Note: So this was actually the third try on this chapter. I tried it two different ways from Ella's POV and finally decided… it was boring that way. Don't get me wrong, but Ella's kinda a pushover (hey I made her character and that's the way I made her…)

So here's a chapter from good old Ed's POV. There will probably be a few other chapters in the fic from Ed's POV just letting you know. I probably will actually have different sections of chapters from Ed and Ella's POVs, but only theirs. Sorry I'm not going to be doing any Winry or Al POV stuff.

Important, this chapter will have some things that you will probably question, like what does he mean by that. It will all be explained later, but it wouldn't make sense for him to explain everything now. Sorry about that though. Lots of important info though, although I must say there might be some things I go into greater detail in later as well… you'll see.

Also, just letting you know this is anime based. Sorry all those Manga fans out there. And, some major spoilers for the series if you haven't seen it.

One last time for emphasis: THIS IS FROM ED'S POV!

Chapter Four: His Annoyance

Damn that Mustang, Damn this mission, and Damn all this snow! This mission was not turning out how it was supposed to.

This wasn't supposed to be this hard. Well, actually the more I thought about it, it probably was. Still, we weren't getting any breaks and I was frustrated.

Mustang's orders had been to go undercover as newer alchemy students and find the alchemist that went by the name Laverna in the town of Adair (which the bastard failed to mention was so far north!) and just pretty much look into her and see if she had anything to do with or knew anything about a couple of murders that happened over a decade ago.

Yeah, over a decade ago. Apparently when Pride had taken over the military, he decided to just ignore certain cases figuring they had nothing to do with his ultimate plan and no one would notice if they weren't looked into.

Sadly, he was right, no one noticed. That is until someone new was put in charge, and now all the state alchemists were being forced to pick up all the overlooked cases. Meaning me and Al had a lot of work ahead of us.

Then, because of Al and I's recent disappearance, many didn't know we were back from… wherever we were. It had only been a year since we had come back, and apparently we had been gone for two years, so most had given up on us coming back…coming home… or at least the closest thing to it.

Because of that though, Al and I were ideal for undercover missions. Like now, we were going to ask this Laverna if we could be her apprentices since Mustang believed she had something to do with a few murders over a decade ago. I could only hope that once we found the lady we could figure out what exactly had happened all those years ago. However, so far I was just getting beyond annoyed with this little mission.

First, I had to ride on the longest train ride possible which had managed to make me sore. I used to be able to ride trains for hours just a few years ago. When had I gotten so soft?

Next was my watch. Because we were incognito, Al and I had to leave out State Alchemist watches back at the hotel. Walking around with one of those strapped to your pocket for very long and someone was sure to notice. I was surprised when we entered the small town and no one recognized us from the jackets we wore. Guess people this far north didn't get as much gossip about the south.

It was strange, walking around the town without a single person recognizing us as State Alchemists. It had been so long since I had become one. Al probably was more used to it being as he had just passed the exam a little under a year ago.

Al… honestly I was worried about him. How could I not be? Sure, my life had been hard, but that was my own doing. I didn't have to become a State Alchemist at such a young age if I hadn't wanted to. I had made decisions and it was my own fault for how things had turned out.

But me making my choices had hurt my little brother. I had thrown his soul into a suit of armor for so long that I could only hope he wasn't too affected by it. I knew what I had done to disappear into an abyss, something having to do with the gate, and then I had come back two years later only to find my brother in his younger body with no memory of ever traveling around with me for all those years.

As terrible as it was, I almost felt thankful that he didn't remember. Being like that for so long… it must have been terrible for him. I can't even imagine.

But then we had disappeared together for two more years, I can only guess to the same place, and now… he remembered. Even though his body was still five years younger than it should have been, not that it showed, his mind was 19… so to speak. When Mustang had asked for Al's age; that had been awkward.

Since the moment we had gotten back, he hadn't really gotten a chance to speak to Al about it. Then again I have to admit to myself that I really hadn't been trying my hardest, damn it I was afraid that he might have started to hate me somewhere down the line. Could you blame him if he had?

Still, Al didn't appear to be that confused, but all the same I was worried. He wasn't exactly one to let me know when he was having problems. I remembered how he had been so worried that one time when he had feared he had just been made by me and all his memories were fake.

Then again, Al wasn't the only one I had to worry about.

Ever since we had come back, Winry had been glued to us, once again, not that I blamed her. Twice I had disappeared for more than a year, and this last time Al had gone with me.

So now, she refused to let us go on missions without her. Of course I had immediately rejected the idea. There were a million reasons that she shouldn't come along with us on our missions. Reason one being that there was always the chance of her getting hurt.

Sure, I worried about Al getting hurt; he was my little brother after all. But he had proven that he was skilled enough in alchemy that he had passed the State Alchemist exam easily. Physically, he could take care of himself. I was more concerned about his mental and emotional state because of what I had done to him.

Winry, by no means was I worried about her mental state… well sometimes I thought she might be mental with the way she was more obsessed with tools then with jewelry. I may not know much about girls, but I'm pretty sure that isn't normal.

However, her coming on missions was really risking her getting hurt. I had told her so the moment she suggested it. That just made us fight even more.

Finally, she just brought it up the idea with Mustang. The man knew how to get under my skin; he had been fine with it, even going as far as to encourage her tagging along with us.

I probably could have made a good enough argument for her to stay behind, or at least I thought I could have, but something told me to just shut up and let her do what she wanted. I could say I didn't know what made me keep my mouth shut, but that would be a lie. I felt guilty, was the truth.

Here all she wanted was to go with Al and me on our missions, and I was fighting her about it. I think I started fearing that she was going to start crying again.

I hated when she cried, and she had done enough of that when we had first gotten back. I hated that I was weak enough to throw all caution to the wind and let her come with us with minimal arguments. I hated that there was no perfect solution to this problem and either she was going to be emotionally hurt, or maybe physically hurt. I hated the way that even though I had let her come with me and Al and that we had been back for about a year and still sometimes I would catch her staring at one of us looking as if she was going to start crying. I hated the guilt that would engulf my body whenever I saw her like that.

But most of all at this very moment, I hated when someone knew something that you needed to know, and yet they refused to tell you!

Here he was in a shop just asking where he and his friends could find the alchemist Laverna, and the guy openly admits that he knows where she is but won't tell us where she is because, and I quote, "It's will just get you in trouble if I tell you."

What kind of crap is that?! It was moments like these that I really wanted to break cover, but knowing that could compromise the mission. Damn it all!

I think the only good thing that had happened since we had come to town was meeting that Ella girl.

She seemed sweet, although a little naïve. Something told me that there was more to her than she expressed. But that could have just been me being paranoid, as Winry says. Still, so far she was being helpful, even if she had managed to hurt herself in the first few minutes we had seen her. Really I found it pretty funny how she was constantly tripping on nothing. Although, Al seemed to have taken with her pretty well.

Maybe I didn't have to worry about him so much. After all, one of the things that had me more worried about anything was how he never noticed all the girls flocking around him since the moment we had got back. Sure he was polite, but then again this was Al, he was well-mannered with everybody.

I guess I just had expected for him to start noticing girls more. Then again, the idea of my little brother getting a girlfriend, kind of bothered me. Not that I didn't want him to be happy, but it worried me that he would end up with someone that would change him. I had heard of many circumstances where when someone got a significant other they tended to modify their personality for them. I didn't want that happening to Al.

So many things had changed, I needed for him to always be the same old naïve little brother who, not that I would never admit to anyone, kept me in line. Like now for instance.

Al and Winry's eyes glaring into the back of my head was the only thing that kept me from yelling at this old Mr. Fenan guy for not telling us where the alchemist Laverna was.

Somehow I managed a relatively calm answer to his refusal. "What the hell!" Okay, not very composed, whatever.

"Brother!" I heard Al yell at the exact same time that Winry screamed "Edward!" I've lost count how many times they've done that since we got back.

Sighing, I tried a different question. "Sir, we aren't looking for trouble. We just really need to speak to Miss Laverna." Seeing that neither Al nor Winry protested this time, I figured they approved of what I had just said.

Strangely, Mr. Fenan hadn't reacted to my earlier outburst, I could only figure he was either deaf or he just didn't get upset easily. "Mr. Edward, you may not be looking for trouble, but meeting her certainly will bring you more trouble than you want."

"Why?" I asked not giving up but knowing that this was a chance to learn a little more about our target.

"Well, I'm normally not one to gossip but-"

Mr. Fenan was cut off by Ella's giggles from the corner. Looking at her, her cheeks flared up a bright red. "Sorry," she murmured under her breath looking down again. I don't think I've meet anyone quite as bashful as that girl.

"But," Mr. Fenan continued, "Miss Laverna likes her privacy and she can get quite the temper when crossed. I suggest you don't bother her."

"Thanks but we have to find her," I said turning towards the others, "Do we need anything before we go?" I asked Al and Winry dropping the subject of Laverna. I had learned over the years that if I kept talking about something that was making me mad I tended to just become more furious. It was better for me to just go on and ask someone else where Laverna could be found.

"One sec," Al said grinning at me as he started picking out some fruit.

As him and Ella paid for the items they had picked out, I walked outside and leaned up against the front of the store.

More than ever I wanted to punch something. I was tired and frustrated. Why couldn't anything ever come easy to Al and I, and Winry for that matter as well? Involuntarily my fists clenched and I lifted up my arm, about to pound it against the wall.

"You know that won't help," Winry said stopping me before my fist hit the store front. I looked at her, only to find her gently smiling back at me. "What's up?" she asked as she joined me in leaning.

"Don't worry about it," I said trying to shake it off. I didn't want her or Al to worry.

"Ed, if you don't talk to me I can't help," she said seriously.

I wanted to tell her. I wanted to tell her everything. How I was worried about Al, how I worried about her. How I knew that I couldn't just sit and watch the world without helping, but at the moment doing all these missions I didn't feel like I was really helping anyone. And I was tired of it. I wanted to help, and all I felt like I was doing was wasting my time.

"Don't worry," she said catching me by surprise. How did she- "I'm worried about him too… and you."

I stared at her as she looked off in the distance refusing to look at me. "He always seems so happy, both of you do, but I can you both are just trying not to worry anyone and by not talking about it, you just worry me more," she admitted finally glancing at me.

"How did you know?" I whispered still trying to comprehend everything she had just said. She was worried? About Al and I?

She giggled slightly, "Who do you think you're dealing with? I've known you two practically your whole lives. I'm practically your sister."

It made sense, although I didn't like the last thing she had said. Sister never seemed to be the correct term for Winry. Hell if I knew what was though.

Just as I finally made up my mind to tell Winry everything, besides the stuff concerning her, Al and Ella walked out. "Tell you later," I said only to hear Winry sigh in response. It was obvious that she didn't believe me.

"So where to next?" Al asked Ella who looked extremely uncomfortable.

"Do you have to go to the bathroom or something?" I asked. Once again both Al and Winry yelled at me simultaneously. "What, I'm just asking!" I shouted back.

Ignoring me; both turned away from me and Al repeated his question. "What's the next place you need to go to?"

Ella answered as shyly as ever, "Umm… the butcher would be good."

"Lead the way then," Winry said smiling as she fell into step besides me and Al offered Ella his arm once again. It looked like to me that she wasn't putting as much weight on him as previously, so hopefully she would be fine by the end of the day.

Walking through town I couldn't help but notice how so many peoples' eyes were staring at us. If I wasn't used to it, it would have been unnerving. Suddenly I felt Winry brushing up against me slightly. I looked over at her and smiled understanding. Yes, she wasn't afraid, but she just needed someone close by to distract from all the eyes. Even I felt slightly uncomfortable.

I hate small towns; everybody knows everybody's business. I had enough of that to deal with when it came to Mustang.

Seeing how Ella was currently gripping Al's arm and looking down, I could assume that she wasn't used to the stares as well.

When we finally arrived at the butcher shop, Ella proceeded in by herself. We didn't really need anything so there was no reason for us to try and squeeze into the small shop. Plus, if we stayed outside we could question a few people on the street as to the whereabouts of Laverna.

However, before I could ask anyone about anything, Al stopped me giving me a look that obviously said we needed to talk. It didn't take much to understand that he didn't want to speak about whatever was on his mind in the middle of the street as well.

"Me and Al have to talk in private, we're just going around the corner," I said grabbing Winry's arm and leaning in close, although afterwards I immediately regretted it.

Being so close to Winry… I felt like my heart was going wild. Where my hand felt like it was on fire as it held her wrist. I felt like all of my senses were heightened drastically. Everything suddenly seemed sharper than before, I could feel every small breeze darted across my face, I could smell the thickness of the winter air, and my mouth abruptly felt dry.

Then she turned to me with our faces not even inches apart. I think I forgot to breathe. Looking into her bright blue eyes I remember just exactly who I was dealing with and pushed these strange thoughts and feelings away, like always.

"I'll wait here in case Ella comes out," she said sounding a bit breathless. Then again that probably was just my imagination.

I nodded, but I found that my feet were unable to move. I should step away, kept repeating in my head. Hell, I need to step away. But I couldn't. I don't know how long I just stood like that, it was surprising that Winry hadn't stepped back either. We just stared.

"Brother!" Al said effectively waking me from my trance.

Quickly, I stood up straight wondering what exactly had just happened. I'm sure my eyes were wide in surprise just like Winry's were as she stared at me. I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out… well nothing that made any sense. I think some sort of nonsensical sound came out because upon hearing it I snapped my mouth shut in embarrassment.

Then without another word, I turned and started to walk away.

"Ed!" I heard her say suddenly, making me whip around to face her without even thinking about it. "You'll tell me everything later right?" she asked looking concerned.

I couldn't even speak, I just nodded my head wondering if she meant everything as in "everything everything" or as in everything me and Al were going to talk about. I'm sure I could figure it out later.

I headed around the corner to speak with Al. I could only hope he didn't notice how flustered I was, because then I was never going to hear the end of it.

He seemed to have something already on his mind though, and jumped right on it. "Ed, I'm worried about Ella."

My mind still seemed dulled because for a second I couldn't remember who the hell Ella was. When I finally did, I didn't have a clue what Al was talking about. "Ella?" I asked puzzled. "Ella, as in the girl we met today?"

"Yeah!" my little brother said getting all worked up over it. "There's more to her than it seems I just know it," he said looking at me as determined as ever.

I couldn't really argue, I mean I already thought so, but there really wasn't any solid evidence so- "Al, don't worry about it. There's always more to people than we think," I said patting his shoulder.

"No brother," he said jerking away. "I'm serious, there is something going on here with her that the whole town knows about."

"Al, did you get enough sleep last night, I know that you didn't have to sleep for so long, so are you having troub-"

"Brother," he wined.

"Okay okay," I said holding up my hands in surrender. "What makes you think there is more to Ella than her just being a normal hardworking timid girl?"

"No one will look at her."

How was I supposed to answer that? "Umm… Al, you do realize she isn't someone to really stand out in a crowd?" He looked at me blankly. I tried to elaborate, "Brown hair, brown eyes, looks down a lot… yeah doesn't really stand out so much."

"What are you talking about Ed, she stands out just as much as anyone else," he said incredulously.

I couldn't believe it, here I was worried about my brother noticing girls and the first one he finally looked at, like really looked at, was practically a wall flower. Not that that was bad, just surprising I guess. Hell, this was my little brother, he always had a talent for seeing the good in people; this was probably just something like that.

"Trust me Al, she just doesn't attract a lot of attention, that's why people weren't staring at her."

"It's not like that," he immediately protested only to correct himself, "Well, a lot of people didn't notice her at all, but seriously brother." He leaned forward and whispered fiercely, "There were a bunch of people that would look at her and then immediately look away like they never saw her, like they wanted to act as if they hadn't noticed her in the first place."

Well, that was strange. As far as I could tell, Ella wasn't someone to fear or hate. Her largest fault seemed to be that she was clumsy, but that was hardly enough to have people feel awkward around her. I decided I would have to see the people's reactions to make any sort of label on it.

"I'll keep an eye out for it, but for now we should just get back to the girls." Walking around the corner we were just in time to see Ella stumble out of the butcher's shop smiling but not looking truly happy.

"Hey there handsome," I suddenly heard in my ear. I jumped in surprise whirling to find a girl leering at me. She was blonde and had… ahem, she was pretty big, I mean pretty. But the way she looked at me felt like I was a piece of meat. I didn't feel flattered at all though, more so just embarrassed. "Do you want to have a good time?" she asked grabbing my hand.

When the hell did girls get so forward?! I'm sure that my cheeks were pink if not red; I didn't even know this girl.

"I'm good," I said trying to pull away from her. It proved to be a much harder task than anticipated though when I found myself between the store front and her body as she snaked her arms up to my chest. Damn girl, wasn't going to give up so easily.

I looked first to Al for help, but he just seemed amused by the entire situation, so much for family helping family. Looking over at Winry I could easily tell that she wasn't going to help me either. If anything she looked kinda pissed. Great, just great, I don't even do anything and Winry's going to be mad at me.

Ella, she was my last hope… too bad she currently seemed to be trying to be invisible. Still, it was an interesting reaction when the girl who was practically on top of me noticed Ella. She looked surprised at seeing her, and then averted her eyes away quickly. "Umm, I'll talk to you later," she practically whispered before removing her hands from my chest before walking away. Bipolar much? Then again there was something in her eyes that I just couldn't place.

"Who was that?" Al asked breaking the silence that had followed the departure of the girl.

"Jessica Thompson," she looked at Ed blushing, "she really likes boys."

I was horrified while Al and Winry just laughed at me. Then again, it was kinda funny, and so I joined in chuckling. When Ella added her little giggle into the mix, well, by the time we calmed down all of our stomachs hurt.


Sometimes I'm confused by what I think is really obvious. But what I think is really obvious obviously isn't obvious…--Michael Stipe –chapter 4


Only one thing to say, yes, Al is a state alchemist, wonder what his name is… Okay, that's all, review please and hope you enjoyed.