Thanks Apple!

Why won't he look me in the eyes? What's he not telling me? . . . Do i. . . really want to know the answer

"Ed? Tell me what happened. What did this Envy guy do to you? Is . . . he really your brother?" Mustang inquired, trying to get some response for the young man in front of him. Trying to make him look into his eyes.

"Hmpf. I'll only answer one of those . . . Yes, Envy really is my brother, in a sense. Hoenheim, my father, created him many, many years ago, after he had died from a 'tragic' accident, or some shit. Envy was originally my father's son. I don't even know his real name, and i doubt Envy knows it either. But he show'd me his real face one day." Ed paused, " he looked just like me, just like my bastard father." Ed whispered. He really didn't want to talk about it yet.

Mustang sighed,seeing the look on the boy's face. It was obvious he didn't want to talk yet. But he would need to tell everyone downstairs something.

"Alright then Fullmetal, turn around and let me see how bad your back is."

Ed hesitated before turning around, he really didn't want anyone to be behind him. Even if it was someone he 'trusted'. Let alone someone who reminded him of . . .

"Fine." Ed whispered as he turned around, making himself st in the middle of the bed indian style. He braced his elbows on his knees, and let his hands hang limply. Hissing as the stretch opened up one of the deeper wounds on his back, causing the warm blood to run down it. It was an odd sensation, one that he didn't want to feel again, or never, for a very long time.

"Damn" Mustang swore under his breath. Picking up a towel he placed in onto Edward's back trying to staunch the blood that was leaking from the woumd. He must of pressed a bit to hard, as he heard a pained gasp come from the boy.

"Sorry Ed."

A mumbled "It's fine. ." was all he got from the boy along with some panting.

Alex looked on at the scene in front of him, a little taken aback. He had never ,in all his years serving with Mustang, ever seen him act this kindly, or caring to another human being. This is quite odd . . . he thought as he watched on. But he his treating Ed, who is quite young, maybe some fathering instincts are coming through. Nah, Mustang's a ladies man. That could never happen.

" Alex," Muatnag called over to the giant man, "would you mind heloing me close this wound up. I honestly have no idea how to go about it."

"Yes, sir. Move over a bit and i'll get right to it."

Meanwhile in the kitchen . . .

Four men were raiding the fridge of their higher-up looking for something edible, a.k.a. nothing expired.

"Uggghh!" Came a frusterated sigh from Havoc. "He obviously doesn't eat. Let's just order-in."

"Fine, but the Colonels paying. I have niether the cash or income to feed all of you men. And Riza." Declared Hughes. "But we should wait until Ed gets down here. He hasn't eaten for a while, we should let him pick what he wants."They all saddly nodded in agreement.

"Boss was really out of it, wasn't he." Breda said, breaking everyone from their own thoughts about the situation.

"Yeah. . . did you see the look in his eyes when he saw us in the hallway?" Replied Havoc.

"He looked completely terrified." Replied Fuery.

"Maybe he was surprised to see us, he wouldn't have any reason to be afraid of any of us. Would he?"

"Well, anyone besides Riza." Havoc said jokingly. "Maybe he was afraid she was gonna shoot his ass for being missing for two, almost three mon-"

"Finished that sentence Havoc, I. Dare. You." Riza was now pressing her favorite weapon against the jaw of the man she thought was quite idiotic at the moment. "Just because i use my weapon around him a lot, and in a more threatening manner doesn't mean that he was afraid of me or is. Well . . . not as afraid as he was. He was absolutely TERRIFIED and I've done nothing to warrant that kind of response from Edward."

"Riza," Hughes interjected, " I believe Havoc was just trying to lighten up the mood, considering how shitty it is."

Havoc sent Riza a pleading look, " It's true Riza, honest to God." Havoc said raising his hands above his head, in a comical manner.

"Fine." Riza grumbled. "But don't balme anyone for this again, even if your trying to make a joke."

"There you go Ed. All stitched up. But try not to move around so much okay?"

Ed looked up startled, he had barely felt anything.

"Wow Armstrong. How'd you do that so-"

"It's an Armstrong Specialty Passed down for generations!"

Ed and Mustang both sweatdropped. "Okay . . . then."

"Just let me wrap up your chest. Then we can get you into some descent clothing. I'm sure you wouldn't want to go downstairs in you underwear."

"Just wrap me up Alex. I wanna eat sometime tonight."

Shit! Roy hadn't gone shopping in almost a month. Slyly he asked, " So Ed . . . what would yo like to eat?"

"Hmmmmmmm . . . . anything but milk and spinach. I'd like comfort food, and a lot of it." Ed smiled, i bet he hasn't been shopping.

"Alright, I'll just. . . . go get started on that. . ." He proceeded to walk casually out of the room, but as soon as he hit the stairs, he was running. I don't have much time and what the hell is comfort food? He rushed into the kitchen to be met by curious and confused stares. He bet he looked ridiculous, running around like a chicken with it's head cut off.

"So," Roy said casually, "what the hell is comfort food?"

Hughes let out a sigh, "I'm guessing you asked Ed what he wantd to eat, and then realized you have no food in the house."

"How'd you know that i don't have any food?"

"That's not the point." Hughes blushed, " Comfort food that is something that provides consolation or a feeling of well-being, typically any with a high sugar or other carbohydrate content and associated with childhood or home cooking."

"Ummm... Does anyone know what Ed likes to eat?" Riza asked.

"Well, I asked him that as well and he said nothing with milk or spinach in it."

"Why don't we call Al?"

"NO! He would freak out and wanna come to Central right away, and we just got him to go home. Why don't we just think for a second."

Everyone was deeply consentrating, when Hughes spanned his fingers. "STEW!"

"Ummm. . . Really? I thought stew had milk in it?" asked Breda.

"I don't know what it's made of, but everytime i would invite him over for supper, he would ask if we were having stew! We need to order some in. . . is there such a thing a take-out stew?"

"I don't know but, I'll pay extra." Roy then called at least five places before he could convince anyone to deliver an entire pot of stew. It cost him a shit ton of money, but it was worth it when he came down stairs.

"Are you ready to go down Ed?" He had gotten really quite after Roy had left.

"Sure..."

"Can you walk or would you like me to carry you?"

"Thanks for the offer but, Hell No. I'll walk thank you."

As he shakily stood, Alex moved closer just in case. "I'm fine Alex." Ed mumbled, but he was most definatly not.

He had a horribly embarassing ache between his legs, from . . . well he realy didn't wnat to say, even to himself. And he could barely breathe thanks, to the baddages around his chest. Damn, he thought, it's like Armstrongs afraid of me moving an inch out of line. AS he stood up straighter he realized how of balance he was.

"Shit, I'm gonna have to call Winry. . .do you think i can call her now?" He shot a questioning glance towards Armstrong.

"Well I don't see why not."

Ed started to walk towards the door, balancing himself on the wall as he headed down the hallway.

"Did you guys, happen to grab my arm on the way outta . . . there? I hate walking around without it." Ed asked.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's in the car though. I'll get it after we get dowstairs."

"Thanks..." Ed paused, "Armstrong?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you, for. . . you know." Ed said quietly.

"No problem Ed. I hope you know that we're all gonna be keeping a pretty close watch on you for a while. So this doesn't happen again. I don't think any of us would be able to handle it very well."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well we were all pretty confused when you just left a note. Usually you would call or tell someone before just up and leaving like that. But you didn't even leave a note did you?"

"No. That last thing i remember before. . . is walking towards the corner on fifth. . . and then i woke up in. . ."

"You don't have to explain now Edward, there might be alot of questoins over dinner though."

"That's fine, and I'll answer them the best i can at the moment.''

Ed started walking again hesitating before going down the stairs. About half-way down he smelt something so wonderful, he had thought he had gone to heaven. He started to speed up, but realized walking, or running for that matter, wasn't a very good idea right now . . . considering. . .

"I hate to ask this but would you please get my arm before we eat?"

"Sure Eddo, right away."

Armstrong started for the door as Ed made his way to the kitchen. He didn't want to face them all yet, but he really had no choice.

As he stepped into the kitchen, everyone turned to look at him. He froze. He knew it was very unlikely that any of them were Envy but he couldn't seem to unfreeze his body.

"Ed?" Roy called.

Ed looked up at Roy, he knew that Roy was Human. Roy is Roy, Roy is Roy. . . He chanted to himself as he started to walk towards the sink, the farthest spot from the table. This is gonna be hard. He thought as he took a deep breath and braced himself on the counter, turning around, he kept his eyes down, but at least he was facing them.

"Ed, do you want to do the 'test' to them? Would that make you feel better? Or should I?"

"I . . I sh-should. . ." He stuttered out quietly. His demeanor changing from the one he had up stairs. He couldn't seem to help himself from recoiling.

"Are you guys okay with that?" Roy asked, meeting all of their eyes.

"I don't see why we shouldn't be?'' Replied Hughes.

"Yeah, i think we could all do something like that for Ed." said Breda.

Collective 'yes's' were heard from everyone.

"Alright Ed, who should go first?" Roy said softly as he took a pairing knife from the drawer, and walked towards Ed with the handle pointed outward, so he could grab it from him easily.

Edward shied from the knife even though it was Roy who was carrying it. Roy hesitatingly took a step forward, gesturing for Ed to take it, which after a bit of hesitating did.

"Riza, no, Hughes. . . first" he whispered just loud enough for Roy to hear him.

"Okay. Hughes i guess you're up first." Roy looked him in the eye and mouthed slowly to him. They didn't need to be scaring Ed more than he was now. Hughes stoood and at a lesiurely pace made way over to Ed and kneeled down a few feet from him, so Ed could be taller. Ed was startled at this. He was hesitant to make his way over to the man.

"Don't give him a big one like me, just slice the pad on this thumb."

Ed nodded and walked over to him. Hughes offered up his hand to Ed looking into his his face to only find fear and uncertainty.

"Go on." Hughes coaxed."I'd like to eat my stew before it gets cold. And i still have to show you the latest pictures i have of Elicia." He smiled, trying to make Ed feel better. Which it did. Ed then proceeded to cut his thimb deep enough to draw blood, but not enough to scar. He watched it closely, trying to notice anything out of the ordinary. After about thirty seconds, he let go of the hand with a relieved sigh, that was echo'd by Hughes own as he stuck the still bleeding thumb into his mouth, after shooting Ed a massive grin. Edward gave one back. Hughes stood and held out his hand to Ed gesturing him in for a hug. He hesitated momentarily before stepping into the fatherly man's embrace. He stepped out of it quickly and whispered to him, " Havoc next."

"Alright Ed." Hughes turned towards his cooling meal, and motioned to Havoc for him to go next.

"Roy will you do Havoc's?" Ed asked quietly slikning back to his spot by the sink right next to Roy. Roy looked at him curiosly but did as he asked.

"Alright Havoc, hand." He stated as the man approached. He noticed that Ed had shifted slightly behind him, but he was still in eyesight of Havoc's hand. Havoc looked confused at this but, still offered Roy his hand.

"Not to deep." Ed whispered, loud enough for Mustang to barely hear.

"Alright Ed." He said back. As he sliced through the pad of havoc thumb as well. Ed watched closely, even though he was partially hidden from sight.

"What am i watching for Ed?" Roy spoke quietly as to not alarm the alchemist that was almost entirely hidden behind him. Why was he so scared of Havoc, when he willing tried this out on Hughes?

"Red alchemic sparkes appearing from the wound, blood disappearing, and the wound gone, no scar, or anything left behind." whispered Ed, as he continued to watch. "He's fine Elric." Roy said turning to look over his shoulder, to try to give Ed a comforting look. Ed just continued to stare at the cut, oblivious to what Roy was doing. He looks like he's in a trance almost. "Fullmetal?" Ed finally looked away from the cut to meet Roy's eyes. They were full of fear.

"Ed. . . what's the matter?" Roy turned fully, to face Ed.

"Riza and Breda next. You watch Riza's, I'll take Breda." Ed whispered, looking down.

Roy hesitated onviously there was something bothering him. "Alright Ed if that's the way you want to go about this. That's the way we will. Havoc go finish eating you're good." Roy said turning around to face him, agian. Havoc let out a breath, and then reached into his pocket to fish out the pack he had boughten earlier that day. He really needed to light up.

Roy was about to call out to Riza and Brenda, when he felt Edward grab onto his jacket, like he was holding on for dear life. Roy shot another glance over his shoulder to see Ed shaking, the HEll? "Ed? What's wrong tell me?"

"Burn's. . ." He managed to say it loud enough for only Roy to hear. Roy whipped his head back around to see Havoc lighting up in front of them.

"Havoc's cigarette . . .Oh. My. God."

Havoc turned towards Mustang, and Ed to see a flabbergasted look on Roy's face.

"Colonel? What's up?" Havoc asked innocently.

"Put out the cigarette, private, or go outside at least." Roy said back as he felt Ed rest his forhead against his back.

"You've never had a problem about me smoking bef-"

"Private..." He nodded his head subtly over his shoulder.

Havoc caught on quickly, and left the room quickly, yet, still a bit confused.

As soon as Havoc left then room Edward seemed to instantly relax against mustang. Envy had shifted into Havoc, and burned him with cigarettes. That explains the burns, is that why Ed was more weary of Havoc and not Hughes? Had Envy not shifted into Hughes? It would make sense.

"Alright Hughes would you come up hear a moment you're gonna help me with the reas of this."

"Sure, no problem." As soon as Hughes was next to Roy, he told him quietly what to look for as they proceeded to call Riza and Breda up. Roy Cut both of their thumbs, and let them bleed for a monet. All the while Ed clung to his back like he wouldn't be able to stand without him. I already knew about Riza, but Breda too? How many people did this guy shift into? And who?

"Alright Fuery, comeonover you're the last one." Fuery did as Roy said, and he was then tested, same as the others. And Ed still clung to him. Fuery as well. Damn. His whole team had inadvertedly tortured Edward without even knowing it. Wait. His team. . . Had he tortured Edward as well? He almost didn't want to know the answer to that question.

"Ed, we're done. Do you wanna eat now thateveryone's been tested or wait a bit." Roy asked quietly.

"Actually," Ed said stepping away from him hesitantly. " I was hoping Armstrong could bring me my arm first, he went out to the car to get it. I wonder where he is?"