Chapter Twelve-Vengence

Edward and Winry both sat in Mustang's small kitchen, drinking coffee. Ed told Roy what they had decided to do with little rebuttal. Since breakfast was lacking, the two of them headed out to grab something to eat before meeting up with Al and May. Once Winry explained to May that Ed promised to take her shopping, May squealed in excitement before turning back to Alphonse.

"Can we go too?" Al didn't stand a chance as she stared at him.

"Uh yeah sure thing." Edward couldn't help but grin at him and laugh. "Hey, what's so funny?"

"She's got you wrapped around her finger." Al looked away, obviously blushing.

"No, she doesn't and besides I can't help it if I think she's cute." But despite his compelling argument, the older Elric continued to laugh as they continued down the street. Winry placed her hand on Al's shoulder, smiling at him.

"Just ignore him. The two of you are adorable." Her comment only caused him to blush more.

"Hey," May shouted to them from where she had ran to up the street. "Let's check out this store first,Winry." Immediately the automail mechanic tossed her bag to her husband and hurried down the sidewalk.

"Guess we're gonna be left behind a lot today, little Brother," Ed let out a sigh.

"Yeah, but I'm sure they'll get tired of shopping after awhile."

-Six hours later-

"Seriously Winry. Shouldn't you be taking it easy or something?" Edward's voice came out in a pleading tone as she handed him yet another bag of goods.

"I'll be fine. Besides when do I ever get the chance to go shopping like this at home?"

"Winry, you've just gotta come see this place. You'll love it." May's voice came from yet another store.

"Coming!" She turned back, leaving Ed and Al to fend for themselves, holding several shopping bags at this point.

"Well guess I should be glad she's feeling better." Alphonse found a bench to sit down on. Ed joined him and noticed some movement in one of May's bag. Shao Mei poked her head out and tilted her head, staring at him. "Oh so you're here too. That's nice." He stretched his left leg out in front, trying to ignore the slight ache just above where the automail connected. It was from all the walking they had done that particular day. But Al noticed the action.

"I forgot all about that," he realized. Ed smiled lightly at him.

"Yeah. Every so often it gives me a little bit of trouble lately, but nothing too bad. Guess I'll never get completely used to it."

"I know what you mean. For some reason once in awhile I have a difficult time sleeping. Some times I wonder if it has anything to do with before I got my body back."

"Hey Ed, you've gotta come see this," Winry hollered from the entrance. He glanced around trying to figure out how to move without dropping all her purchases.

"Ah, it's not like I'm gonna complain. It is what it is." Finally managing to set everything down he moved slowly into the shop. Alphonse remained where he was, wondering how in the world Winry and May even liked the same stuff. Shao Mei pushed her way out of her confinement and got on his shoulder, catching his eye. His soft copper gaze shifted and he smiled at her.

"Guess you're probably getting hungry too, huh?"

"Alphonse, look at what I got." May giggled as she pulled a necklace out to show him.

"Wow, that's really pretty. It'll look really nice on you." Any other guy would be saying it just to be nice but Al generally cared for May and thus he was being sincere. Meanwhile Winry had Edward by the hand, leading him through this particular store.

"Check these out," she showed him a pair of heavy gloves. "The finger tips are thicker then the palms which would make it perfect for welding. It means I wouldn't get burnt so easily." And then she gave him that look that he'd seen so many times that day. It was the one that was asking for permission even though she technically was the one making all the money now. Of course he knew they didn't have much as it was, but he always had a difficult time saying no to her.

"So you gonna get them?" She jumped at him, slamming against his chest and wrapping her arms around his neck. Bringing his arms forward, he was careful as he placed his hands on her waist.

"Just be careful. Don't want to hurt anyone." He glanced down with a pleasant smile on his face. She was glad that he wasn't freaking out anymore. Once they were finished with the last purchase, they headed for the exit. Winry seemed very please which made Ed happy. Of course as they went outside to meet up with Alphonse and May, his content smile pulled into a frown. The General was standing out front, talking with Al. Finally he turned to see the other two Elrics standing there.

"What do you want now?"

"Let's skip the pleasantries. I need you to come with me." Ed's shoulders dropped and he slumped forward.

"Aren't I suppose to be retired?"

"Hey you said it yourself, isn't this your mess?"

"Haha. Very funny." Grudgingly he followed behind the Flame alchemist. Winry, Alphonse and May gathered all the bags before trailing behind.

oOoOo

It was just as bad as the night before. Windows broken, papers blowing across the floor. The once prestined oak finish on the desk was now scratched and clawed. The two couches in the center of the room had been torn to shreds. Edward hadn't even taken a step inside the office yet, still taking in the scene from out in the hallway.

"What happened?" The General moved past him into the room casually, with his hands in his pockets.

"It's worse then you think." Edward finally walked in and paused, glancing off to the side. The word 'Fullmetal' was carved into the far wall. "This is starting to seem a little personal wouldn't you say?" The former state alchemist could only stare in shock at the wall. The sight of it caused a chill to go up his spine. He knew that even leaving with Winry probably wouldn't stop Pride from coming after him. Searching for an answer, his mind just couldn't find anything that would fix this. The only thing that did come to mind though was Winry. And the baby. Bringing his hands up on either side of his head, he took several steps back. This was getting personal and he was having a hard time processing everything.

"I've got to get Winry out of here. Somewhere safe. I...I can't put them in danger."

"Ed," Roy's voice brought him back to reality. "We'll figure this out but I'll be honest, you won't be doing any favors for her if something happens to you." The blond brought his hands down and tried to calm his nerves.

"But if Pride has it in for me, wouldn't the best move be to get her as far away from me as possible?" He took in the room again before feeling Mustang's hand on his shoulder. His amber gaze shifted over to his once superior officer.

"Like I said, you're not doing her any favors by staying here. If you think I'm wrong, go ask Gracia Hughes." And that answered so much more for Edward then even the General wanted to reveal. Why he stuck to one night stands and never got close enough to anyone for too long. If Ed's life was still dangerous, so was Roy's and more so due to his title. It was all clear now. "You were already planning on leaving anyway." Edward thought he felt something brush against his leg and he felt the need to move. This was all just too overwhelming right now.

"Alright, if you're saying to leave, I'd better."

"Great, now I just have to convince Alphonse to leave too." Mustang seemed relieved. He certainly didn't want to worry about another friend dying at the hands of a homunculus.

"I'll let him know what's going on. Shouldn't be too difficult to get him to come along with us."

oOoOo

"Brother, why wouldn't you tell me all this sooner? I didn't know you were attacked last night." Alphonse was obviously not pleased that Edward hadn't told him anything.

"I'm sorry, it sort of slipped my mind. We've been busy all day." The younger Elric sighed heavily, trying to calm down.

"Yeah we were." The four of them were now sitting in a restaurant, eating dinner.

"So did you want to come with us?" Ed would have mentioned where they were going but he really wasn't sure who could hear him.

"I guess so, I mean you're right to think I could be in danger too. Pride did come after me too at one point. I don't think May will mind either." Alphonse took a bite of food and laughed quietly to himself, catching Edward's attention. "It's kind of weird, we usually don't just run away like this." Ed was the one to sigh this time.

"I know we don't but this is just too big for us right now."

"Yeah." The rest of the meal was quiet between the two of them while May and Winry continued their small talk on the other side of the table. The evening wore on and shortly they were leaving the restaurant and heading over to the hotel where May and Al were staying. Ed remained downstairs, out front while they packed up their things as quickly as possible. Alphonse didn't take any time at all and was back down stairs quickly. Edward glanced at the clock in the lobby and huffed loudly while he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"So much for this being a quick stop." Just as Al was going to agree, a shadow moved and knocked him to the ground. Ed pushed off the wall he'd been leaning up against to help Al. The younger Elric looked up right at the moment when a darkness crept up behind Edward.

"Brother,...behind you." He had bumped his head so it was hard to think clearly however he would never forget the look on Ed's face as he glanced back at the black void closing in around him. There was no time to move. It swallowed him up so quickly that it was as though he hadn't been there at all. Al pushed himself to his feet and tried to follow as Pride moved down the street. "Give him back, where are you going?" Before he could get too far though, something scratched his cheek. Just as he realized his face was bleeding, there was another hit in his side as well as his one leg. Letting out a whimper, Alphonse went down again unable to chase after the homunculus. All he could do was watch as the blackness vanished into the shadows of the night.