Chapter 17:

The next morning The Fuhrer returned to his office after his walk to the infirmary and said to himself "Well, I am a Fuhrer. THE Fuhrer. I should just order the pixie-man to the office to tell me face to face what is happening!"

Sloth and Envy then arrived in the Fuhrer's office. Sloth told the Fuhrer "I believe that Envy has some news to report about progress we have made."

When the Fuhrer, also known as the homunculus Pride, heard what Envy had done to Frank he understood Archer's desire to annihilate all homunculi. "How is this going to help things?" asked the Fuhrer irritated.

"It's not going to stop with us, Pride. He's going to hate everything, and find the desire to battle as the only thing that can satisfy him. It will all fall into place" said Envy, slyly.

'Oh, why? My pixie-man! Why does it have to be this way?' "I see. He should be useful to us in the future." 'I cannot love him anymore? Ohohohohohoho. Do I have to push these feelings away?'

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

Galit passed a message marked a "urgent" from a messenger to Lieutenant Colonel Archer. He opened it and saw it was a personally penned request from the Fuhrer to join him in his office. Frank had mixed emotions about this meeting, but most of those emotions were fear based. 'Is he going to hit on me again? Or are the rumors circulating about me being gay going to be addressed with a dishonorable discharge? Then again, is it about the Homunculi? Does he think that I am one? Is this about Captain Wellbrick? Oh Sila, how do I know you are genuine?'

Frank, afraid and defensive, arrived at the Fuhrer's office. The anxiety made his skin crawl and the desire to wash his hands was unbearable. 'I have got to stop this maddening washing of my hands.' He found himself sitting outside the Fuhrer's office wringing his gloved hands. Juliet, the Fuhrer's secretary, said "My apologies Lieutenant Colonel, but the Fuhrer's meeting seems to have gone over."

Frank put up one hand and said "Understood, thank you."

Juliet went back to her writing and Frank went back to his wringing. The door to the Fuhrer's inner office opened and Frank stood to attention. The other officials left, ignoring Archer and the Fuhrer told him to be at ease and welcomed him into his office. Archer continued to stand at attention in front of the Fuhrer's desk, avoiding eye contact.

"Lieutenant Colonel, I've received your proposal about the Homunculi" said the Fuhrer.

"I see. Do you approve?" asked Archer, relieved that he wasn't going to go through a possible groping.

"Well, I don't know. Tell me, where does this burning hatred of Homunculi come from? Shouldn't we be more concerned with those who created the Homunculi?"

"I, I…I did not think of that, Fuhrer" 'Where is he going with this?'

The Fuhrer chuckled a bit as he said "After all, what have Homunculi done to you?"

Frank flashed back to Envy's maniacal laughter and stood unable to speak as the Fuhrer observed restrained emotion subtly play across his face.

The Fuhrer thought 'Why did it have to be my pixie-man? Why did Envy choose him of all the officers? How did he know Envy was a homunculus? Why did Frank lash out against all homunculi? Should I tell him, my secret, that I too am a homunculi?'

"After all" he said "What does it matter?"

Frank lost control and spit "They are a treacherous and evil bunch! Sly and cunning. They do nothing but eat away at the decency of the military structure!" He took a deep breath and then said "I apologize for the outburst, Fuhrer."

"I think we should learn more about these homunculi before we go destroying them."

"You mean…study them?"

"I mean learning if they are of any use to us."

The idea was rather disgusting to Frank, but he was unsure of how the Fuhrer viewed him and needed to ensure the stability of his own career. "Yes sir, I understand." 'iiiiiiiew! Homunculi! If we can use these powers to our advantage then it could make Amestris even more powerful and I could gain power in the process.'

"Good" 'At least this way there is a chance for us, Pixie-man. I will have to wait and be patient for the day. Until then I will hold back my strong desires for you.' "You are dismissed for now, Archer."

"Sir!" saluted Frank relieved. As Frank exited he was glad he came out unscathed. He marched past Ms. Douglas nodding to her humming his way out the door.

Sila Wellbrick stood on the platform with two suitcases. She was waiting to board the train to the countryside where she decided to retire. The conductor gave the signal to allow the passengers on the train.

Havoc showed up with his fellow officers to see Sila off. The crowd parted and Colonel Mustang appeared. He thanked Sila for her service and more quietly for the information she gave him. "However", the Colonel said "I don't understand. Even through all the blatant violations that Archer has made, the Fuhrer seems unwilling to court martial him. You've done everything you could to help us, Sila, but for some reason he seems immune to any charges."

Sila shrugged and said "Oh well. Keep trying Colonel I'm sure you'll win someday."

The rest of the group said their goodbyes and left Havoc and Sila alone. Sila looked at the train that was powering up. Havoc looked at the train as well and said "Please write, Sila. If you gave me your address, I'd be happy to send the first letter."

Sila nodded and handed Havoc a folded slip of paper. She didn't say anything, but when the conductor called out the all aboard signal she turned to Havoc and gave him a hug. "Thank you." Then she turned and ran onto the train.

Havoc took a few steps up to the train and spotted Sila walking to her seat. She sat down in the window and spotted Havoc outside. The train started to move and she smiled watching him take a few steps a long with it. He waved and smiled broadly at her as the train sped up and chugged away. Havoc found himself at the end of the platform watching the train take Sila away from him. He looked down at the slip of paper in his hand and safely tucked it into his pocket.

Frank watched Sila from a distance. He saw her talk with Colonel Mustang and his subordinates then he watched her hug Havoc and run onto the train. Frank thought 'You have taught me to want for something. To feel passion and desire. The army was merely work, but now, I will turn my passions towards battle! I will be so famous and so great, you will hear news of me even in the rural countryside you are now going to live in.'

Then he turned his back and walked away.

The Fuhrer crouched over his desk feeling the yawning hole in his heart after he let go of his feelings for his little pixie-man. Major Armstrong passed by the Fuhrer' suite of offices, and through the open doors heard something like a poor animal suffering. Armstrong followed the sound, hoping he could help the poor and unfortunate source of that sound. The bulky Major walked in and was shocked to see the Fuhrer weeping like a lost puppy at his desk.

"Fuhrer! Why, whatever could have upset you? Whatever it is" The Fuhrer lifted his head to acknowledge Armstrong and the Major continued "I ALEX L. ARMSTRONG AM HERE TO SUPPORT YOU!" Armstrong then ripped off his shirt to display his beautiful muscular physique in hopes of cheering up the Fuhrer. 'This way he can see what amazing beautiful soldiers he has under him!' thought the Major.

The Fuhrer couldn't believe his eyes. He looked up at Armstrong's deity like build and swore he saw gleaming lights. 'What is that?' The Fuhrer quickly identified it as fairy dust.

Armstrong's muscles rippled and bulged in the afternoon sun pouring through the Fuhrer's large windows. A Twinkle sparked once again in the Fuhrer's eye.