Note: so here is the new chapter I hope you will enjoy it :)

Thank you for the reviews:

Alchemist of Steel: I think he will survive it;),

wishfulliving89: we agree on that :),

brz: he will be able to practice more ;),

orangevbnin: because I really think he isn't weak, but of course even the strongest can get into a lot of trouble and sometimes he/she also need some help…,

TailsMoon: yes, he has ;)

and dear someone:): I'm really glad to hear that.

I like reading the reviews very much:) And also big thanks to everybody who add this story to her/his favourites. I think that means that he/she likes it. :)

Pointless

Roy watched as Fullmetal just stared at his breakfast, as if it had been some kind of monster. Okay it was made by Hawkeye, which wasn't really a good sign, but come on, he have already eaten his share, and wasn't as bad as usually. And they would really be late if that damn brat remained that slow. And then the boy sneezed again. Of course he caught a cold, after the previous night's events. Roy just really hoped, because of the mission, that it wasn't something bad. He would strangle the kid if this mission lasted a minute longer than it was necessary because he became sick. The brat didn't say anything the whole morning, he wasn't even complaining, which was quite unusual. "So Fullmetal tell me the cover story" the boy just rolled his eyes.

"Why should I. You couldn't have forgotten, could you?"

"Of course not. But I want to be sure that you also know it. It was an order" he added as an afterthought. The brat rolled his eyes angrily, his face was bruised and he looked tired.

"Fine, you bastard. My name is Edward Piper and I'm a homeschooled student, who will join the class in the next term, so now I'm preparing for the exam, where they will measure my knowledge" he sounded really uninterested. "I lost my leg and arm in a train accident, and that's why I didn't go to school. My parents have a flower shop." He grimaced "Come on, couldn't you make up a less pitiful story? A flower shop?"

"We won't have a lot of costumers, but we won't be suspicious and can talk with Hughes and the others. They will come and buy some flowers. Just admit it Fullmetal, it's brilliant" the midget just sneezed again and rubbed his battered cheeks. "Only the headmaster and the librarian know the truth and no one else can find out. You understood?

"Yes I'm not imbecile you know."

" You could foul me sometimes" he snorted and continued before the boy could have jumped on him "Then come, It's time to go" Fullmetal stood up with surprisingly much difficulty and limped a bit as followed him and Hawkeye. Roy calmed himself down. The boy didn't have any life threatening injuries, neither a serious one, so he didn't need to worry that it would hinder the mission. "Oh, and Fullmetal! Any more injuries and I will burn you alive, understood?" the brat just sneezed and coughed angrily.

Edward was really annoyed. That stupid, lazy colonel said that he could work in a library. But the room he was in couldn't be called a real library. It was small, and the books… they were for babies! There wasn't any new information in any of them. And he was bored to death. It didn't help either that the stupid librarian watched him the whole time as if he was some murderer who wanted to kill with the books. Or worse, as if he wanted to destroy her precious books. During the brakes some student came in, but they looked at him warily and stayed as far from him as they could. He really didn't mind, he was never very social with children. But it wouldn't be bad to talk to someone. Ed sighed tiredly and rubbed his aching automail port. That stupid rain still didn't stop and his limbs were worse than before. And he also got some nasty bruises yesterday. His ribs hurt every time he coughed as well. And he coughed a lot; his throat became itchy because of it. He really didn't like being himself at the moment. And there was nothing that could distract him from the pain. He shut the book and stood up. He couldn't sit in the library any longer so he went out to the corridor. There were classes at the time so it was nearly empty. Only a middle-aged man was there who was dragging a huge box of equipments. Ed sat down on a bench and watched the mechanic finally reached his goal, one of the lamps, set up a ladder and started to fix it. The man sensed that someone was watching him and turned around to look at Edward. He raised his eyebrows questioningly. "Hey kiddo, are you cutting classes?" his voice was harsh, but friendly.

"I'm homeschooled, so I don't go to classes" the man turned back to the lamp.

"I see. Then why are you here?"

"To learn. I will join the others soon." The answer was only some grumbling, than a triumphant "Finally" and the man came down from the ladder and put away his equipments. Edward thought that their conversation was over, so looked away.

"Why do you want to join them?" he turned back to the man surprised. "Isn't it better without school?"

"It wasn't my choice" it was true "And besides, maybe it wouldn't be bad to be normal again." But it was of course impossible. The man looked at him interested.

"You seem to be a clever child" Edward nearly threw a tantrum at the child, but he had to stay calm. It wasn't the time to beat into anyone that he wasn't a child anymore. "Do you want to drink something at the buffet? You must rest a bit while learning" the man smiled for the first time and Edward already started to like him.

"Yes, thank you" so they went together into the school buffet, the mechanic dragged his box with himself. Ed wanted to help him, but the man dismissed him. "Is a tea okay for you?" he nodded "You should try out the lemon tea. It's really very tasty. I invite you for one" Edward started to protest, but in vain. The man came back with two mugs very soon. "And what's your name, kiddo? I'm Charles, by the way."

"I'm Edward." He answered as he was sipping his tea. The man watched his arm curiously.

"That's why you were homeschooled?" Ed nodded, while he tried to look sincere.

"Yes I had a train accident and lost one of my arms and legs."

"I'm really sorry."

"You don't need to. It was long time ago and now I'm used to the automail" the man nodded and drank his tea silently. He really wasn't the greatest company, when he wanted some distraction. Maybe he should continue reading.

"And are you excited about school? Friends? Homework?" Charles asked jokingly. "I won't deny it, I really hated school when I was around your age." Edward looked at him curiously.

"Really? I don't know. I really don't think that I could be normal with these" he raised his automail. "I don't think that many kids will want to be friends with me, because I'm different" it seemed very true when someone came into the library. Of course he won't have a chance to try out whether he could be normal. But maybe in the future, when Al got back his body…

"Never mind them. I wasn't very popular kid either and I grew up just fine. Kids can be really cruel if they want to, but you just mustn't pay attention to them."

"But that way, wasn't you lonely?" he thought about Al and Winry. They had grown up together and he couldn't imagine his childhood without them.

"Yes I was, but I got used to it. Now I really don't mind."

"And you don't have a friend?" the man looked irritated at that.

"I don't need one" Edward looked at him surprised.

"Nor you have a brother or sister?"

"No, I don't have. Look kid, I need to go now, I have to repair things in other schools as well. I will be here every Monday; we can drink a tea together next time too."

"I would like that. To be honest I'm a bit bored"

"I'm sure you are. I really hated learning too" Edward didn't correct him that his problem wasn't the studying. It would be really nice if he could talk to someone, even if only once a week. Of course it wasn't sure that he will be here till the next week. He hoped he won't. "Goodbye, Edward"

"Goodbye Charles" the man left, but Edward stayed there to finish his tea.

"Would you mind telling me what are you doing out of class, young man?" he turned around at the loud voice. A man came into the buffet. He was surely a teacher by his look and strict face. His glasses were gleaming intimidating and he looked like an aristocrat with his bow tie, suit and fussy face.

"I don't go to classes" he answered stolidly. The man had a high voice that really hurt his ears.

"Don't you dare talk back to me, young man. Of course you will go to classes. Are you a new student, I didn't see you before. What's your name and which class are you in? I will tell the headmaster about your cheek and you will get punishment. We don't tolerate any impudence in this school."

"As I sad before, I don't go to classes, I…" the man moved forward suddenly and grabbed his right ear.

"You will and any other voice and you will really regret it" Ed just glared at him angrily and tried to open his mouth to inform that imbecile about his position. But he only spoke two syllables when the man started to pull his ear harder. "I told you something, young man! Now give me your hand" he looked back at him confused so the man finally let his ear free but he got his flesh arm instead. "Held it before you" Edward really wasn't in a mood for games, but he didn't want more ruckus. Maybe when the man calmed down, he will have the chance to get free. He watched clueless when the man pulled out a ruler with his free arm, never let down his. And when he hit his fingers with it he winced violently and cried out with surprise. "What are you doing, you bastard?" he shouted angrily and the man hit again.

"You are a really misbehaving child, young man, but you will learn your place really soon" and he hit again. Edward was ready to jump on him and beat him into a pulp, when he heard an angry shout and someone shoved the aggressive teacher away.

"What are you doing with the boy?" demanded the man angrily. It was Charles. He looked murderous.

"It's not your business sir. I'm a teacher here. How dare you…?"

"Why did you hit him?" the mechanic looked ready to hit the man again.

"He was impudent and he didn't go to his classes. I must discipline him."

"Did you wait him to explain himself? He is a homeschooled student, of course he don't go to classes." Charles was still furious. "Are you okay, Edward?"

"Yes it wasn't a big deal. I could have handled it alone" the man smiled at him.

"Of course you would. I just forget my jacket here" he pointed at the mentioned item. "Now you should go to the headmaster" Edward nodded and he looked at the teacher who became silent finally even if only temporarily.

"Yes, I would like to hear the truth."
"That was the truth" Edward spat angrily than he left the buffet. He didn't really mind if the man was following him or not.

"I must apologize to you Edward. It was my fault because I didn't warn the teachers about you before you arrived. I wanted to do that later. It was the reason for the misunderstanding." Mr. Sheeper said with sincerity at least outwardly. But Ed didn't really like the headmaster. He always spoke with him as if he was a little child, and that was really infuriating.

"I don't care, just tell that asshole to stay away from me." The man flinched at that, but didn't dare to anger him more. He knew the truth about him, so he knew that he didn't have a choice. Ed didn't want to threat him with the colonel but he would if he didn't shut up. He already had a really bad headache and he was ready to burst. The headmaster had to see this, because he wisely nodded finally.

"Yes. Don't worry he won't trouble you more. But are you okay? You look flushed."

"Of course. I'm just really angry about this whole punishing thing. He didn't even listen to me, I tried to explain."

"Yes, well err, Mr. Smalt really a strict teacher, and he didn't like any cheek. I'm really sorry about his actions. I hope he didn't hurt you bad." Edward just sneered at that.
"He is nothing to really hurt me."

"I see. Than you can go now" Edward nodded and stormed out of the office. Man, he wanted to sleep. Immediately. He was really fed up with this day.

Roy watched Fullmetal thoughtfully. The brat was unusually quiet and looked really tired. Now he coughed besides the sneezing and he really didn't like the sound. Damn Fullmetal to always get into trouble. "Did anything happen, I should know, Fullmetal?" the midget shook his head and then just walked besides him silently. Something was off around the boy, he was sure. Fullmetal was always loud and never would miss a chance to call him bastard.

"So you are so small to stay out of everyone attention" the midget just glared at him really, but didn't answer. And now Roy was sure that they were in big trouble. Fullmetal would never let him alive after this kind of joke. He grabbed the boy's forehead suddenly, but the brat responded really violently and kicked his shin, hard. "Ouch, Fullmetal, I just wanted to make sure you don't have a fever. You are behaving really not like yourself."

"You really out of your mind" the midget snapped furious. "Just let me alone. I'm really not in the mood to play with you" Roy looked at him flabbergasted. Something was really wrong with the kid. Then he calmed himself down. Maybe he was just tired. His past days were long and the brat didn't sleep enough. Maybe he just had to cancel the dog walking today and let him rest. "And why are you here anyway? I'm a bait, am I not? So you should have left me to go home alone."

"Yes you will come home alone next time. Hawkeye just wanted to be sure you find our flat."

"I would find that easily!"

"Really?" he raised his eyebrows skeptically. He nearly saw the smoke coming out from Fullmetal's ears. "And you shouldn't be shouting. Someone could be watching us."

"Nobody is watching us. This whole mission is really pointless and I'm fed up with it. I should do more important things, like get back Al's body…"

"But you will finish this mission because you don't have a choice." The brat just scoffed at him.

"Yes you are really good at blackmailing people, ordering them around and suppress them. You will be a really good Fuhrer." Roy paled at that, this was really the opposite of his goals. How dare the brat…? Never mind, he was just a stupid kid. He didn't need to be concerned with him. The boy was an angry teenager who wanted to end this mission as soon as possible and Roy hoped the same. They had to cooperate even if Fullmetal denied this. He sighed moodily as he was watching the sulking boy. They needed Fullmetal for the success so he didn't really have a choice. He was a dog and the boy was agreed to be one as well. So he really didn't have to feel guilty, did he?

Once they arrived to the flat Edward rushed into his room. He really didn't want to see anybody at the moment and he was exhausted. He lay down onto the bed and tried to relax. It was hard. His nerves were frayed off because this whole ordeal. He wanted to go searching for the Stone. He wanted Al.

He dozed for a while and he woke up when Hawkeye shook his shoulder. "Edward, it's Alphonse on the phone" he sat up immediately and stormed into the bedroom of the two soldiers. He didn't even look at the Colonel who was sitting in the kitchen reading a book. He shut the door and grabbed the phone. "Al?" he sighed relieved when he heard the answer "Nii san. Are you okay?"

"Of course I am. And you? How do you know the number?"

"Hughes san gave me before I left. I'm talking from the station, so I don't know how much time I have. How the mission is going?"

"It's a disaster. Really pointless. I don't think that we can find the culprit like this. This city is too big; the chance that the man just bumped into us is really low. It can go on forever."

"But you didn't' get into any trouble, did you, nii san?" Edward flinched at that, he couldn't tell Al.

"Of course not. I'm the Fullmetal Alchemist after all, hahaha."

"Nii san." He heard Al sighed. "What happened?"

"Nothing, I just.. " he started to cough violently and couldn't finish the sentence.

"Nii san!" whined Al worriedly.

"I'm okay. I just caught a cold. It's nothing."

"How did you get a cold in this short time, nii san? I told you to wear warm clothes and…" "Al" Edward sighed exasperatedly "I'm okay. I was just out in the rain too long."

"In the rain? But you hate the rain, nii san! Your limbs always…."

"It's not a big deal!"

"So they hurt you badly." said Al in a know-it-all voice. Sometimes he could be really annoying. "Do you have injuries too, nii san?" Ed twitched at that. He really couldn't lie to his brother, so he sighed again and tried to calm down Al.

Roy watched amused as the brat stormed into the bedroom as if someone was chasing him when he heard that Al was on the phone. He was really fast and obeying if his brother was mentioned. Hawkeye murmured something about going to get some pasta and left him alone with Fullmetal who was still speaking on the phone. He stepped closer to the closed door and tried to hear what the two kids were talking about.

"...out in the rain too long" heard the midget said. He smirked. Al had to be hard on him because he got himself sick. "It's not a big deal!" shouted Fullmetal. He really didn't need to eavesdrop because he spoke so loudly. There was a pause then "Look Al, my job was to go out and I really couldn't say the Colonel Bastard that I don't want to go out because my limbs hurt like bitch when it's raining." Roy became petrified at that. He really hadn't thought about that. Sure the midget asked to let him skip because of the rain, but he didn't say anything about pain. "No he wouldn't understand… No he wouldn't. He really doesn't care… No he doesn't Al, believe me. He just wants the mission to succeed to get promotion." Did Fullmetal really thought about him that badly? Sure, he didn't give him too many reasons to trust him, but he helped him to get into the army. And he risked a lot for that. And he tried to help him many times as much as he could. He always tried to help his subordinates. All of them. And absolutely didn't want to hurt them. "I'm trying Al, but he… he is an asshole all the time. Always tease me, mock me and make fun of me. He never hears me out, or care about what I want. Yesterday I asked him not to send me out, but he only laughed at me and forced me out into the rain. Then after I got into some trouble his biggest problem was some stupid T-shirt!.... No of course it wasn't anything serious. Just some bruises. Don't worry…. She is okay, but she is the worst cook in the city…. I'm serious, Al. You must try out her meals, when you got your body back. It's awful." He heard that Fullmetal snorted in the room. They surely talked about Hawkeye. "And what you and Winry are doing?... Really? That sounds really nice… No it's okay… No, you can't. You must stay there… I will be okay, don't worry… No it's not that bad. Remember, I lived through much more worse before…Sure, don't worry… Al, please… "the kid sounded pleading. "I miss you too… " he nearly didn't hear that part, he had to get closer to the door. "It's fine… Goodbye, Al." Roy jumped from the door fast and sat to the table, took his book into his hands. Fullmetal came out not long after and went into his room without a word. He didn't even look at his way. As soon as the door closed Roy put down the book and grabbed his hair angrily. He was heedless. How could he miss something that important? Of course Fullmetal was grumpy. He was in pain and he made it worse. And he should have known. Roy knew some people with automail and they always complaining about the pain they feel during bad weather. How could he forget it? These kinds of mistakes could cause death and pain. What if the murderer had attacked the boy while he was vulnerable? Then not only the mission would have failed, but they would have also lost a great potential. And he would have caused the death of another boy, he added in his mind sourly. He shook his head. He had to think clearly. What should he do? Fullmetal needed some rest. He was in pain, he was exhausted and sick. The mission could wait one or two days until he get better. He couldn't risk more, if he wanted to solve the case without sacrificing one of his owns. And he really didn't want to. His job was to protect his men. And it didn't matter how small they were. He smirked as he imagined how Fullmetal would react if he had heard that. He would tear him apart, and he would really deserve it.

So this became the longest chapter of this story. I didn't want to cut it, because I felt like this whole belongs together. That's why I nearly couldn't finish it this week. To be more precise it took a lot of time to correct this into a form that I wasn't too ashamed to post:) I hope I didn't left too many mistakes in it:) So next week comes the new chappie. See you then:)