WARNING: Some swearing and curses!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the Fullmetal Alchemist universe/manga/anime, except for the insane plot, so please don't sue!

CHAPTER TWO:

After all there was nothing that a scientist loved best that a good puzzle. Right?

The body that rested on the hospital style bed, covered with thin sheets was perfect. The picture of an angel sleeping with golden rich hair in stark contrast with the small white pillow and flawless golden skin could be seen on two flesh arms. It was as perfect as the body of a thirteen old could get. And right now it provided no answers to the frustrated scientist that were discussing in the adjacent room.

"This was not supposed to happen. After months of testing and experiments we finally reach the perfect formula. And then THIS happens!" a frustrated Dr. Paul gestured frantically at the quietly sleeping chimera. The man looked like he hadn't slept in days, which was probably true, and was furiously pacing the room, much to the slight annoyance of his companions.

"I don't understand what's the big issue here. What you have there is a perfect specimen. Some will call it even a beautiful girl" said a cool looking woman while she pushed her glasses on the bridge of her nose.

"EXACTLY! A GIRL, when it was supposed to be a BOY. Fuck, it started as one!" by now Dr. Paul had an almost crazed look upon his face and the other doctor who sat in silence until that moment decided to wisely intervene.

"Calm down Paul before you burst something! And you Dr. Marion" he said turning to the woman who had a slightly surprised look upon her face "I thought you knew better than not reading the whole file!"

"I read it, but I just couldn't believe it. I mean not even him could have made this type of mistake…" she stopped speaking when she noticed the rage that settled on Dr. Paul features. They would verbally spar now and then but she suddenly felt that the situation was much too serious to do that now.

"These types of comment are not helping." As usual William took control of the conversation. He regarded the female doctor, while giving his colleague the chance to calm down "Do you have any theories that you would like to share with us on the situation?"

"Well, like I've said she looks perfect. There is not a single flaw that I can pinpoint at this time without additional testing, but I'm not sure what to look for. As for how did she turned this way, considering that the original subject was male, I can only speculate."

"Well speculate anyway" said William as he watched the excitement slowly growing on her face. He also noticed that his colleague finally managed to reclaim some control and was listening with interest. They had already ruled out the alchemical array, after three long day of going over all the symbols and they couldn't see any difference. So all they had was speculation.

"If I remembered correctly the boy had automail before. Was he also an alchemist perhaps?"

"Yes, but what.." "A state alchemist"

"A state license? That brings a new light in the equation. Why would the state want from a child? Unless he was extremely gifted to what he did, which brings us to the only possible explanation"

"Which is?" Paul asked while William's eyebrows went up with the realisation "Human Transmutation" he said calmly.

"But how? What? I mean…" Paul quickly closed his mouth seeing the amused faces of his colleagues before starting to really think about it. "If that were true it would certainly explain this strange result. At least partly. We never worked with this kind of subject so there is really no benchmark to compare. But there are still questions to be answered. How were the other expected results affected? We'll have to stop the experiments until we find most of the answers. The colonel is not going to be happy."

"Let me handle the colonel, you find me the answers" said William with a serious face.

"What about the specimen? I'll run the tests, but the colonel will probably ask us to terminate it. He already threatened to cut down the supply of Red Water, should we fail once more". There was not a trace of feeling on Dr. Marion' face while she spoke.

"Like I've said, I'll speak with the colonel. As for terminating her, there are some uses there I can think for her, if the tests results are what we expect" William voice turned slightly speculative. "I know that the colonel wants only strong soldiers, but any war needs covert operations. After all, who would suspect a child like her?"

"If you get him to approve I already have a plan on how the training should proceed" Marion' smile was positively evil.

"Back to work people. No time to chitchat. I have to go and speak with our benevolent benefactor." William ushered them out of the room. Before closing the door he heard Marion nagging at Paul

"You know Paul, if you don't find your answers you can always blame it on the leopard you used. It was female after all… "

"WHAT?"

Where am I?

All that Edward could see when he opened his eyes was inky darkness, the only light seemly coming from him. He moved his right arm in front of him, but it was nothing there. He would have probably started to panic if it weren't for the fact he was too busy staring at his right arm. A flesh arm. That had no business being there as far as he knew.

What the hell?

He quickly looked at his left foot, hoping, but not really believing that could be true. He brought his left hand to touch it, he didn't trust the newly recovered limb, and brushed his fingers over his knee, afraid that a firmer touch will disintegrate it. When warm skin met his fingers he left out a breath he didn't realised he was holding.

Yes! He had his body back!

He couldn't wait to tell his brother. Wait a minute, where was Al? He refused to think he would regain his body while Al was still a suite of armour.

Al! Al!

When he received no answer Ed started to panic. No, he won't believe that he regained his body only to lose his brother. Al had to be there. Somewhere close. He was sure of it.

Al!

He's not here.

Ed turned around to where the voice was coming. When nothing but darkness stood in front of him Ed felt the apprehension building in his stomach.

Who's there? Show yourself! He growled out angrily. At least he hoped it sounded like anger. Yes, anger was good. It masked the fear that was slowly gripping him.

Al is not here because he was not needed. The voice suddenly spoke near his ear and Ed realised that he could move his body.

What do you mean?

Don't you remember? As the sentence faded Ed's mind was suddenly filled with a torrent of images: him fighting furiously against four men, while shouting at Al to get help, him bound inside of van, while blood was slowly seeping from a wound on his side, him paralysed on the middle of an array while somebody carefully put in place a glass container full to the brim with Red Water.

NO, no no no no! This can be! No! I'm not a chimera! No I don't believe this! This is a fucking nightmare! I'm going to wake up now! Wake up! WAKE UP DAMMIT! Why can't I wake up?I don't believe this. THIS ISN'T TRUE!!!!

Yes, it is.

The voice' calm answer cut through his panic attack as easily as a hot knife through butter, leaving him winded and hollow. He opened his mouth to say something but he closed it with a snap when he realised he knew the voice. He'd heard it before. He stood for a moment digesting the facts and controlling his emotions, before speaking once more:

Not that I'm complaining, but you said that the next time we'll meet I'll lose everything

Yet it seems that you gained everything, right? Don't worry I received the equivalent exchange from everything that was placed on the array. And besides you weren't the one to initiate the contact this time. I can't punish you for that.

So you're saying that the fact that now I'm a chimera was my price? Why do I feel there is more to it?

Don't worry, I only gave you what you've always wanted. The ability to create life.

WHAT?

Go now, they are expecting you. Until we meet again Alchemist!

He didn't have a chance to answer as a sudden sharp pain behind his eyes chased away any thoughts he had. What felt like hours later, he opened the eyes he hadn't realised he'd close, only to stare at a white ceiling. With white tiles, and a pathetic light bulb right in the middle of it. Ed knew the type. Hospital rooms were the same everywhere.

He bit back a groan. Wonderful, what happened now? He tried to raise his arm, but at the light move a machine started to loudly beep near his ears. It was the loudest machine Ed's had ever heard it the annoying sound was smashing in his ears adding its welcomed contribution to the headache the size of Amestris that he was having.

Dammit! It hurt so much he couldn't even scream. As he curled pathetically with his head between his arms a nurse entered the room, quickly assessed the situation and ran to turn of the machine.

Blessed silence! For a few moments Ed couldn't hear anything so it took him a while to realise the nurse was speaking with him.

"Are you alright. Should I get you anything?"

He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

"Here, this should help". A small glass of water with a straw was pushed his way. He drank it greedily, and by the time it was finished he found his voice to croak a quiet "Thank you".

"No need for that. The doctor will be here in a minute. Ah there she is" as a door opened and a stern woman entered the room. She had a white hospital coat, reddish hair secured in a bun, small glasses and as she came closer, the coldest eyes Ed had ever seen. He tried to mask the shiver that ran down his spine but he knew she'd seen it. Ed had the impression that little escaped those cold eyes that now were appraising him like he was a piece of meat she was trying to buy.

"I see you are awake. Hello I'm Doctor Marion. How are you feeling?" Her smile had too many teethes, and for once in his life Edward chose caution and remained silent while watching her warily.

"Do you know were you are?" Ed bowed his head then gave a timid shake. It was so out of character for him that even him was amazed at his actions, but a large part of him had an great irrational fear of this woman. Something told him not to provoke her or he'll suffer painful consequences.

If possible the woman's smile grew even larger when she saw the timid response. Perfect. The conditioning they did on the animals before the experiments was in place. It was necessary to make sure none of the chimeras rebelled against their makers or the final master. It was deeply ingrained in every one of them, and the newest addition followed the same pattern. She surely knew her work after all. She easily spoke the next question.

"Do you know who you are?"

AN: I hope this answer some of your questions. Don't worry there's more to come.  So, what do you think?