Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Brie's Return ( Chapter 39 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Chapter 39: Return

 

Envy grinned at his opponent. “She's not exactly the same woman you married, of course you're not the man she married, are you?” He was delighted to find that the mockery helped to fuel the temper of his old adversary. It made the whole situation all the more enjoyable.

 

Rushing at the homunculus, Edward didn't bother to ask him what he'd meant by the first part of that comment. Dodging the kicks sent his way, he found himself wishing he still had his automail. He hadn't realized how much of an edge it had given him. But instead of worrying about it, he yelled to Al, “Get Brie out of here!”

 

Nodding, Alphonse grabbed his in-law's hand, having to avoid the swings that the two fighters were sending toward one another. Making it out the door, he dashed down the hallway. While he didn't want to leave his brother in there alone, he knew the woman's safety was what the elder wanted to be sure of. Without that, Ed could become distracted and be in even more danger.

 

It wasn't until they were on the sidewalk out front that he stopped to look back. Briana was tugging on his arm, pleading with him, “Al, we can't just leave him there! He'll be killed!” There was no time to convince him, an explosion rang out, shaking the neighborhood. “Edward!!” She screamed, the arm around her waist being the only thing holding her back. “Let me go!” She cried, struggling against him.

 

In another instant a support beam gave way, collapsing the back part of the building down upon itself. A plume of dirt came at them as the Elric moved to stand in front of her as a shield. As soon as it had passed he turned to look into the rubble, choking slightly. “Brother!”

 

The two rushed forward, going around the perimeter and peering into the crevices. They couldn't step on the fallen stones for fear of the alchemist being under them. As they called out to him, a flash of light emerged, moving the debris. Inside the hole that had been created was a disheveled Ed.

 

“Brother!” Alphonse scurried over the mess. “What happened? Where's Envy?” But the blond only shook his head solemnly, a sign that they would have to talk about it later. Helping him out of the rubble, he realized that his sibling was bleeding from the side. “Brother, you're hurt.”

 

A smirk crossed over his lips as they reached the bottom of the pile. “Just a scratch.” He murmured, taking his wife into his arms. After a long kiss she buried her head against his chest, sobbing uncontrollably. “Don't worry Brie, everything is fine now. He's gone.” She glanced up at him and he nodded as if to reassure her.

 

Swallowing hard the brunette clung to him too tightly causing him to give out a very faint groan. Pulling back she noticed the gash Al had mentioned. “Edward…” Tugging his shirt out of the way, she looked at the wound. It wasn't deep but it would need to be taken care of.

 

“It's alright.” The alchemist assured her, knowing from the expression on her face that she didn't believe him. Looping an arm around her waist, they weaved their way through the crowd of onlookers who had gathered around the demolished old theater. “Let's go home.”

 

Briana didn't say anymore, she just kept close to her husband. There would be plenty of time for explanations later. For now she merely wanted to get away, to be in the safety of their apartment. `I'll have to tell him though… after he gets bandaged up and we're alone.'

 

 

As the door opened Andrea's gaze shifted toward it, her eyes becoming wide when she saw who entered. “Brie!” Rushing forward she embraced her friend, only backing away when she saw blood on the other woman's dress. “Oh no! What happened, are you alright?”

 

Nodding, the brunette, guided her spouse toward the bathroom. “Yes I'm fine but I have to see about Edward.” Once inside, she closed the door and then lowered the lid to the toilet, allowing him to take a seat. Pulling off his tee-shirt, she scowled. She placed a washcloth in under the faucet and turned it on.

 

When the rag was damp enough she knelt down to clean the wound. Two golden orbs watched her carefully, never wavering from her face. He hissed with pain when she accidentally pressed too hard. “Sorry.” She murmured, drying it and applying ointment that would keep it from becoming infected.

 

“I missed you.” His words were soft as she put a piece of gauze and then medical tape in place. Her face turned up to him so that he could see the tears that were threatening to fall. Stroking her cheek, he whispered. “I'm sorry it took so long. If he would have let me take over, you would have been back sooner.”

 

Briana's brow furrowed as she peered at the man before her. `This is Edward… isn't it?' A fear stabbed at her heart, and in a desperate attempt to prove herself wrong she grabbed his left pants' leg, ripping a hole in it at the thigh. A breath of relief washed over her as she saw that the skin was bear, no sign of the Ouroboros. It was something she'd realized Envy always had, the one thing he couldn't change about himself.

 

“What are you looking for?” He murmured, pushing her curls back from her face. She turned away, blushing in humiliation. Knelling down on the floor beside her, he pulled her into a tight hug. “Darling I saw him that night, when I found the photo of you and your parents. Envy was in the tree outside the window. He'd been watching us.”

 

She trembled against him. “I was afraid it was something like that. It means that he knew where you were before anyone else did.” Shifting to peer up at him she added, “You're memory is coming back isn't it? Is that what took you so long? You couldn't remember until today?”

 

He shook his head. “No Dear, I've always remembered. Can't you tell who I am?” His eyes locked with hers as she processed his meaning. Her mouth dropped open momentarily, her voice gone. “It's me Brie, it's Jacob. Ed couldn't find you so I had to take over.”

 

Touching his face, she couldn't believe what he was saying. “Jacob?” As he nodded she collapsed against him again. “Oh Jake… but I… I don't understand. What happened to you? Where did you go?” Salty droplets were beginning to fall like rain as she held him close.

 

“Hush now, it's alright. When Edward saw his brother he came back from the darkness. When he took over I was pushed aside. By the time I got to where I could see what was going on, you were happy with him. I didn't want to upset you anymore so I stayed dormant.” He tilted her chin upward, pressing their lips together tenderly before pulling away. “He wants control though.”

 

Scowling deeply, he struggled against the alchemist. Aloud he murmured, “But he says he's willing to merge now, to become one.” Grasping his beloved's shoulders he asked, “That's what you want isn't it? For the two of us to be one? Tell me the truth this time Brie.”

 

She nodded slowly. “Yes Jake, that's what I want.” He smiled, showing that it was also his desire. He was tired of fighting and it showed. Quickly, before they had time to switch out, she pulled him into a passionate kiss. However as she backed away the change was complete.

 

“Brie…” Ed hugged her close, desperate to feel the love she'd just expressed for his counterpart. Of course, she didn't let him down. In both her mind and heart, they were the same. Bringing their lips together, he showed just how much he too had longed to have her back.

 

Pulling away, she had to gasp for air. “I missed you Edward.” A knock on the door startled her. Glancing up toward it she smiled, and whispered. “I guess they're worried about us.” To the person who was beckoning the couple, she called. “Hold on a sec. We'll be right there.”

 

“Alright.” It was Al's voice that answered. He didn't say anymore, but they heard him as he walked away. Ed grinned at his wife, helping her to stand. He felt a sense of delight rush over him when she didn't have to lock her knees. She seemed perfectly normal again, although he'd always considered her to be perfect.

 

Alphonse and Andrea were already sitting in the two chairs that they had moved into the living room. But the artist stood to embrace her once more before the married couple took a seat on the couch. After they were settled Brie snuggled against her husband who asked the question that they were all wondering, but were afraid to mention aloud. “What happened to your legs?”

 

She felt the flush run to her face as she mumbled, “It was a stone.” Questioning gazes were trained on her. With a sigh she continued, “A stone that Envy said my dad created. Somehow he made it without the final ingredient… and anyone could use it. So Envy pressed it against my back and after that I could walk.”

 

Edward was scowling, but it was Alphonse who spoke up. “A stone? You mean like the Philosophers Stone?” She gave a nod as an affirmative which sent his mind to reeling. If there were several of these things it could mean another step in the science of alchemy. “Were there anymore of them, or just one?”

 

Shaking her head Brie explained. “Sorry Al, just one that I know of and it sort of… disappeared.” It hadn't exactly vanished but she wasn't willing to explain the details just yet. She wanted to simply enjoy being home for awhile. She wasn't sure how long before the truth would have to be reviled. “By the way, what happened to Envy?”

 

The blond knew the question was directed toward him. Unfortunately he really didn't know what had taken place. Shrugging he gave his best guess. “I think there might have been at least one more stone that you didn't know about. The portal to the gate opened and he was drug in.”

 

Shaking his head he tried to recall the details, but found it hard. “I can remember fighting with him. It was right after he sliced my side that he pulled something out. I didn't get a good look at what he was holding but I think it might have gotten some of my blood on it. That must have been what opened the gate.”

 

Andrea frowned, she didn't understand the conversation they were having. She knew little of alchemy and thus couldn't grasp concepts that most alchemists were unaware of. “So… is he dead?” Her friend's knowledge of the gate was also limited, not ever having been fully informed.

 

As response to the question, Alphonse murmured a, “Probably.” It was what he hoped was the truth at least. “Right brother?” His sibling only shrugged, not knowing the exact answer either. It was something they both supposed but couldn't be certain of. After all, Al had been in the gate but had come back alive.

 

“I wouldn't worry about it.” Ed finally admitted, picking up on the fact that the artist was becoming nervous. Outside the sun was already beginning to set. It had been a long day and everyone seemed to be exhausted. “Brie and I are going to turn in. We'll see you in the morning.”

 

The brunette's eyes were already closed. For the first time in over a week she was safe. Only when prodded did she come to enough to stand. She had to be guided to the bedroom. Lying down on the mattress, she was asleep before she had time to change, or even get under the covers.

 

Watching her slumber, Edward couldn't help but smile as he changed out of his pants into a pair of shorts and clean shirt. `She's finally back home.' That would have been enough to please him, the fact that she could walk only added to his elation. Pulling an extra blanket out of the closet, he laid down beside her, covering the both of them with it. Gradually he too drifted off to sleep, his beloved finally back in his arms.