By the time the ship docked in New York Edward was a wreck and ultimately had taken everyone down with him so spirits were a bit less than happy by the time they stepped off the ship. Alphonse kept a watchful eye on Sierra and scowled at the way Wrath held on to her, it took all of his reserve to keep his calm and not rip Wrath off of his sister.

"Man my stomach's still doing flips." Ed stated as they sat down to rest in a park.

"Now let's see if we catch a ride to the train depot before the next train leaves for California we should be over there by the middle of next week." Izumi stated counting what little money they had left.

"Teacher what about food?" Alphonse asked a little more than worried.

"Not only that but where is this California and why would we subject ourselves to such a long trip again." Sierra asked. Izumi pointed at Edward whom smirked smugly.

"I sent a telegram to a one time colleague of mine that lives out there. He's staying here in New York on business and said we could stay with him until we get back on our feet." Ed said. Sierra sat on the ground rubbing a sore spot on her shoulder.

"It feels so strange to be back on solid ground." She said sighing heavily.

"Tell me about it. My legs are all wobbly like I'm still on the ship." Wrath stated sitting next to her. Alphonse watched helpless as Wrath draped his arm around her shoulders. Sierra rolled her eyes and shook her head, a notion that didn't go unnoticed by Izumi or Edward.

"Wrath lets go find a market somewhere and get something to eat." She said taking her sons hand and practically dragging him away. Ed and Al sat on either side of Sierra and stared at her intently.

"What?" She asked after a few minutes of uneasy silence.

"What's wrong?" Ed asked. Sierra sighed and motioned at Al.

"Ask him, he knows." She stated. Ed looked at Al to be met with a stoic glare.

"Al what's going on here?" Ed asked.

"Simply put Wrath is in love with the idea that Sierra was derived from Envy." Al said taking her hand in his.

"Why would he feel that way?" Ed asked glancing from one face to the other.

"Wrath and Envy were together. That's why." Sierra said flooring Ed.

"Together as in..?" He asked in disbelief. Sierra and Alphonse nodded.

"Yep pretty much." Alphonse said.

"Huh, never would have guessed the way Envy treated him." Ed said.

"The way Envy treated him?" Sierra asked curiously.

"Yeah, from what I always saw Envy beat the daylights out of him pretty often." Ed replied. Sierra sighed.

"Love is blind." She stated softly. Alphonse held onto Sierra's hand tighter and sighed.

'This feeling, what is it? This need to take of Sierra and protect her; is this normal?' Al thought to himself staring ahead of him only vaguely aware of his surroundings.

The small group soon found themselves on a train dining with Ed's old colleague and soon turned into bed.

"Good-night Sierra." Wrath said softly kissing her cheek. Sierra gave a weak smile and nodded to him as she closed the door to her room. She changed and sat at the small vanity mirror staring back at her reflection. The train was more like a hotel on wheels than a vehicle of transportation. A soft knock on the door stole her eyes away from the mirror to the door.

"It's open." She called out. Alphonse walked in still dressed in his clothes and closed the door behind him.

"Is everything alright Alphonse?" Sierra asked concerned.

"No. Brother is still visiting with his friend and I got lonely so I thought I'd come see you." He replied with a warm smile. Sierra nodded a little and smiled back as Al sat on the bed. They sat in silence for a minute staring at each other. Although technically they were brother and sister Sierra had to admit that Alphonse was extremely handsome. His shoulders were well rounded the only indication of his muscular physique that his clothing concealed. Facially his features were manly but delicate at the same time but Sierra noted it was his eyes that were what made him so attractive. Wide brown eyes with a hint of gold that illuminated when he laughed and smiled but dimmed casting shadows giving the orbs an almost gray tinge.

"Is everything alright Al?" Sierra asked blushing a bit at her sudden inspection.

"Yes of course. Why wouldn't it be?" He asked faking a smile. Sierra sighed sitting next to him. She took his hand in both of hers staring into his eyes.

"I can tell when you lie Alphonse. Please tell me what's troubling you." She said sweetly.

"Honestly I don't know what's wrong. I guess I'm well...jealous." He stated with a small laugh.

"Jealous?" Sierra asked surprised. "Of what?"

"Wrath." He replied.

"Wrath? Why would you ever be jealous of Wrath?" She asked in shock.

"I think it's because he has you." Al replied. Sierra stared at him confused.

"Why would you be jealous of wrath because of me?" She asked.

"I don't know." He said wrapping his arm around her shoulders and sitting closer to her.

"I see. When you figure it out let me know." She said softly resting against his warm body.

"I will." He replied. The door knob turned slightly as the door was cracked open.

"Hey Sierra, you decent?" Ed asked from outside.

"Yes come on in Edward." She said edging away somewhat from Al.

"What brings you here brother?" Al asked as Ed pulled out a bed from the wall.

"I'm sleeping in here tonight." Ed stated unbuttoning his shirt.

"Ummm, why?" Sierra asked.

"What's wrong with our room brother?" Al asked.

"It's not what's wrong with our room Al, it's what's wrong with the people who are in the other room that they would cause this much noise so late at night." Ed replied. Sierra blushed as Al just laughed. Ed took off his shirt and sat on the edge of the pull out bed taking off his shoes.

"I suggest Alphonse that you sleep in here too." Ed stated laying down.

"Right." He said standing up and stretching. "I'm going to settle down for the night."

"Yeah I should too." She said turning down the covers and climbing under. Alphonse shut off the light and walked over to his bed. He slowly unbuttoned his shirt folding it once he had removed it. Sierra watched him in the dark and blushed deeply as his muscles worked under his skin as he moved. She swallowed her breath trying to control the heat that was rising to her face with each passing minute. Al laid next to Edward, already asleep, and covered himself sighing relief.

"Good night Sierra." He said sleepily.

"Good night Alphonse." She said closing her eyes trying to rid herself of his image.