Becky could feel a cold sweat on her brow. Her heart thudded in her chest and pounded in her ears. Her blood had run cold, breath stopped. Avarice watched her in silence, carefully watching her expression. Her mind reeled with the unanswered question.
"How?" She murmured, "How did they know who I was?" Avarice frowned.
"Whoever gave them that letter must have told them," She hissed, "I got a similar letter a few days ago telling me what to do and of your imminent arrival. Now shut up."
"Are you going to tell her?" Alphonse asked his brother.
"Why?"
"Because you care for her, nii-san." Becky's heart leapt into her throat. Ed sighed in aggravation.
"She's not from this world so why bother?"
"I think you should tell her that-"
"Look, Al. I said I'm not going to and I won't, alright?" The two women heard Ed stand and knew exactly where he was headed. They both crept stealthily away from the window. When the two brothers had come back into the room, Avarice was nowhere to be seen and Becky was on the couch. Ed went to sit next to her when he saw Winry. Winry had obviously pulled another all nighter and was not in a good mood. She grabbed him and towed him back to her workroom with Becky close behind. Winry sat him down and revealed a completed automail arm. She got it into position and, silently, reconnected the nerves. Ed jumped about his height into the air.
"OWWW! Dammit, Winry!" Ed swore," You're supposed to warn me when you reconnect the nerves!" He received a wrench to the head.
"I worked on your arm and leg all night," Winry growled, "I have the right to not warn you if I'm in a bad mood."
"No, you don't!" Ed snapped. The two of them shouted at each other as Winry prepared the leg. She motioned for Becky to help her. They set the leg as Winry and Ed continued arguing.
"I spent an entire night on getting them ready so YOU could leave when you needed too!"
"You're still supposed to warn me!"
"I'll warn you when I'm in a better mood." Winry looked at Becky and handed her the tool to reconnect the nerves. She, then, held up three fingers. She counted down and then Becky reconnected the nerves.
"OWWW!" Ed howled. He glared at Winry who scowled right back.
"I'm reconnecting the nerves," she said acidly.
"You're supposed to warn me BEFORE," Ed snarled. Winry glared at him and shrugged.
"I didn't connect them." Becky didn't even notice Ed's glare. She kept staring into space, her emotions battling in her mind. Ed knew who she was. She wanted to know who the letter was from. Absently, she helped Ed up and followed him back into the kitchen. Avarice was cleaning the table with bleach or something close to it. Becky stared at her.
"Avarice, what are you doing?" Ed demanded.
"I'm cleaning my table," the homunculus replied without looking up.
"Your table?"
"Yes. My table. I decided that you wouldn't like eating on a blood-splattered table so I had to clean it." Ed glared at her. Becky had drifted back to the couch. She sat in quiet contemplation. She wanted that letter.
"Hey, Claudia?" Becky looked up and locked eyes with Ed, "You alright?" He sounded just the slightest bit concerned. Becky forced a smile onto her face. She couldn't let him know that she knew.
"I'm fine, Ed. Really." She sounded a lot cheerier than she felt. Ed frowned, not completely convinced but he didn't say anything. Alphonse was looking at her. She could feel his gaze on the back of her head. She turned to face him. He was going to be harder to trick.
"You're acting strange," he said slowly.
"Maybe that's because she hasn't gotten completely over the shock of finding Edward in her bed this morning," Avarice suggested from the doorframe, her lips pulled back into a smirk. Becky couldn't decide if she wanted to hug or slap the fiery haired woman. Ed's shoulders stiffened as he turned to face her, his face flaming.
"Shut up," he growled, "It was an accident."
"You certainly didn't mind when I told you where your room was last night and tried to warn you," Avarice shot back. Ed's face burned brighter. Becky felt the color rise in her own face. Of course Avarice had tried to instigate something. Avarice was grinning sideways at Becky, not looking the slightest bit guilty. Ed spun around and started to leave.
"I'm not going to put up with-" he grumbled.
"Ed, wait!" The words were out of her mouth before Becky could stop them. She covered her mouth with her hands as Ed turned back around to face her. She scrambled for something to say.
"I want to know who the letter was from."
"The Colonel-"
"I know it wasn't from him." Ed stared at her for a moment, his gold eyes not moving from her blue ones. He frowned and turned away, leaving the room. A hand rested on Becky's shoulder in a grip strong enough to make her flinch.
"I'll find it for you," Avarice hissed in her ear, "This is getting to coincidental for my liking."
