~~Chapter Twelve~~

I can't face the facts, the fact that I might hurt you on my journey. I promise never to return, not so long as I am a threat to you.
Erika Elric

Winry ran out of her daughters' room, the note clasped in her hand. Tears streamed down her face.

"Edward!" She ran into their room, running straight to his arms. He took the note at once, reading it in a glance.

"Dammit Erika!" He crumpled the note, tossing it to the floor. It landed by the dresser, rolling underneath it. That caused him to glance to the dresser, seeing his daughters' sparkling face; the last thing he wanted to see right then. He wrapped his arms tighter around Winry's shaking form.

"What are we going to do Ed?"

"I don't know, I honestly don't know."

All Ed could think of was his past. All he could think of were his mistakes, his life flashing before his eyes. He did not want to force his child to go through the same. He wouldn't allow it, not as long as he was breathing.

Erika's P.O.V

Suitcase in hand, I ran frantically for cover from the rain. I ran under the white roof of Central, going straight for the President's office. I didn't even stop for authorization. I slammed open doors, turning into the corners harshly. Reaching the end of the hall, I was surprised when Mustang didn't have guards posted at his door like last time. Nevertheless, I stormed inside, surprised to see Mustang sitting calmly.

He looked up from his cup of tea, smiling to me. He held up another cup, offering it to me.

"I knew you would come." He got up, walking over to me and taking my soaking wet coat. It dripped on the ground, forming gray spots on the carpet. "So, what is it you want so badly?"

"I left them behind. I ran away." I set my suitcase down, following him back to the couch and the tea.

" And you expect me to care?" He sat on the couch, gesturing to the seat across from him. Taken aback, I did not sit right away.

"Well, you were the one who told me to!" I put my hands on my hips, ticked at his dismissive tone. "I need you to tell me what to do to be prepared for Envy." I forced my gaze to meet his, determination in my glare. He smiled slightly, holding out the cup of tea for me. Sighing, I sat down, taking the cup from him.

"Very well. Do you know where he went after he injured your father?" He took a sip of tea, looking to me over the rim of the cup.

"No, they never said."

"Well, lucky for you, I have an inkling." He took another sip, then getting up to got to his desk. He dug through a few piles of paper before finally settling on a maroon folder.

"Supposedly he headed east, towards Xing." That hit a few chords.

"Aunt May's homeland." I smiled as pictures of the magical place she described flew through my head. I took a dainty sip of tea as I remembered.

"Yes, that's the place." He sat again, handing me the folder. "I think Envy wants you to follow him, and it could be a trap. But if you don't follow him, you may never know." He took another sip as I set my cup down and started to go through the folder. He went silent, just watching as I did so.

"You know, you really are like your father." I looked up, seeing him staring at me fondly.

"Really? How?" I looked back down, thumbing through the reports very official-like.

"Just like that. A child but so official, so serious." Looking back up, I gave him a smile. Seeing his eyes, I knew he really did care about my father.

"Well, thanks then."

"You will get a ticket to East city first thing in the morning. Until then, go meet some of the other military staff and such. I'm sure they'd love to hear who your father was." I smiled, tucking the folder under my arm. I took a big gulp of tea before standing up.

"You know, running away can turn out to be quite fun." With that, I headed out the door.

Down the hall a ways, I saw a clump of people gathered around a billboard. The excited conversation buzzed with energy and anticipation. I walked up to the back of the crowd, trying to see what had them all riled up. Finally able to see over all the tall men, I saw it was the list of new alchemists. My name was the first.

"His daughter is an alchemist."

"Can you believe it?"

I chuckled, drawing attention to myself. I groaned internally; that was the last thing I wanted to do right now.

"Hey, little girl, you shouldn't be wandering in Central on your own." A kind looking man with black hair and startling green eyes looked over to me. I gave him a rather cocky smile, placing one hand on my hip.

"Hmm, well I think I am capable of taking care of myself." I flashed him my pocket watch, getting a shocked look out of him. At this point everyone else turned to me as well.

"And what is your name?" He got a joking smile on his face, being elbowed by some of his comrades. He expected me to falter and give up on my lie, but this was no lie. I put a giant grin on my face, my tone coming out matter-of-factly.

"Erika Elric." With that I turned on my heel, heading of down the hall. Behind me I heard the collective gasp of shock from the crowd.

"You're Erika Elric? The Fullmetal Alchemists daughter?" the man was stumbling to remove his jaw from the floor.

"Oh, you've heard of Daddy? Uncle Roy must really like to tell stories." I shrugged, laughing at my play on words. I'm sure Mustang would not mind me telling one or two lies.

"Uncle Roy? You're that close to the President?" Another man chimed up, his voice filled with amazement. I stopped walking, turning back to them slightly.

"Sure, Uncle Roy is the nicest ever." I gave them a girlish smile, winking to the black-haired man. He stared back, [picking his jaw up once again.

"Now, if you don't mind, I have to go call Daddy."

Lie upon lie, I knew this was going to come back and bite me in the ass at some point, but right now I was having to much fin to care.