The Return of the Elric Brothers

Title: The return of the Elric Brothers
Author: acexkeikai (Sonya)
Pairing Ed and Russell
WARNING: POST MOVIE SPOILERS Also YAOI WARNING
Summary: Ed and Al finally are able to travel back to Amestris. But 4 years have pasted since Ed was taken to the other World, it\'s been two years for Al. What has chenged in Amestris and did Russell and Fletcher die?

DISCLAMERS: Fullmetal Alchemist is property of Hiromu Arakawa, Square Enix and Studio BONES. These characters aren\'t mine, I\'m just borrowing them for a little while.


The Return of the Elric Brothers
Part 2
by acexkeikai (Sonya)


Face to Face

Belsio looked at them both. Ed was taking this hard, he didn\'t think the Fullmetal Alchemist would be so shaken by his news. He put some soup in front of them, piping hot and smelling of vegetables.

Ed remembered the house he was in, Belsio\'s home, as if it was only yesterday that he had slept there. Inside the walls, it seemed nothing had changed much in Xenotime, except that the people were a lot more jumpier now.

\"You boys better eat up...\"

Ed didn\'t look up. \"I\'m not hungry...\" His bangs hung in his face, obscuring it from Belsio\'s view. Al, who was sitting next to his brother, heaved a heavy sigh.Belsio looked at them both, they had been like this ever since they entered the town.

\"You know, for alchemists, I thought you guys would be better at reading between the lines.\"Both Ed and Al\'s eyes snapped open and with an uncanny synchronization, they lifted their heads. \"What?\" they both said.

Belsio sat down in front of his own soup and took a sip. \"You heard me. Read between the lines.\"

Al frowned. \"Is this some kind of game?!\" Al wondered when Belsio had become so cruel.

Ed got up so fast that he knocked his chair over. \"You mean... Russell and Fletcher are still alive?\" Ed felt like he was going on a roller coaster ride from despair to elation -- he was almost dizzy. He looked at the older man squarely.

\"Russell and Fletcher Tringham have ceased to be when they took the duties of the Fullmetal Alchemist....\" The older man replied.

\"WHAT?\" Edward couldn\'t believe it! He never thought Russell would do such a stupid thing again.

Belsio lifted an arm to calm Ed. \"Before you start foaming at the mouth, hear me out. Russell didn\'t want to do it at first. But you see, one of your old superiors talked him into it.\"

\"Mustang...\" Ed spat.

\"Exactly. Now, sit down and eat your soup. I\'ll tell you what happened to Amestris while you were away, Edward Elric. Eat up... You\'re just skin and bones, Russell isn\'t going to like that.\"

Alphonse felt a little guilty when he heard that last remark. Because of the dismal state of the economy in the other world, they didn\'t always eat right and Ed always insisted Al eat more because he was growing up. Ed only ate small portions, saying he was used to it now. But his automail needed a lot of food to fuel it and lately, Ed had been running on empty.

\"He is right, Brother.\" Al pushed his soup to Ed. \"Here, take mine too, we\'re in Amestris, you don\'t have to ration yourself anymore...\"

\"Al...\" Ed started.

\"There is more than enough food for now... but the rebels have laid siege to our town. We are all right now, but if the siege continues, we\'ll have to go into our winter reserves.\" Belsio said. He noticed with pleasure that Ed had finished his soup and ladeled another bowl out for him.

\"Why are they attacking Xenotime?\" Ed asked between mouthfulls.

Belsio broke some bread and handed some to Al and then Ed before lifting the lid from the stew pot. He motioned to Al to give him his bowl and he served him as he spoke. \"It happened a little after Russell and Fletcher left for Central. Roy Mustang had sponsered Russell to take the State Alchemist test. When I last saw Alphonse, he was here to investigate the new gold mine that was unearthed. That\'s when the Rebellion of the Free People started to get interested in the town.\"

Ed frowned. \"Did Russell pass the test?\"

Belsio nodded. \"It was just a formality, Russell had proven his worth by finding a cure for the red water illness. He went there to get his alchemist papers and watch. They had even found a name for him: The Evergreen Alchemist. Unfortunatly, there were a few incidents in Central that changed all that.\"

Ed frowned. He had finished his soup so Belsio was now giving him stew.

\"Alphonse,\" Belsio said, \"If you remember, the state of government had changed during the time Ed was away. Well when Russell and Fletcher were there, there was an attack.\"

Belsio paused, seeing that the brothers had become agitated. \"Both of them were okay, unfortunatly, I can\'t say the same about the head of state. The country went under martial law. Russell became immediatly drafted into military service and that\'s when he struck a deal with Lieutenant Colonel Mustang.\"

Ed lifted his head, his mouth full of the last moutfull of stew, and yet again, Belsio filled his plate. He was happy that his tale had awakened the legendary Edward stomach.\"I have no idea what the particulars of that deal were, but when Russell came back to this town with Fletcher, he was wearing a red coat and black clothing. He asked the people of Xenotime to call him Edward Elric, The Fullmetal Alchemist and Fletcher, Alphonse Elric. They told us to tell everyone we met that Russell Tringham and his brother Fletcher were dead.\"

\"The Rebels grew stronger, they probably have alchemists on their side -- willingly or not, that\'s another matter. They have a rather devastating weapon, I think you saw its work on the train tracks. Russell has been working to try and find a counter weapon.\"

\"When did the incident with the train tracks happen?\" asked Alphonse, Ed was too busy swallowing to ask.

\"They blew the tracks three weeks ago. Russell and Fletcher decided along with the Mayor to make the walls that surround the town. It has offered us protection -- the Rebels haven\'t attempted to bomb the city. You see, we all think they are interested in the gold -- if they bombed the town, they might loose all the precious ore they want to fund their army on.\" Belsio explained, pouring tea for the boys.

\"Where are Russell and Fletcher now?\" Ed asked.

\"Well, after you two finish dinner and freshen up, I\'ll take you to them.\" Belsio told them.

\"Yeah, Brother,\" Al chimed in, \"you *do* need to freshen up. It looks like you\'re trying to grow a beard.\"

\"HEY! We\'ve been living in the wilderness, excuse me if shaving wasn\'t a priority,\" Ed replied, gruffly.

\"I know that, but now that we\'re about to meet them, you shouldn\'t scare them either!\" Alphonse smirked.

\"Hah... We\'ll see if you\'re that smartalecky when your own stubbles grow in!\" Ed growled back. Belsio shook his head in amusement -- Edward Elric was back, there was no doubt about it now.

\"Come on,\" he said, putting an end to the sibling\'s fight before it could begin. \"Why don\'t you two go freshen up, change clothes and I\'ll take you to Russell and Fletcher. Just remember, mum\'s the word with their real names around oher people.\"

****************************

The man was filing reports, yet again. He hated doing it but, it was the way to get all the information for his superiors without having to lift one little finger. He would get grunts and idiots to gather the info he needed, then he would present it to his General, making sure HE would get all the credit for it. Yes, Colonel Konig Leipzig was a cunning man, despised by many of his unit, especially by those lackeys who he milked for information.

There was a knock on his door, Leipzig closed his dossiers -- no need to risk leaking information. He drew himself to his full height and slicked his raven hair back. \"Ja... What is it?\"

\"It\'s me, Colonel...\" A feminine voice said behind the door.

\"Ah... Fraulein Adler, come in.\" Leipzig smirked and sat down.

The woman that entered was beautiful yet austere, her blond hair pinned into a chignon which was costumary for a third Reich secretary.

\"Herr Colonel . . .\" she began in a low sultry voice as she took off her long leather jacket.

\"Did you get the information from that intolarable little pig?\" Leipzig asked. \"About our dear Herr Elric?\"

\"I have indeed, Mein Colonel,\" she purred, putting her arms around Leipzig, rubbing her voluptuous body against his.

\"Gut... gut... Ah Liebchen, we make such a wonderful team... We don\'t need the others... And one day , I shall be the one to inherit the title of Fuhrer.\" Leipzig drew her close and kissed her, which quickly turned savage as they battled for dominance over each other. When they broke the kiss, they both looked at each other like two predators. \"Aaah Adler, you are the finest woman in the world. You shall be beside me in my hour of triumph.\"

\"You should keep your tongue, Herr Colonel, some people might think this is treason.\"

\"HAH! Let them try.\" Leipzig had a dangerous smile. \"The General practically eats out of my hand.\"

The woman smiled, but the expression vanished as quickly as it had come. \" That little pig, like you said, is threatening to go tell the General that you stole his files on Herr Elric.\"

\"Did he, now. Mmm, why don\'t you invite him for diner, my liebchen... I\'m sure you can make him see things your way?\" Liepzig said, kissing her hand.

\"That... will be my pleasure. \" Alder replied. \"A pleasure indeed...\" They both laughed, before kissing passionatly again.

***************************

Ed had taken a bath and felt a little better. He smelled a lot nicer, that was for sure, he thought to himself. He looked up at the mirror and looked at his face. He could see the stubbles -- if he let it grow, he would probably have a beard in a week.

Ed frowned and used a brush to lather up the soap, he smeared it generously over the stubbles and looked again in the mirror at his now foam-covered face. He puffed and sent a stray hair flying.

\"I look like Hohenheim like that\" he grumbled, then sighed. His stubbles needed a daily shaving now and he\'d been skipping a few days, there just wasn\'t any time. So he had to wait a little so it would be easier to get a clean shave. He wanted to look his best for Russell.

Russell...

His eyes caught mouvement and he quickly looked outside. It was merely the leaves of a nearby lemon tree. It wasn\'t an ordinary lemon tree. It was the very tree where he and Russell...

^^^^^^^^^^^^


\"So you did come...\" Ed said, red coat blowing softly in the wind. A figure stood some distance away, behind another lemon tree. He took a few steps towards him and brushed away the hair that always fell over his left eye. The Fullmetal Alchemist had been afraid his note wouldn\'t answered, but now to have Russell in front of him made his heart hammer. The question was, would the tall blond would let him kiss him?

\"That note you gave me before going to bed made me curious.\"

Ed looked at Russell. \"Serves you right, leaving a love letter in a basket of lemons as we left that first time. Al could have read it, you know, I was barely able to keep it from him.\" Why am I so snappy? he thought. He\'s going to bolt if I keep badgering him. He wanted to get closer to Russell not push him away, but his tongue was faster than his own brain sometimes.

Ed heard a chuckle as Russell moved closer to him. \"I.. I just didn\'t know how to give it to you. I always thought I\'d write one to a girl, not another boy.\"

\"Did you mean what you wrote back then?\" Ed asked, closing the distance more. His heart sank -- did Russell change his mind on him?

\"I... Are you here to beat me up because of it?\" Russell felt tense, he couldn\'t read Ed\'s face very well. He took a few steps back, but Ed grabbed his wrist. \"Hey!\"

\"I just want to know, did you mean what you said?\" Ed\'s tone of voice was intense and Russell could tell he wouldn\'t like it if he lied to him. Please don\'t change your mind! Ed was telling himself, waiting to come back here almost drove me crazy.

\"I wasn\'t lying then... I...\" Russell blushed -- maybe Edward wanted to humiliate him. It would serve him right for what he had done, taken Edward Elric\'s identity.

\"If you felt like that, then why were you such an idiot to me?\" Ed demanded. Here I go again, Ed thought, I want him, I want to be sure he wants me too.

\"I... When I met you that day... I...\" Russell started, then swallowed. It wasn\'t easy to confess. \"I didn\'t know you looked like that, I had a vague description, but when I met your eyes that day. . . that\'s when you stole my heart, Edward Elric. At first, I couldn\'t believe it and I responded in the only way I knew. Making fun of you was... a diversion, it was safer than admit what I felt.\"

\"I see...\" Ed let him go, Russell couldn\'t help but feel disapointed. \"You never thought about what I could feel on the subject?\" Yes, it had hurt when Russell would make short jokes, like Mustang used to do to him. Ed wanted Russell to want him for himself and not be stopped by his stature.

\"I... I never thought I\'d see you again...so... So I had to write it to you... \" Russell replied, bitting his lip.

Ed pushed him back into the tree. His heart was pounding, he could see by the way Russell was breathing that his heart was hammering, too. \"Why did you think that?\" He wanted to tell Russell so much that he had wanted to see him, but hadn\'t been able to come back before now, but he couldn\'t bring himself to form the words.

\"Because... Because... You probably wouldn\'t want to have anything to do with me...\" Russell replied, he didn\'t know if he should be on the defensive or not. Ed was pressing his body against his, he probably felt his erection. Russell was trying to calm down, and relax, but with a part of his body standing so much at attention that he was begining to have urges to masturbate, it wasn\'t easy.

\"I see...\" Ed pressed himself closer to Russell. He smirked when Russell closed his eyes and let out a moan. The taller boy instantly was ashamed and blushed furiously.

\"I think you\'re still interested in me, Russell...\" He stood on tiptoe so he could rub his own crotch against Russell\'s, and Russell felt that it was as hard as his own. Ed shuddered, he hoped Russell wouldn\'t shy away but the thought of touching his erection, feeling it hard and warm in his hand made him hard. He had wanted so much to touch him and now that it was actually happening, he thought he was going to burn up.

\"Aaah... Ed... What... What are you... AAH Doing?\" Russell was confused at this point, his brain couldn\'t keep up with the pleasure that was pooling in him. He was breathless, dazed and utterly sexy, thought Ed.

\"Something I\'ve been dreaming of doing since I read that letter...\" Ed whispered and grabbing the back of his head, he pushed Russell\'s head down for a kiss. They both lost control at that moment, kissing furiously, nipping a bit, thrusting their tongues in awkwardly.

\"I\'ve never...\" Russell breathed.

\"That\'s okay...\" Ed caressed his cheek with his flesh hand and kissed him again, this time setting the pace, showing Russell how to kiss. Russell moaned when Ed\'s tongue plowed in his mouth, teasing his own tongue into play. A part of Russell\'s brain was telling him that was disgusting, the amount of bacteria they were swapping would make him sick. Another part, however, was excited and wished this wasn\'t a dream and yet another part wanted more, it craved Edward Elric, it wanted to see the other blond, naked, needy. Of course that part won out on all the others.

Ed revelled in the kisses, loving the way they molded together. He kissed Russell passionatley, rubbing himself wantonly against the tall blond. He didn\'t think he had it in himself to act like this.

\"Ed... AAAh.... Ed... I want... touch me... please... I... I...\" Russell panted, rubbing himself against Ed.

Edward pulled away. Russell wanted to pull him back into his embrace, but the older boy took his hand and lead him to the barn. \"It\'s not as romantic but... We\'ll be away from prying eyes here.\"

Russell nodded and followed him, they both were too excited and in need of release at this point to refuse . Once they were in the barn, Ed tackled Russell so he fell in the hay, kissing him in an urgent manner. Russell was overwhelmed, too dazed to do anything, so Ed took the initiative.

He was still kissing him hotly, making the kiss deeper when he reached to unzip Russell\'s pants. He untucked the shirt and pulled out the hard member that was already weeping copiously. He stroke it lovingly, oh Russell was everything and more than he ever wanted. To see him so wanting, to bring him pleasure nearly made Ed come. Finally, he thought, finally I am making love to him.

\"You won\'t last long...\" Ed said, breaking the kiss, looking at Russell\'s expression of bliss.

\"Sorry... I...\" Russell started but suddenly stopped and let out a moan. Ed was stroking him with his flesh hand. \"OH GOD!\" he yelled. Why was it so much better when Ed was doing this to him, why?

Ed was also extremly excited but there was something he wanted more than anything right now. He shifted and placed his mouth over Russell\'s length. He heard Russell gasp and he started to lick the precome that was there.

Russell went rigid, eyes wide open, mouth opened in a perfect O. This heat, that tongue on him, he shuddered, he never felt anything like that before. Ed\'s tongue was licking him all over, the pleasure was so intense, moreso than he ever felt possible. Then suddenly, Ed\'s mouth was all around him and he melted. \"OOOOH ED!\"

Ed wasn\'t able to hold off anymore, he wanted to suck Russell. He wanted him to come in his mouth. His own sex twitched in his pants, he felt like he was about to come and Russell didn\'t even touch him yet. With his automail hand, he fumbled to take his own erection out. He was sucking on Russell hard, he was trying to rub himself with the automail but it was more frustrating than helping. Then, he felt a warm hand push back his own.

Ed moaned around Russell\'s erection as the boy started to stroke him. He sucked harder, using his hand to keep Russell from bucking his hips too much. When Russell used his thumb to spread the dew all over his head, Ed moaned loudly, the sound vibrating around his lover\'s hardness.That was too much for Russell. He stiffened as he felt a tightening in his balls and just before his release he called out. \"ED!\" He came gasping, face contorting, this was the more wonderful orgasm he\'d ever experienced. He fell back spent. Edward was drinking him down, taking his essence in him. He was amazed.

Ed lapped up every last bit of pleasure Russell had, the taste tangy and salty and something else he couldn\'t define. Mmm he was much better than... Okay not going to think about the Bastard now, thought Ed. He released Russell when the member got flaccid again and breathed in contently, putting his head against Russell\'s leg. He felt happy and sated -- sure, he was still hard, but he could take care of it if Russell didn\'t want to do it. It would be heaven if Russell would reciprocate, but Ed wasn\'t expecting it.

\"Whoa... that... that was...\" Russell breathed. Ed smiled at him -- he was really beautiful when he truly smiled and was not using that lopsided smirk he usually used. He felt Ed\'s hardness in his hand -- the smaller boy hadn\'t come yet and Russell had stopped stroking when he reached his own fulfillment. Well, it was time to remedy that now.

The taller blond saw the change in Ed\'s face when he started to stroke him again. His eyes closed and he moaned.

\"Oh yeah... Russ... Just... Just keep doing that...\" Oh my god, Ed thought, he\'s really doing it. Oh it feels so good.

Russell looked at the purplish head that looked right back at him. He purred in appreciation. Edward Elric wasn\'t small everywhere, he was indeed well endowed, and that made Russell lick his lips. He wanted to get a better view.

He shifted and placed himself right above the wonderfully hard, thick length and stopped stroking to admire it, opening his hand to see it in its full glory.

\"NNNNGH! Don\'t stop!\" Ed yelled. He looked down to see what Russell was doing. \"Stop staring at it and *DO* something!\" To have pleasure suddently denied made Ed a very frustated boy.

\"Mmmmm.... I will\" Russell teased. \"But only on one condition...\"

\"What? Anything!!!!\" Ed was so close, he needed to come.

\"When I\'m done I want you to tell me what you feel about me... I confessed... now it\'s your turn,\" Russell replied.

\"Deal... Now... Please!!!\" Ed was bucking his hips, frustrated by the lack of friction. Yes please, touch me , make me come, oh Russell please I want you to touch me so much it hurts! Ed wanted to scream that but he didn\'t want to scare Russell away.

Russell started to stroke him again, this time harder. He was rewarded when Ed started panting, telling him to do him faster, harder. Russell complied but something else was also beckoning to him -- those drops of pre-come that were coming down his fingers. He got closer and licked the tip and rolled the essence of Edward on his tongue.

Mmmmm... the taste was somehow like so many other things, yet simple, all at the same time. He decided to go back for another sample, and another and another. Before he could realise what he was doing, he was stroking Edward fast and hard, his mouth sucking on the head. He couldn\'t believe he was doing it and yet, he couldn\'t stop himself.

\"Aaah Aaaah! Russ!... Stop I\'m going to... Aaaaaaah!!\" Ed jerked his hips and came. The younger boy was a little surprised at the amount of fluid that was rushing into his mouth and he pulled away, the semen ending up on his face and hair.
Russell was surprised, yet elated that he had made Ed come. He wiped the stuff off his face.

\"I\'m sorry, I... I didn\'t have time to tell you to back off... It felt so good...\" Ed breathed. It had been so good, that release -- he wanted Russell to touch him again and again.

Russell started to push Ed\'s long bangs away from his face, only to realize his hand was covered in Ed\'s pleasure. When he used the other, he discovered that Ed had also come all over his hair.

Ed chuckled and pulled him close. \"You\'ll need a shower...\" Ed thought Russell looked adorable, yet sexy, especially with some come on his face. He almost leaned forward to lick it off, then remembered it was his own semen. The thought excited him and repulsed him at the same time, repulsion won this time.

\"I guess I do...\" Russell carefully placed his head on Ed\'s chest. \"Ed....\"

\"Yeah?...\" Ed was stroking the back of Russell\'s hair, he felt at peace, he hadn\'t felt like that in a long while. He never wanted to moment to end, he could die like this and be content.

\"I... How... do you?...\" Russell bit his lip. They had just given each other pleasure, why was he so afraid to ask a single question?

\"Do you really think I would have done that with you if I didn\'t care about you?\" Ed replied. He bit his lip, he wanted to say that he loved Russell, yet part of him was unsure and still afraid.

Russell smiled, how typical of Ed... never giving the straight answer, but he knew then than Ed loved him and that filled him with joy.

\"Me too...\" He breathed.

********************************

\"Aaah... aaah...aah Russell...\" Ed soflty whispered, the recollection had had an effect on him and now he was stroking himself. \"Oh yeah soon... soon... I\'l...AAH!\"

With his hand still stroking himself hard he came into the handkerchief he had got out just in time, his climax long and yielding a lot of sperm -- he had been depriving himself of pleasure for too long.

When he was finished, he was weak in the knees and not entirely sated, he could feel a part of his anatomy crying for Russell\'s lenght to possess him. He even considered fingering himself, but no -- he would wait, the anticipation would make it even better. Besides, Al and Belsio were waiting for him. He reached for his razor and shaved his small beard off.

*******************************

\"He sure takes a long time in the bathroom.\" Belsio grumbled.

\"I think he wants to look his best for Russell,\" Al said, blushing a little. He caught himself staring at his own face in the mirror for quite some time earlier, making sure he looked his best for Fletcher. Why did that matter -- Fletcher was his friend and would be happy to see him even if he was all dirty.

He even found himself wondering if Ed would mind if he used his aftershave -- Al loved the way Ed smelled after he used it. Ed had scoffed that it hurt like a bitch. But it smelled so nice, not too perfumey, just the right amount of woodsy smell and musk, an adult smell.

Al longed to be older. He was supposed to be only one year younger than Ed but since his initial return from the Gate, he was four years younger, which bothered him. He should be ninteen right now, but he was in fact physically just over 16 years old now. He\'d really felt the age gap the night Ed celebrated his birthday in a scotish pub where Al got his first taste of Ale. Since that evening, Al wondered if he liked the beverage or not. Just then, they heard a yowl in the bathroom.

\"Heh... Face must have been a little more sensitive with all those long stubbles,\" Belsio chuckled.

\"Why does Brother use aftershave if it stings so much?\" Al asked.

\"Well, when you shave you can cut yourself and the aftershave helps to cool down your skin. He\'ll be okay,\" Belsio replied.

Al nodded as they heard mismatched footsteps. \"Brother!\" Al called as Ed arrived in the room, wearing what Al knew were the best dress shirt and pants he owned as well as his good jacket. The younger sibling was glad he insisted Ed took it with them. His pants were a deep burgundy as well as his jacket which made his freshly washed hair stand out even more. The shirt was simple, yet well cut and hugged his features nicely.

\"My... You dress up very well, Edward.\" Belsio nodded. \"It\'s much better than that dark outfit you wore with that huge red coat. No offence, Al...\"

\"None taken.\" Al replied.

\"Well, it just wasn\'t proper where I was...\" Ed replied vaguely. \"But you don\'t have to escort us to Russell\'s place, we know where it is.\"

\"They moved,\" Belsio replied and pointed to a certain mansion that was well known to the brothers. In the twilight hours, they could see light coming from it.

\"What? Mugear\'s mansion? How come they live there now?\" Ed was baffled, so was Al. Last time he saw them, two years ago, Al remembered the Tringhams living in a small house.

\"They needed a bigger lab, no one was using it, so it was renovated to suit the brothers more.\" Belsio took his coat and opened the door. \"I am sure they\'ll give you a grand tour of the place and you won\'t have to sneak in this time around.\"

Both young men looked at each other, surprised. A lot of things had happened during the time they were away. They both nodded, agreeing silently that they would learn more, taking their own coats and following Belsio out.

*********************************

Back in the world the Elric Brothers had left, a blond woman was lighting candles. She had let her long blond hair down, her makeup was apllied in an artful manner and the black dress she wore left nothing to the imagination. She made the last minute preparations and slipped a metalic object in the folds of her dress when the door was knocked upon. She smiled, like a cat cornering a mouse, As she passed before a mirror on her way to answer the door, she looked at herself and composed her expression then opened up.

\"Ah, Herr Gluttire, finally you are here!\" she said, opening the door to a small rottound man, he had beady little eyes and looked like a child, with almost no facial hair. He was dressed, as usual, in black.

\"Fraulein Adler.\" The man spoke German, but with a heavy Italian accent. \"I believe I was supposed to meet with your employer, Colonel Leipzig.\"

\"He will be here shortly,\" she replied. \"He had last minute things the General wanted him to take care of before he left.\"

\"Ah... Is he going to be very late or not?\" the pudgy man asked.

She smiled at him and put her arms around his neck and whispered, \"We should take this opportunity to know each other better.\" She saw the briefcase. \"Let me help you get rid of that awful heavy briefcase. . .Those notes must be about those Elric brothers?\"

\"That it is... You see... They actually were able to go back to their world. Of course, I can trust you to stay silent about this, my dear?\"

She put the briefcase away. \"I\'ll be quiet as a tomb... I bet you have all the relevent information in that briefcase, dear Antonio.\"

\"Of course, my dear. He has done it, you know...\"

\"Done what?\" Adler asked surprised. She was intrigued by the light in the short man\'s eyes: excitement and pride.

\"They went back by making a portal.. my theory works! They successfully passed from this world to theirs!\" The man was jubilant and started to pace the floor.

Adler was stunned, they had done it? His theory worked? She had in her palm the knife she was supposed to use to kill the man, but now....

Antonio Gluttire was already making calculations. \"Yes... Yes if two people could make it, then a bigger one could...\"

They both heard a clapping and Colonel Leipzig stepped out of his hiding place. He gestured to Alder, who conceilled her weapon. The insufferable Italian was now indispensable -- pity, he would have enjoyed to see the lifeblood drained from him. But this discovery changed everything.

\"My dear Antonio,\" The Colonel drawled, fitting his gloves back on. \"Your mind is indeed a thing of beauty, your theories are flawless. I was talking to the General this afternoon, he and I think you should join us.\"

Leipzig smiled inwardly. So, the Elrics had gone back and if what that fool was hinting was true... He could see that it served his own means as well. All they had to do is play their cards right or be persuasive enough.

\"Colonel?...\" the italian was surprised and a little angry. \"So... you know...\"

\"I do and I do extend my offer. The Fuhrer will be so grateful if you enter his service,\" Leipzig replied. There was a knock at the door and with a nod from the Colonel, Adler went to reply.

\"I told you I am not interested,\" Gluttire spat. \"I am a man of science... not a military man.\"

\"But your knowledge and savoir-faire is indispensable to the Motherland, I must insist...\" Leipzig spoke louder, recognizing the hulk that entered the room. His timing was perfect, he thought.

\"I am not German...\" Antonio Gluttire. \"What do I care about the Motherland?\"

\"But the Motherland is all... Even if you are not German, you can adopt the Motherland and make her your ideal.\" A booming voice was heard and a giant was hovering over Gluttire. The italian was aghast, the man before him was made of muscles and his muscles seemed to have muscles. He was bald except for a mustach and a single curl of blond hair. \"I, Alexander Herrman Gottschalk will show you the way! I will help you become German, a true proud son of the Motherland!\"

\"Gyaaaah\" The italian tried to run away but Alexander had him in a grip that told him that he wouldn\'t be able go away for a long time. He nearly fainted as the man almost squeezed the living fat out of his body.

\"Major Gottschalk welcomes you with open arms... You wouldn\'t want to make him angry now, would you, Herr Gluttire?\" Leipzig smirked.

\"No... no of course not... I... I accept your kind offer...\" Antonio gulped. \" Now... Could you please put me down?...\"

\"Come, Major, join us for diner... We have much to discuss about Herr Gluttire\'s reasearch... It\'s a great day for the Motherland!\" Leipzig replied, seating himself at the table.

\"Indeed it is a great day... A day where I vow to bring back to justice those accursed Elrics... Make them pay for what they did to our noble country!\" Alexander boasted.

Colonel Leipzig took a sip of wine, the fool was so loyal to the Motherland, it was easy to twist the truth in his favor. As long as it was for the Motherland, Alexander Herrman Gottschalk was a pawn that he enjoyed using. He just had to keep feeding the Major with falsified stories of the Elrics to keep him in the watchdog mood.

\"Well, they have fled to that other world Major... I cannot ask you to follow them...\"

\"But you must let me go! I insist! I must wash away that affront they have dealt to the Motherland, I will not tire until I bring them to Justice!\"

\"Major...\" The Colonel started falsely. \"I can\'t....\"

\"Colonel! I vollunteer for the job...\" Gottschalk replied, he folded his arms over his chest signaling that he wouldn\'t take no for an answer.

The Colonel smiled inwardly, he was so easy to manipulate. \"Very well... You drive a hard negotiation, Major. But first, we shall make tests to make sure that you won\'t be hurt crossing over...\" He turned his attention to Gluttire. \" Now Herr Doktor... Why don\'t you tell us more of your theories...\"

Leipzig smiled at the Italian, but he wasn\'t as duped as the hulk of a man beside him. He knew Leipzig had an agenda and he needed his info. He was swallowing his pride out of fear than the Major would not appreciate it if he left. He had no choice, really.

**************************************

As Edward Elric walked towards the old Mugear mansion, he felt queasy and sick, maybe he shouldn\'t have eaten so much, but he was so damn hungry! His stomach felt like a balloon about to burst, all his muscles were knotted, he was sweaty and nervous.

He realized he was afraid of what Russell\'s reaction would be. Would he yell at him for leaving him for four years, tell him to go away, that he had moved on? That he now hated him for leaving him like that? Ed felt guilty and his guilt was making him sick, constricting his throat.

Alphonse wasn\'t faring any better. He was nervous and at the same time happy to see Fletcher once again. He wondered how he looked now that he was... how old was he now... He mentally counted the months. Seventeen... Fletcher was seventeen... nearly a man now. When he last saw him, he hadn\'t grown much -- maybe he had a growth spurt when he was away. Maybe he would remain small like Edward, his brother. But Ed did grow, he thought to himself. AH why am I having such thoughts anyway? I can\'t get Fletcher out of my mind and it\'s driving me insane.

Belsio lifted an eyebrow. The heavy silence wasn\'t characteristic of the Elric Brothers, who usually cackled like geese when they were in Xenotime. No nothing, not a peep, but an occasionnal sigh from the eldest. The man stopped and turned to face them.

\"Are you going to see them like this?\" he said, frowning. \"You two look like you\'re going to a funeral.\"

Al blushed. \"It\'s not that it\'s....\" Why was he being so apprehensive about seeing Fletcher all of a sudden? Al couldn\'t understand what he was feeling right now. He wanted to see Fletcher, he knew he did, yet something kept nagging in the back of his head.

\"Sorry...Just got a lot on my mind...\" Ed said softly. He was surprised to feel Belsio putting a hand on his good shoulder.

\"Edward... I don\'t know what you are thinking about but... You should really relax. I think when Russell sees you, he needs to see a little of the old Edward in your eyes.\"

\"I... Did I change so much?\" Ed asked, hesitating now.

\"I\'ve seen you much more sure than this. You\'re quivering like a rabbit... Stop thinking so much and wait at least until you see him.\" Belsio shook his shoulder as if trying to shake some sense into him, like a scolding father.

There was a smile slowly forming on Edward\'s lips. \"Yes... You are right... It\'s just been so long since I left...\"

\"Stop doubting.\" Belsio turned and lifted the lantern to guide their steps again. \"We\'re almost there, you should be settled then.\"

Ed nodded and continued on. He glanced at Al and smiled at him, his brother smiled back but he also seemed nervous. Ed wondered why.

They reached the top of the hill and both brothers gasped. The mansion had changed a lot from when they last saw it. Half of it was now a huge greenhouse, and looking into it, Ed could see a small second floor that must be used as a lab. The next feature that caught his attention was that a tower had been built from which the outline of a telescope was pointing to the horizon, towards the area where they appeared. Two guards were posted at the huge front doors. Ed frowned, why would Russell and Fletcher need guards? Belsio waved at the men.

\"It\'s me, guys!\"

\"Belsio? What are you doing here at this hour?\" asked one of the townspeople turned guard.

\"These young men came earlier and they are friends of... The Elric Brothers.\" Belsio replied. Ed still felt odd that Belsio was referring to Russell as himself.

\"Can\'t it wait till morning?\" asked the second guard, who was trying to get a good look of Ed and Al through the darkness.

Belsio shook his head. \"I\'m positive, the brothers would want to see these two right away, believe me.\"

The two guards looked at each other, then the first one replied. \"Very well... but if they try anything funny...\"

\"They won\'t,\" Belsio replied, although, he considered for himself, the guards might be surprised if they only knew.

The second man pressed a button and spoke into a little box on the wall. \"Mister Elric? Are you there?\"

\"Yes, what is it?\" a voice replied, Ed frowned, that wasn\'t Russell\'s voice. In fact he couldn\'t recognize the voice at all.

\"Belsio is here... with two people, he insists you would want to see them.\"

There was a silence. \"I\'ll inform my brother, you can let them in. Tell them to wait in the study, Belsio knows where it is. We\'ll be there shortly.\"

\"Yes, sir!\" The guard let go of the button. \"You can get in...\"

\"Thank you...\" Belsio replied. \"Follow me, boys...\"

Ed followed him and took the stairway, followed by Al. When he passed near one of the guards, he heared him gasp. He turned to look at the man, and found he reconized him as one of Russell\'s neighbors. The man tipped his hat to Edward to silently welcome him. That little gesture helped Ed relax a little more.

Once inside, they couldn\'t help but gasp at the mansion, it was still beautiful with ornate wood carvings of plants and rich tapestry. The house seemed well in order and no one had touched the furniture since the old owner had left, everything was cleaned. However, it seemed warmer somehow with the addition of all the plants that were growing in all availlable corners.

They entered the study and Ed ran to the huge bookcases that lined the walls. Al looked at the leather furniture, thinking how comfortable it must be to read books here. There was a very faint odor of cigars, as if they had been smoked in the room a long time ago, yet it still clung to the furnitures and walls.

Ed looked at all the books on Alchemy -- oh, how much he had missed diving into Alchemy litterature since he had disapeared from this world. All the books on Alchemy he found on the other side of the Gate had been ancient drivel that he had easilly broken the code to. But this... ah, this was heaven, finally! His gaze lingered on some books and he gasped when he recognized them as a series he had given Russell. They were here, he had kept them. Ed\'s smile grew wider and he had to count on his pride not to start crying like a kid.

Al heard the door open again and turned to see that Belsio was leaving. \"Belsio... Don\'t you want to stay?\"

The older man shook his head. \"It\'s late, besides... I don\'t think they\'ll notice I was here... Your brother won\'t notice, either.\" He winked and closed the door, leaving Al and Ed alone in the room.

Al looked back at his brother who was skimming the bookshelves, pulling out a book, flipping a few pages then replacing it, only to go to another one and do the same thing. Al shook his head and looked at the ceilling, Ed\'s obssession with books was still the same.

Just then, a click was heard and they saw the doorknob turn slowly. Both brothers felt the pits of their stomach rushing down to their feet. Ed dropped the book he was holding. His fingers went numb and his legs felt like they couldn\'t support him anymore when he saw someone enter the room.

The tall man wore a red coat and was holding a small flower pot. Though the color was the same as Ed\'s old one, the design of it was very different. It was more in what Edward could tell like a Victorian era coat with lapels and double cuffs. It made Russell look like a Lord of a pasted era. He looked so sexy in that. Ed could see underneath it the telltale suspenders that held the pants up. He looked higher and saw Russell\'s face, he didn\'t recognize him at first because his blond hair was now much longer and that sexy bang that covered his eyes now reached down past his chin. The back of it was also longer and held in a braid, much like Ed used to wear it.

Russell looked into the room, what would Belsio want so late at...

The thought stopped in his mind as he himself was rooted to the spot, paralysed. Was he hallucinating? Dare he hope? Had he fallen alseep in the laboratory and this was a dream. He eyes locked with Edward\'s golden gaze, he looked at him, trying to register all the details as if Edward would vanish into thin air.

He was... gorgeous... taller than he had been and what he was wearing would have made Russell\'s mouth water if it wasn\'t that it was all dried up now. His hair was much longer and in a ponytail, Russell instantly wanted to run his fingers through that woven gold, loose himself in it.

\"Ed...\" Russell whispered. \"Edward...\" He dared not talk too loud in case the dream would fade.

\"R... Russ...\" The vison before him replied. He was THERE!.... He was really there! Russell dropped the pot he was holding.

\"BROTHER!\" Another voice said and a young man a little shorter than Russell dived to rescue the plant. He fell to his face with a OOMPH! \"Be careful, you nearly dropped our...\" He looked up throught the hair that had fallen over his eyes and scanned the room. When he saw what his brother had, he blinked wildly. \"Edward?\" he asked. Russell was walking towards the apparition.

\"Fletcher?\" There was a rush of red to his side, Fletcher looked up and beamed.

\"AL!\" He put the pot on the floor, jumped to his feet and dove into Alphonse\'s arms.

\"Oh Al! Finally, you came back!\"

Al was flushed as the young man whom he now recognized as Fletcher hugged him close --, very very close. For a second, he didn\'t know what to do, Then as if Fletcher could feel his hesitation, he pulled back at an arm\'s lenght.

\"Al?... Do you recognize me?\" Fletcher asked.

He gazed into Fletcher\'s silvery blue eyes, his features were definatly more adult now, his hair was also longer and still untamable, which is why he wore that headgear. But Al was glad he wasn\'t wearing it now because he looked... Al blushed deep crimson and thought, What am I thinking?

\"ED!\" Russell had started to walk, then rushed to Edward who stood there, pale and lovely. He gasped when his arms went around him, Edward... his Ed was back. He held Edward close, felt the difference of warmth between his skin and the automail -- even clothed, he could feel the difference. \"Oh..Ed...\" Russell sobbed, holding Edward close, hearing the other boy start to cry as well.

\"Russ... Oh Russ...\" He felt tears fall down his face, Ed shivered in Russell\'s arms -- finally, oh god, finally they were together again. He gasped for air, Russell wasn\'t crushing him but all the emotions he had kept in check, all the tears he wanted to shed all the love he felt for Russell and the love he felt back from Russell was drowning him. He tried to hold on to Russell, but it was too overwhelming.

Russell held on to Ed, crying also, when he suddenly felt something was wrong. His heart stopped beating when he felt Ed go limp against him. \"ED!\" he screamed when Edward slipped from his arms like a disjoined doll. He caught his love before he could hit the floor. \"ED!\"


End of part 2