DISCLAMER: I own nothing other than the fanfiction itself

A/N: I'm sorry this one is a little short. I have been home sick, and, contrary to my original belief, I did not end up finishing this saga and end up feeling extremely proud of myself. Instead, I lay in bed watching what is sure to be unhealthy amounts of anime as I tried to recuperate from my God-awful ailment. I spent much of my time coughing until I was sure I would die of inadequate oxygen flow. As such, I sympathize with Berthold's condition that is revealed in this chapter, and would probably even give the man a hug at this point. I know your pain, Berthold. But I digress. In short, sorry for the length, but let's be honest, you're lucky to get anything at all from my ailing, sleep-deprived mind. I just love you guys enough to force through my pain and give you what I can.

Chapter Fourteen: Prognosis

It wasn't like Roy to simply barge into his master's study, but Berthold had made no particular rule against it, and, to be perfectly honest, the man sounded like he was choking on his own lungs. From the hallway, Roy could hear Berthold's hacking cough, and it made even him wince. Upon opening the door, Roy was able to see his master doubled-over at his desk, his entire body shaking as he let out one cough after another. The man had gone slightly pale, and it seemed as though he was unable to breathe because he was coughing so hard.

"Master?" Roy reached out one hand towards Berthold, only to have it slapped away harshly. Berthold held his hand up, stopping Roy from talking until his coughing fit was over and he was able to breathe once more.

"Master, are you all right?" Roy questioned again, watching as Berthold took several deep breaths.

"I'm fine." Berthold snapped, his voice raspy from coughing so hard.

"Are you sure, because I -"

"I said I'm fine, Mustang." Berthold narrowed his hazel eyes and his voice came out almost like a growl. "Now get out of my study."

Roy hesitated, not having expected such a violent outburst from his master when he was only making sure he was okay. He knew better than to refuse a direct order when Berthold was so angry, however, and he obediently backed out of the study, but not before he saw Berthold cover his mouth and give one last cough.

The door shut with a soft click, and Roy backed away from Berthold's study. No further sound came from inside, and he deemed it acceptable to continue down the hallway. Clearly the accident had set him on edge, because Riza was able to read the emotions on his face quite clearly.

"What's wrong?" She asked, turning her attention to him and setting down the books she had been putting away.

"Is Master sick?" Roy inquired, walking over to her and picking up some of the books. He began to help her place them on the shelves, waiting for her response as she paused to think.

"No… At least, I don't think so. I haven't noticed anything different about him recently, if that's what you mean." Riza mused as she picked up another book and shelved it.

Roy frowned slightly, though he tried not to let his befuddlement show. There was definitely something wrong with Berthold, and, if he was right, it probably hadn't sprung up recently. The way he was coughing made Roy think that it, whatever it was, had been going on for a long time. But why was this the first he had seen of it? Had Berthold kept it a secret from them?

If so, why? It made sense that Berthold had been keeping his illness from them if he thought about it – his defensive attitude alone made it clear that he hadn't wanted Roy to know.

"Why do you ask?" Riza's voice jolted Roy out of his thoughts, and she was looking at him with something akin to concern in her hazel eyes.

"Just curious." Roy shrugged. If Berthold hadn't wanted him to know, surely he didn't want Riza to know, either. Of course, with her sharp mind, she would probably figure it out, but he wasn't about to get yelled at for something like telling Riza about her father's sickness. He would let Berthold handle that one.

A/N: Finally, we can get into the part of the story that I have been dying to write! I am looking forward to writing these next few chapters as much as you are probably looking forward to reading them. So, without further ado ~

Up Next:

Chapter Fifteen: Enlistment