I think this is by far my best chapter to this fanfic. I hope they get better, since I'm just typing them, not writing them down in a notebook before I type them. There is something starting to develop between Edward and Rebecca. And I hope I can make to progress more in the future chapters.

Chapter 4

The next day, Rebecca sat wide eyed at the man sitting beside Ed on the train when there was a knock on the window.

The turned to see Hughes there.

"Lieutenant Colonel?"

"The folks at the Eastern Command Center were a little too busy to make it down here today, so I came to see you off instead."

"Great, but would you mind telling me what the major's doing here?" asked Ed as he placed a hand on his right shoulder.

"For protection. What would happen if Scar came after you again? You're in no shape for a fight now, Ed. And it would be hard enough for Rebecca. The Major's here to help. Just try to grin and bear it."

"Children can be so stubborn," said Armstrong.

"Hey, shut up! I'm not a child!" shouted Ed, "Anyway, are you sure Al made it on board?"

"Of course. I thought he might get lonely without a little company."

Ed had to think on that for a sec then shouted at the Major, "My brother isn't some kind of farm animal!"

Just then, they hear the train whistle, "Oh, it's time. Okay, you guys have a safe trip. Stop in and give me a shout the next time you make it to Central." Said Hughes as he saluted them.

While they were stopped at a station, the Major seem to notice someone walking by outside and started shouting out the window.

"Doctor Marcoh! Doctor Marcoh, that is you, isn't it? It's me! Alex Louis Armstrong from Central!" shouted Armstrong.

Rebecca looked out with Ed to see the man looked shocked before he ran off.

"Friend of yours"

"He's from Central. A talented State Alchemist. He was researching into possible medical applications of alchemy, but after the Ishvalan Civil War, he went missing. Just disappeared."

"Let's go, Major. A guy like this doctor might know some useful things about bio-alchemy," said Ed as he ran out from their seats. Rebecca got up to follow them.

Later in the town, as the Major was carrying Al, he was asking the locals if they knew the man from the drawing.

"Wow, Major. You can really draw," said Rebecca.

"The art of portraiture has been passed down through the Armstrong family for generations."

Rebecca sighed. 'Does he have to say that for everything?'

"That man looks like Dr. Mauro to me."

"Mauro?"

"All of our town's doctors were drafted to help on the battlefield during the civil war. Then Dr. Mauro came here. He's really been a life saver."

Later with another couple. "He'll see any patient and he never gives up on anybody. We're lucky he's here."

"You'll see this big, bright flash of light and then you're cured just like that!" I woman said with a smile.

They eventually found the place. "This is it," Ed knocked before opening the door, "Um, hello."

But had to jump back as a gun was fired.

"Alright, tell me what you three are doing here. Have you come to take me back?" asked Marcoh, hands shaking.

"Please, Doctor. Calm down." Armstrong tried to reason.

"I don't ever want to go back! Anything but that!"

"That's not it. Please, listen," Rebecca tried to calm him by putting up her hands.

"So you're here to silence me, then!"

"No, nothing like that!"

"I won't be tricked by you!"

Rebecca's eyes widen as Armstrong threw Al at Marcoh. "I'll ask you one more time, please calm down!"

"Alphonse!" shouted Ed.

"So, you changed your name and decided to live in hiding way out here in the countryside. It the rumors I've heard can be believed, when you disappeared, you took top secret materials with you," the Major asked as they sat around the table.

"I couldn't handle it anymore. Order or no order, to have to dirty my hands researching that thing was too much."

"What 'thing' is that?" asked Ed.

"It took so many live... During the Civil War, so many innocent died because of it. I could spend my whole like trying and still never atone for the things I've done. But I had to do something, so I came here to be a doctor, to save lives instead of taking them."

"Doctor, what exactly was it you were ordered to do research on? What 'thing'?" asked Rebecca.

"The Philosopher's Stone," they all gasped, "The top secret material I took were my research documents, and the stone itself."

"Do you mean you still have it? It's here?" Ed asked, excited.

Marcoh pulled out a little bottle from his jacket. "How can that be the stone? It's a liquid!"

Marcoh then took the top off and poured it on the table, "The Sage's Stone. The Grand Elixir. The Celestial Stone. The Red Tincture. The Fifth Element. Just as the Philosopher's Stone is called by many names, so it can take on many forms. It is not necessarily a stone," Marcoh said as Ed poked it. "This is an incomplete produce, however. There's no way to know when it reach its limit and become unusable."

"Finished or not, it demonstrated plenty of power during the Ishvalan Civil War, right?"

"Huh?"

"It's just like the stone that false prophet had in Liore. It was incomplete, but it still amplified his powers considerably," started Rebecca.

"If imitation stones this powerful can be produced, who's to say a complete product can't be created? Please, Dr. Marcoh. I need access to your research materials." Ed finished as he slammed him hand on the table.

"Major, who exactly are these two?"

"They are both State Alchemist, doctor."

"What?! But they are only a child!" Marcoh closed his eyes as he was remembering something. "After the war, there were many State Alchemist who turned in their certifications because they refused to serve as human weapons any more. And now children."

"You think I don't know what I've signed up for?!" Ed said, clenching his ruined shoulder. "I know what I'm doing, but I don't have any choice. If this is a mistake, then it's a mistake I have to make. There is no other way."

"I see...so you've committed the taboo. Amazing...the ability to transmute a specific person's soul like this," Marcoh said as he looked at Al. "Maybe one as talented as you would be able to produce a complete Philosopher's Stone."

"So...!"

"But I can't show you my research."

"Why not?!"

"You must not seek after the stone."

"Not even if it's to get our bodies back?"

"Never! This is the devil's research. If you chase the stone, you will go through hell!"

Ed was getting angrier, "I've already been through hell!" he shouted standing up.

"Please... Please, just leave."

Back at the train station

"Are you sure about this, Ed?"

"Huh?"

"Even an incomplete Philosopher's Stone could be useful. You could have taken it from the doctor by force."

"Yeah. I wanted it so badly, I could almost taste it. But, still..."

"But still, we don't want it so badly that we'd be willing to deprive this town of their only doctor to get it," said Alphonse.

"We gained plenty just by finding out the Philosopher's Stone can be made. Now we'll just have to look for some other way to do it," said Ed as they stood as the train pulled up. "What about you, Major? How do you feel about not reporting back to Central on Dr. Marcoh's location?"

"I met a simple, small town doctor today. I can't see any more reason to report that." Rebecca and Ed both laughed.

"Wait!"

"Huh!" They turned to see an out of breath Marcoh.

"Dr. Marcoh?"

He handed Ed a piece of paper, "This is where my materials are. If you're certain you won't regret learning the truth in the end, start looking here. Look closely. Maybe you'll find the truth hidden within the truth. But... I've said too much already. I hope the day will come when you are able to restore your bodies," he finished as he walked away from them.

"Brother, what does the note say?" asked Al.

Ed opened the piece of paper to read, "National Central Library, First Branch."

"I get it...like hiding a tree in the forest. Finding one book in that giant library will be difficult indeed."

"Finally, another blue about the stone!" smiled Ed looking at Rebecca who sat across from who smiled back.

"Looks like we're finally getting somewhere."

At Resembool

Rebecca followed Ed as they made their way through the little town, and finally came up to this little house, with a dog barking outside.

"Yo, Granny!" greeted Ed to the older lady out front.

"Oh dear, what have you done now?"

"A lot has happened. Can you fix us up?" Ed said as the Major sat down Al's crate, "This is Major Ales Louis Armstrong, and Rebecca Boriuel, another young State Alchemist," as they shook her hand.

"I'm Pinako Rockbell," she stepped back from them, "I know I haven't seen you for a while Ed, but you've gone and grown smaller!"

Rebecca snorted as she tried to hold her laugh in as the two argued, only to have to jump to the side as a wrench came flying an hit Ed, knocking him back.

Rebecca looked up to see a blonde hair girl on the balcony, "Edward, I thought I told you to call first when you're heading back here for maintenance!" she yelled.

"Winry! Are you trying to kill me?!"

Winry started laughing, "Welcome back!"

"Yeah."

Rebecca was sitting beside Ed sipping some water, watching as Winry freaked out over Ed ruined auto-mail.

"Yeah, sorry. It's a little smashed up," said Ed.

""A little smashed up"? "A little"? Do you see what you've done to my beautiful creation?! I salved over this?"

'Well, doesn't this remind me of someone?' Rebecca thought.

"It's basically the same, it's just in smaller pieces," Ed said joyfully, before getting punched by her.

"Don't tell me. You a little smashed up too, Al? What kind of trouble have you two been getting yourselves into?" then she kicked Al as well, "All you ever do is worry me!" she then turned to Rebecca, "And what about you?"

"Oh me... hahah?" as she waved her hands in front of her. "There's..." but before she could finish explaining, Winry let out a loud squall, making Rebecca sit back on the couch as she grabbed her arm, having seen the auto-mail.

"This is an auto-mail made from the north. Made from a combination of duralumin, carbon fiber, nickel, and copper. This is my first time seeing one like this. You're mechanic must be something to make something so perfect." She gushed.

"Ah, yeah. He's been making auto-mail since he could watch," she said trying to back away from her.

"Winry, give her some breathing room," said Ed.

"Sorry."

"It's no problem. I'm use to it," she laughed, while rubbing the back of her head.

"All right, I see. In order to get this information you need, you want to go to Central as soon as possible, am I right?" Pinako asked.

"Yeah. This is kind of a rush order."

Ed had then stripped down to his tank and boxer's as Pinako looked over his leg, "Hmm...It's not just the arm. Your leg needs adjusting too."

"Guess your growth's not completely stunted after all," Winry said.

"Oh, shut up!"

"The leg aside, the shape the arm's in, we'll have to build it from scratch." Said Pinako as she tapped his knee.

"Is there any chance you can have it done in a week?"

"Give us some credit, Ed," Pinako took a puff from her pipe. "Three days. But you'll have to make do with this spare for now," she said as she took out a spare.

Ed tried standing up after having the spare on. "It's a little difficult to walk on a leg I'm not used to."

"We'll be finished before you get used to it."

"Three days, huh? Between machining, assembly, connection, and finishing... That's three all nighters." Winry tagged off.

"I'm sorry for all the trouble."

"Well, you want to get to Central as soon as possible, right? Then I'll work my butt of for you. But you better believe you're going to pay a fortune in rush order fees!

Later the after, Rebecca was walking down the road with Ed and the Rockbell's dog Den, "Where are we going Ed."

"You'll see," said Ed as he stopped at a shop to get flowers. At seeing them, she could guess where they were heading.

"You're the first person that's been here besides Winry," Ed explained as they made their way to the graveyard. Rebecca stood back as Ed placed the flowers down in front of the gravestone. He looked over at her, "You can come closer you know?"

Rebecca walked over to stand beside him, "Rebecca. Say hello to my mom."

'Trisha,' she read. "Hello Ed's mom," she said with a smile, "You should be proud of your sons, they are two amazing boys. They've helped me a lot since I meant them, so thank you."

She looked up at Ed who looked shocked, "Did...did you really mean that?"

"Of course. I've smiled and laughed more than I ever have since I met you two," she said, looking up the sky, "The last time I was like this was when my brother was still alive. I guess since I tried to bring him back, I forgot what it was like to be happy. When I seen how much you two have tried to move on and live you lives to the fullest. I wanted to do better too. So I guess I should thank you two as well," she said turning to Ed.

"Eh... you don't have to," he said, looking away with a blush. Then his eyes moved up to the hill not far that housed a lone tree.

"Ed?"

"It's nothing," he said, before walking off again, towards the hill.

Rebecca ran to catch up with him and walked a step behind him, it was silent as they walked up to the burnt down house, "Was this...?"

He didn't say any as they stood there. After a few minutes as the sun was slowly setting, they hear Den whine. That seemed to wake Ed up with whatever memory he was having. "Yeah, you're right. We should head back," Ed turned to Rebecca; hold out his hand to her.

She looked at it confused, before placing your right hand on his. He laced their fingers together and grasped tight before walking back to the house.

"We're back..." Ed tried to get out as they walked into the house, but was mobbed by Armstrong.

"Oh, Edward Elric!"

"Gyaah! Gyaah!"

"What unyielding love to try and bring your mother back to life! What a tremendous sacrifice to give up your arm in order to transmute your brother's disembodied soul! What determination to burn down your house! To make sure there was no retreat!" He said before taking off his shirt, "Come, Edward, allow me to offer you this comforting embrace!"

"Just stay back! Don't rub your chest on me! Ahhh!"

Later at dinner, Pinako turned to Rebecca. "So, what's your story?"

Rebecca looked up and finished swallowing the food she was eating before answering. "Well, you see. I...tried what the brother tried too. But I tried being my older brother back."

"I see. What about your parents?"

"They... they died in the Civil War. My dad was a State Alchemist, while my mom was a doctor, using medical alchemy. My brother died suddenly when I was ten. I read though my parents books, trying to find a way to bring him back. It was a year later that I tried. It's how I lost part of my arm. For five years I trained my body and my alchemy before I decided I wanted to become a State Alchemist. That's how I met Ed and Al, just two weeks after I got my certification."

"Eleven, that's a year younger then when the boy's tried. How old are you now?"

"Sixteen."

"Do you mind if a look over your auto-mail after we eat? I'm sure you haven't had it looked at in a while."

"Yea, sure."

Ed had already left to the room he stayed in for the night as Pinako looked over Rebecca's arm.

"It really is impressive work. I'm guessing you're from the north to have this kind of make."

"Yeah. I small town just south east of North City. My best friend and neighbour is the one who made it. He's also the one who found me that night. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for him."

"I don't see any problems with it. You can use Winry's bedroom for the nest few night. She's going to be up for the next three days working on that arm."

"Thanks."

During the second day. Ed was showing Rebecca around Resembool.

"I think I could get use to this."

"What, boredom?" asked Ed as they sat on a hill, looking down at the fields filled with sheep.

"No silly. It's calm here. Sun, and there's no snow. Not like my home town."

"I might just come back here when I get mine and Al's body back to normal."

"I'm sure that time will come someday," she leaned back on her arm, closing her eyes.

Ed's P.O.V

Ed turned to her, watching as the sun hit her blonde hair, making it look more white, "So, you really don't want to get your arm back?" he asked.

"You know. I don't really know now. At first, I just wanted to do everything I could to be a better alchemist. But seeing how much you and your brother are working on getting yours back. It makes me wonder if I should too now."

"I guess it's whatever you chose to do. No one is forcing you to want to."

"I understand."

Back to Rebecca

One the last day they gave them, Rebecca was laying on the ground outside with Ed and Al in his crate still.

"They said it would take three days, right? So, give'em three days."

"Yeah, I know, I know. It's just when I know there's a clue to the Stone sitting in Central Library somewhere, I get so impatient!"

Den then barked. And the three looked over to see Winry running out with Ed's arm in her hands.

"Here you go! It's all ready!"

Back inside, Ed sat on the couch as Winry and Pinako were getting ready to start connecting the nerves to the auto-mail. Rebecca had to wince at the thought, remember when she first got her done.

"Ready?"

"Uh, yeah."

"On one..."

"Two..."

"Three!" they said together was they turned the tools.

Rebecca winced again as Ed clenched his teeth at the pain of the nerves connecting. She was surprised how well he took the pain.

"That's the worst part every time... When the nerves have to connect like that. Once we have the Philosopher's Stone, I can kiss that pain goodbye!"

"Our biggest source of income... I'll be sad to see you go," Pinako connected another nerve.

"Hold still. Ugh. Do you want me to do this right or not?" said Winry as she connected yet another one. "It's just so lovely! The smell of oil! The hum of the ball bearings! The rugged yet amazingly beautiful form created through anatomical engineering! Ah, how wonderful you are, my automail!" Winry gushed.

"Crazy gearhead!" Ed whispered.

"You're lost without me, alchemy freak."

'Yup, just like Samuel,' Rebecca thought.

"Alright, we're done. Well?

Ed stood up and started stretching his arm and leg, "Yeah, it feels good."

"I increased the amount of chrome this time, so it should be less prone to rusting. The trade off is that it's not quite as strong, so don't try anything crazy – Hey, listen up!

Rebecca followed Ed out with Armstrong as he ran over to Al.

"You can fix him right here?"

"Yup. You have to know the trick to it, though. Major, you see that seal on the inside of his back? That's the medium between Al's soul and the armor. So I have to be sure not to ruin it," Ed clapped his hand, and placed them on the ground and Al was good as new, "There you go! You're good as new! You ready to try it out?"

"Yeah!"

Rebecca stood beside Pinako as they started sparring, "It'll be quiet around here without those boys," she said, "Will you help look after them?" she asked Rebecca.

"I'll try."

Later the evening, Ed was asleep on the couch. Rebecca was asleep beside him, where she had been sitting talking with Ed on what they were going to when they got back to Central. She could hear Al talking to Pinako and Winry.

"Thanks... both of you."

"What's this? Why so formal?"

"Granny, Winry... I'm so grateful to you always welcoming us like we're really family. He won't ever say it but... I know brother feels the same way."

"Don't you worry, dear. We know he feels that way too, He doesn't have to say it."

Early the next morning, they were all outside, getting ready to leave, "Thank you again for everything, Granny."

"Sure."

"Hey, where's Winry?" Al asked.

"Resting. She stayed up three nights in a row. Want me to wake her?"

"No, that's okay. She'd just nag me. Make sure to do your maintenance or whatever." Ed said as they started leaving.

"Hold on a second, boys."

"Hmm?" they all turned.

"You should come back once in a while and have dinner with us."

Ed laughed, "You want us to come all this way into the mountains just for some dinner?"

"Edward, Alphonse," they looked up to see a tired looking Winry, "Come back soon, 'kay? And you too Rebecca."

"Yeah."