OK this is my first real FMA Fanfic. Please read, reveiw (nicely) to win new chapters. Yes, I know I can't spell. Oh, and please throw the manga, anime, movie etc. in the corner and just enjoy the story. bows

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these guys, if I did I would be filthy rich!

on with the show...

It had started really in the train station as they said good-byes to Maes Hughs and Roy Mustang. Colonel Mustang handing Edward an envelope, sealed orders. Ed stuffed it in the pocket of the red coat. Ed had his own agenda.

"C'mon, Al." Edward pulled himself aboard the train.

"I'm serious, Elric!" Mustang said thru gritted teeth.

It was when his brother turned and waved dismissively at Mustang that Al noticed it. Edward's cheeks were a little flushed, eyes a bit watery. But he grinned, "Yeh. Yeh. Okay. C'mon, Al."

They took their seats as the train pulled out. Edward grinning and waving out the window just to annoy Mustang. But, once the train had left the station, Ed slumped in his seat with a sigh. And to Al's unspoken question, said, "I'm tired. I think I'll take a nap." Edward stretched out on the bench-like seat and let his eyes drift closed. Al studied his brother for a few minutes. The flushed cheeks, watery eyes...he was just over tired, that's all. Nothing to concern over. That's what Al told himself. He was just feeling insecure again. The armor's helmet swivelled toward the window, bright soul-eyes winked out as Al sunk himself into practiced meditation.

"Fortice City! Fortice City next stop! Fortice City." The conductor's voice drew Alphonse from his rest. Fortice City. That's where they needed to get off.

"Brother, we're here." Al said as he pulled their small suitcase out from under the seat. "Brother!"

There was no initial response from the rumpled pile of black leather, red coat and golden hair. Did Edward's cheeks look even more flushed? And that yellow stuff coating his eyelashes. The panic did not show on the steel helmet, but in the voice of the young boy's soul within, "Edward! Ed!" He shook his brother, gently at first, then harder, "Brother, wake up."

Finally, Ed stirred, and sat up. "Al? What happened? Where are we?" He scrubbed at his eyes, knocking bits of dried matter off. When he looked up, his eyes were red rimmed, like he'd been crying a long time.

"Fortice City." Al said, trying to hide the concern in his voice.

It was just dusk when they stepped out of the Train Station. People hurried by, mindful of the thick clouds coming in from the west. A little boy pointed at Al and made some comment, but his mother dragged him away.

For a moment it seemed Ed hesitated, sighing, rubbing his swollen eyes,

"Good thing Mustang gave us some money. We can actually find a decent place to stay." He coughed a little and rubbed his chest.

"Brother? Are you okay?"

That grin again. "I'm fine, Al. Really. Don't worry." Ed gave his little brother a pat on the back. Automail against steel. Clunk-clunk. "A good night's sleep's all I need. C'mon."

Al picked up the old battered suitcase and followed his brother. Straight ahead. Don't look back. Don't worry. The flushed face. Swollen eyes. The cough that seemed to deepen the further they went. Don't worry. How far had they walked? It was full on dark now, but Ed kept on walking.

Edward's brain had stopped working, or it felt like it had stopped. It was too hot, too cold. His chest ached with every breath and his eyes burned. His legs kept on walking, just going, moving to be moving. Tho increasingly it felt like walking thru thick water. 'Can't stop.' Played over and over in Ed's muddled brain, 'Can't stop. It'll be okay if you keep moving.' His stomach started acting up now, causing Ed to stop and groan.

It was thru a throbbing haze of pain that Ed heard his little brother's voice.

"Edward!"

The sound of steel armor falling to it's knees.

Ed pitched forward onto the pavement, caught himself on his hands and knees. He coughed once, then vomited up whatever had been for breakfast and lunch. When that was gone, he retched and gagged and fell over against Al's leg.

"Sorry, Al" he whispered.

Another fit of coughing and gagging, Edward groaned, "I feel like shit."

Alphonse grew more terrified with each step he took, carrying his brother as if he were but a babe in arms. The people he passed just hurried by, ignoring Al's pleading, "Help us?" They seemed afraid of the huge suit of talking armor. Al had no idea what to do. Edward's cough was much worse, tho the gagging had subsided. Al could not feel his brother's body trembling, or how hot with fever he was. He could not feel the blood that sprayed against his breastplate when Ed coughed. Al could hear the coughing tho, and the breathing like Ed's chest was full of water. He could hear the mumbled words, the occasional soft moaning.

"Brother. Please." Alphons whined in despair, "I know you're sick. I know you need a doctor. But I don't know where one is. Or a hospital. Or anything."

Music was coming from somewhere up the street. Light spilled out onto from what must have been a tavern. Music. Laughter. People having fun, drinking. Al started walking towards the loudness and light, maybe someone there would help? Direct him a doctor or a hospital? Anything.

A laughing woman stumbled out of the tavern, waving to the crowd inside as she tucked something away in her blouse.

"Tomorrow!" She laughed, "Tomorrow!" And with a swirl of her long cloak started walking toward the approaching brothers.

This was it.

"Excuse me? Miss?" Al began nervously.

She was just like the others. She wasn't going to stop.

Then Edward choked and coughed and something thick and liquid splattered on the pavement.

She stopped. Looked at them.

"Please, miss? My brother is very sick. Is-is there a doctor or a hospital anywhere...?" Al pleaded. "Please?"

She stepped closer, avoiding the mess on the pavement, "That's an understatement." She said softly, "May I touch him?"

It was barely a whisper, "Yes.'

The woman stepped a little closer, cautiously touching Ed's cheek. She closed her eyes for a second then jerked her hand away,, "Oh, Sweet Grace!"

"Miss? Are you a doctor?" Al asked quietly.

She shook her head, "Not really, Alphonse"

How did she know his name?

She took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and started whispering, "FullMetal. Damned Military. Giving such work to a child. Should have split Mustang's head when I had the chance..."

"Miss..?"

Soulfire eyes met eyes shining black and deep and full of sorrow, "He's dying, Alphonse."