See previous chapters for all Disclaimers.

Take It All Away 9

Friendly Visitors

The sound of a knock on the door roused Mustang from sleep several hours later. Mustang groaned and buried his face in the pillow, expecting the ever-present blonde to answer the door. When the knocking persisted Mustang wearily cracked an eye open to survey the room. The blonde was nowhere to be found.

"Fullmetal?" He yawned, sitting up and stretching. He winced when his IV was jerked from his arm as a result of the movement. He swore softly and glared at the now dangling needle.

"General?" A female voice called from the other side of the door. "Are you alright?"

Roy wasn't given a chance to answer before the door was flung open. A young man with blonde hair stood just inside the now open portal, a half-spent cigarette dangling between his lips. Standing just behind him was a younger blonde woman, who's hair was pulled back into a tight bun. She looked as if she was about to snap at her companion, but the man spoke before she had the chance.

"Roy-boy!" He grinned, crossing the room in a few strides. "You're still asleep at this hour?" The man asked good naturedly.

"Hn." Mustang replied, studying the newcomers. He was too busy trying to place the familiar faces to notice the degrading pet name.

The woman seemed to notice the General's calculating gaze and stepped fully into the room. She snapped her feet together and saluted Mustang. "Please excuse Havoc's behavior, sir. He meant no disrespect."

"Sure I do!" The man called Havoc cut in smoothly, his grin widening. "You'll have to excuse Hawkeye, sir." He glanced at the woman pointedly and leaned a bit closer. "She's a bit of a tight ass." He added in a more conspiratorial tone.

Roy felt a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth but wisely fought it back. The blonde woman's hand had disappeared behind her back and Roy's gut told him that was bad news. He couldn't quite explain it, but he felt the irrepressible urge to hide under his covers.

"Jean…" She began threateningly. The man in question just grinned innocently and turned back to his superior. He didn't seem worried in the least that his back was now facing the irritated girl. If nothing else, the small action gave Mustang a glimpse of the trust between the pair.

"So how're you, General?" Havoc inquired conversationally as he began sifting through Mustang's 'Get Well' presents. He glanced up when several minutes had passed and no answer came from the invalid. A slight frown crept onto his features. "Mustang…?"

Mustang shook his head, realizing the question was directed at him. "Sorry. I'm fine, I guess."

Both of the officers present froze and turned to gape at the General. Mustang felt a pang of annoyance when the gazes remained on him. "What!" He snapped, the weight of their gazes unsettling him.

"Uhm.." Havoc hesitated and risked a quick glance at Hawkeye. "Nothing." They finished simultaneously. Mustang was obviously not convinced though, so Havoc opted for a quick change of subject.

"Wow, is that a guitar?" Havoc inquired suddenly, his voice dripping with fake enthusiasm. Moving to the corner of the room he retrieved the aforementioned object. He felt Hawkeye's questioning gaze and turned to give her a reassuring wink.

Roy's eyes followed the younger man's movements from his place in the hospital bed. His eyes lit up noticeably when he laid eyes on the object in Havoc's hands. "Is it…mine?" He asked hesitantly, a hint of underlying hope creeping into his voice.

"It would appear so." Hawkeye answered, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

Havoc moved to the side of Roy's bed and handed him the guitar. When Roy hesitantly held out his hands to accept the object Hawkeye noticed the blood on his arm.

"Mustang." Hawkeye stepped closer for a better look at the wound. "Did you rip your IV out?" She demanded.

Roy gulped despite his innocence. This woman's forte seemed to be intimidation. She had cold, unattached eyes that only softened when she looked at her blonde companion when his attention was directed elsewhere. "I-it came out when I sat up." He explained hastily, his anxiety spiking when her hand disappeared behind her back.

"Oh, cut him some slack babe." Havoc cut in before she could begin mothering the General to death. He grinned charmingly when his companion blushed in response. Hawkeye was about to retort when the phone by Roy's bedside rang. She huffed in defeat and shot Havoc a look that clearly said she would deal with him later. She answered the phone, turning her eyes away from Havoc to stare at a random spot on the wall.

Both Havoc and Mustang found themselves listening intently to Hawkeye's end of the conversation.

"Hai?…Oh hello, Fuhrer…Yes. Of course….wait, are you certain?" Hawkeye paused and turned to glance at Mustang. "Yes, he is awake sir, but-"

Havoc frowned when he sensed the hesitation in her voice and gently took the phone from her. "Why hello there Fuhrer!" He greeted in his trademark drawl. Everyone in the room noticed the way his eyes had turned calculating the second he took the phone. After a moment's silence on Havoc's end the man spoke again. "Of course, we'll be there shortly. Yes sir."

Havoc angrily slammed down the receiver and remained facing the wall. The other two present both noticed the way his shoulders were laced with tension and the muscles in his neck were working, as if he was gritting his teeth.

After a tension filled moment, he spoke.

"Riza, get a wheelchair."

"Whatever for?" She asked hesitantly, stepping closer to Havoc in concern.

Havoc turned to meet her gaze straight on, his eyes speaking volumes. "The Fuhrer would like to see the General."

-R2F-

Author Note: Well, I managed to get a new chapter out within a week! Are you guys proud? I'm going to do my best to keep updates coming out at a fairly steady pace. Until next time!