Hi everyone! Back at you with story #19! Can you believe we're already at #19? I mean, granted it has been a month...but still. I'm so happy! I'm glad that I've stuck with this story for so long, that usually doesn't happen...anyways! This is a suggestion by Lady Jessica Mustang. Enjoy!

Summary: Edward and Alphonse are being guarded by Mustang and Riza. On the way to HQ, they run into a little trouble.

Idea Came From: Lady Jessica Mustang who suggested it

Timeline: Sometime after the first encounter the boys have with Scar (Brotherhood)

Rated: K

Notes: none

Story 19: Guard Dog

The fact that both Edward and Alphonse have to be protected and watched by someone at all times makes Ed want to scream out to the world. He had argued with Colonel Roy Mustang for an hour about how he doesn't need to be babysat, how he is perfectly capable of protecting himself and Alphonse. But, he still couldn't get out of it, seeing as it is the Furhur's direct order.

So, here they are, walking down the street with both Roy and Riza, on the way to headquarters. Of course, it is only natural that Roy would be assigned to watch the boys. And it isn't too much of a stretch that Riza would help him.

"Do you both have to walk us to HQ?" Ed complains, shuffling after the two adults and his brother. He seriously just wants to punch Roy and run. Anything to get away from the annoying Colonel. And Roy is pretty much thinking the same thing. Neither wants to be around one another for any longer than what they actually have to.

"It isn't that bad, brother," Al sighs as he looks over his shoulder at Edward. "Besides, it doesn't hurt to have some extra protection. Especially with how dangerous Scar-"
"I can take him!" Ed exclaims, straightening up instantly.

"With how well you had handled him before?" Roy comments with a scoff. "Yeah, fat chance of you actually winning in a fight with him."

"Hey! Don't act like you were any better!" Ed shouts back, punching his hand into the air. "Havoc told me that you were completely useless since it was raining!"

"I'm not useless!"

"Are too!"

"Brother, please," Al sighs, shaking his head. Riza stays quiet, frowning as the two continue arguing. She sighs, shaking her head. Black Hayate barks and wags his tail at Riza.

"They act like children sometimes."

This continues for a while, at least, until halfway to HQ. They pass one woman who is standing on the street corner, a black purse hanging from her arm as she looks down the road. When the group passes she stops and stares.

"Excuse me," she says, getting their attention. The group all turns to stare at the woman, Edward angry that she had interrupted his argument with Roy which he was clearly winning.

"Can we help you?" Roy quickly says, clearing his throat as he easily slips into being professional. "Do you need help?"

"No, no, I'm fine," she says as her eyes slowly look over to inspect the two Elric brothers. Alphonse squirms nervously under her piercing gaze while Edward only glares, arms crossed. "It's just that...aren't those boys supposed to be in school right now?"

"Oh, yeah, we get that a lot." Ed chuckles with the wave of his hand. "We don't go to school, ma'am. We're-"

"Don't lie, young man," she quickly snaps. The boys are taken aback. "Teenagers like you should be in school right now! So, where were you heading off to? Skipping class to go meet a lady friend?"

Edward's face turns red and he sputters for a response, rapidly shaking his head as he holds his hands out. "No-we're-it's-we were just-we're not-"

"What he's trying to say is that we don't go to school," Al says for his brother, glancing at Roy and Riza before looking back. Black Hayate is sitting obediently by Riza's feet, watching with curiosity.

"I highly doubt that. You're just trying to get out of going to school! I'm sure this fine couple here was marching you right back there."

This time it's Roy's turn to sputter.

"You're mistaken, ma'am." Riza jumps in, shaking her head at Roy. "We are mere co-workers, nothing more. These two are telling the truth, they don't go to school. They're with us-"

"Preposterous!" The woman shouts, face turning red with anger. "Boys their age should be going to school! Not lollygagging around on the streets!"

"Lady!" Roy shouts, causing the boys to jump while the woman tenses. "We've tried telling you that they don't go to school, but you don't listen. You only hear what you want to hear, and people like that drive me insane!"

"But-"

"Ma'am, please leave this to us," Riza says more calmly than Roy while Edward and Alphonse stand back, watching with surprise. "They don't go to school. This is State Alchemist Edward Elric, Fullmetal, and his younger brother, Alphonse Elric. Edward works with us for the military. His brother joins along. That's why they aren't in school and that's why they don't go to school."

The woman is left standing there, opening and closing her mouth for a valid argument. The group promptly turns and leaves when she can't find one. With one look over the shoulder, she is storming off, muttering angry curses to herself and shooting the occasional glare their way.

"We could have handled it, you know," Edward says, breaking the awkward silence that had fallen over the group. "We're used to it by now."

"You shouldn't have to be," Roy replies with a heavy sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You shouldn't have to deal with nosy adults who don't know how to mind their own business. And she clearly wasn't listening to you boys."

"Thank you, sir," Alphonse says with a small smile. "We appreciate it."

"Just doing my job." Roy chuckles, smiling back. Edward only glares and crosses his arms, sticking his nose in the air while Riza shakes her head.

"I could have handled her."

"Just like you handled Scar?"

"Shut up!"

That's it! Sorry that it was so short, I have no excuse. Besides that, I hope you enjoyed it! I may or may not write the encounter the boys have with Scar, seeing as Alphonse isn't a suit of armor...that could be interesting. Anyways, don't forget to leave suggestions for what you want to see me write in future chapters! Thanks for reading, and have a good day/night!