Bad Idea

A/N: Second update so soon, WOOT WOOT! Lol, but seriously, it's currently still FMA Day, though it may not be when I upload this. In the spirit of the holiday, I've been writing new chapters for my FMA fics and watching/listening to FMAB all day, while wearing an FMA shirt. And yes, I know I'm a loser, but it's too late to turn back now.

ANYWHORE, so this chapter might be when the title comes into play…but it might not be the time yet. You'll have to keep reading to find out~

ALSO, I have a few changes to announce. My timeline is completely fucked up, so I'll tell you guys the timeline here. So for this story,Roy and Solf are both 29 (born 1885). Riza is 27 (born 1887), and Alice is 26 (born 1888). Violet's age is also different. Since the extermination in Ishbal started in 1908 (meaning that the executive order was passed), for this fic, that's when the state alchemists were sent to Ishbal. That being said, Violet is 6 (born 1908). That probably gave away more than I meant it to, but oh well. Gotta get that timeline fixed. XD

Thanks for all the favorites, follows, and reviews, and most of all, THANK YOU FOR READING. You guys are great, and I love to receive your feedback, so please review.

Chapter 14: The Deal

After Roy left work that evening, he went home for dinner. He hung his coat on the rack next to the door before walking to the kitchen, still hoping that Alice would call soon. As he was looking in his refrigerator for something to eat, there was

a knock on the door.

He went to the door and when he opened it, the red-haired woman that he was hoping to get a call from was standing there with her luggage.

"Hey," Alice said. "Do you mind if I stay with you for a while?"

"Uh, s-sure," Roy said in confusion. He stepped aside to let her in.

"I'm sorry for bothering you," she said as she entered the apartment.

"You're not," he said with a small smile and closed the door. "So what happened to staying with the Elrics?"

"Ed is just a pain in the ass," Alice replied, "but you already knew that."

"That makes sense." Roy chuckled a little. "So does this mean that you won't be working with them anymore?"

"No, nothing like that," she said. "I just need some space for a little while."

"Oh," he responded. "Well, since you'll be staying here, I'll go get the room ready."

"I can just sleep on the couch…" She wasn't fond of the idea of sleeping in his bed with him.

"I can take the couch, since you'll just be here for a few days," he said. "I'll take your bags to the room." He picked up her bags and took them to his bedroom.

Alice followed him. "You don't have to give me your room and carry my bags."

"Just take the room," Roy said as he put her bags down in his bedroom.

"Fine," she said with a sigh. "Thanks, Roy."

"No problem," he said with a small smile. "Have you eaten yet?"

"No, but I'll call a restaurant for a delivery, and you can order whatever you want. Since you're letting me stay here, I'll pay for dinner," Alice said.

"Are you sure," he asked.

"Yeah," she replied. "Pick the place and I'll call."

"I'll see if I have any take out menus," Roy said before leaving the room.

Alice bent over to look in one of her bags, but stopped before opening it because she saw something shining under the bed. She reached down and picked up the object.

She smirked as she looked at the picture of younger Roy and Riza in a silver picture frame. "So I was right."

Just then, Roy walked into the room. "Hey, I found so-," he stopped when he saw what Alice was holding. "Uh, I can explain," he said.

"Actually, you don't have to," Alice said with a smirk.

"I-It's not like that," Roy said, trying not to blush.

"Sure," she sarcastically said as she sat on the bed. "I already suspected it, but since it's true, how about a deal?"

"A deal," he asked.

Alice smirked again. "One of your many flaws is that you can't seem to keep a stable relationship for a long time. Is it just one night stands or very short relationships?"

"What does that have to do with anything," Roy asked. "Wait, I don't have a lot of flaws!"

"You want Riza, but she hasn't ever seen you have a stable relationship, right," she asked.

"Yes, but," he stopped himself. "Wait, I don't want the lieutenant!"

"Then we can make a deal," Alice replied, ignoring his last statement. "If you let me stay here when I'm in Central, I'll be your girlfriend for a while. It should only take a few months to show that you can handle a real relationship, and when it's
over

I'll talk to Ri about you. That way you have a better chance, and I'll have a place to stay."

Roy sighed and sat next to her. "Do you really think it'll work?"

"It may not make her leap into your arms, but it'll likely help you get there," she said.

"Fine, let's try it," he said.

"Good," Alice said with a smile. "Now for the rules."

"Rules," Roy asked.

"First, since this is a fake relationship, don't try to make anything of it. I'm not interested in doing you or dating you for real. Got it?"

Roy nodded.

"Second, I will decide when and how to let people know that we're together. You can tell them that you're dating someone or allude to it, but my identity will be revealed when I want it to and how I want it to. Any questions so far," she asked.
/"Nope," he replied.

"Any other rules can be added if we both agree," she said. "Now, lets go get some dinner."

"I thought you wanted to order something," Roy said.

"Since we're supposed to act as a couple now, we should go out for dinner," she replied. She reached into one of her bags and pulled out a large wad of cash. "This will take care of dinner and drinks." She handed the money to him.

"You don't have to pay," he said, "especially since it'd be a date."

"Roy, just take the money. I'm not going to make you spend all of your money on food," Alice replied. "Consider it rent money if you have to."

"Fine," Roy said as he reluctantly took the money. He went into his closet and got some clothes out. "Do you want to change first or should I?"

"You can change out here and I'll change in the bathroom," she replied. She picked up one of her bags and took it into the bathroom.

When Roy finished changing, he knocked on the bathroom door. "I'll be in the living room," he said.

"Okay," Alice said from the other side of the door.

He walked into the living room and sat on the couch, waiting for Alice to finish getting ready.

A few minutes later, Alice walked into the living room. "I'm ready," she said.

Roy turned to look at her. His jaw dropped when he saw her standing there wearing a black and electric blue corset with a very short black skirt and fishnet tights that were held up by a garter belt under her clothes. Her shoes were black high-heeled
/boots that had bright blue laces, silver spikes on the back, and stopped a few inches above her ankle. Her long blood red hair was down with a small black clip holding one side slightly back so that it was away from her face, and her long bangs were
/swept to the side opposite of the clip.

"Wow," was all Roy could say.

"You do realize that this is similar to what I normally wear, right," she asked, letting out a small laugh at his amazement.

"I," he couldn't think of what to say.

"Let's just go," Alice said, trying not to laugh. She walked to the door. "Make sure you have the money I gave you."

"I have it," he replied, finally coming back to his senses. He stood up and went to open the door for her. "We can take my car. The restaurant isn't really within walking distance."

"Sure," she said, and walked to his car.

He opened her door and closed it when she was in the car. When he started driving, Alice looked out the window.

"So," she said after a moment of silence, "how long have you been in love with Ri?"

Roy tried not to blush. "Im not in love with her."

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," Alice said.

He sighed. "I can't remember how long it's been."

"Since you were her father's a apprentice, right," she asked.

"How do you know about that," he asked, glancing at her.

"I know many things," she replied. "But you didn't answer my question."

"I guess it's been that long..." He glanced at her. "What about you?"

"What about me," she asked.

"Well, how long have you loved that psychotic serial killer," he asked.

"Possibly longer than you've loved Riza...but let's not talk about him," she said as she looked out the window.

"If you won't talk about him, can we not talk about Riza," Roy asked.

"Sure, but I can't guarantee it," she replied, glancing at him.