Chapter Title: Reunions
Pairings: None! I can't write romance for the life of me!
Spoilers: None
Warnings: Cursing
Disclaimer: I wish I owned it, but I don't. Darnit.
A/N: Holy flipping cow, this chapter's HUGE. There was a lot that had to happen, and I just kept writing and writing and writing and suddenly I looked up and I had written six pages.

When Hughes opened the door to the baggage car, he froze in utter horror at what was going on inside. Three of the 'guards' were pinning a weakly struggling Scar to the floor while the fourth held something against his face, apparently transmuting it repeatedly. Scar's eyes were squeezed shut, and muffled whimpers emanated from behind the hand clamped over his mouth. Hughes didn't even want to think about how long this must have been going on for someone as strong as Scar to be whimpering. In that instant, Maes Hughes saw red.

"WHAT IN BLAZES ARE YOU DOING TO HIM?" he practically roared, sprinting over to the startled guards and shoving them off of Scar, with the help of an equally furious Armstrong. He knelt down beside the Ishbalan, "Scar! Scar, are you all right?" he questioned worriedly, helping Scar into a sitting position. Then more quietly, so he wasn't overheard, "You remember me, right? You know I won't hurt you; everything will be okay, don't worry…"

"I can…I can still feel it…" Scar whispered hoarsely, shuddering. A few seconds later he began to be violently sick.

Hughes held the poor man's shoulders so that he wouldn't fall flat on his face, muttering reassuringly to him, "It'll be okay…you'll be all right, the feeling will go away…"

Meanwhile, Armstrong was dealing with the guards, speaking sternly, "I hardly believe that your orders were to torture him."

"Our orders were that we were to prevent his escape," said the guard who had been performing the transmutation, "But they also stated that, so long as he wasn't physically harmed, we could do what we liked with him."

"So you decided to mentally hurt him as much as was possible," Armstrong's voice was hard, "Who gave you these orders?"

"The Silver Alchemist," one of them said sullenly, adding a disrespectful, "sir."

Hughes stood, helping a shaky Scar to his feet, "I outrank Silver, and I say that Scar is coming with us to sit in a passenger car like a human being. You four are going to stay in here for the rest of the trip, and clean up this mess. I will also be speaking to the higher ups about your treatment of your charge. And trust me," his eyes glinted, "demotions are going to be the least of your worries," and without another word, Hughes and Armstrong left the baggage car, both of them supporting Scar, and walked into an empty passenger car on the other side than the one they'd originally been in, leaving the four ex-guards to their new job.

Scar could handle pain, he could handle imprisonment…but…but that…combined with the all too sudden knowledge that he was now a tool of the military…it had been too much for him. If Hughes and Armstrong hadn't shown up when they did…he shuddered. It didn't bear thinking about.

"Scar?" Hughes' voice penetrated his dark thoughts, "Scar…I'm sorry, I should have come sooner. I should have stopped it before it began. I didn't know you were in there…I never even considered that they'd…" he trailed off, as though he couldn't quite bring himself to even say it.

"Nor did I," Armstrong shook his head sadly, "How anyone could be so cruel…"

"Will you be all right now?" Hughes asked concernedly.

Scar turned his eyes downward, "No. I won't," he gritted his teeth, "I can't do this. I can't. I would rather die than be a tool, a possession of a State Alchemist."

Hughes was surprised at the level of intensity in Scar's voice, the despair in his eyes…it was like he'd lost hope. 'That bastard Silver…he didn't tell him. He still doesn't know…he can't know if he's acting like this. He's gone this whole trip thinking that he'd be a weapon for nothing but the military's benefit…' Hughes shook Scar's shoulders, trying to snap the Ishbalan out of it, "Hey! Don't think like that! You won't be a tool or a possession."

Scar looked up, crimson eyes hardening, "How are you so sure?"

"Because you," Armstrong spoke up, "were assigned to Edward. You know that neither he nor Alphonse would ever treat you as anything less than human."

"The…Elric brothers…?" Scar felt a wave of relief wash through him. He hadn't dared to hope that it would be them, had never even thought it a possibility.

Hughes nodded, smiling, and reached over to rub the transmutation circle off of Scar's face, "You see? You'll be all right. And I know how to make you feel better; you remember my daughter, Elysia?" at Scar's slightly surprised nod, Hughes continued gleefully, reaching into his pockets and bringing forth over a dozen pictures, "You just have to see these new pictures of her! Isn't she the cutest?"

Scar gave a distracted nod, not really paying attention to what the man was saying. He was thinking about something else entirely. The Elrics…he wouldn't be used. He knew that the pair wouldn't allow it. Maybe…maybe this might just be bearable after all.

When Edward and Alphonse Elric had heard the news of Scar's capture, Al had been completely beside himself, and Ed had wanted to take the next train to Central (although he wasn't quite sure what he would do when he got there). Unfortunately, they had been unable to leave Eastern; the brothers had been able to do nothing but worry and wait for news about the fate of their pseudo-friend. About two weeks after they had heard the news, Mustang called Ed into his office.

"What is it, Colonel?" Ed asked distractedly as he walked in the door and sat down on one of the black couches in Mustang's office.

"You know that Scar has been captured, correct?" at Ed's nod, he continued, "Well, he was sentenced yesterday," Mustang gave a dramatic sigh, "I almost feel sorry for him…oh, and you have a new mission, by the way."

For once, Ed didn't care about the mission, "What was he sentenced to?" he tried not to sound too worried.

"Your new mission," Mustang continued as though he hadn't heard Ed's question, although the small smile on his face showed otherwise, "will be arriving by train in about an hour. I suggest you get down to the station to wait."

"WHAT WAS HE SENTENCED TO?" Ed shouted, standing up and waving his arms around in a rather comical display.

"You," Mustang stated calmly.

Ed blinked, "Huh?"

"He was sentenced to serve under a State Alchemist for one full year. You were the State Alchemist who was chosen. Are you up to it, Fullmetal?"

Ed could have cheered, but as he couldn't raise Mustang's suspicions, he instead gave a wide smirkish grin, "Of course I am. And he'll like it or else."

Now it was Mustang's turn to smirk, "Why Fullmetal, I do believe that he's a bit too old for you."

It took a few seconds for the full implication of this to sink in, at which point Ed turned bright red and gave the Colonel a disgusted glare, "Only you," was all he said before storming out.

Ed and Al waited anxiously at the train station. Al had been absolutely ecstatic to hear that Scar would be staying with them for a whole year as opposed to being executed or getting a life sentence in prison. When the train pulled into the station at last, both Elrics were barely able to keep from running on board; they knew that being too friendly with Scar too early would be highly suspicious. Hughes and Armstrong walked out, and went straight over to them.

"Ed, Al! So you've heard the news! Ed, you need to go in and meet him, and Al, you have to stay out here I'm afraid. The Silver Alchemist will take you to him," Hughes gestured at a short, fat, old man with a ridiculous moustache who vaguely reminded Ed of a penguin. Hughes leaned closer, "Watch out for him; he'll expect you to act like a condescending, arrogant bastard towards Scar, and if you don't he'll be suspicious. I already warned Scar, so put on a good act and don't worry about alienating him," Hughes gave him a small push towards 'Penguin Man', as Ed had mentally dubbed him, "Good luck."

Fortunately, Ed was very good at the whole 'Arrogant State Alchemist' act. He didn't say a word to Silver, and the old man just gave a kind of 'follow me' gesture to him. They stopped outside the door to one of the cars, and Silver waved aside the pair of guards and took Ed inside.

It took every ounce of Ed's self control to keep a straight face when he saw Scar. The Ishbalan was draped limply across most of a seat, eyes half-closed and unfocused, with his wrists handcuffed behind his back. Instead of his regular clothes, he wore a ratty grey prison uniform, and his hair was matted and filthy. It was such a change from the strong, dignified Scar whom Ed had last seen that the young alchemist stood there in shock for nearly a minute before snapping back into himself and remembering his act. He strode forward, "So, what did you do to him to keep him under control like this?" Scar didn't even look up, but cringed away slightly; Ed hoped beyond hope that the man was putting on an act of his own.

"A particularly strong sedative; it prevents the mental concentration needed for alchemy, and weakens the muscles to keep him from moving much. We just now gave him a full dose so that he'd be tractable for you, although it hasn't fully kicked in yet," Silver explained as he moved to stand next to Ed.

"So," Ed cringed internally at what he was about to say, "how long until I have to give him more? I want him to be…tame," Ed almost hadn't been able to say the last word, and he'd seen Scar flinch very slightly at it.

"Oh, in about seven hours or so it'll begin to wear off. Now, I must be leaving, so," Silver chuckled as though he were making a joke, "you two can get to know each other. If he gives you any trouble, just shout and the guards will come and give you a hand," and with that, he left the car, closing the door behind him.

Instantly Ed dropped the act, "Scar…oh, hell…how did this happen to you?"

Scar's gaze rose slightly, "…Edward…?"

Ed clenched his teeth; it was horrible to see Scar like this, but he gave a weak smile anyway, "Yeah…yeah, it's me."

"…Alphonse…?" Scar gazed past Ed, searching for the younger Elric brother.

"No, he's outside waiting. You'll see him soon."

"…you're not…going…t'give me…any more…are you…?" Scar sounded slightly worried.

Ed realized that Scar was talking about the drug, "No, never! I didn't mean anything I said while that creep was in here, Scar, don't worry. Didn't Hughes warn you that I was going to be acting?"

Scar gave a small nod, looking relieved, "…yes, but…you're a good…actor…and I…can't think…" he turned his eyes downward, "…must look…pathetic…"

"Ah, only a little," Ed grinned, "Can you stand up, or are we going to have to get Al in here to carry you again?"

Scar shook his head limply, "…can't walk…by myself for…while…and they wouldn't…let Alphonse…carry me…"

"Hmmm…and you're too heavy for me to even support," Ed mused, "I could always give the seat wheels and roll you out…but you wouldn't be very happy with that, would you?"

For an instant, Ed saw a miniscule amount of panic in Scar's eyes, "…no…no alchemy…"

"Okay, okay, no alchemy; it was only a suggestion," Ed put his hands up, grinning, but inwardly wondered at that brief glint of panic that he'd seen. He would have to ask Scar about that later, but now he had to focus on the difficulty of simply getting the man out of the train, "I guess the guards are gonna have to do it, then. But we're both going to have to put on an act for them," Ed waited for Scar to nod in agreement before continuing, "Pretend…pretend that I'm Brigadier General Gran who now owns your soul," he grinned and walked to the door and out, "Hey you guys, get him to the transport will you?"

The guards saluted before filing into the train car and roughly pulling Scar to his feet, forcing him along at a quick pace. It was obvious from the way he was practically hanging from their arms that he was in no condition to be walking at all; Ed gritted his teeth as he watched them half-drag the stumbling Ishbalan out the door, wanting to shout at them to stop, to go slower…but he couldn't; if he gave away the fact that he'd helped to harbor Scar before, there would be massive repercussions for everyone who had been involved, and Scar would certainly be assigned to someone else. He couldn't do anything but follow the small procession, fists clenched tightly, off the train towards the waiting car. Al and Hughes were already inside it, and it looked like the driver was Lieutenant Havoc. There wasn't enough room for Armstrong, so the major would be going with Silver in another car, and they would meet back up when they arrived at headquarters. Ed couldn't decide which of the two he felt sorrier for. Then his attention was drawn back to Scar as the man attempted to not be put into the car, planting his feet and resisting forward movement. But it was a halfhearted attempt at best, and he was quickly forced through the door to sit in the back seat next to Al. Ed slid into the remaining seat and shut the door, shooting the guards a glare as they walked away.

Havoc leaned around to look at the three, "That's everyone, right?" he gave Scar a slightly nervous look, which diminished somewhat when he saw the Ishbalan's current condition. Scar was breathing heavily from the fast march across the train station, his half-closed eyes pointed towards the floor; he seemed to have shrunk into himself, like he was trying to disappear. 'It looks like he's…afraid…' Havoc realized with a start, feeling a sudden stab of sympathy. Adopting a more cheerful expression, he gave Scar a grin, "Hey, don't look so grim. We're not going to eat you."

Scar didn't look up, or give any sign that he'd registered or even heard Havoc's comment. The rest of the car trip passed in uncomfortable silence. Ed, Al, and Hughes couldn't talk freely with Scar on account of Havoc, Havoc was still a bit too uncomfortable with the idea of Scar being there listening to have much of a conversation with anyone else, and by this time Scar couldn't think straight enough to talk even if he'd wanted to. There was general relief from everyone except Scar when they finally pulled up in front of the Eastern military headquarters and began to get out of the car.

As soon as he'd gotten out, Ed crossed his arms, "There's no way he's going to walk all the way to our room," he stated in an 'argue-with-me-and-die' tone, "I don't want him hating us all even more than he already does because we forced him to walk until he collapsed, and in the state he's in right now he will collapse before we're even halfway there."

"I can carry him to the room, niisan," Al volunteered immediately. The younger Elric had been highly concerned about Scar ever since the Ishbalan had gotten off the train. The way he'd barely been able to walk, how he'd balked and had to literally be shoved into the car, his curled-inward posture and lethargic unresponsiveness during the whole ride…there was something very wrong, and it worried Al a great deal.

Ed grinned, "Great, that should work fine. You go on ahead, and I'll stay here and wait for Armstrong and Silver, and get everything sorted out."

"But wouldn't that have him alone with Scar?" Havoc questioned, "Somehow that doesn't exactly seem safe."

"Ah, he'll be fine. Right, Al?" Ed called to Al, who was currently halfway in the car, attempting to get Scar out. Attempting.

"Niisan, he doesn't want to come out, and I don't think I can get him without hurting him!"

"What?" slightly confused, Ed peered around Al and saw immediately what he meant. Scar had moved so that his back was pressed against the other, closed, door, and had braced his feet against the front seats. Ed wasn't sure if he was acting or if he was simply unable to distinguish friend from foe through the drug-induced haze clouding his mind; looking at Scar's eyes, Ed decided that it was the latter. That made things difficult. He leaned towards Al and whispered, "They drugged him with something that keeps him from thinking clearly; he doesn't recognize you. From the way I saw those guards at the station treating him, he probably thinks you're going to hurt him. Go around to the other door; I'll distract him so he doesn't move again."

Al nodded and slowly moved around to the other side of the car, and Ed took his place in the door. As planned, Scar kept his attention on Ed until Al quickly swung the door he was leaning against open and he fell out backwards into Al's arms. The Ishbalan frantically struggled against the tight hold for a few seconds before seemingly giving up and going limp. Al straightened up, heading quickly for the dorms where he and Ed had been staying for their time in East City. The second he got there he laid Scar down on the bottom bunk, where the Ishbalan lay unmoving.

"Scar-san…" Al gently nudged Scar's shoulder, trying to get some kind of response or recognition from the man, but Scar recoiled from the touch, cringing and curling himself inward as though he expected to be struck. If Al hadn't been a suit of armor, he would have cried at the sight; Scar was his friend, and to see him like this was unbearable. What had they done to him? Ed had mentioned something about a drug…but that alone shouldn't have made him afraid of human contact…not like this. Kneeling beside the bed so that he was on eye level with Scar, he spoke soothingly, "It's okay, Scar-san, don't be afraid…I won't hurt you. It's me, it's your friend…you remember me, don't you?"

Scar raised his eyes slightly; even though he was unable to register exactly what was being said, somewhere in the very depths of his subconscious he knew that voice. A small spark of recognition flared in his eyes, a name slowly began to form in his mind, and a weak whisper found its way out of his mouth, "…Al…phon..se…?"

Al nodded, "Yeah, Scar-san, it's Alphonse. It's me."

Scar instantly relaxed; the meaning of the actual words escaped him, but he still recognized what a nod meant, and he subconsciously knew that this person wouldn't hurt him, although for the life of him he couldn't remember why. Words, names, and memories fled his mind's grasp; it was like trying to catch fish with his bare hands while swimming underwater. It was almost a miracle he'd been able to remember Al's name, or even recognize the boy at all. But now that he had, he somehow knew that he didn't have to be afraid anymore.

A/N: Aaawww…how cute is that? Can't remember anything else, but he can remember Al, even if it's only very vaguely. But poor Scar-san; he's so completely out of it that he can't understand a word people say to him. Good thing he's got Al. And Ed. Oh, and can't forget Hughes and Armstrong. And on that note, yay for the two crazy people; they rescued Scar-san from the -insert profanity of choice here- sadistic meanie-head guard people! Yay for the crazy people getting to be the ones to save the day! Ah yes, and everyone feel free to beat/maim/completely destroy the ex-guards! Envy wants to help with this too.