AN: Yay, Chapter 2! Be prepared for some paternal!Roy/Ed heart to heart. -

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA or any of its characters.

Chapter Two

All was quiet at the Fuhrer's mansion. Outside, numerous guards stood outside the building, keeping back the silent crowd of people (mainly scientists) that had followed Roy's car. Inside, it was dark, save the main room.

Edward sat on a large sofa in a huddled position, with both Roy's military jacket and a blanket draped over his shoulders. Both Roy and a doctor stood patiently in front of him, waiting for him to calm down and show them Alphonse. In fact, they had been waiting for the past hour, and not knowing what kind of condition Al was in, they both knew they couldn't wait anymore.

"Mr. Elric, please. I only want to help you and the child. There could be something seriously wrong with him, and we can't do anything until you let me examine him."

Edward gave no response. Roy wasn't as patient as the doctor was.

"Fullmetal, I know you're upset right now, but you can't keep playing this game. We need to know if Al is okay, now."

"He'll take him away. He'll take him from me . . ."

"No he won't, Ed. He's a regular doctor, not a scientist. He only wants to examine Al to make sure there's nothing wrong with him. Do you honestly believe I'd just let him walk out with him? You know me better than that, Edward."

No response. Roy was done reasoning.

"Edward, if you continue to refuse to cooperate, I will separate you from Alphonse until you come to your senses. Either way, Al is going to get the help he needs."

That had gotten Ed's full attention. He snapped his head up and looked straight into Mustang's eyes. Instead of the rage Roy had expected to see, he saw pure terror. Shaking, Ed slowly slid his feet off the sofa to lower his legs, then he laid Al across his lap with the head resting on his arm. Hesitantly, the doctor reached out and opened more of the red jacket so he could get a better look at Al's body. Al began to shiver from the exposure, which made Ed panic.

"W-Why is he shaking?"

"Calm down, Mr. Elric. He's probably just cold. Now, could you please sit him upright?"

The doctor opened his medical kit and took out a stethoscope and a thermometer. Opening Al's mouth, he slipped the thermometer under his tongue.

"Could you please hold that in place, Mr. Elric? I need to listen to his heart and lungs."

For Edward, time seemed to still as the doctor examined Alphonse. He was half expecting something horrible, like he was missing something, or he was dying.

"Well, he has a regular heartbeat, so that's good. His breathing is normal, too. And," he pulled the thermometer out of Al's mouth, "his temperature is normal, so yes, he's just cold. Now, all I need to do is give him a few shots, then all he should need after that is some rest."

"Shots?"

"Yes. They'll help protect him from getting seriously ill, just until his immune system fully kicks in."

The final task only took a few minutes (with Ed wincing the whole time). When he finished, the doctor left with Roy's thanks, leaving Ed and Roy alone. They remained silent for a moment, before Roy started speaking, looking at Al.

"He stayed asleep the entire time."

Ed spoke in a strangely quiet voice.

"Yeah . . . The doctor said he'd need rest. I can't imagine how tired he must be."

"You two are lucky, Ed. This could've ended very badly. I hope you realize that."

"I know."

Roy studied Ed. For the first time, he noticed just how young and helpless he looked.

"Mustang, did you mean . . . about separating us . . . would you have . . ."

"If I had to Ed, yes, I would have."

Ed flinched. Roy sighed, and began speaking softly, like a father.

"Please, Ed, try to understand. We don't know the extent of what's going on. And, as an adult, I had to do what I believed was best for Al; let's face it Ed, you weren't being much help, even if you were in a mild state of shock. Look at me, Edward."

Ed turned his head, looking at Roy with sorrowful eyes.

"You need to understand what I'm saying. Normally, I'd trust your judgment when it comes to your brother. But understand, Edward, Al may very well have the mind of a three-year-old child, as well as the body of one. If that's the case, then you have to be more to him than just a brother, Ed."

"I'll have to be his father, too . . ."

"That's right. I'll always expect you to be short-tempered,"

Ed's eyebrow twitched,

"but you'll have to lose your immature, childish attitude. If you want to continue to take care of Alphonse, then you'll have to become an adult and accept the responsibility. If you can't do that Ed, then in the best interest of the child, I'll have to find someone else who can."

Roy could see the tears streaming down Ed's cheeks.

"I don't want to have to do that, Edward. I know that I really don't have to. You're determined and stubborn, and you've always been able to overcome the challenges in your life. I know for a fact that you can do this, that you can raise Al and give him what he needs. I know this because I know how much you love him and care about him. I know that, ultimately, you are the best thing for him."

Ed and Roy stared at each other for what seemed like forever. Finally, Ed looked back down at his sleeping brother.

"You know, it's funny. When I was a kid, I always hated my father for leaving. I swore up and down to myself that I would be a better a father than he ever was. But now . . ."

Ed's breathing began to skip,

" . . . I don't know what I'm going to do."

Roy watched as Ed broke down in front of him, burying his face against his little brother, crying like he did the night Nina died. Roy hoped he would never see this side of Ed again. The only thing he could do was squeeze Ed's shoulder and try to reassure him.

"You're not alone, Edward. You have friends, good friends, who are willing to help you. You're not going to have to face this alone. We're here for you."

"I know. It's just . . . so much . . . too much . . . how . . . what . . ."

"It's okay, Ed. Everything is going to be okay."