Author's note: Um…I don't suppose if I let people throw stuff at me it will make up for this long ass wait you all had to endure? I'm soooo sorry, people. I got caught up with college and stuff and I kept telling myself to update this fic, but I just never found the time. Plus, I haven't had much confidence in my writing lately. I have tons of fanfics I want to post here, but none of them I fear are ready for public viewing. shrug Anyway, hopefully this update makes many of my readers happy. I don't particularly like the scene of Archer and Natalie in this chapter simply because, eh, I feel it could have been better and less cheesy, but I wrote this last year and I'm too lazy to edit it now :P I hope you like it, peeps!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist. If I did...Archer and Kimblee would still be alive. I own my characters Natalie and Kyle and whatever weird plot I've put them into. Please R&R.

Unexpected

I went into work the next day feeling extremely good. I must have looked odd to Kyle. He kept staring at me for nearly 10 minutes until finally, he said, "Something happened." I turned to him with a wide smile, trying to hide my excitement. "Oh my god, you slept with him."

"No, you idiot," I replied. "He...kissed me."

Kyle's eyes bulged. "On the first date? Damn, he's fast. The second date might just move to your bed."

"Don't say that. Roy isn't that kinda guy. He's really sweet and..."

"And everything your brother warned you about."

"A little," I said sheepishly. "But I like him. And Jean can't tell me who to like."

"No...but he can be angry at you." I glared at my friend. I knew he was teasing me, but jeez. "So how was it?"

"The date?"

"The kiss."

"Oh." I blushed. "It...um...it was nice."

"Nice?" he repeated with a grin. "C'mon Nat, you can give me better than that."

"Well what else am I supposed to say?"

"Were you nervous?"

"Yeah..."

"Did your knees buckle when he kissed you?"

"I think so..."

"Was it passionate?"

"Yeah..."

"There ya go."

"But...I...Kyle..."

He smirked. "Don't look at me. You were the one that kissed the man, Natalie."

"You're the devil incarnate."

"Thanks."

"It wasn't a compliment, you know."

He shrugged. "Oh well."

I sighed, grabbing a cup to dry. "You're impossible. How do I put up with you?"

"No idea."

I heard the familiar clunk of heavy boots and looked up, smiling slightly when I saw Archer step into the bar once again. He must have noticed that something was going on...of course it wasn't that difficult. Kyle and I were standing at least 5 feet away from each other. He sat down, staring uncertainly at me.

"Problems in paradise?" he mused.

"Nah, she's just pissed because—" Kyle started but I gave him a warning glare. "—nevermind."

Archer raised an eyebrow. "I don't care either way, I was just curious. The usual," he added to me. I nodded and poured him a glass of beer as I usually did. His fingers brushed mine when he reached to grab it, but it seemed as if it had only been me that had felt something.

The silence carried on for a full 45 minutes, until I was tired of it. "Kyle, you can stop giving me the silent treatment now," I snapped, throwing my washing towel on the counter. "I know you're gonna explode if you don't say something." He turned away from me, keeping his mouth closed. My anger was rising. "Kyle..."

"Mister Lieutenant Colonel," Kyle suddenly said to Archer, "would you tell Natalie that she is being a dooshbag and that I will only speak to her when she apologizes for being angry for no reason at all?"

I saw Archer blink and frown. He looked at me. "Apparently your friend is waiting for an apology. Oh...and he called you something..."

"A dooshbag," I hissed. "Well, you can tell that dooshbagger that I will not be apologizing anytime soon and that he should apologize first for prying too much into my personal life."

"I should apologize?!" Kyle cried, turning to glare at me. "You were the one that got pissed after I asked you what happened!"

"But if you hadn't been prying into my life, then I wouldn't have gotten angry!"

"I'm your friend! It's my job to pry! It's what us guys do when we've got girls for best friends!"

"I don't wanna hear your excuses!"

"It's not an excuse! It's a fact!"

"If you two are done behaving like children," Archer growled suddenly, "I think I'll leave."

"No, please don't," I said softly. "I'm sorry for how he's acting."

"Me?!" Kyle spat. "Look at yourself!"

"Don't make me hit you."

"Bring it on, bitch."

I stomped up to him and stared him right in the eye. "What. Did. You. Say?" I said coldly.

Kyle stared down at me with a smirk. "Bring. It. On. Bitch." That did it. I suddenly tackled him to the ground, smacking him hard across the face. "YEOWCH!!! Jeez, Nat, did you have to hit me so hard?" he whimpered. He held his reddening face as I stood up with a grin.

"You deserved it," I replied.

Archer seemed to be in shock. "You mean to tell me that you both were just...fooling around?" he said.

"Yeah...I guess so," I chuckled. "Sorry about that. I could never be that angry at Kyle. He's my best bud."

Kyle stood up and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "She's one of a kind." Smiling, I turned back to start drying more glasses. But suddenly, a bout of dizziness overcame me and I felt myself falling and Kyle shouting, "NATALIE!!"

When I woke up, I was in my own bed. Odd...I remembered being at work...and then...Oh no. I sat up abruptly, only to see Kyle standing by the doorway on the phone with someone...and Archer sitting on a chair next to my bed.

"You're awake," he mumbled, taking a wet cloth to dab at my forehead.

"What happened?" I asked.

"You passed out. You're quite lucky I was there when I was or you could have seriously fractured your skull."

I swallowed hard. "And you...brought me to my home?"

"Your friend helped."

"You didn't have to do that, Archer."

He shrugged. "I've been trained to react instantly in a crisis. I was just following my instinct."

"Oh...I see." Inwardly, I had wished that maybe he had been worried about me. But it had just been a normal reaction to someone falling, without any feelings involved.

Kyle suddenly hung up the phone and came to sit next to me on the bed. "That was Jean...I told him what happened. He was worried and wanted to come see you, but I told him you were fine and that you just needed some rest."

"Thanks, Kyle," I mumbled. "I can't believe I passed out."

"Hey, you've been under stress lately. I understand."

"I've never passed out before though."

"It happens," he shrugged. "I'm gonna go back to the bar...want me to stop by later?"

Before I could answer, Archer muttered, "That won't be necessary. I'll stay with her."

"Um...are you sure? Don't you have duties or something?"

Archer's blue eyes narrowed dangerously. "I said I'll stay with her. Is that a problem?"

"N-No...that's fine. Uh...see ya, Nat."

After Kyle left, I looked at Archer nervously. "Now, lay back down. You need your rest."

"But I feel better now."

"Miss Havoc, don't make me resort to something drastic. Just lay yourself down and close your eyes." I nodded and relaxed against my pillow. I closed my eyes and shivered as I suddenly felt Archer's fingers lightly brushing against my arm. His fingers traveled up to my jaw and finally to my lips. I panicked, unable to see his face. I felt rough lips press against mine instantly. I tensed up. Archer, who hadn't been the type that would know how to kiss at all, was exceptionally good. His mouth was tentative and didn't do much except lightly nip at whatever skin he got his lips on.

I didn't want to move. I was afraid he'd stop...and I didn't want that. It felt so good, what he was doing. I hadn't been kissed or touched so intimately since...well, that didn't matter now. His mouth was back on my lips, pressing his tongue against them to receive entrance. But if he thought I was asleep, why would he ask for permission...? Suddenly, without thinking about the consequences, I allowed him to explore my mouth, moaning softly when his tongue touched mine. I wanted to pull him down and have him take me...but then I remembered Roy and all those thoughts left my mind.

I pushed on Archer's chest, signaling for him to stop. He pulled back, staring down into my flushed face with a frown. "Is something wrong?" he asked huskily.

"We can't," I panted.

"Hmm...and why not?" He leaned down to capture my ear lobe with his teeth. He tugged on it gently and then licked it. "Do you not enjoy my company?"

"No, it's not that," I argued, feeling my heart beat faster. "It's just...ahhh...my god..." He was good. He knew what could drive me over the edge.

"I was right about you...you have a sharp tongue." To emphasize his statement, he used his tongue to explore my mouth once again. I had dreamed of kissing him and when he finally did, I was immobilized. Archer was enjoying himself far too much.

I sat up, pushing him away again. "Archer...no," I hissed. "Please...just...just go."

He narrowed his eyes and frowned. "There's someone else, isn't there? Is it that friend of yours?"

"Definitely not. Even though he's bi, he wouldn't date me."

"So then who?"

I was silent.

"Miss Havoc...I'm growing impatient." He leaned closer, eyes lidded with lust. Yes, I wanted him badly. But it was all happening too fast...too soon. And I really liked Roy. I couldn't betray him. Archer's hands closed around my own. He managed to capture my lips in one last kiss before standing up. "If you won't tell me...then I'll just have to figure it out for myself," he said coolly. "And when I do...I'll kill him."

My eyes widened. No...he wouldn't. He was just exaggerating. He wouldn't kill...I looked at him as he smirked down at me. He could...and he most likely would if he found out. I had to end this. Roy and I...we couldn't...I didn't want to endanger him. Archer was capable of a lot, loving war as Jean had said. I would have to lie for now. "Archer...there is no one else. I'm just...not ready for any type of relationship yet," I mumbled.

He stared at me. "Something happened in the past, I take it," he replied.

I nodded. "Let's just say that I thought I was loved...only to be betrayed. My brother...he helped me through those times. He never left my side."

"You and him are close then."

"Very."

"I'll leave you for now. But I will not wait forever, Natalie."

I smiled slightly when he said my name. "I understand. Thank you once again for bringing me home, Archer."

He nodded to me and left without another word. Jean stopped by early in the morning. He was frantic and trying to make me tea. I knew he didn't know how, but it was sweet of him to try. He was checking me over constantly.

"Jean," I growled, "I'm not gonna drop dead any time soon so you can stop your worrying."

He calmed down slightly. "What can I say? When I got a call at HQ that you had fainted, I was worried sick. Kyle told me not to come...but do you have any idea how much it hurt me to say 'okay, I won't come see her'?"

I was silent. "I'm sorry, Jean."

"I know, Nat. It's just in my nature to worry about you...I'm your big brother."

"Yeah...I know." He stayed with me the rest of the morning. In the afternoon, after nearly destroying my kitchen from trying to cook me soup, he gave up and said he had to report at work. I told him I was fine now and that I wouldn't be going to work that day. Jean seemed satisfied with that. He placed one of those tender brother kisses on my forehead before leaving. As I snuggled into my bed once more, I began to think about what Archer had said. If Roy and I continued to see each other, there was no doubt in my mind that Archer would find out.

I didn't want to lose my relationship with Roy. I wanted to see him again. I wanted to...kiss him again. But Archer...he was so much different. His feelings towards me were obviously very strong and he didn't want another man anywhere near me, even if it was just a friend. How could I be so naive as to fall for someone like that? Honestly. Sure, he was handsome in his own way, but his personality...I dunno.

"I should call Roy," I mumbled to myself. "Or maybe Kyle...he'd know what to do." I reached for my phone and dialed in the number to the bar. It rang a few times before being picked up. "Hello? Kyle?"

"Nat? That you?" he replied.

"Yeah. Listen...I have a bit of a problem."

"That time of month again, huh?"

"KYLE!!"

"What? It was a joke."

"I'm not laughing. I'm serious. I really need your help right now."

"I'm kinda busy making drinks for people."

"So talk while you work."

"You expect a lot from me, don't you?"

"Look, are you gonna help me or not?"

He sighed heavily. "Fine. What's the scoop?"

"You know I like Mustang, right?"

"Duh. Anybody with EYES can tell you like Mustang, Natalie."

"And you know that I have some sort of twisted desire for Archer?"

"Excuse me?"

"You know...the guy that helped me..."

"No, I know who he is...you actually...wanna get in that guy's pants?"

"No!" I blushed furiously. "I just like him...somewhat..."

"You have got the strangest taste in men, Nat."

"Tell me about it...Anyway, yesterday, after you left, Archer...he um...he kissed me. And when I didn't respond to his kiss, he got angry and thought there was another guy. At first he thought it was you—"

"Me?! What's he been smoking?"

"—but I—Hey, wait a sec...what's that supposed to mean?" I growled.

"Uh...nothing. Carry on."

"...Like I was saying, after he said that, I told him that it wasn't you. He then said that if he found out who it was, he'd...he'd kill him. So I told him I wasn't seeing anyone. Kyle, I don't know what to do. I don't want to break it off with Roy...but I can't let him get hurt because of one man's selfishness."

There was a long pause. "Okay Nat...I can't say I've ever had this happen to me before...but...I think we both know what you should do."

"Break it off with Mustang..."

"Yeah. I'm real sorry, Nat. I know how much you like him and everything...but if Archer is willing to hurt him just for you...let him go. Don't let him get hurt."

I could feel tears building up. Tonight would be the last time I would be alone with Roy. "Thanks, Kyle. I just needed to tell someone about this. And obviously Jean can't know."

"I understand. Glad I could help. Here's a tip for when you see Mustang tonight, since I know that's what you plan to do. When you break it off...tell him you want to protect him, not hurt him."

"Anything else?"

"Yeah...can you tell me how good he is after you do it?"

"Kyle! What makes you think—"

"You think I can't sense what you're thinking in that head of yours? I've known you for a long time, Natalie. You want him. Make it worth his while."

"But I've never—"

"Just listen to what your heart tells you. Skill doesn't matter when you make love. It just happens. Good luck."

"Yeah...thanks again." I hung up, inhaling sharply. I then grabbed the phone again and dialed the number Roy had given me. I waited a few minutes.

"Hello? Colonel Mustang's office. Second Lieutenant Havoc speaking."

Shit. It was Jean. Without another word, I hung up. I could not let him know that I was seeing Roy. I dialed again, hoping that Jean wouldn't pick up this time. I waited nervously.

"Colonel Mustang speaking. What is it?"

I sighed in relief. "Um...Roy...it's me," I said softly.

"Natalie?" I could hear the surprise and excitement in his voice. "To what do I owe this pleasurable call?"

"Can we...can we get together tonight? At my apartment?"

"Tonight? At what time?"

"Um...late. Really late." Oh sure, like that wasn't obvious.

I heard him chuckle. "Taking risks now, are you?"

"Y-Yeah. So how 'bout it?"

"I'll be off duty around 11 tonight. I'll try to make it to your apartment for 11:30. Should I...bring anything?"

"Maybe some extra clothes..."

I could almost see his smirk on the other end. "Very well. I'll see you tonight."

"Yep. Bye." I hung up. My God...how pathetic was I? I couldn't even ask a guy over to my house without stuttering. I started rummaging around for clothes that I wouldn't mind being ripped or torn. I took a shower, brushed my hair, and surveyed myself in the mirror. "Not bad," I said. I rubbed some vanilla scented cream on my hands and neck. Yep. I was ready. I made myself dinner at 7, but could barely eat on account of the fact that my nerves were in hyper mode. There was a knock on my door at 9 and I panicked. Who the hell could it be? I opened the door to see Jean standing there.

"Hey sis, just thought I'd—are you...expecting someone?" he said suspiciously.

"N-No...just thought I'd freshen up." Just go, Jean. Please.

He started to sniff. "Is that...vanilla I smell?"

"Uh...yeah. I like the smell."

"Okay...anyway, I just wanted to drop by and see how you were. You are gonna get plenty of rest tonight, right? I don't want you fainting on the job tomorrow."

"Don't worry, Jean. I'll be heading to bed real soon."

He smiled. "That's good. You know what was strange today? The phone in Mustang's office rang, and when I answered it, there was no one on the other end."

"Ah...imagine that." Keep a straight face...

"Then it rang again and when Mustang answered it he told everyone to get out of his office so that he could talk to whoever it was in private." He rolled his eyes. "Probably another admirer of his or something..."

I gulped. "Uh...so you should probably get going, Jean. I'm gonna start getting ready for bed."

"All right. Want me to stop by tomorrow?"

"Nah, I'll be okay."

He brought me into a hug. "Stay safe."

"You too." He left and I closed the door after him, sighing happily. "That was too close." Eleven-thirty came faster than I had expected. I heard a knock on my door and eagerly went to answer it, making sure nothing was out of place. When I opened it, there he was. He was wearing a black trench coat over a casual shirt and pants. He smiled warmly at me as he stepped inside. He removed his coat and hung it on a hook.

"I must say, I was very surprised when you called me today," he said.

I blushed slightly. "I really wanted to see you again," I replied truthfully.

He took me in his arms suddenly and stared into my eyes. "Then I guess we think alike. I've been wanting to see you again as well." He bent down to kiss me. I wasted no time in responding. His hands were on my waist and he was slowly guiding me towards the couch. I smiled against his lips and changed the direction towards my bed. Roy broke the kiss with a grin. "Anxious, are we?" he teased. He backed me into my room, all the while kissing me wherever his lips could. "You smell nice," he mumbled, kissing a spot on my neck.

"I aim to please," I chuckled.

"So you do." It didn't take long for our clothes to be strewn across the floor. He had lowered me onto my bed, straddling my hips as he did so. He didn't waste time with petty teasing, he got right to what he wanted. His body covered mine, allowing me the privilege of feeling every one of his flexing muscles as he kissed me. I was still slightly nervous about letting him take my virginity...but then again...I couldn't picture giving it to anyone else. He positioned himself above me and stared down at me with gentle eyes. "It's your first time, isn't it?" he guessed.

I nodded shyly. "I know it'll hurt. Don't worry about me."

"You're sure?"

"Yeah." He thrust forward and in that moment, I felt like screaming at the top of lungs. My friends weren't kidding when they said it hurt the first time. I braced myself for him again, but this time it wasn't as bad. I held onto his shoulders tightly, afraid that if I let go, this would all be a dream. His lips were at my neck as he thrust into me, whispering things of encouragement. Our love making continued well into the early hours of the morning. I didn't want to let him go, not for a minute. As he pulled out of me and rested beside me on the bed, I whispered softly, "Roy...do you care about me?"

He blinked and smirked. "I wouldn't have done this with you if I didn't care."

"No...I mean...do you really care about me? Like...do you love me?"

He sat up and narrowed his eyes. "Is something bothering you, Natalie?"

"I...I don't think we can see each other anymore." My heart broke in that one instant. To say those words to a man I thought I could love...it hurt.

"What do you mean?" he demanded. "Did last night mean nothing to you?"

"No, Roy. No, it meant everything to me. I just...don't want you to get hurt because of me."

"What are you talking about?"

I wrapped my arms around him tightly and whispered against his ear, "There's this man that threatened to hurt whoever I was seeing...and I can't risk you getting hurt. I have to break this off, Roy. Don't you see?"

"Who is this man?" he growled.

"Someone I met at the bar."

"Do I know him?"

"I hope to God you don't. If he found out..." I shook my head. "You have to forget what we had, Roy. Please. There's another woman out there who could make you much happier than I could. I'll be fine."

"I don't like leaving you like this," he mumbled. "I feel like I'm abandoning you to whoever this man is."

"Please...don't make it harder than it already is..." I felt tears start falling down my face.

"You really care about me, don't you?" he mumbled, wiping the tears away with his thumb. I nodded sadly. "This guy won't hurt me if we're friends, will he?"

"I don't think so."

He smiled. "Good. Then we're friends from now on. If your brother has a problem with that, he can talk to me."

"Thank you."

I watched him stand up and put on his clothes. "Call me if you ever need anything, okay? Don't hesitate."

"I won't."

"I'll see you around, Natalie." He finished putting on his clothes and left my room. I wrapped the bed sheets around my body and followed him to the door. "This man must really like you to threaten anyone who's close to you," he said quietly.

"I guess so," I muttered.

"If this guy hurts you in any way, I won't hold back. I'll gladly torch him. I'm not the Flame Alchemist for nothing."

I smiled. "Thanks, Roy."

He turned around and placed a kiss on my cheek. "Good bye." I watched him leave. It hurt so much. After he was gone, I went back to my room and cried. I cried until I couldn't anymore. Wiping at my eyes, I figured I should get dressed for work. I would tell everything to Kyle when I got there.

Author's Note: I'm not sure when the next chapter will be out. I forget if it's even finished or not...I should probably go check...hehe. But since I have like...a week left of school and then finals, I can't guarantee anything. But my b-day's in two weeks (turning 19, peeps! haha), maybe I can try and get the next chapter out by then. If not, I'm sorry. :(