Two Brothers Come Together

A/N- I thought I would start a new story, not sure how it's going to go, but hopefully it goes well. I would like the thank those who have supported me through my other stories, and I hope you enjoy this one as well.

Alone. Completely, and utterly alone, it was sad that I was use to it. That was how it always was, well after our separation that is. Alphonse wanted to do other things. I had to respect his decision, that's what the big brother did. I had to stand by him and support anything he wanted to do with his life. I was proud of him; he knew what he wanted to do. What was hard was the fact that I was now alone. I've never been alone; he's always been here with me.

Alphonse was working in Lior, helping put it back together, and then he was planning on staying there. He had friends and 'family' there. I may seem unhappy about it, but that's not it at all. I was happy for him; he had someone other than me that he could turn to in his times of need. That's something I could never trust with anyone else. I could never say what I felt to anyone else, Al was the only one I've ever talked to besides Teacher.

"Edward Elric! If you insist on still calling me teacher, you can listen to me when I'm talking to you." I was snapped out of my thought of Alphonse and ducked my head when a fist came flying at my face.

"What was that for?!" I screamed at her. If she was going to sit here and abuse me she could stop. I wasn't here to get beat to a pulp like I was when I was younger. I was here so she could help me more with my studies.

I asked Mustang for time off, to visit teacher and get help from her. Alphonse and I managed to get his body back, but mine was still missing somewhere in the gate. I didn't know how, and I didn't know why I knew that it was. But I knew, I knew from when I went in to get Alphonse's body. I saw mine there, my arm and leg, but it was out of reach, no way for me to get it without losing Alphonse's. I wasn't going to take the chance of losing everything I worked for just to please myself. I worked for so long, and lost so much to get Alphonse's body back, I couldn't complain though. It was my fault to begin with; it was my stupid idea to attempt human transmutation on out mom, trying to bring her back. I was done being selfish. I was going to live the rest of my life giving back to others; I had to pay of my dept of sin.

"You need to learn to think and work at the same time. You aren't going to get anything done standing around thinking of the past and what you did wrong. You are here to learn and try fixing everything you did wrong, and thinking of Al is not going to get you anywhere," she looked at me. I knew my face was down. I knew that there were dark circles around my eyes; I didn't sleep anymore, not unless she knocked me out. Her own eyes softened a bit and she smiled a warm smile, "Edward, nothing will come of you dwelling of the past, move forward. Both not might be real, but you do have two strong legs, get up and use them." I looked up at her in surprise. I looked at her for a deep minute, trying to read what she was thinking. I then smiled and stood up.

"You're right, what could me thinking of mother do to help me now. Thanks Teacher," I told her my thanks and then turned back to the wood I was cutting for her fireplace. I did have to repay her someway or another. She was helping me, teaching me, and letting me stay at her home for free, even after everything that happened.

What she didn't know was that I was trying to figure out a way to fix her up as well. If she was going to die because of a stupid mistake; the same one I made I had to do something to stop that. If she was going to die for doing the same thing I did, while I am aloud to walk around this earth like a normal human being, it was wrong. She was the best person I've even known, she deserved to live more than I did, no matter what anyone said.

Brother, how strong he is, he always surprised me when I was with him. Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist. Everyone around here knew who he was, a legend of the people, 'Hero of the people'. He was like one of them, that's why people liked him so must. He understood people and their pain, what they were going through, and why they did the rash things that they did. I wanted to be strong like him, to be able to get up and keep moving even when all hopes were lost. He was like no one I've ever known before, one of a kind.

There were several reasons why I left him. One, I wanted to stay in one place. Traveling took a lot out of one person. To say you didn't have a home and family to go home to every night. I did now, Rose was like a big sister to me, and then there was her son from the war, he was like my own. It was nice to know that when you got home late, that there would be someone waiting up for you. Someone who cared and talked to you as if you were their first priority, I needed that. Then there was the other reason, the one that drove me away from my brother. It's not really a bad reason. I just needed time, and he needed space. He's the one that would keep me going; keep me moving forward. He would worry about me before even thinking about himself. I knew that that wasn't healthy for a person. He had his own ideas for how he wanted to go on when he didn't achieve getting mine and his body back from the gate. He needed to figure out the rest of his life, live it to his fullest. He didn't need me weighing him down.

"Al, you okay?" I looked up to see Rose. He eyes were glossed over, the baby was sick and she's been pulling all nighters for the past week. I nodded, she didn't seem convinced so I added a warm smile.

"Yeah, I'm okay." I got up and started getting my stuff together. I've been trying to fix up and rebuild part of the old church that everyone loved so much. Right now people of Lior would gather in the big diner in the middle of town. I wanted them to have a place of worship and peace again.

"You're thinking about Ed again aren't you?" She didn't wait for me to reply, she already knew the answer, "I talked to Winry today, and she said that he's staying with your teacher, Izumi? You know, no one would think badly of you if you went to visit him. I'm sure you need it, not to mention he would probably enjoy seeing you as well." I didn't say anything; I didn't know what to say, I've never really thought of going and visiting him.

"Maybe," I told her.

"Alphonse, he's your brother." She was pleading with me now; I didn't really understand why she wanted me to go to him. Sure he was my brother, but I wanted to give him space. "You may think this is what's best for him, but he's your only real family, the least you can do is visit him every now and then."

"I would be away from here for so long. I mean, it'll take a while to get there." I didn't want to leave her and the baby alone, and I didn't want to take the chance of leaving the people of this small town.

"Al, there's something called a train. I heard it cuts your travel time down in half," I picked up on her sarcasm. "You don't have to worry about me, I'm a big girl. Plus, I think you need time away from this small city," she was serious, and I knew she was right. I wasn't used to such small confined towns.

"I'll think about it," I told her. My voice was calm and quiet, but she seemed happy enough with the response. And I would think about it, I would probably think about it until I went to see him.

I gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek, got my bag and then headed out the door, walking down the street towards the old church. I didn't see that she was watching me the whole time.

A/N- I liked the way this one turned out, but I need some help. Rose's child's name, I have no idea what it is. I don't think they ever said, but if you have any idea I would love for you to tell me. Thank you, I hope you enjoyed it.