To my reviewers! You guys are amazing! Despite having to get up at 4 am last Saturday, I looked at the reviews that I got over email, and had to hold back a huge squee of joy and excitement. You guys made my day! Thank you to Noxy the Proxy, KuroHi91, Lefay Strent, and IAmTheRedOne for reviewing, you guys inspire me to continue writing. And since its summer, I'll have much more time to write and update! So, without further ado, Chapter 5!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.

Chapter 5

Liar.

Tara's body burnt with shame and guilt. That was a terrible lie. Terrible in so many ways. She should never have said it, never have thought of it. But what could she do? She couldn't tell them that she was from a different world. They'd send me right off to a mental hospital, she thought bitterly.

Edward was gaping at her, his eyes wide. She could hear Alphonse gasp lightly. Tara tried her hardest to not avert her eyes from Edward's. She hated to lie. It was almost a miracle that they seemed to believe her. Then, to Tara's horror, Ed's expression changed from shocked to disbelief. "Who was it, then?" He asked her. "Who were you trying to bring back?"

Tara didn't hesitate. She had been prepared for this question, and she so wanted it to be true. "My brother." Tara thought back to when her brother was alive, to when they would play together. It pained her to think about it, so she shoved the thoughts away. She looked up at Ed, who had opened his mouth again. She anticipated his next question, so she answered before he could speak, "And I don't know what was taken."

Edward stared down at her. Now he looked shocked and interested at the same time. Please don't ask much more.. please don't.. Tara sighed inwardly when Ed continued. "Well," He began slowly, "This is a little.. surprising.." Complete understatement there, Ed. "Another thing," He continued. "The doctor says that you somehow knew Al's name. How is that? We've never seen you before."

Alphonse piped up. "Yeah, how is that?"

Tara gulped. Uh oh.. What do I say! "Ah.. Um.. I've seen you around." Tara got an idea. She grinned slightly. Time to have some fun.. She pointed to Al. "You're the Fullmetal Alchemist, right? The name suits you."

Tara tried her best to suppress a giggle as Ed collapsed to his knees and hugged them in a gloomy state. Alphonse laughed nervously and waved his hands back and forth in denial. "No, I'm not the Fullmetal Alchemist, he is!"

Tara acted surprised. "Really? I expected him to be taller!"

Edward immediately jumped up, his eyes burning with anger. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SHORT HE COULD EASILY BE MISTAKEN FOR A GRAIN OF RICE!"

Talk about a mood swing. Tara couldn't help herself. She let out a laugh. This just caused Ed to get even more angry. Alphonse had to hold his brother back by pinning his arms behind his back. This just caused Tara to laugh even harder. "You guys are so cute!"

Ed and Al stared at her; Ed even ceased his struggling. "Cute?" Edward asked incredulously.

Tara nodded with a smile. She wouldn't lie on her opinion. "Yeah, the way you get angry about being small, the way Al has to hold you back as you attempt to murder the person who called you short.. its cute!"

This, of course, made Ed blow up again. "YOU JUST CALLED ME SHORT TWICE IN THAT SENTENCE!"

"Tara, you'll be releas-" A doctor came into the room, and stopped short when he found Tara laughing uncontrollably on the hospital bed, a small boy yelling quite angrily and loudly, and a huge suit of armor attempting to restrain the boy by pinning his arms back. The doctor quickly said, "You'll be released now!" and backed hurriedly out the door.

~Alphonse's POV~

"So.. what do we do now?"

Alphonse, Edward, and Tara were now walking along the streets, figuring out what to do next. After they had gotten out of the hospital, Tara had told the two brothers that she didn't know where to go. Al had offered for her to travel with them immediately. Edward had been a little reluctant. After some consideration, however, he agreed that she could stick with them for a while. Tara had gratefully accepted, and now they were walking along.

Tara surprised Al by answering his question. "Do you guys know if there's a library around?"

Edward looked at her, surprised as well. "Yeah, right down the street. Why?"

Al watched as Tara shrugged her shoulders. "I need to research something. Can we go? Please?"

Al nodded. "We're researching something as well. Come on, brother, we might find this to be useful."

Edward nodded. "Alright, lets go." He started off, then turned back to Tara. "What are you researching?"

Alphonse sighed. Ed could be so nosy sometimes. But he admitted that he was curious too. Tara's eyes flickered uneasily. "Um.. lots of different things. I can't really tell you." Tara shot back, "Why, what are you researching?"

Ed snorted, "That's classified." Al sighed again. Way to make someone curious, brother.

Tara seemed unfazed. "Alright, I understand. Lets go already!" She took off down the street, leaving Ed and Al running to catch up with her.

Okay! Sorry again if I seem to be slipping on my writing, I'm kinda still planning things out. Review please!

Its suuuuummer! Every single moment is worth its wait in gold!