Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist

That night he couldn't sleep. Al was snoring softly in the bed next to his, his lean body spread eagle on top of the quilt. There was absolute silence throughout the house and it unnerved Ed, who was already highly strung after having spent an entire afternoon doing nothing. Feeling restless and needing something to do, Ed stood up, the action made easier by the spare leg Winry had installed.

He glanced once at his brother then left the room. He needed some fresh air, time to clear his head, time when neither Winry nor his brother were forcing him to stay inside.

Opening the door, Ed took in the beautiful scenery of his home town. Everything was still. Silently he walked down the steps and onto the path in front of him. Slowly, as though of its own accord, his head turned to look up the hill towards his old house. Or rather the remains of what used to be home.

A lump rose in his throat as memories long ignored suddenly assaulted his mind. Ed began walking towards the ashy ruins, his thoughts distracted but his eyes focused.

He stopped once he arrived where the door had once been, his left hand reaching out like it was going to open the doorknob.

"Edward?"

Ed spun, dropping instantly into a defensive stance, but it was only Winry. She flinched when she saw Ed's reaction but didn't move. What had he been through to warrant such reactions?

"Are you okay?" she asked.

Ed stood slowly, his heart hammering in his chest. He had half expected it to be the homunculi. He shrugged and began to walk away from the remains, angry with himself.

Winry sighed.

Ed heard her weary sigh and paused. He shouldn't be treating his oldest friend so rudely. She was always there for them and always willing to fix Ed's automail for him.

"Ed?" Winry muttered softly.

"I'm fine Win, just drop it."

"No Ed…"

He'd heard that tone before. Quickly he spun and saw Winry, her arms pinned to her sides, Lust's fingers gently resting on Winry's neck. Ed stepped forward involuntarily.

"I wouldn't move if I were you pipsqueak."

Edward growled as he turned to face Envy. Over the two years, he'd managed to get a better grip on his temper but quips about his height still rubbed a nerve. When he spotted what Envy was holding, Ed froze.

Al was struggling furiously in Pride's huge arms but his efforts were amounting to nothing. As Ed stood frozen, three other homunculi stepped into sight. Gluttony and Lust had moved around so that they were within Ed's peripheral vision, while Envy stood casually beside Pride, looking very much like a small child.

Wrath and Sloth stood off to one side, Wrath clinging to the homunculi with the painfully familiar face. Ed refused to look at those two, refused to see his real limbs fused to the homunculi boy and his mother's face on Sloth.

Ed made to step closer to Al but Pride mimicked his actions, adding one of his own. A small sharp dagger suddenly appeared, pressed dangerously close to Al's exposed throat.

"Well being a suit of armor had its advantages," Al said eyeing off the dagger.

"Let them go Envy," Ed warned.

Envy pretended to think then peered hard at Ed.

"No. We need them."

Ed sized up his situation. It didn't look good. Winry and Al were both at the mercy of the homunculi and there was no way he would risk either of their lives for any reason and there was also his current physical condition. He only had one arm and that arm had a heavily bandaged shoulder, and one of his legs was just a spare.

"What do you want Envy?"

Envy smiled and walked over to Ed. He stopped when he was a foot from the boy then spoke softly, so that only Ed could hear.

"I want you and I want your brother and your girlfriend."

Ed scowled. "Well I can't allow that."

"You don't get a choice. You're coming with us or we will kill the girl and if you keep disobeying us, then we will kill your brother," Envy replied with a shrug.

Anger tore through Ed's body as he realised the hopelessness of the situation. He hated the fact that he was helpless and that he had once again put those he loved most in danger.

Envy was walking over to Pride when Edward made his decision.

"Envy! If I go with you willingly, will you release Al and Winry?"

Envy's smile widened as he turned back to face the teenager.

"Nope. We need them, like I said earlier. We're you not listening?"

Ed clenched his fist and stared down at the ground, his mind racing. He knew what he was about to do but he also knew that when the time came, he would be the one to get them out. If he was the cause of the situation, he would also be the solution. He would not have his brother's death on his hands, and he would especially not be the reason for Winry's death. She'd kill him if that happened.

Sorry it's so short but I'm trying to fit this in before I go to work. And besides, I think this is a fitting spot for me to finish so that the next chapter is a bit longer… So thanks for reading and reviewing!! I hope you guys like it. And feel free to let me know about any errors I have made!!