Edward rushed through the hallways of Central headquarters. It was strange - he couldn't help but think - that not too long ago he was trying to get away from the very man he was now hurrying to see. But it provided a temporary escape; a chance for him to think and sort through his thoughts.

He didn't know what he was going to do when this whole nightmare was over. How he would explain to Elysia... that is if he ever saw her again. He shut that possibility down before it could take root. He was determined to find Elysia… and his son no matter what. He wanted to see his son just as much as he wanted to see Elysia again. He wondered if his son would even want anything to do with him; if Richard held a grudge against him as he did his own father. But for sure he wasn't his father. That much was certain. He had no idea Richard had even existed until ten minutes ago. He didn't abandon anyone... but it didn't matter whether it was true or not, he still felt guilty not being there for his son. Nobody should have to go through life without their father if that man was alive and well. Even if he was unable to settle down with Erika he would have at least been around for his son…

He pushed aside the resentment that began to build up against Erika. He had every right to be angry and resent her for what she did. But none of that would help find Richard and the weakness he was feeling without Elysia wouldn't either. He was going to have to remain strong and get through this. But after everything he'd been through he didn't know if he had the strength. It was like the last nail had been hammered into his coffin and he would be buried alive. He hated himself for feeling so weak and pathetic. But after five years of thinking the worst had passed; that he finally found his peace and was living happily ever after… it was taken away from him so suddenly. It blindsided him and he wasn't prepared for any of this.

When Edward got to Mustang's office he passed by all the staff officers sitting behind their desks without acknowledging their salutes. Not bothering to knock he went in and found Mustang on the phone with old, retired General Grumman sitting, observing the Fuhrer carefully. Both men tensed when he entered the room and slammed the door shut. Mustang quickly finished his phone call and hung up.

"It didn't take you long to return and assassinate me," Mustang said with a half ass smirk. "Are you going to give me a sporting chance and let me fight back?"

"I don't see how you think you deserve one," Edward growled. "Elysia and my son are missing," he was not going to waste time dropping that bomb gently. "I'm only letting you live because Havoc is on the phone ordering a search and I need you to make sure his orders are not blocked by red tape."

"Wait a minute," Mustang said looking confused and worried all at once. "Elysia is missing and your..."

"Yes, my son," Edward finished impatiently. "I don't have time to explain that right now. I also need you to authorize the release of Russell Tringum's military record and a photo."

"Who?"

"Russell Tringum, a former State Alchemist. He left this note," Edward handed the note to Mustang to read.

"What makes you think this Russell Tringum has anything to do with your wife and son going missing?" Grumman spoke up as Mustang finished reading the note.

"The note was signed by an RT," Mustang said looking at Edward, eyes full of regret.

"And he had a thing for the mother of my son while he was under my command during the Drachman war," Edward finished. "He also thought I had him transferred from the front so he's probably still carrying a grudge and targeted Elysia to get back at me."

"But are you sure it's him," Grumman questioned. "Are you sure it's not you with something against him to suspect this Tringum immediately? To hold a grudge that long seems a bit ridiculous."

Edward gave Grumman a withering look. "Russell was always a ridiculous ass," he said as he took the note from Mustang and gave it to Grumman to read. When he was done he handed it back to Edward fuming. His hand shook slightly as he did so.

"Something wrong, General?" Mustang asked looking at Grumman curiously. The retired General was never one to loose self control. He was always cool and collected. But at the moment he looked like he could barely maintain himself. Mustang was confused and wondered what could upset the man that much.

"I'm just upset that innocent people are involved," Grumman forced out.

Edward took the note back, watching Grumman carefully. To him the older man didn't sound like he was upset by that at all. But he had no time to wonder why and turned to Mustang. "Would Russell Tringum have known about Envy or Greed?"

"No, there would be no way. Why do you ask?"

"Elysia's painting," Edward faltered and paused to steady himself before continuing, "It had the sign of the Ouroboros on it."

Mustang's eyes widened. "Could he be hosting one?"

"I don't know for sure but that's what I suspect," Edward said.

"Edward," Mustang said guiltily, "I'm so..."

"I told you I don't want your apologies!" Edward cried out angrily. "I just want you to do something so I can get Elysia and my son back!"

"Of course," Mustang said regaining his senses and getting down to business as he reached for the phone but it rang before he picked it up. "Yes," he said impatiently when he answered. He sat still, listening intently for a couple of seconds, he looked up at Edward, then, "He's right here," and handed the phone across the desk. "It's Al."

Edward took the phone wondering what his brother wanted at a time like this, "Al, this is not the best time..."

"Edward, don't you dare try to brush me off. There's something I want to ask you..."

"I wasn't joking when I said this is not the best time. Can it wait?"

"No, I just got a disturbing call from Fletcher Tringum ..."

"Tringum!" Edward shouted. "Does he know where Russell is?"

"Oh, no," He heard Al gasp on the other end. "I was hoping it was just a bad joke."

"What did he say? Can you get a hold of him again?" He asked excitedly thinking this could all be over as soon as possible.

"No."

"Are you sure?" Edward wasn't ready to give up yet. "Maybe he can help us find Russell..."

"He doesn't know, Brother," Al said sadly and Edward could tell his brother knew something. He normally made a conscious effort not to call him Brother now that they were a bit too old for that. Al was scared.

"Al, please," Edward begged. "If you know something..."

"I do but I'm not going to tell you over the phone..."

"Alphonse, tell me! If it can help to find Elysia and my son..."

"Wait, your son? What are you talking about?"

"I have a son. I only found out today and he's missing too. There was a note left in his room signed with the initials RT. Al, please, if you know something..."

"Edward," Al interrupted, "I'm getting on the next train to Central. I should be there in two days, hopefully. I don't want you to go anywhere. Wait there for me."

"Elysia is gone! A son I haven't met is missing... do you really expect me to just sit and wait for you knowing that?!" He was finding it hard to maintain his temper now. If his brother knew something he didn't want to be left in the dark.

"Yes," Al said sternly, not leaving any room for argument. "I won't have you running across the country unprepared. You will wait for me and stay calm."

"Are you sure Fletcher didn't say what Russell is planning?" Edward asked worriedly, trying to get something… anything, out of his brother.

"I'm not going to say anything else over the phone. Is Jean there?"

"Why do you want to talk to him; so you can tell him to keep an eye on me, so I don't do anything stupid?!" Edward asked angrily, feeling indignant as he wondered when his brother would finally learn to trust him to act a little more rationally.

"Yes, now put him on the phone, Ed."

"He's not here," Edward said with a stubborn, triumphant smirk.

"Then put Roy back on."

Edward handed the phone back to Mustang angrily. The Fuhrer sat listening intently, nodding stiffly or answering with a rough "Yes" or "Of course". Edward always hated it when he couldn't tell what Mustang was thinking; he betrayed absolutely nothing when he chose to and he was doing it now.

"What did he say?" Edward demanded when Mustang hung up. He didn't answer. "Did he tell you what Fletcher said?"

"Yes," Mustang said.

"And you're not going to tell me."

"No, Al will fill you in when he gets here."

"If there's something..." Edward threatened.

"Fullmetal, you're not the only one who can handle this. Al told me enough to know what we can do for now and it's not a whole lot more than what we were going to do. You will wait for your brother and in the meantime we will extend the search for Elysia and your son."

"You can't order me around, Mustang, I quit, remember?"

"Hardly since you still feel you have the right to come storming into my office. I should have you arrested for that."

"Do you think anyone can put me in handcuffs?"

"No, but we have more important things to be doing instead of fighting." Mustang said as he stood up and headed for the door.

"If you don't mind, Fuhrer," Grumman said speaking up, the older man almost forgotten. "I don't think I'll be of any use so I'll take my leave."

"Yes, thank you General for your advice earlier," Mustang said politely letting the older man leave before him.

Before he left he turned to Edward. "I do hope you find your wife and son. I wish there was more I could do."

"It's not really your concern," Edward said not in the mood for anyone's sympathy or pity. He was too anxious to get things moving with the search.

"Maybe not," Grumman said, "but I will still hope for the best."

Edward watched the man leave not believing a word he said.