~~~~Chapter Two~~~~

That night, we all sat in the living room, too stunned to move. Dad and Uncle Al had decided to tell Alexis and I every last detail about their lives, and so we had listened for hours on end. Alexis was the one the barge in the middle of the story and ask questions, which actually proved very helpful. Slowly, we learned all about our dad and Uncle. We were so fascinated, stunned, sad, scared, and concerned, I doubt our faces ever stopped staring wide-eyed at them. We also didn't notice how tired we were.

Towards the end, I yawned so hugely, it hurt my jaw. Alexis leaned against my shoulder, I laying my head on top of hers. I saw my dads face soften as he stopped speaking.

"Alexis, Erika, why don't we head home? You can sleep in the car, and you know we'll come back soon." Momma caught Dad's eye, patting both of us on the head. Alexis groaned.

"Do we have to move?" It came out slurred, which got all the adults to laugh. That's when I remembered. I quickly snapped up, looking to Uncle Al.

"I have something for you!" I ran to the dining room, grabbing my sketchbook off the table. Tearing out one page, I scampered back to his side. He pulled me onto his lap as I handed him the drawing.

"Erika..." He trailed off as he stared at it in awe. I giggled.

I had drawn what I thought the family would look like when May had their child. I first drew a smiling Al, and a very happy May. In their arms, I had them holding a little boy. He was yanking Al's long ponytail, his other hand knotted in May's robes. And just to be sure no one got left out, I put Shao May on May's shoulder.

Al beckoned May over, handing her the picture as she neared. She gasped, smiling wide. I giggled again, laying my head against Uncle Al's shoulder. Within the next minute, I was fast asleep.

Father had picked up Alexis, her head laid against his shoulder. Al stood up, holding me in his arms. A while later, we were both placed gently in the car, I slumping over onto Alexis' shoulder. Her head slumped on top of mine, and we both fell into a peaceful slumber.

"Girls, we're home. C'mon, it's time to get up." Dad was whispering in my ear, his hand on my arm. I groaned, twisting my head in his direction.

"Daddy, can't we just sleep here?" Soon I was slumped over his shoulder. I could tell Alexis was on momma's shoulder as well. Dad set me down, leaning me against my sister. We both joined hands, rubbing our eyes to wake ourselves up. Finally settling on my eyes being able to open, I looked up on the porch to dad.

Momma stood behind us, nudging us forward tiredly. Dad went inside to turn the lamps on for us. Climbing the stairs, momma froze when she heard a crash from inside. She pulled us back against the wall, a hand on each of our mouths.

I was suddenly very alert, and as I looked to Alexis, I could tell she no longer felt groggy either. Momma pressed us closer to her, waiting for the racket to stop inside.

That was when dad stumbled out of the doorway. He put his arms up, blocking someone's kick. I gasped, fighting against momma's hold. She pulled me back to her with a snap, her eyes never left the fight.

Suddenly a man with black hair and black clothes came out, pushing dad down the stairs.

"What's wrong Fullmetal? Age gotten the better of ya?" He snarled. Standing on the porch so as to tower over dad. Standing up, my dad rubbed his shoulder once. Glancing to us, he shot momma a meaningful look.

"You just never learn, do you Envy?" His eyes left momma's going to Envy's. However, Envy had caught dad's glance. He looked over his shoulder, spotting us against the wall. He gave a sly smile, turning back to dad.

"So, we've started a family have we? I told you once before you shouldn't get attached." He leaned to the left, going into a snobbish pose.

"But if I recall correctly, that was also right before I kicked your ass and stored you in a jar." Dad's eyes lit up with determination and anger. I saw Envy snort. He reached out behind himself, and suddenly I was against his chest. Before I could even show shock, I reacted physically. I lashed out with my right arm, elbowing him in the gut. He groaned, losing his grip on my shoulder.

I then ran away, letting out my delayed squeal of shock. Before I could take one more step, he had me by the shirt.

"Daddy!" Envy pressed his hand over my mouth, crushing my hands behind my back. I struggled, but I couldn't even budge.

"You let her go!" Dad's eyes flared with anger even hell couldn't contain. I felt Envy press me closer.

"Not gonna happen, not until you tell me where Mustang is." Slowly Envy tailed his nose down my cheek, nipping at my ear. I whimpered, closing my eyes in disgust.

"Why don't you just go to Central? He is the President after all!" I could hear the impatience in dad's voice. His eyes never left mine, and they seemed to be saying "Just hang in there, I won't let anything happen to you." I believed him, it was very hard not to.

"Well, you see, I would, but it seems he has caught wind of my presence. He hasn't stayed in one spot for the last month." Envy trailed further down my neck, his hands tightening around my mouth. I whimpered again, struggling harder. Dad tensed, his hands clenching into fists.

"How the hell should I know where he is! I'm not his babysitter!" It was then that my mom came up behind Envy, jamming a metal pipe into the back of his head. He fell forward, blood running down his back. I ran straight to my dad once his arms were gone. I sobbed harder and harder as my dad held me tight. Momma ran to his side, Alexis in her arms.

Before I knew what was happening, dad was cradling momma's face. I was holding Alexis, just as much as she was holding me.

"I want you to run. I don't care where, just take the car and run." I saw the tears in momma's eyes as she realized what he planned to do. With one last glance, she nodded, kissing him passionately on the lips. He crushed her close, then pushing her away towards us. Her eyes were pouring with tears, but she turned her back to him and ran with us as fast as she could.

The last thing I saw was my house going up in flames.