The alarm clock chimed brightly, interrupting the sweet dreams of Edward and beckoning him from his deep slumber. The yawning boy reached out and tapped the top of the clock and thereby silencing it. Peering at the clock's face through tired eyes he found the time, "7.00 am". The time was early but it was the time he'd expected to awake to.

The memories of last night were rushing back to him now. The first clue being that this wasn't his bed that he was waking up in but, instead, Roy's. The second clue of last night's antics laid in what he was wearing, or more to the point, nothing. Sitting up slowly in the bed, he peered around to find the light of the morning shining through closed curtains. The rays that had managed to penetrate through the hanging material fell upon another body that lay beside him. He too appeared to be wearing nothing.

The memories were definitely flooding back, the sweet memories that made Edward smile with satisfaction. But something pushed through to the surface of his head. It was the reason why he'd set the alarm clock so early. Ira. Edward had left him alone all night so it was only right that he got there as soon as possible, the sooner the better in fact.

But the first thing to do would be to awaken his sleeping "prince."

Edward let himself lay back in the bed and he cuddled up to Roy's back, hugging him from behind and he placed kisses up his neck hoping to awaken him safely. Roy let out a drowsy moan as he usually did when Edward did such a thing.

'Come on Roy.' Edward whispered softly in his ear. 'It's morning.' He placed another kiss on the Colonel's cheek.

'Already?' Roy answered with a fake groan. 'What time is it?'

'7 o'clock. Why? You don't have work yet do you?' Edward propped up his elbow for him to rest his head on his hand. A tone of annoyance could be sensed but so far it was only minor. Roy turned in bed to face Edward. Now it was his turn to prop his head up.

'I don't need to get up for a couple of hours.' He too was pulling annoyance into his voice. It was as if last night's love suddenly evaporated into the air with the created heat that the infuriation produced.

'… You set the alarm clock. Didn't you?'

'You didn't notice it go off?' Edward frowned.

'I don't use the alarm clock. It doesn't wake me up.' Roy thought for a moment and then turned back to Edward with an amused smirk. 'You're worried about Ira. Aren't you?'

Edward pulled an almost insulted face. He couldn't believe that Roy would find something so dear to him so amusing. 'Of course I am! I've been worried all night!'

'What? Even when you were crying, "oh god, go deeper!" Were you worried about him then?' Roy smiled good-humouredly.

'Well. Maybe a little LESS then.' Edward admitted with a little blush. He couldn't believe how much of an animal he could be when the lights were out and the curtains were closed.

'So how about it… round 2?' Roy suggested as he slowly stroked a hand up Edward's hip. He could feel himself succumbing to the suggestion but he wouldn't let himself, even as Roy neared his face to kiss his soft lips. He could feel his body begin to melt under the sweet trance. But before Roy could push Edward onto his back, he quickly pulled away

'What's wrong?' Roy asked quickly.

'Not now. We have to check up on Ira. It's not fair if we leave later. Ok?' Edward gave Roy the cutest pleading face that he could summon up. Even though his scars disfigured its true effects Roy couldn't help but surrender to it.

'Fine.' Roy sighed. He was clearly disappointed by Edward's denial but it couldn't be helped. Edward would have to have his own way.

Edward rolled out of bed but, using last night's black jacket, which wasn't lying far from the bed, he tried to cover most of his indecency. It was only then he could allow himself to rummage around the room for his clothes. Roy's military uniform was collected from his wardrobe and thrown was at him with some fickle hope of encouraging him to dress.

'Come on Roy!' Edward complained at Roy's own laziness. 'We have to make sure Ira's ok!'

'I'm sure he's fine.' Roy sighed. He climbed out of bed and began to wrestle on all the clothes that were thrown at him. Edward smiled with gratitude for Roy's early morning efforts. By the time Roy was dressed in his uniform Edward had just finished tying up his braid and was now ready to face the world.

Even though Edward was ready, Roy was still fiddling with his jacket buttons. Looking absent-mindedly out of the window, Roy could spot something not too far away. Something was rising up from the ground but it was visible against the blue sky. It was black smoke.

These sights were commonly seen from his window and normally he thought nothing of them but this time the sight had frozen him in place. This state of fear didn't go unnoticed by Edward either.

'What's wrong?' Edward didn't think much of it as if it was a joke. But Roy's frozen fear stance looked too genuine to be faked.

'Roy? Seriously. What is it?' the fear was spreading contagiously.

'Black… smoke.' Roy uttered softly.

'Black smoke? Where's it coming from?' Edward asked. The fear inside him was growing worse.

'The E-East area.'

Edward felt like his stomach was being twisted in too. Fear, worry and dread built up inside him. The next thing that came to him was the thought of Ira being in that fire. It was a possibility that he didn't want to think was possible but he couldn't escape the feeling that it was true.

'Roy! Hurry now!' Edward exploded with panic and desperation in his eyes. 'We have to get to Ira now!'

Roy was still frozen with dread because he had now realised Edward's panic.

'ROY!!!' Edward screamed. Roy was snapped out of his frozen stance. The sudden outburst almost made his jump.

Edward couldn't wait any longer. With tears glistening in his eyes, he ran from the room and his harsh footsteps could be heard disappearing down the stairs.

"Why'd you freeze like that?" Roy asked himself. "Edward needs you! Now go!" He finally found the strength to move and he was now chasing down the stairs after Edward. He found that Edward had just pulled on his second shoe and was tying them up frantically.

'Hang on Ed!' Roy called as he pulled on a boot.

'I have to get to-.'

'I know. But I need to be there with you.' Edward was forced to wait with patience and anxiety as Roy laced up each boot and tied them. Edward hated waiting. It prolonged the danger. It beheld the fear that he might be too late. Too late to save loved ones and in this case, it was Ira.

Roy finished with the last boot and after frenetically locking the door to the house the couple chased down the street, running towards the black smoke. They were running ever closer and ever faster. Edward's heart was beating more rapidly not just with the effort of running but also for the fear of injury to Ira.

Edward felt so lonely and scared. Scared that Ira might be dead and lonely for he felt like his son had already disappeared from his life for good.

-East area-

The East area came upon them quickly ad immediately they could tell that something was wrong. Normally, the roads were clear of cars and the like and were instead full of the poor and homeless split into small groups around dustbin fires. But now, none of these groups were insight and instead were full of fire engines on both sides of the road. The building that was coughing up the black smoke was nearing closer to the couple as they ran anxiously towards it.

Edward felt like his heart would burst through his chest as he secretly hoped, "Please don't let it be my apartment building! Please let Ira be alright!"

But the closer they got the more the fear clung to them. They could see a crowd surrounding the building at a safe distance behind yellow tape as firemen were running in and out of the building trying to desperately put out the fire. But most of the building had already been reduced to blackened rubble.

Edward pushed through to the front promptly and realisation slapped him in the face. It was HIS apartment building and there was no sign of Ira anywhere.

'IRA!!!' Edward screamed pitifully. Edward wouldn't stop crying for him as he tried to push himself through the yellow tape. But firemen were already overpowering him and pushing him back into the safety of the crowd. Roy had finally managed to push through the crowd and he was able to meet Edward at the front. 'Please!' Edward cried. 'Ira! My little boy! He's in the building! You have to save him!' Edward's tears flowed along the scars but despite Edward's pitiful look one of the men gave him a look of confusion. So even though Edward was appealing to the man it didn't help that he thought he was crazy.

'Sir.' Roy began. 'My friend's little brother, Ira, was living in the third floor apartment last night when the fire broke out. He's about 10 years old. Have you recovered a survivor at that age?' Roy tried to approach of asking without distress hoping for a proper answer instead of a strange glare. Since Roy was also a Colonel and State alchemist it would also help in getting answers.

'Sorry but all we've been pulling out are dead bodies.' The fireman answered simply. But upon seeing the boy's face turn into that of pure horror he knew he'd better add something to avoid any unnecessary tears. 'But none of them are nearly as young as 10!' He added hastily. 'We'll tell you if anyone turns up. Would you like to give me a description? It we don't find him then we'll help you file a report with the police.'

'He has long, deep green hair, purple eyes and pale skin.' Edward added tearfully. The fireman stared at him incredulously at the description as he noted it down on paper. 'Is there anything else because it's likely that his hair may have been burnt off so if there are any distinguishing features or anything that'll help in identifying him.'

'Yeah! His right arm is a deeper tone and so is his left leg! He also has a scar along the top of his right arm!' Edward recited.

'Deeper tone? As in skin tone?'

'Uh huh.' Edward answered with tears still stinging his eyes.

'That's a big help then.' The fireman smiled. He folded up the description and added it to his trouser pockets.

'Excuse me? How did the fire start?' Roy asked.

'Sounds like a gas fire. We've just an hour ago managed to turn off the gas tap and we're still trying to put it out. It's under control now though.'

'Do you know which room or floor the fire started from?'

'We've found out that it started on the third floor. By the number on the door it came from room… 189.'

Edward let out a harsh gasp and more tears fell down his cheeks and travelled along the scars like they now usually did. 'I'm sorry! Did I say something wrong?'

'It's just…' Roy began. 'That was HIS apartment!'

'Oh god! I'm so sorry! Your brother must have been in the middle of it! But if it's any consolation, your brother's body hasn't turned up yet so he might just be missing. We'll keep looking until he turns up. Alright?' The fireman's attempts of calming the boy down were hasty but seemed to be working all the same and Edward sniffled a little nod.

'Is he going to be alright?' He asked the Colonel. 'Has he got a place to stay?'

'I'm sure he'll be fine. He can stay at my place anyway.' Roy answered with a smile. 'You'd better get back to work. Thanks for your help though.' Roy shook his hand with gratitude.

'It's all right. It's what we firemen do. Help people.' The fireman answered. 'If you'd like to stick around then we'll tell you if anything turns up. Can I get your names?'

'Yeah. I'm Colonel Roy Mustang and this is ex-Major Edward Elric.'

'Elric as in the Fullmetal alchemist Edward Elric?' The fireman asked curiously.

'Yeah.'

'Why'd he quit his job then?'

'He had to look after his little brother. He's the only family he has.' Roy lied. 'I just help out some nights whenever he needs it.'

'Great. Now as I've said, if nothing turns up then you'll have to file a missing person's report with the police. Or better yet, since you're with them, the military.'

'Thanks again. Could I ask what your name is in case we have to ask for you again?'

'Sorry about that, I'm Lexus Grande.'

'Alright. We'll speak with you later. Thanks again.'

'I'll see you later then.' Lexus nodded.

Roy led Edward out of the crowd and led him to sit down on the sidewalk.

'I'm sure he'll turn up.' He smiled encouragingly as he allowed Edward to lean his head on his shoulder. Roy stroked his hair softly to comfort him. 'Ed. I'm going to have to leave you in an hour for work but call me if something happens. All right? For now though, I'll sit with you longer.' Roy gave him a kiss on the forehead for reassurance. But Edward wasn't bothered by the kiss and would only be affected by any news of Ira.

-Late afternoon-

Edward was still sat on the same sidewalk in the same spot and he hadn't moved at all for food or anything. Roy had left him ages ago for work but Edward was determined to stay in case Ira turned up. He knew that if he stayed here then when Ira needed him he would be in the right spot. Many people had passed him by but none of them paid attention to him. But, behind him, he could hear someone moving purposely towards him. Looking behind him, he found it was Lexus.

Lexus bent down on his knees but god news didn't appear to be present around him.

'Sorry kid. We've found more bodies but none of them are your brother's. The good news is though that he may have escaped the fire. Seeing as that might be the case, you'll need to give in his description and just answer any questions they ask you truthfully. Ok?'

Edward nodded slowly. He couldn't escape from the truth now. He'd have to explain why he wasn't in the apartment in the first place and he'd have to tell them that Ira was his son. But if it helped him get his son back then he would do whatever it takes.

Author's note: Lexus Grande is a cool name don't you think? I know both the forename and surname are named from car companies but I only realised it after I had written it into my story. I liked it so I decided not to bother changing it. My author name came from a girl in one of my classes and Davis from staring at the channel Dave red screen for ages while I came up with it. Lol. Even staring at cars can give you a name like Mylinda. (Guess what car I was staring at then.)

P.S. The name, Mylinda, is going to be used in a fan fiction, which I'll tell you about when this one is finished.

Ophelia Davis