Al opened the door when Roy knocked. Roy fought to keep his composure.

"Hello, Colonel. I guess you talked to Hughes, huh?"

Roy nodded. "I did. I can't begin to tell you and Ed how sorry I am."

Al moved aside and let him in. "I have to be honest. The only reason I didn't beat you to a bloody pulp was that Ed wouldn't let me."

Roy didn't doubt it for a minute. "In that case I'm glad she didn't."

Al nodded towards the stairs. "Ed's up in the nursery with Alex."

"Thank you, Al." As Roy slowly walked up the stairs his nerves began getting the better of him. He reached the top and took a deep breath. When he looked into the nursery he almost lost his nerve all over again.

Ed was sitting in a rocking chair holding little Alex. By the look on the mother's face the baby was the only thing in the world.

"Ed?"

Ed looked up with a bit of surprise. "Oh, hi Colonel."

Roy gulped. "Is-is she really...I mean is Alex my...?

Ed took a deep breath and sighed. "Yeah, but you need to know that as far as I'm concerned it doesn't change anything."

Roy was confused. "What are you talking about?"

Ed wouldn't look up as she answered. "I said in the beginning that I wasn't going to make you admit to anything or accept any responsibility you didn't want to."

Roy was silent until he heard her sniffle and saw her wipe at her eye. He walked forward and knelt in front of her.

"Ed, please look at me."

He waited for Ed to meet his eyes with hers. "I will never deny you or our daughter. And that's a promise."

He smiled as he took Alex from Ed's arms. "Hey there little one. I'm your daddy. It's going to be my job to make sure that you and Mommy have eveything you need."

.oOo.

Ed watched as Roy sat on the floor with Alex. She wasn't really sure what to make of what He was doing and saying. "But, Colonel, you have goals, and plans. I'm sure that fathering your underage subordinate's bastard daughter doesn't really fit into that."

Roy looked up at her and she couldn't read the look on his face.

So she took a deep breath and looked down at her lap as she continued. "I mean, I know I was still just a one night stand that it didn't mean anything. You were drugged. You never would have said or done anything like that otherwise. I just can't hold it against you and hate you for it anymore."

.oOo.

Roy was heartbroken when she finished her little speech. "Ed? Is that really what you think?"

Ed simply nodded. She still wouldn't look at him.

Roy scooted closer to her. "What if I told you that the drugs only made me tell you what I've been feeling for years?"

Ed finally looked up at him. "I heard you on the roof with Hughes. Asking why it had to be me in your office that night..."

Ed's voice trailed off and she was obviously thinking something through. Roy didnt want to interrupt her.

After a few minutes she spoke again, "you really don't remember what happened?"

Roy adjusted how he was holding Alex so he could reach up and hold her hand. "No, as much as I wish I did, I don't."

"Then, why were you talking about my being in your office?" Ed was cofused and it showed on her face.

Roy smiled at her softly. "Ed, not many know this, but I gave up dating for you. No one else interested me anymore. For almost three years I was hoping I would be able to convince you I was worth a date or two when you were old enough. When you said you had stopped by to hand in your report, I thought you had walked in on me with someone else and I had blown my chances. We never considered that it might have been you because there was lipstick on my shirt."

Ed was silent for a moment, when she finally spoke her words sounded scared and small. "So, when you said that I was beautiful and you had loved me for years...that was all true?"

Roy nodded and smiled, "if thats what I told you, I meant every word."

Ed squeezed his hand. "So, what now?"

Roy squeezed back. "I guess we have to figure that part out."

.oOo.

Roy walked through the door and was increasingly nervous. True, Fuhrer Gruman was an old comrade, but to be CALLED to the man's office in an official capacity was nerve racking. He nodded to the man's Secretary. "Hello, Fuhrer Gruman wanted to speak with me?"

The slim brunette nodded. "Yes, Colonel, he's waiting for you. Go right in."

Roy nodded. "Thank you."

He poked his head into the door. "You wanted to see me, Sir?"

Gruman nodded and motioned to a chair. "Yes, Mustang. Please have a seat."

Fuhrer Gruman continued as Roy sat. "I've been hearing some very concerning rumors, Mustang."

Roy had a feeling he knew what was coming. "What rumors would those be, Sir?"

The Fuhrer leaned forward in his chair. "Well, that you are the father of Edward Elric's daughter. I hope these rumors are untrue, as that would not only imply fraternizing with a subordinate, but also one who was underage at the time."

Roy nervously scratched his neck. "Well, Sir. I am the proud father of a beautiful little girl named Alexis Elric. But there is more to the story. You see, Ed and I were both drugged. Lieutenant Maes Hughes has the one responsible in custody awaiting trial. I will not punish my infant daughter for her existance by denying her a father."

Gruman leaned back in his chair. "Yes, I had heard about that as well. I didn't know there was a connection. So what do you plan to do?"

"Well, Sir, I plan to be the best father I can be to Alex."

Gruman nodded. "And Fullmetal?"

"Permission to speak as a friend, Sir?

Gruman nodded with a small smile. "Granted."

Roy visibly relaxed and started to smile. "Well, we have decided to pursue a relationship. The forms have been turned in that would allow her to transfer to intelligence an work under Hughes when she comes back to work."

Gruman nodded. "And for the future?"

Roy just smiled.

"I'm hoping she'll marry me."