Epilogue

"Haven't I told you that I won't tell you anything?"

"Can't hurt to try," was Hughes' carefree reply to Bello's snarl. Roy stared at them, marveling at Hughes' ability to stay calm despite his apparent dislike at the lady alchemist.

Bello laughed, shrill and bitter. "I won't tell. You can ask me all you want about the project, or the Aerugian military, or anything really. I won't give any information to you Amestrians."

"You do realize that speaking up can reduce your prison time, right?" Roy asked her incredulously.

Bello chuckled huskily. "Do you honestly think the threat of prison will change my mind?" she asked with a glare to Roy's eyes. "I," she began, voice a mix between a growl and a hiss with volume just above a whisper, "hate you Amestrian. I despise you with every cell of my being. I will not speak, no matter how I should accomplish it."

"Now let's not be ridiculous here - "

"Ridiculous?" Bello repeated ferociously, effectively cutting Hughes off. "Who's being ridiculous? Did I kill any of you Amestrians? Did Aerugo? Did we purposefully attack the cities in the borders that are unable to resist? Did we slaughter those innocent civilians? Did we - "

"We don't slaughter people," Roy scoffed even though he knew just how wrong he was. Ishval was proof enough.

"You slaughtered my village!" Bello raged with hoarse voice. "You killed my parents. You killed Sienna!" She stopped, realizing what she said, and cursed in Amestrian, Aerugian and Cretan loudly. She slumped in her chair and refused to meet the two Amestrians' eyes. She kept her mouth shut, but Roy could see her jaws moving slightly, grinding and gritting together.

"Look," Hughes began after a moment of silence, "we're sure you have your reasons. Everyone do! But let's just keep ourselves in focus and talk about this case. Did you have targets other than Roy here?"

Bello bit her lip gently and turned her face away, eyes closed and brows knitting as if in pain. She then looked at both Roy and Hughes, determination blazing in her eyes. She smiled.

"What...?" Roy mumbled. That smile unnerved him for some reason.

"Perhaps I can tell you," she said. "Perhaps, once upon a time, if we all meet again in the afterlife."

"I think you're all set to go."

Edward fidgeted and stared at the Aerugian that had somehow ended up becoming his personal therapist. "You sure? Last time I had to stop myself from punching the daylights out of Mustang."

Lucca grinned lazily. "Wasn't it because he called you short?"

"Who are you calling short?!" Edward automatically yelled. He huffed. "Yeah, I guess that's why." He eyed the turned Aerugian nervously. "But really. Everything is all fine now? I don't need to worry about suddenly starting to stab people anymore?"

Lucca rolled his eyes. At the start of their sessions he had been wary and cautious, though it was to be expected since he was an Aerugian in the midst of Amestrians. Now that he had felt more comfortable around them, he acted much more casually. "Really, nothing to worry about. Unless Sofia planted more suggestions that I have no idea about, you're all clear."

"That's comforting," Edward stated plainly. His face held an expression that suggested thst he thought otherwise.

Lucca shook his head, wearing an amused smile. "I don't think she did anything. I was the one tasked with suggestions. She was tasked with making sure everything sticks."

Edward looked at him curiously. "Where is she, anyway? Didn't you meet with her? I want to talk to her a bit. According to Mustang she hates Amestrians deeply, and I want to know why."

"I'm sure you'll meet her sooner or later," Lucca said vaguely.

"Oh, and Foster? I want to ask the same thing."

"In jail," Lucca answered curtly. He then gave a teasing smile. "What of that girlfriend of yours, anyway? Winry, wasn't it? Is she fine?"

"Not my girlfriend!" Edward yelled, blushing. "Considering that she's surrounded by automails I'm sure she's fine." He flexed his metallic hand. Two days after Lucca, Bello, and Foster were arrested Winry was called, and she rushed to Senna soon. The bullet that Fuery shot had been pried out of the automail, but it had wrecked the part that helped nerve connections with all parts of the arm, resulting in the loss of motor control over it and constant pain for Edward unless the automail was taken off and repaired. After a long scolding from Winry (which included Edward yelling, Winry roaring, Fuery interfering and getting yelled at, wrenches being thrown with deadly accuracy and Riza having to calm Winry down) and an overnight work from Winry, the automail was back in top condition and Edward could use it again. He was thankful that he didn't need to undergo any surgery and the automail wasn't too terribly damaged. Winry went back to Rush Valley soon afterwards since she had a lot of customers, but not before a goodbye wrench was thrown to his head.

Edward may miss the girl, but he definitely wouldn't miss the wrench... or the painful kiss it gave his head.

"I never actually met her," Lucca mused. "I heard she's lovely. Perhaps I can extend our sessions so that he can meet sometime."

Edward cringed at the thought of having another wrench thrown at him. "Look for her yourself. I really would rather not get a concussion anytime soon."

Lucca laughed. "Shame, we'll never get to meet each other then."

Edward stared. "Oh. You're going to jail... aren't you?"

Lucca shrugged. "Unfortunately. That's the deal I had wth Mustang. I'm going to jail, but I might get out after ten years or so. Hopefully."

"And what will you do afterwards?" Edward asked. He had to admit that he had grown to like for the Aerugian. While he did do something terrible to him, Lucca had reversed all effects, and he seemed to not like his job all that much since the beginning.

"Well I don't think I can return to Aerugo because dear, darling Grandaddy will most likely throw me out to the streets anyway," Lucca shrugged. "I'll probably become a traveller. I'm sure there are a lot of things in Amestris that I can see."

Edward nodded in understanding. "I'd say you're welcome anytime, but we don't have a house."

"I'm sure someday you'll do," Lucca grinned. "Tell your Brother I said hello, will you?"

"What, you're not gonna tell him yourself?"

Lucca laughed sourly. "He isn't really fond of me, is he?" he asked. It was true, Alphonse never did like him even though he was the more agreeable of all three criminals. Being taken apart and scattered across the town was one reason, and Lucca didn't blame him.

"No, not really," Edward admitted.

"Well!" Lucca shrugged. "Doesn't matter. I'll be driven to Central Prison in a few days, I think. That's a lot of time to kill. Such a shame I can't go to the bar or something, it's boring waiting here on my own."

"Isn't Foster going to be driven to Central with you?" Edward asked in confusion. He thought the two men were going to be taken at the same time.

"No, he had no other thing to do so he was driven there two months ago."

"I see," Edward said, "Well, then, good luck. Central's pretty decent, but I heard prison isn't the best place to be around."

"That's a cheerful thought..."

"Hey, Greg."

"Don't 'hey Greg' me. How the heck did you get caught?"

"Whose fault is it to send an inexperienced man to spy on freaking military personnels to begin with?"

Roy watched the two argue back and forth in mild amusement. Was this how they normally were when together? He wondered how they could work as a unit, then.

Next to him, Breda cleared his throat. The two prisoners stopped bickering and turned to them.

"I have a deal to discuss with you," Roy said. "I hope you will accept this proposition. I believe it will prove to be beneficial for all of us."

"Let me guess," Foster sighed, "you want information?"

Roy nodded. "As an exchange we will make sure you will get the lightest sentence possible."

"I can't give much info since I'm not originally from the military," Dinapoli said.

"I have a different proposition for you," Roy told the man. "I want you to do whatever is necessary to pull all the triggers on Edward out. I want him back to normal." His eyes met Foster's. "That goes to you too, if you helped shaping Edward."

"I've thought of it over," Foster said with a light shake of his head, "I won't provide any information whatsoever. You might as well just throw me to jail because even if you torture me I'm not planning to talk."

"And the second deal?"

"I worked on his physique, not his psyche."

"Prison for Foster, then," Roy nodded to Breda. "And you, Dinapoli?"

He turned away. "I've decided from the start that I'd get him back to normal. I would've told you if you didn't propose it like this."

"You two know that someone might come later and use a more forceful method, right?" Roy asked them. "I'm not willing to do it, but many of the higher ups won't hesitate to use torture to get whatever they want, even if we've processed you now." The two prisoners nodded.

"It settles it, then." Breda muttered. "I'll tell the people in Southern HQ, Sir."

"Hold on," Foster said with a frown. "You let us see each other, but where's Bello?"

Roy froze, hands clenched. "...I can't let you see her."

"Why not?" Foster demanded harshly. "We're prisoners but you let us meet each other. What did you do to Bello that makes you unable to let us meet?"

"Let me rephrase that," Roy sighed. "You can't meet her. I'd let you, but I can't."

"But why?"

Roy stared at them without saying a word. He knew his eyes looked grim without having to see into a mirror. The two men in front of him stared back, and slowly understanding dawned on them.

"Oh..." was all Dinapoli could say. "Oh."

"Crazy woman," Foster hissed. His eyes betrayed the hurt that he was clearly feeling.

Breda broke the silence that followed afterwards by clearing his throat. "Sir," he called, looking at Roy meaningfully.

"Right," Roy nodded. "We'll discuss about whatever it is you'll need to do with Edward later. The others will process your data. We don't know yet but you'll probably be put in Central's prison."

Roy followed Breda who had opened the door and walked outside beforehand. He casted a last glance at the two mourning people.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, unheard by all but himself, as he closer the door behind him.

"You're not sending me to another mission so soon!"

"Soon? Define soon, Fullmetal, you've been idly sitting by for two months."

"Yeah. Having those therapy sessions you assigned to me!"

"That would be considered medical leave, not mission. Your share has been piling up, it's time to start working again. Unless you'd rather not get paid?"

"Meh. Paychecks are overrated anyway."

"You do realize that means no food, right?"

Roy laughed at how Edward's face changed from angry red to terrified pale. Apparently the kid was more afraid of having to starve than having to fight criminals. To be completely honest Roy wasn't sure he wanted to send the boy on this particular mission, but the other cases seemed to be just as much of a bad news if not worse. Besides, he couldn't have the boy just hanging around doing nothing forever.

"Fine, fine, I'll take it." Grumbling, Edward snatched the folder with his flesh hand. He skimmed through it. "Reported cases of an asshole who molested young girls and raped some." His eyes blazed with anger as he commented sarcastically, "Cheerful. Location is in Pleonuk..." he blinked. "Why so close?"

"Well, since you're so small, I'm worried we'll lose sight of you and can't ever find you again!"

"Who are you calling smaller than dust that no one can see him even when they're looking for him?!"

Roy laughed loudly at Edward's reaction while the boy glared daggers at him. "It's good to have you back, Fullmetal," he sighed as the laugh receded. Like before, he heaved a silent sigh of relief when Edward's face contorted into a familiar scowl and not the disturbing blankness he had when he was still under the influence of Bello and Dinapoli's trigger control. "I mean it."

"Yeah sure, you'll trade me for a seat in the council anyway," Edward muttered.

Roy only smirked, not feeling the need to correct the alchemist's suspicion. "By the way, Fullmetal," he called as he pulled the day's newspaper from his drawer, "This is some good news for us all, I believe." He held out the newspaper, and Edward took it.

"Discussions Being Held with Creta and Aerugo Regarding Border Disputes," Edward read. His eyes widened and he stared at Roy as if trying to get a confirmation.

Roy smiled and nodded. "If this goes well, we won't have to worry about being called to war. You can focus on your research and getting back Alphonse and your bodies."

Edward's face bore a wide grin. "You're right, Colonel, this is a great news," he told Roy as he set down the newspaper on the table. "Thanks for telling me, that's one thing off my shoulders."

Roy chuckled. "You deserve having it off your shoulders, Fullmetal. You're dismissed."

"Right," Edward nodded, turning to leave, but stopped in his track. "Oh, Colonel? Is it possible for me to meet Bello? I still want to talk to her, if possible."

Roy took a deep breath. "I'm afraid it's not possible, Fullmetal."

"Why? Is she put into some kind of high security prison or something?"

"You could say that," Roy said vaguely.

"Mmhm," Edward grunted, opening the door to exit the room.

"Oh, Fullmetal?"

"Yeah?" Edward turned to face him.

"Take care of yourself." Please don't ever get abducted again.

To Roy's surprise, instead of cursing, laughing at him, or making a rude gesture, Edward smiled softly. "I will," he promised. Then he smirked in amusement at the face Roy was making, leaving the room with the grace of a lithe cat, and for once closed the door civilly and not slamming it loudly.

He had been acting as if he was okay, but perhaps the whole kidnapped and used fiasco had affected him more than he let on. Roy shook his head with a smile, silently promising himself to look after the young alchemist better.

"Hey Al, we've got a new job!"

The tall suit of armor that had been sitting on a chair in the Eastern HQ's lobby stood up and went to his brother. "What job is it, Brother?"

"Catching some pervert in Pleonuk," Edward answered. "It's near so there should be a train going there soon. Come on!"

"Wait, Brother!" Alphonse reached and grabbed Edward's shoulder. "Are you sure you're up to this? Don't you need more preparations or something?"

"Don't worry, Al, I'm all ready!" Edward patted Alphonse's grabbing gauntlet despite knowing Alphonse couldn't feel anything.

"Not that. Are you sure your head is all clear? The therapy's all done?"

Edward rolled his eyes. Alphonse had asked this at least ten times already. "Yes, Al, I'm all fine. Mustang's called me Fullmetal several times and nothing happened. Lucca did his job nicely. Just calm down, will you?"

"I just can't trust him all that much, Brother. He was the one that messed up your mind to begin with."

"Yeah," Edward nodded, "but I'm all fine now. Trust me, Al. Do I ever lie to you?"

Just like always, Edward could tell that Alphonse was smiling despite the fact that he had no body, and he offered his own grin to him. "Now then. Let's quickly go to the train station, we've got a train to catch!"

"Oh, Brother!" Alphonse said. "Did you ask the colonel? About Bello?"

Edward stopped, frowning. "Yeah, I did. He said it's impossible to meet her, she's placed in a high security prison or something." His frown deepened. "He was pretty vague though..." He shook his head. "Oh well. Let's go, Al."

"Right."

"Afterlife? What do you mean?"

Sofia laughed at the confusion and alarm in the two Amestrians' eyes. Amazing how a single decision could change how much she was feeling. She felt so light, all of a sudden.

"Exactly that," Sofia sighed. Her tongue traced her teeth, and she silently wondered how long it would take.

"Bello?" Mustang's voice was full of wary suspicion. Sofia grinned.

"I guess this is goodbye." She placed her tongue between her teeth.

"Bello - !"

Sofia bit.

A/N: FINISHED! YES!

Yes, people. This is the end of To Bleed Each Other White. I'm so glad I managed to finish this. I might do a sequel one day since to be completely honest I've grown pretty attached to the OCs, Lucca in particular. But for now there is no definite plan, since I think this works just as well as a standalone fic.

Some if not all of you might have seen that I changed my username. That's because I want it to be easier for people to find this account. I want all my accounts from many sites to be similar so they're easier to track. A personal branding, if you will. If you want to check, my tumblr url is twilighteve, and I also have a side blog with the url twilighteve-writes to list down all the things I've written, and it'll have updates on stories and stuff too. Yes, this is a promotion of sorts. Yes, you are welcome, encouraged even, to look up those urls.

Thanks so much for sticking with this fic until the end. I really hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it. Bless Wikipedia and FMA's wiki site for all the information they provided for this fic. Bless you all for the reviews, favorites and follows. Bless you all for reading. I cannot thank you enough. This fic is the first fic I wrote that got so much recognition, and I'm so happy for that.

Once again, thanks so much. With this To Bleed Each Other White has officially ended.

Oh, and please leave a review on your way out. It'll make my day!