A/N: Sorry for the long wait everyone! I know it's been a long while since I updated this story. On a bright note I have a new job, but that also means that I have very little time to write. As we are getting close to the larger events in the story hopefully I'll be able to get the chapters out quicker. I love you all and thank you for hanging with this story as it grows!

The mighty fall (pt 2)

Envy bolted out of Central's office as fast as he could without raising suspicion. Just being around the same building as Roy made his skin crawl and temper rise. He knew he was going to get a tongue lashing from Ed for clocking his ex-lover but it had felt oh so good. Besides, the bastard had it coming anyway.

By the time Envy had reached the apartment Ed had already returned with Alphonse and the two were digging through a variety of rare alchemy texts that Envy had collected over the years. As the door creaked open, Ed looked up for a moment and a brief flash of emotion darted across his beautiful golden eyes before Envy could properly discern what it was. Standing, he walked over to the homunculus. Envy took off the trademark red jacket and the state watch and held them towards the smaller man expectantly. To his surprise, Ed walked right by them and embraced Envy in a tight hug. "Thank you" he whispered.

The homunculus was frozen. He didn't know what to do. If he moved he feared that the alchemist would let go and he certainly didn't want that. So for a moment that was both an eternity and an instant, he stood still feeling the smaller body pressed against him. Finally he replied in a voice that he hoped wasn't as shaky as he felt. "No problem pipsqueak."

As soon as the words left his mouth he knew something was wrong. He heard the creak of Al's armor as the young boy turned his head and flinched simultaneously, knowing what was about to come from the blonde alchemist. But the expected explosion never came. Ed just looked up at Envy and smiled before taking back his jacket and hanging his watch from his hip. Even though Alphonse could not really display emotion Envy could tell by their shared glance that the younger man was as shocked as he was as Ed took his place back on the couch. Ed had just let a statement about his height go unnoticed. Hell must be freezing over.

Ed didn't seem to notice the look Envy and his brother had shared however, and resumed working. Occasionally he would make a note in his personal journal or give a quick grunt to indicate he found something particularly interesting. Quickly, Al had become enthralled once again with the work as well, and that left Envy with nothing to do but watch. Technically his orders from Dante were to observe the Fullmetal Alchemist and that's exactly what he was doing. The fact that watching Ed joyfully work away the day made Envy happy was just an extra bonus.

Come nightfall, Ed and Al had generated nearly an entire books worth of information that they deemed useful. Ed let out a loud yawn as Alphonse stood. "I think it's time we get going brother. We have enough material here that we should be busy for months!" The excitement in the young man's voice was contagious and Ed certainly shared it. However, as the blonde stole a look over his shoulder at Envy, who had barely moved an inch all day as to let Ed and Al work in peace, he felt guilty just leaving. Ed turned to his brother. "Go back to our place Al. I'll be home later. There are some things I need to talk about with Envy".

The homunculus perked up at hearing his name. Well that and the fact that Ed would be staying a little longer. He mentally smacked himself for that thought. So he liked the brat. That was still no reason to behave like a love-sick child. Envy was so busy with his internal conversation that it wasn't until a pillow hit him square in his face that he realized Al had left and Ed was calling his name. The alchemist was turned on the couch and had his arms hanging over the side from when he had thrown the pillow. When Envy finally looked up, the alchemist smiled. "We need to talk. Some things just don't add up."

Envy sighted. He had known that eventually he'd have to explain himself to the other man. The only problem is he didn't know exactly what to say. It was obvious that he was under orders to watch the alchemist, but he didn't know exactly why he had developed this obsession with the younger man. It was still foreign to him. So trying to explain it would be hopeless.

Walking over to the far side of the room, Envy sat on the ground, looking up at Ed sitting on the couch. The alchemist took that as his sign to continue.

"I really do appreciate all that you've done for me the last few days. Really I do." Ed started shifting his weight nervously. "But I don't know why you did it. I mean last time we met you nearly killed me." Envy had to look at the ground to hide his eyes. For some reason that little asset of their past together made him feel horribly guilty now. He didn't look up as he shrugged. "I'm just following orders." The homunculus mumbled. Ed didn't believe him. Standing he walked over to Envy and sat in front of him.

"Envy, while I know you have orders to watch me. I also know that I'm not here now because of those orders. You chose to save me. I want to know why." Ed reached out and grabbed Envy's hand. The homunculus' eyes napped up to his. Ed had no idea what he was doing. Whenever he had been around Roy it was either sex or work, but just sitting her talking to Envy made him feel… content. It was strange and he didn't understand it but he knew he wanted to. "Tell me the truth Envy. Why did you save me?"

For a moment, the homunculus didn't reply, but he also did not break Ed's gaze. Finally, after a deep breath he spoke. "Honestly I don't know. I'm ordered to gather information of you, and when the time is right, to bring you in. For some reason however, that night, I couldn't bring myself to take you to my master. You looked so hurt that I brought you here to try and help you. I'm not sure why I did it. I'm not sure what I'm doing at all."

Ed smiled a small personal smile at Envy. Envy thought he was going to say something but then the alchemist stood and walked over to his jacket and picked it up. He turned back to the homunculus.

"Thank you Envy. For everything". And with that, he turned and left. Leaving Envy sitting on the floor alone with his thoughts.

*tttt*

A/N: Tune in next time folks! Thanks for reading and don't forget to review!