Take It All Away

Chapter 19: Fall to Pieces

Edward began to worry about the General when two o'clock came and went with no sign of the acclaimed alchemist leaving his office. The clock now read 2:57 and Ed finally took it upon himself to check on Roy. Havoc had yet to return from his visit with the higher ups and Riza was so engrossed with her paperwork that Ed doubted the First Lieutenant even noticed her betrothed's absence. The day had passed by with a fair amount of normalcy, except that both Havoc and Mustang were either missing or indisposed. Ed knew it was foolish to feel like the office was empty because of the Flame Alchemist's presence, after all they had gone for months without the older man, but feel it he did, and strongly.
Roy had not left his office since Fuery had taken his leave early that morning. Judging by the uncharacteristic sullen look that the Sergeant possessed, it didn't take much for Ed to figure out that he had come bearing bad news of some nature. The question was, what?
With a heavy sigh Ed rose from his chair, rolling his shoulders to ease the tension that sitting at a desk for hours on end tended to cause. He gave a final sigh before raising his chin and moving across the room, his every move belaying his determination. He raised his fist, hesitating only a moment before pounding on the heavy oak door. "Oi, teme-sama!You still alive in there?"
"What is it?" Came an irritated reply from the other side of the door. "I don't have time for your idiocy, Fullmetal!"
"My what?" Ed demanded, throwing the door open regardless of the General's protests. "You bastard, I'll have you know-" He shoved the door open and strode into the office, intent on launching into a full fledged rant the moment he'd cornered the General. However, his words died on his lips at the sight presented to him.
The once immaculate office was now littered with innumerable books and folders. Papers were strewn haphazardly across the desk and the surrounding floor. The General's oak desk was buried beneath piles of books that had been plucked from the shelves of the mighty bookcases that lined the office's eastern wall. In the center of all of this chaos, stood the infamous Flame Alchemist, who appeared to be in the midst of a heated phone conversation.
For a split second, Ed considered turning around and acting as if he had never entered the office. Maybe if he left now, the General wouldn't realize-
"I'm afraid you misunderstood me." Roy's deep voice startled Ed from his plans of retreat, the underlying anger in those five words causing Ed's back to stiffen. "I don't give a damn if it's 3,000 men! I want the files of all military personnel that have been transferred to Drachma in the last six months!" Ed released a small sigh of relief when he realized that those words were not directed at him, but at the unfortunate soul on the other end of the phone. "It'll take you a week?" Roy's eyes narrowed. "You have three days."
Roy slammed the phone back onto it's cradle, allowing his hand to rest there as he fought to reign in his frustration. The raven haired man was nearly shaking in his efforts to keep his temper at bay. Ed swallowed thickly, the General's anger taking him by surprise. Yet he was undeterred by Roy's foul mood and narrowed his own eyes in reply, closing the distance between them in a few short strides.
"What's all this?" Ed demanded, gesturing to the chaos surrounding Roy's desk.
"I was under the impression that you are to report your actions to me Fullmetal, and not the other way around." Roy snapped, slamming the folder in his hands on the desk.
Ed bristled. "Who pissed in your coffee?"
Roy gave him a withering look. "I don't have time for your crude comebacks, Fullmetal."
"Too bad for you, I've got all the time in the world." Ed shot back, leaning against Roy's desk and casually crossing his arms.
Roy slumped into his chair with a sigh, gingerly rubbing his temples. "Edward, if you haven't noticed, I'm a bit busy-"
"I have noticed." Ed cut in, all hints of playfulness leaving his voice. "I've also noticed that whatever it is has you worked up, which can't be good for your first day back in the office. So...either you tell me what the hell's going on, or I tell Hawkeye that you're already overdoing things."
"I don't have to answer to-"
"Have you seen a pissed off Hawkeye?"
Roy paused at this. Now that Ed mentioned it, he could recall the First Lieutenant holding him at gunpoint various times, and he wasn't too keen to have those memories become a reality any time soon. With a sigh of defeat he tossed Ed the folder nearest him.
Ed caught it instinctively, his brow furrowing as he looked at the General questioningly.
"Fuery's latest report."
Ed opened the folder with a flick of his thumb, his eyes scanning the page with practiced speed. He felt his blood run cold as his grip on the papers tightened. "Lior's gone...?" He breathed, disbelief etching his features.
"It would seem so."
Ed finally raised his eyes to meet those of the other man's. "How is that possible?"
Roy leaned forward in his chair, propping his elbows on his desk and bringing his joined hands before his chin. "The evidence suggests that a large scale alchemical procedure was performed in the city, though there fails to be enough evidence to discern the exact procedure used or when said procedure was performed." Roy paused, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Furthermore, recent occurrences in Drachma call for further investigation."
Ed's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. "Are you suggesting the two are related somehow?"
"I'm not ruling out the possibility." Roy's eyes raised to meet Edward's and the blonde fought the urge to take a step back from the intensity of the General's gaze. "Fullmetal, do you have any idea what is going on in Drachma?"
Ed shook his head.
"There have been a total of three units that have been dispatched into Drachma over the past six months. Due to unknown circumstances, their numbers have lessened to no more than 100 men total."
Ed gaped at the General. "But don't the units-"
Roy cut him off. "Yes Edward, each individual unit is comprised of no less than 100 men." Roy allowed a moment to pass for the information to sink in. "Ninety-three men remain."
"And the others..?"
"Dead or MIA."
Ed growled softly, remembering Havoc's earlier words. 'My men are dying, and I want to know why.' So this is what he was talking about, Edward mused.
He glanced at the papers in his hands again, memories of the people he'd met in the desert town flooding his mind. He felt his throat constrict in an attempt to keep angry tears at bay. Although the town was standing on it's last leg, the people who lived in the desert city were determined to bring their town out of it's slump. Father Cornello had offered them a glimpse of paradise that only fueled their desire to save their dying city. Even after Edward had destroyed their false hope, the people of Lior continued to believe that there was a chance of saving their beloved hometown. "I...can't." Ed whispered, a lone tear streaking down his cheek. "I can't believe that all of those people would just… disappear."
"Edward, the evidence is uncompromising-"
"I don't give a damn about the evidence!" Ed snapped, slamming his hands down on the desk. "I have to see it for myself!"
Roy's eyes narrowed. "You are not going to Lior, Fullmetal."
"Why the hell not? They're still there, I know it!" Ed cried, his desperation rising. "All of those people couldn't just...vanish..."
Roy's eyebrows furrowed. "You're allowing your personal feelings to cloud your judgment, Fullmetal."
"Excuse me for being human, you bastard!" Ed snapped, rounding on the General. He moved around the desk and grabbed the collar of Roy's uniform, hauling the General's face within an inch of his own. "A prick like you wouldn't understand!"
A flash of hurt crossed Roy's eyes, but the look was gone before Ed could be certain he'd seen it. Roy's eyes narrowed as he grabbed Ed's hand with his own, his grip surprisingly firm as he pried the blonde's fingers from his collar. "Maybe you're right, Fullmetal." He replied icily. "However, I refuse to allow one of my men to go and sniff out a ghost town because he claims to be humane."
"I'm not asking you, you-"
Roy rose from his seat, leaning close to the younger alchemist. "Allow me to simplify things for you, Fullmetal." He growled. "Men are disappearing by the handful each day, and I refuse, on both a professional and a personal level, to let you join their numbers."

Ed's irritation lessened, but only slightly. "Dammit, you don't understand-!"

"You're not going, Fullmetal. That's final."

Ed opened his mouth to argue his point further, but a stern look from the General effectively silenced the blonde.

Roy slumped into his chair, running a hand tiredly over his face. "Edward-"

"Don't." Ed cut in, his fists clenching at his sides. Without another word he spun on his heel and marched out of the office, not trusting himself to be in such close proximity with the General a moment longer, lest he snap.

Roy watched Ed go, feeling a pang of guilt upon seeing the anger he'd unintentionally invoked displayed in golden eyes, though it was only for a second. A sigh escaped him and he ran a hand through his hair absentmindedly, suddenly feeling utterly drained of energy.

"Well that went well."

Roy's head snapped up at the new voice, his brows furrowing. "Go to hell, Jean." He muttered, not in any mood to deal with his friend's antics. His head was already killing him.

Havoc pouted. "Ouch, man. You're brutal."

Roy pointedly ignored the blonde.

Havoc crossed the room and added another folder to the pile on Roy's desk. "Orders." He explained, nodding towards the file.

Roy leaned forward and opened the folder, his eyes quickly surveying it's contents. "You're going to Drachma?" He demanded, his tone harsher than need be.

Jean raised an eyebrow. "Is there a problem, General?"

"No…it's nothing." Roy amended, shaking his head wearily. "When do you leave?"

"Five-forty train."

Roy looked up in surprise. "So soon?"

Havoc nodded, casually sitting on the edge of Roy's desk and flipping through one of the books he found there. "Yep. I've received orders to leave A.S.A.P. to Drachma."

"I understand. I'll send Hawkeye to see you off."

Havoc gave a strained smile. "There's no need for that, General. She'd kill you if you let her off early."

"She'd kill me if I let you leave without her knowledge." Roy countered.

Havoc couldn't argue with that. "Alright Roy, if you think you can spare the manpower." Jean conceded. "I'll fetch her on my way out. Thanks." He offered the General one of his infamous grins. "Now…about your love life-"

"Out."

"Y'sir!" Havoc exclaimed upon seeing Roy's fingers poised to snap. The sound of the Second Lieutenant's laughter echoed in the hall long after he'd left.

Roy slumped back into his chair once again, his troubled eyes focusing on the folder that the blonde had left behind. Drachma…

R-2-F

"Well, here we are!" Exclaimed Jean, turning to grin at the blonde woman who remained in the car. She hadn't spoken a word since he'd informed her of his latest orders, even now that they were in front of the train station. With a heavy sigh Jean made his way around the car, leaning down to peer at his fiancé through the window. "Come on, it's not like you won't see me in a week."

Havoc's attempt at cheering up his betrothed proved fruitless. He sighed again. "Riza…"

"Drachma's a dangerous town; take care of yourself." Riza ordered indifferently, betraying the way her eyes were misting over.

Havoc's eyes softened and he put a hand to the side of her face, forcing the stubborn woman to meet his eyes. "I'll be back." He promised, leaning closer and kissing her cheek tenderly.

Riza sat stunned, having been taken by surprise at the loving gesture. It wasn't the first time the blonde had done so, but something about the gentle kiss unsettled her. She frowned slightly as she struggled to understand what had felt so different, but could come up with nothing.

Jean took her lack of response as a silent dismissal, and with a final smile, however strained it was, the blonde Lieutenant shouldered his bag and turned to leave. When his back was presented to Riza he allowed himself to give a heavy sigh, the lump forming in his throat allowing him only to nod when one of the attendants asked for permission to take his bag.

As Riza watched Jean walk off, she was finally able to place the mysterious feeling that was washing over her. With a sudden surge of desperation she fumbled with the handle for what seemed like an eternity before managing to throw open the car door. She ran towards Havoc's retreating form, calling his name as loudly as her constricted throat would allow.

Jean turned, his eyes widening in surprise as Riza launched herself into his arms in an uncharacteristic display of desperation. He felt her body shaking with sobs and pulled her closer, knowing that words would do nothing to console his beloved. Words of false promises would have been wasted in that moment, for Jean knew full well that he could not promise Riza he would return.

The train whistle sounded, signaling it's impending departure. Jean gave Riza a final squeeze before releasing her. He put a finger beneath her chin so that her eyes met his and gave a small smile, pressing his lips to hers softly. "See you soon, baby."

The whistle sounded again and Havoc turned to board the train, casting a final glance at Riza. With a final wink, he was gone.

As Riza watched the train pull away, she allowed her tears to fall freely. She knew this feeling all to well. She brought a hand up to her lips, a soft sob escaping her lips as she turned to begin the lonely trek back to her car. Once safely inside, she rested her head against the steering wheel, her tears refusing to subside. The way that Jean had held her just before she boarded the train…

Felt far too much like a goodbye.

R-2-F

Author's Note: This chapter didn't turn out at all like I originally planned, but that's alright. I didn't plan on the scene at the train station to be so emotional on Riza's part, but I think I like how it turned out. Riza's often portrayed as an emotionless woman, but I refuse to believe that the woman is as indifferent as she acts at times.

And as for the argument between Roy and Ed, I had to do it. As much of a Roy x Ed supporter as I am, I refuse to believe that the two of them will live happily ever after once they are together. Roy's too stubborn and Ed's too headstrong. The fight was necessary.

And as always, a huge thanks to all of my reviewers and readers! Thanks to you guys, we've managed to reach Chapter 19.