Warning: This Chapter contains contents that may be disturbing and disagreeable to some. I'd say viewer discretion advised, but poof. No rape, I don't do that. But it is about Janelle's tummy scars. If anyone finds this chapter to be distasteful I apologize in advance. Please forgive me for anything that may offend you, I did not intend to do so.

I don't own FMA


Chapter 11: One Blow After Another


The dream was damn near real to Janelle, yet the vision was so blurry it was hard for the girl to focus on what was happening. All she could see, was her mother standing over her, Janelle's hands over her stomach as she stared at the floor, frightened, worried, scared. She was shaking her head slowly, in denial, but in complete disbelief from what her mother was telling her. From where the real Janelle was standing, the words seemed mute, but as she stepped forward to hear the conversation, she began to regret the dream she was having. Considering she had a gut feeling this was a memory more than a nightmare, "You need to get rid of that thing! I'm not old enough to become a grandmother and you're too young to be a mother!"

"But…" The ghost of her former self began, her words quivering, and her body trembling as she began to cry, "I don't want to give up! I want my baby! I want my baby!"

"You have no choice Jenny, either get the abortion or I will throw you out on the street! How will you take care of a newborn being homeless." The real Janelle. Her eyes shot open, her eyes tearing as she felt her body fall numb and heavy No. No, no, no, no, no, no no; it's not true. The scars were... I…I…didn't. This is just a dream. This isn't real! This isn't real! Before her nightmare could fall even deeper into madness, Janelle had awaken from the shock, sitting up in the middle of the bed in complete silence. She thought she was alone, frantically looking around before she set her eyes on Ling softly sleeping next to her, both of them still covered in a sheet from last nights events.

She was in relief at first, she thought it was all just a dream at first, but as she pondered on what she saw, began to think it was real. She even lifted up the sheet to make sure the scars were there. She wanted to believe they were from something else, something that wasn't that traumatic, but apparently, her denial was fading as she cuddled up to the sleep prince. He barely made a peep, only swallowing back as he nuzzled into Janelle comforting embrace. Now, she was comforted by a pillow, and the small feel of Ling's breath brushing against her bare back. It was nice. She hadn't laid like this with anyone in forever. Content, and whole. But for how long?

After many events, it felt like all her memories would take a toll on her life, but after Ling's encouraging words, and welcoming embrace, she felt put together again, like Humpty Dumpty after he was being put together again. Like a broken toy fixed, and energized with a spring in her step.

All that was all thanks to Ling. Greed did help in his own way too, she knew that. They both had laid a big impact in her life, she wish it wasn't true, but it was, she could tell by the way he held her, the way he kissed her. This wasn't just sex. It was more. A thought that was quite scary for the alien girl.

Maybe he was just was really talented, but she knew that wasn't true. A part of her knew it was genuine. He wasn't like…Others.

The worse part about this, was that she couldn't stay.

Could she? She kind of did, but how would her family feel? Sure they weren't perfect but who was? Then again, she had already been gone long enough to be considered a cold case. She could only imagine how that effected her mother, and brothers. If she was lucky enough the whole family from both sides would've come together to do a wide search for her. In fact, she could see that happening, but still, could she go back to that life?

She was stuck in Amestris, where her life was drastically changing. At some point, maybe she assumed she wouldn't be able to go back, and if she couldn't, well…She didn't seem to mind it, or see the harm in it, in a way she remembered never really considering her household a home. She was always so disconnected, especially after her father died, and she came to terms with that when the memory arose. Yet, she still had the flame to try.

Suddenly, she turned her eyes to the back of her, seeing Ling was still in a deep sleep, and then she turned back over, even more confused than she was before. Looking at him didn't help. In fact, it made her want to stay even more.

Her heart fluttering with unusual sensation. One that made her hold her chest with fear, Ling…I know this is all changing so fast. For me, I thought I was just going crazy. But I… I care about you deeply. And I'm afraid of that. What will I do? How will I choose something like this? Was this all for nothing? Was I…Were we fooling ourselves to think this would last? Her heart was thumping fast, sure that eventually he would ask, and Janelle wasn't sure she'd be ready to have the answer when the time came. It made her choke on the decision.

"You know if you keep squeezing my hand that hard you'll eventually hurt Ling. Maybe." Startled from her thoughts, Janelle quickly released the tight grip she had on the boy's hand, and laughed softly when she heard who it was, "Good morning Greed."

"Mornin'. Troubled again I see? When am I not going to find you worrying about something? It's such a mood killer." His voice was enticing, even more so when he pulled her naked body close to his, feeling his morning partner just as alert, "Well unlike you, you're not outside your home world. I feel like an alien."

"Technically you are. But it makes you just as sexy." His hands were groping anything it could find, he wanted something to distract her away from whatever she was thinking. He did want to know what it was, yet this conscience felt she should let her tell him if she wants instead of prying it.

And before long, he could feel her sliding into him, embracing him as he snuggled into the crook of her neck, kissing and sucking the already damaged and sensitive skin to hear the young girl whither, "As much as I would like a distraction Greed, I'm not really in the mood."

"Really?" He gave a pouted lip, hoping that his puppy dog eyes would suffice, but even though Jenny giggled, she kissed him and shook her head, "It's not you, okay? I just have a lot on my mind. I know I shouldn't especially after last night, and I would like nothing more than to stop worrying about everything every now and again, but…God where do I start?" She looked up at the ceiling, already turned towards him, and filled with remorse, but Greed didn't seem to mind and shrugged at her as he propped his head on an elbow, "How about with what's been bugging you the most?" Janelle nodded, smiling softly as she thanked him for his understanding, and laid on her back with the sheets still covering everything from the chest down.

She laced her fingers over her stomach, and looked back and forth between the shapes on the ceiling. Most of them all metal squares, "What's bugging me the most? I don't know…My situation? Where I am? Who I knew, and how I feel about them. Everyone I knew is a stranger to me, with only bits of memory strains to keep me connected to them. I know I left on bad terms, but isn't there a way I could change all that? And as much as I love being here, I've now put myself in a predicament that leaves me with one huge number one question." Her voice was wavering a bit, but she held steady, even when she looked into Greed's vibrant colored eyes with her pleading ones, giving a soft sigh through her nose.

"And that would be?" He was looking down between her and him decisively when he asked, but looked back at the girl as she answered sadly, "Whether to stay here…Or go…" It was almost impossible to say the last part, but after saying it, she looked away to the other wall beside her, ignoring the fact that the bed began to shift.

Greed was quiet with a very fearful stare, "You mean back home?"

"This isn't my world Greed, and I've made an impact on it, whether I like it or not. But I don't want to go. A part of me wants to stay."

"Okay…So where does the bad news come in?" Janelle hesitated but licked her lips to speak again, "When I first arrived, all I knew was I should really find my way home. I didn't want to cause too much of a disturbance since I wasn't sure how that would affect this world. Luckily, nothing major's changed so I know that as long as I don't get anyone killed I should be fine."

"Yeah."

"Well, that's it! I should've just been on my mission home, instead…I think I've may have complicated that for myself. Because of me and Ling." This only left a stinging ping in the center of his chest. He didn't want to seem upset by her wanting to leave, hell he barely knew the girl himself, and hey, who was he to stop her.

Of course, Janelle stopped and sat up when she saw his eyes move away from hers. And she could see that he was indeed upset by that. Very upset, "I don't want to do anything yet! I'm just torn. I'm torn between the life I knew and this one. Everyone I know is either out there looking for me, or forgot about me. And if that's so fine, but don't you think I should at least try? I can't just abandon them like that. I…I-," He didn't say anything, instead his gaze became even harder before he closed his eyes and sat up, bringing Janelle into his lap, and placed his chin on one of her shoulders, then he turned his cheek to meet hers. The silence was short but contenting, almost as if he was just taking his moment of peace with her, before he opened his eyes to her, "You do what you want…But just know that Ling…Was kind of expecting a different answer." Janelle nodded, but frowned and leaned her head into him, "I know. But I still don't know what to do. I really like him. I know that my world doesn't have all bad people, but I…"

He waited for her to answer, frowning as his eyes perked, "I don't want to go." She whispered putting the bottom of her palm to her head, "Then don't. Stay here." He insisted. But Jenny glared back at him, and studied him hard, "You know I wouldn't just stay to be fucked I would stay because I care about you guys right!"

"Uh- Yeah. I know that!" She didn't want to say anything but watched the Avarice's face turn flush was kind of cute. And when she felt she made her point to him, Janelle could only give a side ways smile. Then she kissed his cheek, "That's not very reassuring, but I'll take it anyway."

Greed might've not liked how the conversation just ended so suddenly, but he was glad enough to hear Janelle pick herself up, making him feel a little better about taking her more tightly in his arms as to lay his head against hers, "Don't worry. The sex is great and everything, but I wouldn't be asking you to stay if it wasn't…Worth it."

"Right. Well, I still mean what I said. I care about you both. I'm just scared, I also meant it when I said I haven't been with someone for a long time, so I'm a little rusty. And very insecure."

"With yourself?"

"No, with people. I mean I trust you guys, I just…I don't know." She knew she just didn't want to say 'it's too good to be true, or that certain point in time where a familiar homunculus sacrifices himself for the greater good, after killing the last chimera standing from Dublith and finding out about the friend's that were slaughtered by King Bradley…Wrath. In fact, she wonder if it was coming soon, that day when he would find out. She was beginning to think she should tell him before anything could happen, but how? Now certainly wasn't a very good time, was it? And if that was the case, when would it be okay? Did she even heart to tell him? "Hello…You get lost in there somewhere?"

"Yes I did." She said shaking her head, and leaning back into his arms, "Just…Give me time to sort everything out, I don't know, at least until after I'm done with whatever Father wanted me to do at the Banquet. I don't even know the first thing about these things he's asking me to do. And I wasn't even sure it was today or tomorrow anymore. I'm too wound up to think. Or really care."

"Awe, poor thing…" Okay, now he was just being mean. He began to rub her shoulders, relieving any tension he could to make her melt into his hands, "Since when did you learn to massage Greed?"

"If you must know, Ling's leading."

"What? How? Wha- tell him to come out!"

"Did you forget how this body works? He accepted me, which makes this my body."

"Right, right." Janelle rolled her eyes, not wanting to ignite the fire to that one, changed the subject to something else, "Well, it still feels good. It must be weird to have two people operating one vessel."

"It's not so bad. We get along and as long as it stays that way, we're good." Before long Greed began to look at the only clock in the room, seeing that the time had caught up to them faster than they could've thought. "Shit." Jumping out of bed quickly, Greed quickly went straight of his clothes, leaving Janelle worried, "What? What is it?"

"Look at the time. I can't be here when Envy or Gluttony come through here. Who knows, it could be Pride or Wrath."

"Oh Jeez." Quickly getting out of bed as well, Jenny and Greed were quickly to clothed themselves. It didn't take lone till the two were finished on time, and just with enough time to spare, and for Greed to disappear.

Janelle led him to the door, and even opened it for him as he looked around outside before sticking his body out the door, "Alright, so how about later?"

"Later?"

"You know, hang out?" He asked grinning, which got the girl to laugh back and kiss his cheek before pushing him out the door, "I don't see the harm."

"But that's the fun of it. I'll see you soon doll." She could only smile and give a small wave before closing the door behind her, hoping to brush her teeth in time before someone came for her. She did, but it was only after she started to notice her maroon tank top and hip huggers in the mirror while putting on her shoes did she hear a loud knock at her door.

Which only made her assume it was one person, "Let me guess Envy?" She asked flipping her hair behind her back.

Then the door opened, and as she looked into the mirror to see who it was her eyes widened when she saw Kimblee smirking at her, "You look surprised to see me."

"I am." Was all she could say shaking her head as she concentrated on her last shoe lace, "Why'd they send you?"

"Guess because I can lead you upstairs. Have you picked anything out for the Banquet?"

"Shouldn't you be going to find Scar?"

"Well, I was, but my train was delayed, turns out I'm not leaving till tomorrow. So, the Furher has asked me to watch you while we're up above ground."

"Wow. Okay. Question?"

"About?"

"Why do I need to be watched? I'm just going to the main hall. That's where they're having the Banquet, and Father wants me to help."

"Ah. I see. Well then shall we?"

"Wait, not before one more question."

"Only if you start walking."

"Ugh, fine. Just let me grab something." Quickly scooping up her MP3 from the stand Janelle began to walk with the alchemist, all while setting up her head phones to fit around her neck, "What's the question." He finally asked looking down at the girl, she was putting some batteries in the back of her player, but Kimblee didn't know that. He was staring at her oddly because of it, but stayed silent, "Why did they pick you to watch me again. Envy could've done it."

"Yeah, but they feel that if you should have someone you wouldn't have qualms with. It makes things go smoother that way."

"It's not really a qualm, he's just a brat. His name doesn't really help that department." Kimblee laughed a little, but left it, "So, you didn't answer me when I asked you if you were ready for the Banquet."

"No. But I'll improvise."

"How?"

"Get me a pair of scissors, chalk, needle, thread, and some fabrics and I'll have a dress made within a few hours."

"A few hours huh?"

"As long it's something simple. If it was something more complicated…Well, it may take longer."

"Well that's good to know you have some skills."

"Very many in all varieties. It's just when people ask me what are my hobbies I can never think of them off the bat. I do whatever I see fit."

"I've been known to do the same." Janelle smiled a little pressing one of her ear phones into her ear to listen to her music; usually that was bad thing, since she wasn't that great at multitasking, but luckily it was more of background noise.

Of course, Kimblee noticed this out of the corner of his eyes, he tilt his head to the side in curiosity, "What is that?"

"Oh. An Mp3. It hold music in this little device."

"No kidding. Your world has technology like that?"

"Yeah, more or less. We're not like an advanced race or anything, I assume in this time, alchemy is like your guys' technology, or you guys haven't gotten to this kind of technology. I don't know. I'm not a scientist on Equal Librium, or quantum physics so I can't be all that sure."

"I'm just surprised that you haven't made mention of this to anyone."

"I have. I told Father. The guy that's running the Military through the rings."

"Heh, is that what you call it?"

"I just don't see why people need power, it just complicates everything. You have one person run the country, and all they do is screw it up. No offense, I just haven't seen anyone in office back in my world keeping in office, it just seems like there's always more problem than there are solutions."

"The world of democracy." The crimson said it with such interest and humor in his eyes, it was to be expected from someone like Kimblee, but Janelle could only shake her head, "I just like my independence, to have someone telling me how to live my life makes me feel caged."

"And no one likes being caged."

"Exactly." She agreed happy that he agreed, but suddenly flustered when she noticed the smile growing wider on his face. She had seen these kinds of smiles before. Not from Kimblee specifically, but the admiration, and the gleam in his eyes that made Janelle pretend she didn't see it, and ignored it the moment the elevator doors opened. She walked a head of him, hearing him quietly chuckle to himself before he began walking along side her again. If she didn't know any better…Kimblee was developing a soft spot for her…Or something else. She never remembered Kimblee to seem so distracted. Which Janelle was hoping would just eventually be a figment of her imagination.

Her mind stopped when she saw him striding next to her, his hands behind his back walking in unison as they walked to the main hall. They were so close, Janelle tripped over her own two feet, bumping into someone, and0 falling right on her tail bone, "Owe, owe, owe, owe, owe, owe. Owe. Owe. Owe…..Owe." She rubbed her back side biting her lip with teary eyes before hearing her name being called, "Janelle?" Immediately her eyes met Roy's.

His arms bundled with files, "Roy! Hey!"

"Janelle? What are you doing here?"

"Uh, long story, ran into the Elrics a couple of days ago before they left for Briggs, and to put it long story short, I was looking for a way to…Help, I guess." She mumbled the last part a little short of words to say the least about how this all went down. "You're wounds are gone too. That's good to know. At least we can see each other on better terms right?"

"Yeah, so, how's the job going?"

"I could be better." His face fell grim, first in a more humorous way since he seemed beat from doing actually paper work. Yet, when his eyes finally set to Kimblee, Janelle seemed to notice the surprise in his face.

He frowned, yet stayed perfectly calm, and straightened himself to meet the crimson's face, "Hello Kimblee. They didn't tell me they let you out."

"Yes well, with the Ishvalan still at large, it seemed I was the only one to get that job done. But hey, I'm just following orders."

"Which is surprising considering." Kimblee laughed at the mention considering, and then turned to see Janelle seeing her slightly odd expression. She seemed unease by their meet, and in return, Kimblee decided it was maybe time for them to get going any ways, "Well, it was nice seeing you again Flame Alchemist, but we have some matters to attend to."

"Uh, not that I have a problem or anything (yeah right), but Janelle, why are you with him." Janelle looked even more nervous now as she voice shook and her fingers cracked, "Oh, well, the Furher wanted Kimblee to surveillance me while above ground." Roy didn't really say anything.

Janelle assumed it could only be from the Furher's orders not to get in the way of their plans, taking his friends and allies after Roy's interference to find out about the homunculi. And Hughes, "Well, I won't keep you. Stay safe, will you?" His eyes were full of worry, which Janelle could only smile in confidence, and hold his shoulder as she began to walk away, "You too. Say hi to the Lieutenant for me."

The two parted ways after that. Roy wasn't sure if the girl was working for them now though or if there something else going on. From what he could remember, Janelle didn't seem the type to do such a thing. And he would be right, if only he knew what was going on, but there was a lot more work to be done, and from what he could tell, the girl was just as caught up in the homunculi as he was. With a deep breath, Roy collected his thoughts, and headed back to his office hoping to get rid of most of the paper work in hand before the Banquet began.

Now, down underground, it was a whole different story, Greed had been doing his daily duty to make sure no one other than personnel were coming down from the surface world. He had to admit though, this part of his job was the most boring part, it was dark, dingy, and anything animal related growled or snarled at him. Not like that really mattered, he kept his eyes scanning, his hands in his pockets as he fiddled with whatever was in side to keep his mind at ease, "Half way point. That's good. This walking around in the dark is so tedious."

It could be worse. Ling's voice chirped, sounding almost just as bored.

"How? How can it possibly get any worse?"

I don't know. But there are a few things that could be worse than boredom.

"Whatever. All I know is that we're nearly done here. By the time we get back, I'm sure pops is gonna make us go up to the surface."

That would be nice. The prince paused laying himself out in the middle of the red abyss scattering and swirling around him. He even closed his eyes for a moment before Greed was beginning to think exactly the same thing he was.

It must've been because they were sharing the same body, or just out of coincidence, but they both had only one thing in mind, "So, about the girl."

What about her? The avarice could hear the monotone in his voice. There was nothing. As if trying to hide something. Well, Greed already knew what it was, and could only smirk as he jumped out of the make shift hole, and landed on solid cement, "Don't tell me you're not thinking about what she said earlier." Silence.

Ling didn't want to admit that what she said earlier did bother him, although it did the same to Greed, which in some way helped the Xingese since he could understand his dilemma. About Janelle leaving and all. She pulled at strings, and plucked at things inside them both that Greed wish he didn't feel. It was something new, and odd to feel, and he hardly understood it, but he could relate, and that was good enough for Ling to answer as he turned himself on his side and held his head in his hand, his gaze distant, and full of unwanted visions, I am.

"So, what do you want to do?" Ling wasn't going to lie, his heart beat race as the speed of light, it actually was starting to hurt a bit to the point that his free hand placed itself over his chest. Where it hurt the most. He clenched it tight, trying to calm himself as he spoke, That's a scary thing. I don't know what to do. She's torn between leaving and staying, but I don't want to make her choose.

"But what do you want Ling? That's what I'm asking. Janelle doesn't know what to do because she's afraid you don't…" He trailed off, afraid to say the word that terrified Janelle so much. He gulped, breath shaky and strained, "Love her."

Ling just quietly laughed, loud enough for the avaricious to hear him, But I do. The answer left even Greed a little surprised, but he assumed it was just by the answer all together. How he said it in his head He loves her? Really? So, it wasn't just me

I'm falling for her Greed. I just don't want to make her run away.

"You gathered that too?"

Whatever happened before she came here Janelle is still trying to sort it out, understand it. And yeah, maybe she does want to go home because of her family, but I can't help how I feel. Ever since she came here I've had such a great time with her. She's a girl with determination, nearly fearless when it comes to people she cares about. And she even said she does, so…

"You want me to convince her to stay?"

No. Thanks Greed, but I've been thinking about this for a while now, ever since the day in the forest.

"What day?"

That day I left with Ed to take care of the Homunculi. That time Janelle injured herself.

"Ah. I remember now."

I thought at first it was just from the first time she kissed me. A man can get attracted to a girl very easily by one kiss.

"I don't believe it. You never told me about that."

Well it wasn't on purpose. Janelle assumed she was dreaming. This got Greed to thinking. It made him ponder on that one little confession. It may have not sounded like it to Ling at the time, but as they both stewed on it, the avaricious grinned chuckling and shaking his head, "I don't think that's a coinsidence. Her? Dreaming about you?" He laughed even more holding his side a little, while Ling began to look up blushing, like he had done something wrong, What? Why are you laughing?

"You remember when I asked Janelle about people that knew about us in her world?"

Hmm…I believe I recall that. Greed walked around the last corner to the main entrance to his Father's lair, beginning to tone his voice down to almost a whisper, "She couldn't answer me if she was an admirer."

You think she…

"Heh, Oh, I know. The look in her eyes, the way she blushed, the way she would avoid the answer…If I didn't know any better she wanted us before we even wanted her."

No surprise there. But still. If that's the case, it's apparent we're not just an infatuation. There has to be more to it. Now more than before at least.

"We're going to look like real jack asses asking her to stay you do realize this."

Ling was young but he wasn't a fool. He nodded and stared up at the sky above him, the only thing on his mind was tonight. What he would say. How he would tell her how he felt. It was all just so complicating, and yet, the prince felt like the fight for love was always worth the sacrifice, I won't force her to stay. But I've got to talk to her. Tonight, during the Banquet. I got to at least let her know that what I feel is real. Greed didn't argue it. He knew it was better to get this out of the way now, but in all honesty he still felt they should wait longer.

She did say she needed time after all, but to the sound of Ling's urgency, it was important to him. He still couldn't believe the kid loved the girl so suddenly, in fact he was just thinking it was puppy love considering the ages, but the more he dwelled on the idea, the more his throat became soar, and his judgment more hazy.

Luckily, the two familiar double doors laid within his grasp, which tightened as he blocked out the conflict and opened the entrance to Father's throne room, "I assume everything went well."

"No intruders pops. I don't know why you make me do that it's so annoying. Who the hell is going to come through here? Honestly? The rats? I don't think we have to worry about them if that's the issue."

"A smart mouth as ever my son, but it is needed whether you see the big picture or not. Any how, I need a request from you. Go to the Banquet. I have Envy taking care of some business outside of Central, Wrath is above ground dealing with the rest of the humans, and I need you to switch off with the Crimson Alchemist."

"Switch off? You mean you let that creep watch Janelle again?"

Father's face grimed as he glared at his son, "Someone has to make sure that doesn't create a ruckus. The last time I put you in charged you two decided run a muck. Unless you can prove to me otherwise that I can trust you with the girl again, I don't see any other solution than to keep the girl tamed."

Tamed? Is that what he just said?

Yeah. He did. I don't like this Greed. There's something he's not telling usGreed was starting to get a bad feeling in his gut as well, but the avarice remained calmed as he listened to his creator speak.

The older man's hands brushed over some books, over paper work of alchemy symbols and a craving that laid on a more special looking table. It almost look like chest pieces, made of skulls, and a symbol just underneath that, "The day is coming soon, my son. On the day of reckoning I shall open the portal..."

"Day of what?"

"It's the day of the eclipse. That will be my chance to open the portal, and receive what should've been mine from the start."

"Right." The old man turned to the avaricious again, his face more stern, but his eyes were soft, they weren't as cold as before, as disturbing. Luckily, Greed was able to relax his face before Father could see the alert in his son's face.

"Keep the girl in check, and I might reinstate you to watch over her again. I'm counting on you Greed. Don't disappoint me again."

"Gee, thanks. Any idea why you would've have such a big change of heart?" It was all sarcastic, but Father expect nothing more.

"Kimblee will be heading to Briggs Fortress. It is the last place I need to finish the seal throughout all Amestris. And with him taking over Briggs, I still need someone to watch the girl. So, as I said before. At the end of the Banquet you may take the girl back to her quarters."

"Alright. I'm going." That was all the two said to one another before departing, Greed headed for the elevator, his hands in his pockets where he usually liked to keep them, especially after the speech (lecture) he got from creator.

As much as he was glad to hear about getting to see Janelle just in the knick of time, the news of trying to keep the girl 'tamed' disturbed him. What did he have planned. This wasn't just about the portal now, that was for certain. Greed knew that Janelle had now put herself at risk being her, and Father had plans for the girl that he wouldn't tell his son about.

For good reasons too. What should we do Greed?

"We keep out mouths shut until its an appropriate time. You still have a full plate on your hands. So, let's deal with one problem at a time. It'll make the pain less excruciating."

That's…Not very hopeful.

Greed's eyes stared hard at the door in front of him, his teeth grinding as he attempted to pull himself together, "It wasn't meant to sound hopeful. Before Janelle arrived here, it would've just been about the portal probably. But that's not the case any more."

Right. Well, like you said, one problem at a time.

"Yeah."


It was two hours into the party, but still in the corner sitting with Kimblee was the yawning girl, Janelle's eyes only scanning the people that talked and smiled. She got a glimpse of Roy close to the food stand chatting with Riza, all while the Furher wasn't too far from them, but he had been talking to someone that Janelle hadn't really familiarized with. An older man with a beard and glasses, she assumed he was one of the higher ups in on this whole immortality thing, but that wasn't what was making the girl shift in her seat.

She had still been pondering on what she talked to Greed and Ling about earlier. It wasn't really something she meant to be thinking about, but after thinking about how she must've sounded. How selfish and screwed up. She didn't mean any of it, but the guilt stayed, "You alright? You look distracted."

"Hmm?" She turned her eyes to Kimblee, who was beginning to chuckle at her, sipping from his cup of red wine. She couldn't help but think that seemed to suit him, "After all that fuss about your dress, and making from scratch, you still don't seem to be having fun."

"Heh, it's like my first time at the spring dance."

"Spring Dance? What is that, besides relating to dancing I mean."

"It's a dance my school did welcoming the freshman…Or something like that. I never paid attention in most of my classes."

"What grade are you in?"

"Senior. I'm smart. To some degree, when it comes to good judgement though…Well, it's not so clear."

"People make mistakes."

"I suppose that's what makes us human."

"Part of it." It was reassuring to hear. Kimblee was crazy to some, but who would've thought that Janelle could connect with the Crimson Alchemist on such a higher level. To that she could only smile at the man, and lace her hands together as she put them in her lap, straightening her back as she leaned against the chair behind her.

Then, after seeing enough of everyone drinking, and eating, Jan suppose she should get some food too before she starved herself. Just when she thought of it, her stomach growled making Kimblee chuckle as he kept his tense gaze on the girl, his eyes glossed and sharp when he licked his canines, "I think you're hungry."

"Yeah. I am. Do you mind?"

"Not at all. I need a minute to get some fresh air any ways, if you care to join me I'll be outside."

"Sure. Be right back." She smiled back before going to the buffet table, she didn't get much, but just enough to know that she could satisfy her hungry. She had been to a Banquets in her time but none with food quiet as elegant as this, she was quite impressed.

She made her way to the large balcony outside of the party, see that there were many places to sit near the edge, and just in the center of it all, Kimblee was sitting down looking up at the crescent moon just above them. The stars were only making the scenery more beautiful with the luscious green mountain sides, Janelle was in complete awe. "I love things like this." She admitted admiring everything her eyes laid eyes on. In the buildings were amazing in the night lights. She did really see much of something likes without it being somehow ruined. But this?

She was glad to look over Central like this. To see how it really looked in this world, and not from a television set. "Central is always full of life, night or day." Kimblee replied standing up to getting a better view from where Jenny could see the city.

"I just like sceneries like this. If I could I'd take a picture of every moment."

"Too bad the photography here takes a couple of weeks."

"I bet. In our time, photos can be made at the press of a button."

"Sounds like a blessing to some."

"Yeah. As much as it's nice for things to produce fast, it doesn't compare to the feel of hard labor."

"Ha, that's a laugh. I like doing dirty jobs, but hard labor?"

"Well, how did you graduate from the Academy? Or do they not have those here?"

"There assessments. And I passed mine with flying colors, including the written exam. With someone of my talents hard labor isn't exactly the word I would use. More like tactics. That sort of thing."

"Hmm. You maybe right Mr. Crimson, but I still stay with my last statement, this view is incredible. I wouldn't trade anything like this in a million years." Her hazel glimmered in the star as they transcended to the midnight blue.

But there was something missing. She felt her heart ache as she wished on a shooting star to see Greedling right now. Stupid as that sounded to her.

Luckily, she wasn't completely alone. She did have Kimblee to keep her company. Although when she looked over to him, he was standing pretty close to her, his eyes once looking at the same star lit sky as her, his lips curling into an interesting smile.

She was really starting to hate when he did that. It made her feel weird, and not in a good way. She liked Kimblee, but after obviously clarifying that she was with the homunculus, and he knows which one, the crimson seemed to always be staring at Janelle like a prey. It made her whole body want to shake, and yet blush and the same time for the fact that it was Kimblee, but never the less, the man was unstable. Yet smart. She wasn't sure what he was thinking, "So, on another note, I'm curious about something."

"Yeah?"

"The homunculus kid…Is it serious?" His body was turned to her, his voice full of tease, and wonder. It made her stomach drop more. Her instincts kicking in as she gulped back the fear rising as his icy blues burned into hers, "For the most part. It's not official, but yes, I believe it is hitting the boarder line. Why do you ask?"

"No reason really. You just seem distracted. I'm assuming it's because of him."

"And why would you think that? It's not a bad thing." She tried to defend, but Kimblee put up his hands, "I digress. I just noticed you're troubled, and picking the boy seemed the more logical answer."

"Well, you're very observant I'll give you that." Then she sighed walking up to the balcony as much as she could. Kimblee followed, "But you're right. I started thinking about what you said the last time we met, about staying."

"Oh? So you're not going back."

She frowned, her eyes looking down at the city below, ashamed, "I haven't decided yet. We've both have accumulated some kind of bond. But…I'm not sure what it is. I'm young, this could be a fling in the next couple of weeks, or a life time treasure."

"You think you love him?" He asked a little disturbed by the thought. He was never one to really love some one. Not like he couldn't, he just preferred not to. And yet, her relationship with this homunculus was intriguing to him, to see a human fall in love, and a homunculus doing the same. It was science at its best, new theories and hypothesis that would dwell on the minds of many scientist here in Central.

But then the girl would probably die from all their experiments, and Kimblee wasn't going to get himself kill over a little curiosity. If this girl was important to watch over than this was it. It was just too bad for him he couldn't have a little fun. With all this needless things on her mind, Kimblee could only sit back against the cement wall, and yawn boredly, "Well, my advice. If you feel like you want to stay, then do it. And if you think you care about the fellow then give him a chance. He obviously cares enough to try."

"You don't get it Kimblee, this could be a big problem or a small one. I'm hoping I can fix this, but at the same time, I believe in him." She stopped herself rethinking her words. Repeating them, "I…I believe him…" She trailed off cupping her face, drowning in the many decisions she saw before her. Like closed doors with different constant and variables behind them, "Then let it be your choice. If you want to stay, let it be for what you want. Not what some boy wants." Kimblee was right about that, and that's what made this decision kind of hard. It was just a boy, right? Was he really just a boy to her?

Through everything they've been through, and what was being created because of it. Couldn't she say for once, that maybe this would be something she really wanted? Then, as the answer began to make itself apparent, a familiar face came up to the Janelle and Kimblee. Her eyes shifted to the person, her heart fluttering, and her mind was ever more clouded than before.

"Greed." Her back straightened and her surprise to see him, only made the homunculus smirk with open arms, "In the flesh. Pops says if I behave he wouldn't mind us hanging around each other."

"So…You and me are okay then? By his standards I mean."

"For the most part. Just as long as we're quiet and keep out of their way of the great mighty plans. Anyways, I hope I wasn't interrupting anything with my presence."

"Oh no, no, I'm just…Glad to see you're here." She smiled. It was genuine, but the thoughts of earlier were racing through her mind, her conscience wanting to tell him she wanted to stay, but a doubt still lingered, keeping her from doing so.

None the less, the smile on his lips made her feel at ease. That's when she turned to Kimblee, "Look, I'm…sorry to do this-,"

"It's no trouble. I know when it's my time to leave. It was nice seeing you again. I'll hopefully see you later tonight before the party ends." His back was still turned as he left without a glance, but he stopped for a moment, a shadow casting over his face, "Good night."

"Uh-, good night? I guess…" She trailed off since Kimblee was already walking away, but as her attention Greed, she saw a very odd looking looming over his face. He seemed, troubled. Again. It seemed to be contagious when it came to being around her, so she was familiar with the look on his face. He even began to rub the back his neck and look away, another sign of trouble.

"So you want to sit?"

"Sure." Janelle committed to keeping it a happy evening, but sooner or later, she had to come out with an answer.

For now the two sat down on the built in benches, facing one another as the other smiled.

Then, it occurred to Greed. Janelle's dress. When he left this morning she was in a orange shirt and jeans. Now, she wore a white thin polyester spaghetti strapped dress that was cut to her knees. She was wearing her previous white slip on shoes, but it didn't mess up the plain, yet fashionable clothes she wore. He had to admit it showed off her waist nicely, and her hair was naturally down with only a white rose to finish off her ensemble, "You know I got to ask, where did you get this dress?"

"Why? D-does it look stupid? Is something sticking out! I knew I should've done more."

"What are you talking about?"

"I made it." She said simply, making Greed gaze at her longer, speechless, "You never told me you could sew."

"Well, like I said, whatever catches my interest. Right?"

"Yeah, but…I wasn't expecting this." He almost sounded awe by her appearance, making Janelle tilt her head as he smirked, admiring her work, "It's beautiful."

"Oh." Now she was blushing looking away with a proud smile, fiddling with her pinky sheepishly, "Thank you. I didn't do much…But I figure it was better than having someone by me a new dress. I couldn't let someone do that. So, I did this."

"You definitely got a knack for odd hobbies, I'll give you that."

"Heh, well I-," She stopped in mid-sentence feeling his hand wrap around her waist and pull her closer as he looked out into the city.

She didn't know what to say, the feel of him embracing her was inviting, and of all things…Good. She closed her eyes and placed her hands on his chest to feel the warmth of his body. From what he could tell, she was cold compared to him. Once the two pulled away a bit, Greed and Janelle stared out into the city, "So." He started, "Still thinking on whether to stay or not?"

Janelle was silent, thinking of her answer carefully before settling on the unknown answer, "Yes. So much has changed, like I said. And as much as I miss my family, I… um-," She stopped and pulled away more to look up into the homunculus' violet iris's. Why did they have to be so mesmerizing. So admirable. She felt her heart ache as she thought of her reasons, "I feel something…For you. Even though I shouldn't."

"Why shouldn't you?" He coaxed rubbing her arm letting his forehead lean against hers. His thumb caressing the side of her arms, while the other rubbed her hands.

"I just… I don't know if I can leave my family. They're weren't the best, but they're my relatives. My home."

"So…You don't want to stay?" He asked soft enough trying hard as to not upset the girl, but feeling more frustrated than before, it only made Jan sigh standing from her seat next to the avarice. She took a couple of steps with hands crossed over her chest before she turned back around with a disbelieving gaze in his direction, "What am I to you Greed?"

"Huh?"

"Am I just the girl you're sleeping with? Is it just because I came here from a different world that made you want me?"

"What the-, where the hell did that from?"

"I need to know. Is what we're doing right? Is me staying here really going to fix your problem? Is going to fix your world? Am I just some pawn to you? Will it really matter to you if I stayed?" Greed must've not been prepared for those kinds of answers himself.

It would be different, asking Ling these kinds of questions. So why him? He was Greed the avarice, only out for power, money, status, glory, women. But this…He didn't know if he could really answer. All he could do was stare back speechless and shocked. His eyes spoke most of his opinion, and in returned, Janelle turned her face away, ashamed. She shook her head thinking of what she just said. Who she was asking, "I'm sorry. It's stupid."

"It's not that." He rubbed the back of his neck, uneasy by the question she had asked him, and yet the question remained in his head repeating as if he was searching for the answer inside him. What could he say? In all honesty, he did want to say 'stay', just-, his throat wouldn't let him.

And that scared Janelle, her voice quivered when she looked back at him with hurtful eyes, "Let me guess, Ling's the only one that would really get an advantage out of me. This is just for the sex, right?"

"No! Don't think like that! It's not-,"

"Don't play me for a fool Greed. Chase played me for a fool, Molly, my mother! Everyone I've ever met until now has doubted me!"

"Not everyone-,"

"Yeah sure not Ed, or Al or Lan Fan, but those people…My own friends…Family…I just can't play the fool any more Greed. I can't…"

"What about Ling? What about what we talked about this morning? I meant what I said, and I said what I meant! Ling wants you to stay." His words were only pleading, but Janelle only pushed more.

Every step forward was two steps back as her eyes begin to fill with tears, "But I can't! I don't belong here!"

"Then belong here, Janelle. I don't want you to go." Ling suddenly burst out, calmly, but his voice was just as shaky as hers, his fist tightened as he begged for her to stay. Consciously of course.

But Jenny shook her head gritting her teeth as she felt the lump in her throat block any words she had to say. Well, most of them. She could barely speak as she swallowed hard, "Don't say that." She was in denial. Utter denial.

Then she felt his hands grasp her shoulders, it was tight, but almost a desperate plead as he tried to get her to look him in the eyes. She wouldn't. She couldn't, not with the pain filled gaze he was giving her, "But I do. Janelle I-," He froze stopping himself, realizing that the next words out of his mouth, would be undeletable.

Janelle heard the fear in his voice, and could feel the atmosphere become hot and heavy, "I love you." The came so sweet, so full of emphasis, and passion. He really meant it.

But those words were like fire to Janelle, she shook her head, "No."

"I love Janelle, we've been through a lot these past few weeks, it's almost been a month since you came, but every time I'm around you, I get this knot in my stomach that I can't get ride of. The way you talk to me, the way you open up to me. I feel like you could be my best friend, no matter the situation, even if you were scared to call us friends at one point or another, it still never stopped me from creating these feelings I have for you. I can't explain, in fact I don't want to explain it, I don't want to understand it, I just want to do it." He slowly grabbed her hand, seeing that any touch of his could break her if he attempted to push too hard. Unfortunately he felt as if he might've already done that, but the damage had been done, "And…I want to love you. If you let me."

Janelle's face was flushing, still in complete bewilderment, but her heart was pounding between her ears and stomach, the thud throttled her body to make her back a little, her eyes full of a new fear that she had yet to face.

Ling could see this, and his brows pained more, fear over taking his own form as well.

From Greed's point of view, that sensation didn't sit right with him. It felt weird. He became scared too, but more or less to what Janelle mentioned of him. What she asked him. His head lowered, and his 'lips' frowned deeply as he closed his eyes. He felt what was going to come next.

"You can't love me." She whispered backing away more, out of fear.

That's not what Ling intended to do. He didn't want her to run away, "Jenny, please."

"No. No, you think you can just tell you love me like that! Do you even know what that is! I hardly know the meaning!" She tried to laugh the last comment off, but it only brought more tears to her eyes as she began to pace.

But Ling stopped her, trying to get her to listen, "I might've never fallen in love before Janelle, but I know what I'm feeling is real. This isn't a fling, like you would call it. This isn't just about the sex. I truly want you, I want to learn more about you every chance I get. Don't you feel the same?" Janelle could hear the resistance in his voice, the sound of disappointment, and sadness.

It was killing her. And all she could think is how cruel she was being to him, "I do feel the same way about Ling, there's no question about that." She admitted holding herself.

And Ling took a step closer to her, "Then why hide it. What are you so afraid of? That it won't work?"

"I've been hurt too many times. I've been chewed and spat out, given an unimaginable choice that I would never want to make again. That if I could do one thing, is change what I am. You don't know me, Ling. There's things you don't know about me. Things that I've hidden from myself. I never want to remember it." She held her arms around her stomach, her eyes full of tears and her voice full of sobs, "You don't want me. You deserve someone better."

"Then what was all this? Huh? What was all those times we spent together? Last night…What you said to me? Was it just a lie?"

"How could you think like that! I want to protect you!"

"From what?"

"Me! I'm not…Who you think I am. I'm a monster! What I've done, I don't think you could ever forgive me for. So let's just leave it at this…Friends. We don't need to have sex anymore, we just…We just-, god…" She couldn't take it, she was feeling foolish, selfish, she was…She couldn't think of anything else, if there was any word to describe Janelle, she felt it would be 'murderer.' There was a deep secret she had kept from him. One she never mentioned, something she was too ashamed, and to angry at herself to tell him. How could she?

Ling could never give her the forgiveness she asked for. She didn't get it from others , and she certainly wouldn't get it from Ling. How could he even comprehend the position she was in? She hated herself even more, and in one go ran out into the party, "Janelle! Janelle come back!" Greed was quick to take over, running after the girl to make sure he wouldn't loose her, but considering she dashed into the crowd of happy dancers, he was only cut off by the ones she bumped into getting a quick escape out the front doors.

She even passed Wrath who was standing with Pride, or Selim as he liked to call him in front of company. But when Greed came across them, the Furher stopped him smiling, casually, "Is something the matter?" Greed seemed distracted that was for certain, but he merely stared down Wrath and shook his head, "No. No everything's fine. Just a…little disagreement."

"Oh." Greed didn't stick around he was already escorting himself out the door, in a rush, unaware that when he closed the doors behind him, he had lost track of Jan, "Damn it."

Let me take over Greed I could find her.

"Oh yeah? You got some kind of magic source I don't know about kid?"

Yeah. So let me take over!

Greed could only growl in discomfort, not wanting the prince to take his body back, but knowing the dire need of the situation, the avarice surrendered and pulled back giving Ling full control as he led the way.

From where Janelle was running to, she only knew she needed to get out of head quarters, she needed to hid herself where she could think, where she could never be found. The guilt became too much to bare, and as she became unable to face her own regret more and more, Janelle's legs picked up the speed to lead her to anywhere but to him. To the one person she probably only trust in this crazy world. But she was again torn by the trust. If she trusted him why not tell him about this? Why not mention it to him sooner, like this morning when she had the dream? The memory. Whatever it was to her, it stained her soul like nothing she had ever face.

And the harder she ran the more she cried, she cried hard running from anything that could catch her, anyone that could take her out of going home. She didn't deserve to put there lives at risk, or get them to trust someone they never even knew personally. Then why? Why did she do all that she did? Jumping in the line of fire to save the ones she barely knew herself. She couldn't comprehend what she was doing, she felt so stupid running away. A child, that's what she was being, and she knew it, but she couldn't look in the eyes and tell him she killed her own child. She couldn't tell him the truth. She didn't have to tell him, she couldn't left it a secret and no one would ever know.

But know how Ling was with his family, and heritage, he was probably expecting children. She wasn't even sure if she was sterile because of it now. How could he think so highly of her when what she did was unforgivable. He'd hate her, tell her what a monster she was.

Once Janelle felt she was far enough, she stopped in the middle of the street, realizing it was the same place where she had first met Greed and Ling when they came back from the other side. Or the limbo of it at least. She saw the phone booth, completely isolated and standing only under a street light, drawing the girl to it to hide behind it's glass walls.

She closed it quick, panting hard, and out of breath to the point that while she was crying, it was nearly hard to do both. She could only hit the poor phone in response letting the metal take the abuse. Even after she crippled her hand she still didn't feel the pain. She was too angry at herself to feel anything at the moment, especially with the adrenaline in her veins, "I can't face you… I can't face what I did. I didn't have a choice. I didn't…I didn't want…" She stopped unable to say more, only able to smile at the way she was hiding, until she saw her reflection in the glass, "Look at me. I'm not worth loving. Not after what I did." She sat there for a moment, crouched down in the corner with her chest to her knees, thinking of a way out of this; how she would face Ling.

She couldn't bare the thought of what he was thinking, what he would think, Greed as well. She didn't understand where this all went wrong. At any other time this nightmare could've come up, now that she was so deep in love with a man she thought she barely knew, this memory had to arise now? Her father's death, the baby, her step father. It wasn't enough to tear her soul apart, now her heart had to become a crater? This wasn't fair.

Or may be it was, "Oh god what have I done?" She placed her hands over her face, trying to make herself into the tiniest ball she could imagine, hoping no one would find her hiding her.

Unfortunately, her spot of hiding had to come to an end sooner or later. She heard someone walking up to the glass. No one made a sound, so she assumed the person was alone. She looked up from her hiding spot, eyes puffy and red, filled with tears. She attempted to quickly wipe them away, and watched as the person stepped up to the glass, tapping on it lightly to get the girl's attention, but not to get her to look at who it was, "Janelle…" She was hoping it was him. She couldn't run away from him forever, not with his detecting chi ability, "Janelle, please speak to me. Whatever it is we can talk about it."

"This isn't how I wanted it to end, Ling. This isn't what I wanted to do. I don't want to run from you, but I'm so afraid of what you'll do once you know the truth."

"What are you talking about? Is it me pressuring you into stay. Look, I'm sorry Jenny. I'm so sorry I put you through that, I didn't-,"

"No, it's me. Only me Ling. I've been hiding some things from you. I can't live with the guilt. I don't believe I have since it happened. And what I did wasn't you of maliciousness, I thought I was doing the right thing, making sure it didn't have to suffer having such a loser for a mother!"

"What?" Ling kind of laugh, unable to make sense of what she was talking about, or what she just said. That's when she flinched and tightened herself into a harder shell, especially when she heard the door of the phone booth finally open, "Janelle…Please tell me what it is. I promise…You have nothing to be afraid of. Nothing."

"You say that, but I don't know that for sure." He hunched down, his knees hitting the ground as he put his hands to the girl's shoulders, lifting her head a little so she could see the look in his eyes.

They were so gentle, his eyes so forgiving already even though he didn't even know what it was, "If you want, we can take a walk, and get away from Central for a bit."

"Yeah right with the other homunculi, and Father probably waiting for us to get back?"

"Forget them. It'll be fine. Apparently Greed says that if you don't take this walk he'll force you to."

"What? H-he can't…I don't-," Before she could finish, Ling gave her a very pleading gaze, one that even she could refuse, even when he put his lips to her forearm, his innocent eyes flashing up at her to make her look back on her actions. She sighed, shaking her head, if not again in more shame if she could even call it that any more, "You won't understand."

"Have I failed you yet?"

"N-No…"

"So then give me a chance, one chance to understand. Okay? If it isn't what we expected, and…Things don't work out, then we'll leave it at that. But I deserve at least to know you. Not just about your hobbies, not just what you like to eat, or what turns you on…I want to know that the Janelle I'm looking at, is the real one, because I don't want to love anyone but that woman in front of me." She was trying hard not to flush, so hard not to smile, but the way he talk to her, she had that affect on her. She wasn't sure whether to hate it or like it, but with as much resistance as possible, the brunette stood up on her fine thin legs, and helped Ling to his feet, only to have him grip her wrist and wrap an arm around her neck, feeling his need to embrace her close, for her sake, and his.

She wasn't sure about the contact at the moment, she was tense, and walked looking anywhere but him, "Still scared?"

"Yes. I have every right to be."

"That's because it's eating you up inside. Come on, we'll find somewhere quiet to talk."

"Like where?" She asked shaking a bit. Then her teeth started to chatter, which made Ling adjust his arm, and grab the long part of his coat and wrap it around the girl's naked shoulders.

She was a little surprised to see the invitation, still hesitant to take in his welcoming arms, but none the less, Janelle smiled as much as she could, feeling less hostile, and more calm as they walked farther out into the city. Lucky for them, they had got out into the forest, until they came upon a creek. Not too far ahead of that, there was a water fall which the two climbed down with ease and sat down below it's mystifying glory. It was quite a scene, and only made Janelle could see more scenery such as this. It made her feel tranquil. "Thanks for taking me here Ling."

"Yeah well, we needed to get out of the crowd, especially with everything that happening."

"Yeah. About that…"

He looked Janelle steady, worriedly, leaning his arm forward as he laid on his legs to the grass, "Are you sure you're ready to tell me?"

Janelle could only sigh, closing her eyes for a split second before she scanned the oasis below them. The luscious greenery, the different fragrances of numerous flowers surrounding the water itself. Even the rock formation of the water fall was breathtaking. If this wasn't the time to tell him, what was? "It's about my past. Last night, I thought it was all the end of my worries, that all I had to think about was you and me, which was hard enough in itself, but this…This memory…This thing I did, I don't know if it's worth forgiving."

"What did you do that was so bad?"

"Ling…What I'm about to tell you? No one should have to go through this…No body. No body should be put in the position I was put in, and if I could go back and change it I would. But…I was too weak. I was too weak then…"

"What was it." Ling asked sitting in closer, his hand on her leg now for comfort. She took it. She took his hand in hers, and held it for dear life.

She licked her lips, and shook her head, her face filled with pain and sorrow. She almost wanted to back out, pretend it was nothing, lie, anything to make it this moment stop hurting. But this was it.

She couldn't back out. She finally sighed hard, and inhaled in back her fears, giving Ling the most confident look she could, "Remember when I told you I was doing drugs at a young age? I said about a year ago I quit."

"I remember. You told me it was because you were sick of that life."

"It was true, but there was something that made me quit. Something that made me second guess ever being with any man, or letting a man love me. You're the first in a long time. I could never forgive myself for the choice I made...I feel like…I took its life, even though in my world they tell me that's not the case. At least the doctors. I still feel responsible for what I did. I wasn't being fair to them."

"What are you saying?"

"In my world. There are two ways to…stop the process of having a baby. I decided to take the better alternative, and took the pills, because I couldn't stand doing the other."

"You…" Did he hear right? She had a child? How? Then it clicked. The scars. He never questioned where they came from, not wanting to upset the girl since she didn't have very many memories of her past. But this? It blew his mind. He sat up on his knees, and moved to her front, grabbing her chin to force her to look at him, even though she did try to avoid them at all cost, "You didn't mean to…Tell me you didn't-,"

"Of course not!" She shouted pushing him away, feeling her strength to keep a poker face slowly diminishing, "I would never intentionally hurt anybody! Especially a baby, but according to doctors, an abortion is a someone's decision. A discreet decision. The pills are suppose to stop the process before it could ever hit the stage that would hurt it. They say that it's not consider alive…To some. Not everyone agrees with it though. You can see why."

"Right. Okay…Okay." Once he heard that he calmed down a bit, but kept a very intense gaze on her, one that left him questioning her, "Then just, explain to me what happened."

"I was still in a relationship with Chase at the time. We were both messing around, smoking, nothing that would kill us, just cigarettes. The condom he used was was crumbled up. I asked him if it was safe, and he told me it was. I thought it was because the condemn was in his pocket, but-, needless to say, it broke. I was stupid and should've checked the damn thing myself!" She was shook her head in disgust.

"You trusted him, he obviously didn't care about your well being. So…after that?" She could hear it was bugging him, irritation rose in his voice as he looked away down at the ground, he looked mad. Not angry, just mad. But no matter the expression he wore though, she continued, her voice filled with the embarrassment of her actions, "I thought I was just getting sick. A virus, anything else that would not be what I knew it already was. You don't just feel the sickness. The way I was sleeping on my stomach, I could her…Him…Whatever it was…I could feel it growing inside me. It was becoming a part of me." She was smiling, holding her stomach, her eyes filled with remorseful tears.

She frowned with trembling eyes, the tears staining her face, "I told my mother. She flipped out, told me I had to get rid of it. I pleaded with her, I told her I would find a way, but instead of understanding why I didn't want to abort the baby..." She choked.

"She made you abort the baby?"

"No-, she…She…She said we couldn't afford a baby, that I was too young to have one and that I was throwing my life away! I told her, what if I wanted to keep it? She just looked at me and said she'd kick me out. She was too young to become a grandmother, and I a mother. It was taken care of within a couple of weeks." She smiled trying to laugh it off, but Ling only seemed to be upset now. More than usual. He was breaking the dirt below him with his nails.

"She put you in a situation like that? How can a mother do that to her own child?"

"Don't. Please Ling. I was being reckless. Besides, she didn't make me do anything according to others. It's still my decision, still my choice. I could have stopped at any time."

"You were 16 years old you were still considered a child yourself! And she manipulated you to think that was the right decision."

"I could've said no and run away, taken my chances on my own. Not like I'd go to any of the friends I knew, they didn't seem to proud of the decision that was being made either, but they understood why it was happening. What sucks even more is that there's a program now that helps people like that, when I was in that situation. They give housing, food, money. All of it. I hate my actions even more for not standing up for myself. And now this…

"Janelle…"

"If I would've known that? That I could've told everyone else to go to hell… If I would've gotten emancipated.." She scoffed at the idea, "But paper work takes so long. It would've taken for ever to stable myself with a child. Plus, it costs money to do that. I didn't have a job. And most paper work to get a job now requires an adult signature." There was a silence in the air. One that could suffocate any sane person, unfortunately no one was sane around them.

Their minds boggled by the other, Janelle could only imagine what the prince was thinking. His eyes were turned from him. And the suspense was killing her as she cried quietly, whispering to him, "Please, say something. Anything! An 'I hate you' or 'how could you do that to a child?'

"Well…What can I say? What happened to you…It's…It's just wrong. Your mother shouldn't have put you in that situation in the first place. No matter the reason. Yeah you were young and stupid, not only that it wasn't out of malice, so…I mean…I can't say that I'm upset with you, but I am at the same time. I don't know. I don't know how to really feel about this." His eyes were fixated on the girl, seeing the guilt run through her face, her words almost numbing. She sounded as if she was trying to hide the real pain behind it all, "Yeah, well, what's new. I wasn't expecting you to be proud of me."

"I'm not. But you were only 16 years old, you didn't know what to do, you went to the only person you thought you could trust…And…Well…"

"Don't get me wrong, my mother's not a monster, she isn't horrible to me or my brothers…She's just…Well I don't know what she is any more. Everything I've known, everything I thought I was…I knew I wasn't perfect, but this…?" She tried to hold back a sob but it came naturally, unable to cease once Janelle had laid her head in hands, "I'm so ashamed…I want it to keep it, Ling! I want to keep it! But I was so scared, I had no one to turn to. Those people I had called my friends? They weren't friends! They're just…Just…Company! Acquaintances that kept me entertained while my real life was just beginning. What is real any way?"

"Don't talk like that."

"Look at what I've done to myself Ling! I was going to have a baby at 16! 16! In my world that's considered a very bad thing. Stupid, and irresponsible. I brought shame upon myself and my family! Nobody knew what I was going through, what I was thinking. I stayed up for nights just thinking about it, thinking of ending my own life, thinking that somehow that would make it even! Did they think I enjoyed it or something? Like I didn't care? Like I was…a monster. They're looks…"

"Who? Who are you talking about? Your friends?" Janelle stopped herself, she was thinking too far into the memory to realize she hadn't explained, "On that day…My mother was the one to take me to the hospital for the stuff. There was a group of protesters against what I was doing, spitting, yelling, screaming. They were so angry. It felt like everyone's eyes were on me. The disgust in their eyes, the discrimination it brought to me. I never wanted that. I never wanted any of it. All I wanted was my baby." She cried even harder, tears leaking through her fingers and staining the skirt of her dress, "Why didn't I just say no Ling? I could've saved it. I could've…And I didn't! It's all my fault! It's all my fault… "

That was it, he couldn't take anymore, feeling his own emotions getting the better of him as he watch Janelle cry harder than she ever had. He had heard her cry before, but this pain she was holding was too much for him to take. He wrapped his arms around her, bringing her into him even when she attempted to pull away. He wouldn't let her though, he nearly pulled her into his lap, just embracing her fragile form till his hug nearly suffocated her.

She didn't mind it though, she needed it. She needed some kind of contact at this point; although a part of her was hoping Ling would scowl her, or run away, stop being so forgiving, and nice, but he proved her wrong, and she cried more because of that, "I'm so sorry Ling. I should've saved her! I could've ran out of there at any time! I could've-, I mean I was the only one that cared! Chase didn't! He wasn't even there! He ran away Ling, and I hate him for it! I hate him for abandoning me! Why did this have to come out now!" At this point she was cutting her nails into her hands her anger almost unbearable until Ling stepped in.

"It's okay. I've heard enough." His voice was almost above a whisper, his voice cracking and quivering, "Don't put yourself through it again."

"But I am. Please Ling…" She pleaded. She begged, her sobs becoming more desperate, "If there is any way you can forgive me…Or at least, take pity on a soul like me. Something…I know I don't need it, but…I care how you feel towards me. I don't want to be a bad person. I want to be good."

There was a small pause. It scared Janelle, tortured her to no end awaiting his answer, but he already had his answer, he just needed a minute to take it all in. It was a lot to process, and considering Jenny position? There was only one thing he could do, "I don't need to forgive you Janelle?" He asked nearly on the verge of laughing to cut the pain, "You might've done some dumb things in your life, getting pregnant? Yeah, maybe it was a little stupid. And yeah, the situation did get bad, but you didn't do it willingly."

"I don't care. I should've still could've at least tried to stand up for myself. Or at least given myself more time or…Anything to have another choice."

"According to your mother you didn't have 'another choice.' You should've had a choice to keep it, and your mother saw you vulnerable in my eyes and told you that there was only one way to deal with this. She never gave you a choice. As I see it, and as Greed sees it, it was bad, but it wasn't entirely your fault. And you didn't have to run away you know, you could've told me."

"I didn't know until this morning…And I didn't want to push you away but I also didn't want you to love someone that would hide secrets from you. I want to be honest with you, and if there is a hell in chance I could be with you, well…I just wanted you to see the real me, make sure there wasn't anything I couldn't tell you. But I was also scared of how'd you react. Like you'd see me as a monster too. And Greed, I thought maybe he'd see another reason to let Father look down on humans."

"Look at me." He pulled away just enough to cup her face, taking her cheeks in his palms. They were probably the warmest thing to her skin, the only thing to keep her body moving. She felt so heavy, her body feeling a pain that nearly pulsed through her muscles, but none the less Jenny kept her eyes steady.

His eyes were strong, yet stern and full of sympathy, "You may not be perfect, and yeah, maybe there was a way you could've avoided it. But you made a very hard decision. One that you shouldn't have had to make. Plus, I don't see how or why I should hate you, or why I should cast you aside. Yeah, this is big, and a life should never be taken for granted. But what can I say or do that you haven't already done to yourself. God knows how long you've had this haunting you and on your conscience. It still does obviously. But I will never…Ever… Abandon you. A man never runs away, never backs down." He pressed his head against hers, their lips so close that Janelle couldn't bare the sight of him. But he didn't stop, he kissed, pressing his lips to hers with the greatest embrace he could give before pulling away, his eyes closed and his brow scrunched as he made his decision, "I love you. And I forgive you."

"Ling…I know I want your forgiveness, but no pressure, you know." She sniffled wiping away her tears. But she missed one, and Ling wiped it away, in assistance.

"Of course not. I don't need to forgive you Janelle, you need to forgive yourself more than anything. It's not like you'd do it again. Right?" Janelle shook her head short and fast, just the thought made her cringe, "Never. I make mistakes just like every other human, but unlike some idiots, I don't like to make the same mistake twice."

"As long as you're trying, right?" They both smiled, holding one another for a good while in silence to take in the calm air that finally settled in, some what. It was a big deal, something that meant a lot to Janelle, and for her honesty, and trust in Ling, the prince felt happy to know that it was resolved, that everything would be somewhat okay for now.

So much was happening so fast, but Ling was going to hold it together. Whatever happened to Janelle before she came here, he didn't want to have her relive it any more than she already did. He only wish he could've met her sooner, if she would've been in this world instead one light years away. Wasn't there anything he could do to help her? Then, the girl shivered and sighed with chattering teeth, "Ling?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm cold…" The prince could only chuckle and pulled away to take off his jacket, wrapping it around Janelle's shoulders, pulling her up from the ground with him, so he could hold her under his wing, "Come on, it's starting to get late. And I'm sure Greed's gonna have to make up some excuse to make the homunculi forgive our tardiness."

"Maybe not. Just tell them we took a walk. That's what we did right?" At first it didn't seem to sink into Greed (who was listening to everything from the other side of things) that it was the truth, but when it did, both him and the prince smiled, pulling the girl's tiny waist to his as they slowly took their time walking back, "Yeah."

Hesitantly, Ling wanted to say the words again. The three words that he had said before, but something stopped him this time. He felt Greed starting to take over again mentioning that he still wanted to saw his peace to the girl.

Ling shrugged, chuckling as he felt as if there was really no choice in the matter, but the chuckle seemed to get Jan's attention, "What's so funny."

"Greed wants to say something. Well, that or he really wants the body back."

"Heh, I assume both."

Ling looked down at the girl curled under his arm, her face pressed against his chest as the clouds began to roll in. It look like rain was coming. And it wouldn't be any further from the truth.

The moment Janelle felt a droplet on her nose she looked up to the sky. Ling put out his hand to feel it too, and they weren't even close to being back. Considering they dropped down from the short cut, they thought it would be a good idea to take the long way home.

Then, out of nowhere it began to pour, making Janelle gasp and laughed as it came showering down on them both. In seconds the two were soak, "Here!" Janelle put some of the trench coat over the prince now, both of them were laughing as they ran for cover. The trees helped to some extent, but it wasn't enough, they were going to need more than just the shelter of the leaves, "What do we do now?" She asked looking to Ling.

"Well, we can always wait until it lets up. A little rain never hurt any body." The prince was hopeful, but from the looks of it, it didn't seem likely.

"Yeah but a lot can kill you."

"Was that a pun?"

"No."

"Since when did you start making puns?"

"I said no." She protested, shaking her head of the tedious argument, "Maybe there's something near by, I saw some light not too far from here, maybe it could at least pin point our location so we can head back to Central."

"Worth a shot." They ran in the direction where she had seen a haze of the glow, and from there they ventured on until they reached the street light. Turns out, the light was coming from a unknown cabin. It seemed to be quiet, and there was a road leading down the main street, but with this much rain coming down, Ling thought of a better idea, "Let's check to see who's there."

"What? Why? No! We don't even know these people, I'm not going to ask them to stay."

"Awe why not? Just until the rain let's up. Please?"

"No. I'm not-,"

"Shh."

"Don't sh-," In the blink of an eye Ling covered Janelle's mouth just as the door swung opened. He picked her up with ease, and hid over in the shadows to avoid being spotted. There were two men, both of them with what look like maces. They were big men too, the thought of them coming out if they had knocked on the door, it made her body chill to the bone.

"Let's Marcus we can't have Willy waiting."

"Yeah, that rat bastard can suck it for all I care." They both had very low scuffed voices too. They didn't sound to friendly either, "Do you think this target was worth the money?"

"We'll see what happens when we get back. We can't be choosey in this line of work."

"Guess you got a point. Guy should've kept his big mouth shut." The first instinct for Janelle was to run, or at least get the police involved when they get back, but Ling had other plans. He released his coat, and looked at Janelle, "Stay here."

"No, Ling-, what're you doing!" She knew she wasn't going to be able to stop him, it was Ling, and he wouldn't let someone get hurt if he could help them. Janelle sighed surrendering to his need to help, hell she'd tried to help too if she could, but all she could do was sit back and wait.

At first, all she could hear was the rain, the dark shadows tricking her when she thought she saw Ling. So she ducked down for a moment, waiting for him to come back. And when she thought she heard footsteps, she looked over the logs, and work supplies that were scattered on the side of the house. But when she looked up at the dark image hovering over her, she gasped, and attempted to grab for anything she could find.

Unfortunately the man had an upper hand on her whacking her hard over the front of her head with a shovel, letting her fall back with a thud, a freshly made wound.


Next - Chapter 12: Finding Rapture


I just feel bad for writing , I had my reasons. Anyway sorry for such a downer chapter but next chapter will be better. Thanks for reading.