Thank you all so much for the love of this story! This chapter is a little late (a lot has been happening these days) but at least it is a long one! :D

Enjoy!

P.S. It was a little funny reading people's reaction to the video Tony showed Ed, about when she had arrived, since it was in the last chapter of the first story ;) But, I understand it's been several months and a LOT has happened since so I completely understand! (Still made me laugh though!)

Previously:

Ed and Tony had gone to visit Peggy in Washington D.C. and Tony revealed to Ed the message the Gate had left him with the day of Ed's arrival: "They failed once. They cannot fail again. This is their last chance."

November 2009 – Malibu, California

"So, any luck, Short Stuff?"

I had only just set foot in the workshop when Tony had asked that question, not even looking up from… whatever he was tinkering with.

If I were to guess, it was that suit of armour he had been building since even before I had landed here.

He'd better be close to finishing my arm though…

"Not since this morning when you had last asked," I replied, flopping onto a chair, dropping my tablet onto a nearby table before beginning to swivel back and forth.

"Some riddle," he mumbled and I could tell his focus was already back on… was that a helmet?

I shook my head as I slouched in the chair and continuing to swivel.

His comment wasn't wrong though. What the Gate had told Tony after it had dropped me on his workshop floor…

What had I failed to do?

Or, better yet, what the fuck had been my task? What could have interested the Gate that much to keep me alive on this side?

Twice.

Well… I had this sinking feeling that that was all the chances I was going to be given. If I found myself in another life or death situation, I was probably going to be on my own.

But, the question remained, what did I need to do on this side?

What could it have been back in the 1940s and still be an issue in 2009?

I nearly scoffed at that.

Many things but, what could I do about something that bothered the Gate?

Apart from myself, there had been Edward and Alphonse from another Amestris roaming around but… they had decided that they were staying on this side. They hadn't wanted to cross It anymore. They had given up going back to Amestris…

"I can almost see the smoke, Short Stuff," remarked Tony and stopped my swiveling, frowning in his direction.

"What smoke?"

Tony looked up from his work, sending me an almost exasperated look. "Metaphorical smoke." I blinked in confusion. "From thinking too hard." Right… "Grinding the gears in your brain from thinking too much." I blinked again which earned me an eye roll. "Forget it."

In all honesty, his explanation had cleared up the comparison from the very beginning but… I did enjoy annoying him on certain occasions.

Besides, this was a form of payback considering he refused to call me anything than that… nickname.

That'll teach that bastard.

Damn…

I did it again. I thought I had stopped comparing Tony and Mustang! They were definitely two distinct men. Even though I technically knew two Mustangs, the one… one…

Mustang. The one from here.

He had a transmutation circle, one that was similar to Edward's but with some modifications. It had been a mystery back then on exactly who could have done those changes but…

The point was that someone did. Someone made changes that still made sense to the transmutation circle.

The who and why were pressing questions.

I needed to look at that circle again. Maybe I had –

"Sir, Mr. Stane is upstairs and is insistent on talking to you," stated JARVIS suddenly.

I glanced towards Tony who stopped his work. His gaze passed from the ceiling to mine and even looked perplexed. Not only had Stane not visited since the last time he had been here but… the way JARVIS had worded it didn't sound like would take 'no' for an answer.

"Miss Potts is attempting to delay him but he seems to want to come down to the lab to speak with you," added JARVIS.

And it didn't sound like he was in a good mood either…

"What does he want?" grumbled Tony, standing and heading towards the staircase. "Short Stuff, go hide, will ya?"

"You don't need to tell me twice," I replied having grabbed my tablet and was already jogging towards the room off of the lab, the one that led to the elevator. Hopefully Stane didn't decide to use it while I was there.

I still didn't have a good impression of him since the first meeting and, considering he worked closely with Howard, he would most likely recognize me. There were enough people who knew about me being here from the 1940s and I didn't want to add that man to the list.

Something didn't sit well with me about him…

I closed the door behind me and headed towards the elevator, sliding down the wall next to it and readjusting the tablet on my lap. I may not have a good hiding spot like last time to listen in on the conversation but…

"JARVIS? Any chance of hearing what's going on?" I asked, hoping that he would help in my eavesdropping again.

Tony hadn't been happy the first time but the situation was different now between the two of us.

And, as I said, I didn't trust Stane.

A moment passed before my tablet lit up and a video feed of the staircase leading down to the lab was visible. I could only somewhat see Tony who was mostly hidden behind Stane as he blocked the way downstairs, casually leaning against the wall. There seemed to be several stairs between the two of them, the older man nearly towering over Tony…

"I could have met you down there," said Stane with a laugh as he stood a few steps higher.

"Needed some fresh air," replied Tony smoothly. "What can I do for you?"

"Can't I check in on a friend?"

I frowned, a sinking feeling forming in my stomach. He sounded… Well… Something. I couldn't put my finger on it but I didn't like. He seemed up to something.

He hadn't been here since the first time I had seen him. If he truly did care, he would have been here more often, no?

Then, why else would he be here…?

Fuck…

I slowly pushed myself back up, remembering what had happened last time that man was here, when he had passed by my room and had found my tablet.

Would he do it again?

I knew my door wasn't closed and…

Fuck.

And from what I remembered; it was a mess.

"JARVIS, they shouldn't hear me if I cross the living room, right?" I asked as I was about to push the button to the elevator.

"No, Miss, you should be able to cross once upstairs," he replied just as the doors opened.

I nodded, entering the elevator and returning my attention to the tablet. I think I had missed some small talk while I had been discussing with JARVIS but… I had gotten back just in time apparently.

"Heard you flew to the East coast," said Stane and my eyes widened. He knew? How? Even Tony seemed slightly surprised by that statement but he was reigning in his emotions better than I was.

"Yeah, visiting an old friend," replied Tony evenly.

"Ah yes, Peggy. How is she doing these days?"

He knew we went to see Peggy? How? Did he know we flew to Washington? But…? HOW?

"She's doing well."

Stane nodded and I wondered if he was getting annoyed with Tony's short answers. The elevator doors opened then and I spotted Pepper whirling around towards me, eyes wide. She thankfully didn't say anything as I shuffled quietly in the direction of my room, holding up my tablet with the video feed for her to see.

"Well, it must have been good for you to see her. She must have enjoyed the company as well. Had you visited alone?" wondered Stane and my heart skipped a beat.

Even Pepper looked worried as she followed me out of the living room.

Something told me he already knew the answer.

Tony's brows furrowed ever so slightly on the screen and I held my breath.

"Doesn't matter, does it?" answered Tony and the tone of his voice was getting a little more aggressive.

Stane raised his hands in surrender. "I was just curious! I'm worried about you, Tony, and I want to make sure you're okay. If you went with someone, that's great, you had company!"

Tony didn't react and I wondered if he was believing the other man or not. Stane sounded genuine but… I didn't know him very well. Tony did.

Did Stane truly care about Tony's well-being or…?

"I know laying low can take it's toll," continued Stane, placing a hand on Tony's shoulder. "But you have Pepper and myself. And, of course, whoever you have for company."

"Why do you think I have someone else for company?" asked Tony. He sounded offhand about it but…

"Hey, hey, don't you trust me? I think it's great you have someone else to help you get through this!"

He didn't sound all too happy though…

"You're being very persistent."

"I just felt hurt that you didn't think you can trust me enough to tell me that someone is here with you."

"That's –"

"I saw the flight plan, Tony, there were four people on board, yourself, the pilots and someone else. I also know that one of the guest rooms is being used in this house. Why can't you just tell me?"

Oh fucking shit…

Pepper and I had entered my room and I bit back a groan. The mess was worse than I had remembered it being… I had papers and books strewn across the bed and floor. When I had learnt I could print things, I took full advantage of it to help sort all the information I needed to decipher the transmutation circles.

Especially considering Tony knew about Amestris and we were still discussing alchemy, I didn't feel the need to be secretive about the research.

With Stane around and knowing that someone was here, I didn't think it was wise if all of this was out in the open.

"He'll want to check on the room," muttered Pepper as she already began picking up papers. "He's stubborn and he'll probably won't let this go."

I eyed the mess and then the dresser. He would probably even go through the drawers, just to make sure. We couldn't move all my things and hide them… somewhere before they showed up. I wouldn't even know where to toss these things.

"Pepper, stop," I said, eyeing the tablet and seeing Tony attempting to stall Stane. "It won't work."

"You want him to know about you?" she asked, skeptical as a plan began forming in my mind.

"No, not… I'll explain later. You have extra clothes here, right?"

She didn't look convinced but nodded none-the-less. Heck, I wasn't fully convinced of it myself…

"Ok, go get a shirt and jacket-thing. Hurry."

"What –?"

"Hurry!"

Was this even going to work? Well, we didn't have many choices if we wanted to avoid Stane going through my room.

"You show me what you're working on or you tell me who's staying here," stated Obadiah, making Pepper and myself glance towards the tablet. "I'm getting this feeling you're not trusting me anymore, Tony."

That got Pepper moving and I frowned once again. I realized then the feeling I had about Obadiah's way of speaking: he was manipulative. He pretended to care to get information and, when that didn't work, he resorted to guilt.

Fucking asshole…

"JARVIS, Tony can't show that armor to Stane!" I stated, already heading for my dresser. "Stall them and make sure they're in the living room."

"Yes, Ed. Are you –?"

"Stall, JARVIS!"

Pepper's POV

Pepper hadn't liked it when Obadiah had shown up unexpectedly at the mansion. She hadn't liked the look in his eyes. She hadn't liked the tone he had taken with her.

And she hadn't liked how he absolutely wanted to head downstairs to the workshop to talk to Tony.

She had tried to get back to her work after he had left but she found herself pacing around the living room instead, unable to quite hear the conversation happening in the staircase without getting too close and making her presence known.

She had been thankful Edward had shown up when he had with his tablet and she had followed him to his room as they listened to the conversation between Tony and Obadiah.

Pepper's unease hadn't lessened upon hearing the words exchanged between the two.

The moment they stepped into Edward's room… Pepper took a second to process the sheer mees in from of them.

It had been a while since she had been inside of Edward's room and… Pepper felt like she should have seen this coming considering Edward was a 19-year-old and usually distracted by whatever he was reading.

"He'll want to check on the room," muttered Pepper as she bent down and began gathering papers and books, trying to get them in a semblance of a pile.

She didn't even have time to read what exactly was on them, she just needed to get things in order.

"Pepper, stop," said Edward, his focus on the tablet. "It won't work."

She barely slowed down, reaching for another series of papers. "You want him to know about you?" she asked, wondering what the next move would be if not cleaning up the mess and hoping Tony could come up with a valid excuse as to why this room was being used, on who their guest could be: Tony had been a hermit for months…

"No, not…" Pepper glanced towards Edward as he frowned, shaking his head and looking… Overly pensive. "I'll explain later. You have extra clothes here, right?"

Pepper eyed Edward for a moment before nodding slowly. Yes, she had some in another guest room in case of emergencies. It had happened once, a few years ago, when Tony's tinkering with his cars ended in oil squirting everywhere, including her white blouse.

And she had to be present in a meeting with clients, with Tony, and they had been running late.

Since then, she had kept extras at the mansion, just in case.

"Ok, go get a shirt and coat-thing," said Edward, already glancing around the room as if he was looking for something. "Hurry."

"What –?"

"Hurry!"

Pepper left the piles of papers and books, walking quickly down the hall, trying to keep the clicking of her heels to a minimum just in case Tony and Obadiah were on their way. All the while wondering what exactly Edward had in mind…

Once she had the shirt and blazer, she returned to Edward's room, stepping inside and –

She looked quickly away as he seemed to be struggling with pulling on some pants, focusing her gaze on the doorframe instead. Do all teenagers not worry about decency? She wondered with an eye roll.

It then registered that… Had he been shirtless? She remembered seeing some bare skin but… something else too.

"You don't need to look away," stated Edward and Pepper rolled her eyes more to herself than the situation. She had seen shirtless men before and this was no different.

"I was trying to give you some – some…"

The rest of the sentence died in her throat as she took a good look at Edward. At…

The pants he had been struggling with were a slimmer fit, hugging… curves?

And… was that a sports bra? And did it truly support…?

"Are…? You're…?"

"Female," stated Ed… Pepper didn't even know if she should keep calling… the teenager 'Edward' anymore. "You can ogle my body later. I need your help with your shirt! Tony doesn't have much else to stall with!"

Pepper moved almost automatically as she helped… Ed put the shirt on, trying to not stare at the scar tissue across his – her – their stomach and back as well as the shoulder, where the metal port was attached to skin.

Pepper knew she should have expected the scars from when she had seen them about a month ago but… the sunlight revealed so much more than the dim light had.

And it made Pepper's heart clench.

What had happened?

"I'll tie a knot at your back, to make it snugger," explained Pepper, doing just that before Ed reached for the auburn wig on the bed.

How had I missed that?

"Can you help me with it?" asked Ed, holding it out.

Pepper nodded, taking it and flipping it over. "And where did you get this from?"

"Peggy. She's known for a while."

Pepper had not been expecting that response as she fit the wig onto Ed's head, flattening the fly away strands and combing her fingers through the bangs.

Looking at Ed, especially with that wig, Pepper wondered how she had missed the fact that this teenager had been female all along.

Perhaps that was why she always thought Ed looked younger than they were…

What she had mistaken for youth had just been softer, feminine features.

With a deep breath to keep her focus on the present, Pepper grabbed the blazer and tossed it around Ed's shoulder, adjusting it so that it somewhat hid the missing arm.

Once everything was ready, even Ed took a deep breath, almost as if they were preparing themselves for this.

"Are you sure?" whispered Pepper. "We could figure –"

"Nope, let's go," cut in Ed quickly, putting on a pair of vintage glasses before grabbing their tablet, shutting off the video feed, turning heel, and walking out of the room.

Pepper took a deep breath, hoping that this ruse was going to work.

Here goes nothing.

She followed Ed down the corridor, leaning down and whispering, "What exactly is the plan?"

"Psychologist. Helping Tony while staying in that room a few times a week to observe him," replied Ed quickly.

Pepper was about to point out that Ed may not fool anyone as a psychologist but kept it to herself. This wasn't the time for pessimistic thoughts. She just hoped that it worked and especially, that Tony would keep up with the ruse.

The two of them entered the living room just as Tony and Obadiah climbed to the top of the staircase, both looking irritated.

The conversation Pepper and Ed had missed while getting ready must not have been pleasant.

"I didn't know you were having a guest, Mr. Stark. We could have rescheduled," said Ed in a very well-done British accent.

Pepper needed to control her features at the sudden change of tone from Ed as well as the sudden stop from both Tony and Obadiah. They were both stunned for a moment, staring at the women in front of them.

"Uh… He… He was a surprise," explained Tony, trying to keep his composure and the act.

"And who might you be?" asked Obadiah nodding towards Ed, sounding slightly more pleasant than he had been in the video feed.

"Mr. Stark's psychologist. You must be Obadiah Stoned," replied Ed, giving him a once over and Pepper once more needed to keep her reaction under wraps. She secretly hoped Ed wouldn't push it…

"Stane," corrected Obadiah, his tone slightly clipped.

"Ah, yes."

There was a moment of silence as Ed glanced at their tablet and thankfully JARVIS played along and brought up… Who knew what? At least it made them look occupied, giving Tony and Pepper time to process the situation.

Obadiah, on the other hand, didn't look amused.

"Didn't catch your name," he said finally, tired of waiting for Ed to introduce themselves.

"You may call me Gracia," replied Ed without glancing up from their tablet.

"Last name."

"I don't see why I need to disclose that to you," they replied calmly, finally giving him their attention. "I work for Mr. Stark."

"As a supposed psychologist. You seem too young for that." Pepper had worried about that… Would Ed be able to pull this off? Obadiah was not a man who was easily fooled.

"So I've been told all too often," replied Ed smoothly, cocking her head to the side, "especially from men who have an inferiority complex. Maybe we could schedule a meeting to discuss your issues, Mr. Stane."

Pepper couldn't believe her ears but she still kept herself from reacting. This meeting was going to be interesting.

If nobody lost their composure before the end of it.

"Bold words coming from –"

"She doesn't filter her thoughts," cut in Tony sending Ed a quick look before Obadiah turned towards him. "But, who knows, it may help. Peggy apparently like her."

Pepper could almost feel how thick the tension was in the room. The older man almost looked ready to explode on Ed but…

Obadiah finally took a deep breath nodding towards Tony. "Glad to see you're getting help. I'm heading off." Even though the words were nice, the tone didn't seem sincere anymore.

"Right, thanks," replied Tony glancing once more at Pepper and Ed before shaking Obadiah's hand.

The three of them watched the man leave and, even as the front door closed almost too gently, too controlled, there was several beats of silence that hung over them.

That was, until…

"What the hell just happened?" gasped Tony, running his hands through his hair as he stared at Pepper and Ed.

Ed scoffed, visibly relaxing as their shoulders sagged and stance deflated. "Too bad he left," they said, taking the blazer off. "I would have enjoyed punching his face. Thanks for this and the shirt, Pepper." They then handed the blazer to Pepper who took it.

She nodded in response, adding, "So… Explanations? And don't punch him. That would cause more problems than it would solve."

"No promises," they replied.

"Yes, explanations, that would be great," said Tony as he began to pace around the living room. "Because this," he motioned towards Ed in general, "this… Listen, I can roll with a lot of punches but –"

"I was expecting this. I'm actually female, been hiding it, yes –"

"– pretending to be my psychologist? That was the best thing you could come up with?"

Ed paused, their mouth hanging open as they stared as Tony continued to pace, shaking his head in disbelief. Even Pepper watched her boss with a hint of surprise. Honestly, she shouldn't have been surprised anymore considering everything she knew about Tony but he still sometimes managed do to so.

"You could have said you were my illegitimate daughter! That at least would have been believable!" added Tony with a wave of his hands.

Ed choked at that suggestion and even Pepper had to hide her smile.

"But psychologist? You –"

"I was out of time!" cut in Ed, their tone betraying their irritation. "It's done!"

"Yes, it's done!" repeated Tony almost mockingly. "At least you had the foresight of wearing a wig!"

Ed almost growled, jamming their hand on their hip. "Of course! Even you had said he would probably recognize me! I wasn't having that!"

"But you'd have him thinking I need a psychologist?"

"You've been holed up in this mansion since before I showed up! Probably, yes, you do!"

"I don't!"

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

"Why do the two of you ALWAYS end up fighting when I'm here…," muttered Pepper in exasperation, massaging her head.

Tony and Ed suddenly stopped their bickering, staring at each other and then at Pepper. They at least both had the decency to look sheepish, Ed more than Tony.

"Sorry, Pepper," mumbled Ed, their stance deflating.

"What Short Stuff said."

Ed flipped him off and Pepper just pinched the bridge of her nose. "The two of you can continue your bickering after I leave but, before that, I would like an explanation on…" She motioned towards Ed.

"And why JARVIS didn't pick up on it…," added Tony, crossing his arms.

"I did, Sir. I –"

"I told him not to mention it to you unless you specifically asked about my gender," cut in Ed quickly.

Tony squinted towards Ed, almost looking like he didn't believe them but Pepper sent him a look, not wanting them to start fighting again. He thankfully kept whatever comment he had to himself. "Fine," he mumbled instead.

Pepper nodded glancing towards Ed. "So…?"

They shrugged as they said, "I learned early on that travelling in male clothing was easier and… when I joined Dr. Erskine, I wanted to pretend to be male. We were on the run and I was injured. I didn't need people thinking we were easy targets by dressing in skirts and dresses. So, even though, biologically, I am female, I don't mind which gender people see me as. But, I do miss having the choice."

"Was only Dr. Erskine the only one to know about your secret?" wondered Pepper before taking in the wig still on Ed's head. "But Peggy –"

"Peggy found out by accident, months after the doctor's death," explained Ed, rubbing their nose awkwardly with their tablet still at hand.

"Did anyone else know?" asked Pepper because it was still a relatively large secret to have kept for… at leas two years? More? And even now in 2009 with both Pepper and Tony.

"Two Howling Commandos. Well, that I knew of," added Ed, thinking it over. "If anyone else had figured it out, they hadn't told me…"

Pepper nodded, waiting a moment but, once she realized Ed wasn't going to provide the names, she asked, "Two of them? Who?"

Ed glanced in Tony's direction, sending him a look. "His other favorite person and… Bucky Barnes."

Pepper also turned towards Tony, remembering how he didn't have kind words towards Steve Rogers and… It took a moment but Pepper noticed the look on Tony's face, at how the hypothetical gears were turning in his head. The lack of a reaction from him confused Pepper and her confusion only grew when she glanced at Ed and took in their somber mood.

Well… Ed's mood could be explained by how both Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes had passed away… Tony's, on the other hand…

"Had those times been accidents as well?" asked Pepper, trying to break whatever deep thought the other two had gone into.

Ed shrugged before answering. "Well, I told Steve a few days before… the fight with the Red Skull and the airplane. But…" There was a pause as a thought seemed to cross their mind. "But he had figured it out earlier, had told me that. And Bucky… he had a feeling I was a girl but it was confirmed when he recognized me in a dress and wig when I was on a mission with Peggy. If any of the others found out, I wouldn't know and… I won't ever really know."

"Well, dear old dad never mentioned it so he must not have figured it out," remarked Tony, almost looking smug about that fact.

"Well, now you know. You both know. Less of a dramatic reveal than I would have hoped but it means I get to dress how I want to now."

"You pretended to be a one-armed psychologist named Gracia. That's enough drama for one day," muttered Tony, rolling his eyes. "Again, daughter would have been more believable."

Ed even shuddered at that comment. "No thanks. Any other questions?"

"Many," stated Tony before Pepper could even open her mouth. "Starting with how you convinced JARVIS to keep this from me for so long!"

"He likes me," replied Ed with a smirk.

"Blasphemy."

"I have one before leaving the two of you bicker once more," cut in Pepper, making Ed chuckle. "Did you ever know how Bucky Barnes 'have a feeling'?"

For the first time, Ed looked… sheepish about the whole situation. "Well, I… got drunk the night the Howling Commandos were formed. Bucky had been the one to carry me back to the barracks. Somehow that… gave him a clue."

"Someone gave you alcohol?" scoffed Tony, rolling his eyes. "It must not have taken much to get you drunk considering your size."

Pepper had but a moment to cover her ear closest to Ed before they burst into a long and loud rant, all in German, probably cursing Tony out about that comment.

He truly did like to push their buttons.

They…

"Ed. Ed!" Thankfully they stopped, breathing heavily as they turned towards Pepper. "Do you want us to refer to you as 'she'? Or continue with 'he'? Or even 'they'?"

Ed shrugged rather quickly as a response. "Whatever you prefer. JARVIS just goes with what I'm wearing."

"I seriously need to look at his programming," grumbled Tony which Ed and Pepper both ignored.

"That sounds reasonable," replied Pepper with a nod. "But why did you introduce yourself as Edward?"

Ed smirked, shaking her head. "I didn't. I said my name is Ed Elric and it always had been my nickname. 'Edward' is the male name people had assumed over the years."

"And your… birth name?" asked Pepper, trying to get the proper word.

"Evelyn."

The three of them continued to discuss for several more minutes, mainly on how anyone got 'Ed' out of 'Evelyn' which resulted in more bickering from Ed and Tony.

At that point, Pepper was developing a headache and didn't want to deal with their childish behavior.

Bidding both a quick 'goodnight', she left the mansion, getting into her car.

And sat there.

It had been a lot of information in such a short time frame. Even though many of her questions had been answered… So many more kept surfacing.

The prosthetics were at the forefront of her mind.

Seeing the metal ATTACHED to the skin, seeing the scar tissue around it made Pepper's heart clench tightly.

Even though Ed kept repeating that she did not want any pity, Pepper couldn't stop herself from pitying the young woman. The one who had been a mere teenager when she had lost two limbs and had been roped into a WAR alongside Captain America and the Howling Commandos.

The scars on Ed's body only spelt pain and suffering.

What had Ed done to deserve any of this?!

Pepper pressed her forehead firmly against the steering wheel, thinking the situation over.

Ed's life hadn't been easy. It hadn't been anywhere near normal.

Normal.

Pepper lifted her head, an idea forming.

Ed didn't want any pity. She wanted to be treated like anyone else without any mention of her prosthetics, scars, nightmares or whatever other hardships she had lived through.

And that's exactly what Pepper was going to do and more.

She was going to help Ed live a normal, 19-year-old life.

Whatever that meant these days…

Thank you all once again! Maybe it wasn't as dramatic as some would have hoped but I hadn't wanted the secret to drag on for the entire Iron Man movie either...

Let me know what you thought! :D