Bandit- Wow. Everyone loved the fluff! I knew it!
Ed- You know what everyone would love more?
Bandit- Ed… no. Just… no.
Ed- (whines) But why!
Bandit- Because this chapter focuses on Roy and-- (clamps hand over mouth)
Roy- Go on and give it away, Bandit. Women…
Bandit- Hey! I'm a teenager, so nah!
Disclaimer- I don't even own a car… So I really doubt I own FMA.
(A/N) Sorry folks, but the fluff is retreating in favor of angst goodness. Stupid angst bunny. Roy is gonna get some serious torture… heehee.
Shayla heard the snap and knew that was her cue to move. She rolled to the right, feeling the heat of Roy's attack on her side. 'He's cutting it close! I'm getting a tan here!'
Roy smirked triumphantly as his attack hit the target. Shayla looked a bit pissed, but some things come at a price.
"Roy, if my whip is burnt I'm kicking your ass!" He frowned at his companion.
"I just saved you life, Shayla!" Suddenly the air shifted and they both watched Roy's flame shoot up into the air, then dispersing. "That's… not supposed to happen."
"I'm sorry. Were you aiming at me?" The red haired man stepped out of the smoke, both whips still in his hands. "I'll try to keep still next time." Shayla growled and picked herself off the floor.
"Give me back my whip!" She shouted. He just smirked and held it out.
"You mean this raggedy thing? You won't do much damage with it…"
"I don't care!" Shayla lunged for it. "It's mine, damn it!" The man step back into the shadows and disappeared from view. Shayla stopped her running. "Where the hell is he?"
"Shayla! Calm down and stay alert!" Roy called, ready to snap at any given moment. The silence actually seemed to intensify, like the calm before the storm, and he waited impatiently for something to happen. Shayla quickly made her way over to Roy, turning to look over her shoulder in case their enemy came out of hiding and attacked. Without her weapon, she wouldn't be much help.
"You see him?" Shayla whispered.
'There's no point in whispering, Angel Alchemist. I can hear you wherever you are.'
A ball of flames erupted out of nowhere, aimed at them. Shayla swore and pushed Roy out of the way, dodging the attack.
"I must admit you are quick on your feet." His green eyes glowed with amusement as he materialized a small distance away. "But that won't be enough to save you two. Maybe its better you will die here instead ofCentral with the other alchemists." Roy stood up and hauled Shayla to her feet.
"Then you're the Dream Alchemist," Roy stated.
"That's the first time I went by that particular name." He shrugged. "What you call me doesn't matter. You will die anyways." He walked up to them, showing off his hands.
"Roy!" Shayla gasped. "Are those your gloves?" Roy looked down at his right hand in astonishment.
"Mine is right here… I don't know where he got those…"
'What the hell is going on?'
"That should be obvious, Colonel, as I already told you." He poised his hand to snap. "This is my domain, so I make the rules."
Roy's eyes widened and he grabbed Shayla's hand and took off.
"Wait! My whip!"
"Shayla, you've never seen what my gloves can do to a person. We can't fight him here!" They both heard a snap and a second later searing heat on their retreating backs. "We'll be characoaled if we don't find another portal!" he hissed.
Shayla kept struggling against him. "Roy, I can't let him have my whip! Please, I have to go back!" Roy growled.
"No! That whip is not as important as your life!"
"Yes!" She tugged at his arm. "It is! Let me go!" (1)
"Woman, if you don't stop it, I'll knock you out and carry you!"
'Now now, children. You mustn't argue.' Roy stopped immediately, with Shayla running into him and sending them both tumbling onto the floor. The Dream Alchemist chuckled as he strolled up to them, Shayla's whip rolled up in his hand. "The woman wants it back, so might as well give it to her."
She crawled off Roy and glared at her adversary. "I said give it to me!"
"And why do you want your whip back so much?" He smirked evilly. "Is it important to you?"
"That's none of your business!" She started to rush at him again. "Now give it!"
Roy watched in horror as his friend ran blindly back into danger. "Shayla no! He's still got the glove!" She either didn't hear him or ignored the plea.
"You should listen to your friend, woman." He leveled his hand in front of her, and prepared to snap again.
Roy got there first, letting out a series of snaps that literally filled the abyss with flames and smoke. Navigating as best he could through his own attack, he searched for Shayla and hoped she hadn't gotten fried from the fire. 'Let her be alive…'
Her coughing fit gave her away, and Roy groped around to the left of him, grabbing a slim forearm. "Shayla run!"
'You will not escape so easily!'
Already the flames were moving upward so the Dream Alchemist would be able to find them. Roy pushed Shayla in front of him and started snapping behind him to make up for the disappearing smoke and fire.
"Roy, I need my whip…" The smoke had caught her off guard, and she'd inhaled too much. The reds and yellows and endless black danced around her vision, swirling around in a sea of colors. She coughed some more.
"Damn. Shayla keep running!" Roy had to use both hands to hold the orange eyed girl up, practically dragging her almost limp body.
'Give up. Your thoughts give you away.'
Roy kept fleeing, knowing their adversary was right on their tails now. The heat on his back told him that, along with the Dream Alchemist's eerie cackling. 'I've never been able to produce flames of this magnitude…'
"My… whip…" Shayla stumbled, slowing Roy down considerably. "No… mother…"
"Shayla, don't stop!" He bent down and swung her body over his right shoulder.
"Mother…."
Roy desperately looked for a solution. He needed to find a portal now. 'We're dead without one.'
"You're so right Mustang." Roy halted to a stop and swore softly. The Dream Alchemist sauntered over, before stopping a little in front of Roy. His arm was outstretched. "I think you are dead." A smile that looked friendly on everyone else appeared vicious on him.
He knew he should move, but his feet were frozen stiff. A pang of helplessness and despair filled him. 'I can't believe I'm going to die here…'
"You should. It's not that hard to believe. I'll even show you." The smile transformed into vile smirk, loving the fear radiating off of Roy. "And now, I bid you farewell." He snapped his fingers.
The Dream Alchemist watched in satisfaction as heat and light exploded in front of him, hearing a pained yell. There was no way they could have survived the attack from that close. And in here his power was enhanced. 'With them out of the way, I can go and find Fullmetal.'
He walked through the smoke, waving his hands to move the smoke out of his way, and looked for his thoroughly cooked foes.
But when the smoke cleared, there was nothing there.
"What? But how…" A shimmer to the right caught his eye and he frowned. "I guess they did find one." He didn't let the defeat anger him. In fact, he looked forward to their next meeting. "They can't stay in there forever… and I'll be waiting."
But for now, he needed to search for Edward… and Robert.
There was so much smoke. She couldn't breathe.
'You're such a stupid child!'
Too much fire.
'You can't do anything right! You're a disgrace to our family!'
'Mother… I wasn't strong enough…'
'It's always an excuse from you. Get out of my sight!'
'Please. Don't leave me… I'm sorry…'
So much screaming. A city of flames.
'Never come back here, you pathetic child! I never want to see you again! Get out! GET OUT!'
"Mother no!"
"Shayla, wake up!" She shot up and collided heads painfully with Roy.
"Shit," he swore and held his now throbbing head. Shayla fell back on the floor, eyes still glazed and chest heaving. 'Just another nightmare…' She struggled to control her breathing. 'You've had them before. Pull yourself together.' Finally with much effort, she sat up and buried her face in her hands, determined not to cry.
Roy grabbed her by the shoulders and shook Shayla fiercely. "What the hell is wrong with you!" He shouted. Now out of harms way, he unloaded his anger on her. "That damn whip doesn't replace your life! I'll buy you another one if you're that upset about it, but don't pull another stunt like that!" Shayla didn't respond to the shaking, and that pissed him off more. "Do you want to die? Is that it? Well I'm not gonna let you do something that stupid! You're on my team now, so I expect you to get through this alive!" He gave her one last good shove and watched her body fall against the concrete again. She didn't move, just stared up at nothing.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd been that angry. His hands were literally shaking so bad. He needed to hit something, make it burst into flames. Anything would do right now. He actually prayed someone would be stupid enough to come and try and rob them, just so he could beat the shit out of the fucker.
'Calm down, Roy. You don't even know why she did that. You have no right to scream at her.' He turned his face skyward and tried to get a rein on his emotions. It'd been a long time since he'd lost control…
After a few very deep breaths, he glanced at her. She hadn't moved from the spot, and Roy felt guilt replace his anger. Her orange eyes had lost their glow, instead reminding him of a dying flame. He'd never seen her so… lifeless. 'I really overdid it. Gods, I never say the right thing…' He drew in his breath and got ready with his apology.
"Shayla, I'm so--"
"Sorry Colonel." Roy stopped his sentence. Shayla remained still, but tears were leaking out the sides of her eyes. 'Great. I made her cry.'
"No, it's m--"
"Shut up. Let me speak." Roy closed his mouth and let her say what she wanted to. "What happened back there… You're right. I pretty much fucked up."
"Sha--"
"Damn it, will you let me speak!" She got off the floor, glaring at him. "If I don't say this, I never will, so just shut you mouth and listen to me!" Roy shut up.
Seeing as she'd got the message across, Shayla continued. "I know… the whip isn't worth my life, but… it means a lot to me. Still… I put our lives in danger because of my messed up past." The tears fell freely over the planes of her face. "When I was little, I-"
"Don't."
"Bu--"
"I said don't. That's an order." Shayla looked ready to argue, but he cut her off. "I don't want an excuse Shayla. And I don't want you telling me your life story just to make me understand. Whatever happened back there, chances are I still won't get what you went through, even with your explanation. And I don't want to know until you'reready to tell me."
"But I am ready," She insisted.
"Shayla, you almost died. We both almost died. And I'm not going to lie; it was probably because of your reckless behavior. You got the shit scared out of you, and that's what's talking right now. Your fear. If you ever tell me what happened when you were young, I'd rather you be near death or drunk, but never scared. Maybe you can't understand but…" he sighed to himself and looked back to the sky. "I do. Fear will make you do anything, sometimes things you'll regret for the rest of your life. You're not ready to tell me anything yet, and until then, I'm not ready to listen. But when you are, and you're not afraid to, I'll be here." He looked over at her. "And I'm sorry I shouted at you. You just really scared me back there for a second." (2)
She had her head bent down, her brown hair hiding her from Roy. Her shoulders shook slightly, accompanied by tiny sniffs and Roy nodded. 'Good, she's getting it out of her system at least.' He didn't reach out to her. He had a feeling his presence was enough right now.
"Thank you… Roy." A head lifted up and her eyes were bloodshot and watery, but she still gave him a grateful smile. That was all he needed.
"Forget it." He stood up and stretched out, now feeling a bit embarrassed. "Let's just find out where we are."
Shayla got on her feet as well, giving him a little salute. "Sure thing, Colonel." Roy smirked at her before turning and making his way through what resembled another alleyway.
She trailed behind, and happy smile still on her lips, remembering a time when Havoc had told her they'd do anything for Mustang no matter what. She'd snorted before, not seeing how anyone would blindly follow someone else. Maybe now she understood.
'Maybe there is a reason they call him their Colonel.'
"Poison?"
"Nah, too messy and we used that method on Shayla. Go for variety. Plus, how would we get it to him?"
"What about guns? Just wait outside his mansion and bang? Or even bombs…"
"Havoc, we don't want to get caught. The military can trace any materials for making or purchasing explosives and/or weapons. They'll have us lined up the next day for treason if we use something like that."
"What about Hawkeye? She's got loads of guns at her apartment. Just take one out, click off the safety and he'll be six feet under in no time."
"You want to ask her to do it? She's already bailed Roy out. Besides, she's the number one sniper in the military, and there's a good chance she'll be the number one suspect. I don't want anyone of us getting caught."
"Fine. How about knives?"
"… That's not funny."
"I thought it was a hoot."
"Please you two," Fury begged. "Don't argue now. We need to have a plan if this is gonna work." He set the puppy eyes on them both. Hughes felt a little guilty, but Havoc was lost.
"Sorry, I'll shut up now." Fury's smile made his defeat worth it.
"Whipped!" Hughes coughed. Havoc glared stonily at him, cigarette twitching.
"Sorry, could you repeat that, Hughes?"
"What?" He held out both hands in defense. "I coughed. It's raining and it's cold outside. Damn head cold…"
"Oh, I'll get something for your cold." Havoc stood up. "I've got some rat poison under the sink. Should work fine."
"Havoc!" He winced at the surprised tone from Fury.
"I'm kidding! Really! Hughes knows that I wouldn't do that to him." Fury didn't seem completely convinced. "Come on," Havoc pleaded. "I'm not that type of guy, you know that!"
Finally Fury gave him a smile. "You're right. Of course you're right. I'm sorry." Small hearts started to dance around Havoc's head. 'He's so nice… and cute as hell.'
"Fury's bitch!" Hughes sneezed. He rubbed his nose. "Sorry about that."
"Keep sneezing and coughing, and you'll have much worse than a head cold," Havoc threatened.
Fury gave up and sighed. He might as well let them at it. At least they were enjoying themselves.
"I thought you three were trying to come up with a decent assassination plan, not messing around like children." Hawkeye closed the door to the apartment and took off her coat, setting it on the couch.
"Hey, don't blame Fury. He tried to stop us," Havoc stated in Fury's defense. "It was a lost cause, though."
Hughes snickered at the blush Fury now sported. Hawkeye rolled her eyes and sat next to Hughes on the other couch. She couldn't wait until those two got their act together and stopped beating around the bush. It was so cute it was sickening… 'And it's affecting their paperwork…' "Well then, what did you come up with?"
"Err… It's more like what we didn't come up with," Hughes stated uneasily. "No poison, no guns or bombs, and no knives." He mock glared at Havoc when he said the last one. The smoker just blinked innocently.
"So much progress…" Hawkeye muttered. She walked back over to her coat, grabbing a folded piece of paper within. "Well, I do have some information, though I don't know how helpful it will be to us." She went to her side of the couch and unfolded the paper.
"What do you got there, sir?" Fury asked.
"You can call me, Hawkeye. We are off duty," She stated without looking up at him. "And remember when Roy asked me to do a check on medical epidemics?"
"You mean like the Dream Alchemist ones now?" Havoc asked.
"Yes. I found out something strange. From what I read, this did happen once before, about seventy years ago."
"Seventy years?" Hughes' eyes got wide. "That long ago?"
Hawkeye nodded. "And all the symptoms and coincidences are the same. Ten alchemists, all male and single, were found with their eyeballs blown out. But otherwise there was no connection." Her eyes went down her notes. "Wait. There was another connection. They were all in some sort of trial."
"What trial? Does it say?" Fury asked.
"No. All other information is classified. I had a hard time getting these notes. The librarian told me all other information regarding this can be found only at the Fuhrer's personal library."
"Shit…" Hughes swore. "That is not good."
"I don't get it. I didn't even know the Fuhrer had his own library…" Havoc inhaled his cigarette and exhaled a puff of smoke. Hawkeye glared at him. "Sorry, but my apartment."
"I didn't say anything, Havoc, but that smoke can't be good for people with smaller lungs…" Her eyes wandered over to Fury's short form and Havoc growled at her.
But he put out his cigarette.
Fury hadn't gotten what Hawkeye had said to make Havoc put out his cigarette, but he was glad. Havoc would live longer without those things, meaning he could be with the man longer… or he wished anyway. "But what's the Fuhrer's library, Hughes?"
"It's an option the Fuhrer has when he assumes the position. He can take any book in the National Library or at Central and keep them for reference. What they actually do is take books they don't want anyone messing with, like forbidden alchemy or revealing notes on what the military did during a war." Hughes frowned. "Their own little library of secrets basically."
"So where is the library?"
"At his mansion," Hughes replied. Fury's eyes got big.
"Then how do we get the information? It could help us understand what's wrong with Ed, or even Shayla and the Colonel."
"We can't. It's guarded all day and night." Hughes adjusted his glasses. "I've only been in there once, when Bradley was Fuhrer. And even then I only got to stay in there for twenty minutes at most, which isn't a lot with all the books in there. The military has many dirty secrets that would start revolts everywhere if they got out to the public."
"Is there a chance you can get in there again?" Hawkeye questioned.
"Doubt it. Stanford hates us all, and I don't have a good reason for going in there. Plus he'd probably only give me two minutes."
"So what can we do? Sounds hopeless to me…" Havoc stretched out on the couch. "Unless we sneak in, and that sounds impossible too."
"Not necessary." Havoc shot a glance at Hughes.
"What makes you say that?"
"It is guarded, but no one's ever tried to break in. I mean, the penalty for trying is death, so everyone stays away. And the guards just sit around and talk, most of them lazy asses. If you were a real smooth talker, you could walk out with a book in your jacket."
"Where is the library located?" Hughes turned to Hawkeye.
"On the far right side of the mansion. You can see two windows that lead into it. Why?" Hawkeye smiled and asked Hughes another question.
"How good is the burglar system?"
"A few alchemic spells, but nothing heavy. Heard Stanford really isn't a big fan of alchemy, so he goes light on defense systems. He has lots of guards though." She nodded and did some quick thinking.
"What are you thinking, si-- Hawkeye?" Fury inquired.
"I'm thinking… we might be able to pull this off."
"I can't believe it… We're back in Central, Roy." The duo walked out of the alley and into the busy streets of Central. Shayla smiled happily. "It's almost like we're home…"
Roy lifted an eyebrow. "Almost?"
"Oh, we both know it's not real. Chances are it's another memory."
"I was thinking about that… Do you suppose we're in Edward's mind?" Roy asked her as they made their way through the crowd.
"I don't know… but then how else could we visit Ed's memory… unless that abyss place is more different than I'm assuming."
"Ed has been to Central, obviously, so this could be another one of his. Maybe the first time he came here?"
"And met you?" Shayla smirked at Roy. "Ooo… this would make it a very special memory."
"Yes," Roy said dryly. "The time he met the scorn of his existence, according to him."
"I was thinking more of… 'Bastard Supreme' myself, but yours is good."
'Someone's in a better mood,' Roy commented to himself, but wisely didn't bring it up. He'd let her win their argument instead.
"Roy! What are you doing here?" A feminine voice, a very familiar voice, cut through Roy's senses like a knife. He stiffened and turned around. 'No…'
A very beautiful woman, about five foot six, red hair coming down to her waist, jogged up to Roy and kissed him on the cheek. Shayla stared dumbfounded. She knew Roy was hot, but this was unexpected…
The lovely red head smiled up at Roy and gave him a hug, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Where have you been? We need to go over and get the gowns and suits. Don't tell me you forgot?" She giggled and kissed him again, this time on the lips. Shayla growled.
'Back off, bitch. That's Ed's property you got your pretty little hands on!... And what is Roy doing? He is just standing there with a dazed look on his face! What is it with men...'
As if she could hear the snide comment, the young woman turned and looked at Shayla. "Roy, who is this? I've never seen anyone so…" She paused, searching for the right word, "short."
Shayla felt her temper flare, now knowing exactly how Ed felt when someone mentioned his lack of height. Roy saw the way the orange eyes lit up, and put himself in between the women.
"How rude of me. Honey, this is Shayla, and Shayla," he looked uncertainly at his companion, "this is my fiancé, Jessica Stiling." Roy couldn't look Shayla in the eye.
"Oh." That was all she could say. 'That's Jessica? I hate to admit it, but she's really… really…. Blessed.'
And Jessica knew it too. She pressed her large bust against Roy's chest, dark green eyes staring up into Roy's, round butt sticking out… And those slacks were so tight. She probably couldn't fart without the clothing setting on fire.
And Havoc was right when calling her a snake. When she smiled at Roy, Shayla could almost make out fangs.
Still, Shayla was determined to be polite, even if she didn't want to. She stuck out her hand and put up a fairly decent smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Stiling."
Jessica smiled faintly and returned the handshake. "Hello, little girl." Shayla bit her tongue to keep from blowing. "Aren't you cute?" She gushed and released Roy from her death hug (who sighed in relief). Circling around Shayla, she examined her. "Mmm."
"What is it?" Shayla tried to keep her tone civil.
"I'm so sorry, but I really have never met someone as short… or small as you before." Roy averted his eyes and prayed the two women wouldn't make a scene. Shayla was wearing comfortable jeans and a slightly loose red shirt. Nothing that showed off her body, and so the illusion was created that she didn't have breasts or an ass. Roy knew very well Shayla's body was nothing to sneeze at (friend or not, she was a woman and Roy made sure to look at every available woman), and that the woman had some very nice assets. Maybe not as nice as Jessica's but that wasn't the point. Jessica had made a stab at Shayla's body and age, and Shayla wasn't going to take it lightly.
"Sorry. I guess my clothes are too flattering." 'How dare the little heifer insult my… gifts. Just because she prances around in the tightest outfits she can find… bitch.'
"I know," Jessica answered and hid a smile at Shayla's growing red face. "But it must be hard to find clothes your size, dear."
"Must be hard for you too. You sure those slacks aren't cutting off any blood?" Jessica frowned at her.
"These are designer clothes and were fitted just for my body." She smiled at Roy. "My little solider bought them for me." Shayla snorted and coughed while Roy moaned mentally.
'She'll never let me live it down.'
"I'm happy for you," Shayla snickered and tried to keep a neutral expression. Oh, she loved blackmail…
"But anyways, me and Roy need to get going." The red head turned away from Shayla, dismissing her. "Come on, my little solider." She grabbed his forearm and made her way down the street, Roy right behind her, just giving Shayla a helpless look. Shayla glared at them both; Jessica for being an ass, and Roy for leaving her!
"How dare he…" she muttered and turned around. She should just find another portal and leave his sorry ass. 'He's not even going to marry her anyway…' She stopped short. 'Wait…'
"Ed never knew Jessica… so this isn't his memory." Her eyes widened in realization. "This is Roy's…"
A flash of red and gold broke her out of her reverie. 'Was that…?' She turned around and gasped in surprise at the teen in front of her.
"Shayla? What the hell are you doing here!" Ed exclaimed, though very pleased to see his friend. Shayla didn't answer and instead gave the boy and tight hug.
"Ed! You're okay… and you're here!" She looked up at his face. "What are you doing here?"
"I don't know… but let's not talk here. There's a deli down the road we can stop at." Ed took Shayla's hand and led her down the sidewalk.
Shayla felt elated. With Ed here, she wouldn't have to put up with Roy alone… and maybe seeing Ed would convince the raven haired idiot who he belonged with now. 'I still can't believe he went off with that bitch!'
The walk to the deli didn't take long, and the two quickly entered the air conditioned restaurant. They took a seat by the window, and after telling the waiter their orders, began catching up.
"You first, Ed. How did you get here?"
"It must have been some type of alchemy. The Dream Alchemist, at least I think it was, tricked me by using a kid's body. Must have gotten the drunk angry on purpose," Ed mused. "He actually switched bodies, Shayla. I had knocked out the drunk chasing after the kid. The kid went over, did something weird, and the next thing I know the kid's dead and the drunk's kicking my ass."
"So, he tried to switch into your body?"
"I think so, but I'm not quite sure… He did a number on me, that's for sure. Then I just blanked out."
"Did you see a flash of light?" she asked, remembering what Roy had said when he'd found Ed.
Ed furrowed his brows in thought. "Not before I passed out, but when the kid did it, yeah. Why?"
"Roy said he saw a flash of light just before he shot this drunk." Ed stared at her.
"Roy was there?"
"Yeah. He was really worried when we found out the Dream Alchemist usually attacks single alchemists. And you were out there alone, so he went out and searched for you." Ed averted his eyes and felt a blush coming on. 'He was worried about me…'
Shayla saw the red cheeks and smirked. She knew it was wrong to meddle… but things change, in her case anyway. "Yep. He was a total wreck. Said it was his fault you were out there, but he wouldn't tell anyone why." She watched a tiny smile form on Ed's lips.
'At least he was sorry for what he did.'
"Umm… Shayla? Is he here, or is it just you?" Shayla's smirk died and she scowled darkly.
"That ass is here, alright, and playing hooky. Damn him…" Ed looked at her in confusion.
"Why isn't he with you?" Shayla didn't want to tell him. Ed wouldn't like the idea of Roy being engaged, or maybe he already knew…
"Do you know who Jessica Stiling is?" She asked. Ed immediately nodded.
"Yeah. That's Roy's ex-fiancé. I got him to tell me about her before he-" Ed stopped and looked into his lap, face heating up again. Shayla's smirk came back on full force.
"Before he what, Ed? Did our Colonel do something naughty again?" Ed flushed deeper.
"W-why did you ask about Jessica?" Shayla let it slide, deciding to get it out of Ed later.
"Roy went off with her. She appeared out of nowhere and stole her little solider back." Shayla snickered at the nickname.
The waiter came back with their drinks at this time, halting the conversation for a while. Ed didn't like the idea of Roy being with Jessica, but that wasn't what bothered him right now.
"Shayla, how can Jessica be here? Roy told me she left after he cancelled the wedding. Unless she's been hanging out at Central without him knowing…"
"So you didn't wake up in that black abyss? " Ed sipped his tea and shook his head.
"No, I was in that black… whatever. I was attacked." Shayla's eyes narrowed.
"By a person? Did he have red hair and was really skinny and tall?" Ed nodded.
"Yeah. He looked surprised when I woke up and he tried to kill me." He glared at his cup. "The attacks he used… he clapped his hands together."
"Like you…" Shayla struggled to find some connection.
"Yeah. And the power was ten times that of mine." Ed growled in his throat, remembering his embarrassing defeat. "There was no way I could fight him. So I ran… into some hole. I didn't even see it, and the next thing I know I'm back in Central."
"I don't think this is the real Central, Ed. I'm not sure where we are, but I don't think any of this is real…" Shayla proceeded to tell Ed about finding the Dream Alchemist, chasing him into his memory, then being attacked by the same person (she left out the part about her whip). When she was finished, she could practically see the smoke coming out of Ed's ears.
"You guys saw my secret place?" He'd never even told his mother about that. Only he, Winry and Al knew where it was. "Wow, I'd forgotten about that. The little pond in the forest where me and Al would always go to play." Ed leaned on the table with a dreamy expression on his face. "I wish I was there with you guys. Would have been nice to see mom again."
"You were a really cute kid," Shayla teased. "And your mother was a nice woman." Ed sighed.
"Yeah, she was…"
They sat in companionable silence, finishing their drinks while lost in their own thoughts. Finally Ed broke the quiet.
"Shayla, you guys visited my memory, right? So is this Roy's?"
"I don't know… There might be another reason, but I can't think of it." She stood up and motioned for Ed to do the same. "Regardless, we need to find Roy. I'm sure the Dream Alchemist will be after us, so we need to keep moving."
"What's the plan? Keep hopping to different memories?"
"Until we figure out where we are and how to get back, that's all we can do, Ed."
It was going to rain.
'Well of course it is. I recognize this day, after all.' Roy continued to his old apartment, the one he'd shared with Hughes before he got married.
It was the same, moldy old building he remembered, and he smiled fondly at all the memories he and his friends had shared here. All the late nights, just to bitch about getting up early in the morning. All the wild stories that weren't true. It hurt being here again, but Roy couldn't look away. He didn't want to face Jessica yet. 'Jessica…'
Roy tried to tell himself it didn't matter anymore; the past was the past. There was nothing he could do to change it, so why confront her now? It wouldn't do a bit of good.
So why was he still walking to the park?
But it would help him. He needed to know her side of the story. Maybe there was something he'd missed, and just didn't remember.
'That's a lie. I didn't forget anything. How could I? She ripped my heart into pieces…' And Roy didn't just dream up that deep hurt, the one where you couldn't breath and wanted to die. The one that told you life was mocking you and maybe your whole existence was for some great deity's cruel amusement. She'd really hurt him, and he didn't know why he was still willing to give her the chance to explain. Did he still love her?
'No. I can't love anyone. It hurts too much.'
He hated her, just like he'd loved her. This was just his way to justify his actions long ago; that he'd been right to drop her. That's why he was going to see her.
Thunder clouds started to form, shadowing the outdoors. Roy paid no mind. He knew it was going to get much worse. He continued to walk, already hearing voices in the park. 'Jessica…'
When he entered through the gates of the public area, he could clearly hear Jessica and someone else. His heart started to pound in his rib cage, and once again he questioned his reasons. 'It's not too late… I can go and find Shayla still…' No, he wanted to do this.
A light drizzle started to fall.
"So babe, what about your soon-to-be hubby?" Jessica giggled at her lover.
"You mean Roy? Oh, don't worry about him. I've got the idiot wrapped around my pinky." She kissed her boyfriend on the lips. "In a few more days, you and I can leave this dump and Roy Mustang will cease to exist."
"Why we doing this again babe?" She sighed in exasperation, wiggling on his lap.
"I told you, Roy's loaded. His dad was a high ranking military officer, and let's just say his parents barely spent any of the money. With both of them dead, Roy's getting every last crumb… until after the wedding anyway. The fool told me about it one night." She snorted. "Stupid move on his part."
"So that's why you agreed to marry him…"
"Of course. Otherwise he was just a quick fuck when you were gone." She allowed him to undo her bra while musing. "He wasn't that bad of a fuck, though. Pretty good in bed."
"Then I get to kill him?" He wrapped his arms around her and sucked on her neck, causing a low moan.
"Mmm… that feels good. And no, that honor goes to me. I want to see his face on our wedding night when I stick a knife in his throat." They both laughed at that, unaware that Roy was watching, his heart dropping to his feet.
Even now, he felt like a fool for coming. But this was a memory, and he'd never get another chance. Might as well make it worth his while.
"Hello Jessica." The red head shot out of her boyfriend's lap, eyes widening as she saw her fiancé leaning against a tree. She adjusted her top and snapped her bra back on.
"Roy! Honey!… What are you doing here? I told you we had to order refreshments…" She laughed uneasily and cast a glance at her boyfriend, who was trying to get his pants back on.
"Already did, sweetie." He grinned toothily at her. "Am I interrupting something? Should I come back later after you've finished fucking your boyfriend?" Jessica dropped her fake laughing and tried another tactic.
"Roy, you know I didn't mean that. Whatever you heard was nothing but a lie, I swear to you." She sauntered up to him, pushing her breasts out. "You believe me, don't you honey?" Her voice sickly sweet. Roy wanted to gag. How did he ever find that attractive?
"I don't want to believe it, if that's what you mean," He answered quietly. "But that doesn't mean I won't."
"Come on, Roy. I would never betray you like that." She wrapped her arms around Roy's neck, bringing his face down to hers. (3) "I love you. Whatever you heard isn't true. That man over there… he's not right in the head, Roy. He just wan--" Roy turned his head away, staring off into the distance.
"No more lies. I can't deal with them anymore." He turned to her again, his voice thick with emotion. "I loved you, Jessica. I really did. I looked forward to a life with you, and it's only fair to say I already knew you would betray me." Her eyes got wide. "I still wanted to make sure. I wanted to be wrong, that's how desperate I was. I would have gladly given you the money. I never wanted it, and one of the reasons was because of this. Marrying someone because of money… that's not love." Roy gently pushed her away. Jessica held a stricken look on her face.
"Roy… maybe we can work this out…"
"Tell me this, Jessica. Did you ever love me?"
"Roy, please…" He smiled ruefully and shook his head.
"That's all I needed to know."
"Roy, honey, my little s-"
"No." His eyes were full of sadness. "I'll let you go, Jessica. Because I did love you. But…" Dark orbs hardened, and for the first time Jessica was afraid. "I will turn you in if I ever see you again. So I suggest you leave Central." He turned around and began to walk away.
"Roy! You can't do this to me!" She ran up to him and grabbed his arm. "You can't! We need to get married!"
"What, have a change of heart all of the sudden? Or is this for my money?" He snapped bitterly. Jessica didn't have an answer. She glowered at him, rage surfacing.
"Look, I need that money. I refuse to go back to the life I used to live. I don't give a royal shit if you do love me or not, but I will get your money, even if I have to kill you myself," she hissed. Roy just gave her an amused look.
"Is that a threat, Jessica? I never thought you had it in you." She smiled at him, and pulled out a knife from her cleavage. Roy's bit his lip, whether to keep from laughing or having it hang open he wasn't sure. 'Of course she could fit a knife in there. She could fit Central in there.'
"Well, I guess there are some things you'll never know about me, Roy." The knife scraped along side his throat, just barely cutting the skin. "And it's a shame I have to kill you. I wasn't lying when I said you were good in bed." She shrugged and dug the knife a little deeper. Roy winced slightly and felt a trickle of blood travel into his collar.
"I'm flattered that I met your standards."
She grinned. "Funny to the end. Oh well. I can always find someone better. Goodbye, my little solider."
(1) It pains me to see my favorite OC acting so stupid… but you'll find out later why she is.
(2) …Damn. I want to start crying…
(3) Ed- HANDS OFF BITCH! HE'S MINE!
Bandit- (sweatdrops) Ed, did you take your pills like I asked?
I didn't like the ending. It just didn't happen the way I wanted it to. Hopefully you guys will like it better than I did. No shout outs this time, because I'm about to fall asleep on my keyboard. ;p But please review anyway! X3