Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist, I think that is obvious.

Author's Notes: This was inspired by the most recent chapter of the manga, chapter 58. I just downloaded the raw and read the translations for the first 14 pages. WOW! It's awesome. I look forward to reading the rest.

Major spoiler here, be warned if you haven't read chapter 58. We find out who Roy studied Alchemy under and I use that in this fic. It's a BIG spoiler.

Roy's alchemy sensei, about 5 sentences, and the set up are based on chapter 58. I took what I saw and ran with it.

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Memories of the Past

Chapter 1

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Roy just couldn't understand why his alchemy sensei had never become a state alchemist. The man had researched alchemy his entire life, but so much more could be done with the grants available to a State Alchemist. Why was he so against the Amestris military any way?

A State Alchemist was a soldier in the military, or "dog of the military" as Hawkeye-Sensei called it. A State Alchemist's primary job was to research alchemy. Although in this time of war it was obvious it would also be their job to protect their country.

Roy didn't really think about the impending war as much as he should have. He only thought about his desire to help people and protect them. If only he could have foreseen the truth.

He had come by for one more desperate visit. He had to make his sensei understand how he felt. He wanted to help people with his alchemy. There was so much more they could do. He wanted to become a State Alchemist, but he wanted the support of his Sensei to reach that goal. He wasn't quite good enough to take the test yet. There was still more to learn.

Hawkeye sensei had been sick for a long time. He had a disease that infected the lungs. The doctors knew little about this disease and even less about how to treat it. Despite his strong will, today would mark the end of his struggle. Roy's voice was filled with passion as he pled with his sensei about becoming a State Alchemist.

Hawkeye sensei would hear nothing of it. He was passionate about his view as well. Although he was unhappy with Roy's decision to join the military he still thought to teach him alchemy's greatest secrets.

He spoke of alchemy and power. How he had wanted to teach Roy the things he had wanted to learn. That was until a coughing choke of blood muted his words.

Roy shouted for help, as his Sensei lay across the desk. Dark red blood flowed out from his mouth and from between the fingers which tried to contain it. Roy's only thought was to try to get him to a doctor as soon as possible. He pulled Hawkeye sensei's limp arm around his neck and hauled the larger man out of the chair and struggled towards the door of the study.

Suddenly the door flew open and a startled Riza appeared before them. She gasped as she used the door for support, suddenly becoming weak in the knees.

"Riza!" Roy's voice sounded shaken and a little startled. "Get a doctor!"

With panic and fear in her eyes Riza made her way to the phone as fast as her legs could carry her. She wasted no time or words when she was connected with doctor Hamel. "This is Riza Hawkeye, father has collapsed, there's a lot of blood. Please come quickly!"

"I'll be right there." The doctor also wasted no time with words. He had already hung up before Riza had time to reply. Riza prayed that he would make it.

"Roy!" Riza's voice called from just outside the room. She came through the door and took her father's other arm around her own neck. "The doctor is on his way." She was shaken and her skin was so pale that she looked as white as a sheet.

"Let's get him to his room." Roy tried not to let the panic he felt in his own heart be conveyed in his voice.

They had just laid him down on his bed when the sound of the front door opening could be heard from downstairs. "Hello!" Doctor Hamel's voice echoed from the foyer at the bottom of the stairs.

Riza jerked away from the bed to go fetch the doctor when Roy's hand on her shoulder brought her to a halt. "You stay. I will go get the doctor."

All she could do was nod as she turned back to her dying father. As Roy hurried out of the room she collapsed to her knees at the side of the bed and took his hand in hers. She silently prayed for a miracle. But it seemed against all hope; he was barely breathing and by all rights should most likely be dead. She could no longer contain her sorrow as unshed tears began to spill out from her grief stricken eyes.

The doctor rushed to the bedside and began to examine the motionless body. Riza stood on unsteady legs and stepped back from the bed. It obviously was hard to do so. She herself looked as if she might collapse at any moment.

Roy stood behind her and silently looked on as the doctor did his work. He placed a steady hand on her shoulder to let her know he was there. Grateful for his presence she turned to him and leaned into his shoulder. Tears were still spilling out of her beautiful eyes.

"Roy, I'm so scared." She chocked out through sobs. Her body heaved against him as she tried in vain to control herself. He wrapped protective arms around her fragile form and held her close to him as she wept.

She wasn't ready for the doctor's harsh words or reality. Doctor Hamel stood to face Roy and Riza. "I'm sorry, there was nothing that could be done." There was a slight pause, and then he continued. "He's gone."

Riza's entire world was falling down around her. She felt as if life it's self was suffocating her. Her legs would no longer support her weight and she began to slip towards the floor. Her cries of anguish were all that could be heard throughout the quiet house.

Roy followed her descent to the hardwood floor, easing her down gently rather than letting her fall. Roy didn't want to leave her there to cry on the floor. He stood with the intent of speaking to the doctor but his thoughts were interrupted before he himself could speak.

"Please see to the young miss. I will have the body brought back to the clinic where we will prepare it for the funeral. Mr. Hawkeye already made the arrangements ahead of time. He did not want his young daughter to bear such a burden."

Roy nodded in acknowledgment to the doctor. "Thank you, doctor." That was all he could really say. Although he showed no sign of a breakdown, inside his heart ached.

"You should get her to her room. I will see myself out. I will contact you with the details for the funeral later." Doctor Hamel gestured to the door as he spoke.

One again Roy nodded. He scooped the crying Riza up and cradled her in his arms. She made no attempt to resist. She just continued to cry, now huddled against him. Her head buried into his shoulder.

Once they left the room the doctor followed them out and closed the door behind him. Roy carried Riza down the hall to her bedroom where he laid her down on her bed.

She immediately covered her face with her hands and rolled to face the wall. Her crying never subsided until she finally fell asleep some time later that evening. Roy stayed with her the whole time. He held a bedside vigil from the chair he removed from her desk across the room.

He just couldn't leave her alone right now. There was no one here for her, only himself. Her mother had died when she was only three-years-old and she had no siblings. She had a grandfather in the military, her mother's father. But he was away on military business and wasn't expected back for some time. Roy wasn't even sure if he could be reached.

He was the only one there for her. He would take care of her, even if he hadn't been asked. The words echoed in Roy's head. Take care of her. Please, take care of my daughter. They became mixed with the other words he spoke just shortly before he died. My daughter knows all of my research. If she feels you are worthy she will show you the secrets.

As far as he knew Riza didn't study any alchemy. He was baffled as to how she could help him complete his learning. He had been studying alchemy for a while now and there was no way he could teach someone at this point. How was someone who had not even studied it going to teach him?

These questions and even more questions about what the future would hold plagued his mind until sleep claimed him as well.