Chapter Four:
Roy awoke feeling more relaxed than he had in sometime. He was beginning to wonder why when all the events of last night came rolling back like a tumble weed blowing in a strong wind. Oh, he thought turning over, or that was he tried to turn over but couldn't for fear of crushing the incredibly warm body behind him.
Roy checked the time. It was almost noon; Mrs. Garrison would be here in two hours like she was every Sunday. He'd have to wake Anica, or get her to her own room before that to avoid a lecture. It wasn't that he cared it was that he didn't want Anica to listen to the woman's drabble on how promiscuous he was. Or hear her latest which he was so fond of. Granted the woman did occasionally take care of him, she was well intended but in no way did that give her the right to assume things or butt in to his personal life like that. He may be promiscuous, but he never ever just slept with a girl and got rid of her. Usually the split was on mutual agreement, usually. There were a few times he'd been dumped, but not too many.
Roy carefully turned over reaching out to wake Anica but he hesitated. There she was curled up upon her stomach, her hand curled up under her chin, sleeping so peacefully. Her noir hair was in her face, her bangs in her eyes. He smiled, he couldn't help it. The expression upon her face told him she was dreaming and from the looks of it she was deeply irritated. He wondered if she was dreaming about him because as far as he knew he was the only one who could get her that agitated.
Unable to resist the urge to touch her hair, the flame alchemist brushed it aside, taking his time. Who knew when he'd get another chance to touch it again. Damn it! He really didn't want to wake her, maybe he could explain to Mrs. Garrison, or hell give her this Sunday day off.
A soft cough caught his attention and he removed his fingers from her hair. Ah there was the answer. Anica was sick. Mrs. Garrison couldn't come over to clean because Anica was ill. His triumphant smile faded as he realized if he told the old bat he'd not only get a good lecture, she'd not leave at all. She sure as hell didn't leave when he was sick.
Anica coughed again and he watched her push the blanket from her shoulders in a rather frustrated fashion. Was she hot now? He felt her bare arm, must be she was pretty warm, a little too warm. At some point his shirt had come off her, probably when she moved in her sleep. She'd not put her arms through the sleeves last night. Yet another urge to touch her took over him, she was asleep, she'd never know.
Roy ghosted his fingers down her arm, her skin was so soft, smooth, it felt like flower petals. He let his eyes follow his fingers and paused when he came to her wrist. There, to his shock was faint but noticeable bruising. She was so fair skinned anyway, but what had he done to her? Why the hell didn't she smack him, scream, something?
He snatched his hand away from her as if she'd burned him. This was it; he'd never touch her again, not if he'd done this. He couldn't believe it! This house, he, was supposed to be a safe place, some where she could call home not somewhere where she'd take abuse no matter how out of it he had been.
His sudden movement must have awakened her for her always captivating gray eyes opened. She didn't look at him at first, coming out of her own sleepy haze. She was silent for a long time then propped up on her elbows. "So did you sleep better?"
"Anica," he began looking at her wrist. She followed his gaze and shrugged.
"Oh don't worry about that. I bruise so easily. If I even walk into something I bruise."
"What happened, what-"
She sighed which bothered him. "You were still dreaming something awful and didn't know who I was. I was trying to wake you up, but it's okay Roy I understand. Besides like I told you my mother use to have dreams too, she was much worse than you. It always took much longer to bring her back and often times I'd get hit." She smiled. "Call it equivalent exchange for my second day here."
Anica's words didn't relieve the guilt Roy felt in the least. "From now on if I have a nightmare I want you to stay away."
Anica shook her head. "No,"
Down right disobedience was not what Roy was expecting. For the first time in the short week that he'd known her he wished fully that she'd just do what she was told. "Anica,"
She sighed and sat up upon her knees. "You'd do the same for me, I know it. Besides I've never been able to just walk away from something like that. I couldn't do it for my mother and she threatened to kill me. So you can either put up with it or learn to lock your door, not that it would bar me from the room if I think there's trouble. I don't know what rules you live by when living with someone, but I was taught if someone sounded hurt or in trouble in the house you help, unless they were an intruder."
Roy was very quiet, thinking. He didn't like this, didn't like her practically forcing her way in. At this point he'd call this a privet matter that she should stay the hell away from, but she already knew about it so there was no point there. Then something Roy never expected to happen, happened. Anica leaned over and gave him the warmest hug he'd had in years, Maes had given him hugs, but they were the guy, best friend kind, not like this. Confused, he wasn't exactly sure how to read it. Confused from the touch of a girl? Him? Who would have thought?
Hesitantly, very hesitantly he embraced her in return. He sighed. "So are you still going to call Jean?"
Anica pulled away shaking her head. "No, he's got a date today anyway and you're awake, early too," after she said that she looked at the window.
Roy smiled. Wow, she was just noticing that although it was still dark, meaning it was cloudy today; it was a lot lighter in the room than last night. "Guess again, it's almost lunch time. You finally slept in."
She rolled her eyes, that was new. "Oh big deal, so what's on the agenda for today?" She smiled. "Want to pay Riza a surprise visit?"
"Uh no, she might shoot us if startled." Roy replied. Why did she want to go see Hawkeye when she had the whole day to spend with him? She'd see Riza tomorrow, granted he knew she liked Riza very much, but what was he? Chopped liver?
Anica nodded rubbing her eyes. Was this normal for her, sitting in someone else's bed, talking? He heard the front door open and Mrs. Garrison's hello. Damn she was early. "The dog," Roy said suddenly.
"The dog?" Anica asked yawning behind her hand.
"Yes, we're going to get a dog, now. Go get dressed."
"But-"
"Go," He said with a smile trying to look and sound as if he was trying to get her out of there before Mrs. Garrison located them. Anica frowned for a moment then went on her way stopping at the bathroom to turn off the light. She was inside her room when a panting house keeper reached the top of the stairs.
Roy's eyes narrowed at the woman and he got out of bed heading for his closet. He heard Anica and Mrs. Garrison exchange good afternoons then heard the woman knock upon his bedroom door. "Aren't we in a mood today Colonel."
Roy said nothing glancing over his shoulder at her. She sighed looking around the room. "What happened to your lamp?"
"I knocked it over last night, is it broken?" He asked rifling through his clothes passed his uniforms.
"Well yes, else I wouldn't have asked. Were you up to something in here? You know I noticed Anica's wrists. Colonel seriously did you two have some sort of fight or was it something else?"
Roy turned around glaring. "I did not sleep with her, not that it would be any of your business if I did." He didn't mean to snap at the woman, it was just she could never leave well enough alone and the fact that someone else had seen the damage he'd caused…Well it hurt and terrified him.
Anica had been listening from her room and hurriedly buttoned up the lower buttons of her dress as she walked down the hall. There was no way she'd let Mrs. Garrison think anything bad of Colonel Mustang, she knew what she was getting into when she saw him last night. She also didn't like his tone.
Still maintaining modesty she held the top of her dress closed with one hand and rested her other upon Mrs. Garrison's arm. "It wasn't like that at all. Last night I heard him knock something over and came to see what was wrong. I startled him and well I bruise so easily." She smiled. "Doesn't even hurt and really he was more startled than I was, nearly jumped out of his skin."
So it wasn't the whole truth but it was close enough and the woman looked to Roy. He sighed heavily with the guilt he just couldn't hide. "I'm not proud of that."
Mrs. Garrison smiled. "That was the something else I was talking about or rather I was wondering if you'd had some sort of nightmare again. You've been a little disoriented when I've been here and that's happened."
Now Roy felt even worse, he couldn't remember a time when she'd been here for one of his episodes, though it had probably been when he was sick. "Leave the lamp," he grinned at both ladies. "I know I'm simply dashing and you can't resist me, but I would like to change alone."
Anica blushed, pressing her lips together, failing to hide the smile and hurried from the room. "You're terrible!" he heard her call.
Mrs. Garrison sighed shaking her head. "What are you doing today Colonel?"
"Anica and I are going out to find us a dog." He replied pulling just a random shirt from the closet. It was navy, hmm, not too bad. This one always made his eyes look a little dark if not bluer.
"A dog, better be house trained." His house keeper said. "I've done my time changing diapers and cleaning up after small animals and their messes."
"But you're not done cleaning up after me?" Roy asked wishing she'd just get out.
"Now you are an entirely different matter, you're helpless without me. I'll go make lunch,"
"I did just fine on my own," He muttered.
"Sure you did, but then you only had a dorm room." She said as she left, closing the door.
Roy sighed and changed. He then went around the bed and pulled the bedside table drawer open. He pushed some random things aside and found the small piece of chalk he kept for situations like this. Then he drew the needed transmutation circle, transmuted the lamp back to perfect condition, and finished up. He did manage to check his reflection in the bathroom mirror before heading down stairs.
When Roy saw Anica perfectly normal and happy he smiled leaning against the wall. In the last few days he'd seen more of this Anica, more smiles and less straight politeness. Mrs. Garrison was twittering on about something he didn't care about, it was Anica he was interested in. She'd actually done something different with her hair today, something he liked which was to just leave it down instead of half of it up, or all of it. It looked so soft and again he wanted to touch it, feel its softness.
He cleared his throat deciding it was best to just push those thoughts away. Damn it he really needed to start dating again. It had been a month, maybe that was his problem. He was focusing on Anica because he had no one else to. Yes, a date would do quite nicely; get his mind centered on the business at hand.
Anica's eyes met the Colonel's for a brief moment before she looked back to Mrs. Garrison who shoved two plates with silverware on top into her hands. She had to hurry to keep the silverware from sliding off. "Set the table dear."
Anica nodded and did as she was told. She'd long since come to the conclusion that no matter what Roy Mustang wore he did look good, even in his flannel pajamas. He'd been so warm last night after they'd lay down. That's probably why she'd slept so late. She felt safe. It had been a long time since she'd slept that well, that deeply, or dreamed anything that wasn't related to her mother.
Her dream, the one she'd woken from was a pleasant one, just another day in the office with him annoying her, but she found that she couldn't stay annoyed with him for too long even in her dream. There wasn't even anything remarkable about the dream, it was just an ordinary dream, but oddly enough, and she knew now because he'd been sleeping bedside her, she could smell him. He smelled so nice all the time, some cologne that was muted and not over powering.
Havoc wore cologne too, but it was a different smell mixed with the seemingly million cigarettes he smoked all day long. She teased him saying he was like a fish who couldn't live with out water, only in his case it was his cigarettes. He'd only shrugged.
The phone rang as she tucked her hair behind her ears. "I'll get it," She said softly.
"No, I will," Roy said finally speaking.
"You just want to get out of helping." Mrs. Garrison grumbled.
Roy gave her a grin before ducking out of the kitchen.
Anica smiled. He really could be lazy sometimes.
Roy lifted the receiver. "Hello,"
"Good afternoon Colonel Mustang." Roy almost saluted never expecting a house call from the Fuher.
"Sir,"
"I am curious is Anica studying today?" The man asked.
Roy remembered Anica's last encounter with the Fuher. He could lie, but since he was going out and had intended on taking her with him that would never fly. "No, I thought we could break for a day."
"That's good news, could you ask her if she wouldn't mind coming for a visit and staying for dinner?" The Fuher asked.
Damn, Roy thought. "I'll ask her sir," He set the phone down and walked toward the kitchen. "Anica," She looked up from placing the glasses of tea upon the table. "The Fuher is on the phone, he'd like to know if you want to come for a visit and dinner today." Please say no, he begged silently, watching her. She set the last glass down and smoothed her dress thinking.
"Do you mind?"
Yes! He shook his head. "I can find us a dog and have him or her waiting when you get home."
She seemed a little indecisive for a moment. Then she nodded. "Okay, I'll go after lunch."
"Better take an umbrella Anica, it's threatening rain." Mrs. Garrison said.
Roy returned to the phone glaring at it for a moment. You're going out on a date tomorrow night and then there will be no more possessive or improper thoughts of Anica. He told himself before lifting the phone. "She'll be ready after lunch sir. I can drop her off if you want."
"You don't have to go out of your way Colonel." The Fuher said.
"I'm going out anyway sir, it's no problem." Roy replied.
"Alright then, my wife is cooking a rather large dinner if you'd like to come back once you're finished. We can't very well have dinner with Anica without her teacher."
Roy smiled, dinner with the Fuher. Maybe today wouldn't be so bad after all. "I'll try to hurry then sir."
"I'm glad to hear it. We'll see you then Colonel."
"Right, good bye." Roy hung up the phone. He may have to put off getting the puppy for a day. He certainly didn't want to get it, bring it home, and then leave it alone for a few hours. Dogs needed to be taken care of properly, not abandoned.
"Roy?" he turned at the sound of her voice. She looked a little worried and he smiled.
"Don't worry I'll be coming to pick you up. The Fuher invited me to dinner as well."
"And the puppy?" She asked. Roy smiled, he could tell she really wanted to go and help him find one. In a way she was still a kid and this was the first time that it had been really evident to him. Or maybe it was something else. Perhaps in all of this and getting the dog it would seem more like a family to her.
Roy caught Mrs. Garrison peaking out of the kitchen. "Mrs. Garrison I know you're listening."
"I was just thinking to my self,"
"When are you not?" Roy breathed running his hand through his hair.
The woman came into the hall way resting her hands upon her hips. "As I was saying Colonel, I could watch over the dog while you and Anica are out. Having dinner with the Fuher himself is something neither of you should miss and well not that I pry too much but Anica seems to have been looking forward to it."
Roy's eye brow rose. "Oh is that so?"
Anica cleared her throat obviously embarrassed by the flush upon her cheeks. Now that was cute, too cute. An image of last night in the den flashed in to his mind. It was the one where she'd playfully and arrogantly said asked if she was cute. "Maybe a little,"
"She's got a list of names waiting for your approval upstairs." Mrs. Garrison said with a smile.
Roy watched Anica's eyes close and chuckled. "Well then Mrs. Garrison call your husband and tell him to get over here. You shouldn't make him wait for dinner because you're here waiting on us." He'd be damned, he was spoiling Anica, but then again he had wanted a dog for some time too, he loved dogs, they were loyal.
"I am going to drop Anica off at the Fuher's estate, then go in search of said dog, bring it home, and then get ready to go. I'll try not to keep us out too late as I know I have to be to work tomorrow." He said smiling.
Mrs. Garrison nodded. "Anica you should change your dress and find a nice sweater to cover those arms. It's a chilly autumn day."
Anica's tempest eyes opened and she nodded. "Yes Mam,"
"Great let's eat lunch." Mrs. Garrison chirped.
Roy silently thanked his house keeper. If the Fuher or anyone else saw those bruises, though completely explainable, it wouldn't reflect well upon him, even if he admitted to the Fuher that he had nightmares from the war. That was something he didn't want to do in the first place, Maes didn't even know and Maes generally knew more about him than any one else.
Roy sighed looking Anica over as she sat beside him in the front seat of his car. She looked as striking as the day he'd met her, almost the same. Her hair was pulled out of her face and braided down her back, her dress was in perfect order, and she was wearing a white sweater over a pale lavender dress. Over that she wore a white coat and white gloves. She looked very much the part of a lady, but she always did.
"If you get uncomfortable," he said noticing that there were two other cars sitting in the drive ahead of his. "Call home, don't hesitate. Mrs. Garrison will know what to do from there. If she doesn't answer call Maes, I mean it, it's an order. The last time you spoke with Bradley you came back upset."
Anica nodded. "Okay, thank you for the ride Colonel."
Roy nodded and watched her get out and walk up to the front door of the estate. He didn't leave until she was inside.
Anica's coat and gloves were taken by a house servant and she was led down a long hall way and asked to wait outside a door. She had been looking around as her mother taught her. This place was certainly grand, but it was the home of the most powerful man in all of Amestris. She didn't really care for it. She preferred Roy's more humble surroundings and that of the Hughes'.
She smiled remembering what Colonel Mustang had last said. That silly man hadn't even given her Maes' number, though even if she should become uncomfortable she'd stick it out. She was a lot tougher than she looked.
The servant returned and motioned for her to enter the room he'd come from. Anica smiled, thanked him and walked through the double doors. She was prepared for the Fuher, prepared for another encounter with questions about Roy, but she wasn't prepared for Basque Gran and a stranger sitting with the Fuher in front of a large fireplace.
Fuher Bradley smiled. "Anica please come in and get warm."
Anica looked at the two men and stood still. "Excuse me sir, but if this is another attempt to-"
The Fuher chuckled. "No, Anica, these two gentlemen knew both your parents and are interested in you."
"We came to see if you knew anything about your father." The stranger said with a smile. "I worked with him for a number of years."
Anica was hesitant but smiled none the less and walked toward the two overstuffed sofa's making a point to sit on the one Gran occupied. He of course asked if she'd like to trade places in order to sit closer to the fire.
"I am fine, besides I might be tempted to play with alchemy." She replied.
"How is that coming?" The stranger asked.
"Anica this is General Haruko," the Fuher said taking his seat in the overstuffed chair.
She nodded, she'd not met him before, let alone seen him, but she'd heard of him. "Colonel Mustang has me reading everything he has upon flame alchemy and pyrotechnics. He did ask if I'd care to give him a demonstration a few days ago."
Haruko seemed highly interested as did Gran, who she could feel watching her. Just knowing that sent a chill down her spine. "And?" Gran asked.
"And I asked him if he wanted his house to burn down. I can transmute, but control is still an issue. He has plans to begin slow this week and has been very helpful in any questions I have had." She smiled. "Last night he showed me how he's been doing alchemy with the ignition cloth gloves."
Haruko nodded. "Mustang's very talented; you know he invented those gloves and their design." He smiled. "Are you planning something similar?"
To be honest, she'd not even begun thinking that far ahead, mostly she wanted to be able to gain control first. Take one step at a time, that's what her mother use to say. "If I told you that, then there would be no surprises later on." As far as she was concerned this topic was closed for discussion.
"How are the living conditions?" Gran asked coldly.
Anica smiled finally meeting his gaze. "I have never felt more welcome. Colonel Mustang and Mrs. Garrison are the nicest people I have ever met and ask very little."
"Mrs. Garrison?" Haruko asked.
"His house keeper. I'm not sure why he has one since he never seems to make a mess, but she's a nice woman, very motherly." She replied.
"And what sort of things do they ask of you?" Gran asked as if he was implying something disgusting.
Anica smiled despite wishing she could break his neck or in the least tear out his throat. He was rude and what was worse, his tone implied things she wouldn't dare utter. "Simply that I talk and apprise them if I find or feel anything is amiss. Colonel Mustang allows me to do what ever it is that I want so long as I study, pay attention, and not hide away in my room. Actually I find it's easier to just say what ever is on my mind than keep it to myself when around either of them. It's a little liberating."
How's that you snobbish bastard?
To grind in her defense and point she added, "I wasn't able to discuss what happened to my mother. No one pushed, not Colonel Mustang, or his staff, not even Lt. Havoc who had worked with her. I know he wants to know. But I suppose like anyone else I wanted answers to the questions I couldn't seem to answer on my own. The week in which I traveled here, my mind ran over it at least a million times, but I could never understand some of what she said, or why it had happened.
"As you can imagine Colonel Mustang didn't know why it had happened. But he was able to explain to me that my thoughts and feelings were normal. There was no way to rationalize what she'd said to me and he said there was nothing to feel guilty for, I had done what I could and that was all anyone could do."
The Fuher nodded smiling. "At least you were able to speak to someone. Now," He sat back in his chair. "I suppose you'd like to know about your father."
Anica did but there was something she needed to know first. It was something she almost dreaded asking. "I do, but I have to ask something of you first."
He nodded.
"My mother, before she died, said she'd made arrangements for me. What sort of arrangements?"
"It was many years back, shortly after your father died, but Lila sent a copy of her will and instructions for your care should anything happen to her." The Fuher replied. "I was a little surprised to see it, but I wouldn't deny her request. I still have it all if you want to see it?"
Anica nodded and watched him get up. He went to a desk in the corner and pulled a file from a drawer, then brought it to her. Anica accepted it and looked it over. There was a more recent letter stating that she had shown a flare for alchemy and her mother wanted him to find her a good teacher in case she was prevented from teaching it herself.
The rest of it was detailed instructions on what kind of residence she should be placed in, where her mother's assets were kept and to be transferred to her, and the like. The will stated that everything she had was to go to Anica.
Anica nodded when she was finished and passed it back to the Fuher who refused it. "You should keep it."
Anica placed the file in her lap and sat back. "My father?"
Haruko and the Fuher seemed more than happy to tell her everything. Her father was everything she'd ever imagined him to be. A loyal and dedicated soldier, doting husband and father, he'd been terribly excited when she'd been born and informed everyone about her. He was also a man of history and culture, learning about it, soaking it up like a sponge. Haruko said her father was like a walking travel guide and historian. If there was ever anything anyone wanted to know they just had to ask him.
Her father was also quite the listener and often drove her mother a little crazy when he chose to sit and listen and watch instead of conversing. Anica smiled at that. Her mother had often been annoyed with her in the same way.
Then it was time for the tales of how her parents met, what drew them together. The Fuher was the expert on this subject and recounted everything they had done together that he knew of. He said her mother had been enchanted by her father, mostly with his voice and how he spoke.
When things quieted down Gran turned to Anica. "Now it's your turn, tell us about your mother. None of us got to see or hear from her often in the last few years."
Anica didn't mind telling Haruko or the Fuher, she was pretty sure they posed no threat. Gran, however, she knew about his interest in her mother, had known for a long time. He had wanted to get close to her, very close. She supposed part of the reason she hated him was his desire to take her father's place in her mother's life, but not out of love. He wanted something else from her. What that was Anica never knew or wanted to know.
She sighed. "Well she was quiet mostly, a little cold. She never let anyone in but me and what she spoke of with me, the personal things I can't tell you. That would break promises. She spent time teaching me when she could; going with me on the various trips I took. But she always had a far away look. She wasn't unhappy, but she was definitely depressed a lot of the time, tired.
"The only time I ever saw her truly happy was the day she died and then it was only when she was dying in the street. I think, though she didn't really believe in a god, she knew she was going to be with my father."
The room was quiet and Anica didn't care to elaborate. In fact she glanced at the clock upon the mantle. It was after five in the evening, where was Roy? What was taking him so long and how hard was it to track down a damn dog!
As if on cue the servant entered announcing that Roy had arrived. He entered dressed in a brown suit looking as calm and collected as ever. The Fuher smiled and asked him to sit.
"You should be proud Mustang, you're student has nothing but high regard for you." Haruko said kindly.
Anica remained still, neither smiling nor frowning as Roy's eyes met hers. He smiled though. "Anica's the one who should get the regard, she's had to put up with me and she's more than determined. She's read everything so quickly I've barely had time to keep up."
Anica melted into her own little world as the conversation turned from her progress to other things such as the state, and what ever else. She was glad for that.
"Anica?" Some one asked.
She tore her gaze from the fire. "Huh? Oh I'm sorry you were saying?"
Roy gave her a slightly concerned look but it was gone as soon as it had appeared. "General Haruko asked what you had on the list." Roy said.
She frowned. "What list?"
"The list of names?"
Anica smiled as it dawned upon her. "Depends on if it's male or female."
"Male and it's a collie," Roy replied. "In case you missed that too."
Anica nodded. A collie, she wanted to leave right now and go see it. Collies were actually her favorite breed of dogs. "I had so many, it would be better to see him and decide upon a name then." Why were they talking about Roy's dog?
"You seem pretty distracted. That's not like you, is something wrong?" Roy asked.
Anica shook her head. "No, and I wasn't really thinking about anything in particular. I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it we all space out, I mostly do it in meetings about redundant things." Haruko admitted.
It was then that Anica met the Fuher's wife who apologized for their son's absence for he was currently ill and sleeping. The wife of the Fuher was a very beautiful woman, and very sweet, soft spoken. She and Anica spoke of more feminine things whilst the men discussed more state oriented things.
Anica was more than ready to go when Haruko said he had to get home to his wife. She looked to Roy; he nodded and looked at his pocket watch. "Please pardon us Sir, but I promised Mrs. Garrison we wouldn't stay too late."
The Fuher nodded and walked them to the door along with Haruko. They said their goodbyes and that was it, they were out in the cold, wet air of the evening.
Roy smiled when Anica slumped down in the car seat beside him once they were well out of the view of the estate. "I didn't think it was that bad."
"It wasn't after you arrived." She muttered. "The attention was finally off me."
"From the lack of phone call I take it everything went okay?" He asked.
She smiled a little. "They told me about my father and my mother." Her smile fell. "They did ask of you."
Roy kept his eyes on the road, the rain was picking up a little and it was so dark. The thunder rumbled over head. He guessed as much. Tonight she was as cold as she'd been the first day he'd known her. He really didn't like that; he liked her better when she was warmer, more open.
"I think it's Gran, the one who has something against you." She said after sometime. "I could sense the tension between the two of you."
Maes had assumed as much and so had he. Anica didn't know but ever since the war in Ishbal he and Gran had not exactly been close, not that they ever were in the first place. When he dealt with the man it was strictly business. He only obeyed the man's commands because he was a soldier with a goal in mind, a subordinate only in rank. "It goes back a few years, but I wouldn't worry about it."
"I'm not," She said sitting up straight. "He's the one who needs to worry."
Roy frowned glancing at her. "What's that mean?"
"Nothing," She replied.
"Anica, don't do anything stupid. Starting out on the wrong side will make things complicated for you later on. It may prevent you from-"
"Wearing a uniform?" She smiled. "I have no intention of that. I simply want to be an alchemist. I saw the life my mother led and I saw that of an alchemist not in uniform but working for the state. I prefer the latter, but I will not report to him ever. I'd rather tear my insides out with my own hands."
Roy almost stopped the car. Never did he expect something like that to come from her mouth. He didn't think she could think such thoughts and it was more than unnerving. "What the hell did he do to you or say?"
"It's nothing for you to worry about; this has something to do with my mother."
"What?" He persisted.
Anica sighed rubbing her temples; all that polite dancing around in conversation always gave her a head ache. "He wanted something from my mother, something she wouldn't give. I was never told what but I did know he also wanted to take my father's place." She looked at him. "Maybe that's why I dislike him so much."
"Gran was in love with your mother?"
"No,"
"Mm,"
"The point is I will never follow someone like him." She looked out the window. "And what pisses me off the most is that he's alive and my mother is not. He thinks he can just ask questions, feign niceties, and dish out words with hidden meanings that are vulgar, but I know he's after something I can almost taste it."
Roy pulled passed the gate and into drive way of his house. He wondered what Gran had said to make her this angry, she was almost yelling and the tension rolling like waves from her was enough to irritate him. But he could take a guess as to what Gran had been implying, not that it was any of his business. Roy was definitely going to start dating again. He'd not let Anica get pulled onto Gran's shit list because of him. "The only thing I can tell you is stay away from him and don't do anything stupid."
Anica nodded and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry,"
"Would you stop apologizing? You're allowed to vent Anica."
She smiled. "Sor- ugh, well so,"
"So I told the dog that you'd be coming home with me and he'd better behave. He wasn't easy to find, but I saw him and thought that's the dog." She smiled. "I think even Hawkeye will approve when we take him in."
Anica frowned reaching for the door. "Can you do that?"
"I don't know, I suppose as long as he's quiet and doesn't make a mess then it would be fine. Other's have brought their dogs in, he's part of the military now, just needs proper training." He said it seriously. "Come on,"
Anica grinned and got out of the car, racing him to the front door mostly to keep from being drenched in the cold rain. She beat him and burst into the house startling Mrs. Garrison and her husband who were waiting in the foyer.
"He's in the kitchen," Mrs. Garrison said as Anica pulled off her coat and gloves.
"Thank you." Anica replied and left them. She almost couldn't wait to see him now that he was here, real, not just talk, and she was home.
She frowned looking around until she spotted the little white, brown, and black ball of fur curled up in a small doggy bed under the table. What he was doing under the table she didn't know but she didn't care and got upon her knees sitting. Hearing the movement the little puppy's head lifted and his big brown eyes watched her curiously.
Anica held out her hand. "Come here," she said softly. The puppy yawned and came to her slowly. He sniffed her then licked her hand. She smiled and pet his soft fur. "You're so cute."
"That dog needs a good name." It was Mr. Garrison and he knelt next to her ready to go. "He looks like a strong fellow, any ideas?"
Anica turned around looking for her mentor. Roy was leaning against the counter with his hands in his pockets. "Don't look at me; you're the one with the names. Just nothing like Fido. "
Anica nodded. "Well if he's going to be a military dog then I think Orion might do."
"Orion?" Roy asked. He thought about it, wondered at the meaning but nodded. "Sounds good to me."
Anica looked back at the puppy and picked him up. "You'll not be sleeping in here."
"Where's he going to sleep then?" Mrs. Garrison asked. "The kitchen is a great place."
"But it will get cold, he can sleep with me." Anica replied.
"You're going to spoil that dog and make him fat." The old woman said.
"No I won't." Anica said as the dog licked her face.
Roy snorted. He'd bet a good portion of his next pay check that she would, but she looked very happy right now and he knew then that the dog was mostly likely going to be hers. That really didn't matter too much though. It kind of felt like…his house felt like a home, there was a family there now, maybe not one in the typical sense but one none the less.
