A/N: Next chapter! This is kind of a more easy going chapter. With Liz getting her iconic knives :) Yay. Enjoy!

Chapter 26: A New Way to Fight

This time when I woke up, it was in a nonhazardous location, surrounded by medical equipment instead of immortal monsters. A welcome change, honestly. I wasn't a fan of hospitals but anything was preferable to the fifth lab. Or, you know, death.

Which, while we're on the topic of death… why was I alive? Scar had me. He could have killed me but he didn't. Was it because I had saved his life. Because I didn't think he cared much about equivalent exchange. At least when his revenge wasn't involved.

Still, I was definitely alive. Alive enough to feel the pain in my shoulder when I shifted. It was bandaged much better this time and the bleeding had stopped but it would be awhile before it was back to its full strength. I had no idea how I would do my usual brand of alchemy. If I tried to direct energy through my body, a jolt of pain might make me lose control.

But alive… that was a good start.

"Lighting Alchemist. You're awake."

I turned to see Block smiling in the doorway. Maria Ross stood with him. But she had no smile for me. Instead she strode forward and smacked me across the face.

"Holy hell, what was that for!" I snapped.

"For being careless," she replied, her voice razor sharp. "For trying to do things on your own and endangering your life and the lives of others. I'm sorry, Lightning, but you deserve that."

I stared at her, ready for a moment to argue. Then my shoulders sagged. "I know. I shouldn't have run off. I was being… stupid. Bad moods kind of cause a lapse in judgment." I looked up at her. "You were trying to do your job. We must have made it difficult for you."

"You did," Ross said. "We found the fifth lab in time to save Edward and Alphonse before the building collapsed. They're both alright, though Edward's arm is broken again and Al is missing his legs. Hopefully both of those problems will be solved soon. We brought the military with us. They stormed the place for resistance and found no one. The fuehrer is continuing to investigate the fifth lab which he believes was run secretly by Bas Gran."

"You must have found me in the building too," I said.

"No," Block said. "We found you outside. We figured you got out before passing out."

"No, I definitely didn't," I murmured. Had Scar actually carried me out? That was even more surprising than sparing my life. He could have left me to be crushed but he didn't. This would change our next meeting if we had one.

Which, given my luck, we probably would.

"A mystery then," Ross said. "But the damage to your shoulder is minor. Blood loss but no extensive nerve damage. You'll be able to move your arm fine once it heals up." She reached into her pocket and drew something out. My state watch. "And you'll probably need this when you do."

"Thank you." I accepted the watch. "Really. For everything you've done. We owe you."

"You owe us nothing. It was our job." Ross said. "But… you're welcome."

"Yeah, it wasn't a problem," Block rubbed a hand behind his head.

"Oh it was quite the problem, I'm sure." I grinned. "Tell Edward I'm awake for me, will you?"

"We will."

They left then, probably to go slap Ed next. I was guessing he deserved it as much as me. I could only hope that they didn't try to slap Al. Because that wouldn't work out well for them.

The doctors came in later to check on my arm. It was quite annoying having to sit and wait in one room all day but they said I would probably be released soon.

Later that day I got another visitor, one who didn't want to slap me.

"How are you feeling, Liz," Hughes said. "The doctors tell me you got quite an injury."

"It doesn't affect my walking though. So I'm pretty good. Just restless," I said. "I'm ready to get out of here."

"Well, the doctors tell me you're ready to leave if you think you can. But to take it easy," Hughes said. "And I have just the thing to pick you up."

"What's that?" I asked, which probably was a bad question because a moment later I had pictures shoved in my face.

"Its Elysia's birthday party today!" Hughes cooed. "She's four and I've already taken so many pictures. I'll have many more to take at the party."

"That surprises me not at all," I said flatly.

"So you'll come then?" Hughes peered hopefully over the pictures. "Winry will be there. And we'd love to have you."

"Well its better than sitting in the hospital all day," I said. "Let's go."

Elysia was the center of attention at the party, in no small part to Hughes fawning over her. But she didn't seem to mine the attention. She was growing up into an adorable little girl. I watched her parading around the room for a bit before I found Winry sitting on the couch. She smiled at me, but it seemed a bit halfhearted. Like something was wrong.

"What's up?" I asked sitting beside her.

"Oh, nothing really." Winry shrugged.

"Sure its nothing. You're usually in such an upbeat mood. I know that something's off." I cocked my head to the side. "Something with the brothers."

"Sort of." She looked at me "Liz... I... can you tell me what happened at lab five!?"

I was taken aback by this request. "Ed didn't tell you?"

Winry shook her head.

I sighed. Honestly it was probably best he didn't. She didn't need to get involved in all this. Especially with the homunculi being a new addition to our complicated lives. "It's not for me to tell Winry. They're closer to you then I am. If they don't want you to know then I'm not going to spill either."

Winry looked angry. "It's not fair! They never tell me anything! Why are boys so stubborn?!"

"Something genetic I think." I gave a half smile. "Winry they care about you. They don't want you to be caught up in their problems. We get into some dangerous stuff. They don't want you to worry about them."

"But I do worry about them," Winry murmured "Not knowing... it's scary. You guys get into danger and I don't even know what it is."

I sighed and leaned back in my chair. "Ed likes to play tough guy and Al follows his lead. But they depend on you more than you know Winry. I mean, where would he be without you to fix up his arm?" I rested a hand on her shoulder. "I'll take care of them anyway. Promise."

She smiled at me "Thanks Liz."

"No problem." I took my hand from her shoulder but I accidentally twisted the wrong way and a spasm of pain shot down my arm. I winced, my had flying to cover my injury.

"Liz?" Winry asked concerned "Are you ok? What happened to your shoulder?"

"Got stabbed" I muttered. I mentally slapped myself when Winry's eyes widened. She looked like she was gonna ask for details but I just shook my head "That's all you're getting out of me Winry. I'm fine." I straightened up. "Really."

Winry smiled sadly. "Ed isn't the only one who likes to play tough, Liz. You do it to. You hide your thoughts and problems from others."

"Others don't need to know what I'm thinking about" I shrugged in differently. "My problems are my problems."

"Yeah" Winry looked me in the eye "But if you ever need to talk, promise you'll come to me."

I smile "I promise Winry."

It was a promise I probably wouldn't keep. There were so many secrets I loved to keep. Ed and Al were the same way. They never told me about their mother. Figures I found it out from the annoying, palm tree homunculus.

I wanted to find out more. But I also didn't want to cough up my own secrets.

Somehow though, I knew both would happen eventually.

After the party, after I had finished helping Gracia clean up Hughes came into the kitchen and clapped me on the shoulder (My good one thankfully). "So how are you? Feeling ok?"

"As well as I can." I nodded "You?"

Hughes rolled his eyes. "You ask me that question? I'm not the one who was kidnapped, stabbed and almost crushed in a collapsing building. You're the one who needs the concern right now. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Not that I can think of," I said. "Wait… actually, yeah there is." I had thought of it during Elysia's birthday party and the idea had simmered in my head. A new way to fight while my shoulder was out of commission. "This may sound a tad bit strange though."

"Shoot." Hughes insisted.

"Um... Do you know where they sell knives?"

"I'm in heaven" I murmured twenty minutes later as we stood in a local knife shop. "Everything is so... shiny!"

The walls were covered with knives of all shapes and sizes. An arsenal of possible conductors for energy.

"Don't get too carried away now Liz," Hughes chuckled.

"No promises," I said, moving forward.

"Can I help you?" the shop keeper asked as he entered from the back room.

"Yeah, I want to buy two decent sized combat knives. Any recommendations?" I asked.

"Um…" the shop keeper eyed me warily. "And why might you need knives?"

"Preferably to conduct enough lightning energy for me to blast people who annoy me," I said brightly.

"…Lightning?"

"This happens to be the Lightning Alchemist," Hughes said. "She's from the state and she needs the knives for her alchemy."

"Of course" the shop keeper nodded, still casting glances at my slightly evil grin. "One moment." He disappeared into the back room.

"Do you have to scare the poor man?" Hughes asked.

"He was judging my desire for dangerous weapons based on my appearance," I shrugged. "So I decided to dispel any doubts he might have."

"Right," Hughes gazed about the shop. "So what brought this on exactly? Why the sudden desire for knives?"

"Well it's complicated, but I was without my gloves in the fifth lab. At one point I was fighting and I used an iron pole to conduct energy. It was just as effective a weapon. And less dangerous." I recalled my encounter with Envy. It certainly sent him flying back." I figure that if I engrave a transmutation circle on knives I can send energy through them in less time with less danger to myself. The blasts might not be quite as powerful, but they work as weapons.{

"Smart," Hughes said. "You alchemy types always are."

"Here's a nice set of blades" the shop keeper returned and set a box that contained two long, silver, shiny knives in a velvet lined box. "They're sharp and well balanced, light and excellent for fighting hand to hand." He studied me as I picked up the blades and spun them in my hands. They had wooden handles so they would be well insulated against the shock. Even if some energy got to my hands, I could dispel the danger with my gloves. They felt good in my palms. "Of course I have other models that-"

"No. They're perfect," I said.

I paid the shop keeper for the knives and a leather belt that could hold them. I headed out of the store with a spring in my step, Hughes at my side.

"Hey Hughes." I called strapping the belt around my waist and sheathing the two knives. "Mind if I take a walk? I promise I won't go into any dark abandon alleys and it's a nice day and all."

"Sure but be careful" Hughes warned. "And be back before it's too late. You don't want to miss dinner."

"Sure thing. Thanks for taking me out." I grinned and waved. "See you later."

I strode off. As I moved through the streets I carefully carved my transmutation circles onto the blades. Then I experimented with pulling on the energy around them. Sure enough, the blades were great for conduction. And when I put on my gloves I was able to absorb even more. The metal worked as an amplifier more than anything else. And I had a feeling it would improve my hand.

"I'll have to show Ed this," I said. "I should check on them. Besides, I haven't wished Ed a happy birthday yet."

But at that moment, I saw a familiar suit of armor hurrying through the streets. Alone.

"Ed's arm must be fixed" I thought aloud "What's Al up to then?"

Intending to answer my own question, I took off after Alphonse. He was headed for a dark alleyway, which I told Hughes I would avoid, but surely I'd be safe for now.

At least that was the lie I liked to tell myself.

A/N: Next time we get deeper into Liz's back story. At last. We're getting closer to being halfway through this fic. Its going to be longer than the original fic of course. But hopefully no one minds. Hope you enjoyed and REVIEW!