Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ An Alchemic Reaction ❯ The OverCoat ( Chapter 4 )

sorry for the delay! This chapter is a bit more character development, and relationship development

 

An Alchemic Reaction

 

Chapter 4

 

The OverCoat

 

Roy stood up, firmly leaning upon the mahogany desk, he asked with a sharp tone, “Major, forgive my interruption, but where is lieutenant Hawkeye?”

 

His dark stare examined the Major, who for once in his life, seemed to be at a loss for words.

 

Major Armstrong wavered for a moment, he knew the question would be brought up eventually; Hawkeye was Mustang's Right-Hand and at one time his personal companion. He was never quite sure as to why that relationship ended, but it was clear that the General felt odd without her by his side, especially at Headquarters.

 

“Well, I am sorry to inform you...but..”

 

Roy gripped a stray pen, nearly breaking it, his eye widened at the apologetic tone. 'Oh no..'

 

“Spit it out Major...is she...is she injured?” Roy kept a steady gaze upon Armstrong, trying to decipher the measure of trouble Riza just may be in.

 

“Yes, Sir...it is actually a bit worse…she is comatose.” The famously muscular Major nearly broke into tears at his response.

 

Roy went into immediate action, slamming the large mahogany doors open. 'How come no one told me? This is my entire fault! I shouldn't have left her behind! Damnit! DAMNIT!' The General raked his hair frantically as he marched towards the medical ward. He felt like fleeing but he knew he had to see her; he had to deal with the abandonment he had placed upon one of his closest comrades.

 

Winry gave Havoc a sympathetic smile. “It will all be fine, we will try our best to get her back, remember that she is one hell of a fighter! I'm confident that she will pull through!” Winry placed her hands on Havoc's slumped shoulders. Havoc looked up at her from his seat, still in shock from her shocking announcement. “Please Miss Rockbell we really shouldn't tell anyone about Riza's state, especially the General.”

 

“You are aware that, eventually she will...well...show...right?” Winry looked at him questionably, she was worried about him, he was a true wreck.

 

“Yeah yeah...I know..but...but just for now...maybe once things settle down.” Havoc clasped his hands nervously against his forehead; he leaned forward placing his head between his knees.

 

-­

 

“Hmm...well against my better judgment...I guess it would be fine for now...I'll keep this between us Havoc.” Winry sighed, and reached for a pen in her breast pocket. Just then, she felt a whoosh of air crash through the calm of the room. She turned around to find the dark General standing in the doorway, staring menacingly at her.

 

'How fitting' Roy thought to himself as he stood silently, he felt a chill run down his spine. The mere sight of the Rockbell girl in a white coat, caused a sensation of nostalgia and self loathing. 'She just had to be here...with Riza'. Roy watched as Winry slowly stood up and begin to explain the situation to him. He turned to his right to find his fierce friend lying still and lifeless on the hospital bed. Winry's voice seemed far away and muffled as he stared at his fateful friend. He had to concentrate on keeping his wits about him. Hell, he had to concentrate on being able to stand. Just as he felt as he was about to topple over into a pitiful mess, he heard his name reverberate through him from a soft and sweet voice. He gradually felt a pliable pressure against his chest, he quickly snapped out of his daze.

 

“Roy..” He looked down shocked into disbelief. The Rockbell girl had her arms wrapped around him, and she called him by his first name. It was almost as if she knew he was about to crumble into a pile of self pity, but instead of reveling in it, she held him, supported him. He was wordless at this point, he just stood motionless, keeping his arms firmly against his sides. She looked up at him then, and held his gaze.

 

Her bright azure eyes capturing him to a point that alarmed, and enthralled him all at once. She began to speak, but he couldn't make out all the words, he felt her voice and watched her tongue flick from her mouth as she spoke. He felt himself getting lost again, but in a much more soothing manner, albeit at a very inopportune time. Then, it happened...a movement behind Winry...he saw him there...what was he doing there anyways?

 

“Havoc? What are you doing here ?” He felt Winry squeeze him a little more.

 

Winry couldn't believe what she was doing, but she knew that if she had just stood there complacently, the General would probably have gone mad with grief and incinerated the whole damn place. She had to say something to calm the tension she felt rising through Roy.

 

She cut in before Havoc could say a word. “Mr. Havoc is the one who saved Miss Hawkeye, he is just here to help.”

 

Roy kept his glare fixated on Havoc, who simply stared back at him with an almost territorial fierceness. Something was up, and being kept from him. He could feel it in his bones.

 

“Just as the doctor says, Mustang...I stayed with Hawkeye, she was wounded shortly after you left to help the boss...and so I brought her as quickly as possible. So why are you here exactly? Eh Mustang? Maybe you should do what your accustomed to ...and leave Riza alone...”

 

Roy lunged forward, gritting his teeth. Keeping his composure was becoming increasingly difficult. Suddenly, he felt Winry's soft hands cupped around his face. The shock of feeling two -­

 

of her fingers lightly graze beneath his eye patch froze him into place. This girl had some amazing tactical skills.

 

“STOP!” she commanded in a stern voice. “General Mustang I am afraid visiting hours are over and you can come back tomorrow morning to see Miss Hawkeye. It is listed that Havoc will be guarding her overnight.”

 

Roy looked at her incredulously, “ WHAT? I am not allowing this, I am General Roy Mustang, THE FLAME ALCHEMIST, how dare you bark orders at me!? You are nothing but a little girl mechanic playing doctor! May I remind you that you are in Central, not in your country town of Resembool...I am the one who gives orders around here, MISS ROCKBELL!” At that moment, Roy knew he had lost his cool, it was all just too much for him to take.

 

Winry put all the effort she could into keeping her balance, she calmly took in a deep breath and matched the General's dark glare with her own. She would not allow him to intimidate her so easily.

 

“Let me remind you, General Mustang, that you are actually not in charge of this jurisdiction, and Miss Hawkeye is MY PATIENT. Therefore I suggest you show me some respect before you go and insult my credibility.”

 

They doggedly stared at each other. She felt his breath hitch with fury. Yet he still allowed her touch. The whole thing felt so strange and new, that she simply could not take it much longer. “General...please, you may come back in the morning. If memory serves me right, you have other places to be this evening.” She dropped her hands from his warm skin, and dug them into her coat pockets.

 

Roy blinked from the sudden abandon of her touch. He couldn't stand to be in this room much longer, he had made an ass of himself, and decided he needed to leave. He looked back at Havoc. “You and I will have a word later. Goodnight Jean.” Roy glided back towards the door, and stopped in front of it, keeping his eye fixated upon the door knob.

 

“Goodnight Riza, see you tomorrow” He exited swiftly, leaving the room with a heavy guilt ridden heart . He knew he had to eventually apologize to that damn girl, but right now, what he really needed was a damn good drink.

 

As soon as the tempest that was the Flame Alchemist, had stormed out of the cold room. Winry turned to Havoc and frowned. “You shouldn't have been so harsh. He did not leave her, he had to help Ed and Al. As for his past with her, that is their own personal business and you should know better then to mess around with all that.”

 

Jean plopped himself into the cot next to Riza's bed. “He wasn't all that nice to you missy...trust me, you wouldn't understand, I know him...”

 

“The things he said were cruel, but he was understandably upset, and shocked. Which means -­

 

that he does care...so please do not cause any more tension...it will not help, especially when he finds out the truth about you two.”

 

Havoc stared up at the ceiling, “Yeah...” he whispered.

 

“Well goodnight Mr. Havoc...I need to get going...” Winry headed out the door, determined to get back at that cocky bastard, Mustang. It was just her luck that she would have to share a meal at the same table with him that evening.

 

Shrugging out of her white coat, Winry looked out the foggy window. 'Great its going to snow and I left my heavy coat at Gracia's. Guess I better grab a cab.' She groaned and briskly strided through the halls, heading for the main doorway. Her shoes echoed lightly through the cavernous military hall. Her breathe catched and her eyes widened as she felt a prickling sensation run through her spine as she heard the echo of her pace resonate heavier. She was not alone, she paused watching the shadow from behind grow in front of her. The echo of his steps stopped, and only the sound of her shaky breath could be felt. She knew it was him.

 

Roy could feel every lean tissue of muscle in his body tense, as he engulfed the blonde doctor in his shadow. His nearness had made her edgy, he could sense it. Good, it would be easier to get some real answers from her in this state.

 

“Miss Rockbell, if I may have a word with you?”

 

Winry looked up at the ceiling, anxious, and exhausted. She whirled around to look up at the dark General. His acute single eyed stare unnerved her, in more ways than one, and she wasn't quite sure if the sensation was rattling her nerves or her emotions. Determined to keep up her false bravado, she brazenly faced the General eye to eye.

 

She crossed her arms, over her chest. “Yes General?”

 

Roy groaned lightly, “We need to discuss Lieutenant Hawkeye's situation further. I want a full report of her condition, including her medical charts.”

 

“Look General, I have already explained her condition,” Winry rubbed her arms as she felt the chilly draft from the nearby exit surround her. “And unfortunately she is not my only patient..and…and…..AAAHHhhCHOOOO!!” A furious sneeze escaped her at that most inappropriate moment. “Ah-hah…excuse me!” Winry covered her face, in sheer awkwardness.

 

The General couldn't help but feel a trace empathy for the young thing. `Is she cold?' he thought to himself. He smoothly snatched a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. She timidly accepted his chivalrous offer with a quiet thank you.

 

“You are shivering.”

 

Before Winry knew what hit her, she felt a heavy warmth envelope her trembling form. The -­

 

General had her wrapped in his overcoat. She blushed and looked up at him in complete bewilderment. “Umm…thank you..but don't you need it? It's very cold out and--“

 

“I think I'll be fine, Miss Rockbell.” He scoffed as he snapped his fingers together, creating a small spark of fire. The temporary flare, warming the small space between the two of them, the sensation eased Winry. “Besides, you kept me out of the rain, its only fair I return the favor. I can't have our top automail mechanic, and the doctor to Lieutenant Hawkeye get ill, now can I??

 

Winry wasn't quite sure how to react. Was he actually being compassionate, perhaps even friendly with her? `Hmph..he's probably being nice so that he can get more info on Hawkeye's condition.' Nevertheless, she nodded in thanks.

 

“Thank you, General, I really should be on my way.”

 

“Don't worry about it, I will see you tomorrow for further details on the Lieutenant.” He said, as he pushed the wide door open. A sprinkling of snow wisped through his jet black locks.

 

Winry paused at the door, and peered up at him questioningly.“ Oh, I thought you were joining us at Gracia's for dinner?” The cold fog of her breath brushed his face. She caught a distant and lost glint from his solitary eye. “General, are you alright?”

 

Roy just stared at her for that one brief moment. She looked like a porcelain doll, wrapped in his wickedly dark overcoat. A sweet innocent girl, who always seemed to be cloaked by the darkness of the world. Her cheeks burned pink from the cold, contrasting with her nearly translucent skin. He wanted to taste her at that instant.

 

He had to get away from her.

 

“Yes, I have a few things to do first, I'll see you later Miss Rockbell.”

 

With that, Winry watched as his form bowed in farewell, and disappeared into the hazy white night. It was bitterly cold outside, and she wondered why the General hadn't called out for a cab. `Oh well' she thought, hailing a nearby cab driver. ` I'm sure he'll be fine.'

 

Four hours later…..

 

Winry's eyes darted back and forth between the large black overcoat hanging on the coat rack, and the empty seat across the table. She knit her brows in frustration and a slight touch of concern as she lazily dragged her fork upon her plate. `Why should I care if he hasn't showed up? It's probably better that he isn't here anyway! He would probably be interrogating me all night about the Lieutenant's health!'

 

Still she couldn't help but wonder where the arrogant General was. He was usually a gentleman, and wouldn't turn down a dinner invitation from his late friend's family without -­

 

some sort of phone call at the very least. She looked over at Gracia and Elicia.

 

“Winry! Where is my uncle!? Is he sleeping?” Elicia asked loudly, as she munched on her bowl of pasta.

 

“Oh, umm….I don't know Elicia, he isn't here at the moment.”

 

Elicia looked down at her bowl, a bit downtrodden from the response. “Oh…I guess he's not going to come.”

 

Gracia patted her daughter's head in a gesture to comfort her. “Elicia my love, finish your meal, soon it will be bedtime. Your uncle Roy is a very busy man, I'm sure he'll make it here eventually. Alright?”

 

“Will Winry bring him back home? He promised he would play with me…” Elicia pouted.

 

Before Gracia could answer, Winry interjected.

 

“Yes Elicia, don't worry I'll bring him back for you.” Winry winked at Gracia, and smiled at Elicia. She didn't enjoying lying, but she couldn't stand seeing the little girl so sad. “Especially over that pompous jerk!'

 

Five hours later…….

 

Winry tossed and turned, but no possible position could keep her comfortable enough to fall asleep. She decided to head to the kitchen for warm glass of milk. Shivering from the frosty temperature, she glided down the staircase, and into the living room. Switching a light on, she gasped at the sight of the large balck coat still draped over the coat rack.

 

She forced herself to keep walking on to the kitchen. Once inside, she let out a heavy sigh, and proceeded to pour herself a glass of the creamy liquid. A few minutes later, she walked out into the living room, and stared at the ominous piece of cloth. She couldn't help but feel as if something was wrong. Where was he? Did he ever plan on coming back? Did he go back to headquarters?

 

All of a sudden, a shrill gust of wind pounded against the front door. The force of the air made the large overcoat drop to the floor. With a wide eyed stare, she slowly set her cup down upon a nearby table. Winry felt her instincts rage, and at that moment she was set in motion. She rushed up the stairs to her room, throwing on a pair of boots and a heavy red coat. She sprinted towards the doorway, grasping the General's overcoat, as she made a hasty exit to find him in the blistering white night.

 

WOW! Sorry it's been such a long time!

 

I've been extremely busy, I just graduated out of college, and began a new relationship! I have a little more time to kill right now, so I'm going to try my best to get the next chapter up -­

 

ASAP! This is a work and story in progress so it will take time to develop! But no worries I guarantee a bit more of what you want int his next chapter! Thank you for the reviews!