Chapter Twenty One-Feelings

"What are you doing? That hurts!" Pride found himself clinging to the bed for dear life. Being a homunculus didn't mean he couldn't feel pain. And right now,whenever Winry jerked her wrench on that one part of the automail, it made him want to cry. Each time, the shadows in the room would tense up and creep closer to her. He had to mentally remind himself that he couldn't do anything to her but right now he really wanted to end this horrible treatment.

"I just don't understand why its not responding to you when the timing isn't off. What are you drunk or something?"

"No, that's a stupid idea. I'm just distracted lately."

"That shouldn't effect your automail functioning." She torqued her wrench again and he leaned back, letting out a whine. Again the shadows behind her turned into daggers, aiming at her but he held back. He broke out into a sweat and started to breath heavily. This was like torture and he started to wonder how Edward Elric could stand it. 'It's like she's trying to kill me or something,' he told himself.

'Aw, what's the matter Pride, can't handle being me,' Edward laughed at him.

'How are you able to talk to me?' Pride was pretty sure he was the only who could determine when he wanted to speak with Ed.

'I adapted. It wasn't too hard to figure out that I'm still in my head.'

'You should quit being so cocky, Elric. I could so easily kill her or anyone else close to you.'

'I guess Greed had more integrity then you do then. At least he wouldn't lie. Didn't you promise you wouldn't hurt my family?' The obvious smirk in his captive's voice irritated the homunculus.

'Fine I'll keep my promise.' He smiled as he tilted his head at Winry, watching her, thinking of something that would bother Edward.

"Alright try to move it now," she requested. His metal foot moved a little better but not do to her attempt to fix it. "There, that's better." She started to place her tools in her kit. Pride stood from the bed and grabbed the pants at the foot.

"Sheesh, when you hurt me like that it makes me wonder why I stay with you." His voice came out in a low annoyed tone. She laughed it off.

"Edward, why would you say something so stupid. Of course you stay with me cause you love me."

"You think so?" Pride glanced up at the ceiling as though he was thinking. Winry's expression became serious and she wasn't sure why he was acting this way.

'Pride, what are you doing? Don't you say anything mean to her.' An evil grin crossed his face as he turned back to Winry.

"I guess I have no choice since you're having my brat. I'm kind of stuck, aren't I?" She stood from the bed.

'Pride! You bastard! Why would you say something like that to her?'

'Maybe if you settled down some, I wouldn't have to take it out on her.' Tears burned Winry's vision as she dropped her head.

"Do you really feel that way,...Ed?"

"Well I've just been thinking, when Al and I did all that traveling I really did miss out on a lot of other girls. I just don't know why I was so determined to settle. Guess I just missed a lot of opportunities."

"You can't mean that, Ed. We've been through so much together." She tried to brush the tears away from her face. "And what about the other night?"

"Oh that, it was okay." He shrugged back at her.

'I hope Alphonse beats the crap out of you for this.' Ed's tone came out low and threatening.

'You still think you're in any position to threaten me, guess you still haven't learned to keep quiet.'

"Look, if you're done bothering me, I've got some stuff I'd rather be doing."

"Who said I wanted you to stick around. Since you can't stand to be around me just get out then!" She threw one of her wrenches at him that she hadn't packed up yet.

"See that temper really isn't helping your cause either." With nothing else to say, he got his shoes on and left the room despite the fact he was still having a hard time with the automail. Winry felt the dam break and a rush of emotions hit her. Dropping to her knees she brought her hands up and started to sob, uncontrollably.

oOoOo

Edward woke up to find himself laying on the couch in the living room. The pain in his leg was minimal now. He couldn't believe what Pride had done to Winry. Hopefully she'd realize he'd never say anything like that to her. She knew him better then that. Some movement caught his eye and he glanced over to see Alphonse balancing against the couch, staring at him. Yeah, he really was identical to Al when he was little. There was no mistaking it now. His life seemed to be nothing more then something for Pride to destroy. Even if he managed to get back now, he'd have quite the mess to clean up. And that was assuming he was even able to get control of his body. Right now, he still didn't know what to do once he got back.

If anyone else managed to figure out the truth, would they even be able to fix things. He needed to figure out more about Alkehestry first of all. Baby Alphonse reached over to him and patted his face lightly as though trying to encourage him. The look in the babies eyes seemed deeper then someone of his age. The situation between Winry and Pride had fired Ed up but as he got older he realized it was better to use that energy correctly and not go flying off the handle. Deciding he had to move, he sat up, cringing along the way. Glancing down at the small child he smiled and ruffled the kid's hair.

"Thanks for the push, Al." The baby tilted his head to the side as though he understood. Getting up from the couch, he went back to the office to look over his notes again.

oOoOo

Alphonse' determination gave way quickly to worry when he knocked on Winry and Ed's door to find Winry a complete mess. She was still sniffling when she answered the door and when she saw it was him, she flung the only obstacle in between them against the wall and practically tackled him.

"Winry, what happened? Are you okay?" She sobbed loudly into his shirt, clinging to him desperately.

"He...hhhe said the meanest t..tthings." Al brought his arms around her in a comforting manner.

"Come back inside and tell me what happened." He guided her back into the room so that no passing spectators could see her like this. Once she was sitting on the bed again, he disappeared into the bathroom and returned with some tissue for her. He knelt in front of her patiently while she tried to settle down. He had concluded that there was only one person who could make her feel this bad. And frankly it wasn't helping his brother's case any. Once she had calmed some, she stared down at her lap.

"He told me that he was only staying with me because of the baby. That he was stuck. I don't know why he'd say something so awful." Al placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Winry, he's just not thinking straight. He's been acting kind of weird lately. But I'll talk to him. I'm sure he didn't mean it."

"He was smiling when he said it. Like he was glad to get it off his chest."

"How about you go hang out with May while I take care of this. She's in her dorm just down the hall. I think it would be good for you to not be alone." She sighed loudly and nodded in agreement.

oOoOo

Pride felt like he'd really accomplished something this particular day. He loved the look on the automail mechanics face. As much as he hadn't planned on giving himself away just yet, he was enjoying the damage he was causing to Edward Elric's life. He wanted to cause more damage. Wanted to destroy everything that Ed held dear till there was nothing left. He had completely humiliated the homunculus and he had done it in such a way that seemed like it took little effort for the alchemist. It was as though Pride was just an obstruction, a thing that Ed had to get past in order to go after the true threat. It had made Pride feel like nothing, and then even after he lost, the human had taken pity on him. His ego wouldn't stand for this insult and he was going to make sure the insignificant being paid for it. He'd entered Central Command, searching for the Flame alchemist. Perhaps there would be another opportunity to hurt someone close to Edward. He knew that despite the silence of his captive most of the time, eventually he would fight to get his body back, even without alchemy. But if the homunculus could destroy his life to the point that he didn't want it anymore, he could win. Riza glanced up to see him walk past her desk and she froze where she stood.

"Don't get up, Lieutenant. Just here to see the General." Gritting her teeth, she found her courage quickly.

"He's not here." The blond wiped his head around, giving her a look that seemed challenging. It was as though he didn't expect her to speak up so boldly. Turning back to her, he slammed his palm on her desk, leaning over her. She didn't react from fear as much as he hoped she would. She glanced behind her, acknowledging the other people int the office. Havoc was actually busy with his work while Fury and Breda were filing in the far corner. Even so, there were enough people here to deter him from trying anything. A wicked grin spread across Ed's face as he got closer.

"Any idea when he's gonna be back? I have something to talk to him about."

"I'm sure you could find him if you really wanted to." She narrowed her gaze dangerously at him. He was enjoying this back and forth between them. For some reason Lt. Hawkeye's audacity was something to be admired. He was used to even soldiers being scared of him once they knew what he was. Not her though. Calmly, he brought his hand up and brushed a misplaced hair out of her face.

"Well if you see him before I do, just let him know I was here." She didn't flinch or shy away like he expected her to.

"Brother!" His dark amber gaze shifted from the Lieutenant to the doorway. The other three turned as well, wondering why Alphonse of all people actually sounded angry. In fact it was probably one of the first times any of them had heard him raise his voice. "We need to talk."