A/N: I really don't like how this turned out, but, I couldn't think of anyother way to do it. The beginning is rushed, as is the end. I'm happy with the middle though. I hope you enjoy it. And yeah, I jumped the shark a little in the beginning. But it was neccessary. Sadly.

Chapter Three

"Instinct"

The deadly Cretan Pandemic hit the western towns of Amestris in the year 1921. With the help of the military's evacuation of most of the western quarter, most were saved. They had seemed to cut off the sick by evacuating those in West City and those closer to Central. The virus was spread through contact, there was no airborne threat. Still, hundreds died, leaving families broken and spread out all over the country.

The town of Edan was nearly destroyed by the illness. When news came about the virus being diagnosed not too far from them, in another Amestrian town, many parents sent their children elsewhere, following them not long after. Alice and Ben McCay were the first ones to send their son to stay with his aunt in the Eastern town of Doyer. Everett was told he would see them again soon. He had no idea that his father had already fallen victim to the sickness.

Benjamin McCay died several days later, his wife followed soon after.

-00o00-

Roy hurried through the hallways to the Fuhrer's office in Central. He knew Grumman was out at the moment and he only had a short amount of time to find the information he wanted. He had heard that the list of fatalities in the West had been sent to the Fuhrer several days ago. Despite Roy's constant pleas to hear if his son was on it, Grumman refused. Now, he was taking matters into his own hands.

He walked past Grumman's secretary, Aubrey.

"General Mustang? Sir, the Fuhrer is away right now…" she began to get up to stop him

"Oh, don't worry; he left something for me on his desk. I'm just going to grab it and be on my way!" Roy said running to the door before Aubrey could get in his way, locking it behind him.

"General! Open the door! I'm calling security!"

"Go ahead." Roy mumbled to himself. He went over to the desk, and quickly found the list sitting at the top of a pile in the corner. He flipped the folder open, and went through the several hundred names, and found the McCays.

Benjamin McCay – died September 12th, 1921 (33 years old)

Alice McCay – died September 14th, 1921 (31 years old)

There was no other McCay. No Everett. He exhaled in relief. While it was awful that both Ben and Alice died, it was a relief to know his son hadn't as well. All he had to do now was find out where he was placed. The Fuhrer probably wouldn't be the one with that information. As he placed the folder back on the desk, the door burst open. Grumman came casually walking in.

"I see there's no stopping you, General." He said.

"I'm sorry sir." Roy said. "But I had to know if he was okay."

"You came all the way from East City to find out if a son you don't know was okay? You certainly seem that have that parental instinct you say you were born without..."

"Kids change you, sir." Mustang mumbled.

"Yes, they do." Grumman smiled. Did that mean Roy wasn't in trouble for locking himself in Grumman's office? "Young Everett was sent to live with his mother's sister, Evelyn Chevalier, in Doyer." When Roy heard what Grumman said, he couldn't believe it. His own son was in the exact same situation he had been when he was kid. Just like Everett, when his parents died, he was sent to live with his Aunt. The coincidence was astounding. At least the boy had family to go to.

"How do you know that, sir?" Roy asked.

"I'm the Fuhrer; I know all I want to know."

"Right." Roy smiled. "Thank you sir."

"General, there is one last thing I want to speak to you about."

"Yes?"

"How would you feel about coming back to Central to be head of the State Alchemist program?"

"Me? Sir… I have…"

"The situation in the East has been resolved, Mustang. I would like you here."

"Of course, sir." Mustang lowered his head in respect. "I'm just wondering why we still have the State Alchemist program…"

"Well, if we suddenly stopped it, people will think something's wrong." Grumman walked over to the chair at his desk. "Do you not want the position?"

"No, sir. I'll be glad to head the program." Mustang said.

"Good. I'll expect you here in a week."

"A week? Sir…"

"I also expect Hawkeye and your other subordinates to be with you."

"Yes sir." Roy sighed. This was going to be fun telling them they all have to move back to Central, or be left behind.

-oo-

"Please eat something, Everett." Evelyn was nearly in tears. Her nephew had been refusing to eat more than a few bites ever since he arrived in Doyer. The twenty-five year old woman had never wanted children. That was always what Alice wanted. Now, here she was. The sole guardian of her three year old nephew, and mourning her older sister and brother-in-law. She had no idea how to raise a kid, especially one she had never even met.

"No. I want my mommy." Everett frowned.

"Sweet heart, mommy's not here…" Evelyn said. How was she supposed to tell a three year old that his parents were dead? She had asked people at the memorial service the best way to do it, and got some suggestions. It seemed like she'd have to do it now…

"But she said she would be." He mumbled. "Is she coming tomorrow?"

"No, sweetie. She's not." Evelyn bit her lip. "Your mommy and daddy are in heaven now."

"Heaven? That's the place where Janie went." Everett's frowned deepened. Janie? Wasn't that their dog? It must've been. She remembered hearing that name over the phone when talking to Alice a few years ago.

"Yeah, she's there too." Evelyn nodded.

"But I don't want mommy and daddy to be there." Everett's eyes became teary. "I want them here!" he shouted, as he jumped off his chair at the table, and ran into his room in her apartment, slamming the door behind him. She would've chased after him, but she feel like she had lost all the strength in her legs. She was shaking.

Alice would have done a much better job explaining that. She always had that maternal instinct; she was the one who took care of her dolls like they were alive. Evelyn was the one who ruined them because she wanted them to do something more. They really couldn't have picked a worse person to send this fragile little boy too. If anything, she felt as if she was going to make it worse for him.

They had never met before. They had both been suddenly thrown into each other's lives without the slightest introduction. Her busy social life had been put on hold, her friends had quit stopping by unannounced. They barely even called, knowing she would have to stay at home with Everett. They all thought she was crazy, taking him in. But how could she let the boy her sister had gone through so much trouble to adopt go into foster care? It seemed cruel, to both Everett and her sister's memory. She had no idea how much trouble Everett was until a man from the military informed her of his back story.

She knew who Roy Mustang was. Who didn't know of the Flame Alchemist? The Hero of Ishval and the man who helped rebuild it. She couldn't help but wonder why he had a baby with one of his subordinates, and why that subordinate would give up the child rather than leave the military to keep it?

She heard Everett crying in his room. The room she had used as a storage area until several days ago. The poor kid didn't even have a bed, just a mattress on the floor. The walls were white, since she never really had a reason to paint it. They would have to do something about that, she told herself. She'd ask him what his favorite color was once they finally warmed up to each other. But, that didn't seem like it was going to happen anytime soon.

-oo0oo-

In East City

Roy's Office

Roy looked around his empty office. His subordinates had already made plans to move back to Central, as he did. Everyone but Hawkeye, which was odd, since she was usually the one to get back to him first. He picked up the receiver, ready to call her, when the door opened. There she was, with nothing but a slip of paper in her hand.

"There you are." Roy smiled. "I was getting worried you weren't coming with us."

"I'm not." She said. Roy felt his heart sunk into his stomach. He was hoping he had misheard her. "I'm sorry, sir." She placed the paper on his desk.

"What's this?" Roy looked at it, feeling panicky.

"My resignation." Riza answered a small hint of sadness in her voice. "I've decided to go in a new direction. I know I promised I would always have your back, but there are things I want out of life now that I won't have time for if I stay."

"Like what?" Roy felt like a teenage boy being dumped.

"A family." Riza answered quietly. "I want a family."

"Is this because of what happened to Alice and Ben?" Roy asked softly.

"Yes, sir. It's made me realize we don't always have as much time as we think we do. I really am sorry, sir. I want a baby, one I can keep, and I want a husband, with a house and a yard, and a dog, or maybe two babies. Don't try talking me out of this; it's been on my mind since Everett was born. I've decided." Roy could tell by her voice that this was a lot harder for her than she was letting on. "Please just sign it."

"On one condition." Roy answered stoically.

"Sir, please…" Riza began, before Roy cut her off.

"You come to Central with me, as my wife." Riza looked like she was about to collapse. She clearly wasn't expecting him to say that.

"Are you sure, sir?" was all she could say.

"I'd feel better if you had by back as my wife, anyway. You already boss me around. Not to mention, we've already done the kid thing." Roy smiled, walking around the desk.

"I don't know… I mean…" Riza paused. "Yes."

"Great." Roy grinned; kissing her like he had five years ago.

When Roy left Eastern Command for what he hoped was the last time, he couldn't help but look back at how much of his life was built in the city he didn't actually like all that much. Everett was conceived here, and now Riza had said yes to being his wife here. Everything had seemed to come full circle. If only they hadn't waited, then Everett could have stayed with them. It was often unfair how things ended up. He looked on ahead, where Riza was waiting by the car. She was out of her uniform already, and her hair, which she had ended up growing out again, was down. Was this really his life now? It seemed almost too good to be true. But at the same time, it was sad. Here he was, finally happy, while his son was in a town, not too far from East City, starting a life without his adoptive parents, the only one he had ever known. It was very unfair how everything ended up.

A/N: Yes, I mean to repeat that "unfair" line, even though it was a teenie bit different. I hope it tugged at your heartstrings. Please review, even if you've reviewed previously! I love to hear your feedback! Thank you for waiting for the update!

-BrownEyedAlchemist