Another storm, another chapter written. Just for you.


Chapter 20: A Cautionary Approach


"Well, I'll be damned…" Greed murmured softly taking a step forward almost afraid to take the girl's hand, or to touch her in any case, afraid if he did she would go silent again, but he licked his lips and leveled his head to hers so their eyes wouldn't stray, and the smile crawling onto the girl's face only grew as big as her tears before she rubbed her throat to confirm the reality, "It's…" She attempted to talk but as Jan tried it only came out in a whisper and very raspy, "Painful to talk."

"I would assume so. Since your voice was, in a way, 'waiting' on the other side of the gate, it's easy to say that since you haven't been using your voice, it's been on reserve. It'll take time for your vocals to return to normal, but you are cured of Father's alchemy."

"You mean…Like Al's body?" Ed asked surprised to hear such a thing could be done with a simple voice, "Yes."

"That makes sense. Thank you, f-for giving me..." She trailed off gently looking to Hoenhiem who smiled back with a bow of his head, "Think nothing of it. He shouldn't have done such a thing, and I apologize for Father's actions towards you. I never thought he'd stoop so low like this. Then again, it has been a long time since I've seen him."

"Oh please…don't be modest…You had nothing to do with what he did to me. I knew what the cost was when I opened my mouth." She assured warming the side of his arm before she turned herself to Greed again to see this look in his eyes, almost as if he was still trying to come to the realization that Janelle was actually speaking again, her voice, even though weak, was just as he imagined it for a long time. To think he could hear the girl's voice and get this creeping satisfied chill up his spine that just made him want to…Want to-, do everything to this woman. To embrace her, touch her, kiss her, love her, to do unspeakable things till she was red in the face. But he resisted, only giving a spacey, damaged feature to make Janelle frown, "You look so down Greed, out of everyone here I'd thought you'd be the most enthusiastic." The more she told him this the more his eyes softened, and a hand that was balled suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her forward, "Woman, I'm ecstatic." He cupped the back of her head and held her so close that it nearly hurt when he kissed her.

Yet, shocked at first, Janelle slowly went from sane to cloudy, smiling and giggling before she embraced him back and pulling away from the kiss to feel the avarice squeeze her back. Hard. He even gave a breathless chuckle and put his nose and lips to her ear hiding behind her hair, "I told you we'd find a way.. Never expected it to be the brat's dad." The response got Ed to groan wanting to say something before Hienkel stopped him with a mere pat of his head. The boy waved it off, "Quit it."

Janelle and Greed pulled away enough to where the two were still hip to hip, but turned their attention towards Hoenhiem, "I owe you for this old man, for helping her. Really, this means a lot."

"Please it's no trouble. I'm just glad she's alright again."

"So Janelle, now that you can speak again how does it feel?" Darius suddenly asked getting the girl to grin, "Unbelievable. I hated being mute. But I'm glad to actually say it's nice to meet you all. Since I didn't have a chance to say so in the beginning. Sorry, it felt a bit awkward not being able to physically say it."

"And here I thought you were anti-social." Ed grinned poking at the girl to feel her finger tips swat at him and point, "That was then and this is different…I want the option of being anti-social." Ed just laughed nodding, "I can see where freedom of speech plays a part."

"Very. Anyways, you guys got a lot to talk about, how about we get started on a plan."

"For you, there is no plan, you'll stay out of the way." Greed assured with steady eyes only getting Janelle to eye him back before she waved the boys to make room, and clapped her hands together to bring them to the floor, the sound of electricity to the air and from crouching to standing, Janelle brought her hands up to make another marvel of metal to take the ground.

When she was finished she turned to the boys and the avarice who had advised her to do what he had been trying to get her to do. Stay safe. When he saw the mere smile across her face Greed could only smirk back shaking his head, "Are you trying to make a point dear lady?" He asked kindly enough to where she bowed her head and answered, "Yes, actually. As I said-, oh sorry wrote before, and I will now say it, you can't talk me out of going to Central with you. I have to go."

"I know but do you understand what's at stake, I just don't want to see you get hurt." Greed was shrugging and making hand motion as he desperately hoped to change the young girl's mind, but as he said this the brunette crossed her arms her eyes tilted up at him in seriousness, "I already told you I'm going to help you, I need to stop him from going to my world, amongst other things." She didn't mention what that other thing was but Greed knew she meant saving him. He stayed quite as she smiled and puffed out her chest in bravery, "Unfortunately, either way I'm involved, and I have to go."

"Ugh, I wish that wasn't the truth, but.. You're right. The word 'unfortunate' is an understatement though. I hate it."

"I know. So do I, but I'm sorry Greed. I have to." She smiled softly this time and took his hand in hers, placing it on her stomach and leaning into him lovingly, "For us."

"I'm still going to find a way to keep you safe." He rubbed his thumb gently over her shirt fabric pulling away enough to look into her doughy hazel iris's. She wore a sadden expression, aching in the pain that was obvious in his face, but she attempted to smile and gave a small response of a squeeze as she cupped her other hand over his knuckles, "I may be small, and pregnant, but I've got a little training under the belt so I can only hope for the best."

"But you promise to try to stay behind for good measures right?"

"Of course!" She tried to chirp giggling but it was so harsh that she ended up clearing her throat, "Sorry, I sound just awful."

"Don't worry doll, you're fine. So, being on the subject of the promise day…" Greed trailed off looking to Ed, "That's right, it's coming. Tomorrow, and we need to be ready."

"Yes, but Edward, there's something I have to tell you. About me, about….The reason why I left." The boy turned to his father, his eyes full of regret and tales to tell him. Starting with Xerxes, the truth about it, and how the dwarf in the flask came to be the first homunculus made by their people. The fact that it was confirmed to hear from Hoenhiem himself that he, Edward and Alphonse were half of what his father was, and the discovery of the near extinction of their kind had brought Ed to complete shock.

No news to Janelle but hearing the story from Hoenhiem himself? There was so much said that it left her frowning and dazing into the fire when everybody fell silent. Ed just staring at his father while Greed had turned his sights from his father to him, "That can't be true."

"I'm sorry Ed, but it is. I'm a philosopher stone, and in a way, Father is a part of you. I guess you could say that Greed is by blood and by that man's hand, your long distant cousin. At least for most that's what you two would relate to in lamen's terms." Ed was even more shocked to hear about that before the avarice turned to Ed, "Cool."

"This is cool to you? We're related."

"So? I'm related to Envy too, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to kill him."

"Was…There suppose to be a reassurance in what you just said?" Ed looked to Janelle who merely shrugged, "Just be glad he doesn't want to kill you, right?"

"Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"Anytime." Was all Janelle could reply to get the blonde boy to shake his head and laugh it off. Then his face went hard again, looking to his father for more answers as if he had them. Hiding them. But the truth was Hoenhiem had told him all he knew, yet there was still more to be done, to atone for the souls that were lost.

Now with the two staring each other down, Janelle could see they still had things to discuss, and with a bow of her head she changed the subject for a moment, "I hate to run off but that food is starting to look at me, and my stomach is eating itself, excuse me." With that Janelle walked her way over to a near by booth she seemed to be eyeing from afar, "Edward, you're not the only one that's a little taken back by the fact that I'm a philosopher stone. You're taking the news actually a lot better than I had anticipated. Alphonse took it pretty well too although I don't think it's really sink in yet." There was a soft silence, everyone waiting for Edward to say something before Hoenhiem gave him a sorrowful gaze, "If you need to, use me to get your bodies back."

"What!"

"I have the souls of every last of our people store inside me. And I'm not afraid to sacrifice myself for the greater good." For some reason, the sound of his father giving away his life so easily, and for the purpose of getting his and his brothers bodies back, it pissed him off, "I don't care what reason you have to use those souls I'm not doing it! They're still souls and we'll find another way if we have to! But forget it, I'm not doing it no matter what you say." At first his father was surprised by this, but softened his features and smiled, "I'm proud to hear my son say that." Everyone was smiling, seeing this father son moment bloom into something that started a new light on a road that once seemed dim. Everyone could see otherwise, and soon after Greed seemed to find his attention turn towards Janelle who was sadly eating by herself, but seemed to have no problem chatting it up with the woman chef who seemed to be enjoying her company, "Well, I don't know about you guys, and as much as this reunion turned out to be a blast, it's already nightfall, the promise day is tomorrow and we still have a lot of miles to go." Greed saluted tall blonde off and began to walk away while the others gave their condoles, "Nice to meet you Mister Hoehhiem."

"Pleasure's all mine boy's. Let's hope to meet on better terms by tomorrow evening."

"If we survive I'll invite ya for a beer."

"I'm holding you to that. Take care of that young lady, I hope the best for you and your new family."

"Thanks." Was what Greed could reply strenuously before he turned his head to see Janelle skipping to him, her stick of grilled food being devoured before she jumped in front of the homunculus and allowed him to pull her hips to his, a proud smirk displaying across his face to make the brunette smile back and lean her head in the crook of his neck. There was a small moment of content, even while they went to find a booth to eat at the sense of giving Ed a hard time for what happened seemed to lighten everyone's mood. Even Janelle who let the words she already knew play out, "I don't think he's all that bad, give him a break huh?"

"Yeah he actually seems to be trying."

"Hey get off my back!" Janelle smiled unable to stop the bubbly giggle that came to the blonde's ears, "I heard that Jenny don't laugh!"

"I can't help it, you're so easy to tick off, I think that's why people purposely poke at you."

"It's still not funny!" Just then Greed joined in, his patience for his plate of food still in tact as he elbowed the counter in front of him, "Well, well, such a whirlwind of emotions. I gotta say though that's a lot to take in, not only is he full of information, he's a philosopher stone himself."

"That's not what bugs me…."

"It's just you didn't think this is how he would be?" Ed turned his eyes to Janelle who was drinking her water before taking another bite of her salad. It was a small garden salad but it was a full of different vegetables and dressing, "What?" She said finally noticing how long he was staring at her for, and shrugged her shoulders before he tilting he is head with a curious face, "Are you just getting that from the book? Because it's not helping."

"Well, yes and no." She said turning to her food as she continued to speak, "I've seen what your father's done, why he left you and Al in the care of your mother. There was a lot to do and the whole time your father could've ignored the things that Father was doing, but instead he sacrificed his time with you, your brother and your mother to make sure you both had futures. Your mom knew too, and she knew, to some degree. I admire that though from both your mother and your father. Your dad's been around for a long time, and knowing him, he's seen a lot of death, just like you, like Greed, like these guys. More that shall remain nameless." She didn't mention herself on person, but intervened when she took a big gulp of water and then smiled back at Ed, "Your dad love's you Ed, don't doubt that. You can be mad all you want, be he does love you and Al. And he loved your mother to no end." The gang stayed quiet, and Edward could barely speak.

He stumbled over his words before Janelle suddenly turned her attention to a small stand, "Oh clay made whistles! Oh my goodness! They remind me so much of the reinassance fairs."

"Reinassance fairs?" Greed interjected to the blonde still muttering words he couldn't seem to process. Why did he have to process them so hard? "Yeah back in my world during the season's some people will set up fair ground to make resemble the reissance era. Loads of games, trinkets-, I LOVE their trinkets! Oh and the food! You should see the size of the turkey legs they sell their huge…And delicious!"

"Alright woman, look at you getting overly excited."

"Sorry, I haven't been to one in years. I'm just sad I kept missing them. Anyways, what's the next list on the agenda."

"Well, let's get what we need and head out. I need to stop by and get some cloth by the way."

"Alright. For what?" Hienkel asked only to get a cheeky grin from Edward, "You'll see." Once everyone was done eating they all began to look around for booths with items they needed. That's when it hit Janelle, "Oh wait, wait, wait!"

"What is it?" They all turned to her, her eyes scanning the ground as she pointed both forefingers to the sky, "I just remembered, don't forget this is the time where Pride's going to make his appearance."

"Are you sure?" Ed asked.

"I'm pretty sure, you get your jacket, we walk into the forest and bam he's going to hold your brother captive."

"I know we discussed this before, but tell me why again I couldn't help my brother before?"

"Because letting things play out usually go a long way, just do what I said and you'll be fine. Light is his weakness, we get Al, we get out, plain and simple."

"Crap! I need to tell the old man! I completely forgot to mention Pride."

"Don't worry Ed, when the lights go out, he'll know. Trust me."

"You're sure of this? Because if this doesn't work this is all on you."

"I'm aware of the blowback, let's quit wasting time and get your brother. The quicker we get him out of this mess the sooner he can help us trap Pride."

"What about Kimblee?" Greed asked looking to Janelle who only smiled confidently, "What? You want to be there to fight him?"

"Hell yeah." He grabbed her by the hips and gave a scary face that made the girl melt instantly, "How am I going to pay him back for all the times he came onto you?"

"Yeah right." She retorted snorting.

"That reaction tells me everything." He chuckled kissing her before Janelle pushed him back a bit, "Mm…No, I don't think so."

"Has he ever laid a hand on you?" He asked with a serious tone that only made her scoff before she thought about it, "Well…once to stop me from opening the door after I made a comment about him killing people exciting him which made him bat shit crazy. And he did always stare at me kind of funny."

"Then that's all I need to kick his ass."

"Oh come on this is silly!" She retorted trying ease his mind, she knew how that felt to have what you believed to be yours and only yours be toyed with by someone else.

"Might be silly to you, but think about it this way, how would you feel if I was the one hanging around someone that made you go mad with jealousy. That when you weren't looking they'd give you that sly little smirk to make you feel like they're planning something?" She gave him an odd look, then tilted her head, "Is that what he did?"

"Yeah, he did."

"Why didn't you tell me!"

"It's not important now." He replied flatly to make her shrug, "Point taken, but-,"

"No buts, that guy has stepped on my toes enough times for me to murder the fool."

"Oh my god you both shut up and start walking!" Ed was calling from the cloth booth already, his arms slipping through the sleeves while the two seemed to realize they were discussing this out loud. Everyone was staring at them. Janelle cupped her face and blushed like crazy, while Greed merely rubbed the back of his head looking everywhere else but the crowd, "Right. So, we agree to disagree?"

"Yes, yes I think so."

"Care to walk with me."

"Sure!" They both tried to play it off like nothing, but Bido and the rest chuckled at the mishap, the journey and fight ahead only coming to be the beginning of whatever lied ahead.

Janelle and Greed were behind everyone else, the girl's arm wrapped around the avarice's bicep with her head leaning against his shoulder when she spoke in a small whisper, "Greed?"

"Yeah?" She looked up at him, her eyes full of concern when she kissed his cheek, "I appreciate that you care so much, but don't start a fight unless it's necessary. You're a dad now, you need to be more considerate of those around you, and that love you."

"Heh, I'll try to keep that in mind, doll." Jan could only sigh and shake her head at his response, yet now suddenly becoming anxious when she saw how close they were getting to the edge of town, how close they were getting to Pride. She sighed deeply this time, respiring with the heart beat of a tiny mouse. From the corner of his eyes Greed could see the worry in her face, and the shake of her arms when she nuzzled her cheek into him. It gave him the clue that it was coming close to the first fight of the night, the first battle to Central.

Feeling her concerns, he moved his arms from hers and wrapped it around her shoulders to embrace her tighter, a cold hand immediately grabbing his, tightly. He chuckled and brought his lips to the closest ear he could reach, "We can do this Jenny, remember to stay close, and use your alchemy."

"Right-, okay-, I got this. I got this."

"Yeah, you got it." He laughed a little at her reaction, making her blush in frustration before he kissed her. It was quick, but it was deep and passionate. No tongue, just lips, but Janelle could feel her heart soaring with adrenaline. They pulled away shortly afterwards, and continued to stay hooked to the hip until the sound of metal footsteps began to approach them. The two slowly moved away as precaution, Janelle got in the only stance she could think of, looking to the all around darkness behind the man rows of in front of them, "Get ready." Ed announced everyone ready to go on a full assault Alphonse's armored body came out from the shadows, "Al…"

"That's the body." Not entirely sure why Bido said it with volume but Darius looked over to hush him, "Not so loud."

"Al…" Ed spoke out, taking only a step forward while the armor body just stayed there, looking at them all, the eyes dark, no longer lightened by a soul. And it was shown to Ed when he realized this. To think if Janelle wasn't around he would've never noticed it, but he could see through Pride's trick now, and he smirked as he fixed his posture. Then clapped his hands and caused all the sparks he created to fly up into the air and over any kind of electrical post to cut off the power to the towns, and any neighboring homes near by.

"What…?" A voice came, Pride's voice. It echoed in the armor, but that was far from the truth. Janelle had already told the boys once before of where the monster would be hiding, of where he remained, and when the moment was right, they were going to take down Pride the best they could, while getting Alphonse back.

It was a quick start, Hienkel jumped into his lion form, and dashed into the forest while Darius, and Al went after Alphonse's body, grabbing onto him as they pulled him into the shadows.

Greed and the others followed in suit making sure everything went as smoothly as it should've. To their surprise, it did, "Alright, now that we've got him now what?"

"Well…" Janelle started to ponder while starting down at Alphonse's lifeless form, itching her head as she conjured up a plan, "From what I can remember, Hienkel should be okay, if he remembers to back off at any sign of light he should be okay."

"Let's hope. What about my old man?"

"I'm not sure, he'll come though, don't worry about that."

"I wasn't." Ed tried to play it off coolly but Janelle merely smiled at him and nodded her head as she looked away, "Right. Anyways, for now, I would suggest keeping-," Suddenly Darius jumped, hitched his breath, and nearly tackled Janelle to the dirt while pushing Greed back to hear him grunt.

It was just in the knick of time because a second later and she would've been Gluttony's next meal, "Fuck…"

"Hey language you're a mother now!"

"I'll keep that in mind when I'm not about to get myself killed!" She retorted back before suddenly feel her arm get hit with something hard. It slapped into her forearm, causing it to pop, and Janelle to cry out in pain before she bit her lip, whimpering and holding onto her swigging arm for dear life. Darius panicked and found a spot near a tree to sit the girl to the ground, "I'm sorry! Damn it, was it me?"

"No, no, no…It was…It was…shit I think it's broken." She tried hard not to cry, but good lord did it hurt like hell. She tried to breath but it only came out in a gasp for air, and then a sniffle. She tried hard to keep herself calm, and quiet from the throbbing, "Okay, okay, I just…I just need to-,"

"Don't. Move. How did it happen?" He urged to know while she was blinking back tears, "He got me, what can I say."

"That monster?"

"Barely, I didn't keep my arms in that was the problem." Suddenly a sound of stumbling feet came crashing close by, "Greed." Darius called out in relief, but just above a whisper to make sure Gluttony couldn't hear him through the tress, "That you Darius? Where's Janelle?"

"Here." She responded clenching her teeth and then chattering them as she held onto her arm, "You don't sound alright. You okay babe?" Greed may have not shown it full being in concentration of the situation with Pride, but deep inside, he was freaking out. He could see her, nor could he help her. It hurt him in some way.

"No, Gluttony slammed my forearm. I think it's broken…At the very least fractured."

"Owe, damn. Just stay there. I'm coming to you."

"Okay."

"How bad does it hurt on a scale?" Darius was the one to ask this, and since it was pretty dark for the moment, none of them could see, "10."

"Boss." Finally, another person from the group had found them. Bido, "Over here." It didn't take long for the chimera to follow in line, finding the rest of them before noticing Janelle in the dark, and her state of injury, "Is it bad?"

"Pretty bad." She replied suddenly feeling a pain in her stomach to make her cringe and nearly scream out in pain, "What! What is it!" Greed was the first to start panicking, before Jan shook her head, "Just the stress from the pain making a cramp in my side, I'm okay." Greed nearly had to pick his heart off the floor, glaring daggers at Janelle before he respired and attempted to examine her arm in the pitch darkness, "This is so stupid I can't see a damn thing!" He growled as he got the girl to hold her arm a certain way, "Hold it like this until I say otherwise, damn it Jenny I knew this was a bad idea." He sounded annoyed and piss, but Jan knew it was for good reasons.

She could only sigh back and take his hand that squeezed hers at one point, bringing it to her cheek to make him feel her confident smile, "It's just a fracture…Probably."

"That doesn't make me feel better that he fact my bastard brother just injured my pregnant lo-, girlfriend…" He corrected himself, blushing hard at his own mess up to get Janelle to giggle at his accident, "La girlfriend? What are you learning French for pillow talk later?" She was mostly teasing, but he got the gist of that and gave a fake laugh, "Ha ha-, bite me."

"Later, right now I need to know whether or not how bad I got myself."

"No lights. We'll have to figure that out later until Mr. Hoenhiem gets here. So don't-, I repeat, don't do anything."

"I got it." She then groaned to break the annoyed look on the avarice's face, his features turning more sympathetic, when he could see a small glimpse of the tears that were falling. She definitely sounded like she was in pain, but the sound of her sniffles were so quiet no one could hear them. Could they? Maybe Darius could? Greed wasn't sure but as a small haze from the clouds lighted the scene, Greed growled and suddenly pulled the girl's face towards the side of his, letting him be able to speak freely without feeling odd, "Are you sure you're okay doll. I know it hurts but-,"

"This will be nothing compared to the loss of my child if I don't get the help I need without killing myself, now help me up, please, pretty please before I try to punch a tree?" She sounded desperate trying to play it off like nothing, and who could blame the girl? There was a war coming, over life and death, and she sure as hell wasn't going to let an injury-, no matter how bad, come between her and the goal to stop Father from attempting anything on anyone's world. Anyone's, Greed

"I can only imagine what you've got planned."

This would be another good opportunity to let me take control again. What do you say?

"What why?"

"Uh, I-is this where he starts talking to himself or…Is he-,"

"Talking to Ling. Interesting to watch isn't it, Greed talking to himself. It's a damn shame-," Janelle answered for Bido, but the after comment only pissed off the avarice, "Jan stuff it."

"You stuff it!" She snarled.

"Hormornal arent' we?" He retorted.

"Injury ass!" He laughed so hard he actually pissed off Ling, getting the prince to growl and cross his arms and legs in a huff, Greed would you please! I can use my ability to sense chi and make sure Gluttony's keeps his distance."

"You mean from Jenny."

You have a better plan? She's injured, they need to wait for Hoehiem, so let me lead the monster away until we can all regroup He didn't like that idea, in fact, Greed wanted to disagree to it, but with the sound of Gluttony closing in, he had no choice but to groan and roll his eyes in defeat, "Why me!Darius, Bido. Help with the girl will ya?" The two responded quickly to Greed and huddled around him and Janelle until Darius ended up being the one holding Janelle to him, confused, "I'm going to need you two to watch this one till I get back."

"Where are you-,"

"Does it really matter? I need to find Ed and the others, the sooner this ends, the sooner I get Janelle the help she needs, get it?"

"Uh-, got it. Sorry."

"Don't be. I'm a dad. I'm suppose to worry, right?" He almost asked out of reassurance and without having to say anything Darius got the gist of that chuckling, "Well, I would be, so yeah. Go, we'll wait here." Darius's confirmation helped, considering Ling's words it was only time before Gluttony would find them with his ability to sniff them out. He was surprised they lasted this long, but it was only a matter of time, and as he firmly cupped Janelle's chin, he leaned in close enough for her to hear him, well, for anyone to hear, "Be careful-, please?"

"You too." Her voice just as pleading as his to make him stay silent before finally heading out, the feel of his hand leaving her to cause Jenny to bite her lip, and almost feel as if she died at the sense of him leaving. Or was it just her heart over working itself? She liked that one best and went with that, clearing her mind before she sighed at her predicament, "Let's go Darius, I don't think we'll have another window like this."

"You read my mind miss."

"And how exactly are we suppose to find Ed?"

"Right here, Buddy." Bido jumped with a shriek at the feel of the boy tapping his shoulder, nearly killing the lizard by fear alone, "Don't do that! That was cruel in itself sneaking up on a guy like that!"

"What are you talking about? I just got here and you quest where I was. So here I am. What's going on with baby mama over there?"

"Dislocated my forearm, more or less. Is Fu with you?" Janelle replied tiredly, ignoring the ringing pain that rippled from the cracked bone. She really wish it would stop hurting, the pain was becoming almost unbearable to the point she sounded drunk, "Whoa, you sound worse than I imagine."

"He got you bad huh?" Did the gorilla even have to ask? "I can't feel anything but a hankering for pulling off my own arm right now."

"Shit. What happen?"

"Gluttony." Darius replied simply to get the blonde to growl in frustration, "Damn it Janelle this is not what we had planned with you injured you're going to end up getting yourself killed!"

"You don't think I don't know that! Stop yelling at me!" Her eyes were filling with tears from the throbbing up until she grit her teeth at the feel of her own blood pressure rising. And when it did it made her injury worse getting the brunette to screw her eyes shut and cringe, "Ngh…! It feels like it's digging into my shoulder!"

"Stop wriling her up Ed she's in enough pain as it is!"

"It's not my fault she couldn't be careful."

"It wasn't my fault asshole."

"Alright fine fine I'm sorry."

"I never heard so much bickering." Now with the sound of a new and familiar voice reaching their ears, everyone suddenly went quite over the sound of Janelle's heated breath, "If anyone's got a plan to make this pain go away faster that'd be great. Even you Fu."

"Unfortunately I don't miss." That's all the confirmation Ed needed to be surprised by the old man's arrival. In fact, he was so relieved he had to ask to be sure, "Fu? Is that really you."

"Yes. Lan and I sensed the young lord and…the young lady.

"M-me?" Janelle was confused, was it that Lan Fan had told her grandfather about her need in finding Ling that they had been keeping tabs on her? Or was it…

"Yes, we could…Sense the young one. When we were sensing for your chi, well…it's not hard to say we could sense the child."

"Wow. Cool. W-wait, so if you're here, does that mean Lan Fan's-,"

"Indeed. She is assisting the young lord as we speak."

"Oh thank god." She didn't know why but she was worried sick about the two. If none of this went as planned she was only thinking of the worst, but she was wrong and she was happy about that, "Do you not have faith in the young lord?" He asked this out of hopes to ease her mind, from what Fu could sense, Janelle was not only stress and in pain, she was worrying more than usual, and he could see it.

But the girl merely tried to reassure against what he could see through her crooked smile, "It's not like that." She assured making eye contact with him, but he merely smirked and chuckled under his breath, "But if you keep this up you'll only cause your baby to worry as well."

"You can…Tell all that just by chi?"

"You are not the only one hoping for their father's return. And because the child feels your chi, it too worries, just as you."

"Huh…I never thought of it like that. I mean-, I knew when I would stress the baby does and all, but…" When Darius had sat her upon a fallen tree log, they noticed close by that there was a fire erupting fast just outside of their hidden spot, and then the sound of Greed, Lan Fan, Gluttony came over off to the far side of the darkened woods just out of Pride's reach, but once that was seen, it was obvious Ed had to make an approach soon. "Not to break up the little baby fest going on here, but we have a homunculus to capture. Hoenhiem isn't here yet, and we need to distract Pride long enough to wait for Al to snap out of it. Any ideas?"

"A few." Janelle replied getting the men's attention, "And that would be…?"

"Fu has a few tricks up his sleeves. Don't you sir?" Janelle eyed the man with a wink of her eye, getting him to think of what she meant before he began to think of what kind of utilities he had on himself, "I do have a few explosives…Some flash bombs-,"

"Great, those will come in nicely. Janelle do you think you could hang here with Al's body until my old man shows up?"

"Go, we'll be fine." She ensured making him smile.

"Bido watch them please?"

"Sure, but…what if one of homunculi come this way?"

"They won't, we'll keep them off your back until Hoenhiem comes, that's the plan got it? Just stay out of sight, I'm sure you should be a pro at that."

"Fine. Just hurry."

"Yeah, no pressure right?" Ed joked, and got a few smiles, but the rest were soon off towards the light, already hearing the sound of Hienkel's cry when he had been hurt. When Janelle heard it, her heart felt like it was being squeezed, closing her eyes as she laid her head back with a small bump of the wood behind her. Then she looked over at Bido who was sitting right on the other side of Al's lifeless body. "Well…" The lizard started getting the brunette's full hazel's to gaze upon him, "I guess we're stuck here."

"Mm-hmm. But…It's okay. We'll be fine."

"Heh, what makes you so sure?"

"I just…Do."

"Huh, you know this whole entire trip, I'd never actually thought I'd believe you." Janelle giggled softly, nearly getting the lizard to blush a bit, "Why because I'm an alien?"

"I guess…If you want to call yourself that."

"I like it actually, you never really get the chance to meet a new person from a different universe. So I should be considering myself lucky huh?" She giggled even more to see Bido roll his eyes and smile a little, as if he was trying to resist, until he couldn't and rubbed the back of his head, "I guess it is pretty cool."

"Hell, the only unbelievable about this entire experience is that I got knocked up. And not just by anyone. I'm baring the child of Ling Yao, and possibly Greed the Avaricious."

"Hmm? Why do you say possibly?" Jan couldn't help but blush herself this time, almost surprised by her own words when she had none to answer Bido's question. And he could see how pale it made you, which made him even more suspicious as her mouth fell agape, "Janelle?"

"I…Uh-, I'm not entirely sure how it worked I mean-, he's sharing a body with another person, so, does that mean the baby's really only partly his, as well as vice versa?"

"That emperor kid being the other person?"

"Yeah. Well, Greed once told me that him and Ling both shared the same body, but had separate souls, so…I'm a little confused on how this all plays out in the end."

"What do you mean?"

"Greed's isn't going to want to go to Xing when this is over. He's probably going to want to 'rule the world' whatever that will mean after this is over. I think I just repeated myself..."

"He's still going to want to move around is what you mean."

"Sort of. He purpose I stay with him in Resembol, but I think he wanted me just to stay with him in general, making hints of staying in Central. But Ling needs to go home to save his country, and I don't want to be the one to stand in their way of their goals, their hopes and dreams."

"What about you?" He asked curiously.

"Huh?"

"What about you? What do you want to do?" She again didn't know how to answer, dub founded and nearly scared to make up her mind. Then she caressed her stomach, and closed her eyes, "I guess…I want them to come to an agreement. Their both sharing a body, sharing a woman and a child. There's got to be a way to make it work."

"Yeah? Well when you figure it out you might want to tell Mr. Greed and that Ling guy first. I'm sure they'll want to hear your answer more than me. Not-, coming off mean I mean, just-, I think they'd want to know first than be the second or third."

"I get what you're saying. Thanks."

"Hey you two." Out of the dead of night, it seemed out of a turn of event Darius had returned, but with an injured Hienkel and Hoenhiem at his side helping his chimera friend to a nearby tree. When they sat the lion down he growled in pain, panting from the loss of blood and open wound across his shoulder, "Easy."

"Damn it. I can't believe that son of a bitch got me."

"We'll return the favor, but for now you need to relax." Hienkel didn't agree to it, but he grunted and held still, all the while Hoenhiem had finally looked over to see Janelle and Alphonse in their unfitted state, "Oh no. Are you in any pain young lady?"

"Yeah, a lot, but I'm getting by." She cringed when she tried to move her arm, buttoning her lip when she tried to make a fist, "Ah." But it was a complete failure, "It's alright, just try not to move." She nodded and let the man scan her arm, holding it steady in his warm hands. His fingers actually clamped around her forearm when he felt the sting coming from the cracked bone, "I see…" Was all he said before Janelle asked, "What is-, UGH! Fudge me up the-,"

"Language…"

"I WAS WATCHING MY LANGUAGE! COULD YOU GIVE ME WARNING NEXT TIME YOU DECIDE TO RELOCATE MY ARM LIKE THAT! WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU I'M PREGNANT!"

"Sorry. It had to be done, and the less you would've known about it the better."

"Says you." She laughed off the pain, but it was still unbelievable painful. She could've punched the old man for doing that, "Couldn't you have just used alchemy?" She finally asked annoyed before suddenly see a bright light to make her gasp back.

When it had dissipated Hoenhiem removed his hands from her arm and let Janelle take in the sight of her healed, "I was going to, but I realized that without it being properly relocated it would've only healed crooked."

"Interesting. Good to know for next time. Uh, thanks. Again."

"The pleasure is all mine." He smiled in gratitude, slightly making the girl blush before their attentions fell upon Al. The only person that hadn't returned to the battle yet. But his father only gave his body a deep gaze, and leaned over to his son, "Al? Alphonse. If you can hear me. Come back. Come back Alphonse. Alphonse! Wake up!"

Now with the small group in the darkness trying to revive their last member, Greed, Lan Fan, Ed, and Fu had been attempting to keep the other homunculi busy, and it was working when Edward had begun to use his auto mail as a carbon based shield, leaving Pride some what exhaust of his energy to keep up with the boy, his child like body surrounded by the group, "Now what?" Greed asked Ed only to have him grin nervously, "You're asking me? The flash bombs were all I got, it's up to Mr. Hoenhiem to show his face right about now."

"Gluttony…" Pride's voice caught to ears of the others, but he ignored their ease dropping, "Did you find the girl?"

"I did, but Greed and that strange girl started attacking me in the dark. I don't know how, but I think they could see me." The homunculus was sucking his thumb and tearing up from the few deaths he had already endured, but as Pride looked around the group, plotting on what to do to get to the thing he came for, That must be the warrior from Xing Wrath had gotten into a fight with, before Janelle had interfered. And Greed handed his body over to the Xingese's prince in order to sense Gluttony…How pathetic. They'll become even more problematic then I had anticipated. I need to find a way to find that human and get out of here before they retaliate. But how? Just then, it seemed an idea had perked the eldest's mind, his creepy smile turning to his mindless brother, licking his lips, "Gluttony? How many times have you died?"

"I lost count, but I know it was a lot." He said it so sadly, yet hadn't seemed to notice Pride's shadows slowly approaching from the sides, "They beat me up pretty badly as well. The way I see it, they'll surely annihilate us." Ling and others started to notice his arms extending as well, the kill slowly approaching, when it was finally too late, Pride had wrapped Gluttony in his grasps ignoring his brother's cry to not eat him, but the monster did it, taking a quick snatch of the bigger homunculus and biting him in half for everyone to witness. Like snakes and spiders to food Pride's shadows immediately began to go for Gluttony's stone, absorbing it, everyone watching him eat away at the last of the hungry homunculus, "He devoured him…One of his own kind…" Everyone watched in horror unable to make recognition to what they were witnessing. Ling, was already shielding his body, with Greed's help their fear enveloping them, as well of the thought of that monstrosity getting a hold of Janelle was even more teeth clenching.

Pride seemed more content now, and smiling like an idiot as he turned to the others, "This should make things much easier. I can practically smell every move you make. I could do without the ravenous hungry, but I suppose I'll just have to make do for now. Oh wait." He was already smelling the air, looking towards the direction of where the rest of the group had hidden away, which immediately brought Ling and Greed to a panic, they knew that Pride had found them, and it caused their expression to pale tremendously, "No."

Ling could already see the devious smirk on the boy's face, his deviant eyes on the prize he had returned to clam, "Ah, I recognize that scent. And there you are little girl. Just who was I looking for." The comment riled the prince getting him to stance ready to strike, growling as he glared the monster down threateningly. Pride caught this, and shifted his side to meet the avarice's. He smirked even more, chuckling boastfully, "Come on Greed, your life for a mere human's, it's just that simple. Hand us Janelle and the unborn child, and you can see what real potential the woman has. Not just opening her legs…"

"You bastard…!" He wanted to kill him right there and then his eyes already mentally ripping him to shreds, but Ed eased him back to reality before he could think of making a move, "Easy Greed, you know he's just trying to get your goat."

"I don't care. He's trying to take her back to Father and I refuse to let that happen. You're not getting Janelle, or the kid, do you hear me Pride? So be a good little homunculus and tell dear old pops that he can shove his ideas up his ass!"

"Aw how cute, but you know I can't do that. He wishes for the girl and the child specifically, and with the promise day so soon, I afford any more delays than I already have." The homunculus paused, not smelling the scent of his father near by as well, then he smirked deviously, "So, tell me Edward…Being that Hoenhiem is just as close…" Selim turned his gaze to Ed getting the boy's attention and guard up before the homunculus attacked him, "Would your father come to your rescue if I chopped off one of your limbs?" The shadows dispersed, and soon the fight for Edward's life began all over again, one sharp dark points coming down one after the other until it cornered the blonde into a corner, "Look out!" Greed called out when he saw a straight shot of Pride chopping at his head.

Ed avoided it, barely, and jumped out of the way of the falling lumber about to collapse on him. Greed was the next to be up in his brother's sights, Pride attempting to do the same attack but was unsuccessful when the avarice back flipped at a great speed back into the shadows to avoid the attack, meeting up with Lan Fan on a tree.

She seemed relieved to see him, but was unaware of who was really in control at the moment, "Young Lord!"

"Not quite. The name's Greed."

"It's you! Give the Lord his body back!"

"And why would I do that?" It too late for ideal chit chat, already another attack was coming their way, and Greed was the first to see it coming, ducking down, "Heads up!" The three tried to hold off, Fu running off to see if Janelle and the rest had made any progress, but it was becoming hopeless just down to Greed and Ed, Lan Fan couldn't do much with so little to retaliate with, now it was just a matter of playing the waiting game again.

Would the others make it on time, Ed hoped so, because laying face in the dirt wasn't becoming his style, or Greed's. They were both down on the ground and grunting to their feet while Pride stood healthy as ever, minor dirt markings across his suit and face, but other than that, he didn't appear to have a dent to him, "Damn it, hey you breathing over there?"

"Does wheezing count?" Ed was putting a thumbs up, but seriously, who was he kidding, "This isn't really the time to worry about others is it Greed?" Pride interrupted mocking as ever, "As soft as you become I only wonder how long you'll survive. Poor Janelle, how soon she will come to know that the father of her child will soon come to his passing. It must eat you up inside." The avarice glared deadly at his brother, frowning with annoyance, "Shut up you beast."

"What a hurtful thing to say Greed, and to your own brother? I think I might have to eat you."

"I promise I won't go down easy brother." He replied just as dark as Pride had spoke, a grin playing on both of their faces before the arrogant had sniffed the air, and turned his attention of the detection of two people walking out of the forest. It was Hoenhiem, and Janelle not far behind him, standing with her shoulders back and face firm and glaring at the monster that had spotted them on sight. So did Ed and Greed. The avarice wasn't too happy about that. His heart jumped and his violet eyes filled with worry, "Janelle!" He called to her, but she only looked to him with a soft smile, "Well, this is thoughtful of you Hoenhiem, bringing me the girl in a neat little silk ribbon. Really, you shouldn't have."

"That's not why she's here. And I'm sure she wouldn't want anything to do with what you have in store for her."

"It's not her we're really interested in, in fact, if she opens her belly maybe we can just take the child out of her. What do you say?" The comment made Greed ball his fist, and Janelle's heart drop, "You're sick! My child is not a test subject for your daddy to-,!" Janelle cried out, angered and pushing passed the older man before he put out his arm to her, holding her back with his eyes still on Pride. When Janelle noticed this she stepped back with a deadly glare in her eyes, buttoning her lip before she really spat some things she'd probably regret. Maybe. She didn't care what Pride was at the moment, all she knew was she refused to have that egotistical monster speak like that. She felt sick to her stomach by it, she wanted to spit fire at him if she could, but instead she crossed her arms and let the man speak, "Well at least you two were able to show yourselves. None the less the girl is coming with me. Janelle has some unfinished business."

"Really? Let me ask you something first, how did Father even know about the child?" Hoenhiem asked only out of curiosity that everyone else was wondering as well, it was just so sudden. They thought he would've came for the Elric Brothers, as well as Janelle for the soul purpose of using her world to play into his god-like ideas. But in knowledge of the new unborn child that was-, in a way, his grandchild, how could he have known when they hadn't found out since Resembol? Long after they had left Central. What was the catch?

But Pride just smiled and shook his head, "If you ask Janelle I'm sure she'll be more than happy to tell you. She does seem to have a tendency to open her mouth whenever she sees fit."

"What're you talking about? I never said anything about a kid, in fact we didn't even know until…" She trailed off, suddenly stopped to even make Greed think about it. Had she been pregnant longer than they had expected? That the whole time she had been getting sick was because of her body adjusting to the new developments? Either way, it left Greed and Jan to cross gazes before realizing that, well…It was too late to do anything about it now. They had wanted to keep her silent because the moment she would've found out. She would've told Greed. "That's why you took me to Wrath's…It wasn't because Greed and I were planning to escape. You guys didn't even know, but…In way you knew it would be the only option. Either way we would've escaped and that could've happened, especially with his grandchild coming into play."

"So you knew about her pregnancy?" Ed asked just as shocked.

"I could practically smell the ugly brat inside her on that day she lost her pretty little voice. Remember Janelle, it must've been so painful to not be able to speak? To talk to your precious Greed?" As he spoke he could see the questions and fear bubbling to the girl's head, causing him to grin even more at the girl's face. Greed on the other hand was about to pounce on him, growling and shielding his arms even more, "I'm going to kill you. All of you…"

"Greed stop it! You're giving him what he wants."

"They hit…my pregnant girlfriend Ed." He turned his fiery gaze to the boy causing Edward to soften his eyes, and yet seem almost intimidated by the stare all at once, "And they knew about it. How can I not be pissed about that!"

But Hoenhiem stopped him, stepping before the girl to keep the monster's attention on him, "I'm sorry, but bringing her back to Father? That's unacceptable. You'll have to excuse me when I say you won't get anywhere near this girl. Or her child. He obviously can't handle a woman, how would he be able to handle a scream child that merely cries for attention?" Pride felt as if he should respond, but as he watched the man curiously, sensing that he was going to do something, and while being suspicious, he retracted his shadowy tentacles closer to his body, and waited.

Everyone waited, and just as Hoenhiem began to move forward, Alphonse came out of from behind the homunculus, unaware that Pride had already sensed him and wrapped the shadows around the armored boy, "Are you joking? Was that really your plan of attack?"

"No. Because we're not finished yet." Al replied grabbing onto the young boy, suddenly hearing the sound of a clap and the ground completely rounding widely over Pride and Alphonse. The homunculus yelled out, "Hoehiem!" And attempted a quick attack on him, but swerved it towards the girl to make Janelle put up her arms around herself, closing her eyes tight while she awaited impact. She could hear Greed…Or was it Ling? She could hear them both calling for her, but she stayed frozen in frame, waiting for death or waiting for someone to speak, but when nothing came she opened her eyes and removed her arms from her face. She came to find the sharp shadow disappearing into the air just mere inches away from her.

Janelle's eyes were wide, horrified of what could've been, but her lungs were still frozen in her chest when she came to realize how close she came to death. When she finally had released her breath, her knees collapsed below her causing her to fall to the ground weak, shaking, and panting, all in relief, "Jenny!" Greed was nearly sprinting to her, skidding to his knees when he grabbed a hold of the woman's shoulders firmly, "What the hell were you thinking! He could've killed you! Don't you ever do that again! Do you hear me! I've already lost you once I can't lose you again!"

"It wasn't my fault he threw a curve ball!" She retorted nearly yelling back at him getting Greed to grunt glaring at her and cup the back of her head tightly, bringing their heads so close together it nearly grinded when he did, "Damn it. Damn it all to hell Jenny…What if he-," She could hear the strain in his voice. It quivered, and it made her heart melt, and her hands grab for him, "But he didn't. I'm okay. Really, look…" She pulled back a bit to show him her arm, smiling confidently before she cupped his face, removing his bangs in the process to rub her nose against the side of his cheek bone, "I'm fine. And it's only get worse from here, right?"

"Now that pops knows right?" Greed didn't sound to happy about it. Actually, he was in a panic, knowing that his father had a good idea of his son's offspring, it only meant it would get more dangerous, and for the avarice, as well as Ling, it caused them to be terrified of the outcome if they didn't keep an eye on the girl. The thought of what Father had in mind only harden the man's resolve, and with a deep sigh Greed pulled the girl into his arms, and kissed her hard, each peck almost more hurtful than the last, and Jan welcomed it with an amorous embrace.

She understood his worries, and felt them with every kiss, her heart only pounding hard when she saw that wounded look in the humanoid's eyes. When he had finished kissing her, he could barely take his hands off her shoulders and her head, running his fingers through the woman's hair to suddenly stop and notice Ed and Hoenhiem who were having their own deep conversation out closer towards the big mountain size hill made to keep Pride dorment, giving Greed an idea to slip away now that Pride had been confined, "Come on."

"Huh? Where are we going?" She asked only to have Greed put a finger to his lips, rising her from the ground with a helpful hand, "I've had enough of this place, and now that Pride's out of the way, Wrath's off to the east, and Envy's out of the picture, that leaves Central wide open. Which means…" He trailed off and when they had jogged off far enough away from the others to be out of their sights, he turned around and press the girl to his back crouching down and grabbing her sensually by the thighs.

The mighty swipe and strong grasp of the avarice caused Janelle to squeak as the he darted off into another direction, "W-wait I-, ha ha! What about the others?"

"Eh, they'll be fine. Besides, Bido we'll know how to find us. Until then, I want my last few hours crashing the party." She giggled holding on tight to Greed's shoulders, her legs getting a tight hold of his waist as he sped through the shrubs, "So tell me gorgeous, where do you want to go? Anywhere in Central, it's going to be ours soon enough." He chuckled grinning, to get the girl rolling her hazel orbs at herself, "And should I even know what you mean by that?"

Yeah, what exactly are you planning Greed?

The avarice grinned secretly to himself, but as he spoke, Janelle could hear it in his tone, "I've already told you…I'm going to rule the world." Then he turned back to make eye contact with the curious brunette, pulling her head forward so he could reach back and kiss her deeply, when he pulled back, Janelle's eyes still showed delirium. But Greed only grinned back devilishly, his eyes falling dark and mysterious to send a chill up Jan's spine, "And you're going to do it with me."

"How…?" She whispered back gulping.

Greed hummed back with a mischievous look in eyes, "You'll know when you feel it." A shiver ran up her smile, and she held back the sensation of her breath being taken away, but the glossed features in her sparkling iris's were telling him everything. He knew how to push her buttons, and if he was going to have to spend a few hours waiting for the fun to begin, he'd rather be having some fun before the final encore, "Come on, I know where we can go."

"Where?"

"Well, since I've gotten some of my memories back…I want to take you to a special spot I use to know back before I met the gang."

"The gang? Y-You mean…the chimeras?"

"Yeah. Bet your book never mention that before."

"N-no, actually they didn't."

Greed smirked at her, and grinned, "Good, then it won't ruin the surprise."

"Sur-surprise? I don't like the sound of that."

"Heh, then like I said before…You'll know by the feel of it." Janelle could only wonder what he had up his sleeve, what he was hiding in his little corner of the world that he was about to show her. It made butterflies just thinking about it.


Next- Chapter 21: Promises on the Promise Day