Alexis closed his eyes tightly, he was scared, he couldn't deny that, but he promised Al that he wasn't going to run from this, he'd own up to his responsibilities, and face his Father.

"Do you remember when Edwina and I started learning to use Alchemy?" Alexis began.

"Yeah, I do remember," Ed answered a nervous Alexis, then his expression turned slightly suspicious, he turned directly to his Son " Why?" He asked, his voice going low, and scary, and his eyes serious, and slightly narrowed.

Alexis winced at the tone in Ed's voice.

Then Ed's expression softened, Oh, crap, I'm not sopposed to talk yet. He thought, feeling guilty for frightening Alex like that.

"Sorry about that, you can continue, I promise I'm not mad." Ed with a soft smile, trying to assure Alexis.

He's already getting mad? This is not going to be pleasant for either of us. Alexis thought, somehow not surprized.

I'll start out small, tell him about the learning trick I developed, just to gauge his reaction, and to see what I'm in for. God, how sad is it when the forbidden Technique I developed is considered 'small' on my list of screw-ups tonight?

Alex nodded lightly, then continued."Ok, well, after studying Alchemy for about sixs months, I developed a Technique that allows me to learn everything about something by simply touching it." Alexis explained, waiting for Ed's reaction.

" Ok, that's pretty amazing, Alex. Although I don't think your sopposed to have that kind of power, at least not without some sort of an Equivelent Exchange for it." Ed said calmly.

Oh, god! Is this what Alex was worried about, its a little, extravigant. But its not like he tampered with the fabric of existence, right? Ed thought, a little worried.

" That's not even the least of the things I've done, Dad. "Alex confessed, clearly scared.

Alarms went off in Edward's head as Alexis told him that," What, else did you do?" Ed asked, his suspicion slowly returning,

Although he hated feeling that, although he knew the only emotion he should be feeling is concern, like a normal Parent should, he couldn't help it. Edward wasn't a normal Parent, no other Parent knew the things Edward knew, but Ed knew it didn't change the fact that even if Alex did do something wrong, it was his fault for not being more honest, so he had to keep in mind that if Alex did something bad, the blame was mostly on him.

" Well, with that Technique of mine, I used it to gain as much knowledge as I could literaly get my hands on, I was completely compelled to learn, well, everything. " Alexis was nervous about telling Ed this, but he was perfectly prepared to face whatever lay ahead of him.

"Well, that's normal, its just the price of being a researcher of a certain field." Edward replied, still remaining calm on the outside, but inside, the Alarms in his head wre getting louder, at first they were like little alarm clocks, then, the alarms were becoming more like sirens.

"It was more then that, Dad. I was tempted to use my knowledge, which is usually a natural thing as well, but I, stupidly, I admit, " He then fell silent.

"Alex, its not going to get easier untill you tell me what you did." Ed said.

"Promise you won't get mad?" Alex asked nervously.

Edward let out an exasperated sigh," I can promise you that I'll be understanding of, and even help you find a solution to your problem, Alex, but you have to understand, that while I can be very understanding, and extremely forgiving of people, I'm not Alphonse. I can't just sit there quietly with a kind smile and think of just the right thing to say with a pacifistic nature about me, that just isn't me, so you might have to deal with me being a little mad for a while, that is, if what you did was really as bad as you seem to be implying,"Ed said, leaning his forehead against the steering wheel.

"But it probably wasn't, so you can contiue telling me. " Ed continued, suddenly smiling at his Son.

That of couse only freaked Alexis out more,"Okay, I guess that's fair. Anyway, I kinda, snuck into your study, and touched every one of your Books, so now I know every bit of information that they contained." Alexis said looking down at his shoes, his body almost shaking from his nervousness.

Edward closed his eyes tightly and gripped the steering wheel, as though to calm himself,

What is with these kids and sneeking into my study, what part of, 'you are to never go in here.' did they not understand?

Okay, to be fair, they definatly inherited that from me, I admit, but still, its soo frusterating! He thought, irritated.

"Go on." Ed said through gritted teeth, trying his best not to scare Alexis again.

But judging by the look of fear in Alex's eyes, it didn't work.

"Your not going to kill me, are you?" Alex asked, his hand on the door, ready to test his metal at outrunning his Father, he did it once before,(Although for a lot less severe reason then this.) And he'd do it again if he had to!

"What? No! I just want to hear the whole story first, then, I'll dicide your fate."Ed said, probably joking. "And you can move your hand from the door, one, you can't outrun me, last time I went easy on you, and two, you aren't leaving the car untill you explain to me what the hell's going on here." Ed said sternly.

Damnit! In the end, all I'm really good at is scaring the hell out of my kids! Ed mentally scolded himself.

"Okay." Alex said timidly as he moved his hand from the door, then, lowering his head, and continued his story. "Anyway, I at first used it for small tasks, like School, Automail, and the like, but my Ambition was growing very gradually, but rapidly. I wanted to see what I could do with it, do something amazing, really put it to the test, so I did something really crazy, and forbidden, something that you might not forgive me for, and Dad, you don't have to pretend that you do." Alexis said, sadly.

Ed simply looked at his Son, who was avoiding his gaze.

"Alex, look at me." Ed said sternly.

Alexis, reluctantly looked to his Father, his eyes were wide and scared of what Ed was going to say.

"There is nothing that you can tell me in this car, that I won't be able to forgive you for, you got that?" Ed said seriously, looking his Son directly in the eye.

"But that doesn't mean I can't get angry." Ed stated plainly.

"Yeah, thanks, Dad, "Alex said, rolling his eyes slightly. " But you might want to listen to this before you sound so sure of yourself." Alexis said.

"Well, let's hear it." Ed said, calmly.

"Well, first I should note that the boy from School that was found at the bottom of that hill, and everyone assumed that he just fell and landed into a Coma, that was me, I beat him untill me was unconcious with a Iron pipe, because he was picking on Lin for being Bi-Racial." Alexis explained quickly, mainly because he wanted to get that off his chest.

Ed sat quietly, his Golden eyes widened in shock, quite obviously shocked at what Alexis just said.

"Okay, I admit I'd never had expected you to put someone into a Coma untill you were at least 15, I actually would have expected Edwina to beat someone that badly before you, but I hope you understand that what you did was wrong, Alexis."Ed responded, still slightly shakened.

"Of couse, Dad. I feel terrible for doing it." Alexis said, with a saddened expression, but inside he was shocked to notice that he, really didn't care. As far as he was concerned, he deserved what happend, he had no right making Lin cry.

He deserved what he got! Alexis thought, grinning evilly inside.

Whoa, whoa, what? I'm not like this, I'm not this heartless, or Callous! What's going on with me? He thought, getting scared of what answers may be lurking beyond the surface of his mind...

"That's good, but don't think this is the last you'll hear of it." Ed said seriously, even though he put up a calm front, he was really worried about Alexis, people don't change this dramatically over such a short period, how could Alexis be his normal, gentle, kind-hearted self one moment, then this power-seeking, rule-breaking, violent kid the next.

"I know." Alexis said, mimicking the guilt he wished he was really feeling.

"Now for the real reason I called you out here," Alex said, he took a deep breath,

"I, using the knowledge on Automail that Mom taught me, and, the Human Transmutation, from your books, to create an Mechanical Doll that I recently named Alicia, that bears physical resemblence to, and believes herself to be the true Edwina," Alexis explained, quickly, wanting to get it all out in the open.

As for Ed, he made no disapproving face, he didn't give Alexis an angry glare, he didn't even say anything about it, he just closed his eyes, and squeezed the steering wheel tighter, struggling to think of a way to respond to this, this mess!

"and, ironically enough, Alicia escaped my, 'Hideout' around the same time Edwina ran outside, and probably believing the real Edwina to be a fake, she attacked her, so I'm indirectly responsible for her injuries. And Alicia is the one responsible for all the murders in the surrounding towns, so thats my fault to. And Dad, you can just let out everything thats on your mind about this" Alexis closed his eyes tightly and quietly awaited his Father's rage.

A deafening silence overtook them as each of them sat there with their own thoughts.

Good god, what a mess! I was afraid it was bad, but this, this is beyond what I thought Alexis was even capable of! He, created a thing that murdered so many people, and even though its techically his own fault, its also my fault as well, I shouldn't have been such a coward, afraid to be honest with my own Son, now Alex has to bear guilt like that at the age of Eight, that isn't fair, even for you! Ed thought bitterly, cursing the Truth.

I've never been so conflicted about something in my life! For one thing, Edwina getting hurt was mostly my fault, I was the one who upset her so badly, she ran out of the house in tears, so that one's on me, not Alex.

And even though Alexis did do those things,, he's still only a child, and can't possibly be held responsible for this, I should be the one held resonsible, he may be guilty of those crimes, but I absolutely refuse to let the Authorities get him, thats out of the question!

But, on the other hand, what if Alexis does something like this again? How can I possibly trust that he won't, once you've tasted the forbidden fruit, its not an easy thing to bounce back, and by the looks of it, he hasn't done an Equivelent Exchange, at least not one that is physically visible, an- wait, what was his Equivelent Exchange?

"Alex." Ed said quietly,"What was your Equivelent Exchange for Alicia?" He asked, opening his Golden eyes, that had a serious glint to them.

"N-Nothing, I don't need to use Equivelent Exchange, there's something, different about me that you don't know about." Alex said timidly, the calm, collected little boy genious was nowhere to be found, just a frightened child, scared that his Father was about to reject him.

God, why is he tormenting me like this? If he hates me, why doesn't he just come out and say it? I don't want to tell him this along with the fact I'm a Murderer! Alex thought, just wanting the emotional pain he was feeling to finally end!

"What's that?" Ed asked.

"I'll show you." Alexis answered, then, lifting up his hand, and raising his thumb, he bit down into it, Ed's eyes widened upon seeing the glowing Blood flowing from his Son's thumb.

"Alexis, how did that happen?" Ed breathed out in his shock.

Tears were now flowing from Alexis's Golden eyes like the blood from his thumb, followed by light sobs " I don't know, it just happend, its been this way for a while now, I don't know how it happend, I'm sorry, Dad! I'm so sorry, I'm sorry I created Alicia, I'm sorry I hurt Edwina, I'm sorry I'm a Monster, I'm sorry for everything! I never meant for any of this to happen, I want to make it right, I just don't know how!" Alex said between his sobs and whimpers.

"Alexis, I don't think your a Monster, I think your a child, that had an irrisponsible Father." Ed responded sadly.

Then pulled his Son into a hug, "Alexis, I'm not going let you bear this guilt alone, its more my fault then it is yours, I should be the one to be aplogizing for all this, not you." He said softly and he held his Son tightly in his arms, and he let Alexis sob into his shoulder.

"And as for my personal opinion on this whole thing, that Doll, Alicia, it sounds like she needs you now, more then ever, you created her, meaning you have to care for her, give her guidence and direction, and I'll help you through it, Alexis, this I promise." Edward promised his tearful Son.

"Dad, please don't forgive me for this, I don't deserve to just be forgiven, not after the pain and suffering I've caused, especially for Alicia." Alexis attempted to protest, his tears staining his Father's Red trench coat, he didn't feel right being forgiven for what he did right off the bat, he felt he had to earn it, not to just recieve it so easily.

" You made a mistake, Alex, thats all," Ed said, pulled his Son away slightly so he could be face to face with him."and I should've been more up-front about the consequences of the forbidden side of Alchemy, you may not know this, but your Dad and Uncle did something very reckless with Alchemy when we were younger." Ed explained, regetting he didn't do so sooner.

"I know, I kinda touched your private notes as well." Alex confessed nervously.

"Okay, well, I feel sort of stupid for being so secretive about it now. So, what was your first thought on it?" Ed asked, figuring he might as well come clean as well, but he was still a little worried of what Alexis's answer was going to be.

But Edward was also fully aware that whatever Alex's reaction to it was, he would still be there for him, that's what a Father is sopposed to do, and if he really wanted to help his Son get through this, there had to be a mutual level of trust between them, and to do that, they both had to clear the air.

"Well, I thought it explained a lot, about, well everything that I thought was a little weird about you, Dad." Alex admitted.

Weird? You think that I'm wierd? I'm not weird, my Dad was weird, for god's sake, he was Immortal! Edward thought, a little insulted, but still relieved that Alexis was okay with the fact that his Father once used forbidden Alchemy.

" Then I take it you aready know about Al being in a suit of Armor, the Homunculi, as well as Father?" Ed asked.

Alexis nodded."Yeah, I don't have all the details, bcause you wrote down your memories of it, and I'm sure everyone had their own observation of it." Alexis said, finally starting to calm down a bit. "And Dad,"

"Yeah, Alex?"

"I don't think any different of you because of what you did in the past, I personally would have done the same thing if I was in your situation, I love my Mom same as you loved yours, and would want her to come back to,

And even so, I think that because it was in the past, that's where it should remain, even if you were reckless back then, even though you were to become the FullMetal Alchemist, even though you were to get caught up in a centuries-long scheme to end the world, all in the name of finding a stone to restore yours and Uncle Al's bodies,

Its still just in the past, and I know I'm just a child, but as far as I've seen, all Adults have pasts, that they aren't to proud of, or a closet full of dark secrets that they don't want to share, because their often afraid that they'll be prosicuted for it once again and lose the peace they've managed to find for themselves,

But to me, none of that matters, it doesn't change a thing, in my eyes, you are the same Father you've always been, the same Father who named me 'Alexis' and told me that it meant 'To defend' and made me proud to have a name like that,

The same Father that was there when I took my first steps, the same Father that encouraged me when I was nervous on my first day of school, by telling me 'To kick ass'

The same Father that taught me to always do the right thing, and that sometimes in order to do the right thing, you have to bend the rules a little,

And none of that will change, even if your opinion changes about me." Alexis said, with his Golden eyes filled with all the honesty that he could muster.

Alexis loved his Father, regardless of the kind of life he led before he was born

Ed was silent at first, shocked at Alexis's answer, and at himself for being so stupid for ever doubting him!

Ed started to chuckle lightly at the irony, then he began laughing loudly as Alexis looked on in confusion.

"What's so funny?" Alex asked.

"Nothing, I'm just wondering why I put off telling you the truth for so long, I should have known you would be okay with it, thank you Alexis, I'm really happy that you are." Ed said, after he was done laughing.

"Of course, Dad." Alex responded, still kind of nervous."So, you forgive me as well?" He asked.

" Alex," Ed said, pulling his Son into another tight hug." Of course I forgive you, I will always forgive you, but, you have to understand that, just because I forgive you, doesn't mean that the rest of the world will, and it definatly doesn't mean that this will all disappear,

Alicia still murdered all those people, and as far as the world's concerned, her creator is just as guilty, if there is any evidence that you and Alicia are connected, you will be wanted, Alexis, do you understand?" Edward asked, he almost felt like crying himself at the realization that Alexis, his young Son, would be hunted,

And chances were that, Central was already looking into it, Mustang was already looking into it, and even though Mustang was his friend, (Something he would never say out loud!) The cicumstances were different now, he was different now, he wasn't Mustang's Subordinant anymore, nor was he a state Alchemist, he was a Father now,

He was more then willing to fight them all if it meant protecting his Son.

"I understand, Dad." Alex answered, a new-found sense of bravery gleaming in his Golden eyes." And that's why I have to find Alicia, change her appearence, give her a true name and idenity, and protect her from the world that now hates her, and pray that Edwina will forgive me for all this." Alexis swore.

Edward smiled, happy to see that his Son would own up to his responsiblity, and that responsibity right now, was Alicia.

"Of coures, I'll need your permission, Dad." Alex said.

Ed's trademark confident smile appeared on his face for the first time in years." No problem, Alex, just wait here a moment." Ed answered, then opened the door and stepped out of the car.

"Where are you going?" Alex asked, sticking his head out the Passenger's window.

"I just have to make sure your Sister is fine, and let your Mother know that we'll be gone for a bit." Ed answered as he turned to walk to the house.

"Are you going to tell her?"Alex asked, telling his Father was scary enough, but he didn't even consider what his Mother would say, or how she would react.

Ed stood still for a moment, then turned back around to face Alexis.

"Alex, no, I'm not going to tell her at the moment, but I'm going to eventually." Ed answered.

"Is there any reason she has to know to? I mean, what if she isn't as understanding as you were, she isn't an Alchemist like you and I, so she might not." Alexis protested, not wanting his Mother to be disappointed in him, inspite how smart he was, he was only Eight, and he didn't want his Mother to be mad at him, even though she would be fully justified if she was.

"Alex, she's my Wife, and you may not understand this yet, but theres kind of a rule when it comes to keeping secrets from your Spouse, that, and she'd kill me with a Wrench if I kept a secret that involved her Son's very safty and didn't tell her about it,

And besides, don't you think that your Mother deserves to know why her Son wasn't in his room in the dead of night, which, by the way, you owe her an apology for, she was out of her mind with worry when she went to your room only to find an empty bed." Ed Lectured.

"I soppose, and don't worry, I'll apologize to her as soon as I am able." Alexis promised with a determined nod.

"Great." Ed said with a smile,

She'll lecture you even if you didn't, but still, when she hears the reason, I know she'll forgive Alex, she'll still lecture you, though. Ed thought.

Then he turned back to the direction of the house.

Alexis sat back in his seat, Looks like I was wrong, Dad is okay with it, or rather, as okay as he can be with the fact his Son's a murderer, but to think that his thoughts of haven't changed at all would be naive.

He may forgive me, and maybe Mom, Edwina, and perhaps even Alicia will to, but my sin won't end with just my tears and the forgiveness of my Family,

I will have to bear the pain forever, and try my best to find my Redemption, in any way I can.

Why seek Redemption, Alexis? You know you've done nothing wrong, it was all in the name of research.The raspy voice returned, the irritating voice echoing in Alexis's head.

"Who are you?" Alexis asked calmly.

He was well aware that a strange voice in your head was looked upon in most societies as insanity, but at this point, he just didn't care.

Oh, me? Just call me a friend.It answered.

"Last I looked, 'Friends' don't encourage homicidal tendencies in peoples minds." Alex protested bluntly.

You seem to be taking this rather calmly, Alexis Van Elric. The voice pointed out.

"Well, I figured freaking out about it and yelling, 'I have a voice that keeps telling to do crazy things!' Is not a very smart way to handle this, in fact I believe it would do more harm then good for me." Alexis replyed, still cool as ice.

So I take it I don't scare you?

"No." Alexis simply stated." But if you would stop talking to me now, I would apprieciate it."

Alright, I'll leave you be for now, but I'll be back.

"I could just die from my excitement." Alex said sarcastically.

Heh, you remind me of the boy who killed me...

"What?" Alexis said,

But then there was only silence.

"He couldn't be him, could he?" Alexis questioned, then shook his head, " No, I can't worry about that right now, right now, I need to focus on finding Alicia!" He said out loud. "And I should probably stop talking to myself." He said before quieting down.


Ed walked into the Living room, where Al sat beside Winry on the Couch, with Mei on her other side.

Winry looked distressed for some reason.

Did Alphonse tell her about Alexis? Ed thought.

"Where's Edwina?" Ed asked, seeing she wasn't in the room anymore.

"Oh, I took her upstairs." Al said, "She said something strange, though."

"What did she say?" Ed asked.

" She said 'Don't let Daddy near the woods.' Whatever that meant." Al answered.

A small smile cracked on Ed's lips, he understood completely.

She's trying to cover for her Brother, little does she know he already confessed to the crime, Heh, heh, but still, I'm proud of you, Edwina. Your willing to stay loyal to your Brother no matter what. He thought proudly.

"Edward," Winry said softly, breaking his thoughts.

"What is it, Winry?" Ed asked, concerned when he saw her tears.

"Al told me what had happend with Alexis," Winry said, then she stood up and ran into his arms.

" Edward, this is a serious crime he commited, even if it was an accident, and I want to do what I can for him, but what can we possibly do?" Winry said, as the tears continued flowing down her pretty face.

"Don't worry, Winry." Ed said, holding his Wife, trying to comfort her." I'm going to help Alex find the Doll he created, and try to fix this whole mess, and all I ask is that you be here for him, he still needs his Mother to be strong for him, alright?" Ed asked.

Because if the Authorities are close to the truth, theres no guarentee I'll be there for much longer, I absolutely refuse to let them take Alexis away! Edward thought, with determination.

"Okay, Ed, I can do that." Winry said, calming down a bit.

"Good, that's more then enough." Ed said with a smile.

Then Edward looked in his younger Brother's direction." Alphonse, Alex and I are going to need your help." Ed said, with Winry stepping away slightly.

Oh, Alexis, I'm sorry I was unable to stop you before you went this far, I'm sorry I didn't notice, you were probably silently crying out to me this whole time, yet with all the time I spend with you, I never noticed, I'm so, so sorry! She thought sadly, readily blaming herself for everything that was going wrong for her Son, even though none of it was her fault, and she had no way of preventing it, thats just how Mother's were, willing to bare the guilt of their Child's sin right along with them.

"Sure thing." Al said almost immediatly, standing up,more then willing to come to Edward's aid.

"Good luck, I'll help take care of things here." Mei said, standing up as well.

"I appreciate that, Mei, but what about Lin" Winry asked.

"Oh, don't worry, she can sleep through almost anything, and in case she does wake up, I left a note." Mei said with a confident grin.

" Thank you, Mei." Al said, with a smile as he kissed her.

Ed rolled his eyes at their little display of affection, sure, he was married to, and loved his Wife more then life itself, Hell, he would take a fucking bullet for her!

And naturally he had his more tender moments with her, he just didn't like to make a public spectical of it.

But that was his hang-up, not Al's.

"Okay, you two, we're on a time limit here, and the clock's ticking." Ed said, irritated. He didn't particularly mind Mei, she was Al's Wife, so he learned to put up with her, he just had to save his Son and couldn't afford to let those two mess around right now!

"Fine, fine, no need to get aggitated, Niisan." Al said, as he went toward the door to follow Ed outside.

I'm glad your taking in this news fairly well, Ed. And I know that Alex is glad about it to. Al thought with a smile.

"Like hell there isn't! I have to help my Son!"Edward practically yelled as he opened the door, before stepping out of it, he looked to his Wife.

"I'm going to save Alexis, I promise!" He promised her.

"I believe you, Edward, you've always been able to at least make good on your promises," Winry said with a smile, wiping the last of her tears.

Then her expression turned serious." And make sure that he knows that, no matter what he did, or what he does in the future, he never has to be afraid of coming home, or that his Mother won't accept him, because I'll always accept him, no matter what he becomes!" Winry swore.

Edward nodded." Right." he said

Then he and Alphonse walked outside.

" You sure your ready to go all the way with this, Edward?" Al asked. with a serious look in his eyes.

"What the hell kind of question is that? He's my Son, Al! I've been prepared to sacrifice everything for him the second he took his first breath!" Ed answered, almost angry that Al would even question his resolve as a parent.

" Thats not what I mean, I already know your willing take all of Amesteris as your enemy for Alex's sake, my question was, are you ready to take in Alicia as well? You do know that she's highly unstable, and she could still go back to her old killing ways, even if Alex tries to reason with her, if that happens, what will you do? are you willing to kill her, to protect Alexis? Even if it makes him hate you?" Al asked.

A brief silence overtook them.

"I'll know the answer when I see her with my own eyes." Ed finally answered.

" I see, well, let hope she isn't actually evil." Al replied.

"Al, don't pretend to be so nonchalant about this, I know you, like me, you want to help both Alexis, and Alicia, if you can help it.

But if you can't, I know you won't take any chances, you won't risk Alex's life, or anyone else's, your more then willing to kill her if you have to, and I know you won't hesitate." Edward said,

Alphonse saw a lot of bad things right alongside Edward over the course of their journey, and even though both of them got over the worst of it very well,

But its impossible to remain the same afterwards, and neither Edward, nor Alphonse, were ever the same again.

Ed remembered when he and Al dicided to come back to Resembol for good, and they both were going to settle down, and raise Families of their own, they both prayed with every breath in them that their children would not be exposed to such suffering, or that much bloodshed, or to fight, well, for lack of a better word, God-like beings, as they did.

But it was to late now for Alexis, he had crossed the line, and there was no turning back for him now.

All Ed and Al could do was help him through it, and they both were willing to do what it took to protect him.

Still, while Edward wanted more then anything to keep Alex safe from harm, a part of him knew that Alexis would want to make up for his sins, and it could happen years from now, but it was still a possibility that Alex will one day leave Resembol to seek his Redemption,

Which didn't really surprized Edward, a boy of his Calibur and Intelligence, a small, quiet town like Resembol just wouldn't be enough for long,

But with all he was guilty for, it also meant that he would be in danger if he were to come to that conclusion. And with Edwina's undying love and loyalty to him, she would follow him into his journey through hell without any hesitation, whether he wanted her to or not.

But that was something to worry about another day, right now, Ed had to focus on the matter at hand.


Al opened the door of the Driver's seat, and sat down with his hands on the wheel, and Ed sat in the Passenger's seat, while Alexis sat once again in the back.

"Alright, you ready to save Alicia, Alexis?" Ed asked with a smirk, looking slightly to over his shoulder at his Son.

Alexis nodded." I'm ready, Dad." Alexis answered, his golden eyes were as serious as they ever were.

Al smiled. I'm proud of you, Alex. I'm glad you told Ed, I bet it took a lot of courage, but you pulled through, and its that courage you demonstrate that will save your life one, when Ed and I can no longer help you,

But when such a day comes, I just hope you don't lose yourself along the way... Alphonse thought as started the car.

Alexis then scooted over to the back of the Driver's seat." Uncle Al," Alexis whispered into his ear.

"What is it, Alex?" Alphonse asked.

"Thank you for everything." Alex said with a rare, genuine smile.

"Its no problem, Alexis. I was happy to help." Al said, returning the smile.

Ed smiled as well, happy to see that Alexis was able to open up somewhat for a change.

I should thank you to, Al. Your probably the main reason Alexis told me the truth at all, and while normally that would annoy me slightly, considering that he went to you first and not me, I understand why he went to you, your much more caring and understanding then I am, and that's something I need to work on in the future,

I'll see to it that my Children are never afraid to come to me again! Edward thought to himself, as the car went onto the road.


There you go, and the next chapter is, Da, da, da, DA! going to have Mustang make his first appearence! so see you then :)