Chapter Eight-First Encounter

Edward wearily entered his room. He hadn't realized how worn out the train ride here and then the meeting made him. He lazily kicked the door closed and dropped his luggage at the end of the bed before falling onto the soft mattress. With little effort, he pushed his boots off his feet. Letting out a groan into his pillow, he realized he hadn't called Winry to let her know he made it to Central. Before he could think of getting up and heading down to the lobby to use the phone, he gave into the much needed sleep. The night was silent as the moonlight drifted into the room. Shadows started to move quietly across the floor. They lifted up unnaturally, creeping closer to the bed. The end of the blackness ran across the blond's face, causing him to turn his head the other way. Another shadow moved over to his right arm, running over his skin.

Pride could feel his anger overflowing when he realized Edward had managed to get his arm back. He wanted nothing more then to stab the former State alchemist right then. Before he was able to do anything, Ed pulled his arm away and sat up, scratching the side of his head. Glancing around the room, he didn't see anything out of the ordinary and went back to sleep. Deciding this was not the time to strike, the homunculus retreated back into the darkness.

oOoOo

Winry clutched her stomach as she remained on the floor of the bathroom. She could not remember the last time she had been this ill. Normally she didn't get sick but this was getting pretty bad. It had been about three days since Ed had gone to Central and she was hoping to feel better by now. It was starting to interfere with her work. A cold chill ran up her back and she wiped the cold sweat from her forehead. She forced herself up and wondered downstairs to find her grandma reading the paper and smoking. Glancing up at her granddaughter, worry came over her features.

"Winry you should really stay in bed. You look so pale." The blond mechanic shook her head as she wondered into the kitchen.

"I'll be okay, just gonna get some tea." Pinako set the paper down and followed her into the other room.

"Don't you think this has gone on long enough. You should have a doctor look at you. You've been sick for almost a week now."

"I don't want to trouble a doctor. Besides I know how to take care of myself." She shakily put the kettle on the stove and collapsed in a chair at the table.

"Why don't you go lay down and I'll bring you the tea, alright?" As stubborn as Winry could be she finally nodded, knowing her grandma was even more stubborn.

"Okay."

oOoOo

"She still pretty sick, huh?" Ed held the receiver in one hand while he leaned against the the frame of the phone booth.

"Fraid so. I really think I should call the doctor to come look at her. Poor thing hasn't eaten in days," Pinako answered him. Edward furrowed his brow, hoping that his absence wasn't making her worse. He wanted nothing more then to be there.

"Please call the doctor. I'll call again tonight to check on her." With that, he got off the phone and headed for Central Command. During his time here, he already went to visit Ms. Bradley and Selim only to see that everything seemed normal. Even if the homunculus was a great actor as Ed had remembered from the past, he definitely wasn't acting now. When Ed first arrived at the estate, Selim looked up at him almost in confusion. It was clear he really didn't remember him. Even though it was a relief to not have to take him away from his mother, it also meant that something else had attacked the city. And that would make things even more difficult to figure out. It was easier when they had one person as a suspect but now it could be anything. What if there was another person like 'Father' involved? All this thinking was making his head hurt. Glancing up at Central Command, he grimaced at the thought of another enemy attacking the country. It wasn't like he could get any more involved. He had a life and was actually happy with how things were back in Resembol. And it wasn't like he was much help without his alchemy. Letting out a sigh, he hoped that he could go home soon, especially when Winry was still sick.

As he got closer to the General's office, he could hear everyone talking. Wondering what was going on, he hurried to the door and opened it. Everyone turned to see him, even the person causing all the commotion. Ed's jaw dropped in shock.

"Brother, I heard you were here."

"Al, when did you get into town?" He moved into the room and Al hugged him.

"I just got in awhile ago."

"Did you come alone?"

"No, May came with me but she's at the hotel." Mustang leaned into Ed's line of sight with a faint smile on his face.

"So Ed, did you find anything out?" He hated how Roy always had such a one tracked mind.

"Actually it's not Selim. So that means you've got an even bigger problem on your hands." The General raised an eyebrow.

"Which is what?"

"You don't know who or what's behind this. And I was planning on heading home tomorrow."

"You're just gonna leave like that." The blond leaned over the desk, intimidatingly and pointed his finger in Mustang's face.

"This is your problem, not mine. And besides, Winry is sick so I need to go home." Alphonse jumped back into the conversation.

"I was hoping you'd stay a little longer so we could catch up."

"Are you staying in Central the whole time? It'd be nice if you could come home for awhile." Edward sounded kind of down about the fact that he might not get to see Al for too long.

"Well I kind of wanted to help with this problem they're having here first." The General smiled and leaned back in his chair.

"Too bad you're needed back at home, Ed. But then that's how it is when you have a family." The blond turned back to Roy and smiled.

"Oh yeah, you should try it some day. Really." Letting out a frustrated sigh, he gave into the pressure. "Fine I'll stay a couple more days." He just knew he was going to hear about this.