It was raining. Again. Why is it that the weather always seems to reflect how you're feeling inside? Roy sighed as he leafed through the numerous sheets on his desk. In reality, he probably should've sent most of these reports away by now, but it just wasn't his style to be organised. Or to do any paper work for that matter, however 'important' it may be. The sad fact is the man just didn't see how any of it was relevant to his life. As he gazed nostalgically out the window he was lost in his own world, so far lost that he didn't even hear the door swing open gently. A cough brought him back to reality, and he turned to see a young man standing just inside the door. His hair fell over his face in soft bangs and his amber eyes avoided the colonel's gaze. Roy knew well that the teenager wasn't here by his own choice, but he wanted to speak to him none the less. "You don't have to be nervous Fullmetal," he said, rearranging his papers again, a habit he really needed to break. "I need to talk to you about your next assignment."

The boy smirked. " Just back and you want me to leave again huh" he leaned against the doorway, " I bet you just love having me as your dog, don't you."

Roy smiled inwardly; he had always admired the kid's insolence. Whatever you wanna say about there being a time and place for everything, it was still an admirable trait.

" Believe me, there's worse people in this military whose dog you could be"

" Wanna name a few?"

Roy just smiled and went on, "The state wants me to go out and investigate some strange happenings in the east. I'll be going along with some officers based nearer the place, but The Fuhrer thinks it would be best for me to bring someone from Central along as well" He paused to look at Ed. " And that someone is you."

" Are you serious?" Ed stared, "Why me?"

Roy sighed. " Perhaps you should come and sit down"

Ed shuffled uncomfortably. "I'm fine here." Roy smiled slightly and indicated the corridor outside his office. Ed looked round suspiciously, only to find that every door along the corridor was ajar and many of the officers were still staring intently, so bent on listening to every word being said it too them a few moments to realise they'd been found out. "Okay, I see your point…" Ed trailed reluctantly into the room, taking a seat on the sofa rather than the chair directly opposite Mustang's desk. "So why then?"

" Why go the east or why take someone else?"

"Why take me?" Ed asked impatiently.

Roy suppressed the urge to laugh. Patience was a virtue all right and one that his subordinate severely lacked. "That's not important right now. What you need to know is that it's my assignment, you're coming, we're leaving tomorrow first thing and you better not screw this up for me."

"That's it? You're leaving it 'till now to tell me and that's all you're telling me?!"

Roy smiled calmly. "What more do you need to know?"

Ed sighed. He knew from experience that if Roy Mustang didn't want to tell you something, you'd be flogging a dead horse to try and persuade him. "So we leave tomorrow?"

"Bright and early" Roy said cheerfully. Ed scowled and left the room, determined to get some sleep before the colonel would undoubtedly rudely awaken him. Roy smiled, as the door was slammed shut. That went rather well he thought. Now it's time to sleep.