward touched the other side of the mattress, scowling when he found himself alone. Sitting up he saw that Al was already out of bed, sitting at the table looking at the map. The alchemist glanced toward the window. It was morning, although it was early. “Maybe I should call and check on her.” He murmured already reaching for the phone.

 

Alphonse watched as he dialed. “The sun is hardly up brother. I doubt she'll be awake.” But it didn't do any good. His sibling had called every day since they'd left her with Winry. And every day she'd been just fine. `He misses her, although he says he just wants to make sure she's alright.'

 

When the line on the other end clicked it was a tired voice. However the greeting was laced with exhaustion rather than sleep. “Winry, what's going on? You don't sound like yourself.” Ed could already feel his heart racing in his chest. “Nothing's happened, has it?”

 

Instantly she shook off the fatigue. “No.” Her voice sounded a little too rushed. “What are you doing calling this early anyway? Don't you think she needs her sleep? For crying out loud Edward she has to get her rest!” The mechanic was overcompensating, but she didn't care.

 

“Put her on the phone.” He ordered, suspicious of the way this conversation started. Something had happened. He waited, rather impatiently as the mechanic went to fetch her out of bed. `What's taking so long? She can get in and out of that chair better then I could.'

 

“Hello Edward.” Briana's voice was weary, although she tried desperately not to sound like it. “Darling are you alright? Is Al ok?” If she asked the questions he'd be less likely to think something had gone wrong. At least that was what she was hoping. Luckily she was right.

 

“Oh I'm sorry.” He apologized, feeling like a jerk for having wakened her. Scratching the back of his head he frowned. “I just wanted to talk to you is all. I guess Winry was working late last night huh? She sounds like she's exhausted. Can you tell her I'm sorry for snapping at her like that?”

 

“Sure.” She smiled, conveying the message to the blond who was looking on with worry. They'd had a hard time moving her from the bed to the wheelchair. Her legs were still extremely sore from the day before. “Yes she worked straight through the night. You know how she gets.”

 

“Yeah.” He mumbled, stretching. It sounded so wonderful to hear his wife's voice. “Well I guess I'll let you lay back down. We're going into the cave today, so we should be heading that way soon. I'll call and let you know what we find, if anything. Or would you rather just wait `til we got there?”

 

Closing her eyes Briana sighed. She didn't want to risk another phone conversation. If he knew what they'd done he'd be back in an instant. “Why don't you just let me be surprised? So we should be expecting you in a few days then? Maybe we'll do something to celebrate your return.”

 

Ed frowned. “Don't get your hopes up, but yeah we should be back in maybe three days or so. No wait…” Calculating in his head he corrected himself. “Maybe between three days to a week from now. We don't know what we'll find once we get in there. If it's longer I'll let you know.”

 

Brie smiled. “Alright, but I'll want to celebrate having you back safe and sound.” When she received silence she scowled. “You'd better come back to me safely Edward. If you don't come back I'll never forgive you. Same goes for Al. I want my boys back in one piece, got that?”

 

“Sure.” He said with a laugh. “But maybe missing a couple of automail limbs.” He could just see her face turning red. “Don't worry Baby, I'll be fine.” He chided not realizing exactly what he was doing. It was the first time he'd used that particular word to describe her.

 

Briana touched her stomach lightly as she heard the term of endearment. `I lost your baby.' Swallowing hard she tried to overcome the depression she felt. She shuttered at the thought, remembering the pain she'd felt while lying in that hospital bed with him there beside her.

 

“Hey Brie?” The alchemist felt as if her attention slipped away just then. In his mind he supposed it was because of the hour and the fact that she was not an early riser. “Take good care of yourself. I don't want you having over exerted yourself trying to keep up with Winry while I'm gone.”

 

Rubbing her leg, the brunette tried to take hold of her emotions once more. It was as if they had broken free of the reigns and she no longer had control. “Don't worry I'm not even trying to keep up with that girl. She's like some sort of machine, she doesn't ever slow down.”

 

Laughing slightly Ed whispered, “Bye, I love you.” He wanted so badly to wrap his arms around her and hug her close. `Don't be depressed while I'm away. Be bright and happy when I return.' He feared that she might have the mental breakdown the doctors had warned him about.

 

“Bye, love you.” She murmured, hanging up the phone. Tears began to creep out of their hiding places to show up on her cheeks. “I don't think he knows. But we've only got a few days. I have to be walking by then.” She told the mechanic, pulling out the handkerchief she always kept close.

 

Leaning over her, Winry hugged her neck. “Hush, don't think about that right now. Just get some more rest, then we'll work on standing and such.” She knew what was happening based on the hand pressed against the brunette's stomach. Brie still cried out in the night.

 

It had been on her first night there, when the mechanic rushed into the downstairs bedroom that she'd heard her screaming, “My baby! My baby!” The blond had held her close until it had passed. Ed had always been there to quell the tears before words were able to be formed.

 

All he'd ever heard were the cries of pain and agony. And then, after she'd wake, pleas for him to help her, for him not to leave her. In a way she felt she'd let him down. It was after all his child. And now she could have no more, which meant he'd, never be a father. Not with her as the mother anyway.