I wish I knew where everyone had gone. It seems everyone's on a month long Spring Break and I want to go too. Gate knows I need a mental break after everything.


Chapter Twenty Nine

Edward had stopped after nearly four hours. He'd gone through approximately half of the line of trees that served as his property lines. The border between his estate and that of the one Alice resided on. So far everything seemed to be fine, for which he was very grateful. But he didn't feel comforted that he hadn't stumbled onto anything out of place. If Alice wasn't planning to knock down one of the trees, and good luck to her with that, he wondered what she would be up to. But still, he wasn't to the far end yet where the lake was. Where there was actually a gate that led out to the forest back behind. And he wanted to check that before he called it a day and left for home again.

For the present time he was resting the horse, as well as taking a break to eat one of the granola bars he'd brought along with him. He was sitting up in the branches of one of the rowans, the horse somewhere below him. And it was more difficult to sit up on a frost covered tree branch than one might think. Especially since his weight was so unequally distributed between automail appendages. He kept having to shift around so as not to slide off.

Reaching inside his jacket to grab another bar, his fingers brushed the cool metal of the revolver that was also there. Frowning just a bit, he pulled it out and stared down at it as he held it quite carefully in his hand. With a dark look and a sigh he put it back away. "Why…" he whispered under his breath and shook his head.

His appetite seemed to have vanished, and Ed wasn't surprised. So he swung his flesh leg over the branch and let his heavier automail one bring him back down to earth. He crunched down onto the frosty ground and went over to fetch his ride. Noticing with some amusement that several other horses were also coming over now. "Field trip." Ed muttered sarcastically, and clambered onto Andes again.

Rather patiently he waited for those horses intent on joining him to catch up, before he began to head the huge white beast he was on further along the tree line. He was sure that had he been of a mindset to enjoy this outing, and not of one to return quickly to Roy at the end of the day, that he would have very much enjoyed the calendar worthy picture all of them made as they cut paths through the snow. But he didn't have much free time to lend to such fancies.

"You know one of these days Alice's perfect little world is going to come crashing in around her deluded head, and all because of her obsession for Roy. And I'm going to be there enjoying every taste of chaos. I just wish she'd hurry up making a fool of herself so I can stop waiting on her and wondering. She's wasting my time."

The horses made no comment one way or the other. Not that he expected them to.

"And then Roy and I are getting on a plane for Bora Bora and having a celebration."

He earned himself a flick of an ear.

"And then Fane… oh what I'd like to do to him. He just keeps going on and on and on about Romania this and Romania that. Woe is Romania. It wouldn't be so woe if there were actually any good leaders for it right now. Romania screwed itself over with that one. And then they don't listen when they're given help. I'd like to tell him where he can shove those damn census documents of his. Or maybe I'll shove them up there for him."

Edward rolled his eyes, and tried and failed to withhold a lamenting sigh. Oh to be free of Fane, the joys it would bring. And so far he'd had no complaints filed against him for his little "heart-to-heart" with the sallow, spidery ambassador. He was almost disappointed by this. Perhaps he should have smacked the man about just a bit. There was always a next time. Especially now that he finally didn't give a damn.

Roy changed everything…

And no one but Roy and Alphonse knew what it meant that he was no longer going to hold back, with that just exist and get by mentality. Only Roy and his brother knew that taking cover was probably a good idea.

"And then I need a vacation. I deserve a vacation." Edward muttered, and nudged his horse with his heels. "No slowing down, we're not done yet." He chided the animal who seemed to sigh and moved faster once more. "You can't fool me, I know you idiots go charging up and down the whole place all the time. This is nothing."

Edward relaxed into the pace and let his eyes drag over the cypress as he passed them by. So far so good. But he had to make sure. And he began to court the thought of stringing an electric wire between the trees as well. Electric fences worked so well against Alice as they'd already discovered.

What a shame he'd missed it.

Glass Rose Chateau

Roy was still sitting outside on the marble railing, reading his book. Though right now it was laying forgotten against one leg, held gingerly in his hand. He wasn't reading the words, but looking out across the expansive backyard where only snow, trees, and the gray blobs of horses far off were the only things out there. He knew it was too early to be expecting Edward to be back. But he still was hopeless, and he knew and accepted it.

"You better be back before midnight." He whispered into the still air. Though really, he knew that even a half hour past the time that Edward had said to expect him back, that he'd be worrying. And there was little he could do in such a case.

One, pace and fret.

Two, pace, fret, and do what he did the time Edward had run off. And he was not looking to a repeat experience of that little stress-inducer.

Yeah… those were pretty much his only options.

Turning back to his book to try and keep his mind off of it, it worked until about the thirteenth chapter. And then he was back to staring out at the still Edward-less horizon.

"This is stupid." He muttered, and closed the book. Balancing it onto the railing he hopped off and turned to walk down the flagstone stairs and into the yard. Hoping a short walk would settle his nerves, he shoved his hands in his pockets and began to walk in no particular direction, no particular pattern. Just to walk.

It lasted for all of twelve minutes before Roy was fleeing back to the terrace.

One of the horses had caught wind of him, and was determined to eat him.

He made it up the steps just in time, and was glad that the horse seemed to have no inclination to join him. Apparently Edward had made it clear that the terrace was off-limits to all animals but Nitro. Turning, and panting, he glared at Jasper who seemed to deflate. "I'm not your food." He told the animal firmly, and then recalling the last time he'd been near the horse, added, "and I don't have food either."

Edward could tell him all he wanted that the horses wouldn't eat him, but he knew better.

Roy edged back over to the railing to grab his book. Shooting Jasper a suspicious look, he climbed up onto the railing again and resumed his reading. Only to jump, and in a show of bravery, remain sitting where he was as the horse gleefully pranced over to where he was sitting, and stick his nose towards Roy's pockets. "Nothing in there for you." He said firmly, and batted at the intruding nose.

Jasper's head ducked down in a sneeze, before he looked up at Roy with eyes that wouldn't have been out of place on a Spaniel.

"You helped me out once, that means one treat. You're not helping me now by staying here, no treats!" He told the animal firmly, and turned back to his book pointedly. When the horse started to make a sound almost like a pathetic whine, he glared sideways at the equine. "Do be quiet."

Jasper was suddenly silent, and settled for staring at Roy with those Spaniel eyes.

Roy was unnerved by the disarming cute appeal of eyes like that, and he frantically began to read as if his life depended on it. And while eventually Jasper stopped the constant staring to graze, and then resume staring, and graze again, the horse never left Roy's side. He couldn't figure out why not, but he was slowly beginning to tune Jasper out. Even if it did still unsettle him.

"This is all her fault." Roy groused under his breath, thinking of the young filly waiting for him in the garage. It was all Flame's fault for being too cute. And all her fault that she'd grow into a freakishly oversized animal. Yet he knew he was smiling even as he thought of her.

Yep, it was all her fault.

Roy turned back to his book with a shake of his head and a small cough, trying to whittle the hours away through the words on the pages. He pulled his jacket around him tighter. He wasn't used to a cold like this that just clutched in around you.

Grounds - Glass Rose Chateau

"I really am liking the sound of Bora Bora right now." Edward muttered as he huddled in his jacket while the wind picked up around him. "Why is it that every winter I vow to move to a tropical paradise for the winter, and yet I always stay here for it? There's something wrong with that."

The horses didn't seem to care. And yes, he was still being trailed by a quarter of the bloody herd. He knew they didn't mind the snow. And if they ever did, they dealt with it on their own.

"Take my mind off of it…" Edward mused as he continued to scan the trees for abnormalities. "What should I think about… the pathetic movie choices this year? I suppose I could go take Roy to see Cinderella, it might not be too bad. Though after Bambi… I dunno."

He had sworn Alphonse to secrecy upon pain of death that he was never to tell anyone that he had cried when Bambi's mother was shot. Al had found it hilarious that he'd cried. "I still want to hit him for that." Edward realized in sudden shock. "I should hit him for that."

Considering whether or not to hit his brother, Edward barely noticed the cold anymore as he continued along.

He was wrapped up in it until at last he reached the small lake that was at the far end of the property. It wasn't iced over, which was fortunate. Not that it ever bothered the horses if it was. They always smashed right through it. And around the lake were several large trees that in summer would toss shade out over the entire thing, and scattered around the banks were the rose bushes.

Edward walked his horse up to the edge of the lake before he hopped down, and walked over to inspect one of the bushes. The delicate white roses that were nearly transparent were near to full-bloom, even in the beginning of winter. Smiling he straightened, and shoved his hands in his pockets as he walked around the lake, towards the high gate about fifty feet away.

It was erected between the cypress, and made of solid wood boards. As he reached it he tested the hinges and the lock, finding everything still functioning fine. He hadn't brought the key with him, but then he hadn't planned on going out into the forest beyond. Maybe at another date, but certainly not now. Looking up towards the sky, he guessed he had maybe a little less than two hours to get back home before Roy would start to worry. It was enough time. He wouldn't need to check anything on the way back.

"Seems Alice isn't of the mindset to break and enter again." Edward said to himself as he turned around and began to walk back towards the lake and where he'd left the horses.

And then he paused, stopping where he was and looking around. He had left the horses. But now he couldn't spot a single one. Swearing under his breath he raised his fingers to his lips and whistled. Loudly. He knew even if they'd taken off at a dead run, they'd hear him. And they knew better than to not come when he called.

He resumed walking back towards the lake to wait for them to return, muttering darkly under his breath about Al having something to do with their random disobedience.

He barely had time to register the movement in the rose bush, or the tracks he'd not seen before on the snow, before he was diving out of the way even as he was drug over backwards. Edward landed with a sharp gasp, and brought his automail arm around to smash against the jaws of the canine that had latched into his jacket and begun to try and tear it from him. The animal yelped and tumbled over several times as Edward rolled to his feet.

"What the fuck?!" Edward gasped as he got a good luck at the beast for the first time. "There aren't supposed to be any left in England." As a matter of fact, the only place he knew of off-hand that had a large population was- Ed blinked, and ducked aside as the wolf regained his feet and charged him again.

At least now he knew why the horses had run off.

Eyes narrowing as the wolf spun around to face him again, he reached bitterly into his jacket. He had hoped… but there was a reason he trusted his instincts. The pistol came into his hand as if it jumped into his grasp, and he pulled it out quickly. Without wasting a second to consider anything he was about to do, he squeezed the trigger.

The gunshot split and echoed in the cold air, and on the wind.

The wolf collapsed into a heap only a yard away, blood beginning to trickle out onto the snow.

Edward's fingers were white as they gripped onto the pistol that almost felt to be humming in his grasp. He had it still pointing at the beast, even though it no longer stirred. He had had a clean shot, and he knew how to shoot. His eyes flashing yet dark, he lowered the gun, but did not put it away. "I only know a few places it could have come from." He whispered, and he was not at all happy about what it meant.

Whirling around he found the tracks of the wolf, and with quiet rage rolling off of him, he followed them. All the way to the side of the fence he hadn't checked, just a short ways past the gate that led out into the forest. Kneeling down, he inspected the chute that ran underneath the trees to provide an opening. Running a hand over the dirt, he closed his eyes. It was all he had needed to confirm his suspicions. "This time, it goes too far." He whispered as he stood up.

Making his way back over towards the wolf, he whistled again for one of his horses. This time with much more demand in the tone. And he waited for one to arrive, as he stared down darkly at the unmoving lump of fur. "Welcome to the world of politics." He told the dead animal bitterly, and looked up. "Unfortunate for you to have fallen into the inner world that wishes me dead. I wonder who… but I have a way to find out."

At that moment he suddenly remembered the gun he was still holding, and he raised it up, gazing down on it with a guarded, almost searching expression. He had never thought he'd ever see the day where he'd actually need to use this damnable relic.

But he must have.

Settling down onto the ground to wait, Edward let his eyes close.

Yes… he must have. All those years ago. He'd been standing there in the private hallway, the one where the press was not allowed…

Edward ignored the presence of the uniformed guards positioned every few feet along the brightly lit hall of the secure sector of the courthouse. And for as much as he knew, they were ignoring him. He was leaning back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest in a picture of self-defense and warding off of social interaction, and his jaw set. No one tried to interject themselves onto his enforced seclusion.

"Mister Elric?" The voice came from his right.

Edward looked over, his golden eyes reserved and void of emotion as they regarded the bailiff. "That time?" He asked, voice remarkably bland, never once betraying the turmoil he felt inside.

"Yes, sir."

He straightened from against the wall, not noticing, nor really caring, as one of the guards came over. He followed the bailiff back inside the courtroom where other familiar faces were also trickling back in. The guard accompanied him over to one of the seats behind a barrister's table. And he sat down, the guard hovering next to him protectively yet in every effort to be invisible.

For the next five minutes, Edward tuned out the drone of the Court. And everyone else. He only flickered back to some semblance of life when the bailiff escorted in the defendant. One Raymond Muravyov. Their eyes met for the briefest of prolonged moments, and then Ed tore his gaze away.

Raymond took his seat, regret flashing across his face as Edward looked away from him. Regret, and determination.

"Have you anything left to say for yourself before the sentencing is handed down?" The judge asked, peering down at Raymond.

Edward looked over at Raymond, but did not receive a gaze in return.

Raymond stood, and shook his head softly. "I accept responsibility."

The sting of tears at the corners of Ed's eyes only made him grab frantically for his anger. And it was all he could do not to stand up and flee out of this place.

"Very well. On the counts in the indictment, the Court finds you guilty of all charges. The least of which not including espionage, murder,-"

Edward stopped listening at this point. He'd heard the charges too many times.

"-You are hereby sentenced to serve life in prison at the IK-10 institution."

Edward knew more followed, but he was distracted by the guard tapping his shoulder. Glancing over he raised an eyebrow.

"We should leave."

"Not yet." He snapped softly, and as the gavel struck down he stood. "Now we can leave." And he started towards the exit, keeping his eyes as far away from Raymond as he could. And damn the thought of not being obvious about it.

Raymond watched Edward's retreat, and knew he had to act now. He'd never get to say goodbye otherwise. And before anyone could stop him, he'd stepped after the blond and pulled him aside away from the guard that had been watching over him.

"What are you-!" Edward flared up, glaring indignantly at the man who'd betrayed him.

Raymond pressed something into the blond's hands. "I accept my responsibility, Edward. This is all I have left to give. I hope it's never needed… I hope it's enough."

Their gazes locked, Edward barely had time to let Raymond's words sink in before the man was being dragged away. And he stared after the dark-haired reflection, tears prickling the corners of his eyes. Then looking down at his hands, he raised the pistol towards him. The light caught the shine of the steel, and reflected in Ed's eyes. Raymond's pistol. The man had never been without it.

And somehow, it ended up being brought home with him, and stowed away in the hopes it might be forgotten. But never in the many trash bins that had so sorely tempted Edward.

He must have known, Edward surmised, that maybe the day would come where he'd need a weapon to protect himself with. After all, Raymond had known of his enemies. And Edward hadn't exactly lost many of them over the years. He had no idea what had driven him to take the gun with him today. Not really. Nothing to explain that deep seated instinct that had told him to grab it, to stop forgetting its existence. But perhaps, it was because Edward was only now realizing just how much danger Alice's dark desire could bring about for him.

A soft whinny brought his attention crashing back to the matter pressing on him, and he smiled as Andes returned. The horse looked wary of the dead wolf, but clearly trusting in Edward enough to have come back.

Getting to his feet, and stowing the pistol away after one last thoughtful look, Edward reached down to grab the dead animal and bear it over to the gelding who snorted and swished his tail in uncertainty, but stood still at Ed's request. He lifted the carcass up onto the back, and hopped up behind. He needed to take home his little trophy prize.

The pistol against him inside his jacket was a comforting weight.

Glass Rose Chateau

It was nearing dusk, and Roy was finishing the last touches on the blackened salmon and asparagus. He checked on the salmon again as it continued to cook in the oven, but a quick look was all it took to tell that it still needed another minute or so. So turning away he finished setting the table. He set out the candles and the wine, and then the timer finally went off.

Walking back over to the oven he pulled the salmon out, now that it was finally done. Setting the pan quickly onto the stove he closed the oven door while waving the potholder in front of his face in an attempt to waft away the excessive heat as he turned the oven dial to 'Off'. Yes, he was the Flame Alchemist, but he didn't exactly use his flames on himself to try and dry up his eyes.

He checked to be sure that the food was all ready to cool off enough to be served, before he left the kitchen.

He made his way back outside onto the terrace, barely registering Jasper's continued presence just beyond the terrace railing. Walking up to it he placed his hands on the cold marble and looked out through the darkness, trying to spot sight of his treasured love coming back on that cliché white horse of his. But it was not he who, almost twenty minutes later, spotted Edward coming back. It was Jasper.

Roy watched as Jasper took off at last across the grass, dashing off into the darkness. Only to several minutes later reappear beside that monster of a white horse that Edward was astride. But as the blond came closer, Roy could tell something was off.

Quickly he hurried down the steps, and over to Edward's side as the blond pulled the horse up. He didn't even register the presence of Jasper, who was gleefully sniffing at him, or that of the white horse that would have put a giraffe to shame. Instead he was catching Edward who slipped down into his arms with a tired sigh. Folding his arms around the exhausted blond he looked up at the furry thing slung across in front of where Ed had been sitting. "What happened?"

Edward, who had been more than happy to relax against Roy, looked over his shoulder and scowled. "New rug. We'll leave it out here tonight and then I'm strapping it to the car roof and driving it to someone who needs it more."

Roy pulled away, taking Ed's cold cheeks in his hands. "But what happened?"

"It attacked me." Edward said simply, and as alarm flashed across Roy's face, he quickly kissed the man. "I'm fine."

Roy looked Edward over, taking in the ripped jacket, and panic clenched at him. "What?! Edward-"

Edward placed a finger over his lips. "I took care of it. Let me handle this, it's going to get messy before it gets better. You know how I am."

"But this isn't Amestris!" Roy protested. "We have no alchemy."

"No." Ed smiled at him. "But I don't need it for this. And besides… do you remember what you once told me? About those flowers I created?"

Roy nodded, only feeling a bit pacified.

"That I could create something beautiful out of what could have been a disaster." And Edward leaned in to catch Roy's lips in another kiss, and slipped his tongue in as Roy's lips parted in invitation. Sliding his tongue against Roy's he shared in Roy's moan and melted up against the larger frame as he kissed Roy languidly but passionately. And when the lovely torture of tongues, lips, teeth, and the hands mapping bodies was too much Edward broke away for air, his panting breath mingling with Roy's. "Let me make it beautiful."

Roy shivered at the whispered words, and groaned deep in his throat as Ed's hands began to trail down again, and then dipped up under his shirt to begin sliding those teasing fingers up his chest. He had never believed his wraith-like body to be anything but forgettable until Edward had first touched him. And those fingers still breathed life into him. "Okay." He gave in. "But don't try doing everything alone. Promise me you'll let me in."

Edward turned his head, to kiss the palm of the hand that had stroked fingers along his cheek. "You already are." He replied, and let his gaze find Roy's again.

"Come on." Roy groaned, pulling away reluctantly. "As much as I'd love to ravish you out here in the snow, there are big monsters around." He nodded towards the horses. "And I have dinner ready."

Edward licked his lips, his eyes dancing in amusement. "And dessert?"

"After dinner." Roy said firmly, though a delicious hot shiver ran down him.

Edward grinned, "I'll save lots of room then." And he quickly turned to yank the wolf down off of Andes, before he allowed Roy to drag him back towards their home. He needed a good meal, and what was certain to be a very tasty dessert before he got some sleep. He knew he'd be needing it. He planned to have a very eventful day tomorrow.

And when he hung up his jacket before rejoining Roy, he hid the pistol inside of it. He had a feeling that hiding it back where he'd kept it all these years would be a waste of time. The horizon was slowly gaining storm clouds. Ones of the variety he hadn't seen in a long time.