A/N: Okay. Um… I'm going to be heading into some slightly unfamiliar waters on this one. For that reason, this story is rated M. It won't really merit the M rating for at least a few chapters, judging by what I think the typed length will be (I found it in one of my old folders and decided to post.), but please keep in mind that this is Slash. If this offends or disturbs you in any way, for any reason, then by all means: Turn back! So, with that said, enjoy the story.

** I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or any location or character that you recognize (though it'd be sweet if I did). Thoughts are in italics.**

The envelope lay unopened on the unusually completely uncluttered desk. With little else to do aside from waiting for more paperwork or actually requesting more, it was easy to obsess over such a small thing. Mustang paced back and forth before his desk, a gloved hand tapping at his chin and occasionally stopping to rearrange the one item on the desk, a small cream colored envelope addressed simply 'For Edward Elric', no return address. Actually, the address for the dormitory mailbox, where the letter had been found, wasn't even on the envelope, which meant that the letter had to have been placed there personally and not delivered by standard mail. But by whom?

Due to the fact that Edward was often away on assignment, sometimes for months at a time, the brothers' mail tended to pile up. They were mostly letters from Resembol- Winry checking in on them, knowing that a phone call would be even more futile. Occasionally, however, there were documents of a more sensitive nature- letters from disreputable alchemists sharing theories and research on human transmutation and the Philosopher's Stone.

So, Roy agreed to collect the Elrics' mail and to deliver it to them personally whenever Ed returned from the field. It was really no problem at all to carry out this simple request, though he'd made sure to tell Fullmetal just how busy he was with more important matters than playing his personal secretary. Roy smiled then, enjoying the memory of the heat of barely restrained anger that seethed from Ed's being as he repeated the request through gritted teeth.

Ed and Al were due back in two days, if they hadn't run into trouble since the last report Roy had received from his sources. He had to decide soon: Open the envelope or respect Ed's privacy? Why was this even a question? Of course he couldn't just open someone else's mail. It was just not… right. But then again, there was no name or address of the sender, so it could be anything. Maybe it was a personal note or invitation from one of the other soldiers in the dorm, someone who knew his box number.

What if it's not from anyone he knows? It could just be someone who knows him. Ed has made quite a name for himself as of late, and he's pissed off a lot of people in the process. This could be some kind of warning or death threat.

Roy stopped pacing and nodded decisively at the letter. "In that case, it's my duty as Commanding Officer to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of the soldiers in my charge," he reasoned to the unresponsive envelope. Besides… I can always have it resealed. He sat at his desk, the picture of concentration as he carefully opened the envelope in such a way that it could be unnoticeably resealed later. There was a small note inside, written on a vaguely familiar stationery. The handwriting was neat and almost ornate in its style. The Colonel's brow furrowed as he began to read:

Dearest Edward,

I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed our time together. I may be a bit presumptuous in saying so, but I think that you enjoyed yourself as well. Contact me when you get back into town. Don't call- Just come over. You know where to find me. I look forward to seeing you again.

Yours truly,

Carmen

P.S. Don't keep me waiting.

A thin black brow arched as Roy took in the context of the note that he'd just read. He slid it back neatly into the envelope, having memorized its contents already. Silence filled the room as he stared blankly for a few moments before erupting into uncontrollable laughter.

"It's- It's a love note!" So, Fullmetal had himself a little girlfriend. The uproarious laughter continued as Roy imagined Ed trying to have a conversation with a girl, let alone date one. Then he stopped abruptly, a serious expression on his face. I wonder if anyone's talked to Ed yet. True, he wasn't exactly a child anymore, at age sixteen, but Ed never was the social butterfly.

Wait a minute… 'enjoyed yourself as well… Don't call- Just come over… Don't keep me waiting.' Maybe the talk is unnecessary. He was surprised to find his cheeks feeling a little flushed at this thought. A sudden realization- The stationery that had seemed so vaguely familiar- he had seen it before. A few times. It was the complimentary stationery at a high-priced inn on the outskirts of town. It seemed that 'the talk' was definitely unnecessary.

Roy thought back to himself at Ed's age and hoped that Fullmetal was being a bit more careful than he had been. He was ashamed to admit that he'd stolen his share of hearts and ruined a few reputations. No big mistakes though. That was the important thing. Still, he couldn't help feeling something akin to pride over this revelation. The little shrimp was all grown up.

Resealing the envelope was a cinch, and Roy shuffled it into the assortment of mail before retiring for the day. That night, Roy lay awake trying to envision this mystical creature, this Carmen, whose name was beautifully calligraphied across that note and now upon his own mind. What was she like? Carmen… Sounds exotic. A dark haired beauty with deep brown eyes. She was sultry, with an air of worldliness about her. Her body was slender and lithe with just the right amount of curves in all the right places, legs that didn't stop, breasts that…

"Mm." He had to stop this thought in its tracks before he ended up pleasuring himself to the image of a woman he'd never seen- and Edward Elrics's love interest, no less. Besides, the picture that he'd drawn was his kind of woman. (One of his kind, at least.) Who knew what kind of woman Ed would go for?

What kind of woman would go for Ed? She had to be insane. Sure, Edward had blossomed into a very attractive young man, but as soon as he opened his mouth, any decent woman would be out the door in a heartbeat. He was bratty, ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, cocky, and completely obsessed with his own personal agenda. How could he focus on anything other than Alchemy long enough to even notice that someone was interested in him? Roy had seen how oblivious he was to Winry's attentions, and honestly, it would take someone that strong-willed and brash to reel him in and keep him on the line. Carmen. The name echoed in his head as he drifted off to sleep.

TBC…

Be kind, re-… uh, review please.