"-And that's how you fix a broken window and a table." Ed said, pushing the now-fixed table into place. Ruby had watched him, admiring his skills at using alchemy. "-And now to figure out how to fix bones. Winry, I think you broke one of my ribs or something when you threw that chair at me."
"If I'd broken one of your ribs you wouldn't be able to stand without immense pain." She said. "Besides, I was really aiming for your head." Ed seemed annoyed but shrugged it off. Ruby's mind trailed off for a few moments, going back to last night. Envy took care of her when she was sick, but she never had thought he actually cared in an emotional way, too. Then she thought of the night before that, before she returned to the hotel, when he kissed her then. Did he truly care about her, or is he trying to use her, like before. Ruby gasped. Like before! She thought hard. A dark room, a little puppy, something about a school building with lots of people inside. It all began coming to her, about that day. Then she remembered Edward, in the alley, when she didn't go after him.
"Ruby, are you okay?" Ed asked. Ruby snapped out of her thoughts. Tears were in her eyes. "What's wrong?" She ran up to Ed, hugging him tightly and crying. Ed put his arms around her. "Ruby, what's wrong?" He asked again.
"I'm so sorry," she cried. "I never went after you, I-I let you leave." She nuzzled her face against his chest, letting out a sob.
"What're you talking about?" Winry asked. "Ed, what is she talking about?" Al stepped up behind Winry.
"She's talking about a year ago, isn't she?" Al asked. Ed walked her over to the sofa and sat her down, sitting next to her. Winry sat on her other side.
"Is that true? Is that what you're crying about?" Ed asked. Ruby nodded.
"I let you leave," she said, "and I never even made any attempt to let you know I was okay." Ed pulled her close to him.
"It's okay. That's all behind us now, so stop crying, alright?" It was several more moments before she stopped crying but Ruby pulled herself together.
"I'm just glad you remembered something." Winry said. Ruby smiled.
"I guess that is a good thing." She responded.
Winry and Ruby got in bed, Winry turning the light out on her way. It was a warmer night and both girls had pushed back their blankets so only their sheets and nightgowns covered them. Ruby fell asleep quickly, emotionally drained from the pain of the memories she had regained. Winry tossed in her bed, unable to make herself comfortable.
"That does it," she muttered. She stood up, walking over to the window. She opened it a crack, relieved as the cool night air blew in with gentle breezes. She climbed back into bed and was soon asleep as the crickets lulled her in the darkness. Something outside rustled. Envy pushed the window open enough that he could fit inside. He snuck his way over to Ruby's bed, sitting on its edge. He leaned over her, kissing her forehead. She shivered, rolling over so she was now facing him. She opened her eyes as he gently brushed the back of his hand against her cheek.
"What do you want from me?" She asked, sitting up. "Why do you keep coming here?" Envy smiled.
"Because of you," he said with a slight smile on his face. Ruby yawned, half falling asleep again. "I have some things I want to tell you." He put his hand on her leg. She pulled her legs up so she was sitting cross-legged.
"Then say it and leave me alone, okay?" She pulled the sheet up over her shoulders. Envy sighed.
"Fine," he thought for a moment. "I'll begin with you're being human again." Ruby watched him carefully.
"How do you know anything about it?" She asked. He grinned.
"Who do you think helped you become human, anyway? I did." He moved in closer to her. "It wasn't easy either. I couldn't do anything until Fullmetal had gone back and Lust stopped sniffing around. She's pathetic. Maybe I'll help her out if she's nice." He paused shaking his head. "Anyway, do you know how hard it is to make one of those damn stones? I couldn't, so I did the next best thing. I found someone who could."
"You know someone who can make Philosopher's stones?" Ruby asked. She stared in awe.
"I guess you could say that. Now, it took a lot to get him to make one. I'm not even sure it was fully completed but it seems to have worked just fine on you." He lifted Ruby's chin with his fingers, looking into her eyes as the moon shone on her face. For a moment they both seemed enchanted by the night, the full moon shining down on them. They leaned toward each other, pressing their lips together. Envy pulled her in, wrapping his arms around her. Ruby opened her eyes. She pulled away, afraid he might just be trying to trick her.
"Just.. Just continue on." She murmured. Envy released a silent sigh.
"I made a deal with him to get the stone." Envy continued. "It was the only thing I could do that he wanted, so I agreed. I guess those alchemists might call it equivalent exchange. I call it slavery, but still," he smiled, "you are happy now, right?" Ruby looked at the moon.
"Yes, I am happy." Envy gazed out across the sky at the stars. Ruby looked at him confused.
"So, what was it he wanted, in exchange for the stone?" She asked. Envy looked down. "He didn't want to enslave you or anything, did he?"
"No," Envy replied. "But he just about did you."