Author's notes-Gee great, no reviews yet, just story alerts. ::sigh:: -_-

"We're going to visit teacher? Really?" Alphonse asked as he stood in the doorway. Edward hadn't told him anything yet about the meeting with the Colonel or Ferguson. He hastily packed their suitcase as he nodded back quietly. "What brought this on? Don't you need to stay here?" As much as Ed wanted to tell Al what was really going on or act like everything was fine he was too preoccupied at the moment.

"We just need to go, alright? I'll tell you more once we're on our way there." It wasn't like Ed to act this way. Most of the time anything Ed knew about, Al knew too. Or the older Elric would try to protect his brother by pretending everything was fine. But this was different and Alphonse didn't know how to react.

"Uh, okay," he quietly answered and timidly took a step back. He wondered if Ed was angry with him or if he'd said something he wasn't suppose to. Edward noticed the armor's actions and forced a small grin on his face.

"Al, it's nothing you did, we could use some time off, right?"

"Yeah. Can I help at all?" Edward closed the suitcase and picked it up.

"No, I've got it. Come on, let's go."

oOoOo

"Winry, we have to find him! He wouldn't just run off like this." They were looking around the small apartment only to conclude Edward was not there.

"Ed does crazy things like this all the time, Al. I'm sure he'll come back when he wants to." The suit of armor was not so convinced as he clutched his helmet with both hands, as though he was keeping it on.

"No, it's not safe right now. What if they figured out we're here?"

"Al, you're not making any sense. If who figures out you're here? Are you talking about the military?" Al tried to calm down, trying to think rationally.

"Well sort of. It's kind of a long story." The mechanic brought her arms around herself and dropped her gaze to the floor.

"So the two of you really are in trouble aren't you?"

"We came here to hide for awhile. No one is suppose to know where we went. Not even the military." Al moved over across the room, noticing a window was broken. "Looks like this is how they got in."

"Who's they? Who's after you?"

"We'll tell you whatever you want to know, but first we really need to look for Brother." As much as she wanted to know more, she agreed that finding Ed came first.

oOoOo

The train station was pretty much empty at this time of the evening. The last train heading South for the day was leaving in fifteen minutes. Alphonse stood on the platform several feet from his older brother as he purchased their tickets. Staring up at the darkening sky he didn't noticed the girl walking towards him. She must not have seen him either as she bumped into him, dropping her suitcase. Al turned when he heard her cry out in surprise.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." The younger Elric brother knelt down to help her with her suitcase.

"No, it's okay. I wasn't looking where I was going." She smiled up at him, sparkling green eyes and light brown hair. She looked to be a couple years older then Ed. As she readjusted her glasses she rose to her feet, brushing her skirt off. "So are you headed South too?"

"Yes, down to Dublith."

"Really? That's where I'm from."

"So you're going home?" She nodded back as he handed her back her suitcase. She tilted her head some, finally noticing his appearance.

"Out of curiosity, why are you wearing that armor? Isn't it heavy?" Edward turned to see his brother standing there, speaking with the stranger and hurried over. Before he could answer her, Ed was calling for him to hurry up. With a quiet bow, he said goodbye to the girl and sprinted over to Ed.

"What were you talking to her about?" His older brother was always so suspicious about people. He moved to get on the train, hearing the first whistle.

"She lives in Dublith," Al's explanation cause Edward to turn around so quickly he almost hit himself in the face with his braid.

"You told her where we were going?" He narrowed his eyes up at the armor.

"It was just small talk, what's the big deal?" It was obvious Ed was angry but he still hadn't told Alphonse what was going on and Al was beginning to loose his patience. Letting out a worn out sigh, Ed turned back once they were on the train.

"Just trust me on this, we can't talk to anyone."

The second whistle blew and the train started moving. Quietly the girl from the platform slipped into the control room to make a phone call. Although she was not suppose to be in there, she seemed unconcerned about getting caught.

"Hey it's me," she spoke into the receiver.

"Are you on the train with the Elrics," The raspy voice crackled over the line.

"Yes, they're heading to Dublith." There was a dark laugh on the other end.

"How convenient. Can you get to them now?"

"There's too many people on the train. It's okay, they don't suspect anything."

"Just keep an eye on them, it's easy to underestimate them both. But when you do get the chance make sure not to injure either one of them. I want them both in one piece."

"I understand."