Al was staring at the ceiling when the door opened and Father entered the room. He didn't move until Father was standing right next to him, blocking Al's view of the ceiling.

"It seems your brother has been found in the north."

Damn it… Al thought.

"I have instructed Envy to keep Edward immobile for the moment. He needs to learn his place."

What exactly does he mean by immobile? Al wondered. And why don't they just use Winry for that? Although I won't complain if they don't…

"You will be seeing him soon."

Al watched as Father left the room. A few minutes later, the door opened, and Greed came into the room.

"Hey," Greed said, sitting down on a nearby chair.

"What are you doing here?" Al asked.

"I'm bored. And that guy doesn't want me going to the surface for a while."

"So what, you're just here to bug me?"

"Pretty much."

The room was silent for a while. Then Greed spoke again. "You know, your brother's pretty fast. Even if I hadn't given him a head start, I still couldn't have kept up with him."

"Huh?"

"When he was running away after that experiment. I caught him, but when he asked me to let go, I just couldn't resist seeing how far he'd get. But I didn't tell Father or Envy. They would have been pissed."

"Wait, you let him go?"

"That's right."

"Why?"

Greed shrugged. "Because he asked me to. Well, he asked his friend first, but then he asked me."

Al raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't sound like that's how you're supposed to act."

"And that's why I didn't tell them."

"Does that mean you don't like them?"

Greed shrugged again. "I just like being able to do what I want. And maybe it's because of this guy in here," at this Greed pounded his chest. "But I want to help you guys."

"What, you mean Ling?"

"That's right. So… I take it you'd prefer not to be here?"

"Yeah, but if they have my brother…"

"They won't kill him. And now that your little friend is out of the country and too hard to find within the amount of time we have left, there isn't much holding you back, is there?"

"Wait, what do you mean? Who made it out of the country?"

"That girl they moved to Central so they could bring her into this more easily. She and some other woman made it to Drachma."

"Wait, they made it out?"

"Yes. They're safe now."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because if you didn't know, then you'd still think her life is in danger and then you'd feel like you have to stay here. The way out of here is easy. The only ones you'd have to deal with are Gluttony and Pride, and Pride's probably not going to be around. So just hurry and you'll make it out."

"But what about the chimeras that guard the place?"

"Oh, those? There are only a few. Scar wiped most of them out, remember? And they haven't bothered to make any more."

"So… is it safe to go?"

"Yes."

"What about my father?"

"Don't worry about that. Just go."

"Shouldn't I wait until you aren't around?"

"Okay, fine, wait for five minutes and then go."

Al waited for Greed to leave, not quite sure if this was a trick or not. Then he thought about the Greed he had met in Dublith, and about Ling, and decided to go through with his plan. He waited for five minutes before using alchemy on the door.

Once he was in the city, Al made his way through the alleys and deserted streets to an area where he hoped he could meet Scar. To his surprise and, strangely, his joy, Scar seemed to be waiting for him. He raised an eyebrow as Al approached.

"What are you doing here?" he asked. "Aren't they threatening your friend to keep you in line?"

"She got away. They can't use her against us anymore."

"Where's your brother?"

"…In the north. They caught him."

"Did he run away?"

"Yeah."

It was quiet for a moment. Then Scar spoke again. "I heard that Mustang ran off."

"Yeah, I think he was with my brother."

"Why?"

"You mean why did they leave?"

"Yes. Isn't there a lot that needs to be done here?"

"Well, yeah, but… there's also a lot that needs to be done in the north, so…"

"Such as preventing another war?"

"Right."

"I suppose they found the information I gave you."

"I don't know for sure, but I gave it to my brother, so it should be safe. Unless…"

"Unless what?"

Al shook his head. "I don't know. I haven't seen him since I gave it to him."

Scar narrowed his eyes. "Why not?"

"They haven't let us be near each other."

"So then how do you know that he escaped?"

"They told me."

"Are you sure it isn't a lie?"

Al thought about it for a moment. "Yes."

"What are you going to do now?"

"I don't know. What can I do?"

"…Come with me."

--------------

Roy waited impatiently for Ed to say something, anything. The silence was beginning to get to him, and he found himself wondering if Ed was really alive. After a while, he couldn't take it anymore.

"Edward."

Ed looked at him with the same blank eyes Roy had seen before. "What?"

"How are you doing?"

"Not so good." The words seemed forced. Then again, with all the damage Envy had dealt to him, Roy was amazed Ed had been able to speak before now.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"……"

"What was that?"

"Leave me alone."

True, Roy had heard Ed say that dozens of times, but something about the way he said it this time concerned him. "I can't do that."

"Why not?"

"Because I've been in charge of you for almost five years, and old habits die hard."

Ed stared hard at Roy for a while. "You really want to help?"

"Yes."

"Then kill me."

Roy resisted the urge to slap Ed in the face for suggesting something like that. "Excuse me?"

"I can't stand this anymore. I can't do anything useful. All I can do is get captured by the enemy and cause trouble for everyone."

"You aren't causing trouble."

"Then why are we in a prison cell?"

"Because of bad timing. It happens."

"But if you hadn't been looking for me you wouldn't be here."

"It doesn't matter. Fullmetal, are you forgetting about-" Roy cut himself off as the door opened and Wrath entered the room. Ed kept his eyes open, but he didn't acknowledge the Fuhrer's presence.

"I see you're awake, Edward. How are you doing?"

Ed was quiet.

"I asked you a question."

Roy looked from Ed to the Fuhrer and decided to intervene. "He's been having some troubles speaking."

"Ah, I see." Wrath gestured to a nearby soldier, who came over immediately. "Would you take Mustang out of the room? I'd like to be alone with Mr. Elric for a while."

"Yes, sir."

---------------

"So, I assume you met Envy?"

Ed cringed. Yeah, he had met Envy, but he wasn't happy about it at all.

"I'll take that as a yes. How did you get away from him?"

"I… don't know…"

"And why is that?"

"I just don't…"

"I see. Let me see it."

"See what?"

"Your side. I want to know if there have been any changes."

Ed weakly pulled up the shirt so that the majority of the tattoo was revealed. He couldn't move it any more without sending pain through his chest. He waited as Wrath inspected the mark.

"Have you noticed anything different about yourself?"

"No."

"Nothing at all?"

"Nothing."

"I see. Now then, Envy should be arriving here soon. Once he does, he will be continuing his work. Unless you believe he's accomplished his goal?"

Ed squeezed his eyes shut. He let out a small whimper. He felt pathetic. He didn't want to admit defeat, but he didn't want to be stuck with the psychotic palm tree again.

"If you're giving up then just say so. Otherwise I'll leave you to Envy."

"I…"

"Yes?"

"Give up…"

"Good. We leave in a week. I expect you to go by what you just said, Edward. If you don't…"

"I get it."

"Good." Wrath left the cell. Moments later, Roy came back in, but Ed had fallen asleep.

----------------

"Wait, you want me to do what?"

"You heard me. If you know Xingese alchemy then it won't matter if that man repeats what he did that time under Central."

"Yeah, but is there really time for that?"

Scar looked at Mei Chan, who nodded and said, "Enough to know the basics."

"Then it's settled. You two will focus on that and I'll focus on finding a weakness we can exploit. Got it?"

Al nodded.

"Good. Now get to work. I have some things I need to do."

"Right."

Al sat down and listened to the explanation that Mei Chan had given Dr. Marcoh months earlier. After she demonstrated a few things, Al suddenly realized something.

"So if it works with a flow, that means you can heal things if the flow hasn't stopped?"

"That's right."

"Then what about someone who's been paralyzed? I mean, the circulatory system still works, it's just the nervous system that's been severed…"

Mei Chan thought about it for a while. "Yes, it would probably work. Why, do you know someone who's been paralyzed?"

Al nodded. "By one of the homunculi. Colonel Mustang killed her, but not before she had…"

Mei Chan smiled at Al, who couldn't help blushing a little. "Do you want me to heal this person?"

"I-if you could… I mean, you don't have to…"

"If he'll be able to help us, then I'm willing to help."

"Th-thank you."

"Where is he?"

Al thought hard about it for a while. "I'm not sure, but I know someone who'd know…"

---------------

Alex Louis Armstrong was strolling through the park, trying to think things through, when he heard a voice calling his name. He turned to see a small figure waving to him from behind a tree. He looked around and casually walked over, sitting down underneath said tree.

"What is it, Alphonse?" he asked in a low voice, pulling out a notebook and looking up as if he were about to sketch something.

"Do you know where Havoc is?" Al asked.

"Yes, I do. Why do you ask?"

"There's a way to heal him."

Armstrong nearly tackled Al in a hug, but he restrained himself. "Are you positive?"

"Yes. I know for a fact that it would work."

"Then let me write down the address for you. But be careful. The military is aware of your absence and they might expect you to meet up with him."

"I know. I'll be careful."

Armstrong quickly wrote down the address and tore that page out of the notebook he crumpled it into a little ball and set it down beside him. He quickly did the same thing with a blank piece of paper and set it beside him right after Al grabbed the first one.

"Thanks."

"No problem. Have you heard from your brother?"

"No. I didn't even know he was gone until a couple of days ago."

"That's too bad. I'm sure he'll be fine, though."

"Yeah, probably. Thanks again, Major. I have to go now."

"Farewell."

-------------

Havoc was sitting in his room, using his strength training dealeys he got from Breda, when he heard a knock on the window.

The window? he thought with confusion. Isn't this the second story…?

He looked over at the window. Sure enough, there was a small hand waving to him. He sat up as much as he could and reached over to the window, opening it as far as it would go. Then he checked the door. It was closed.

Havoc watched with confusion as a young boy crawled through and dropped to the floor. He seemed vaguely familiar…

"Alphonse?" he asked incredulously.

"Yeah. It's me."

"What are you doing here? And why did you come through the window?"

"What, do you expect me to just show up at a house that's watched by the military and knock on the front door when I'm a fugitive?"

"Oh yeah, I heard about that… But why are you here?"

"I have good news," Al said with a smile.

"What?"

"I met someone who can help you. If you want."

"WHAT?"

Al ducked as the door flew open and someone came rushing to Havoc's side. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Uh, yeah, I just… uh… was practicing my singing!"

"What the hell? You don't sing like that…"

"Yeah, well that's why I need to practice," Havoc said with a frown. The man sighed and left the room.

"You nearly gave me a heart attack."

As the door closed, Havoc could hear snickering. "Oh, like you could have come up with something better, Al."

Al stood up and checked the door again. "No, it's just… Anyway, what do you think?"

Havoc smiled. "Thanks. I've missed being able to walk. When…"

"Um… she can do it anytime… it doesn't really matter when, and…"

"Yeah?"

"She's outside right now."

"DAMMIT COULD YOU AT LEAST GIVE ME A LITTLE MORE WARNING?"

Al ducked again, but this time there was only a pounding on the wall next behind Havoc's bed. "Stop singing, Havoc, it's giving us all a headache!"

"Sorry!" Havoc shouted before turning back to Al. "So what, you're saying to do it now?"

"Well, not if it doesn't work out right now…"

"I'm fine with that, but how am I supposed to get out of here without anyone noticing?"

"Um…" Al pointed to the window.

Havoc shook his head. "Wow, you really are like your brother."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Al asked indignantly.

"Nothing, nothing. So, why don't we get this over with? I'm getting sick of not being able to help."

---------------

"Fullmetal?"

Ed opened his eyes and looked up to see Roy standing over him. He closed his eyes again. He didn't want to continue their previous conversation.

"Don't ignore me."

Ed ignored him. At this point in time, he didn't care. Like he had said to Wrath, he was giving up.

"Hey, I'm talking to you."

Ed opened his eyes with some irritation. He looked up at Roy. "What?" He hated how pathetic his voice sounded.

"I want to know what happened."

"What are you talking about?"

"When the Fuhrer came in here."

"Oh, that." Ed pushed himself to a sitting position. It hurt, but he wanted to be closer to Roy's eye level. "I told him I'm giving up."

"Why?"

"You know why. I've had enough."

"So you're just going to let this happen?"

"It's not like I can do anything about it anyway." He couldn't, right? Sure, he had revealed the plot, and he had even stopped Sloth, and Roy had been able to kill Lust, but other than that, everything was going well for the enemy. And now Winry had to start a new life because of him. His family was imprisoned, and-

Roy grabbed Ed by the shirt and slammed him against the wall. Ed gasped. The man who was in charge of the prison where the two were being kept came over to the cell. "Hey…"

"Fullmetal, I'm not letting go until I know for a fact that you'll listen to me, got it?"

Ed nodded. "I'll listen."

Roy let go. "No interruptions."

"Fine."

Once he was sure that Roy wouldn't go crazy, the man went back to whatever he was doing, giving Roy a chance to talk to Ed in private. Roy sat next to Ed on the bed and watched as Ed wrapped his arms around his knees.

"I never want to hear something like that from you again."

"But-"

"I said no interruptions."

Ed grunted. Roy continued. "Don't ever say that you can't do anything. You're the most powerful alchemist I know. You've made it through everything the world has thrown at you, despite the absurdity and cruelty of it all. You've not only managed to keep your brother in this world, but you brought his body back as well. Just because someone beat you to the point where you want to die doesn't mean you're useless."

"Yeah, so I've managed to do a few things. So what?"

"Do you really want Envy to win? Even after everything he's done? He started Ishbal. He killed Hughes. He fucking beat the crap out of you just because you don't want to be near him. Aren't you doing exactly what he wants?"

"I know, okay?" Ed shot back. "I know that Envy's a piece of shit. I know he needs to be taken down. I just don't know what I can do anymore! I don't know… those freaks turned me into one of them. What if my body turns against me?"

"Has it done that yet?"

"No, but-"

"If your body could turn against you, don't you think it would have happened already?"

"I don't know!" Ed hid his head in his arms.

"I think it would have happened by now. Edward, do you think I can just let you go off and become the type of person you never wanted to be?"

"I don't know," Ed sobbed.

"I didn't give up on Havoc, so why would I give up on you?"

"I don't know."

"Don't give up, Ed. You aren't that kind of person."

Ed buried his head deeper in his arms. "Damn it…" He began to cry. Roy sat beside him as he cried, not saying anything but offering any support he could give. After a while, Ed leaned his head back against the wall. His face was still damp and his eyes were red. "Thank you."

He closed his eyes and let himself rest. For the first time since Winry left, he felt like things would work out, somehow.

-------------

Yeah, my knee still hurts some. I think I did something to it…