Bandit- I'm so happy! Everyone praised me for the last chappie!

Ed- They just do it to make you hurry up and write a lemon scene… by the way you did a great job with the last chapter!

Bandit- Nice try, Ed.

Ed- (grumbles) I'm never gonna get laid in this story.

Bandit- Good things come to those who WAIT! (glares at Ed)

Disclaimer- In a perfect world, I own FMA. This world is far from perfect.

(A/N) Uh oh… I got my first flame folks. (sobs) So even though I doubt the person is still reading this, I'll answer the review right now. Yes, Shayla's my character and her name's corny, and she is taking some of the light from Havoc and Hawkeye. While that's true, I still like her in this story, and if you don't like her, it's your priority. I didn't want Hawkeye to be the main female character, not because I don't like her, but because I wanted a different personality that I created. And I think she is far from Mary sue-ish. And I like making her important, because she is in my eyes. Sorry you don't like her, but everyone else seems to be happy with her in the story, so guess what? You're outnumbered. Deal with it. To everyone else, thank you for supporting me:p I promise there will be a whole lot more Ed (even if it's a bit different than what you guys are probably thinking… hehehe) On with the fic!

'What the fuck are we gonna do! I can't believe Hughes got away!'

/Quiet. /

'How the fuck can you be so calm? Do you know how close we came to dying? If that boy hadn't come along…'

/I know. /

'… What are you thinking…'

/I'm thinking… it's time we stopped this hiding. We've been approaching this the wrong way. And with this new body, it might even be easier to get to Fullmetal than previously thought. /

'What the hell? How can we get closer?'

/Just trust me. I'll take care of everything. / A chuckle. /Don't worry, we'll get your revenge. /

'And then all of those fucking alchemists-'

/-will pay. They will-/

"Pay dearly for their betrayal."

"Hunny? Are you alright?"

"Yes. I am fine, mother."

The last thing Roy expected to see burst through his office door was Shayla, struggling to carry/drag a man twice her weight. Ed scrambled off the couch.

"What the hell happened!"

"Less talking, more helping." Shayla was winded and needed to sit down quickly. Otherwise, she was going to collapse, and Hughes would crush her like an insect.

Both Roy and Ed moved to lift the sleeping man off her. Roy held on to his shoulders while Ed held his feet, and together they laid the man on the couch. Shayla held on to the wall for support. "God, and he looks so frickin' skinny!" She now rested her back against the wall. "I thought my knee caps would pop out!"

"What happened to you two?" Roy asked. He faced the woman. "Why is Hughes asleep?"

"Side effect." Shayla shrugged it off. "Always happens when I use my alchemy. It's a miracle I didn't pass out on the way here."

Ed and Roy shot her incredulous looks.

"Yes, I used my alchemy. I'd be carrying a dead body if I didn't."

"Alright." Roy walked over to his chair and sat in it. "Start at the beginning and don't leave anything out."

Shayla slipped down the wall and landed on the floor butt first. She closed her eyes and began her story. "I hurried over to the house, and the first thing I noticed was that the lights were out. That kinda worried me, so…" She grinned tiredly. "I just opened the front door and snuck in."

"That's against regulations," Roy warned her. "No one can find out about that."

She waved off the statement. "Like you guys are gonna tell that bastard Fuhrer or anyone else. I know I won't."

"Yeah, yeah, but what happened after that?" Ed asked impatiently.

"Only the drapes in the first room were open. Other than that, no light. And I heard noises. Well, actually it sounded like Hughes laughing and some other guy telling him to hold still." Shayla shook her head. "I practically broke my leg trying to find the stairs and get up them. It was son damn dark. I'm surprised no one heard me. I made it up and there was this white room and this man with red hair was leaning over Hughes and Hughes wasn't moving and-"

"Shayla," Roy said firmly. "You need to calm down. You can take breaths between sentences." She nodded. In fact, she did feel a bit shaky. Who wouldn't, after seeing their friend almost killed by some lunatic?

"Ok." She took a deep breath and continued. "I took out my whip and got him a few times, including his arm with some array on it."

"Which arm had the array on it?"

"The left, on his forearm."

Roy nodded for her to go on.

"He was definitely pissed off. I think I interrupted whatever he was doing to Hughes. I couldn't tell what, since his back was to me. He moved to the wall, probably to get away. He was already bloodied up, so I'd say Hughes did some nasty damage to him, from the way he was clutching his side. Then he said some stuff but…" Shayla trailed off. She knew Roy wouldn't like what she was going to say next. She kept her eyes to the floor.

"What?" Ed asked. He hated being kept in suspense.

"…I kinda… let him get away…"

There was complete silence. Shayla knew what she'd find if she looked at them. Complete and utter disbelief.

"You're telling us that you had him cornered and you let him get away?" Ed didn't believe it. Shayla never backed down, from anything. It went against the woman's nature. She was too stubborn, for God's sake!

Roy on the other hand understood perfectly. "I see… Hughes was in pretty bad shape, I take it." A snort erupted from the couch. 'Well, he's certainly fine now.'

"Yeah. The red haired guy said I'd have to choose between taking him in or Hughes. It wasn't that hard of a decision." She sighed and shook her head in dismay. "But I have a feeling Stanford won't be too thrilled."

"Fuck him." Ed's bluntness brought a tiny smile to her face and a subdued grin from Roy. Now that he knew the situation, Ed totally agreed with Shayla's decision. "We can always catch the bastard later. It's more important totakeHughes home, especially with Gracia worried."

"Oh!" Shayla shot up and hurried to Roy's phone. "I forgot to call her! She's probably having a fit right now…" Shayla quickly dialed up the number and waited. It rang and rang for a few moments, but she got nothing. "Damn."

"Don't worry." Ed smiled. "Knowing her, she'll be here in a few minutes, especially if she called in the first place.

Shayla slyly glanced over at Roy, meeting his eyes. Amusement sparkled in them. "Roy told you about that?"

'I know that look…' Roy quickly thought of an excuse before Shayla went prying for information. "The boy wouldn't leave me alone until I told him." Ed glared at him.

"I thought I told you I'm not a boy anymore!"

"OH, excuse me. The preteen wouldn't leave me alone until I told him." Ed saw red. Shayla giggled at their lover's spat.

"WHY YOU STUPID FU--" Shayla interrupted him in mid rant.

"As much as I hate to miss the chance of Roy losing bodily fluids," Roy almost choked. Even if she hadn't meant it that way… Wait, was that a smirk? That sneaky pervert! 'Her mind is dirtier than mine!' Well, probably not at the moment with a million not so clean thoughts racing through his head, but still. "I don't think Hughes would appreciate it if you guys wake him up." Another snore rose from the couch, as if to agree with her. Ed shook his head in disgust.

"He's the same awake as he is asleep: loud and annoying."

"You don't know the half of it," Roy stated. "I lived with him when we were both bachelors. I slept downstairs because I couldn't stand the noise. It practically rattled the walls."

"How does Gracia stand it? I'd go crazy."

"Actually, I would too if he didn't learn to control it." All three of them turned to see Gracia in the doorway. "Now he only snores if he's dead tired."

"See, I told you she would be here." Ed grinned at the woman. "How's it goin'?"

Gracia brushed some loose strands out of her eyes. "Well, I've seen better days."

"You look better than you sounded on the phone," Shayla said. Her eyes seemed tired, but other than that she looked fine. Shayla had half expected to see the woman haggard and about to fall apart.

Gracia looked around and found her husband sleeping on the couch. Everyone could practically see the worry and tension lift from her shoulders. "Well, I guessMaes was all right." She frowned to herself. "I'm sorry I made you go all that way for nothing Shayla." Gracia missed the apprehensive glance Shayla gave Roy.

"Well, it's actually a good thing you called, Gracia," the brown haired woman said carefully. She wasn't sure how much Hughes' wife should know about what happened, or if Hughes would even want her to know anything. "He ran into a bit of trouble…" Gracia's eyes shot up and looked directly into Shayla's.

"What happened…" She whispered. "Please tell me." She looked at everyone. "I need to know what happened."

Ed turned his head to the wall, Shayla stared guiltily at the floor, and Roy just sat in his chair with his expressionless mask on. Gracia looked devastated.

"I see… I sorry I asked." Gracia turned for the door. "TellMaes to come home after he wakes up."

"Gracia wait." she glanced behind her shoulders to the person who spoke her name. "I'm sorry. You deserve the truth…" Hughes ran a hand through his hair and sighed. He looked at the other occupants. "Guys, can you give us a minute?"

Ed nodded and made his way out. Roy, on the other hand, looked slightly miffed that he was getting kicked out of his own office. Shayla glared at him. "Uh, Roy? I think he meant now." She played innocently with the whip hanging off her belt.

Roy walked out the door with as much dignity a pouting man can muster, with Shayla following him. She turned and smiled at the couple before closing the door.

At first, neither spoke. Hughes fiddled with a strand of fabric, trying to muster enough courage to tell his wife he'd almost died a second time.

"You almost died, didn't you Hughes." He looked up in shock, giving himself away. 'I always knew my wife was psychic.'

"Gracia… why did you call Shayla?"

"They told you?"

"Actually, I woke up as soon as I was put on the couch. I heard a lot." Hughes smiled at her. "So, gonna tell me why?" Gracia moved to the couch and waited for Hughes to move his feet before sitting down next to him.

"Aren't I supposed to be interrogating you?" She asked playfully. He wrapped an arm around her.

"True, but I asked the first question." He lost his good humor and asked seriously. "Why did you call?"

"All right, but if I tell you, then you have to tell me what happened Maes."

Hughes nodded is consent. "Deal."

"I… had a dream." Gracia spoke quickly before Hughes would intervene. "I know it sounds strange, but it's true. It was so dark," She scooted closer to him, "and I couldn't find you. I heard you for a moment, and then there was this scream…" Hughes put his other arm around her.

"Who screamed?"

"I'm not sure… I think it was you, but I started screaming too. And the darkness was alive, Maes. Alive. I could actually feel it moving, squirming over my skin. It got you and… it tried to get me, too." Gracia trembled as she remembered her nightmare. She'd been thinking about it all day, every single detail. "It made me forget everything important."

Hughes looked down and saw two stray tears fall down his wife's face. 'She was really scared…' He tightened his hug. 'And it was my fault…'

"I don't know how, but I remembered Elicia, and I started to fight back. And you told me to call her or you'd go back with the darkness… I woke up and she called…"

"Who's she?"

"Ummm… she didn't say. She said to keep you from the Summer's house." Hughes felt his stomach drop out and stiffened.

"Angie!"

"Huh?" Gracia looked up. What was wrong with Hughes. The sorrow in his eyes… "Who's Angie?"

He wasn't listening anymore. He couldn't believe it! She'd been the one to warn Gracia? 'She tried to save me twice…' And he hadn't been able to save her from her husband. Guilt overcame him.

"Maes, what's wrong with you?" Gracia stared at her husband. She'd never seen him so sad before. "Was she the one who called me? Is she?" Hughes sadly nodded his head. "She was the wife?" Gracia moved away from Hughes' embrace and faced him. "She's okay? When she called, she sounded so afraid…" the woman suppressed a shudder. "I hope she was able to get away… If not for her, I never would have taken my dream seriously."

'Should I tell her?' He'd already promised her and himself he would try harder to tell her the truth, but this… What had happened to her, that wasn't something you told anyone. But he had promised.

"Gracia, she didn't make it," Hughes told her as gently as possible. Her eyes widened with devastation and more tears filled them to the brim.

"That poor woman… I wish there was some way I could've helped her…" Hughes hugged her again and felt wetness on his own cheeks. He'd barely ever talked to Angie, but the hurt stayed. The woman had saved him, when it came right down to it.

"We… don't have to keep talking about this if you don't want to, Gracia." The lady shook her head in Hughes' chest.

"No. I want this out." She started her side of the story again. "After she hung up, I called Roy's office. I was sure he could get a hold of Shayla. I remembered you telling me about her unusual talents, so I thought that was the person you meant in my dreams… but…" She trailed off sullenly.

"You didn't know for sure? Or you just thought you were being stupid for listening to a piece of your imagination and a woman you didn't know." Gracia nodded.

"That about sums it up. I talked to Shayla and she promised me she'd go and help you. Then I got Elicia from school and let her stay at a friend's house. That's it." Gracia looked up at Hughes. "Your turn."

He gulped loudly. 'I don't want to do this… but…' He'd promised, and damnit to hell he would keep it. She deserved to know after what she'd told him.

"I got to the house and the guy, his name's Mark, told me to come inside." Hughes' tone was grim and solemn. "It was weird. He was polite, but I'd rather have a conversation with a corpse. One moment he was cold as ice, and the next he'd be swearing and mumbling to himself."

"Did he use the word 'fucker'?" Her choice of words startled Hughes (Gracia never cussed, at least not to Hughes anyway) but he nodded his agreement.

"Oh yeah. Why?"

"No reason," she said quickly. She decided not to tell Hughes about hearing Mark on the phone. He didn't need anymore guilt trips about Angie. Besides, she could have her secrets, too.

Hughes let the odd question slide. "But anyway, when we got up the stairs and I started talking to him, I caught many lies. But underestimating him was probably my worst mistake. The lights went out and you could say we had ourselves a round of hide-and-seek." Hughes tried to lighten the mood, more for his sake than Gracia's. "I slashed him a few times and I left him on the kitchen floor… I went to try and help Angie."

"Maes, what exactly happened to her?" Gracia wasn't sure she wanted to know. It hadn't past her the way Hughes pointedly avoided that subject.

"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you," he whispered. "I just can't…" 'It would break her… I know it's hurting me.'

"Hush." She put a finger to his lips. "You don't have to say anything. I shouldn't have asked. Go on."

Hughes took a deep breath and continued. "There was no hope for her, Gracia. Sometimes I wonder if maybe I could have done more… but… Mark got to me first. He shot me in the back." Gracia panicked almost immediately and shifted a bit to check Hughes' chest, which was still bare. "Gracie, Shayla fixed me up, so no worries." She calmed down a bit, but still looked at him anxiously.

"But do you feel fine?" Hughes chuckled and patted his wife on the head.

"Of course! Fit as a bull!" Gracia didn't look extremely convinced.

"If you say so…"

"Well, back to my story. Mark went to get some bandages to help with my wound-"

"He tried to help you? I thought he shot you."

"I don't get it either. But he left and I decided to let him. I pretended to be unconscious, and that was no small task since I was close to the real thing anyway. I didn't have to fake it much. But when he came back, he was talking to himself." Hughes frowned. "Actually, he did that a lot. I really think he had a split personality. That would help explain the reason his attitude changed so much." He then shrugged. "It won't matter much. After that wound I gave him, I doubt he'll get real far."

"You stabbed him?"

"Yep. And got him good, too. But I wasn't able to kill him." Hughes started to feel uneasy. Telling your wife you weren't able to kill someone didn't seem moral. It was showing another side of him he'd hoped she'd never have the opportunity to see. 'There's probably a rule against this.'

Gracia noticed this and smiled kindly. "It's okay. I'd rather not hear the gory details." Her husband relaxed.

"Mark was obviously not a happy camper. He used his alchemy, I think. I'm not sure… You'll have to ask Shayla, but I think I was laughing. I felt maybe like you did in your dream when nothing seemed important. I couldn't concentrate on anything."

"What was he trying to do to you?"

"I don't know. I swear he was talking, but for the life of me I can't remember a single word." Hughes looked on sadly. "That's pretty much all I have to say. I must have blanked out, because the next thing I know Shayla's there telling me she was ordered to bring me home. And that's pretty much my tale in a nutshell."

Gracia smiled slightly and intertwined her fingers with Hughes'. "I'm glad you told me, Maes. It means a lot to me… to know you can trust me with this." It meant more that a lot; it meant the world to her.

Hughes raised their hands and planted a small kiss on Gracia's. "You always deserve my trust. It took me until when I'd been shot to realize how much I need you." His green eyes gazed into her chocolate ones. "I've been a bad husband, Gracia. I never understood what I had until I almost left it behind, for the second time."

Her smile got bigger and she felt ready to cry again, this time in happiness. It felt good to hear those words. "Maes, you have your faults and I have mine. But no matter what, I know you love me. And I love you, too." She rose up and kissed him softly. (1)

Hughes smiled into the kiss and held her dearly, pressing tightly against her, feeling at peace for once in his life. It was perfect…

"YOU TWO BETTER NOT BE MAKING OUT IN MY OFFICE!" A banging erupted on the other side of the door. (2)

"Geeze! Kill the mood, Roy!" An upset female voice now followed. "You have no respect for romance!"

"You're both idiots! They can hear us now!" That one was definitely Ed.

"Don't you call me an idiot! You should respect your elders!"

"Elder my ass! You're barely in your twenties!"

"At least I'm not the shortest male in existence!"

"You're shorter than me!"

"I specifically said MALE!"

"WHO ARE YOU CALLIN' ITSY BITSY LIKE A MICROSCOPIC PIECE OF LINT?"

"I'm just gonna take a random guess and assume she meant you, Fullmetal."

"SHUT UP, YOU BASTARD COLONEL!"

Gracia giggled into her hand and allowed Hughes to get off the couch and make his way to the door. He threw it open and glared at the people.

Shayla's whip was held at the ready and glowered at Ed, who had the Colonel's neck in his hands. The poor Colonel was too busy trying to prevent Edward from snapping his neck in two to reach into his pocket and slip on his gloves. They all froze and looked guiltily at Hughes.

"Ummm… let me start by saying," Shayla began and pointed accusingly, "that it's all Roy's fault."

"I second that!" Ed declared. Roy would have argued, but Ed was using his metal hand to choke him. God damn metal arm… "It was his idea to listen in on you guys!"

"I don't care who started it," Hughes warned, "but if you guys don't beat it, I know who's gonna end it!"

"That's my office!" Roy wrenched his neck away from Ed and scowled at Hughes. "Go get laid somewhere else!" Now Shayla scowled at Mustang.

"Don't you have some compassion? Hughes almost died! The least you could do for your best friend is let him use your office for a little private time with his wife!"

Roy stayed silent. His expression went neutral and without warning he walked out the door. Ed watched in alarm.

"What just happened? It was a joke…"

"It's not that, Ed." Hughes ran a hand through his hair. "Shayla accidentally hit a nerve." And by the way Roy took off, Shayla had stomped on it.

"I did?" Shayla's eyes followed the path Roy had taken. "I didn't mean to…" She frowned at the floor and groaned. "I always manage to screw things up." 'I feel like such an ass… and I don't even know what I said.'

"Don't say that," Hughes said sternly. "You didn't know, and Roy wouldn't tell you, so don't feel bad."

"But-"

"No buts. Roy will get over it, right Ed?… Ed?" Hughes and Shayla looked for the blond boy, but he had left. "You think he went after him?"

"If he did, it makes my job easier." Shayla ignored the puzzled look. "I'm gonna go to the hospital wing, try to find some way to apologize. Also take a nap. I'm still tired from using my alchemy."

Hughes didn't bother arguing anymore and watched Shayla leave as well. 'Stubborn woman… and she still owes me a beer…'.

"What's the matter with you?" Ed had followed Roy all the way to the public library, and the raven haired man now sat at a small table in the back. "You know Shayla wasn't really serious. She acts like that all the time."

"Go away, Fullmetal."

"Not until you tell me what's your problem."

"Fuck off."

Ed ignored the rude remark. "Sorry, but I'd rather not." Roy kept his back to him.

"For once, can't you give me some peace and leave?"

"Do you ever give me the same treatment?"

Roy put his head in his hands and tried to will the teen away. 'Go away… Go away… Go aw-'

"Silent treatment? Fine, I can deal with that." Ed pulled up a chair and sat opposite of Roy. "I can wait here all night if I have to."

"Why are you doing this?" Roy peered out at Ed between his hands. "It's definitely not like you."

The question caught him by surprise. Why was he doing this? It wasn't like he had an obligation to find out what was bothering his superior, but…

'I wish he would trust me more…' Was that it? He wanted to earn the Colonel's trust? Then he was shooting toward an invisible goal. The day Roy trusted him was the day Shayla confessed her undying love for Stanford.

But even with those odds, Ed wouldn't back out now. Went against his nature.

"You really don't give up, do you?" Roy chuckled to himself and put his hands down, not looking at Ed. "Are you really that curious? Or do you just want some dirt on me for blackmail?"

"Believe it or not, I'm not like that. I just want to know why you left like that."

"Why does it matter?"

"Why doesn't it?"

Roy looked up at Ed now. "I assume if I said it was an adult issue you'd kick my ass, correct?"

Ed grinned. "You assume right."

Roy grinned back. Ed would later attempt to convince himself he didn't care if the Colonel smiled, that it didn't brighten his face and make him look (dare he say it) handsome. "All right. I won't tell you everything, but if I give you some info will you leave?"

Ed thought about this and then nodded. "Deal, but it can't be something stupid. I want some of the truth."

"You drive a hard bargain. But the fact is," Roy hesitated, "I was once engaged, and let's just say it didn't end the way I wanted it to."

(1) OOO! (squeals) I love da fluff!

(2) (rolls on the floor laughing)

Yes, this chapter was short. (dodges random projectiles) Sorry! The cliffy just begged to be written! (dodges more items) I promise the next chapter will be a whopper, and I'll put in a really cute Ed/Roy scene, too! (I know you were all waiting for it!) Our Dream Alchemist will be coming back, along with the rest of the gang who didn't get to be in this one. So be patient and don't kill me in the meantime! (runs from flying tomatoes) WAAAHHHH! I said I was sorry! XD

Seeker Carter- Don't worry. Ed's definitely gonna get more time in the fic. And I'm glad I kept Hughes alive. In truth, he wasn't going to get that much time in the fic, but his part just kept growing! (not that I'm complaining!) I'm on your favorites list? (throws confetti) OH YEAH! I feel all warm inside! (hugs)

Torii- I luv the fluff too! (gushes) You're gonna melt with the GraciaHughes I put in here! (gushes some more)

Akumako- I know! I was so getting into as well! I practically jumped out of my seat when I typed up the part with Shayla getting there. And in truth, the bleach idea came from when my mom dragged my butt from the computer and made me do dishes. (my mind was still on type mode) ;p I grossed out some of your friends? My life is complete! (grins)

catey- I put in more Edness! Aren't you proud of me? (gives puppy eyes) Thanx for the review!

LegacyRBluesummers- And you shall have your moments, my dear! Just wait until the next chapter! You'll love me forever! (cackles wildly)

I just want to say thank you to all the people reviewing. With that semi-flame I got, I realized not everyone is going to like my story, but I promise to keep writing for the ones who want to stick around and find how this thing ends! (throws out random plushies to reviewers) Review everyone!