Elysia had just finished cleaning her brushes when she returned. The Fuhrer was shrugging on his regular military jacket as she walked back into the room. The Fuhrer had been unusually quiet as he sat patiently for his portrait. Elysia had been too scared to even breathe from the tension the Fuhrer's silence created in the room. For the last three weeks Elysia had come to headquarters to paint the Fuhrer's portrait and he was usually cheerful, at least the first week he was. Then gradually the cheerfulness slipped away to the cold silence Elysia just finished enduring. She wondered if it had anything to do with Edward. She hadn't heard anything from him. She had already written twice but she had not received a letter in return and she was desperate for news. The morning newspaper never mentioned anything and for the last week Elysia had rushed out onto the front porch to retrieve the paper before the maid could and examined it for any mention of Edward's mission in Xing. But there was nothing and the Fuhrer never spoke a word. Elysia desperately wished he would but all the Fuhrer would talk about was Jol Haren. Elysia was starting to feel the strain of worry and she was about to demand an answer from the Fuhrer as he finished buttoning his jacket and walked over to his desk. But before any words could come out of her mouth the door opened and an officer walked in.

"Dr. Haren is here to see you now, sir," the officer announced.

"Not now," the Fuhrer said distractedly sitting at his desk.

"But sir, you have an appointment," the officer stammered but was cut off.

"I said not now!" The Fuhrer repeated sternly.

"Yes, sir," the officer squeaked leaving the room quickly.

"Roy," Elysia said. "Is something wrong?"

"Elysia!" The Fuhrer exclaimed. "I'm sorry; I thought you had already left."

Elysia braced herself to ask about Edward. "What news is there of Edward?"

But before the Fuhrer could think of something to say to her his phone rang. "I'm sorry Elysia. I have to take this call. Please excuse me."

"Yeah, sure," Elysia said leaving quickly. Something is wrong, she thought as she left the Fuhrer's office in a hurry. Intending to head to Edward's staff office, to see if any of the officers that had stayed behind would tell her something, she ran into Jol Haren.

"Ms. Hughes!" He exclaimed in surprise. "What a surprise! How are you?"

"Oh, I'm fine," Elysia said hurriedly. "Please, excuse me I've got to be going home now."

"Why don't I escort you?" He asked shyly, blocking her from going past him, glad he had not stammered.

Elysia, her nerves so tight and feeling too anxious, wanted to just push past Jol and get to Edward's office to see if there was any word of him there. Elysia tried to stammer an excuse but nothing came out and she just stood there shaking.

"Are you okay Ms. Hughes?" Jol asked worriedly. He put his hand on her arm and escorted her to a chair.

Elysia followed not realizing she was doing so. As she sat down she came back to her senses and looked up at the young doctor.

"I'm sorry," she apologized. "I've been rude. I was just worrying about the portrait I've been painting of the Fuhrer. I'm afraid it's not coming along so well," she lied.

"I'm sure it'll look great," Jol said hoping to reassure her.

"But I should really get home," Elysia said getting up. "My mother is expecting me."

"Of course. Please, let me escort you home. The Fuhrer has cancelled his appointment so perhaps..." he said trailing off feeling embarrassed wanting to ask Elysia to join him for dinner later.

"Umm..." Elysia said not wanting Jol around as she went to Edward's office but she didn't want to be rude to him. He was trying to be nice and was genuinely worried about her so she nodded. "Sure," she said.

They walked together through the hallways of Central headquarters in silence. Elysia wondered how she could ditch Jol without being too rude about it so she could find out any news of Edward. As they walked along Elysia couldn't help but compare Jol and Edward. If it was Edward with her at that moment they would be talking non-stop and he would have had her laughing. But Jol didn't utter a word the entire time and she was entirely too lost in her thoughts to help with any kind of conversation. She was only concerned about Edward and wishing he was with her now. They finally turned into the hall where Edward's office was located. Passing by General Armstrong's office, also in the same area, Elysia stopped.

"I'm sorry," Elysia said. "I'd like to stop and have a word with General Armstrong. I haven't heard from his niece Elizabeth and I'm hoping he might have some news. See, she's a really good friend of mine, we went to school together..." Elysia rambled on; hoping the excuse to get away from Jol wasn't so obvious to him.

"Uh, sure," he said hesitantly. "Should I wait?"

"No," Elysia said a little too quickly. "It may be a while. General Armstrong is very talkative and likes to extend visits." Elysia made no move toward the door that lead into General Armstrong's office, having no intention of going in. Jol seemed hesitant about leaving her, noticing that she didn't head for the door.

"Okay," he said, finally walking away. "Maybe I'll see you later."

"Oh sure, that would be nice" Elysia said trying to sound cheerful. "Perhaps you can do me a favor?" She asked before Jol turned to leave her.

Jol brightened up a bit at the request. "Yes, anything."

"Will you stop by my place and let my mother know I'll be a bit late? She'll understand if you let her know I went to have a talk with General Armstrong," she said smiling.

Seeing Elysia smile, Jol about melted into the floor. "Oh, of course," he said happily continuing down the hallway alone.

Elysia knew he would be at her house when she returned. Her mother would ask that he stay for tea, then for dinner when Elysia came back home. But she didn't care. It was a small price to pay in order to go to Edward's office alone and see if she could find out anything of him. After Jol turned the corner down the hall, Elysia walked past General Armstrong's office and headed straight for Edward's. Standing in front of the door, she took a deep breath and knocked. A few seconds later an officer opened the door.

"Ms. Hughes! Do you have another letter for General Elric?" He asked when he recognized her.

"No, not this time," Elysia said wanting to get to the point right away. "I've wondered if you've heard any news, regarding the General's mission that is. I haven't heard anything."

"That's odd," the officer said scratching his head. "I'm sure you would have heard."

"Heard what?!" Elysia exclaimed, glad for something, anything at that moment.

"Well," he said looking up and down the hallway. "I shouldn't be saying this out here. Come inside." So Elysia followed him into the office and the door was shut.

"Is Edward...I mean the General, alright?" Elysia questioned as soon as the door was shut.

"Yes, he's fine," the officer said smiling to ease her worried expression. "There's just been a hold up. The General was to rendezvous with an ambassador from Xing but the ambassador's convoy never arrived. There's also been word that the situation in Chenxing has intensified. No fighting has broken out," the officer explained as he saw Elysia's eyes open wide in fright. "But it seems the mission has been extended longer than anticipated," the officer continued explaining. "Such things have a way of doing so."

"Oh," Elysia said not feeling any relief from her worry. "Thank you," she said as she headed for the door. "Will you let me know if you hear anything else?" She asked before leaving.

"Yeah," the officer said looking at her with an odd, questioning look as she turned to leave.