Chaos
Chaos
Rockbelle Automail Outfitters
Three Days after the Bombing
Edward had reluctantly agreed to allow the boys to go with Winry to East City, as long as they allowed Havoc to come with them to act as their bodyguard. Hawkeye offered to go with them as well, to make Ed more comfortable, and Russell and Fletcher swore to stay with them as well (Russell joining her did not comfort Ed) so in the end Ed saw Winry and the others off to the train station, before returning to the now quiet house.
Roy, Pinako, and Ed had been left to take care of the patients that couldn't be moved. In the end that included Falman, Ross, Broch, and Breda because he refused to go. Everyone else had been transferred to East Hospital. Since Breda was stable, it really wasn't overwhelming to them, and Miles was to arrange for what they needed to restart the restoration project, which looked like it may end up including more soldiers to act as guards around the Resembool base camp.
Winry, Riza, Jean, Russell, Fletcher, Miles, and the boys were to be back at the end of the month, after Ed had a chance to build a simple dorm at least. Ed was sitting out on the porch, unable to sleep between his concern for his men and his concern for his family. He had finally gotten ahold of his brother, who was more than a little upset when Ed opened with ' So the journals may be gone' trying to distract Al from the worst of it but Ed managed to get across what all had happened.
Al was threatening to walk across the desert again but luckily Mei managed to calm him down, at least enough for Ed to pass the phone off to their Dad to let him talk Al into staying away for now. After all, Ed had agreed to separate from his sons for safety, he didn't want his brother here for the same had assured Ed he had convinced Al to stay put.
Ed sighed, pushing the issue to the back of his mind as he walked into the medical wing to check on the patients. It was his turn to make sure everyone was doing well. Granny had finally agreed to get some sleep, and Dad was off to the market to buy some food for the next few days. Ed was not as well equipped as Winry as an assistant, but he knew what to look for.
He started with Broch and Ross, Broch had been through surgery as well, but so far it looked like he would be able to keep his legs. Ed was glad, not only because he hated the idea of losing one of his people, but because he was personally aware of the pain involved in replacement. It really was too bad Ross had lost her arm, he planned to talk to her about her options, not as a medical professional, which he wasn't, or a commanding officer, which he was, but as a patient himself.
He walked in the room and both of them were awake and seemed to have been talking quietly. They fell silent as he entered, but he'd heard the soft murmur of voices. "Sorry to interrupt. Just doing the rounds, checking on everyone." Ed said quietly as he approached the beds.
"Thank you sir." Ross said, as she attempted to sit up and winced with pain.
"No you don't. Stay down unless someone is here to help you. I know from extensive personal experience that you should not be moving on your own right now." Ed said, as he helped her sit up gently, and arranged the pillows behind her to make sitting up easier. "I also know you are very tired and fighting sleep. Stop. Sleep will help you heal faster."
"I can't just lay around for no reason, there is so much that needs to be done!" Maria Ross replied with a frown. "We have to find out how much of a set back this was, and if we're still going to get to finish on time. Where will we be staying?"
"Once you're stable, you'll be transferred to East City, as far as the project goes, Mustang's going out to the site the day after tomorrow to confirm how much damage was done. The Elders already contacted us to inform us how much progress was lost thanks to the bombs." Ed said as he took her temperature and blood pressure.
"How is she?" Broch asked from the next bed. "She wouldn't tell me if it was terrible, so I need you guys to let me know."
"Ross is critical, she'll stay that way for a awhile, as you know. You aren't doing that much better honestly, with that internal bleeding you managed without letting anyone know you weren't feeling well. I seem to remember a lecture I received years ago about accepting more help. It seems it's time to return the favor. You can't try to keep your suffering from us. We are here to help, but we aren't mind readers, so unless you want us to transfer you out to the city, talk to us. That goes to both of you, talk to us. Blood loss in no laughing matter." Ed said as he turned to take Broch's temperature and blood pressure. They could still have negative reactions to the transfusions and surgeries.
Both Ross and Broch nodded, and Ed sat between them in the chair set up for visitors. "This conversation is early I know, and it likely hasn't crossed your mind yet, but I thought I should talk to you about automail. I can answer questions that Granny really can't because she does these surgeries, a lot. This is her area, and mechanically and medically she's completely the expert, but living with it… that would be me. So, I'm here to answer the personal questions."
"How long does it take to get used to it? I mean, I know it can't possibly feel like your real arm, so how long did it take to get used to the idea that it was there?" Ross asked.
"Hmm. I think maybe because I was so young, or determined, it may have affected it, but for me it took about six months? TO get used to the idea that I couldn't feel it the same way so I had to be more careful. You'll learn how to do that as part of the P.T. but at first it's going to feel strange, like when your leg goes numb from sitting too long, and painful. The nerves scream as they adjust and so do the muscles. After the healing is complete, weather and illness, stress can bother it again . Of course if it needs replacement. That hurts like a bitch I'm not gonna lie. It hurts almost as bad as having it put on the first time. The surgery and recovery is worse though, because they have to attach the nerves."
"Is it better to have it done right away or wait?" Broch asked.
"That one's really more of a granny question actually, though I had mine done fairly quickly after my accident. As soon as Granny was happy with my blood count. It was terrible at the time, and I felt so sick for about a week, then the P.T. was begun and it helped a lot."
"If I don't get automail…my job is gone, I'll be discharged, correct?" Ross asked as she gestured that she was ready to lay back down and Ed helped her.
"I'm going to fight to let you stay as long as that's what you want, but again I won't lie, it is possible they will discharge you unless you undergo the surgery. I can speak directly to Dad and Grandpa about it. Don't let that be part of your choice though, there is no going back once it's done." Ed said with a frown. He would have to talk to Dad about that later. He hadn't thought about it, honestly. Too many things were happening at once for him to have thought that far ahead.
He answered a few more questions, about general daily life with it, before excusing himself to check on the other two. When he left, he made sure both were lying back down, and that they didn't need anything else. Across the hall, he found Breda awake and Falman sleeping.
He frowned and tried to remember if anyone had mentioned Falman being awake at any of the patient checks. So far, he hadn't seen Falman awake himself. Ed supposed Breda would be the best person to ask but he didn't want to add any stress to the man. With a sigh Ed decided it was necessary, and turned to Breda, who had sat up on the edge of his bed when Ed came in. "Has he woken at all since his surgery? I haven't seen him awake, and everyone is busy right now so I can't just go ask them." Ed said as he sat down.
"No, not really. He stirred around a bit last night and seemed like he was hurting or having a nightmare. Otherwise he's been fairly still. Should I be worried?" Breda said, his tone growing more agitated as he spoke.
"I'm not a doctor, so I can't say much. My knowledge is more Nursing aide level. I'll send Granny in to check him over when she wakes up, but right now I don't think we're worried. His blood pressure is back to normal range and he doesn't have a fever; I think he's okay for now." Ed said with a frown. "You seem alright as well, though I know you're in a lot more pain than you're letting on. I've had broken ribs and burns. So, don't try to deny it."
"I'm just worried about him… and the others of course! But he was so hurt, it was concerning. Not that I wouldn't be concerned for the others if they were injured and-"
"Breda. Heymans." Ed said cutting him off. "I know. I've known for a couple of years, and so has Dad so…just be worried okay? Stop trying to cover. We already know."
"No one ever said anything; well Jean did but he's my best friend, so it's expected, but no one else ever said." Breda said quietly, uncertain if he was surprised, relieved, or annoyed.
"Aside from me, Dad, and Jean I don't know that anyone knows. I only found out Jean and Dad knew the day we got here, while we were discussing the explosions." Ed shrugged. "I've known for about three years."
"How long has Roy known?" Breda asked
"I don't know, I didn't ask. Probably longer than me."
"I don't know about that, sounds like you figured it out right away."
"Well, I am unusually observant…though so is Dad. He's such a pain, never could keep anything from him for long."
"Ha. I'm sure your boys will feel the same way about you."
"Good, that means I'm doing my job right." Ed sighed. "Not that I'm doing that great. I'm messing it up on a regular basis aren't I? This isn't even the first time Yuery's been in danger because of me. William either."
"Did your mom do a bad job?" Breda asked instead of assuring him or denying it, or agreeing."
"I-what? Of course not!"
"But, look at all the things that happened to you when you were little. The whole town was overrun by the fighting at one point. The train station was blown up. You were abandoned by your father, you were left orphaned."
"None of that was her fault! She couldn't control those things." Ed jumped up, more red faced than he's been since Promised Day, how dare Breda talk about his mom like that?
"Exactly." Breda said, leaning back smugly. "Now, did you blow up the compound? Kidnap Rose? Give Tucker the idea to experiment on people? Ask those weird wizard people to constantly show up?"
"No, of course not! Why would I want that to happen? Don't be stupid." Ed said with irritation clear in his tone.
"Bad things happen, Ed. You can't stop it, you can only shield them as much as possible." Breda said with a sigh as the boy deflated, He was probably not in the best shape to pick a fight with him but he couldn't stand to hear the boy talking about himself like this.
Ed nodded, not in agreement but acknowledgement. "I also decided to stay in the military. I joined to begin with, I drug my brother and my sons through hell over and over. I'm selfish. I can't imagine my life without them."
"That's not selfish Ed, that's love." Breda said with a smile. "You love them, and I know, I've known you for years so I know YOU. I know you would do anything to keep them safe, even if it hurts you. You never think of yourself first. Not really. Even staying in the military. Tell me, did you stay for you? Or did you stay for your dad, and to help your family and people?"
"I stayed to help my Dad and to keep my son safe." Ed muttered. "I never planned to stay, I never wanted to stay, and now I can't even think of what I would do if I left because everyone still needs me."
"Exactly. Don't try to tell me your life wouldn't be easier if you walked away Ed, because it would be, but it's not who you are. Even if you tried, you'd be back."
"How'd we get on me anyway? Weren't we talking about you?" Ed said, uncomfortable with the conversation.
"What about me? My life is fairly straight forward. I go to work, avoid that damn dog all day, and go home." Breda said with a shrug. "The last few weeks that just meant going upstairs, I never even leave the building unless we're need out in the city somewhere. I'm boring."
"So when do you two hang out? Since you seem to want to be completely secret."
"I'm not discussing that with a kid. Even if he's my boss." Breda said.
"I didn't ask about- Shut up! I asked about spending time together, like normal people do." Ed said. "Just because you work in that office all the time doesn't mean it's all you do."
"Normal people? You mean not soldiers?
"Yeah them. They're basically a mystery to me, but I know they do exist. My mom was one of them. Can't really claim that about the Rockbelles. They're civilians but spend way to much time with us soldiers to count." Ed said with a laugh. "I hear normal people do things like spending time together outside of work."
"None of us have been normal in years. Yeah we find time to spend time together outside of work, usually doing things like playing cards or cooking." Breda said. "Not really since we got out here, been too busy setting everything up."
"I know what you mean. I barely see Winry anymore. It's hard to believe that until we got back from Xing, she was almost never around. I miss her."
"I imagine you do." Breda said. "Especially since you double the number of diapers you change since then."
"I don't mind diapers, and Yuery is potty trained anyway. No, Winry's been my best friend since we were toddlers. I miss having her around because we already missed too much time with me off being stupid."
"So have you decided on a date yet?"
" We considered fall but settled on this spring Win's idea." Ed said quietly. ", I'm going to try to keep it quiet so maybe it doesn't become a national event."
"Not even your Dad? Or Hawkeye?"
"Dad and Ji Mu and Granny all know the date." Ed said as he stood up. "Get some sleep, someone will be by to check on you guys in a while."
Later that afternoon
Roy finally made it back, to find Ed cooking stew and Granny no where to be seen. He frowned as he set down the bags. The expression on Ed's face had him concerned. He also noticed the large pile of books strewn across the table. "Is everything alright?" Roy asked when Ed didn't even look in his direction despite the noise he'd made coming in.
"No, Falman hasn't woken yet and Ross is septic." Ed said with a frown. "Breda is freaking out so bad she had to give him a sedative, Broch isn't much better."
"Falman was awake for a bit last night, has he not woken today?"
"No not at all, Breda is beside himself. I'm not even sure who to worry about more right now. Breda's gotta stop moving around so much or we'll have a fourth emergency surgery on our hands and Pinako is worried about Ross. Seriously worried."
"What do you need me to do?"
"I don't know. I'm looking for an alternative treatment in these books, check with Pinako to see what she thinks she may need from you." Ed said as he turned to begin flipping through one of the books again. Roy noticed it was one of the magic books. There were medical texts and Alchemy texts mixed in with the magic ones, but that Ed was looking through them all worried Roy more than what Ed had said.
Ed didn't like or trust magic, more so now that he was learning how involved his father had been in it. For Ed to look to it as a valid option spoke of how concerned he was. Roy briefly wished there was a way to contact Snape if only because he would know more about how to handle the magic side of studies.
Roy made his way quickly to the medical area of the house, in time to hear Denny Broch asking how he could help, and Pinako snapping at him to stay put. Roy rushed through the door, to the sight of Pinako struggling to hold Maria Ross still while the woman in question thrashed around. Pinako spotted him and yelled "Get the restraints, second drawer. We need her to stay still before she rips out all her sutures. Her fever is up, its causing convulsions."
Wordlessly, Roy rushed to the set of drawers and retrieved the straps normally kept to hold automail recipients still during early recovery. Roy then took over holding the woman down while Pinako strapped her down. In the end he had a bloody lip and several bruises across his torso from Maria's thrashing. Denny watched on in horror, as Ed appeared in the doorway. He cursed loudly before rushing forward to pull out several vials that he handed off to Pinako one by one as she injected the appropriate amounts into Maria's IV line.
"Dad, please go get Breda back in bed and turn off the stew. He came and said it sounded like you guys needed help in here." Ed said as Maria finally settled back down. Denny was still struggling to see what was happening. Roy nodded, before returning to the kitchen . Breda was calmly stirring the stew, which seemed nearly finished.
"Okay, Breda, back to bed with you, we have everything under control." Roy said as he turned off the stove and led the other man back to his room. "With the sedatives they gave you, you shouldn't be walking around, you'll pass out any second now and the last thing Pinako needs is to have to stitch you up cause you hit your head."
Breda nodded wordlessly, as Roy helped him back into bed before turning to Falman to check that he was still stable. He appeared to be fine aside from still being asleep, so Roy asked Breda not to move again before returning to the other room that was still in chaos.
Edward was busy trying to keep Denny calm, while Pinako was hovering over Maria who seemed to once again begin convulsing. Roy jumped right in asking what they needed from him, before taking over for Ed who knew slightly more than he did what was needed, but had long been accustomed to following Pinako's orders so would know how to give her what she asked for quickly.
"What I really need is that young man in a different room so we have room to work. After you get him settled go out to the phone in my office, there's a number for Doctor Manferd next to it, call him and tell him Pinako needs him back out here." Granny said quickly.
Roy nodded and wheeled Denny's bed out of the room and across the hall to park it on the far wall, leaving enough room for someone to walk between the beds between him and Heymans Breda. Denny was unable to actually get out of bed with the casts up to his hips and the straps left in place to prevent his movements. He protested however, until Roy snapped at him "If you want to help her, you will help us help her and not disturb the others so we can give her all of our attention. Now I have to call the doctor, you stay put."
Roy then rushed to call the doctor, who agreed to come right out. He then went back to check on Denny, Heymans and Vato who were all quiet, before returning to Maria's room. Pinako and Ed were busy, but also didn't seem to need any help so Roy stepped out front to wait for the doctor. He decided to sit on the front porch. The doctor arrived about fifteen minutes later and nodded wordlessly at Roy as he passed.
Ed joined him on the porch about half an hour later with a bowl of stew in each hand and a tired frown on his face. Roy moved over slightly to give him room, Ed dropping gratefully next to him. "Eat. It's going to be a long night."
"How bad is it?" Roy asked, fearing the response.
"I'm going to start ordering my men not to die. It works for you." Ed replied instead of answering. "Hell it worked on Promised Day. Didn't think any of us were coming out of that one."
"True. Well, I'd decided you and Alphonse were going to live no matter what I had to do, but the rest of us? I wasn't sure."
"If we can get her fever down, they should be able to stabilize her. Then it's a matter of fighting the infection. It's not going to be easy." Ed said finally answering Roy's question. "I should call Winry, let her know what's happening, but I don't want her to bring the boys back here yet. Not until we know better what may be happening."
"I agree. What about Vato?" Roy asked as he eat slowly. He wasn't sure he wanted the answer.
"If he wakes up soon, we're in good shape, otherwise we need to find a way to move him to a long-term care hospital and hope for the best. Granny's place isn't equipped for coma patients." Ed said with a sigh as he set down his bowl, half finished but forgotten. "Chances are good that Denny is going to lose his legs, as least partly. And if Heymans can't stay calm Granny is going to have to move him like she had you move Denny. We don't have the blood for another surgery on hand."
"Edward. I think perhaps I should request you be transferred back to Central. I don't want you out here, not like this. I fear these attacks may continue." Roy said, he'd spent a lot of time thinking about it and decided it was for the best.
"I'm not going back to Central alone Dad. If you don't need me here, or want me here, right now, I'll use some of my leave. I need to research some of the stuff we've uncovered so far anyway, and spend some time with my boys." Ed said with a sigh. "You're going to have to bring more people in without me, which could go either way on recovery. I understand though. Winry and I, we're going to rebuild over there on that hill, where I grew up."
"I'll put in for your leave. Six months should do it. Are you going to take Winry and the boys with you on this trip?" Roy asked. " Nothing needs to be set just yet."
"Probably. Hell maybe we'll elope while were gone and I won't have to worry about it becoming a circus anymore." Ed said. "If I do decide that though, I'll find a way to let you and Ji Mu know. I want you there if at all possible, but to at least know it's happening."
Roy laughed, relieved to learn that Ed and the babies would be out of the way. Roy wasn't sure what he'd been thinking when he asked Ed to stay and help him with this. He should have known that this was a possibility. At least they hadn't been injured seriously. After watching them try to stabilize Maria all afternoon Roy knew he had to get his family away from this place. He knew it was selfish, but he had already left enough of himself behind in Ishval, he couldn't lose his children or grandchildren to it too.
Journal Seven
1750-1751
13/09/51
Perenelle lost the child, again.
This was the fifth. It is time
To accept she is unable to
Carry.
I am furthering the research
Before moving forward in
The plan. Perenelle
Is beside herself. It may
Be time to ask her if
She wants to be free of
Me and my troubles.
I have no desire to watch another
Perenelle whither away. It is disheartening.
_T.B.V.N.F.H
12/12/51
The trouble lies in the blood.
It is apparent it is near impossible
To form a Gate around a Core.
The only way is to have a
Powerful yet inactive Core.
Bred with a powerful active Gate.
I will need to find a Squib, from a
Powerful family. Squibs in powerful
Families are near myth. I may need
To interfere. I loathe the idea. It is the
Only way. I am going to have to become
More involved in the magical community
Again.
Perenelle is packing as we speak. She
Has agreed she has grown weary of
Our agreement, admitted that she had
Hoped in time I would grow to love her.
I do not know how I mislead her.
_T.B.V.N.F.H