Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Block ( Chapter 38 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Author's Note:

Dedicated to my friend who kept me writing even when I got tired of this story!

 

Chapter 38: Block

 

Andrea had fallen asleep on the couch in her friends' apartment. She was completely exhausted but hadn't been willing to lie down in her own bed. Instead she had remained, saying it was incase there was any news. In all truth however, she didn't want to be left alone.

 

Sitting in a chair at the opposite end of the sofa, Alphonse studied her features closely. She wasn't what would be considered a femme fatale, by looks or by character. But there was something there that couldn't quite be explained. Not an inner beauty, although she had that as well, but something more. Almost as though she were a nymph, not quite real so that he could never hope to truly catch her.

 

When she let out a soft moan in her sleep, he jumped. It startled the cat who'd decided to take a nap at his side. Glancing around Al realized that his other pet was on the back of the couch getting reading to jump down on the unsuspecting girl. “No!” He called out in a hushed whisper, getting up to try and catch the feline.

 

Unfortunately, while he was able to divert one disaster he lost his balance causing another. Tossing the cat aside, he only had enough time to put out his arms out to redirect some of his weight. Regrettably it wasn't enough because he still landed on top of the woman he'd been admiring only moments before.

 

The force jarred her awake. Seeing a man lying on top of her, his head buried in her chest, the blood rushed into her cheeks. “Get off!” She screeched, shoving him roughly, sending him tumbling to the floor. Anger filled her as thoughts of his possible reasoning came to mind. “You pervert! I thought you were different!”

 

Standing quickly, he stuttered, “But I… the cat…” He couldn't seem to get his tongue to cooperate and she was already rising. Her gaze bore into him, making it even harder to think. “The cat… it was…” Glancing around quickly, he realized that the two perpetrators were no where in sight.

 

“Oh sure blame it on the cat!” Shoving past him, she headed straight for the opening that connected the two apartments. “You jerk!” Slamming the one open double door, Andrea looked about the room, remembering what had kept her from returning here to sleep in the first place. `That's right… Briana's missing.' Tears welled in her eyes as she sank to her knees.

 

Hearing the sobs, Alphonse turned the knob slowly, opening the second door just a crack. Seeing her in that condition was all he needed to enter. Kneeling down, he took the artist in his arms. “It's alright, we'll find her.” His words were soft, and managed to win her over.

 

Clinging to him, she whispered, “It really was an accident just now, wasn't it?” He nodded and she pulled in closer. “I'm sorry. I'm just a nervous wreck right now. I keep thinking she'll come home safe and sound. But it's been almost a week Al. What if she's…”

 

Placing a finger against her lips, he refused to let her finish. “Hush. She's going to be fine, you'll see. Brother will find what he's searching for and he'll bring her back.” Gently kissing her forehead, he forgot for a moment that this was not a dream. This angel in his arms was real.

 

Backing away, he blushed, her doing the same although he didn't realize it. Edward watched all this from a vantage point in their apartment where he couldn't be seen. Sighing, he turned away. `I've got to find her.' Closing the door to the bedroom he sank onto the mattress which was covered with journals.

 

He was becoming weary but he knew the answer lay somewhere in those books. It was hidden in his mind, buried by something he couldn't understand. Why was it some memories surfaced while others remained tucked away? Lying back, without realizing it, he drifted off to the place between the world of dreams and the world of reality.

 

 

“You've got to find her!” Sitting up, Ed came face to face with himself. Golden eyes bore into his. “You can't just sit here and do nothing! I won't let you!” His own voice was yelling at him remorselessly. The only difference was that his double's hair was up in a ponytail.

 

With a sigh, the alchemist scratched the back of his head. These dreams were becoming something of a nuance. He'd been having them since Brie had been taken but for some unknown reason the only thing he'd ever received from this guy was a lecture. “I am trying. If you want me to find her why don't you tell me what I can't remember?” His tone was full of frustration.

 

“I can't do anything so long as you keep that wall up! Why don't you just let me take over again?” Jacob was demanding, tired of being overpowered by what he considered to be a moron. `This can't be the real me! I'm not that stupid!' He'd been dormant all the time that Briana had been happy, but now she was gone and things were clashing between the two identities.

 

Glaring at the doppelganger Ed retorted. “You're not taking over, you're not even real.” That seemed to cause the double's anger to reach its full height. He grabbed the alchemist by the collar, slamming him up against the door. “What do you think you're doing?!” Edward screamed.

 

“Showing you just how real I am!” Jake snapped back, keeping the blond pinned in place. He didn't hate his alter ego, but his frustration had finally come to a climax. “I'm the one Brie fell in love with and I'm the one who married her!” Their temper, it seemed, was one thing both men shared. “It's my turn. I will be the one to find her.”

 

 

He blinked a few times to regain his surroundings before sitting up. He was still in the bedroom. `I've got to get her back.' Standing, the blond headed out the door, already knowing exactly where he had to go. He didn't bother to grab the red jacket and only paused was when he heard a familiar voice call to him.

 

“Brother, where are you going?” It was Alphonse, who was kneeling in the kitchen filling the food bowl for the cats. He was taken back when he realized that there was a change in those golden orbs. It reminded him of when he'd first found his sibling. Rising and stepping forward cautiously, he queried, “Brother, is that you?”

 

Shaking his head, Jacob frowned. “No Al, I can't let him have control right now. I've got to get Brie.” Turning, he found Andrea standing between him and the exit. She seemed so dismayed that he actually moved to embrace her as a friend, like he had done in the past. “It's alright Drea, I'll bring her home.”

 

Pulling back from his grasp, the artist studied him closely. “Jake?” He was the only person who'd ever called her that, the only one who'd ever given her a nickname. `But if it's him then…' She was apprehensive now. She knew Alphonse needed his sibling. “Where is Edward?”

 

The blond scowled. “He couldn't find her Drea, so I took over.” When he saw how upset she was becoming he moved away, giving her a slight nudge toward the younger Elric. “Take care of her.” He murmured before leaving, not bothering to look back at the woman.

 

“Brother wait!” Al couldn't just stay behind. Taking Andrea's hands in his momentarily he told her, “Don't go anywhere. I've got to help him.” It was only after she'd nodded that he followed the man who should have been his kin. “Brother, wait up!” He called again, racing down the sidewalk.

 

Jacob glanced over his shoulder, slowing just enough for him to catch up. “I told you I'm not your brother.” He didn't mean to sound cruel, he was just worried. Noting the change in his comrade's demeanor he added, “He's alright. If he wasn't so bullheaded we could have done this together.”

 

Alphonse watched his face as they continued running. He could understand that Edward was hard to deal with, a lot of people thought that. Perhaps it was because the two of them inhabited the same body, and loved the same woman, that things were even more difficult. “You were trying to fuse, weren't you? That's why he could remember some things.”

 

Nodding, Jake paused a moment, glancing around to gain his bearings. “But he wouldn't believe that I was actually in his head with him. He kept saying I wasn't real.” The shorter man scowled at that thought. “I tried to tell him but because he put up a mental block I couldn't.”

 

Finding what he was looking for, the two started off again. “His fear that I would take her back was what made him refuse to merge. That's why I couldn't tell him I'd seen Envy before.” He wasn't sure why he was explaining but thought perhaps it had something to do with the fact that he wasn't sure how long he'd be in control.

 

Even as they were dashing along the route, the alchemist was struggling to take over. That made it very difficult to concentrate and thus they had to keep stopping. Shaking his head Jacob growled. `Stop it you idiot! I'll get you there then you'll have to take care of that monster.'

 

The fighting ended, allowing the rest of the journey to continue without delay. As they rounded the corner to the alleyway, Jacob pointed. “There, the old theater. The front's been boarded up so this is the only way in.” That having been said, he allowed his double to take charge.

 

Blinking twice Edward glanced back at Alphonse. He was wishing the younger had stayed behind. His new body could easily be injured by the enemy that lay within. “Wait here.” He ordered, already knowing that the command wouldn't be taken very well, and probably wouldn't be obeyed.

 

“I'm not letting you go in there alone.” His sibling countered, noting the change in the blond only after having expressed his opinion. Laying a hand on his shoulder he continued, “Brother it's too dangerous for just one of us. Let me come with you and help.”

 

Ed could already hear his counterpart telling him that they couldn't waist time. So without further argument he turned the knob. Finding it locked he clapped his hands together, unbolting it using alchemy but not actually changing the entrance. The last thing they needed was interference by onlookers.

 

It was dark inside, becoming even darker when they closed the door. Peering around Al saw what looked to be a hallway leading to the dressing rooms. “Hey.” He whispered, pointing it out. Edward motioned for him to stay put until he was sure it was safe. Coming to the first door he leaned against it, listening for any noise made from inside the room.

 

Only after approaching to the third did he hear a faint whimpering sound. Using alchemy once more, he opened it, stepping inside. He glanced around before seeing a figure crouching against the far wall. In that old costume she looked like a ghost but the curly hair was enough to identify the person. “Briana.” He breathed, taking a step forward.

 

Glancing up she scowled. “I already told you that won't work again.” When he knelt down beside her and stroked her hair she pulled away. “Just get it over with.” She growled, bracing herself for the oncoming punishment that always followed when Envy took this form.

 

“Brie, please… it's me.” He couldn't hold back any longer, taking her into his arms he hugged her tightly. To his dismay she didn't return the embrace. Touching her leg, he pulled away in shock. Raising her skirt he peered at her skin before uttering, “What happened to your braces?”

 

She shoved against him, her anger finally becoming too much to handle. “You know what happened to them! You're the one that used that stone my dad made! You're the one that…” Her sentence trailed off as she saw someone else standing out in the hallway. “Alphonse?”

 

Stepping in, he grinned. “You're alright.” He glanced to her legs, “He took them off so you couldn't run?” She shook her head, and in utter disbelief both men watched as she rose to her feet. A noise from the stage made the younger jump, moving in and closing the door behind him. “Brother, he's here.”

 

Briana's eyes widened as she realized what a mistake she'd made. “Quick hide!” She didn't wait for her beloved to protest, and instead shoved him behind the changing curtain. Alphonse followed, not bothering to ask questions. Instead they stayed hidden until the door clicked open.

 

Neither man missed the fact that the voice used was that of the Fullmetal Alchemist. “Have you decided to change your mind yet?” While they couldn't see from behind the screen, the air of hatred was thick as the brunette glared at her captor. With a smirk he shoved her roughly against the wall. “Your husband asked you a question.” Pressing close so the she could feel his hot breath he asserted, “As my wife you should answer.”

 

Edward felt his blood boiling. Inside he could hear Jacob screaming for him to attack. There was no way either of them would allow such abuse to continue. The alchemist slammed the curtain aside. While still kneeling he clapped his hands together and touched the floor. As he stood he pulled a blade from the concrete, growling at the homunculus, “She is not your wife!”