Disclaimer: As much as I would like to take credit for such a wonderful show, I cannot. I didn't write Full Metal Alchemist and none of the characters are my own creation. They belong to their respective owner. They deserve the credit, not me.

Author's Note: Wow, I didn't expect to get such a response! 28 reviews…incredible! Thank you to all my readers! You're feedback means a ton to me, so don't forget to review if you have to time! Thanks! Now on with the story!

R-2-F

The encampment was silent. All of the soldiers were in bed trying to catch a bit of sleep before the big day. All save for two. A lone lantern was lit in the furthest tent, the light silhouetting the restless duo.

Maes Hughes sat on his cot, his elbows resting on his knees with his head in his hands. Across from him sat Roy Mustang, who's black eyes gazed at his gloved hands. They were silent, neither attempting to say anything to comfort the other. There was nothing they could say.

They both realized that at this time tomorrow, their pristine white gloves would be stained crimson with the blood they'd spilt. They were no fools. They knew that there was no way to escape what they would do at dawn. They would kill men, women, and children because of who they were. It didn't matter if they were innocent. In the military's eyes, there were no innocents in Ishbal. Because of those who stood against the military, an entire civilization would be slaughtered.

Hughes suddenly stood, bringing the other man's eyes to him. He smiled weakly at the man he'd grown to see as a brother. "I need to get some fresh air. Don't wait up."

"Hughes-"

"I'll be back, Roy."

R-2-F

"Roy?"

The door to General Mustang's room was flung open, revealing a disheveled blonde and a suit of armor. The blonde's eyes scanned the room frantically until they landed on the raven haired man occupying the bed in the center of the room. Without a word Edward strode over to the bed and bent over the man. "General?"

Edward's breath caught in his throat when onyx eyes turned to him. All thought fled from his mine, only one fact remaining intact. Roy was awake. Ed had spent the past month waiting for this to happen and now that it had he didn't know what to say. Before he could dwell on his thoughts too long the man in question spoke.

"Who…are you?"

Edward felt the his stomach drop at the words. He frantically searched for a sign that the General was just joking with him. He found nothing to disprove his fears. The trademark smirk, his laughing eyes, a twitch of his eyebrow; none were to be found. "I…" Edward stuttered, searching the eyes that were studying him silently. "You…" He began, realization hitting him like a brick. "Don't…remember."

"Remember what?" Roy snapped, a spark of his old temper resurfacing. The General tried to sit up but was gently held down by the blonde. This only added fuel to his temper. The raven haired man was obviously growing annoyed.

Alphonse chose that moment to speak up, making his presence known. "General Mustang?" He asked hesitantly, taking a step towards the bed. The noise seemed to echo through the room that was otherwise silent. Alphonse noticed the surprised look on Mustang's face when he noticed him. He fought the urge to hang his head and shuffle his feet under those intense eyes.

"Why do you people keep calling me that? It's Major Mustang. I'm nothing but a field alchemist." Roy stated, his voice holding no sarcasm. It was in that moment that everything clicked for the Elric brothers. Suddenly, the General's strange behavior made perfect sense. "Oh well, it doesn't really matter. Now, if you gentle…" Roy paused to look at Alphonse questioningly. "…men…will excuse me, I'm tired. We have a big day tomorrow, so I suggest you get some rest too."

Alphonse locked eyes with his older brother, simultaneously mouthing "big day". Ed shrugged and turned back to the General, forcing a smile. "Of course. Have a nice sleep, Major." Ed pulled the covers up so that they covered the man's chin before turning and exiting the room, pausing only to dim the lights. He felt the heat of the man's gaze follow him as he made his exit.

R-2-F

Hawkeye found the Elric brothers in Mustang's office, seemingly deep in discussion. In fact the two teens were so distracted that they didn't even notice her presence. Hawkeye was never one to eavesdrop, but something Alphonse said caused her words to die in her throat. She ducked behind her desk so her presence would remain undetected.

"So you're saying he may have amnesia?" Alphonse repeated, his voice openly skeptical. From the way the boy shifted from foot to foot Hawkeye could see the younger teen was uneasy. "How can you be so sure, brother?"

"It doesn't take a genius, Al. People have been acting like they're walking on eggshells around us for weeks. Clearly there's something they aren't telling us." Ed rose from his place in Mustang's chair to pace in front of his desk, chewing on his thumbnail absentmindedly. Hawkeye felt tears spring to her eyes at the familiar scene. Not five weeks ago she'd found Mustang in the same spot doing the same thing. She was interrupted from her thoughts when the blonde spoke again. "They knew something like this could happen."

"Brother, we can't be certain they knew before we did. Even with Alchemy and modern medicine…there are just some things you can't predict." Alphonse replied, attempting to make his brother see reason. "Even if they did know, which is a long stretch," Alphonse sighed, his shoulders slumping. "It doesn't matter. Right now the General needs your help."

Hawkeye noticed how Edward's head seemed to snap up at those words, his eyes widening. She had to strain her ears to hear the boy's words. "I…I don't know if I can see him like this."

The sound of metal striking bone brought Hawkeye to her feet in a flash. The scene that met her eyes was not what she would have expected. Alphonse stood with his hands clenched at his sides while Ed leaned against Mustang's desk, rubbing a welt that was quickly forming on his left cheek. The two showed no signs of acknowledging her presence, both boy's eyes fixed on the other.

"Brother, I'm sorry.." Alphonse began, his voice shaking slightly. There was no mistaking the remorse that laced the boys words, but there was an air of determination about him. "But for the past month you have spent day in and day out by that man's bedside, but now that he is awake you're going to run the other way?"

"Al…"

"No brother, allow me to finish." Alphonse snapped, rising to his full height. "You have stayed by the General's side for the past month, but now that he really needs you you're running scared?" Alphonse paused to give his brother a stern look that silenced any protests that would have come from the blonde. "Mustang needs you right now, Edward Elric. Now will you stay by his side or desert him?"

Hawkeye craned her neck to see the arguing boys, trying to stay in hiding while doing so. The suit of armor looked down at the blonde with a patient look that belied his words. The blonde in question stood stock still, his eyes fixed on his feet. The silence continued to stretch out between the brothers making Hawkeye begin to squirm anxiously. She didn't know if she should blow her cover and break them apart or to stay hidden and wait. After several minutes of waging a silent battle with herself she stood.

"I won't desert him again." Edward whispered, his voice breaking. Hawkeye's eyes widened when she saw tears in the teens eyes that were threatening to spill over. "I won't leave him."

Hawkeye took the teen's admission as her cue to leave.

R-2-F

A knock on the door woke General Mustang once again. He opened his eyes in time to see a pair of golden eyes studying him from the doorway. It took him several moments to tear his gaze away from the haunting eyes before him. "Can I help you?" He asked coolly, his eyes studying the boy once again.

He watched curiously as the boy shut the door behind him, making sure not to create even the slightest noise. The blonde then turned slowly to face him once more, his chin raised ever so slightly. "Actually, I'm the one who's going to help you."

R-2-F

Author's Note: I'm sorry it took a while to update. I began writing this Monday, but things have been so hectic I wasn't able to finish writing it until today! I hope it wasn't too choppy. I had a lot of trouble writing the scene where Roy wakes up, but I think it turned out alright, to some extent. Tell me what you think!

A huge thanks to all of my reviewers. Thirty reviews...amazing!

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