Chapter two: Behind the Gate

Isana sighed, opening her eyes and gasped when she met something black, cold, and familiar, something she'd only seen twice in her lifetime…the gate. The skeletal figures still clung to it, reaching over each other, still clawing their way up. The large doors remained closed, the ones with the giant carved eye and yellow nothingness surrounded her. There was no wind, no sound save for her breathing.

Suddenly the door creaked loudly and began to open ever so slowly and black tendril hands snaked out, writhing about, reaching for her. She took a backward step, but they still caught hold of her and held her still; they didn't suck her in, just held her still. A face, then a body appeared, one she hoped to have forgotten. It was Envy, and he was smiling. "Nice trick, did Daddy teach you that?" he mocked. "You know I'm just going to take the brat from you."

Isana sat up in bed drenched in a cold sweat, panting, trembling, her hands clawing at the blankets. She heard someone in the hall, heard hurried footsteps and on instinct and in fear she clapped her hands and hit her wall, transmuting a barrier in front of the door and sealing herself in.

She heard Edward curse and his alchemy, the smell of hers and his making her nauseated. The barrier was gone just a quickly as it had come up and he turned on the light. "Isana I said no alchemy." He was hushed but still worried.

"Dad," she breathed reaching for him. Ed came to her, sitting upon the bed. Instantly she was in his arms sobbing. "Envy…he said he was going to take my baby."

Edward's hands gently pet her hair. "Shhhh, it's okay Isana, Envy's gone."

"No," she cried, shaking her head and pulling away to look at him. It was so real, she could still feel the hands, was still in panic. It was as if she'd gone there in her sleep, she must have; she had to have. "I saw him; he came out of the gate. He did!"

Ed's hands framed her face. "It was just a dream."

"No Dad no," she nearly screamed. "It was so real, I could feel-"

"Isana, it was just a dream. Envy's dead, locked away inside the gate. You're safe." He smiled. "I'll check the house if you want," he said moving to get up.

She tightened her grip upon his pajama shirt. "No! Don't leave me alone, please. Daddy please he wanted my baby. Why, what's he going to do to it!"

Ed blinked a moment then pulled her close. "Nothing, it was just a dream I promise. You're safe; the baby is safe. Everything's fine and normal just like last night and the night before and the night before that. Shhhh it's okay,"

Roy stood outside the bedroom with his hands in his pockets, listening, worrying. This wasn't good. He and Edward had just lain down for the night when they heard her cry out. Edward had never told him the extent or in detail of her nightmares, well now he knew. Isana was being haunted, tormented even now. He told himself it should be expected after the beating, the fear she'd suffered, but he didn't want that for her. Especially not now damn it.

Easing into the room as not to startle her, he walked over to the bed and rested a hand upon her shoulder. "Isana, Ed's right, it was just a dream." A lot of good that would do her now that she'd had it. "Envy's not here. Remember you sent him through the gate and Wrath was fighting him?"

She nodded into Ed's neck. "I remember…"

He didn't know what else to do for her. He couldn't fight dreams for her, give him something real and tangible and he'd gladly stop it from hurting her, but a dream…That he just couldn't compete with. In some respects he felt guilty for bringing her into this in the first place. She might have been safer with some other couple, or on her own, but he didn't really want to think like that, he just couldn't help it.

Shaking his head, he pulled Ed and Isana apart, pulled her blankets back then bent over, slipped his hands under her legs, and around her waist. Gently he lifted her. "You'll sleep with us tonight," he said softly. "It's been a long time."

Isana shook her head. "No Daddy."

Roy smiled. "It's okay for tonight. You need sleep and not to be alone." He expected her to protest more but she didn't, just clung to him. Edward nodded and followed him into their bedroom.

It took longer for her to fall asleep than he thought it would, normally she was asleep a few minutes if not instantly after getting into bed. This time it took her half an hour. That worried him, he wondered what was going on inside her head, but didn't ask, as the point was to get her to sleep.

Edward was asleep after her, holding her protectively like he had when she was a little girl. He on the other hand couldn't sleep so easily. He was supposed to make things better for her and he felt defeated, incompetent even. It was hard to swallow and he fought against it internally. He had to somehow make this better, give her proof that Envy was gone, but how? He didn't know how to open the gate and Edward wouldn't tell him, she wouldn't tell him. They were too afraid of what was in there and something happening to him. Hell Edward even said he hated the place, it was terrifying and not a place he ever wanted to go to again. But Roy had to find someway of soothing his daughter.

Deep within the underground city, inside the mansion, something stirred. Electricity crackled in the air, illuminating the shadows and darkened halls. There was a shifting in the stale air currents; a loud crack not too unlike thunder and something was spit out, hitting the floor with a squeaky thud.

Everything was a deafening silent for a few moments before a figure began to move, lifting its head. It moaned softly in pain and fatigue. It looked around trying to discern where it was, what was going on, because a few moments before it had been fighting in a void of darkness where the only thing it could see was its enemy. That enemy had been defeated, finally after so many agonizingly long hours.

It felt like ages to the one lying cold upon the floor and from the looks of this place, not that he could see very well in the first place, it had been awhile, but how long and why was he here again? Why was he brought back? Was she still alive? He knew they had come, felt the flames burn him before the gate was opened, but…

He groaned in pain as he forced himself to his feet. He'd never felt so sore before and something was different. He felt warmer than he ever had; his body ached when it should have healed itself already. As puzzling as that was he had to get to Isana, had to find her and see if she was still alive, if they were still alive.

He took a step and faltered, falling to his knees, gasping in pain. It was only now that he felt the warm trickling and oozing of something down his side. He reached along his ribs and felt…blood? He bled, but not like this, not…What the hell was going on!

He couldn't wait here, he had to take care of this, had to find some clothing as he assessed that he wasn't wearing anything. There had to be something left in this old place somewhere.

Struggling once more, he got to his feet and forced himself along in the darkness, relying upon memory to guide him.

He found a light switch along the way and blinked at the harshness of the light after so long of not having any at all. He was back in the mansion. Somehow that was oddly fitting.

Pushing onward, he found his old room, the one he'd shared with that enemy of his, found some clothes and hurriedly snatched them up. Then he looked in the mirror. What he saw shocked him, a ghastly wound, deep and horrible. If he didn't…he would die soon if he didn't find some help. But where could he go? It didn't matter; all that mattered was staying alive until he could find them again.

A week later Isana sat back at her desk fanning herself, as summer had finally turned ugly, really ugly. It was so hot, so humid, and there wasn't any wind at all today. Just like the day before. "I really wish it would rain," she muttered.

"Why?" Roy asked from his desk.

"Because it's so hot and I'd like it to cool off a bit." She sighed, lifting the neck line of her dress and pulling it away from her a moment. "I don't know how you stand that uniform Daddy."

"I'm a soldier, and after going to the East I just kind of ignore the heat. I'm hot too if it makes you feel better."

Isana shook her head. "No, not really…" She sighed again. "You know what's really disturbing about all of this?" She turned her head to look at him. She had decided that she liked the idea of being a mother, getting to have something left of Wrath, something that would live on and she was starting to actually love the baby. It had taken a few days, but once the shock had worn off, mostly from the news and the startling night mare she'd had, she began to grow strangely protective of it. There were still a few things that bothered her, like the mourning sickness and head aches, but it came with the territory.

Roy shook his head, sitting back in his chair.

"I don't think the doctor was right when he said three months."

"Oh?"

"No, I did some calculations last night before bed and checked with Riza, looked at the information the nurse gave me, talked with Aunt Winry…Daddy I think maybe I'm four months…" She paused and wiped the sweat from her brow. "I might be a week or two off though." She sighed. "I don't know." Suddenly she gasped.

"What?" He asked startled.

Isana frowned. She'd felt that before and it was just odd. "This is why I thought I might be further along…I can feel it moving, not kicking just slight…It's so weird."

Roy chuckled. "Weird huh?"

Isana smiled. "You try having something move around inside you and see how you'd describe it."

Roy rubbed his chin. "Well I can't argue with that. Does it tickle?"

She frowned. He certainly was curious about this, had asked all sorts of questions. It was kind of adorable. "Um no not really, just strange."

He nodded and then smiled. "I haven't asked but what did Daren say?"

Isana sighed. "He said congratulations, but I don't think he was thrilled…" She lifted her hand and bit her thumb nail. Should she tell him the other part of what Daren had said? Oh why not, she needed a little advice anyway. "Daddy he said something else."

Roy waited patiently.

"He said the baby would need a father and asked me to marry him."

Roy smiled softly and lowered his eyes to his stack of paper work. "I see…and what was your response?"

Isana looked away. "I don't want to hurt him, he's my friend, but…"

"You don't love him like that because you're still in love with Wrath." She nodded. "So what did you say?"

"I haven't said anything yet other than I needed to think. On one hand it would ease the pressure from the press latter on, but I don't want to be unfair to him or myself."

"Understandable, hell that's even reasonable. Someone's going to get hurt here Isana, there's no way around it. The real question is who are you willing to hurt more, Daren or yourself?" He paused. "In the long run it might be easier and you might actually find that you fall in love with Daren."

"I know but after awhile and I'm not sure when I started to think of him as my older brother. I don't think I could give him what he wants or deserves."

"Then I think you have your answer. He'll get over it eventually, he's your friend Isana and I don't think he'd let your friendship go. It might be a little strained for awhile, but things will work out. You've got to do what feels right for you at this point."

She nodded. "And the baby,"

"Yes, and the baby too."

She sighed. "I still feel terrible about it."

Roy smirked. "In this instance you're not really going to win… Are you hungry?" He pulled out his pocket watch and took a look at it.

"Do you really have to ask that? Lately I'm nearly always hungry, it's annoying."

"Then let's go get some lunch, the mess hall okay?"

She nodded and began to rise from her seat as the phone rang. "Ugh!" she muttered and lifted the receiver. "Fuehrer Mustang's office," she said pleasantly.

"Isana, let me talk to your Dad," Came Havoc's voice.

"Sure," she held out the phone. "Daddy its Jean."

Roy came over and took the phone from her, "Might as well take a seat sweetie." He said softly.

Isana smiled and obeyed, stacking up her work in an order that she would know to tackle next when she returned.

"Are you sure about that? You have to be positive Havoc."

She looked up with a slight frown but said nothing. He'd tell her as soon as he was off the phone. "All right, I'll come take a look for myself, no, no one. We'll discuss it as soon as I'm there." He hung up the phone and gave her an apologetic smile.

"What's going on?"

"Take the rest of the day off Isana. I won't be in the office."

She smiled shaking her head. "I'll come along,"

"No, this is something I need to take care of. It's…It's complicated and I promise to fill you in when I can."

Isana sat back. "I don't like it, but I'll go home…wait won't you need-" Roy took the keys from his pocket.

"I'll have Havoc drop me off when we're through for the day. Get some rest and take it easy." He leaned over and kissed her head. "I promise to let you know as soon as I can."

Isana nodded deciding it was just best to let him go. After all there were some things she knew she wasn't supposed to know, things about his work that he kept her away from. Just last month there had been a string of murders and he'd kept her away from it so she wouldn't have to see. It was as nice as it was annoying because she was serious about her job. He knew that, they had talked about it, but he wanted to keep her safe as possible in every way. He promised to let her in on a little more later on as he couldn't keep all the evils of the world away from her.

She watched him leave and began to pack up her desk. At least Edward was home today so she wouldn't be there alone. He'd of course want to talk about the nursery since he's stopped all talk about alchemy to prove that he didn't want her doing it while she was pregnant. Well maybe they could do a little more with the room today. It already had been cleaned out, measured, and all the plans for furniture drawn up. She'd already obtained a nice light fabric, blue in color, for the window. Maybe she could start on the curtains today.

When Isana got home she was surprised to find Edward sitting in her room at her desk. He wasn't doing anything, just sitting and staring off into space. "Dad?"

Ed turned with a soft smile. "You're home early. Did you get tried?"

Isana smiled. "No, Daddy sent me home. He had something he had to do and needed me to come home." She placed her hands upon her hips. "So want to tackle the baby's room with me for a bit?"

Ed nodded. "Sure…" He frowned. "What was it he had to do?"

She shrugged. "Don't know, just got a phone call from Havoc and that was it. He said he'd tell me about it later so he'll probably tell you too. Hey you think you could use alchemy to paint the walls. I don't think I want the room to be white, but I'm not sure what color to paint them."

"That's odd…" Ed muttered.

Oh no, he was off in his head again thinking and probably worrying.

"What do you think will go with the curtains?" He asked suddenly.

"Um well I don't know. I don't want the room too dark." She replied glad that they were back on the same page. Edward rose from her desk, approached her, then took her hand and led her across the hall.

He took a look at the curtains and sighed. "A lighter blue maybe?"

Isana nodded. "Okay and if it's a girl we can change it to something else later."

"Like pink," He said with a grin.

Isana rolled her eyes. "Pink is a horrible color."

"No it's not, how about yellow?"

"Okay now you're pushing it." She warned. "When are you making furniture?"

"I thought about later today…" He muttered heading from the room. "I'll be right back Kiddo; I just need to get some things."

Isana sighed and walked over to the window and opened it. She felt the little fluttering in her stomach and smiled. "You're certainly excitable today," she said softly.

"Huh?" Ed asked returning with a bowl of water.

"Oh nothing," she replied, turning to watch. Ed knelt upon the floor and pulled out a piece of chalk. He began to draw out a transmutation circle and build upon it, working out the formula for paint, the symbols and such. Then he placed the water upon it and left muttering to him self.

When he returned he dumped some dirt and something else she didn't catch into the bowl and began to transmute. "So?" He asked once it was done.

Isana wriggled her nose at the smell from the paint. "It stinks, but the color's pretty."

Ed nodded agreeing with her. "Okay…if the smell is bothering you scoot," He nodded to the door.

"But,"

"Go, start on the curtains…I'll let use alchemy just once today and that's it."

Isana hesitated. She missed performing alchemy, but after what they'd said about doing it while pregnant… It couldn't hurt to do it this once and it wouldn't take too much energy to transmute the curtains.

Roy stood outside the small hospital room reading the medical file while the doctor sighed before him. Havoc and Riza stood at his side and Falman was putting together a security team with Breda and Fury. This was a small hospital, not even really a hospital, more like a doctor's office on the outskirts of Central where low income families came when they couldn't afford the main hospital. So the security would have to be light as not to raise an kind of suspicion, but they would make it tight none the less.

Roy kept his face devoid of any emotion as he'd done since he'd left his daughter and placed the medical file back in the doctor's hand. "And what is the patient's name?"

The doctor, an old graying man, looking his years sighed. "He won't give us one, but he asked for you personally, was insistent about it. I'm sorry Fuehrer Mustang, but calling you was the only way to keep him calm. His body took quite the beating and he was nearly dead when he stumbled in here. I honestly don't know where he came from or how he could have survived long enough to get here with as much blood as he lost."

Roy took a deep breath and let it out. "May I see him?"

The doctor nodded. "Yes of course."

Roy began to follow the old man, hearing Riza shift behind him. After years of having her cover him, he'd learned to listen to her movements, hear which was which. Right now, she had drawn her gun.

As they walked down the narrow hallway Havoc nudged him. "What are you going to do sir?"

"I won't know until I see for myself." Roy replied softly. In truth he had to be sure. He didn't want this to turn out for the worst. He had to think of what consequences it would have upon many people and so much more. What bothered him was how in the world he'd gotten free, and if he could get free could the other?

The doctor stopped beside a small door and pointed. "He's in there, would you like to see him alone?"

Roy nodded and the old man stepped aside to allow him to pass. Roy causally opened the door and allowed Riza and Havoc to follow him. He nodded to Havoc to lock the door before heading toward the bed curtain. Slowly, he lifted his hand to pull it back.

There, lying in the bed, bruised and slightly emaciated, was Wrath. At least it looked like Wrath. It could be Envy in disguise and he was ready for anything in case it was. He cleared his throat. "You wanted to see me."

Tired eyes fluttered open and violet met obsidian. Wrath sighed in relief, trying to shift in his bed but winced and settled down. "Is she all right?"

Roy remained placid. "Isana is alive and doing well after a fashion."

"How bad was she hurt?" The boy, well Roy couldn't really call him a boy now could he, after all Wrath was an adult now, looked worried. It was the kind of worry and fear that spoke of his care for her.

"She almost died."

Wrath winced, casting his eyes away in shame. He wet his lips. "I'm sorry,"

Roy smirked. "Are you?"

"Yes, I never wanted her to get hurt. If things had gone the way I wanted she'd have been safe."

Roy slipped a hand into his pocket and moved to take the chair beside the bed. "Things rarely go as we plan them. Why did you call for me and not her?"

Wrath winced again. "Because… because Isana always spoke so highly of you, said you could be trusted to help in any situation and I don't know how much time has passed. If she's moved on and started over I didn't want to disrupt anything."

"You're being overly considerate of her feelings Wrath, for a homunculus that is." Roy mused. "Why, you were using my daughter to get the stone, you'd begun doing that when you both were children."

Wrath smiled sardonically. "Well in the beginning yes. Call me a dog of Envy if you want because that's exactly what I was…" Then he looked at Roy. "Kind of like you're a dog of the military in some ways…I'm not a homunculi any more. I don't know what happened or how or when, but I'm different. My wounds don't heal; I don't even have auto-mail anymore. I don't understand it in the least."

Roy looked him over as Wrath pulled the blankets down to show him proof. The kid looked terrible, bandaged up along his ribs. Hell he looked a little worse than Isana had after her surgery. If he really had been a homunculus his body would have healed itself. He had to wonder about that, what was he now if he wasn't a homunculus. Human?

"I can prove it," Wrath breathed turning his gaze upon Riza. "Have her shoot me."

Roy blinked, a little startled at his request. "Wrath,"

"No, I insist. If she kills me and I don't come back then one, you won't have to worry about me anymore, and two you'll have you're proof."

"Taking the easy way out I see?"

Wrath glared at him. "I'm not a coward! I just… All I wanted was to know if Isana was all right. You said she was so it doesn't matter to me what happens to me now. I may or may not be human now and that doesn't really matter, I felt what it was like before. She made me feel alive, she made everything that was dark inside me disappear and grow warm and light anytime I was ever with her. I have to give something back to her for that. If that means just knowing she's okay and leaving her alone, then I'll do that, for her."

A smile quirked at the corner of Roy's mouth. "You really would leave her alone, forever?"

Wrath winced but nodded. "As long as she's all right, happy. I know I've done terrible things to people in the past but she's the only thing that matters to me."

Roy nodded glancing at Riza. "Well Riza what do you think? Should we do as he asks and test this theory out?"

"Sir?" Riza asked.

"There are easier ways to test this Wrath, simply cutting your arm would be effective and you wouldn't have to lose your life." He smiled. "Maybe I can answer a few questions for you." He probably shouldn't do this but he had to be sure. He wasn't completely convinced that this was Wrath. "If you answer a few of mine."

Wrath met his eyes and for once Roy met something he was completely comfortable with, something he felt was human. Wrath was nervous, frightened, unsure. That was a start. "I'll tell you anything you want to know."

"How many homunculi are left?"

Wrath sighed. "It was just Gluttony, Envy, and I after Dante was killed. Gluttony ate her. He only did that because I killed Lust and because he was so distraught over it Dante took what she called his humanity from him using alchemy. I don't know how that works, but he was mindless after that. Envy couldn't even handle him so he killed him. We didn't run into any more of us and last I knew Envy was still in the gate."

"And how did you get back here?" Roy watched the frown appear.

"I-I don't… I'm not sure. One minute I was fighting Envy the next I was back in the mansion, bleeding, and I felt so different."

Roy nodded. "So no one that you know of opened the gate?"

"Not that I know of." He replied.

Well that ruled out Isana trying to bring him back, not that she really would. She'd told him she was finished with looking into human transmutation and promised without him even asking that she'd not try to bring Wrath back herself. Just like always his little girl hadn't lied to him. "And do you think Envy could have gotten out?"

Wrath's eyes grew wide and a fear so great drenched the room in a cold glow. "He can't do alchemy and I was alone in that place, but if he did manage to get out…"

Roy held up his hand. "We wouldn't really know anyway since he can change his form. We'd have to wait for him to make his move and since you know him better than anyone else you'd know what to look for, right?"

Wrath nodded. "He's obsessed with taking everything from Edward and Alphonse Elric and making them suffer. That's why he went after Isana in the first place."

"And what is Isana's least favorite color?"

Wrath smiled. "Yellow,"

"Her least favorite food?"

"Milk and shrimp, she doesn't really like fish in the first place, but she'll eat some here and there, mostly tuna."

Good, Roy doubted Envy would pay attention to that much of his daughter. "And what is her favorite book, not an alchemy book, but another."

Wrath frowned thoughtfully for a moment. "I can't remember the name… It's about a Unicorn and a sheep. She read it to me once, said she used to read it to Edward when she was a little girl."

That was enough for Roy. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I lied to you. Maybe that was unfair but I needed to know if you were really you and not Envy."

Wrath nodded. "I understand. Isana actually has a birthmark on her left shoulder and a small scar on her lower back."

Roy knew about the birthmark but he didn't know about the scar in the least as she'd been old enough to bathe herself and never really played in the water much as a child. He'd never seen her with out clothes on. Oh he'd accidentally walked in on her one morning while she was changing to get her up for school, that's how he knew of the birthmark, and she'd not been completely nude then.

"Isana…" Did he really want to tell him right now? He did have a right to know. He sighed. "I lied, Isana isn't entirely fine. She misses you, it's only been three and half months and she believes that she murdered you by sending you into the gate. She's had nightmares."

Wrath looked away. "I told her too, it's not her fault."

"There's more, as far as we know, or at least Edward knows homunculi can't procreate and yet she's pregnant. I know my daughter loved you and wouldn't betray you. She hasn't even dated anyone else, not even her friend Daren who has asked her to marry him. So it's yours."

Wrath's violet eyes grew wide. "Sh-she's pregnant!"

Roy nodded. "Can your kind reproduce?"

"Pride did," Wrath breathed. "But we were so careful…"

Roy smirked. "Not careful enough, that doesn't matter she doesn't seem to mind. She was a little startled at first, shocked even, but now…" he smiled a real smile. "She's pleased I think."

Wrath smiled softly. "That's good; you think she'll be okay?"

Roy arched an eyebrow. "Why don't you find out yourself?"

Wrath's jaw dropped. "I can't do that. After everything I did there is no way Edward would let me near her."

"You might be surprised, Edward is actually quite… thrilled that she's going to have a baby of her own. He likes being a grandfather. You may see my daughter as long as you promise to protect her, watch out for Envy. I'll give you the job of being her bodyguard for that purpose. You'll have to help support the baby and it really wouldn't be fair to Isana to keep your being alive and here from her. But you'll have to get better. I don't want her seeing you like this. It would upset her."

Wrath was quiet a moment, looking away. "I'd protect her and the baby regardless… As best as I am able." He looked at Roy. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because I want my daughter to be happy Wrath. I'm sure she could find it on her own, but even though she was a generally happy child, and happy before you came into her life again, she was happier, smiled more when you were around. Maybe you'll understand that now that you're going to be a father. How are you taking the news?"

Wrath swallowed then smiled. "It's a little shocking, I don't deserve it, but it's more than I ever wanted. Thank you Fuehrer Mustang, I'll do everything I can to keep her and the baby safe."

Roy nodded. "Good, now if you'll excuse me I need to get home." He stood hoping that he was making the right decision here. Edward wouldn't be too happy with this or Roy's later plans for Wrath, but he'd understand at least. He'd also get used to it. "I'm not going to tell Isana about you yet. She won't know until you can walk to her on your own. That should give you something to look forward too." He rested a hand upon Wrath's shoulder. "Focus upon getting better soon for now. Do everything the doctor tells you too. I'll come back to check on you."

For a moment Roy thought Wrath might cry, his eyes glistened with tears and it occurred to him that maybe Wrath had never really known what it was like to be forgiven or touched with kindness by anyone save his daughter. That was a sad existence, to never have known love from a parental figure. They wouldn't get into it at the moment; he had a certain hot headed blonde alchemist to convince.

Edward sighed moving the crib into the nursery at last. He was exhausted, transmuted more than he had in one day in a long time, but it was worth it and he was quite pleased with himself if he did say so. Isana even looked happy; a little tired, but he watched as she ran her hand over the wood of the dresser. "It's perfect Dad, thank you."

"Eh, it will do," He replied hearing the front door open. "That's Roy, what do you want for dinner?"

Isana grinned. "I set some hamburger out this morning to thaw,"

"Right, what's the most fattening recipe I know?" He asked tapping his chin.

"Dad I don't mind gaining a little weight but if this keeps up I'll be a rolly poly."

Edward snickered. "I'll take you out back to work it all off."

Isana groaned. "I'm so out of practice now I don't think I'll ever get back up to speed."

"Sure you will," He grinned.

"Will what?" Roy asked coming into the room. "Wow Ed, this is really nice,"

"Get her figure back," Ed replied. "So what was so important?"

Roy entered the room looking around. "Some security matter, it wasn't as bad as it sounded. I thought you were going to let me help. Now what am I going to do for the baby?"

Ed sighed. "You still can,"

"Dad, food," Isana urged. "I'm hungry and tired and really hot. I'd like to get a shower in before I fall asleep on my feet. This kid's draining my energy already."

Roy smiled. "Then go rest. Ed and I will make dinner; you just go take a nap for now."

Isana gave them both a dubious look. "Uh huh, meaning you either want to have sex or you're going to tell him something you don't want me to know. Well you promised to tell me Daddy."

Roy chuckled. "You know us so well, you're right I did promise, but you don't need to know right now. I will tell you, just when the time comes."

Isana sighed. "Fine, keep it down." With that she left for her bedroom.

Ed frowned. "Moody at the moment isn't she."

"Comes with the territory I suppose." Roy replied then in a lowered voice he finished. "Come to the kitchen Edward, this is serious."

Edward didn't need to be told twice and headed for said room right away. They turned on the radio and placed it so it faced the hall way then sat at the kitchen table. Ed jumped up and asked Roy to begin while he started dinner.

"Wrath isn't dead Edward. I just saw him… He's different." Ed's hands stilled in making the hamburger patties.

"How?" He asked calmly.

"He doesn't know. He said one minute he was fighting with Envy then the next he was in the mansion."

Edward sighed. Well this just got better and better. "Well we can't keep him away from Isana. She'll want to know and it's not like we control him."

"Edward he's human."

Now Edward turned around. "How the hell is that possible?"

"I don't know, but I saw his wounds, read the medical file. He is human now, even has his limbs. Now the interesting question is, how are you going to handle him being around our daughter again?"

Ed closed his eyes. He didn't want Wrath around her, thought he was gone and if he was back then that could mean that Envy was as well. Now that he was, it could mean any number of things for Isana. She wasn't exactly over his loss in the first place. Bringing him back into her life could confuse her; make her worse off than she was mentally what with the nightmares. "Tell me everything that you know, I meant it, don't leave anything out."

When Roy was finished Edward sighed, shaking his head. "I don't like it but I'd rather have him close where I can watch him. He'll live here with us… How bad did he look?"

"Not very good Ed," Roy replied grimly. "He was beaten up pretty badly; it will be at least a month before he'll be able to walk out of that hospital."

He still didn't like it, but maybe for Isana's sake he' could deal with this. And well it wasn't fair to keep a parent from their own child. Maybe with a little help he, Roy, and Isana could help Wrath be good and not evil, not that he ever really thought he was evil in the first place, just some misguided puppet. He certainly wasn't bad before Dante got a hold of him. "I think you're right, we shouldn't tell her about him yet, wait until he can come on his own two feet."

Roy looked a little surprised. "You're taking this better than I imagined."

"I'm doing this for Isana. She loves him so much and if I were to put myself in her place… Roy I need you like she needs him." Ed said, though it bothered him a little. He just had to put the past behind him and learn to live with this.

"I agree, what concerns me the most is Envy."

"If Wrath got out… Perhaps the gate made him human for…" Ed smiled, daring to think it. "He sacrificed himself for Isana so in return he got his wish, to be human and be with her. At least one thing good came from that place, something complete." He sighed. "Well dinner's almost ready, you want to wake her or should I?"

Roy smiled. "I'll do it," He stood. "Oh and Ed, the nursery looks perfect, too bad you'll be too tired for the real work tonight in bed."

Ed snorted. "I still have enough energy for that." He watched Roy leave and shook his head, thinking to himself. Wrath was back, he was human or at least that's how it appeared. What was he like now? And what about Envy? The thought of Envy being back was unnerving. Envy was like the unstoppable force that threatened to destroy everything.