Chapter 12: Push

Two weeks passed and there was nothing. Maes had been going and coming back, the people he'd assigned to help with the search doing the same and they had gone to every place upon that list. There was still nothing. Roy's nerves were about shot, the dread of Anise coming to take her revenge grated over his nerves constantly.

The only thing that seemed to soothe his worry was the happy air his house was taking on. Ed was getting up on his own now, the burns healing nicely. Part of that was because of some ointment Hohenheim given him to try. With the help of that Ed's arm would be completely healed, save for the scaring, in no time at all. All three kids could be found in the study when he came home from work, laughing, playing games, or reading together. A few time's he'd found them in the kitchen, Ed and Al trying to help Lily with her homework and her scolding them both, saying she could do it on her own. One evening there had been an all out tiff between her and Edward about him whispering answers to her.

Roy sat in behind his desk looking over the latest report Maes had slipped him of his last venture in the search for Anise. It turned up nothing just like the rest and Roy was beginning to wonder if she was hiding right under their noses.

There was a knock upon his door. "Come in," He called. It opened and closed.

"Hey Chief I got that information you wanted." Havoc said.

Roy looked up from the report and held out his hand. "So?"

Havoc cleared his throat and scratched his head. "Uh well," He smiled. "Don't yell at him because I really didn't think he knew what he was walking into."

Roy frowned. "Who?"

"Ed," Havoc chuckled, bringing his report to him.

Roy snatched it up and began to read. Oh… He sat back in his chair when he was finished and sighed. How the hell did Edward get into one of those places? There would be some explaining done this evening, that was for sure. Well at least now his suspicious on this Franky character were sort of confirmed. He did know him, indirectly, rather he knew Franky's older brother Jason, a pleasant sort of fellow who'd been friends with Sable before he'd been killed in Ishbal.

"So you know him?" Havoc asked.

Roy nodded. "After a fashion, I didn't think someone who'd tried to become a state alchemist would become a pimp."

Havoc chuckled. "Yeah well, he's definitely different. He was rather excited to know that I worked for you. He was upset at first when I showed up, thinking Ed had ratted him out. I explained Ed hadn't done anything of the sort just told his little sister about a new friend leaving out certain details. Then the little guy was all over me, asking how Ed and Al were, guess he knows just about everything that goes on down in the slums in Ariss. He's got quite the information set up down there."

Roy perked a brow. "Which is how Edward got his information."

"Yeah, Franky did admit to giving it to him. There's something else,"

Roy was all ears.

"He said he's looking for Anise too, said he'd get us information but if he found her first he couldn't guarantee there'd be anything left of her for us to have. He's pissed Colonel. He's taking her actions personally, said because she almost killed one of his friends and a kid at that, she didn't deserve to get away with it."

Well that was… This was just so bizarre. Roy had to take a moment to wrap his head around it. Edward and Alphonse had somehow gotten themselves on the good side of a pimp who doubled as a territorial boss in the slums of Ariss. And that same boss had slipped through the cracks after being rejected by the military and was going to help with the investigation. Didn't he know that his involvement would put him and his business at risk?

"Chief, I've been to some pretty interesting places, seen the slums in Central and we both know the kinds of things that go on down there. I know we have duties but after asking around and doing some digging, until Hughes showed Franky had people looking after Ed and Al and he wants to help us. He might be watching people and letting them have their drug deals, black market, and be a pimp but it's cleaner, safer. Couldn't we-"

Roy met his eyes. Cleaner crime? That was laughable, but… "I don't know anything about a Franky." He stated and pulled on a glove, placing Havoc's report upon the ashtray resting at the corner of his desk. This would be the exchange, Franky looking after his kids and promising to send them information on Anise if they could find it, gained his silence. Besides, he still owed Franky's brother a favor for helping Sable in Ishbal.

Havoc smiled. "Yes sir," He paused. "You're not going to yell at Ed are you? He guessed what Franky was but didn't know what sort of establishment he was walking into, thought it was just a bar, at least that's what it looks like."

Roy smirked. "No, I want to know how he got in."

"Ah that would be Ms. Cara; she's one of Franky's 'girls'. She said she saw them wondering around down there, thought they were lost. She took them to Franky's place after talking to them, knowing Franky wouldn't let a couple of kids who looked like they didn't belonged wander around down there without some sort of protection. They kept Ed and Al away from the upstairs where all the 'dates' go on. I was promised that they only saw the main room and the back room where Franky holds his meetings. They weren't given anything illegal or offered it."

Well that was a relief. Roy looked at the time. "Well thank you Havoc, I should get home."

"Yes, sir, see ya tomorrow."

It was… an explosion of excitement, that was all he could use to describe what he came home too. Ed, Lily, and Al came rushing at him as soon as he entered the front door, Lily and Ed grinning like loons, Al if he could have, all three of them chattering all at the same time.

"Wow, I didn't think I was this liked," He mused after Al took his briefcase and Ed and Lily both tugged upon the sleeves of his black trench coat. This was most activity he'd seen out of Edward since before he'd left for Ariss. He hoped that was a sign he was getting better.

"You're not going to believe it; even we hadn't pulled it off when we were her age!" Ed chirped, brimming with pride.

"He's just saying that Daddy, it's nothing really but won't you come and see?" Lily asked.

"She's just being humble because we've done nothing but congratulated her all afternoon." Al said. "It really is amazing,"

Now he was more than curious. He guessed it had something to do with alchemy as it was Ed and Al. "Alright,"

"Take off your boots they're muddy." Lily ordered.

Roy smirked. "Practicing for the military poppet?"

"Of course," Lily replied. "I'm going to be a Colonel just like you."

"Really and who are your troops going to be?" Roy asked as he toed off his boots. Lily had never once mentioned going into the military and it was rather cute.

Lily bit her lip and took Ed's auto-mail hand. "You'll work for me right big brother?"

Ed snorted. "I'll out rank you by then, you'll be working under me."

"Oh, Al?"

Al chuckled. "Sure, someone will have to make sure you stay out of trouble."

Suddenly Lily sighed. "If Ed and Jean, Riza, Fury, Falman, Breda, and Uncle Maes, and even you Daddy will out rank me Al and I won't have anyone interesting to talk too."

"You might be surprised," Roy replied. "I'm sure people will be lining up to work for you and Al."

"But I want to work in the same office as you." Lily pouted. "Oh well maybe I can talk to General Hakuro and see if we can get an office right next to Daddy's Al, then we can simply make a giant hole in the wall."

Roy could just see how well that one would go over because it wouldn't. Although he'd like to see General Hakuro go up against his little girl when there was something she really wanted. It might be fun.

"You know Hakuro?" Ed asked.

"Sure, he's Daddy's superior. I met him a couple of years ago when Daddy took me and Aunt Anise to the zoo in Central. He was nice and said I could come and play with his little girl. Anyway come and see Daddy,"

It was then that Roy was tugged, almost yanked into the study where he saw a very intricate, very large, stone rocking horse. It was bigger than it needed to be, too big for Lily to really play on it, and for the life of him he had no idea where the hell they were going to keep it or how they'd managed to get enough material into the study for her to transmute such a thing. Then again there was the issue of why they had done something like this in the house.

But it was very impressive and he was proud of her, thrilled even. "And you did that all by yourself?"

"Of course she did, you think she would have let us help?" Ed asked like Roy was being stupid.

"Teacher wanted to leave it outside but Al brought it in so it wouldn't get wet and dirty before you got home. Don't worry I'll break it down."

"Hey Roy, what the hell…" Maes trailed off as he stopped in the doorway. "That's… Who did that?"

"Lily," Ed replied happily. "Hohenheim didn't assign it to be this big but Lily wanted to prove that she could not only transmute but very well and didn't need the kids stuff so much."

Roy glanced back at Maes. "I think she might have gotten her point across."

"I agree," Maes replied with a smile. "It looks great Lily but what are you going to do with it?"

"I'm going to have Al take it back outside and break it down of course."

"Let me get a picture of it before you do. Aunt Gracia will want to see it you know." He hurried over to the closet to dig out his camera.

"So Dad, what do you think?" Ed asked curiously. The spark the boy had had at the front door was fading even if the smile wasn't.

Roy looked down at Lily who looked up at him expectantly. He brushed her black bangs from her eyes noting that she needed another hair cut, "I think its beautiful Lily."

"Teacher said I could make anything I wanted but I didn't know what I wanted to make except a new arm for Ed and a new body for Al. I was told I couldn't do that and was at a loss. So he told me to make a horse, that it was pretty standard. I think if it's supposed to be a toy a rocking horse would be better."

"That's because you're a girl." Ed teased.

Lily wrinkled her nose. "So, I like being a girl, if there was another boy in the house there would be too much testosterone."

The room fell silent or mostly silent as Maes snorted. "She's got a point ya know."

And Roy found himself asking himself where the hell Lily had heard about testosterone. He wanted to know who had told her and when. She was seven for the love of God! When he found them he'd be roasting them alive upon a spit in the front yard.

He sighed. "You're probably right," he cleared his throat as Maes snapped a picture. He needed to lead the conversation away from anything remotely related to sex and things she just should know this young. "You know I think you need a hair cut again and while we're out doing that Ed and Al can do what they want then we can meet up for dinner to celebrate your rocking horse. Did you stump Hohenheim?"

"Okay no place loud." Lily nodded. "He said it was really good and also said he was going to have to look through some things to see what he could teach me alchemically aside from the laws and some basic theories."

Good grief she was talking theories already. "Alright, well let's get ready to go, Maes are you coming?"

Maes shook his head. "You go ahead I think I'll just get some sleep."

Roy nodded. "I'll bring something back and put it in the ice box,"

It didn't take long to get Lily's hair trimmed and luckily they arrived in time to get it done. They'd decided on where they were going to meet Ed and Al for dinner as the boys wanted to go to the bookstore, which turned out to be across the street from the small restaurant. They were waiting outside before Ed and Al arrived but Roy expected as much since this was the first time in two weeks since Edward had been out of the house.

They didn't have to wait very long and the boys came chatting about something, both carrying books in their arms. Roy held them all up a moment for even in the fading daylight and street lamps he could see something was amiss with Edward. He looked pallid and Roy reached out to feel his forehead.

"I'm fine," Edward said, tugging at his arm with annoyance. "Come on I'm starving,"

Roy smirked despite his concern. "You starving hardly surprises me,"

Ed merely shrugged and focused on his sister as she began asking what books he got and if he'd let her read them.

Dinner was excellent and Roy was glad he'd made this suggestion. He couldn't have asked for better for a celebratory dinner. And the small restaurant the perfect atmosphere to take all three kids out, it was quite which worked well for Lily, and not overbearing in the fancy realm which suited Ed and Al both. Ed had expressed that he wasn't really up for all the play at being fancy, didn't even really have clothes for it. Well if Roy had it his way he'd fix that for Edward, it was his job and he wanted too. Ed wore too much black and needed at least a little color.

The Ed brought but a very good point about snooty rich people pointing and staring at Al. That had begun a little argument in the car between the brothers. Ed didn't care what people thought of him but if anyone said anything about his little brother he'd wiped the floor with them. And of course Al reminded him that it didn't matter where they went people did that anyway and it didn't bother him in the least. Of course if anyone said anything about either of his kids Roy would have something to say to them.

And they served big meals for reasonable prices. Of course they'd be taking left overs home with them as neither he nor Lily could eat all of what they had and even he doubted Edward, even as much as he could put away could either. They simply ordered for Maes as Al's dinner to keep up appearances, not that they really needed too since Roy asked for the quiet table in the very back away from everyone else. Edward helped with that as well, asking for a box early and stashing Maes's food inside then splitting up his and putting it on Al's plate, thankfully Ed picked something that Maes would eat, to make it look like Al had been eating. Roy got the feeling they did this often.

But there was something bothering him about this evening. As much as Edward looked like he was enjoying himself he just didn't look very well. Every time Roy tried to ask if he was alright Ed would change the subject as quickly as he could. Maybe this had been a bit too much for Edward.

His thoughts in to that arena were forgotten after awhile when Ed and Lily began whispering to each other and Lily glared at the waitress who had just left from refilling their tea. The woman would be back with a cup of coffee for him in a matter of moments. He wondered what had Lily so annoyed with her. The woman was nice to her, smiled, even complemented her, and asked her age and Ed and Al's. Hell the woman had even said he had nice well behaved kids… Oh… Now he got it. The woman had sort of been flirting with him. But she always did that when he came in here and she was working. It wasn't anything big, just the friendly kind.

"You know Kelly really is a nice lady Lily," He said softly.

"Uh huh, how nice Daddy?" Lily asked.

He blinked for a moment and was about to reply when Kelly appeared. "Here you go Colonel, can I get you anything else?"

"A couple of boxes would great," He replied.

"And," Lily began with a devilish smirk. Oh no.

"You want desert?" Roy asked quickly. Heaven only knew what would come out of her mouth with that kind of a smile.

"No,"

"How about you Ed, Al?"

Lily gave him a little glare as the boys shook their heads.

"Are you sure, we've got some chocolate mousse pie." Kelly asked.

"No, I don't want any, thank you; actually do you like my Daddy?"

Roy hid his face in his hand. What was he going to do with her? Kelly was married. Her husband worked as a lawyer in a small office downtown.

Kelly laughed. "Your Dad is a good friend, so yes I suppose I do."

"Do you want to go out on a-"

"Lily," Roy warned interrupting her. He swore he heard Edward and even Alphonse snickering.

Kelly smiled and laughed good naturedly. "I might if I wasn't already spoken for. Are you trying to set your Dad up with a date?"

"Please don't encourage her," Roy muttered.

"Oh come on, it's adorable. It's nice to know your kids want you to be with someone. You should be happy; most kids don't want their parents to find someone new."

"It can't be just anyone either." Lily said.

Kelly nodded. "I agree, well I'll go get those boxes."

Roy sighed, looking at all three of them and in turn they feigned innocence. He shook his head. "Uh huh,"

Kelly came back with the check and the boxes and they packed everything up, Roy paid, making sure to leave extra tip for Kelly since she'd been otherwise attacked by Lily and her scheming, scheming he had no doubt was influenced by Edward. God help them all if they teamed up later in life on missions.

Roy rose from the table, holding out his hand to help Lily get down from her own chair. It happened so quickly and with his hands full he couldn't get to him in time, thankfully Al was right behind him and caught him. Edward fainted; right there and Roy cursed himself for not paying more attention.