Edward paced the entire length of the Fuhrer's private car like a trapped animal, chain smoking. Finally he wandered off alone. Nobody followed knowing he didn't want company. But several hours later Al began to worry and went to find him.

He found Edward in the dining car hidden behind a cloud of smoke. An ash tray sat on the table in front of him, filled. Next to it was a bottle of whiskey, empty.

It was strange to see Edward out of uniform without his pocket watch, which Al had noticed was missing while his brother paced the private car. But he still looked every inch the General; the General that didn't want to be bothered. Actually, he looked dangerous, like he would explode into violence at the slightest provocation.

Al knew Edward drank and smoked for years. He also knew that Edward had cut down drastically after marrying Elysia. Al hated to see him fall back into his old habits. Of course it was understandable but he hoped Edward was strong enough not to need a crutch. But Elysia had been his strength, his rock and she was gone. Edward would be lost if he couldn't get her back.

Al approached cautiously, feeling like he was coming upon a wounded animal that still had the strength to bite back. He sat down across from his brother. He didn't want to provoke Edward and hoped he wasn't as volatile as he looked.

"How's the food?" Al asked.

"I wouldn't know," Edward said petulantly.

"When was the last time you ate or slept?"

"I've had more important things on my mind."

"It's not going to help any if you're weak and not thinking straight."

"Just leave me alone, Al."

"I can't, Edward. I know you're scared and worried..."

"You don't know anything," Edward said glaring at Al, trying to keep him in focus. "I'm more than just scared and worried." He got up from the table and left the dining car.

Al sighed getting up to follow him back to the private car. Edward went straight for the mini bar and poured himself a drink, watching Al, daring his younger brother to stop him. Al ignored him and sat down next to Havoc.

It was silent but for the sound of a bottle hitting the edge of a glass as Edward worked his way through a second bottle. Finally he broke the silence.

"Why didn't you just ask her?"

Everyone turned to look at Edward. He was glaring down at Havoc angrily. "Were you trying to spare my feelings?"

"Edward!" Al said, astonished. "Don't take this out on him either..."

"Don't worry, Al," Havoc interrupted. "I've been dealing with him for almost twenty years." He wasn't angry. He was understanding and patient. "I did so to spare Rebecca's feelings. Not only are we going to look for Elysia and your son, we're also chasing after two homunculi. I wasn't going to leave her with a broken promise."

Edward turned away and looked over at Lin. Al could see he was trying to pick a fight. Edward was upset and had every right to be but Al was getting tired of his behavior now. For a grown man he was going off the deep end and it would cloud his judgment making it likely he'd do something without thinking it through first. It was the reason Al had gone along.

"It's your fault," Edward slurred walking over to the Emperor, a full glass in his hand. "You and that miserable excuse of a Fuhrer…"

"Ed," Al said getting up and stepping in front of his brother. "It's pointless to lay blame."

Edward ignored him, pushing him aside as he went over to where Lin sat, the contents of his glass spilling. The Emperor looked prepared for whatever Edward had to dish out but Al wasn't going to let it happen. He looked to Havoc for help but the Brigadier General was clearly on Edward's side at the moment.

"I want to know what you and Mustang plan to do," Edward said. "What are you going to do if I get Elysia and Richard back? Are you going to step down, relinquish power after what you did? And what are you going to do if I don't?"

"I don't know," Lin said quietly, looking at Edward sadly.

"We're going to get them back," Al interrupted, grabbing hold of Edward's arm and pulling him back.

"You don't know that, Al," Edward said turning on his brother, shaking off his hand. He threw his glass at the mini bar, shattering several bottles and glasses. "We're all rushing off to Briggs like great heroes and for all we know we're probably too late!"

Grabbing hold of Edward again Al pulled back harder. Edward stumbled backwards but went along as Al dragged him to one of the bedrooms. Shutting the door behind him he pushed Edward to sit on the bed.

"Get some sleep," Al instructed, "and when you wake up you're going to eat something."

"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Edward slurred trying to get up but Al pushed him back down.

"I don't want to fight you but I will," Al warned. "Now lie down and go to sleep. This is not helping."

Edward's stubborn will broke. "Al, I can't. The dreams will come back..."

Al could not remain angry any longer. "Edward," he said taking his brother by the shoulders. "I promise you we'll get Elysia and Richard back." Edward nodded and Al gently eased him down and lifted his legs onto the bed. He didn't complain or resist, too exhausted and drunk to do anything else. After removing his shoes Al sat next to his brother and watched over him until he fell asleep.


Elysia didn't care if Richard ever got the chance to see for himself that Edward would be there for him. In fact, she didn't care if she even saw Edward again. She was too angry with him for being so tasteless to have named their daughter after a woman that bore him a child. She didn't care if she liked the name at the time, she just wondered if it was too late to change it. She was angry with the real Erika for keeping such a big secret. Elysia knew she was being mean, petty and selfish but there was too much time to think and there wasn't much around to keep her distracted as she and Richard continued to sit in silence. Both had stopped talking too each other, lost in their thoughts... and anger. She hated Russell for finding Richard; for disrupting her happy, sheltered life. She almost found herself wishing Richard had never been born; that she should have been the only one to give Edward a child.

She knew she wasn't thinking straight; that if news of Richard had come during different circumstances she'd be a lot more understanding. But understanding was a foreign concept as she lay on the hard floor of the truck, aching, tired, hungry and scared. After being stuck in the dark truck for several hours, wallowing in confused, complicated emotions she was beyond feeling hopeless, helpless and useless. She gave up wondering if Edward would ever find out what had happened to her and that it was all Russell's doing; that all he would know was she was missing, her art supplies left in the park. She didn't know if Russell had left any clue to what had happened. She was no longer capable of feeling anything anymore... except... she missed her daughter. Thinking of Erika made her think of Edward and she couldn't stay angry with him, especially when she thought she may never see him again. She wanted to cry again but she didn't have the energy to.

As she was drifting off to sleep she heard a moan. She sat up and looked over at Richard who was already fast asleep. He was still and quiet. She heard it again and realized it was coming from the unconscious man. She crawled over to him as he reached up to touch his head. His eyes were still closed and Elysia dripped water into his mouth.

"Thank you," he whispered gratefully. "More please."

Richard stirred and woke up. He looked over at Elysia. "He's awake?"

"Yeah," Elysia answered. "Will you help me lift him so he can get more to drink?"

Richard nodded and got up. He helped ease the man onto Elysia's knees and carefully tipped the jug of water to the man's dried lips, slowly pouring enough for him to drink without drowning him. When he seemed to have his fill he put his hand over the top of the jug. Elysia and Richard gave him a few minutes to orient himself.

"Where am I?" He finally asked.

"A truck," Elysia said.

"Truck?" He sounded confused. "Where are we going?"

"We don't know."

"Russell!" The man flinched from his sudden movement. "Where's my brother?"

"Russell is your brother?"

"Yes."

"Did he do this to you?" Elysia stared at the man astonished. She knew Russell was a jerk but to do this to his own brother…

"I think so. Where is he?"

"We haven't seen him for a while. What's your name?"

"Fletcher."

"Fletcher, I'm Elysia and this is Richard. Do you know what Russell wants with us?"

"No," he said weakly. What little strength he had was quickly waning from talking so much. "I know it's not good. I saw him tied up at Russell's," Fletcher weakly lifted his hand to point at Richard. "I thought it was Ed but Al said he was alright. I thought I imagined it. But I went back to check on Russell but he left for Central so I followed and saw what he did to you…," this time he looked at Elysia. "I got away and warned Al…"

Elysia felt her heart leap. "You told Al?"

"Yes."

She felt tears blur her vision. "Then he would tell Ed." Edward could be following after us now, Elysia thought not feeling so hopeless.

"I'm sure he would," Fletcher said looking like he would pass out soon. "But I didn't get a chance to explain. I don't know if Al understood…" His eyes fluttered.

Elysia wouldn't let this disappointing bit of news crush her hopes. "What were you able to tell him?"

Fletcher opened his eyes briefly then closed them again. "I think I said he has your brother's wife…" and he passed out.

That should be enough, Elysia thought with relief. Al should be able to figure that out and call Ed to see if it was true. But what if he didn't? She felt the hopeless feeling creeping back in on her. What if he didn't understand the message? No, she pushed the doubts away. He would check, he would call Ed and he's out there trying to find me...I mean us… She looked back at Richard. She didn't know if Edward knew but he would find out eventually.