Chapter 10: The Hard Way

Hello lovely readers! I'm sorry it's taken this long to update. I haven't been terribly inspired lately, but after refreshing with some bits of Brotherhood, I'm excited to bring you the next installment of a story that has been one of my favorites to write thusfar! I hope you all are enjoying it, and thanks for your patience! Feel free to poke me with PMs if the wait gets to be too long. ;) Here's an extra-long chapter to make up for all that time.

As always, your favorites/follows/reviews are very much appreciated! They motivate me to keep writing, because as much as I love to tell this story, it's up there for others to enjoy, too, and I'm glad other users like it!

Blue Teller: Aww, your review made me so happy! Thanks for all the amazing compliments, and your little summaries made me laugh out loud! :) In response to your question, don't worry, you didn't miss anything; the first stage of the plan hasn't been revealed yet, but it will be in this chapter. There was a casual comment by one of the characters that hinted at it, but if said comment didn't give it away, it means I'm doing my job right. ^_^ Thanks for your thoughts, and I hope you continue to enjoy this story as the plot unfolds!

Braxiatel Flux: I remember that! It's one of those things where you kind of want to know but once you know you're like "Oh, snap, so that's how I'm going to die…can I prevent that, or what?" and then you kind of don't want to know anymore and at the same time knowing might actually change your fate and it's all wibbly wobbly. Thanks for reviewing throughout; I appreciate your support!

MomoPeachFlower: You're right, I haven't been including the Doctor as much as I should. I'll try to change that in succeeding chapters. Glad you enjoy it nevertheless, though!

"So, how 'bout that?" Edward's mind was still reeling after everything General Mustang had told him. The information-seeking-alchemist side of him was internalizing countless theories that branched off from what little he had learned about time travel and the effects of changing the past.

Alphonse recognized the thoughtful, faraway look on his brother's face and instantly grew concerned. "You're not thinking what I think you're thinking, are you?" he asked, preparing to talk sense into him if any reckless ideas emerged.

"Huh?" Edward quickened his pace a little, realizing he had slowed down significantly during his reverie. The Hughes home wasn't much farther. "No, of course not. I just think the whole time travel thing is interesting, that's all."

If a suit of armor could emote, Alphonse would display a look of skepticism. A brief flash of disappointment coursed through him as he was reminded once again that he could not use facial expressions or complex body language to show his feelings. The disappointment was magnified now that he had to continue putting up with this while knowing how to get his body back. Realizing Edward was probably waiting for him to speak his mind since his body language could not so easily do it, Alphonse quickly shoved those thoughts to the back of his mind and shifted his focus to the conversation at hand. "It is, but you know why we can't use it to bring Mom back," he said firmly, "or even just to reverse what happened to us."

"Yeah, I know," Edward said reluctantly. "It'll mess up the natural order of things and blah, blah, blah. Big whup. It's not like I could pull it off anyway, even if I wanted to."

It definitely wasn't a question of whether or not Edward wanted to, Alphonse decided. His nonverbals made his desire to do it pretty clear, which in itself was worrisome. His brother could be very stubborn, hard-headed, and relentless when he got an idea in his head. Heck, that was what landed them in their current situation. If Edward was planning anything stupid, Alphonse would have to be the voice of reason…a role in which he had failed miserably when that crazy human transmutation idea surfaced a few years ago. He would not make that mistake again. "Maybe you should stop thinking about it," he suggested, starting light and hoping that would be the end of it. "The Doctor is the only one who knows how to do it, and remember General Mustang said he's very protective of that knowledge."

"He's probably extra careful now that he screwed up and let Mustang mess with time," Edward mused.

Alphonse made a sound that was as close to a sigh of relief as was physically possible. "Exactly, so we shouldn't even try. We need to help save the country, so let's think about that instead."

Edward stopped in front of the stairs that led up to the Hughes home. "I guess."

Sensing his brother's disappointment, Alphonse put a hand on Edward's shoulder. "It's for the best, you know," he said, figuring his brother would not be satisfied until this conversation was resolved. "We already messed with the natural order once, and look where it got us. We have to take the long way like everybody else, even if it's more painful. Do you really want to risk making things worse?"

"No, you're right. It's stupid to think we could end our suffering that easily." Edward pulled away and kicked at the ground. "It would be arrogant. We were arrogant the first time, and we have to pay the price for that." He sat down on one of the stairs and put his head in his hands. "But that doesn't mean it isn't tempting. I mean…think about it. We could get all those years back…and save our mom…and Winry's parents…hell, we could even stop the Ishvalan War or something. We could save so many people if we travelled back in time!"

"That doesn't justify it, and you know that," Alphonse said firmly. "Using other people's lives as an excuse to alter our fates doesn't change the fact that it's wrong to mess with time. We could cause something worse to happen, or even more people to die."

"Or maybe we wouldn't!" Edward exploded, jumping up from his seat on the stairs. "Did you consider that?"

"There's always a price for something that big!" Alphonse shot back.

"Well I'm sick of it!" Edward balled his hands into fists, trying to control his trembling. "Our lives are a never-ending stink fest of hell, pain, and misery. We're always struggling, Al, but why? What did we do to deserve this? I mean yeah, we committed a taboo, but we suffered before that when our dad walked out and our mom died, and now the freak show just keeps on going." His amber eyes were burning with anguish as he continued. "It's like the whole universe is hell-bent on making sure we're not allowed to be happy. Other people are living their happy lives around us while we just make do. Maybe I'm sick of making do when there's something I can do to change it."

Alphonse was silent for several moments while Edward fought to control his rage. He hadn't expected his brother to snap like that, but it was understandable given the circumstances. They had both accepted their fate a long time ago and determined to travel the long, difficult road to happiness. Nevertheless, it was understandably aggravating to see an easy answer to all of their problems sitting just beyond their reach. Doing the right thing was almost never easy, but fate managed to make it that much more difficult by dangling an easy-fix solution in front of the brothers' faces. It was cruel, really, because it forced the Elrics to choose the path of pain and suffering despite the soothing remedy that was right in front of them.

All of this ran though Alphonse's mind in a matter of seconds, and judging by the look on his brother's face, Edward was thinking along the same lines. No words had to pass between them; they were both burdened with the painful truth that their only option was to do it the hard way, no matter how tempting the alternative was. The future Mustang and Hawkeye were testaments to that. Because Mustang chose to defy the laws of time rather than accept the loss of his best friend, he had to work tirelessly to save the country all over again, and when all was said and done, he had to die and give up his promising and beautiful future to another version of himself. The Elrics could not afford to risk making that same mistake.

"Come on, brother." Alphonse started up the steps, relieved to see Edward had calmed down. "Winry's waiting for us."

Edward nodded. "Yeah." He flashed his brother a look that said, Speak of this to no one! before falling in step beside him.

"Looks like I caught you just in time," Roy greeted as his friend strolled out of the hospital. "You look like a new man. How are you holding up?"

Maes grinned. "Good as new! I'll be ready to start work again tomorrow morning, but in the meantime, I can finally go home to my two favorite people in the whole world."

"So I don't qualify?" Roy asked, feigning offense.

Maes gave him a playful shove. "You make top three; how does that sound?"

Roy chuckled. "I'm flattered. Need a lift?"

"Thanks, but I think I'll take the scenic route. Hey, tell you what! You come with me and we'll have a celebratory dinner at my place! You're not doing anything, right?" Before Roy could say anything, he continued cheerily. "No? Good, it's settled. Come on, Roy. You won't believe how big my beautiful Elicia has gotten! And if you thought the spinach quiche at the academy was good, wait till you try Gracia's recipe!"

As much as he wanted to enjoy an evening with his best friend, there really wasn't time for that. "Hughes, really, thanks for the offer, but I really should get going. My work's been piling up since the transfer to Central, and I really—"

"Nonsense! Come on, you've been working yourself ragged since you got here. You deserve a break, and I won't take no for an answer!" Maes crossed his arms and smirked mischievously. "Don't make me drag you, Roy. You know I'll do it."

Roy thought back to the comical way Maes had dragged Sheska and Winry in the past. "You could try," he corrected, "but I'm not what you would call a skinny young woman." Even so, he found himself relenting. It couldn't hurt to drop by for a quick dinner, right? He told Riza he would spend a little time with Hughes, and that's what he was doing. Irresponsible? Maybe. But he was going to die, dammit. Might as well enjoy the little bit of the time he had left.

"I'd rather not see you in a miniskirt," Maes commented. "But I would like to see you at my dinner table. How 'bout it, Roy?"

"All right, all right." Roy raised his hands in a surrender gesture. "I guess I have no choice. You'll probably keep calling me until I drop my work and join you anyway. Might as well skip that step while I still can."

"Now you're catching on." Maes nudged his friend's arm affectionately and continued walking.

They were nearly there, and Maes had not stopped talking since they left. The constant rambling about his wife and daughter were as annoying as ever, and though Roy wore an expression of forced patience—as was expected by his past self—he secretly enjoyed this. He had missed this man desperately, and it was almost surreal to have him by his side again.

"Look at me talking your ear off," Maes said suddenly. "Tell me about the transfer. How are you adjusting to Central? Meet any beautiful women? You really need to find yourself a wife, Colonel." Roy's face flushed a little, but not for the reason Maes suspected. "Wait, you didn't actually find someone, did you? Tell me all about her, Roy, and don't hold back a single detail because you know I'll find out one way or another!"

I found someone a long time ago, Roy thought, but I destroyed our lives by saving yours. "Don't be stupid. I don't have time for a woman," he insisted, trying to sound as much like his past self as possible. Colonel Mustang, though a womanizer by nature, always brushed Hughes off when asked about romantic relationships because he always knew, deep down, that the only woman he could ever truly love was held back from him by the military's anti-fraternization laws.

"Sure you don't." Maes slid his glasses down his nose a little in an attempt to emphasize how unconvinced he was, but he only succeeded in putting fingerprints on them. Sighing, he removed the glasses and wiped them with his shirt. "I'm sure there's someone out there for you, Roy. I want you to be happy. Plus, you—"

"—need as many people on my side as possible if I'm going to achieve my goal," Roy finished for him. "I know. I just don't want to bring a woman into my life right now. I might put her in harm's way; I can't guarantee her safety until I've reached the top."

"That's noble of you, but unnecessary," Maes said. "If you keep waiting around, you might miss your chance. You have to work at it, and that takes time. Your soulmate won't just fall out of the sky and—dammit!" he exclaimed, scrambling to grab his glasses as they slipped out of his hand, bounced off the sidewalk, and landed in the street beneath a parked car.

Roy instinctively lunged forward to retrieve the runaway glasses. "I got it," he said, stepping out into the street and getting down onto his hands and knees to fish them out from their hiding place. "You should be more careful with these," he said, picking them up and backing out from under the car. Still on his knees, he turned to face Hughes just in time to see a fist connect with his face. Blood poured from his nose, and some small signal in a distant part of his mind suspected it was probably broken. Because he was momentarily dazed from the unexpected attack, all senses and reactions seemed to slow down significantly, including his battle instincts, and he almost did not register the pair of strong arms shoving him into the trunk of the car and pinning him there. Fight. Flight. Transmute. Get out of there! Roy went on autopilot and instinctively fought to clap his hands together to form the necessary circle for an alchemic transmutation.

"Don't even try to transmute your way out of here." The voice was cold and harsh with a faint trace of satisfaction. It belonged to Hughes, though it sounded more like the Ishvalan War Hughes than the fun-loving, good-humored family man he had since become.

Roy felt his heart sink as the man who appeared to be his best friend tore off his ignition gloves, flipped him over, and tied his hands behind his back while using an elbow to hold the alchemist's head down to stifle any attempt at calling out for help. "What the hell are you doing, Hughes?" he demanded in a muffled voice while struggling uselessly against the attempt to tie him up. This couldn't be Hughes. It wasn't Hughes. There was no way in hell.

Maes smirked a little as he tied Roy's legs together, then used a piece of cloth to make a gag. "I'll get to hear your screams later," he promised, tying it tight, "and I'll enjoy every second of it. Seeing the dumb confusion on your face is enough for now."

His voice changed completely with the last sentence, and even before the words were uttered, Roy was certain of this man's identity. He had been played, and he knew the pain and humiliation he felt now would be nothing compared to the agony that was to come.

"Can't sleep?"

Riza, who was trying to catch a nap in the TARDIS guest room she and Roy had claimed for themselves, glanced at the doorway to see the Doctor leaning casually against the frame. "Not really," she said. Riza had gotten a bit of sleep, but her troubled thoughts prevented her from the deep sleep she so desperately needed.

"What's on your mind?" he pressed, moving to sit down in one of the chairs on the other side of the room.

"I'm just worried about how the Elrics might be taking this," she admitted. "After what Roy did…"

"Ah, I see." As soon as Riza returned to the TARDIS, she had immediately filled him in on everything that had happened before retiring to this room for some much-needed rest. "You have nothing to worry about. I'm not taking them anywhere, and I'm sure you know why."

Riza nodded seriously. "Yeah. You probably know this by now, but I'm really sorry about what happened." Even though it was all Roy's doing, she felt partially responsible for letting it happen. She knew Roy better than that and should have suspected his plan in time to put a stop to it.

The Doctor waved off her apology. "Everyone makes mistakes, Riza," he assured her. "It's part of what makes you human. Clumsily, imperfectly, and magnificently human." His emphasis on the second-to-last word was accentuated by a broad, toothy grin.

"You seem so fascinated with us," Riza observed. "What the homunculi consider an inferior race of lower beings. There's nothing spectacular about being human."

"Oh, but there is, though," the Doctor said adamantly. "Everything the homunculi hate about humans is what makes them unique and special and absolutely brilliant." The Time Lord's voice grew more animated as he went on. "When you fall down, you don't stay down. You get back up and learn from your mistakes. You're always thinking, always evolving, always coming up with new and creative things, and no matter how bleak things get, you keep fighting for something better. You see crime and devastation and suffering, yet you still work tirelessly to counter it. You have strength and courage. You have hope. You have love. Each and every life has the capability to change the world in some way or another, and if they tap into that potential, the possibilities are endless."

Riza was amazed by this, and for several moments, she could not find the words to follow up such strong statements. "You sound so certain of us," she managed to say. "I have to admit, I'm envious of your confidence in humans. After all the destruction we caused, I find it hard to see the beauty in human life."

The Doctor thought for a moment. "That's one way to look at it," he acknowledged, "but let me show you a different way. What can you tell me about Roy Mustang?"

Riza was taken aback by the question. "He's a complicated man," she stated, unsure of where this conversation was going.

"How so?" the Doctor pressed.

"He cares," Riza said simply. "He's always looking out for the people he cares about, even if he sometimes goes about it the wrong way. He doesn't give up, and he would never abandon anyone. It's not in his nature."

"Has he ever hurt anyone?"

Riza bit her lip. "Yes. He and I both killed countless people in Ishval." A haunted look crossed her features, as it often did when she thought of Ishval.

"So he's powerful, then."

"Very much so." Riza was beginning to feel uncomfortable. "What does that have to do with anything?"

The Doctor smiled kindly. "The first thing you told me is that he cares. A positive trait. Yet he is a powerful man who has used that power to hurt other people on a massive scale. Does that make him a bad man?"

"No, of course not! Roy is—" Riza trailed off, seeing his point.

Seeing the wheels turn in the markswoman's head, the Doctor continued. "Humans are complicated. The evilest men alive have something good about them, and the kindest souls in the world can and will do terrible things at times. You wonder why I love and admire humans so much? Because humans are complicated, and the nature of humanity is absolutely fantastic. Everyone has their reasons for what they do, and even if those reasons don't make sense, the intentions can still be good. Was it wrong for Roy to manipulate us and change time? Yes. But he did it to save the life of a friend. You can hardly call him a bad person for that. The same goes for the rest of humanity. Your choices have consequences, yet you still learn from them and continue to grow as a race."

"Even so, I'm sorry we got you involved in this," Riza said, bringing the discussion back to the original point. "We took advantage of your kindness and hospitality, and now you're stuck helping us clean up our mess."

"His mess," the Doctor corrected. "None of this was your doing."

"Maybe not, but I still feel responsible."

"You shouldn't." Hoping to alter her perspective once more, the Doctor asked, "Why are you so concerned with helping Roy fix this mistake?"

Riza shrugged. "I care about him; he may be an idiot for starting all of this, but it would be cruel of me to make him do this alone. Besides, these people shouldn't have to suffer for this."

"Good!" The Doctor clapped his hands together. "Now you see it my way. No more apologies; I'm here because I want to be. I'm helping the pair of you for the same reason you are helping Mustang. The only direction we can move now is forward, which I'm sure you know I'm very very good at." He stood up, crossed the room, and knelt beside her bed. "Now then, the only way we're going to get anything done is if you get some sleep."

"Sure," she said, though she secretly knew she would not be falling asleep anytime soon. "Can you wake me when Roy gets back?"

"No. You need to sleep. You can see him after you've rested." Before she could protest, the Doctor placed a finger on her forehead and smiled satisfactorily as the exhausted soldier slumped into a state of deep unconsciousness. "I like doing that," he said, chuckling softly. "Sweet dreams." He quietly left the room and cracked the door before making his way back to the main control room.

Roy was not back yet, which was mildly concerning. Didn't Riza say the flame alchemist was just going for a brief visit with Hughes? The Doctor sighed, wondering what sort of trouble he might have gotten himself into this time. The man was clever, yet infinitely foolish and reckless, and the Doctor feared the latter two traits may have gotten the better of the young general. Roy seemed so quick to put the weight of the world on his shoulders, yet despite all his strength and intelligence, the alchemist's capabilities were limited by his inexperience. Roy was adept, sure, but he was also young and far too sure of himself. Riza should not have let him wander off on his own.

"I should find him," the Doctor decided. "We can't afford to waste time." He'd left most of the mission to Roy and Riza up until now and offered his help as needed, but maybe it was time to take a more active role. He hated the idea of meddling, particularly when his actions held the potential for dire consequences, but standing by and doing nothing was not the answer. Just as Riza felt responsible for Roy's actions, the Doctor felt responsible for taking the couple into the TARDIS in the first place. Like it or not, this was his mess as well.

"Well-played, Envy."

The homunculus turned to see Solf J. Kimblee step out of the backseat of the car where he had been lying in wait all day. "Took long enough," Envy scowled. "If I had to spend one more day with that obnoxious little brat…"

"I'm sure it was worth it," Kimblee said confidently, joining the Maes Hughes lookalike at the rear of the car. "It will be, anyway." He regarded his former comrade-in-arms with a twisted smirk. He had to admit it was hysterical to see this well-respected alchemist reduced to a bound and bloody mess in the trunk of a car. His nose was definitely in bad shape. "So, the great hero of Amestris. I have to say, I'm almost disappointed at how easily you took the bait." Though the defeated flame alchemist could say nothing, his fiery glare spoke volumes. Kimblee laughed loudly and leaned in so his face was mere inches from Mustang's. "If looks could kill," he sneered. "Too bad you can't perform flame alchemy with your eyes. If that was the case, I'd be a pile of ash right now. I'm sure you'd love that."

"All right, that's enough," Envy said impatiently, though a large part of him enjoyed this moment as much as the crimson alchemist did. "You'll have plenty of time to play with our captive, but for now you need to get him to Father."

Kimblee nodded. "Fine, fine. So why do you need me to do the chauffeuring, anyway? Aren't you coming along?"

Envy shook his head. "I have other places to be," he said. "The plan is not complete until we eliminate all the variables and tie up loose ends. Mustang's dog will obviously go looking for him, so we'll give her a little bone to chew on until it's too late for her to do anything to interfere with the plans." The look of fury and hatred was apparent in the captive's eyes at the mention of his subordinate. "What, does that worry you? Relax, I'll take good care of her," Envy assured him as he smoothly shifted into Mustang's form. "How do I look?"

"I have the sudden urge to punch you in the face, so yep, pretty spot-on," Kimblee said.

"You can punch him instead," Envy said in a perfect imitation of Mustang's voice. He gestured flippantly to the captured alchemist, who was going completely ballistic. "Do what you want; just don't kill him. Father needs him alive."

"With pleasure." In once swift motion, Kimblee cracked Mustang in the jaw, then brought an elbow down into his side, satisfied with the whooshing sound that ensued as the breath was knocked out of him. "What's wrong? Does it bother you that Envy is going to shake things up and use your image to do it? Too bad. No one will miss you," he jeered. "No one will come for you. She won't even know you're in trouble. You can forget about whatever it was that brought you here from the future, because you failed."

"Lucky for us!" Envy exclaimed, slamming the trunk shut for dramatic effect. The first stage of the plan was complete; it would be smooth sailing from there.

Disclaimer: I still don't own anything related to Doctor Who or Fullmetal Alchemist. I'll get back to you on that.

AN: So there you have it, folks. Envy is a sneaky bastard, but of course we all knew that already. I hope this extra-long chapter was enough to make up for taking so long to update! I'll try to crank out another good chapter soon, but in the meantime, let me know what you think! Reviews are always welcome!