Chimera

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Hospital

Roy sat upright for the first time that day. “What do you mean, he's in the hospital? He went to deliver some reports, what happened?” He listened for a few minutes. “You just let him run around by himself?” More listening. Sigh. “How bad is it?” Silence on the other end, then mumbling. “WHAT! He's stuck there for six weeks? When can he be moved?” More mumbling. “In three weeks? I'll be there in two days, have a place ready.” He hung up and went to stand but a firm hand on his shoulder stopped him.

“Where are you going, sir?” He'd forgotten about her standing there.

“I'm going to West City Hospital, Fullmetal has gotten himself laid up again. Have a car sent around, I want to be there within two days.” He turned to look at her, noting the stubborn set of her eyes.

“I don't think that is wise sir, you have a lot of work to do here. And if he can't be moved for three weeks, he will still be there on the weekend. Sir.” She continued to press down firmly, holding him in his chair.

“Lieutenant Hawkeye, I appreciate your concerns, but I am leaving. Have a car sent around, I will be ready in half an hour. I'm leaving you in charge here.” He stood, taking her hand with him. She pulled back, looking at him curiously. He almost never defied her. After a second of scrutiny, she saluted and left to call a car. Roy packed his things quickly, grabbing the overnight bag he kept for emergencies, his gloves, and an extra uniform from the closet. The car left in exactly half an hour and Roy insisted on driving straight through the night, trading places with the young driver. They arrived within 36 hours of leaving, exhausted. Headquarters was the first stop, to get a place to stay and clean up before visiting the hospital.

“What do you mean, he's gone? He was supposed to be here for three weeks before he could even be moved, not just walk out. Where were the guards?” The nurse in front of him shook and stared at the ground.

“I don't know, sir, he was in his room when we checked last night and gone this morning. His brother was with him, wouldn't leave, but he's gone too.” She looked like she would cry and Roy backed down. Making pretty women cry was not going to help.

He calmed his voice, “Where are the guards now?” Maybe they had seen something.

“They're over there, waiting for you. Their commander called and said they were to give their report to you.” Ah, he'd have to thank the Colonel personally. He strode over and looked down at the pair of women.

“Well? Why are Fullmetal and his brother gone?” They jumped to attention, holding their salutes because he wasn't in the mood to release them.

“Sir, Alphonse asked for some water and towels, sir. They were gone when we came back, sir. We apologize, sir, we didn't realize they would leave, sir.” Crisp and to the point, Roy found he liked these ladies.

“So you both left because he asked you to and he just walked off with his brother.” Roy summed it up and both women nodded. Why that sneaky, innocent sounding brat. “Dismissed. Return to base, I'm sure your commander has something to say.” He turned and walked back to the car. 'Now where would Al take him? Why would they leave in the first place? It's only been a week since he was sick, he shouldn't need to hide.' The driver was sitting on the hood of the car, smoking. “Take me to the dorm they were staying in. Maybe they left something there.” The ride was quick and the dark haired man soon found himself outside a plain door. He knocked. No response, not that he expected one. The door was open and he entered, noting that everything was clean and orderly, as if the boys had never been there. “Are you sure this is it?”

“Yes, sir, room 23 in Dorm 6.”

'Alright then, I'm sure Al wouldn't just take off, Ed, yes, but not Al.' He explored carefully, checking under the bed, in closets, the top shelf of the bookcase. Nothing. If Al were going to leave a note, where would he put it? He's still a child, maybe... Roy lifted a pillow. There was a little folded note in Al's careful hand. “Colonel Mustang. I had to take Brother away, he isn't feeling well. I'm taking him home on the midmorning train. I'm sorry there wasn't time to call you, I couldn't let him stay there. Al.” Well, damn. If he'd stayed put, he would have heard from Al by now.

He stomped down the hall and out to the car. “We're going home. Stop at the local office first.” He stepped into the car and watched the buildings go by. 'Why? Why would he just take him and run like that? Maybe..' His eyes narrowed and he changed his directions. “Stop at the hospital first, please. I need to check something.” The same pretty nurse was on duty and immediately called a doctor for him. Roy got right to the point. “How bad was it?”

“It was a miracle he survived to get here, never mind the night. I was shocked, strangest thing I've ever seen. The blade entered his back and pushed almost all the way through; it must have missed his heart by millimeters. He was bleeding heavily but it must have missed any major arteries as well, truly a miracle. He's strong and stubborn, wants to live that one does. Almost as bad as his brother. Now that one was a pain; insisted on a single room, kept turning up the heat despite the fever, and wouldn't leave, not for a minute. One of the nurses saw him leaving early this morning, about an hour before we noticed his brother was missing. Still not sure how he got out, he was unconscious when he was checked two hours before.” The doctor shook his head. Roy listened, marveling at Al, AL!, being called a stubborn pain.

“Did they take anything with them? Clothing, medication, anything?” He needed to know what they would have and what he should take with him.

“Just a few painkillers that were left for when he woke up, two blankets are gone, and his cloak. The rest of his clothes are still here, we had to cut them off. If you know where they are, they need to get to a hospital immediately, even if that boy's awake, he needs professional care.” Roy nodded his agreement.

“I'm looking for them right now, just getting some ideas of what they have and where they might be.” A small lie, but he didn't feel too guilty, Al would know what was best. “Can I get whatever medication you would have given him? When I find them, I'd like to start him right away, to hold him until we get to a hospital.”

The doctor nodded and sorted through the files on the nurse's desk, pulling Edward's out. “Here, these will prevent infection and these are for pain. The instructions are on the bottles.” He waved a nurse over and wrote out a prescription that she left to fill. “I hope you find them soon. They seem like nice boys, care about each other.”

“Yes, they are and they do. I hope I find them soon too.” The alchemist took the bottles he was handed and left for the office. He was greeted by a whirl of activity. “What's going on?”

“They just brought in a group of chimera kids, from that doctor's place!” Roy felt a chill down his back. So that's what the boys found out there. “They found them hiding in the basement. We're trying to find a place for them to stay, they're all pretty young.” Roy waved him on and continued to the Colonel's office.

“Colonel Mustang, how are you? Did you find your boys yet? I'm terribly sorry this happened, were the officers of use to you? I certainly hope so, don't worry, they'll be punished appropriately.” Colonel Condart was a talkative man in his fifties who loved to know every little detail, relevant or not.

“I'm fine, thank you. Hopefully you find yourself the same?” He arched an eyebrow and got an enthusiastic nod. “Excellent. I have not yet found them, but I have an idea where to start. The officers were most helpful, thank you for having them report to me, I appreciate it. I hear you have some children in need of care? May I make a suggestion?”

“Of course, of course.”

“Perhaps the officers from the hospital might be placed in charge of them? Seems fitting, don't you think? Isn't that old orphanage still standing? Perhaps they could be relocated there for the time being.”

“Why, yes, what an excellent idea! But, the orphanage was torn down last year, really was an eyesore. There are a few empty buildings around town, I'm sure one could be fitted for use.” The older man grinned and yelled for his secretary. Roy wondered why he didn't have a secretary, then remembered he couldn't keep his hands to himself and Hawkeye forbade it.

“Thank you for your time, I have to get going if I wish to make it back in time to assist the boys. It was nice to speak with you, even for the short time we had.” Ever polite and gracious, Roy groomed a supporter even as he left the chaos behind him.

The ride home was longer but much more relaxed. He was dropped off at the dorms and carefully wandered upstairs, making sure no one saw him. A soft knock and the door was thrown open. He found himself engulfed in steel arms and dragged against a metal breastplate.

“Colonel! Oh, you're here, thank you so much, you have to help me, he's going crazy, something is wrong, he changed and it's too early, he won't calm down, I don't know what to do.” Roy froze, then pushed carefully away, those spikes were much too close to his face.

“Al, I got your note. Why did you leave? How did you get him out and home without being seen? ” He took off his coat and hung it up, sounded like he would be here for a bit. “Where is he?”

“He's in the bedroom, I had to tie him to the bed. He's sedated right now, I gave him some sleeping powder and painkillers. To move him, I wrapped him up and put him in my chest, it's just the right size for him now, because he's so small. He was still unconscious, so I just moved carefully and he was ok. I used his watch to get us home, I hope you won't be angry. He needs to be warm to heal properly and it was cold there. They kept trying to wash him in cool water to bring the fever down. And, I checked his eyes; they were changing. I couldn't let him change there, we had to leave.” His distress was clear, he wanted to help his brother but still wanted Roy's approval.

“It's alright, if that's what he needs, then it was the right thing. Can you turn down the heat a little? It's really hot in here.” Roy could already feel the sweat running down his back. “I won't let him get cold. You said he was changing?” Roy walked to the door of the bedroom and looked in, making out a little pile of blankets, oddly like the first time he had seen it.

Al fiddled with the thermostat and followed him, “Yes, he's changed and it's only been a week since the last time. I thought it might be stress but it's never happened before, so I'm not sure. It's changing as he gets older and I just don't know what to do anymore. He's so aggressive lately, what will happen when I'm back, I won't be able to handle him.” The boy hung his head for a minute, then continued, “He's fully changed now, it took a while, but he seems to be healing nicely. That's the other reason we had to leave, he was healing too fast, faster than he usually does, I think the change is helping him.” Al moved to the bed and petted his brother's head lightly, stroking down the smooth stomach. The blond was sleeping restlessly. “He's been going crazy since we got here, he figured out where we were just outside our apartment and got really upset, scratching, kicking, he even bit me. I finally had to tie him down because I couldn't hold him anymore. He's just too fast and flexible like this.” He sighed and looked helplessly at his sibling. “I wish I could help him.”

“You did, you got him away from other people and now he's safe to heal on his own. I brought painkillers and some pills to prevent infection. Let's untie him and maybe he'll attach to me again. Hopefully, he'll want to sit with me and we can decide what to do.” Slim hands quickly untied Ed's hands, letting them fall to his sides. The gold ears flickered at him but nothing else moved. “Edward, get up.” He ran his fingers over the soft hair and down the boy's chest and stomach the way Al had. The sprawled body flexed under him and arched into his hands. “Come on, wake up. Runt.” The ears flicked in annoyance and he rolled over but didn't react otherwise. “Ok, I'm leaving if you don't want to sit with me.” He pulled his hands back and they were grabbed immediately.

“More.” Somehow, Edward had gotten himself rolled over again and leaning up on his superior officer. Roy let himself be dragged down and the cat boy climbed into his lap. “Sorry.” The older man blinked, his first apology and he had no idea what it was for. “Hurt, Back early”

“As long as you are both alright, it doesn't matter. I wish you hadn't gotten hurt in the first place, but I know you and it was bound to happen. It's ok that you're back early too, I won't hold it against you.” He stroked down his back, soothing, and eventually the boy fell asleep against him, the little nose tucked into his neck.

“Thank you, sir, he's so much more manageable when you're here. At least he isn't hurting anymore.” Al stood over them. “Would you like something to eat? Brother hasn't eaten, he kept trying to bite. Maybe he'll eat now that he's calmer.”

“I suppose pasta is out?”

“Oh, no, I'll make it right away. Brother will eat almost anything, he just prefers meat and it's easier not to fight with him about it. I'm sure if you feed him, he'll be ok. Let me check his bandages quickly and I'll start supper.” Al's hands moved easily over his brother, checking for bleeding and infection. “He looks fine, I'll have to give him more medicine before he eats.” The boy left the room to fix supper while Roy stayed pinned to the bed and petted, wishing he had his phonograph and newspaper. His arms were just barely too short to even reach the book by Ed's bed so he lay back and relaxed until supper.