Got this chapter finished a whole day sooner than expected so here it is! Eat your hearts out!

So, I've got a couple of things to tell you guys. One: I got really bored one day this week and made a video called, "How To Grow A Hair". I posted it on you tube if you guys are interested. Two: I'm hoping to record a video interview of the real life Taylor and I was wanting some questions from you guy! If you could ask the real Taylor anything, what would it be? "What's your shoe size?" "Favorite cheese" "Preffered weapon of choice?" That kind of thing. I figured it'd be interesting for you guys.

And one last thing. I've had a few lovely people to draw fanart of my stories but I've yet to have anyone draw a picture of Fate. I'd really appreciate it if someone would be generous enough to draw a picture of him. If you're interested in that just PM me.


Chapter 50

The End is Coming

(-Ed-)

Mustang's team departed early the next morning. Falman had called to warn everyone that the investigation team had arrived and Mustang said that he would go meet them and attempt to divert them before they headed out to Central. Before Mustang left he gave Ed and Al some unsettling news. Izumi and Sig had both been captured by Archer's team and were being held prisoner at Central Headquarters. The only possible explanation to how that happened would be that Teacher overexerted herself and in her weakened state was taken along with her husband.

As the others left for the train station, Ed slammed his fist into the dining room table. Al glanced at him but didn't comment. They were both thinking the same thing. It seemed inevitable that everyone they got close to was destined to suffer for their problems.

"Ed, Al," Pinako said as she entered the room. "It would be best if the three of you stayed in the basement for the time being, in case anyone comes looking for you here."

Ed heaved a sigh, "I guess you're right Granny. Go ahead Al and I'll go wake up Taylor." Al nodded and they went separate ways.

Upstairs, Ed found Taylor sleeping peacefully. The girl lay huddled under the blankets, curled up in a tight ball. Her long hair splayed out behind her and over the side of the mattress. She looked so calm and younger than her actual age. Despite the crappy situation, Ed smiled. It seemed that whenever Ed saw Taylor he couldn't resist smiling.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and shook her shoulder gently, "Taylor, it's time to get up." No response. The girl was out like a light. Ed tried again and still nothing. He pulled at the sheets a bit and her only response was to groan and cuddle further into her pillow. What was it going to have to take? Did he have to start shouting fire?

Suddenly, Ed thought of a wonderful idea. He leaned down and breathed huskily into her ear, "Taaaaylor." She moaned in response but stubbornly remained sleeping. He decided to kick it up a notch. His tongue darted out and flicked across her neck, causing her to shiver.

Interesting, Ed mused to himself while wearing a huge grin. He would have continued had Taylor not chosen that moment to wake up.

"Wha-?" she started in bewilderment and lurched forward. Her head collided painfully with Ed's cheek.

"Ow!" they both cried in unison. Taylor rubbed her head and asked, "What were you doing, Ed?"

"Good morning to you to," he grumbled, massaging his cheek. He stood up and, walking towards the door, said, "Come on. We need to get to the basement before anyone shows up here looking for us."

Taylor was still confused but got up and followed him.


(-Taylor-)

As we descended the basement stairs I rubbed at the sore spot on my forehead. I knew Ed was hardheaded but did I really have to find out like that? I asked myself. And what was he doing anyway? I wasn't sure what but…he was definitely up to no good before I had woken up. For all I know he was trying to molest me in my sleep…nah, I doubt it… But then again, he could be quite the trickster.

"Crap!" I exclaimed as I nearly tripped on a box. I should really pay more attention to my surroundings than zone out like that.

"Nice," Ed snickered, shaking his head at me.

I narrowed my eyes, "Shut up before I kick your Fullmetal arse."

He gave me a cheeky grin while Al told us to play nice. And here I thought we were. I made it over to where Al was sitting on the floor, without tripping again I might add, and Ed sat down on my other side.

"So, I'm assuming the others left already," I commented. It wasn't really a question but Ed answered anyway.

"Yeah. The colonel said he'd try to get the investigation team off our backs but I don't think it'll be that easy."

"It never is," Al sighed.

Wow, they seemed chipper. "What's up with you guys? Did I miss something?"

Ed remained silent, deep in thought. I looked to Al and he sighed.

"Before he left, the colonel told us that Teacher and Mr. Sig were being held prisoner at Central."

"But that's not-" I was going to say that it wasn't possible because Izumi was too skilled an alchemist to be subdued by just a few officers but then a thought occurred to me. "Oh, she must have gotten one of her attacks."

Ed grunted, "My thoughts exactly."

I glanced back and forth between them, "So, what are we gonna do about it?"

"Well, we can't leave them there," Al agreed.

"We'll go to Central and bust them out," Ed said simply. "And afterwards we'll pay the Fuhrer a visit."

I contemplated this. It seemed to coincide mostly from the first FMA series, so maybe things really were beginning to right themselves. Except…Hawkeye was still supposed to be in the picture.

No, I thought firmly. I couldn't let myself wallow in the guilt any longer. I had to set it aside for now and focus on the here and now. If I was right the next couple of days would be Hell and I'd need to put all of my strength into helping my friends.

We stayed down in the basement for a couple of hours not really doing much. None of us felt like talking much and I let my mind wander. I wondered if this would all end up in the underground city, if the same destiny lied in store for Ed and Al. Would Ed wind up in Germany and would Al get his body back from Ed's sacrifice? Or would Ed sacrifice his alchemy to bring Al back? Neither of them I found particularly pleasant. I didn't want Ed and Al to die, even if the other one would bring them back somehow. I would protect them as much as I could and make sure they didn't die. But then what? The question still remained on how to get their bodies back? Mostly it was Al I was concerned with because I knew that a new arm and leg meant nothing to Ed if Al couldn't have his body. So how would Ed go about getting Al's body back this time around if everything went smoothly and no one died? I could offer to use my Philosopher's Stone for Al's body but I might lose myself in the process. Plus, I don't think either Al or Ed would let me try…Then there was the fact of Truth's game. Would it be over when the Homunculi and Dante were defeated? Would I be sent home or stay here? I wasn't sure which I preferred because I had practically made a second home here with Ed and Al. I missed everyone back home dearly but…the thought of leaving them two made me feel like someone punched a hole through my chest.

Finally, Pinako came to tell us that the coast was clear and we were allowed upstairs. The rest of the day passed mostly in a blur. I figured we'd leave tomorrow because that would give us enough time for some of the military presence to lessen and for Ed and Al to form a game plan. But for today we lounged around the house. None of us could really relax, not with tomorrow on our minds.

As the sun began to set I walked outside where I thought Al would be but he was nowhere to be seen. I frowned, wondering where he could have gone. Maybe he decided to take a walk. Following my hunch, I strolled down the road in the opposite direction to the train station. Wind swept across the hills, blowing my hair out and bringing the smell of flowers and country life. I smiled and relished the warm breeze. It really was peaceful here in Resembool. I could get used to living in a beautiful place like this.

Soon, I came across what appeared to be the burnt remains of a house. I didn't inspect it to closely, knowing exactly who's house it used to be. I continued along the dirt road until I came across a graveyard. An unmistakable suit of armor sat in front of one of the graves. I should have guessed that this would be where he had been at. I debated on whether or not I should leave. This was a private moment and I didn't want to intrude. However, seeing Al sitting there in front of his mother's grave I couldn't bear to see him look so sad. No, he may not have a face to display his emotions but I knew Alphonse like he was my own little brother and I could tell when he was sad. So I went over to him.

Al didn't move but he knew I was there. I stood beside him and stared down at Trisha's grave. It was cruel, that she had to die so young and that her sons had to grow up without either of their parents. They were denied a normal childhood the moment Trisha breathed her last breath. Ever since then Ed and Al have had to drag themselves down a treacherous road stained with blood and tears. And yet, even when they fell, even when they became so disheartened, and even while their world crashed down around them time and time again they would just pick themselves back up and persevere.

I wrapped an arm around Al's shoulders, "She would have been so proud of both of you."

Al turned his head to me and stared at me, "How can you be sure?"

I glanced at him and smiled warmly at him, "I know because I'm proud of you too, Al. You're pretty amazing."

"Oh," he stammered, looking away as if he were embarrassed by my praise. I just grinned even more and hugged him. He was so cute!

"Hey, what are you guys doing up here?"

We turned to see Ed walking towards us, a small smile gracing his lips at my display of affection.

"Oh, I just wanted a chance to say hi to Mom before we left," Al explained.

"And I came looking for him and found him here," I nodded towards Al.

Ed nodded once as his eyes strayed to his mother's grave. He stopped beside us and gazed down at the headstone. A hundred emotions flashed across his face as he murmured, "It's been awhile."

I slid one arm around Ed's shoulders while my other stayed wrapped around Al's and we just stood there for the longest time. There was no sound, save for the wind flowing in the leaves of nearby trees. No words passed between us and that was okay with us. It was enough that we were together.

Inspiration came to me and I crouched down. Taking a deep breath and using all of my concentration, I clapped my hands and touched the ground. I kept in mind all of the facts I remembered from reading that book on plant alchemy at Izumi's and I willed the earth to grow. The grass glowed and out sprouted yellow and orange flowers.

Al laughed, "Magic flowers!"

I nodded. That was the same thing Nina had called them.

"Heeeeeey!"

The three of us turned around to see someone running towards us.

"Winry?" Ed gasped, just as confused as the rest of us. "What are you doing here?"

She reached us, panting slightly from her run, "I figured I'd come back home a little early since you guys were here. I'm glad I made it back in time before you left."

"I'm glad you did," I smiled and hugged her. Al and I were happy enough to see her again but Ed stared at her in suspicion.

He leaned in close to her, "How do we know you're the real Winry?"

A vein throbbed in her forehead as she whipped out a wrench and smacked him with it.

Ed fell to the ground and groaned, "Yep, that's really her."

"The nerve! Of course it's me you idiot! Are you blind or just plain stupid?"

"That's not it at all, Winry!" Al put in for his brother's behalf. "It's just that with all that's been happening we've got to be careful. That's all."

Winry frowned, "What's that supposed to mean?" She still hadn't been told much, if anything about the Homunculi so I didn't blame her for being confused.

I sighed, "It's a long story but I'll tell you all about it later tonight." Ed sent me a disapproving look and I scowled at him, "What? Don't give me that look. She has every right to know."

He scoffed and was rewarded with a double glare from me and Winry. Ed turned and whistled like he hadn't done anything, causing both Winry and I to roll our eyes at him. Sometimes Ed was just impossible.

"Come on you guys," Winry said, turning to the direction of the house. "Granny sent me up here to tell you supper was ready. I don't know about any of you but I'm starved."

Al and I set off with her with Ed stumbling after us so he wouldn't get left behind.


(-Pinako-)

The old woman sat on the porch steps as dusk set upon Resembool. She took a drag of her pipe and scratched Den's head. She had finished supper just as her granddaughter had arrived home and now she was just waiting for the kids to get back. She gazed out at the countryside, looking for when they arrived.

Soon she saw four figures walking down the dirt road, all of them talking and laughing among themselves. Pinako smiled to herself. Winry had been friends with Ed and Al for all of her life and the three of them forged an unbreakable bond. But somehow, even having been here for only a few months, Taylor had seamlessly formed her own strong bond with them and made a place for herself among their group. If you didn't know any better you'd think that she'd been there all along. Just watching them interact with each other…Pinako could see how much the four of them just fit together.

Ever since Taylor's addition the boys seemed to brighten, almost as if they were happy. Pinako was grateful towards Taylor because it had been so long since she had seen them smile like that. But she prayed that it would stay this way. She could feel it in her old bones. Something was coming and she feared the worst for them. Pinako hoped that she was wrong but she knew these gut feelings of hers and they never once led her astray.


(-Taylor-)

Everyone ate supper and afterwards Winry and I hung out in her room. There, I gave her a more detailed explanation of the people we were up against. I went so far as to tell her that the Homunculi have been pulling the strings of the military all of this time just in hopes of gaining more power. While I was talking I noticed Winry had become silent, not even looking at me. I trailed off and reached out to touch her shoulder.

"Winry, is something wrong?" I asked, concerned.

She was quiet for a few moments. Then she asked, "So…does that mean that…they were responsible for the war in Ishval?"

I nodded, not sure what she was getting at, "Yeah. A homunculus known as Envy transformed himself as an Amestrian soldier and shot an Ishvalan child. That's when the people of Ishval had had enough of the military and began to fight back and that was more than enough reason for the Fuhrer to order them to be exterminated."

"So they're the reason why my mom and dad are dead," she murmured sadly.

I could have slapped myself for not seeing it before. Of course that was why she was upset. Hell, I'd be upset too!

"Winry…" I began but she interrupted me.

"If they had never started that stupid war then Mom and Dad would still be here with me. Those…those bastards!" she yelled. She looked up and glared at the wall across the room. Tears filled her eyes but she did not shed them. Icy flames flared in blue irises as she clenched her fists with rage.

I nodded in complete agreement, "You can say that again."

She wiped furiously at her eyes, "They've got to be stopped. No one else should have to die for their greedy purposes!"

"That's what Ed and Al have been fighting for," I told her. "At first, they were only searching for a way to restore their bodies but along the way that changed somewhat. They're not ones for sitting around for injustice and I'm not either. That's why we're going to fight them and make sure no more people get hurt."

I wouldn't go so far as to promise that we'd be able to defeat them and save the country. I couldn't promise that because there was a very real chance that we'd fail. We were only humans after all. We could very well die. But we would try anyway. I was scared. I knew that if I was alone in this the fear would overwhelm me. But with my friends beside me I could find the courage to fight.

Someone knocked on the door and Winry called for them to come in. Ed leaned into the room without actually coming in and asked, "Taylor, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure," I shrugged and walked into the hall. He gestured for me to follow him to the guest bedroom and he made sure to close the door behind him. I raised an eyebrow at him, wondering what he was up to and why he wanted to talk to me alone all of a sudden.

He scratched the back of his head, "I've been thinking…"

"That's not good," I put in. He frowned at me and I waved my hands and surrendered, "Okay, okay. You were saying?"

He coughed and went on, "Anyway…about tomorrow. I think Al and I should go to Central…without you."

The sense of humor I showed before died. My heart sunk and I felt like the wind was knocked out of me. I couldn't describe how hurt I felt. "But why? You're kidding, right?"

He shook his head solemnly, averting his eyes, "If you stayed here you would be safer. The whole military is looking for you as well as the Homunculi. If you went with us we'd be taking you right to them."

"But I can't just hide here while you guys go face them! And you guys need all the help you can get. Besides, it's not like I haven't fought against them before."

He locked his gaze with mine, wearing the most serious expression. "And how many times did you get hurt? How many times did you barely make it out alive? Taylor, you're not a skilled fighter like Al and I and you're still learning alchemy. You were lucky enough to survive this far and I don't want to risk it anymore than we have to. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you."

"But what if something happened to you guys instead and you needed me there? I could still help." I tried to defend myself rationally but even to my ears it sounded like I was begging.

"If you were there I'd be constantly worrying about you."

"You wouldn't need to. I can heal myself, remember?"

"That wouldn't exactly matter if you were knocked out. Let's face it, if you weren't taken first then we'd have our hands full worrying about you. So we'd be back to square one anyway."

I gritted my teeth. No, I refused to see his words as reasonable. Didn't he see that I needed to be there? Didn't he know that I couldn't forgive myself either if something happened to them when I could have prevented it? "I'm not some bystander that would be in the way!"

"No, you're not just some bystander. And that's why I can't take you with us." he said in a final tone.

I dug my nails into my palms as I trembled in anger. My eyes prickled, forcing me to look away from him. No, I was not going to cry over this. I was not that weak. I would not cry, damn it!

"Taylor…" his tone softened and he reached out to me.

"No," I said and brushed his hand away. "I…I should go." I stepped around him and hastily left the room. As I retreated down the hall I heard a sound that sounded similar to a fist slamming into a wall.


(-Taylor-)

I didn't sleep much that night. I had originally been so furious, nearly blinded with my rage. Winry had calmed me somewhat by talking to me but I was still livid. But as we settled down in her room for the night I couldn't rest, tossing and turning for most of the night. My anger transformed into fear as thoughts plagued my mind. What if something really did happen to Ed and Al or someone else? What if things went horribly wrong because my presence here put everything off track. Sure, things seemed to be going in the right direction for now but the train of events could easily derail. I suppose I could see where Ed was coming from. I may just end up getting in the way if I tagged along. Nevertheless, that didn't lessen my yearning to go with them.

Moonlight seeped through the window and with it I could see my necklace clearly, the same necklace that Ed gave me and that I hardly took off. I fingered the smooth black and red cross, the light glinting off its surface ever so slightly. What happened to us fighting together? Ed had promised that we were in this together. Not with me sitting on the sidelines. How could I fight alongside them if I was stuck here? And to make matters worse I knew there was nothing I could do or say to change Ed's mind. That look on his face, it told me nothing would make him say yes.

When the sky began to lighten I gave up on sleep and went to take a long hot shower. After I finished I could hear the others beginning to rise for the day. Pretty soon we were all eating breakfast at a near silent table. No one really felt like talking and the atmosphere between us remained tense. Ed didn't even glance at me and I didn't look at him either. I was still kinda pissed off at him and hurt but mostly the worry was eating at me. I guess now I knew how Winry felt when she had to stay behind and they would go off on dangerous missions. How did she not go crazy from it?

Later on that morning, Ed devised a way for him and Al to sneak aboard a train to Central. He hid Al in a large statue and disguised himself in a inconspicuous brown trench coat and shades, along with altering his hair color with alchemy to a greenish, black. Winry braided his hair for him and then we helped get the Al statue out the door. Ed came back inside briefly to put on some stilt boots to make him appear taller and we somehow ended up being the only ones in the room. Ed paused and stared at me and I fidgeted, not sure what to say.

"Told you about the hair," I commented. Then I could have smacked myself. Of all the things to say…

He wore a puzzled expression before he remembered, "Oh yeah, you did tell me that I would end up changing my hair color. Now I know why."

I nodded stiffly. The air between us was awkward and I was having an internal battle. I was still mad but I needed to push away my pride. They were about to leave and I may never see them again. They may die and I didn't want the last significant exchange between us be a stupid fight. So I took a deep breath and strode purposefully over to him. From the look on his face he expected me to hit him long before what I really did.

I wrapped my arms around his back and buried my face in his chest.

"Taylor?" he asked hesitantly.

"Don't die, okay?" I asked in a small voice. If I talked any louder I was afraid he could hear the tears in my voice. "Cause if you do…I'll be really pissed."

He chuckled and enveloped me in a warm hug, "We wouldn't want that now would we, Ginja Ninja?"

I laughed at my nickname and then groaned, "Don't make me laugh. I'm serious."

"And so am I," he answered back gravely. "You won't get rid of me that easily, Taylor. I promise you."

"Good."

We stood there for a minute and I relished every moment. His warmth, his smell, the feeling of comfort and safety he brought, I let it all soak in. And all too soon he was pulling away. His lips brushed my forehead as he whispered, "Take care of yourself."

He went to turn but I stopped him by grabbing the collar of his jacket and smashing our lips together. He seemed rather shocked but quickly fell into the kiss and dominated my mouth. We poured out all of our emotions with actions and it left both of us dizzy, maybe more dizzy for Ed than me because when Winry called to Ed that they were gonna miss the train he broke away with a dazed look.

"Ye-yeah! I'm, uh, I'm c-coming!" he yelled back. His eyes were bright and he had this big goofy grin on his face as he went to stumble out of the room. Instead, he walked right into the wall. I giggled as he floundered around and made it to the doorway.

"Bye," he stammered quickly to me with a red face as he left.

I shook my head and sighed. He could be a big idiot sometimes but I still loved him.


(-Taylor-)

"Hey Taylor, can you come here for a second?" Winry called for me.

I snapped out of my daze and replied, "Sure." I walked over and held a couple pieces of wire for her that attached to an automail leg she was building.

"You're thinking about them again, aren't you?" she asked me knowingly, her eyes never straying from her work.

"Is it that obvious?"

She smiled, "Well, you've zoned out about a thousand times since they left yesterday so, yeah. It is obvious."

"You can't blame me for worrying. In fact, I'm surprised how calm you've been. How can you stand it?"

"I guess I've gotten used to it," she shrugged. "They go off so much but they always promise to come back and I've never known them to break their promises."

I nodded. I clung to the hope that they would return and in one piece. I would drive myself crazy if I kept thinking about it but…I couldn't help it! All this waiting was getting on my nerves! Grrr!

I heard Winry laugh and I snapped out of my thoughts, "What?"

She shook her head, "Just the look you had when you were thinking."

For a split second I attempted the impossible and tried to look at my face while I was thinking to see what she meant. Then I realized how stupid that was and accepted the fact that I apparently make weird faces when I think.

"Can you get me a screwdriver from the toolbox over there," she pointed across the table. "It should be the one with the blue handle."

"Okay," I nodded and went to grab it. I turned around and couldn't comprehended what happened next. All I saw was a flash of light and I had the feeling of being thrown back. My view of the room became sideways. And why did my body feel numb? What the hell just happened?

I struggled to sit up to see if Winry was alright. My eyes sought out movement and saw her being tossed roughly into a wall. She slid to the floor, out cold. The next thing I knew I was being lifted into the air. A hand gripped my shirt and I traced down the limb to see the face of Fate. My brain was still trying to catch up so I couldn't say anything even if I wanted to.

His voice came to me distantly, "The end is fast approaching and you shall be present for it." He touched my arm and my tattoos began to glow red as I felt the familiar burning sensation flood my veins. I tried to fight it but it was inevitable. I fell into darkness, his expressionless face being the last thing I saw.


That's...not good.

So, it was pretty easy to write this chapter but it's just the beginning of the end. Oh yeah, some major stuff is about to go down.

Oh, and thank you to everyone who's reviewed...and to the people who send me and Taylor brownies. XD Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go take a well earned nap.

Zzzzzzzzzz