Chapter 4

Roy and Riza did an admirable job avoiding each other for the rest of the night and then some.

Even when Edward woke up with another 'nightmare' (a memory of what had happened that confirmed Roy's suspicions), the two managed to resolve it without even making eye contact with each other.

The next morning, though, Riza had to speak up.

"He can't go in to identify the three," Riza stated that morning at the table, trying to get a stubborn Alphonse to eat his breakfast, "He still has a slight fever. Though it's obviously almost down to normal again, he should rest the remainder of it out."

"It's already written in…and it'll only be a moment," Roy sighed, putting the daily paper down on the table, "More importantly…what are we going to do? Alphonse can come with us because he's fine, but…"

"The military base is no place for two toddlers," Riza stated.

Roy ran a hand through his hair in slight frustration, "I know that…but everyone we know is also in the military…"

Edward, who had been sullenly picking at his breakfast, looked up at them, "Book lady." He was still sulking because they made him get out of bed (or, Roy did), and get dressed and ready. He whined the entire time and even kicked Roy in the shin since he just wanted to sleep.

The adults blinked for a moment.

Alphonse clapped his hands in agreement.

"Scieszka?" Riza blinked.

Edward nodded.

The woman had stopped by the doctor's office the other day to pick up some more daily medicine for Gracia and Elysia. They got a discount in the military, so she often ran the errands on her own will. She kept talking about libraries and books, which was why Edward called her what he did just then.

Roy and Riza exchanged looks.

"Can we really trouble Gracia with them?" Riza asked.

Roy sighed and thought about it.

Riza made up her mind, "There's no choice. We have to ask her."

"Very well," Roy responded, "Should I give her a call now and explain?"

"I think that would be optimal, yes," Riza nodded, pointing to the phone on the wall.

Roy went over to it and dialed the number.

Alphonse was showing off his empty bowl and gurgled something.

"Awu says he's all done," Edward said to Riza.

Riza smiled and nodded, "Okay. Very good, Alphonse."

Alphonse smiled and beamed proudly.

Riza cleaned off the dishes, then went over and placed a hand to Edward's forehead.

Edward just looked up pathetically at her.

Riza smiled softly, "I'm afraid I lost the argument this time. You'll have to go with Roy to the office…" Did I just call him 'Roy'? I did…………shit. Well, at least he's busy on the phone and didn't hear me.

So she thought.

Roy had paused his conversation for a moment, which prompted Gracia, who was on the other end, to ask if everything was alright, "Yes, yes…everything is fine…" She called me by my first name…?

Edward let out a pitiful whine, his chin resting on his arms that were on the table.

"Edo…" Alphonse frowned.

Riza ruffled Alphonse's hair, "Don't worry. He just doesn't feel too good right now. He'll be okay, Alphonse."

"Awu."

Riza blinked and looked at the still sulking boy.

"He's Awu."

"His full name is 'Alphonse'," Riza reminded him.

"But…that's too…" Edward struggled for the right word his almost three year old brain could come up with, "…stwangew-like."

Riza blinked, "Stranger-like?"

Edward nodded, "The othew people at Woi's wowk pwace call him that. Like he's a stawngew. He's not. He's Awu. And I'm Edo."

Riza softened a bit, "So, you'd like to be called 'Edo'?"

Edward nodded, a small smile on his face.

Alphonse made a grunting noise as if remind them that he was still there.

"And it's 'Aru' for you, then?" Riza looked at the boy.

Alphonse considered that. He didn't have much memories of his real mother, except a snapshot photo now and then and a kind smile. He knew this woman wasn't mommy, but she was close enough to mommy. He didn't remember what mommy called him, and since his brother called him 'Aru', he decided that he liked that name.

Riza smiled when Alphonse clapped his hands and nodded. Young, but still geniuses, those two boys…I think Alphonse was actually considering what I had said…

Roy hung up the phone then, and went over, "They offered to watch both boys. Should we drop off Alphonse…"

"Awu."

Roy continued as if Edward hadn't interrupted, "…first and then bring Edward…"

"Edo!"

Roy rubbed his temples at Alphonse's outburst, then continued again, "…over to Gracia's?"

Riza couldn't help it. She chuckled, placing a hand over her mouth to hide it, though it was obvious that she was laughing.

Roy raised an eyebrow.

Riza shook her head and got her laughter under control at how the boys spoke up for the other on the names. "They prefer to be called 'Edo' and 'Aru', apparently."

Roy stared at the two toddlers, then muttered something and shook his head.

"And I think it would be best if we dropped them both off at the same time," Riza stated as well, "They don't like to be separated, remember."

Roy nodded, remembering the incident at the military base that was caused by just separating the two for five minutes while Riza went to get coffee for them.

So, they found themselves walking through an area of the prisons meant for just holding purposes for soldiers that went turncoat on the military.

Roy strode ahead confidently, with Edward walking as fast as he could at the man's side, trying to imitate the look and stride (much to the amusement of Riza, who was watching from behind since she had Alphonse in her arms). When Roy had reached out to at least take Edward's hand, the boy pulled away with a whine. He only let Roy hold his hand when he went down the stairs. Along with dark places, he seemed to hesitate a bit now when it came to stairs. In fact, he had taken Roy's hand when they went down the stairs to the basement where the special holding cells were. He let go when they reached the bottom, however.

"Here we are," Roy stood in front of a cell, and flicked a switch on the wall that would light up the cell.

Edward stared at the three men inside, then instantly ducked behind Roy's leg and buried his head in the man's pant leg.

Alphonse watched his brother's reaction, and frowned.

Riza tried to keep Alphonse's gaze on the walls instead of the prisons. Even she thought that the place was somewhat creepy. Though, she would never admit it and with her usual stern mask in place, nobody could tell.

Raido, the wavy-haired man was sitting in a chair, his hands in a special cuff to prevent him from doing a matrix for alchemy. Drew, the spiky-haired guy, was sitting in the corner, frowning. Arnold, the bald man, was sitting on the bed in there, looking bored.

Edward trembled as he gripped onto Roy's uniform leggings. Don't let them get me! He whimpered.

"Well…I'd say that confirms it pretty quickly," Roy spoke up, looking at the three men in the cell, "I'll be back down later to ask you some questions. I expect the truth…and all of the truth. You've already committed a crime right here in the base. By lying, you'll be sentencing yourselves. By telling the truth, you may get a trial." He held up his gloved hand, which trembled slightly in anger, thumb and finger touching.

The men instantly pulled back against the wall, faces reflecting fear.

Roy had a dangerous look in his eyes, "I warn you to tell the truth." With that, he turned and started to stride away.

Edward stumbled since he had been gripping the man's pant leg, and followed.

Riza gave them a cold look, and then followed.

Alphonse didn't really understand, but he had a feeling these men had hurt his brother, so he gave them the sternest look the two year old could manage as Riza flicked the lights back off and they walked out.

This time, Edward held onto Roy's pant leg as they headed out. Roy's hands were clenched into angry fists. He couldn't believe that anyone would actually have the nerve to try to harm a child, or scare the kid to the point where the kid would get himself locked in a closet with no ventilation. And not just any kid…Edward.

"Woi? Woi! You'we walk'n too fast!"

Roy stopped and looked back.

They were clear of the prison area, and were headed down the hall towards the stairs that would take them to the base level.

"We'll get the answer out of them," Riza assured the man.

Roy sighed and knelt down in front of Edward, "Can you tell me what those men did?"

Edward hesitated, then looked away, a confused frown on his face, "They wanted to take me somewhewes. I didn't know whewe…but I knew it was bad. An'…they kept say'n…that I was the son of a 'Fuwmetal' guy…who's 'Fuwmetal'? Was that fathew?"

Roy's eyes were wide as he stared at the boy.

Edward shifted, tears in his eyes, "Woi? Why'we you look'n at me wike that? You'we scawing me!"

Riza knelt down and placed a hand on Edward's shoulder.

Edward sniffled and clung to her, looking up tentatively at Roy.

Roy sighed, "Sorry."

Alphonse said something that nobody (save perhaps Edward) understood.

Edward hesitated, then slowly let go of Riza and walked back over to Roy, looking at the man. Then, he wrapped his tiny arms around the man's waist and hugged him.

Roy blinked in surprise.

"Awu says you needs a hug," Edward looked up at the man, then smiled, "Is okay, Woi."

Roy smiled softly, and gently ruffled the boy's hair, "I'll tell you about Fullmetal later, okay?"

Edward nodded, "Kay."

Roy stood back up, and was surprised when Edward reached up and took his hand.

Edward just smiled up at the man's confused look.

Behind them, Riza smiled, and Alphonse squealed happily. Just like a happy family…huh? The thought made her blush, and she was glad that Roy couldn't see. She thought she detected a hint of redness on Roy's cheeks when he glanced over his shoulder, but she couldn't be sure since he turned away quickly.

Edward walked along, wondering why the grownups kept turning red in the face if they weren't sick.

TO BE CONTINUED…