A/N: Yeah... So it's been 6 months... I was looking back at my other author's notes and noticed how annoying I sounded. I'll do my best not to do that anymore, but I'm not sure if I'm in control of that or not... Oh well. Also, since it's been so long, I don't remember changes I might have made so sorry if it doesn't make sense sometimes.

Edme: Thank you, Edme. I'm trying to improve my characterization because honestly, I don't think I'm doing that too well )XD O well, and thank you again so much for consideration.

The Ever-Blue Alchemist: Your welcome...? ANSWER YOUR PHONE.

Zadierose: YOU ARE NOT FORGIVEN FOR SHORTNESS O.O nah, I'm okay. Also, stop giving away things in your reviews! And yeah I don't want you proof reading things anymore CX( if I mess up, I mess up, but I like it better when you (kind of) don't know what's happening.

Here you go!


"Ed! She passed out!" I screamed. "I think they poisoned her!"

"Dammit, really? This is bad! What are we gonna do?"

"Well, first of all, we'd better get out here quick. This building will explode," I said matter-of-factly.

"What?" Ed screamed nervously. "Why?"

I laughed and said, "Because I don't like it!"

Ed looked at me, mouth agape, shocked.

"Well, don't just stand there! This side of the building is close to home so make one of your magic doors and I'll get Alice!" I said explained quickly.

I leaned down to pick up Alice. Once she was snug in my arms, I noticed a drop of blood on her head. I frowned, sure it hadn't been there before. Then another drop joined it.

The blood was dripping off of me! Ew.

"Door's done, Elaine! Let's get out of here!" Ed said just as explosions shook the building.

We ran out the door and into the streets of Rush Valley. It was about noon, so there were plenty of of people out. I was sure we had attracted attention but at the moment, I didn't care.

What mattered was the fact that Alice was burning up. Her fever was getting worse and worse by the minute.

Finally, we were back in the living room of our temporary home.

I laid Alice gently on the couch and asked Ed to go into the kitchen and get a wet rag.

I arranged the rag on Alice's forehead to help bring down the fever.

"Hey, Ed," I said suddenly. "You're an experienced alchemist, right?"

"Well, I guess," he shrugged. "Why?"

"Do you think it's possible to locate the poison in Alice and take it out?" I asked desperately.

Shocked, Ed looked at me for a long time.

"Well, is it?" I pressed.

"I-I'm not sure," he replied, obviously shaken. "There's a good chance that you could lose control and..." he got quiet.

"And what?" I asked nervously.

"...and the poison could enter your bloodstream instead. Biological transmutation is tricky..." he said.

A rebound, huh? Well, if it's for Alice...

"Tell me how," I said quietly.

"But, Elaine-" he started.

"No buts!" I interrupted. "We have to save Alice! No matter the cost."

"Alright," Ed said after a while. "If it's you, I know I wont be able to change your mind."

He went over to the bookshelf and took out a blank notepad.

"Al, come help me with this," he called.

They wrote notes and drew diagrams representing different theories as I hovered over Alice. After about 10 minutes, Ed's face lit up.

"This is it!" he shouted. "Elaine, take a look at this."

His theory was simple. After analyzing the symptoms, he realized that the poison had to consist of elements that would contradict the components of the body. Since I knew what the components were, I could transmute water to enter the bloodstream. By riding the current of the blood, the water would travel through Alice's body, soaking up the poison upon contact. Then, simply transmute the water again to extract.

I smiled and said, "You know what, Ed? You might just be a genius!"

"Thanks?" he seemed confused. "Do you think you can do it? A rebound could be deadly."

Nodding, I replied, "Transmuting water is my specialty. Go fill up a cup with cold water and bring it out here."

I knelt beside Alice and took her hand. Don't worry, Alice, I thought to myself. I wont let anything bad happen to you.

When Ed came back with the water, I clapped my hands together and laid them on the surface. The water glowed blue as alchemical energy broke down the molecules, recreating them somewhere else.

Then the water shot out form the cup and into Alice's mouth. Once in the bloodstream, it began to absorb the poison.

After a minute or so, I guided the water back into the cup. When the blue glow form the transmutation faded, the water turned murky and cloudy. Damn, that was a lot of poison.

"You should analyze that to make sure there aren't any permanent side effects," I said shakily. The transmutation had drained my energy.

"I will, but first we have to take of you," Ed pointed out. "That cut on your neck is deep, and you have numerous smaller cuts on your arms and legs."

I placed my hand on my neck where the first henchman had held the knife. When I pulled it away, my hand was stained red. Damn, he got me after all.

Then, I properly examined myself and found many cuts and bruises I hadn't noticed in the heat of my battle.

"Woah!" I breathed. "It's amazing how I never felt these before."

"You should clean those before they get infected, stupid!" Ed replied. "I'll go get the first aid kit."

For the first time in a while, I laughed whole-heartedly. "I haven't needed first aid kit for 3 years! I learned this neat when I was 14. Wanna see?" I smirked mischievously.

"Of course!" Ed laughed.

I went into the kitchen and filled the sink with warm water. Then I rolled up my sleeves and my left pant-leg to expose all the cuts. Clapping my hands together, I transmuted the water. It glowed blue and wrapped around my arms and leg. A ring formed around my neck as well.

After a few seconds, I put the water back in the sink.

"Take a look," I told Ed.

He was shocked as he peered in. "It's filthy!"

And he was right. The water had turned a muddy red with blood and dirt.

"I used the water to clean my wounds and stop the bleeding. If I do this every morning and every night, it will protect me from infection," I explained as I drained the sink.

"Hey, Elaine," Ed said suddenly. "Is your right leg automail by chance?"

I was taken slightly aback but then relaxed myself. How long did I really think I could keep it a secret? "Bravo, Edward," I smiled sadly. "Yes, my right leg is mechanical." Then I rolled up my other pant leg to show it.

He knelt to examine it and asked quietly, "Did you see it?"

I stiffened. "I... I... Yes, I did. I'm assuming you did as well."

He nodded and replied. "I only... We just..." He shifted away from me.

"I understand," I said then thought to myself, This person... He may be just like me... "And Alice? Does she know?"

"About me? You? Truth?" he smiled. "I wouldn't know. She doesn't talk much."

I laughed. "I noticed."

We were both silent for a long time before I heard Alice stir in the living room.

"Alice!" I said as I rushed to her side.

Her eyes fluttered open and turned to me.

"E-Elaine?" she whispered. "W-what happened to me?"

"You were poisoned by a bunch of low-life cowards," I said. "But don't worry, we took care of it."

Then she looked past me and whispered, "Ed..." real soft.

He knelt down next to me and said, "I'm right here, Alice."

She smiled weakly at us both. "Where's Al?" she whispered. "Is he ok?"

"Don't worry, Alice," Al called from across the room. "I've been here with eveyrone else waiting for you," he smiled.

"Thanks," she said, working hard to bring up the slightest smile.

"You should probably rest," I told her.

"N-no, I'm fine," she replied.

"Really, you should sleep," Ed pressed.

She tried to get up. "I've caused you enough trouble. I'll just-" she gasped in shock and clutched and clutched her stomach.

"Are you okay? I asked, worried.

"I-I'm fine, really," she tried to convince me but I wasn't falling for it.

"No, lie down," I said firmly. "Stay here. I'll bring you a fresh towel and whip up some soup."

"But-" she started, but I was already gone.


(Alice POV)

It felt weird lying there, helpless and weak.

"She's doing it for your own good," Ed told me, kneeling in front of me.

"I know but... I just don't want to be a burden. She's done more than enough for me," I explained.

"Don't worry about it! She just cares for you. Like a little sister," he sympathized.

Little sister... I sighed. "I guess I'll just have to go along with it," I laughed softly.

"Okay, I'm back! I just started the soup so it should be done in about-"

"Let me help you!" I cut Elaine off as she entered the room, also forgetting about the statement I'd just made. I tried getting up again, forgetting what had happened last time. "Why can't I- OW!" I fell back.

"That is w you can't help," Elaine chuckled as she handed me a damp towel.

"Sorry..." I mumbled.

"Don't be," Elaine assured. "Just go to sleep and yo can eat when you wake up.

"Th-thanks," I replied awkwardly.

I fell asleep gently the second my head touched my pillow.

My dream started out quite peacefully. I dreamt of my sister, Aimee.

We played by the lake near or house like we always did. Her spiky hair and my curls flowing in the small wind. It seemed like any other day. We laughed and chased each other. Catch me, Alice! Aimee squealed. I played along and reached for her but tripped and fell instead. When I looked up, there were tears in her eyes as she shimmered away. I grabbed at her, but my feet wouldn't budge and she disappeared, leaving me reaching for nothing but air.

Horrified, I shot up, waking up Ed who was falling asleep on a chair next to me.

"Ed?" I said. "Were you watching me?"

"Yeah, Elaine wanted me to check on you. Are you okay...?" he asked, worried.

"Of course. Why would you-" I suddenly noticed I had tears streaming down my face. Aimee...

"Is something wrong? Are you hurting?"

"I-I... I just... Sorry!" I burst out of my blanket on the couch and ran to my room, closing the door behind me.


A/N: I'll try my best to upload faster form now on. I think I've found some more time. I would appreciate feedback on what I'm doing wrong. Please and Thank You. Until next time...