Hellooooooo there again and welcome back to another chapter filled with whirlwind of adventures! Sorry for the long delay the computer finally crapped out on me, but I'm kind of glad just because I'm proof reading my stories a lot more. So it's all rainbows and sunshines! By the way I fixed the errors for those of you who have read it already ;3 On with the show~!
Chapter 23: When Worlds Collide
"AHHHHHHHHH!" The boys had been yelling for a good 20 seconds straight without breathing in between after the scare of their lives. Impressive, but it was beside the point when Janelle was holding her ears to save them from falling deaf over the in sync screaming, "Ahh Greed look at yourself!"
"Have you looked at yourself!" The avarice retorted just as loud and frantic before Alphonse began hyperventilating while looking to the two who soon looked to him, "Is...Is this suppose to be natural?"
By the way things were starting to still escalate, the girl knew she was going to step in, so she quickly jumped in the center of them, hoping to calm them all, "GUYS GUYS RELAX! Everything's fine."
"Holy Hell! This place is...I can't believe we-,..." Ed could barely speak, getting Jenny to smile slightly with a sigh, "I can't believe you guys did either, what were you thinking!" She heard a small grunt from Greed and saw the annoyed look on his face when he stood to his feet, "We were thinking either let Father get away or save you. I don't know about you, but I don't need much to go on when it comes to what's mine." Then he helped the girl to her feet slowly, since she was on her knees, and pulled her into a tight merciless embrace that left her breathless, "Ling did say we'd find you..." He held even tighter, finally getting the girl to hold back as well, feeling her heart swell when she felt the shake behind his hug.
He had been worried, and in return, Janelle held him back with just as much force, finding enough space between them to kiss a small corner of his cheek, "I never doubted you, but I am glad you're okay."
"Heh, more than okay now..." He pulled back a bit to kiss her lips. It was strong, yet sweet, and short when Janelle suddenly noticed the other two looking away slightly disoriented at something. When she noticed what it was, Jan cleared her throat to the avarice, now pointing her finger within his peripherals to get his attention to the door that was wide open with screen shut, and Father nowhere to be found.
Janelle gasped, nudging the Avaricious more towards the scene and when Greed realized what she was looking at, he put the two together, "Oh no..."
"Oh no is right, I'm assuming nobody saw how he escaped?" It was rhetorical, but still Ed's own worries showed in the tone of his voice.
"How long were we out for?" Al asked before the boys made their way towards the frame of the front door to look around outside but Janelle had to pull them back in and shut the door quick, "Okaay before we decide to start making my house look like I have three strange guys over, you three need to get away from the door! What if somebody sees Alphonse!"
"What's wrong with him!" Edward almost sounded insulted but when Jen explained it he seemed to relax a little, "Nothing but a 7 ft suit of armor in the 21st Century is not exactly common."
"So, what? Alphonse is just going to have to hide here while we're out tracking down that old bastard? I can't do that!"
"Mmm, no, he can still come, but...it's going to look like he's-, well actually all of you, are going to look like you're cosplaying."
"Cos what?" Janelle shifted her eyes over Greed who asked, unable to help a tiny smile, "Cosplaying. It means dressing up as fictional characters."
"But, we're not fictional."
"In my world you are. I've said this before did you think I was kidding? In my world the way you are portraying yourselves are people here known as cartoon characters from a tv show and a book." She then pointed at them all one by one, "You look like the Full Metal Alchemist, his brother and Greed the Avaricious, and if anyone that knows the book and show like I do, they're going to notice no question, or-, probably mistaken you guys for Matrix movie fanatics." They all looked at her questionably before she grunted frustrated and rolled her eyes shrugging her shoulders, "Look nevermind. What I want to know right now before we decide to go anywhere is where did Father go, and then we can figure out a plan to get him."
"Yeah okay what are we gonna do tie him up and force him back to our world?" Ed was just throwing out an obscene scenario, but Greed wasn't going to disreguard the idea, "If we have to..." Ed seemed more irritated that he got away in the first place. Yet, he knew one thing was for certain, they didnt have much time to stand around agruing, "Fine...On one condition..." Janelle stared at him for a moment before his stomach growled, "Do you have anything to eat? Please my stomach's killing me."
"Hee hee, oddly enough yes." How could she resist that comical face, the smile she gave as she walked to her kitchen said it all that even in her world Ed's animated personality never grew old. "Do we have time to even eat?" Alphonse looked to the others when making a spot for himself on the floor in the center of the living room close to the couches. Greed was right behind him to take a seat on the far end of the couch also making himself comfortable by popping his neck and kicking up his feet, "Beats me, but pops is loose and all we can do is strategize our next move. Plus, he's just as clueless about this world as we are, so if he makes a mistake we should be able to track him down. But his original goal was to get to Janelle, once we jumped over that all somehow changed. Why?"
"Wait, me? Why? I mean besides me holding his grand kid what else is there?" Everyone went silent, Ed and Greed only to look to one another as if they knew something she didn't. And that would be the case in this predicament, "What-, what is it?"
After another moment of hesitation, Greed spoke in a very low tone, "Well, while you were absent, the old man finally obtain the 'power of God', until Ed's own daddio decided to put that to an end, but when that happened the son of a bitch opened a portal to this world..."
"Okay, but...he was coming for me right?"
"Greed you need to tell her." Ed pressured, before Janelle finally noticed the disturbed look on the homunculus face. He hide it away when he noticed Janelle leaning against the fridge for support, "No secrets, please." He took a deep breath through his nose only to shake his head. Out of concern, "It's because the kid holds the exact energy as a philosopher stone, Jenny."
"W-Wait...what? Wh-, How!" Greed eyed her closely, a deep frown etched in his face, "Well, it's a few reasons. For one, you're from a different world, which makes the baby unique. Different from you and me. That's why he was able to bring you here without having to use your device, that...thing." He eyed the DVD player in the entertainment center, everyone to do the same before Janelle balled her fist in secret, turning herself to find the bag of rice and the steamer for it, "And two?" She asked trying to keep her voice leveled but everyone knew the change. They could feel it coming from her, "Two, apparently being bounded to a body has its perks. It just so happens the kid is also half-, or at least, a quarter homunculus." They were all startled by the sound of Janelle dropping a small pot from the top shelf of the cupboard, which got the avarice to jump to his feet when he saw how shaky she was, "Jenny..."
He held onto her tightly, seeing a pained smile, but it was more than that, she used her back pain as an excuse to hide the real fear, "S-sorry, I'm still in a lot of pain."
"Pain?...Your back. What exactly happened?"
"It's just a pinch nerve, that's all, but I'm not worried about that though..." She then turned a steady gaze to him and the boys, "Father's planning on taking the baby...as a stone."
"...Yeah, that's what he said.." He replied softly, seeing as the situation was escalating the girl showed more fear in her eyes, almost forcing her mind to pick itself up.
"What gets me though Greed is you shouldn't be able to reproduce, so tell me how that happened!" Ed was more confused about that than anything, but the avarice just smirked at him with a chuckle, "Come on Ed you know what sex is."
"THATS NOT WHAT I MEANT YOU IDIOT!"
"Ling and Greed have bonded in soul somehow, since Ling didn't reject him, their souls from time to time would sync up with one another. Like when people say that twins are born of the same soul, but separated at birth. In this case, when Greed was reborn he was born into Ling's soul. Well, it's not exactly the same but somehow, he can."
"Awkward." Greed tried to play it off as a joke, but Janelle could only smile softly at him, leaning herself into before she picked up the pot off the floor to wash with Greed now leaning against the other side of the tiled counters, "That's why at times you both can fight and interact so well, in mind, body, and soul, the bond and the acceptance of one another make you both whole." This new idea was crazy enough to make sense that even the boys had to look at one another before Ed gave a surprised look, "That...actually makes sense in a way."
"I've thought about it for a while now. With everything going on and me coming to your world, it could've influenced that too. I don't know, but they're the only ideas I've come up with. Either way, I'm not letting him take my baby." She held her stomach, almost holding herself tightly before she felt those pair of arms again wrap around her softly.
Those arms, they were so warm ,and inviting. And Greed could feel her stagnant aura, only wanting to calm her, and make her feel confident in getting through this, "He won't." She couldn't help it, when she saw the hard look in his eyes she felt like crying, and sighed softly When she turned herself into the Avaricious arms, feeling them tighten with each passing second.
Unfortunately, the moment was cut short when they heard the sound of the screen door opening. They all froze, especially Janelle, she could only wonder if it was her mother finally home from the trip, but instead there were a few voices heard and an rhythmic knock leaving Jen to believe one thing, "Oh no, what are they doing here!"
"Who is it?" The question made her pale, and give an unsure look. The nervous smile made the avarice cock a brow and cross his arms, "Uh, friends..." She cringed, and spat out, "Probably with Chase."
"What? What the hell does he want?" He attempted to keep his voice down but already annoyance began to show in his face, "I don't know, when I came back I got a call from Molly on the house phone saying she wanted to hang out. I told her I couldn't, so-,
"Molly?"
"The friend in the pictures, Ling knows." She assured.
"Huh. Well what did you tell them?" She could see the snide expression in his face, she almost could sense the jealousy now eradicating off him. No, that wasn't jealousy, partly, but not all.
She scoffed, almost insulted, "That I was sick. I can't tell them I was busy in another world for over a year fighting to come back and getting pregnant with a baby it's only been a day here. No one notice I left!"
"Uh, excuse me, over here? Who's Chase?" Another knock came, even louder this time. Janelle squeaked attempting to think of something quick, "Crap, uh...just-, Al sit further over there, look like a prop or something!" She whispered frantically making her way to the door.
"Uh-, okay?" He didn't argue it, He did as he was told while the other two watch her unlock her door, taking a big deep breath before she did, "Surprise!" Molly cheered hugging her friend so hard that Jan attempted to hide the fact she was in pain, but when the red head pulled away she seemed to notice it, as well as her cuts and bruises, "oh my God Jan~ what did you do?"
"What do mean what did I do? I fell, that's all."
"Looks more like you got into it with your brother again." Lucas another friend of hers popped in chuckling a bit before he asked, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, thanks for asking." Janelle smiled a bit, but could only glare at Molly who only seemed to giggle, "I was going to ask that too you know. Just after I've scold her." The red head giggled in Jenny's shoulder, making her roll her eyes up at the ceiling.
"Right, right, just after some good old fashion teasing, right? You suck so much."
"I love you too!" She joked giving her friend a big kiss on the cheek, yet at this Greed felt his hairs stand on end. Why it bothered him he wasn't sure, but still he remained calm and silent. But his eyes eventually shifted over to another who came into his view.
This guy was maybe about his height, Brown eyes, dark Brown hair and light skinned. He was also dressed in a red dress shirt and black jeans with a chain that lead in from his belt to the wallet in his pocket. The two made eye contact and the man attempted to smirk and make a wave of acknowledgment, but Greed didn't move only watching as Chase went in for a hug.
He seemed to want to latch on but the homunculus could tell that Janelle was hesitant, and almost repulsed by his touch, "Did you get my message?" He asked in a friendly hushed tone, "Yeah, sorry. Didn't plan on getting sick."
"Heh, no problem. I know it's nearly impossible to get a hold of you when you don't have your cell." It was sickening to watch how close he was to her, and when he almost cupped her face, Jan pulled away, and when Ed noticed the dark heavy atmosphere around the avarice he knew he had to think of something quick, "S-so Janelle, would you like to introduce us to your friends?"
"Oh! I'm sorry! That's so rude of me isn't it? Guys these are my two special friends from...an anime convention." She bit her lip wanting to smack herself.
"Well we can see that. But, I thought you said you weren't feeling good?"
"I am, they came over to make sure I was okay. Like you guys did." She rebuttal to her ex's concern.
"Oh, well then, it's nice to meet you guys. Uh...sorry I didn't to catch your names yet." Ed was about to say his name, but Janelle jumped in before he could get a word in, " That is...Roy." When he heard this Ed nearly lost his voice to speak, appalled by the fake name. Speechless with a mouth a gape, while Chase merely chuckled, "Heh, a happy accident, huh."
"I know right!" Janelle pretended to laugh alittle, only to look over at Ed with a look of apology. She really was bad at picking names, lying in fact, and when Chase and the others looked to Greed, Molly waved at him, "And who's the other cutie?" Janelle gave a nervous smile, her face pondering a name. And Jenny could only think of, "Um, that's...Yuu." She said only notice the odd look in the humanoids face.
"You?"
"Yeah, it's spelled differently though, Y-U-U." She hesitated, "and...He's my boyfriend." She finally replied to stop the three friends, even Greed seemed surprised by her reply before he smiled. In fact, he smiled wider than the homunculus ever felt he had. When she said it, it was with such pride, and confidence. She wasn't afraid to say it.
On the other hand, Chase was the opposite, although hid it with being more intrigued than anything, "Really."
"Yeah. He is."
"And... you just decided this without even telling me." She could see the look of betrayal on his face, but Janelle knew he had no say in the matter. Not anymore, "Yes. I did. I can do what I want Chase, and I can date whom ever I choose. We're not together any more." She said it calm and so quietly that everyone had ended up holding their breaths, "Uh should we leave?" Molly asked only to have Chase stared down Janelle baffled, "No stay." Greed could only chuckle at the boy's reaction, getting his attention fast, "What, you think this is funny?" The boy asked glaring, which Greed in return smirked to even more, "Not at all."
"This is none of your business, so why don't you just stay out of it?"
"Not in my house Chase, and this is not one of those a, b conversations, this is his business too." Greed wanted to tear this guy a new asshole already, but button his lip and closed his eyes, "I think you should go." She finally blurted.
"Are you serious? You drop this on me and think that I'm just going to be okay with it? This is why I wanted you to call me back, to come with us to the eclipse so I could say I'm...sorry." he trailed off looking to 'Yuu' but only saw the disbelief in the girls face. She slowly crossed her arms, skeptically glaring at the boy she knew so well. More than she ever wanted to, "Are you serious right now?"
"Just give me another chance."
"No. It's over Chase, I'm done with the games, I'm done with the lies and-,"
"I've never lied to you Janelle you know that's a load of crock! You keep saying that I did those things but seriously if you weren't so paranoid-,"
"Don't!" She exclaimed it loud enough for everyone to shake, Greed cocked a brow more than anything surprised by the spark in her eyes. She seemed to show signs of a great pain, one he never wanted to bring to her face. She was if anything angry, "Don't you dare turn this around on me...I found the photos...I know what they look like, and who they are. You also tried to tell me the condoms in your car were just props for your little amateur photo shoots, and then you have the gull to sleep with my friend. And you weren't even going to tell me about it. Did you really find me that gullible? All of you, seriously." She had plenty of time to heal, and with Greed and Ling there behind her, smiling, she felt confident of her words and her decision, "I'm actually happy for once in my life. I gave you plenty of chances, and you wasted them all by cheating on me. And from what I recall we weren't technically dating as you put it, but any time I'd try to move on away from you, you wanted me to stay while you were fooling around, and making me look like the desperate one." Saying all this left Chase's face shamed and almost unable to take the reality of his mistakes, "They weren't...they weren't worth it...Please Jan." His voice was desperate and for a moment Greed felt his nails dig into his sleeves thinking Jan might've fallen for it, but the girl shook her head with solid eye contact, "No. I'm sorry." She was trying to be firm standing there staring him down as he did the same. It felt like a chill had swept the air, and left Chase distraught. Not only did she reject him, she did it in front of everyone, leaving him somewhat angered by being humiliated. He didn't need to say it either, she could tell.
Without a word he shook his head, and walked out. In hesitation Luke followed waving with a nervous shrug, "I'll call you later."
"Right." Now Molly was left, she almost seemed disappointed and hurt by Jenny, which left the brunette rolling her eyes, "I know, I know, I should've told you about the new boyfriend-,"
"I just can't believe you acted like that towards him. I thought we all let that go?"
"You two forced me to let it go. You two told me I was being childish about it. I'm tired of...the high school bullshit! Its always the same with you two and the situation is never getting better. So I Will make it get better. I want to say I'm sorry, but I'm not, you know my reasons for letting him go, and the fact that you're even slightly weirded out by that makes me believe I should let you go too!"
"I..." She was flabbergasted trailing off without any kind of excuse to back it up. For some reason, of all days it seemed easier for Janelle to shake off the people she once knew. And with a sigh of anguish, of a small loss, Janelle let her ties with old friends go, knowing somehow in the future it was for the best, "I have enough going on in my life to know that I for one am putting a stop to this. I'm not a tag along. I'm not just someone to be dragged around like baggage. And you both have been dragging me for too long."
She didn't seem to understand her friends distress, instead she nodded slowly and gave a condescending smile, "Fine." Molly left as calmly as she could without slamming the screen, and made her way back to the car parked just down the stair well.
While silence overcame the room again, Janelle could only listen in on the screeching tires, closing her eyes and holding herself to calm the bundle of nerves thumping against her chest. She felt nauseous and felt like the room was beginning to spin. When she fell back into what she thought was the door frame itself, she felt something soft, and felt a pair of arms hold her up to support her. When she looked up she met a pair of amethyst eyes looking down at her with such pride. His irises more welcoming than usual when finally she leaned up and kissed him, hearing soft words to lift her soul, "I'm the luckiest guy in the world you know that?"
"Why?" She asked chuckling curiously when she felt his hand caress her stomach softly, "Because I've got myself a very strong ass woman. That probably wasn't easy after being some place else for what seemed like forever. I mean, I just don't want you having any regrets. It is a big change. "
"I appreciate that, but really, I don't regret it all. Once I finally got my memories back I just couldn't do it anymore, it was as if my conscience was clear, and with everything happening right now, that is the last thing on my mind. I wanted to say more, to maybe see if I could just lure them away so we can focus, but I also wasn't going to let a fight break out in my house over something I should've ended long before I left." She then leaned her nose to his, "And I love you. I wasn't going to hide the fact that I'm with you." After hearing everything that man put her through, and seeing what made her so afraid to trust any one, Greed felt like he understood Janelle alittle more. There wasn't much tos go on when it came to Chase and his personality, but just him being in the same room, Greed and especially Ling could sense a dark ring illuminating off the boy. Nothing evil, just unwavering. That was enough to know that this guy was no good for Jenny. They were only relieved to know that they could take her away from a pompous jerk like that. From people who made her feel so low.
That was when the avarice pulled away to eye her, nuzzling her nose with his just before his lips almost touched hers, "Uhh so, anything else we should worry about?" The two were so close when they looked to Edward's odd expression, Al had just managed to poke his head out from his corner, and crawled towards the center again before Janelle closed the door and locked it for a second time, "No, they shouldn't be coming back, but my mom should be on her way home from her trip pretty shortly here."
"Then should we make our visit short here?"
"No, no, I'll..just make up some dumb excuse...like having a study night." They all seemed to have confused looks so she clarified ,"She knows what I mean by that don't worry. It shouldn't be a problem, not with finals coming up. Now, how about that rice? I'll make something else with it too, but there's plenty of fruits and snacks if you need something in between."
"Let me help, you said you hurt your back right?" Janelle looked to see Greed already stopping her, and leading her to the couch, "I'm just sore, I'm fine really."
"Just take it easy, alright? You don't need to be burning yourself out, not after all that crap, besides I'm sure the little tyke needs a rest too from all the excitement today." He assuring words made her think it over, only able to think about the baby now As she smiled at him and nodded, "Okay. Thank you."
"Yeah, just tell us what to do, I'm sure we can cook up some grub. Well, I might, Greed I don't know. Have you ever cooked a meal before?" Ed's question left Jan and Al wondering as well, and they all looked to him, putting him on the spot and making him blush, "With an open flame, what's it to you!" Janelle tried not to smile, but his face was too adorable, "It's alright guys, and thank you. If you need I'll talk you through it." With little relief, and an unsure sound coming from Alphonse the two, Ed and Greed, both looked at eachother and nodded.
About 20 minutes into the cooking they seemed to have it all down. They were stuck on that rice cooker though wondering how the darn thing worked and by the time the fish was finished. Now sitting there with his own plate of dinner Ed had become overly obsessed with the ingredients of a small gummy packet he held in his fingers, "Hey Al, look at all the grams and calories that goes into these things. Its insane."
"Ha, that's nothing, look in the right bottom drawer in the fridge and you'll find three cans of Coca-Cola."
"What is it?" Al rubbed the back of his head while watching his brother curiously rummage through the fridge, finding the bright red shining can in the drawer she spoke of.
"Its a carbonated drink. It probably has more grams of sugar than the gummies themselves." She said it so casually that the Ed turned the can around, "You're kidding."
"I wish. I try to resist, but hey, sometimes it's a good moment for one."
"Ha ha, well you're definitely not allowed to have one then." She looked over to Greed who came up behind her, a plate of food already in front of her, "Especially with a kid. I doubt they'll like it anyway."
"Agreed." She attempted to smile and looked down at the food made for her. It actually didn't look too bad. Not bad at all, yet before She could reach for anything Greed turned her face towards him, "Because I want you to keep your strength up. I worry. Especially Ling, heh, he never shuts up about you." When he smiled at her, Janelle smiled back as she took his hand, "You both have a right worry. It's alright." She suddenly stopped looking into his eyes, almost searching for something. Or someone, "I noticed that Ling hasn't said anything in awhile, is he still doing alright?" Greed smirked and nodded, "Yeah, except he's bugging me about how I haven't grabbed the other plate for myself. God he whines when he's hungry, damn prince." Janelle giggled at his comical face. The two were just as always which made Jenny happier than she could describe. She felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, and even more so when she grabbed onto his arm and pulled him in for a big kiss on the cheek. It actually cut him off guard, which usually didn't happen often, but when it came to her, he couldn't help but let his guard down, and in return he turned his face capturing her lips before she could fully pull away. And there were no regrets, "Oh geez, get a room you two."
"Heh, not a bad idea kid." The brothers looked petrified at the response, even Jan had to pull back and gasp at his remark. She even smacked the side of his arm in defense, "Greed, how rude."
"What? Oh come on like you don't want to. And besides he said it." He laughed back getting one more peck before he grinned at the adorable embarrassing look on her face, "Speaking of which, you haven't showed us the house yet. It's a pretty nice set up."
"Heh, yeah well, I haven't exactly had a chance to. Tell you what though, after dinner I'll give you guys the grand tour. Its not much, but having a layout of the house would probably a good idea."
"Sounds good." It didn't take long for them to finish, in fact, Janelle ended up finishing up boys once she felt well enough to stand again, tiding up the kitchen, and even put on some cable T.V. for the boys to enjoy, but it seemed the only thing that caught their attention was the news stations. From CNN, to Channel 10 News they were stuck on world reports: from the politician debates, to the war against races, religion, free thinking, independence, nuclear bombs being tested in the middle east, from terrorist crossing into boarders, and some of them performing horrible acts in the name of God, and immigrants being shunned and sent back to their countries out of fear of either disease break outs or attacks from the inside. Women being raped and stoned or jailed for expressing their opinion, or for marrying another. Some of it rumors , most of it true, some images were more graphic than others. Even the news on some Police forces commiting acts of violence themselves brought the boys eyes to near tears of what they were seeing, killing children over color neglecting age, shooting animals, and the communities all over the world only making worse by their understandable anger and hurt. So many were being killed all over the world.
It was as if they were seeing hell. Who were they kidding, "My God..." Was all Ed could say, his breath stilled and eyes widened with what look like grotesque. He was horrified at what he was seeing.
Even Greed, a homunculus who had seen many deaths, and many wars triggered by Military and Politics was sickened by this. He gave a grim frown and shook his head of the cringe roll down his spine, "Turn it off Ed." He didn't even second guess it, he grabbed for the remote, but he was beginning to have trouble finding the power button until Janelle came up behind him and grabbed it from him, "Hey-, oh." The blonde was about to protest yet when the boys saw the look in Jan's face they went silent. She had turned the channels to a sitcom instead. She then place the black device on the coffee table softly, almost frozen and unable to let the damn thing go, "Yeah..." She breathed trying to laugh it off, "I don't see what Father sees in coming here. Its just like your world...Only beyond the hope of repair."
"Janelle... It's never hopeless." Ed urged her, his words like steel, and his eyes almost irritated by her answer, but she couldn't help but shake her head, "We don't have alchemy here. No magic powers or a super hero to save the day. This is it. My world is collapsing, and people are killing eachother over superiority. I mean look at us!" She put the remote to the television again, this time of a riot happening in Syria for freedom, their homes destroyed and children forced to live out on the street, and others being trained to kill at a young age. To hate. It just made her sad more than anything, "We're in our own Hell. We made it that way." She switched the channel back to the sitcom, letting go of the remote, her back towards the others before she took in a deep uneasy breath, "I just...I just want things to get better. To be better. But the only thing I can do is grow and learn from it, to be better myself, and help whoever I can, however I can."
It seemed to alert the homunculus when she leaned forward, her breathing even more uneasy when she tried to calm herself. He wanted to say something, anything to make her feel better. How could he when he himself could see why it upset her. Why she was so distant and stubborn at times. War is always hard to swallow.
Just then he stood up and walked over to her, he was so close he could touch her, but before he could reach her Janelle turned around with a the biggest smile she could make, one that left Greed a little surprised before he sighed sadly. She then giggled off what sounded like a sharp breath her attempt to hide her heart ache no doubt. It was just so obvious, but he knew she was just trying to forget about it. He wish he could himself. And he kind of did when she grabbed his hands so tightly and pulled him towards her bedroom, "So how about that tour! A special event that's just one in a life time! You two Ed. Al, come on, come on!" They were all puzzled by her sudden change, but after everything they saw, they couldn't very much blame her, seeing war and how a world could change so drastically was more than enough to make the boys follow her with out question. Unfortunately before Janelle could get a foot in the room they all froze at the sound of the screen door opening again, and the keys scrapping against against the handle. Janelle screamed in her throat and threw Greed over her bed to get Alphonse, "Owe, what the hell woman!"
"Move it Alphonse!"
"Ah o-okay!"
"Quit pushing him!" Ed exclaimed in a panic when he saw Jenny's sudden frantic state getting the best of her, "And I thought you said it was fine for us to be here!"
"Go go go go go go go, CLOSET!" She shoved him into the walk in closet and slammed the door, just in time to hear her mother exclaim out, Irritated, "Excuse me, can I help you?" Her voice was threatening. It was because the only person she could see was Edward in the middle of her daughter's door way, "Oh, I, uh...Hi! Y-you must be Janelle's mother."
"As a matter of fact I am, and you are?"
" E-Ed? Sorry Edward Elric ma'am." you're suppose to use your fake name dumbass! Great can't fix that now, guess he just couldn't bring himself to do it, ha.
"Oh great she brought home more of her weird friends." The middle boy going pass the hall and into a room replied only to get Ed to smile even more uneasy, "Um..." Ed was at a loss of words, but it was a good thing Janelle came jumping out into her mother's view, smiling the best she could with out seeming too freaked out and out of the ordinary, "Mom! You're back!" She exclaimed.
Although, her mother only shook her head with a disappointed look on her face, "You know it's a school night right?"
"Oh, yeah. I know. Um, listen mom, these are my new friends. Good friends."
"Yeah I bet." Her brother mumbled coming out of the bedroom while the younger followed in suite, the both of them going to the dining table where her mother was setting up the Chinese food she had mentioned over the phone., "Kota you watch your mouth young man."
Although in response to her brother reply, Jenny could only laugh sarcastically, "Heh Heh Heh, you're funny kiddo. Anyways, no, not even. Although..."
"And here we go." He egged on, but again Janelle ignored her brother's attempt to antagonize her, although this did catch the attention of the older woman, her green eyes giving her that 'alright what is it's kind of look, "Janelle...?"
"Um...Well Chase and I ...we're finished, for good I mean." She stopped for a moment, getting her mother to nod slowly, "Mm-hmm, go on."
"But I've met another who actually makes me happy...I mean, as a person. A-And I promise you'll like him, he's sweet, and caring, and he's completely drug free. I'm done with all that."
For the older woman, that was definitely a thumbs up in her book, especially after knowing the friends she use to have, and the people she use to associate with prior to Chase. And at that she seemed proud by, "Well, I'm glad to hear it. So, who's this mystery boy you speak about? Is he here?" This made Jan a little uneasy, more by the fact that she was afraid of her mother disapproving of Greed, but she button her lip and nodded.
She then looked back into her room, fiddling nervously with her fingers before she looked to Greed who was coolly waiting in the room listening before he smiled up at the girl and arose from the bed, his hand extended to her, which she in return grabbed, and leaned into his ear, "Remember your name is Yuu ."
"Heh, as if I could lie about what I am doll." She pulled away pouting her lip with a pleading look, "It's just this once, if you don't my mom will only look at you funny."
"So?"
"Greed..." Her plea was too much, he eyed her almost glaring before he rolled his eyes in defeat, "Ugh fine."
"Thank you." She gave him a sweet kiss rewarding kiss and led him into her mother's view, "Mom, this is Yuu. My new boyfriend." She almost tried to hide a smile when she noticed the boys wearing something in particular, "What's with you and guys with trench coats?" Janelle looked from Greed to Ed then shrugged with an innocent face, "I don't know, they're sexy." Her mother couldn't help the snorted laugh, trying not to choke on her food before she settled down to have barely a real reply, "Well it's nice to meet you Yuu. Are you from Jan's school?"
"Um, sure, I guess."
"I see, you must be graduating together than right? You both look about the same age. 16?" Greed was confused by this looking to Janelle for an answer which she quickly caught onto, "Yep, one of the reasons I like him so much."
"Because you actually found someone in your age group?"
"And not some 20 year old guy before Chase?"
"Kota!" Her mother exclaimed to silence the boy again, but Kota seemed to be bent on embarrassing his sister to know end, making Janelle smack her face, "Dude that was like 2 years ago. Get over it ya putts."
"Alright enough both of you, really Janelle you're twice his age."
"And he's insulting me so sue me." She retorted only to sigh frustrated and more determined on finding a man she had nearly forgot to start a search for,"Look, I'm tired and we have a huge assignment this week, anyway the guys can stay the night." Her mom made a laugh again and shook her head, "Uh no."
"What? B-But the projects due in a couple of days and we still need to discuss layouts, a poster and what our top issue is in U.S. Government. This entire project will be marked as half our grade! Please mom please?" Her mother and Janelle were having a staring contest, the girl putting her hands in front of her while she continued to lip pleas.
Her mother wasn't wrong for being leary of the two strange boys she hardly knew, but by the look in her offspring's eyes the mother gave in with a irritated growl, "Can you promise me that I won't have to be pulling boys out of your room because you guys can't keep it in your pants."
"MOOOOOOOOM! Did you have to say it so loud! Jesus!"
"Well it's my only paranoia, no funny business I mean it!"
"Ugh! Fine! As long as we stop talking about my past mistakes!"
"Deal." The mothers simple reply as she ate almost infuriating Janelle more. But, she distressed by taking a deep breath, and nodded, "Alright. Fellas?" Janelle looked to her room signaling the boys to head there. They listened, although Greed merely walked away without saying a word, while Ed nervously smiled and waved, "I-It was nice meeting you all."
Once the door was closed Janelle plopped on her bed with a long hard sigh, then grabbed a pillow and screamed into it with muffled curses. She almost forgot how irritating and disrespectful her family could be at times. And they were so blunt that it could smash your head with a hammer. Hell, the girl felt like she would nuke the house if her body was any hotter from embarrassment, "What a day. What a freaking day."
Suddenly being startled by a firm plop next to her, snuggling up close to get Janelle peaking over the cushion that hid her face. Of course she already who it was, and cocked a brow at his mischievous smirk. A grin if you count a second later, "What?" She asked wanting to throw the pillow at him for the way he was staring at her, "You little vixen, you never told me you we're such a little rebel. Dating older guys? You're such a bad girl." Alright he deserved that pillow to the face, and with a hard plow to the side of his head instead the avarice laughed, "Easy there beautiful."
"Ass!" She was about to hit him again but he quickly grabbed her by her wrist and wrestled her on top of him, getting him to laugh even more before he kiss and nibbled at her neck to get her to squeak and squirm, "No, damn it Greed! We still have company you goof."
"Oh-ho a goof am I?"
"At the moment yes!" She was starting to giggle, but She pulled away to lift him upright, and removed herself from his lap before he got carried away, "Hey you heard my mom keep it in your pants."
"Kind of hard to when -,"
"Alright back to business guys! And Ling get a hold of your other half!"
"Hey, he doesn't control the body Ed, I do." Ed just looked at him with a frown, "Yeah well if he could cool your jets for one minute we can all remember why we're here in the first place? Father? You know crazy golden hair jerk that looks exactly like the younger version of my dad!"
"Alright, alright, you're such a big baby. Don't get so butt hurt." Making this known made Janelle begin to wonder, "Where do we even start? Because we really only have two options."
This made the boys curious, but something stopped her. A small knock from the closet, "Guys? Is it safe to come out yet or do I have to stay in here. Its really dark."
"Oh, Alphonse! I totally forgot I'm so sorry!" Ed opened the closet seeing his brother still sitting on the floor, "Hey there."
"Hi." His brother couldn't help but chuckle, and turned back to Janelle and Greed, "As you were saying?"
"Oh, right. So, two options. Either go out tonight or in the morning, but the best way to find him would be by using Ling's ability to sense chi."
"What's the difference between now and later?"
"Well, the police around here are more active during the night because of drunk drivers, or whatever the reason might be, and depending on the area we'll only get pulled over because we look so young. But if we were to go early morning, it wouldn't seem so suspicious. At least if we go in the morning we can still use the excuse of cosplaying."
"This is ridiculous what if we just get some new clothes! The more we blend in the better." Greed a point, new clothes meant no excuses. She could only assume it was because he hated lying, which was understandable. "I don't know...I like my style of clothing." Ed pulled the collar to his jacket, getting Janelle to giggle, but Greed to roll his eyes, "So do I, but like Janelle said, people will notice, and if people are going to notice then so will pops."
"Mmm...true. Oh hell fine, where do we get the new attire though. I can't exactly get a discount saying I'm the full metal alchemist any more now can I?"
Just then hummed jumping to her feet when she seemed to have something in mind, "What is it?" The boys were curious as to what she was taking out of a decorative box she owned. It was solid and held a beautiful blue mermaid latch on the front. When she opened it She pulled out a gold card with a serial number on it. She was biting her lip and staring at it intently, leaving the others puzzled and looking at one another, "What is that?" Ed asked looking over the girl's shoulder before she looked to him with a solemn face, "This is..." She stopped. Then finished with, "This is the money my dad left me before he passed away." She replied soft enough to get the others to freeze when she said this, "He told me that if I was ever in any given situation, I was able to use this. I could never bring myself to use it though. I thought I never could...but..." She closed her eyes, and sighed in content, nodding, "If I'm going to use it let it be used for a good cause."
"Jenny..." Ed trailed off unable to finish when Greed interrupted, "I don't think your old man meant by buying us clothes when he meant a sticky situation."
"Yeah well, the clothes are basically disguises, ones that will help us in the long run until we get Father back." She was already making up a back pack for the journey ahead, pulling out new clothes to replace the tattered ones she wore. She hadn't dressed just yet though, She went back out the room, making small talk with her mother before she came back into the room with a certain DVD in hand. Its red shining paper box showing Pride and Wrath on the front of the cover to get Ed's attention, "Is that..."
"Yep, it is. Guys say hello to your box set #5."
"Okay well why are you packing it? We're not going to have time to watch, um, us? Forget we're not going to have time for that!"
"Oh yeah of course. But, this will be our rope to tie the bastard up with if you catch my drift." The boys stared at her, following her every move she made to her bathroom And back to her bag, "Um I don't get it." She sighed and crossed her arms to her lover giving him a mischievous smile to egg on his mind, "Think, what got you guys here in the first place?" Although it wasn't rocket science, the moment Greed figured it out he smirked and chuckled, "Ah, good thinking."
"I'm missing something here, how exactly is this suppose to work?"
"It's simple Al, where ever Father goes, technology is more than likely to be near by. As long as I can find a DVD player then this can be our ticket back home."
"Yeah? You're still staying?" Janelle was almost surprised to hear the avaricious ask it like a question, but none the less she smiled happily and nodded before suddenly feeling nauseous once again, her head feeling light headed as she felt that metallic taste in the back of her mouth. Then her stomach went sour making her pale and instantly break into a cold sweat, "Ah crap." She jogged midway and threw her head into the toilet.
Greed and the boys could only cringe as the noise of vomiting reached their ears. Ed made a face of empathy, only able to hold his words until the brunette came back out paler than pale and very sickly, "Ugh, definitely not my day." She laughed breathless and leaning against the wall for support. Greed, Al and Ed all staring back at her, "You alright there beautiful?"
"Yeah I-I'm fine. I'm just...a little tired. Ooh, and dizzy. I think I might've over did it. I'm just all over the place with the plan and where to find him. I mean, it's only logical to say that he'll be coming back for me, but I don't want to throw my mom and brothers into this, it'll only give him all the more leverage to hold them against me. I know it." Her heart was racing, and her face was almost frightened before she heard someone walking towards her. When she saw his black shoes she sighed shaking a cold sweat to get Greed to bring her to the bed, "Nothing like that is gonna happen, you got that? We won't let it." At first she assumed he meant him and the brothers, but when she laid back against her pillow, Greed sneaking in a short kiss to her cheek to mumble, "We won't." It was then when he pulled away and looked into her eyes was he really referring to him and the Prince. Making her face soften with an admirable smile, and flush face, despite her pale complexion, "Now, get some rest doll."
"Greed I said I-,"
"Your body's over worked, and tomorrow is going to be another long day, and from what I can see you'll make yourself sick if you keep worrying. Take a break. For yourself and the baby." She really wanted to protest, feeling antsy even though she was indisputably exhausted, and after a moment of seeing the concerned look on his face, Janelle sighed back and nodded reluctantly, "Thank you Greed."
"Hey, it's not everyday you get to take care of a beautiful woman carrying a piece of you inside her." She shook her head giving a light laugh, and a few bashful stares before she kissed his lips one last time and laid her head back.
God it felt nice to finally laid down, it was almost too good to be true to know she was home in her world and in her own bed again, but what made it even better was knowing that Greed and Ling were there with her. Watching her to protect her as she slept, "If you get bored, you're welcome to turn on the t.v. just...try to stay out of trouble..." She was nearly there, already half asleep, and breathing soundly when she dozed off. At that, Greed smiled and leaned into her cheek, the back of his fingers brushing up against her bangs. Her sweet scent only made his lips widen and his eyes close, as if savoring a small second of tranquility, "Sweet dreams doll."
Another moment passed and with Greed feeling even more than his concerns for the girl, he turned his attention to th clerics, "Okay, so who's taking the first watch?"
"You guys don't have to take watch, I can keep an eye out." Al replied to get the boys to look at him, "I mean, I don't sleep, so if you two want to get some rest, go ahead."
"Heh, I don't think any of us can sleep at this point, but thanks for that Alphonse."
"Yeah. As long as that rat bastard's out there, we shouldn't let our guard down." Now they could only wonder in silence where the old man had gone. What he was doing and worse yet, planning?
He didn't know how long he hadd been out there in the new world for, When he saw everyone unconscious and no hope of using the alchemy he had left, it was now him and Pride roaming the streets like vermin, venomously glaring at anyone who looked at their odd attire.
In fact, the man was still half naked wearing sandals, and the boy next to seeming beaten and dirty. Father growled and pulled up his cloak from his waist, hoping that covering his face would help, "Those insolent brats! How dare they do this to me."
"Escape seemed to be the only plausible opening. But I assure you if need be I'll take them all out myself." The boy replied only to receive a solemn glance, "Yes, once I've found a location we shall see how this world's layout is. And then we go after the girl. I need that stone!" He made sure the conversation was only between him and the boy, but once they came to residential areas, they began scanning the houses, one that would be easy to slip into unnoticeable.
Some read signs of, 'home security' so he moved on not wanting to test his luck. Then, they found it. An old woman out side her home was planting flowers, humming gleefully to herself before she noticed them, "oh! Sir, Sir! Could I trouble you for a moment?" The golden man grinned under his cloak and revealed his face, but this time his expression change to a more kinder one, "Yes my lady how can I help you?"
"Oh well aren't you a sweet handsome man. I-,I need some one to help me clean my gutters. I'm willing to pay you handsomely for it, it's just I'm so old, and having to call a company is such a hassle." Pay or not he needed to get rid of her somehow without any one noticing.
He then nodded and bowed as he accepted, "Certainly. We'd love to help."
"Wonderful it's right this way!" She led them in through the front, Pride being first with a smirk, and Father following behind his son. But he too smirked, closing and locking the door, believing that this was all just too perfect. This old woman had just opened up her home to them, and all free of cost...to them at least.
Next- Chapter 24: Around Every Corner
Holy Crap I did it and only took me a month and a half lol Well I really can't wait to write the next one, but we got more stories and all new one shots coming your way. Oh yeah, that's right I went there. And also thank you for your lovely views and reviews they always brighten my day and until next time don't forget to swim and stay cool this summer. Bye Bye!
