Bandit- YES! Just a few more days of school, and then SUMMER VACATION! (dances in little circles and squeals)

Ed- Do I finally get to show up again? I've only been in one chapter!

Bandit- Umm… I don't know yet? (grins sheepishly)

Ed- You're the author! You have to know!

Bandit- Hey! This story writes itself, but I do know that the next chapter has you in it… a lot.

Roy- What about me?

Bandit and Ed- What about you?

Roy- … I hate you both.

Disclaimer- Let me think… Nope. Don't own 'em. Never will either. (sobs)

(A/N) Da action is here! Da action is here!

It was really dark. Gracia couldn't find a hint of light no matter which way she turned. But that didn't concern her. Even the fact she didn't know the direction she was heading in or where her foot falls fell. She just had to find him. There was still time.

'Maes… where are you?'

'I'm right here.'

The sound of his voice brought great relief to her. At least she'd found him. Now she just needed to get him out of here. But…

'Where? I can't see you!'

'Silly. I'm in front of you. Just open your eyes.'

Her eyes were open. She thought they were. In this darkness, there was no real way to tell. But that didn't bother Gracia, either. Hughes was still in danger. He had to leave.

'Maes, listen to me. Something bad is going to happen to you! Please, come with me!'

'What? Gracie, I can't here you…'

'Maes! I'm begging you! Don't stay here!'

By now, Hughes' voice seemed to bounce around, and Gracia could no longer pinpoint it. She lunged out in every direction, hopeful that she would run into him. But all she ran into was more darkness.

'Gracie, Gracia? Where are you?' Hughes sounded far off, and starting to fade.

'WAIT!' She sobbed in desperation, running around in circles for all she knew, but she still had to find him. Her time was almost up.

'Please, Maes! You're in danger. It's going to get you again! Don't let it! You promised!'

His voice was completely gone, and still she kept running, refusing to give into depression. 'I won't lose him! Not again!'

A blood curling scream arose from nowhere, bringing Gracia to her knees. Instead of actually hearing it, it filled her with pure panic and anguish, and she answered with a scream of her own.

'No! MAES!' She tossed her head back and forth, trying to rid herself of that scream and at the same time find where it was coming from. But it was too late, she knew it, and so did the darkness.

'The darkness… it's alive… and it took him from me.'

Yes, the darkness. She could feel it moving around her, shifting and twisting. It was to blame. It had taken him away from her again. She'd been powerless and it took delight in the fact.

'BASTARD!' Gracia yelled at the darkness as it pushed against her. Hughes hadn't been enough. It wanted her too. She fought and pushed back, but she stumbled around, and the suffocating push did not halt. 'GIVE HIM BACK! YOU HAD HIM ONCE! ISN'T THAT ENOUGH FOR YOU?'

'We never took him. He came with us willingly. And you can too. He's waiting for you…'

That voice… was so soothing, nothing like the evil she had pictured in her head. Gracia felt her anger evaporate, but something told her to keep fighting. She couldn't give up yet.

'Liar! He'd never abandon his family!'

'Then why did he risk his life for his best friend's interests? Roy would make it to the top without him, so why?'

'Don't listen to him. Don't you dare listen to him!' But she did, and the darkness knew this as well.

'It's obvious where his family stands in the mix of things, by his actions. He won't even tell you about his missions. What type of love is that? Maybe he never trusted you…' The voice now accused her, demanding an explanation she didn't have.

'I-I…' She faltered for a second, and felt her body stiffen. The darkness snaked around her limbs, making her immobile. She swayed back in forth before hitting the ground (or was that the ceiling… maybe the wall? She couldn't tell anymore.) and squirmed. 'NO!'

'Just sleep… We can take your problems away… He's not that important anyway.' It cooed.

'Not… important?' Was that true? Had she convinced herself that she needed Hughes? Maybe she never needed him in the first place… it was all so confusing. She didn't want to think anymore.

'I'm so tired of fighting it. Fighting for him when he never appreciates me…'

'Yes. He was never there when you truly needed him. Just forget and sleep.'

'Sleep… sounds so nice.' Gracia moving slowed and her eyes grew heavy as if dipped in cement. Everything didn't sound as important as before. She could forget, even if something was digging at the back of her mind. But that didn't matter. The darkness would take care of that problem. The darkness could take care of her… Everything would be fine.

'But who will take care of Elicia?'

The hidden thought of her daughter's name snapped Gracia back from her reverie. Reality came flooding back and she realized she had almost stopped breathing. The darkness had tricked her, and she'd almost let it win, again.

The darkness noticed the change and tightened its hold, but she fought anyway, twisting with renewed fever to get away.

'NO! ELICIA!' Her daughter… How could she forget something like that? Elicia was proof enough that Hughes would never leave willingly. If Maes didn't love her, which she now knew wasn't true, then he at least loved his daughter.

'The darkness doesn't play fair…'

'…Maes! Where are you?' Strength returned ten fold and the darkness fought for control.

'No, damn you woman! Just die!'

'MAES! HELP! PLEASE!'

'Call her. If you don't, the darkness is going to win. And this time, I won't be able to come back.'

'WAIT! MAES! CALL WHO?'

'Don't listen! It's not important! Just die! Hughes belongs to me!'

'Silly, just open your eyes.'

She did.

And found herself tied up in the covers if her bed, drenched in a cold sweat. Her heart beat wildly in her chest, and the feeling of suffocation still stood with her. She struggled to take a decent breath.

'A dream…' Of course it was. Darkness can't kill you, at least not directly. And Hughes would never leave. Not again.

'Call her. If you don't…'

Gracia untied herself and got off her bed, looking at the clock hanging beside the bed. It showed 2:00 in the afternoon. She strained to remember what she had been doing before she fell asleep.

'Maes had to leave early. I took Elicia to school, cleaned up a bit, and then…' Fell asleep Just a nap to replenish her energy, but she felt far from energized. Her breathing had finally slowed, but the dream replayed in her mind over and over like a broken record player.

'Call her. If you don't…'

"What Maes?" Her voice sounded painfully hoarse to her ears. "What will happen?" Of course she wasn't going to call. It was absurd to obey a nightmare. And even if she did consider it, she didn't know who Hughes was referring to.

'I think a bath is in order.' She stumbled a bit, trying to get the right footing before attempting to get to the bathroom. 'A really long bath.'

Just as she made it past the bathroom door, the phone had the nerve to ring. She groaned, deciding she better answer it. The shrill irritated at her ears.

Gracia carefully made her way down the stairs, hoping that maybe the caller would give up. But she made it to the living room and the phone kept ringing.

'It's probably for Maes anyway.' She picked up the phone and tried to keep her voice pleasant. "Hello?"

Heavy breathing was heard on the other end, but the no one spoke.

She tried again. "Hello? Is anyone there?"

"Please! Not so loud!" Gracia was shocked at how terrified the voice sounded. "He might hear you!"

"Who are you?" Gracia demanded. She didn't know what was going on, and she wasn't sure she wanted to find out. "What do you want?"

"Please! Don't let him come! He's crazy!" The voice shrilled.

Gracia stared at the phone and prepared to hang up. She didn't want to deal with this, not after that dream.

"I know I sound crazy, but my husband… Mr. Hughes might be in danger! Don't let him come!" The name of her husband was enough to keep Gracia from hanging up. "He talks to himself… and he's-" A series of sobs started, and Gracia couldn't help but feel sorry for the woman.

"What does he do? Does he hurt you?" She wanted to ease the woman's suffering, and made an effort to make her tone soothing.

"N-no… he gets so cold… an-n-d then he'll call me names and I heard him… He wants to do something to Mr. Hughes. Oh, please keep him away!" The sobs gave way to panic. "Don't let him come here."

"I don't understand… What does my husband have to do with anything…" Gracia started to feel panic as well. "Hello? HELLO!"

"SHHH! He's coming!" The lady must have been shaking the way her words were coming out. "Please. Keep Hughes away from the Summer's house."

"Angie! Where are you, ya fucker!" The newer voice sent a chill down Gracia's spine. Even though he sounded farther off, Gracia held the phone away from her ear as though she might become contaminated. "You better not be doing anything stupid!"

"Please heed me. Don't let Hughes come." The phone clicked off and only the dial tone remained.

She stood there for a while, digesting the information, or lack thereof, given to her. Her insides were numb and she fell down onto the couch. The dial tone echoed around the room. She didn't bother putting it on the cradle; she'd be making a phone call soon anyway.

'At least I know who to call now.' (1)

"What do you want, Shayla?" Roy wasn't in the mood for that woman's mind games.

"I just want you to take a break…" Shayla pouted cutely.

"I have papers to sign, men to recruit, meetings to set up, a bastard of a Fuhrer breathing down my neck, a pissed First Lieutenant with a gun to avoid, a shrimp to keep an eye on, and a best friend to nag me constantly about my love life." Roy paused for a quick breath. "Yes I need a break, but I can't have one. So please leave me alone in my sorrow."

Shayla glared at the man sitting in his desk, but she didn't budge.

Roy resisted the urge to sigh loudly. "Is there something I can do for you?"

"Now you listen here. Since I'm now on your team, by force I might add, I'm making it my duty and obligation to look after everyone's well being," Shayla began. She put her hands on her hips. "I've already sent Edward and Fury for a break, and you'll need one as well. You know this isn't an easy assignment."

"Yes, I know." Roy set down his pen and rubbed his temples. He did feel tired, but he had too much work to do at the moment. "But what about you? You'll run yourself into the ground at this pace." He smirked as he looked at her. "Those dark circles under your eyes are far from attractive."

"Shut up, asshole," she snarled. "If you bothered to take a look in the mirror, you'd realize you look like shit."

"Yes, and I could tell by the way all the female officers kept ogling me."

"Gods, how the hell does Ed stand you?"

"Years of practice. If he hasn't built up a immunity by now, he'd had transferred long ago."

"Like you'd let him go. Face it, the thought of him leaving doesn't sit well, now does it?"

Roy frowned at the orange eyed woman in front of him. "I have no idea of what you're talking about."

"Like hell. It's obvious you care about him. And you'd be insanely jealous of anyone started manipulating him instead of you." Shayla mentally laughed at the Flame Alchemist, who currently tried to keep his expression neutral.

'Is she right? Would I be jealous?' Roy thought to himself. 'Well of course. I did find the boy after all. If anything, it's my duty to take ca- … manipulate him.' Roy quickly corrected himself. Damn woman putting thoughts in his head. 'This is the reason why I don't want a wife.'

"What? No comeback? Losing your touch already?"

The raven haired man was saved from answering as the phone rang. He picked it up in a hurry. Shayla snorted.

"Yes?" he answered.

"…Roy?"

"Gracia?" Roy stared at the phone. Gracia never called… something wasn't right. "Is everything alright?"

"…Yes, but I was wondering," she stopped, then hesitantly continued, "if I could talk to Shayla for a moment."

Roy glanced at the young woman and motioned for her to come closer. "Of course. In fact, she's right here." He gave the surprised Shayla the phone. She took it and gave Roy a weird look before answering.

"Hello?"

"Shayla, it's Gracia."

"Oh! How are you? You sound a bit…" Shayla struggled to find words that wouldn't sound offensive. "Ummm…"

Gracia chuckled, though it sounded a bit forced. "I know I sound terrible."

"Well, what did you want to talk about?"

"I was wondering if Maes left already…"

"You mean for his mission?" Shayla wondered how she knew about that. Hughes usually didn't like to see his family get mixed up in anything dangerous. "Yep. He headed to the Summers' home at about 2:10."

"… I see… Shayla, I have a favor to ask."

"Okay… What is it?"

"Follow him. Don't let him go alone." Gracia's voice choked a bit, and Shayla became alarmed.

"Are you sure you're alright? You don't sound well."

"Don't worry about it. Just… Please, don't let him go there alone." Gracia started to sound desperate.

"Gracia? What happened? What about Hughes? Is he hurt?" Roy watched with growing interest and alarm as Shayla started to shout into the mouthpiece. 'What the hell is going on?'

"Trust me, Shayla. I can't tell you the reason, but please… go help him. As his friend and mine."

"…Okay…" She whispered. "I don't know what's happening, but you go rest for a while. I'll find Hughes."

"Oh thank you!" Shayla could actually feel the relief Gracia was emitting. "Thank you so much."

"Of course. But you get some rest," She said sternly. "I'll send Hughes home after I find him."

"Thank you…"

Shayla gently hung up the phone and glanced at Roy. "Well, that goes on my list of Top Ten Things That Freaked Me Out In The Past Hour."

"Want did she want?"

"To go after Hughes. I don't know why, since we both know he can take care of himself. It's really strange…" Shayla got a dazed look on her face as she remembered something. "You know, Hawkeye mentioned the same thing…"

"You're telling me Hawkeye told you to look after Hughes?" Roy said incredulously. That wasn't like her at all.

"Well, she didn't tell me, but she sure as hell implied it." Now that the woman thought about it, that uneasy feeling had never left her since her conversation with the Lieutenant, and it now increased with a vengeance. "I don't like this. I'm going to find him." She took off without another word.

The Flame Alchemist didn't stop her. Now he was worried.

"Hughes, even when you're not here you manage to bug the hell out of me," he muttered. Filled with unexplainable worry, Mustang knew he wasn't going to get any work done now. Oh well. Maybe now would be a good time for a break…

(A/N) WooHoo! Da action is here! Gross out alert for anyone with weak stomachs! (It grossed me out anyway, and I wrote it!)

Hughes took as many deep breaths as he could manage without making too much noise. He had no idea where that son of bitch was, and hopefully he didn't know where Hughes was hiding. The house was enveloped in complete darkness.

'How could he do that to his own wife?' He felt bile rise in his throat and he forced it down. 'Come on, Hughes. You've seen worse…' No he hadn't; he and his mind knew it. The very image that was imprinted in his memory sickened him beyond belief. 'Oh god, I'm trapped with a sicko.'

"Oh, Hughes! Where did you goooooooo?" Mark sang out. Hughes pushed himself against the back of the couch as if trying to fuse with it. That voice alone gave him goose bumps. The man couldn't be human. "I just want to talk to you!"

'Yeah, and I'm your long lost brother, you sick bastard.'

"Come on now, Mr. Hughes." A shuffle of feet was heard, and Hughes mentally noticed how insane the man sounded. The professional, cultured voice had long disappeared. "How about we make a deal? I let you live, and you kill me? You'll become a fucking hero!" A cackle rose out and around the room, grating on Hughes' ears. 'This guy lost it along time ago.'

"No? You don't like my idea, you fucker of a dog? You left and ran down the stairs without even telling me what you thought of my wife!" Another deranged laugh. "Isn't she a beauty? I know what was going through your mind!" Mark continued to walk closer to his hiding spot.

Hughes, for the first time in his life, considered praying. This seemed to be one of those situations where only God could bail him out.

A period of silence fell and he strained to hear even the slightest clatter. He readied his knife and waited patiently for Mark to give himself away.

'Come on… I know you're still there…'

"Peek a boo!" A crazy voice appeared right next to Hughes' ear and for the second time that day, Hughes screamed bloody murder. His body acted on it's own and with his right hand lashed out at where the voice had been. All he hit was shifting air.

He'd missed.

"Getting a bit slow? Come on now! I want a fight. Don't be like the others!" Marks laughed again from somewhere to the right, too far for Hughes to get a hit in. "Even my wife put up a more decent fight."

Hughes couldn't keep quiet this time. "You bastard. How could you do that to her!"

Mark made his way toward Hughes, while Hughes himself dove around the couch and hopefully behind the alchemist as quietly as possible. He must have caught Mark by surprise because he heard a quick intake of breath as the red haired man realized where Hughes was. Mark made quick attempt to punch the man in the jaw, but Hughes landed the hit first. (2)

The knife connected and sliced through muscle and bone. A scream erupted from Mark's mouth. He clutched his now wounded left shoulder and cursed at Hughes. "YOU STUPID FUCKER!"

Hughes stumbled as he ran, tripping over random objects as he fled the room. He damned himself for missing the neck, but at the same time any small victory was well appreciated. If he'd cut off the man's pinky finger he would have been grateful.

He ran into another room and almost collided with a counter. He scrambled over it and crouched down, blood pumping and trying to get a rein on his breathing again. Mark was almost sure to have heard where he went, and he needed to be prepared for another attack.

As he suspected, Mark stumbled into the kitchen, still cussing up a storm. He moved more slowly an with purpose now that he'd seen his opponent knew how to fight and had a weapon.

His eyes now used to the darkness, Hughes moved to the very edge of the counter. He couldn't take a look because if he could see, Mark could see as well. No, it'd be better just go in blind for once. Then they could both be surprised together if he landed a winning blow.

'I'll only get one shot. Make it count.'

Hughes counted slowly to ten and blanked out his mind before rushing from behind the corner and making a beeline for his enemy. Mark hadn't bothered to hide himself, standing in the doorway with his left arm handing limply. The right hand twitched and Hughes knew he had caught him off guard.

When the right arm leveled with Hughes' head, he realized his mistake and at the last moment dove for Mark's ankles.

A shot rang out, whizzing in Hughes' hair and maybe even singeing a bit. Mark didn't have time to make another shot and Hughes slashed at the calves. Mark screamed again.

Blood poured out of the large gashes and Mark's legs buckled from the pain. Hughes nimbly picked himself off the floor and thrust his body upward, knocking the gun from Mark's hand. He then backed up and watched Mark with a concentrated gaze, waiting for the man to make a move.

Mark moaned on the floor, shuddering in a pool of his own blood. Hughes could see the wound on his shoulder, and it looked much deeper than previously. If he got close enough, he would be able to see a bit of bone showing.

Mark mumbled to himself, twitching at random times and saying things like "fucker" and "stupid dog", but other than that, he appeared helpless at the moment.

'I should kill him. He doesn't deserve to live after what he did to Angie.' But Hughes knew he wouldn't do it. The bastard was more valuable alive than dead, and Hughes wasn't sure he had captured the right alchemist responsible or all the killings. Plus, Hughes made it his policy to never kill unless there was no other option.

"You just be good and stay there," Hughes snarled. (3) He walked out the kitchen and back into the living room, searching for a phone. 'Roy's gonna love this…'

It was still too dark to see much, so Hughes made his way to the windows and opened the curtains. Glorious sun light ran through the room and he instantly felt better. It was getting late, but it was still sunny enough.

Hughes spotted the phone on a table top near the bottom of the stairs, but as he walked to it, another thought occurred to him. 'Angie…' He didn't know if she was alive or not. But he would never forgive himself if she turned out to alive and he didn't at least check.

Abandoning his quest for the phone, Hughes dragged himself up the stairs. He was exhausted mentally and physically (he'd stubbed his toe on his run to the kitchen) and right now wanted nothing better than a day long nap. 'But duty calls,' he reminded himself.

Hughes made his way back to the white room, and felt his insides twist. Duty or not, he wasn't sure if he wanted to meet the sight he knew lay in there. Still, he pushed his body forward.

Almost nothing had changed in the room. The picture of the beautiful lay in ruins, probably a victim of Mark's rage when he escaped downstairs. The door to the safe hung wide open, revealing its dark secret. Hughes physically forced himself to look at the woman that was once Angela Summers.

The only recognizable part was maybe her arms and even those were now disfigured. The bleach had long ago melted most of the skin off, leaving a pulp mess of bluish flesh. The pool of melted muscle that was once her legs jiggled slightly with every step that Hughes took, and he could already see flies zooming around the liquefied flesh. Angie lay on her side and what was probably her big intestine hung out in big chucks, also runny from the bleach's powerful chemicals.

"Angela? Are you okay?" Of all the stupidest things to say… He didn't even now if she was alive. Hughes shook his head. This was hopeless, but he wouldn't turn back until he was sure.

Hughes continued his advance and knelt down next to the woman, or lack thereof. The once luscious blond hair was completely melted and he saw specks of a pinkish organ, most likely her brain. The bleach was still eating at her.

Breathing through his mouth, since the smell of decay and bleach could literally knock the wind out of him, Hughes gingerly moved the… head so he could get a pulse. Her eyes were rolled up in her head, lips practically melted off along with her ears. Only a thin strand of flesh kept her nose on, and when Hughes moved her head the hunk ripped more and hung limply against what was once a cheek. As he glanced up, he noticed grooves on the inside of the safe door. His heart stopped.

'Oh god… the scratching…'

His stomach lurched and he grabbed his belly as if in pain. He commanded his body to not blow chunks.

'I'm so glad I decided not to eat lunch before I came here.' He felt dizzy and weak from the fumes and the disgusting sight in front of him. And he still needed to call someone down from Central to clean up this mess.

Placing his fingers against the neck Hughes almost lost it again when his fingers pushed lightly and the skin gave way. Clear liquid spewed out, a combination of the bleach and blood. 'There's your proof, Hughes. She's definitely dead.'

He turned his head. This was good enough for him. The bastard would at least get life for murder, if not execution. And after what he'd witnessed, it may be a blessing to put him out of his misery.

Hughes took one last look at the woman's face, and said a quick prayer for her.

And one milky brown eye stared back at him. (4)

'I'm setting a record here,' he thought to himself as he yelled himself hoarse. In all probability, the neighbors could hear him and they would call the police. 'Oh my god, she's alive.' It took ago while to get calmed down again.

"Angela? Can you hear me?" Hughes whispered. He couldn't tell if she did; the one eye moved around with jagged movements and only focused on an object for a short period of time. The other eye appeared to be enlarged to the point it was stuck inside the socket. "Angela, I'm going to call and get you some help, okay? Just stay with me."

The pupil grew to twice the normal size and fell on Hughes. "I-I-n…d uu..uu" She somehow managed to wretch her mouth open and the clear blood spilled out along with strands of spit. A bulging organ that filled the entire cavity tried to lick the lips that were no longer there.

"Please don't speak. Save your energy," he said as firmly as possible.

"B-b-b-hi--d uuu…" Her attempt at speaking sounded more like grunts, but Hughes tried to decipher the words. "Be-ehi--n--d o-u…uuu."

"Behid uu? Be, hind, uu?" 'Behind you… shit.'

(1) Just so no one gets confused, the POV for Gracia happens before Hughes gets to the Summers house. It's just to show everyone what was happening everywhere else when Hughes had his conversation with Mark Summers. (thanx to my bro Douglas for making me explain! He's my proof reader! Woohoo!)

(2) I suck at action. First time writing it and all... Should I draw it out more?

(3) Can you see Hughes snarling? No? Good, neither could I.

(4) I gross myself out sometimes. (shudders) It's not that bad, is it? (looks around) Right?

I'm sorry! There's gonna have to be a part 3 because I don't want the chapters to get too long. Don't hurt me! I promise the plot will start making sense. On the other hand, praise me because you got another chappie to read before June. Yeah! And I got six reviews! (eyes get big) That's a record for me! Keep 'em coming folks!

diamond-princess2006- Are you kidding me? There are few things I'm totally sure of, but one of them is that Hughes will live to the end of the story. (I'm glad you mentioned my teacher. Thank you.)

Sirith- Yeah! You're back! I'm glad I didn't scare you away like I thought I did. I like to keep my reviewers :p Don't leave me again!

Basser- Okay, I lied. You get a chapter right now. Don't hurt me! (wink wink)

Dea Lunae- (cowers) Don't kick my ass! I like it the way it is…XD. You might write a story? Terrific! Don't worry, I haven't seen all the episodes yet either. Reading lots of stories will help you figure out how the characters act. And I suggest you read Spade44's drabbles about Havoc and Fury. Those help a lot. DAMN ADULT SWIM! How dare they push FMA to a time I can't watch… even if I like Samurai Champloo :p Okay, enough of my rambling…

catey- I know, I know. Get Ed in here or you'll kick my ass. (grins) I swear on my plushie collection he'll be here in the next two chappies, definitely.

LegacyRBluesummers- If that chapter scared you, this one might disturb you a bit! (laughs diabolically)

The next chapter might come sooner than you think, so keep those eyes peeled! Review and I'll love you all forever! XD