Updated chapter 4! 7/21/2011.

Chapter 4

I had totally forgotten about the meeting. Clearly my mind had been too preoccupied with other matters. The hallway was luckily empty, save a few blue-clad soldiers on duty. I could barely see in front of me, for I was walking as fast as I could without breaking into a sprint. If I was late… I was definitely possible that I could be in big trouble. People moved out of the way in confusion as I sped past doorways and picture frames. I turned a corner and ran into somebody, but quickly regained my footing and continued on my way.

"UGH... sorry!" I yelled back, not able to get a look at them, and honestly not caring. I didn't have time to stop and make sure they were alright. I kept going until I reached the doors outside.

I sped down the steps and broke into a run across the large courtyard, a few groups of soldiers whispering to each other as I passed them. I rounded the corner around the stone wall and headed to the alleyway to the right of the entrance. Looking around, no Greed was in sight. Where could he be? Was I early, or was he the one late?

"You're late…" his voice finally came out of the darkness. I turned around surprised, even though this sort of secret meeting happened all of the time, usually with him jumping out of the shadows. I didn't care at this point, for I had given all of my effort to get out of the building as fast as I could.

"By how much!" I said exasperatedly, trying to catch my breath.

"Two minutes… … that could have been all the time I needed to give you your orders. You could have been on your way back there by now, you useless girl!" he scolded, and as I expected, his hand came down hard upon my cheek. I grabbed my face, which stung from the slap, and backed away. "Now… you are to do EXACTLY what you are told, do you understand me?... because you, my dear, are to do everything and anything your master tells you to do… so if I send for you at five o clock, you come out here at EXACTLY five o clock. If I tell to be unsuspected by the others, then you will be unsuspected by the others… and if I tell you to kill anybody I name… then you will kill anybody… anybody I name. No matter what happens. Got that?" he whispered forcefully down at me. The word kill sent shivers down my spine. What would the others think if they heard this conversation?

"Yes… I understand…"

"Then do it Rose! You are an assassin, and assassins follow all orders they are given, no matter what!...I do everything for you, so I think its fair if you return the favor every once and a while, instead of being careless and irresponsible!" he practically screamed at me, as if I had betrayed him in a terrible way. But really, I had only arrived late to a secretive meeting… by two minutes. He was overreacting, as usual, and most likely on purpose; he wanted to be unpredictable. At that moment, I hoped somebody would hear his over-zealous reaction… I hoped somebody could just take me away from him, tell me that there is something wrong about our relationship, that I didn't deserve to be treated that way… but that would never happen. Nobody knew, or cared, what was happening in the dark alley.

"Y-yes, Greed…" I managed to utter, not wishing to upset him anymore. He could sense my submission, and a few tears clouded the furious image before me. He smiled, his sharp teeth showing. My tears gave him great pleasure, a symbol of his power. I shuddered and stood up tall. "I'll do whatever you tell me to do."

"That's my girl… now, I have not decided yet who to kill, but keep inspecting and rummaging around. Meet here every night from now on at 10 o clock. 5 is too early, the sun will still be up… now go." He said, as if I wasn't late at all, and shooed me away. I quickly ran out from the side of the building and furiously rubbed at my eyes to get rid of the leaking wetness. The others couldn't see me like that. They would know that something was up, that I hadn't been in the bathroom in their absence.

I wished there was a way to be free. After coming to this new place, I had begun to doubt myself as a true killer. But somehow, my mind was compelled to follow any command Greed gave me. I knew the real reason why I had to keep doing it… there was only one real explanation. Greed knew who I was… he knew who my parents were… and he knew he could use that to his advantage.

"Rose, have you been crying?" Kyara asked when I came back into the room. She must have seen my puffy red eyes. I shook my head vigorously.

"N-no! Of course not! I just have allergies…" I said, and pulled off a very convincing sneeze. Stupid excuse. Allergies are triggered from being outside.

"Do you want some allergy medicine?" Kari asked, going near the door.

"Oh, no! It's fine! It comes and goes, you know… it'll probably be gone in a few minutes." I said, stopping her from leaving. She gave a slanted, concerned smile.

"Now then…" Roy said from his desk with a smirk on his face, which made me uneasy. "Before we send you to your living quarters… I would like you to meet one of my second hand men." He said. "He should be here any-" Roy began, but was cut off. Somebody had just opened the door and come inside. "Ah, Lieutenant Havoc. Meet our new friend, Miss Rose."

I turned around, and quickly looked at the ground. It was HIM. It was the guy who I had made a complete fool in front of in the office. My stomach lurched. Would he rat me out?

"We've just met" he said in a soft way. "She told me her name while you were out talking. But I never got a chance to tell her mine." He said, leaning on the door frame with his arms crossed. I was making it a point to avoid looking into his eyes again. That had only caused me trouble.

"Ah yes… I see… well Rose, meet one of my most loyal subordinates, Second Lieutenant Jean Havoc." Roy stated, introducing us. I looked up, feeling it would be rude to look at the ground any longer, and began studying his face, now that it wasn't staring at mine. He looked down at the ground and scratched his blonde hair, embarrassed by the Colonel's introduction. I searched for an imperfection on his face, perhaps a lone blemish or a crooked nose. I couldn't find any. It seemed too perfect. Maybe that was why I couldn't look away before.

"Call me Havoc." He said, and I noticed his hand outstretching. I looked from his face down to the polite gesture. Hesitantly, I put out my hand and grabbed his, when suddenly a jolt of energy went through my fingertips and traveled up my arm at his touch. I quickly let go, confused as to what happened. Havoc gave me the weirdest look… not surprised, not scared, but… as if he felt it as well. I furrowed my brow.

"Are you okay Rose?" Kyara asked, coming over to me. I didn't answer, but stared at my hand.

"Are you sure you don't want any meds or pain killers?" Kari inquired. I didn't need medicine. I needed to know what just happened to me.

"No… I-I'm fine… just a small headache, probably the allergies, but it'll go away" I lied, and gave Kyara and Kari a reassuring look. My excuses really had taken a turn for the worst. Kyara attempted a smile, but it was difficult for her to cover her confusion. I could see out of the corner of my eye that Havoc was inspecting me, his arms crossed, just as puzzled as I was but clearly better at hiding it.

"I've put Jean in charge of showing you around the building and to your lodgings. Perhaps you can lie down, get to bed early," Roy suggested. I nodded, and once registering what he said, realizing that I would be alone with Havoc. I felt my forehead, which burned like a hot stove.

"Rose, why is your face so red?"

"Oh Ed, leave her alone!"

"I'm just pointing it out Kyara! She's usually so pale. Maybe she is sick. Kari, why don't you go feel her forehead."

"Kyara, Ed, everyone. I'll take it from here. Glad to have you back, Fullmetal." Havoc said politely, and placed a hand on my shoulder. I felt it again… the shocking feeling… but it was subtler now, like a dull current running through my arm. Thankfully, I made it out of the door without showing any abnormality. His hand slid off to his side as we walked out into the hallway, delicately lit by streams the setting sun that beamed through the windows.

You know what to do….