A/N: Storming here where I'm at, meaning wireless choppy so I damned well hope that this posts! Ah, the tangled mess I've come up with LOL. I may need to create a flow-chart just to keep in track of the relationships, and post some artwork based on the story. I think people are curious about what the characters are like in my demented head. hehhehe. If my links above don't work, lemme know . Um, not much this chappie. Mehmeh. Just Enjoy; I hope... :-)

Part 9: I'm Sorry

Col. R. Mustang:
We have been informed that Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, who is currently under East City jurisdiction, caused a disturbance of peace in The Academy of St. Augustine. Due to this incident, report to Headmistress Wilma I. Kicksdicks at thirteen o'clock the following morning upon receipt of this request. Arrangements have been made for attendance as a temporary instructor for the Academy for half a day. Continue to report to the office in the mornings and to specified conference meetings listed on the attached schedule sheet. This assignment will last through the duration of the Fullmetal Alchemist's attendance at the Academy unless otherwise informed. Questions or concerns regarding this request should be addressed to Mrs. T. S. Den at the Office of the Fuhrer. This information is strictly confidential with exception to Edward Elric and to the investigations department in Central and East City. Any disclosure of such information to persons without exception shall be punishable according to Amestrian law.
Sincerely,
Tina S. Den
Senior Administrative Secretary
The Office of the Fuhrer

Roy was drinking his evening coffee in his kitchen as he re-read the letter from the Fuhrer. That brat did something again. He thought, annoyed. He suspected that it had something to do with the Fuhrer's only daughter, else the Fuhrer wouldn't send him to do such an unnecessary task.

Colonel Mustang sighed tiredly. He had to tell the boy, but he still felt angry about last night. Why was I so mad? He calls me 'bastard' all the time. No, no. I don't need to tell him. He'll eventually find out about the Fuhrer's request.

He shook his head. He didn't feel like thinking about it. He just wanted to go to bed.

------

Ed arrived home from the library feeling beaten and tired. It seemed a ritual lately, for his days to keep him in emotional suspense and braced for surprise, though he knew very well that he'd survived worse. Much worse.

The boy made his way to the kitchen, apt on getting some dinner for his ailing stomach, when he nearly ran into a tall, dark-haired figure. He stopped and stared dumbly at the Colonel, not sure what to say.

Roy paused, then frowned. The blond looked worn and a little guarded, but he resolved not to ask and repeat the previous incident. He stepped to the side and lightly brushed past Ed, then walked toward the stairs.

Ed stared at the Colonel's retreating back. I should apologize. He thought. It shouldn't have been too difficult. A simple "I'm sorry" is sufficient enough, but the boy couldn't find his tongue. It was obvious the Colonel was still angry with him, and they weren't on speaking terms; but it hurt to know that. For some odd reason, it just hurt to know that Roy was mad at him.

"C-Colonel."

Roy stopped and turned to face him with a quizzical, yet slightly annoyed look.

Just say it.

"I, uh, I --- that is --."

"Stop twittering and out with it, Fullmetal." The older man said impatiently.

Ed felt his arm twitch, then stiffened it. "Then stop interrupting me! You're always interrupting me with some rude comment when I'm trying to talk! That's damned inconsiderate and you should just quit doing that--!"

"Then you should stop getting off-topic like that." Roy pointed out, beginning to feel amused at Ed's attempt to stop twitching his arms. The Colonel just couldn't stay mad at him for long. "For someone who has such intense focus on studying complex alchemic texts, you certainly are as scatter-brained as a hyper-active dog."

"Stop comparing me to animals!" His arms gave in and flailed in the air. "You're the freaking military dog here! I'm just --."

"So what did you want to talk about?"

"ARGHHH!"

Roy smiled smugly, clearly having too much fun at Ed's expense. "You're either here to insult me some more, or demand what's left in the fridge for you to eat."

"That's NOT it!" He jabbed his automail finger at the man's chest. "And don't say a damned word, you bastard!" Jab. "I'm here because you –" Jab. "Are clearly pissed at me --." Jab. "because you," Jab. "For once, didn't deserve to be insulted."

"…And…?"

"And I'm apologizing dammit!" Ed exclaimed. "I'm SORRY! There! Happy now?"

"Hmm." Roy placed calculating fingers on his chin, feigning deep thought. "No."

"No? NO!"

"You know what you could do to make me feel better?" He smirked mischievously.

Ed stared warily.

"For once, you can cook dinner for me."

"COOK?"

"Well, cooking is the oldest form of alchemy. And I've been cooking for you and taking care of you both this whole time… which reminds me…" He looked around for a moment. "Where is Alphonse?"

Ed scrunched up his face.

Roy sighed. At least there would be plenty of dinner conversation.

-------

Surprisingly, the blonde's cooking proved to be scrumptious, even if he all he cooked was a simple spaghetti and meatballs meal. Edward ate in his usual manner, shoveling the food into his mouth, then downing the juice and proceeded to rant about Alphonse's little "affair" with a "pedophile."

"She's plotting something, I can tell." He insisted.

"Alphonse's fourteen; he can take care of himself." Roy countered.

"She's manipulative, a romance novelist, and an adult!"

"Fullmetal, I really doubt that she'd do anything that Alphonse wouldn't want to do. I mean, your brother is very reasonable. He knows he's made of armor, and even if he wasn't, he'd know where to draw the line."

Edward slammed the juice mug down on the table. "But Al's rebelling! He told me to leave him alone because of her!"

"He is reaching his teenage years. Nothing wrong with that. You always were a hellion and rebelled. I doubt he would cause the same ruckus that you would."

"But this is different. He is my little brother!"

"Even I went through that age when I just didn't listen to anybody." Roy said. He noticed the stubborn look in Ed's amber eyes then sighed. "If it makes you feel any better, I can stay up and wait for him to come home."

"Fine." Ed got up and slammed the dishes in the sink. "But I'm staying up with you."

Roy watched as the younger man leaned against the counter and scrubbed the stained dishes. There was something endearing about seeing Ed, the Fullmetal Alchemist, at such a domestic task. He suddenly had an urge to massage those tense shoulders, and then mentally slapped himself. No, no, he didn't have that urge. Edward Elric was a young man, despite his current attire, and Roy insisted stubbornly to himself that he didn't like men.

------

It was three-thirty in the morning when Alphonse Elric attempted to sneak inside Colonel Mustang's pristine condominium. He thought he was in the clear when he tiptoed into the dark living room and shut the front door. Unfortunately for him, lights were turned on and he had no choice but to freeze in his position and face his angry brother. Ed was standing next to the couch, wearing his red pajamas and a big scowl on his face. Roy was sitting on the couch in his night robe and gave a silent sigh.

Ed had his hands on his hips and he glared daggers at his brother's armor. "Where. Were. You."

"U-um, I was with Nora. We were at her place, a-and…"

"HER PLACE?" Ed exclaimed. "You WENT to her PLACE? ALONE?"

"Y-yes! I mean, it isn't that far away. I just lost track of time."

"Did she do anything to you? What did she do?" The elder demanded.

"Nii-san!"

"That's it, I'm going to go and have a little talk with her." He rolled up his sleeves and headed for the door.

Roy placed a hand on his shoulder. "Wait, Edward." The boy frowned, but stopped reluctantly. "I don't think barging into that woman's house will do any good; and it's not as if you know where she lives anyway."

Ed glowered, then plopped onto the couch with his arms crossed and turned his glare toward the fireplace.

Roy looked at the younger brother. "Frankly speaking, we were a little concerned when it started to get late. You should at least call us next time."

Al looked at his feet and shifted his weight. "I-I'm sorry."

"Don't encourage him." Ed bit out to Roy. "He shouldn't be allowed to go there at all."

"Clearly, he came home and didn't spend the entire night there." Roy reasoned.

"You don't know what she did to him during that whole time. Al's only fourteen." Ed said stubbornly. "And she teaches him about SEX for crying out loud!"

"The fact that he's fourteen is the reason he needs to do his own thing, Edward. You can't keep him in this little protective nest. Besides, what's wrong with a young man learning about intercourse? I highly doubt that this woman can do anything to Alphonse, of all people. She's a teacher; she can educate him about it far better than anyone."

"So you're saying it's OK for him to go off with an over-the-hill thirty-something year old woman to her place?"

"Thirty is not old."

Al looked from one to the other, his helmet creaking back and forth as if it were a tennis match. "Uh, um… Colonel… Nii-san?" He stuttered, but the two didn't hear him.

After much bantering, the two finally looked at Al.

"OK, Al." Ed said, his face still slightly displeased. "You can go see Ms. Steltz."

"Really, Nii-san?" The boy said hopefully. "I can talk to Nora?"

"You may." Roy corrected. "As long as you call beforehand to let us know where you are, OK?"

Al hesitated answering back. He didn't like being treated like an irresponsible kid, because he wasn't doing anything wrong with Nora. However the two were looking at him expectantly: Ed's eyes demanding, and Roy's pleadingly urging him to nod. At least his brother begrudgingly agreed to let him talk to his idol. "O-ok."

"Good." Ed said. "Now, I'm going to bed, I've got class tomorrow." He stomped up the stairs, seemingly still in a bad mood, but not with as much fervor as before.

Roy let out a long breath. "Thank God you said 'ok', or I wouldn't hear the end of it." He chuckled, then patted Al on the shoulder. "I'll see you in a few hours." He went up to his room.

Al sank onto the couch, satisfied that it went better than initially thought, but a little perplexed. He was glad that the Colonel and his brother were getting along since the fight he overheard last night, but for the life of him, he couldn't figure out why they took it upon themselves to feel responsible for him.

End of Part 9: I'm Sorry
TBC on Part 10: Instant Love