Chapter Twenty Seven-Lonely

Alphonse was released after dinner. He honestly wished they had let him leave before giving him dinner. The bland hospital food definitely left something to be desired however being as polite as he was, Alphonse ate everything on the plate in front of him. Unlike his brother he felt it would be rude not to. Winry and May exited the building with him once again. Placing his hand on his stomach, he closed his eyes and let out a sigh.

"I think that food mess me up some."

"Well I told you that you didn't have to eat it all. It wouldn't have hurt anyone's feelings," Winry reminded him. He shook his head.

"No, you don't waste perfectly good food. I can't do it." Winry just shrugged and let out a yawn. She had been feeling worn out today, more so then normal. What she really wanted to do was go back to her room and snuggle up to Ed and vent about everything that had happened the past couple of days. The thought of him not being there caused her heart to hurt. Quietly May fumbled with her umbrella. The rain had let up some but it was still raining. It didn't make Al feel any better about getting Ed back. He was starting to feel overwhelmed by the task that stood before him.

"So are we gonna head back to the dorms," May asked as they headed down the street.

"Actually I need to stop at Central Command to meet with General Mustang first."

oOoOo

"So do you ever get lonely around here?" Ed was sitting indian style, leaning forward rubbing his chin.

"That's just a stupid question, it's your move."

"It wasn't stupid, I was just curious."

"Quit stalling," the Gate Keeper was becoming impatient since Ed was taking way too long. The blond leaned closer to the chess board ,trying to figure out his next move. Frustrated, he scratched the side of his head.

"How'd you talk me into this anyway? I hate chess. It involves too much planning."

oOoOo

The Flame alchemist was surprised to see Alphonse so soon. The Lieutenant closed the door, allowing the two of them some privacy.

"I wasn't expecting to see you tonight. Figured you would wait till tomorrow."

"You probably know what I came for." Roy nodded silently before taking the philosopher's stone out but not handing it to him just yet.

"Are you sure about using this. I thought you had decided against it." Alphonse dropped his gaze as though he was still torn by his decision.

"I'm not going to use it. I plan to get Ed back without sacrificing anyone else. But I also want to make sure that the stone is never used again by anyone. That's why I need it." Roy stood from his seat and leaned over the desk handing it over now that he knew Al had no intentions of using it. Even so, he arched an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Are you going to destroy it?" The younger alchemist smiled back as he placed it in the pocket of his jacket.

"Something like that. Thanks for your help, General."

oOoOo

Winry and May both found a seat out in the main office near the General's door. What was being discussed in there, they really couldn't hear and since Riza was preoccupied, they left her alone. She was busy getting caught up with her work. Havoc was helping as much as one could while sulking about the events from earlier. The realization that his biggest hurtle wasn't the handsome Flame alchemist but his own bad habit, caused him to feel utterly hopeless. There was a loud knock on the main office door and without looking up Hawkeye permitted the visitor to enter. Her friend came in with a warm smile on her face.

"Hey Riza, I got your message. Wow, so you really can't come to target practice with me this weekend, can you?" Becky got a better look at Riza's injury. She smiled back, feebly moving her arm.

"Not really, but I had something else come up this weekend anyway. You should come along."

"What else came up?" Riza dropped her gaze as she finished signing the paper before handing it off to Havoc.

"Well I'm pretty sure that General Mustang is going to want to take me out. He already mentioned it earlier but I think it'd be nice if you came to." Becky crossed her arms and let out a huff.

"And what, be your third wheel, no thanks. I certainly hope you're not gonna be so formal with him when he takes you out." Her observation actually caused Riza to blush slightly but she managed to reel in her emotions.

"I'm sure we could find someone for you." Her friend let out a laugh.

"Riza, I haven't been on a date for almost a year now. Things have just been too hectic." The Lieutenant leaned on her good arm and smiled back even more.

"Sounds like your overdue for one then, hey Havoc." She turned to the second Lieutenant who had managed to miss most of their conversation as he read over the next paper he needed to hand to her.

"Yeah what?"

"Know anyone nice to take Becky here out this weekend?" He brought his eyes up and met Becky's dark gaze.

"Nice? Hey I'm nice, why don't you just set her up with me?"

"Well you seemed so busy over there I figured you had more important stuff to do." She arched an eyebrow and the look she was giving him implied that he was going to owe her for this. Swallowing hard, he turned back to Becky with all seriousness in his tone.

"Becky, would you care to go out with me this weekend?" The brunette clapped her hands cheerfully and smiled brightly.

"Sure, sounds great. We can double date."

"R..really?"

Winry and May watched the entire scene from where they sat in utter silence. May finally leaned over to Winry, covering her mouth with her hand as she spoke into the older girl's ear.

"Is that really how adults act?"

"Not that I'm aware of, they sound like a bunch of teenagers." Before they were forced to watch anymore, Mustang's door opened and Al stepped out.

"By the way," Roy said as Alphonse was about to leave. "The dorms are fixed now. I had a couple other State alchemist go over there earlier today. You really made quite the mess, you know." Al let out a quiet laugh and scratched the back of his head.

"Wonder who I got that from."

"Anyway, when Ed gets back, tell him to come see me before you all leave town again. I've got something important for him."

"Okay." Waving to the rest of the staff, he headed for the door. May and Winry stood up and followed him out.

oOoOo

The three of them stopped at Winry's room first and Alphonse asked May to give him a second. Winry unlocked to door and entered, immediately noticing the deary silence of the room. Al stood in the doorway, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Winry, you should stay here. It would just be safer okay."

"But Al, what if you need help?" He smiled and glanced back at May.

"May's got my back, don't worry." Winry's lower lip trembled at the thought of anything bad happening. Sucking in a deep breath, she nodded and gave him a hug. She had to trust he knew what he was doing.

"Alright Al, just be careful." Once she was in for the night, the two still in the hallway headed back outside. There was little evidence of the fight that had taken place out here just a short while ago. Whoever Mustang got to clean it up was good at their job.

"Alphonse, are you sure about this?" May's grip tightened on the handle of her umbrella. This was the second time she'd seen him make such a rash emotional sacrifice for Edward. As much as the two of them didn't get along, the one thing they had in common was Al. He would do anything for either one of them. He glance back at her and smiled.

"I'm coming right back, I promise." She nodded even though she felt uneasy about it. As much as she had taught him about Alkehestry, she still knew very little about Alchemy and how it worked. She just knew the basics and she knew something would have to be given up. Al closed his eyes and clapped his hands together before vanishing in the rain.