Seems I've been forgetting a disclaimer. Welp, here you go.

Disclaimer: I do not own FMA or FMAB or anything relating to it! I only own Emma, she is my OC. Gwen, on the other hand, is an actual person. So I don't own her either.

Two Sides of the Same Coin

With that said, Winry began to give everyone a job, and I entered the room Sadila was in. My hands were shaking at seeing her in pain. It was making me nervous to think that I was going to help in childbirth. I had only ever read about it in Health class, and even that was months ago.

I ran over the process in my head, trying to remember every little detail. Even missing the tiniest step could result in something bad.

Winry came in a bit later, her eyes wide as she was deep in thought. "Hey." I put my hand on her shoulder, my knees trembling slightly. "Come on, I'll help you." Winry nodded in reply.

Awhile later, I was sitting against the wall in the room, feeling more exhausted than ever. We were finally done, but what was actually a few hours seemed like a lifetime or two. The apron I had been wearing was splattered with some blood here and there, but so far it seemed that the baby was okay. I admit to barely doing anything. Winry had taken care of most of the work.

I took in a shaky breath as the door opened and Paninya fell to her knees in the hallway. A few seconds later, Ed ran into the room. He saw the blood on my shirt, and his eyes widened considerably. "Hey, what happened?!" He demanded.

I pointed at Sadila, Lear, and the baby in reply. Lear was holding the baby, and Sadila was laying in bed, panting and sweating. They were both smiling, though, because the birth had gone as well as it could have without anyone with experience.

"The.. The baby.." Ed stammered, before him and Al both let out a cheer, livening up the room a bit.

I looked over at Winry, and the two of us exchanged a smile. She looked as tired as I did, but her eyes were shining. I pushed myself up so I was sitting up. I felt to tired to stand, I was about to collapse.

"Good job, Sadila!" Lear congratulated her, handing her the baby.

"We have to thank Winry and Emma, too." Sadila said, her voice hoarse.

"Time to wash the baby!" Winry said, still sitting, as she began to take off her apron.

"That's wonderful!" Ed exclaimed. "The baby's broned! That's great!"

"You're talking like a little kid." Winry told him.

"Because this is the birth of a new life!" Ed replied, a smile on his face. "Alchemists throughout centuries were unable to create life. But a woman is able to carry a life in terms of 280 days!"

Winry frowned up at him "Don't compare the sanctity of life with science!"

"Um, sorry. Professional interest. But it's still wonderful! Humans really are amazing." Winry's frown turned to a smile. Ed looked at her, then me, before saying. "You guys were amazing, too!"

I muttered a 'thanks' as Winry laughed, saying, "Praise me more!"

"I'm beat!" I announced, trying to pull myself up using the wall. "I'm just going to go collapse on the couch somewhere. If I make it that far."

"There's a guest room." Sadila told me. "You're welcome to use it." She gave me directions, and I nodded my thanks. I couldn't stay up for the actual doctor to come. I was so tired, almost like the time I had jet lag.

I leaned against the wall, this time standing, before slowly stumbling out of the room. "Hey, do you need any help?" Ed asked me, steadying me by pulling me up by my arm. I shrugged.

As soon as I got to my room, I slipped out of the apron and collapsed onto the soft mattress, out before I could think of covering up.

The next day, Ed, Al, Winry, Paninya, Gwen and I set out for Rush Valley again. It seemed that after I had left, Tommy told Winry of a mechanic who was looking for an apprentice. The six of us had to run to catch a carriage that would take us there, since the bridge was broken. I took the liberty of filling Gwen in on what had happened, who was pretty surprised that she had slept through Sadila's screaming.

When we got to Rush Valley, I had to run even faster to keep up with Ed, Al, and Gwen so we could get to the train station on time. When we got there, the train was beginning to move. "Hey! The train's leaving! Guys, hurry!" Ed exclaimed, sprinting off.

I hurried after him, Gwen on my heels. "Then, it's goodbye!" Winry called after us. "Have a safe trip!"

"You too! Train hard!" Ed yelled back, grabbing my wrist to jump onto the train. Gwen jumped after us and turned back to Winry and Paninya, waving dramatically. Winry frowned. The two hadn't exactly become friends.

"Granny must be worried! Give her a call!" Ed told Winry, who was still running along the train, which was speeding up.

"I don't need you to remind me!"

"Better steal some new techniques from the old man! Next time, fit me with a new metal arm!" Ed laughed.

Winry stopped running, and I could just barely hear her yell, "Leave it to me!"

"Ugh, another train." I complained as I plopped down in a seat. "I'm so sick of these already."

Gwen sat next to me, and the brothers again took a different booth. There wouldn't be enough room if they didn't. "Guess where we're going next!" She said in a sing-song voice, grinning.

Izumi crossed my mind, and I paled slightly. I admit that she scared me slightly, especially since it seemed that I was going to meet her in real life. "Oh, yay. Aren't you nervous?"

"Little bit." Gwen shrugged. "But I can always take shelter behind you, with all your automail glory."

"Thanks." I remarked sarcastically. "Good to know you rely on me so much."

Gwen chuckled. "Right? This is going to be amazing."

"Sometimes I wonder how it's possible that a human being is as dense as you are."

"Maybe I'm not human."

"A logical hypothesis."

I continued to make small talk with my friend throughout the ride. Train rides were so boring, but they were adittedly much more amusing when Gwen was here. Her and I roleplayed for different anime during the ride, earning weird looks when Gwen raised her voice to yell.

The train finally halted at Dublith, Gwen and I standing up as soon as it did, restless. "Let's go!" Gwen declared, throwing her fist into the air.

Ed and Al nodded, obviously nervous about the whole Izumi deal. Honestly, I couldn't blame them. I just hoped Izumi wouldn't find anything to hold against me. The four of us left the train, and Gwen skipped down the road. I wasn't sure if she was purposely trying to make me even more nervous, or just showing off that she didn't seem to be as worried as I did.

We stopped in front of the meat shop, Ed sweating. Al probably would have been too, if he could. The building seemed to loom overhead.

"We've finally come here.." Ed muttered. "I hope Teacher isn't home!" Al quickly agreed.

"WELCOME!" A man burst out of the door. "Please, come in!"

Out of shock, I fell over onto my ass pathetically, almost letting a small shriek escape. I was reminded slightly of my brothers, who loved to scare me like this though I always yelled at them afterwards.

"Huh? Aren't you Edward? Long time no see!" The same guy grinned.

"Are you Mr. Maison?" Ed asked.

Mr. Maison began to laugh, patting Ed's head. "You're short as ever!" He exclaimed, obviously hitting a nerve. "Who's the guy in the armor and the two over here?"

I poked my index fingers together shyly as Al answered. "Oh, I'm Alphonse! They're Emma and Gwen, our friends!"

Aww, I'm their friend!

"Are you here to see Izumi?" Mr. Maison asked. "Hold on, I'll go get him. You're just in time! Mr. Izumi just got back from his trip!"

I followed behind Ed and Al up to the door, kicking a small pebble lightly. Man, I hated meeting new people. Gwen peered out behind me, spouting a careless smile.

Stomps came from inside, closing in on the door. A few seconds later, a huge man with dark hair and a beard appeared in the doorway. What scared me most about him, though, was the huge butcher knife he was holding. His eyes snapped over to us. "Ah? How do you do? Long time no see..." He trailed off. "... Edward?"

Ed smiled nervously.

Sig's eyes suddenly widened, and he pulled back his arm before thrusting it back forwards, straight for Ed. Instead of hitting him or something, which was what I expected, Sig's hand landed on Ed's head and he said, "You're here. You've grown!"

Ed muttered something. Sig didn't pay attention and turned to Al, Gwen, and I. "And you three are..?"

"I'm Alphonse!" Al told him.

I pointed at myself. "Emma," Then gestured to Gwen, "And Gwen."

"Really? You have grown really tall!" Sig patted Al's head and looked down at Gwen and I. "A pleasure." Gwen sent him a wide grin. I sometimes evied her easy-going nature. "What's the matter?" Sig then asked Ed.

"I have some questions for Teacher."

"Then let's go!" Sig said. He opened the door. "Mason, look after the shop for awhile."

"Okay!"

We started down the road, Sig leading the way. I trailed along, second to last in the row with Gwen skipping happily. It was pretty hot in Dublith, but not as bad as it had been in Rush Valley. It reminded me of the summers back home. It would get really hot at times, and the winters were really cold. Before living in the Unites States, I had lived in Europe, where the summers and winters were both mild. The extreme temperatures had caught me off guard.

I frowned upon thinking about home. I didn't think back as often as I did, but when I caught myself, I always felt bad. I couldn't help wondering if my mom had given up yet. Gwen had told me back in the hospital that Mom never gave up, that she thought I was still alive. Was that hope still there? And what about Dad and my many brothers? What about all of my friends?

I bit my lower lip. I had left them all hanging, with no warning whatsoever. Sure, it was a surprise for me and all, but at least I knew where I was. There was no way I could tell any of them that I was alright.

I admit that once, back in Central, I had tried to phone my home number and both of my parents' cell phones. I had even tried calling a few friends. I should have expected it not to work, and in a way, I knew deep down that it wouldn't, but the disappointment had been slightly overwhelming. I didn't say much for the rest of the day.

My eyes burned, catching me off guard. Instead of blinking them back, my hand jerked up and swiped at the moisture, spreading it around slightly. I looked ahead, hoping no one had noticed.

"Emma, are you okay?" Al suddenly asked me, quietly as to not catch anyone else's attention.

I looked up at him and nodded. "Yeah, just got something in my eye."

I was surprised at how easy the lie came, even if it wasn't a very good lie. I hated how I had become so good at thinking up lies at the spot.

Al probably would have sent me a disbelieving look and didn't say anything. I think he understood how I was feeling. Al was so sweet.

With that, Sig leaned over to an opened window. "Hey, Izumi, the Elric shorty is here to see you!" He called.

"Ed and Al?" I heard the exclamation from inside.

"Can you get up?" Sig asked.

"Relax! I'm feeling fine today!" Izumi told him stubbornly.

I waited with Gwen behind Ed and Al, more or less hiding. Izumi already seemed much more intimidating in real life. Footsteps came from inside, and the door flew open, hitting Ed and sending him flying.

I jumped back.

"News of you has reached us, my foolish student!"

A/N: ASDFGHJKL!

No! I'm so sorry, I swear! Things are insane here! I've been having family problems and personal problems and crap, and the last two weeks and more to come were so full of testing. I'm so sorry. And this chapter's short, too. I feel so bad, I never meant to take so long. ;-; Don't hate me!

chubakka: xD Thanks! Yeah, I usually reply to reviews in the author's notes, because to me it wouldn't make sense to review replies to my own story. 'Hey, look, I have a bunch of reviews, only because half of them are mine! :D' Yeah, no. xP I'm glad you like the story, though. I feel bad for not updating for so long. q_q

Rainbowmnms: Thank you! :D I'm glad you like it. And I would like to think the world-traveling aspect is unique, but there are a lot of authors who have used the same idea, and I think their stories are better than mine. But I'm glad you think so! :)

Again, I'm a million times sorry for my lack of updates and the short chapter. I won't be updating much for awhile because of all of the testing and crap that's going on for at least another week. When it's finally summer break I'll be able to write much more, though.

Happy Mother's Day! :)