Alchemy

The floor plan for Russell and Fletcher's new shop. Two stories, with a small garden out back and a kitchen upstairs. Russell is rather found of the work room in the back half of the shop. The greenhouse windows give the building a distinctive look and are very practical.

( First Floor )

( Second Floor )

The fireball had blazed overhead and Russell had watched, standing alone in the broken street, until he could stand no longer.

He slumped against the beanstalk, taking a while to compose himself.

He hadn't had the heart to destroy the beanstalk yet, and he entertained the notion of just leaving it. As a monument and a reminder.

It would eventually get cut down anyway, Russell finally decided, reaching up to cut one of the leaves off. He scratched a quick array to shrink the plant completely back into the ground, sending it back under the broken stones of the road.

Russell glanced up and down the street.

Time to move forward.

&&&

Months passed.

Putting Central back together would be a huge task and it still looked liked it would be years before things would be back to normal. Russell and Fletcher helped as much as they could, until it became evident that not much more could be done.

The brothers went back to Xenotime for a short while, staying until Russell's restlessness led them to do some traveling.

Their traveling, which lasted for far longer than first planned, involved touring the country, researching, working, and never staying in one place for too long.

Not once since the disaster had he found the door back to the bar. He held out hope that it would appear one day when he needed it the most, and that maybe, maybe, there would be someone there waiting for him. He never stopped looking.

Russell didn't much talk about why he felt the need to keep moving, that was something only he felt he understood completely. Anyway, he wasn't quite sure he could explain how he was both following and searching for something. Or maybe it was simply a way of keeping busy.

When the time came for them to return to where they had started, three years had passed.

Three years that had gone by in a stop and start motion that somehow seemed to match the pace of their journey. But being back in Central calmed Russell down quite a bit and he settled in easily.

And even if Russell sometimes had a far away look on his face as he drifted off, he was home and he was content.

Russell had every intention of making himself bound to Milliways indefinitely but, unfortunately, Bar had other ideas.

So when Fletcher replied to his first letter and Russell approached the door with a quick reply, intending to slide it under, he ended up back at home.

Russell could have sworn that the door had sucked him in and Russell had never hated a door so much before in his life.

He tried everything he knew to get back, going almost insane with desperation, until Fletcher came home and stopped him from transmuting an axe from a tree branch.

He only hoped that Ed would understand why he was gone.

***

Russell was able to admit that it was a good thing he was back home.

One of his patients had gone into relapse and if he hadn't been there, Fletcher wouldn't have been able to save her by himself.

He didn't even stop to think that Bar might have known that this would happen.

***

In the same fashion that Russell was forced out of Milliways, he found himself unceremoniously dumped onto the floor in the middle of the bar one day.

Staggering to his feet and grumbling in annoyance, he made his way toward the stairs.

And if he happened to be looking around the bar anxiously as he walked, well, he had good reason.

Russell hadn't known who else to ask for help so it was very lucky that he spotted Dr. Fraiser in the bar as he slams the door shut behind him.

"Doctor I know this is short notice but the sickness has gotten worse."

He says it all in a rush, not even taking time to catch his breath from the running.

Janet, being ever the professional, doesn't have to ask him twice, "take me to them." She asks bar for her med kit on the way out, which she always keeps at the ready for emergencies like this. In addition to the med kit, a duffel bag pops up and Janet grabs it automatically without realizing what it could mean.

And then they're out the door.

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"We've tested this before with a ninety-five percent success rate," Janet reassures the child's father who, in turn, looks around to Russell. "It's the best thing we have," Russell adds, which seems to make up the father's mind.

He nods in assent and moves out of their way.

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The check ups for the children are all positive but Russell won't rest until the sickness is completely gone. Janet admires his deterministic attitude but has no idea what it stems from...Russell has yet to tell her everything, not used to having an adult who listens to him for more than just his research findings.

At the end of that first day, Janet, Russell and Fletcher all return exhausted. Russell gives up his room to Janet, transmuting a feather bed for her while squeezing in with Fletcher. He can't get to sleep and ends up reading through his notes on the foreign medication for the hundredth time. He doesn't notice that he eventually falls asleep until Fletcher shakes him awake saying breakfast is ready.

------------------------------------------------------------

It had been three days so far, with all results still positive, and Janet has started to worry about Cassie. Deciding on making a quick visit back to Milliways to let them know where she went, Russell tells her how to get back.

Unfortunately, Bar doesn't think it was such a good idea and Janet ends up being temporarily (she hopes) stuck in Central.

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"Russell...are you feeling alright?" Janet queries anxiously.

The restless nights had been getting to him which was obviously apparent to everyone. Before he can say anything, Janet continues, "what do you say we get some fresh air? I've been wanting to see more of this city that I've heard so much about."

It's a lighter form or mothering mode because, whatever he says otherwise, Russell is still only a kid.

It actually sounds like a good idea. He smiles genuinely.

"Sure."

------------------------------------------------------------

Fletcher hadn't questioned the appearance of this strange new doctor, accepting Russell's assurance that she was completely trustworthy and knew what she was doing.

He was becoming increasingly curious about this mysterious bar that his brother often mentioned. After all, it's difficult to pretend that the place doesn't exist when someone (who he can immediately tell is foreign) suddenly shows up in the kitchen.

------------------------------------------------------------

While Janet learned more about Amestris and attempted to gain an understanding of alchemy, Russell and Fletcher both learned a great deal about this new medication from a place called 'Earth'. The three of them set about trying to synthesize it from herbs native to Amestris but, by the time Bar finally decided to let Janet return to Milliways, they hadn't made much progress.

Russell was just happy to have more to research. Once he finds a way to make the medicine at home, he will finally have something solid to present at his State Alchemist exam.

After Janet's insistance that he could get some more medical journals from Earth back at Milliways, Russell finally agrees to return for a few days.

Fletcher is perfectly capable of handling the check ups on his own and practically shoves his brother through the door, catching a glimpse of the place as he does so.

Janet's first order of business? Finding Cassie.

[OOC: After this...]

"Fletcher?" Russell calls as he steps through the door from Milliways. "Fletcher, are you home?"

He wouldn't be surprised if Fletcher was off fixing things for the neighbors again, so he goes over to the kitchen and puts his notebook on the table, wandering around to see if there was anything to eat.

"Brother?" Fletcher says, from his bedroom doorway. "I've been looking for you all day, I was getting worried."

Russell sighs and turns to face him.

"I'm sorry Fletcher, I should have left a note--"

"I thought you were working on the experiment and when I went to get you for lunch but you weren't there! I asked around and nobody else had seen you," Fletcher's eyes get really wide and he goes on quietly, "I thought something had happened to you..."

"Fletcher..." Russell lowers his head, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you right away but..." this seems like the perfect time to do so. "I'm fine. I was in a bar called Milliways, it's...really hard to explain..." he trailed off.

"You never go into bars."

"Well, this one's different," Russell says, trying to figure out how to say this without sounding crazy. "It's a restaurant, too. Some people who go there are from very far away."

"I don't understand..."

"It's a bar at the end of the universe," he begins, "you might not believe me until you see it for yourself, though." Russell takes a seat at the kitchen table and motions for Fletcher to do the same. Fletcher looks hesitant at first before taking the seat opposite him.

Russell looks Fletcher in the eye, "do you trust me?" he asks simply.

"Of course I do brother, you know that."

Russell explains how he found Milliways the first time and how he's gone back a couple more times. He shows Fletcher the pictures and tries to explain the part about other worlds as best as he can. Fletcher is quiet during most of this and Russell assumes that he's taking it all in because he's not asking questions.

It may take a little convincing for Fletcher to believe that Milliways actually exists because Russell isn't sure the door would let Fletcher through at all. Russell goes over to his door, thinks Milliways, and opens it. Only his room is on the otherside. Apparently the door doesn't work when trying to show the bar to someone who hasn't been there before.

He really hopes Fletcher trusts him enough for this one.

Fletcher perks up a lot more when Russell suggests that they visit Al. Even though he still wouldn't remember them, Russell has a favor to do and photos to deliver. They plan to go as soon as possible, whenever there is a decent break in their research, which has been moving along very well lately, to Russell's surprise.

By the time Russell is finished talking, it's dark out, and the two of them get something to eat and discuss the experiment for the next day. Russell is glad that Fletcher hadn't dismissed his story as crazy ramblings, but he's also disappointed that Fletcher didn't say that he believes him outright, yet. It will take time, he is sure, but atleast he doesn't feel guilty about hiding it anymore.

"Brother!"

The voice from the other side of the door startled Russell awake. He bolted upright and rubbed the indentation in his face that he had gotten from napping on top of a book.

"Did you fall asleep over your research again, brother?"

Russell hastily pushed his hair out of his eyes and stood up, walking over to the door. There was no point in denying it, Fletcher would know he was lying anyway.

"Doesn't matter, I'm awake now," Russell said as he opened the door. "What is it?"

"Dinner's ready...and I know you skipped breakfast and lunch because everything was where I left it this morning."

"Fletcher, you know how important this research is and if I don't finish it..." Russell paused at the look on his younger brother's face. "I'm sorry for ignoring you so much, I really am, but once I become a state alchemist everything will be better."

"I know, brother," Fletcher said quietly, "I'm just worried about you."

Russell grinned and ruffled Fletcher's hair as they headed toward the kitchen. "Don't be, I'll be fine."

Fletcher ducked away from Russell, "Brother! You know I hate it when you do that!" but Fletcher was smiling as usual and Russell figured he should take a break anyway, he had a long night ahead of him.

"We'll be able to start the experiment tomorrow, if I have everything set properly."

Fletcher placed the plates of food on the table in front of them. He was quiet for a moment as they sat down.

"It's going to be another all-nighter, then?" Fletcher asked quietly, not accusing, just curious.

Russell raised his eyebrows at Fletcher. "Of course. I've got a bit of last minute things to work on."

"Right."

Even though Fletcher didn't show it, Russell knew that Fletcher didn't approve of the all night research sessions. He had already had them three nights in a row now.

They ate in silence with the occaisional meaowing of Puffy as she curled around their ankles looking for treats.

"I'll get these," Fletcher said as Russell stood up to help him clear the table. "Better let you get back to work," and though his shoulders were a bit slumped as he turned his back to Russell, he sounded quite cheerful.

Russell hesitated, feeling guilty about letting his brother do all the chores that Fletcher never complained about doing.

"It's fine, you have more important things to do," Fletcher smiled sincerely as he turned to look at his brother.

As Russell went back to his room, he told himself that after he became a state alchemist, things would be much easier for the both of them. They would have a steady income and more money to spend on research. The search for the cure for the red water disease was at a standstill right now and Russell hoped that the experiment they planned to start tomorrow would help greatly.

Russell sighed and opened the door to his room.