Author's note: Looks like I got this chapter out much faster than usual, I hope you all enjoy this! =) This went back to a more regular length chapter, and I hope everyone enjoys it! Thanks!

Rays of sun shone through Al's hospital room window. The day was still young, and time was working against him. His patience wore thin, as he tried to wait for Winry's arrival, and waited for any news of Ed.

Regardless of only having been hospitalized for not even a day, Al felt significantly better. All he needed was some food and water. Pride hadn't done him any psychical harm, but he wasn't so sure if his brother would be spared from such things. Ed was tough, but even he had his limits, and Alphonse was worried that he would end up reaching them in Pride's grasp. He shuddered even thinking of what could happen to Ed if he didn't make it out himself, or wasn't saved in time; so he averted his mind elsewhere. He thought of how much of a lecture he was going to give his hot headed brother once he was with him again. How reckless of him for simply walking willingly into the enemy's grasp. Did he know how dangerous it was? Al sighed, knowing he couldn't be mad at Ed for saving his life once again. A couple more days and he wouldn't even have been alive, and Ed wouldn't have had a brother to give himself up for.

The constant thinking was giving Al a headache, and he shut his eyes; attempting to avoid a worse headache. Eyes closed, he relied on his hearing now, and he heard voices out in the hall. They sounded welcoming and happy, and he wondered who it could be. Maybe it was someone's loved one who had just recovered from a serious injury, and a family was rejoicing, knowing that they were going to be okay. Or maybe it was a visitor, simply happy to see their best friend still pushing through the disease that should have claimed them weeks ago. Regardless of what the occasion was, the happy sounds brought joy to Alphonse. He began to drift into sleep, not aware that he had even been tired, until he heard footsteps in his room. He slowly opened his eyes and saw the most beautiful person he had ever seen in his life.

Winry.

"Winry! You're here!" Al said excitedly.

"Oh Al! I'm so happy you're okay!" she said, practically leaping into the younger Elric's arms.

"Of course I'm okay Winry, I had to be, for you and Ed." he smiled warmly.

She hugged him tightly, "I thought I lost you." she said softly into his ear.

"No, you won't ever lose me. Not like that."

"Al?"

"Winry?"

"Al I. I missed you so much. And when I thought I wasn't going to ever see you again, I regretted not ever telling you something."

"I love you too Winry." he said sweetly, pulling her into a tighter embrace.

"I love you Al." she whispered back, returning the loving squeeze.

Their perfect moment was cut short, when Winry pulled away, and looked at Al, "where's Ed?"

Surprise shot through him as he returned her gaze reluctantly, "they didn't tell you?"

She hesitated, a puzzled look on her face as she began to slowly pull away, "tell me what Al? Where's Ed?"

"He isn't here Winry...in order to save me, he had to give himself over to the people who took me. They didn't want me anyway, they only wanted me so they could get to brother."

"But. He's okay right?"

He sighed, "I don't know. Colonel Mustang organized a search party to look for Ed. We're hoping he can get himself out, but it doesn't seem likely."

"Oh. I see. He'll be alright though, he always is."

"Yeah, he'll be fine." he agreed as he hugged her again, trying to reassure her just as much as himself. "Did Pinako come too?"

"No, she told me that she knew she would see you two soon, so there was no need for her to travel all the way to Central." she smiled jokingly.

"Oh Pinako." he laughed.

"However, guess who showed up at out house minutes before I left to come see you?"

"Who?" he asked cautiously.

"Mei." she smiled again.

"Really? Is she here with you?" he inquired excitedly.

"She should be here somewhere," she giggled, "but I couldn't tell you where. You know how she is, very independent, likes to explore. She did tell me that she would come visit you after you and I had some, as she put it, 'alone time'."

Al blushed, "well wasn't that thoughtful of her.

"Alphonse, you're adorable when you get all embarrassed." she stated as she slowly leaned in and kissed his lips.

"Oh I forgot just how much I missed you." he managed between soft kisses.

Their closeness was interrupted when Al heard someone clear their throat from within his hospital room.

"Sorry to interrupt you two lovebirds." Hughes smirked.

It was Winry's turn to be embarrassed as Al watched her face flush red as she pulled away, but still held onto his hand as she sat herself on the edge of the bed.

"Hello Mr. Hughes, how are you doing?" Winry asked.

"I'm alright, just a bit tired, thanks for asking Winry." he smiled.

"Have you found anything new out about where Ed could be?" Al asked quietly.

He watched as the brightness from Hughes' green eyes dimmed as the question was asked, "we've scoured what seems like the whole city, and we haven't found any leads yet. I'm sorry Al. We're working hard. In fact, we were working through the night, so I'm going home right now to get a few hours of sleep, but then I'll be back soon to look some more."

"Thanks for working so hard. Be sure you get some good sleep."

"Will do Al, see you later. And don't worry, Riza, Breda, Armstrong, and Havoc are still out there looking."

He nodded, and then Hughes left him and Winry without another word, leaving the pair alone again. Al's light brown eyes turned to Winry's vibrant blue ones, and he could do nothing but smile. "You know, I missed you to. My beautiful blonde girl."

"Oh stop it Alphonse! You know I don't like being called that!" she raised her voice, half serious, half teasingly.

She leaned in to kiss him again, but once again, they were interrupted by another person. This time, he looked and saw Mei standing in the doorway, a little taller than when he last saw her. But other than that, the same. Her hair was still braided, and she still bore the same red and pink clothing. And Xiao Mei was still perched upon her small shoulder.

"Alphonse! Oh Alphonse how are you feeling?!" she greeted him worriedly.

"I'm doing good Mei." he smiled reassuringly.

"I'm glad! I've missed you! I couldn't believe it when Winry told me what happened, I'm so happy you're safe."

"Me too. How has life in Xing been treating you?"

"Good, my clan is getting along well with Ling's. And the philosopher stone is being put to good use."

"I'm glad to hear it," he paused, tilting his head questioningly, "so what made you come all the way back to Amestris so soon anyway Mei?"

"I wanted to see how everyone was recovering from last time. I also wanted to see Mr. Scar, but the scary miss Armstrong said he was out doing some sort of mission." she giggled.

"Does this mean you'll be staying with us for awhile?"

"I think so!" she beamed, "so where's Edward? I would like to see him too! Now that he got you home safe and sound like I knew he would!"

"Uh, Mei...he saved me. But. In order to save me, he had to give himself over to the people who took me. They really wanted him, I was just a tool for them to use to lure brother in."

"Who took you?! Or, him?" she asked appalled and surprised.

He waited a moment, not wanting to voice the truth aloud again, "...Pride. He survived."

A look of horror plastered itself on the young Xingeese girl's face, "everyone is looking for him though right?"

"Yes, right now they are. Colonel Mustang organized a search party. But he can't join them because he got shot trying to save Ed and me from Pride's goons. So currently, he is down the hall healing. He nearly died. But he should be okay in a few weeks or months, we can't be sure how long it will take."

"Alphonse...why do they want Ed?"

"I don't know...revenge probably." Al sighed.

"So he's been captive...somewhere...for a day now?"

"Just about. We hope to find him soon...who knows what Pride has planned for him...so we can't risk taking a long time to save him.

"Oh Alphonse! I'm so sorry! I'll do anything I can to help find your brother!" she vowed as she ran up and hugged Al.

Al hugged Mei back, thankful to have such wonderful friends in his life. Winry looked upon the embrace with admiration, she understood the true meaning of friendship, and she cherished all the ones she had made; Alphonse knew this because she had told him. He smiled back at her as he continued to hug Mei, grateful that she wasn't the jealous type of girlfriend.

"Thanks for being such a good friend Mei."

"Of course Alphonse! Always!"

Ed's breathing was labored. The wounds inflicted upon him by Pride were finally taking their toll. And the price was high. The stench of blood and sweat filled his nose as he continued to muster all the strength he could spare to try and break himself free of the straps that held him down. But it didn't work. It hadn't worked since he had woken up here. Tears of despair began to fill his golden eyes. Eyes that only a day before were filled with bright, fiery, determination, were now dull and lifeless. Worn from loss and defeat. Hope slowly drained from Ed's being as the time passed; each minute becoming more challenging and painful than the next.

When Pride had finally stopped his torture techniques, he had said he needed a break because Ed wasn't screaming to his satisfaction. Pride sickened Ed, what type of person, or monster did you have to be to want to hear another human scream in agony?

The sedatives were gradually wearing off, and along with a clearer head, came more pain. Ed couldn't understand how the sedatives he was given had also numbed some of the pain of the knives and various tools Pride had used to batter his body, but he wasn't going to complain.

His mind once again decided to remind him of Roy. The man he lost. One of the few people that he truly cared about; died trying to save him. Ed could feel his heart breaking, the thought of Roy not existing was unbearable, unthinkable. What would he do if he miraculously made it out of here alive? What then? He couldn't go in living a normal life without the dark haired man being a present part of it. He couldn't. The worst part was, even though they both had somewhat admitted their feelings for one another, Ed hadn't fully told the truth. He loved Roy. He didn't know when, or how he figured it out, but now, he just knew. He regretted not kissing the older man goodbye, regretted not telling him the full extent of how he truly felt. Somewhere along the way, loathing and annoyance had turned into respect and caring. It had turned into love. His heart ached, knowing that this time, Roy wasn't going to be here to save him from Pride's clutches.

"Ahhhh Edward. Deep in thought are we?" Pride's chilling voice echoed throughout the room where Ed was being held. "Are you ready to get back to our fun?"

"Go to hell you sick bastard." Ed hissed.

"Now now, we don't want to use language like that. Come now, we'll have even more fun this time. I'm certain I can make you scream in torturous agony, and then, I'll have you begging me to kill you." he chuckled.

"I'd like to see you try."

"A challenge eh? I think I shall take it dearest Edward." he said as he slowly slunk towards the table where he lay tied down, "Oh and Edward," he began again, leaning in close to Ed, "let's keep the escape attempts to a minimum shall we?"

And just like that, Pride re-inserted the same sharp knife back into Ed's side; directly between his ribs. The pain was nearly unbearable, ripping into the same fresh wound again. But Es wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of crying out in pain, no, instead, he gritted his teeth, barely holding back the sounds that Pride desperately craved.

Ed could see the surprised anger in the evil man's face, he managed a weak smirk, "what's wrong Pride? Am I too quiet for you? I thought you were gonna make me scream and beg for my death. Guess that's not working out for you is it."

"Quiet you!"

"Oh? Did I upset you?" he continued to taunt, "you're angry cause of that ugly dot on your forehead aren't you? Some people just can't help being hideou-"

"Shut-up you little maggot!" he screeched as he impaled Ed's right leg with a hot iron.

The shock and unpreparedness of the blow caused a deep gasp to escape Edward's chest.

"Damn you.." he grunted.

"I'm sorry, did that hurt?"

"Like hell, but I've been through worse." Ed responded, determined not to sound weak.

"I'll just have to make it hurt more next time then won't I?"

"Hey Pride, why are you so grown up anyway? You were a child when I left you, thinking it was only Selim left."

"If I knew the exact answer Elric, I would oblige to your question; however, I do not even know myself. But obviously, you did not eradicate all the darkness from my mind, soul, and body. Otherwise, we wouldn't be here right now."

"And what about your accelerated growth?" Ed asked again, hoping to distract the man from ripping into his flesh again.

"Ahhhh, that. I have concluded that for all the years I didn't mature, I am gaining them now. At a much faster rate or course. I predict that I have but a few years left to live. But they will not be in vain, I will have killed you before my time is up." he chuckled, an evil glint appeared in his eye, "After all, why wouldn't I want revenge upon the one who took away my all powerful alchemy? You stole what was most precious to me Edward Elric, and now, you pay the price. But you know all about equivalent exchange don't you?" he smirked devilishly.

"So you'll be old and weak soon, good to know. You just wanna kill me and get it out of the way."

"I see what you're doing boy, and it won't work!" he exclaimed, branding Ed with the iron once more.

Gritting his teeth once more, he held back the urge to react with agonizing screams.

"How much more of this do you really think you can take? You'll die soon from blood loss, or simply from a wound that caused too much damage to an important organ. Face it blondie, you're a goner. You're going to die here. You won't ever see a friendly face again."

Ed prayed he was wrong. Even though he didn't firmly believe in a higher power, he prayed, hoping someone, anyone, would answer his prayer. He needed to be rescued, he couldn't do this alone. If someone didn't come soon, Pride would be right. He would die alone here, and every effort in his life would become a waste; every death that occurred because of him would be for nothing, and Ed desperately didn't want that to happen.

Author's Note: Please leave reviews and comments. I really enjoy hearing feedback, it may just be my favorite thing about this! Thank you so much for everyone's continued support, it is truly appreciated.