A/N: Well I'm trying something new...I am still working on my other works in progress, but this one kind of just hit me. So here's chapter one and enjoy. .

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA, never will.

Chapter One: Isana

Edward took a deep breath as they entered the small building, it was kind of run down, the walls needed to be painted, the floor swept, and it kind of reminded him of an infirmary with out all of the medical supplies and equipment. The place felt cold to him and there were children everywhere. Oh there was some sort of order about the place, but it was a little over whelming to say the least. He'd been so nervous this morning, yesterday even. It almost overpowered his excitement.

He just couldn't believe this was happening, after all they had been though, after everything they were together again and had lived comfortably or as much as they could with their teasing and bickering for two years now. He was back and Roy had found him, shown him how much things had changed and how much things had stayed the same. He was always there just like he was now.

They were practically married now, in their hearts and among their friends and family as the state would never grant them the privilege to do it legally, their gender still being an issue. But that was fine because they didn't care. State approval of their relationship wasn't what they wanted, they just want each other, friends, family, and to be happy. Oh there were some dark times, times where things got rough but that was life and they could deal with it.

It was so strange to be here, standing in this place full of young little minds. He wondered if Roy felt the same way or if he had when they'd met. It made him smile because he knew Roy was just as nervous as he was to be here, wondering if this would really work, if they could get what they wanted with little complications and hang ups. Roy of course didn't show it in the least, he was skilled in hiding things like that, even from him but Ed knew it. It was plain as day to him as the eye patch over his right eye. Roy had tried to hide that from him too but he wouldn't let him.

This just had to work, for him and for Roy, because he wanted it just as badly as Roy did. Of course Roy was older, wiser dare he admit it, calmer, and more patient but it's what they decided they wanted, thought would make their house feel more like a home, complete. Al and Winry had it, Gracia even with out Maes alive anymore, hell even Riza and Jean were about to have it.

"Roy!" A voice cried from down the hall to the right.

Roy smiled resting his hand upon Ed's shoulder. "She can be trusted, she knows. Hello Angie."

Angie carried in her arms an infant who was squalling like a banshee. "Sorry to greet you like this, but this one, Carrie is her name, she's so fussy today." She smiled at Edward. "Hello, I'm Angie Stamper. I've heard so much about you Mr. Elric."

"It's nice to meet you," Edward said politely. Damn she was so beautiful, it was no wonder Roy had dated her, but all his old dates were pretty.

Angie nodded. "Well would you like a tour; most of the kids are outside in the back as its play time. Some are napping, but those are the toddlers."

"Want to see the ones outside?" Roy asked.

Ed nodded. "It still sounds like-"

Angie laughed. "I know, you're not the first to feel that way. Really it can be difficult and if you don't find one today, you are always welcome to come back and look again. Sometimes it takes awhile and it helps if the kids see familiar faces."

Some how Edward didn't feel right about this. How were they supposed to choose one and only one? Realistically they couldn't take them all, they couldn't afford it but it did seem a little unfair to take one and leave the rest. He and Roy had talked about this and Roy felt the same way, but they decided to go ahead with this, together. Everything with them now was together and they were about to make room for one more.

So he followed Roy and Angie outside where the kids were. The play area had a swing set, a jungle gym, and a merry-go-round, all of which were occupied. There were a few children kicking a ball around, and some off to the side playing with toys. There were so many Ed didn't have the foggiest idea where to start.

Angie sighed adjusting the baby, Carrie, in her arms. "Yes, yes I know you're tired." She said with a smile then met Edward's eyes. "Just look around or go talk to them. Some will come up to you, but most of them are weary of strangers."

"When do I start on the paperwork?" Roy asked.

Angie chuckled. "Well you have to find one first. I have everything all set up so you don't have to do a thing until then. It really helped that you've been working on this with me for the last few months Roy. I can't tell you how much easier it was to have the help."

"Excuse me sir?" A little voice asked. Roy and Ed looked down at a little boy about the age of five. He was small, blonde hair, blue eyes, chubby, and holding a ball in his hands.

"Yes?" Roy asked with a smile.

Ed smiled at that. It was nice to see Roy smiling like this.

"Isn't that outfit hot?" The kid asked.

Roy nodded. "A little,"

"Stop it!" Another little voice called. This one belonged to a little girl.

"Ha ha, it does come off right? I wonder if we can take it and hide it." A loud voice called near the girl's voice. Ed turned his head to see what was going on. There was a group of kids surrounding a little girl about the age of six or seven at the fence. He's not seen them before and the situation didn't look good.

The little boy in front of them turned and threw his ball in the direction of group hitting one of the boys in the head. "Leave her alone!" He shouted and ran to help.

Angie sighed handing the baby over to Roy. "Here watch her a moment I've got damage control before this gets out of hand." Then she rushed off. "All right back off right now!"

Most of the kids dispersed but one stayed behind long enough to kick the girl in the shin. The girl glared but didn't seem hurt in the slightest. Instead she kicked him right back and Ed caught a flash of sliver under the hem of her plain black dress. Auto-Mail? The boy screamed and jumped at the girl pulling his hand back to get in a punch. Amazingly Angie caught his hand and dragged him back.

"Inside now!" She snapped.

"But Ms. Angie," the boy protested.

"No, what have I told you about attacking her! Move it!" She turned the boy around and pushed him forward gently. "I want you in time out mister Johnson."

"Yes, Ma'am." The boy replied hanging his head.

Ed glanced back at Roy for a moment. He didn't know if he should leave Roy with a screaming baby or not, but he looked okay, frowning, but fine none the less. The girl was his main objective. He had to know, she was so young, so small…It wasn't right…He had to know…Thank god they weren't that far away and he could hear.

Angie knelt in front of the girl. "What have I told you about fighting?"

"I'm sorry Ms. Angie. It won't happen again." The girl said looking up as Edward came beside Angie.

"Well at least this time you got in a good hit. I'll make sure he is actually punished this time." Angie said resting her hand upon the girl's shoulder. She looked up at Edward.

"May I speak to her?" Edward asked keeping his eyes upon the little girl. She was pretty in that little girl kind of way. Her skin was a little pallid, fair like Roy's. She had long black hair pulled back into a braid that hung over her shoulder and the biggest light jade colored eyes Ed had seen. But her expression and the look in her eyes was blank, as if she didn't really care about anything, was dead. He could see light in her eyes but it was hidden away in some dark place, barely flickering. It was heartbreaking to see, no kid should ever have that look, they should be happy and care free, not look as if they just didn't care about life any more. They couldn't feel like he'd felt.

Angie nodded. "Sure, I've got to go rescue Roy and see to it Mr. Johnson gets to time out. Take your time."

Ed nodded and watched her go then knelt before the girl. "Hi, I'm Edward, what's your name."

The girl blinked at him for a moment then sighed. "Isana,"

Ed smiled extending his right hand. It was gloved but she'd be able to feel the auto-mail none the less. "Nice to meet you." Her jade eyes looked at his hand then back to his.

"Why are you talking to me, you won't want me." She said and sat upon the ground picking up a small rock.

That bothered Edward and he didn't know what to say. What would ever make a kid think that? Oh well maybe the fact that she was in an orphanage for a start. "Why do you say that?"

Isana smirked. "No one wants me. Ms. Angie says someone will I just have to be patient, but that's okay. I can live here until I get older then I'll go do something else. So you can leave now."

Ed was startled. She was so cold and that smirk was so like Roy's but lacking warmth. "How old are you?"

"Seven, why?" she asked seeming just as startled.

Ed smiled. "You talk pretty big for someone who's seven. What do you want to do?"

Isana sighed and began to draw in the dirt. "This stuff, I saw someone doing this last year."

Ed watched as she drew an alchemic array in the dirt then smiled. It wasn't perfect but it certainly wasn't bad. It was a basic array, one that Al had used many times, he'd even used. "Alchemy, do they have alchemy books here?"

Isana shook her head. "No, I saw a man draw this on the ground and remembered it. I don't have a photographic memory I just remember pictures and shapes. The man came last year around the holidays, made the boys horses and the girls dolls. It was nice but I was more interested in what he was doing. He called it transmuting. He wouldn't tell me anything else other than this was alchemy and a transmutation circle."

Ed nodded as the gears in his head began to turn. "It is, uh Isana when that boy kicked you-"

"He kicked my metal leg. It didn't hurt just made me mad." She replied looking away. "He always does that. He tried to pull it off last week but I hit him with a book."

Ed nodded and kept his horror to himself. Installing and uninstalling auto-mail was agony, he hated it and she was just a little girl. "Good for you that's just not right. Want to see something?"

Isana frowned. "Why are you still talking to me?"

Ed smiled softly and pulled off his glove showing her his auto-mail hand. "I have a prosthetic leg too."

Isana reached out and touched his hand turning it over and pushing the sleeve of his brown suit jacket up. "It's pretty,"

"May I see?" He asked. He'd never heard anyone call auto-mail pretty, not even Winry who was a machine loving junkie, it was a wonder Al had a chance with her at all.

She nodded surprising him. He thought she'd hesitate but she merely pulled up the hem of her dress a little. Ed bent over to examine the auto-mail. It was scuffed, needed to be oiled, and if Winry were here she'd be having a fit. Then the hem of her skirt was down and she shrugged. "Angie says when I get taller I have to get a new one. Or else I'll waddle like before."

Ed nodded. "I had the same problem," He pulled on his glove glancing back to find Roy watching them. "You see that man in the uniform over there?" Her eyes looked and she nodded. "You want to meet him, he's really nice."

Isana shrugged in indifference. "Okay,"

Ed rose and held out his hand. "You know what he's the Flame Alchemist, his name is Roy Mustang."

"Like the horse?" She asked taking his hand.

Ed nodded with a grin as he helped her up. "Yeah,"

"Are you an alchemist too?" She asked.

"Yep,"

"Oh, maybe when I get older if it's okay, I'll come and you can teach me how to transmute things."

"I'd like that," Ed replied but the gears in his head were turning once more in a different direction. If Roy agreed she'd be going home with them, he couldn't leave her here to be beat up and attacked by her peers. Picking on someone was one thing, trying to as that boy wanted to do to her was down right cruel. He wouldn't allow it especially if he could give her something to make her life better.

Roy smiled as they approached. "Hello,"

"Roy this is Isana, Isana this is Major General Roy Mustang." Ed said gently. The girl nodded but didn't shake Roy's hand. She just looked at him as if studying him.

"Are you his friend?" she asked.

Roy nodded, slipping his hand into his pocket. "Yes, we also work together."

"I see,"

"Isana wants to be an alchemist when she grows up Roy." Ed said trying to keep conversation going. He asked Roy with his eyes to help him.

"You do, that's a hard job. Ed can tell you all about his job with the State."

Isana pulled her hand from Ed's and placed her hands upon her hips. Standing next to Edward she only came to his elbow, she was a short child but she might hit a growth spurt as he had, though it wasn't much of one. "You're an alchemist. Mr. Ed said so, is your job hard?"

Roy smiled. "Sometimes, but I do a little different work than he does."

"All right everyone back inside, nap time." Angie called from the door.

Isana sighed. "I have to go; it was nice to meet you, good bye." With that she was running to catch up with the other children to get in line.

Roy turned to Ed. "So what did you two talk about?"

"Roy you saw didn't you?" Roy nodded. "She said that boy actually tried to remove her auto-mail."

Roy's eye brow twitched and Ed didn't know what that meant. "I take it you want to take her?"

"Is that okay?"

Roy nodded. "Yes Ed, it is. It's not like many people are going to take a kid with a prosthetic leg, people pretty much want perfect and wouldn't know how to deal with her. I didn't get a good read on her, she was a wall, but that might change once she gets used to us. We'll talk to Angie and see what's going on." He smiled. "Hey at least if this goes right she'll have someone to identify with and she's a cute kid."

Ed smiled. "Smart too from what I can tell. She remembered from memory how to draw a basic transmutation circle. Want to see it?"

Roy nodded and they walked over to take a look.

"Isana, she's a tough kid." Angie said closing her office door. "Her full name is Isana Lily Jager, she's seven and not Ameistrisian. She's from Drachma, been bounced around a lot from place to place in the beginning." She sat at her desk motioning for Ed and Roy to take the two chairs in front.

"From Drachma, how did she get all the way here?" Roy asked a little confused. He'd not been in Drachma but surely they wouldn't send their orphaned children to Amestris.

"Well near as we know her parents were coming here, but why we don't know and she was too little to remember. I suppose the accident had something to do with that too. The train she was on apparently jumped the track or something. She was I think four at the time." She paused to lift a file from behind her and opened it. "Her parents died and she lost her leg. The medical file says she had a really gruesome wound and it got infected and they had to amputate."

"Shouldn't the medical staff have taken care of that?" Edward asked. "The infection, I mean."

Angie nodded. "I agree, however, in her case it wasn't that simple. They had to find her first. She was listed on the passenger list but it took them a long time to find her in all the mess and then she was curled up under the seat and wouldn't come out. I was told she put up a good fight too, didn't want to leave her parents and she couldn't understand anyone either. When she got here three years ago she barely spoke our language at all but some one had begun teaching her. Uh, we had a woman working here who finished the job and well Isana's really intelligent and it didn't take her long.

She smiled. "She's got quite the mouth if someone angers her enough but she's very well behaved, thoughtful, and not easily pushed the wrong way. Today she'd probably had it with Eric; he's been harassing her everyday for the last year or so. She doesn't talk that much and keeps to herself most of the time, read ever book here two or three times, helps the others with their homework sometimes if they ask her nicely.

"She's not really shy; she'll talk to you and ask questions. She's kind of got a leave me alone and I'll leave you alone attitude and she certainly doesn't want much at all. She rarely asks for anything at all unless she needs it and then she waits until the last minute."

"Does she still know her native language?" Roy asked. Having a bilingual child would be interesting and he would like to learn from her. It might help should they have another dispute with Drachma again.

Angie smiled. "Oh yes, she'll say something here and there in Drachman," She chuckled. "She likes to answer questions or tell some of other kids something in that language then she smiles at the confusion. It's her way of having a little fun. Uh she gets along great with other kids so long as they don't harass her about her leg-"

"Oh I really don't think that will be a problem. My sister-in-law is an auto-mail mechanic, she makes mine." Ed said with a smile. "Her kids are familiar with it and my niece looks to be following in her mother's footsteps."

Angie's eyes brightened. "Oh good, Isana's gotten taller, even if you don't take her I'd like the name so I can get her leg adjusted. The last one who did it I don't think did it right, but I'm not sure and Isana never complains so it's not like I really know one way or the other."

Roy sat forward. "Angie, would it be possible to talk to Isana away from everyone else? I would like to see if she'd be comfortable living with us."

Angie frowned. "Uh yes, I can arrange that. Roy it will be hard to tell, she's pretty straight forward, but at the same time she says little."

"That's okay," Ed replied.

Angie nodded getting up. "I'll just go get her then."

Roy glanced at Ed when the door closed. "So still nervous?"

Ed shook his head. "No, I want to get her out of here and away from that idiot. I don't care where she's from or what happened, she needs something else. She needs to breathe."

"I agree," he smiled taking his hand. "I didn't think it was going to be this easy really, I thought we'd be looking for awhile. I think she'll do just fine."

"Are you plotting again?" Ed asked.

Roy shook his head. "No, this is about her and us, not about me and my job. I would like to learn from her, the language, but it's not necessary and I'll be happy with that as it is."

The door opened again and Angie came in followed by Isana who looked a little sleepy. "Here she is guys."

Roy waited until the door was closed again before speaking. "Isana, how do you feel about living with two men and no women in the house?"

Isana looked from Ed to Roy and back again. "You're married?"

"In one sense, yes." Roy replied calmly. This was sort of his own test. If she could deal with their relationship she could come home. It really was her decision at this point.

She frowned for a moment then wet her round lips. "I live with lots of people here and I suppose since you seem to know Ms. Angie if I need something that has to do with girls I can always come and ask her. It doesn't bother me if that's what you want."

Ed smiled. "So you want to come live with us from now on?"

Isana smiled. "Sure but you have to promise to teach me alchemy."

"We can do that," Roy replied. He felt as if he was making a business deal with the child not adopting her. It was a fair exchange of a sort. "We can teach you other things too."

Her smile brightened and her eyes lit up so bright Roy found himself smiling. "Really!"

"Yes," He replied. Now she was acting like a child, the child she should be, the excitement was there in her pretty eyes and it occurred to him suddenly that she might be a little like Edward in her thirst for knowledge. Even after Ed came back from that other place he'd disappeared to he still came back to work as a state alchemist, still searched for new things, still reaching for something more. That was okay, it was better than okay.

Isana looked at Angie. "I'll go with them if they want me too, you don't mind do you?"

"Good heavens no; why don't you go and pack up your things." Angie replied with a light chuckle.

"Okay," Isana said hurrying to the door. "Wait what do I tell Ms. Kathryn?"

"That you're being adopted and are finally going home." Angie replied.

"Okay, she'll come and see for herself you know that right?"

Angie nodded. "I do, hurry,"

Isana wasn't wrong to Roy's dismay. Ms. Kathryn, Angie's boss, did return with the girl to 'meet' them personally. She looked down her hooked nose at them but Roy was filling out the paperwork pushing some over to Edward to sign. "I see that what Isana says is true." She said coldly.

"Have you ever known her to lie?" Angie asked.

"No…Gentlemen tell me what makes you think you can give her a good home?"

Ed looked up frowning at the woman. "What makes you think we couldn't?"

"Ed," Roy said softly but warning him to keep his temper under control.

"Yeah, Ms. Kathryn just because I wouldn't have a new mom doesn't mean that they are any different from anyone else who walks in here." Isana said with wisdom beyond her years. "You're too picky and particular."

Roy almost smiled as she waved the old woman off as if she was only speaking nonsense and a mere nuisance.

"Isana stay out of this." Ms. Kathryn said harshly. "I am only looking out for your best interests."

Isana said something suddenly, something that made everyone in the room look up and stare even though they couldn't understand it. Then she sighed. "Look," She went over to Edward and pulled up his sleeve, showing her the auto-mail. "He says he has a leg like mine too, and they promised to teach me alchemy. They are nice and have good jobs and they must want a kid else they wouldn't be here and they picked me and no one picks me so take it as it is and get over it."

Wow, Roy thought, direct and to the point. That was refreshing and a little scary.

"She's right Kathryn and I know Major General Mustang personally," Angie said. "Mr. Elric is,"

"I know who he is." Kathryn snapped. "Isana go back to your bed, I'd like to have a talk with these two."

"I'm sure what ever you have to say can be said around her." Roy said politely. There was no way this woman was going to steal this child away from them…Steal her, they didn't even legally have her but Isana had just made it perfectly clear she wanted to go home with them. Why was it every time he and Ed wanted to do something the issue of their gender brought up? It was damned frustrating.

"Being state alchemists doesn't mean that they have good jobs Isana, it means that they have a state title. It says nothing of their character."

"Kathryn please, if you need a list of references I have them." Angie said lifting a sheet of paper.

Kathryn snatched it up and read the page. "This looks like a lot of military; I highly doubt the military would deem this…transaction appropriate. Besides the child doesn't know what she wants, she's just thrilled someone would take an interest in her."

Ed steamed in his seat but stilled when he felt a small hand rest upon his elbow. He looked down and found a pair of jade eyes looking into his. He couldn't read her in the least.

"And how do you know that?" Roy asked sitting back. "Have you asked her, I think she made it clear that she wants to go home with us?"

"Isana's-"

"Stop talking about me as if I'm not here." Isana's voice said as she turned from Edward. "You didn't ask me Ms. Kathryn and I do want to go…They will be able to help me more than you ever could because they will be able understand me better than anyone else." She pointed to Ed's right hand. "I don't feel threatened. Isn't that what you always say to us? If you feel threatened don't go?"

Roy had to admit that was the best advice anyone could give a child or anyone.

Kathryn blinked a moment, her mouth moved but nothing came out for a moment more then she sighed slapping the paper down upon Angie's desk. "Isana you are too young too-"

"I am seven," she interrupted. "So what? You're fifty and-"

"Kathryn I think this would be for the best. They can care for her better than we can, they know how the auto-mail will function and can get it adjusted or repaired when she needs it. They can give her a good education as well. Wasn't it you who said you'd jump at the chance to find her a good home? Obviously the fact that these two gentlemen are still together though society frowns upon their relationship says there would be love in their house. I mean they could have lost their jobs because of their relationship but they are still together." Angie said quickly.

Kathryn hesitated a moment. "Isana says you are both state alchemists, you yourself are a Major General. What happens when you are both called to war or have to leave Isana for assignments?"

"We have plenty of people around us who would be more than willing to care for while we're away if that should happen." Roy replied deadly serious. "Edwards's brother in Resembool, a friend of mine who has a daughter of her own. Do you really think we hadn't thought of this before hand Ms. Kathryn? We didn't come to this decision lightly." Roy could understand what she was talking about, that she really was just looking out for Isana, trying to protect her and it was her job to do so, but she was grasping at straws.

The woman looked at Isana and the little girl went to her taking her hand. "Please Ms. Kathryn, I'll be really good and I really want to go with them. I would be a good friend."

Kathryn softened and knelt. "Honey they're not looking for a friend, they're looking for a daughter though I'm sure they would love to be your friend as well."

Isana shrugged. "Can't I be both?"

Roy smiled warmed by her sweet innocence. She was a beautiful child, had in her own way fought for them. That was a good start as far as he was concerned. "Of course,"

"All right I'll approve it since Isana seems to have taken to you both. She doesn't take to people easily."

"Must be the alchemy and auto-mail, those are things she has an interest in." Angie said with relief.

"Well I'll let you finish up the paper work and congratulations gentlemen." Kathryn said with a half smile. "She's a good little girl."

Roy and Edward finished up the paper work and Roy picked up the small bag of Isana's, it was a little worn and he was told it had some things for her auto-mail, some clothes, a doll, and a book. Not much for a kid really but they could fix that with time, once they found out what she liked. They already knew one thing for sure, she liked alchemy.

Ed asked her if she wanted to sit up front in the car but she politely declined and asked if the ride would be long. When they told her it would be about fifteen minutes she asked to take a nap.

Roy glanced in the rearview mirror when they pulled into the drive way of their home. Isana was out, hadn't made a sound in the least since they'd left the orphanage and it was kind of nice. He expected some questions, her to be frightened, curious. She only seemed curious and showed no fear in the least. She was theirs, they had a daughter now, they were parents and it just felt so strange, good, but strange. He was rather beside himself with it. Then again he almost couldn't wait to see what she was like, what she could and would do, and how she'd grow up. She sure would be a heart breaker, he and Ed would have to worry about boys coming around, dates in a few years and he hoped she didn't get as promiscuous as he'd been.

Edward sighed. "You just going to sit there staring at her?"

"No,"

"Having second thoughts?" Ed asked in a half whisper.

"Hell no," Roy replied leaning over. "You haven't said much."

Ed smiled glancing back. "I don't want to wake her up. She's gorgeous did you see her eyes Roy?"

Roy nodded and kissed Ed's cheek. "I did, green, Al's favorite color."

Ed nodded "Yeah and so light. But there's something there in them that worries me."

"She lit up," Roy replied. "I saw it too, but she lit up it will just be our job to make sure she stays that way." He smirked. "You'll get the door?"

Ed nodded and pulled the keys from the ignition then got out of the car as quietly as he could.

Roy followed and opened the back door then gently lifted Isana out. She really wasn't that heavy at all, not as heavy as he'd expected her to be. She only woke long enough to put her arms around his neck, her head upon his shoulder, and he grabbed her bag, closing the door.

Roy lay her down in her room, upon her bed while Edward unlaced her shoes and removed them. Then they tucked her in. "Do you think she's had lunch?"

"Ed it's after four, shouldn't you be worrying about dinner instead?"

Ed nodded. "Probably, want me to cook."

"You want to her to choke her first night with us?"

Ed's eyes narrowed. "Shut up, I'm not that bad."

"Right," Roy replied with a smile. "So you going to call Al or should I?"

Ed beamed and hurried from the room. Roy lingered a moment almost afraid to touch her. He didn't know how she'd react to being touched. Angie had told him some kids embraced their new parents, some shied away until they were comfortable or never got used to it at all. Still he reached down and brushed her black bangs from her face.

This was going to be a whole new experience for him. He didn't really have to raise Ed and Al, they did it on their own for the most part, but Isana, she'd need more, they would have to do more and they would have a long road ahead of them. He and Edward had talked about all the possible problems, they'd even talked to their friends and family and just like always everyone backed them up, willing to lend a helping hand. Isana wouldn't want for much in the way of people accepting her and caring for her.

Roy looked up from the evening paper as the faint pat of feet sounded, one metal, one flesh, approached the kitchen. They were too light to be Edwards's feet, besides Edward was cooking dinner, the only safe thing he could cook, pasta. It so strange and warming to hear it, knowing it was their daughters. Suddenly she appeared around the arch way looking straight at him. "I didn't mean to over sleep." She said softly.

Roy smiled and motioned to a chair beside him at the table. "That's fine,"

She came over as Edward turned around. "How did you sleep?" Ed asked. "Was the bed comfortable, were you warm enough?" Her eyes grew wide.

"Ed calm down,"

"Well-"

"It was fine, I slept just fine, thank you Mr. Ed."

Ed frowned. "You can call me Ed."

"Or shorty,"

Ed glared. "Who are you calling so short he has to stand on a ladder just to see over a desk!"

Isana blinked a moment then giggled covering her mouth. Both of them looked at her in surprise. This was normal for them, this teasing but she was new to it and Roy found a good sign that she was laughing and not running to hide from Ed's outburst.

"He does that," Roy said apologetically.

"You start it, so Isana are you hungry?"

Isana nodded. "Yes,"

Ed smiled. "I'll show you around the house after dinner and Winry, that's my sister-in-law, she'll be calling to talk to you. Is that okay?"

"About what?" Isana asked.

"Your auto-mail, she's a mechanic, made mine. She wants to know how yours is holding up."

Isana looked down at her leg. "It's working fine."

"No slowness or resistance at the knee?" Ed asked.

Isana shook her head. "No, I keep oiled up and taken care of, but I'll talk to her if you want me too."

"You don't have too if you don't want too." Roy said softly. Winry might be persistent but he wouldn't let anyone push Isana into anything, she needed time to adjust just as much as they did.

She smiled a small smile. "I don't mind. Ed said she made his and his looks perfect, moves right so she must know what she's doing. My last leg didn't move right at all and half the time I was dragging my foot or my knee locked up and Ms. Angie and Ms. Kathryn nearly had a fit."

Ed shuddered. "Well with Winry around you won't have to worry about that any more unless she forgets a screw and your arm falls useless, but she hasn't let that happen again. And if she did with you I'd hit her with a wrench."

"Huh?" Isana asked.

"Your aunt is quick tempered when Ed doesn't keep his auto-mail in near perfect condition." Roy translated. "Something you might want to watch out for."

Isana nodded. "Okay, will she be mad at the scratches on mine?"

Roy sighed. "Probably, but I don't think she'll be mad at you, at least not for very long. She'll snap and mutter but she'll fix it. Unless there is a problem with it you probably won't see her for awhile. She and your uncle live in Resembool, do you know where that is?"

Isana shook her head. "Somewhere out east of here."

Roy nodded. "Right, I'll show you a map later."

"You will?" She asked, her eyes lighting up again.

Roy smiled. So the kid liked to look at maps huh, or maybe she'd never seen one before… Never the less he'd show her. He'd show her almost anything she wanted to see if she lit up like that.

Ed finished dinner and placed it upon the table. Then he took his seat with a smile. "There you go, if you want more I'll get it for you."

Isana smiled. "I can get it,"

"Okay," Ed replied as Roy set his paper aside and lifted his fork.

They ate quietly for a while before Isana spoke up breaking the silence. "Do I have to call you by your first names?"

Roy shook his head. He knew that question was bound to come up he just didn't expect it to be so soon. "No, what do you want to call us?"

She frowned thinking a moment. "Is it okay if I call you Dad? I know it's soon and I have a Dad already even though he died, but I don't think he would mind."

"You can call us what ever you want Isana." Ed replied.

"It might get confusing if I called you both that…"

"We'll figure it out," Roy replied. "We don't have to figure it all out today…" He frowned for a moment. "Did you ever go to school?"

She nodded. "Yeah, or rather we have teachers come during the week in the mornings. Where will I go now?"

"I'm not sure. For now I wouldn't worry about it. I've got a friend who will help us figure that out. Wouldn't you like to settle in first before attacking school?" Roy asked. She shrugged and sighed. "What's wrong?"

"I don't want to fall behind." She replied. "I mean I'm not really behind, Mr. Thompson said I was ahead of the other kids my age but I still don't want to fall back."

"A head, how far?" Ed asked.

"He said I was supposed to be in the second grade but I was in his fourth grade reading class and math class."

Roy was surprised. Two years ahead… good grief maybe she was like Ed. "That's really good Isana, I'll see what I can do to get you in somewhere." He began to think of one of the privet schools here in Central, the one for gifted students. She'd have to test in to it of course and be accepted and no doubt their relationship would come up, but maybe he could pull a few strings. If she really was that smart then she needed to be in a school that would challenge her mind not let it flounder and he certainly didn't want her getting bored.

Ed took a bite of food then set his fork down. "We could always home school,"

Roy snorted. "Ed be reasonable, we both work and while you are freer than I am, I think she'll need more than just alchemy, a broader range so to speak."

His lover shrugged. "I do just fine with my basic education and alchemy."

"Yes but you're a prodigy and had a chance to do more than most kids your age. She's not going to be running amuck about Amestris chasing dangerous things and getting into bad situations if I can help it."

"Good point, so school it is." Ed replied winking at Isana. "Really school's not so bad. I missed it sometimes."

"School is school." Isana replied. "It doesn't matter to me if I'm in one or home schooled. I like it though, I like books and equations."

Once dinner was finished and a little more conversation into what exactly it was she'd been learning, Ed led her around the house showing her the guest rooms, his and Roy's room, the bathrooms, the laundry room, living room, family room, and study. He said if she wanted they'd get a desk for her to put in there so she could study after school while they worked or read. He explained that sometimes Roy brought work home and he often researched here too. He made a point to tell her she could look at the alchemy books but showed her which ones he wanted her to read first and that he'd start helping her after she was settled. Isana only nodded and smiled.

Ed caught the phone in the living room when it rang. "Hello,"

"Ed, hi, is she awake now? "Winry's voice asked.

"Yeah, don't yell and be nice I know how you get." Ed warned before passing the receiver to his daughter. His daughter, that had a nice ring to it.

Calmly she took it and pressed it against his ear. "Hello,"

Ed steered her around the side table to sit upon the sofa then sat next to her as Roy entered and took a seat in his arm chair. "No, it works okay. No Dad already asked me that." She grinned. "Do you really hit him with a wrench?"

Ed winced glancing at Roy who only smirked. But then he smiled. She called him Dad, which was thrilling to hear. It made this more concrete, it was concrete and meant that she was accepting the situation, or so it appeared. He and Roy had talked about what they would do if what ever child they took in decided they didn't want to live with them anymore. They discussed not getting attached so soon, but it was so hard not too. Isana was open, more open than he'd expected, if not a little guarded.

"Yes I do," Isana said with a hint of happiness. "I can, I never thought of that before, thank you Aunt Winry…Oh okay," There was a long pause.

Ed nudged her with his elbow. "What?"

"She went to get Uncle Al, and there's a dog barking in the back ground, she said someone was there."

Ed smiled. "That's Den, Granny's dog."

"Granny?" She asked.

"Winry's grandmother, she took care of Al and I after our Mom died, before Roy came and told us about joining the state." Ed said before he really knew what he was doing. That was too much information for her at once, too much to tell right away. He'd hoped to impart certain things slowly not all at once if she even wanted to know. She was about to ask something when she jumped.

"Hello, I'm fine how are you? I like them very much, Dad is funny, he blew up because Dad called him short. That didn't make any since really but I suppose you know who I'm talking about. I'm going to have to figure this out…"

Roy shifted in his chair. "Not tonight Isana,"

She sighed. "But it's bugging me. How are people going to know who I'm talking about if they don't know you? Don't worry I'll figure something out soon."

Ed was about to say she didn't have too and screw everyone else not important to their family and friends when she began talking again. She spoke with Alphonse for a moment longer before passing the phone to him. "He wants to talk to you now. May I go brush my teeth and get ready for bed?"

"I'll come with you," Roy said getting up.

Roy stood in the door way of Isana's room as she unbraided her long black hair. Ed was still on the phone and probably would be for awhile. When he and Al got to talking, they talked for a long time about everything.

He pushed away from the door way and sat upon Isana's bed. "You okay with this?" he asked. She nodded, digging her hair brush out of her bag.

"Yes, thank you for adopting me. I didn't think I ever would be and didn't really plan on it." She frowned making her way over to him. "Can I tell you something?"

Roy nodded a little excited that she was talking to him like this. Was she trusting him already?

"It's a secret I haven't told anyone before and maybe it's bad, but…"

"I won't tell," Roy promised wondering what she was going to say. It would most likely surprise him as nearly everything that came from her little mouth had today.

"I think God has a sick sense of humor and don't understand him in the least," she shrugged. "But I've never met him so I suppose that's reasonable."

Roy blinked. "Uh why do you say that?"

She sighed and Roy could tell this was a conversation that was going to be too deep, too deep for someone her age to even be thinking about. She should be wondering and worrying over little things, things that pertained to children not adults. In some ways her understanding of things was nice in others… He just wanted her to be the kid she was, not try to be all grown up like Ed and Al had been. He didn't want her to hurt like they had. He wanted her to grow up like she was supposed too. Now that was funny since he and Ed weren't really normal people, and they were both male.

"Every time I want hate him for something bad he gives me something nice. I lost my leg and he sent someone with auto-mail. That hurt a lot but I could walk again. I didn't understand anyone and he sent someone who taught me how to speak your language. Then I was being moved around from place to place and he sent Ms. Kathryn who put me in one place. A shelf fell on me and busted my last auto-mail leg, the one that messed up all the time and I got a new one that works right. Then Jimmy started picking on me and I almost beat him up today and then you and Ed came to bring me home. I mean does he like to torture people?"

Roy didn't know how to answer that as he wasn't very religious in the first place and this was something he defiantly didn't want her to think about.

"I don't know what happened to your eye or to Ed's arm and leg and I don't care, it doesn't matter to me at all, but did good things come after all that happened? Are we supposed to let bad things happen before the good things come?"

Roy had to really think here a moment before answering. The wrong answer could lead her in the wrong direction and there was no way he was going to lie to her. On one hand the kid had a point. It did seem that after bad things happened good things happened, he often remembered wondering if he'd ever get a break and then he would and everything would be nice, or something good would happen. Hell Ed came back and came to him, told him he loved him after five years of Roy wondering, miserable for not telling him how he felt in the first place; feeling like he'd lost his chance too.

He smiled. "You know I think it's like Alchemy Isana, the first law of alchemy is equivalent exchange, do you know what that is?" She shook her head. "To obtain, something of equal value must be lost, or as Ed has said you can't get something from nothing. So maybe it's a matter of letting the bad be the something you give up so the something good that happens be the something you obtain." Oh he hoped he was explaining this right. He smiled taking her hair brush from her hand. "But you know you don't have to wait around for something bad to happen for something good to happen, that's just one theory. Plenty of good things happen with out anything bad happening."

She nodded. "Yeah but then don't you have to pay for them later?"

Roy sighed. This was kind of difficult. He motioned with his finger for her to turn around and she obeyed. Gently he lifted her hair brush and began to run it through her hair. It was soft and smooth, well taken care of and looked like it had just been trimmed. "Not always and sometimes equivalent exchange doesn't apply, but in most cases I've found that it does."

"Okay that makes since but I still think he has a sick since of humor."

"Who does?" Ed asked entering the room.

"God," Roy replied.

Ed shrugged. "Don't believe in one,"

"You don't?" Isana asked.

Ed shook his head. "And if I did he'd be a bastard." His eyes grew wide as if he'd suddenly realized what he'd said.

Isana giggled. "You don't have to hold your tongue around me, I've heard it before."

Ed shook his head. "No, I don't want you picking up any bad habits from me."

"Well what if I say something rude in Drachman, unless you know it you wouldn't know what I'm saying anyway."

"Isana I was wondering if you could teach it to me." Roy said.

She turned around smiling and nodded. "Sure, it's easy," she frowned. "Well for me it is and Mrs. Smith still comes or came by to talk to me in it so I wouldn't loose it. She said if you don't use something then you lose it and if I ever wanted to go back to Drachma I'd need it."

"Do you want to?" Ed asked.

"No," she replied. "But I wasn't going to tell her that, she's from there and always talked about it."

Roy turned her around and finished her hair, tossing the brush to Edward. "Okay are you ready for bed now?"

Isana nodded and crawled under the covers. "It's eight right?"

Roy pulled out his pocket watch and looked. "A little after, you know you could stay up another hour if you wanted."

She bit her lower lip. "You wouldn't be able to get me up. Ms. Angie said I was a zombie if she let me stay up too late." She frowned. "What's a zombie?"

Roy smiled. "Some fabled creature. It's not real, though Fury, one of my staff would argue that, but he believes in such nonsense."

"And you believe in facts and science."

Roy nodded. "Right,"

"And Ed doesn't believe in God so he believes in science and fact too."

"I think you've got it." Roy replied.

"But what do you believe?" Ed asked suddenly.

Isana lay down. "I believe in a god but I believe in fact and I don't think that's a bad thing."

"Personal preference and not a wrong one; don't let anyone tell you otherwise." Roy said tucking her in. "Sometimes you have find your own answers to the more complicated things."

"Okay, good night," she said softly.

"Good night, if you need anything we'll be up for awhile, then down the hall." Roy informed her.

"Night kiddo," Ed said ruffling her hair. She frowned and smoothed her hair down but smiled waving to them as they left.

"Wow," Ed breathed as he sat down in the living room. "Winry and Al seem to like her. Pinako says she'll call but today she was dealing with a customer and the kids are already asking about her. Winry says Trent won't shut up and has managed to get Cindy riled up about this too, but Cindy's so much like Al, quieter."

Roy nodded. "I know, but let's let Isana settle in before throwing her at them. They are younger than she is, I don't think she won't be able to handle them, I just want to give her a little time."

"Sure, Al said the same thing, what with Trent and all." He drummed his fingers on the sofa arm as Roy sat beside him. "So what brought up that discussion that I walked in on?"

Roy rubbed his face. Isana told him in confidence and he didn't want to betray that in the least, but this was something Ed needed to know so he could be better prepared later on should it come up with him. "Uh, well she said it was a secret…but," And he relayed the entire conversation to Ed.

Ed sat thoughtfully for a moment. "You know I didn't start thinking like that really until after my mom died. She'll be okay; she's got us now right?"

Roy smiled, warmed that Ed was so happy with this situation. It was so odd for him to be so optimistic but it was becoming a habit of his over the last year or so, mostly when he was really happy. "Yeah, you like her."

Ed nodded. "What's not to like, so far and not that I'm expecting to find anything not to like, she's a very likeable little person. She says what she means. I like that."

Roy nodded. "It's like you've just found your best friend in that department. Where does that leave me?" He gave Ed a pouting look.

"Right here with us. Are you worried she'll be more mine than yours?"

Roy shook his head. "Not at all, hadn't even crossed my mind."

Ed gave him a relieved smile. "So could I take the day off and take her to get some new clothes, the one's she's got look a little big and worn out."

"I noticed that too and I don't care, it's not like I have anything for you to do right now other than filing. Are you still working on that theory into mechanics and alchemy?"

"Yeah, I talked to Al about it tonight and he's interested, started fading out on the phone so I told him to call if he comes up with anything."