So I've been getting round to posting this for… a very long time and now I'm actually doing it. Not bad, eh? This is the sequel to my other fic: It's Not What You Think, but it can stand alone. I hope you enjoy :) This fic is unusually rated M for later content. It's a lot darker than It's Not What You Think but there will be other warnings coming.

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA.

Prologue

"So…" Mustang said to his subordinates on the train platform. His wife and son were looking at the two soldiers, the boy's eyes red with tears. His mother was her usual strong self, no emotion showing on her face.

"I guess this is goodbye then, chief," said one of the officers, a man with blondish hair. The officer reached forwards to take Mustang's hand and shake it. Mustang gave him a sincere smile before turning to the other officer, a woman with brown hair. She was smiling at Mustang's son, Kit, in an effort to cheer him up. Suddenly the boy pounced on the female officer, wrapping his arms round her knees. She pried him off and sunk to his level so that she could give him a tight hug.

Mustang turned to his wife and offered her a comforting smile. She stepped forwards and gave the male officer a hug.

"Thank you," she whispered in his ear. The officer grinned goofily.

"Any time, Hawkeye," the officer replied.

"Make sure you get there safely," the female officer ordered. Mustang nodded. The female officer let go of Kit and stood up so that she could give Mrs Mustang a hug. "I'll miss you, not Mustang but you and Kit."

"Geez, thanks," Mustang moaned rubbing his head.

"You know she doesn't mean it," the other officer said. Mustang looked at him and sighed.

"Yeah, I guess," Mustang replied. Mrs Mustang and the female officer parted. They bid their farewells before Mrs Mustang picked up her son and walked back to her husband's side.

"Tell the others we got off safe," Mustang told his subordinates. The officers gave a snappy salute.

"Sir," they said in unison. Mustang smiled at them once again.

"And for God's sake, keep yourselves out of trouble," he added.

"Well with you in Xing we definitely will do," the female officer snapped causing Mrs Mustang to laugh.

"She has a point there, Roy," Mrs Mustang said. Mustang nodded, defeated for the last time by his wittier subordinate.

"Well," Mustang said.

"Good bye you two," Mrs Mustang said. She turned to her son in her arms. "Say goodbye to Uncle Jean and Auntie George, Kit."

"Bye bye Auntie Geowge. Bye bye Uncle Ean," Kit said sadly. He waved half heartedly at the two officers who waved back, big smiles on their faces. Mustang rolled his eyes before following his wife onto the train. He hung back for a second.

"Oh, yeah," he said. His wife looked back at him as a twisted smile made its way onto his face, "Tell Fullmetal I said 'Seeya Shrimp'."

"OK," the female officer said, unimpressed with the request, half knowing the reaction of the young alchemist in question. Mustang gave them both a salute which they returned before he disappeared into the train. After a few minutes it started to roll out of the station, its horn blowing loudly.

"There they go," the male officer said. His companion nodded.

"You tell Fullmetal," she retorted. She turned on her heel and walked towards the train station. He lingered for a moment then followed her. They walked in silence for a while until he began to chuckle to himself. She glanced at him.

"What's the matter?" she asked, raising her eyebrow.

"You know the boss is going to go to Xing just to tell Mustang to shove it up his ass," he replied. She smiled and laughed too.

"Should we get him the tickets now?" she asked. He slung his arm round her shoulder and they walked, laughing like maniacs, out of the station knowing full well that when they stopped laughing the tears would start to pour.

So this is just the prologue, the other chapters will be coming soon. I hope you enjoyed! Read and review!

RSx