On the other side of the gate, the circle on the floor of the basement lights up the room. The light momentarily blinds those waiting solemnly nearby; Alphonse, Hawkeye, Havoc, Armstrong. As the light diminishes, the onlookers see Edward and Roy, laying in the circle, slowly beginning to get up.

"Brother!" Al yells, clanking as he runs over to check on Ed. "Are you all right? Was there anyone on the other side? Did they hurt you?"

Hawkeye and Havoc check on Roy, who is standing up faster than Edward. "We're fine. There's nobody on the other side.. just endless fields with trees and bushes." He frowns. "I was hoping there would be something over there to bring back for the military," he comments.

"At least we know we're safe from any threats," Armstrong says, giving a nod.

Ed finally stands all the way up, but leans on Al. "I'm fine, Al. Just a little tired." He looks at the others. "I'm going to go through some of the Professor's notes before I leave." He heads upstairs for the books, with everyone following suit.

Mustang confirms that he's going to do the same thing, and Al says that he'll stay too, since he wants to learn as well. The other three leave, leaving the alchemists be.

After a while, Edward glances up at Al; deep in thought in his book. His gaze shifts to Mustang, who looks up at him and gives a little nod. Ed stands up, stretching a bit. "I'm going to study the portal. Al, you keep reading, see if you notice anything about searching for different worlds." He turns and heads down the stairs.

Mustang looks up at Al goes back to the book. He stands and starts heading after Edward. "I'll watch him, make sure he doesn't cause more trouble." Mustang smirks as he rounds the corner and heads down the steps.

Once he's arrived, Edward kneels down by the faded circle. "Do you think they'll continue alchemy? As a science?"

Mustang stands to Edward's side, adopting Ed's hushed voice, so as not to alert Alphonse. "Maybe. You only taught two people, right? They might keep the knowlege for themselves." At Ed's slow, staring nod, Mustang continues. "Would they cross over here to learn more and use it in war?"

Edward shakes his head, gaze shifting down and focusing on the chalk marks. "Alchemy there works like it does here. The circle I used won't last, there would be no way to redraw it from sight. They'd have to know what the Professor does, about portal alchemy, to come." He smiles a bit. "Maybe we could visit them another time."

Mustang narrows his eyes a bit. "Someone may learn of us and become a threat if we were to return," he says, always being thoughtful in military strategy. "It's best that neither world has contact with the other." Mustang looks down at the circle, which Edward had seen in one of the Professor's journals. "Erase what's left, so nobody else can piece it together and cross through."

Ed nods, clapping his hands, leaning down and erasing the remains of the circle. At the sound, Alphonse trots to the doorway, peering down.

"Edward, Colonel, are you okay?" He squints, as much as a suit of armor can, into the dim light after the glow fades.

"Fine, Al. Just cleaning up." Ed watches as Al heads back off after a cheerful "Okay!" and smiles. "Let's go back upstairs and study, like we said we would." At Mustang's nod, Ed speaks again. "First. A tribute to Agent Gibbs and his team." He and Mustang stand there quietly, remembering the team. Mustang heads up after a few minutes, leaving Ed alone to think, reflect on how Gibbs had supported him. Ed closes his eyes, feeling a knot in his throat. [Thanks, Gibbs.] He turns and heads up to the pile of books awaiting him, grinning eagerly.

[Thanks for everything.]

End! Hope you enjoyed, and apologies for Edward's being OOC around Gibbs. Frustrated shrimp he is.