Author's Note: I do not own FMA or its characters. This is an AU based on the manga.


Secret Councils

Roy stood there a moment, frozen in the doorway, before crossing the room to clasp Maes' hand.

"Hughes. Maes."

Riza hung back a moment giving them a chance to compose themselves, but she wasn't surprised to see tears in both of the men's eyes. Gracia wasn't even trying to hide her own tears. Riza slipped one arm around Roy's waist and smiled at Hughes.

"I'm glad to see you alive, Maes."

"He's lucky that he is." Quistis had returned with more chairs. "It was a very near thing. Gracia was good to get him to me as quickly as she did."

Gracia smiled tremulously. Riza squeezed her shoulder. Roy had taken one of the chairs from Quistis and set it beside the bed.

"Who else know you're alive?"

"Just the five of us and Quistis' husband," Maes answered. "They're going to try to pin this on Ross, Roy. They're going to kill her just because so they can cover this up, and she doesn't stand a chance."

Roy frowned. "Who, Maes? Who's behind all this?"

Hughes sighed and leaned back in bed. "I don't know all of it. It must be deeper than I had uncovered at the time for them to act as they did. I found information implicating Juliet Douglas both as a homunculus and that the homunculi have infiltrated the top levels of the military."

Riza bit her lip. They had always known that it would come to dealing with the upper echelons of the military, but the extent that this suggested the corruption had spread much farther than they had guessed. And what with the reaction to Hughes' discovery, Riza was concerned.

"I can take care of Ross," Roy was saying. "First, we need to make sure you are safe. How soon before we can move him?"

That was directed towards Quistis. The doctor pursed her lips.

"Not for another week, and even then you'll have to be careful. If you can wait two weeks, that would be better. Do you have some place to send him? If you do, I can see if there's a doctor I trust that could be on hand for his arrival."

It was Riza's turn to frown. She had made most of the arrangements for this; she had hoped they would never have to use them. "The safe house is in a village just outside of the capitol of Creta. Most of the journey will be by train, and it will take almost a fortnight."

"Creta." Quistis smiled. "That will make it easier. I have family there, and while Caterina isn't a doctor herself, she'll know who to trust."

Gracia made a face. "But can we trust her? No offense, Quistis, but I don't want to take any unnecessary risks."

"That's perfectly understandable. If it was Seifer instead of Maes, I would be just as concerned," the doctor reassured. "Caterina moved to Creta because she had made her political situation in Areugo rather life threatening. Both she and her husband, Abel, know how to keep a low profile and keep things quiet."

"Good." Roy nodded, looking at Maes and Gracia. "So, here's the bad news. There is a plan to send Gracia and Elysia to join you. However, we can do that until at least six months after your death or preferably more. We can't take the chance that they might find you. It would just put all three of you in danger."

Gracia sighed, and Maes nodded. Quistis got up to get them all tea, and the five of them began to seriously plan.


Theme: Midnight Hour