Disclaimer-I don't own FMA

Chapter 11

Chance Encounter

"Hmm, well either this is one heck of a coincidence or we're being played for fools," Kate said mirthfully as she looked at the bouquet of pink and white roses that were on the table in front of her. "What do you think," she asked, turning her attention to Roy who was frowning at the pink and white lace of the garter he'd set on the table.

"I think that Hughes is having too much fun trying to play matchmaker," he grumbled, sending a scathing look to his best friend.

Kate started laughing when she saw Hughes wave energetically and give them the thumbs up.

"Oh, stop scowling," she said, smacking Roy lightly on the shoulder. "It's just a silly superstition that whoever catches the bouquet and the garter will be the next people to get married. Besides, who would actually want to marry you?"

"Plenty of people," he replied arrogantly.

"Uh huh. Like who?"

He raised a brow as he turned his head towards her. "Like I'm going to tell you, you have jealousy issues."

"Why you.." She smacked him again before standing up. "We'll see who has jealousy issues."

"Where are you going," Roy asked quickly, sitting up a little straighter as she smirked evilly at him.

"Oh, you know to find myself a dancing partner, there's plenty of really cute army guys here and did you know, most of 'em are single," she winked over her shoulder at him and began to gracefully walk away.

"Oh no you're not," Roy argued, standing up and following after her.

"And I'm the one with jealousy issues," she smirked, holding her hand out for him to take.

"Hey, we had a deal. I dance with you at the wedding and I'll get to kiss you later, I haven't forgotten," he replied, leading to the small dance floor just as the band began to play another song.

"You really are a pervert, you know that."

"I am not, I just have a healthy appetite."

"I can't believe you just said that, that's...disturbing."

"I'm only being honest and you call me disturbed, thanks," Roy said sarcastically.

"Anytime sweetheart," Kate grinned, winking at him playfully.

Most of the guests had left, it was dark outside of the windows that surrounded the banquet room, the moon was high in the sky and the stars twinkled brightly as soft music played and Kate and Roy danced on the dance floor alone. Kate had her arms tightly wrapped around Roy's neck and he in turn was holding her body against him, his arms around her waist as they stared up each other and swayed to the music.

They didn't notice that the newlywed couple was watching them, soft smiles on their faces as they watched the young couple on the dance floor.

"They look good together, don't they," Maes asked his wife, Gracia, lightly kissing her hand as he smiled at her.

"They do, he really likes her, doesn't he," Gracia replied.

"Yup, the fool just couldn't see that for himself. I'm glad he finally did though, Kate looks so happy."

Gracia laughed lightly. "She does, I'm glad the two came and it seems that you bribing the hotel to tell them they were full, paid off."

"I have no idea what you're talking about my beautiful wife."

"If you say so dear."

Kate stifled a yawn and rested her forehead against Roy's shoulder.

"Tired," Roy asked.

She nodded, yawning and crinkling her nose cutely.

"Then lets get you back to the hotel." Taking her hand, Roy led her from the dance floor and to the table they had sat at to gather their things.

Looping her arm through Roy's, Kate leaned her head against his shoulder as they walked over to Gracia and Maes to say their good byes for the evening. They would be meeting again the following morning for brunch before they had to return to East City and the Hughes' left for their little honeymoon in the countryside.

Instead of walking back to the hotel which was only a few blocks away, they hailed a taxi. The drive was short and Kate sighed happily when they walked into the hotel. She smiled at the front desk attendant as she laced her fingers through Roy's and they walked through the lobby to the elevators.

"I think I'm going to take a shower when we get to the room," Kate mused, tilting her head thoughtfully. "And no, you can't join," she said, shooting Roy a small, playful glare when he opened his mouth to speak.

"Am I really that predictable," he joked as they stepped out of the elevator and walked to their room.

"Well you are a pervert," Kate replied, winking at him before skipping to the bathroom to take her shower and change.

The shower relaxed her and her tired muscles and when she stepped out of the bathroom in her pajamas with her hair in a french braid she had every intention of sliding into bed and curling up next to Roy and enjoying a very peaceful night of sleep. Her plans changed however when she saw that Roy wasn't in bed, but on the couch. There was a bottle of wine on the table in front of him and a tray with a variety of miniature cakes on it. The room was only dimly lit by a few well placed candles, it was actually very romantic.

Not believing what she was seeing, Kate stood outside the bathroom and just blinked at Roy. She was sure that she was just so tired she was hallucinating, after all this was Roy she was dealing with and she didn't that he as capable of putting something so romantic together.

"Are you just going to stand there and stare or are you going to sit down," Roy asked, breaking the trance that Kate had fallen into.

Snapping out of her stupor, Kate walked to the couch and sat down. "What's all this?"

"This is me proving that I'm more than just a pervert," Roy answered, pouring her a glass of wine and handing it to her.

"It's very nice, thank you," she smiled at him and gave him a quick kiss.

He gave her a proud smirk that showed just how proud of himself he was for putting this all together. He wanted to remind her that she was supposed to make out with him since he had danced with her at the wedding, but decided that now was probably not the best time for that so he settled for staying quiet.

"I promised to kiss you and I did, so whatever you're thinking, Roy, I'd forget about it."

"I wasn't thinking anything," he replied innocently.

Kate tweaked a brow at him as she sipped her wine. "Uh huh, of course not."

"How did you know?"

"You had that perverted grin on your face again."

"You're ruining my fun," Roy grumbled.

Kate grinned at him before snuggling up next to him and leaning into his shoulder. "So this is Central City, huh? This is where the great Roy Mustang wants to be."

"Eventually, yes."

"I would think that there would be more paperwork here, Central is much bigger than East City after all," Kate pointed out with a small grin.

"That's what I have you for," Roy replied, grinning self assuredly back at her.

Slapping his shoulder playfully, Kate glared at him, but couldn't help but laugh anyway. "What makes you think I'll still be running your errands for you? I do have a home to go back to and brothers to take care of."

"What about me, you have to take care of me too."

"Oh really, why is that?"

"Because I'm your good looking and loving boyfriend and you have a responsibility to take care of me. You know feed me and all."

"You tried to get me to do that as your secretary, it didn't work then, what makes you think it will work now," she asked.

He flashed her a charming smile. "Because you like me too much to let me starve."

"Don't be so sure of that," she mumbled under her breath as she took another sip of her wine.

"What?"

"Hm, oh nothing," she replied, innocently looking up at Roy with a blank expression.

"You're not going to wear any gloves," Roy asked as he watched Kate slip on a pair of black shoes.

"No," she answered, standing up and smoothing out the knee length black skirt she was wearing and adjusting the long sleeves of her smoky gray blouse.

"Are you sure-"

"Did you know that you're kind of creepy when you try to seem caring," Kate cut in, glancing at Roy with a tweaked brow and a facial expression bordering on amused and annoyed. "It gets annoying to wear the gloves all of the time, we're just going to be eating with some friends, I don't plan on running around and shaking hands with everyone in the restaurant. I'll be fine, I have done this before you know."

Roy sighed and scratched at his head. "Then lets go downstairs," he said, offering her his arm.

She smiled and took the white covered arm. Roy was out of his military uniform and was in a pair of black slacks and a white button up. He looked good, Kate was sure he already knew that though and had no intention of boosting his already insanely large ego.

"So are they meeting us in the lobby or in the-" Kate was cut off as the elevator doors slid open and she prepared to take a step out only to fine herself suddenly engulfed in a hug and being lifted off the ground. "Hughes, put me down," she cried, startled by his sudden appearance and the fact that he was touching her without much warning.

"You two look so cute together," the man gushed turning to try and hug Roy who gave him a warning look, so he instead decided to turn and put an arm around Gracia. "Don't they look cute together dear?"

"Very, but why don't we go get some food before you start planning their wedding," Gracia teased.

"Oh, I left my necklace upstairs." Out of habit, Kate had raised her hand to play with the locket Ed had given her only to find that it was gone. "I must have left in the bathroom, I'll meet you in the restaurant, ok," she chirped, kissing Roy on the cheek before flouncing back into the elevator.

"Well Roy, I must say, I'm proud of you," Hughes said, clapping his old friend on the back.

Growling to himself as he nearly stumbled forward, Roy gave Hughes a look of irritation. "Why is that Hughes?"

"You've found yourself a great girl, it's about time too, I was beginning think you'd be a bachelor forever."

"And what would have been wrong with that," Roy asked stiffly.

"Great men need great women by their sides Roy, if you want to go anywhere in this world you need to learn that."

"Shut up Hughes," Roy sighed.

"I noticed Kate's not wearing any gloves today," Hughes stated conversationally.

"And?"

"I was just curious, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong, so why is that I've never seen her without them before."

"Is it really your business, Maes," Gracia asked.

Roy smiled at the blond woman as Hughes blinked over at his wife and sighed in defeat. "No of course not, sorry for asking."

Having found her necklace, Kate was trying to clasp it around her neck as she walked to the elevator, but was having a rather hard time. The clasp was still undone as she stepped out of the elevator once again and made her way towards the restaurant to the left. She was so distracted that she didn't notice that there were two people making their way towards the restaurant from her right and just as she managed to secure the necklace, she walked right into one of them. Surprised and caught off guard, Kate let out a small squeal and fell backwards onto her butt, wincing as she hit the ground.

"I'm sorry about that young lady, are you alright," a kind voice asked as a hand was offered to help her up from the floor.

She hesitated, there would be no barrier between her and the man who was offering to help her up and it made her somewhat nervous until she looked up to see that he was smiling warmly at her, his one eye that wasn't hidden behind an patch, crinkling as he smiled. There was something strangely familiar about the man and without realizing, Kate was scrutinizing him as she sat on the hotel lobby floor. When she noticed that the man's smile was going from jovial to concerned, she started and looked around to see that several people were now staring at her curiously.

"Let me help you up," the man offered, smiling at her again.

"Oh, thank you," Kate replied embarrassedly as she grasped the man's hand and let him pull her off the floor. It wasn't until she was releasing his hand that several confused and blurry images ran through her mind and the sense that she somehow knew this man grew. "I'm really sorry about that, I wasn't watching where I was going."

"There's Kate, looks like she's talking to someone," Gracia pointed out to the two men who were spending more time bickering like an old married couple than anything else.

"Isn't that the Fuhrer," Hughes asked, adjusting his glasses on his nose to try and get a better look.

Roy turned in his seat to look over his shoulder at what Gracia and Hughes were both staring at. "What's the Fuhrer doing here?"

"Looks like he and his wife were coming for breakfast," Hughes replied, nodding towards the plain woman beside him who was smiling at Nori as the brown haired girl said something before giving a small bow of her head and hurrying towards the restaurant.

"Why were you talking to Fuhrer Bradley," Roy asked as she took the seat beside him.

"Huh," was Kate's confused reply as she cocked her head and blinked at Roy. "What are you talking about?" Her attention shifted from Roy to Hughes when the man started chuckling, it only made her more confused to see that Gracia was smiling at her too.

"You had no idea that the man you were talking to just now is Fuhrer King Bradley," Hughes asked, highly amused by the confusion on Kate's face.

"No, I didn't know that. How would I know that, I've never seen him before," Kate replied slightly offended by the way he was laughing at her and somewhat bothered by the muddled flashes she had seen when she had touched him as well as the odd sense that she knew him, even though she knew she had never met him before today.

"What happened," Roy inquired.

"I couldn't get the silly necklace to clasp so I wasn't paying attention and ran right into him," Kate answered, her tone a little more clipped than she had meant for it to be.

Roy looked over at her and frowned, her brows were knit together as she stared at the empty place setting in front of her and she seemed to be thinking about something as she nibbled on her bottom lip. Throughout the course of the meal, Kate rarely talked or paid much attention to what was going on, she was too busy trying to figure out what she had seen. All she could really grasp was a strange hospital room and a sense of fear, but then the fear was gone and there was a young boy with dark hair and eyes, his face was innocent but there was something about him that screamed danger to her. It was strange though, she had only caught a very brief glance of the young boy, he couldn't have been more than ten years old and she had no idea how far back the memories she was seeing went, but it was highly likely that the boy was entirely grown up, even so she felt another strange sense of familiarity with him.

"Kate? Kay?"

"Hmm," she hummed, she shaking off her thoughts to blink at Roy. "Sorry, I was distracted, what were you saying?"

"It's about time for us to check out and go catch our train, are you ready?"

"Oh, yeah, sorry," she answered, smiling as she pushed herself away from the table to stand up. Distractedly saying her goodbyes to both Hughes and his wife, Kate happily excused herself with Roy to get their luggage from their room so they could catch a taxi to the train station. She knew the moment they stepped away from the newly wedded couple that Roy already knew something was up with her. He was much smarter than he often let on, he hadn't become a lieutenant colonel at such a young age by being a lazy idiot after all. She didn't say anything however until they got up to their room and Roy casually leaned up against the wall near the window and stared at her while she put the last of her things into her suitcase. "How much do you know about the Fuhrer?"

"He enjoys war and bloodshed. He'll do whatever it takes to win a war, there's no difference to him between innocent and guilty, if you're in his way, he'll kill you," Roy answered darkly.

Kate frowned, but continued to put her things away when she had finished, she zipped the case up and turned to Roy. "Does he have a son?"

"I don't think he and his wife have any children."

"Strange. I saw a child, a young boy with dark and dark eyes, but...I felt like I had seen him before, same with the Fuhrer, I felt this strange familiarity with him."

"You could have seen him during-"

"No," Kate cut in seriously. "I've never seen that man before in my life. At least not with my own eyes, same with the child."

"Is it possible someone you touched knew them," Roy asked.

"Yes, but I've seen so many faces, so many people, they all start to blend together after awhile. So why is it different with the Fuhrer and that boy, I get this feeling that wherever I've seen those two before, the circumstances were not good."

"What all did you see?"

"It was hard to make out at first, but I saw a hospital room and knew that he, the Fuhrer, was in pain, but in time the pain faded and was replaced with something else...Something...strange. Then a glimpse of that boy, I think there was another man, but I couldn't see his face. That was it though, nothing really interesting," she answered.

"We should go, we don't want to miss our train." Pushing away from the wall, Roy walked to where he had set his bag by the door.

"Hey," Kate called, getting him to turn towards her, his face blank. "I know you want to work your way to the top and I said I'd help you, but right now you're thinking 'if only she'd something more, something I could use,' right?"

Seemingly caught off guard by her statement, Roy didn't answer her.

"I said I'd help you in anyway I could, I know you're wanting to make a difference by climbing the ladder as high as you can, but...I am not a tool for your advancement Roy Mustang. I'll do paperwork, I'll help protect you and everyone else, but I will not go around shaking hands with every member of this corrupt and morally bankrupt government just to find out who has done what so that you might advance faster," she pulled her suitcase off the bed and walked to where Roy was waiting by the door, looking at her uncertainly. "I'm not angry with you, but like I said, I'm not a fool, your face told me everything I needed to know. I'm sorry that I can't be more useful Roy, but it just doesn't work that way. Anyway, should we go? I still have some homework to do and I'm going to have to do some shopping since I have a sneaking suspicion that I'll rarely be cooking for only myself anymore," she said, grinning at him and kissing him on the cheek.

Sorry this was jind of short and somewhat pointless...Though there is a reason she met the Fuhrer, sort of. Any guesses as to who the boy she was and why the Fuhrer and he seemed familiar? It might not be what you think...

So I know I said I wouldn't be updating this story as frequently as my others, but now it seems that I may not be updating much at all. I got a promotion and a raise, which is cool, I finally have a title which is nice, but I will now be working five days a week, forty hours plus a week. I was only working four days before and two of those were graveyard so I had time to write at night, but I won't have that luxury anymore unfortunately. I will not abandon any of my stories, but I probably won't be updating all that frequently for awhile until I can earn to balance everything...

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