"Speaking"

Thoughts

Ed and Rayna sat in the dining car that night, he was going over one of the files and she was managing her money.

"If you need help purchasing something during our travels I'd be happy to help out." He said watching as she she read over her receipts and jotted down numbers.

"No, I'm just trying to see how much I spent on supplies, I like to keep track of my expenses just as I keep track of my appointments and everything." She explained, "and every once in a while I take my findings to a medical institution and they pay me."

"Kind of like my research funding?"
"Yes, and I never spend too much." She continued to explain. "I even prefer to make some medicines by hand, so I don't spend too much when I have to restock."

Ed nodded in understanding and the two ordered dinner.

"So why don't you hate your father for leaving you?" He asked.

"Because he would write and send me presents all the time before I moved to that small town." She explained, "he didn't want me to be hurt just because he was a State Alchemist, and no matter what I know that he loves me."

Ed wondered if anything she'd said applied to his own father, but he quickly dismissed the thought. His father was a bastard and nothing would ever change that. "Well, where we're going you'll find a lot of people who could use a good doctor." He said returning to reading the file.

"Did you know Hughes?" She asked and he nodded, "my dad was the same way." Ed was shocked that Roy had been a babbling idiot over his daughter.

"They arrived in Julian the next afternoon and quickly found lodging before going their separate ways. Rayna sought out the doctor, and managed to help him out a bit, he was difficult at first but once he found out who she was and saw the quality of her work he was more than happy for the assistance.

"Where have you been?" Ed asked looking as though he had been in a bar fight.
"I did a little work with the local doctor, and he paid me some in exchange for my hard work."

"Oh."
"Where have you been?" She asked trying not to burst into a fit of giggles at his appearance. Ed noticed how she was pressing her lips together and how the corners of her mouth kept twitching.

"The guy we had to apprehend didn't want to cooperate." Al explained since his brother had seemed to forget that Rayna had even asked a question.

"Oh, did you manage to complete your task?"
"Yes, he has been handed over to the military officials in this area, but we still have to do what we came here for and do the last job the Colonel sent with us." Since Ed was still incapable of speaking.

"Why did you two want to come here?" She asked pouring more tea.
"We've been looking for information on something it'd probably be better that we didn't tell you about." Al said.
Did you get hurt Ed? I'd be happy to fix you up again."

Ed suddenly came out of his trance and shook his head, "I'm just a little sore," he chuckled then placed his order with the waitress. Al declined any food, and both boys suddenly realized that Rayna was not privy to their current situation.

"What is it?" Rayna asked, her food had just arrived and she had just noticed the wary expression on Ed's face and how tense Al suddenly was.

"There's something you need to know about Al-" Ed began.
"You mean that he doesn't have a body and his soul is attached to that suit of armor?"
"H-how did you know ?" Al asked.
"I'm a doctor I notice these things, and I know that you had to have lost your body under terrible circumstances." She explained.

"I may have some information I'd be willing to share with you...for a price."
Ed recognized the look on her face as the same one Colonel Mustang got whenever he was winning, or being a smart ass. So she does act like father, though I will admit that grin looks hot on her. Ed thought to himself but out loud he said,

"Price?"

"Yep. It's valuable information that not even the military has the ability to find."
"Then how did you find it?" Al asked.

"Because I'm always willing to break the rules to get what I want." She said. While on this trip I may just accomplish my own goal. She thought to herself an evil looking smile appearing on her face, and confusing her companions.

"The price?" Al said interrupting her thoughts.

"I need to check on some things first, so we'll have to discus it later."
"What do you need to check on?" Ed asked. He was suspicious of her a little after seeing her smile like that.

"I have to make sure all of my facts are strait." She said smiling sweetly.

Ed couldn't argue with that, but he felt that he should keep an eye on her anyway. "We can discus it when we get on the road again." Ed said.

"I should be done going through my notes by then." She said ordering more food.

"You sure do eat a lot." Ed said with awe, he was referring to the fact that Rayna had eaten seven meals and three desserts.

"I have to keep my strength up, never know when food wont be so easy to get." She said avoiding the truth.
"That makes sense." Al said as they went their separate ways.
"Good night boys." She giggled before shutting the door to her room.

AN: I updated! Finally!

R&R :)