November 15th, 1958

Riza did not sleep again after the others left. Instead she took out a book she had brought with her on the trip to pass the time - and had so never gotten to it - made some tea, and sat down in the living room to read. Slowly the house came awake around her. She heard the sounds of breakfast being made and the Groves' stirring upstairs.

She was still sitting in the comfortable easy chair, her injured ankle resting on the cushioned foot stool, when Alphonse came downstairs looking bleary-eyed and a little bewildered.

"It's so quiet around here," he commented, rubbing his eye with one hand. "Where is everybody?" He smirked weakly. "Don't tell me they all slept in."

Riza had not been looking forward to this moment. She knew Alphonse was going to be upset when he knew the truth. "No. They went out."

"Out?" Al blinked, frowning. "Where'd they go? I thought we were going back to the hospital this morning."

"They went back to the lab." Riza had no reason to hide the truth, nor did she intend to lie to Al about anything.

The expression on Al's face shifted from confusion, to shock, to hurt anger. "They left...without me and you? Why the hell would they do that?"

"I stayed on purpose," Riza admitted, setting down her cup of tea.

Realization dawned. "I'm the only one who got left behind. So you knew? You knew they were leaving! Why didn't anyone tell me?" Al's fists clenched in frustration.

"It was Edward's plan," Riza explained patiently. "He, Roy, Winry and Tore are going back to find out anymore information they can get and destroy the lab permanently."

"I should be going with them," Al shouted, fully awake now! "And you still haven't answered my question. Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"Because you need to be with Elicia," Riza said calmly, refusing to raise her voice. She met his hurt, angry gaze with her all-business expression. "Because you're furious about what happened and you almost beat up Edward trying to go get vengeance less than two days ago."

"It's my right!" Al countered, voice getting louder. "That bastard raped my wife! He tried to turn her into a chimera! He deserves to die!"

Riza nodded, sympathetic and saddened at the same time. "And this is why you and I are still here, Alphonse. You need to be rational."

"You said this was Edward's idea," Al snorted, his fists still tightly clenched. "But none of you trusted me even enough to tell me you were going. I didn't have a say in the issue."

"Would you have left Elicia alone for six or seven days?" Riza asked pointedly. "Would you have risked dying and leaving her alone, terrified, and hurt the way she is?"

She saw the faltering in Al's eyes. He opened his mouth to speak repeatedly, closing it each time as his emotions warred inside, flickering briefly across his face from time to time. "Fine," he growled, turning away. "It's too late anyway, right? I can't do anything but be a good little hostage."

"Oh, Al..." Riza sighed. "Please calm down. No one wanted to deceive you or to hurt you. We care about you and Elicia."

"Yeah I know." Al only looked partly convinced but at least he wasn't ranting now. That was the advantage of dealing with Al over Ed. Al calmed down faster. "So, does that mean we're stuck here or are we going over to see Elicia?"

"The car's ready whenever we want to go visit," Riza smiled gently. "Do you want breakfast? It sounds like it's almost ready."

Al shrugged. "Sure. I'd like to get over there as soon as possible though."

"I promise not to dawdle," Riza replied, closing her book and slowly getting to her feet. It took a moment with her ankle. Al came to her side, helping her up. "Thank you."

"It's nothing," Al's reply was gruff, but softer. He was still upset, clearly, but it wasn't in Al to not help when he could. That was a good sign. Riza just hoped that Elicia would be better today. Al was going to need all the cheering up and distraction Riza could manage for the next several days.

She still wasn't entirely sure he wouldn't try and go after the others.

Alphonse stopped arguing with Riza only because he knew it wouldn't do any good. Besides, it wasn't Riza's fault. Realistically, she was there because with her ankle she shouldn't be involved in the mission. She was doing what was wise and what she had apparently been asked to do. No, it wasn't her fault. It was Edward's fault. She had called it Edward's plan. His brother was the one who had simply decided outright that Al couldn't handle the mission and had kept him in the dark. Not that he didn't feel betrayed by the fact that everyone - including Groves he found out at breakfast - had known about this plan except for him!

He tried not to be sullen or uncooperative at breakfast. It might have been delicious, but Al didn't really register much of what went into his mouth. His thoughts were focused too much on the feeling of betrayal he couldn't shove away and concerns about Elicia.

When they were done eating, Al and Riza went over to the hospital to see Elicia. Al hoped she was feeling better today. Any improvement at all would be a good sign and he hoped it would help his mood.

It was not an encouraging day.

Elicia was awake when they arrived but Doctor Bure did not look pleased. ::I'm glad you're here,:: he commented as they arrived. ::She had an episode this morning and we're having some trouble getting her calmed back down.::

::What do you mean episode?:: Al asked sharply.

::She woke up screaming from her sleep and spent nearly twenty minutes trying to fight off even the female nurses,:: Bure explained patiently. ::She thought she was still captured.::

Nightmares, flashbacks. Shit. Al knew those symptoms all too well. Edward had suffered from them after the Xing War. Al had dealt with them himself after Aerugo; though his had been nightmares mostly, brought on by guilt and anguish. He hadn't suffered from the flashbacks Ed had described. ::Has she come around yet?:: he asked.

::Only in the last five minutes,:: the doctor replied. ::She's still rather distraught.::

Al wanted to cry when he entered Elicia's room. She was curled up on the floor again, huddled in the back corner, sobbing softly, her knees hugged tight to her chest. She still wore nothing but a hospital gown and a little wool cap they had given her to cover her head - for warmth and for the sake of dignity. "Elicia?"

She jumped, staring up at him, tears streaming down her face. Shame crossed those beautiful features and she looked away. "I'm...I'm so sorry!" she whimpered.

"What for?" Al approached slowly, grateful that from him, at least, she wasn't trying to bolt. "You haven't done anything wrong." He crouched down next to her. "You just had a bad dream. It's all okay now."

"It's… not okay!" Elicia wailed, breaking out in fresh hard sobbing. "I'm a....a complete basket case! I hate this!"

Al put his arms around Elicia on impulse and was relieved when she didn't pull away. She collapsed against him the way she had the day before and remained there for another ten minutes, just crying. Al soothed and shushed and tried to calm her. When she finally quieted he kissed her forehead. "It's okay to hate this...." he promised softly. "It takes time remember? You gave me everything after the war, and I'm here for you. Whatever you need, just please let me help."

"Oh Al," Elicia sniffled and for a moment he feared she would start crying again. "Thank you...."

"I'm here, my love." Al tenderly caressed her cheek with one hand, the other still around her thin frame. "Now, how about we get up off this cold floor?"

Elicia smiled weakly through her tears, nodding. "Okay."

Once Elicia was tucked back up in bed, Al stayed while the nurses came and did the work they had tried to do earlier that morning already. Still weak, still sick despite the lack of fever, Elicia no longer fought them. Instead she apologized profusely for her earlier behavior. The ever-patient nurses nodded, smiled, and told her it was all right. They brought food, but Elicia gave the tray one look and ignored it.

"You should eat," Al urged. Elicia had never been large, but she was starting to look gaunt.

"I'm...I'm not hungry," Elicia replied.

"I don't buy it," Al smiled, hoping she would respond. "Come on this looks umm.... edible." It was hospital food; he couldn't lie and say it looked delicious.

Elicia shrugged, but she reached for the plate and fork. "All right."

Al managed to encourage her to eat about half of the meal. He wasn't going to press further. Not too hard, not too fast. She seemed so fragile. "See."

"Yeah...edible," was her entire comment in response.

It was the first time in over twenty-five years Al could remember them ever having an awkward silence. "So...."

"Yeah?"

"I...I don't know what to say," Al admitted. The idea was overwhelmingly depressing.

Elicia's expression fell from wondering to sad. "Oh."

For the first time, in a long time, Al had no idea what to say to the woman he loved.

Riza tried not to be in the way during the day. She did visit with Elicia a couple of times, usually when Al was talking with the doctor or on the brief period where Riza basically kicked him out to make him go eat. She and Elicia chitchatted some, about nothing serious in particular at first.

"Riza," Elicia finally asked her during her second visit, while Al was hunting down the bathroom, "Everyone else went after him, didn't they?"

Riza didn't have to ask who Elicia meant. "They did," she nodded. "How did you know?"

"They're not here," Elicia pointed out, "And... and Alphonse hasn't said a word about them all day. That usually means he's upset."

At least her reasoning was intact. Riza nodded. "They left this morning. They're going to try and destroy the entire facility."

"Good," Elicia replied with a forcefulness that apparently startled her. Her cheeks flushed pink. "I mean...."

"You mean you hope they give the bastard what he deserves," Riza smirked. "I hope so too. Don't worry; if anyone can handle him, it's Roy and Edward. They've done this before."

"So I've heard." Elicia nodded thoughtfully. Her eyes drooped a little and she shook herself. "Don't...don't tell Al I know. If he didn't want to ...to tell me I'm sure there's a reason."

"I won't," Riza promised, though she didn't really see it as a big deal. Still, she would keep her word. Al could tell Elicia for himself about his own anger at being left behind. She was sure that was why he hadn't said anything to Elicia; he hadn't gotten to make the choice after all. He was probably still dealing with his feelings on his own.

By the time they got back to the house in the evening, Alphonse was tired, irritated, and frustrated. He wasn't upset with Elicia of course; how could he be? But his poor wife's fragile sense of stability and safety ate away at him. Seeing her sobbing, wailing, even sleeping fitfully - she still dozed off often - made him want to cry again himself. They had stayed through dinner, until the doctors kicked them out at eight o'clock sharp just like they had the nights before.

Doctor Bure's words were, well, not discouraging necessarily, but nor did they lift Al's spirits or give him hope of anything resembling a quick recovery on Elicia's part. She woke again from her afternoon nap screaming about obscenities that made Al cringe and it had taken an hour to calm her down again.

By the time Al stepped in the door, he felt like a nervous wreck himself. There was not a word from Edward or the others when they returned. Al hadn't really been expecting it. No, there would be no word, not until they got back probably. Ed wouldn't bother to keep his brother updated on the status of the death of his wife's tormentor or the destruction of a den of alchemical horrors.

Damn it, Brother! Why couldn't you have at least asked me if I wanted to go or stay? Did Ed really think him that incapable? Even after all this time? Since when had Al ever been anything other than trustworthy on a mission?

He was too agitated to sit and try and make small talk with Riza and the Groves. "Sorry," he shook his head curtly at Riza's offer. "I'm not very good company at the moment."

"I understand," Riza replied softly before joining their hosts.

Al went upstairs, closed the door behind him, and dropped down on the bed. That lasted all of about ten seconds. He was...twitchy. He wanted action. He wanted to be doing something useful. He wanted justice! And here he was sitting around, useless as anything other than a comforting presence when they would allow him to be in Elicia's company.

Lying down was getting him nowhere. Al tried pacing, he tried reading, and he tried taking a shower. Nothing could get his mind off the things that were bothering him. His head buzzed with too much emotion, too much information just...too much!

Al tried for nearly two hours to find a reasonable solution to his anxiety. Even Xing meditation techniques did little to help him find peace. He heard people come and go on the stairs and finally the house was quiet, but still he was awake.

Maybe a little alchemy practice? Al clapped his hands together and then touched them to the bedspread just to see if he could turn it into something more interesting.... but nothing happened.

What the hell?! Al tried again, and again, before he came to another realization that almost made him yell out in frustration! Ed! You really don't trust me do you? If he had, why had he hidden Xingese alchemy circles somewhere nearby? The transmutation cancelling circles were a clever little trick, but seriously irritating if he couldn't find one. This was not humorous, and he knew Ed hadn't done it to be funny.

It was too much effort to try and hunt down the circle. Al gave it a token effort before giving up. Ed would not have put it anywhere Al was likely to find it quickly, and right now he was too infuriated with his brother to care!

Sleep was illusive and Al didn't feel like chasing it. Finally, he just gave up. He got up, pulled a shirt back on with his shorts, and made his way downstairs in the darkness. Maybe there was something to eat or drink downstairs that would help settle things.

November 17th, 1958

Without getting lost, and with the roads cleared by days without snow and clever plows that Edward might have admired more had he been on another mission, it took only the majority of three days to arrive back at the alchemical laboratory up in the mountains. Winry was driving when they got within walking distance of the old fortress. They parked the truck well back out of sight so it would not be destroyed this time!

Ed hid it with a little alchemy and some rocks and the four of them carefully made their way back up the rocks, alert this time for guards. Surely there would be much tighter security this time. The same tricks would not work twice.

"There they are," Roy grumbled softly as they spied over their target from a new vantage point. It had taken longer but they had climbed all the way around to the western rock-face, the one above the lab and cells themselves and into which the building merged. The entry to the rock cleft that held the structure faced north, with the road bending around to meet it before heading Eastward in the direction of Petrayevka.

Ed peered down from the heights in the late afternoon sunlight, grateful for the ball of light behind them that kept anyone from looking their direction. The valley below was once more purple with shadows as it had been on their last trip upon their arrival. "Three men at every door," he confirmed. So far up, he knew they couldn't be heard.

"Good thing we're planning to come in through the roof," Tore smirked.

"Are you sure they won't see the light from the transmutation, Ed?" Winry asked softly.

Ed nodded. "With the sun behind us? They won't hear a thing and they shouldn't see the flare." He could make it possible for them to climb down the rock safely; even in the dark should it come to that. He suspected it would.

It just meant waiting for the right moment. As the sun came directly behind them in its descent, Ed clapped his hands together and knelt at the edge of the chasm. Slowly... slowly. He couldn't let it be obvious. It took over a minute but when he was done there was a very subtle stair that wound its way down the cliff face to the top of the building below. There were hand holds in the walls as well for safety. Ed would have liked a railing but that would have been ridiculously obvious. "We'll head down as soon as dusk falls."

It wasn't much longer to wait. Then with aching slowness, Edward going first, Roy bringing up the rear with Winry and Tore in the middle, they made their way over the edge and down the rock face to the building below.

The climb took longer than Ed would have liked. Hanging exposed on the rocks was not his idea of a good time, but in the near-dark conditions, moving carefully, they went unnoticed. Half an hour later his feet touched the top of the building, but Ed could feel it in both of his flesh limbs.

Without talking, they all went to work. Roy kept guard while Winry removed the top ventilation grate. Their first visit had proved useful and for that Ed was grateful. Winry's group had discovered the location of the main utility room. That was where Winry would be heading, with Roy as guard.

Edward and Tore had other business to take care of; Tamirov. There was more to it than that of course, but Ed hadn't felt the need to burden Winry with the details of just what else Ed was looking for.

He wanted another look at that alchemical laboratory. He wanted to know what other atrocities Tamirov and his assistants were up to. Chimeras were one thing. Had they tried to take human transmutation further? What about attempts at making a philosopher's stone? There were no legends of the stone in Drachma. Or at least, there hadn't been when he was a boy. By now, surely that was no longer the case among alchemists.

There was no need for words as they slipped down through the shaft, which was the largest one available. A good thing too or Roy would have never fit through it! As it was, Ed and Winry found it snug. Tore was the only one who fit through easily.

They came out in the utility room itself, which was the whole idea. The lights in the building told Ed immediately that either they had fixed the electricity or they had a backup generator. Either way, whatever Tore had done last time had been circumvented. That was fine. The boy could always do it again.

For now though, they had a mission to complete. As Winry got to work on the gas lines, the boilers, and anything else she could get a hold of, Ed and Tore quietly opened the door and headed down the hallway towards the stairs they knew led down to the labs. If they ran into anyone they'd probably have to fight, but Ed was expecting that. This wasn't a social call and it didn't really matter how much damage they did. So nice to not have to worry about that for once! Ed smirked to himself. It had been a long time since he had been able to just destroy something without getting in trouble for it.

It wasn't late, but apparently it was dinner time. The small dining room in the place was up near the front door and they had entered along the back half of the building. In the distance, behind them and to the right, Ed could hear quiet chatter and clinking dinnerware. He couldn't tell how many people there were, but they - plus the ones outside - made it unlikely that the labs were crowded.

If they were lucky Tamirov wasn't there at the moment and they could scrounge the lab in peace. Otherwise, Ed just hoped he was the only one in there. He was fairly confident that he could handle this guy on his own. Having Tore along just cinched things.

Their path was unblocked all the way downstairs, at least until they reached the bottom of the stairs. Ed didn't have to peek around the corner to know someone was there. In the quiet he could hear breathing, a shifting of feet; a guard then. With a soft tap of his hands, Ed fashioned a small smooth rod with a ball at the end out of the stone of the wall. He gave Tore a nod to wait, and stepped around the corner.

The guard had only time to register Ed's presence before he went down, first clutching his ribs, then unconscious as Ed conked him on the back of the head. That done, Ed paused, waiting to see if there was anyone else. After several seconds it was clear that no one else was coming. He turned around and motioned to Tore, who had his head around the corner.

The door to the lab was locked. Not a problem for alchemists. Ed let Tore draw a circle for the practice and transmute the locking mechanism. The door opened easily. Grinning at each other, the two men went inside, closing the door behind them.

Ed could scarcely believe their luck so far but the room was empty save for the Chimeras in their cages. "Let's see just what this guy's up to," Ed commented quietly to Tore.

The kid nodded, his eyes going unsurprisingly to the chimeras, especially the one that had once been his uncle. Ed left him be, going to the workbench that had notes open. They were in Drachman, of course, but Ed shook his head. They were books and, where there were handwritten notes, they weren't even in code! Scanning them quickly, Ed looked at the topics he could find; basic alchemy, crude and unrefined in most cases.

What Ed found the most useful was the small book containing what proved to be the notes on the chemical compounds the alchemist had used on the chimeras to prepare them for easier transmutation.

There was very little on human transmutation besides that other than some old references to failed experiences by other Drachman alchemists and some minor references to stone research, but it seemed to be mostly questions about red water.

Ed stuffed the small book into his pocket. It could be helpful in treating Elicia and if he could pull all the man's research out from under him with one swipe, all to the better. Other than a couple of other old worn tomes detailing the rather unscientific history of Drachman alchemy, there was nothing here otherwise worth salvaging. Ed stuffed those in his coat pockets as well. "Find anything useful?" he whispered softly to Tore.

"Just this," Tore commented softly. Ed turned and saw him holding what looked like a silver chain.

"What is it?" Ed asked, crossing the dimly lit room to get a better look.

"It was my... my mother's," Tore replied, holding up the chain. At the end hung a small silver pendant shaped like the sun. "She said Dad gave it to her." It was tarnished now, and not high-quality silver to begin with, but Ed knew emotional value well outweighed monetary.

"Well it's yours then," Ed replied softly.

::Not that it will do you much good,.::

Hell. It looked like their luck had just run out. Or, perhaps not. Ed turned and smirked at the man standing in the doorway. Confident, arrogant, and with a stained coat definitely used for lab work, Ed was fairly certain that the alchemist he was looking for had just walked in. ::Thanks for saving me the trouble of hunting you down, Tamirov.::

The alchemist snorted. ::You have some gall, saying such things while standing in my laboratory. This is the second time, yes, that you have broken illegally onto my property.::

::Well aren't you so righteous,:: Ed shook his head and shrugged. ::Your work is a joke, Tamirov, and a sham. On top of that you've been killing innocent people. I just can't let that go.::

::Then why have you not attempted to kill me?:: Tamirov asked. ::Fear? Stupidity? Over-confidence?::

::Let's go with the third option,:: Ed snickered. ::I have questions. You have answers. Otherwise the rest of my team would have already blown this place sky-high without you ever knowing it was coming.::

::Rest of your team...:: Tamirov arched one eye-brow, scowling.

::Yeah, you think I came back from Petrayevka without full backup?:: Ed asked, sounding offended. It wasn't really a bluff. Winry and Roy were certainly full back-up as far as he was concerned! ::So you can answer my questions or we can do this the hard way.::

::We'll be doing that either way,:: Tamirov replied coldly. ::You're stuck in an underground lab with only one way out and an alchemist blocking the door.:

::Oh I'm scared,:: Ed quipped sarcastically. ::The question I have is simple really. What did you do to this boy's mother?::

Tamirov had clearly been expecting a question about his research, methods, or something of value. He harrumphed and his scowl deepened. ::How should I know? I've never seen the boy before.::

::You've seen my Mom,:: Tore replied in accented but understandable Drachman. He held up the pendant then pointed at the Chimera. ::That's my uncle!::

Tamirov's eyes lit up with instant recognition. The laugh that came from him sent a chill down Ed's spine. ::Of course! The Amestrian fool and his sickly sister. Very well, I shall amuse you with the tale before you die. You can take that knowledge to your graves.::

And he called me over-confident? Ed let no outward sign show, but stood still. ::Well get on with it then.::

Tamirov smirked. ::When I was looking for new assistants I spread the word, covertly of course, that I would offer training and money for any who could provide me with specimens for chimeras. I know not how the Amestrian learned of my offer, but he brought his sister here to me, obviously expecting some reward. He had little talent, and I have no use for worthless drunks. His sister was ill, dying, and did not even survive her first treatment. In payment for wasting my time and resources, I took the man instead. As you can see, he well paid his debt.::

::You monster!:: Tore shouted, bolting towards Tamirov. Ed barely grabbed his shirt in time!

::Hold up there,:: he spoke sharply to his student. ::Not just yet.::

::Wise,:: Tamirov chuckled. ::The boy would be dead now otherwise.::

::From what you were saying, that's inevitable anyway,:: Ed retorted. ::You know this isn't going to continue right? I'm not leaving until your research and your facilities are nothing but rubble.::

::That's fine,:: Tamirov seemed unfazed. ::You won't be leaving at all.:: He eyed Ed for a moment. ::Judging from description, I place you as the Fullmetal Alchemist. Am I right? Your brother is reportedly taller.::

Short jokes? Now? This guy was one of the lamer adversaries Ed had ever faced. ::Your reports aren't entirely off,:: Ed replied with a sniff. ::But if that's the best you can do I think we're done here.:: He clapped his hands together and darted for the wall. "Come on, kid! We're out of here!"

"Right!" Tore bolted, but, to Ed's dismay, the kid ran toward Tamirov!

There was no way Tore could get a circle drawn like that, but as Ed simply removed the entire wall that ran along the hallway - eradicating the supposedly barred door - he shot the extra stone off at Tamirov. "Dodge!" he shouted, hoping Tore did what he needed to.

Tore's eyes went wide as Ed lost sight of him behind the rushing stone. Then Ed saw him slide underneath on the other side, coming up with a scraped rip in his pants but otherwise unharmed. "Owww," he winced. "I didn't know you were going to do that."

"Pay more attention," Ed retorted. Inside the round wall of stone that encased Tamirov he heard the scratching of writing. "Let's get out of here." Even as he spoke the wall glowed.

They ran for the stairs.