Hey guys sorry I took so long to update! I'm kinda having writer's block and I'm trying to cope by writing another story, and I've been in marching band all of August so that's kept me busy too! I managed to finish this chapter for you guys, sorry if it isn't as good as the rest of them. I hope you guys like it, please review, it means a lot to me! -C

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST OR ANY OF IT'S CHARACTERS IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM. duh.

Ed had no memory of falling asleep. He slowly opened his eyes to the dim light of the early dawn. He had no idea what time it was, but he was certain two days had passed since he had been first brought here. He hadn't eaten anything in two days. He was certain that the dying whale noises his stomach was making were audible to the outside world, and his throat was so parched it felt like the desert between Xing and Amestris. He just needed to hang on a few more days, he was certain that at this very moment Al and Mustang were searching for him. Ed was so intent on assuring himself about his rescue that he didn't hear the slight creak of a door as Gabrielle came in. It wasn't until he saw he shadow slide towards him that he realized she was there with him.

"Good morning, Edward. I trust you had a good night's rest?"

"Kinda hard to do when your ankles and wrists are shackled to the wall and you're hanging a few feet off the floor," Ed retorted sarcastically. Gabrielle paused, giving off the effect as if she were actually considering the situation, and shrugged. She honestly didn't know and didn't care.

"I brought you breakfast," Gabrielle held up a small tray that Edward had not noticed until now. She mysteriously pulled up a chair in front on Ed, and presented him with the small bowl of steaming food. Beside the bowl was a glass of what was probably orange juice and a spoon. Ed's stomach growled as the scent wafted into his nostrils.

"Uh, first, my hands are shackled to the wall, and second, how do I know you didn't poison it or something?" Gabrielle seemed genuinely surprised that Ed had even considered that she would poison him in such a cliché manner. She took a spoonful of the bowl's contents and ate it. She swallowed and even opened her mouth wide so Ed could see that everything had gone down. Gabrielle sat for a few minutes, giving Ed time to see that she was not affected in any way by the food.

"Okay, what about my hands?"

"I'll feed you. I don't think we're at the level of trust where I can leave you untied freely." Ed had assumed as much. If she untied even one of his hands, it would still be enough for him to alchemize his automail and get the heck out of this damn warehouse, arresting his psycho kidnapper in the process.

"What is that stuff anyways?" Ed jerked his chin, referring to the bowl and it's steaming gray-ish contents.

"Hot cereal," Gabrielle said simply. Ed sighed with resignation. He knew his stomach would complain otherwise if he didn't accept the food, and honestly, what did he have to lose? Gabrielle had already proven that the food wasn't poisoned, she had eaten some of it herself.

"Okay, thanks, I guess," Ed muttered. Gabrielle smiled. She lifted up a spoonful of the hot cereal to Ed's mouth and he hungrily swallowed it, burning the roof of his mouth from the heat. It was awkward at first, but his hunger eventually allowed him to push all other thoughts aside. Gabrielle's voice startled him when she broke the silence.

"So how long have you worked for the military?" Ed narrowed his eyes. He was sure she was starting her little interrogation, trying to distract him with food. He wasn't having any of that. Ed didn't answer, partly because he didn't want to answer any of her questions, but also because he had a spoonful of hot cereal in his mouth. Gabrielle waited for him to answer.

"I'm not answering anything, no matter how irrelevant it may seem," Ed firmly stated. Gabrielle smirked. It seemed like this was going to have to be done the hard way.

"Well, damn, you're a stubborn one."

"I've been told," Ed muttered.

"Ed, listen. I really don't want to have to resort to more... drastic measures, but if you're going to be this stubborn, you're going to force my hand. I won't let your adamant idiocy ruin my plans." Gabrielle picked up her tray, and Ed realized that he had finished up all the food she had brought him. She stood and turned to leave. She paused, looking over her shoulder with a malicious glint in her eyes,

"Oh, and by the way, I heard a girl by the name of, oh what was it, Winry Rockbell is in Central," Gabrielle leered. An amused smile spread over her face as she took in Ed's horrific, shocked expression. "Maybe I should go pay her a visit, ask her about you," she jeered menacingly. Gabrielle stood to leave, and Ed's shouts and insults of protest were drowned out in their own echoes as she left him with that threat.

"Winry, what are you doing here in Central?" Al was shocked and irritated to say the least. He didn't have time to deal with her, he needed to focus on finding Ed. She might even be at risk of being used as leverage against himself and Ed if she were to be captured by the kidnapper.

Winry was surprised by Al's reaction. She thought he would be happy to see her, since they hardly ever have time to come to Rezembool to visit her and Granny.

"I'm here because I need to do some maintenance on Ed's arm and leg, there were a few things I forgot to check and adjust last time you guys came to visit..." Winry was hurt that Al didn't seem to approve of her being here. He had an annoyed look on his face, like she was taking up his precious time. It took her a while before she realized what else seemed off about this situation. She had felt something was missing, and she hadn't been able to put her finger on it until now.

"Al, where's Ed?" Al felt as if someone had punched him in the gut, knocking the wind out of him. He went rigid, and he didn't know how he was going to tell Winry what happened. It wasn't up to him to decide though because in that moment Fuhrer Mustang cleared his throat. Al and Winry both jumped at the sudden noise, having forgotten that they were in the Fuhrer's office. He stood, and calmly looked from Winry to Al before giving a small nod.

"Winry, it seems you've come at a very inopportune moment. I'm sorry to say this, but Edward has been kidnapped."