A/N: OMGYAY! You have all been sooooo fabulous with your reviews! I am totally inspired to write like a madman until I get this thing finished. Of course, this isn't my best work, nor is it my strongest chapter, but I am hoping it is to your liking.

Total kudos to: xXX Bishiman Sephiroth XXx, mieko8804, Dark Mage Makai, Sadler, yutakayumi, jonnythehomocidalmaniac, anmbcuconnfan, Nuitari Aquarius, Kirbychan, hiya24, AirElemental101, Sophie, and the always adoring Visual Confectionary, without whom my writing would not be nearly as humorous, for she keeps me on my toes. Ily doll.

DISCLAIMER: I had to make it bold just to point out the obvious. If FMA or any of the related characters were mine, I certainly wouldn't be in college. I also wouldn't have stopped the series. Too bad it isn't mine, eh? I'd gladly share. Hey, maybe we should all pool our lunch money and buy it! XD

Ed sat at a table in room he'd reserved at the library for the evening, pouring over an assortment of alchemy books with a newfound zeal. All the time he'd spent in Germany had been used studying rocketry and other sciences more applicable to that side of the Gate, and he'd found he missed the old science. Plus, there were several laws in this science called "physics" that he'd realize could be applied to alchemy as well. He remembered Alfons saying something about a man named Newton and his theories. One law in particular was that of the law of conservation of mass, which stated that the mass of a closed system of substances will remain constant, regardless of the processes acting inside the system. Basically, it was saying that while matter can change form, it could be neither created nor destroyed. It sounded a lot like equivalent exchange to him, only it was far more specific, leaving no room for loop holes like the law he'd once considered the end-all philosophy to life. He'd also learned a lot about input and output effort, work, and equations concerning them in which, using certain devices, one could actually get out more than they put in.

Those theories, though slightly different in nature, helped Edward understand many things in alchemy that had went unanswered…things he'd had to learn the hard way.

He grit his teeth and slammed the book shut, causing a loud sound to echo in the small space. It enraged him that he and Al had had to go through all that they did in order to learn what he'd managed to learn in the span of a week. Based on the laws of equivalent exchange…

"We got screwed over," he muttered bitterly.

"I certainly hope not," came a voice from the doorway—a voice Ed automatically recognized, causing his heart to jump into his throat. Without actually turning his head, Ed glanced over to see the distinctive smirk that could only belong to one very amused Roy Mustang.

The blonde rolled his eyes and grabbed another book, trying to ignore the pounding of blood in his ears. He could almost feel the air molecules around him shift as the dark-haired man walked up to the table, pulled a chair out, and sat across from him. He had never been so glad for long bangs in his life. They covered the blush that was beginning to stain his cheeks. He could feel the older man's dark eyes on him, causing him to squirm uncomfortably.

Edward swallowed hard, but didn't take his eyes off of his book. As they sat there in a kind of silent stalemate, he felt the familiar irritation creep up on him until he couldn't take anymore. He had to 1) break the silence, because it was driving him mad, and 2) find out just what the smug bastard wanted from him. Whatever it was, he wasn't doing it, no matter how much part of him desperately wanted him to bend to the man's every whim.

"Are you here for something specific, or are you just here to irritate me?" he asked casually, his voice not betraying his inner struggle.

Roy smirked at the amusing choice of words and the tone that had accompanied them. The smaller male certainly had changed. The old Ed would have been shouting and cursing as soon as he'd hit the door. This new and unfamiliar Ed seemed less rash, less quick to attack.

He shrugged nonchalantly, not caring that his actions were questionable, even to himself. "I'm just working on a lead, that's all."

Ed quirked an eyebrow, allowing himself to glance over the top of his book. Whenever the colonel actually left his office to work on something himself, it was usually very important. But…if he was busy working on a lead, then why was he wasting time bothering Ed?

He smiled out of the corner of his mouth at the older man's predictable behavior. "Looks like you're just slacking off to me. But what's new, right?"

Roy laughed low in his throat, causing a chill to shoot up Edward's spine. "I can assure you, Fullmetal, that I am working and that I do intend to see this through until I know the truth."

"The truth?" Ed muttered, setting his book down to fully examine the man in front of him. A thousand things ran through his mind about what that statement could mean. The truth about what? And what did it have to do with him? If he was involved, it could mean anything. Did Roy want to know about the stone? The Gate? The other side? He couldn't imagine what it could be, since he'd been nothing but honest with Roy since before he'd even been sent to the other side the first time. He didn't have to report for another couple of days, so what was so important that it couldn't wait until then?

Roy nodded his dark head in confirmation. "Yes, the truth, Elric. The complete and unfiltered truth."

The blonde simply looked at him in confusion, replaying everything that had happened since he and Al had returned home. He shook his head. There was nothing he could think of! He'd been honest about everything—a rare thing for him indeed. He had no secrets. The only thing he had even been remotely dishonest about…

"Come to think of it…"

"Oh no," Ed said aloud unintentionally. He stared at the book in front of him, focusing on the words as if they were some kind of code he couldn't seem to decipher. The last thing he wanted to do was look up at the uniformed individual before him. The only possible thing he could be talking about had to have something to do with what he'd said days before.

How could he have been so stupid to think he could hide it? If it was something Al could see, even being his brother and all, how could he have assumed that an observant man like Mustang couldn't see it?

He swallowed nervously. There was only one thing he could do; one thing he'd learned in all of the years he'd been getting into scrapes…

Deny. Deny. Deny. Deny everything until you believe it yourself.

He glanced up at Roy, who was watching him with an amused expression on his face, as if he knew everything the younger male was thinking. He shifted awkwardly, feeling the heat of the other man's scrutinizing gaze.

Roy quirked an eyebrow, smirking at the blonde as a blush slowly crept across his suddenly-youthful looking face. He leaned forward, resting his chin in his hand and watched Ed thoughtfully.

Ed could feel the heat rising to his face. Damn damn damn! All he wanted to do was jump to his feet and run out of the room, away from the man staring at him intently with his dark eyes and taunting smile.

And he would have, if he wasn't rooted to his seat by his anxiety. Plus, he was undeniably turned-on, despite the fact that he was terrified. In fact, the rush of adrenaline probably made it ten times worse. He wanted to slap himself. He'd faced armed terrorists, more than a few angry mobs of villagers, entire armies, homunculi, and other skilled alchemists with the certainty that he could be killed at any moment. He'd done it without fear—at least, not for himself—but there was something about the seemingly unthreatening situation that had his heart ramming against his ribs.

For a moment, the young prodigy didn't think there was anything he wouldn't give to have Envy come along and stab him, or break his neck, or eat him—anything to get him out of the spot he was in.

He was pulled away from the brain-freezing, incapacitating anxiety he felt by the look of genuine concern on the colonel's face.

"Are you feeling all right, Edward?" he asked, his brow furrowing, making deep creases in his pale forehead. "You look like you're about to pass out."

Yes! A way to get away from the discomfort at last! If there was a God, Ed was certain he was somehow being blessed. He nodded his head mutely, feeling relief wash over him.

"Yeah, I suddenly don't feel so well, probably from reading too long. I should go lie down or something," he said quickly, rising from his seat and grabbing his beige jacket from the back of his chair. Suddenly, he felt his head drop out through his stomach as an overwhelming feeling of dizziness came over him, causing him to stagger slightly.

"Oh…vertigo…ugh," he managed, falling forward. He was certain that he was going to hit the ground, but he never felt it come. Instead, he felt himself being held up by two strong arms. He opened his eyes as soon as it felt like the room had stopped spinning and found himself looking up into the very serious expression of his superior officer.

"This happen often?" he asked softly as he began to help Ed back to his feet.

The motion brought sudden nausea to the young alchemist, causing him to reach up to pause his support.

"Whoa, I don't…think that's such a good idea, not just yet," he said quietly, feeling embarrassed at appearing so weak in front of Roy.

Roy smirked, shifting slightly to get a better hold of the smaller male. "I can't exactly stay here holding you all day," he said, a note of amusement in his voice.

Edward cast his eyes to the ground. "I wish," he muttered, not intending for Roy to hear.

However, his words were heard, and Roy let slip a small smile, which he allowed to remain there, despite his better judgment. Still holding the metal-limbed alchemist, he tightened his grip on the blonde and loosened the grip on his pride.

Ed turned slightly to look back up at Roy, unsure if maybe he'd accidentally been heard. He was met by a compassionate gaze and a soft smile. It kinda freaked him out.

He was again startled by the sudden movement created when the older man slowly sat down, cradling Ed's head in his lap. Ed looked up into dark eyes that were staring back at him, as if entranced by something. He almost shivered as gloved hands began to smooth his hair, something anyone rarely did…mostly because Ed rarely let anyone do that.

No one really knew, save for Al and perhaps Winry, but Ed was very particular about his hair. It was his vain point, really…except for his height, which was more of an insecurity issue than anything. More than once, Al had shook his head pitifully at his older sibling's love for his hair, muttering something about "compensation" and walking away.

As Roy sat there, smoothing back several golden flyaway hairs, it took every ounce of Ed's self-control not to close his eyes and snuggle closer. It was even more difficult for him to try and form words without stuttering, rendering him uncharacteristically speechless. Finally, knowing that he couldn't sit there forever (damn), he decided to attempt some form of comprehendible speech.

"M-mustang…?" he asked shakily, feeling heat flood his face at the sound of his own quivering voice. "What…what are you doing?"

Roy smirked again, causing Ed's face to redden further. "Well, I can't just walk off and leave you to your own devices. You'd probably make yourself worse. You're no good to me if you're not in top form, you know." He shrugged indifferently. "You can't really expect me to just stand there. My legs were getting tired. You're heavier than you look."

Edward nodded sheepishly. "Yeah…" Normally, he would have made a smart remark about automail not being that heavy, followed by an even smarter remark about Roy getting to be an old man, but he didn't want to say anything that would make him seem ungrateful or that would make Roy leave. He really didn't want Roy to leave…ever. The thought of him and Roy just sitting in the library study room for the rest of their lives seemed absurd, but he wasn't really into things that made sense at the moment. After all, what made sense about the position they were in? Not much, as far as Ed could see.

He wasn't about to question it, though. He was enjoying the attention far too much. Sure, he'd gotten attention before, but nothing like this. He found that he was fond of it, perhaps more so than he should have been. Suddenly, he noticed something he hadn't before.

"Hey," he said softly, his voice hinting at curiosity more than anything, "what happened to your patch?"

Roy's hand stilled, and immediately Edward felt a sense of something he'd only felt once before towards his commanding officer: guilt.

Thy mouth runneth over, Edward, Alfons Heiderich's voice sounded in his head. It seemed like he'd said that often, whenever Ed had said too much.

"Sorry. That was rude," Ed said, looking over at the nearby wall.

Much to Ed's surprise, Roy actually responded, though his voice was so low that his response almost went unheard.

"My eye was reconstructed in a way…the tissue was still alive, still present, and once it finally healed all the way…"

"Alchemy," Edward finished, understanding completely. Alchemy had been used to reconstruct Roy's eye so that it functioned properly. And why not? It wasn't as if Roy was any use to the military with just one eye. The thought that anyone would think of Roy as remotely useless put a bitter taste in Ed's mouth.

"Apparently," Roy confirmed, as if reading Ed's thoughts. His tone indicated that he didn't quite understand the entire thing himself. "I must admit that I wasn't even awake for it. I had originally gone in to get my eye examined, to check for further infection, and the doctors took it upon themselves to fix it while I was unconscious." He smiled sadly, giving his face an eerily serene look. "Probably more than I deserve, right?"

The younger alchemist could only lie there, stunned by the other man's sudden openness. This was a side to Roy he'd only imagined existed. Ed was oddly compelled to comfort him somehow. It suddenly occurred to Ed what he should say—a rare occurrence if there ever was one. After all, it wasn't every day that Edward Elric's thought pattern preceded his speech.

Ed shook his head in disagreement. "I don't think so. You deserve about as much as anyone else, really."

Roy glanced down at Edward and smiled. It was probably the most genuine smile Ed had ever seen cross the Flame Alchemist's face…or anyone's face, for that matter. It seemed so out of character for the usually stoic/arrogant alchemist, yet Ed found that he preferred it. It made Roy look more pleasant, instead of a smug bastard.

He could feel the taller man's eyes on him, which made him blush again. He couldn't remember a time when he'd blushed so much. It was somewhat unnerving.

"Thank you," Roy said softly, causing surprised golden irises to snap to full attention.

Roy was…thanking him? He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Even in his most unbelievable, outrageous, extreme fantasies, it didn't seem plausible. Even in his dreams, the older man was an arrogant, overbearing, pretentious bastard.

Yeah, but you're infatuated with that arrogant, overbearing, pretentious bastard, Al's voice sounded in his subconscious.

He groaned internally. Things were bad enough without the Als giving him grief. There really was no difference between his little brother and his parallel "otherworld" being. Both seemed to be in the back of his mind, waiting to scold him. As sad as it sort of made him to think of his deceased friend, Ed's attention was quickly drawn back by a pair of intense, yet strangely softened eyes staring at him. He felt his face heat up once again and bit back a swear at his embarrassment.

"Y-you're welcome," he stammered, still vaguely aware that he was being watched. He cleared his throat. "I, uh…I'm good to stand now, I think."

Roy's brow furrowed, a look of concern crossing his face. "You certain? Your face is pretty red. Maybe you should go to the infirmary."

Ed could feel his face heating more by the second and had to use every fiber of his being not to cover his face like some pathetic schoolgirl with a crush. "N-nah. I'm fine. It's just really ho…warm in here. I think I'll go outside and get some air." He made to stand, only to find himself being helped to his feet.

"Are you sure? Your face really is redder than usual," Roy said, sounding more like Ed's mother than his commanding officer. "It's almost like you're—" He paused, a knowing smirk curving along his lips.

Ed winced. Any moment now, something would come…some kind of sly taunting that always accompanied that all-too familiar expression.

"Why, Fullmetal, you're blushing."

And there it was. Edward paused before responding, shooting him an "you have got to be kidding" look. His eyes narrowed as he glared at the taller man.

"Am not," he muttered irritably. He moved to gather his books, not wanting to stay in the man's presence any longer, lest he let something else slip unintentionally. After his mistake with Al before, he wasn't about to let his mouth run away with him again.

He was so preoccupied with the gathering of his belongings that he didn't hear Roy come up behind him, nor did he see the colonel place his hands down on each side of the table beside Ed, effectively trapping him…

A/N 2: Just as an added note, PLEASE DON'T KILL ME! I know, third cliff-type ending in a row, and I SWEAR I won't do it again! At least not in the next chapter! Please keep the love coming…though I probably don't deserve it after that little "…" stint… T.T