Author's note: Here it is guys! I made sure to get this done as soon as I could because I got such wonderful reviews for the last chapter! i hope you all enjoy!

"What do you mean they want Ed?" Roy blurted out, disbelieved by what Maes had just told him.

"It's exactly what I said Roy, they want Ed in exchange for Al. Simple as that." Hughes repeated quietly.

"Simple as that? Simple as that? There's nothing simple about this Hughes! We aren't just handing Ed over, we'll get Al some other way because now-"

"I'll do it." Ed said at barely a whisper.

Roy stopped his frantic conversation with Hughes and turned to Ed, almost not hearing the blonde even speak.

"What did you just say Fullmetal?" Roy asked him; dangerously close to a threat.

"I said I'd do it. They can have me, just as long as Al will be safe." he answered with more confidence and volume.

Roy stood agape; shocked, "you'll do no such thing Fullmetal! I order you-"

Hughes cut Roy off by placing a firm hand on the man's shoulder, then looked directly at Edward and spoke, "Ed, think about what you're saying yes to. Did you forget our conversation from last night? You basically told me you weren't going to give up, and you were going to fight to get your brother back. Not just roll over and give up."

Roy watched both men intensely, waiting for what Ed would say next.

"I'm not giving up Hughes, I'm simply getting my brother back. And we were just given a great opportunity to retrieve him easily, so you guys are going to let me take it." he warned; golden eyes blazing, tempting them to challenge him and see what would happen if they dared too.

The room went silent; as if Ed's word was law, and no one was allowed to oppose him. But Roy wasn't going to lie down and accept the young alchemist's decision that willingly.

"Edward, you don't even know what they're planning to do with you! They could want anything! And with you being such a willing and cooperative captive, what's stopping them from doing whatever they want to you?" he stopped for a moment, hoping those words would sink in, and then continued, "Ed, they could killyou." he finished weakly, hoping that if the words he had said moments before hadn't made an impact, that those five words would. He stared at Ed, directly in his golden eyes, waiting for his response.

"You can't stop me Mustang...this is my decision to make. And I choose to save my brother with causing the least amount of trouble for everyone." Edward told them all, as he began to walk towards the door, "Hughes, what where was the meeting place?" he asked the lieutenant-colonel as he stopped in front of the door.

"271st street..." Hughes answered quietly; reluctantly.

As Ed placed his automail hand on the door handle, Roy made one last attempt to make him stay:

"Ed, stop. Don't do this." he begged in a pleading whisper.

"I have to do this colonel." he responded firmly.

Roy gritted his teeth in frustration, frantically trying to think of an idea to stop Ed from making this mistake; so he did the only thing he could, "Fine. Then I'm going with you." he informed the blonde, gaining back his colonel-voice.

Before Ed could even respond to the older-man's words, Hughes intervened, "Roy! You can't go! You'll only get yourself killed! They specifically said Ed was to come alone."

"Do I look like I care Hughes?" Roy snapped back, "besides, it's a chance I'm willing to take if it's to help Fullmetal get his brother back."

The room went grimly quiet once more, and Roy walked over to the door and joined Edward, "We'll be back..." he informed his comrades as he and the Fullmetal Alchemist departed the room.

The walk to the car was a silent one; and not as much as a single glance was exchanged between the two men; even after they got into the vehicle.

Roy turned the key and started the engine, leaving Central Command well-under the speed limit. The streets were still fairly empty, save for the few brave souls who ventured the streets in broad daylight, in spite of current events. Roy grimaced, knowing they needed to solve this issue soon as well; they couldn't keep the city under lockdown forever. The thought of the people with guns rampaging the streets at any time they pleased made Roy question if they were, in fact, connected to Al's kidnapping. The possibility of these two acts of crime being linked made rage boil inside of his body. Not only did these criminals want to hurt the people he cared most about, but they wanted to hurt innocent civilians too. It made him sick with anger.

Realizing that shouldn't be his main concern at the present moment, he turned his full attention back to the empty road, noticing that they were now only a few blocks away from their destination. And in that split second, he made the decision to stop. He slowed the car down even more, and pulled up to the curb and parked.

The silence continued for a few more moments, until Ed finally spoke; "Why'd you stop? We're almost there."

The monotone and careless way Ed said those words made Roy's skin crawl. This wasn't the Edward Elric he knew. This wasn't the young boy who first joined the military and wouldn't let any supposed, "impossible" obstacle get in his way. No, this now was a young man, ravaged with desperation.

Roy let out a frustrated sigh before responding to the younger alchemist's question: "I stopped, Fullmetal, because I'm going to try one last time to talk some sense into you."

Ed rolled his eyes, "There's no use you stubborn bastard! If this is the only way to make sure my brother comes home safe, then so be it. I'm not just gonna sit around knowing that I could easily go and get him without a fight." he finished, glaring in Roy's direction.

"How do you know this is the only way to get Al back safe?! You don't Edward! Just reconsider what you're doing, you're going to regret it if these people kill you...you'll leave you're brother alone. How do you think he would handle living without you? Think about how you're feeling right now, do you want to subject Al to those same feelings?" Roy argued.

Roy continued to stare at Ed, not taking his eyes off of him for a moment as he impatiently waited for the blonde's inevitable comeback argument.

"I have to do this colonel...for my brother. I wouldn't be able to live knowing that I could have helped him, and didn't. That he died because I didn't listen to whoever the hell these people are!" Ed replied, on the verge of tears; fists shaking.

Roy hung his head, at a loss for words. He wasn't going to be able to sway Ed'd decision. His loyalty to Al was never-ending, and he was hellbent on getting him back no matter the cost. But being the stubborn man he naturally was, he wasn't going to stop trying. So the next words that left his mouth surprised even himself.

"If not for yourself, stay for me." he asked; at a barely audible whisper.

Ed turned his head and looked at the dark-haired man slightly wide-eyed; "what did you just say?"

He watched as Roy took a moment, as if trying to gain the confidence to repeat the words he had just barely whispered moments ago. But soon enough, he repeated himself, with more volume, "Stay for me. PleaseEd. I don't want you to do this. I care too much about you to let you walk into this trap so easily. Please, we'll get Al back. I swear to you! We'll do it our way, you don't have to surrender like this, this isn't you!" Roy pleaded with him.

Ed gritted his teeth; torn with what to do. He couldn't ignore Roy's pleading words now like he had earlier in the office, it wasn't as easy with just them two alone. Here was the man he cared about, desperately begging for him to stay with him, and stay safe. But he had his obligation to his brother, to keep him safe. Now conflicted, Ed clenched his fists in anger. He had to decide what he was going to do now, his brother could be dying, and he was wasting time here, reconsidering what he already thought he had decided on.

"DAMN IT ROY! Can't you see that I'm doing this for all of you?! By giving myself over to them I'm not only saving Al, but you and our friends as well! The only blood that needs to be shed is mine! I'm tough, I'll fight my way out of wherever they decide to keep me. And you'll see me again in no time. You know I'm resilient, give me some credit." Ed tried to comfort him.

But Ed could see the raging conflict in Roy's dark eyes as well. He knew that he was probably considering whether to simply restrain him from handing himself over, or to reluctantly let him go.

"Roy...I care about you too...that's why you have to let me do this. You know how much Alphonse means to me...I can't just sit back knowing I can save him right now."

"Ed..."

"Don't Roy. Don't make this harder on me than it already is..." Ed now begged.

"I can't just let you go now Ed...not after everything we've said..." Roy said, his fists now being clenched in his lap.

"You have to." was Ed's only response as he reached for the handle to open the door, but was stopped by Roy's firm grip.

"Edward, stay. Please. What if I never see you again?" he pleaded again.

"You and I both know neither of us would let that happen," he smiled weakly, trying to comfort the colonel, "so let me go Roy...let me go save my brother...I need you to stay here and wait for him to show up." he ordered quietly.

"I'm not letting you leave." he repeated more urgently.

"But you have to!" Ed yelled as he yanked his arm free from Mustang's grip and bolted from the car and down the street. Running as fast as his mismatched legs would carry him, he sprinted towards 271st street. He could hear Roy's heartbreaking yells, desperate and begging for him to return, but he couldn't turn back now, not after all of that. The exchange of emotions between himself and Roy clawed at Ed as he continued to run. So Roy Mustang did care about him. Who would have thought? Now he would have something to look forward to once he guaranteed Al's safety and got himself free from his soon-to-be captors' clutches.

It didn't take Ed long to reach his destination, and he slowed his pace down and stopped on the corner of the designated meeting place. He glanced over his shoulder and could still see the car where he had left Mustang. He was relieved that Roy had stayed put like he had asked; he needed Al to have someone to take care of him once he was handed over, after all, Ed didn't even know what type of condition his little brother could possibly be in.

He whipped back around upon hearing footsteps echoing from the nearby alley, and he braced himself for anything to happen; these people said they were going to hand Al over peacefully, but you never knew when a criminal would go back on their word.

"So you did show up?" a mocking voice from the alley said.

Chuckles could be heard from the same area as the man with the mocking voice stepped out into the light, followed by four other men at his heels.

"Boys, behold! The Fullmetal Alchemist stooped below his level to save his little baby brother. How touching. Look how high and mighty he is now!" the man with the mocking voice sneered; holding his hands out towards Ed, as if presenting him to a crowd.

"Where's Alphonse? You promised to give him back if I surrendered." Ed demanded.

"Calm down, we wouldn't want a little shrimp like you to get angry would we?" he taunted.

The rage of his size being made fun of began to rapidly build up inside of Ed's body, but he restrained himself, knowing he had to keep his cool right now; he couldn't lose his temper, it could cost him Al.

"Oh? What's this? I was told you hate people commenting on your puny size little alchemist. I admit, I'm a little disappointed that you didn't go on one of your crazy pissed-off rants." he smirked; tempting Ed to lose it.

"Give me Al. Now."

"You're not messing around are you alchemist? Fine, don't be fun. Boys!" the man snapped his fingers and two of the men departed from his side back into the alley.

Ed craned his neck, wondering if Al really was just around the corner; if he was, he could have simply just knocked all the goons out and ran off with Al, but unfortunately he couldn't do that now. He waited; hoping that he would see Al's face soon. Glaring at the three men across from him, he strained his ears for any sounds of struggling; but all he heard was the shuffling of some feet coming from the mysterious alleyway. And just when he thought he had been lied to, the two men returned, Al in hand. A cloth bag had been placed and tied loosely around Alphonse's head, and the men dragged him from beneath his arms, letting his feet drag nosily upon the cemented ground. His brother appeared to be thinner than normal, and he barely moved. Ed's heart raced with worry, what it Al wasn't okay? What if he was nearly dead? He clenched his fists tightly; eyebrows forming into a familiar scowl as he waited for the men to hand his brother over.

"Let him go already! You got what you wanted, so here I am!"

He watched the mocking-voice man nod his head towards the other two who held Al in their grip, and they ripped off the bag on Al's head. His eyes were closed, and his mouth hung slightly open. He looked paler than normal; he looked ill.

"Al?! Al?! Can you hear me?" Ed yelled from where he stood.

He waited, until Al finally stirred. His eyes fluttered open slowly, and he barely lifted his head, "B-brother...?" he responded weakly.

"Yeah! It's me Al! You're gonna be okay! You'll be safe soon!" Ed promised his little brother.

"I knew you'd come...I knew you'd come for me..." Al mustered to say before shutting his eyes once more and falling limp in the men's arms.

"Al? Hey, talk to me buddy!" Ed asked frantically; the scowl on his face disappearing and being replaced with fear. "What did you do to him?!"

"Me? Oh I didn't do anything," he chuckled, "now the boss on the other hand, well who knows what he did to your poor innocent brother?"

The scowl now returned to Ed's face, "let him go, now. And I'll go with you quietly." he snarled.

"You heard him boys, let him go."

The men did as they were told and dropped Al's still body to the ground. He landed with a soft thud, and Ed ran to him to be sure he didn't get further injured.

"You bastards! He is already weak! Why would you drop him?!"

"You said 'let him go.' Your words, not mine." he shrugged his shoulders as if nothing mattered.

Gritting his teeth, he leaned over to Al's ear, "I'll see you again soon Al, okay? Mustang will come pick you up once I'm gone, you're gonna be okay." he promised again.

"You ready yet little brat?"

"Yeah," Ed answered angrily, "let's go."

With another nod from the man with the annoying mocking voice, the same two men who held Al, grabbed Ed's arms to make sure he didn't try to make a run for it. Glaring at them, he followed when they tugged on his limbs. Beginning to walk back down the alley from which they came, Ed heard the sound of rubber boots running towards them. He groaned, knowing exactly who it was.

Roy ran straight around the corner into the alley where Ed was being taken.

"Release Fullmetal. And no one gets hurt." Roy commanded; fingers poised and ready to snap.

"YOU STUPID BASTARD! GET OUT OF HERE!" Ed warned him.

"Quiet Fullmetal." was his only response

"Well well well, if it isn't the flame alchemist. What a pleasant surprise." the man looked at Edward accusingly, "I thought we told you to come alone. Now we're gonna have to fix that aren't we?" he smiled devilishly.

Roy watched as the man conversed with Ed, his golden eyes widening as he continued to speak. He was done wasting precious time, and just as he was about to fry all five of the men surrounding Edward, the man who was the clear leader spoke:

"It was a pleasure to meet you colonel, but I'm afraid it's time to say goodbye."

"ROY! RUN!" Ed screamed.

But it was too late; Roy watched as one of the men swiftly pulled out a gun and aimed for his chest. He was too slow, and the bullet hit him. He fell to the ground, and the blood began to pour out of his body rapidly. His vision blurred as he watched Ed get dragged away from him screaming; crying.

The world around him spun and he managed to pull himself towards Al. He picked the younger boy up, and set his motionless body onto his lap. He pulled him close, making sure no more harm would come to him, and he slowly and reluctantly closed his eyes, allowing the darkness to swallow him up.

Author's note: I hope you enjoyed the cliff hanger! Stay tuned for the next chapter! As always, thanks for reading! I truly appreciate it, and it keeps me writing for you all. =)