Dear Reader,

So this took me a long time to write. And I'm just so tired...Ahhhhh. It feels good to finish a chapter after struggling with it for so long. I love that yall review so frequently now! it really is giving me strength! Oh, and while I wrote this chapter, I listened to almost every song from that old 80's show Jem...Lol, remember that show? JEM SHE"S TRULY OUTRAGEOUS! LOL...Ya, so I hope this chapter turns out okay. Not that much stuff happens, and it was actually supposed to be a bit longer, but I just wanted to draw it out some more. Make yall burn for more! Lol, okay, I'll shut up now.

- Ramona F.

p.s- it's 5:28

The One or The Other?

" Those poor boys. I didn't know their home was gone too." Maria Ross murmured as she stared with wide, blue eyes at the remains of the Elric brother's childhood, which stood out in the rich colors of Resembool.

Needless to say, Winry had been a bit surprised when she had returned home from the cemetery that day to find none other than Second Lieutenant Maria Ross smiling on her doors step, while Marta had Sergeant Denny Brosh pinned to the ground as her limbs circled around his body. Winry had been even more shocked to see her librarian friend, Sheska, who had been running around in circles like a chicken with it's head missing, screaming about aliens and how she should have listened to her mother about getting involved with the military.

Apparently, Sheska the nerdy librarian bookworm, was in some sort of trouble, and trying to escape to a place she thought no one would come to find her. Ross and Brosh had run into the librarian on the train to Resembool. The two where currently looking for the Elric's. Which hadn't surprised Winry. Almost everyone that came to Resembool nowadays was either searching for the brothers, with them, or in hiding because of them.

What had surprised her, was why the two officers had come to seek them out.

It made her feel slightly nauseous.

" You said the military is after them now. What are they accused of?" Winry asked Ross, her brows pulling together. She couldn't stop her heart from beating crazily at the ideas of Edward in danger. Even if she knew he was clever and could take care of himself...She couldn't help it. The worry and panic was rising out of control inside of her as she awaited the woman's answer.

The woman continued to stare at the skeletal remains of the house, as if in a trance.

Winry had always liked Maria. She really seemed to care about the boys, and was almost motherly towards them. She had never before met an officer who showed so much emotion.

" All that we know is that an emergency bulletin was sent out. The fuhrer has ordered that he wants the Fullmetal Alchemist and his brother captured. Even killed if that's what it takes. Saying to even implicate in some kind of major offense against the military in Lior." Brosh answered for his partner, turning to give Winry a worried expression.

Winry and Sheska gasped, and she felt Marta stiffen.

" Knew this would happen...You can't trust the damned military." She hissed.

Winry frowned. " Oh man...What are they up to know?" she said to herself, trying her best to ignore the snake chimera and the the of dread rising in her throat.

What if Ed was killed?

She felt her body grow cold just from the thought. She rubbed her bracelet, trying to comfort herself. Feeling the smooth silver that Edward had made for her calmed her down a little, but her heart still ached dully in her chest. She had already lost so many people in her life...She couldn't handle loosing the Elric's. She didn't know what she would do.

" A friend of ours is a communications officer. He told us that a special search team is being organized under General Hakuro's command. And they'll come here. It's safe to assume the local police have been told to find them as well." Ross said, breaking from her trance and turning to give the mechanic a sad look.

Winry's heart fell in her chest, and she could feel Marta tense even further beside her, as Sheska trembled.

" The military is coming here?" Marta asked sharply.

Brosh jumped slightly, still afraid of the woman for threatenign him.

" I-in the even that the Elric's do come here, then yes." Maria confirmed.

Marta's plump lips turned into a cruel, secretive smile, and she stared into space.

" Let them come...I'll protect the Elric's and Winry with my life." She proclaimed hotly.

Winry smiled slightly at her new friend, but couldn't help her mind from spinning out of control.

So...The boys are on their way home?

Winry highly doubted that. They where looking for the stone, and she knew nothing would get in the way of that. Not even her...

She watched as Brosh's face turned sly as he looked at his partner, a smile claiming his face, " Next thing I know Lieutenant here says we're take'n a vacation." he turned his head up to the sky and smiled even further, " I thought she was romancing me."

Winry cocked her head to the side. She had never really seen the two as a couple...Brosh was too much of a baby, and Maria was too pretty for him. But she could tell the poor guy had a crush on her. She smiled for a moment, slightly forgetting her worry.

Ross frowned and sighed, closing her eyes.

" I thought you'd be happy to get out of the city for once."

Brosh frowned and pouted. " I can't believe you did all this to give information to a wanted criminal."

Winry's eyes widened. Wanted criminal? Edward?

Winry just couldn't put two and two together. Edward was too heroic to be a bad guy...

Ross turned angry and growled at the Second Lieutenant who jumped in fear of his partners wrath, " What are you saying? Regardless of what the fuhrer says I know those two aren't traitors." she looked away from him, and back to the burned home of the boys she spoke of. " And I'll do whatever I can to help them..."

Brosh help up his hands in surrender. " Okay okay!"

Winry smiled softly. She really did like Maria Ross.

But another worry filled over her. She wasn't sure if the Elric's would indeed return home or not.

" I appreciate that, but I'm not sure if their coming back here or not..."

After all, why would they? She though to herself miserably, They're out searching for the Philosophers stone.

She watched as Maria's shoulders softened, and the older woman turned to give Winry a knowing look. " I'm sure they'll come back. They may nit have a house with four walls, but this place is still their home. I know that." She smiled wider, " And besides, your here."

Winry smiled as she blushed, and her pulse quickened. One half of her heart was already screaming for Edward. While the other half yearned for someone else...

She tried. Winry really did.

But images of his eyes flooded into her mind and she fought her hardest to fight them away.

" I can remember a time when no railroads led to this place."

Winry jumped slightly along with everyone else ( Except Marta) and turned to see Hohenhiem sitting against the charred tree. His face was down cast, and Wintry was proud to say she recognized his posture he used when in deep thought. She was glad for the distraction he brought, and Envy's eyes disappeared, retreating once more to the back of her mind. But she knew they would return. They always did.

He continued, " There wasn't so much as a single dirt road connecting this tiny little village to the eastern frontier," he pointed ahead and Winry turned, following his hand.

The hill they where standing on ended led to a mountain, coming to a river that spread out into three different ways, surrounded by a thick forest.

" To get to the east, you had to traverse to that mountain. Relying on the river to get you there." He explained.

Her blue eyes widened and she smiled, childhood memories flooding back to her mind, "" I know that stream. We used to play there a lot as kids," She saw herself and Alphonse dipping their feet into the tiny river and giggling when Edward fell in slightly. She remembered throwing stones with them and playing house. Her memories turned sour when she recalled begging the boys to play with her after their mother died, but they refused, not even glancing at her as they kept their noses in stupid alchemy books. She frowned at the memory, then realization hit her, and her eyes brightened. " I get it, Ed and Al will have to take that way to get here..." She smiled brightly and looked to Hohenhiem, " Thanks for the tip old man!"

She hardly heard him say " Old man?" as she grabbed both Marta and Sheska, fully determined.

If the boys where coming, well she wasn't just going to sit there and do nothing!

" Let's go!" She declared.

" W-what!" Sheska stuttered.

As she ran with the two girls, Winry called over her shoulder to the two officers. " You guys wait here!"

" If the search party gets here I'll try to stall them, okay?" She heard Maria shout.

" Thanks!" Winry called over her shoulder, making her way down the hill quickly with a struggling Sheska. Thankfully, Marta was no scardy cat, and she quickly followed with a grin on her face.

As they made their way back to the house, she could tell Marta was growing confused.

" Hey kid, aren't we going to go meet up with Ed and Al?" She asked, coming up along side her.

Winry shook her head. " We need wheels. They're probably almost here and if we leave on foot we won't be able to reach them."

She saw Marta smile widely from the corner of her eye.

" What did you have in mind?" The snake chimera asked.

Winry was beginning to like her more and more everyday.

" Just something I fixed up not too long ago." Winry smiled darkly, a glint to her eye. But then she frowned. " I think you should stay here, since there's bound to be a few state dogs chasing after them."

She heard the snake hiss. " No way. You and glasses here could get hurt."

Winry smiled and shook her head.

" We'll be fine. Ed and Al will be there. Really Marta. Stay and protect Granny."

She watched as the snake glared into the distance, then sigh, closing her eyes.

" Fine kid. But you get yourself killed and I'll kill you."

Winry shook her head and couldn't help but smile at the snake's sense of humor.

Her legs burned, and she suddenly wished for Envy's speed. Her heart fluttered as she recalled him picking her up in his strong, capable arms and running like the wind itself. The thought made her feel bubbly, and she found new strength to push herself faster. Soon Marta had to catch up with her, and Winry smiled. She knew she was fast. Sheska on the other hand, was not. She was tripping over herself and falling on her face, trying to keep up with the two blonds.

Once they made it to the house, Winry took a minute to catch her breath, then headed straight for the large garage, mainly holding large shipments and equipment. She turned on the large florescent lights, and marveled for a moment at the glistening machinery. She shook her head, trying to focus, and made her way to the large, tarp covered mass nearest to the large garage door.

With a smirk, Winry pulled off the tarp, and heard Sheska yelp in surprise.

" W-what is that thing?" The librarian asked, voice trembling along with her scrawny body.

Winry smiled at her glorious creation, then turned back to look at the weak kneed librarian. Winry sighed. The girl really was hopeless.

" I dunno...But it looks fast." Marta smirked.

Lust watched the station from the alley. She was sure she had just seen Pride board. He was easy to spot, one just had to look for the giant cluster of soldiers walking all at once. A dark smile played on her dark lips. He really didn't need the protection. But, she mused, he was only playing his part.

Lust found it was pretty easy to go A wall after all.

" Where are you taking me?"

She sighed, blowing her feathered bangs from her face as she did. The tall woman turned around, placing her hands on her curvacious hips. The Ishbalan was glaring at her, and she hissed at his maddening ungratefulness. She had had enough of his complaints.

" I already told you, I'm taking you somewhere to get fixed." She hissed at the complaining man, then turned her attention back to watching for the train to finally leave, so she could relax a little.

" I do not need your help, woman."

If he wasn't bleeding so badly, Lust was sure she would had stabbed the pig.

Why she hadn't already, she wasn't sure. But if he continued to insult her...She didn't know what she would do. So for now, she just closed her eyes and counted to ten, trying to will her ever increasing anger and annoyance away.

" Why didn't you let me die?" He demanded.

Yes, why didn't I?

The beautiful sin had made her decision, soon after she had told the man good bye. Truth be told...She had no idea why she saved him. Her body had had a mind of it's own. And Lust was never one to make good quick decisions. She had pulled him from the jaws of life when he was about to fall on the marking for the transmutation circle. Lust had dragged him away to safety, while the giant man was unconscious. She made it to the edge of the city, about to make a clear escape, when that pompous man Archer found them. She hadn't meant to...But she had killed a soldier, causing him to fall on one of the lines for the circle, and had ended up causing the action anyway.

The stone had been created.

And here she was, still a homunculus, trying to save a man who clearly hated her, when she could possibly be human.

At first Lust had no idea where to go. She couldn't go to a hospital. Scar was a criminal. And she had no records, nothing. No money. She didn't exist. She no longer had a home- if calling a secret mansion hidden underground a home- and she definitely couldn't go to back Central. Too risky. Scar was well known there, and if she where to run into Pride again...She knew it would be bad. For both her and the bleeding man. So, she had run out of options.

But walking through a desert without any rest gives a girl time to think.

And it was during her long walk that she remembered her blond mechanic friend.

She recalled that Winry lived in Resembool, which was practically in the middle of nowhere, and the last place the other humunculie would go to search for her. Which they would, if Gluttony whined enough, and if Dante suspected her rebellion. She hoped the others would catch on, and decide to join along with her.

If anyone was to help her, she was sure it would be Winry. Lust had a feeling the girl would ask questions about Envy...But that was something Lust knew she had to face. She hadn't thought she would ever meet the girl again, but she was sure she could continue the lie of him hating her if need be. Thinking about Envy now, Lust realized something.

She hadn't seen or heard from the sin since she had promised to keep an eye on Winry.

Which really worried Lust.

Had something happened to the fool? Had Dante found out about him letting Winry escape?

Her insides twisted at the thought of Envy, who seemed so untouchable, being in danger. He was the first homunculus, after all. Dante found great use for him and his skill, so she wouldn't just get rid of him...Would she?

Lust didn't know. But she was going to find out. Right after she got Scar fixed. She would contact Sloth. Who she also hadn't heard from in a while...

What's going on?

From behind her she heard a cough come from Scar.

Lust's momentary panic subsided as she blurred back into reality, trying to push all thoughts from her mind. Now wasn't the time to panic from conclusions. The sin needed to focus on keeping them both safe.

Lust closed her eyes and tried to conjure up peaceful thoughts. Unfortunately, the first image she got was of Scar. His profile, looking out the door way of that small house in Lior. Just before she had saved the man...Which didn't make her feel peaceful at all.

She couldn't help the flutter in her stomach when she was around the red eyed man.

He had leaned on her the entire time during the desert, and she had taken the time to really relish in his chiseled body, carved features, manly warmth, and deliciously dark and musky smell. Lust was having a hard time keeping her attention straight when she spoke to him, and the bottoms of her hands began to sweat when they where too close and he was looking at her directly. She thought this was ridiculous. Lust certainty had spoken to men before. She had been with tons of men before! It was one of her jobs to lure alchemists into creating the Philosophers stone, the planter of ideas. She used her body like an art, her sinful seduction was almost too much for any mortal man to withstand. She could look into the face of a beautiful man and control herself, seeing him as nothing but a man. So why did this man...The one human male who wasn't attracted to her...Make her like this? She felt like a helpless human woman sick with a love that would never be returned to her. She felt clumsy and unsure. Vulnerable and ugly. Lust didn't know what was coming over her...

She came to the conclusion that Pride had jinxed her.

" Are you going to stare all day, demon?"

Her eyes blinked rapidly as Scar's voice broke her train of thought.

Lust hadn't realized she had turned back around to stare at him.

But now that she was aware, she couldn't help but get a little pissed at his newest name for her.

So far the ungrateful Ishbalan had called her; Homunculus, witch, creature, thing, damned, corpse, abomination, and now the newest addition to her ever growing list; demon.

She scowled at the man at her feet. He defiantly was in no condition to make her angry.

" Need I remind you, human, that I saved your life. The least you could do is be a bit grateful to the demon who threw away everything to save some man." She curled her fingers into fists as she glared at him, eyes never leaving his.

When he didn't respond and only frowned deeper, she huffed and looked about herself.

" The train doesn't arrive until high noon, so in the mean time, I'll have to try and stop your bleeding..." she murmured to herself as she looked around for something she could use. Lust had never taken care of someone before, but she had seen Sloth do it countless times. She figured getting one or two bullets out would be too challenging...

" No, you will not." He growled.

" Why don;t you let me help you?" She hissed.

" because I do not need the help from an abomination like you."

She winced, his words burning her. She shook it off quickly and frowned at the man.

He was now staring sadly at his legs, his eyes swimming with a sorrow she had never seen before. He hadn't even looked that sad when he spoke to her about his brother.

" I should be dead." He whispered.

Never had she met a human like him...Anyone, like him.

" You would do that? Die so quickly?" She asked softly. She would never give up so easily.

He let out a bitter laugh.

" This body was meant to die in Lior. That was Ishbala's plan."

Lust let out an unhappy sigh and decided to ignore him. She was growing sick and tired of his philosophical views. One of his many flaws. Along with his ungrateful nature.

Once he's healed, I'll kill him myself if he keeps that up.

She needed to go and find a first aid kit of some kind, but she couldn't leave him. She was afraid the stupid man might run, or, in his suicidal state, throw himself in front of a train or something. So, Lust looked about herself hopelessly.

A child walked by, holding a few newspapers.

Her eyes lit up as an idea stirred in her mind.

" Little boy?" She called in her silk smooth voice.

" What are you trying, witch?" Scar asked.

She let out a little groan of impatience, but didn't let it show on her face as the little boy happily skipped up to her, blushing slightly. " Would you like a paper Ma'am?" He asked.

She bent over, smiling as kindly as she could, and came eye level with the child.

" No, but I know something else I would love." She purred.

His eyebrow raised. She pointed over her shoulder with her long finger.

" My friend hurt himself and I need to fix him. Can you go and borrow a First Aid kit for me?" She asked sweetly, trying not to sound like she was a child molester.

Lust watched as the human boys face thought about this, peering over her shoulder to take a look at Scar, and his eyes turning into the size of saucers when he saw that mans eyes.

" Don't mind his eyes. He hurt them. That's what I need to fix."

That was the dumbest lie she had ever told, but she hoped it would work...

The little boy smiled. " Okay! I'll be right back!"

Lust smirked as he dashed off, leaving her to hopefully get what she needed.

Lust smiled softly at the boys retreating form. She liked children.

Maybe someday if she found a way to turn human she could have some of her own...

Lust smiled as she imagined herself having a baby. She most definitely wanted a girl. She would look just her, with black hair and sweet big, violet eyes. She would take her to ballet classes and tell her stories before tucking her in at night. The idea made her feel warm inside. But who would she have the child with? Would she find a man to love her, and that she truly loved back?

Lust frowned, thinking of what she would have to do to get pregnant in the first place. She was particularly picky when it came to men. She found most of them to be ignorant, useless ass holes who caged women into cleaning, cooking, and basically running their pathetic lives for them. They almost always just wanted sex, and never thought about the girls feelings.

No...She would never succumb to a heartless man. But she did want a child...

Lust decided it would be quick and painless. She would just get it done and over with.

But with who?

" What the hell do you think you are doing?"

She jolted from surprise as Scar yelled harshly. She turned back to the man, frowning at him automatically. " Well, I thought I was going to stop you from bleeding to death. If you don't mind."

" Hn. I do not need help from the likes of you, devil." he grunted as he tried to stand.

The stubborn man only came crashing back down.

Lust went down in a crouch, locking eyes with the man, seeing if he was hurt. They heatedly exchanged looks for a few moments, until Lust heard little footsteps drawing closer. She looked up and saw the little boy, breathing heavily, holding out a large white box. She smiled up at him and took it in her hands.

" Thank you. Now...You may want to look away while I do this, kid." She instructed as she went to work, opening the white box and then glaring at Scar, who was still intensely glaring at her.

She sighed in frustration.

" Look. I'm going to have to clean your wounds. You could get an infection, and your going to bleed to death if I don't. So, stop being such a pain in the ass and hold still."

His eyes narrowed. " Why would a demon such as yourself bother helping me?"

She had honestly been asking herself the same thing, but decided not to answer.

Lust leaned forward and, using her claws, ripped open his shirt, seeing as how he couldn't. Her cheeks heated up at the sight of his bare chest, and she quickly did a count on his stomach muscles that where now taunt under his beautiful tanned skin.

Defiantly a six pack.

His muscles twitched under her glare, and she saw him get goose bumps. She was suddenly delighted in the way his skin moved under her eyes...She could smell his scent rolling off him and fogging her senses...

She cleared her throat and used her years of self control to mask her true feelings, instead giving herself an air of indifference. Which was pretty hard, considering she could practically feel his body heat coming off of him and warming her skin. She had to refrain from snuggling up to the irresistible Ishbalan and smelling him like she had when he had been half unconscious. She knew he wouldn't hesitate to try and get her off, which would only result in him opening his wounds.

So now, Lust focused on the bullet holes decorating his chest, that somehow added to his rugged good looks. She noted now that he had been shot many times before this, because some of the holes where closed up, or old. She wrinkled her nose. Some still had the bullets in them.

Making her thumb and index fingers into claws, she went for the biggest, freshest hole, which was currently pouring blood down his side, she paused when she was just outside the threshold to his gaping wound.

Because he didn't have any hands, there was no way he could stop her painful actions. She felt bad for a second, wondering if she should have asked the child to get some whiskey...

" Do it already, demon." He hissed, his hot breath slightly blowing her bangs and making her feel woozy from the close proximity she hadn't noticed until then. The only thing that stopped her from blushing was the realization that he had insulted her.

Again.

He grunted as she dug her fingers in him, searching for the bullet while trying not to cause him too much pain. She stared at his face as she did, taking in his expression. His face wasn't twisted with agony as she though it would be, but rather calm. Only his eyebrows twitched now and then, and his full lips where turned down into a bigger scowl than usual. But the sin couldn't help but notice how his lips trembled as she grabbed onto the bullet, and as she slowly dragged the ball out from his still bleeding flesh, his eyes opened to lock with hers.

She felt electricity pop in the mere five inches separating them.

This was the first time he had actually looked at her. The first time he had seen Lust. Not the memory of his brother's- and his- fallen love.

His eyes went from pain filled to confused as she felt her eyes shift colors painfully. His eyes tightened and his stare intensified.

Lust looked down at the wound, no longer able to keep his gaze, and realized just how far her fingers where in him. She quickly pulled out the bullet, and held the bloody thing up to her face. His thick, red blood ran down her fingers, the smell muffling his entirely, giving her a moment of clarity.

She glanced back down at his slightly trembling chest.

Her black lips pulled into a smirk.

" Congratulations. Only twelve more to go."

Sheska screamed bloody murder in Winry's ear. The mechanic winced, and grit her teeth.

" Shut up!" Winry snapped over the librarian's impossibly loud screams.

Which was pointless, because she was so terribly loud that not even the sound of the strange vehicle they where ridding could drown it out.

" AAAAAAAAH! Are y-you sure y-you have this-AHHHH!" The brunette screamed even louder as her grip on Winry's waist turned from uncomfortable to unbearable.

Winry frowned and narrowed her eyes, focusing on the path ahead.

Trees swirled past the two, turning into nothing but a green and brown blur. Winry leaned forward on her makeshift contraption, pushing the poor train-like motorcycle as fast as it could go. Which was impossibly fast. She thrilled in the feeling it gave her, making her feel unstoppable and giving her an edge. She scanned the quickly moving horizon for the brothers, not sure how she would spot them while moving so quickly.

Sheska screamed even louder as they made their way through a patch of bushes.

" STOP SCREAMING!" Winry shouted as they hit a rather large patch of dirt, causing it to explode with a giant bang as they emerged from the bush and surrounding them in a dirt cloud. Winry closed her eyes tightly.

" AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Sheska wailed.

" I PROMISE I HAVE IT UNDER CONTROL!" The mechanic screamed.

The dust cleared, and finally Winry could see.

Only to come across a small military group. One she, unfortunately, recognized. She had briefly met them when she had returned from being missing. She had actually awoken in the soldiers infirmary in Central, where she had to get some stitches from cuts she didn't even remember receiving. She remembered meeting Riza and the others, but never had the pleasure of meeting Roy Mustang, the man Edward always spoke so poorly of. She had only seen him once, and that was briefly. What she had gathered from the man was he was slightly narcissistic...But that was about it. But now as she looked into his large black eyes, only seconds away from running into him, she concluded that now would be the best time to meet the man.

Riza Hawkeye quickly jumped into action, going down on one knee and holding her beloved firearm before her, shooting the delicate "train-cycle" with skill.

Winry felt the contraption quiver beneath her from the contact of one, small bullet.

Oh no...That's not good!

Time seemed to slow down as the entire object broke apart, sending bits of metal and bolts flying everywhere. Winry flailed around in the air for a second, while Sheska continued to hold onto her waist for dear life like she was some soft of life preserver. They came crashing to the ground with a horrible thud, painfully falling on the fallen train-cycle.

Winry slowly brought herself into a sitting position, rubbing her head slowly.

" Ow..." she whined.

" Winry Rockbell?"

She jumped slightly and looked up to see the mahogany eyes of Hawkeye looking down at her.

Winry sweat dropped and shyly smiled. " Well hello there...Fancy meeting you here!"

Hawkeye's stare was unchanging, and she simply blinked in response.

She got up quickly, bringing a still zonked out Sheska attached to her waist along with her. She itched the back of her head. " Well! Now we'll just be on our way! We were just going for a little ride!"

She turned stiffly to flee, but her wrist was grabbed by Hawkeye.

" Sorry but your going to have to come with us."

Winry gulped.

She suddenly regretted leaving Marta at home. The tough snake woman could defiantly handle herself in this situation. Winry could hardly keep her hands gripped on the train-cycle! She doubted she could handle herself in a situation like this. She was nothing but a scrawny, ditzy mechanic! She couldn't do anything...

And the look in Riza Hawkeye's eye's where confirming her weakness. They where the eyes of yet another strong woman she admired. A woman who would never let someone grab onto her like she was nothing. Like she was just some weak little girl who couldn't handle herself. And Winry hated feeling that way. She wanted to be like Lust and Marta. Fully capable of fending for herself when the time called for it.

Why couldn't she be like them?

Why? Why the hell am I so weak!

Winry made her hands into fists.

Envy's amethyst eyes flashing into her mind, giving her strength. Now there was a person who definitely wouldn't let himself be pushed around. He wouldn't even let anyone touch him, let alone tell him what to do. He was strong. Powerful. He had no weaknesses. Both he and Edward could handle themselves in a fight without even trying...She'd seen them both protect her...Fighting off monsters and mad men...Going to great lengths to protect someone that couldn't even defend themselves. Couldn't even break out of another woman's grasp.

Winry willed them to lend their strength to her.

Envy's eyes bored into her soul, causing her blood to boil.

" Let go of me." She said hotly, using her anger at her lost love to fuel her.

Hawkeye stiffened a bit, but frowned and made her grip harder.

After all that time being in the custody of Envy, Hawkeye's hold on the girl felt like nothing. Envy was one hundred times stronger than the military woman, and Winry easily broke away from her grip, earning a surprised gasp from the startled lieutenant.

Winry smirked, but her smile faded when she felt a shadow looming over her shoulder.

" U-um W-W-inry...?" Sheska stammered, still hooked onto her waist.

Slowly, Winry looked over her shoulder, only to yelp in surprise.

Armstrong was shirtless and currently flexing his muscles in her face, his bicep only an inch away from her.

" Such strength in your beautiful blue eyes! But behold! Something far superior in both strength and beauty!" He boomed in his deep voice.

Winry, Sheska, and Hawkeye all sweat dropped at the still posing man.

During her confusion, Winry hardly felt roped being slipped onto her wrists, being knotted very tightly. She jumped and looked down, only to meet the black eyes of Coronal Roy Mustang. His was kneeling before her, and his face was just a little too close to her chest for comfort. She frowned and tried to pull away, but the ropes where already tied. Winry winced as the rope cut into her frail skin.

" Sorry about this, but we need your help." He said in his smooth, dark voice as he rose to his feet.

Winry glared at the man. She could already tell she didn't like him.

" Our help? H-how a-are we g-going t-to help?" Sheska whimpered, still hooked around Winry's waist.

Roy smirked and locked eyes with Winry. She felt herself bristle like a spooked cat, ready to leap and scratch off his damned smug face! Almost as quickly as it came, he lost his smirk, and turned his gaze down to the quaking librarian.

" By being bait for the Elric's of coarse." He said as he turned away and began giving orders to his subordinates, who stood erectly at attention to the overly smug man.

For some reason when she looked at the man, she felt angry. Uneasiness flooded through her, and she could help but struggle against the dark haired Coronal. Like he had done something to her. And she could help but feel that he felt almost the same way at her. He avoided making direct eye contact with her after the first time.

They began walking through the forest in a thick silence, the only sound being their footsteps. Winry and Sheska's hands where attached to a rope Hawkeye held, and Winry lost the strength she had momentarily possessed to fight back.

She glared daggers into Coronal Mustangs back, feeling a strange hatred bubble inside of her.

Winry felt it strange, to dislike someone so much, after only having met them once.

She couldn't contain a smirk as she looked at the insanity of it all.

Here she was, hating a man she had just met, and hating him so...When she had been kidnapped by a creature far more dangerous than any man she could ever encounter. And she had almost instantly accepted him.

The mechanics mind wandered loosely, and she couldn't hold back her memories any longer.

She missed him so much.

Missed his soft smile, delicate and capable hands. His dark, spicy smell that she associated to lilacs, cinnamon and licorice. She had almost forgotten the sound of his voice...

And Winry couldn't help but wonder...Does he ever think of me like this?

Her eyes welled with tears at her conclusion.

" I'm home!"

Envy bristled slightly, jolting from the sound of Dante's voice and having been awakened from another horrible memory. He shivered as he felt Dante walk slowly toward him, could feel her cold skin already. He tensed, ready for her to make impact. He stiffened as he recognized two pairs of foots steps.

A baby began to cry.

A baby?

Envy's body went cold as he felt Dante's hand on his cheek, and all thoughts of why there could possibly be an infant in the room flew from his fogged mind. Needless to say, Envy was slowly slipping away. He wasn't sure just how long he had been there, but he felt so...Tired. So dead...He could hardly even feel Dante. Envy couldn't even smell her stench, that's how weak he was.

She shifted above him, moving her lips very close to his ear.

" Miss me?" She whispered.

He couldn't respond. Could only lie still, like a corpse, as she rubbed her disgusting hands up his body. He felt her cold hand brush his tattoo, and he grit his teeth.

The baby continued to cry.

What the hell?

" I've been thinking..." She said and she ran her fingers through his long hair. He wanted to rip her fingers off for touching him where Winry had always touched. His fingers twitched as his sensed slowly became alive after being numb in the glowing room.

" I'm not going to take your love's body after all..." She said as she kissed his neck.

He hissed at the gesture and tried to thrash. She began to nibble at him in response.

Envy burned to kill her. He wished to rip her tongue out of her grotesque mouth.

But his hears perked up at what the bitch had told him.

She wouldn't take Winry?

" I've found another body...One I'm sure Edward will love even more after his Winry is gone."

Envy was now even more confused. What the hell was Dante talking about? After she was gone? But hadn't she just said she was going to let her live?

As he was pondering this, a woman stood into his line of view. He glanced up at her, and his body stiffened once again. His eyes went wide and his throat got thick.

Staring down at him with hazed, purple eyes was the girl he had met a while back. The kind girl in Lior, the one who had given him advice. But she seemed different to him now...Her face was blank. Void of all or any emotion whatsoever. Envy clearly remembered the smile that had once filled her dark eyes. But now he saw nothing. She was nothing, he noticed now. Nothing but a blank, mindless shell. Dante's doing, no doubt. He never knew how, but sometimes when she had chosen a victim and they didn't seem to be just right for the witch, she would...Brainwash them. Keep them close for a few days and change them. It always sickened Envy, the way the girls blindly followed orders that led to their demise. Now he felt even sicker, because now it was someone he knew. And now that he had emotions besides anger and jealously...He didn't like the idea of Dante taking Rose's body either. To him, it was almost as bad as her taking Winry.

Envy's eyes moved to what she was holding in her arms.

She was holding the baby he had heard crying. The infant had stopped it's wretched crying for a moment to stare down at Envy. It's large dark eyes reflecting the sins face.

The baby began top giggle and reach down at the sin.

Envy blinked a few times, watching the child's face flush with laughter.

" Isn't my new body lovely? You seem to think so..." Dante purred as she trailed her hands down his ribcage, her index finger outlining the jutting curve of his hip. Envy closed his eyes and willed himself not to feel. He made himself feel Winry's hands instead. He felt her soft body beneath his, could hear her gasps when he touched her just right. He had memorized all of her weak points...All of her places...He smiled softly. And she had memorized all of his. He remembered her playfully tickling him and he felt a flutter in his abdomen Envy recalled her softly scratching behind his hear, and him purring like a cat. He loved the light in her eyes when she had discovered something new about him. And he recalled the fire that burned in his chest when he also discovered something about her. Like the fact that her weak point was her neck, and he still recalled exactly when to bite to get her to squeal with delight. He remembered the contours of her sides, how her waist was so small but her hips full and secretly curvacious. Envy could feel her soft skin in his fingers, which twitch lifelessly on the cold stone floor, yearning for her. Wanting her body beneath his again. Every part of him screamed in pain. He needed her. Needed to see her smile. Needed to smell her deliciousness. Envy could taste her now...H's memories where so real, he could almost feel her lips now, as he remembered those morning where she would wake him. Only she could do so with out feeling his wrath. He remembered waking to find her curled beside him, breathing softly and curling her little fingers not in her golden locks, but his emerald ones. Only around her could he feel comfortable to speak his mind, to talk with out hatred and malice...Only she could make him who he was.

Only Winry.

Winry, Winry, Winry...

He repeated the name over and over in his mind, tears stinging his eyes as he bit his lip. Blood could be tasted on his mouth, flowing down his chin and onto meet the giant pool that was beneath him. He was so cold from having lost almost all of his blood...He was beginning to drift away, his head light once again.

He decided to accept defeat. Accept the sleep.

" I was going to kill your lover..."

Dante's voice made his eyes opened slightly, meeting the stare of Williams skull.

He narrowed his eyes. He fought the sleep as Dante's fingers went to his ouroboros mark.

She moved his face so he was starring up at her, her face only a breath from his. He stared hatefully into her porcelain face, staring with smoldering amethyst eyes into cold cobalt. His lips pulled back into a snarl, and she only smiled more.

" But I'm going to have you do it instead."

Envy's heart skipped a beat.

Dante's lips met his as he felt a strange tingling in his thigh. He could hardly feel anything as a heat consumed him, and his eyes rolled in the back of his head.

Envy was suddenly not in the glowing room. Dante's body was no longer on his. He could no longer hear the babies laughter. He looked down at himself, and was amazed to see he was perfectly fine. No longer bruised and bloody.

The sin looked around himself.

He didn't know where the hell he was.

Everything was white.

So there was nothing.

" Who are you?"

He jumped, turning to find a boy staring up at him. The boy had dark blond hair and large, soulful gray eyes. He was about ten...And Envy could have sworn he had seen him from somewhere...

" Who are you?" The boy repeated, desperately now.

Envy blinked a few times.

" Who are you?" he asked the boy instead of answering.

He didn't like this...Didn't like the whiteness. Didn't like the nothingness...

The boy smiled shyly. " Alphonse. Alphonse Elric."

Envy's eyes widened and his body shook.

B-but Alphonse's body is...

" A-Alphonse?" He whispered.

Where the hell am I?

Suddenly, a eerie creaking sounded behind him. And Envy felt this...Presence. He felt a large shadow being cast over him, and he stiffened. Envy felt like he was being pulled into a black hole. His body becoming nothing, like the white surrounding him and what he guessed was the younger Elric's body. He saw Alphonse's eyes widen in horror and his body shake.

Am I dreaming?

He really, really wished he was dreaming.

" T-the gate..." He whispered, then crumpled to the ground and began shaking uncontrollably.

The gate.

Envy turned, his eyes wide and filled with dread. Sweat rolled down his face as he looked up into the face of the fate he had spoken to once before. His burning eyes met two giant doors, black as pitch. Stone statues of twisted bodies adorned the sides of the gate, creating deadly pillars, supporting the ominous gate. The steps called to him, but he held himself firmly on the white ground. His legs buckled beneath him, and he crumpled just as the boy had.

Slowly, the doors opened.

Envy's amethyst eyes widened, flashing a brilliant gold.

As the doors opened he was reduced to his true form.

William Hohenhiem.

" Who are you?" A strange voice asked from within the gates strange depths.

Inside was not the flames of hell, but instead hundreds of purple eyes. The eyes of the truth...The eyes of hell. They all looked down at him. He felt like he was being hammered into the ground like a nail. He wanted to be sick. Wanted to run. Wanted to die.

" Who are you?" The voice repeated, now turning into voices as all of the eyes spoke.

Envy took a deep breath.

" I...I don't know." His deep voice shook with his fear.

He found that he could only speak the truth. Could only be completely honest, when in the face of the gates many faces. The sin almost had no control over what he had said. It had been like someone had gone to the corners of his troubled mind and found his deepest, darkest secrets and turmoil, and answered for him. But he had been asking himself the same question, over and over again while lying helplessly in the glowing room.

The gate laughed.

" Which man? The one or the other?"

Jesus I despise switching from so many character POV's. ugh I can't wait for this to go back to just Winry and Envy's perspective. But ya...Are yall wonder what happened to Envy? I'll keep yall guessing for now...But I'll just end up spilling the beans in the next chapter. Oh, and I hope it was a good a idea to keep Scar alive. I always hated that he died. And this gives me a reason to make Lust go back to Resembool to get Winry into gear! Okay, well...I hope it was okay.