-1I figure this is pretty Alternate Universe-ish. It's been a little while since I watched the anime so I've forgotten some of the smaller details of it, especially in the beginning episodes. I'm also wondering if it's supposed to be deep or deeply. I think I'll be adding a new character soon. Sorry it's been a long time since I gave a chapter. For some reason I just got caught up and forgot about it. I've sort of been on a writing streak lately though.

"May I speak with your mother?" Izumi asked rather curtly. The woman standing at their doorway didn't look like she was in a particularly good mood at the moment

Ed opened his mouth hesitantly and began to speak but he was soon cut off by a jerk to his shirt sleeve. Trisha pulled both boys lightly but firmly aside.

"Truly sorry about their silent spell. I had just sent them on their way to make amends for what happened earlier. I hope they didn't disturb you at all." Trisha gave her a look up and down. There were still some bandages around her head and she looked a little exasperated but she didn't look altogether bad after what had happened to her.

"That's the reason I came here. I wanted to talk to you about something. Can I come in?"

"Of course, I didn't mean to be so rude." Trisha quickly moved out of the way and shut the door behind the other woman when she was inside. Her intuition told her that this should most likely be a private conversation between two adults.

"Edward, Alphonse. Please go to your room while we talk."

"But mom!" They both exclaimed. Trisha sent a hard stare and in a few moments they were stomping off with the door slammed shut behind them.

Trisha breathed an almost silent sigh and turned to Izumi. "Now, what was it you wanted to talk about?"

Izumi nodded. "I'll try and keep this as brief as I can."

"Can you hear anything Ed?" Al questioned intently, ear pressed against the door.

"No," he whispered back. "Try to keep your voice down!"

"Sorry," Al mumbled with a frown. His older brother took charge a lot and scolded Al on various occasions, Al hated when that happened. He respected Edward a lot, admired him a little and every once in a while he felt something he couldn't exactly explain to himself. So when Ed chastised him, Al felt like he should be trying harder.

Ed was becoming increasingly frustrated at the lack of sound coming from the outside. However, he didn't mean to take his temper out on his brother. Seeing the crestfallen look on Al's face made a little guilt creep over him.

"Uh, sorry Al. You really weren't talking that loud. I just wish we could hear something."

Al smiled a little. "It's okay Ed, I-"

"Al, shut up! I think I can hear something."

Al began listening, an inward smile formed. He knew Ed never meant it.

"I appreciate your offering, Miss Izumi, but I'd have to say no. They're just so young."

"I understand. I just thought you'd want to know. I'll be leaving for home around mid-morning tomorrow. If you change your mind, you know where to find me."

They both headed for the door.

"I hope you recover fully from your injuries, and have a good evening."

Izumi nodded and left silently. Trisha took a deep breath and sat down at the kitchen table. The entire day had been just the slightest bit too stressful for her, and just as she was about to get some rest, another hill presented itself.

Edward and Alphonse had only caught bits and pieces of the conversation, but the parts that they caught gave them the main idea. Almost as soon as they heard the light thump of the front door, they came bursting out of their bedroom and rushing over to their mother, both talking over the other.

"Mom, mom, when do we leave?" Ed yelled, his words coming out so fast they were almost impossible to understand.

"Yeah, should we go pack our stuff?" Al added.

Trisha was overwhelmed at their vocal barrage, it took her a few seconds to process what they were talking about. When she figured it out she was frustrated, partially because she had no intention of even telling them about the female alchemist's proposition, and partially because their excitement was bringing a headache for her.

"Alright, alright!" Her voice wasn't angry but it was elevated and both boys were immediately hushed.

When she regained her usual calm disposition.

"I see that the two of you were listening, when you shouldn't have been." She eyed both of them. "But I told her that you wouldn't be going, right now, you two are too young to be doing such things by yourself."

Al took it lightly, his face twisted with hopelessness. For a moment Ed looked the same but he soon grew angry.

"Mom, how can you be so selfish! Me and Al work hard all the time to help you. Now we want one little thing, and you, you. YOU ACT LIKE A SELFISH WITCH AND KEEP US FROM BEING HAPPY!"

By now there were reluctant tears running down his face. His resentment was clear, and he looked upward, almost frightened to see her response. He was greeted by his mother's hand as it flew across his face. Ed was knocked back on his feet and Al stared, wide-eyed with his hands covering his mouth.

Trisha took a painful glance at her oldest, disoriented son and buried her face in her hand, sobbing loudly.

Al was abashed by the entire situation, but he finally took a move toward his brother first, to make sure he was alright (And at this point, his legs felt like spaghetti noodles). There was a large red mark on his face covered by tear streaks but he looked more confused then hurt. Moving on, Al cautiously approached his mother (Whose sobbing had went down from hysterical to the occasional hiccup).

"Mom?" He whispered. "Mom, are you okay?"

Trisha removed her hands and she tried her best to show a smile. She knew how sensitive her youngest son could be.

"I-I'm fine. I overreacted. Edward, I."

"J-just be quiet! I hate you!" It didn't take long for him to collect himself. In less than a moment's notice he was out the front door, unaffected by his mothers shouts.

"I'm sure he just went to Winry's house," Al said quickly, wanting to reassure his mother. He was always shaken up when he heard his mother cry."

"Yes, I'm sure you're right, honey. I think you should go there too. I need a little time for myself.

Al silently nodded and with one last, concerned look, he timidly left his mother.