By the look on her face, it was obvious to see that Gemini felt the same way. "They needed to know." She said, trying to convince herself. "False hope is worse than no hope at all. They...we'll survive, just like we always have. We'll make our own hope."

"I don't think some of them will think that way." Al sighed glad when his brother appeared but disappointed to learn that the stone was a fake.

Gemini shook her head. "No...you're right. They won't...at least, not at first. But I know a girl here, Rose, who will be able to convince them. She'll be upset for a while, but she's really good at being optimistic." She said. "So...what are you guys going to do now?" She asked.

"Continue our search." Ed sighed as he joined them. "It's alright big brother." Al smiled at Ed. "Let's go back to central city maybe we can get answers there."

Gemini bit her lip, looking like she wanted to say something. "Um...you guys are...you're state alchemists, right?" She asked.

"Big brother is."Al smiled "I'm not..." he trailed off really not wanting to reveal why he hadn't gotten his state alchemist pass.

"Oh, okay. But, um, well..." Gemini turned slightly pink in the cheeks. "C-can I go to Central City with you? I want to become a state alchemist." She said in a rush, as if she were afraid of asking.

"Sure but you might not like it." Ed shrugged. "Especially if you have to deal with a certain Alchemist." he grumbled. Al knew at once that he was talking about Roy Mustang though he didn't get why Ed hated Mustang so much.

Gemini smiled brightly. "Thank you!" She said, running forward to hug both brothers at once. It was difficult, since she was so tiny, but she somehow managed. "I don't have anything here to bring with me...oh, except my book. But I keep that right here." She pounded a fist on her chest, which made a strange knocking sound, indicating that there was in fact a book there.

"Alright. Let's head back." Ed lead the way and five days later they where back in Central. "Here we are." Ed grinned and waved to a man. "Hey it's Colonel Hughes." Hughes came over grinning at them. "Hey you two long time no see. Roy told me you would be coming so I volunteered to let you stay with me." Ed grinned as he looked around. "He's not with you is he?" Hughes laughed "no he's probably back in his office annoying Riza and Lori." "Good.'' Ed huffed.

Gemini had traveled well, staying quiet and not causing any inconvenience the whole time. When the arrived in Central, she kept having to runt o catch up with the brothers because she was distracted by all the...everything. Meeting the man called Hughes, Gemini stood next to Al shyly, hoping his bulk would keep her hidden. "Um...I, um...I'm sorry, but do you know a place I could stay? I don't have any money, but if there's an inn where I could work for it..." She asked finally, realizing she had to find somewhere to stay.

At the same time, in his office, Roy Mustang suddenly sneezed. "I get the feeling someone is talking about me..." He muttered.

"Probably Edward." Lori chuckled from her work station next to Riza's. "He is in town. Probably meet Hughes by know." she mused and went back to doing her work. "I'm surprised you didn't want to go meet him."

"Oh are you here to take the state alchemist test?" Hughes grinned. "They let you stay at the barracks but I do know a inn if you want though what's one more person?"

"I don't think Edward would be too happy to see me. I'll visit him later, when he's least expecting it." Mustang said with an evil grin.

Gemini looked up at the man. "Um...are...are you sure? I don't want to Impose." She said.

"The more the merrier." Hughes grinned. "You can help take care of my wife." He puffed out his chest. "My baby girl was just born the other day."

Lori rolled her eyes. "Go easy on Hughes and his wife." She chided. "She did just give birth and you know if. He'll be the protective dad type."

Gemini's eyes sparkled. "A baby? I love babies! I'll be happy to help in any way I can!" She said, bowing deeply.

"True...he's already called me three times today to tell me about his daughter. Maybe I'll wait a while."

Lori chuckled and shook her head. "You to have the cutest bromance." She smirked. "Are we sure it's only a bromance and not more?" Riza asked with a raised eyebrow Lori started laughing.

Hughes grinned and lead the way. "Honey I brought company." The boys stayed away from the baby not sure what to do with it.

Mustang turned red. "I-I'm not even going to dignify that with a response!" He said, crossing his arms.

Gemini, on the other hand, went straight to the baby. "Oh, how cute! She's just the most precious baby ever!" She gushed.

"I know. Isn't she amazing?" Hughes grinned looking the perfect example of proud parent.

Lori grinned "and the blush confirms it. Mas Hughes and Roy Mustang are together."

Gemini nodded. "She's perfect!" She said, eyes sparkling. Apparently, she had a soft spot for babies.

"I'm going out." Mustang said loudly, standing up to leave.

"And he doesn't deny it." Lori smirked well Riza frowned at him. "Sir you still have work to do." She reminded him.

Hughes seemed to grow taller. "Well you certainly seem capable of helping my little girl." Be turned to the boys to find Ex asleep on the couch. He laughed "he really is something else."

"It's lunch time. I'll be back when you two are finished making fun of me."

Gemini giggled. "He works really hard. They both do." She said.

"Well that is true." Hughes dropped a blanket on the boy. "He shouldn't just fall asleep without saying anything."

"Maybe he didn't mean to fall asleep there. You can't say anything if you don't know you're asleep." Gemini reasoned. Something occurred to her then, and she pulled Al away so she could talk without anyone hearing. "I just remembered what I saw before, when you guys were fighting Cornello. Al...can you sleep, without a body?" She asked curiously.

"I don't get tired...or hungry so no I don't sleep usually I watch over big brother while he sleeps." Al looked away staring at the ground.

"Sorry sir...it's just so much fun to make fun of that deep relationship." Lori chuckled.

Gemini realized too late that she had brought up a sore subject. "Oh...I'm sorry. I just wanted to...I shouldn't have asked." She said, feeling guilty. "If it helps, I don't sleep either. I haven't since my parents..." She trailed off, not wanting to say the word 'died.'