Killing Me Softly

Black-Angel-001: 6 reviews after two days of being posted! yays! thankies to everyone who reviewed! i'll explain why al couldn't look for files on ed in later chapters.

Disclaimer: Not mine although I wish it was...It isn't like I'd do anything evil to them... ((thinks about ways of tourtering FMA charecters))

Killing Me Softly

It took two days to get to Central City. Edward kept asking questions as a way of finding out what Alphonse did or did not remember or know. Al answered slowly and cautiously, suspecting that there was more to this than just curiosity. When asked about family, Al shut his mouth and kept it that way. Ed talked about their past, hoping to jarr some of his brother's memory. He mentioned their mother, when and how she died, the human transmutation they attempted and failed. Everything he could, Ed told him, careful not to indicate that Al was the brother he was speaking of. It made Al's headache worse.

The night before arriving in Central, Ed woke to find Al gazing out of the window, just as he had done years ago when they were searching for the Philosopher's Stone.

'Weird, he can sleep now so why doesn't he?' "Are you "

Al sighed, partly in aggrivation and partly in sadness. "Yes, I'm fine, just like I told you the last fifty times you asked." He turned to face Ed. "Shouldn't you be asleep?"

"I could ask you the same."

"I usually don't fall asleep right away; sometimes not at all. It's something I've always done I guess."

'You have no idea Al,' Ed thought sadly. "I had a nagging feeling that I should wake up, so I did. Guess it was just a dream."

"I guess."

When they arrived, Armstrong was waiting at the station. Like Winry, the newly promoted Lt. Colonel was surprised then happy at the sight of Ed, although Fullmetal could see the doubt lurking in Armstrong's eyes.

"Edward! It's good to see you again my friend." Armstrong reminded himself not to make it look like Ed's apperance was unexpected...even though it completely was. The two shook hands, both grinning at each other. "Someone said you had died."

Ed took note of the undermessage in the sentance. "I'll have to tell you about it later." Armstrong gave him a look and Ed knew that if he didn't, God help him. Armstrong turned to the silent Al.

"Alphonse, glad you could come on such short notice."

"No problem. So, what's going on Lt. Colonel? You usually don't call me for basic intelligence gathering."

"That's because it isn't basic, and it's more than what you think. Come along, I'll show you to your quarters and then explain it to you." Armstrong gripped Ed's upper arm and all but yanked him into step behind him. Ed winced at the pain Armstrong's big fingers caused, but endeured. This was probably his way of making sure the headstrong alchemist didn't run off like he always liked to do. While the two chatted about old times, Al walked quietly beside them, thinking. In a way, Al figured he was jealous of the Fullmetal alchemist. He had a past to look back on and a future to look forward to. 'So I don't know my background, big deal, plenty of people don't. I've still got a future.'

"Al, hello?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry. I was thinking."

"Obviously. I said, where did you first learn alchemy? Armstrong here says you're very good at it."

"I've always known how."

"Hey, I got an idea. You know martial arts, right?" Al nodded and wondered how Ed had figured it out. "Why don't we spar later? It'll be a great way to relax."

"Relax?" Al was once again surprised. This guy had a weird idea of relaxing.

"Yeah, relax. What do you say Al?"

"Uh, sure, okay I guess."

"Great, now that that's settled, mind telling us what's going on Arm " A woman calling to Al cut Ed off in mid-sentance. All three turning, they saw a young woman in her mid twenties racing after them. Her brown hair was cut short, just above the collar of her blue uniform. Al smiled in recognition and Ed felt his heart tug. Armstrong placed a big, burly hand on Ed's small shoulder in a comforting gesture. Ed didn't want comfort, he wanted his brother to remember.

"Hello Major Alphonse," the girl said, saluting. Al returned the gesture and the both became more relaxed from their strict military pose. "Glad to see you again. I have a few reports you need to fill out and sign and..." she caught a glimps of Ed. "Who's that cutey?"

Ed nearly fell on his face. Okay, so she was very perky, he could deal with that. Her flirting with him was another story. "This is my brother..." Al stopped when he realized what he had said. Ed had a hopeful look on his face which soon left once introduced as Al's 'new friend'. Ed's head hung slightly even when the perky Corpral Maria Jones talked and talked and talked. They were continueing their way through the base at Central and Jones was still talking. Edward wondered what it would be like to hear silence again.

"Don't worry, she's only like this when she's nervouse," Al whisphered to him.

"Then she must be pretty nervouse..." Ed managed to get out without a growl of frustration being attached.

"Oh, by the way, Major Elric?" Jones said.

"Yes?"

"Yeah?"

Maria starred at them for a while before laughing shakily. "No, sorry, I ment the shorter one."

Ed's face flushed in anger and was about to comment that he was not short but then remembered that he wasn't anymore. He relaxed again.

"Sir, the Fuhr would like to see you when you get the chance," Jones concluded.

"Why would the Fuhr want to see Al?" Ed burst out.

Jones shrugged. "I only run the errands." She turned and walked briskly away, leaving the three to stare after her.

The room Ed and Al were to stay in was simple. Two beds on the north and south wall, a sofa and coffee table, a dresser with a mirror hanging over it, and one big, leafy plant in the corner. The walls were an eggshell white. Ed eyed the place warily.

"You guys haven't changed much, have you?" he asked Armstrong.

"What do you mean?" Armstrong gazed at him.

"Never mind." Ed put a hand to his head and sighed. Al set his bag down, and walked out the door, not saying a word to either of them. Ed followed. "Where are you going? I thought Armstrong was going to breif us."

"Actually," Al replied over his shoulder, "Armstrong is supposed to breif me, not us, and I was asked to see the Fuhr, remember? Besides, the Lt. Colonel will wait until we're settled to tell us anything."

"I don't see why we couldn't work together. I mean, why not? We're both State Alchemists, we're both respected officers and you might need backup for something," concluded Ed.

"I'll be fine on my own, just like always." The pair had just arrived at the Fuhr's office.

Black-Angel-001: i'll leave it there for now, just to put you guys on edge. reveiw and check out my fav list! it could be worth your time.