Ruby ran down the street, pushing past people. She stopped in front of a building, leaning against its side to catch her breath. She heard running behind her and turned to see Ed coming after her. She took a deep breath and started off in the opposite direction.

"Ruby, stop!" Ed yelled to her. "At least explain why you're doing this!"

"I have my reasons, Ed; now please go back to the train station with Winry and Al." She called over her shoulder. Ed kept after her, running faster now. Or else, Ruby was slowing down.

"I won't go back until you tell me why you keep running away from me every time we meet up somewhere." Ed replied. He pushed his hands to the ground sending a wall of road shooting up in front of Ruby, causing her to skid to a stop. "Now, tell me why you keep running away." Ed walked up to her but she backed against the wall. She looked to the side and saw a trash can. She ran over to it, picking up the lid and using it to throw at Ed as she ran around the wall. He picked up the lid, rubbing his hand against his head where it hit him. He chased after her again, using his alchemy to turn the trash can lid into a sort of metal jacket which he threw at her, catching her legs in it. Ruby fell to the ground, the metal binding her legs together.

"Get this off of me!" Ruby panted. Ed sat on his knees next to her.

"Tell me why you're leaving and I'll release you." He said. Ruby glared at him in a mix of hatred and sorrow.

"Why do you always need to know everything, Edward?" She asked. "You never did trust me that much. You owe it to me to trust me now." She looked away from him. "I'm sorry I keep running away, but this time I have to do it, Ed. And this time I won't let you find me. I can't,"

"Why?" Ed put his hand on her shoulder. "It seems more like you don't trust me." Ruby snapped her head to face him, tears flinging from her face.

"Of course I trust you, Ed! I just-" She stopped. "I just can't tell you. I can't," she looked away.

"Does it have to do with Rivia? Do you miss living there?" Ed asked her. She shook her head.

"No," she looked at Ed. "It has to do with something much more than that. Now please, let me go." Ed stared hard at her. He obviously wasn't getting anywhere with his questions.

"Fine," he placed his hands on the metal, transmuting it back to a trash can lid. He stood up and helped Ruby to her feet. Ruby turned.

"Thank you," she said.

"Aren't you going to say good bye?" Ed asked. She stopped. She looked at him for a moment.

"Good bye, Ed."

"I mean a real good bye," Edward said. He walked up close to her, kissing her gently on the lips before she pulled away.

"No, Ed, please don't." Ruby said. "I really will miss you, and I'll think of you often, but I don't want to remember you in this moment, with a sorrowful kiss. I want to remember when we would kiss in happiness." Ed smiled.

"Then remember that I'm happy you're alright and I'm happy you have an unchangeable mind." He put his arms around her. "And that I'm happy you know what you want." He pressed his lips to hers, moving his hand behind her head so she couldn't pull away. "Good bye," he whispered in her ear. Ruby held him tightly for a few moments.

"Good bye," She whispered back.

It was nightfall by the time Ruby had reached the edge of town. She hadn't realized how far from there the train station was in Central. She knew she could have just gone along the tracks, but she was meeting someone here.

"I hope he remembered." She muttered. A rustle sounded behind her.

"Of course I remembered." Envy smirked. He put his arm around her shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine, I just miss everyone. Nothing I haven't gotten over before though, at least, enough to keep myself from being upset over it."

"Alright, let's get moving or we'll be late." He took his arm from her shoulder and snapped his fingers.

"What're you doing?" Ruby asked. Envy smiled.

"Just watch," he said. Ruby followed his gaze and saw a golden brown shape appear.

"Sammy!" She gasped. She nearly fell over as Sammy jumped up, putting his forepaws on her lap. She tried to pet him but he was licking her hands too much.

"Let's go now. If you're late he'll be mad." Envy said. He started walking and Ruby followed him with Sammy at her feet.

When they arrived at their destination it was just before 7 O'clock in the morning. The place they were at looked run down and its deserted surroundings only added to that feeling.

"Back here," Envy said, going around behind the building. He sat down near a window that looked like it went to the basement. Ruby sat a few feet away from him and laid down on the sandy soil after the all-night trudge to get there. "I'll wake you up when he's ready for you." Envy said, though Ruby was already asleep, Sammy settling down at her feet.

It was less than an hour before something stirred behind the window. Envy shook Ruby awake.

"Wha-?" She mumbled. She sat up, yawning as she cleaned the dirt from herself.

"It's almost time." Envy said. The window opened and a hand grabbed Envy's wrist. He looked down as the hand withdrew into the darkness of the basement and came back out with a key. Envy took it. There was a note attached.

Only the human may enter. Wait until you hear the bell sound thrice before opening the door.

Envy handed the key to Ruby. She read the note and shivered.

"Why can't you come in with me?" She asked. Envy shrugged.

"It's not what he wants." He saw the fear on her face and put his arms around her. "You'll be fine. He won't make you stay forever, just until he feels your debt has been paid." Ruby rested her head on his shoulder.

"Will I see you again?" She asked. Envy looked away. "Oh Envy, will I ever see anyone again?" Ruby began to cry and Envy held her close.

"Sure you will. Once you're freed, you can go and find that Elric boy. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to see you again, once this is over." Ruby looked up at him.

"But what about you," She asked. Envy still didn't answer her. "Envy, please answer me, will I ever see you again!"

"No," he decided. Ruby looked at him in sadness. "Not now that you're a human. It wouldn't be right. Besides," he kissed her forehead. "I'm the one who put you in this situation. After a while you'll realize I'm not good for you to be around." Ruby got up.

"Well then I guess I won't be seeing anyone again. I already told Edward not to look for me, that I'd be sure he doesn't find me." Envy stood up. He put his hand under her chin and looked her in the eye. She knew it wasn't easy for him either, that he still cared for her despite what he said about not being good for her. She draped her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. He didn't pull away, though he knew he should or it would only make things harder. They heard a sound ringing through the air coming from inside. A bell. Envy went to pull away from their lip-lock but Ruby still kept her arms around him. Another bell sounded, this time louder, as if coming closer. When the third bell sounded it was so loud it sounded as if it were ringing right inside their ears. Ruby pulled herself away from Envy, her body shaking as the last bell left a ringing in her ears.

"It's time for you to go inside now." Envy said. Ruby nodded half-heartedly.

Before she turned to walk away she briefly kissed Envy one last time and whispered into his ear, "I'll see you around, Envy." She walked up to the door, unlocking it with the key and walking in cautiously. A dark figure stood a few feet away.

"I've been expecting you,"