Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Set in Stone ❯ Bit of Both ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter Seven

Bit of Both

 

`We're all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.'

- Oscar Wilde

 

Ed opened his eyes slowly, blinking to adjust to the light, and immediately registered the fact that he was in a hospital. He'd been in enough of them now to not be surprised waking up surrounded by white. They really needed to consider redesigning. He turned his head and it was then he noticed the sleeping form of his younger brother. He smiled slightly. There goes my plan, right out the window. He thought, but was glad to have him there nonetheless.

 

He closed his eyes, breathing evenly, trying to remember what had happened, and what would've resulted from him winding up in hospital. He could tell from the various dull throbs of pain that he had been injured somehow, but generally, people didn't visit hospitals for the interior decoration.

 

“Still not awake?” A voice asked. Ed almost jumped, but continued pretending to be asleep. That was Mustang's voice.

 

“No, not yet,” Al replied. How long had he been awake? “How's Havoc doing?”

 

Havoc, that's right, we were on the train. Ed thought.

 

“He's good; the doctor said he should be out of here in a few days.” Since no noise followed, Ed guessed Al had nodded. He heard a rustle of material beside him as Al stood.

 

“I've got to go pick up Winry from the train station, and then I've got to go stop by home. Michelle'll be fretting.” He said. “Call me if he wakes, alright?”

 

“Sure thing.” Mustang answered, and once Ed was sure Al was out of the room, he opened his eyes. Thing was, Mustang had gone too.

 

“Oh well.” He said quietly. He looked to the door again and saw Mustang in the frame.

 

“You're awake.” He said, surprised. Ed nodded.

 

“I would've thought the fact that my eyes were open and I was moving would tell you that.” Mustang ignored him.

 

“Care to share what happened this time Fullmetal?” he asked instead.

 

“You tell me; what am I doing in a hospital?”

 

“Oh good, you're awake.” Both turned to the door where Doctor Heiderich was entering the room. Ed's eyes widened.

 

“No way! Alphons?” He asked.

 

“You do know him?” Mustang asked for confirmation when Alphons tilted his head and smiled in acknowledgement.

 

“Is there something about hospitals you enjoy Ed?” Alphons asked. “Or do you really have that many people that enjoy beating you up?” Ed looked like he was thinking about it.

 

“Bit of both.” He answered with a small frown, before it turned into a huge grin. “If I could get up, I'd hug you.” He said.

 

“Would someone like to fill me in?” Mustang said loudly over Alphons's response.

 

“Uh, this is Alphons, we used to work together.” Ed said.

 

“Yeah, I got that much from him. I'm talking about what Havoc told you.” He replied, resisting the urge to throttle him. He'd missed out on a lot of sleep, had a huge stack of paperwork waiting for him, had two of his sub-ordinates in hospital because of poisoning, and had enough. Ed knew the answers, he'd be damned if he didn't get them. “You acted like you knew the people he described.”

 

“I do.” Ed answered, after a moment's hesitation.

 

“Who are they?” Mustang asked when Ed didn't elaborate.

 

“…is it important?” Mustang resisted the urge to scream in frustration.

 

“No.” He answered sarcastically. “I was really just asking so I could find them and tell them next time to do a better job.”

 

“No need to be sarcastic.” Ed grumbled. “I know them, but names won't do anything to help you. As far as Amestris is concerned, they don't exist.” Alphons looked at him curiously.

 

“The cryptic answers aren't helping.” Mustang said through gritted teeth. “I don't care if it doesn't help. I want names, I want descriptions, and I want motives.”

 

“Is it Dietlinde?” Alphons asked curiously. Ed glared at him, and he stared back innocently.

 

“Dietlinde?” Mustang questioned. “Care to elaborate.” It wasn't really a question.

 

“No.” Ed said, now in a somber mood.

 

“Bloody hell, Elric!” Mustang exclaimed, fed up. “That was a direct order!”

 

“Yeah, because I really care if you fire me!” Ed replied.

 

“I'm trying to help!”

 

“You'd help more if you stayed out of it!”

 

“Her name's Dietlinde Eckhart.” Alphons interrupted.

 

“Alphons!” Ed exclaimed.

 

“At least he's helpful.” Mustang said.

 

“He doesn't know what he's doing.” Ed muttered.

 

“I'm helping.”

 

“Yeah, great job.” Ed said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. “I don't need more people getting involved, enough people have gotten hurt.” He finished quietly.

 

“Who's gotten hurt?” Alphons asked, folding his arms in disbelief. Ed pretended he hadn't heard the question. Alphons's brows furrowed then his eyes widened. “Who?” he asked urgency in his voice. “Oh my god…” he breathed, “that's why they're not here. That's why…what happened?” he asked.

 

“Just shutup Alphons, you don't know what you're talking about.” Ed said, turning on his side and ignoring them.

 

“Who's not with him?” Mustang asked.

 

“Ed!” There was another cry from the door, and a flurry of blonde hair whipped past Mustang and latched itself to Ed. He sat up instantly, to avoid being crushed and hugged Winry back.

 

“Heya…Winry.” He said quietly. She drew back.

 

“What? What's the matter?” she asked, concern lacing her voice.

 

“It's nothing.” He said quietly. She moved and he could see Al standing hesitantly in the doorway. “Al…” he said with a small smile.

 

“I'm sorry.” He said. Ed shook his head.

 

“No, I'm sorry; I shouldn't have reacted like that.”

 

“You were just-” he began.

 

“Let's forget it, huh?” Ed said instead, cutting across him. A grin spread across his face.

 

“Sure.” He replied.

 

“Marian?” the doctor asked quietly. All of the occupants of the room turned towards the small voice. Ed shook his head subtly, and he sighed disappointedly. “No, different eyes,” he muttered quietly. “You'll be alright to get out of here in a week or so. Major Havoc should be too. If there's nothing else, I'd better be heading back home…” he said, turning to leave the room. “I'll see ya round Ed.”

 

“Wait.” Mustang called after him following him out of the room. He poked his head back into the doorway. “I mean it Fullmetal, I don't care what problems you've got with it; Havoc is lying in a hospital bed in the room next to you because you wanted to play this stupid game. I don't care if you put yourself in danger, but you're not doing it to my other staff as well.” And with that he was gone. Ed narrowed his eyes and looked down at the floor.

 

“Ed...?” Winry asked. “What happened?” he sighed and smiled at her.

 

“It's nothing.” He said. “Just Mustang, being Mustang.” She looked at him her face betraying her i-know-you're-lying-to-me look.

 

“When are you going to start letting me in on these things Ed?” She asked sadly.

 

“When I'm sure you'll never get hurt.” He replied quietly. She sighed and kissed him gently on the lips. Al watched goggle eyed.

 

“Woah, woah, hold up. Am I missing something?” he asked a huge grin on his face. “When did you two hook up?” Both of them blushed.

 

“Well I had to get my automail put on, so I went to Risembool for a week or so…” Ed said.

 

“Let's never fight again.” Alphonse said, solemnly. “Lest I miss something like this once again.” Ed rolled his eyes and Winry glared. “I need to buy a camera.” He mused aloud, and ducked as Winry threw a pillow at him.

 

“Hey! How come he only gets a pillow?!” Ed exclaimed. Winry just grinned at him.

 

 

“Wait! Doctor.” Mustang called after Alphons.

 

“Look, I really should be-”

 

“You're the only one who can give me answers.” Mustang interrupted. “You sound like you know Elric. Then you'd know he's not going to tell me what I want. I can't have my staff being put in danger, because he's too stubborn to ask for help.” Alphons sighed, pressing a hand to his forehead.

 

“Yeah, yeah, I know. If I'm right, and I think I am, then the person you're looking for…” he hesitated. “Her name's Dietlinde Eckart.”

 

“That's all you can give me?” Mustang asked, when he didn't say anymore names.

 

“Well, I don't know, I haven't really spoken to her in a while, I don't really want to.” He sighed again, his hand falling back down to his side. “I suppose…Rudolf Hess and uh…whatshisname…Karl Haushofer. Is there anything else? That's all I know, you'd have to ask Ed about the rest.” Alphons said.

 

“No that's all. Thank-you, for your help.” Mustang said, standing up straight and saluting him. Alphons smiled lopsidedly.

 

“No problem, any time.” He replied.

 

“I wouldn't say that too quickly; Fullmetal has a knack for getting himself in these predicaments.”

 

“I know what you mean.” Alphons said with a laugh. “But usually…I only wonder about what's different this time.”

 

“What's different?” Mustang questioned.

 

“It's nothing.” Alphons replied. “I'm just talking to myself. I'll see you around, Major General Mustang.” He said, waving and continuing on down the hall. Mustang turned around and headed back in the direction of Ed's hospital room, hospital personal passing him on the way, the sun streaming through the windows. His stomach grumbled, and he sighed, he seemed to be doing a lot of that lately. He changed his mind, turned around and walked back to the exit.

 

He pulled the car into his driveway, and unlocked the door opening it to the silent house. Of course, Hawkeye would be at work by now, keeping things under control. He quickly warmed the food she's left in the fridge for him, and went to his room, prepared to fall asleep. However something in the guest room on the way caught his eye. It was a photograph. He walked over and picked up the flimsy paper, turning it to show the photo on the other side. He could recognise three of the figures, one looked familiar. They were in a park, trees surrounding them, four happy faces.

 

On the far left was the girl he didn't know, she had brown hair, brown eyes and tanned skin. She did, however, resemble Rose. Her hands were holding onto an arm draped across her shoulder, which led to one of the smiling faces he recognised. Alphons Heiderich. Standing next to him, was another girl whom he thought he recognised. At first glance, he thought it was Winry, but after examining the photo more carefully, he noticed subtle differences.

 

Alphons's voice at the hospital came back to him. “Marian? No, different eyes.” Was this mystery woman Marian? All of them had glowing grins on their faces, and he could make out a sign in the background. Carnival. All of them, except Ed that was. He was looking past the camera it seemed, and the smile on his face, didn't quite reach his eyes. He figured that the picture must belong to Ed, and that the camera seemed out of date. The picture was rather poor quality, and wasn't even in colour. He frowned and left the room, leaving the picture on his bedside desk and resolving to look at it more carefully in the morning. He lay on the bed, and within minutes was sleeping deeply.

 

 

“Hey, boss!” Havoc called, coming into the room in a wheelchair, being pushed by a nurse. She smiled politely and left the room shortly after, leaving them alone. “So where's your brother?” he asked, after Ed had said a disgruntled hello.

 

“I finally managed to convince him and Winry to go home and get some sleep. It's getting late.” He answered, and indeed it was. The streets of central were dark and wet. It had started raining recently, so not even the moon lit the streets, leaving the scarce lighting provided by passing cars and street lamps to lead the way home for hurrying pedestrians.

 

“Ah, and without a concussion, that's gotta be a new record.” Havoc joked. Ed grinned lopsidedly. “So I heard you've been giving the General a hard time again.” And no one would ever know the grin had been there.

 

“Oh, don't you start with me too.” He growled.

 

“No worries.” Havoc replied. “He got most of the answers he wanted out of that doctor.”

 

“What?!” Ed exclaimed, “Like what?”

 

“He got a few names, 3 or 4 I think.” Havoc said.

 

“Alphons is an idiot telling Mustang about the society like that.”

 

“The society?” Havoc questioned curiously, leaning forward in the wheelchair. “Now there's something the young doctor didn't mention.”

 

Ed groaned. “I thought he would've, damn, that just causes more questions.”

 

“Everything you're going to say is going to cause questions boss. But I'm not here to talk business, just a chat between friends. How are you holding up? I hear you had a bit more bad luck than I did.” Havoc answered, with a shrug of his shoulders, and a comfortable stretch in his chair.

 

“I'm sorry,” Ed said, “for dragging you into all of this.”

 

“Sorry!” Havoc exclaimed with a grin. “The ladies love a man in need.” Ed rolled his eyes, but snorted anyway. “You didn't answer my question.” Havoc baited.

 

“I'm fine.” Ed said exasperatedly.

 

“I hear you were muttering something when they finally found you.” He said, and Ed could tell he was leading up to something. “Mustang and Al both confirmed there was a Sophia somewhere in the jumble of mainly undistinguishable words.” Due to the fact Havoc was studying the crack in the roof intently; he didn't notice the look of unmasked pain that shot across Ed's face, later replaced by a cool uncaring expression. “I wonder who Sophia is?” he asked curiously, turning his head back in Ed's direction.

 

“That girl…” Ed said, not meeting Havoc's eyes, “Brosh's daughter. Sophia that was her name.” He replied, unblushingly. “I suppose I just…thought of her, I haven't seen Lieutenant Ross or the sergeant for a while.”

 

“That was a lame excuse, even for you.” Havoc stated bluntly. “Well as well as that, I also heard Al mention that the other Alphons had mistaken Winry for someone named Marian.” He looked at Ed, analysing his face. “There wouldn't be anything behind that, would there Ed?” he asked.

 

“Don't know what you're talking about Havoc, I think they mixed up your medication.” Ed replied absentmindedly. And for an instant their eyes met, and the topic was changed. Later when the nurse took Havoc back to his room, he made a note to mention something to the General.

 

Ed hadn't fooled either of them.

`I love deadlines; I especially like the whooshing sound they make as they go flying by.'

 

Dude! I am so annoyed, I thought I already put this on, now I look like I didn't update. Grrr. Ok I'm over it now, lol on too much of a sugar high. Mmmm Sugar… Well another Chapter done. I actually stuffed up some of it with the later part of my story so I realise that a little bit doesn't make sense cause I had to change it but oh well. I went to the river fire last night and bought all these cheap glow sticks, it was funny, cause I had a mouth one and sounded like the biggest idiot. River fire's like fireworks and stuff incase you didn't know. Hehe I could have footnotes, for my author notes, I'll stop now. Okay question for you all, what would be the female name versions of Edward and Alphonse, I'm really curious and I was thinking Edna, cause Edwina sounds weird to me but its supposedly an actual name and then I was like Alegra, Alyssa. O well I'll stop rambling now and put this on the site. Sorry for being slow with the update, I was at my friends' house last night lol. Eew, I just ate foot moisturizer. >P Nasty!

 

Misa92: Wow, that was an ego-boosting review; I can't believe you think it's that good. I had this huge goofy grin on my face for like half the day until I remembered I hadn't bought Dad a father's day present and I was totally hanging out for volume 3 of the Fullmetal alchemist manga cause it's the only one I don't have that hasn't been released yet. So I was in need of some money.

 

Flame Phoenix: Muahahahahaha A happy ending!!!! I'm kidding chill out, I was actually going to have a really depressing ending, but I got a really good idea now, so I'm kinda tossing between the two. Lol I keep misspelling phoenix and my word document keeps pointing it out. Anyway thanks for the continuous reviews, I shall try to update again soon.