AN: Finally! Chapter-4! Sorry for the delay. I just couldn't get my lazy arse to write it down! But I finally posted it. And it gets to show you that I'm still alive! XD I ain't dead yet! -cackles- Anyways, below lies the material for which you've been so anxious (at least, I myself was!) and I hope it'll compensate for the incredible delay. And I know that it's late, but still, Happy New Year to all of you.

Special thanks to Killing Lies. As always, thank you so much Killing Lies for all the editing that you've done! And Thanks for the word Aphephobia (fear of being touched) I really appreciate your effort. ^^

And now…

Chapter-4

"Brother, there you are!" A metallic voice was directed to a certain alchemist, who, for the time being, was dosing off."Have you heard? The Lieutenant Colonel…he wants to have a conference with you…all of you!"

At this, the blonde's eyes opened lazily, still full of sleep.

"What do you mean by all of us?" He asked, still trying to shift into a comfortable position on the couch.

I don't know actually – he just called and, well, he sounded really anxious!" Al paused before speaking again, this time with a bit of hesitance. "Brother…y-you didn't do anything wrong now, did you?"

"What do you mean by that Al?" The comment surely invoked a good impulse from Ed, who was then awake and fully seated. "Anything wrong? As in like what?"

"Umm…no. I-I meant that is everything alright?" Al said with worry dripping from his voice.

"Alright? Hmph, of course everything's not alright! I try to get some shut-eye and right when I'm about to fall asleep, I hear the military's holding a damn conference!" He then lay down in his former position.

"And 'sides…" Ed replied, while turning to his left,"…I bet it's not that important…seeing that it was HUGHES who called!"

"Are you sure Brother? He did sound pretty worried!" Al said, trying one last time to convince his brother, who could be so stubborn at times.

"I'm damn sure Al! Listen, I had a really rough night yesterday, 'kay? So I'm not in the mood right now…can you manage, Al? Please?"

"Okay, I'll try to." Al responded as he let out a sigh.

'But then come to think of it, Brother was up pretty late last night…must've been doing his research! But…didn't he submit those to the Colonel the previous day? So then…what was he doing last night?'

oOo

"C'mon now, Roy!" sighed the Lietenant colonel "Stop acting as if it is the end of the world!"

Futile as it was, Roy never did actually 'stop acting' that way. Maes had a pretty good idea that he wouldn't…but still…

'He needs to cheer up, even for a bit! Oh Roy, What more can I do for you?'

"Listen Roy…" Hughes said, coming to the precise point, "I don't know what happened to you and I'm guessing that it must've been pretty bad seeing you so pale like this." Bringing more firmness in his voice, he again said, "I've decide to arrange a meeting with those who were there at that time. Trust me, whoever has hurt you- both mentally and physically- he'll not get away with this, I promise!"

oOo

"Brother…y-you didn't do anything wrong now, did you?" The words still echoed in Ed's ears. As if a broken record, going on and on about the same thing! The thing which stung Ed right at his heart.

'Wrong?' was Ed's thought, as golden orbs reflected darkness and sorrow. 'Yes Al! I did do something wrong; something so terribly wrong.'

No matter how much he tried, Ed could not be as relaxed as he pretended to be, after Al's departure to the meeting. Something was eating him up…and worse, he couldn't even share it with Al, his little brother; his strength, his courage!

'Are you sure Brother? '

'Yes Al. I am sure. I am the sinner. I committed a horrible sin Al! I-I don't deserve to have a supporting brother like you. What came to me to do such a thing? I don't know; neither can I tell you or even ask you why! All I can say is…'

"I'm sorry…"

Ed was ready to accept his punishment, anything that would be given to him. But first,he had to do some other duties. He had to meet someone else…

Calming himself, Ed finally got up and made his way towards the hardwood door. He was going to the conference.

oOo

'What have I done!' were the thoughts of a distressed colonel, who was at the moment, more stable than before.

'It wasn't supposed to be like this! He…he wasn't supposed to know!' He rebuked himself continuously after he had realized that Hughes had known the mostshameful event of his life. This partial dark secret – partial because Maes still had no clue about the sinner, and with so many enemies around, most likely would never find out.

'Please…please let it be that way! He mustn't know…he mustn't know…'

Still absorbed in his thoughts, Roy only came to the reality once more as he felt a warm hand on his shoulder. He gasped and gave a "Don't touch me" response, which had got common during the last few days after that incident. It didn't bother Maes though. He had got used to it. That kind of a response was expected from Roy, after what he had been through. It became a reflex action which would take time to heal.

Maes knew that. In fact, he knew that very well. It was just, each time he saw Roy do that, blood rushed to his brains. He felt the urge to kill the person who had caused such great damage to Roy; whoever that person was, Maes would find him. He would find him and force him to plead for mercy, begging on his knees before Maes would give him a fitting punishment.

"I-I didn't see you coming, Maes", Roy said as he tried to regain his composure. He let out a small sigh as he continued, "You should've knocked!"

"Heh, why? Cause I was acting in a very Fullmetal-ish way?" Maes replied keeping a smirk glued to his lips. He had hoped that Roy would reply sarcastically but much to his disappointment, the other merely gave a sad smile.

"What do you want Maes?"

"What do you mean by that?" enquired Hughes, startled by his lover's sudden comment.

"I mean that you didn't come here to chat, that's for sure. So then why-"

Before he could clearly explain fully of what he had meant to say, Roy's lips were captured by the others ina small soft kiss, which did a very good job of calming the younger down. With all the tensions and fears temporarily pushed aside, Roy felt a strange feeling of comfort and a sense of protection. Before he knew it, Roy was totally engrossed in the action of expressing affection, opening his own lips, so as to let the other get hold of him completely.

The kiss didn't last long and both of them drew away from each, still tasting each other's flavours from their last kiss.

"You're right. I have more than one reason to come here, the most important one being these papers being handed over to you." Maes continued while handing over a brown envelop to the other, "These are the papers that you wanted right?"

Going through the papers once, Roy nodded a sign of approval. Then, shifting his attention back to the other being, he said, "Thanks! I knew that I could trust you with this one, Maes! And…"

"And what?"

"Anything else?"

''Umm…No, not really; it's just that…" Hughes answered, playfully trying to hold Roy's hands, "…we're going to hold a conference in about thirty minutes."

"A conference?" came the surprised reply, as dark orbs looked into citrine ones with a bit of shock and confusion, mentally hesitating to let the other hold his hand. The fact that he had been raped and had been contaminated still stuck to his mind and was provoked each time someone touched him, be it a complete stranger or his very own lover, whom he'd want to touch tirelessly.

"Yeah! Just some random things…don't worry! I'll manage! Do you want me to drop you off?"

"No, let's go home together. I'm sure Gracia won't mind if I stick around for a cup of coffee!" Roy replied with a bit of playfulness in his voice. His hand holding Maes' face while the other placed the envelop carefully on his desk.

"Not at all! Can't wait to drink that hot liquid made by a hot personnel!" Maes' bubbly voice indicated the relief, which,he was feeling on seeing Roy recover from his injuries.

He was recovering,trying hard to suppress any kind of anxiety that lay deep within his heart. Whatever he was feeling then, he was doing a great job of keeping himself calm.

He wouldn't let Maes find out the truth by his actions again. Once was enough, but not anymore.

Moments passed by as the meeting went on. With every passing second, Roy could feel his heartbeat going faster and faster. He was all alone in his chamber with nothing but the monotonous sound of the clock's 'tick tock' to accompany him. His mind began to imagine those strange thoughts, which often haunted him, during his hours of loneliness.

'Where is he? What's taking him so long?' Roy thought continuously. He could feel his body getting tense with every fraction of a second that passed.

'Maes, please come to me! Open the door and enter this damned room – open it . . . open the door!'

"Ah,finally!" Roy rejoiced as he heard the hardwood door being opened from outside. "I was getting so worried you know that

As if his prayers had been answered. He wasn't a man who was likely to have been praying, however, after what he had been through, it wasn't unnatural either; Roy was greatly relieved.

"A few more minutes," Roy said, as he turned to face the other being, "…and I swear that I'd surely faint! But now that you are he-"

Roy stopped midway, his face clearly showing the expression of shock mingled with what might very well be called fear. His voice suddenly decided to call a strike and his legs seemed to step backwards, without Roy controlling them. As ifthey had a mind of their own.

"Y-you!" escaped Roy's mouth accompanied by histrembling voice and hard breaths. "W-why are you-you here? W-what more d-do you want?"

Roy tried to sound his normal strong self. However, he knew it very well that it wasn't working the way he wanted to. He panicked and the other being knew that very well. He could sense it!

In addition, if his voice wasn't enough, Roy's widened dark orbs pointed out clearly that Roy wasn't in his cool.

"G-get out! Get out…Edward…"

"Relax Colonel." Said person finally opened his mouth. "I'm not here to create any scenes." Ed continued, still standing near the door. "Actually…" Ed spoke again, after a short intake of breath, his voice sounding more like hesitant, than annoyance.

"Actually…I'm…I've been wanting to talk to you about…about what had happened, um, earlier."

Hearing this, the Colonel did calm down a bit. After all, the kid did sound serious and there was guilt written all over his face.

Roy replied in a softer voice, "What more do you need to say Edward? Especially…" directing his eyes at the window, he continued, " I-I don't think that there is anything left to be said, at least, not after that…"

"There is something left to be said!" Ed soon after softened his voice, after seeing Roy get a bit timorous. It wasn't exactly the right time to raise his voice. Ed tried his best to handle the already volatile situation.

He looked down with as much respect as possible before continuing, "I…I'm sorry…"

At this, Roy couldn't help but be a little surprised. He could see the blonde blushing furiously. Roy also managed to notice the uneasiness, which Edward was feeling then. The blonde scratched his hands, a sign which undoubtedly pointed out his uncomfortable state.

"I'm sorry for what I did, Colonel. I didn't mean to. I admit my sin, Sir,and will accept the punishment which you'll give me, without any complaints."

Roy's eyes did soften by Ed's words. He could clearly tell that the blonde wasn't playing mind games. He was really sorry, for whatever he had done. Now, he needed forgiveness. Not only for his own profits, but also, for Ed's very own peace of mind. After all, over the three years, Roy did come to understand that both the Elrics were much too honorable for manipulation. Much too innocent as well.

"I'm ready to accept your punishment Sir, but first, you must know that . . . that whatever I had done before, it . . . it wasn't for satisfying my own intentions only, Colonel."Ed sounded serious, too serious for any childish games. "I did it for Al also…"

This truly took the Colonel aback.

'For Al? Why would he say that?' He thought. However, he did not say this aloud, for he knew that the blonde would not give away anything further than that, especially if it concerned his brother.

It was time to forgive Ed. He confessed his guilt, to the person to whom he had committed the guilt. Moreover, he came to Roy all by himself…it wasn't like Roy had forced him to apologize. Ed's pure conscience forced him to admit his wrong-doing. If this wasn't the time for forgive-and forget-policy, then the right time would never come.

Roy could feel his body becoming less tense. He relaxed a bit, his heart softened and his eyes regained their composure from the horror, which covered them. He felt that strong parenthood feeling, the same feeling that he had developed over the pastthree years. He slowly approached Ed and hesitantly held his shoulders.

After all, what he had been through wasn't easy to forget. It led Roy to develop Aphephobia. He felt that waywhen Maes touched him or even kissed him. But now, it was the time to get over it; he touched Ed, once, who was the very cause of his , the kid regretted and nowwas a good time to support each other.

"Ed" he spoke, dragging the blonde close to him, "I-I…" placing his hand on the other's back, he said, "I forgive you."

Ed didn't know what to say. He was feeling a great deal of comfort. As if, he'd been finally released from confinement and stepped on to the luscious green natural carpet, inhaling air in its purest form. He had been forgiven and that meant a lot to him.

"Really?" Ed rejoiced as his eyes grew wider, his lips curling up to a smile.

"Yes, Ed. I forgive you. Maybe it's going to take me some time to forget what I had gone through, but, I promise Ed, I promise to try and forget it."Roy, having said this, smiled softly. A true smile, after so many days.

"These papers" Ed said, finally noticing the papers which were already placed on the desk, "These are…"

"Adoption papers."

"Adoption?"

"I wanted to be your legal guardian… both your[s] and Al's."

Ed's eyes saddened at that. The man, whom he had an intense crush on a few days ago, whom, as a result of that crush, he had committed such a disgusting act of raping, wanted to adopt them; to look after them, to provide them the love of a parent;it brought back his feeling of guilt.

Obviously, Roy noticed and understood Ed's sudden silence. All he could do now was to comfort the teen. Both of them had gone through enough and at this point, they needed each other for mutual support.

"Let it go, Ed. What's done is done." Roy said letting out a sigh, as he gently stroked the other's back, as a sign of comfort. "All we can do now is…forget the past and move forward."

The blonde did soothe to his words. They were comforting and very realistic.

"Colonel?"

"Hm?"

"Will you ever for-I mean…thanks…"

"I'll try and …yeah, you're welcomed…"

"Colonel?"

"Hmn?"

There was a pregnant pause as both seemed to think and roll over the new information, before Edward spoke again.

"Thanks…for the adoption…"

"Don't mention it."

"Colonel?"

"What is it, Ed?"

"Remember what I've said." Ed said, regaining his sternness, "Things aren't always what they seem."

Having said this, Edward left the room, leaving Roy all to himself, with only his thoughts to accompany him. However, this time, those weren't thoughts of insecurity but a seed of suspicion. It was planted inside Roy's head, and made Roy ponder over Edward's words.

'Things aren't always what they seem . . . indeed Ed, they aren't. It was for Al, so then Ed didn't assault me only to fulfill his desire. It's not like him to do so; so then, why? Or better yet, who? Who is actually behind all of this? In addition, what does it have to do with Al? Who's after us; who is it; why . . . ?'

Mystery was beginning to take its shape. A clear conspiracy was taking its form…all involving Roy and the two brothers. Whoever it was sure had planned something big, so as to force Ed into doing something as degraded as sexually assaulting his Commanding officer and more so, his soon-to-be-adopted-father.

'We're into something big this time. We wait; letting the mystery unfold by itself . . . Hughes, forgive me. I can't let you in on this; I-I can't involve you into this mess. I'm sorry, and I-I love you Maes. I beg you, please give me strength to overcome this hurdle.'

oOo

Ok, it's the end of Ch-4 and I've seen what you guys said…yeah, I did make Roy a bit catatonic in the last chapter…but it was totally natural to go all hyper like that, don't you think so? I mean, surely, you can't expect a person to remain all calm and composed after he'd been brutally assaulted, and that too, sexually!

But guys, thanks for your reviews and I hope that you'll find Roy in character and less catatonic in this chapter. Anyways the drama starts here…Yeah, it was Ed!

You guys: Heh! Told you sooooo! XD

But as he had said, "Things aren't always what they seem." Means, this is a hell o'va conspiracy! XD Who could it be? Who's behind all these? Some known enemies? Or maybe someone who has yet to reveal the identity? O_o You guys think about it while I write the next chapter. CX

Oh and yeah! Adoption! It's a part of the story, really! In case you haven't read the summary, I did mention, Roy/Ed parental, didn't I? Don't be afraid! I won't ruin the story by mushiness and stuff; this will only help it to get better, I promise. And as for that li'l sneak-peak, be prepared for some real suspense and thrillers…ooh and also spoilers! CX But for now, please drop your reviews! I'll accept CC-s but please, no flames!

Thanks,

Euphoria.:D