When September Ends

By: Mustang'sBunny

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Gees. That's kind-of depressing when you think about it. And yes, the title is from the song "When September Ends" by Green Day. I thought it was a fitting title and "theme song" for this fan fiction. By the end you should understand, but really it has nothing to do with the story...

Oh, and please...NO FLAMES!

Chapter Eleven: Military Pride v.s. Military Love

From the moment Ed walked back into the house, Roy knew something was wrong. The gloomy eyes, the slacking posture, not even a sexy pause at the door like he usually did.

Yup. Something was up.

"Ed? Something wrong?" Roy asked.

It was noon time, and Roy was fixing lunch for the twins, him, and Ed. Roxas and Roxanne sat at the kitchen table, bits of peanut butter and jelly sandwitch around their mouths. Roy was standing at the counter, just putting the finishing touches on Ed's sandwitch-the picky eater liked his cut in half.

"Uh, Roy," Ed stampered, suddenly very unstable feeling, "can I...talk to you?"

Roy frowned, not liking where this was headed.

"Sure..."

He sat the knife down and walked out of the kitchen with Ed and into the den. The remains of Christmas still lingered; Roy insisted that they leave the tree up until the first day of the new year. The room was incredibly dark, so Roy turned on the tree, the multi-colored lights making Ed look even paler then when he was in the kitchen doorway.

"What is it Ed? Archer didn't do anything to you, did he?"

"He told me I was leaving in two days," Ed said quickly, causing Roy's breath to catch in his mouth. He then added, "to Xing."

"To Xing? But isn't that-"

"Where all the action is? Yes. He said that they need alchemist there, and since I still need to complete my draft time, he nominated me."

"B-but! Xing? They have terrorists there Ed! You could be killed!"

"So?" Ed answered plainly.

Roy stopped. "So?" Ed hadn't answered so...emotionlessly...since his childhood when he first became a state alchemist. That look in his eye, it was that look he always used to use when he was trying to get Al's body back. That look of nothingness. He desired but one thing back then, and that was to help his brother. But what about now? What did he desire now?

"What do you mean, 'so?'?" Roy yelped when he found his voice. "You might get killed Ed! Killed!"

"I'm no different from any other soldier," Ed answered. "So I'm going to marry a colonel. Be deal. I shouldn't be treated differently just because of that."

"But Ed! You have a family now! If anything were to happen...what would I...what would we do?"

"Trust me, nothing's going to happen," Ed snorted with military pride. "I mean, come on! You're talking to Edward Elric, the Full Metal Alchemist! There's nothing I can't handle. Am I right?"

Roy shook his head. He didn't want to jinx Ed before he even left.

"But hey, one plus is that I already have the dictonary I'll need," Ed said, forcing a smile. "I'll be okay. Trust me."

"I'm gonna have to," Roy said, drawing him close, wanting to make sure this wasn't just a nightmare.

"You're going to have to be strong for a while, okay?"

"I'm gonna have to. With you gone, who's shoulder would I be able to cry on?"

"Roy..."

TT Don't cry Roy! Be strong! It will all be over in a couple chapters...For good or bad, you'll have to see. Review. Now. I'm taking over your mind. Now, the mouse is moving the cursor to the button..NOW CLICK THE BUTTON!