Anyone ever hear of the miniskirt army or the risembool rangers? These are fan sites that the actors, Vic Mognogna okay I know that's spelled wrong and Travis Wellington put together with some insane fan girls. Vic is Ed and Travis is Roy for who ever didn't know that, anyways the miniskirts are of course Travis's and the rangers are Vic's and are always recruiting. They check the sites regularly and they really are cool but you can only pick one so choose wisely, me personally am one of the skirts. you're side and sign up now! Oh btw did anyone else know that the VA for Alphonse is only twelve? I didn't know that, lol. Enough blabbering on with the fic!
The next morning Ed woke up with a hangover naturally. Sayla kept her mouth shut for the most part not wanting to open her mouth and say anything about the night before. She waited with bated breath at Roy's kitchen table while Ed showered wondering if he meant it or even remembered.
"Hey." She said quietly as Ed plopped down in the seat across from her. He replied with a low groan. "You should eat something Ed." He shook his head slowly as he placed it on the table cradling it in his arms.
"I feel like I've been run down by a train." He said.
"If it's any consolation you look like you did too." Sayla replied cheerfully.
"Thanks, I can always count on you." Ed replied sarcastically.
"You know it." She countered picking at the table cloth. "So you remember anything from last night?" Ed lifted his head up slightly in thought rubbing his eyes.
"Well I remember getting there, walking in the ball room, dancing; I definitely remember that. Uh, taking off with that guy and being teased until I just finally broke down and drank. God, where are we anyway?" Ed asked suddenly becoming a bit more aware of his surrounding.
"Roy's apartment."
"Oh, not as bad as I imagined it. Where is he?"
"Hasn't come home yet, he must have gotten lucky." Sayla said with a slight giggle.
"Eww; could do without that thought." Ed replied placing his head back down. Sayla bit her lower lip anxiously.
"So you don't remember anything else?" She asked after a few minutes had passed.
"No, why; I didn't throw up on you or anything did I?" Ed asked picking his head up quickly wincing as pain suddenly shot through.
"No I was just wondering is all." She said. Ed eyed her carefully trying to see exactly what it was she was hiding but all he received was a blank stare, he hated how she was able to do that.
"We should get going Al will be worried."
"I already called him, he's fine but it would be nice to get out of these clothes." Sayla said glancing down at her gown.
"Yeah you're telling me. I feel so dirty in this uniform." Ed said.
"So just transmute it into something that you do like." Sayla said.
"Nah, I'm gonna burn it." He said standing up slowly. Sayla smirked to herself standing as well.
"Come on let's go then." She said shaking off his late night confession as simply a drunken banter.
More leads on the stone pursued as did more dead ends and heart break. Most of the trio's life was spent on the numerous trains that sped across Amestris to the tiniest dust bowl villages as well as larger cities. It was on these tedious rides that they found ways to entertain themselves. One was Sayla's train ride song that she sang horribly at best; not to mention the words were always different but usually got a laugh out of the brothers which is what mattered. Card games were played, Sayla couldn't seem to retain the information about the rules of poker but she whipped them in rummy, as well as the slapping game that Alphonse always won. Of course when things were really boring they imitated people they knew, Ed could do a pretty mean Mustang, this of course didn't exempt them from making fun of each other as well.
"Three years fly when you watch it go by on a train." Sayla said one afternoon as they sped towards eastern headquarters. Morale was relatively low seeing how Cornello's stone was fabricated making Lior another dead end.
"Discarding two." Ed said as he chewed on a wooden shabob stick. He glanced at Al as he sat there staring at his cards.
"Hurry up will ya." Ed said.
"Oh right." Al said discarding and picking up two cards. His eyes lightened up as he saw what he held in his hand.
"Whoa, hey uh brother; want to double the bet?" He asked.
"Whatever." Ed replied. '
"Read them and weep; full house." Al said laying his cards down in front of him on the makeshift table.
"I'm sorry too; royal straight flush." He replied. Al looked in awe.
"No way, I can't believe you beat me again. Okay this time…" Al said gathering the cards to shuffle them.
"This is boring. I don't want to play anymore." Ed said placing his hands behind his head.
"How can you be bored you keep winning? Why don't you lose on purpose for a change?" Al asked.
"It's not about the cards Al it's who we got to see." Ed said with a sigh picking up a card and flipping it over. "Mustang."
"You don't want to meet with him?" Al asked innocently.
"Of course I don't Al!" Ed fired back. "Our best lead on the stone turned out to be fake. All this searching and we've got nothing to show for it."
"But we've done lots of good." Al said.
"Good goes in a military report for collateral damage, I can see it now, his smug face. Just thinking about it makes me completely nauseous." Ed said taking another bite out of the gooey treat he was currently gorging himself with.
"Next stop Aquaroya!" The conductor called out throughout the car. Sayla glanced up cocking an eyebrow.
"Aquaroya, huh?" She wondered aloud. "I'm getting off here." She said as the train came to a stop.
"Where you going off too?" Ed asked watching as she began walking down the aisle.
"Vacation." She said with a slight smile.
"Vacation huh? What you say Al you up to it?" Ed asked already standing as well.
"I don't know brother; I don't think we should make any stops." Al said warily.
"Don't be such a goody goody Alphonse and move it." Ed said leaving little room for argument. Alphonse shook his head and groaned following after his brother and friend knowing they were all going to regret this.
"Sayla are you sure we should stop? We're supposed to go straight to east city." Al said once they were standing outside and the train pulled away.
"It's right on the way besides we might get a lead on the philosopher's stone and avoid a lecture." Ed said.
"Besides Aquroya is a tourist hot spot. I've always wanted to check it out." Sayla said staring at the signs for the various restaurants and spas.
"Feels kind of like we're playing hooky don't you think?" Al asked killing their happy mood. Ed turned dropping his food on the ground abruptly.
"Will you just…" He began as cards fell from his sleeve. Al kneeled down picking the cards up.
"Well what do we have here? What an oddly good hand of cards." He said looking up watching as Ed ran away with Sayla close behind, being dragged more than likely.
"Brother you cheater! Get back here and give me everything you took and I thought I was just unlucky!" Al shouted after him running to catch up. The trio found a hotel and stayed for the night deciding to check out the sites in the morning. The sun shone brightly in the morning hours as the three made their way through the streets.
"You were right Sayla, it is a beautiful city." Al said impressed.
"I'll say, Aquroya; the city of water." She said glancing down into one of the canals.
"And perennial tourist attraction." Ed added. "Sure beats the east bust bowl and having to see the colonel's know it all face don't you agree?" A carriage sped by splashing muddy water over Edward whom had been slightly ahead of his brother and friend.
"What the hell's you're problem pal?" Ed shouted after the driver.
"Well it is the city of water." Al said with a small laugh. Ed promptly clapped his hands cleaning himself with alchemy. The transmutation was nearly complete when handcuffs were snapped on his wrist.
"What the..? What's this all about?" Sayla demanded the officer.
"Shouldn't we talk about this first?" Ed asked. The officer pulled roughly on the cuffs upwards nearly jerking Edward off the ground.
"You're coming to the station; I've got some questions for you alchemist." He replied smugly. Al and Sayla walked close behind as Ed was literally dragged to the police station.
"Yay I'm not the only one!" Sayla suddenly said tapping Al on the arm. Al looked away uneasily.
"Somehow I always knew it would come to this; my brother being taken away in handcuffs." He replied.
"Don't worry Al, Ed's not being arrested; they're just taking him for questioning. It will be fine." She said as they walked into the station.
"You two stay out here while he's being questioned." The officer said. Sayla shook her head.
"Nuh,uh; That guy you've got there is Major Edward Elric the full metal alchemist; I am his superior officer, Lt. colonel Sayla Hosner the singing alchemist. Anywhere he goes I do as well." She said showing her pocket watch to the officer. He inspected it closely before grunting.
"That doesn't mean a thing." The officer stated.
"Look I'm sure you would love to take this up with my superior but he wouldn't be all so very happy if he had to come down here or send someone in his place." Sayla said tossing him a testing glance. It was obvious the officer was weighing it in his head before opening the door to the interrogation room.
"Ladies first." He said.
"Thank you. Come on Alphonse." She said walking into the room and sitting down. They each took a seat as Ed's cuffs were removed.
"Edward put your pocket watch on the table." Sayla ordered putting hers down. Ed followed suit placing his next to hers.
"Now tell me this…" The officer began.
"We need food." Ed said.
"You eat after you…"
"No we eat now or we don't tell you anything." Ed said. Sayla cast him a side glance that he ignored.
"I don't see why not." He said leaving the room.
"Edward keep you're mouth shut." Sayla said.
"Why? If I'm gonna be dragged here I'm going to get a meal out of it." He replied. "Besides we don't have anything to hide."
"That's not the point Ed, just please let me handle this." She said.
"I can handle it just fine." He stated.
"Yeah just like you handled Youswell?" She asked.
"Youswell? The coal mine? That was years ago…" Ed said.
"Oh okay, is it something more recent you want? Lior." She said.
"What did I do wrong there?" Sayla just stared at him with tired eyes.
"Ed just shut your damn mouth; that's an order!" She commanded.
"Oh now you're pulling rank on me? That's pretty pathetic since…" He yelled standing up. Sayla stood up as well clenching her fists.
"Don't you dare raise you're voice to me Elric." She shouted back.
"Brother, Sayla please stop fighting." Al asked meekly knowing his voice was lost amongst their angry glares.
"Sit down and shut up!" Ed yelled.
"Edward don't make me kick you're ass!" Sayla yelled back as the door to the room opened and the officer reappeared with three steaming bowls of rice. Sayla and Ed sat back down. Edward promptly took the bowl and began shoving the contents in his mouth.
"So you both say you're with the state; the famous full metal and singing alchemist's no less." He said sitting with his hands folded.
"Do I have to repeat myself? Yes I am the singing alchemist and Edward is full metal. Those pocket watches should be proof enough." Sayla replied.
"Sure if they're real. I say that she's too young and you're just too short to be hero's." He said. Ed stood up angrily clutching the porcelain bowl until it cracked.
"Who are you calling so small you want to crush him like an ant!" He shouted.
"Brother please, that's not what he said." Al replied visibly shaken from the entire experience as well as the fight from earlier.
"Sorry for the third degree kids. We've got a thief on our hands, Siren, and we're all a little on edge." The officer said.
"Siren?" Al repeated.
"Yeah real names unknown; only lead we've got is she uses alchemy. So I thought you just might be connected." He said.
"But you say you're with the state; the full metal and singing alchemist's no less." He said again. Sayla sighed exasperated.
"Look is my subordinate being charged with anything?" She asked.
"No. You're free to go." He said after a moment of silence had passed.
"Good, great, see ya; bye." Sayla stated. "Come on guys." She said grabbing her pocket watch and exiting the room.
"Damn that guy, he kept saying the same things for three hours straight." Ed grumbled as they walked out of the station. "He probably wears that hat to hide the hole in his head."
Yeah but still, doesn't it concern you; a criminal using alchemy to steal?" Sayla asked turning what had been said over in her head.
"Oh crud…" Ed said softly falling to his knee's. Both Al and Sayla turned to glance at him.
"Brother you don't look so good." Al said his tone laced with concern. Sayla took a step closer to him as Ed's face contorted in pain.
"My stomach…feels…" He said before purging the contents of his stomach dangerously close to Sayla's feet. She screamed jumping back several feet.
"Oh just great." She said as Edward continued to heave. "Hope he didn't come down with something."
"We have to get my brother to a hospital now!" Al said panicking.
"Easy Alphonse, at least wait until he's done." She said walking over to a trembling Edward avoiding the pile of vomit.
"You okay now Ed?" She asked rubbing his back kneeling next to him.
"Ahh, my stomach burns!" He moaned.
"It's okay Edward, we're going to get you to a doctor sweetie." She said.
"Brother here, let me help you." Al said picking his brother up cradling him as Ed continued to shake.
"Well it look's like a little bit of food poisoning is all." The doctor said after the exam was finished. Al stood behind him as Sayla waited outside.
"You sure it's not from eating too much?" Al asked.
"Oh, shut up." Ed replied.
"We'll need to give you an injection, Clara!" The doctor said to the nurse standing nearby.
"Injection?" The brother's asked in unison.
"Yeah just a poke." He replied. Edward's eyes grew wide as haunting memories of his auto-mail operations popped into his mind.
"No! Get away from me, I don't need it!" He yelled jumping off the table and making a dash for the door. He jetted past Sayla as Al grasped onto him from behind dragging him back in the room.
"Huh? What's going on?" She asked looking in the room as Al held his brother down attempting to take his jacket off.
"It's just a little needle, you'll be fine!"
"I feel better!"
"Don't be a baby, take off you're coat!"
"I hate you Al; why do you want to sell out your own brother? You're evil!"
"You don't mean that!"
"I'll turn you all into fish!" Ed shouted as a finger was placed over his mouth. He opened his eyes that he had shut tightly and stared at the woman that stood before him blushing profusely.
"There now Edward, that didn't hurt at all did it?" The nurse asked sweetly.
"Fast work, you didn't even notice." Sayla said coming to stand next to Al.
"And after all that fuss." The nurse said with a slight giggle to her voice.
"Yeah, so what's you're point?" Ed asked irritated.
"We all have to grow up sometime right?" She asked.
"So is the rude commentary included in the bill?" Ed asked sarcastically. "Let's go." Ed grabbed his jacket putting it on roughly heading for the door.
"That nurse Clara was so good at her work; smart and gorgeous too. I can't stop thinking about her" Al exclaimed as the three sat outside on a bench basking in the noon day sun.
"I don't see what was so great about her." Sayla said crossing her arms in front of her glancing at Alphonse out of the corner of her eye.
"You've got the weirdest taste in women Al; she's a bad package in pretty wrapping." Ed said.
"That won't do Mrs. Crabby, you can't get better on an empty stomach." Clara said from the side. She knelt before an elderly woman in a wheel chair taking her hand compassionately.
"I just can't get it down, it hurts my teeth." The woman said staring down at the piece of bread she held.
"Well that bread's too tough for you. We'll just have to make you something tastier." She said taking out an apple. Al stared as his mind wondered to a past memory of his mother.
"You still with us Al?" Sayla asked tapping him on the arm.
"Yeah, sorry, I was just thinking; that nurse Clara there's something really giving, calming about her. She kind of reminds me of mom." Al replied.
"Don't be ridiculous, that woman's nothing like her!" Ed yelled glaring at his brother as if he had spoken blasphemy. A small clatter was heard in the same direction again and the three glanced over again. The plate lay on the ground overturned with the freshly sliced apple beside it scattered.
"I'm sorry, I've gotten so clumsy." The elderly woman said.
"Don't worry about it. It's just a piece of fruit." The nurse replied smiling kindly. She went to grab the pieces when a hand picked them up for her. She glanced up to see Al kneeling beside her drawing a transmutation circle placing the pieces inside of it placing his hands to the array. Clara gasped as the fruit was returned to it's original state.
"Good as new." Al said holding it out to her.
"You're alchemists; I didn't realize that." She replied glancing from Al to Ed her eyes finally resting on Sayla.
"Ms. Hosner, Mr Elric." An all to familiar voice shouted breathlessly across the courtyard. The officer from earlier came running to them breathing heavily.
"Let's make a tape saying I'm innocent, you can play it back all you want." Ed stated.
"I know you are; I know. This time I'm asking the two of you for a favor." He replied apologetically. Again the three found themselves at the police station sitting in a much brighter room this time around sitting at the head of a large table that was covered with bowls of food. Officers stood stoically against the wall on both sides of the room.
"Officers, presenting state alchemist master's Edward Elric and Sayla Hosner; salute!" He ordered. Simultaneously the officers brought their right hands up to their heads.
"Geez." Al said glancing around trying to shake off the uneasy feeling it was giving him.
"So what do you want?" Sayla asked.
"First I want to apologize for earlier, all those questions. I did what you said Lt. Colonel and I got a hold of Colonel Mustang at the eastern command center, I paid long distance and everything. He sounded nice, angry but nice. He said you really are state alchemists. I sure pegged you wrong." He said with a slight laugh.
"Like we said…" Ed stated his mouth full of food.
"Yes indeed sir. In light of this new information I'd like to ask you…" He stopped staring at the bottom of Edwards empty bowl.
"I'll need more." He said simply.
"Ask much as you like."
Later that night they stood in a museum staring at a bejeweled piece of art behind a glass case.
"This is it, Sirens next mark. With you on our side that thief's hold on our city will finally unravel." He said from next to the three.
"We'll do what we can." Ed replied.
"That's a lot of people, a lot of ways for things to go wrong." Sayla said glancing out the window.
"That's sirens m.o.; most thieves don't announce their heists before they happen. Siren notifies every newspaper in the country. Journalists, thrill seekers, even Siren groupies flock to see her. It's become a spectator sport." He said as the crowd hollered outside.
"It is quite a following." Al stated impressed.
"Well the stardom ends tonight. It's amazing how quickly you're popularity fades when you're wearing stripes. I'm going to check the security station." The officer said walking off leaving the trio standing by themselves.
"I'm kind of surprised you guys took this job." Al said glancing down at his brother and friend.
"I'm curious Al." Sayla said. "Yet another way to use alchemy to do wrong." Ed glanced at her taking in her sad expression as she stared back out the window at the crowd below. Ed and Sayla's pocket watches ticked the minutes away noisily in the silent room as they stood against a wall. Guards stood at the door as all eyes remained on the precious artifact centered in the middle of the room. A cloud of smoke appeared from seemingly no where causing the rooms occupants to shield their eyes.
"Clever move." Ed said regaining himself running to the middle of the room towards the new arrival. "Al, Sayla come on!" Ed stopped dead in his tracks as something flew past him and he heard his brother and friends startled cries. He turned to see both pinned to the wall with what appeared to be playing cards. Ed turned his attention back to Psiren and gasped as she skillfully opened the glass case and grabbed the artifact before running out of the smoke filled room.
"Hey get back here!" Ed shouted running after her. Al regained himself pulling away from the wall.
"Brother, wait!" Al shouted.
"Um, Alphonse…help!" Sayla said the sleeves of the shirt she wore had been pierced through pinning her to the wall. "How did she do that, there just regular paper cards!"
"Sayla you of all people should know that alchemy gives people many different abilities." He replied. Sayla glanced down at her torn sleeves and sighed.
"Yeah; hey you stay here and make sure everyone's okay." Sayla said running towards the door.
"But Sayla, we should search for brother together!" Al shouted but she was already gone. Sayla ran down the streets of Aquroya the thud from her sneakers echoing in the night.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A PIPSQUEEK! I'D BE TALL TOO IN HEELS!" The scream broke through the night followed by an animalistic yell. Sayla followed the sound to a bridge where she caught sight of her hysterical subordinate. She stopped running walking over casually attempting to catch her breath.
"So, she got you too huh?" Sayla asked kneeling next to him. Ed glared at her as he attempted to free himself.
"Don't just sit there! Help!" He shouted angrily.
"I think you need to calm down first." Sayla replied only to have Ed bare his teeth at her and let out a strangled growl. She sighed and sat next to her friend her breathing under control.
"It really is beautiful here." She said. "I can't believe that guy got a hold of Roy, man; he's going to give me such hell for not going straight to h.q."
"Please; you've got the colonel wrapped around you're finger. He'd never do anything, all the blame's gonna come down on me." Ed said settling down letting his body relax.
"Nah, I won't let it." She said placing her hands on the cold cement leaning back somewhat.
"So why are you two so buddy, buddy anyways?" Ed asked only to receive a sigh. "Come on it's only fair, you know just about everything about mine and Al's past but we still barely know anything about yours."
"Roy and I have…been through a lot together. When no one else was there, we had each other." She said.
"Like what?" Ed asked. Sayla stared straight ahead of her; her body beginning to slowly rock slightly. "Sayla…" She shook her head quickly as if she had given herself a mental slap and turned her attention back to Ed a smile on her face.
"All calmed down now?" She asked. Ed nodded his head once as she grabbed the cards that had trapped him tossing them aside as they were removed. The sun began to rise as Ed sat up grabbing at the cards that held down his legs.
"Finally." He said with a sigh standing up. "Come on; lets go find Al, he's probably worried."
"Yeah, he should still be at the museum." Sayla said as they walked back in the direction they had come from.
"Al? Al?" Ed called out through the empty halls of the hospital. They had gone to museum to find that Al had assisted several guards to hospital for smoke inhalation prompting the two to walk over.
"Man, you'd think we'd be able to keep track of a seven foot suit of armor." Sayla said with a yawn.
"Maybe he's in there." Ed mumbled indicating a door that was ajar. They both walked over and peered in the darkened room. Clara stood with the blinds shut in front of a table. She slid off her over jacket and unbuttoned her shirt revealing an intricate tattoo on her chest causing Ed to gasp. Sayla glanced at him confused as the tattoo turned a bright red as the plant of front of her was alchemized into a small pill. Sayla meekly extended her hand towards Edward as he walked in the room startling Clara.
"It's you…" She said.
"What a surprise, the kind nurse is really Psiren." Ed said. Sayla joined him letting out an audible gasp.
"Or do all women here have tattoos on their chests?" Ed said.
"I-I don't know what you mean but I'm in a hurry. I just came in here to get some medicine" Clara said her eyes darting to the side.
"Medicine you manufactured using alchemy…" Sayla said with a quizzical look.
"Drop the act you lying fraud!" Ed interrupted.
"Come on now little man, who's telling lies? I did tell you I was beautiful under the mask."
"That's hardly the point!" Ed yelled
"Brother! Sayla! Bad news." Al's voice sounded from out in the hallway accompanied by the loud sound of his clanking armor. "Is something wrong?"
"What do you think Al? Look at her; that nurse you thought was so great is really Psiren in disguise." Sayla said glancing back at him.
"The transmutation circle is proof enough!" Ed added balling his hand into a tight shaky fist.
"The world isn't black and white like you think. You kids are too young to understand, a lot can happen in a lifetime." Clara replied.
"Oh please, don't give me…" Sayla said irritated.
"I understand." Al said. "I just found out, this hospital is set to be demolished. Clara you became a thief out of necessity and compassion in order to save the hospital."
"Yeah that's right. You think I like this, flinching at ever passing patrol but this hospital needs money for it's patients. I just wanted to.." Clara said trailing off as a tear slid down her cheek. The three watched as she sobbed softly.
"See Ed I told you she had heart, just like mom." Al said. Ed looked away slightly ashamed but Sayla held her gaze on the woman her eyes narrowed in concentration.
"Ms Hosner, Mr. Elric! A new note from Psiren." The officer said running in the room. He stopped dead in his tracks staring at the four. "Am I interrupting something? Mr. Elric?" Sayla shook her head slowly exiting the room with Ed and Al close behind her.
Later that night the three once again found themselves outside of a large estate that was not as heavily guarded.
"Looks like you've got less security." Ed observed.
"Psirens made mules out of all my men too many times. Tonight I'm trying something different. We've got a little trap set up in that mansion right next to her target." Ed turned to glance at the officer.
"A trap?" He repeated.
"Don't worry you'll see it soon enough. No one will call our force incompetent anymore. I'll hang her little suit over my desk so stick around in case we need you." He said creeping away.
"What are you going to do?" Al asked once he was gone. Sayla stared at him feeling her heart flutter at his meek words. He looked so depressed sitting with his arms encircled around his knees that were drawn to his chest.
"I'll take care of it." Sayla said standing up making her way to the mansion.
"Sayla…" Ed said.
"Don't worry alright, it's good." She said before disappearing from their sight. Inside the estate Psiren stealthily made her way to the middle of the room grabbing the ornate pendant that shone brightly. The lights snapped on as a loud crashing sound was heard from up ahead as the ceiling opened up and a large metal cage crashed to the ground trapping her.
"Great, now what?" She wondered aloud looking around quickly. An audible clap was heard accompanied by a loud pitched scream that shattered the metal bars that entrapped her. Psiren smirked to herself leaving as quickly as she had arrived. She ran down the street stopping in her tracks as Sayla came into her view.
"Thanks kid." Psiren said walking past her slowly and stopping so their backs were turned to each other. "It was a good break, why did you help?" She asked.
"Its nothing personal; I wasn't helping you. I know a little bit about breaking the rules sometimes to do what's right. It was for the hospital." Sayla replied quickly. Psiren giggled slightly causing Sayla to turn.
"What's so funny?" Sayla demanded.
"Nothing, for a second there you sounded like a grown up." She replied. Sayla's face flamed red as she clenched her fists.
"I am grown up!" She stated feeling her stomach drop.
"Oh well, in that case as two adults I'm sure we can come to some sort of agreement. Is there anything I can do to return you're favor to me miss all grown up?" She asked. Sayla lowered her gaze as Psiren approached her.
"Actually there is something." Sayla said shutting her eyes. "You're a savvy alchemist; please give me any information you may have on the philosophers stone. I have to get it no matter what or how long it takes!" Images of Al sitting in a dark corner sobbing dry tears and Edward trying to keep from shouting as the heavy auto-mail tore his muscles apart every time he moved, they had invited her along to help them find the stone and she was determined to do so.
"Sorry Sayla, I can't help you with that but how about this; if you ever find out where a stone is just tell me and I'll be happy to steal it for you." She said turning to walk away.
"Hey, I'm glad that you're able to save the hospital." Sayla called after her feeling a small weight lifted from her.
"Yeah thanks to you Sayla."
The sound of the explosion was what woke Ed and Sayla causing them to quickly get dressed. They ran down the street with Al close behind in the direction of the hospital. They stood stunned mouths gaping open at the sight that lay before them. The area was fenced in as the bright red sale sign loomed in front of them, the hospital lay in rumble.
"Wha-whats going on here?" Sayla managed to stutter out.
"Don't tell me that flake tricked us!" Ed stated.
"That couldn't be, Clara is the last person who would do something like that! This has to be a mistake." Al said.
"The only mistake is in that metal skull of yours Alphonse! She's robbed you of you're senses and played you like a freaking harp!" Sayla yelled.
"No don't say that Sayla; you'll regret it!" Al shouted back.
"Children shouldn't fight, it's sinful." A sing song voice said from behind them. The three turned and let out strangled yells at the sight that lay before them. Clara was a nun.
"Am I imagining this?" Al asked.
"Wish you were." Ed said as Sayla just bit her lower lip clenching her teeth. Clara walked to the church with the three close behind quietly.
"It's terrible about the hospital. I tried to save it but I couldn't get the money in time. I was devastated, the guilt was too much so I became a nun!" She said.
"Poor Clara." Al said sympathetically his hands clasped in front of him. Ed and Sayla stood close by both disgusted by the entire situation.
"Yeah I bet." Ed replied.
"It's the truth Ed but there are other places that need to be saved like this convent we're standing in it's set to be demolished I only pray I can help." Clara cried out placing her hands to her face as she sobbed. Like a faithful puppy Alphonse was by her side consoling her.
"This is ridiculous! I'm not going to stand by and watch him go ga-ga over her anymore!" Sayla shouted running down the aisle and out the door.
Ed laid in bed dozing off when a knock sounded on the other side of the door.
"Its open." He called out. It opened a crack before Sayla walked in already showered and dressed for bed. "So decided to come back huh?"
"Yeah, sorry about earlier I just got upset is all." She said glancing at the floor.
"Trust me I know how you feel." Ed replied.
"It just irks me when I see people take advantage of Al's kindness like that. They see how he is and plays on his emotions." She said as tears began to stream down her face.
"Come here." Ed said motioning for her to come closer. Sayla went next to the bed and was pulled down onto it into his embrace. She rested her head against his flesh shoulder and sighed.
"It ticks me off, where ever we go Al finds himself a new girl friend. It's not fair." She said tiredly.
"What do you mean?" He asked curiously.
"Edward, I…never mind." She replied.
"Come on, give it up." Ed insisted.
"I love Alphonse." Sayla said.
"Yeah, I know you do." Ed said.
"No Edward, I'm uh, in love with Alphonse." Sayla repeated. Edwards throat went dry as panic seized his heart.
"You're in love with…" Ed said trying to control his quivering voice.
"Mhmm." She replied her eyes closing s she succumbed to sleep. Edwards stomach flipped as his senses heightened. The room suddenly felt to small and the air heavy. Hot tears burned in his eyes as they trickled down his face. Besides returning Al to normal being with Sayla had been his only other dream, in a matter of seconds it had been destroyed leaving Edward feeling broken and defeated.
A/N Finally done! This chapter took me sooooo long to do…my god. I'm exhausted now, wow. Okay sorry for being evil to Edward but I thought it was a good idea at the time!