A/N: Sorry for the wait. It took me a while to actually bring this to a place I was okay with. It's still not as good as I was hoping it would be. Anyway, I'm dedicating this chapter to my little cousin from whom I stole Al's speech issue. It's a gift from Cousin "Ashwey". ;^)

A year had passed since the Rockbells had left Central City behind and moved back to their hometown of Resembool. In that time, Edward had grown out of his "Girls-are-Icky" phase and he and Alphonse now regarded Winry as something like a sister, though Winry's father amused himself by insisting it was a different kind of affection in regards to Edward and Winry. Alphonse had learned to read and his speech had improved greatly in the last year, though he still couldn't pronounce his L's. ("Al, what's your whole name?" "Awphonse Ewric." ) Edward and Winry had both turned five and Alphonse's fourth birthday was just around the corner. Yes, much had changed in the time that had passed but one thing had remained more or less the same: Van Hohenheim was as distant from his family as ever.

Sometimes Edward heard his parents talking at night when they thought he and his brother were asleep. He couldn't comprehend much of what was being said but he could tell from the tone of their voices whatever it was they were discussing had both of them deeply upset. Edward began to fear something bad would soon descend upon his family. He knew something was bothering both of his parents but whenever he asked his mother about it, she simply smiled and said it was nothing for him to worry about.

But Edward was worried. He was seeing less and less of his father nowadays and, though he always tired to hide it, everyone around could tell Hohenheim was deeply troubled by something. He spent almost all of his time shut in his study reading alchemy books and looking through his old notes. Edward began to think there was little more his father would ever be able to learn about alchemy. He was wrong.

"That bastard," Edward heard his father mutter one evening after opening his office door to retrieve him for dinner. Hohenheim was looking at a map of Amestris, a pen in his hand. It looked like he had drawn something on it but Edward couldn't see what from where he was standing.

"It's just like before… No… it's even bigger than that. He's planning something terrible."

"Daddy?"

Hohenheim jumped and turned to see who had spoken.

"Edward," Hohenheim said, taking off his glasses and rubbing his tired eyes. "I didn't hear you come in."

"Oh. I'm sorry. I forgot to knock."

"That's alright," Hohenheim said turning back to his desk and folding up the map.

Edward took a few tentative steps toward his father. Looking up into his exhausted face, he wondered again what had his him so stressed. When Hohenheim noticed him looking, he smiled. Edward could tell it wasn't real.

"Did you want something?" Hohenheim asked.

Edward shuffled his feet nervously.

"Um… Daddy?"

"Yes?"

Edward looked into his father's bloodshot, gold eyes.

"Why are you sad?"

Hohenheim seemed taken aback by this question.

"You always seem so sad and tired. And I heard you talking to Mommy last night and you called yourself a monster. But that's just silly. Mommy says monsters aren't real so you can't be one so don't be sad, okay?"

Hohenheim looked down at his son in mild confusion for a moment before chuckling sadly and motioning for Edward to sit on his lap. Edward did so.

"Oh, Ed," Hohenheim said, hugging his son tightly, "you're such a smart boy." He sighed, sadly.

Edward—though confused as to why his father was hugging him—was pleased with the praise. He felt his father's grip on him tighten and his breath shorten.

"It may be hard for you to understand at times, Edward," Hohenheim muttered, combing his fingers through Ed's hair, "but don't ever forget that I love you and your mother and brother very much."

Now Edward was really confused. What would ever cause him to forget this fact? His father told them this all the time. Why should he ever forget it? Why should any if them?

Hohenheim held him there for what felt like a long time. Edward couldn't understand what was going on. He had wanted to help but it did not seem like he had done much good. Well, if hugging him made his father feel better, Edward was fine with it. Though… he wasn't sure why it had to be so long.

"Guys! Dinner!" Trisha called from the kitchen.

"Be right there!" Hohenheim called back. "Come on, Ed," he added, wiping his eyes beneath his glasses. "Let's go."

"Uh… okay."

Edward jumped down off his father's lap and Hohenheim took his hand as they walked to the kitchen. Edward glanced up at his father and noticed his eyes were puffy and slightly reddened. It almost looked like he had been crying. But that was just silly, Edward knew; grown ups didn't cry.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

"Brother?"

"What?"

"I gotta pee."

"Go by yourself."

"But it's stiww dark out."

"So?"

"So the ghosts are stiww out."

"There's no such thing as ghost, dummy."

"Yeah-huh. They ate my birthday cake yesterday."

"That was Den."

"Pwease, brother? I reawy gotta go."

Edward rolled over in bed to look at his younger brother. He was standing with his legs crossed in front of Edward's bed, a pleading look on his face. Edward gave an agitated sigh.

"You really bug me sometimes," he said grudgingly rolling out of bed and stepping into the early morning chill.

"Hurry up," Edward said rubbing his eyes.

"'Kay," said Alphonse.

Edward nearly fell asleep while he waited against the wall outside the bathroom for his brother. When Alphonse exited the room, Edward took his hand and led him, eyes closed, down the hall. It was not until he heard his parents' voices that he realized he had, in his sleepy daze, gone in the wrong direction, heading towards the front door instead of back to their bedroom.

"What are you boys doing up so early?" Trisha asked when she saw them.

"Al hadda pee," Edward said through a yawn, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Oh, so you were taking care of your brother?" Trisha said kneeling down in front of her boys. "Thank you, Ed," she added, ruffling his hair in affection.

Edward laughed sleepily and grinned at his mother. It was not until then that he noticed his father standing in the doorway, a suitcase in his hand. He looked up expecting to see his father smiling at him like he always did when he saw him or Alphonse. To his surprise, however, instead of a warm smile, Edward looked up to see his father's face twisted into a cold, indifferent glare.

Edward took a step back from the icy look on his father's face. Had he done something to upset him?

"Goodbye," said Hohenheim. And he turned and walked out of the open front door closing it behind him with a loud snap. Edward wondered vaguely where he was going but was too tired to contemplate too far.

"Come on, boys," Trisha said softly. "Back to bed."

"'Kay," Edward and Alphonse said together. And their mother took their hands and led them back to their room.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

When Edward got up again later that morning, the first thing he did was peek into his parents' room. He had remembered the look on his father's face earlier in the morning and was hoping to find out why it had been there. However, when Edward opened the door, he found the room empty.

He must be in having breakfast, Edward thought.

But Edward didn't see his father when he entered the kitchen either.

"Good morning, Ed," Trisha said, brightly.

"'Morning, Brother."

"Hi," said Ed. He paused for a moment. "Hang on."

He turned on his heel and hurried up the stairs to Hohenheim's study, rapping softly on the door. There was no answer. He knocked again, louder this time. Still no answer. He turned the knob cautiously, cracking the door slightly, to peek inside. The room was dark.

"Daddy?" Edward called, pulling the door open.

The room was empty.

Oh, I remember now, Edward thought. He had a suitcase. He must be on a trip.

Wondering where his father had gone, Edward ran back downstairs to the kitchen and sat at the table next to his brother.

"Hello again," said Trisha, with a laugh. "Ready for breakfast?"

"Yeah. Mommy?" Edward added as she set a plate of eggs down in front of him.

"Hmm?" She said turning back to the counter.

"Where's Daddy?" Edward saw his mother stiffen suddenly. It looked like she was in pain. (2)

"He left," Trisha said, quietly.

Edward squinted at his mother's back. Why was she so upset? He knew she would miss his father while he was away but he wouldn't be gone very long, would he?

"When wiww he be back?" Alphonse asked.

Trisha hesitated with her back to the boys before she turned to them, smiling, and laughed.

"Tickle, tickle, tickle," she said moving over to tickle Alphonse who giggled.

"He'll be back before you know it," she said before kissing Alphonse softly on the forehead.

But, although his mother often told them it was wrong to lie, Edward couldn't shake off the ridiculous feeling that she wasn't being completely honest.

A/N: 1. Ed was probably only there for a minute or two. He's five so it seemed longer to him.

2. She is in pain. Just not the kind Ed was thinking of. Poor Trisha.

So there it is. This chapter didn't turn out as good as I was hoping. Not in the least. So if you would be willing to take the time to review, I would be forever grateful. Constructive critiques are always appreciated. And as always, thanks so much for reading!