Hellooooooo! We've reached chapter 16! And my god, I'm uploading like, a month after my last update! I'm kinda proud of myself, hahhh.

Thanks to all my lovely, lovely readers, reviewers, watchers, favoriters, and creepers! Hahah

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA, as per usual. I also don't own "Fire and Ice." That belongs to Robert Frost.

*Once again, unbetaed. I think I may be beta-less... I suppose I'll be okay...*

Here we go!

Chapter 16: Waiting For This Dream To Pass

"Hey, Allie...wake up."

"Eh? Wha? Who's...?"

"It's me. Get up, class is over!"

"Eughh..."

Alice slowly sat up, reaching up and stretching before grabbing her bag and standing. Emily stood beside her desk, books in hand, an irritated look on her face.

"You must have been having a good dream," Emily said, watching as Alice scooped up her notebook, the two of them heading for the classroom door, "You were drooling."

"What? Why didn't you tell me sooner? Geez..." Alice muttered, quickly wiping off her mouth with her sleeve. Emily laughed, adjusting her books.

"Well? Was it a good dream?" The girl asked, walking up to her locker and opening it. Alice leaned against the one next to it, biting her lip.

"Uh...I dunno actually. I don't remember all of it...I do remember that there was this hot guy...and a suit of armor...and...you were there? Oh! There was this tea party in this really pretty garden. And there was another hot guy in the garden with me. Can you believe it? Two hot guys in one dream!"

"Really, Alice? Hahhh. And a tea party? Did you read Alice in Wonderland last hour or something?" Asked Emily, raising an eyebrow as she pulled on her coat and shut her locker. Alice shrugged, shoving her notebook in her bag and pulling out her keys.

"Nah. I've never even read that book. I dunno, it was a weird dream...and it was realllyyyy long. Like, unbelieveably long. Just how long was I out?"

"Well..." Emily said slowly, leading the way as the two girls headed for the parking lot, "I think you feel asleep during the French Revolution, which was about twenty minutes into class. So you were asleep for like, forty minutes. It probably just seemed long."

"Yeah, I guess." Alice replied, unlocking her car and climbing in. Emily slid into the passenger seat, fiddling with the radio as soon as Alice started the car.

Alice adjusted her seatbelt, leaning forward and waiting for an opening in the flow of cars. There were quite a few of them and she had just leaned back in her seat when she caught a flash of yellow walking towards her car. She leaned forward again, squinting a bit to make out the persons face. She gasped loudly when she recognized them.

"Holy shit! Emmy! Emmy, look!" Alice exclaimed, smacking Emily's arm until the girl looked out the window.

"What?" She asked, looking around and yanking her arm away.

"Over there! That guy with the blonde hair! He's one of the hot guys from my dream!"

"What?" Emily yelped, looking at Alice in surprise. "You didn't tell me the hot guys from your dream were people at school!"

"They aren't!"

"Wait...what? Then who's that?"

"I don't know...all I know is that he's the guy I saw most. I'm pretty sure he pushed me off a wall at one point..."

"What the hell?" Emily asked, giving Alice a look.

"I dunno! ...I'm gonna go talk to him."

"What? Allie! Alice! Get back here!"

It was too late, though. Alice was already out of the car, keys in hand, heading for the man with the long blonde hair.

"Excuse me!" She called once she was close enough, "Hey! Guy with the long hair! Hey! Are you deaf or something?"

Alice stopped in front of the man, her hands on her hips. He looked up but didn't seem to see her. He just gave a sad smile, his eyes focused on something beyond her.

"I'm sorry."

"What?" Alice spun around, afraid that her car was suddenly going to explode or that there was a car accident she hadn't noticed. But nothing happened. So she turned back to the man, angry that he had tricked her.

"Just what do you think you're doing? Who are you?"

"I should have looked for you first. You're better now...but you still won't wake up. Are you mad at me Allie? Is that why you're still asleep?"

"Excuse...me?" Alice's eyebrows furrowed together, completely at a lost as to why this guy was saying these things or what he was looking at. Or how he knew her name.

"It's been a week now. I'm really...worried Allie. Won't you wake up?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Alice exclaimed in frustration, glaring at the blonde. "I'm wide awake! And how do you know my name?"

The man just smiled at her, closing his eyes and...fading away.

"...What the fuck just happened?" Alice muttered, staring at the spot the man had been occupying in confusion. The loud blaring of a horn made her jump; turning she found that she was blocking an angry seniors path. Giving an embarrassed wave, Alice hurried back to her own car.

"What was that all about?" Emily asked, watching as Alice buckled up and started the car.

"I honestly don't know. Let's just go home..."

~X~

Edward let out a soft sigh, slumping down in the chair he was occupying. His eyes were currently watching the rooms other occupant, a teenage girl who was fast asleep in the hospital bed. Well, not exactly asleep. More like in a mild coma.

Alice had been like this for almost a week, with no signs of waking up. And Edward was a bit scared.

They had made it in time to keep that bastard Henry from delivering the fatal blow, and while Alice had been injured, a lot of the wounds had been shallow. The only real problem was the stab wound.

The alchemist bit his lip. He had come in here every day, staying as long as he could. Occasionally he would talk to her, to see if he would get a reaction. About an hour before, Ed was sure he had seen her move a bit when he spoke to her, but now he wasn't sure.

"Brother? I think you should get some rest."

Ed looked up to find Al standing in the door way, frowning a bit as he shifted his eyes back to Alice.

"They'll call us if she wakes up, you know."

"I know that." Ed muttered.

"You really should take a break, Brother. Besides, Colonel Mustang just called. He says that they know how Henry did what he did."

"And?"

"He wouldn't tell me over the phone."

"Damn. Well, I guess we'd better go see Mustang."

.

.

.

"Alright Colonel Useless. How'd he do it?"

"Excuse me?" Roy Mustang looked up from his paperwork (which he wasn't doing) to find Edward standing in front of him.

"Henry. Al said that you found out how he tricked Allie," the blonde said, resting his hands on Mustang's desk.

"Oh, right. Yes we did," Mustang answered, shoving his paperwork out of the way and pulling a folder out of his desk.

"For starters, he uses both Amestrian alchemy and Xingese alchemy. He claims to have studied in Xing for five years."

"What does him studying in Xing have to do with this?" Ed interrupted, raising an eyebrow.

"Hold your horses, Fullmetal. I'm getting there." Roy replied, glaring at the blonde before looking back down at the folder. "The Xingese tend to use their alchemy for medical purposes. Their alchemy has a lot to do with the body and it's energy flow. As far as we can tell, Mr. Sutton used a type of neurological alchemy to control his victims brainwaves. This means he could easily control what they see, what they feel, and what they remember.

"We won't know exactly how he used his alchemy until Alice wakes up but we know that he liked to trick young women into trusting them and then cutting them up for fun. He killed at least eight others before he got to Alice."

"How exactly did he do that?" Al asked, "How do you control someones brainwaves with alchemy?"

"Well," Roy said, placing the folder down and looking up at the Elric brothers, "Mr. Sutton described the process to us. He had alchemic circles on the palms of his hands. He says that by touching someone, he can send signals through these circles and into the nervous system. He has to be touching the victim constantly at first to get it to work but eventually he can let go and still control them."

"Is Henry still controlling Allie? Is that why she hasn't woken up yet?" Edward asked, straightening up.

"We don't know. Henry won't say." Roy replied, folding his hands on the desk. "His charges may lead to execution. We may have to wait until then to find out."

"What?" Edward cried, leaning forward again. "Are you fucking kidding? I'm not waiting for the bastard to be excuted! Let me talk to him."

"No."

"Let me talk to him!"

"I said no, Fullmetal."

"Why?" Ed asked in anger. Roy narrowed his eyes in return.

"We don't want him controlling you, Fullmetal. That would just make everything harder."

"You have to let me talk to him! If he still has a hold on Allie, maybe I can convince him to let her go!"

"Doubtful."

"Let me talk to him!"

"Fulmetal, I said-"

"Please!"

Roy froze, as did everyone else in the room. After all, it wasn't everyday that Edward Elric said please. Roy stared at the blonde with wide eyes for a few moments before looking away, thinking. The whole office was silent, waiting for the Colonel's answer.

"...Fine. But only for five minutes!" Mustang said finally, huffing in defeat. Edward's face broke into a grin.

"That's all the time I need."

~X~

"Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I've tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish- Argh, screw this. I hate poetry!" Alice exclaimed, smacking her English book in frustration. What were her teachers thinking, assigning all this poetry on a weekend? Alice gave a sigh, her head falling to rest on her book.

Suddenly her phone started going off and she reached over to grab it. Lifting her head, she dropped it on her book, tapping the screen to open the text message.

From: Emmy

You still havent told me about that dude from school. Spill. Now.

Recieved: 7:23 P.M.

Alice rolled her eyes, quickly sending a message saying that there wasn't anything for her to "spill." Emily thought otherwise.

From: Emmy

Thats a lie. That has to be a lie. Look, if we go shopping tomorrow and I buy us coffee, will you tell me?

Recieved: 7:26 P.M.

...

To: Emmy

While I appreciate the coffee, theres nothing for me to tell!

Sent: 7:27 P.M.

...

From: Emmy

There has to be something

Recieved: 7:29 P.M.

...

To: Emmy

There isnt, I promise

Sent: 7:30 P.M.

...

From: Emmy

There has to be. Cuz he's standing outside your house right now.

Recieved: 7:31 P.M.

Alice leapt out of her chair, hurrying over to her window and pushing the curtains back. Sure enough, the blonde boy from the parking lot was standing on her front lawn, staring up at her window. Alice backpeddled, grabbing her phone and calling Emily.

"See?" Her friend cried as she picked up, "He's outside your house!"

"I noticed! Why the hell is he out there? How'd you know he was out there? What do I do?"

"One thing at a time Allie! I dunno why he's out there, my mom saw him on her way home, and dunno, maybe CALL THE POLICE?"

"But... he hasn't done anything yet. Maybe I should go to talk to him."

"Are you crazy? 'Maybe I should go talk to him.' That's what people say before they get MURDERED."

"No it's not! Stop making things up! Geez. Look, I'm just gonna run out there real quick, ask what he's doing and ask him to leave. If he refuses, I'll call the police."

"This doesn't sound safe, Alice! Just call the police and lock your doors or something."

"No, no. I'll be fine. I'm sure he's just lost...or something. I'll call you back, 'kay?"

"...Fine. You better call me back! Don't get murdered!"

"Yeah, yeah. Bye."

Alice hung up, shoving her phone in her pocket and heading downstairs. She stopped at the front door, her hand on the doorknob. Maybe Emily was right? Alice was home alone after all... She should probably just call the police. But there was something about the blonde that was...familiar. She couldn't put her finger on it, but it was there.

Taking a deep breath, Alice pushed open the door and crossed the porch, waiting for the male to notice her. Once again, he seemed to be staring at something only he could see. Maybe he was some escaped mental patient? Alice was really beginning to regret going outside when the blonde finally looked at her. His golden eyes flashed in the dim light, widening slightly when he saw her.

"Can I...help you?" She asked, moving closer. His eyes followed her as she walked, making the hair on the back her of neck stand up. This was far too creepy for Alice's liking.

"Hello? Anyone home?" Alice waved her hand in front of his face, unsure if his eyes following it was good or bad. His eyes went back to her face when she stopped waving and he spoke.

"Alice? Do you realize what's going on right now?"

"Uh...what? What do you mean by that?"

"I mean...do you realize you're in a coma right now?"

Alice raised an eyebrow, a bit worried. This guy couldn't be entirely sane; standing out here with him probably wasn't safe.

"Look Edward, I don't know what your going on about but-" Alice stopped, her eyes widening. Edward? That name was awfully familiar, but it couldn't be this mans name. No way! So why had she said it?

"You remember my name! That's good!" 'Edward' said, smiling. He was so cute when he smiled!

Wait, what? Where had that come from? And how on earth was his name actually Edward? Alice shook her head slightly, trying to clear it.

"Look, " she said, determined to end this before it got any weirder. "I have to go. Could you kindly remove yourself from my lawn?"

Edward's smile dimmed and Alice felt like her heart was breaking. He had to go, now!

"Alright...I'll come see you tomorrow, Allie."

Alice reached out for no reason at all as he walked away and she slapped her own hand in irritation. If that man really did show up the next day, she may just call the cops!

~X~

"I'm not going to be here long, so if you don't answer right away, you'll regret it." Edward said, slamming down into a metal chair. Henry sat across from him on the other side of the table, smiling.

"That all depends on what you're asking, good sir. But I'll answer to the best of my ability."

Ed's eyes narrowed, his fists clentching.

"Look, I know what you did to Alice. All I'm asking is for you to release her. It won't be hard, she's already beginning to pull away. But you have to let her go."

"I would if I could...but you see, I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because I already have."

"What?" Ed asked, leaning back in surprise.

"I've already released Miss Allie. The only reason she hasn't woken up is because her mind hasn't let her."

"B-but...what? She spoke in her sleep yesterday. I thought that meant she was fighting you!"

"More like fighting herself. Is that all you wanted? For me to let her go?"

"...Yes." Ed sighed and got up. If Henry wasn't holding her captive, he wasn't needed anymore.

A few soldiers walked past him to collect the young killer, leaving Edward alone in the hallway.

If Alice was fighting herself...what was he supposed to do?

OTZ

I don't really like the ending of this chapter...And I really hope Ed doesn't seem OOC...It's hard to write him in situations like this.

I wasn't planning on making the Henry Arc last this long. It was only suppose to last like, two chapters. Now it's going to last for at least one more...

I hope the explanation of Henrys neurologic alchemy made sense. I honestly have no clue if something like this would work. But considering that alchemy is a dead science (Calm yourselves, I'm only speaking logically), I don't think it matters.

BTW, that Robert Frost poem? It's pretty great. If you've never read "Fire and Ice", go look it up. And look up his other stuff too.

So, I'm 10 reviews away from reaching 100! Any chance you lovely people could help me reach that? And exceed that? I'd offer some sort of prize for being the 100th reviewer, but with ACTs coming up, I wouldn't get to it till like, next year. (Not even kidding, I'm a bad procrastinator) How about I give you a shoutout? Yes, that works.

So please review!

Until next time!

Fun Fact: The word 'fuck' started out as an acronym in England that stood for Fornication Under Consent of the King. Just thought I'd share that ;3