Hi! Sorry, It's been taking me FOREVER to get around to this! Lots of family and friend issues, as well as hockey games, movies and exams, tests, CPT's (culminating performance tasks)...XP! Anyways, here's my 4th chapter...Ta da!

Disclaimer: I do not own FMA, neither the entirety of the plot, but most of it, and some of the characters, and some places, etc...Lots of borrowed stuffs!

Edward clumsily stumbled out of Riza's car, only to be attacked by an onslaught of the press, flashing cameras, pads of paper eagerly awaiting any word that would come from his lips. And the questions. They all shouted over one another, pushing and shoving, and very few of them polite.

"Mr. Elric, could you please comment on the recent assassination of the Romajin ambassador?" By this time he was nearly into his building. He turned to the reporter. Dammit! How the hell do they know already? No one was to say a word...Edward cleared his throat.

"We are currently investigating the situation at the best of our abilities. For security reasons, I can say no more." With some help from Riza, he stumbled his way into the door, and closed it on the reporters. Edward headed straight for his office, only to hear a chorus of ringin telephones, and his stressed-out secretary through the door.

"Good luck Edward. I'll be with Roy, if you need me." He gave her a small nod.

"Thank you, Riza. Give my regards to Mustang." Riza let a small smile of pity and thanks cross her face, before she hurried on her way. Sighing, Edward turned to the large oak door in from of him, and reluctantly oppened it. The secretary was frantically picking up multiple phones, telling the people on the other end to "Please hold", quickly writing down their names, and repeating the process at a remarkable speed. Edward gave her a curt nod as he took her list of callers so far, and sat himself behind his desk. Mustang's desk...he reminded himself.

Ed grabbed the thin brown folder on his desk and opened it. It was the progress of the investigation so far. The officials were able to identify the occurence as a murnder, and not a suicide (No... really?) and were so far incapable of finding any fingerprints. The weapon was unmistakably a hand gun, identical to those of military personnel. They were able to find a single red hair, and a small royal-blue thread. Edward sighed and held his head in his numb, gloved hands.

What the hell am I doing? he thought, angry at his own incompetence. Why am I here? I'm sure as hell no leader! I can hardly control my own life, let alone the lives of Ametris! I should be at home, with Winry, finally being able to be with her, but no, I'm stuck here in this damned office! Edward shifted his chin into his left palm, and drummed his fingers, gently, so as not to hurt them. Maybe, Ed stopped, thinking, thinking...Maybe I can get Mustang to get someone else to do it...he looked up at the clock. Almost ten, I'll do some of this paperwork, then I'll go see him.

Rose sat patiently in Kane's little table on the balcony of the apartment as he prepared some coffee for them to share. "Do you like it with milk? Cream? Sugar?" Kane's head asked her as it peared at her from around a corner in the kitchen.

"I'll take it black, thank you." Kane nodded and his head dissappeared around the corner. Rose looked with concern at the city bustling below her. All seemed right, all looked peaceful...But that's always how it stars...doesn't it? Rose had been with Major Armstrong long enough to know when something was wrong. In her own hometown of Liore, there have been many rallies against the hostilities the State has against the Romajin, and let's just say the Ishbalan's weren't always that supportive either. The last thing these countries need is another war.

Kane sat down next to her and handed her a cup of coffee. Rose smiled sincerally at his gesture. The two sat there in a comfortable silence, enjoying not only the coffe and the scenery, but also each other's company. They had so much to discuss. But for now...now we can just sit here and pretend that nothing's wrong with the world.

The sky was beginning to darken and the coffee dregs cold before Kane asked if Rose would like some dinner. He took her to a little local restaurant not far from where she was staying. They sat down at a private little table before their discussions grew more serious.

"So what's been going on, Kane? You told me that there was something going on..." Kane took a sip of his drink before he continued.

"Well Rose, nothing good anyways. Some guy from further north, Central maybe, comes not long after the ambassador was murdered...you heard about that, right? Good, well this guy comes into town, and starts going off about how this is all part of that Fuhrer's plans. He goes to the more orthodox Ishballans, and tells them that the Sate's planning to attack the Romajin, and then them, as well as those in Liore! I say it's a load of bull shit, but more and more of these guys are believing it!" Kane leaned in a bit further. "Now I don't know how credible this is, but there's rumours going around that the State was building an army, and the ambassador found out about it. Well, then the rest is history."

Rose was shocked. What did this mean? Surely the people didn't believe this nonesence! Rose resolved to make a very important phone call...as soon as she was done eating with Kane.

AN: Lol! Just remembered that I created a daughter for Ed! Oops! My bad! Well, Nina will be in this chapter, promise!
Edward slowly made his way to Mustang's house, which was mercifully not all that far away from Central. Ed quietly knocked on the door, and was greeted warmly by Riza.

"Hello again, Edward!" Edward shrugged off his jacket and asked to see Roy. "I think he's sleeping, but I'll have to wake him up soon for his medication. He's upstairs, second door to the left."

Ed carefully made his way up, making sure that his weakening legs would support him. Shuffling quietly down the hallway, he paused at the door. Should I be doing this? His hand gloved hand rested uncertainly on the doorknob. Is this really the best thing to do? Is this really what he would want? Edward let his hand drop from the knob. Is this really what I want? He heard a small amount of movement from behind the door. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door.

TO BE CONTINUED!!!!

Nah! Just pulling your leg! You deserve more than that!

Fuhrer Roy Mustang was just waking up when he heard the door creak open. It wasn't followe by the usual greating that Riza would give to him, just a small squeeze of his hand to let him know she was here. No, this one was accompanied by the scraping of a chari coming closer to him. Roy tried to squint and see through the darkness, only to be painfully reminded of what caused that darkness.

"Who's there?" he felt so stupid posing that question.

"Oh, uh...Edward Elric," he heard the boy sit in his chair. When will you learn to stop calling him a boy? How old is he now, twenty-two? Twenty-four? Roy smiled as he remembered all of the times when he would tease him about his hight...or lack there of.

"Hey, shorty! How are you? I was wondering if you were having a little too much fun being Fuhrer to come see me anymore." He heard Ed laugh a bit, and then punch his shoulder gently.

"Well, let's just say when you're better, I'm not going to miss the job!" Roy shook his head.

"No luck finding Sauvage then, I guess?" A small sigh was his only answer.

"Don't worry Ed, you'll find him, or whoever the culprit is...it just takes time." He heard Edward's knuckles crack as he clenched them into fists on his lap.

"I...I don't think we have that time...The damage has been done, I doubt that there's much either of us could say or do to change the mind of the people...not for the better anyways," Roy remained silent as Edward steadied himself. "I don't think I can do this...it's too much! I'm not fit for the job...I came here to resign..."

Roy was shocked. Ed was giving up? Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist? Never in all these years of knowing him had Edward EVER given up. Al today was living proof, as was is prescence here, no doubt.

Well, enough for now. I've got to post this SOMEtime! Thanks tp VladMustang once again for their support! This chapter's dedicated to you! Ciao!