Elysia had just stepped out of Edward's room. She hadn't left Edward's side all week since he had come out of surgery. Oscar, Edward's butler, had been doing all he could for Edward and Elysia to make them more comfortable. He brought home cooked meals for the two of them, though Edward was not able to eat much and changes of clothes for Elysia. But after a week of being cooped up in the room Elysia felt she needed to get out and get some fresh air. Down the hall she saw Roy marching along, heading straight for her. Elysia, not wanting to talk to him turned the other way and started to walk in the opposite direction.

"Elysia," Roy called. "Don't go. I have something for you."

Elysia stopped and turned to look at the Fuhrer, wondering what he could possibly have for her. Roy noted, despite how much she looked like her mother, that there was a lot of her father in those eyes. Seeing her eyes brought back fond but sad memories of her father. Despite his reminiscing of her father, he could see that it was plain that she didn't want anything to do with him at that moment. The cold silence she regarded him sent a chill down his spine and he found he was slightly afraid of her. As Roy approached he reached into his jacket and removed a couple of envelopes and handed them to Elysia. Elysia looked down at them and saw that they were addressed to her. They were letters written by Edward that she had never received. Elysia snatched the letters from Roy and turned away fury threatening to make her say something she was sure she'd regret.

"I'm sorry," Roy said as Elysia continued down the hallway. She refused to turn around and say anything in return. Roy, deciding it was best to leave her alone, went into Edward's room.

Edward looked to the door when he heard it opened, and then wished he hadn't. Why couldn't I have been asleep, he thought to himself.

"What do you want?" Edward asked rudely not in the mood to be talking to Mustang at the moment.

"I came to see how you were doing," Roy said as he shut the door.

"I'm fine, as you can see," Edward told him. "I really don't want to talk to you right now," he said as the memory of their last encounter rushed over him with full force getting him upset.

"Well, as your commanding officer, I'm ordering you to hear me out," Roy said in that pompous tone Edward always hated.

Edward glared at Mustang for a moment. "Say what you want then," Edward sighed knowing Roy wouldn't leave until he had done so.

Mustang handed Edward the letters Elysia had written to him. Edward looked down at them and grew even angrier.

"I should have known," he said reaching to take them with his left hand. "I'm going to kill that doctor for taking my right arm off. After I kill you."

"Anyone else hearing you say that would take that threat seriously. Especially threatening the Fuhrer," Roy said seriously but not meaning a word he said. He had meant it as a joke and Edward knew it and that just annoyed him even more.

"Fuck your title. You had no right to do this," Edward growled trying very hard not to yell too much. He was still hurting and yelling wasn't going to help the pain any.

"I know, I'm sorry," Mustang said sincerely hoping Edward would accept his apology. "I was just trying to do what I thought best for Elysia."

"You don't think I'm good enough for her? You believe in me as a General but not enough to take care of her?" Edward questioned. "You were probably more afraid I would resign and leave the military than looking out for Elysia's best interests. Just looking out for yourself once again. Trying to keep me on a tight leash as usual. Always having something to hold over me. I thought you were beyond that now."

Roy was speechless when he realized what Edward said was true. He had feared that Edward would leave the military. He felt even worse when he looked Edward in the eye. He saw that Edward was truly hurt by him for his lack of confidence in his favorite General. That he would keep Edward from any kind of happiness after all he'd been through and worked hard for. Edward deserved this and Roy wondered if he was also slightly jealous of Edward. He realized too, that despite Edward's actions and bold statements of not trusting Roy, in actuality he did. Edward looked up to Mustang, had helped support him, and this was how Roy rewarded him, by refusing Edward of the joy that Elysia brought him. Roy had seen the way Elysia and Edward looked at each other in the park. Had seen how content and happy they were when they looked in each others eyes. He felt horrible for trying to keep them apart. He had been so intent on his own plans of trying to get Elysia and Jol Haren together he didn't even stop to think about what Elysia had wanted. It wasn't only Edward he had wronged.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what I can do to make it up to you and Elysia," Roy stammered feeling like the world's greatest dirt bag.

"You can start by staying out of our business," Edward responded quickly. "Then explain to that doctor about Elysia and me so he doesn't continue thinking he's got a chance with her. I'm not the only one you've tried to get to do what you want."

"I'm sorry," Roy said again feeling like a child that had just been scolded by his father. "I'll explain to Jol."

"Good," Edward said wincing as he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Getting worked up was not helping at all. Just like him to be a major pain, Edward thought laughing to himself.

Neither of them said anymore to each other. Seeing that Edward had gotten pretty worked up and tired, Roy turned to leave to let him rest. With his hand on the door knob Edward finally spoke up.

"I never had any thoughts of leaving the military," Edward said quietly. "I knew it was a factor, but I didn't think I would have to choose."

"You don't," Roy said turning to look at Edward.

"I know I don't," Edward shot back angrily opening his eyes. "This is the one thing I don't need your permission for. I may be a General and you my commanding officer, but there are still some things that don't involve you."

"I understand," Roy said then sighed. The more he thought about it the more he realized how much he regarded Edward as a son. And like all fathers, one day they have to let their children grow up and lead their own lives. Roy felt like a fool seeing that he should have let Edward alone a long time ago, instead of always harping on him for his bad habits.

"What the hell are you looking at me like that for?" Edward asked.

"Nothing," Roy said smiling realizing he had been staring at Edward. "I'm just proud of you. There may have been things that you did that I didn't approve of but you turned out well, despite everything you've been through. I'm happy for you and Elysia."

"What are you my father?" Edward asked not really liking having such a conversation with Mustang. He much preferred to be arguing with him than getting such compliments. It just felt too weird to him, he wasn't used to it. But he had to admit to himself, he appreciated it. "Get the hell out of here."

"Oh, before I go," Mustang said before turning to leave. "Thought you might be interested to hear what happened in Chenxing."

"Go on," Edward said interested.

"When the Emperor found out what happened to the ambassador, he sent a full force in and with Fao's help they were able to arrest the instigators with minimal fighting. The landowners that had turned the citizens of Chenxing against the Ishbalans will be put on trial for their crimes. The Ishbalans are free to return to their homes in Chenxing if they want. All Ishbalans within the region of Xing have been offered to form their own clan, to give them the opportunity to have a say in the policies of the country."

Edward smiled at this bit of news. Though he wondered irritably why none of that happened before he had to go into Xing. He was still nursing an aching forehead from his wound.

"You've also been extended an invitation," Mustang continued. "The Emperor was worried about you when he heard what happened. He says you're welcome to visit anytime and he'll pick up the tab."

"He'd better pick up the tab. He still owes me," Edward grumbled.

"But it's weird," he continued. "I didn't think Ling had it in him to run a whole country. He was just a fool of a prince when I first met him."

"He had to become an adult sometime, like you," Roy pointed. Edward looked at him and laughed.

"I guess you're right."

"Well, take it easy, Ed," Mustang said as he left the room smiling.