Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except for ocs.

{Opening song}

Again/Yui

Episode 8: Created Feelings

Whity and Ed sat in the hospital bed with irritated looks on their face. "Looks like you can sit up now, huh?" Ross asked as Whity asked, "What happened to the Fifth Laboratory?" "Well...it um..." Brosh started. "Somebody blew up the building and now there is only rubble..." Ross finished. "...Damn it! You mean they wiped out everything?!" Ed shouted, stopping short because of his wound, "That didn't feel good..." He muttered as he held onto it. "This isn't fair! Do you know close Whity and I was to finding the truth! This is not the time to be in a hospital!" Ed said.

"And where Addie?" Whitney asked Ross. "I'm here." Addie said as everyone looked over to where Audrey was.

Whity sighed. Ross and Brosh looked at each other and then shouted. "Fullmetal and Ice, sir!" Ed and Whity glanced at them as they said, "We do apologize in advance for this!" "Huh?" Ed asked confused as Whity. Ed was then slapped by Ross. As Whity was slapped by Brosh. They stared wide-eyed, not believing what just happened.

"You acted like a selfish child! You and Whitney only escaped with your lives because you were lucky! You don't have to do everything on your own...you can lean on other people...like us." She glanced at them with worried eyes. "Not all adults are enemies...you can trust us." There was silence until they both shouted, "That is all!" "Huh?" Whity said. "Please excuse our words and abusive conduct sirs! It will not happen again!"

"No...you're right. I should be apologizing." Ed stated as Ross said, "My punishment...for slapping you two.." Brosh and she stood tense as he and she looked at them confused as Whity said, "Huh? Nothing...we had it coming." The two relaxed as Ed continued, "What's got you two so scared of us?" "State Certified Alchemists carry a military rank equivalent to that of a major." Ross said. "Mmm-hmm." Brosh agreed, holding his chest. "Don't worry about it," Whity said. "We didn't get our certification so people would kiss up to us. You don't have ya talk to me like I'm a high-ranking officer."

"Really? Oh." Ross said cheerfully. "Heh, I guess we were scared of the brats for nothing!" Brosh said. 'They adjust quickly!" Ed thought angrily. "Oops, where's Al? I haven't seen them." Ed said. "Alphonse got his lecture earlier. But," Brosh said, raising his swollen, red hand, "I was the one doing the slapping." Ed, Addie, and Whity laughed, as Ed antenna stood up. "I almost forgot. I still have an even less pleasurable lecture in store for me today." They looked at him blankly.

The telephone rang. "Hello. Rockbell Prosthetic Limb Outfitters... Oh, Ed, Whity, since when do you ever bother to call us?" Winry asked on the other end. "Is something wrong?" "Yeah, uh, here's the deal." Ed said. "I hate to ask you, but do you think you can make a service call out to Central for us?" Whity said. "A service call?" Winry asked. "Yeah. Ed's right arm's messed up again. I think he can move the fingers, but that's about it. He can't lift the arm at all." Whity said.

Winry looked over at a screw. "Heh, yeah that sounds about right." "Huh?" Ed said. "Nothing, just talking to myself. So, what were you two doing when Ed's arm stopped working?" Winry said. "...Um, we got in a rough fight." Ed said. "You did again, MORON! How could you treat my precious Auto-Mail like that, ALCHEMY FREAK!" Winry said. There was silence. Ed brought the phone back to his ear. "Are you there? Hello Winry?"

"I guess I have no choice. Tell me how to get there." Winry asked. Ed looked look at Whity and then at the phone in surprise. "You're sure in good mood today. I thought for sure you were gonna – ya know what, never mind. Thanks! Right. Good-bye." He put the phone back into the receiver and sighed. "Aw, what a nice friend you two have." Brosh asked. As Addie sweat-dropped at this. "What!" Ed's injury came open again. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about." Brosh said, pushing Ed and Whity as she sat on his lap, through the halls in a wheelchair and Audrey walk next to them. "When I was your age, I had a different girlfriend every week!"

Ed looked over Whity's shoulder in the hall to their left. "What're you doin', sitting in the dark by yourself? Hey! Hey, Al!" Al looked up from his trance. "Brother, Whity, Addie." "You know you can come to the room, right?" Addie asked. The four looked at each other in silence. "I'll be there in a little while." Al finally said. "You two go on ahead." "Okay." Whity and Ed said in unison. Brosh pushed them along.

Later that Day*

"What happened?" Winry exclaimed, dropping her toolbox as she walked in. Ed looked up. "Well, that didn't take long." His shirt was now off, revealing the bandages that coved nearly his entire upper body. "You're gonna charge me an express service fee now, aren't ya?" "No, I-I won't charge you for this," She said feeling guilty. "I didn't do a good enough job on your automail last time." She looked at the floor. "And now you're badly injured." Aaliyah, Audrey, Brosh, Ross, and Armstrong all looked at Ed. As Ed caught on. "It's not your fault!" He said waving his left arm. "You can't blame yourself for this! I broke it 'cause I was being reckless! Your repairs were flawless as ever! This was all my fault!"

"He has no idea," Wirny thought realized. "He never noticed that I forgot to put in that screw." Winry thought as well.

"Besides, if my arm hadn't broken when it did, I would've kept fighting and then I would have been hurt even worse. So don't worry about it okay? Kay?" Ed said. Whity nodded her head. "So it turned out alright?" Winry thought then ran up to Ed's bed and smiled. "Well then, let's go ahead and get right down to business, shall we? I'll have to charge you the usual rush-order fee?"

"Huh?" Ed said. Winry looked over at Ed's tray. Nothing was there save for a plate, some utensils, a used napkin, and a full bottle of milk. "You didn't drink your milk." Winry looked at him. Then She looked at Whity's tray and saw her milk bottle empty. "Whity drank her. Why can't you?" Winry questions angrily. Ed looked away. "Why should I? I hate it." "You're going to be small and stubby forever if you keep using that stupid excuse!" Winry yelled. "Shut-up! I don't have to drink it if I don't wanna!" Ed yelled back. "You sound like a spoiled brat, Edward Elric!" Armstrong says, removing his shirt and flexing his muscles. "Every growing boy needs his milk." Ross said. "He doesn't need it!" Whity said. "Your just saying that!" Winry said to her. "Yeah, you want Aliyah to like you to be tall, don't you?" Brosh said. Al closed the door and walked back to his dark hall.

Ed, with Winry pinching his cheek, looked at the door. "Was that Al?" Ed asked. "So yeah, like I was saying, he did grow." Whity said. They all look at her as crazy. "Yeah, right!" Winry said. Whity sighed. "I'll show you." Whity said. Whity walked towards Ed. "Ed, stand up." She said. He obeys and stands up. "Well, we are the same height." Whity said. "She's right." Winry's jaws dropped. "Oh might say you guys are the same height." Ross said. "Yeah." Brosh and Armstrong said in unison.

Ed lay on his stomach. Winry sat at the bed's side, working on his right arm. "I don't get it." Ed said. "Al's been actin' weird lately." Addie, Whity and Winry looked at him confused. "Weird how?" Winry asked, pulling out the missing screw and screwing it into the empty hole in Ed's shoulder. "Just seems like something's been bothering him." Ed said into the pillow. Winry then stood up after wiping down his arm saying, "You're all set." Ed sat up. "Well done." He put his hand on his metallic shoulder and tolled it. "Feels good to have it back!" "Thanks a lot! Winry!" Addie said. She smiled. "Sure, no problem. Guys."

"Yo! Ed, my boy!" Hughes burst into the room, no longer in his military uniform. "Is it true you have a pretty blonde girl, in your room to service you?" Ed fell out of his bed. Opening his wound. "she is my Auto-Mail mechanic! That's all, nothing more!" "Oh." He said, putting his hand on his chin, "you've seduced your mechanic and girlfriend? Have you?" "NO! That isn't what I said at all! Were you even listening to me!" Ed yelled. Whity laughed nervously. Hughes took Winry's hands and shook them. "Maes Hughes! I'm pleased to meet you, young lady!" "You, too. I'm Winry Rockbell!" Winry answers.

Ed slid back onto his bed. "Nice to see ya Hughes, but don't you have work to do?" Hughes let go of the girl's hands and put up his own. "Nope! It's all under control. I gave Sheska some overtime." "You're a real jerk, aren't ya?" Addie said in. "Oh, yeah. I think you'll be happy to know, I just found out you guys shouldn't need to be kept under guard for too much longer." Hughes said. "What did you say?" Winry asked, puzzled. "Hold on just a second!" Winry looked at them. "How much trouble have you three gotten yourselves into this time!"

Ed backed up from them. "Uh, well, ya see, it's..." He took a deep breath and looked away from their gaze. "It's noting that concern you." She kept looking at him. Ed didn't look back. Winry backed up and turned her head. "Of course not. I dunno why I bother to try. It's not like you'll talk to us anyway." Winry said.

Then Winry put on her jacket and threw her tools over her shoulder. "Fine. I'll see you three tomorrow. We have to see if we can find someplace to stay tonight." Winry said. "Come on," Hughes said, lighting up. "No need for that. Why don't you spend the night at my place?" "...Really?" Winry said. "Yes, of course. My wife and daughter will be delighted to have you two!" Hughes stated. "No, I couldn't–" Winry said but interrupted. "It settled. Come on!" Hughes said. He took her and dragged them out of the room.

Hughes's Place*

Winry stared wide-eyed at what was in front of her; a birthday party. "Happy birthday Elicia!" She blew out her candles as everyone cheered. "If you don't mind us asking Mr. Hughes...what's this all about?" Winry whispered to Hughes. "I'm so glad you asked that Miss Rockbell...today is my darling Elicia's birthday!" He gushed. "It's my birthday!" Elicia said excitedly. "That's exciting...so how old are you now, Elicia?" Winry asked her. She held two fingers as she said, "I'm two." then she pause, "No, I'm three!" "How adorable!" Winry and Hughes all began to gush.

It was later in the day as Winry sat down next to Hughes, Elicia on Winry's lap, as she said, "We've known the Elrics and my sister for as long as we can remember...we've grown up together. It's like we're all brothers and sisters." Hughes chuckled as he says, "I sure know these four, and you two must have plenty to worry about..." "That's an understatement." Winry said giggling as she suddenly got serious, "When they finally came for a visit, it was because Ed's arm busted up...and now they called because of the same reason...something's bothering Al too...they keep their mouths shut though...the only one who will talk to us is Whity, and it's limited to what she'll tell me... Just like when they left Resembool for the first time..."

"Maybe nothing needed to be said?" Winry glanced at Hughes as he continued, "You know them...maybe they thought you'd understand without anything being said." "Maybe but... there are some things I need to be told." Hughes removed his glasses saying, "Just what will I do with you...in general, men let their actions speak as opposed to telling. I'm sure Whity's learned that pretty well and that's why she tells you two. Even so, they may ask for your help one day. Isn't that enough?"

"Elicia! We want to play! Let's go!" One of the three boys asked her. "Will you put me down now?" Elicia asked as Winry did as told. The three boys began fighting over who Elicia wanted to play with as Winry said, "She's quite the heartbreaker already, isn't she?" Hughes placed his glasses on as he cocked his gun, a dark aura around him. The three boys panicked as he said, "Listen up boys, you try anything with my daughter and you'll answer to me." "Your actions speak too loudly!" Winry shouted.

The Next Morning*

"Are you sure you have to go?" Gracia asked as she stood by the front door. "You're more than welcome to stay with us for as long as you're in town." "We don't want to put you out more than we have already." Winry stated as she felt a tug on her sleeve. "Elicia's gotten much attached to you." Hughes chuckled as he said, "Look at that! The two of you could be sisters!" "Sissy! Come back and visit me real soon! Oh, and be safe." Elicia said excitedly. "It's settled; you're staying with us again tonight," Gracia said with a smile. Winry kneeled next to Elicia, and hugged her as Winry said, "Looks like I've found me, little sister."

Hosptial/Ed and Whity's Room*

Whity was sitting behind Ed with her head on his left shoulder since she finished her meal and wrapped her arms around him. As Ed was eating his lunch as he glared at his milk. "So we meet again you little bastard...I'm not gonna drink you." Whity and Addie sweat-dropped at him. "Ed, it won't hurt you." Whity said. "Big brother, it not that intense." Addie said to him. Ed glared at her.

"Brother...you have a living body that needs nourishment." Barry's face flashed in my mind. "You have to drink it." Ed took a bite of his bread loaf. "I don't have to if I don't want to. It may not look like it, but I have grown some. Everyone still calls me a pipsqueak! Mmm, I wish I was like you, Al." Ed stated.

Addie laughed nervously. Winry opened the door. "Huh?" Al looked up. "You've got such a big body, Al." Ed says. Al stood up, knocking over the small stool beneath him. "IT'S NOT LIKE I ASKED FOR THIS BODY, BROTHER!" Ed sat in silence. "...S-sorry... You're right. It's my fault that it happened. But I'll make it right, I'll get you back into your normal body. You'll see, Al–" but interrupted. "THAT'S WHAT YOU ALWAYS SAY! BUT YOU DON'T KNOW THAT FOR SURE!" Al yelled. "Look, I promise I'm gonna get you back." He looked at his brother as Aaliyah backed up a bit. "Believe me, Al. I'll do it. "BELIEVE YOU? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE ANYTHING WHEN I'M STUCK IN THIS BODY! WHAT SHOULD I BELIEVE IN? MY MEMORIES? MEMORIES ARE JUST SCRAPS OF INFORMATION THAT CAN BE MADE UP AS EASILY AS ANYTHING ELSE!" Al shouted. "Al. Wha-What are you talking about?" Addie asked.

"You remember when you said there was something you were afraid to tell me?" Al said. Then Winry, Addie, and Whity gasped. "I-I think I might know what it was. Maybe you wanted to say that my soul and memories are artificial constructions you created!" Al said. Ed gasp as well as Whity. "You, Winry, Addie, Whity, and Granny, you've been lying to me all along, haven't you." He clenched his fist. "What do you have to say for yourself, Brother, Whity!" Ed slammed down on his tray. "Is that what you think? You believe that all this time?"

Al back up, as Whity looked down at what Al said. "So are you finished? Or is there more you wanted to say?" Ed said. Al looked at the floor silently. "Okay." Whity said as Ed push the tray away and got up and grabbed Whity's hand and walked out of the room. "Don't go," Winry said. "Ed, Whity!" They didn't listen. "Al." Winry said. "you MORON!" Winry brought up her wrench and thrust it down on Al furiously.

Hughes, Ross, Addie, and Brosh shivered. "Where did that come from!" Al said, his head shaking. Tears streamed down Winry's angry face. "Ah, Winry!" Al says. "You idiot!" Winry hit him. "You have no idea how Ed feel! Do you know what he were so afraid to talk to you? He want to know if you blame him for what happened to your body, Al!"

On the Roof*

Ed and Whity's had their hands on the railing. "I can't believe that he that." Ed said. "Yeah, he thinks that you created him. And that he has fake memories." Whity said as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Yeah." Ed says as a tear roll down his cheek. Ed hugged Whity tightly with love and care and wiped her tears off. "Hey, don't cry. That beautiful face doesn't need tears falling on it." Ed says sweet. Whity looked up at him and smile. "Yeah, you're right. But–" Whity said but stopped and sighed. "–I can't believe he say that about him." Ed sighed and stroked her orange hair and rubbed her back as well.

"Edward." Whity says. Ed looked at her to see what she have to say. "No matter what, Al said I still believe that we found a way. To restore our bodies, no matter what." Whity said. Ed looked at her with a sad smile on his face and kissed her forehead. "Yeah, no matter what. We will find a way to regain our bodies." Ed said. Then they kissed each other, as they pulled away. They stared into each other eyes. "Hey, do anyone tell you, that I love you." Ed says. Whity giggled and says, "Yeah, a few times and you get so romantic about it." "Huh, I do that just shows how much I adore you." Ed said to her with a longing look.

"And as I adore you, mi amor." Whity said to him lovely glance as she hugged him, and Ed smiled at her and hugged her back. "And I will always make you happy, my love." Ed says sweetly. Whitney smiled at him and cupped his cheeks and kissed him again, and pulled away. "I love you, Eddie." Whity says sweetly. "I love you too, my love." Ed respond. As they kissed again and pulled away as they turned to the railing and holding each other hands, and staring at the blue bright sky.

(Edward's flashback)

"It's all my fault," Ed said, his eyes covers as he underwent his right arm operation. "Al lost his body, and it's all my fault! He can't eat anymore, he can't sleep, he can't feel the cold or warmth. Al is my little brother, and I'm supposed to protect them and I did this? How could he ever forgive me!" He clenched the white sheets.

"Al, aren't the type of person who would resent you for this," Pinako said. "If you just ask him, I'm sure you'll see." "No. I-I'm too afraid. A tear rolled down his cheek. "I'm too scared of what he'll say."

(End of flashback)

"And then," Winry said, wearily hitting Al's chest.

"You idiot. You said that! Who's ever done something like that? Who'd ever prepared to risk his own life to create a fake brother? Don't you get it?" Winry asked, wiping away her tears. "All the three if you have left...is each other. Now"– Winry pointed to the door – "go get your brother and friend!" Al stood up slowly. "Start running!" Winry yelled. "Uh, right!" He obeyed her command.

Roof Top*

Birds chirped as the soft wind blew through the crying hospital sheets on the roof. Ed and Whity were holding hands and leaning on the railing and looking out across the city. They turned to see Al. Al stopped just outside the door. "...Bro—" "Ya know somethin', Al? We haven't had a good fight in a while. I'm startin' to get flabby." Ed said. "Huh?" Al said confused. Ed let go of Whity's hand and kicked off his slippers. Uh?" Al said confused again. Ed turned around and ran to Al. "Hey!" Al said, dodging Ed's first kick. "Hold on, Brother!"

Ed came at him with a forceful punch, easily blocked by Al's armored body. "Stop!" Al said. Ed ignored his younger brother. He kept coming with attacks; kicks were followed by punches and flips. "Your wounds haven't enough for this?" Al exclaim. A white blanket flew on top of Al, blocking his view. Ed pushed down on his knee and kicked him to the ground. "I beat you! First time I've ever won." Ed sat down and lay on his back. Al removed the sheet and stayed on his back as well.

"That wasn't a fair fight, brother." Al said. "Don't give me that! A win is a win and you know it, Al! We've always fought like this, ever since we were really little. Now that I think about it, we've fought over some really stupid things, haven't we?" Ed said. As Whity and Addie walked over to them and lay with them. "Yes. When you guys fought over who would get the top and bottom bunks." Whitney said. "We fought over candy a lot, huh?" Ed said. "And don't forget, that toy you fought over too." Addie said.

"I won that one. And when we played in the rainy river, too." Al said. "I remember; you shoved me and Whity into the water!" Ed said. "And the fight you guys had during your training." Addie said. "And that teacher said if you guys were being too loud then she'd beat you guys up herself, and called me and Addie the good ones. But you called that one a draw." Al said. "We even fought over which one of us would marry Winry someday." Al said. "What! I don't remember that one." Ed said. Whitney raised a eyebrow at this. "I won the fight, but Winry shot me down." Al said. "Oh...I see." Ed said. There was a quick stretch of peaceful silence.

"You tellin' me all those memories are lies?" Ed asked, opening his eyes. "Sorry." Al apologize. "And your determination to be whole again, to get your body back no matter what, that's a lie too?" Ed asked. "No, it's not a lie." Al said. Ed clenched his metal fist. "That's right. We're in this together all the way. Don't forget that. We're gonna keep moving forward." Ed said. Al clenched his fist. The girls as well. They lifted their hands to the sky. "We'll make ourselves stronger and faster and better until we get our bodies back." Ed said. Al laughed. "And the milk?" "Milk? Fine, I'll drink a...little." Ed said. They all laughed. "Whatever it takes, brother," Al said. Then their fists met with Al in an agreement.

"Mr. Hughes," Winry said, standing in the doorway watching the four friends, "maybe you don't have to hear something out loud, but it sure is helpful sometimes." Hughes smiled. "I guess it is." Al and Addie helped Ed and Whitt while he and she tended to their reopened injury.

Then Scar had a dream. Then wake up from. Then a little boy called out to him. Scar said 'where I am?' An old man said 'A slum outside East City...you're among friends now.' Scar questions them.

{Ending song}

Uso/SID