PART TWO:

Maes sat across the table from Mr. Carter, Riza stood behind him rigidly. He'd told her everything, told her because he'd need her to keep Roy in line, keep him from doing something stupid when he finally learned what Anise had done to Edward. Frankly it was all he could do to keep working on this damned case and not go on a lone man hunt and kill her himself.

"We know you are involved with Anise Miller,"

"Not anymore," Carter said hatefully.

Well that was… good he supposed but not helping him at the moment. "Fine,"

Carter glared. "She tried to seduce a thirteen year old boy, someone she was supposed to care for as family. I was only still around her to finish the deal. After all she's done… Look I don't know Mustang but I know Lily and what she was doing to that poor kid was terribly enough."

"But you didn't try to stop her." Maes said coldly. He couldn't help himself. Anyone who could stand by and watch an adult torture a child was just as terrible as the tormentor themselves.

"No, I did. She's just dead set on hurting…" He sighed. "Doesn't really matter. You want information on where she might have gone."

"I'm glad we're getting somewhere." Maes replied.

"She's got friends all over. She could be hiding anywhere really. I'd check down south, in Fairmount first. There's a man she had some fling with named Franklin. If she's not there try in the east, damn it give me a pen and paper and I'll write this down."

Happy to oblige, Maes gave the man a notebook and pen. "Off the record, why did you stay with her?"

Carter looked up a moment then began writing. "I thought I could change her. I loved her. I thought if I was there she'd be too preoccupied with me to bother Lily, too distracted to plot against Mustang. Guess I was wrong."

"How do you know about what she did to Edward?" Maes asked.

"I came home and found her. Frankly I applaud him, leaving her like the twisted whore she is." He seethed.

Maes said no more, just sat there until the list was finished and looked it over. It was looking like they'd be busy; it was a long list, at least fifteen people all in different areas of the country. He handed it to Hawkeye. "Start pulling people together to search."

Edward was almost asleep as soon as dinner was finished. He'd begged and pleaded with Al to take him down stairs not only to use the damned bathroom but to eat at the table. He'd wanted to get out of his room at least long enough to eat dinner and Riza had come to see him. He was happy to see her and tried to talk to her but he was so tried and it was all Roy's fault. Okay so not entirely, but he didn't have to give him his pain medication right before dinner.

"So what's this I hear about a midget king?" Roy asked suddenly.

Ed glared. "Picking on me now isn't very nice." He muttered.

Roy smirked. "Not for you,"

"His name is Franky," Lily supplied. "Ed told me about him after teacher left."

"Franky huh?" Roy asked. "That's sounds a little familiar."

"Mm it does, a very short man named Franky." Riza said softly.

If Edward hadn't been on the verge of sleep he might have noticed something.

"Brother said he is an alchemist." Lily added. "And likes pretty girls and other things and he's really nice, strange but nice. Right Al?"

"Yep,"

"And where did you meet him?" Roy asked.

Al shifted a little. "In Ariss, we just sort of ran into him. Anyway I think Ed is about to fall asleep in his plate. I should get him back to bed."

Ed snapped his head up. "I'm fine,"

Roy smiled softly, got up, and came around the table. "We should change the bandages anyway. Come on," He pulled Ed's chair back and carefully lifted him. Riza stood and followed them.

"I'll come up as soon as I'm done eating big brother." Lily called.

"Mm," Edward mumbled as he rested his head upon Roy's shoulder. He didn't think he'd make it long enough for her to come say goodnight.

Roy lay him in bed gently as Riza went to get fresh water and bandages for him. "Sorry for being such a pain." Ed whispered.

"It's okay Ed, you're no bother." Roy replied softly. "Were you okay today?"

Ed nodded with a yawn.

"So what were you talking about this morning?" Roy asked.

Ed smiled. "Nice try Dad,"

"I'll get it out of one of you, you know that right?"

"There's nothing," He paused to yawn. "To get out of us. We were just talking."

"Here," Riza said softly as she returned. "Need some help?"

Roy shook his head. "Thank you Riza, actually yes, make Edward tell me what he's planning."

Riza smiled. "You're on your own."

Ed snickered as little feet came running up the stairs and down the hall, bursting into his room.

Roy looked up at Riza who nodded and tried to block Lily from coming any closer.

"I have to say good night," Lily whined. "Please, I know no one wants me to see. I'll leave after."

"It's okay," Ed said. He did want to say goodnight to her.

Riza let her pass and Lily came around where Roy picked her up. "Night brother,"

Ed smiled. "Night Lily,"

Roy frowned. "That's it?"

Lily nodded. "If I hug him I might accidentally bump his arm. I'll make it up to him later. Right Ed?"

"Right," He smiled sleepily.

"Okay, I'll be in to tuck you in a little while, why don't you show Riza your room." Roy suggested as he placed her upon her feet.

"Okay,"

Ed watched Lily lead Riza away by the hand then sighed. "So when you going to ask her out?"

Roy smirked. "You're not as tired as I thought."

"You should do it soon, I can watch Lily."

Roy nodded. "I'm sure you can,"

Ed let his eyes slide closed and Roy set about changing his bandages. "It'll be great," He whispered.

"That medicine is doing something to your head."

"Ha ha, admit it you like Riza." Ed said opening his eyes enough to catch the smirk.

"Perhaps, but for me to admit that to you, you would have to admit that you like Miss. Rockbell."

"Winry?"

"No Pinako," Roy teased.

Ed smiled. "Winry's my friend. Hey speaking of her would you mind taking a look at my auto-mail, make sure there aren't any scratches?"

Roy nodded. "I can do that; afraid she'll hit you with a wrench again."

Edward winced. "And I bought that stupid thing for her… Dad?"

"Yes,"

"When this is over and I'm out of bed would you mind if Winry came for a visit?"

Roy paused and for a moment Ed couldn't understand the look in his eyes. Then he smiled. "Sure Ed,"

"If you-"

"No, if you want her to come that's fine with me. She can stay in Lily's room."

Ed hesitated but nodded. "'K, I think Lily will like her. Lily was looking at my auto-mail before I left, asking questions about how it worked. Winry can explain it better than I can."

"Do you even know how it works?" Roy asked placing a wet towel upon his arm. That felt so good Edward could have purred. He lifted his hand flexing his fingers.

"No, not really." he yawned.

Roy sighed and took his hand, pushing his pajama sleeve up to examine it. "It's beautiful work Edward." He smiled after a bit. "There are a couple of scuffs. When you feel better we'll go get those taken care of." He pulled Ed's sleeve down. "Do you need to oil it up?"

Ed nodded. "I can do that later, too tired. Thanks though." He paused a moment. "Hey can I ask you something?"

"Sure,"

"Will you… I mean would you mind teaching me flame alchemy?"

Roy perked a brow, his expression becoming guarded. "Edward,"

"Please?" If he could learn it, and he had wanted to learn it ever since he'd seen Roy transmute the first time, maybe he wouldn't be so wary of flames. Guess he was a little afraid of it since being in the explosion.

"It's dangerous Edward."

"I'll be careful." Ed promised.

Roy sighed heavily and brushed his hair from his face. "It's not that I mind teaching you Ed, I really don't, I just… I don't want you to be hurt again. Even when I was learning I was burned a few times."

Well that was a given. "I'll be okay,"

"We'll talk about it again later. For now you should get some rest."