There was a song lightly playing in the background as Heero walked past Quatre's room. It sounded like Fur Elise by Beethoven, but he couldn't quite be sure. Though he was certain the song was one of his favorites by the composer, and it made him remember what Duo had once told him not long before he had disappeared.

He recalled how Duo had always wanted to be able to play that song on the piano, though he had never told anyone besides Heero of his secret desire.

"Only a few more hours…" He reminded himself, "I only have to wait a little longer…"

Wufei wasn't with them, he said he was going to prepare for Duo's arrival from the other place. They all had decided he'd probably want new clothes and probably just to rest once he came back, but Duo was weird sometimes so they weren't sure exactly what he would want.

"Don't worry Heero, I know Duo still cares for you… and I'm sure he'll want to get back here as soon as possible." Quatre put a comforting hand on Heero's shoulder, but his only reply was Heero shrugging him off.

"I know he wants back here. The way that Edward guy has been taking care of him, it's no surprise."

Quatre smiled to himself, finally the Heero he remembered was back.

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"So this whole issue is resolved then?" Roy asked skeptically of his most trouble-making State Alchemist. "Then we've all completely agreed on all of these cases that these were the homunculi's faults?"

Edward knew he was referring back to when Duo had first come, and the incident in the bathroom between Edward and the fake Roy. Both of the Elric brothers nodded in mutual agreement.

"I know we were wrong Colonel, and I apologize again for that, but something's been bothering me lately. Something just seems off today…" The blonde glanced out at the darkening sky, and saw as the sunset turned the clouds from a brilliant purple to a velvety shade of black.

"Well Ed, I'm sure that most of your nights aren't what people would consider normal by any means, but is there something planned for you?"

"Brother and I haven't planned anything for tonight besides resting here at Headquarters." Alphonse interjected.

"Very well then, you two just rest up for tonight and then we'll bring Duo in for interrogation in the morning. I'm sure he's already resting in the dorm room?"

Ed nodded, and then stood up. "I'm gonna head back now. Those train rides aren't nearly as comfortable as these beds are gonna feel."

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Duo's dream had been wonderful, but he was woken up as Edward and Alphonse entered the dorm room. He sat up in bed, and Ed smiled wearily at Duo before lying down in the other bed. This time Ed and Al had gotten a room with three beds so that each one of them could have a bed of their own.

"How was Mustang?" Duo asked nonchalantly, as if he really wasn't interested in how the colonel was. But he was worried that things hadn't gotten fully patched up after that whole 'Envy' incident in the bathroom.

"Besides being the bastard he always is? Fine. We explained everything that happened in Resembool, and everything was resolved."

"That's good. I'm just glad he's not the type to hold a grudge."

Edward snorted, "Oh believe me, he is when he wants to."

"Brother I'm gonna go see Lieutenant Havoc and Hawkeye, and see what's been going on in Central that the colonel didn't tell us about." Alphonse knew that the two were itching to talk about more private matters, and that him being there wouldn't allow them to talk. "See you later."

Duo and Ed watched Alphonse leave while saying weak goodbyes, but after the door closed neither of them said a word or even dared to look at each other.

"So you were awake…?"

"Yeah, I was." Duo could feel his temper rising, but he controlled himself. "I don't understand what you have against Heero, but… I do like you a lot Edward, but I can't say I love you like I do Heero. We've been through so much together, so much I haven't really told you about… like the war…"

Duo's voice faltered after mentioning the war, and it did make Ed wonder about Duo's life with Heero. He hadn't really talked much about the war either besides mentioning he was a hero in that war, and that he had fought in that war with his friends.

Which brought a sudden realization to the blonde alchemist; Duo had been a war hero at only fourteen of fifteen. That suddenly made him feel sympathy for Duo, he had been through so much from getting in a war to being separated from everything he knows.

Maybe Edward didn't know anything about Duo, nothing about his past anyway.

"I guess it isn't fair to treat you like that when I don't even know what happened. It still bothers me that you led me on though… and now you suddenly decided that Heero is the one for you again." Edward's golden eyes locked with Duo's. "My only question is… why? Why is it that you supposedly loved me, and then dump me for someone who you might never see again?"

"You just don't get it do you! Heero understands why I am the way I am, and he understands what's wrong with me. I know you've really tried Ed, and I really appreciate it… but I just can't replace him. I tried to, and I failed."

Duo looked down at the floor, and looked defeated. Everything he said made Duo feel stupider as he practically shouted his problems at Ed. He had always known that he was somewhat mentally unstable, but while he was in Amestris he had been able to keep himself together.

Suddenly the world felt too heavy on his shoulders, and he felt like he was crumbling.

"Duo… we all have problems… and I really did try to understand you. It's just a lot more difficult when you won't let me in." Edward stood up, and walked over to Duo's bed.

"I never wanted to let you in, because I was always hoping I could go back… but it's hopeless now, isn't it? It's been too long and I'll probably never be able to get back." Duo could feel tears in his eyes.

Edward never got the chance to try and console Duo as he was once again enveloped in a light. The same exact one that had once brought him to Amestris.

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I guess I actually have one more chapter and then this story is done. In a way I'm kind of glad that I can finally end this, but I have so many more ideas too... If anyone is interested I might write a sequel to this, but I'm not sure yet.

Anyway, hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. (And sorry again for the wait!)

Please R & R !

Shari Maxwell