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cornerofmadnessSorrow’s Dark Array
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cornerofmadness
Disclaimer - not mine, all characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa et al, Square Enix and funimition.
Pairing – Roy/Riza, Ed/Win (eventually) Winry/OC, mentions of Maes/Gracia and Al/OC
Rating – will vary from chapter to chapter, mostly Pg-13 but will eventually contain well marked adult chapters.
Time Line – anime based, spoilers all the way through the anime and the movie and does have strong manga elements such as Armstrong’s older sister and the land of Xing
Summary – As Roy and Riza prepare for their wedding, while dodging assassins, Ed and Al try to find their way back home.
Author’s Note #1– This was written after much prodding byevil_little_dog as a sequel to the source of sorrow and is now her holiday gift even if she has beta’ed part of it. So thanks to her and lyricnonsense for the beta. You do not have to read the first story to understand this. You’ll quickly pick up that Riza has retired from the military to be Roy’s wife and bodyguard. Olivia Armstrong is now president and she’s assigned Roy as the ambassador to Ishbal; oh and that Roy was severely injured in the destruction of the Gate, requiring some of Winry’s automail.
Author's Note #2 - This is a longer work and like real relationships, the ones listed in the pairings, take time to mend and come together. They have to work at it. Hope you enjoy the ride.
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter eight
Chapter nine
chapter ten
chapter eleven
chapter twelve
chapter thirteen
chapter fourteen
chapter fifteen
chapter sixteen
chapter seventeen
chapter eighteen
chapter nineteen
Chapter twenty
Chapter twenty-one
Chapter twenty-two
Chapter twenty-three
Chapter twenty-four
Chapter twenty-five
Chapter twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
A Heart makes a good home for the Friend. - Yunus Emre
Ed wanted to punch something hard. Instead, he had shut himself away from everyone upstairs. They had gotten Elicia and found Miao Yin, bringing them back only to learn Armstrong had been bombed. They didn’t know how the Lieutenant Colonel was and Ed couldn’t sit around doing nothing. The problem was he wouldn’t know where to being. He wasn’t truly reactivated with the military yet and he didn’t even know where Armstrong’s apartment was in the city. He could ask Li-Ying he supposed. Instead, Ed had listened to Al and was prepared to protect this house, understanding all too well it was a prime target.
That said, he couldn’t stay downstairs with its soft feminine whispers. Gracia, Hala, Winry and Miao-Yin tried to console Li-Ying, who hid her worry about her lover but only just. Ed didn’t know what to do for her so he made himself scarce.
He sat on the nauseating floral bedspread, holding the necklace he had brought from Earth and not given Winry, even though he had bought the damn thing on a wish to see her again. Ed’s fingers tripped over the six silver squares, each one bearing a four-leaf clover cut out. Inside the cutaways, big, sapphire rhinestones gleamed. It might be costume jewelry but even at that, it had been expensive. That wasn’t the reason he’d bought it, though. He thought it was beautiful.
A soft knock sounded at the door and Ed hastily shoved the box and necklace under the pillows. “Come in.”
He was surprised to see it was Al and not one of the women. Maybe his brother needed a refuge, too, even though he dealt with the emotional crap better than Ed did. “Have we heard anything? I didn’t hear the phone ring.”
“It didn’t. I just wanted to check on you.” Al sat at the foot of the bed. “Are you all right, Ed?”
Ed pushed his hair back off his face. “I’m as okay as I can be given the circumstances. I hate this sitting around. I want to do something.”
”Don’t say that,” Al said sharply. “At this point, it’s inviting trouble.”
Ed let out a gusty sigh. “You’re probably right.” He dug under his rose petal print covered pillow and pulled out the necklace. He held it for a second before handing it to his brother.
Al studied it then glanced over at his brother. “It’s lovely, Ed. Did you get it for Winry?”
“I bought it on Earth. I’ve been carrying it around for a long time, everywhere we went. I purchased it thinking I’d give it to Winry someday; that if I bought it I’d somehow get to see her again even if I knew that was impossible. It was a foolish dream and yet, here we are.” Ed stared at the lurid floral wallpaper, not wanting to see what emotions might show on his brother’s face.
“Brother, this is very unlike you.” Al laughed a little. “You’re usually so romantically stunted.” As Ed glared, Al handed back the necklace. “Why haven’t you given it to her, Edward? Winry will love it.”
“The time just wasn’t right. First her ex-boyfriend was still around, then the pregnancy scare, all of this crap.” Ed waved his hands around. “But I think now might be the time.” His voice softened. “She needs something other than all this ugliness.”
“I’m glad to hear you say it, Brother. I was afraid you were going to let too many chances pass you by where Winry was concerned. I knew I couldn’t just tell you what to do but I didn’t want you to lose out. I know what it’s like to have to go on without the person you love.” Al’s smile was bittersweet and he folded his hands together.
Ed reached over, resting a hand on Al’s crown. “Al, I’m sorry. I wish I could help you get through this.”
Al’s shoulders drooped. “I’m making it but it’s slow and hard. There is so many happy couple around right now that it gets even more difficult.” He held up his hands before Ed could speak. “I don’t mean that I don’t want everyone to be happy. It’s wonderful but sometimes it does make me think of Ziata.”
Ed’s head bowed. “I’m sorry,” he muttered again, hating this helpless feeling.
“Do you think our new Hughes will move in with this Gracia?” Al changed the subject. “I sort of hope they do.”
“Yeah, I think maybe. The thing I’m really worried about is Li-Ying arranging for that fertility rite for her brother.” Ed smirked, trying to make his brother smile. “Him breeding is forbidden.”
“They would make very pretty babies.”
“No little Mustangs, Al. Don’t be encouraging him.” Ed wagged a finger at his brother and Al shoved him.
“Well, I have so little to distract me from such a task.”
“I’ll finally get you a cat,” Ed promised quickly.
Laughing, Al got off the bed, heading for the door. “I’m holding you to that.” He paused, his hand on the doorknob. “Want me to send up Winry?”
Ed nodded, gathering the necklace back into the box. “Thanks, Al.” As his brother shut the door behind him, Ed rested back against the headboard, still wishing he was out there being more useful. He knew he should be thinking about Winry instead, that he needed to protect her, but Ed couldn’t kid himself any more. Winry had outgrown the need for his protection. He swung out off the bed, hearing Winry’s soft footfalls in the carpeted hall. He didn’t want to give this to her lying around like a bum.
Winry knocked, coming into the room, a curious look on her face. “Are you okay, Edward? Al said you wanted to see me.”
He nodded. “I should have stayed down there with you, after everything we saw getting back here but…” He rolled his shoulders. “I didn’t know what to say.
“Who does?” Winry took a hesitant step into the room, making her way to the curtained window. She started to peer outside and obviously remembered that they shouldn’t, not now. “Our friends are getting hurt.” Her voice grew bitter. “Your mother's grave...my parents’ graves were desecrated.”
Following her, Ed rested a hand on her hip. “I know. And we’re just chasing our tails. I just…” Sighing, he dug the box back out of his pocket. “I never could find the time to give you this…okay, that’s not true. Our first night together might have been a better time or even when we first came back but I’m no good at this sort of thing. Here, I bought this back on Earth for you, Winry. I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again but I thought it belonged to you.”
A tiny frown puckered her forehead as Winry accepted the box, opening it to see the necklace inside. “Ed, this is,” her voice trailed off as she removed the piece of jewelry, setting the box aside. The blue rhinestones sparkled as she studied the necklace.
“You don’t like it.” His shoulders slumped.
“No, Ed, it’s beautiful. I can’t believe you bought it even though you thought you’d never see me again.”
“It reminded me of you.” Edward risked a glance Winry’s way, brightening a bit when he caught sight of her smile. “I thought,” he tucked a hand behind his head, scratching at his pony tail, embarrassed, “that you’d look good in it, since the stones are almost the same color as your eyes.”
Winry put the necklace on. “I didn’t even know you knew what color my eyes were.” She turned to examine the silver and blue in the mirror, running her finger over one silvery link. “Or that your taste could be this good.” She pressed her mouth to his. “Thank you,” she said, her breath caressing his lips. Winry kissed him more deeply, maneuvering him back before toppling them both onto the bed.
Edward let out a startled laugh, wrapping his arms around Winry’s back. “You didn’t react this way about those earrings.”
“Hush, Ed,” Winry said, her hands sliding up under his shirt.
Ed’s eyes widened at this unexpected turn of events. Figures the bastard was right about jewelry but for once, Ed was happy about Mustang being right about something.
X X X
Hughes had hoped war was left behind him on Earth but, following Roy through the smoke-choked streets, he knew he had escaped nothing. He half expected to see Nazi storm troopers goose-stepping up the street, a sick feeling curling rotting fingers around his stomach. He had been one of those troopers and now, he was still a soldier. He wasn’t going to be part of the problem this time. He trusted Roy wouldn’t lead him into something too dark to see his way out of.
The damage didn’t look too bad as Roy insisted they pull over near the temple instead of proceeding directly on to Armstrong’s apartment. He suspected Roy didn’t quite grasp the intricacies of investigation and how they should proceed in a timely manner, or maybe he was just still fairly concussed. A third possibility entered Hughes’ mind; Riza could somewhere near the smoldering ruins. The sheer destruction astounded Hughes, whole buildings dissolved into piles of still-burning rubble, thick black smoke that clawed at his throat and the constant din of sirens and voices assaulting his ears.
Roy flexed his gloved fingers and a nearby fire died out. It could be a fourth option, Roy didn’t want the fire to spread and it was obviously too much for the fire department to handle alone. His solitary eye hard and determined, Roy walked the perimeter and Hughes moved in his wake, watching dancing tongues of red and orange fade away.
“Whoever it was really damaged this badly. They had a point to make,” Hughes said, folding his arms as he surveyed the damage.
Roy nodded, his eye still scanning the surroundings. “A big one.”
“Are you done here?” Hughes asked tentatively. “We should get to Armstrong’s.”
Roy didn’t answer and Hughes was even more sure that the man was looking for Riza. He was glad Gracia wasn’t a soldier. Hughes wasn’t sure he could take the stress. Finally, Mustang nodded his consent. As they headed back to the car, shots rang out. Hughes grabbed Roy, pulling him into the shelter of debris even as the man’s hand came up defensively. Someone was shouting ‘stop,’ no, more than one someone, Hughes corrected himself. Voices that sounded all too familiar.
“Riza,” Roy rasped out, worming away from Hughes.
Hughes tried to drag him back to where they could shoot if need be and still have cover but for a man with only one barely functioning eye and the residuals of a concussion, Mustang moved quick. He saw a young woman running away from the ruined temple with Riza and Dev following her, guns drawn. Several soldiers spotted the young Ishbalan man with a weapon and took aim.
“No!” Roy cried, waving his gloved hand.
“He’s with me!” Riza bellowed as Dev let his gun clatter to the ground, his hands empty and up above his head. “You’re in the way. Move before she gets away.”
The young woman they chased whipped around, guns blazing. A couple soldiers went down screaming. Hughes had his own gun out but was too far away for a pistol to help much. He watched Roy’s hand come up, sparks dancing between his fingers but before he could send the flames, Riza’s gun barked twice and the woman she had been pursuing toppled. Hughes marveled at that shot, given the smoky conditions.
“Damn it.” The curse seemed out of place coming from Riza as she ran toward the fallen woman. Hughes and Roy did likewise, though Hughes had to grab hold of Mustang’s shirt, guiding him around the debris he couldn’t see with his swollen eye. She looked over at them. “My aim was too good.”
“Always is. Alive would have been better,” Roy said gently.
“I don’t think she’s dead yet,” Hughes said, seeing the woman’s chest rise ever so slightly.
“Get her to a hospital,” Roy commanded and a couple soldiers dropped down, trying to apply pressure to the woman’s wounds. “How many of our own were hurt?”
“I’m just grazed, General,” one of the soldiers said, having wadded up his blue jacket against his calf. “I think Wilson is hurt worse.”
“We’ve already radioed for help,” another solider said, glancing up from where he was tending to soldier with a gut wound.
“Um, Mustang, a little help?” Dev’s voice was tight. Hughes glanced over and saw the young man still had his hands up in submission, guns pointed at him.
“He was with her,” one of the armed men said. “They were doing something deeper in the temple.”
“I caught her planting another bomb in what’s left of the temple. You have to get everyone out of there, Mustang,” Dev said, still eyeing the jumpy soldiers.
“At ease men, he’s with me and Hawkeye,” Roy said, waving the men off. “Where is the bomb, Dev?” The air of command was wrapped tightly around him and Hughes felt a hint of pride when the soldiers lowered their guns away from Dev.
“In the meeting hall area,” Riza supplied as the guns were holstered and Dev dropped his arms with a grateful little sound.
“Sergeant, get demolition down here and get everyone else back,” Roy ordered and the men disappeared quickly.
Dev limped over to the dying woman, gazing down on her. “How could you bomb your own people, Sanaa?”
“So that is her,” Roy muttered.
Red, pain-filled eyes fluttered open. “Filthy…collab….” Sanaa’s breath failed her, followed quickly by her life.
“I’m not a collaborator,” Dev whispered, his face pale.
Hughes put a hand on his shoulder. “There is nothing wrong with working toward peace for your people.”
“Sir.” Riza pointed to the Ishbalan center across the street. A knot of people had spilled out of it, heading their way.
Roy went to meet them, necessitating Hughes to follow. “Slow done,” Hughes hissed. “I’m not your guide dog.”
“I don’t need you to be,” Roy grumbled so Hughes let go of his shirt. Roy stumbled over a piece of debris moments later, glaring at the taller man as if it was his fault.
“Ambassador,” Uzziel called. “We heard the gun shots. Is everyone all right?” The old man’s head turned in the direction of the incoming sirens.
“We have two men down and Sanaa is dead,” Roy replied and the old man’s face radiated distress.
“She planted the bombs,” Dev said quickly. “And was putting in another one or checking on it since it didn’t go off or something. We probably shouldn’t be this close to the temple.” He gave it a wary look over his shoulder.
“He makes a good point,” Roy said. “It would be safer that way. Why don’t you go with them, Dev?”
“If it’s all the same, I’d rather stay with you. I don’t think this is done yet.” Dev glanced back at the temple again.
“Too many bombs in too many places for one person,” Hughes said and Dev muttered an agreement.
“Is there anything we can do to help?” Uzziel asked as Anah pushed her way out of the group who had followed the old priest.
“Just make sure your people are safe, Uzziel. I don’t want there to be any overanxious soldiers doing something asinine. You know what I mean,” Roy said, his eye moving over the soldiers nearby.
“We’re still not quite allies,” Uzziel nodded. “I’ll do my best to keep those in the center there for a while. We still have one working phone line. Most of our people don’t have phones but I can get word to the few that do to just stay in for the time being. Bombs going off probably already have done that.”
“Dev, are you okay?” Anah stepped over to him. “You’re dead white.”
“She blew up my church and I almost got shot by soldiers so no, not okay,” Dev replied gruffly. His eyes widened as she hugged him tightly.
“I’m sorry.” Her hand curled over his. “I’ll stay with you.”
“I’m not trooping everyone through town,” Roy protested as Riza handed Dev back her gun, breaking up the hand-holding. Hughes didn’t miss the exchanged glances between Roy and Riza, realizing there was something they didn’t like.
“He needs someone who understands him.” Anah eyed Roy’s bruises. “That’s obviously not you.”
“Please,” Dev said quietly.
“Fine, but I’m not responsible for whatever happens,” Roy said wearily.
“Be thankful he’s a romantic,” Hughes told Dev. Roy glared at him and Hughes canted his eyes to Anah before giving Roy a curt nod. The look on the man’s face said he got the message. Hughes would be watching her, too.
“We need to get to Armstrong’s,” Roy said curtly.
Hughes helped Roy back to the car, not surprised the man insisted Dev and Anah come with them, leaving Riza alone in hers. There was little enough to learn at the apartment. Investigations were already there and Hughes didn’t feel like he had the right to horn in on their investigation. They knew his alter ego and would have given ground without a doubt but he hadn’t wanted to push the issue. He opted to go to the hospital with the others, telling the investigators to call him there if needed.
He disliked the sheer quiet of the car as they headed for the hospital. Hughes never liked silence and after a few aborted tries to get someone talking, he gave up, enduring it until he parked the vehicle. Riza joined them as they went in. A few nurses looked at them as they moved, probably shocked to see Roy walking in on his own power. Roy stopped at the first nurses’ station, inquiring after Strongarm. They were directed to a room.
Hughes was surprised that it wasn’t Alex Louis in a hospital bed. The big man looked wedged into a chair, sitting next to someone - Hughes had to struggle to identify the person as a young lady, there were so many bandages. Armstrong looked good for someone who had a bomb explode on him, a few bandaged cuts and some tattered clothing. The worst of the visible wounds was a massive egg on his bald head.
“Armstrong,” Roy said and the man’s massive head jerked up. His blue eyes glistened.
“Rose opened the bomb,” he said without his usual stentorian tones. “I wasn’t fast enough with the rock shield.”
“Will she be all right?” Riza went over, resting her hand on his shoulder.
Armstrong shook his head. “They’ll be surprised if she makes it through the night. She lost her arm and the damage to her body is too extensive. It’s just a matter of time. I had Mother send Mrs. Fuchs to get Kane, Rose’s son. Mrs. Fuchs was Katherine’s nanny. She’ll take care of him until….” He sighed, gazing out the window. “Provided anyone can even move out there.”
“That’s terrible,” Riza muttered.
“I am sorry, Alex Louis,” Roy said. “Are you cleared to leave or do you want to stay here? I can let my sister know you’re more or less all right?”
Armstrong got up stiffly. “They have Rose under heavy sedation. There is little I can do here. I would very much like to see Li-Ying right now.” His eyes widened a bit, suddenly noticing the two Ishbalans in the room. “Were any of your people hurt or blamed, Dev Jasso?”
“Just the one who blew up my temple,” Dev replied bitterly and Anah slipped an arm around him. “And almost me but it didn’t look like anyone was going to storm the center or anything. I guess my temple ended up rubble sort of suggested we weren’t behind the bombings.”
“Roy, we should get going. There are a lot of barely defended women back home and we’re pretty certain Sanaa wasn’t acting alone,” Hughes reminded him.
Roy nodded then turned to face Hughes. “Elicia should be back there by now.”
“Deal with it when we get there. I can sleep in the car if need be,” Hughes replied, ignoring Anah’s curious look.
“You can ride with me, Armstrong,” Riza said and he nodded.
Hughes just hoped when they got back, he wouldn’t be causing more problems than they were prepared to deal with.
XXX
Riza beat Hughes back to the house and didn’t wait for Alex Louis to slowly pry his sore bulk out of the car. She was already in the front door by the time Hughes pulled Winry’s packed little vehicle next to hers. She was somehow comforted by the guns in view when she let herself in.
“Is everyone all right?” Al asked.
Nodding, Riza waved Gracia over. “Yes. Gracia, I need to speak to you.”
“I already know what you’re going to say,” Gracia said, disengaging herself from her sleeping daughter, gently putting the child on the love seat. She met Riza in the foyer before adding, “Meinhard’s out there.”
“He said he’ll go elsewhere if you want him to,” Riza whispered.
Gracia glanced back at her child. “I’ll go talk to him. I think I’ve made my decision.” She shimmied past Roy and Alex Louis who were limping in single-file. Dev and a girl she wasn’t sure she had seen before followed them.
Riza slipped an arm around Roy, letting him lean on her. Li-Ying raced past them, tossing her arms around Alex Louis, crushing herself to his broad chest. Hearing footsteps pounding down the stairs, Riza looked up to see Winry and Ed descending.
“You’re back!” Winry cried, relief in her voice.
“Glad you’re all right, Lieutenant Colonel,” Ed said, then turned to look at Roy. “Man, bastard, you look like you’re about to keel over.”
“I’m fin…” Roy turned the color of spoiled milk then stumbled back out the door, throwing up over the rail.
Riza ran out after him, putting a hand on his back. Roy coughed and spat, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand as he shot Gracia and Hughes an apologetic look. He let Riza help him into the house again. She tried to steer him up the stairs but he bulled forward toward the couch.
Hala patted the pillow. “Sit him down,” the Ishbalan nurse said.
“Don’t know where that came from,” Roy muttered, collapsing down.
“You have a concussion. I’m surprised adrenaline got you as far as it did,” Hala said. “Lie down and rest. Son, how bad was it?” she added, eyeing Anah in surprise.
“Bad. Sanaa tried to kill me and Riza.” Dev glanced back to the sharpshooter. “She lost.”
Roy held out a hand to Riza. “Come here.” When she complied, he wrapped an arm around her, kissing her cheek. “You shouldn’t have to kill any more.”
Riza squeezed his hand. “I’m all right, Roy.”
“You always say that,” he protested. “I don’t have to like your skill any more than I like mine most times.”
“Yours was fine today,” Dev said as Winry took a step toward him then stopped as Anah leaned against him. “Both of you. I don’t like seeing people die either but I’m just as glad we weren’t the ones dying. And you put out the fires, or helped at any rate. If there’s anything left to salvage of our temple it’s because of you and the firefighters.” Dev sighed gustily.
“It’ll get rebuilt,” Anah said softly and Dev just shrugged, a look of disbelief on his face.
“I’ll go make us some tea,” Winry said, unhappiness weighing on her.
“I need to talk to you, Miss Rockbell, Edward, Alphonse,” Alex Louis rumbled, his deep voice waking Elicia up. The Elrics and Winry exchanged nervous looks.
“I’ll get the tea,” Hala said, “If Dev can help me.” He nodded and followed his mother into the kitchen. Anah went with them.
“What’s wrong, Mr. Armstrong?” Winry asked, sitting down with Elicia.
Armstrong looked at Li-Ying who collected Elicia. “Let’s go upstairs and see if Miao-Yin wants some company,” she said to the little girl. Elicia nodded and let Li-Ying lead her off.
Armstrong waited until they were gone, his big hand strayed to his head. “I’m not the one who opened the bomb. It was addressed to me. I should have been the one to open it.” Misery thrummed in his voice.
“It wasn’t your fault, Alex Louis,” Roy said, sinking back against the couch, his face still the color of snow splashed with purples.
“But it was.” His thick moustache twitched. “Rose opened the box. I’m sorry, boys, Miss. Rockbell, I know she’s your friend.”
“How bad is it?” Ed asked, his tone dead. “Is she dead?”
“Not yet but they have no hope she’ll survive.” Alex Louis’ broad shoulders slumped. “It’s not very safe to travel right now but tomorrow, if she survives the night, we all should go see her.”
Winry pressed her knuckles to her lips, her eyes glistening. Wide-eyed, Ed’s lips betrayed his emotions, quivering as he pulled Winry to him.
“How many more people can we lose?” Al growled. “How much more can we stand? This isn’t fair.” He whirled on Riza. “The bomber you killed, was she the one who did this to Rose?”
“I don’t know,” Riza said. “She bombed the temple for certain.”
“Could have been her, probably was an accomplice,” Roy said weakly.
“You don’t think it was all Sanaa?” Anah asked, carrying in a tray of cups and the sugar bowl.
“Too many bombs,” Roy replied. “I don’t think just one person could do all that.”
“I want the person who did,” Al said lowly. He glanced at Ed, a promise to make them pay in his eyes. Ed nodded, in complete agreement.
“I was hoping you were wrong,” Hala said, coming back with Dev. “Water’s on. I didn’t want the Ishbalans to have anything to do with this. It’ll be too easy to blame all of us for the actions of a few fanatics.”
“I know and I’ll work to make sure that doesn’t happen. Outside of Sanaa returning to complete the bombing, nothing escalated at the temple bombing,” Roy said. “I was worried. That’s why I made Hughes detour there before we went to Armstrong’s apartment. You three can stay here.” His gesture included mother and son as well as Anah. “If you want, or I’ll call for an escort to get you safely home.”
“Let me think on that,” Hala said, turning around as the tea whistle blew.
“Who else do you think is behind all this?” Ed asked.
Roy glanced over at Alex Louis. “Don’t know, not yet but it’s there in front of us. I can feel it. We just can’t see it yet.” He sat up straighter, seeing Hughes and Gracia coming into the room.
“Where’s Elicia?” Gracia asked.
“My sister took her upstairs,” Roy replied.
Gracia nodded, heading up. Hughes looked over at his friends. “I’m not sure I’m ready for this.”
“You’re sure or you wouldn’t be in here,” Roy replied.
“C’mon, Hughes. Think of it as another chance. Don’t blow it.” Edward smiled faintly, his arm tightening around Winry’s waist.
Hughes sighed. “You’re both right.”
A high-pitched squeal echoed in the house and Elicia slipped Gracia’s grip, bolting down the stairs. She nearly took out Hughes’ knees, hugging him. “Daddy!”
Hughes knelt down, putting his arms around her. “Hey, baby.” He hid his tears against her hair. He missed Winry leaning in to kiss Ed and Roy enveloping Riza in his arms.
XXX
Judith slammed the glass door to the phone booth shut then spun the phone dial with a vengeance. How in the hell did this keep happening? Outside her glass cage, the air smelled of smoke from the bombs. She tried to take the bite out of her voice when Attaway’s secretary picked up. “I need to speak to Mr. Attaway, please. This is Judith. He’s expecting my call.”
A few moments later he came on the line. “It’s clear to talk.”
“Then tell me what the hell is the problem? I’ve heard that Armstrong survived the attack and Rose did not,” Judith snarled.
“She’s not dead yet but Sanaa and Eyal both are. Only Anah is left,” Attaway said. “They created no end of havoc today but the best I can deduce is that Rose must have opened the box instead of Armstrong. She was just supposed to deliver the box and come back here.”
“She always was stupid,” Judith replied, her clenched hand pounding lightly against the glass. “I don’t know Eyal but Sanaa surprises me. She was supposed to be good.”
“She ran into Hawkeye who was a sniper in the war, so good she was pulled from the Academy and sent to the front. Sanaa didn’t stand a chance in a gunfight with her,” Attaway said. “Eyal challenged several officers who caught him trying to plant round two of the bombs.”
“And Anah?”
“I’m not sure where she is. She called after the bomb went off at Armstrong’s and said she was going to the center. She did sneak a call from there but it was brief. Nothing since but that’s not too unexpected,” Attaway said. “It shouldn’t be this hard.”
“No, it should not. We need to do something to rectify this. I’ll call back in the morning. If you haven’t heard from Anah by then, we’ll assume she is lost and we’ll have to make other plans,” Judith said and when Attaway agreed, she hung up. God only knew why this was going so badly but she would prevail. Defeat was not an option.
XXX
“I hate hospitals,” Ed muttered as he, Al and Winry followed Armstrong down the cool hallway.
“We’ve spent too much time in them,” Al replied. “I mean they do good work but…it’s always so sad.”
”Rose is still alive,” Winry reminded them but her tone held no hope.
Armstrong held the door open for them. The room felt tight and stifling even without Armstrong squeezing his battered bulk into the room. The usual scents of hospitals burnt Ed’s nose, the bleach and the underlying scents of urine and feces no amount of cleaner could totally remove. Rose’s room added in a scent he had learned too young and too well, the smells of a body failing. “The doctor said she woke a little this morning. She can probably hear you.”
Ed let Winry sit next to the bed and he stood next to her. Al took up residence on the other side of the bed while Armstrong shadowed the door. “Rose,” Winry said softly. “I brought Ed and Al to see you. I know how much you wanted to see them and we’ve had so little time since they’ve been back.” Winry’s voice hitched, her eyes sheening over. Ed handed her his handkerchief. “I’m sorry about that.”
Alphonse moved closer to the bed, gingerly picking up Rose’s remaining hand. “Hi, Rose.” He swallowed and Edward thought his brother had far too much experience with death beds. “I wanted to let you know we’re here with you.”
“We’re all here,” Ed said, “Armstrong, too. He has your son at his parents’ home.”
“He’s very safe,” Armstrong promised. “It’s our joy to look out for him for you.”
Rose’s eyes fluttered open and Ed regretted that they had woken her up, seeing all the pain clouding them. He figured the IV held painkillers but he had lost two limbs. He had a clue what sort of pain Rose was in. A dark and shameful thought rolled through his head; he had almost hoped she wouldn’t wake up, that she would just fade. He didn’t want to watch someone slowly die again. “Ed…you came.”
“I’m right here.” He touched her cheek. “We all are.”
“I waited…so long.” Her eyes shut then slowly opened again. “Loved you but I knew…not to be.”
Ed sucked in a painful breath, his chest too tight. “You are a special friend, Rose,” he said, not sure he ever really thought that but it was the right thing to say. Her eyes shut again, her breathing ragged.
They waited for her to wake back up but she didn’t. Finally, they talked quietly, mostly about things that didn’t have to do with the bombing; how they were adjusting to being back, what Winry thought of Dev’s new girlfriend, nothing flattering, Ed noted jealously, what Winry was wearing to the wedding and how they needed to get dress blues or tuxedos.
After a while, Ed made a run to the cafeteria and get them all coffee. He knew he was dawdling but he didn’t want to go back to that room. How could she have said she loved him? No, he couldn’t pretend he hadn’t known. He suspected it way back when. Ed had just hoped Rose had moved on. Ed nearly dropped the tray when he got back into the correct hallway for Rose’s room. Al was holding Winry who obviously wept on his shoulder. Armstrong sobbed stentorianly into his handkerchief, leaning against the wall. Ed tossed the tray on the nurses’ station’s desk and went to put his arms around Al and Winry, grimly relieved Rose hadn’t suffered too long.
Author's Note - If you'd like to see my 2008 fan fiction including FMA and others click here
Chapter Twenty-eight
Author -
cornerofmadnessDisclaimer - not mine, all characters belong to Hiromu Arakawa et al, Square Enix and funimition.
Pairing – Roy/Riza, Ed/Win (eventually) Winry/OC, mentions of Maes/Gracia and Al/OC
Rating – will vary from chapter to chapter, mostly Pg-13 but will eventually contain well marked adult chapters.
Time Line – anime based, spoilers all the way through the anime and the movie and does have strong manga elements such as Armstrong’s older sister and the land of Xing
Summary – As Roy and Riza prepare for their wedding, while dodging assassins, Ed and Al try to find their way back home.
Author’s Note #1– This was written after much prodding by
evil_little_dog as a sequel to the source of sorrow and is now her holiday gift even if she has beta’ed part of it. So thanks to her and lyricnonsense for the beta. You do not have to read the first story to understand this. You’ll quickly pick up that Riza has retired from the military to be Roy’s wife and bodyguard. Olivia Armstrong is now president and she’s assigned Roy as the ambassador to Ishbal; oh and that Roy was severely injured in the destruction of the Gate, requiring some of Winry’s automail.Author's Note #2 - This is a longer work and like real relationships, the ones listed in the pairings, take time to mend and come together. They have to work at it. Hope you enjoy the ride.
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter eight
Chapter nine
chapter ten
chapter eleven
chapter twelve
chapter thirteen
chapter fourteen
chapter fifteen
chapter sixteen
chapter seventeen
chapter eighteen
chapter nineteen
Chapter twenty
Chapter twenty-one
Chapter twenty-two
Chapter twenty-three
Chapter twenty-four
Chapter twenty-five
Chapter twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
A Heart makes a good home for the Friend. - Yunus Emre
Ed wanted to punch something hard. Instead, he had shut himself away from everyone upstairs. They had gotten Elicia and found Miao Yin, bringing them back only to learn Armstrong had been bombed. They didn’t know how the Lieutenant Colonel was and Ed couldn’t sit around doing nothing. The problem was he wouldn’t know where to being. He wasn’t truly reactivated with the military yet and he didn’t even know where Armstrong’s apartment was in the city. He could ask Li-Ying he supposed. Instead, Ed had listened to Al and was prepared to protect this house, understanding all too well it was a prime target.
That said, he couldn’t stay downstairs with its soft feminine whispers. Gracia, Hala, Winry and Miao-Yin tried to console Li-Ying, who hid her worry about her lover but only just. Ed didn’t know what to do for her so he made himself scarce.
He sat on the nauseating floral bedspread, holding the necklace he had brought from Earth and not given Winry, even though he had bought the damn thing on a wish to see her again. Ed’s fingers tripped over the six silver squares, each one bearing a four-leaf clover cut out. Inside the cutaways, big, sapphire rhinestones gleamed. It might be costume jewelry but even at that, it had been expensive. That wasn’t the reason he’d bought it, though. He thought it was beautiful.
A soft knock sounded at the door and Ed hastily shoved the box and necklace under the pillows. “Come in.”
He was surprised to see it was Al and not one of the women. Maybe his brother needed a refuge, too, even though he dealt with the emotional crap better than Ed did. “Have we heard anything? I didn’t hear the phone ring.”
“It didn’t. I just wanted to check on you.” Al sat at the foot of the bed. “Are you all right, Ed?”
Ed pushed his hair back off his face. “I’m as okay as I can be given the circumstances. I hate this sitting around. I want to do something.”
”Don’t say that,” Al said sharply. “At this point, it’s inviting trouble.”
Ed let out a gusty sigh. “You’re probably right.” He dug under his rose petal print covered pillow and pulled out the necklace. He held it for a second before handing it to his brother.
Al studied it then glanced over at his brother. “It’s lovely, Ed. Did you get it for Winry?”
“I bought it on Earth. I’ve been carrying it around for a long time, everywhere we went. I purchased it thinking I’d give it to Winry someday; that if I bought it I’d somehow get to see her again even if I knew that was impossible. It was a foolish dream and yet, here we are.” Ed stared at the lurid floral wallpaper, not wanting to see what emotions might show on his brother’s face.
“Brother, this is very unlike you.” Al laughed a little. “You’re usually so romantically stunted.” As Ed glared, Al handed back the necklace. “Why haven’t you given it to her, Edward? Winry will love it.”
“The time just wasn’t right. First her ex-boyfriend was still around, then the pregnancy scare, all of this crap.” Ed waved his hands around. “But I think now might be the time.” His voice softened. “She needs something other than all this ugliness.”
“I’m glad to hear you say it, Brother. I was afraid you were going to let too many chances pass you by where Winry was concerned. I knew I couldn’t just tell you what to do but I didn’t want you to lose out. I know what it’s like to have to go on without the person you love.” Al’s smile was bittersweet and he folded his hands together.
Ed reached over, resting a hand on Al’s crown. “Al, I’m sorry. I wish I could help you get through this.”
Al’s shoulders drooped. “I’m making it but it’s slow and hard. There is so many happy couple around right now that it gets even more difficult.” He held up his hands before Ed could speak. “I don’t mean that I don’t want everyone to be happy. It’s wonderful but sometimes it does make me think of Ziata.”
Ed’s head bowed. “I’m sorry,” he muttered again, hating this helpless feeling.
“Do you think our new Hughes will move in with this Gracia?” Al changed the subject. “I sort of hope they do.”
“Yeah, I think maybe. The thing I’m really worried about is Li-Ying arranging for that fertility rite for her brother.” Ed smirked, trying to make his brother smile. “Him breeding is forbidden.”
“They would make very pretty babies.”
“No little Mustangs, Al. Don’t be encouraging him.” Ed wagged a finger at his brother and Al shoved him.
“Well, I have so little to distract me from such a task.”
“I’ll finally get you a cat,” Ed promised quickly.
Laughing, Al got off the bed, heading for the door. “I’m holding you to that.” He paused, his hand on the doorknob. “Want me to send up Winry?”
Ed nodded, gathering the necklace back into the box. “Thanks, Al.” As his brother shut the door behind him, Ed rested back against the headboard, still wishing he was out there being more useful. He knew he should be thinking about Winry instead, that he needed to protect her, but Ed couldn’t kid himself any more. Winry had outgrown the need for his protection. He swung out off the bed, hearing Winry’s soft footfalls in the carpeted hall. He didn’t want to give this to her lying around like a bum.
Winry knocked, coming into the room, a curious look on her face. “Are you okay, Edward? Al said you wanted to see me.”
He nodded. “I should have stayed down there with you, after everything we saw getting back here but…” He rolled his shoulders. “I didn’t know what to say.
“Who does?” Winry took a hesitant step into the room, making her way to the curtained window. She started to peer outside and obviously remembered that they shouldn’t, not now. “Our friends are getting hurt.” Her voice grew bitter. “Your mother's grave...my parents’ graves were desecrated.”
Following her, Ed rested a hand on her hip. “I know. And we’re just chasing our tails. I just…” Sighing, he dug the box back out of his pocket. “I never could find the time to give you this…okay, that’s not true. Our first night together might have been a better time or even when we first came back but I’m no good at this sort of thing. Here, I bought this back on Earth for you, Winry. I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again but I thought it belonged to you.”
A tiny frown puckered her forehead as Winry accepted the box, opening it to see the necklace inside. “Ed, this is,” her voice trailed off as she removed the piece of jewelry, setting the box aside. The blue rhinestones sparkled as she studied the necklace.
“You don’t like it.” His shoulders slumped.
“No, Ed, it’s beautiful. I can’t believe you bought it even though you thought you’d never see me again.”
“It reminded me of you.” Edward risked a glance Winry’s way, brightening a bit when he caught sight of her smile. “I thought,” he tucked a hand behind his head, scratching at his pony tail, embarrassed, “that you’d look good in it, since the stones are almost the same color as your eyes.”
Winry put the necklace on. “I didn’t even know you knew what color my eyes were.” She turned to examine the silver and blue in the mirror, running her finger over one silvery link. “Or that your taste could be this good.” She pressed her mouth to his. “Thank you,” she said, her breath caressing his lips. Winry kissed him more deeply, maneuvering him back before toppling them both onto the bed.
Edward let out a startled laugh, wrapping his arms around Winry’s back. “You didn’t react this way about those earrings.”
“Hush, Ed,” Winry said, her hands sliding up under his shirt.
Ed’s eyes widened at this unexpected turn of events. Figures the bastard was right about jewelry but for once, Ed was happy about Mustang being right about something.
X X X
Hughes had hoped war was left behind him on Earth but, following Roy through the smoke-choked streets, he knew he had escaped nothing. He half expected to see Nazi storm troopers goose-stepping up the street, a sick feeling curling rotting fingers around his stomach. He had been one of those troopers and now, he was still a soldier. He wasn’t going to be part of the problem this time. He trusted Roy wouldn’t lead him into something too dark to see his way out of.
The damage didn’t look too bad as Roy insisted they pull over near the temple instead of proceeding directly on to Armstrong’s apartment. He suspected Roy didn’t quite grasp the intricacies of investigation and how they should proceed in a timely manner, or maybe he was just still fairly concussed. A third possibility entered Hughes’ mind; Riza could somewhere near the smoldering ruins. The sheer destruction astounded Hughes, whole buildings dissolved into piles of still-burning rubble, thick black smoke that clawed at his throat and the constant din of sirens and voices assaulting his ears.
Roy flexed his gloved fingers and a nearby fire died out. It could be a fourth option, Roy didn’t want the fire to spread and it was obviously too much for the fire department to handle alone. His solitary eye hard and determined, Roy walked the perimeter and Hughes moved in his wake, watching dancing tongues of red and orange fade away.
“Whoever it was really damaged this badly. They had a point to make,” Hughes said, folding his arms as he surveyed the damage.
Roy nodded, his eye still scanning the surroundings. “A big one.”
“Are you done here?” Hughes asked tentatively. “We should get to Armstrong’s.”
Roy didn’t answer and Hughes was even more sure that the man was looking for Riza. He was glad Gracia wasn’t a soldier. Hughes wasn’t sure he could take the stress. Finally, Mustang nodded his consent. As they headed back to the car, shots rang out. Hughes grabbed Roy, pulling him into the shelter of debris even as the man’s hand came up defensively. Someone was shouting ‘stop,’ no, more than one someone, Hughes corrected himself. Voices that sounded all too familiar.
“Riza,” Roy rasped out, worming away from Hughes.
Hughes tried to drag him back to where they could shoot if need be and still have cover but for a man with only one barely functioning eye and the residuals of a concussion, Mustang moved quick. He saw a young woman running away from the ruined temple with Riza and Dev following her, guns drawn. Several soldiers spotted the young Ishbalan man with a weapon and took aim.
“No!” Roy cried, waving his gloved hand.
“He’s with me!” Riza bellowed as Dev let his gun clatter to the ground, his hands empty and up above his head. “You’re in the way. Move before she gets away.”
The young woman they chased whipped around, guns blazing. A couple soldiers went down screaming. Hughes had his own gun out but was too far away for a pistol to help much. He watched Roy’s hand come up, sparks dancing between his fingers but before he could send the flames, Riza’s gun barked twice and the woman she had been pursuing toppled. Hughes marveled at that shot, given the smoky conditions.
“Damn it.” The curse seemed out of place coming from Riza as she ran toward the fallen woman. Hughes and Roy did likewise, though Hughes had to grab hold of Mustang’s shirt, guiding him around the debris he couldn’t see with his swollen eye. She looked over at them. “My aim was too good.”
“Always is. Alive would have been better,” Roy said gently.
“I don’t think she’s dead yet,” Hughes said, seeing the woman’s chest rise ever so slightly.
“Get her to a hospital,” Roy commanded and a couple soldiers dropped down, trying to apply pressure to the woman’s wounds. “How many of our own were hurt?”
“I’m just grazed, General,” one of the soldiers said, having wadded up his blue jacket against his calf. “I think Wilson is hurt worse.”
“We’ve already radioed for help,” another solider said, glancing up from where he was tending to soldier with a gut wound.
“Um, Mustang, a little help?” Dev’s voice was tight. Hughes glanced over and saw the young man still had his hands up in submission, guns pointed at him.
“He was with her,” one of the armed men said. “They were doing something deeper in the temple.”
“I caught her planting another bomb in what’s left of the temple. You have to get everyone out of there, Mustang,” Dev said, still eyeing the jumpy soldiers.
“At ease men, he’s with me and Hawkeye,” Roy said, waving the men off. “Where is the bomb, Dev?” The air of command was wrapped tightly around him and Hughes felt a hint of pride when the soldiers lowered their guns away from Dev.
“In the meeting hall area,” Riza supplied as the guns were holstered and Dev dropped his arms with a grateful little sound.
“Sergeant, get demolition down here and get everyone else back,” Roy ordered and the men disappeared quickly.
Dev limped over to the dying woman, gazing down on her. “How could you bomb your own people, Sanaa?”
“So that is her,” Roy muttered.
Red, pain-filled eyes fluttered open. “Filthy…collab….” Sanaa’s breath failed her, followed quickly by her life.
“I’m not a collaborator,” Dev whispered, his face pale.
Hughes put a hand on his shoulder. “There is nothing wrong with working toward peace for your people.”
“Sir.” Riza pointed to the Ishbalan center across the street. A knot of people had spilled out of it, heading their way.
Roy went to meet them, necessitating Hughes to follow. “Slow done,” Hughes hissed. “I’m not your guide dog.”
“I don’t need you to be,” Roy grumbled so Hughes let go of his shirt. Roy stumbled over a piece of debris moments later, glaring at the taller man as if it was his fault.
“Ambassador,” Uzziel called. “We heard the gun shots. Is everyone all right?” The old man’s head turned in the direction of the incoming sirens.
“We have two men down and Sanaa is dead,” Roy replied and the old man’s face radiated distress.
“She planted the bombs,” Dev said quickly. “And was putting in another one or checking on it since it didn’t go off or something. We probably shouldn’t be this close to the temple.” He gave it a wary look over his shoulder.
“He makes a good point,” Roy said. “It would be safer that way. Why don’t you go with them, Dev?”
“If it’s all the same, I’d rather stay with you. I don’t think this is done yet.” Dev glanced back at the temple again.
“Too many bombs in too many places for one person,” Hughes said and Dev muttered an agreement.
“Is there anything we can do to help?” Uzziel asked as Anah pushed her way out of the group who had followed the old priest.
“Just make sure your people are safe, Uzziel. I don’t want there to be any overanxious soldiers doing something asinine. You know what I mean,” Roy said, his eye moving over the soldiers nearby.
“We’re still not quite allies,” Uzziel nodded. “I’ll do my best to keep those in the center there for a while. We still have one working phone line. Most of our people don’t have phones but I can get word to the few that do to just stay in for the time being. Bombs going off probably already have done that.”
“Dev, are you okay?” Anah stepped over to him. “You’re dead white.”
“She blew up my church and I almost got shot by soldiers so no, not okay,” Dev replied gruffly. His eyes widened as she hugged him tightly.
“I’m sorry.” Her hand curled over his. “I’ll stay with you.”
“I’m not trooping everyone through town,” Roy protested as Riza handed Dev back her gun, breaking up the hand-holding. Hughes didn’t miss the exchanged glances between Roy and Riza, realizing there was something they didn’t like.
“He needs someone who understands him.” Anah eyed Roy’s bruises. “That’s obviously not you.”
“Please,” Dev said quietly.
“Fine, but I’m not responsible for whatever happens,” Roy said wearily.
“Be thankful he’s a romantic,” Hughes told Dev. Roy glared at him and Hughes canted his eyes to Anah before giving Roy a curt nod. The look on the man’s face said he got the message. Hughes would be watching her, too.
“We need to get to Armstrong’s,” Roy said curtly.
Hughes helped Roy back to the car, not surprised the man insisted Dev and Anah come with them, leaving Riza alone in hers. There was little enough to learn at the apartment. Investigations were already there and Hughes didn’t feel like he had the right to horn in on their investigation. They knew his alter ego and would have given ground without a doubt but he hadn’t wanted to push the issue. He opted to go to the hospital with the others, telling the investigators to call him there if needed.
He disliked the sheer quiet of the car as they headed for the hospital. Hughes never liked silence and after a few aborted tries to get someone talking, he gave up, enduring it until he parked the vehicle. Riza joined them as they went in. A few nurses looked at them as they moved, probably shocked to see Roy walking in on his own power. Roy stopped at the first nurses’ station, inquiring after Strongarm. They were directed to a room.
Hughes was surprised that it wasn’t Alex Louis in a hospital bed. The big man looked wedged into a chair, sitting next to someone - Hughes had to struggle to identify the person as a young lady, there were so many bandages. Armstrong looked good for someone who had a bomb explode on him, a few bandaged cuts and some tattered clothing. The worst of the visible wounds was a massive egg on his bald head.
“Armstrong,” Roy said and the man’s massive head jerked up. His blue eyes glistened.
“Rose opened the bomb,” he said without his usual stentorian tones. “I wasn’t fast enough with the rock shield.”
“Will she be all right?” Riza went over, resting her hand on his shoulder.
Armstrong shook his head. “They’ll be surprised if she makes it through the night. She lost her arm and the damage to her body is too extensive. It’s just a matter of time. I had Mother send Mrs. Fuchs to get Kane, Rose’s son. Mrs. Fuchs was Katherine’s nanny. She’ll take care of him until….” He sighed, gazing out the window. “Provided anyone can even move out there.”
“That’s terrible,” Riza muttered.
“I am sorry, Alex Louis,” Roy said. “Are you cleared to leave or do you want to stay here? I can let my sister know you’re more or less all right?”
Armstrong got up stiffly. “They have Rose under heavy sedation. There is little I can do here. I would very much like to see Li-Ying right now.” His eyes widened a bit, suddenly noticing the two Ishbalans in the room. “Were any of your people hurt or blamed, Dev Jasso?”
“Just the one who blew up my temple,” Dev replied bitterly and Anah slipped an arm around him. “And almost me but it didn’t look like anyone was going to storm the center or anything. I guess my temple ended up rubble sort of suggested we weren’t behind the bombings.”
“Roy, we should get going. There are a lot of barely defended women back home and we’re pretty certain Sanaa wasn’t acting alone,” Hughes reminded him.
Roy nodded then turned to face Hughes. “Elicia should be back there by now.”
“Deal with it when we get there. I can sleep in the car if need be,” Hughes replied, ignoring Anah’s curious look.
“You can ride with me, Armstrong,” Riza said and he nodded.
Hughes just hoped when they got back, he wouldn’t be causing more problems than they were prepared to deal with.
XXX
Riza beat Hughes back to the house and didn’t wait for Alex Louis to slowly pry his sore bulk out of the car. She was already in the front door by the time Hughes pulled Winry’s packed little vehicle next to hers. She was somehow comforted by the guns in view when she let herself in.
“Is everyone all right?” Al asked.
Nodding, Riza waved Gracia over. “Yes. Gracia, I need to speak to you.”
“I already know what you’re going to say,” Gracia said, disengaging herself from her sleeping daughter, gently putting the child on the love seat. She met Riza in the foyer before adding, “Meinhard’s out there.”
“He said he’ll go elsewhere if you want him to,” Riza whispered.
Gracia glanced back at her child. “I’ll go talk to him. I think I’ve made my decision.” She shimmied past Roy and Alex Louis who were limping in single-file. Dev and a girl she wasn’t sure she had seen before followed them.
Riza slipped an arm around Roy, letting him lean on her. Li-Ying raced past them, tossing her arms around Alex Louis, crushing herself to his broad chest. Hearing footsteps pounding down the stairs, Riza looked up to see Winry and Ed descending.
“You’re back!” Winry cried, relief in her voice.
“Glad you’re all right, Lieutenant Colonel,” Ed said, then turned to look at Roy. “Man, bastard, you look like you’re about to keel over.”
“I’m fin…” Roy turned the color of spoiled milk then stumbled back out the door, throwing up over the rail.
Riza ran out after him, putting a hand on his back. Roy coughed and spat, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand as he shot Gracia and Hughes an apologetic look. He let Riza help him into the house again. She tried to steer him up the stairs but he bulled forward toward the couch.
Hala patted the pillow. “Sit him down,” the Ishbalan nurse said.
“Don’t know where that came from,” Roy muttered, collapsing down.
“You have a concussion. I’m surprised adrenaline got you as far as it did,” Hala said. “Lie down and rest. Son, how bad was it?” she added, eyeing Anah in surprise.
“Bad. Sanaa tried to kill me and Riza.” Dev glanced back to the sharpshooter. “She lost.”
Roy held out a hand to Riza. “Come here.” When she complied, he wrapped an arm around her, kissing her cheek. “You shouldn’t have to kill any more.”
Riza squeezed his hand. “I’m all right, Roy.”
“You always say that,” he protested. “I don’t have to like your skill any more than I like mine most times.”
“Yours was fine today,” Dev said as Winry took a step toward him then stopped as Anah leaned against him. “Both of you. I don’t like seeing people die either but I’m just as glad we weren’t the ones dying. And you put out the fires, or helped at any rate. If there’s anything left to salvage of our temple it’s because of you and the firefighters.” Dev sighed gustily.
“It’ll get rebuilt,” Anah said softly and Dev just shrugged, a look of disbelief on his face.
“I’ll go make us some tea,” Winry said, unhappiness weighing on her.
“I need to talk to you, Miss Rockbell, Edward, Alphonse,” Alex Louis rumbled, his deep voice waking Elicia up. The Elrics and Winry exchanged nervous looks.
“I’ll get the tea,” Hala said, “If Dev can help me.” He nodded and followed his mother into the kitchen. Anah went with them.
“What’s wrong, Mr. Armstrong?” Winry asked, sitting down with Elicia.
Armstrong looked at Li-Ying who collected Elicia. “Let’s go upstairs and see if Miao-Yin wants some company,” she said to the little girl. Elicia nodded and let Li-Ying lead her off.
Armstrong waited until they were gone, his big hand strayed to his head. “I’m not the one who opened the bomb. It was addressed to me. I should have been the one to open it.” Misery thrummed in his voice.
“It wasn’t your fault, Alex Louis,” Roy said, sinking back against the couch, his face still the color of snow splashed with purples.
“But it was.” His thick moustache twitched. “Rose opened the box. I’m sorry, boys, Miss. Rockbell, I know she’s your friend.”
“How bad is it?” Ed asked, his tone dead. “Is she dead?”
“Not yet but they have no hope she’ll survive.” Alex Louis’ broad shoulders slumped. “It’s not very safe to travel right now but tomorrow, if she survives the night, we all should go see her.”
Winry pressed her knuckles to her lips, her eyes glistening. Wide-eyed, Ed’s lips betrayed his emotions, quivering as he pulled Winry to him.
“How many more people can we lose?” Al growled. “How much more can we stand? This isn’t fair.” He whirled on Riza. “The bomber you killed, was she the one who did this to Rose?”
“I don’t know,” Riza said. “She bombed the temple for certain.”
“Could have been her, probably was an accomplice,” Roy said weakly.
“You don’t think it was all Sanaa?” Anah asked, carrying in a tray of cups and the sugar bowl.
“Too many bombs,” Roy replied. “I don’t think just one person could do all that.”
“I want the person who did,” Al said lowly. He glanced at Ed, a promise to make them pay in his eyes. Ed nodded, in complete agreement.
“I was hoping you were wrong,” Hala said, coming back with Dev. “Water’s on. I didn’t want the Ishbalans to have anything to do with this. It’ll be too easy to blame all of us for the actions of a few fanatics.”
“I know and I’ll work to make sure that doesn’t happen. Outside of Sanaa returning to complete the bombing, nothing escalated at the temple bombing,” Roy said. “I was worried. That’s why I made Hughes detour there before we went to Armstrong’s apartment. You three can stay here.” His gesture included mother and son as well as Anah. “If you want, or I’ll call for an escort to get you safely home.”
“Let me think on that,” Hala said, turning around as the tea whistle blew.
“Who else do you think is behind all this?” Ed asked.
Roy glanced over at Alex Louis. “Don’t know, not yet but it’s there in front of us. I can feel it. We just can’t see it yet.” He sat up straighter, seeing Hughes and Gracia coming into the room.
“Where’s Elicia?” Gracia asked.
“My sister took her upstairs,” Roy replied.
Gracia nodded, heading up. Hughes looked over at his friends. “I’m not sure I’m ready for this.”
“You’re sure or you wouldn’t be in here,” Roy replied.
“C’mon, Hughes. Think of it as another chance. Don’t blow it.” Edward smiled faintly, his arm tightening around Winry’s waist.
Hughes sighed. “You’re both right.”
A high-pitched squeal echoed in the house and Elicia slipped Gracia’s grip, bolting down the stairs. She nearly took out Hughes’ knees, hugging him. “Daddy!”
Hughes knelt down, putting his arms around her. “Hey, baby.” He hid his tears against her hair. He missed Winry leaning in to kiss Ed and Roy enveloping Riza in his arms.
XXX
Judith slammed the glass door to the phone booth shut then spun the phone dial with a vengeance. How in the hell did this keep happening? Outside her glass cage, the air smelled of smoke from the bombs. She tried to take the bite out of her voice when Attaway’s secretary picked up. “I need to speak to Mr. Attaway, please. This is Judith. He’s expecting my call.”
A few moments later he came on the line. “It’s clear to talk.”
“Then tell me what the hell is the problem? I’ve heard that Armstrong survived the attack and Rose did not,” Judith snarled.
“She’s not dead yet but Sanaa and Eyal both are. Only Anah is left,” Attaway said. “They created no end of havoc today but the best I can deduce is that Rose must have opened the box instead of Armstrong. She was just supposed to deliver the box and come back here.”
“She always was stupid,” Judith replied, her clenched hand pounding lightly against the glass. “I don’t know Eyal but Sanaa surprises me. She was supposed to be good.”
“She ran into Hawkeye who was a sniper in the war, so good she was pulled from the Academy and sent to the front. Sanaa didn’t stand a chance in a gunfight with her,” Attaway said. “Eyal challenged several officers who caught him trying to plant round two of the bombs.”
“And Anah?”
“I’m not sure where she is. She called after the bomb went off at Armstrong’s and said she was going to the center. She did sneak a call from there but it was brief. Nothing since but that’s not too unexpected,” Attaway said. “It shouldn’t be this hard.”
“No, it should not. We need to do something to rectify this. I’ll call back in the morning. If you haven’t heard from Anah by then, we’ll assume she is lost and we’ll have to make other plans,” Judith said and when Attaway agreed, she hung up. God only knew why this was going so badly but she would prevail. Defeat was not an option.
XXX
“I hate hospitals,” Ed muttered as he, Al and Winry followed Armstrong down the cool hallway.
“We’ve spent too much time in them,” Al replied. “I mean they do good work but…it’s always so sad.”
”Rose is still alive,” Winry reminded them but her tone held no hope.
Armstrong held the door open for them. The room felt tight and stifling even without Armstrong squeezing his battered bulk into the room. The usual scents of hospitals burnt Ed’s nose, the bleach and the underlying scents of urine and feces no amount of cleaner could totally remove. Rose’s room added in a scent he had learned too young and too well, the smells of a body failing. “The doctor said she woke a little this morning. She can probably hear you.”
Ed let Winry sit next to the bed and he stood next to her. Al took up residence on the other side of the bed while Armstrong shadowed the door. “Rose,” Winry said softly. “I brought Ed and Al to see you. I know how much you wanted to see them and we’ve had so little time since they’ve been back.” Winry’s voice hitched, her eyes sheening over. Ed handed her his handkerchief. “I’m sorry about that.”
Alphonse moved closer to the bed, gingerly picking up Rose’s remaining hand. “Hi, Rose.” He swallowed and Edward thought his brother had far too much experience with death beds. “I wanted to let you know we’re here with you.”
“We’re all here,” Ed said, “Armstrong, too. He has your son at his parents’ home.”
“He’s very safe,” Armstrong promised. “It’s our joy to look out for him for you.”
Rose’s eyes fluttered open and Ed regretted that they had woken her up, seeing all the pain clouding them. He figured the IV held painkillers but he had lost two limbs. He had a clue what sort of pain Rose was in. A dark and shameful thought rolled through his head; he had almost hoped she wouldn’t wake up, that she would just fade. He didn’t want to watch someone slowly die again. “Ed…you came.”
“I’m right here.” He touched her cheek. “We all are.”
“I waited…so long.” Her eyes shut then slowly opened again. “Loved you but I knew…not to be.”
Ed sucked in a painful breath, his chest too tight. “You are a special friend, Rose,” he said, not sure he ever really thought that but it was the right thing to say. Her eyes shut again, her breathing ragged.
They waited for her to wake back up but she didn’t. Finally, they talked quietly, mostly about things that didn’t have to do with the bombing; how they were adjusting to being back, what Winry thought of Dev’s new girlfriend, nothing flattering, Ed noted jealously, what Winry was wearing to the wedding and how they needed to get dress blues or tuxedos.
After a while, Ed made a run to the cafeteria and get them all coffee. He knew he was dawdling but he didn’t want to go back to that room. How could she have said she loved him? No, he couldn’t pretend he hadn’t known. He suspected it way back when. Ed had just hoped Rose had moved on. Ed nearly dropped the tray when he got back into the correct hallway for Rose’s room. Al was holding Winry who obviously wept on his shoulder. Armstrong sobbed stentorianly into his handkerchief, leaning against the wall. Ed tossed the tray on the nurses’ station’s desk and went to put his arms around Al and Winry, grimly relieved Rose hadn’t suffered too long.
Author's Note - If you'd like to see my 2008 fan fiction including FMA and others click here
Chapter Twenty-eight
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no subject
Date: 2009-01-06 08:45 am (UTC)You also handled the action scenes well--made for a great "page turner", if you will!
I'll take a look at your other fics when I have a chance.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-06 03:03 pm (UTC)enjoy them when you get a chance
no subject
Date: 2009-01-07 01:30 am (UTC)The problem was he wouldn’t know where to being.
I think you meant begin.
Slow done,” Hughes hissed.
;-) Down i think
Anyway loved this chapter although it was so sad again *sniff*
no subject
Date: 2009-01-07 03:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-06 02:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-06 02:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-06 02:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-06 02:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-06 04:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-06 05:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-06 06:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-06 08:20 pm (UTC)and yes FINALLY closing in on the end
no subject
Date: 2009-01-07 12:43 am (UTC)Love this, still. Such a heartbreak - but NICE to see certain characters displaying emotions.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-07 04:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-07 12:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-07 07:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-07 09:36 pm (UTC)THanks
no subject
Date: 2009-01-09 04:13 am (UTC)Huh. If nothing else, she should realize she needs to flee the country before a whole world of hurt descends upon her head. An Elric/Mustang/Hawkeye smackdown draws nigh! (I hope!)
no subject
Date: 2009-01-09 05:13 am (UTC)