A/N: Well I figure that it's about time for an update! This one's a little shorter...for some reason I had a hard time with Edward's POV. shrugs And just for a warning, for the next couple of chapters or so it might seem like I'm changing pov's alot ('cause I kinda will be!), but it should eventually even out to where it's just Ed's and Al's povs--Al Elric, I mean. I've ended up doing some changes on the summary and stuff, and later might even change genres or something. Because other things just keep randomly popping up as I write! Oh fun...

Chapter 2: Renewed Hope

It took him a while, but Ed had finally picked up all the small pieces off of the floor and was now working intently on the part on his desk. He had to get this finished before he left tonight, and almost wished that Al would have gotten on to him about it earlier. Of course, he knew how many sleepless nights Al had had attempting to either fix his work or finish it, and he felt rather guilty about it. But through all his research, he was beginning to lose hope that this would get him back where he belonged. And, come to think of it, it was very tempting to just stay here in this world, live his life for himself for a change, give up going back, forget about his own world, if it was really there. Lately he had been having doubts that it ever really existed to begin with. Very tempting, indeed. There was an Al here too, constantly reminding him of his younger brother, and he was a good friend. And God only knew how much less he would suffer if he just gave up going back.

Just then something dropped on his desk. "Eat up," Al's voice said cheerfully. Ed looked up, dumbfounded for a moment before spotting the bag on his desk. "Al, I thought I told you I was okay!" The boy just shrugged and smirked. "Well, you haven't been looking so well these past few weeks, and it's like I said earlier. Can't have you dying on me now! You're still too useful for that!" He gave Ed a wink and pulled a chair up beside him, setting his own lunch on the desk.

Ed couldn't help but smile. It was times like this that this Al's resemblence to his Al back home just made it seem easier to stay. He was the same kindhearted soul his brother had been. Ed watched hesitantly as Al opened up his own bag. "You know, Al," he started rather shamefully as he watched his partner take a bite out of his sandwich, "I won't be able to pay you back for this for a while, what with my old man missing and the rent getting higher now."

"Yes you will!" Al responded, shoving the untouched bag of food into Ed's face. He looked up questioningly as Al took another bite and swallowed. "All you have to do is start getting your work done! That'll be enough payment. Now eat," he said, shoving the bag in Ed's face once more.

Ed smiled again, taking his own lunch out of the bag. This ought to be enough to get him back to work...for a little while at least. Al had already done so much for him since he'd been here, and he felt as though he'd done nothing for him. He didn't want Al to think that he was taking advantage of his kindness. And because of that, it was getting harder and harder to accept what all he offered. After all, if Ed decided to stay Al would be the only one he knew.

The two just ate in silence for a few minutes before Al finally spoke up. "You said that the rent was rising for your place, right?" Ed looked up and nodded, wondering where this was going. Al shrugged casually and said, "I can imagine that it's pretty lonely with your father gone and all. If you wanted to, you could stay with me. There's more than enough room if you wanted to, and I wouldn't mind having someone else around. And who knows, maybe having someone else around would help you stay focused." He offered Ed a small smile. "If you don't we'll never get this finished. Then how else will you get back to your brother?"

Ed stared back down at his lunch, slightly shocked at the offer. Yep. This is what he meant. The boy did so much to help him keep on going. But what did Ed do to return the favor? Heck, he couldn't even stay on task building this rocket anymore! And he knew how much it meant to Al to bring glory to his home country. If he accepted, how would he ever be able repay something like this? Abandon him and leave if he everdid manage to finda way back to Amestris? But now Al had brought up what had been bothering him. "Al," he said sadly, still looking down as he pushed away his lunch. "I don't think the rocket will work. I don't think it will take me back." He felt a hand on his shoulder, and he forced himself to look up at Al. The look in the younger boy's eyes were sad, but he still smiled.

"You should still try it and see if it works," he said encouragingly. He shook his head slowly and continued. "Don't give up. At least you have a chance to get back to your brother." Ed noticed the distant, sad look in Al's eyes with these words. "Al?" he asked curiously, but was ignored as Al continued to speak. "You need to get back to your little brother, Ed. I'm sure he's waiting for you and can't wait to see you again."

Ed looked at his partner with concern as he felt the hand leave his shoulder and watched it sink back to its owner's side. "Al?" he asked again, worried about his friend. This time his question was acknowledged. Al shook his head as though to bring himself back to reality and put on a smile which, to Ed, looked to be forced. His eyes gave away everything, though Ed could tell he tried hard to hide it all. "Well at leastthink about it, Ed," Al said in an overly cheerful voice. The same one that he himself had often used when speaking to Al. "Let me know if you'd like to, and I can help you move your things." Al gave him one last overly cheerful, very false smile,and with that, he threw away the remains of his lunch and went back to his own desk.

Soon afterwards, Ed was working on his part once again. No, he thought, returning to his thoughts from earlier as he glanced across the room. What was it that Al was hiding from him? Whatever it was he was right. I can't break the promise I made to Al. I can't give up. His conversation with Al had been the spark he needed to ignite that flare of hope within him once more. The tone in his voice just sounded so--genuine. He couldn't explain it. It sounded so sad, yet so sincere,and, dare he say it--almost jealous?He glanced over at his partner once more. Al had his head bent over his desk, working on his own parts and plans. Whatever had been bothering him earlier now seemed to be gone, as he was working like his usual self again. Ed turned back around to his own and took a deep breath. If he kept working, he could have this done by midnight, maybe even a little earlier. He hadn't yet broken a promise, and he wasn't about to start breaking them now. First he would finish this for his work partner. Then he would find his way back to his brother.

InOurTearsOfMisery--I'm glad you liked it! I hope you the rest of it!

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