Chapter ten:

Anica stood in the kitchen. Roy stood at the entrance way smiling at her. "I'll ask again, what do you want for dinner." She said calmly. He'd not answered her for the last five minutes or on the way home, always changing the subject.

"You," Roy replied with a grin.

Anica stared at him for a minute then walked passed him toward the den.

"Where are you going?" Roy asked with a chuckle.

"Let me know when you've decided on food because I'm not cooking myself." She replied evenly. She didn't even want to know what he'd meant by that. Strange images, images she'd picked up by reading that damned book of Diana's filled her head.

"Anica come back." Roy called. "It was a joke. I don't care what we eat for dinner." She stopped and turned around with a sigh. "What do you want?"

Anica shrugged. "I really have no idea."

Roy frowned. She was always like this when it came to meals, never picky. She'd eat anything and never seemed to crave anything. That was the strangest thing to him. "Do you even like food?"

Anica looked at him like he'd asked the dumbest question ever. "Of course I like food. I have to have it to survive."

"Then what do you like to eat?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Tell me one of your favorite foods." He replied.

Anica sighed thinking about it. She liked a varied array of food. She didn't really have a favorite per se. Well no she did have one favorite because she could put different things on them. "Pancakes, but it's dinner time not breakfast."

"Pancakes huh?" Roy asked. Other people had stranger favorites, him being one of them. He'd had them yesterday but they did sound appealing. He went to the stove. "Come here."

Anica did as she was told. "What?"

"Pancakes it is. I'll help."

"You'll make a mess," She replied with a smile. "And I said I would make dinner."

Roy nodded. He probably would make a mess, he usually did when cooking. But then again today, so would she. He smiled at the thought of flour smudged upon her cheek, her lips sticky with home made sugar syrup. Well that was that, he was making the syrup sending her to the counter to start and mix the pancake batter.

Anica watched Roy pour sugar into a pot then add some water the place it upon the stove. "What are you doing?"

"Making syrup." He replied stirring it a little.

"But there's some in the cabinet."

"Not this kind," he replied moving to stand behind her. When she tried to turn around he wouldn't let her. "Just continue,"

Anica felt his arms slip around her waist and his chin rest upon her shoulder. She swallowed then cleared her throat. How was she to make dinner with him this close to her, holding her like this? One it would slow her down, two it stirred emotions making her want to close her eyes and just stand there. It felt so nice, better than nice. "Roy,"

"I'm not letting go," He whispered in her ear.

She smiled. "Okay,"

It was difficult to cook, really difficult. Roy kept distracting her, whispering sweet things, trying to keep her hands from doing anything to the point she smacked his. He did let go when she needed to move to the stove but then he was back. When he kissed her neck she smiled trying not to giggle. He'd found a ticklish place and she really didn't want him with that information.

Roy let go of Anica and reached for the now dissolved sugar that had been cooking. He pulled it from the burner and set it aside, stirring it. He tried it. It was just right. "Here," he lifted the spoon with just a little in it to Anica.

Anica looked at it then at him. "Um,"

Roy sighed impatiently. "Just try it,"

Anica hesitated; she didn't know what to make of that look in his eyes. But she tried it anyway. It was actually really good not that she didn't think it would be. Before she knew what was going on the spoon was gone and replaced by his lips. She didn't hear the spoon hit the stove top at all just felt both his hands upon her neck and suddenly his tongue was pressing against the seem of her lips, asking entrance. She let him in and shivered from the feeling. His tongue was all over, touching hers, the walls of her mouth, her teeth, making her dizzy and coaxing her to join in the small dance. He tasted sweet like the syrup and a hint of coffee. His tongue felt strange, slippery and a little forceful. Again she couldn't breathe. All her mind would register was one word for description wow!

Roy pulled away aware that they were cooking still and checked the pancake in the skillet. Good it hadn't burned and it was ready to be turned. He smiled to himself as he let her go to stand almost in a daze and flipped the pancake. Thoughts of the kitchen table needing to be set entered his mind along with other thoughts that had nothing to do with eating but he filed those back for a later time. That could come later, much later.

"What was that?" Her near whispered voice asked suddenly.

"That was a kiss Anica, thought you could tell." He replied.

"That was not a kiss, that was…was."

"In fact a kiss," He smirked. "The question is whether or not you liked it." He turned to her waiting. Her expression was satisfying, a mixture of slight confusion, wonder, and one hell of a sexy blush. When her blushes changed from being adorable to sexy he didn't know and he really didn't care.

Roy lifted his hand to face tracing her kiss swollen lips with his finger. "So?" He waited a few seconds before realizing what she was doing. "Stop trying to analyze it. Did you like it or not or do you need me to do it again?" He asked with a smile.

You're so beautiful; you're making me feel things I haven't felt in so long.

Anica could only nod.

"Yes you liked it or yes you want me to kiss you again?" He asked.

Anica pursed her lips and pulled the skillet from the burner and checked the food. Thank god this was the last one to be cooked. "Both," She really wished he wouldn't ask her these things. She wasn't completely comfortable with voicing them as she'd never done it before. It wasn't a bad uncomfortable it was more like it was awkward to hear herself saying them.

Roy moved her to the side and took over. "I think I can arrange that, go sit down."

Anica nodded but pulled some plates and silverware before hand and set the table. Then she watched Roy quietly. He was completely calm, how did he do it? How was he so smooth, so at ease when she felt so delightfully disrupted.

He's practically a veteran you idiot! My life used to be so much simpler before I met him, so routine…I wasn't this happy before, this scared. Mom I wish you were here to meet him.

Roy sat down across from her. He wanted to sit next to her but if he did…He had to slow down if he wanted this to last. Scaring her away by moving too quickly would be a horrible turn in events. He met her eyes and smiled as she blushed. Analyzing again. Well at least he knew she gave their beginnings as much attention as her alchemy. "So what did you and Maes talk about today?"

Anica smiled as he lifted her plate and placed three pancakes upon it. "Nothing really,"

"You're a terrible liar; we're talking about Maes here." He said setting her plate down and lifted his own plate.

"I'm never going to be able to eat pancakes the same again." The words just tumbled from her lips before she could stop them.

Roy paused for a moment. What did that have to do with Maes? He smiled. "Giving me an ego boost will not change the subject, but thanks."

"I uh," She frowned, why couldn't she think straight? "We uh talked about Elicia."

"I'll buy that, now what else?"

"You," she replied looking away.

She almost told him that Maes had enlisted her help with his birthday party next week but she caught herself. She was going to have to watch for that. "He wanted to know if we were together and any other details."

"And you said,"

"I told him I thought so but you hadn't said,"

"You are my girlfriend." Roy interrupted. "I guess I should have clarified." He smiled. "You were with him several hours so what else?"

Anica shook her head. "Just talked about work, where the filing cabinet was where he wanted me to file the files."

Roy didn't think that was just it but he could winkle it out of her later.

"What did you do, besides the meeting?" She asked

"Paperwork," He replied.

Dinner was quiet from then on out, so was the clean up. Anica let Orion out to use the bathroom while Roy sat in the den reading. Then after several hours of reading he got up to take a shower. Anica was yawning over her own book and he could tell she was near wanting to get to bed.

Orion shadowed him up the stairs, into his bedroom, and into the bathroom. Roy sighed. "I don't need company." The dog sat in the middle of the floor as he began to undress. His little head cocked from side to side in curiosity.

"Anica," Roy called unbuttoning his shirt sleeves then the shirt.

"What?"

"Get the dog," He replied taking off his shirt. He heard Anica coming up the stairs.

"Why?"

Roy frowned as Orion jumped into the bathtub. He folded his arms over his chest. "I don't think so, out." Orion plopped down on his rear and panted excitedly pawing at the side. "Out doesn't mean sit." Anica's soft laughter sounded from the door way as she appeared. "Get him out," He said looking at her. She didn't budge.

Anica cleared her throat trying very hard not to look at Roy's naked torso and arms. She failed. He was built extremely well, perfectly in her opinion. He wasn't chiseled and bulky, just smoothly defined. She didn't like scrawny and people like Armstrong, though covered with clothing just spoke muscle that intimidated. "Orion come," The puppy barked but didn't get out of the tub. "Orion!"

Roy moved to pick Orion up but almost got bit. "What the hell! Anica,"

Anica just as surprised as Roy came into remove said collie. Orion barked. "Get out of the bathtub." She ordered reaching in for him. Orion backed up but she caught him anyway and set him upon the floor. "Out," she pointed to the door.

Roy watched as the dog jumped back into the bathtub. He sighed. "Never mind, I'll manage." He smiled. "You could stay too you know."

Anica said nothing, blushed, and walked out closing the door behind her. Roy sighed turning to their dog. "You could have helped." He received a bark.

Anica turned down her bed when a soaking puppy bounded into her room, jumped upon her bed, and shook himself getting her and everything thing else near by hit with droplets of water. "Oh I think not!" She snapped. Orion whimpered and lay down putting a paw over his face. "Oh no, you're not going to play cute, off the bed."

Roy knocked upon her door holding a towel for Orion. Taking a shower with a very watchful dog had been interesting and a little uncomfortable. In the end he gave Orion a bath too. Orion seemed to love it though he tried to eat the bar of soap.

"He's clean," He said. She was cute when she was angry as long as she wasn't angry with him that was.

"I don't care I'm not sleeping with a wet dog or in a wet bed." Anica replied looking for Orion's ball. She found it and picked it up from the floor. Orion jumped to his feet excitedly. "Move,"

Roy came into her room and stood aside as Anica threw the ball out into the hallway. The dog was gone chasing after it faster than Roy knew he could run. He smiled as Anica climbed into bed. "Cold?"

Anica nodded. "I was just hit with water."

Roy went to the bed and dropped the towel upon her head before sitting down. She really hated it when he did that to her, though usually it was with a blanket and in the den.

Anica dried the water from her face, neck, and arms as Orion came back with the ball in his mouth, tail a wagging. "See I told you he could play fetch."

Roy nodded watching Orion look between them then bring the ball to him. He took it and threw it back into the hall. It bounced off the wall and they could hear it hit the stairs followed by Orion.

He sighed as Anica folded the towel and set it upon the floor. Why she always did that he didn't know. Shaking his head he got under the covers and lay down. Anica, however, did not lie down. He was about to ask why when the sound of paws scraping got louder and Orion jumped upon him. Two paws landed painfully right smack dab in the middle his stomach. The other two landed dangerously close to his groin. "Ugh," Roy let out.

Anica laughed. "Welcome to my life." She said as the flame alchemist scowled. She leaned over and pulled the ball from Orion's mouth then threw across the room. It bounced off the wall and rolled under her bed.

Roy steeled himself against the paws as Orion leapt from the bed. Then he rubbed his stomach. "Oww,"

Anica smiled reaching up. She hesitated for a moment then ran her fingers through his damp obsidian hair. It was surprisingly soft and thick. She'd always liked his hair but now she actually got to touch it. "You should go sit by the fire until your hair dries. You might get sick."

Roy closed his eyes. No one had ever run their finger though his hair like this, it was soothing and she was so gentle. He sighed contentedly. "I think I'll stay here."

"No," Anica snapped.

He opened his eyes a little confused as her hand left his head. Oh Orion. He could hear the dog whimpering around the ball.

"Roy?"

"Hm?"

Anica moved closer and turned to her hip facing him. She pat the bed behind her and Orion jumped up. "Lay down," she ordered. Orion obeyed and Anica turned to him. "Do you mind?"

Roy smiled moving his right arm so she could lay down. "No, but you're spoiling him again."

Anica nodded sighing. "I know but I can't help it." Now she lay down with her head upon his shoulder. She smiled as Roy pulled the blankets up to her shoulder and rested his arms around her. She loved this, being held by him. She loved it when he touched her, loved his whispered words of missing her though they'd only been apart for a few hours. She just loved being with him no matter where they were.

"Anica," Roy said after sometime.

"Yes?"

"Why do you want to be a state alchemist? What made you deicide?" He was curious to know. It had never really struck him before. He'd done it because he was in love with the science, because he wanted to use it to help people only it didn't turn out as he'd planned. But it was so much a part of who he was he couldn't let go of it.

Anica slipped her hand up to rest upon his shoulder. "I have wanted to be an alchemist all my life, since I knew what it was. I wanted to be like my mom I suppose. There is more to it now, but I don't want to talk about. Someday I'll tell you."

Roy pet her hair. "It's a secret?"

She nodded remembering her reasons, one of which was a promise to herself and to her mother. "Like I said someday I'll tell you."

"So why flame alchemy?" he asked. "Your mom was a lightening alchemist, why not that?"

Anica smiled lifting her head. "Tell anyone and I will renege on my promise not to torch you."

"Is that a threat?" he asked eyebrows raising.

"It's a promise and I always keep my word."

Curiosity got the better of his fear of being torched. "Tell me,"

"I'm afraid of thunderstorms and lighting, have been since I was little. My mom once did her alchemy in the dorm, I think I was three. She was really angry at someone and it scared me so bad I cried for an hour and wouldn't go within five feet of her for a week."

Roy chuckled softly. That was the cutest thing he'd heard about her. "So then why fire?"

"Because I like fire and I think it's pretty. Fire is warm when everything is cold and lights a dark room and dark places." She smiled. "And I'm a complete pyromaniac, my mother said so. She quit keeping candles because I kept playing with them. Most parents worry when their children are silent, my mother worried when I giggled a certain way. That's when she knew I was playing with fire."

Roy didn't quite know what to think of that. On one hand it was amusing on the other it was just plain disturbing. "Were you lighting things on fire?"

"No just putting my fingers in the flames or watching them blow in the light air currents." She replied with a grin. "It's not normal I know but…" She trailed off watching him smile.

"But what?" Roy asked brushing her bangs from her eyes.

"Call it nostalgia but it reminds me of my dad. I only have one memory of him. He was sitting in the living room in uniform reading and smoking by candlelight. There were three burning on the table beside him. Mom said he did that every night and I probably only remembered it because it was a constant occurrence.

"But she was wrong. I can't remember what his voice sounded like but I do remember what he said. That night he set his book aside and asked me to sit with him. I remember his hands lifting me from my feet and placing me in his lap. Then he pointed to the candles and picked one up giving it to me. He held on to it of course because I was so little and could have dropped it or spilled wax.

"I remember being in awe of the flame and how it danced from his breath. I remember the heat of it. He said I could play with the fire if I could learn how. Until then I could only look at it." She frowned. "It's kind of strange how I remember that and nothing else. I don't know why I remember what he said and I certainly didn't really understand what he was saying then but when I got older I figured it out."

"So he thought you'd be an alchemist?" Roy asked. It was a good memory to have and it probably meant more to her than he could imagine.

Anica nodded. "My mom said when she was pregnant with me he bet his rank I'd look like him, act like him, but have her intelligence and understanding of alchemy." She smiled. "She said she hated it when he was right. It drove her batty."

Roy smiled. "Do you have a picture of them? I know you have pictures over there but I've never looked at them."

Anica turned over and turned on the light. Blinking from the light, she picked up the frame encasing her parent's wedding photo and gave it to Roy.

Roy held it with care as if it were fragile crystal since it was probably the only photo of her father she had. He'd be damned. Anica was a softer, smaller, female replica of her father. Should she stand next to him now if he were still this young now and alive he'd think they were twins. Her mother was just as beautiful and had long auburn hair that caught the sun light; her white wedding dress was like snow and simple. It was a beautiful photo for a wonderful day and her parents looked truly happy.

He smiled. "This is why Maes takes so many photos. He doesn't want to miss moments like these." He looked at the lapels and bars upon her father's uniform. In this photo he was a Lieutenant Colonel. "So your father was promoted after this?"

Anica nodded. "Mm hmm. One week after to be exact and three weeks after that mom found out she was pregnant with me."

"Damn, that's a lot of good news. I bet he was-"

"Mom said she'd never seen him so animated. He couldn't sit still for a month and he only got that way again the day I was born. General Haruko told me my dad called him in the middle of the night. The way he described their conversation reminds me of how Maes talks about Elicia when showing me photos of her. He said he could hear my mother telling him to calm down in the background." She smiled. "Haruko said he didn't expect that call to come for another month."

"Why?" Roy asked.

"Because I was early. I guess I couldn't wait." She replied taking the picture away. She put it back upon the bedside table and turned out the lamp. "The funny thing is," She said returning to the comfort of his arms. "My mom said I was an impatient baby. If I wanted something I wanted it right then no ifs ands or buts about it and I was always early, never late for anything."

"You trying to tell me something?" He asked with a smile.

"No, I learned patience easily enough but I do get agitated when it looks like I'm going to be late or my train is delayed."

"So you can't stand to be idle, late, or cold. Anything else you can't stand?"

Anica smiled. "If I told you that now then you wouldn't have anything else to wonder about."

Roy sighed. "I'm sure I could find something. Such as why you always fold your towels when you're finished with them."

"I can't even answer that one for you. I just do it." She sighed closing her eyes. "See you in the morning."

"You're not going to sleep already are you?" Roy asked before kissing her hair. He didn't want her to stop talking. He wanted to keep listening to her voice. It was also nice to hear about what she was like. She never really spoke about herself unless he asked and she'd never asked about anything in his past. Part of him wondered if she ever would and the other part dreaded it. He didn't mind telling her about his parents or his child hood, how he met Maes, but if she asked about the war… There were things he didn't even want to remember, painful things, things that had changed and taken some part of him, leaving a gaping hole that would never completely heal.

Anica sat up a little; now that her eyes were once again adjusted she could make the features of his handsome face in the faint moonlight filtering in from the windows. She was a little nervous about what she wanted to do, but pushed it aside and leaned down. Her hair fell down around his face when she pressed her lips to his. She felt him smile which made her smile and she kissed him again. There was that feeling again, that strange indescribable feeling in her stomach that left her a little dizzy.

Roy pulled Anica closer once again slipping his tongue into her mouth. She tasted sweet and a little minty from the toothpaste. She always brushed her teeth after dinner if she was home as if she'd forget before bed. This was why her tooth brush was in the kitchen and not the bathroom.

He wanted more, more of her but he'd just have to wait. It wouldn't kill him and this was enough for now. What was important to him was that she was here and wasn't going anywhere for a very long time. Even after the exam he'd keep her as long as he could. He didn't expect her to stay forever just awhile.

Anica pulled away mostly for air but also because she felt an inconvenient yawn coming on. "There now do you think you can sleep?" She turned her head away and yawned.

Roy smirked. "You still need some lessons."

"And you'll teach me." She kissed him briefly and lay down. "But tomorrow okay?"

Roy sighed. "I suppose." He felt her smile though his pajama shirt and hugged her before rubbing her shoulder. At some point she'd found a sleeved nightgown or bought one. That was a relief. He did like looking at her pale skin but wanted her to be warm.

A terrible sharp pain to the ribs brought Roy from slumber. Another to his shin opened his eyes. Labored breathing, soft crying, a soft mumbled sentence and barking made him turn on the light wincing from the pain and from the assault of sudden light. He turned over, Orion being the first thing he saw, stood on all four legs whining and barking.

Roy frowned and looked down at Anica groaning a little. It kind of hurt to breathe but he forgot about it when seeing the blankets gone from her, kicked off, nightgown clinging to her body, hair clinging to her sweat beaded and tear stained face. Her expression was pained, terrified even. What the hell was going on! He almost panicked but reminded himself to stay calm. It was just a nightmare; she'd said she had them. His panic lessoned.

Just as Roy reached over to wake her she cried out, but not to him, to her mother. He knew then she was dreaming of her mother's death. Orion barked again and he put it together so fast his head almost spun. Orion barked at night because of Anica's nightmares.

Just as gently as she had with him, Roy shook her. "Anica, come on wake up." She didn't wake at first so he kept talking calling to her. Then her stormy eyes opened. Her hands reached for him, clung to his pajama shirt with such force she pulled him down a little.

"Please help her." She sobbed. "Please don't let her die please." She shook her head as Roy sat her up and held her close, stroking her soft hair. She was so tense and shaking so terribly he was afraid to let her go. Her hands pushed on his chest as if trying to get him away. "I don't want to be fine! Mommy please stay please!"

"Shhhh, its okay Anica, it's just a dream." Roy said softly.

"Nonono, no! I refuse to be okay! Mommy stop, you can't leave me alone. Someone help! Please, please!" She was screaming now, screaming so loud, louder than Roy knew ever thought she could since she was normally so quiet. It hurt his ears, hell it hurt more than that. He let go and took her face in his hands.

"Anica look at me," he ordered. He knew she could see him she just had to fight through the dream like he had too to see her. "Come on honey look at me."

Anica heard someone speaking, heard the familiar voice like he was in front of her, but all she could see was her mother lying in the street, crimson blood pooling out beneath her upon the cold gray cobble stone. She felt tender strong hands upon her face. "Anica fight it," He said and she knew then who it was. There was barking too. Roy didn't fit into this; she'd not known him then. Orion, Orion was barking. She'd not known him either. She was dreaming…just a dream…a dream meaning if she could hear him she was awake. There was light near by and as she became in touch with reality however slowly, she could make out his handsome comforting face, her room in the background.

"Roy?"

"Right here honey, I'm not leaving."

"Where's Orion?" she cried.

"On the floor, he jumped off the bed just a minute ago." He replied softly and wiped the new tears away with his thumbs.

Anica fell against him, wrapping her arms around him, sobbing. "Don't go, please don't go." She felt him hold her tight, felt his cheek pressed against her head, his hand brushing her sweat dampened hair from her face.

"Shhhh, its okay now, its okay."

She nodded trying so hard to still her fear, her torment. As much as she wished she could do this alone she was tremendously thankful he was here now. As long as he held her everything would be alright. Everything was always alright when he was near.

She sniffled, burying her face in the crook of his neck. He smelled so good, so familiar… She felt sleep beginning to tug upon her, exhaustion too and shook her head. She always felt so drained after these nightmares. "No, I can't," she whispered. "Keep me awake just for a few more minutes."

"Shhhh, I'm not going anywhere."

Anica closed her eyes relieved and slipped her arms around his neck. She let out a sob as things in her head and her heart clicked into place. The puzzle pieces that hadn't fit before melded together and made a whole picture. Despite her fear, despite what she'd just dreamt she felt a little wave of peace wash over her. It was enough to make her calm down a little and realize that it really would be okay. She'd be okay as long as he was here.

Roy felt her body relax in his arms slowly, her sobs came less and less but he still didn't let go. Somehow he managed to lie down and still hold her. He'd never relaxed this soon after waking from one of his dreams. How she was doing it was a mystery. Her cries, the look in her eyes before she was awake enough to see him, it cut at his heart in a way he didn't think possible. If he saw Havoc or Riza or Maes having a dream like this, yes he'd be worried, try to wake them, but it certainly wouldn't affect him this deeply. He would be able to stand it but when Anica…He never wanted to see her like this again, hear her cry out like that, screaming in that much suffering.

Roy pet her hair staring at the ceiling as his mind continued along its current path. When had he let her in so close? How had she managed to get his guard down enough to come in and touch him like this? How did she make him fall in love with her this quickly or this…this much? Yes before he had known he felt very deeply about her, loved her, but not this much. Why did it take seeing her so tormented for him to realize it?

He smiled a little annoyed with himself. He had been such an idiot. All that time he wasted sleeping with other women and being miserable, acting stupid, trying to get her out of his head, he could have felt this with Anica. Funny how love works, sneaking up on a person when they aren't looking. Funny how it turned out to be a seventeen year old, very beautiful, very quiet, very smart, very kind and slightly scary when angered or jealous, girl named Anica Skyler. She had better not get any ideas of leaving him or he'd hunt her down and drag her back no matter what she did to him.

"Roy?" her soft voice asked. She sounded a little strained, a little hoarse.

"Hmm?" He asked moving his head so he could look at her. When had she stopped crying?

"Thank you…for everything." Her hand came up to his face and he closed his eyes from the warmth and tenderness of her touch.

"You're welcome, try to get some sleep alright. Hawkeye will kill me if you come in looking exhausted."

"We can't have that now can we?"

"No," They were quiet for a long time and he was almost asleep when her voice sounded again.

"Hey," he felt her shift; felt the cool air hit his skin where her head had been resting upon his shoulder, against his side. There just had to be a draft in this damned room. Oddly enough he suddenly remembered his aching side too and how much sore it was to breathe.

Roy sighed. "Sleeping occurs a lot better if you stop talking."

"I know that but…"

He opened his eyes to see her. "But what?" She looked a little nervous about something. "What's wrong?"

"I-I…Roy I love you." She said finally. "I mean it. I know for sure now."

Roy blinked a moment as her words began to register in his mind. Did she just say what he thought she just said? She said she loved him! He had to hear her say just one more time just in case he'd heard her wrong. "What'd you say?"

Anica frowned sitting up. "I said I love you and I meant it. Is there something wrong with that?" It was true, really true. She did mean it. While he'd held her so close to him she'd realized it, determined that what she was feeling had to be it. She didn't want to be without him, she needed him. She loved him as much as she loved her mother who had been everything to her only this was a little different. It wasn't love for a parent but a different kind of love. He had been right and wrong about Diana's book. It did explain the best way in the only way that words could what love was, but he'd made her feel it just like he promised.

Roy shook his head smiling. Of course there was nothing wrong with that was she nuts! "No, god no."

Anica smiled and leaned over to kiss him but hesitated looking at the clock. It was three am. It was tomorrow, a Friday. "It's tomorrow,"

Confused, Roy's brows knitted. Tomorrow? Oh tomorrow, right. He was tired, sore, but he could manage to kiss her again before sleeping. He grinned lifting his fingertip to her cheek. "So kiss me,"

Anica's smile grew and she softly giggled before their lips met. Roy was a little surprised at how this kiss was so different from any previous kiss. All her shy hesitation was gone. This kiss made his heart a little lighter and his head a little foggy. It was better than any alcohol he drank, burned so much nicer. This time it was her tongue that asked permission to enter and he let her in, pulling her completely against him. She was still a little clumsy but he didn't care in the least, not when he felt like this.

When she pulled away, her lips pressed together, she sighed and reached behind her to turn out the light, finding the dog. "Come on Orion,"

Orion leapt upon the bed and lay down beside her. Once the light was out she lay back down and closed her eyes.

Anica smiled watching him in the dull light of the rising sun. He slept so soundly even though Orion's morning banter. She remembered a book her mother had once had a long time ago with a picture within the pages. It was of some higher being, some god from a religion from somewhere in this country. For some reason he reminded her of that picture right now. Well save for Roy's hair was a mess at the moment.

Roy Mustang was no god; he was just as human as she was. Anica knew this but it didn't alter the fact that she believed he could do anything. He'd made her feel happy and secure again and that was something she never thought would happen.

Carefully she turned around to look for Orion. He'd calmed down after she'd let him out to use the bathroom. "Orion," she called softly. Her throat was a little sore and she sounded a little strange. She must have been crying pretty hard last night. Where was he? Oh there he was, curled up under her desk chewing on his ball. "Come here and get Roy."

Orion rose, yawned then walked over taking his time. She smiled moving up in the bed. "Come on little flame," The collie jumped upon the bed and Anica picked him. "Oh you're getting heavy. I'm going to have to stop slipping you food under the table." She received a lick to the cheek and smiled. "I love you too, now," She held him up. "You're going to wake Roy up okay?" Orion cocked his head to the side and she set him down, pointing to her sleeping boyfriend. "Get him."

Orion barked and tugged upon Roy's pajama sleeve with his teeth. Roy stirred and weakly pushed Orion away turning away from them. He muttered something about paperwork. Anica bit her lower lip in effort to stay quiet. He really did hate his paperwork. "Get him, get him," She encouraged Orion.

Orion climbed upon Roy's hip and licked at his hand. Roy grumbled and Anica joined Orion, only she didn't lick Roy, no she did something much worse, something more annoying. She poked at his arm. "What?" His voice asked.

"Good Morning Colonel did you know that it's almost noon and Lieutenant Hawkeye is on her way over to get you up herself?" Anica asked with a smile. "She said something about shooting at you, oh and I called Maes too. He said he'd love to come take pictures of you sleeping in a girly purple room and post them around HQ."

Roy's eyes shot open and he bolted up in the bed scaring poor Orion into barking. "WHAT!" He left the bed looking around frantically for his uniform. There was a twinge of pain in his right side. That was odd. Damn where was his uniform? What he found instead was a room darker than it was supposed to be for this time of say since Anica's windows faced the east and Anica holding her stomach in laughter.

"That was great!" she giggled, falling back in the bed. "Your face,"

Roy glared realizing he'd been tricked. Oh she was going to get it. Now where had he left his gloves?

"Looking for these?" she asked holding them up. She had all three pairs, but how? One pair was left in his coat, one in his desk at HQ, and the other was in his uniform. He picked up her clock and checked the time. It was a little after six, the time he usually got up.

He sighed and headed for his room to get dressed. He was too tired to start an argument right now and too sore. Breathing was a little more than uncomfortable, but he brushed it aside as nothing. Later, he promised himself, later he'd get her. He could hear her following him, asking the dog to do the same but ignored her. He found his uniform already laid out upon his bed waiting. Hell even his boots were up here. "Breakfast is ready too. I figure I owed you that much for waking me up last night. Oh and you're one hard person to wake by the way. Orion barked for half an hour and you slept right though it."

Roy yawned wincing slightly. Oww, but breakfast did sound pretty good. "Coffee?" He asked turning around to face her. Damn she looked good. She was already dressed and in a dark burgundy dress, one he'd never seen her wear before. She never wore dark colors and it made her skin and eyes stand out that much more. Her hair was in a braid though.

Anica smiled leaning against the door way. "That's a stupid question."

He yawned again and lifted his arms to stretch and winced as a sharp pain radiated though his right side. That really smarted, he'd not do that again, but why did his side hurt. Oh right Anica had done hit him or something last night, his whole reason for waking.

"What's wrong? Why are you frowning and wincing like that?" She asked leaving the door way.

"Pulled a muscle," He replied waving her off.

Anica didn't believe him and caught hold of his pajama top. "Turn around,"

Roy smirked reaching for his white dress shirt. "You going to help me get dressed?"

"No you idiot," she snapped tugging on him. "Turn around, remember I have your gloves and know how to use them."

Roy stilled. "You promised."

"Colonel," she sighed. "Don't lie to me; I know there's something wrong with you."

Roy straightened. The last thing he wanted right now was for her to feel guilty for what ever she'd done last night. He knew what that felt like and he much preferred her carefree as opposed to silent and brooding. "Anica I'm not in the mood for this." He said coldly.

"Don't make me make you. I may be small but my mother did teach me how to fight and I will do it so stop being such a bastard."

He glared. She wouldn't make him do a damn thing. "I'm a bastard now huh?" Maybe if he pissed her off she'd leave him alone, yes that might work. "Well you're an annoying pain in the ass." She smiled. Oh that wasn't good.

"I love you," she said.

Roy wasn't prepared for that in the least. He expected something along the lines of a retort. Needless to say she'd caught him off guard and before his normally quick wit could snap into gear her fingers were unbuttoning his shirt and pushing it open. "Damn Anica if I knew you wanted me so bad I would have-"

"Shut up," she bit, poking at his chest.

Oww! She had some sharp nails. But her hands were gentle now as she pushed the flannel fabric over his shoulders. Her eyes were examining him carefully. What the hell was she looking for? He sighed reaching for her face. Her hand smacked his. "Stop it, tell me where it hurts."

"Are you always this demanding?" He asked with a smile. "Because I kind of like it. You're giving me ideas."

Her eyes met his. She looked worried, really worried. "Roy please just tell me."

"I'm fine, really," He replied. He didn't hurt that much. He was just a little sore, nothing for her to worry about.

Anica shook her head and began prodding at him. "If you won't tell me I'll find out for myself."

It was endearing that she cared this much but it was also very irritating. He didn't like people poking at him in the first place and though her fingers were warm and gentle he really didn't want her to…he groaned as soon as she poked his ribs along his right side. "Happy now?" He growled grabbing her hand.

"No," she replied shortly and moved his arm. He watched her carefully though she revealed nothing and had become a wall. She was extremely careful now. Just what the hell was she looking for? If she'd broken his rib he wouldn't have been able to get out of bed. "Get dressed and come down to eat."

"Since when do you get to order me around?"

"Since you decided to hide this," she poked at his ribs making him flinch. "From me." She softened a little. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to." Like and sudden change in wind direction she was stern again. "You've got an ugly bruise and I'm beginning to see why you don't want me near when you have nightmares."

"Then you'll leave this alone."

"No Roy," she replied. "I can't, just like you couldn't." She smiled though. "I have to take care of you. You do it for me all the time so get use to it. I don't think anything's broken, but can you breathe okay?"

Roy huffed. "You and Mrs. Garrison make it seem like I'm incapable of anything."

"Get dressed; I'll drive today so you can rest." Anica took that as a no.

Drive? Drive the military lent car entrusted to him? "I think not,"

Anica smiled reaching into the front of her dress and pulled out his keys then dropped them back between the safety of her breasts. "You wouldn't put your hands on me if I didn't want you too now would you?"

"That's just plain dirty." He replied. "You can't drive."

"Yes I can, my mom taught me how. Trust me if any one could drive safe it was her, she used to drive tanks when she was lower in rank so a car was like a walk in the park. If you think she let me mess up think again. Failure was not an option, not with military owned property." With that she left his room.

Though his nerves were on high alert, mostly since she'd put on one of his gloves, Anica could drive and really well. She drove better than Havoc who was pretty safe. It was the smoothest damn car ride he'd ever had. She parked straighter than he ever had and ordered him out of the car. "I'm fine,"

"I know that's why I can't keep my eyes off you." She replied getting out.

Roy sighed and got out of the car. They headed from the parking lot for the main building but she took hold of his hand and steered them towards a smaller building to the left. The infirmary. "Anica,"

"I don't want to hear it." She replied lifting her gloved hand. "If you've got a bruised or cracked rib I want to know about it."

Roy scowled. He'd have to find some way to get those away from her even if he had to pin her down. The car keys too which he noticed she'd slipped down her cleavage again. He really didn't like this one bit. Today was turning out not to be such a great day, it was one thing to hold her hand in public but to be dragged along like she owned him was another. He didn't mind it so much at first, when they were at home, but here. Damn it he had a reputation to keep! If people saw The Flame Alchemist being ordered around by a seventeen year old girl…He sighed he didn't even want to think about it.

Suddenly his body made contact with hers. "What now?" he grumbled.

Anica smiled. "Good morning Fuher, General," she said softly.

Roy's eyes snapped up. Oh this was a terrible day! Haruko and Bradley were smiling and for that matter looked rather amused. He still saluted which hurt.

"Good morning Anica, Colonel, what's the rush?" Haruko asked.

Anica sighed. "Tell him to go in there," she pointed to the infirmary.

Roy cleared his throat dropping his hand. She did not! "I'm fine,"

"Uh huh," She replied using her elbow to jab at him. He clenched his teeth.

"What seems to be the problem Mustang?" Haruko asked with a frown. Roy didn't like that frown. "You know if you're ill you are allowed to take a day off. You'll do us no good if you can't work."

"I assure you I'm fine sir, Anica's worrying for nothing."

"Well what do you think is the problem Anica? He looks well to me." The Fuher asked turning his attention to Anica.

Anica sighed. "You mean besides being an arrogant grumpy stubborn-" Roy covered her mouth.

"I'm fine really."

"I see well, I'd like you to go in anyway." Fuher Bradley ordered. "Anica I'd like a report when you're done." He smiled.

Roy couldn't believe it. Did she have everyone wrapped around her slender finger? How were they going to explain this one? Anica had never once told a convincing lie to anyone in the short few months he'd known her. If she told the Fuher about their night last night, that the whole reason for this was because he was sleeping in the same bed with her, Gran would probably get wind of it. Then there was the threat of it getting around HQ. He didn't care if people knew they were together, it was that he'd been beat up by a young girl.

He sighed. "Yes sir,"

"Hm, take good care of him Anica; he's one of our best." Haruko said with a smile.

Anica could only nod since Roy was still covering her mouth. She smiled though, happy that at least someone agreed with her.

As soon as they were gone Roy uncovered her mouth. "Thanks so much fire bug, now what are you going to tell them?"

"You know you should be happy, it seems like you're highly valued Colonel Mustang." She replied retaking his hand. "By more than just me. So move it."

"I didn't make you do this." Roy grumbled.

"No you forced me here when nothing at all was wrong with me. Payback sucks doesn't it?" She asked as they reached the steps. "And don't think I'm going to leave you alone. I know how much you like to try and escape."

True to her word she stuck nearby watching him like hawk. She even went into the examination room holding up her gloved hand ready to snap at any moment. He scowled at her after the doctor had finished with him. Why did she have to be right? As it turned out it wasn't just a skin bruise. One of his lower ribs was bruised or as near as the doctor could tell and he was ordered to take it easy for awhile. He didn't think he hurt that badly. There wasn't anything anyone could really do but he wasn't allowed any strenuous activity, which meant he couldn't kick her ass for this.

"You know threatening your mentor could push your lessons back." He pulled his shirt back on and began to button it.

She smiled. "I know," Finally she left the corner of the room and came near. "And you can complain about it all you want now. I'm just glad I didn't break something."

That's it baby; get closer, close enough for me wring your neck.

He watched her reach for his uniform jacket and smiled. "Well since I get to complain…" He sighed. He couldn't really she probably felt terrible as it was. "Thanks," He grinned. "So you're going to help me work today?"

Anica watched him for a moment then sighed much the way Riza did. "Fine, but just until you get better." With that she put her arms around him and set his uniform jacket upon his shoulders.

Roy kept his eyes locked with hers though with her this close the temptation to take a peak down the low neck line and swipe his keys all the while getting to see if her skin was soft there too was almost too much.

Anica smiled in an amused knowing sort of way and helped him put his arms though the sleeves. She held onto his hand turning it over then pulled the keys from her dress. "I'll see you in a few minutes."

"That color looks good on you."

"Does it now?" she asked. "Well I'm glad you like it. I was getting tired of pastels. I'm not a doll to be on display after all."

Roy smiled. "No you're not." He frowned remembering something. "Is that what you meant when you said you're not a girl under glass?"

She nodded finishing with his uniform. "Yes, are you going to be okay?"

"As long as you hurry up and get back to take care of me." He replied getting off the bed.

She smiled. "Done,"