We Go Together

The Ruins of Xerxes

Major Armstrong came with us too. During the trip, Edward and I held hands almost the whole time, exchanging looks now and then. Neither one of us knows what this is about.

Come to think of it, I don't think Maria Ross even had her trial. It was way too fast. And it wouldn't be like her to want to break out of prison. If she was guilty, she would have accepted it. But there's just something that doesn't add up.

And the very person who incited me to join the military was capable of such cold hearted killing. The hell with orders! It's a human life.

The train stops at Resembool. We get down and start walking until we meet with someone. To Edward, that someone is familiar.

"Mr. Breda?" Edward says. Then he looks at Armstrong. "Okay, what's all this about?"

"You'll find out soon enough, Edward," he replies.

"Whatever," Edward says and then takes my hand.

"Hey! Fullmetal!" Breda says. "And will you look at that. The Spark Alchemist is here too!"

"Spark?" I stop walking. 

"Yeah!" He says. "That's what they're calling you ever since you could set a flame even in rain!"

"Cool," I smile and remember it's been a while since I've smiled like this.

"Anyway, we should be on our way," Breda says.

We follow and get on horses, each on one. For a long time we ride and we start to get in a desert area. 

"Dammit," Edward says, "the Colonel didn't even mention we'd be crossing a desert."

The heat starts to make me a bit uncomfortable.

"Mr. Fu," Breda says, "about how much longer will we ride?"

"A few more miles," Fu replies.

The ride through the desert seems endless, but we finally arrive at a place that I recognize as the Xerxes ruins. We get down from our horses and walk through the shadows of the ruins now that the sun has gone just a few degrees lower. There's a pool of water in which Edward gets in, while I explore a bit more. On a wall, there's some sort of circle carved, and it looks very familiar.

I head to the pool when Edward gets out. He's shirtless, so I look away blushing.

"It's not the first time you've seen me like this," he says.

"I guess," I reply and manage to look back at him. He's also blushing fiercely.

He dries off his shirt and then walks to me. He gives me a tight hug. When he pulls away, I pull his face closer to mine and kiss him passionately. He puts his arms around my waist and I stroke his collarbone with my thumb.

Armstrong interrupts us. "There's going to be time for that later!"

Edward and I pull away blushing, then he puts his shirt back on. "So. This is Xerxes?"

"Yes," Fu replies. "There's a fable about how Alcahestry began with a man from here."

We keep on walking deeper into the ruins, exploring whatever we can. Then, a woman's voice calls our names.

"Edward! Alice!"

We look up and see a woman with black, very short hair and small blue eyes.

"The damn Colonel..." Edward smirks.

"Lieutenant Ross!" I say happily.

Major Armstrong also feels incredibly happy that he starts chasing after her.