A/N: Ok everyone, here is chapter 2. I can't believe I got this typed that quickly! O.O Anyway, I hope you all enjoy! Also, please forgive me if any of the characters seem to be ooc... I do my best to keep them as much in character as possible... Anyway, all previous disclaimers and warnings aply! Thank you! ^_^

Chapter 2

Hawkeye quickly filled Roy in on what little she knew of the incident as they raced to the small building that Ed had been using to conduct his alchemy experiments, since he had long since given up on the Philosopher's Stone. Mustang honestly had no idea what Ed did in that building, however, knowing Ed like he did, he doubted it conformed to standard and accepted alchemical experimentation practices. After all, he never was one to follow the rules, but he knew he would never do anything to purposely harm anyone, so he never really worried about it.

And just because they decided not to continue researching the Philosopher's Stone, doesn't mean they are not taking any other measures to restore their bodies. He doubted greatly that Ed would actually be able to lead any kind of semblance of a normal life until Al had his body back. He was just that stubborn… and he blamed himself far too much to let it go.

Knowing all of this and keeping it in the back of his mind, Hawkeye told him that a great disturbance was reported. Screaming was heard coming from inside the building and when the neighbors went to investigate, a strange light came through all of the windows. All the entrances were sealed shut (with alchemy, Roy assumed) so no one could get inside to see what was happening. Each account varied as to what they saw inside the light. None of it was good, either way. Most of them described horrible images of dark creatures with huge eyes and arms that arms that were far too long to be human. Some people even thought they saw a door of some kind, but weren't sure.

He had no idea what he was going to find inside that building, he just kept hoping that whatever it was, it wouldn't be like what he stumbled across all those years ago when he first met them.

When they did finally reach the site, he barely felt the car stop moving before he threw the door open and was on his feet running towards the entrance. Already having been told that the door was sealed shut, he snapped his fingers and created a spark that grew into a raging fire that went straight towards the door. Behind him, Hawkeye came up and shot a few bullets at the lock just to be sure it was indeed open now, and then she ran up to it and kicked the now very damaged door in.

Thankfully for them, the building was small, so it did not take them long at all to search all of the rooms upstairs, finding nothing out of the ordinary. Deciding that they must be in the basement, which they already assumed since the witnesses reported the light coming from the back of the building where there are small skylight basement windows, however they still had to be sure, Hawkeye rushed ahead of Mustang down the stairs and into the dimly lit stone basement. When she entered the room, her eyes quickly adjusted to the dim light and scanned the area to look for any signs of danger; however it appeared that whatever had happened there had already passed.

There were markings all over the floor. She was not an alchemist like Mustang and the Elric Brothers, but she knew enough to be able to recognize a transmutation circle when she saw one. The next thing she noticed was blood; it seemed to cover and run through the intersecting lines of the circle pooling around two forms at the very center. Her mind drifted back to when her and Mustang first went looking for the talented young alchemists that they heard rumors about and then the horror that they found. A room with a large transmutation circle stained with blood… just like this.

No… She thought horrified as she took a silent step closer into the dark room, tying to get a better look at the two figures at the center of the room. She very much feared what she would find there, but she had to see.

After what seemed liked far too long, she was finally close enough to be able to see Edward leaning over another boy with darker, shorter hair. This boy was just wrapped loosely in a blanket that was slowly being stained red by the blood on the floor, however neither of the two seemed worried about the blood right now for it appeared that the young boy she did boy recognize was struggling to breathe. She watched as Edward leaned in to give air to the struggling boy when she heard Mustang come up behind her. They were about to go over to offer what little help they could, if any, when suddenly the young boy took a gasping breath and they heard Edward say his name. it was just a whisper, but it was enough that the empty room took the soft name and carried it to Hawkeye and Mustang's waiting ears.

"Al…" Both of them turned to look at each other, sharing the same thought.

Alphonse? How…? Of course it would make sense that it would be Al, who else would be down here with Ed? Still they were both shocked and finding it hard to believe. They then realized how much the darker-haired boy looked like Ed. Then the boys grew closer together and kissed. Hawkeye could see the shocked look appear in Mustang's eyes. She smiled to herself as she reached out her arm to stop him from walking over to them. He looked over to her and she shook her head to further convey the point that he should stay exactly where he was. She herself was not all that surprised by the sight before her now. She knew that the bond between those two brothers ran very deeply, more so than any normal brothers, and they have been searching for a way to return Al to his body for many, many years now, so of course now that they managed to accomplish that, it is very emotional for both of them.

Unfortunately, the two of you still have a long road ahead if you decide to go down this path… She thought sadly to herself. She felt that they deserved some happiness now after everything that they had been through, but still she knew that neither society nor their own consciences would allow for that; at least at first.

When the two parted, her arm keeping Mustang back was shoved out of the way and he started towards them once more.

"Fullmetal!?" Mustang Shouted.

Smiling again, she followed obediently behind her commanding officer, hoping desperately that he didn't do anything irrational.