Thank you again for your kind reviews. I'm started to slow up with writing, but don't worry. I'll still have one chapter uploaded each day. There's an estimated three more chapters after this one. I'm not sure if I want to write the last chapter or not. It's really nothing to do with the story just something extra that some might want, but I'll talk about that later. This chapter isn't going to be too long. I want to put most of the work in the next chapter. Anyway onward.

Warnings: Recap to what happened not in much detail.

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Chapter Seven

I've never thought that I would envy Al right at this moment. To be able to run nonstop without feeling the aching muscles or the out of breath sensations. I stopped for a few minutes, attempting to catch my breath. Hiding in-between two buildings, my whole body stung and screamed. I could feel blood rolling down my thighs. I knew I wasn't going to last much longer. My vision was already started to blur, and I could barely feel anything from my waist down. I didn't know who to trust, and I wanted to return to Mustang's house, but I was lost.

None of the buildings looked familiar. In fact, the streets didn't look like anything I've known. I held onto the corner of the building, moving slowly down the street and turning another corner. No matter whether I turned left or right or continued straight, I couldn't find any direction that led me to a main street. Hearing someone coming, I feared that it was someone coming to take me back to that hell hole. I hid completely in the shadows produced by the setting sun. I found a trashcan further in the small passageway and hid behind it.

I shivered from the cold and fear of anticipation over who it could be. Over my rapidly beating heart, I heard the soft metal footsteps of a familiar sound. Standing up and moving to the edge of the walkway, I grabbed the metal arm and pulled the surprised person into the shadows. Al grabbed my arm and pinned me to the wall. I winced from the pain. "Ed!" he shouted and hugged me.

"Al, please," I whimpered. The pain was becoming too much. I just wanted to hid and heal. Having him near me, eased the fear I was having. "Let me hid inside of your."

"But, brother."

"No time to explain. Please, Al."

"Why are you naked and covered in blood and dirt? What happened, Ed!" Growing frustrated with his constant nagging, I pulled the breastplate off him and struggled to climb inside. He didn't fight me. In fact, he helped me climb in. It felt strange being inside of him, knowing that this was a person. This was my brother, not some hunk of junk or spare armor. "Brother, I'm going to start walking. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Al. Please. Let's go back to our room. I promise I'll tell you anything you want to know. Just, please, please get me back there." He didn't protest anymore. My body screamed with each of his motions, but I bit my lip so I wouldn't worry him. I didn't need him stopping. I thanked every god up there for the blessing they/she/he shined down on me. I didn't ask why Al was walking in that part of town. I really didn't care. He was my savor. I felt myself drifting in and out of reality numerous times, but some miracle kept my eyes open.

"Brother, still okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Please stop asking. How much further?" Not even standing on my tip toes would I be able to look out through his helmet. I didn't even bother to try. I knew that answer.

"Everybody's been looking for you. I think I should take you to the hospital."

"Don't. I'm begging you. Just this once will you not look out for my wellbeing and do something reckless. I just want to take a bath. I want to get this blood off me."

"Where are you injured? Is it your back?"

"Yeah. It is," I lied. I didn't want to tell him the truth. Not right that moment. Actually, I wanted to forever keep that part from him. As far as I'm concerned, a wound in my back is all he should know. I don't want to dirty his mind. I enjoy the innocence that he still has.

"Mustang is worried about you," Al said suddenly, knocking me out of my thoughts of how life was in Resembool. "He mentioned finding you naked in his room, and he accidentally scared you off. Talk to me. Why were you naked in his house?" The painful memories played over and over again in my mind, causing the once stilled tears to fall. He accidentally? I couldn't believe. I was sure he knew exactly what he was saying to me. "Brother?"

"No one would believe," I whispered.

Al stopped suddenly. "What happened? Tell me now. I'm not waiting until we get back to out room. We still have a half hour walk." Half hour walk? I couldn't believe my ears. I never imaged that we were so far from the room we called a temporary home in the barracks.

"I'm sorry, Al. I failed at finding another way to get our hands on a Philosopher's Stone. I heard that someone knew a way to make one that would give us one wish and didn't require using human souls. I didn't want to get your hopes up so I decided to research it on my own. I…"

"Al!" I knew that voice. I started to shake inside of the armor. I couldn't face him at that moment. He sounded at least a block away. It was difficult to figure out if it was just the echoes from being in the armor or maybe he really was a block away.

"Please don't tell him I'm here."

"I can't lie to Mustang. He's been searching for twelve hours now." Twelve hours. I've been gone for twelve hours. It didn't feel that way at all. I must have been unconscious the first time for much longer than I guessed.

"If you tell him I'm here, I'll take off, and you'll never find me. I swear." I hated making threats like that, but Al was being too stubborn. I didn't have the courage to face Mustang at that moment. I reached up and brushed away a few tears. I couldn't figure out whether I was more upset about telling my brother to lie to Mustang, or knowing that I'd hurt him with that lie.

"Find anything." Mustang was much closer now. I placed my hand on the breastplate and imagined what he would be like. Was he flushed from running? Were those dark circles more visible? Was he wearing his military uniform, or was he wearing his nightwear? I wanted so badly to curl up in his arms and feel his heat like I did when he carried me. I felt my legs give away, and I crashed into the back of Al.

He tumbled slightly. "No, but if I did you'd be the first to know." Al tired to play out his stumble. I was proud and grateful of what he was doing for me. I couldn't tell you how much it meant to me. Slowly getting up, I balanced my weight on my legs again.

"Are you okay, Al?" He must have been swaying or something to alert Mustang's attention after his stumble.

"Yes, I'm fine. There must have been a stone under my foot." My head spun, and I took another fall. This time I knocked Al completely off his feet. I couldn't get up again. "Ed," he said in a whisper, but I knew our cover was blown. "I'm sorry, sir. I lied to you. Ed's inside of me. He asked me not to tell anyone, but he doesn't look too well. Please, help him."

"You traitor," I murmured, unable to stand any longer. Mustang opened Al's chest.

"Edward," he said softly and full of concern. His black eyes reveal all his pain and sorrow. He wasn't trying to hide anything. My eyes drifted shut. I was feeling protected again. "Al, can you walk with him in there? We need to get him to the hospital."

"No," I whispered. I must have looked horrible from my waist up because I knew he couldn't see anything lower than that.

"You have no choice in the matter, Fullmetal. It's a direct order." I groaned and tried to stand up, but all the strength I had was holding my eyes open. I remembered Mustang reaching down to help Al stand up, but the rest of the trip was a blur. I must have fallen asleep sometime through it. To this day, I haven't asked Al how he got me to the hospital. The less I remember of that day the better.

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Another chapter done. YAY! Two or three more chapters left. We are almost through this one. I'll have another chapter up hopefully tomorrow, but I've been running into blocks on that chapter. Hopefully I figure them out soon. LOL Thanks for reading please review

Angel Dove