Hello my furry friends! I'm sorry this chapter's a little late. Didn't have internet access until right now.

This chapter was...interesting to write. I like it so I hope you will too.

Also, Taylor wanted me to tell everyone hi.


Chapter 12

Notes

(-Taylor-)

I was so warm and comfy. I snuggled more into the blanket and sighed.

…Wait a minute. I had gone to sleep on top of the covers. Not under them. So what was I snuggling into?

I blinked my eyes rapidly. "Oh." I whispered. It was Ed. His arm was wrapped over me and I was snuggling into his chest. His body moved slightly with his deep breaths. He was fast asleep.

Um… Should I move? What if I did and that woke him? Maybe I should stay right where I was. After all, I was quite comfortable. But what if he woke up and didn't like being this close. What if he did? Either way, it was sure to be embarrassing.

Sighing, I made the choice to get out of bed. The only problem was actually getting out of beg. I was trapped. I tried to slide gently out of his embrace but he held me tighter.

Maybe I should stay, I thought. It was too much of a hassle to leave. Plus, Edward smelled wonderful.

No, I should get up, I thought regretfully. Again, I attempted to get up but Ed was stronger than he looked. I began to push more forcefully against him but that had hardly any effect on him.

"Ed." I said, getting annoyed. He didn't budge. Dang, guys slept hard.

"Ed." I tried again. He moved this time, his hand grabbing a very inappropriate area.

I squeaked and slammed against him. I pushed so forcefully that he fell onto the floor. He flopped on the floor and was jarred awake. "What's going on?" He sat up, searching for what had pushed him off the bed. His eyes found me. "Did you–?"

Ed was interrupted when Al opened the door, "What happened?"

I got off the bed and turned my back to Ed. Walking past Al, I stormed into the living room.

"What happened?" Al asked again.

Twisting in his direction, I said angrily, "What happened? Ed got a case of Roman hands and Russian fingers. That's what happened!"

Al's metaphorical eyebrow raised, "Um, what does that mean?"

"It means," I whispered furiously, lest Ed overhear me, "Ed's hands were touching me in places they shouldn't have been."

Al could not have been more appalled, "He didn't!"

"What?" Ed asked, wide-eyed. He scrambled up from the floor, looking back and forth between Al and me with an oblivious expression.

"Don't act so innocent!" I blew up at him. "You know what you did."

I plopped down on the couch and attempted to ignore him.

"What did I do?" Ed asked, desperate for an answer. He looked to Al, who turned away.

"You're on your own on this one, Brother."

Ed stepped over to me, "Um, Taylor. Whatever I did I apologize."

"Yeah, yeah." I huffed. "Forget about it. Let's just go meet Sheska already."

With nothing more to say about Ed's groping issues, we got ready to leave. I kept up my ignoring of Edward and he was going crazy trying to figure out what he had done to make me mad. I think Al just found the whole thing funny.


(-Taylor-)

First, we went to the National Central Library. Lots of people were still there working hard to clean up the mess. One of the workers there told us where we could find Sheska's home and we went. And by 'we' I meant Ed, Al, Ross, Brosh, and myself. No matter where Ed went they were determined to follow.

When Ed knocked on Sheska's door he received no answer. He tried again but still there was none.

"Maybe no one's home." Al thought.

Ed, determined, banged harder on the wood. "I didn't come all this way for nothing. Hello? Anyone there?"

There was a muffled voice that came from inside.

"Did you hear that?" Al asked.

The voice called out again and I swear it was a woman's.

"I definitely heard it that time." Ed said and opened the unlocked door.

"What are you doing?" Ross asked, astonished. "You can't just go inside uninvited."

The door swung inward and we got a view of the inside. There were piles of books everywhere. They towered so high they nearly touched the ceiling. Somewhere in these stacks of books, we would find Sheska.

The voice sounded again and this time there was a distinctive, "Help!"

"That sounds like an invitation to me." Ed went into the house. The rest of us followed suit.

I looked around the various books. There were so many! I liked to read but not this much. Where did Sheska get the money to afford all of these?

"Talk about taking your work home with you." Ed commented.

"Help!" the voice cried.

"She's trapped under the books." I told them.

Into the books we dove, spanning out, searching. Eventually, Brosh yelled, "Over here!"

Digging through a mound of books, we pulled out a disheveled Sheska. "Thank you!" she panted. "I've been stuck in there for days."

If you've see the show then you know what happened for the rest of our visit. If you haven't seen it then I'll give you the short version. Ed asked Sheska about Doctor Marcoh's notes. She said she read them and could go the extra mile and make us an exact copy of them, since she has a photographic memory. Ed got peeved that it would take days but it was better than nothing.

Outside, Ed asked me, "Is this going to be worth the wait?"

"You mean, are you going to find anything in Doctor Marcoh's notes?" He nodded. I turned away from him so he couldn't see my sad expression. "Yes."

Sensing my change of mood, Ed went to touch my shoulder. I walked away before he got there.

"Wait!" Ed shouted, hurrying to catch up with me. Matching my swift stride, he asked, "You make it sound like a bad thing." I didn't comment so he asked, "Is it?"

I shrugged, "What you find is what you find."

"If you know what's in his notes why don't you just tell us?"

I stopped walking and glared at him, "Because I'm not your go to girl for every little thing. I don't have all the answers!" I didn't realize until that moment how furious I was.

I did the only thing I could think of. I walked off, leaving Ed staring after me.

Why did I do that? I asked myself. I hadn't really meant to shout at him. And it wasn't even Ed that I was mad at. Not really. So why was I so angry all of a sudden?


(-Ed-)

Ed watched Taylor stalk down the sidewalk in a rage. Even though she had yelled at him, Ed suspected it wasn't really him that she was upset with. There was something bugging her, and it was bugging Ed that she wouldn't just tell him.

Ed was about to go after her when Al's hand on his shoulder stopped him. "Just give her some space." Al suggested.

They let Taylor lead the way back. No one dared to talk to her. Except for Hughes that it.

Major Maes Hughes walked down the hall in the opposite direction they were going. "Well, if it isn't the Elric brothers. How are you boys?"

"We're great, Major." Al said back.

"So this is the girl I heard you boys were guarding." He placed himself in front of Taylor. "Are they treating you good?"

Taylor shrugged, "More or less."

Hughes frowned, "You don't seem to happy about it. Hey! I know something that will cheer you up!" Hughes went for his pocket.

Taylor threw her hands up, "Before you pull them out, no, I do not want to see any pictures of Alisia." She dodged past a gaping Hughes and left for the dorm.

"How did she…?" Hughes questioned, watching her leave.

"Don't worry about it." Ed assured him. "She's just on a rampage."

"I see." observed Hughes, adjusting his glasses. "How about you guys then?"

Oh, no! Ed thought as Hughes brought out the pictures.


(-Taylor-)

I stormed into the living room, even slamming the door behind me. Searching around myself, I realized what a bad idea it was to come here. Nothing here could comfort me. Nothing was familiar. The couch, the coffee table, the bed, none of it was mine. In that moment, I would have given anything to curl up on my bed.

The anger rushed out of me, leaving me sad and alone. It was my belongings, my home, my friends, my family that made me feel this. There was an aching in my chest that had been in me all this time but had only now reared its ugly head. I was homesick.

I missed my mom, my sister, all of my friends, my house, all of it. Staring out the window and fighting off tears, I wished I were seeing the yard around my house instead of Central. I missed my home more than I would have believed possible. Weeks ago, if someone had told me I would be going to Amestris I would have been overjoyed. And now that I was here I wanted to go back. I finally get to meet Ed and Al and I get a serious case of homesickness. How lame was that?

Ed and Al… Is this how they felt sometimes? No. They felt worse than this. They lost their mom, their home, even their original bodies. Yes, their pain went far deeper than mine.

Here I was on the verge of tears when the only ones who had the right to cry were Ed and Al. But they never did. Those two went through life, not showing how much they hurt inside. I couldn't guess how much strength it took for them to move forward.

The door opened.

Oh, God! I thought frantically. I did not want them to see me like this. I couldn't let the boys see me tearing up. But I had nowhere to run to. All I could do was stand still and gaze out the window while keeping the water from spilling out of my eyes.

"You left us to fend off the Major on our own. Do you know how many new pictures he had?" Ed's voice was purposely teasing. He could see that I was upset and was attempting to lighten the mood. It wasn't working.

I heard the clinking of metal and Ed whisper, "Ow!" I think Al elbowed him.

"Taylor?" That was Al. "If you have something on your mind you know you can talk to us."

From the sound of their movements, they had stopped by the couch. Still, I could not turn around.

"Come on. You're still mad?" Ed asked.

"I'm sorry." I apologized. Luckily, my voice sounded normal. "I'm sorry I lost it back there and yelled at you, Ed. I'm not mad. I'm just…" I couldn't say anymore. The tears were threatening to spill over.

"Just what?" Al asked.

For some reason, I had the urge to see them. I didn't resist it. Turning around, I let them see the tears run free.

They freaked out. It would have been funny, had I not been crying and depressed.

"Why the tears?" Ed tried to console me.

I wiped at my face but that didn't help much. "I miss my home. Don't get me wrong. I'm so glad to have met you guys, but I can't help but feel this way. I know it's stupid."

"It isn't stupid." Al assured me. "It's normal to miss your home when you're away. I miss mine sometimes too."

"I don't know how you guys do it." I confessed.

"Do what?"

"Never breakdown. Both of you have lost so much but you never break. You just carry your burdens no matter how heavy. You guys are amazing."

Whatever they thought I'd say, it wasn't that.

Al rubbed his neck, "We're not that amazing."

Ed shushed him, "No, no. Let her talk."

"I can't imagine how much strength it takes for you to get through each day." I went on. "It's the kind of strength I wish I had."

Ed laughed, "I'd say your strong enough already. After all the things we've seen you do."

I shook my head, "No. I'm not strong enough." My eyes had finally calmed down and I wiped the remaining streaks off my face. "But I will be." I swore. "I'm going to work hard to be as strong as you guys. It might take forever but I'm not going to give up. I'll keep trying and as long as I do that I'll be okay."

A smile reached Ed's eyes, "You're going to choose us as role models? Well, you couldn't have picked a better pair. Right, Al?"

Al nodded, "Right, Brother."

All of us were smiling now. Everything was going to be okay.

"Are you sure you feel better now, Taylor? Is there something more we could do for you?" Al offered.

I was about to say no when an idea hit me. "Yeah, actually. Can you guys do me a favor?"


(-Taylor-)

"This is all of it." Al said, laying the bundle on the ground.

"Great!" I cheered, inspecting all of it. The wind had begun to blow my hair in my face so I tied it up in a ponytail. I picked through the different materials.

"So why'd you want all of this stuff?" Ed asked.

I began sorting the items. I had bunches of metal, cork, felt, and plastic. The perfect ingredients for making a… "I'm going to make something."

"I kind of figured that out." Ed rumbled, annoyed. "What are you making?"

I smiled sweetly, "I'm not gonna tell. You're just going to have to wait and see."

Ed's eye twitched, "You– Whatever, like I care. Come on, Al. Let's go spar." He stomped away.

Al laughed. "I can't wait to see what you make." He told me and ran off with Ed.

"Now then." I placed the pieces I planned to use together in a pile. With the image clear in my mind I clapped my hands and, "Shapow!"

What lay before me was not what I had intended. "This is not right." I muttered. For one it was too big and another the keys were completely out of order.

I sat it back down and tried again. Again, I failed. And ten minutes later I was still failing. "Oh, fudge!" This was far more complicated than I thought it would be.

Across the way, Ed and Al were sparring with Ross and Brosh watching nearby. I laughed. Al wad kicking Ed's butt.

Refocusing on my task, I tried again.


(-Ed-)

The next day, Taylor was still working on her project. She had made metal rods repeatedly but she said none of them were right. Taylor even went so far as to draw sketches of it.

Ed was ready to see what it would be. For the life of him, he couldn't figure out what it was yet. All he saw was a metal rod with holes in it. What was its purpose?

They were all outside again when Major Armstrong joined them. He practically appeared out of nowhere, leaving them no chance to run.

"Such a beautiful day to be out and about!" Armstrong shouted cheerfully. "Why, young lady! What is this magnificent piece you are creating?"

"Don't ask." Ed told him. "She won't tell anyone what it is."

"Nope." Taylor put in and resumed working.

Armstrong leaned his staggering height over to watch her. It made Taylor glance up nervously, "What?"

"Brilliant! Such determination is hard to come by! You are so very dedicated. I admire you!"

Taylor half smiled, half grimaced, "Thanks."

"But you seem to be having trouble." Armstrong went on. "Allow me to be of assistance! Someone so tiny should not work so hard."

Taylor's eye twitched, "No, thank you."

"Surely you would not deny me the honor of helping you! What you need is an Armstrong's superior strength since you are so puny!"

Taylor bounced up, "I am not puny, you overgrown brute!"

"Such fighting spirit!" Armstrong said in awe, sparkles practically shimmering around him.

Ed hid a laughed with a cough. He couldn't help but be entertained by this. He was glad he had found someone who could finally understand his pain. And Taylor was so cute when she was angry.

Cute? Where had that come from? Ed wondered. Taylor was just a friend. People weren't suppose to think about that way. Right?

No, Ed ridded himself of the thought. Just forget about it and move on. But Ed was starting to see that Taylor was not an easy person to forget.


(-Ed-)

It was later that afternoon when Taylor finally gave up.

"Fine you stupid piece of junk!" She threw up her hands. "I see how it is! You win! Are you happy now?" After ranting at her newest failed model, she marched inside.

"Wow. She's angry." Al commented.

Ed, as soon as he thought Taylor would be inside for awhile, snuck over to Taylor's work area.

"Brother! What are you doing?" Al glanced at the door to make sure Taylor wasn't coming back out.

"I'm just gonna take a peek." Ed assured him.

"But, Brother." Al protested. "You'll just make her even angrier."

Ed ignored his warnings and sifted through Taylor's sketches. The drawings were a more complicated version of the ones she had created. "What is it for?" Ed looked between the drawings and the real thing. Taylor wasn't too far off. She was headed in the right direction.

Ed decided to help her out. Going off of Taylor's sketches, Ed transmuted the metal rod. Picking up the finished product, he grinned, "Perfect. Now if I can just figure out what it's for."

There were numerous valves running along the sides. They could be pushed down, like buttons. Ed fiddled with them, fascinated.

The door opened and Taylor stepped out. Ed quickly hid the metal rod behind his back.


(-Taylor-)

Once I got over my temper tantrum, I went back outside. The first thing I registered was a nervous Edward standing by my workstation. Below him, my sketches lay scattered.

"Ed, I've already told you to not–." My scolding ceased. My newest model had disappeared. And I was betting I knew who was responsible.

"Edward. What did you do with it?" I let the menace seep from my words.

"Nothing." Ed shifted. "I just tweaked it. That's all."

I stomped over to him, "You tweaked it? I've been working on it nonstop since yesterday! I was this close to finishing it and you just had to go tweak it?"

Ed swallowed, "But I fixed it for you." He pulled it out from behind his back and held it out to me.

All the rage died in me. It was like I was seeing the sun for the first time. So radiant. So beautiful. So shiny!

Gently, I took the masterpiece out of his hands. My breath caught in my throat. It was perfect!

Ed, watching my reaction, asked, "Is it right?"

I nodded slowly, gazing at the instrument. Something in me snapped. A burst of joy overcame me and I was suddenly throwing my arms around Ed's neck. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Ed recovered from my unexpected assault and stuttered, "I thought you were mad?"

I withdrew, hugging the instrument to my body instead. "No, now I'm happy. It's so beautiful."

Ed and Al shared a glance and Al shrugged. Their thoughts were so easy to read. Ed: Is she crazy? Al: Maybe.

Ed shook his head and sighed, "Can you just tell us what it is already?"

A smile crept up my face, "It's a flute."

Ed and Al stared at me as if I had spoken in Spanish. Al asked, "What's a…flute?"

Again, I forgot I was in Amestris. Apparently on this side of the gate no one had invented the flute. "It's a musical instrument."

Ed's brows rose, "You spent all of that time on something that plays music?"

"What's wrong with that?" I asked stubbornly. It was such a shame. Edward had no appreciation for music.

"Does it work?" Al asked. At least he seemed interested.

I glanced down at the flute. "I don't know." Holding it in the right position, I touched my lips to the mouthpiece. Releasing a steady stream of air, I played a b-flat scale.

"It works!" I cheered, excited.

Ed rolled his eyes, "After all this time I thought you were creating something that would serve a greater purpose."

"It does serve a greater purpose." I argued. Demonstrating for them, I played a song. The song lasted only a minute, but I loved it. It began with long notes that developed into eight notes as the song progressed. The melody was inspiring, tinged with sadness, and absolutely beautiful.

"That's the purpose it serves." I stated after I played the final note.

"I still don't get it." Ed said.

I smiled, fingering the instrument without playing. "I have a flute back home. I use to play it with my friends. It's one of my favorite things to do. That song I just played, a close friend of mine wrote it for me." I held up the flute, "Home won't feel so far away now. Whenever I play this I'll feel closer to home."

I wasn't deluding myself. I know I would miss my home no matter what I did. It was a sadness that would always ache. But now, it was one that I would be able to bear.


This chapter was completely necessary. I wanted to show how Taylor was really taking all of this. Even the biggest die hard fan of FMA would get homesick if they were stuck in Amestris and Taylor is no exception.

The song Taylor plays on her flute is a real song. When I was writing this chapter I actually wrote her a song on my keyboard and she played it on her flute. I thought that would be an interesting fact you guys would like to know.

Please, please review! If you liked it, review. If you hated it, review. As long as you review I don't care what you say. Just speak your mind because I like to know my readers' opinions.