AN- this is sort of a mini chap. My life is CRAZY. I barely had time to whip this up. Consider it more of a connector than anything.

Chapter 6

Roy was annoyed. Even Yoki seemed to take note of that fact. The fool had been delightfully quiet that afternoon as Roy poured over his old records. Maybe it was merely that he knew he had been caught or maybe he thought that Roy wasn't smart enough to figure it all out, but Yoki didn't try to cover his tracks anymore. The holes in his accounting were so blatant that even an idiot could have seen them. Roy handed the book to Riza. "And this is everything for the last two years?"

Yoki nodded. "Yes, I'm afraid. There was a fire before that, and all of the records prior to this were lost."

"How unfortunate," Roy drawled. "I'm going to keep these for a while."

"Go right ahead," the officer said nervously.

"That will be all for today. Riza and I will return in the morning," Roy said dryly. He didn't have the patience to deal with this today...not after last night.

There was a car waiting for them when Roy and Riza were ready. Though normally silent, Riza ventured to ask, "Did you sleep alright?"

"Fine," the Colonel barked.

"Sir, I only ask because you seem irritable today. Perhaps if I slept on a bedroll, and you took my bed..."

"Drop it, Hawkeye."

"Yes, sir."

The pair didn't say another word for the remainder of the ride. Damn it, if Hawkeye hadn't been too close to the real reason Roy was so moody. He stared out the window at the bland scenery. His subordinate was far too perceptive for his tastes.

Last night had brought some questions to Roy's mind, and he wasn't entirely sure he was ready for them. As he had the night before, Ed had begun to writhe and mumble in his sleep, and Roy had comforted him once more. This time, however, Roy even found himself whispering to the boy. It wasn't like Roy to be compassionate. Nor was it like Roy to notice how perfectly one blonde boy fit into his arms, or how he felt like he belonged there. Roy would chalk it up to a simple need to get laid, but it hadn't been that long since his last one night stand. Edward Elric was becoming a problem. Roy would have to be more careful.

Roy made the driver stop at the telegraph office, and sent word to Maes. It was better that he get rid of the boy so he could actually focus on his job and get out of this dust heap.

When he got back tot he hotel room, the boy was seated with his knee pulled up to his chest reading a novel. "You have something else to be reading," Roy snapped. His irritation was more for himself than the boy.

Ed set the book down. "I'll read it...just not now."

"Did you stay here today like you were told?"

"All damn day," the boy replied sullenly.

"You will be on a train to Central in the morning. Major Hughes is expecting you," Roy told him crisply.

"What? I thought we were going to be here a few days?" Ed asked.

"We--meaning Lt. Hawkeye and I--will be staying until the job is done. You need to get to Central before my patience runs out. Hughes is the better babysitter." Roy couldn't ignore the hurt in those huge golden eyes when he said those words. He almost wished he could take them back, but this was the right thing to do. Getting attached wasn't a good idea.

Ed hid his disappointment well. "Ok," he said lifelessly.

Roy continued. "He will meet you at the station. More than likely, you will learn more about the Hughes family than you ever wanted to know. Do your best to ignore him."

"Will I see you when you come back to Central?"

"Possibly. I am a busy man. So long as you follow the rules, I have no reason to come out. Edward, I'm not going to follow you around making sure you fall in line. I have a career to think of." Did the boy have to look so sad? And why would he care that Roy didn't come to see him anyway? The kid didn't even seem to like him.

Ed nodded. "Right."

"You'll like Hughes," Roy assured him. Even to his own ears, it sounded flat. "You should get some sleep."

That night, Ed didn't toss or turn nearly as much as he had before. Roy had wasted no time pulling the boy to him at the first hint of a nightmare. He reasoned that since. Ed would be leaving, this was safe. Ed's head against his chest felt too perfect to be comfortable. The scent of the kid's hair was nearly intoxicating. Why did he crave this so badly? Why did he want this kid the way he did?

"Please don't go," Ed whimpered in his sleep.

"Everything is fine, Ed." Roy brushed some of the golden strands from his forehead.

"Don't leave me alone, Roy," Ed pleaded.

Those words felt like a fist to his gut. Even if it was in some small way, Ed had come to trust him and Roy was betraying that trust. Sending him away for his own weak will was no better than walking out. In the end, though, it was still the best thing. Ed didn't need to know all of the things that came with getting close to Roy Mustang. The boy had been through enough.

Roy's voice was thick with emotion when he spoke. "I'm doing the right thing, Ed." Maybe, somehow I can convince myself that's right.