Eldest Elric

The Light in the Darkness

My good eye opened again and I took a deep breath. Next to me was a mess of blonde hair and the small frame told me it was Jenner. I smiled. That didn't hurt so bad anymore as I looked at his sleeping face. His eyes were slightly puff. He must have been crying. Gently, I got out of the small bed.
My suit case and guitar were in the room, so I changed. I wore black jeans with grass stains and a loose gray shirt. Then, I found Jenner's back pack. After pulling out him some blue shorts and a brown shirt; I woke him up. "Jenner, time to wake up Honey..." My voice was soft and I felt so much better around him. He's the light in this darkness. Jen turned to me with big red eyes and yawns some, rubbing one of his eyes, "Good-morning, Momma." The sweet voice of the small boy made me smile.
I hugged him to me, "Good-morning, Jenner." Yep, I love this little boy. When I pulled back I lifted him with me. His giggle filled the room and I smiled. I helped him get dressed and he asked, "Are we leaving today?" Jenner seemed more curious than upset now and I wondered if he wanted to leave. I gave a nod and handed him his pack. We leave now and I don't care about making amends at this moment. Edward took it too far and he made it clear that he may never love me again.
We walked to the living room, hand-in-hand. The least we should do is say goodbye. Pinako looked at me with a frown, "Leaving so soon, Elizabeth?" She knew me too well. I smiled to her as Winry stared at me with an upset face. "No worries, we'll be fine. I'll be sure to have someone check my eye when we get to where we need to go." My words made her look more upset and she stood in front of me. Pinako spoke quietly, "No need. You have Corneal Scarring." Never the one to beat around the bush, Pinako is.
There was no need to explain what that was to me because I remember it clearly. That means my eye is permanently blind. The news didn't shock me or make me upset. In fact, I kind of figured that would be the case. "What's that mean, Momma?" Jenner asked, not understanding. I leaned down to his height, "That means I'm blind in this eye now." Pointing to my bandaged eye to show him which one.
Alphonse stood up, "Sister... Ed, he didn't mean-" He started, wanting to defend the middle child. I laughed some and interrupted him, "No worries, it's not his fault... I just tried to soon to get him to forgive me, so I'm not mad at him." My smile made the armored boy relax. Yet, everyone seemed sad today.
I sighed, "Cheer up, people. The sun is shining and it's a new day." I picked up Jenner and Pinako grinned at my attitude. "You boys will come up with something new to get in trouble, I'm sure." Now, Winry smiled too. Jenner and I said our goodbyes and we left. I said nothing to Edward and Jenner didn't even meet him properly.
Jen was on my lap as we were on the train to East City. I was sure to make him ware the sunglasses and we had no troubles as he fell asleep. I carried him up to the gates of the building and the guard from last time was there. I smiled at him and he looked slightly upset at my covered eye.
"Colonel Mustang again, Miss Elizabeth?" He asked nicely with a polite smile. "Yes, please." I grinned a little and we started to walk. "Where are we, Momma?" Jenner yawned as he sat up. I giggled at him, "We're going to see one of my new friends, Jen." I put him down and let him walk. He put his small hands in mine as we followed the man. Now, he openly stared at us. Jenner laughed and I smiled again, "Not by blood, Sir. I raised him and he's like my own son." I seem to explain that to people a lot. The uniformed guy looked embarrassed at himself, "I'm sorry for mistaking, Miss."
We continued to the familiar double door. "Who's your friend?" Jenner looked at me through his shaded eyes. I ruffled his hair, "Roy Mustang, we're in East City H.Q, Jenner." My explanation seemed enough for him as he went to looking around. He liked new places. When we got to the door, the blonde guy answered it with another cigarette. "Miss Elizabeth, right?" He directed the question to me and I gave a nod, eyeing his cigarette. He sighed and let us in, putting out his cancer stick at his desk. Guess he noticed my distasteful look.
Jenner looks at me curiously, "What is that?" He asked as he pointed to the cigarette. I gave him a frown, "That's a Cancer Stick, they kill your lungs and you die from them." I explained to him. The blonde man looked annoyed and the red hair man chuckled some at my answer. Jenner looked at them and I noticed Fuery wasn't in the room.
"Hi, I'm Jenner!" The small boy gave a big smile and wave to the three people. They all looked at him and he only smiled. "My name's Jean Havoc, kid." The blonde guy smiled to Jen. The smaller boy looked at the blonde man and they liked each other instantly. "My name is Vato Falman." That was the white haired man.
Jenner grinned to the man and gave a nod to him. Which he returned. The red haired man introduced himself last, "And I'm Heymans Breda." Okay, now Jen may not be blood, but he is a lot like me. "It's nice to meet you all." Jenner said with a big smile. My doting mother side came out as I hugged him, "You are so cute!" Jenner giggled at me. At that time, Fuery came from the Colonel's office.
He looked at me with surprise and eyed my bandage, "You're back so soon, Miss Elizabeth?" Fuery asked with a frown. Obviously, he thought something was wrong. I gave him a smile and nodded, "Just need to get interrogated." I joked. Fuery laughed a little and looked to the small blonde boy, "Who's this?" He leaned down to Jenner with a smile. Jen grinned and spoke, "I'm Jenner!" He is so cute! I refrained from hugged him.
Fuery put his hand out for a hand-shake, "I'm Kain Fuery." They shook hands and smiled at each-other. "Nice to meet you." Jenner replied and I ruffled his hair. "Let's get you to Colonel Mustang, yeah?" Fuery said as he stood up. I gave a nod and looked to Jenner, "Jen, I'm going to talk with my friend now. Do you want to wait out here or come with me?" I asked the four-year-old boy. It didn't matter which he chose. The small boy leaned in to my ear and whispered, "Can I take off my glasses?" I thought for a moment. Did I trust these soldiers? They wouldn't report him, would they?
I frowned, "No, not until we get on the train again." There was no reason to take that chance. Even though I would hunt all four of these men down and kill them if they hurt my child in any way, I wouldn't chance it. They are still strangers. Jenner looked upset, "Then, I wanna stay with you." I ruffled his hair again and stood up. We walked over to the door and Fuery knocked. "Come in." The usual reply from Roy was said and we entered the room. "Colonel, Miss Elizabeth is back." Fuery stated as the dark-haired man looked up. He eyed my bandages and motion for us to sit down. Fuery had left and it was just four people in the room. "Who's the kid, Elizabeth?" Roy looked at Jenner, who half hid behind me. Now he was shy? I smiled, "This is Jenner, my son." Okay, the shocked look is not my favorite, but hey; I got a reaction from the blonde girl.
Jenner laughed and I giggled some, "Not by blood." He knew exactly what that meant for a kid his age.
Roy rubbed his temple, "So, you're leaving today?" He went with changing the subject. I smiled sadly, "Yeah." Roy and I sat on the couches and the lady, Riza Hawkeye, showed Jenner the map behind Roy's desk. "So, you going to tell me what happened to your eye or just let me wonder?" He sounded sarcastic and I rolled my eye. I leaned back and looked to Jen, "I'll let you wonder and make an educated guess, Colonel." He sighed, like he knew that would be my answer.
There weren't many questions to ask. Just basics about family, friends, and a briefing on how I met Maes. Roy explained to me all that Edward would need to do to become a State Alchemist. All the Colonel could do was put in a good word and get him started. That seems like enough. Edwards a smart boy and can figure out the rest. Knowing my brother, he will let the guilt become inspiration. Edward will try to get Al's body back and the best way would be to use the Philosopher Stone.
Roy said he was fine with supporting that as long as they do as they are told in return. I told him that short jokes work best to get a reaction out of him. We had carried our conversation for a good two hours before I had to leave for the next train. "Well, nice seeing you again." He stood up and I did the same. Riza managed to keep Jen entertained with the map of Amestris for our conversation and I smiled at her, "Thank you, Riza." I properly thanked the kind woman and Jenner did the same.
We left and said goodbye to the other guys on our way out. I can't believe I got in and out with a suit case, guitar, and back pack. The train we boarded was going to Central, but we would get off at Aquroya for some sight seeing. "WOW~!" Jenner yelled loudly when we got off at the stop. The camera I had bought was cheap and I made more money by playing guitar and singing.
We stayed long enough to take a lot of pictures and watch Psiren steal a famous ring from a museum. Jenner and I had a great time with a lot of smiles. Finally, we went off to Central to see Maes and Gracia. At this moment, we were standing in front of her door. I had changed my bandages into a leather eye-patch. Gracia answered after I knocked and gave me a big hug immediately. We laughed as she pulled back, "It's about time you visited us!" Yep, I missed this woman.
It wasn't long before she was having me make diner for everyone. Maes was still at work and I noticed she cut her long hair. We talked and I showed her pictures. When Maes came home he gave me a hug. It was only when Jenner fell asleep did they asked me about my eye. "Funny story actually. I bumped into a large cabinet and the vase at the top fell on my head. Glass had gotten in my eye." I lied to them. There was no need for them to think badly of my brother for something I caused. Gracia and I laughed about it, but Maes had his suspicions. I ignored his look and chatted with the nice woman.
In the end, we stayed the night there.