Bandit- Sorry it took a bit longer to have this chapter out. I've started reading fanfics again (cause I stopped while I've been writing this story) and I've missed it a lot!
Ed- (snorts) I've seen you worship One Piece fanfics… disgusting.
Bandit- Whatever! Luffy and Zoro are soooo cute together! (gushes) I luv it!
Roy- Focus on FMA. You have a story to write.
Bandit- Oh yeah :p
Disclaimer- If I owned FMA, yaoi fan girls would worship the ground I walk on, non yaoi fans would revolt and try to assassinate me, and everyone else would die of yaoi shock or blood loss from nose bleeds…
(A/N) I know it took me longer to update, and it's not writer's block for once. I started reading stories again, which was a very bad idea because I get depressed about my crappy writing and start to steer clear of my computer. But then I finally read the reviews, and low and behold, I started to type like crazy! Me and my stupid teenage hormones… And to appease you all, this chapter is VERY long! But enough of my excuses! READ ON!
Roy recognized the sound of Ed's hands clapping almost immediately, and despite having a knife up to his neck, grinned happily at the noise.
Jessica, on the other hand, didn't find any humor in the situation and glared at Roy's smiling face. "I don't care how funny you are. There's no reason you should be smiling. You're gonna di-- AHHH!"
The ground beneath her feet shifted and then shot directly up into the sky, taking Jessica with it. She hollered in alarm and anger, not understanding what just happened. Her balance faltered, and before she could tumble to the downward, she grabbed onto the pillar of ground. 'What the hell is going on!'
Shayla, hiding behind the trees, howled with laughter at the sight of the lovely Miss Jessica hanging on to the slab of earth for dear life. 'Take that, you stupid tramp!'
Roy had already moved away from Jessica and searched out Ed, not caring about his ex-fiancé's well being in the least. When he spotted the teen, who was grinning from ear to ear, Roy put on his best smirk and shouted at him. "Took you long enough, Fullmetal. What were you two doing?"
Ed's grin got wider and he made his way over to Roy. "We just wanted to watch you sweat, Colonel. Just for entertainment. Nothing personal." He stopped in front of the taller man, not sure what to say now. Now that he'd found Mustang, he felt slightly awkward…
The raven haired man sensed Ed's uneasiness, and the guilt came back full force. 'It's my fault. I'm surprised he saved my ass…' Roy reached out a hesitant hand for Ed's shoulder. "Edward… I…"
"Hey! As much as I want you two to kiss and make-up, we have some business to attend to!" Shayla glared at them, mildly annoyed. "The bitch got away!"
Sure enough, when the two looked up, Jessica was nowhere in sight. Ed bristled and got his hands ready to clap. "Just how good of a fighter is she, Mustang?"
Roy slipped on his gloves and surveyed the area. 'Too many trees and bushes… She could be hiding anywhere.' "I'm not sure. I've never seen her fight. And for all we know she could've just escaped. I doubt she'd really think of taking three trained State Alchemists on in a battle." Jessica was a bitch, but she was far from stupid.
A bullet whizzed by Roy's face and he ducked, taking Ed down with him. Another shot was fired and grazed his right shoulder. He hissed in pain, and but shielded Ed's body from the assault. Ed saw Roy's bleeding shoulder, growling at the sight of blood on the Colonel, and quickly clapping his hands together. He slapped them down onto the ground and a wall of earth lifted up to protect them from the flying shots.
"That won't save you, Roy!" Jessica's sickeningly sweet voice rang out in the park. "I will get your money! And then I'll kill your pathetic friends!"
"Stupid bitch," Ed muttered before ripping a piece of his red jacket off and tying the makeshift bandage on Roy's shoulder. "Does she even know who she's dealing with? And I thought you said she wasn't stupid enough to take on three State Alchemists!"
"Well, I stand corrected. And you have to remember Fullmetal, you haven't been to Central yet. Fullmetal Alchemist doesn't exist right now." Roy smiled at Ed's annoyance as he tied the cloth. "Don't worry. She'll get to see just what you're capable of before anyone else in this world." Ed smirked at this.
"So I have permission to beat her pretty face in?"
"Me and her were finished a long time ago," Roy said seriously. "You don't need my permission."
"Are you guys okay?" Shayla had crept over to the hiding place. "She's stopped firing, and I don't know where she is," she whispered.
At that moment, more bullets came, but this time from the other side where Ed hadn't raised the earth for a shield. All three of them cursed and scattered in different directions to avoid making a bigger target.
Roy ran around in circles, trying to lure the fire away from Shayla and Ed. Since he was the initial target, he prayed Jessica would leave those two alone and come straight after him. Ed and Shayla would have none of that, though. Ed headed straight toward the direction of the bullets, quickly dodging bullets while Shayla snuck behind with the intent to ambush.
When Ed got to the area of trees the shots were coming from, he didn't find Jessica at all. Instead, a burly young man backed away slowly from him, eyes wide with fright and gun on Ed. "Y-you get away from me!"
"Who the hell are you?" Ed snapped. He didn't step any closer, not sure if the man had any more bullets left to fire. "And where's Jessica?"
The gun shook along with the unsteady hands. Ed readied himself if the man should suddenly go off. "I was just following her idea! I didn't really want to kill the guy, I swear!" His babbling started to piss Ed off. The man obviously was under Jessica's spell and had no real idea what he'd gotten himself into.
"Don't shoot. If you do, you could end up going to prison for this. Jessica's in enough trouble." Ed took a cautious step forward. "She's not worth it. Just give me the gun." He took another step.
The burly man started to panic more, and in his desperation accidentally fired a shot right at Ed's foot. Luckily, it missed Ed, but he still froze his advance. Well, at least he knew the man still had bullets… 'Damn. I don't think I'll be able to grab it from here. And being shot in real life was plenty for me.' Ed's eyes strayed for a solution and suddenly lit up. He held his hands it the 'I surrender' position and started to take steps back.
"Don't move!" Seeing Ed retreat had renewed his confidence. The gun steadied more and the man attempted a smirk. "I'll shoot if you do."
A round house kick from behind threw the gun out of his hand, and before he had time to recover a very acute pain in his genitals brought him to his knees.
Ed clicked his tongue at the fallen man and lowered his hands. "I told you to listen. Shayla's not the most forgiving person when it comes to enemies."
Shayla picked up the gun and shot a grin at Ed. "You got that right." She looked down at the man and decided he wouldn't be much of a threat. "Ed, you go find Jessica. Without my whip, I'm not gonna be much help against her." Ed nodded his agreement, turning around and making off into the trees.
Shayla threw the gun somewhere safe and began to search for Roy, heading in the direction she'd seen him going. Keeping her ears peeled for any other noises, she made her way through a series of bushes, crouching down on the ground. She finally spotted Roy, hiding behind a few well placed trees, and waved to him so he wouldn't snap and fry her.
As soon as Roy saw her approach, he made his way over. "I can't find Jessica," he said urgently. "And where's Ed?"
"He's looking for her. I don't have my whip, and right now he's the strongest of us, so I thought he'd be better off." The expression on Roy's face didn't agree.
"Jessica is obviously not all that bright at the moment, and she doesn't know how strong Ed is."
"Are you defending her?" Shayla stiffened up and glared at Roy. "After everything she's done, which I still don't know about?"
"I promise to explain to you and Ed later. And no, I'm not defending her," Roy said defensively. "Ed doesn't want to hurt her, no matter what he says. And Jessica will try and kill him. He's at a disadvantage." Shayla, now understanding Roy's thinking, lowered her head in shame.
"Sorry."
"You can grovel later. Let's end this." Shayla mock glared and nodded. "You go the way you came and try to find Ed. I'll go the opposi--"
"Oh Roy! My little solider! I'd come out if I were you!" Roy and Shayla froze. "I think I have something you want!"
"Mustang, don't you dare do it! Don't listen to her." Roy shot up from his hiding position and glared at Jessica.
She stood in the tiny clearing in the middle of the park, gun in hand, and Ed in front of her. Ed glowered as he spotted the Colonel make his way toward them. 'I thought I told him to stay put! Bastard…'
"Ah! There you are. You can stop right there." Jessica chuckled lightly and smiled. "I figured the kid was special to you when covered him from the bullets. How sweet…" She pushed the gun into Ed's back, making him move forward. He grunted and glared behind his shoulder.
"Watch where you point that thing!"
Jessica ignored him and kept addressing Roy. "So when were you planning to tell me you played both fields, hm? Guess I wasn't the only one keeping secrets…" Mustang's snapping fingers twitched, but it would do him no good. Ed was in the line of fire, and Jessica would shoot him before he even raised his gloves. "Here's the deal, hubby. I let the shrimp go, in exchange for you and the girl."
Now, Jessica had never heard of the Fullmetal Alchemist, so it's safe to say she's never heard of his erratic temper either. Both Shayla and Roy winced at the comment and thought the exact same thing. 'Shit. Ed's gonna raise hell.'
"WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU CALLING SO FUCKING TINY THAT SPIT FROM A TODDLER IS A FUCKING WATER PARK COMPLETE WITH A JACUZZI AND WATER SLIDE!" (1) Ed's face went from red, to blue, to purple. Roy seriously thought Ed's head would shoot off like a rocket.
Jessica was too far in shock to react to this… outburst. So she didn't register when she felt the gun being snatched right out of her hand. The punch to the face woke her up, though.
Ed smirked, watching Jessica stumble backwards and clutch her rapidly bruising cheek. He'd be lying if he said he didn't find some pleasure in seeing her eyes widen with surprise and fury. 'No one calls me short, lady.'
His amusement was short lived as Jessica recovered far more quickly than anticipated. The concealed knife was whipped out once more and held at Ed's throat. He couldn't hold back his shock as the woman gained the upper hand. 'She's not some amateur like we thought. I think she's done this before.'
Jessica grinned at Ed, practically reading his mind. "What? You thought Roy was the only one I conned? I've been doing this for years. Roy just happens to be the wealthiest, and with his money I can finally stop my… career. Now drop the gun." Ed growled, but did as told, the gun falling from his metal hand. "Very good." She pressed the knife in deeper to the skin like she had with Roy, a thin stream of blood traveling down Ed's neck. "Now be a good boy, and no sudden moves. I have no qualms about killing a child."
Ed wanted to argue that he was actually a teenager, very close to adulthood, but even the slightest movements would dig the knife in deeper. 'And she probably knows where my jugular is.'
"Don't hurt him, Jessica." Roy snapped, trying to hide his panic.
"I'm afraid I'm calling the shots now, my little solider," Jessica replied, batting her eyelashes. "If I want to kill him, I most certainly will."
"No you won't." Jessica frowned at him.
"And why don't you tell me why? Unless I'm mistaken, Roy, it's me with the knife and the hostage. Correct me if I'm wrong."
"You hurt him and I'll kill you." That got another of those sweetened laughs from Jessica.
"You? I doubt it. You don't have the balls. If I remember correctly, you were in love with me. You can't erase that in a matter of moments." Roy smiled sourly and lifted his arm up to a snapping position.
"Trust me. I've had longer than you think to get over you." Her smirk faltered slightly, and she pressed the knife closer into Ed. He made a choking sound, trying to edge away from the growing discomfort and pain.
"I will kill him."
"And then I'll kill you. And you'll never see that money, or the rest of your life." Roy smirked at her. "I still hold the promise to let you go freely. But as soon as you harm Ed, I won't hesitate to end your pathetic life." Roy hoped the woman would take the bait and leave. He wasn't kidding when he said he would kill her, but at the same time, he wasn't sure if he could bear the grief of Ed dying.
The red head's resolve wavered and she lessened the pressure on Ed's neck. "I'm still the one in control here." Her voice didn't quite show it, though.
Shayla watched quietly from the sidelines. She could feel Jessica growing nervousness from where she sat. 'Come on. Let Ed go. Roy's giving you the chance of a lifetime here.'
"I'm not worth it, Jessica. I'm sure there are other, much wealthier men who'd love for you to seduce them. Let Ed go and just leave." Roy lowered his hand.
Jessica watched this with a guarded expression, before slowly removing the weapon from Ed's neck. As soon as the knife was a safe distance from his neck, Ed grabbed it and held it against Jessica's.
"Fullmetal! Leave her be." Ed frowned in frustration.
"But Mu--"
"That's an order." His tone tolerated no argument. Ed dropped the knife, glaring darkly at Jessica. She didn't meet his gaze, instead looking at Roy.
"So you'll let me go, just like that?" She didn't quite believe it. "Why?"
Roy waited until Ed had made his way back to him before answering, "You're not worth it. You'll get caught eventually. And if a poor sap is stupid enough to fall for you, then he deserves it anyway. Hell, I probably deserved it." He shook his head sadly and turned away from her. "I don't care about you. Love, hate. Doesn't matter. You could be a piece of shit for all I care."
She studied him with piercing green eyes before shrugging. "I guess if that's the way you want it. I'm not crying." She began to walk in the opposite direction. "Goodbye, my little solider. Maybe we'll meet again someday…" She chuckled lightly at the thought before disappearing into the safety of the trees.
Ed glared at her retreating back before spinning Roy around by the shoulders, forgetting the injured muscle. "What the hell are you doing? Letting her just waltz off like that? Why do such as stupid thing!" Roy calmly met Ed's apparent rage, waiting for the teen to calm down.
"I kinda agree with Ed, Mustang. Why did you let her go? You could have finally gotten back at her for all the shit she did to you." Shayla stepped out of the bushes and walked up. She waited for an answer.
"Fullmetal, could you please stop. My shoulder protests against the treatment." Ed had forgotten that. He released Roy, but continued to glare. "And I wasn't kidding when I said I don't care what she does."
"But you could get back at her," Ed whined.
"And what would it solve? This isn't real. We all know that. The real Jessica left along time ago. I didn't come and find her to take a non-existent life. I came here to…" He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "I guess let her know."
"What do you mean?" Shayla asked.
"When I first found out Jessica's plan, which happened to be in this park, I was devastated. I didn't even think things through, just immediately canceled the wedding and told her it was over. I never told her I knew… I guess I wanted to see how things would have played out if I had told her. I've had a long time to figure what I would've liked to say to her, and being here gave me that chance. So I don't mind if she goes. I'm at peace with the issue. For me it's finally over." Ed stared at him for a long time before gruffly nodding.
"I still think the bitch should pay, but if you're not worried about it…" Roy smirked.
"I'm touched, Fullmetal. Worrying about my revenge. Warms my heart." Ed glared at the grinning face before blushing a bit and then looking down at the ground. Roy felt his smirk die and simply watched him, not sure of how to bring up the… issue that needed to be resolved.
Shayla shook her head and took this as her cue. "Well, since I know you guys need to work out a few things, I'll be leaving." Ed's head shot up.
"But why?"
"I'll go look for the portal. You just worry about fixing things between you two, because I refuse to travel with you guys if you play 'silent treatment' with me stuck in the middle." She smiled reassuringly and winked at Ed, then heading out of the park.
With only the two of them now, the silence stretched between them. Ed refused to look Roy in the face while the raven haired man kept watching him for a reaction. Finally, Roy sighed in frustration. "Come on, Fullmetal. Let's go." Ed brought his head up again.
"Huh?"
"Might as well take a walk, since I know this will take a while." Ed let Roy walk a bit ahead of him, then let out a sigh of his own and hurried to follow the Colonel.
The Fuhrer's guard's had, as usual, turned in much earlier than expected, either to go get drunk or have a good time. After all, who would be foolish enough to break in to the Fuhrer's mansion? Only idiots with a death wish or the mentally challenged.
And at midnight, three mentally challenged men and one surprisingly sane woman snuck around in the dead of night, hoping to find an easier way into the Fuhrer's personal library. But there's never an easy way…
"Guess we're gonna have to climb guys. Did you bring grappling hooks, Havoc?"
"No, Hawkeye. These damn hooks digging in my back are just the latest style to attract women. They love the masochist look these days."
"Do you want some help, Havoc? I could take a few…"
"No! It's alright, Fury. They don't hurt at all! I'm just complaining about nothing."
Hawkeye shook her head. "With all the hearts in the air you'd think Armstrong stopped by and had a sparkle attack…"
Sneeze. "Get some balls and tell him how you feel!" Sneeze. Cough. "Damn cold… Sorry about that."
Whack!
"OUCH! That hurt, Havoc!"
"Sorry. I was aiming for your head, Hughes. Guess I missed…"
"Damn right you missed! I won't be able to sit for a month…"
Hawkeye's patience was hitting nerve zero. "Would you boys please play nice until we get the necessary information? Then you can gripe and moan all you want." She glared at them all through her mask.
"Of course you're not complaining! These fucking black ninja suits you got us chafe a certain part of our anatomy that you don't have!"
The gun safety clicking off echoed in the night. "And my breasts are pushed so far into my chest they resemble pancakes. Your point, Havoc?"
"……………I'll just get these hooks into place."
Throw. Miss. Clunk!
"SHIT!"
"Would you please keep it down!" Hawkeye hissed. "I wasn't planning on getting caught if that's alright with you, Hughes."
"How am I supposed to explain this to Gracia!"
"Oh, you big baby. Let me se-…… Damn. You're gonna feel that one in the morning…"
"It is morning, Havoc. And guess what? I can feel it. Oh happy day!"
"Please you guys! We need to get the information so we can help our friends out!"
Havoc immediately sobered up. "Sorry Fury. I'll behave."
Fury blushed and smiled. "It's okay. I know you will, Havoc.
Cough. "Get a room, please…" Hack. Cough. Wheeze.
"He was referring to you as well, Hughes. Don't make me tell Gracia about those Christmas pictures you took when she wasn't looking."
"…You play dirty…"
Smirk. "Who said I play fair?"
After quite a few hits and misses, along with everyone's share of cussing (including Fury) ,our band of idiots finally make their way up the side of the building and into the Fuhrer's library through the large window. No one was quite ready for the sight that met them.
"Ummm… maybe it's me, but how the hell are we supposed to search through all this?" Havoc took a long look at the seemingly endless rows of books, journals, and papers in book selves lined up against every available space. He needed a cigarette.
"We'll just have to split up. Only the personal secretary of the Fuhrer has a card catalog of everything, so we're stuck doing this the old fashioned way." Hughes smirked at Fury and Havoc. "I'll go with Hawkeye and search the north corner, while you two go search the south corner."
"I agree with Hughes. And if you hear anything suspicious, get out. Don't wait for Hughes and me. Chances are we'll already be out the window." With this in mind, everyone went their separate ways.
"Do you think we'll be able to find anything?" Fury asked. The dead silence was getting to him, and hearing Havoc's voice hopefully would put him at ease.
Havoc pulled off his mask and smiled down at him. "I don't doubt it. If we don't find it today, then there's tomorrow."
"But the guards--"
"Are all lazy asses from what Hughes told us. I bet the ones that are still here are asleep somewhere. As long as we're quiet, we'll be fine." He pulled tugged on Fury's mask until it was off, forcing himself not to chuckle at the dazed look he got. "Come on. Better get to work." He glanced up at the nearest book shelf and stopped. "This is as good a place as any." Fury nodded and went over, taking the first book he saw. But when opening it, he stopped and stared at the pages.
"Havoc?"
"Mmm?"
"We don't have a light. How are we supposed to read?" Havoc looked over at him.
"That's no problem." Bending down, Havoc took out a small marker and drew an array while Fury watched in surprise.
"You know alchemy?"
"Well, not really…" He grinned sheepishly as he finished. "But the Colonel bet Ed he could teach anyone a simple array. The Colonel choose me as the guinea pig, taught me the basic array for light." A small ball of light appeared in the darkness, illuminating their faces. "The only one I know, but it's handy."
"What happened to Edward, since he lost the bet?"
"Remember that time Ed walked around Central with the Colonel on his hands and knees barking like a dog?"
Realization hit Fury as his eyes got wide and his mouth made an 'o' shape. "That's why…"
"Yep. Didn't come back for days after that little stunt." The sound of Havoc's easy laughing brought a smile to Fury's face. "But come on. Might as well get started." Fury reopened the book in his hands, reading only the index to get a gist of what the book was about before replacing it and reaching for another.
And as luck would have it, that book was the same one Havoc was reaching out to.
'How cliché can this get?' Fury moaned in his head as their hands collided. He desperately wished he'd kept his mask on. Judging from Havoc's grin, his face was probably on fire. 'Can this get any worse?'
Havoc took one look at the bright red face and felt a little stab of guilt. 'Oops. I knew that wasn't a good idea. I'm way too romantic for my own good.'
Fury barely registered the book being put into his hands, but he could feel Havoc's fingers on his. Of course, he wouldn't be doing that on purpose, but it was still hard to ignore. Especially since Fury was enjoying the touch. "S-sorry."
"No problem. It's not like you planned that." 'Unlike some people,' but Havoc pushed that particular thought away. "I can get another one."
"B-but you… Havoc--"
"Relax, Fury. And you can call me Jean. I don't mind." He let his fingers caress Fury's for a moment longer, then finally pulled away with a mental sigh. 'Better not get too happy or he'll have a sensory overload.'
Finally the two got down to work, moving quickly from book to book without much luck. Havoc was ready to move on to the next shelf when he heard Fury mumble something.
"What's that? Did you say something?"
"I, ummm… you can…" His stuttering caused Havoc to stare at him, only causing Fury to bite his lip and shake his head. "It's nothing." But Havoc could tell it wasn't 'just nothing'. Hours of staring at the man when he wasn't looking had taught him that much.
"Come on. I won't laugh."
"No, really. It's--"
"Please?" Havoc added the pouty lip, then batted his eyelashes for effect.
'He probably knows I can't resist that for long! He looks so cute!' While his mind went off in 'gush mode', Fury was left with the dilemma of explaining his predicament to Havoc. "It's not like it's a big deal," he started, trying to shrug it off, "but… you can…" The last part of the sentence was mumbled
"I can what?" 'Kiss you? Take you to the back corner and screw you senseless? Let me take pictures of you naked for my own personal enjoyment?' (2)Since he seriously doubted that's what Fury had in mind, Havoc put a rein on his gutter mind and tried supplying Fury with some more… innocent options. "Go to the next shelf?" Fury shook his head. "Go back over to Hughes and Hawkeye?" Fury shook his head violently at this suggestion. "Err… I'm out. Come on," Havoc coaxed. "I won't hate you or anything. I could never do that."
This confession brought some relief to Fury, but he still didn't want to say what was on his mind. One last look at Havoc sealed his fate, when the man looked almost hurt. 'He probably thinks I don't trust him…' Fury sighed and gave in to the inevitable . "You can… call me by my first name if you want… Just to be fair," He added on hurriedly.
Havoc wasn't sure what to say for a moment. That caught him off guard. 'He's worried I won't call him by his first name? Of course I will! I've been waiting for permission for a long time! I keep forgetting he doesn't know that…'
But Fury didn't know, and couldn't hear Havoc's thoughts, so he took the increasingly long silence the wrong way. "I'm sorry. It was stupid…" he sighed dejectedly. "I won't bring it up again." Hiding his depression, he started off to the next shelf. He should have expected that reaction. Havoc didn't mean anything by letting him use his first name. In all probability, he said that to everyone he was friends with. 'Well, at least I'm a friend. It's better than nothing.'
The sound of Havoc's laughing and his hair being ruffled caused Fury to look behind his shoulder and up at an amused face.
"Cain, you worry too much." He brought his head down extremely close to Fury's. "In fact, I'm honored you'd let me use your first name," he whispered and winked at him, putting just a hint of seduction in his voice. (3)
Fury's brain officially shut down, and the only thing he could feel was the pleasant tingly sensation at hearing his name from Havoc's lips. 'Dontfaintdontfaintdontfaint…'
The dazed look in Fury's eyes started to scare Havoc. And could a person go that long without breathing? "Uh… Cain? You alright?" He straightened up and waved his hands in front of Fury's face. "Cain. Earth to Cain."
'Dontfaintdontfaintdontfaint…'
Deciding he really overdid it with that winking part, Havoc shrugged and swiftly picked up Fury, cradling him close and making off to another part of the library. 'I need to do this more often,' he decided to himself, grinning down at the still dazed man.
"Shall we start here?" Hawkeye took off her mask and waited for Hughes to catch up.
"Sure. This is as good a place as any to start." He glanced at the huge assortment of books on the first shelf. "This is gonna take a long time."
"I know. But we have no other choice. I doubt we would have a chance to steal the card catalog from the personal secretary."
"Yeah," Hughes sighed, picking up a book. "But it's nice to dream, right?"
Hawkeye hid her smile. "Well, you can dream later."
The two got to work much quicker than Fury or Havoc, and soon were already on their third shelf before conversation started again.
"Hughes. I think I might have found some information." Hughes looked up from his current book.
"Already? Someone up there must like us. Or otherwise years of suppressed luck is finally coming to our aid." Putting his own book back, he walked over to the moonlight they were using. "What did you find?"
"I don't think this is the exact book we're looking for, but it does talk about that epidemic…" She flipped through a couple of pages. "It says here that the trial I talked about concerned an alchemist that was convicted of treason."
Hughes whistled low at that news. "Treason? Wow, he really must have done a number. How'd he die?"
"He's one of the ten who had their eyeballs blown out. And he was convicted of treason because he spoke out against the Fuhrer. Doesn't say what exactly happened though." Not finding any more information, she closed the book and put it in a small bag. "But it's better than nothing."
"We'll keep searching," Hughes said. "We might find something else. There are a few more hours til we have to leave."
"How would you like to leave right now?"
Hawkeye drew her gun almost instantaneously, aiming straight at the woman in behind them. Hughes recognized her.
"Wait!" Hughes grabbed Hawkeye's hand and lowered it. "She's a friend."
"Now I wouldn't say friend," Gracia grinned at the two, especially Hawkeye's shocked face. "We just happen to have the same goal in mind."
"What are you doing here? And why didn't you tell me you'd be here?" Hughes questioned. Satisfied with letting him do the talking, Hawkeye just narrowed her eyes and backed away.
"There's no fun in that. I just wanted to surprise you, that's all." Gracia strolled over to the spot where Hawkeye had got the previous book. She examined the shelf before plucking off a rather beaten, old one. After examining the pages, she smiled and walked back over, handing the book to Hughes. "Marry Christmas."
Hughes, by now getting used to this other Gracia, rolled his eyes and took a look into the book himself. Hawkeye kept a close watch on their visitor, and her gun was still out. Observing this, Gracia laughed.
"You might as well put that away. If I wanted to kill you, I'd done it already." She laughed again as Hawkeye tightened her grip. A sharp intake of breath drew both of their attention.
"What… is this?" Hughes breathed. He looked up at Gracia and glared. "Why are you doing this? I doubt Ed's the only reason, or because you don't like the Fuhrer."
"My reasons are my own… but since you asked so nicely, I have a certain score to settle. Just my luck the chibi was involved as well. He can do my dirty work." Taking steps back, Gracia smiled impishly at them, her body starting to hide in the shadows. "I'll be seeing you again, Hughes." She vanished from sight.
"Don't bother, Hawkeye," Hughes started, noticing the woman going after Gracia. "I can guarantee she won't be there."
"Hughes… was that Gracia?"
"No. That's not really her. Somehow this person can change their form, and she likes to taunt me by being Gracia." He left out the part about her being his killer. Not telling how Hawkeye would react to that piece of information.
Sensing that Hughes was leaving something out, Hawkeye decided to let it drop. She'd had her scare for the day. "Alright then. Let's find Fury and Havoc. I've had enough of this library to last me a lifetime."
Hughes nodded, then grinned suddenly. "How much you want to bet that Havoc at least stole a kiss?"
"I doubt it. He's being real chicken about the entire thing. But if you want to lose money…"
"Fine. Thirty dollars says he did kiss him. Good with you?"
She smirked. "Deal."
"Alright Colonel. Let's get this over with." They'd been walking around for a while, no one breaking the silence until Ed finally got fed up. From the looks of things, the bastard wasn't even going to apologize without a fight. "I think you owe me something."
"A kiss?"
Ed growled and stopped walking. "No! You sick minded idiot! I want my apology!"
"Oh." Roy seemed a bit deflated. "… Are you sure you don't want a kiss?" He asked hopefully. Ed just stared at him, then turned away and began to walk. 'Shit. Wrong thing to say.'
'He can't even be serious for once…' Well, Ed didn't need that. If that bastard couldn't even apologize, fine. He'd never speak to him again
He ignored the sound of Roy running up to him, and resisted the grip on his arm. "Let me go!"
"Edward…" The sound of his voice had the desired effect, and Ed stopped his struggles. "I am sorry. It's just… hard for me to say."
"I can tell." Roy winced at the tone. Still angry. He should have known this wouldn't be easy… Turning Ed so his face was facing his, Roy tried again.
"What I did… I know it probably confused the hell out of you."
"No shit," Ed mumbled. He refused to look the Colonel in the eye, trying to make things difficult.
"I didn't mean to. I didn't even know I was going to do it."
"So why did ya?"
"… I guess the best answer is I'm attracted to you." Ed eyes snapped to Roy's for a split second, then focused on something behind him.
"You guess?"
"You won't make this easy, will you?" Roy asked wryly.
"Right now, I want to make your life hell." The Colonel chuckled at this and cupped Ed's cheek. The teen went rigid.
"So much fire…" Roy murmured. "That's probably one of the things I like about you. I find it endearing…"
"You won't after I punch you," Ed growled, but didn't move to back up the threat. "And you don't like me; it's just infatuation." Roy frowned at that.
"No… I do like you, no matter what it seems like. I enjoy your company, even if most of it's spent keeping you from snapping my neck in two." Ed faintly nodded his head. That part was certainly true. "And your humor is much wittier than the rest of my unit. I guess you're my entertainment as well." Ed wasn't sure he liked the idea of being the Colonel's form of entertainment. "There are many things I like about you, Edward." His eyes racked down Ed's lithe body. "Many things…"
Ed felt his face light up. He could practically feel the Colonel raping him with his eyes! 'Overeager bastard…' "Would you stop that?"
"Huh?" Roy was preoccupied with studying what he knew was a compact body… Damn clothes. "Stop what?"
"Looking at me like I'm your freakin' next meal!"
"But it's fun… You should try it."
"Roy… stop it."
"Oh? So we are on first name basis? This is going better than expected…" Roy grinned at him. "And we haven't even gone out on a date yet."
Ed met Roy's eyes again, blushing furiously and glaring for all he was worth. He pushed against Roy's chest to get away. Only thing he did was allow Roy to wrap his arms around the small waist and bring him closer. Ed gasped and stared up at Roy as the man snuck a hand to his cheek again.
Roy tilted up Ed's chin so he could stare into those golden orbs he was obsessed with. "This is fun." He was going to drown if he kept this up. "I could get used to this…" Ed couldn't keep the gaze up and looked out of the corner of his eyes. Smirking, Roy brought his head down so that his mouth was close to Ed's ear. "So Edward, willing to give this a try? I certainly am…" Nuzzling the ear, Roy was delighted at the shudder he got from Ed. Oh, he was certainly having fun!
It took a while before Ed could gather his thoughts back up. Damn Mustang for turning him in to a pile of goo! "Is this… a one time thing?" That question caught Roy off guard, and he pulled his head away so he could stare at Ed's face.
"Do you want it to be?"
"I- I… don't know what I want," Ed softly admitted. "This is new for me, if you haven't noticed…" He blushed harder. "It's not like I've been in a relationship before…"
Once again, Roy had to remind himself who he was dealing with. Ed was no ordinary virgin. He didn't know crap about courtship or dates or anything. Not that this was going to stop Roy, of course. "Edward, I'm not just going to fuck you then leave." Ed face looked ready to explode with Roy's blunt choice of words. "I said I want to give this a try. I can't promise you anything, but…" he brought his forehead against Ed's. "I'll work with you if you're willing…"
Ed looked into Roy's eyes, not sure what to say. He wanted desperately to believe him, but this was Roy Mustang. His exploits with the opposite sex were legendary around Central. This man could have anyone, and here he was bothering with a skinny teen, with two automail limbs and a nasty temper. He did know what this would do to his image, right? It still seemed too good to be true…
Waiting in silence, Roy could only guess what was running through Ed's mind. Hell, he wasn't sure if this was really what he wanted. Yes, he was infatuated. Yes, he liked Ed, but he also knew a relationship with the boy would undoubtedly lead to something more between them. And he wasn't sure if he was ready. After Jessica… he wasn't sure if he could love someone again.
'But maybe for Ed I can try at least.'
"Colonel… I--"
"It's alright Ed. You don't have to answer right away." He smiled at the teen. "I'll wait for you." Ed's eyes widened at this confession, before offering a tiny smile.
He kissed Roy's nose. (4)
Tiny rockets went off in Roy's stomach, and he knew his face must have been quite the sight since Ed's laughter bounced off into the park. Looks like Ed did one up the Colonel. "H-how did you…?"
"Shayla. She told me everything. I guess that's your reward for not being a bastard all the time." Ed smirked at him, dislodged himself from Roy's chest and walked over to a bush. "Speaking of Shayla, you can come out now. I know you were watching."
The brunette rose slowly, looking like she'd been caught with the damn cookie jar in her hand, but her smirk told them she didn't really mind.
"You two know how to put on a show…" She leered. "I should eavesdrop more often. Who knew how much fun it can be!" That never ending blush appeared on Ed's face again. Roy snickered.
"Don't you dare!" Ed warned her. Shayla just laughed at him and motioned for the two to follow.
"Come on, lovebirds. I found the portal. Let's go." Ed ran over to the orange eyed woman to talk about where she'd found the portal, with Roy trailing behind to his own thoughts. He looked over his shoulder and sighed to himself.
'I finally ended it. She's really gone…' Smiling faintly he turned back and ran to catch up with his friends.
He had a feeling he wouldn't be thinking of Jessica anymore.
(A/N) To end… or not to end… hmmm… What the hell? Let's go on!
"So where did you find the portal again?" Ed asked.
"The deli we were in. It's in the corner."
"And you know this because…?"
"Well, I'm starting to sense them now. Not sure why, but I'm not complaining." Shayla shrugged. "It's probably for the best."
"You two trying to ditch me?" Roy had finally caught up with them, looking slightly hurt.
"You're the idiot who didn't catch up." Ed replied.
"But I'm here now."
"Joy. Excuse me while I go barf somewhere." Shayla giggled like mad and enjoyed the show. It was best to let them get it out of their system.
"I'm hurt."
"And I care why?"
"Don't you know? I'm supposed to sweep you off your feet one day! Then we can marry and have a house full of kids and a dog or two, maybe a ca--"
"Sorry to interrupt your disgusting fantasy, but that will never happen."
"I bet you'd look good pregnant. So radiant and full of life!"
"Okay, I'm not even gonna comment on that… And it's not that funny, Shayla." Ed glared as his friend clutching her side in hysterics.
"Yes it is! I could see you in labor… And Roy would be smart not to go in that particular room."
Roy gave her a pointed look and shivered. "I'm not stupid. I'd be at least in another building so he couldn't transmute me into a diaper or something…"
"Why are you discussing this while I'm in earshot?" Ed growled. "There's no way I could get pregnant!"
"Never say never Ed," Shayla said mysteriously until she was overcome by the giggles again. Deciding it best to ignore her, Ed spotted the deli up ahead.
"We're almost there, you two. Try and behave." That got a pout out of Shayla.
"That's my line!" Ed smirked. At least the laughing had ceased.
When the trio made it in the deli, it was surprisingly empty. Not even the workers were in sight.
"That's strange," Shayla commented. "It was really busy when I was here alone…"
"Do you think that maybe we're influencing this memory?" Ed asked. A shimmer caught his eye and he faced the corner Shayla had talked about.
"Of course we are. Many of the things that happened here aren't true. I never got to have my talk with Jessica, after all," Roy said. He walked over to the shimmer and stuck his hand in. "Yep. This is it." He glanced over at Shayla and Ed. "Let's go." He stepped through.
Nothing had changed since the last visit to the darkness. Except now Roy could faintly see a number of shimmers around him. 'Strange. I didn't know there were this many…' Roy took a quick glance at his shoulder and wasn't surprised to find the red cloth missing. And his injury completely healed.
"I hate this place." Ed shuddered as he came through the portal, Shayla following close behind. "Reminds me of my fight with that bastard."
"For once I'm not the bastard. But you fought the Dream Alchemist?" Roy asked.
The golden eyed teen nodded. "Yeah. And got my ass whooped. He used the same type of alchemy as I did."
"Same here. He almost killed us with my gloves, or something like them. I don't know if he can only use the attacks we use or if he's just toying with us."
"Just because of where we are, I'd put my money on him toying with us. Like he said, this is his domain, so he can make things happen," Shayla stated. She took her first good look at the place and gasped. "Wow! Look at all the portals!" Ed looked around in confusion.
"I see a few shimmery spots, but that's it."
"I think Shayla's more aware than we are, Edward. I see the portals too, but they must appear different to her." Roy glanced over at Shayla. "What do you see?"
"Balls of moving colors… like moving liquid in the shape of a sphere. It's a shame you guys can't see it… There's so many," She breathed.
"How many can you count?" Roy asked.
"I can't. There's too many. Most of them are kinda dim… but there are a few that practically glow." She passed her hand through what seemed like nothing to Ed and Roy. "I don't think we can go through the dim ones, and you guys can faintly make out the bright ones."
"Hmmm…" Roy didn't know why the woman was more in tune with this place, but he didn't care at the moment. "We might as well search around through the portals. I don't think we can fight the Dream Alchemist yet."
Ed agreed. "I doubt we'd do much damage right now. Until we know how this place works…"
"I-- fi… just yo-- I'll get y-- fucker…"
Roy stiffened. "I guess we better get going. I can hear him."
"How dar-- af-- all I did fo--"
"Wait." Shayla stopped them from running. "I want to see what he's saying. There's something really weird going on…"
"But Shayla, I doubt he'll let us go if he spots us," Ed said. Already he was edging away.
"There's a shimmer a few spaces ahead of you. Do you see it?" They nodded. "We can make a break for it if he does see us. But just let me listen…
The Dream Alchemist's voice slowly became more clear to the listeners.
"I have to fin- the kid. I wo-- let h-- him. And then I sti-- need to l-- two."
Slowly, the bright red hair could be seen in the darkness, the head bent as he continued to talk to himself.
"I think he's talking about Ed," Shayla whispered. All three of them tensed up as the head raised and the Dream Alchemist looked in the direction of Shayla's voice. The color drained from the already pale face.
"It's you! You fuckers are still here!" His eyes got wide at the sight of Ed. "And the kid! I've found you!" Roy almost snarled at him. His snapping fingers twitched.
"What do you want with me?" Ed shouted, plans of running away forgotten. The Dream Alchemist took a step toward him, eyed Shayla and Roy, then took a few steps back. Roy raised an eyebrow.
'Well this is interesting…'
Starting to wonder, Roy took some steps toward the Dream Alchemist, arm outstretched just in case. As he expected, the red haired man slowly backed away. 'Very interesting…'
Shayla finally caught on to what Roy was doing. "You're not the Dream Alchemist, are you?" She asked, folding her arms in annoyance. "You're the guy me and Roy met when we first came here."
Any other color was gone from his face, and he started to shake slightly. "I don't know… what you're talking about. Of course I'm the Dream Alchemist!" He took a step forward, as if to prove his point. But the sight of Roy's smirking face made him shrink back. "I'll kill you! You stupid fuckers!"
"You sound very familiar to me…" Shayla walked up so she was standing next to Roy. "You called me a bitch, didn't you? When I was saving Hughes…" She smiled at him, but her eyes grew hard. "I think some payback is order."
He immediately shot off, with all three of the alchemists right on his tail. "Oh no you don't!" Ed slapped his hands together, the light almost blinding in the darkness. He pushed them down on the ground and four brick walls surrounded the running red head, preventing movement. They could hear the sudden screams and yells.
"Good job, Ed!" Shayla smiled at him. "Now let's get--"
"What the hell?" Roy stopped running and watched as the man … flew out of his prison. Shayla and Ed came to a halt.
"He can fly?" Shayla asked to no one.
"Rules don't apply here!" The fiend laughed at their shocked faces and sped off in the air. "It's pointless to challenge me!"
"Come on!" Roy shouted and the chase continued. But it was too late. Their copy cat had a good distance ahead of them, and chasing was no use anymore.
"Damn." Shayla panted. All the running was definitely taking its toll on the woman. "You guys okay?"
"Except for my pride, yeah."
"Don't worry about it, Ed." The Colonel sat down on the invisible ground. "We didn't know he could do that…"
"And it doesn't matter anyway. We'll find him again," Shayla reassured. "But now I think it's time to go into another memory. We have a better chance of running into him when he thinks he's safe."
"And I am curious as to what memory we'll find next," Roy mused. He glanced around them and pointed out a hazy shimmer. "How about that one?" Ed shrugged.
"I don't care. I'm still trying to process all this stuff in my head."
"I'm good with it," Shayla said. She walked over to the shimmer, or in her case, the bright ball of light. "This one?" Roy nodded at her. "Well, come on then. No point in waiting around here." When she sensed the two men behind her, she took the first step into the new memory that awaited them.
(1) ………I kinda like that one.
(2) Ed- Oh no you don't! If I can't have any fun, you sure as hell aren't!
Havoc- (shrugs) I wasn't serious. I already have pictures. And I did steal that kiss from him once.
Bandit- You have pictures? You dirty bastard, how could you!… Can I see?
(3) Me and my fluff! I can't seem to get rid of it! ;p
(4) GAAAHHHHH! The fluff! (drowns in it) I know you all love me right now! ;p
Yes! I actually like this chapter… sorta. Gods, I can't believe I wrote some of that. It was almost smutty fluff! Is there such thing? My poor brain. Well, I hope you liked this extra long chappie. Savor it, cause I doubt the next one will be this long. Shout out time!
Uniasus- Very good. They shouldn't be able to interact, but they can. Think of it like this: have you ever had a memory where you'd replay it over and over with different outcomes, but it never changed the actual memory? That's pretty much what this is. If they walked back into a same memory, a different outcome might happen, but that doesn't mean the actually memory has changed when they leave. It shouldn't happen, but what can I say? I guess I'm just letting them have some fun… Hope it doesn't bother you too much. ;p
Seeker Carter- I'm happy you liked my ending, even if I still think it sucked. But as you've already read, I had Ed save Roy. Just seemed so right!
Karia Ithilai- EEP! I'm updating! I'm updating :p
Akumako- Well, it's a different kind of fluff, but I hope it still works…
yinan- I know. I kinda wish I did kill her off. She certainly deserved it (sends pissed Ed after Jessica)
Orenji Yoh-chan- It's fine that you haven't been reviewing. I'm just happy there are people reading this story! Never thought it would get this popular! And don't diss your stories! You're the author of Remembering You, right? (dies of shock) I love that story, even if I've never reviewed:p So we're even. And you're just really picky with your stories, like me. ;p Thanx much for the praise and review!
P.S.- I read your profile… I'm very disturbed. But I do totally agree with the Sess/Kagome pairing. It's not right! And I saw the Ed/Roy pics! (squeals) DA FLUFF! I am soooo visiting your profile so I can get links! And your obsession with oranges scares me… ;p Okay, done rambling!
RejectedAndLoved- I need the evil cliffies!… even though there really isn't one in this chapter… But I'm afraid Jessica lives. Roy has more important things to think about than that bitch! (coughEdcough)
Cat- Oh, Ed's happy to see Roy. And the feeling is very mutual, even if they don't want to admit it yet.
Anonymous- Yes, I do need Ed in there. He keeps the story moving, that's for sure.
Torii- I can't tell you! (wails) Oh, you read it already? Good! No I don't feel so bad. ;p
Daft Bugger- Yeah. I was a bit anxious for them to get back together so I could focus on them as a couple.
LegacyRBluesummers- Whoa… (stares at Jessica's remains) Someone really didn't like her… (joins LRB in dancing on the ashes)
alchemistgrl09- Wow. Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it so much! I feel the love!
arynna- Can't tell you, but you might be surprised at the next memory!
Shingo-sama- Ed- damn straight he's my bitch! DIE JESSICA! (transmutes her into a frog and steps on her)
Bandit- Ed… you need to calm down.
Nika- Ummm… I have a feeling I don't want to know what the fuzzball of doom is… If it's anything like my cat, then I'm very scared…
inuyashabooklover5188- Don't scream! Here's a chapter for you! Must keep reviewers happy! ;p
And to all the people who reviewed chapter 12, thanks very much. I know you guys loved the fluff as much as I did! I still squeal whenever I read it…;p
And now you must all review! REVIEW I SAY!