Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Her Knight In Shining Armor ❯ Love Fights Sickness ( Chapter 12 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

I do not own the characters Ed, Al, Winry or the basis for their past history. They belong to the creators of Full Metal Alchemist. I also don't own any of the fairytales mentioned. I don't own much of anything…

Warning: There will be some references made to the show. It won't give away anything about the ending… I don't think… Anyway there will be threats of rape and murder. Not too vivid though.

There will also be spelling mistakes due to where Lorna originates from. I allowed some spelling error because it's words she would use. And I don't want any flames on it. I'm from where she's from so I just had her speak the way I do!

Chapter Twelve: Love Fights Sickness

I woke up freezing cold. Al had fallen asleep next to me. He now stirred and looked over to me. Tears filled my eyes.

`Only a dream.' I thought sadly, `He loves someone else.'

I stood rubbing my arms. Al rose and took a blanket from one of the chairs and wrapped it around me.

“You're cold.” He whispered, patting me soothingly.

I nodded then sneezed. The fire had long since died. Outside there was a thick layer of snow.

I walked to the window and looked out at the ground. Where I came from snow was rare. Ice fell in the winter, it wasn't the same thing.

As Al came to stand beside me I sneezed again. “Lorna?”

I looked up feeling my head sway just a little.

“Are you okay?” He asked gently.

I shook my head then stumbled. The world seemed to be coated with thick honey. I didn't like the feeling.

He lifted me into his arms and carried me upstairs to my room.

“Hi Al!” Ed greeted cheerfully coming out of their room. Once he saw me his cheer turned to worry. “What's wrong with Lorna?”

“She's sick.” Al stated shortly, going into my room and placing me under the covers. “Get Winry.”

Edward nodded and rushed out the door. Al stroked my hair gently. His cool metal felt good against my burning forehead.

“What happened?” Winry questioned, rushing through the door.

“She's sick.” Al answered, turning from me.

“Out!” She ordered to both brothers and pointed to the door. They followed her directions and shut the door behind them.

Winry made her way to my side. “You okay?” She sounded concerned as she put a hand to my forehead.

I managed a slight, “No.” then passed out completely.

Now I was back in the field only his time I felt horrible. The sky had clouded over and it was starting to mist. I lay under the tree with my eyes closed. `I'm alone.' I thought. `I'll always be alone.'

Soon however I felt someone taking me into their arms. “Lorna, wake up.” I felt their warm hand stroke my face. “Please wake up.”

“Alphonse?” I questioned opening one eye. Sure enough there he was smiling down at me.

“Yes, stay with me.” He pleaded softly.

By now the mist had turned into rain. I hadn't really been asleep but rather was trying to go to sleep.

“I'm tired.” I grumbled, pulling closer to him.

“I know but stay awake. You can't go to sleep here.” I looked up at him questioningly, and then looked around us.

“Why can't I?” I inquired, turning back to him.

He shook his head frowning, “I don't want to loose you.”

“But you'll be right here. Won't you?” I twisted his shirt into my fists, afraid he'd leave me.

Al wrapped me up tight in his arms, “Yes, but you may not wake up.”

I moved back a little to get a good view of his face.`Why wouldn't I wake up?' It didn't make any sense but I nodded moving back to be close to him.

The rain was pouring down but the wind seemed to have eased up a bit. The flowers were all gone. The trees had been striped of their leaves. It was almost as if winter had come to my dream world.

“I'm tired.” I groaned again, trying to keep my eyes open.

“I know but just stay with me.” Al stroked my wet hair. “I love you.”

At this I opened my eyes wide. `No he doesn't love me. This has to be a dream. He loves another woman back in the real world.'

But this was my fantasy Al. One who trusted me enough to take off the suit. He would love me even if the real Al didn't.

I pulled close to him and closed my eyes. `This is a dream. But I'll hold on to it as long as I can.' My mind wasn't ready to let go of the feelings I had for him just yet.

I felt someone shake me fiercely.

“No! They're coming for me!” I cried, holding Al tightly.

“Go to them. Wake up and go to them.” He soothed, pulling away from me.

“No! I don't wanna leave you!” My hands were stretched out to him.

But by now he had stood and backed away shaking his head. “I'm there, on the other side, waiting.”

Slowly the scene around me melted away and I woke in a deep sweat.

Ed was standing over head shaking me. “Lorna please, wake up!” I looked into his wide golden eyes. “Winry she's awake!” He called out the door.

I rubbed my eyes. My hair was wet from where I'd been sweating so heavily. Turning I saw Al sitting next to me in a chair.

He took my hand and stroked it gently. “Hey, you scared me.” His voice was soft. It was so much like the voice of the Al I'd just left.

I looked at him and wanted to cry. I wanted to go back, back to my dream Al. I wanted to be where I was loved, not as a sister, but as a woman.

Winry rushed in and felt of my forehead. “The fever broke.” She breathed relieved.

“I need a shower.” I mumbled, still a bit dazed.

She nodded to me but then frowned. “I don't think you need to just yet. Wait until you get your strength back.” She turned to Ed. “Come on and help me get something to eat.”

Edward followed her out the door and down the stairs. Then I turned to Al who hadn't bothered to watch them go.

“I need to rinse off.” I complained trying to sit up. But my head swam and I fell back into the pillow.

“If I get you your swimsuit can you put it on?” Al whispered, leaning over me. I nodded, though it made my head swim again.

He walked over to the dresser and pulled out my two-piece. “Let me know when you're done.” He said, handing it to me. Then he turned and stepped into the hall closing the door.

With great difficulty I pulled off my wet clothes and put on the two-piece. Luckily I hadn't gained any weight since I bought it during the summer.

“Done.” I called out as loudly as I could.

Al walked in then scooped me into his arms. Carefully he carried me to the bathroom and placed me in the tub. He let the water run a little then asked, “Is the temperature okay?”

I nodded closing my eyes and leaning back against the wall. Al took a seat on the floor and watched me closely. He seemed deep in thought but my mind wasn't working well enough to try and say anything. After the tub was full he turned off the water and placed a rag on the edge of the tub.

“I love you.” He seemed to murmur, though I couldn't be sure. My mind could easily have been playing tricks on me.

Slowly I opened my eyes and took the rag. I began to rub my arms gently with it. I moved to lean back, trying to get my hair wet. Al was on his knees in no time holding my back to keep my head from going all the way under.

I raised up and blinked groggily. “Alphonse?” I questioned, unsure if he was real.

“Yes.” He answered softly. I nodded and settled back against the wall.

We sat there for a long while. After my fingers started to wrinkle I thought aloud, “I'm think I'm ready to get out.”

Al nodded and lifted me gently out of the water. I felt as limp as a rag doll. He sat me up on the cabinet and wrapped a large towel around me. Then he carried me back to the bed and laid me down.

Winry had apparently changed the sheets and pillows because it all smelled fresh and new. A bowl of soup sat on a tray next to the bed.

“What's that?” I queried looking over at the food.

“Chicken noodle.” Al answered, pulling the covers up tight around me. He then moved to pick up the bowl.

I wrinkled my nose at it. “I don't like chicken noodle.”

He shook his head and soothingly explained, “It's good for you. You want to get well don't you?”

I covered my nose with the blanket and shook my head. `Not if it means eating that stuff.'

Al shook his head again. “Well I want you to get well so eat up.” He lifted a spoonful to my mouth and I opened just enough to let it pass in.

Chicken, to my way of thinking, had no place being anywhere near soup. It belonged in the oven or a fryer. It should never be put in liquid.

However I ate it without too much complaint, though I did wrinkle my nose and gave Al pleading looks. He wouldn't relent and instead went on feeding me until wretched stuff was gone. Against my will it actually made me feel better, causing me nodded off to sleep again.

This time the rain was gone. The sun was out, keeping the area slightly warm though the trees were still bare and the flowers gone. I looked up beside me and there sat Al.

He stroked my hair gently and I moved to be close to him. “I told you I'd be there.” He soothed then kissed my head.

I only nodded and watched as the flowers slowly began to bloom again. One by one they made their way through the wet ground and into the sunlight. It was like watching a documentary unfold before us.

By the time I was ready to wake up the leaves had returned to the trees and Al's hand had left an imprint my arm.

I stirred to find the real Al sitting beside the bed watching me. “Morning.” He murmured softly.

“Morning.” I answered while stretching. My mouth was still lined the flavor of the chicken noodle soup. I rubbed my arm soothingly. It ached a little, like it had been asleep. I looked at it and there was a red imprint. `Slept on it.' I supposed.

I looked back to Al who hadn't taken his eyes off of me. I tilted my head a little then decided to get up. I rose from the opposite side and he came around to help me stand.

“Thanks.” I mumbled, “For last night too.”

He didn't say anything, just held my arm letting me find my balance. “I need to get dressed.” I said, making my way to the closet. Al nodded and left the room.

I looked at the closed door. This wasn't the time to talk. My mind still wasn't clear. It seemed to be confusing the true Alphonse with the one in my dreams.

Author's notes

Lorna: I don't like this story.

Joy: Don't worry it's always darkest before the dawn.

Lorna: Hey if I'm telling this as past tense shouldn't I know the outcome.

Joy: You should, but since you're just a character you don't.

Lorna: frowns

Joy: Well I didn't even know how it ended until I finished it!

Lorna: So it's done!

Joy: Yes… Read on viewers.