Disclaimer:We, yet again own Nada...zilch...squat...zero...

Authors': SeiferAlmasy86 AND Dark Nuriko

Warnings:The same exact warnings from chapter one apply.

Days came and went, Roy kept checking up on each individual department's progress, but unfortunately with all the budgeting, planning and projects going on he couldn't visit everyone himself, there fore he had his assistant Riza helping him keep tabs on the projects, whether they were a s uccess or a failure. So on and So forth

Edward's team had been working overtime on their latest project, knowing he was getting close to the answer. Almost everything was running smoothly, except the damn thing would over heat from too much activity.

"What if we design a fan, to help keep it cool, kind of like ...how a computer works." Schezka suggested, looking as if she was just about ready to rip all of her hair out of her head due to pure frusteration.

"But this is going in a human body... we can't have the same set up for it. No... something isn't right. There's something I'm missing."

Schezka sighed "it's getting over heated right? kind of sounds like you have one too many neurons in one spot." she mumbled while looking at the clock on the wall boredly

Edward nodded in agreement, even as he sighed. "Why don't you get some rest. I'll work a little more then head home myself."

"I'm sorry. It's just been an excruiningly long week. If your positive you have everything under control i'll be more than willing to go home and hit the sack."

"I'm fine, really, go get some rest. You don't have to push yourself."

Nodding the girl pushed her self up from the lab table, grabbing her coat and her bag before walking out of the room. the door quietly shut behind her,

Edward sighed and stared at the model in front of him. There was something wrong. Something that he just wasn't managing to figure out. It was a small problem... that much was certain... otherwise it wouldn't be illuding him so much.

"What seems to be the problem with this prototype?" Riza asked announcing her presense in the room at last.

Edward turned his head, looking at her. "Oh, well it keeps overheating. I keep trying to think of how to cool it down, but the answer seems to be just out of reach."

"...hmm. are you sure you have all the right senses connected correctly?"

"Yeah, that much I've made certain of."

"Can you use...a form of cold to counter the heat?" she inquired

He though about it, checking over the system. "I might be able to..."

Riza smiled "If that doesn't work, then I dont have any idea what could possibly be causing it to overheat or how to go about fixing it. Though, I'm positive you'll find the answer without my help anyways...How are you looking on materials?"

Edward gave her a genuine smile. "Don't worry about it. The little bit of help works wonders, believe me."

"Well I'm glad my help can of some use to you."

"It has been, thank you."

Riza smiled warmly at the young man. "Your welcome. Now.. is there anything you need, material wise that i could get for you?"

Edward thought about it for a moment before nodding. "Perhaps a couple plastic screws. The ones that can withstand heat and cold."

the blonde haired woman nodded "I'll bring them to you, after the order gets shipped in." she said "Is everything alright Edward? Schezka mentioned something rather...troubling to me a few days ago regarding Mustang and Yourself. She said you two appeared to have a rather intimate discussion, then hurried off to the elevator...is he bullying you in some way?"

Edward mentally figured he'd have to give the older man a piece of his mind, even as he looked at her and shook his head. "Not at all. I was merely upset that he had sent me a funding refusal letter but managed to forget to tell me he had approved Schezka's request before mine came in."

"Ah.. well, he's developed a habit of doing that...don't take it personally."

"so I've learned. I don't take anything serious from him."

Riza looked at Edward a bit surprised. "If you don't take him seriously, you're bound to have a bumpy and rough road ahead of you. He may be a slacker, but I can assure you he's always serious. He just does weird tests to test each departments communication skills."

Edward raised an eyebrow. "Well, usually Schezka and I work out well together. It just she had wanted to surprise me this time and didn't know I was doing the same."

"That may be however, perhaps it would be best if you talk to your boss...since there's obviously a problem between the two of you."

"I see. Then I'll go order you those plastic screws." she murmured promptly leaving.

Thank you," Edward called, before moving to get back to work, knowing there was much he had to finish before he could all this ready for testing.

Meanwhile, Roy wasn't having the best day. He wasn't feeling too well, and ontop of that, everyone seemed to be running over their deadlines, due to too many complications in their experiments. He laid his head down on his desk, his brows furrowed together in pain. "fuckin' migrane." he murmured as he burrowed his head, trying to block out the light and sound.

Edward sighed, stretching. Honestly, he was well ahead of things. In fact, he was certain theirs would be finished with time to spare... once he got those screws he'd asked for. It would also be well under budget. With a smile, he got to work filling out the progress report, being proud of himself, even as he worked on a cooling core for the artificial spine.

Once Riza reached Roy's office she knocked on the door, not hearing anything she opened the door and peeked inside. Immediantly frowning when she saw her boss sound asleep. Clenching her fists she grabbed a nearby chair and chunked it at his head, succeeding in doing all but waking the man. Mustangs lap top, crashed to the floor along with anything else that was on the desk.

Stomping over to him she smacked him in the back of the head. "Wake up. Your not allowed to sleep while your at work. I need you to order weather resistant plastic screws for Ed."

Opening his eyes Mustang looked at the woman, half asleep. "...Sure thing.." he murmured and picked up the laptop ordering what he had heard riza say. He printed out the reciept and handed it to her. "give it to him.. he'll need it when they come in."

Frowning riza took the paper and left the office haughtily. She went back down to the Prosthetic and Robotics laboratory, she calmly handed the reciept to the blonde scientist. "Roy ordered those weather resistant screws for you. He said you need the reciept for when the order comes in."

Edward read over the reciept and felt his whole face turn red. He then growled and stood up. He took his report and the reciept into hand and made his way up to Roy's office without a word to anyone. With a loud growl, he slamed open the door. "What the hell is this!?"

Roy jerked his head up, looking at him "I was told you needed it...so I ordered it for you." he muttered "...you wanted weather resistant screws...right?"

"Obviously you need to pay more attention at work. You didn't order me Weather Resistant Screws. You placed an order for a Weather Resistant Sex Bot!"

Rubbing his temples Mustang winced 'If you're going to yell can you at least turn the lights off?" he whined "It'll take some of the pain away. It was an honest mistake." he grumbled opening the laptop again. He canceled the sex bot order, then scrolled down the list of supplies, printing out the reciept for the correct item this time. "the printer is down by your feet." he mumbled apathetically. He covered his eyes and groaned miserably. "I could have ordered something more humiliating.'' he pointed out. "perhaps I should include the security tape I confiscated, of our little rendevous in the elevator..."

Edward felt his face flare a dark red. For once, he couldn't control himself. "If you kept up on your work correctly, then perhaps you wouldn't get such a headache. On top of that, you'd be in just as much trouble over that tape as I would." Even as he complained, he turned off the light and walked over to him, pressing thumb and forefinger against pressure points in his forehead and began rubbing them, working to alleviate the headache.

Roy relaxed, moaning softly. "I do my job correctly. It's just each department constantly needs something, which is fine. However when they are behind on their deadlines, it creates more paperwork for me...same if their project is a complete failure" he shifted in his chair. "Could you rub my neck?" he asked "I think part of the problem is my neck or back is out of alignment..neither will pop back into place though."

Edward didn't both to comment about the order, he just began to work on rubbing his back and slowly worked on relaxing it so he could pop it into place. "Well, if it will make you happy, the department I'm in is under budget, ahead of schedule, and almost done."

Mustang moaned and hummed as he slowly relaxed "Good job.." he murmured thickly "at least someone cares about their job..around here."

"I have the biggest motivation to get this done," he replied, even as he moved swiftly and with a press, popped his back right back into place.

Grunting roy turned around and looked at ed. "You never told me..." he gently took ed's right hand into his own. "if you felt as if you experianced heaven."

"It was in an elevator... on the hard floor, with people whispering about us after ward. How could that be called heaven?" he questioned, even as he continued to rub at his spine after making certain it was in place.

The elder man smiled "Well, I am sorry about the hard floor..." he chuckled "but you weren't complaining, as for people talking...let them talk." he whispered softly "besides. it couldn't have been that bad."

"No... it was... really nice... but really, it isn't something to do at work."

"I have the tape, so neither of us get in trouble for it. Shit happens.. it was spur of the moment. and lust got the better of us.. it certaintly wasn't one sided.. i know that much."

"I never said it was," Edward muttered, his cheeks rather red, even as he continued to massage his back.

Roy smirked. "So what is it about me that you find attractive?"

"Don't get cocky over here. I didn't say it was anything about you that attracts me."

Mustang tensed, the playful smirk wiped completely from his face as he regarded the blonde, with a scowl and narrowed eyes. "Then you were just cock hungry..anyone would've appeased you i'm sure."

Edward's hands dropped from his back and his hands shook. "If that's the kind of person you think I am, find a new play toy. Just because I don't focus on looks doesn't mean I'm a slut." That said, he turned and moved to march out of the office, his metal arm moving a little stiffly.

roy moved after him and stopped him grabbing ahold of the metal arm. "I was just asking why you'd let me have sex with you? I'm use to random sex being because of physical attraction. Why do you seem so affected by everything I say and do? Your giving me mixed signals here. Should I pursue or should I just walk away and forget anything happened? Or do you even desire anything from me..at all?"

"I... liked your... voice," Edward replied, speaking softly. "I'm just not used to any of this. Its really just too hard to handle. I don't like mixing personal relationships with work. Its too difficult to handle."

Mustang let go of him. "You can go. You have the reciept for the materials needed to finish your project." he said coolly. He quietly walked over and sat down in his office chair, opening the blinds looking out the window.

Edward held the reciept, looking down at it as he stood at the door. "If... you want something... more with me... than just a convient fuck buddy... then... lets keep our time at work professional and our private time left out of the office."

"Why are you even bothering to offer an ultimatium?" Roy asked "you just said yourself that you are not good in relationships and are not attracted to me. I'm not that much of an asshole to coherce someone into a relationship with me. To be truthful, I dont even know if I want a relationship right now."

Edward tensed. Damn it... why was the man so dense. "You know what, never mind. Lets both act like it never happened and ignore it all." That said he opened the door and left the room.

Roy just sighed heavily and got up and walked out of his office shortly after ed did, but instead of stopping him, he brushed right past the blonde, with his coat and keys in hand. He went to the elevator and hit the down arrow.

Edward tensed, but instead of waiting for the elevator, he moved to take the stairs.

"Dont be childish." mustang muttered "you'll wear yourself out by taking the steps, especially when the elevator is already here."

Edward ignored him and opened the door, moving down the stairs with ease. Contray to his looks and the fact one leg was fake, he had no problem taking the stairs.

Mustang watched him leave, before stepping into the elevator, taking his leave for the day.Or attempted to leave for the day until an old friend walked into the elevator as he was trying to get off of it.

Hughes smiled at Roy and chuckled ''Long day?" he asked his friend. "are you sure you want me to evaluate this...edward elric lad, and offer him a job with me?" he asked

Roy just snorted ' the quicker you get him out of here, the better." he snapped walking away from his friend, muttering harsh words under his breath about a specific blonde

Edward was back down in his office, getting back to work on the cooling system for the artificial spine, needed to forget about certain irritating black haired men.

Hughes found Ed's office after having to ask several different people for directions. He rapped on the door with his knuckles.

Edward didn't even bother to look up as he responded to the knock. "Come in," he called.

Hughes calmly walked in, and shut the door quietly behind himself. "Is this the treatment for quadriplegics?" he inquired while looking it over.

"...I take it your Edward Elric?..if you'd like I can explain why I am here.."

Edward nodded, even as he looked at him. "I'd appreciate that. I am curious as to why you're here."

"First of all, my name is Maes Hughes," he said "so mr. elric it's a pleasure to meet you. The purpose of this 'uninticipated meeting is all a friend of mine's doing. He told me how skilled you were in this department and field." he began. "I own a health care facility for quadriplegic, and was wondering if you'd be interested in making a deal with me. NASA would supply you with the materials, but in turn you would be working for me...making more than your making here not to mention you'd be doing exactly what you're doing here." he pointed at the replica spinal cord.

Edward tense. He could just guess who the friend was. It was obviously Roy... and he wanted to get rid of him. Well, that was more than enough answer for him, wasn't it. So he looked away and shrugged. "Sure, why not. Only thing is... the first person on the list for this when they're stable and ready for human use has to be Alphonse Elric."

Maes smiled "That can be arranged." he said calmly "I apologize if this offer has caught you offguard, your boss asked me..I'd say about a month ago to come here and ask you if you'd like this oppurtunity. Problem is, i just didn't have time to do so until today. Sorry for the surprise." he joked "when would you like to start?"

"Whenever you want me. I wouldn't want to hold people back."

"I'm going to ask you to complete more two weeks here only because it'll look better on you in the long run. After those two weeks are up, you'll start for me the following day...any questions..concerns...problems?"

He shook his head, listening to him. "No, it all sounds just fine. I guess I'll be seeing you later then."

Hughes smiled "Great, keep up the good work." he said softly his gold eyes lighting up as he smiled genuinely.

Edward looked back to his work, even as he nodded his head. "Yes. I will. Thank you."

Hughes just smiled and quietly took his leave.

--------

The next few weeks didn't fly by as one would've expected. Roy began leaving the budgeting more up to Riza, while he, himself worked on a theory he had. However to get away from all the questions and badgering people, he had to go to the laboratory where Ed's team worked, not once did he bother the small group of intellectuals. in fact he just kept quiet and minded his own business.

Edward didn't once glance toward the man who haunted his dreams at night. He refused to. If the man couldn't understand what he had said, then he obviously didn't need to be thought of while at work.

Schezka walked over to Roy "What are you working on?" she asked

Roy looked up at her and showed her the 'ignition cloth. "I just finished a rather interesting piece of literature that talked about how several thousand years ago, there were these groups of alchemists, having control over different elements, and such. There's been scientific studies that show alchemists were merely a myth, however I want to prove that they aren't just a myth. Needless to say, this is an ignition glove, designed purposely to be fire resistant, as well as help me with the transition of creating fire out of the air molecules, by manipulating them."

Edward hesitantly stiffened at hear those words, but he didn't say anything. There was no way he'd say anything. After all, it wasn't his place to say something. So instead, he kept his mouth shut and continued his own work, which was perfecting the finished proto-type for the artificial spine.

Schezka blinked as she picked up the glove, and walked over to her busy co-worker showing it to him "Look at this." she said softly "it makes chills run up your spine doesn't it?" she gleamed. Roy looked over at the two, watching them, but more importantly just wanting the glove back, yet didn't object to the other two researchers examining his work.

Edward looked at it and instantly spied a problem. "It'll kill you if you try using it. There's a part here that's unstable. You should try using an oxygen tube instead, its a little harder to control but at least they won't blow up in a backfire," he said, before turning back to his own work.

Roy's eye twitched at the fact Ed not only pointed out the flaw, he himself knew was there, but more so at the advice. He scooted the chair back and stood up, calmly making his way to the front. "Actually." he murmured "that's a left handed glove." he murmured "She grabbed the wrong glove. That's simply a work in progress" he showed Edward the correct glove "this one is completed."

Edward accepted it and looked it over before handing it back. "Its not completed. I hate to tell you, but that one won't start. You weren't focused on it and covered the spark that would set it off. Of course, once you fix that little problem, you can call it complete." That said, Edward turned back to the spine, checking over the computer screen which read all okays across the board, meaning it was passed its checks.

Roy frowned his eyes narrowed. "Thank you, so very much for pointing out the flaws in my work, is there anything else you'd like to announce to belittle me perhaps?"

Schezka was gathering the data on the project, and stopped when she heard Roy snap at ed. She just looked at her partner, slightly confused as to where roy's outburst had come from. After all Ed was only trying to help him

Edward looked over at him. "If I was belittling you, I would have said that it was a waste of time and that science has no place for things like that. But then, I am rather short so pershaps you took my simple critiques to help the wrong way and saw it as me belittling you. For that, I'm sorry." With that said, he collected his paper work and moved from the desk to his main little work area, sitting down in front of a computer and moving to input the information that was on the notes in front of him.

Roy just scoffed "If anything is a waste of time.." he stopped himself and simply grabbed his belongings "you know what. your right." he threw the gloves into the biohazard container, and left the room. "Ed." Schezka said softly "I think...you hurt his feelings."

"No... he doesn't have feelings when it comes to anything that has to do with me. If anything... he'll retrive them later when we aren't here." He moved over to the otherwise empty container and pulled out the gloves. He made the necessary corrections before setting down on the table where Roy had been. "Besides, he's the one who wanted me gone, Schezka. I won't be here after tomorrow... so he just merely wanted one more reason to poke at the freak of nature before I wasn't here to tease."

"I thought you two got along rather well." she commented while reading the book in her hands. "I thought it was just a rumor that you're leaving, i doubt it has anything to do with him viewing you as a freak of nature though.. I was told through the grapevine that where ever your transferring to has better oppurtunities for you than he could offer you. Less hassle with funding, I guess...only the most prestigeous get transferred, the rest either stay or are fired." she pointed out. Lowering the book the young woman wiggled her finger at him. "Didn't you tell me a month ago that miscommunication was the main reason people didn't get along now a days? Why dont you go try to talk to him? Believe it or not our boss has feelings too. I've even seen him cry."

"You two are acting like an old married couple fighting about who hogged the covers, used the last of the toothpaste..or something like that." she added under her breath

Edward tensed. "I could care less about the funding now that we have this project done. I won't have to rush anything else. I like it here... I don't care about more prestige or better funding. I wasn't consulted about such plans. But anyway, what's the point of talking. I won't be staying."

The brunette just looked at him and shrugged "It'll get things off your chest if you consult in him and explain how your feeling, and give him a chance to explain how he's feeling. If you dont want to leave, there's only one person to tell and your being a big...butthead about it. It's none of my business so I'll be quiet since you're obviously uncomfortable"

Edward sighed. "Its more complicated than that, Schezka... just... leave things alone. They'll be fine as they are."

"Sorry." she whispered meekly

Edward went back to his work, planning to finish up early and leave so that Mustang would be able to come back down his for items. He knew why he was being transfered, and it wasn't just for his brains. Roy was finished with him, and this was the best way to get rid of him.

-----------------

Later that evening Roy went down to the Prosthetic and Robotics lab, noticing neither Schezka nor Ed were there, he sighed. However he did spot the gloves, laying on the table where he was sitting earlier that day. He grabbed them and put them into his pocket, before going into the computer and looking up Ed's home address, writing it down on a sheet of scrap paper, he grabbed his things and left the building. Yet instead of going home he drove in the opposite direction to a certain blondes residence. Pulling into the driveway, he parked turned his car off and went up to the door knocking on it.

Fresh from the shower, blonde hair lose and dripping slightly, with one towel around his waist while another was at his shoulders. He moved to open the door, blinking. "Mustang?" he asked, gold eyes surprised, even with the damp blond strands in his face.

The elder man's eyes became automatically glued to the blondes body, drinking in the sight. "...Ed..ward" he shook his head '' I came to...discuss a few rhings...with you."

Edward sighed, stepping back. "Come on in. I'll just go get dressed." That said he moved toward his bedroom.

Hesitantly walking inside he smirked, closing the door behind himself "...You dont have to get dressed on my behalf..." he quipped loud enough for the other man to hear.

"I will anyway," he called from his room, rubbing the towel through his hair and moving to pull on a pair of sweats and a tank top. Running a brush through his hair, he came out, looking at him. "What brings you here?"

Reaching into his pocket Roy pulled the gloves out dangling him infront of Ed's face "What is this about?" he asked "I tossed them out since they were defective."

"They weren't defective. They merely had a couple problems."

"Perhaps so, but didn't you say that my research was a complete waste of time and that science has no place for my work?"

"No I didn't! Damn it. I said if I was belittling you I would have called it that! I didn't!"

Roy raised his hands defensively "Alright..calm down." he muttered "so...exactly what is your problem with me?" he asked while sliding the gloves back into his pocket.

"You don't listen to what I say... for one."

"And what is it that you say that falls upon deaf ears?"

"I never said I wasn't attracted to you. I just said I don't go by looks. I go by a voice... or the way someone acts..."

Mustang raised an eyebrow. "Alright." he said calmly "well I told Maes about you, since your interested in helping the quadriplegic...I figured you'd be happier with him as your boss rather than myself."

"I came to NASA because I wanted to be there. I told you... I merely had a reason for working in the area I was... and that's been finished," Edward replied, looking away. Damn the man... he assumed... which made an ass out of both of them.

"Then I'll inform him that you wish to stay at NASA." clearing his throat roy looked at him "anything else...you have on your mind?"

"You don't want me to stay... so don't worry about it. I already said I'd go," the blond stated, not wanting to press on about the whole thing.

"I don't want you to stay?" the man repeated "where the HELL in your warped mind did you come up with that reasoning? I said I felt you'd be better in a quadriplegic environment, inspiring those people with hope and belief that they can walk once more. I also thought you'd enjoy the hassle free funding for projects. I do what I think is best for my employees it has nothing to do with me wanting them out of my sight. If that was the case...I would have fired you."

Edward frowned, even as he ran a hand through his hair. "This is rediculous... it doesn't matter. Its been done. I won't be back after today."

Roy scowled ''It is ridiculous. I can't believe I have been drawn to someone who's..nothing more than a shell of a person. Do you not feel at all? Because if anyone is being irrational right now it's you. Your being childish and I have no clue why!"

"I have no clue why I fell for you either! You're arrogant, stubborn, and rather rude. You don't listen to anyone and your annoying at times." He panted as he repeasted what he'd said many times in his dreams. "So just let me go away and we can both forget one another."

The scowl was completely wiped from mustangs face as he looked at Ed in utter shock for a few minutes, the expression changing from shock to hurt, that was until he managed to pull himself together, regaining his composure, forcing any emotion off of his face. "I'm not forcing you to go nor stay." he pointed out "I apologize that you fell, for such a horrible person like myself. and even more so for my flaws, despite the fact everyone has them. Most importantly, I apologize greatly for taking time out of my day to come and attempt to make an effort to straighten things out with you. only to get into a bitching contest, and ...more confused. " he shrugged a nd walked to the front door. "i'll let myself out."

Edward sighed, even as he turned from him and made the mistake of having not worked on his leg in a while. The machine made a rather loud protest before the sound of grinding gears could be heard and a high sounding cry passed from Ed's lips as the whole thing seemed to short circuit and send a shock through his small, slender body. Damn it... he should have spent more time on maintance rather than daydreaming about his boss. With a thud, he fell to the floor, cracking the side of his head on the small end table he was near.

Hearing the clatter going on Roy rushed to where Ed was laying. Gently scooping the petite blond up into his arms, he carried him outside, and laid him in the back seat of his car, driving the man to the hospital. Once there, he demanded a doctor to look his employee over immediately not shutting his mouth until the nurses went to retrieve one, as well as a suitable room, with plenty of privacy.

Edward winced, closing his eyes. God... it hurt... What the hell was he doing? Forgetting something so simple?

Mustang looked at the doctor, who was standing over ed shining a flashlight in the blondes eyes, clicking his tongue in an ill mannered way. "What? what is it?!" roy demanded "is there something wrong with him?"

the middle aged doctor looked at Roy, a scowl on his face "He has a concussion. However I find it hard to believe he 'hit his head on the corner of an end table. He'd have tgo smash into it pretty hard for that to happen." the man scribbled notes down on Edwards chart. "I'm going to have to ask you to remain here, a police officer is on his way to question you."

Roy frowned his eyes narrowed as the foreign doctor walked out of the room, no doubt to dick off and screw some nurse in the janitors closet. "Could anything else go wrong today?" he muttered under his breath "god...damn it

Edward moaned softly, slowly opening his eyes, feeling pain flare across his skull. Damn, the leg was still sending shocks through his system. Without waiting for the nurse or doctor, he sat up and worked on trying to rip his sweats so that he could access his malfunctioning leg.

Looking at the smaller man, mustang got up and sighed heavily helping him slid the sweats off of his body rather than him ripping the clothing. his fingers accidently grazing against the supple skin as he did so.

Edward looked at him for a moment, before wincing as another shock went through him. "Thanks," he murmured, before reaching down to his leg and twisting it, till there was an audible crack. He then proceeded to pull the leg off with a hiss, biting his lower lip to keep from crying out at the shock as the mechanical leg zapped him once more before it was completely disconnected. Once that was done, he flipped the off switch and the whole shock wave ended. "Damn it..." he muttered, looking over the now safe to handle artifical limb.

Blinking in amazement mustang leaned close and gently touched where the metal limb joined flesh. the amazement wore off of his face as it was replaced with a brief shadow of sorrow for the young man. grabbing ahold of the blanket, he covered his flings lower body. "your welcome."

"I heard what that idiot doctor said. Don't worry... I'll correct them. They don't realize a faulty metal leg that's sending electrical jolts through my body tends to make me fall much faster and harder than a normal person. You'll never be charged," he murmured, even as he felt his head throb, even as he realized he'd need his spare leg from home before he'd be walking on his own feet again.

"I'd rather save you the humility." roy murmured "since you have a concussion.. I want you to talk to me." he looked out the window "You're something else." he said softly "Everything you say...everything you do, it's just...I dont know."

Edward nodded. "Yea... my little brother always said the same thing."

"At least im not the only one amused by your antics."

"So I see."

Roy was about to say something else when a couple police officers as well as the doctor walked in the room, the doctor stood at the edge of Ed's bed. An officer Marquez walked over beside of the blonde while Officer Marango stood beside the doctor, blocking Roy's path in case he decided to run. "From what your doctor tells me Mr Elric, Mr Mustang beats you. Would you care to press charges against him? or is the doctors assumption incorrect?" Marquez questioned.

Edward rolled his eyes. "Damn straight they're incorrect. I'm an amputee. I lose control of my replacement limb and hurt myself all the time. Roy was just nice enough to bring me to the hospital since he was visiting when it happened."

Both officers looked at each other, then at the doctor befor looking back at Ed "We're sorry to disturb you then," Marango said softly, "it seems to me..someone should question his patients rather than assume the worst scenerio..again, my partner and I give you our greatest apologies" turning to the doctor "can we talk to you out in the hall?" The doctor nodded and lead the other two out into the hall way to talk. Once the trio left Roy just smiled. "Why would I have beat your head in?" he wondered outloud, lines crinkling in the corner of his eyes as his smile met them.

Edward shrugged. "I don't know. I have been a rather big pain in the ass to you."

the man busted out laughing, genuinely to boot.

Edward smiled, before wincing in pain.

toning it down mustang chuckled a little bit. "Isn't it the other way around.. i mean after all. i do recall you saying...you did have a rather 'big' organ inside you.." he joked.'

Edward flushed. "That... wasn't a pain..."

"Of course not. Not with how vocal you were being."

Edward flushed even more, looking away. "I never said I didn't like it... or you... I'm just not the type to fall for someones looks. With you... I feel for the sound of your voice," he murmured.

Roy smiled "During sex or..is it everytime I talk...that you're referring to?" he asked softly

"It hits worse during sex... but... I like it all the time."

Getting out of his chair Roy walked over to the side of ed's bed smiling as he leaned down placing his lips at ed's ear "I like you too." he whispered

Edward's eyes wided, glancing at him. "You... do?"

Roy pulled back a little bit to regard him. He shrugged then looked out the window, without saying anything.

"But... you've... been ignoring me for the last two weeks since that talk."

"How was I suppose to feel?' he asked "you tell me one second that your attracted, to my voice...and then offered a relationship, not a fuck buddy fling...which is something I dont do anyways. Needless to say, i was a bit hurt, perhaps i percieved them differently than you meant." he sighed "I have a question for you."

Edward frowned. Maybe his words had been off. "What?"

steadily staring out the window, roy placed his fingers against the cool glass. "nothing..nevermind." he whispered

Edward couldn't help but frown. "Oh, okay," he said in a low voice, shifting to law down to stop his pouding head ache.

Roy just leaned his forehead against the glass, unable to stop a few stray tears that rolled down his face, that caused the water works to begin. 'what is wrong with me?' he thought 'why the hell am i crying? why am i hurting like i am?'

Edward looked down. "I'm sorry I'm not... good at expressing myself. I never meant to hurt you."

"it's fine." he whispered "i did my share of hurting you, so i apologize for it."

"You didn't hurt me. I hurt myself. Because I was an idiot."

"How were you an idiot?"

"Because I never learned how to express myself correctly."

"I dont express myself correctly either. I obviously hurt your feelings."

"I guess... we both screwed up."

"I suppose so." as he looked down at the floor, he licked his lips moistening them. "so...what now?' he asked

Edward closed his eyes. "I don't know. I say try again... but... we didn't really try the first time..." he murmured, his voice getting softer.

Wiping his face off, Roy turned around and looked at him before approaching him his index finger pressed against the left side of ed's chest. "what is your heart telling you? Your brain is as good as scrambled eggs so what it says doesn't matter."

"I... I'm... in love... with my... boss... and... I just... don't... know... what... to..." he trailed off, his breathing slowing down.

Roy climbed onto the bed behind ed, and wrapped and arm around the blondes waist, his leg sliding inbetween eds. "you can't go to sleep." he whispered in the blondes ear.

Edward murmured softly, not wanting to stay awake but knowing he couldn't sleep either. "Tired..." he whispered.

"I know you are but, it's not good if you fall asleep...so talk to me some more...or..maybe i can do something to take your mind off of your pain."

"I... would love... to feel you... inside... again... been dreaming about it... for so long... but... I... hurt..."

roy pressed his body closer. "As flattering as that is..I was thinking more along the lines of...me simply, touching you." he whispered softly, his fingers trailing down ed's abdomen, as he kissed his neck. "the doctor gave you pain medication... hasn't it kicked in yet?"

"He's... a moron... regular... pain meds... don't work on me."

"Then what do you need?"

"Pain meds... don't work... just have... to tough... it out."

"Can I take your mind off of it?" he asked softly

"Just... hold me... please..." he murmured.

Shifting a bit, roy wrapped his arms around the blonde smiling a little bit. "What do you want to talk about?" he whispered softly, his own eyes closing as he relaxed.

"I... don't know..."

Smiling the elders mans fingers strayed along ed's body naturally curious, and instantly aroused by being so close to the smaller male. "I'm sure you've already been told this..plenty of times...but i'll say it anyways. Your beautiful."

Edward flushed, shaking his head tiredly. "No... never been... called beautiful... before."

"Well you are." he said softly as he pulled ed closer to him.

Edward smiled softly. "Only... want to... be beautiful... to you..."

Mustang smiled a bit. "Alright...then.." he said softly "hold on and i'm going to see if it's alright if you can go to sleep." he said, before untangling himself from ed and getting up out of the bed, he quietly walked out of the room, and softly padded his way to the nurses station. "Excuse me... excuse me miss..." he said as he stood infront of one of the women. "is it alright if Edward Elric in room 255B can get some rest?" Sheila, the nurse sitting at the desk at the time, looked at Roy momentarily before grabbing ed's chart and looking it over. "Yeah, it was just a little concussion, if he's still in pain it's just a headache combined with lack of sleep." Roy nodded "thanks." that said, he went back to the hospital room and slid back into ed's bed, only after he removed his shirt and pants. He wrapped his arms around the blonde yet again holding him as close as he possibly could. "You can go to sleep, the nurse said the pain your feeling is just a headache combined with lack of sleep.."

"Mm... been... unable to sleep... lately..."

Mustang frowned. "You shouldn't push yourself so hard on projects if they are causing you to stop caring after yourself."

"Its... necessary... my... brothers... in this... hosputal... all alone... with... his spine... severed."

"I'm sure he wouldn't want you to risk your health."

"I... risked... arm... and leg... to save him... would... do anything... for him... he's... my only... family... I have... left."

"Alright..alright.." roy murmured "what happened for you to risk and arm and leg? if you dont mind me asking."

"The house... burned... feel down... around us... we were... messing... with things... we shouldn't... have."

"You were playing with matches?" roy yawned '

"No... alchem..." he drifted off, before he could finish his words, falling asleep.

"alchemy huh?" roy murmured "...what a coincidence." he closed his eyes slowly drifting to sleep. Plagued by disturbingly realistic dreams of himself, over a hundred years ago.

Edward slept, shifting a lot but not having much trouble other wise.

---------

a few hours passed by, the elder man was shivering and soaking wet from a cold sweat. Still fast asleep, his grasp tightened upon ed, as he began praying for his life in the blondes ear, nothing coherant could be made out as he talked in a language other than english

Edward shifted, feeling pain at the move, even as he tried to wake him up.

Roy shot up startled and looked at ed. "...go back to sleep." he said hoarsely while he ran his fingers through his hair. sighing heavily.

Edward shook his head. "Somethings obviously wrong."

"I just keep having these dreams...and whenever I fall asleep it just picks up where it left off." mustang explained "are you sure you really want to know more?"

Edward nodded, moving to pull him close to hold him as he talked.

"The time frame of these dreams.. have to be a hundred years ago give or take. but anyways. in these dreams i'm..a colonel in the military, not only that.. but an...alchemist." he murmured softly and cleared his throat "your in my dreams." he said softly "and exactly the same as you are now...except..more..eager...a suit or armor follows you around. If that's not weird enough for you, there are these beings referred to as homonculous...one was your mother..the other, my boss, the fuhur. In these dreams, your searching for a philosophers stone.." he just looked at ed "i'm going to shut up." he murmured "this is ridiculous to be worked up over a stupid dream."

"We were searching for it in order to return our bodies to normal... or rather... I cared more about Al being returned to his body. It was always so hard... and I was foolish... and you were rather interested in Riza back then. She always watched your back..." he murmured, continueing his story.

Roy tensed just staring at him. "How could you possibly know that?"

"Because I've seen it too... in my own dreams."

"I don't know what to make of this." he murmured "After dreaming then having to go to work, it's as if everyone's personality is exactly the same...that's what bothers me." he admitted "and now..you have the same dreams I do, i dont...understand why." he closed his eyes slowly relaxing against ed as he laid back down and held him.

Edward looked away. "I do... I think... my self... had a... rather big experience... the night he lost his arm and leg. He saw something... that isn't meant for people to know."

"Like what?" Roy asked

"Well, the meaning behind Alchemy and the place beyond the door people talk about seeing. It lead to another world... and place... where people were just like us... but different."

"Are you telling me, that there's a version of everyone in a different dimension so to speak? Like a portal?"

"Yes... well... from what I could tell, yes..."

"So...in another world...I'm having sex with you.. got it." he teased

Edward shook his head. "No... in that other world... your having sex with Riza."

Roy chuckled "Im just teasing. Who are you in 'love' with then?" he asked curiously "you have to like someone..or be interested in somebody.."

"I think I was interested in someone who'd been a friend to me my whole life. I"m not really certain. I had a one track mind."

"...Hmm. like now?"

Edward grimanced, even as he nodded. "Yes."

Roy just sighed softly "Go for it then." he said softly. "Nothing is going to hurt you here." his eyes closing.

"Go for it? I don't have a friend like that in this time... I admit, I have I one track mind like my other self... but I'm very much gay. I don't like women like my other side does."

"I meant to go for what your mind is set on." he clarified

Edward nodded. "I already have... now... I need to set it onto something else."

"Well, figure something out and go for it. it cant be that hard."

"What if what I want to go for is you?"

Roy smiled "I say.. go for it. but dont let that be all you focus on." he said softly

Edward nodded. "I'll try... not to..."

A/N: For those of you confused by Ed and Roy's talks about their dreams. They are dreaming about their lives on the other side of "The Gate" You'll see more of this reference and we're debating about whether to go more in depth with this concept. However at the end of each chapter, We'll write a little note, to try to ease up some confusion. None the less, please review!!!!

TBC