I was sure there was something important I had to say this morning... but did I remember it? No. Go figure. Maybe I'll remember and then I can talk about it tomorrow. :shakes head:

/Edit: I remembered! So okay... This is an idea I've been tossing back and forth in my mind. I'm not sure if any other Roy/Ed authors would be interested, but I was thinking it'd be neat if a few of us got together and started a fic, and switch back and forth on creating the chapters. Such as Person A does chapter one, Person B does chapter 2, and so on. Kind of working off of each other to create and complete a fic. I guess if anyone's interested in ironing out details, or participating, let me know. We'd probably have to set a participating author limit.. but as I don't know if anyone else is even interested I won't get into that. Anyway, if anyone is interested, drop me a PM, or add me to one of my contacts so we can talk. Thanks for reading!/ And I'll be putting this in my profile for a day and my chapter tomorrow as well since I did edit this in so late.

Thanks for all the reviews! Seriously! I've never had so many reviews on a single chapter before. And all of you are so into the story it sounds like, just from the tone I get from your words. I'm so glad that you all enjoy reading this each day. It keeps me wanting to upload again each day.

Chapter Six

Edward had finished raiding the kitchen, and made his way upstairs while eating from a box of crackers. Marching down the hallway he entered Roy's bedroom and set the box of crackers down while he packed up his suitcase. He knew what he was doing could probably be considered breaking their deal. How he hated it now. None of this would have happened if not for Roy being too weak to tell his mother the truth. Slamming the suitcase shut he grabbed it in one hand, and the box of crackers in another, and exited the room not bothering to shut the door behind him.

He couldn't see himself spending another minute here like this. This wasn't what he wanted anymore.

He saw neither Daphne nor Roy in the hallways as he made his way to the front door. He unlocked it, and was about to leave when he suddenly dug out a blue and silver gift wrapped package from his jacket pocket and laid it up against the wall. He might be mad, but he still wanted Roy to have his birthday present tomorrow. Only then did he leave the house.

Edward went the only place he wanted to right now. Home.

As he reentered the apartment for the second time that morning he shook his head at Al's surprised look. "I'm not going back there." He said, closing and locking the door for good measure before he hauled his suitcase back to his room.

Alphonse quickly set down the book he'd been reading and hurried after his brother. "What happened?"

Edward was sitting on his bed, eating from the box of crackers. "I believe I just broke up with him."

"What?!" Al gaped, and moved from his place in the doorway to sit down next to his brother. "Why?"

"He says he's not ready for a real relationship yet. Cares for me but doesn't want to hurt me. Blah blah blah blah BLAH!" Ed fumed and crunched down hard onto a helpless cracker.

Al groaned, slapping a hand to his forehead. "What an idiot."

"I know, I told him as much." Edward glared darkly at the floor.

"Does he know you're gone?" Al asked.

Edward shook his head. "Though it shouldn't surprise him. I doubt he'll care."

"I'm sorry." Alphonse said softly, putting a comforting arm around his brother's shoulders.

"It's fine. At least now I don't have to lie to Daphne anymore."

Al pulled his brother closer, giving him a one-armed hug. "So you broke up with him… I can't say I blame you. If he's still on the fence, then you shouldn't have to deal with the emotional effects of it."

"I gave him the ring back." Edward said softly.

Al smiled, "so he could propose to you properly one day?"

"He'll probably just destroy it." Ed lamented, and grabbed another cracker out of the box.

"I should hope not, that ring was meant for you." Al insisted, and then looked thoughtful. "Come on, you need chocolate, lots of chocolate. And wine, some very good wine."

"I'm not a girl." Ed snarled, "those are the cheer me ups girls use. Get me something deep fried and certain to give me indigestion."

"I can arrange that." Al grinned. "You just stay here, I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Thanks Al." Edward said as he flopped back onto his bed, hugging the cracker box. "And, Al?"

Alphonse poked his head back around, "yeah?"

"Don't tell him I'm here, if he does come looking for me." Edward said gloomily.

Al nodded, "I won't tell a soul." He promised, and hurried down the hall to grab his wallet and head out the door. He knew that deep down his brother wanted Mustang to come find him, and drag him back. But as Ed's brother, he would respect his wishes. Besides, the rebellious side of him rather wanted to see Mustang suffer a bit for making his brother so down.

Edward sat up in his room, the radio on and a book in his lap. Yet no matter how many times he tried to read the words, he never was able to get past the first page. Thoughts of Roy kept plaguing him.

Alphonse had just finished buying several cartons of takeout food from a very dingy looking establishment, and was carting it back to the apartments when he ran into Hawkeye who appeared to be out to do a little grocery shopping.

"Hey Al," she smiled as she saw him, walking over to the dark blonde youth.

"Hello ma'am." He smiled back.

Riza looked down at the bag Al was carrying and frowned. "Don't tell me you're going to eat all that by yourself."

Al chuckled, he had bought quite a bit for his brother. He knew how much Ed could eat when feeling like this. Somehow he never managed to gain weight either. "No. It's all for brother." He'd been told not to tell Roy that Edward was there, but something that sounded like a simple luncheon wouldn't be detected by Riza. He doubted she knew of the incident.

"Eh? Did he drop by for lunch or something?" Riza asked in confusion. If Roy had done what she'd urged him to this morning, then she doubted either of them would have left the house.

"Sort of." Al sighed and looked at her. "I'd better get going, he'll be wanting this."Al said, and hurried off with a salute and wave to Hawkeye who blinked after him.

Alphonse made it back to the apartment without further incident, and piled the cartons and a fork onto a tray and brought it into his brother's room. "Your crappy food is served!" He announced, bearing it over to his brooding brother.

"Thanks, Al." Ed sighed, laying the book aside and accepting the tray.

Al nodded and walked around to the other side of the bed so he could sit down beside his brother. "How is it?" He asked.

"Just what I need, thanks." Edward smiled over at him.

"He's the first person you've really loved that way, isn't he." Al stated, grabbing a pillow and hugging it to him.

"Yeah." Ed said bitterly, "I'm not sure how it happened, or when. But I don't care. I just wish he wasn't such an idiot. Or I wasn't such an idiot."

"He's the idiot right now." Al patted his brothers back soothingly. "You just stay here until Monday. If you want I'll come with you to work so you don't have to face him alone."

"No, it's okay." Ed sighed and shoveled more food into his mouth. "I'm thinking I'll just hop a train somewhere on Monday."

"You can't run away from him forever." Al cautioned. "You two will have to face this eventually."

"I will." Edward attacked his food again. "What if he doesn't even acknowledge any of this?"

Al smiled and opened the complimentary almond cookie that had been stuffed in the bag, and popped it into his own mouth. He'd deemed it the safest item to consume. "Then he doesn't deserve you." He said reasonably and patted his brother's shoulder. "Don't give up just yet, brother."

Edward groaned and nearly did a purposeful face plant into a carton of chow mien.

"Ah don't do that." Al chastised gently. "Just wait and see. I doubt Mustang will allow himself to lose you."

"I hope you're right." Ed sighed, "damn I feel like a whiny girl doing this. But-"

"It's necessary." Al finished. "And you know, most of the girls we know aren't very whiny at all. They're very strong people. So don't get down on yourself with such comments."

"Thanks, Al."

"You're welcome."

The two exchanged smiles, and Al kicked back to watch his brother get back to work on the food. Alphonse had to admit, he kind of enjoyed this side of Ed. He so rarely got to take care of his brother, it was always him being taken care of. For once, he felt like the most valuable irreplaceable thing ever.

Humble Abode of the Once "Engaged"

Daphne had sat silently as Roy told her about his fight with Edward. In the process, the truth had been forced to come out. Her son was too distraught to somehow shape this into some sort of lie. She waited patiently until no more ramblings came from his lips, before suddenly hugging him.

It was not one of her usual bone crushing hugs, this one was gentle, and soothing.

"You have to go after him." She told him, pulling away and looking into those hurt black eyes.

"You're… you're not mad at me?" Roy asked in shock. He'd expected to have a long lecture about the lie he'd woven.

Daphne chuckled and shook her head as she gave him a reproachful look. "Honey, I wasn't born yesterday. I knew something was up, that something wasn't quite right. But I wasn't sure what. But I have been waiting for many, many years, for you to look like this. Cruel as it may sound. But I've waited for the day I can finally try and help you when your love life is crashing down. Finally I can actually feel like a complete mom."

"Sorry, about everything." Roy said hesitantly. "Edward never wanted to lie to you, he kept asking me to tell you the truth."

"He's a good man, much like yourself." Daphne soothed, "but even good men can make mistakes when they're blinded by conflicting emotions."

"Am I ready, mom?" Roy asked fretfully. "Can I, of all people, handle a relationship and love?"

"Well," Daphne mused, "as Ed said to you, you two have been having a relationship since the moment you two concocted this little scheme."

"But it was just that, a scheme."

"Do you really believe that?" She asked, looking at him seriously. "After everything that's happened between you two, do you truly believe it was just a scheme when all was said and done?"

Roy actually took some time to think about it, before shaking his head. "I think it stopped being just acting when we started getting to know one another better, and realizing that it actually worked betwe-… it worked."

Daphne smiled broadly, glad her son had finally caught on. "It did work. I saw you two argue, I saw you two make up. I saw both of you become closer because of it."

"I need to go find him and apologize." Roy decided suddenly, jumping up from where he sat on the table.

"Yes you do." Daphne smiled and leant up to kiss his cheek lightly. "I'm proud of you, Roy."

"Thanks." Roy said slowly. "I think that's the first time you've ever told me that…"

"It's the first time you've ever deserved it." Daphne said wryly.

Roy rolled his eyes, but clenching his hand more firmly around the ring he hurried towards the library door. "Wish me luck!"

"Good luck…" Daphne called after him as he vanished. With a smile she shook her head. Young love. It was so interesting to watch it develop.

Roy hurried around the house, searching all the rooms. With each one that was empty he grew more apprehensive, until he got to the bedroom. His eyes instantly seemed to gravitate towards the place where Edward's suitcase had once been. It was empty.

"Ed…" The pained words slipped from his lips as he realized Edward was gone. But where?

Whirling around he ran back downstairs and towards the library, skidding to a stop in the doorway. "He's gone. I have to go find him."

"Gone?" Daphne questioned looking concerned, and she walked over. "He did look rather upset when I passed him earlier. Maybe he went out for a walk to cool down."

"No." Roy shook his head. "His stuff is all gone too."

"Dumped and ditched all in one morning. This is a first for you."

"Now's not the time to be making cruel cracks about how life has turned around to bite me in the ass with a taste of my own medicine!" Roy snapped in an acidic tone.

Daphne gave him a reproachful look. "I'd love to say a variety of sarcastic things to that. But first thing's first. You need to go find Ed."

"Yeah, no kidding." Roy groaned and ran his hand through his hair. "This relationship and love stuff isn't easy."

"It never is." She smiled back at him. "But some of the best things in life you have to fight for. So go fight for him."

Roy nodded and headed for the door, "see you later mom." He said, and barely remembered to pull on his boots before dashing out of the door.

Daphne stepped into the hallway to watch him leave, silently wishing him luck in finding Edward. Then with a smile she turned to go find a book to read while she waited for the outcome.

Roy only knew of one place in Central that Ed would go. He sincerely hoped that he hadn't boarded a train. If he had, the chances of him catching up with Edward would narrow considerably. And he wanted his Edward back. His Edward. And he didn't want to give him up.

Stuffing the engagement ring into his pocket, Roy headed for the apartment the two Elric brothers shared near the center of the city.

When he finally reached the place, he knocked on the door sharply. Hoping with every panting breath that Edward was here.

Both Alphonse and Edward looked up at the noise, and turned to look at each other.

"I'll get it. You stay here and don't say anything." Al said, and hopped off Ed's bed to exit into the hallway and head towards the front door.

Edward watched him leave, apprehension fluttering in his chest. He got off the bed as well, setting the tray of now empty takeout cartons on his bedside table. Quietly he went to his bedroom door, and leaned against the frame so he could listen.

Alphonse checked over his shoulder once to be sure Ed hadn't followed him, before opening the door.

"Al, is Ed here?" The words were out of Roy's mouth before Al had even opened his mouth to talk.

Al gave him a startled look. "Ed? Why would brother be here? Is everything okay, sir?"

Roy groaned, fisting a hand in his hair. He'd guessed wrong. Where could he be then? "I hope he didn't get on a train. I might not find him before it's too late."

"A train? Sir, what's going on?" Al asked quickly.

Edward had to admit, apparently acting ran in the family.

"I did something stupid." Roy said, and shook his head at Al. "No worries, I'll find him. Maybe he went to the library."

Before Alphonse could say anything else, Roy was gone and heading for the stairwell. Shrugging, Al closed the door and walked back to see Ed leaning against the doorframe of his bedroom. "Did you hear everything?"

"Yes." Ed said quietly.

"What do you want to do?" Al asked as they went back over to sit on Ed's bed.

Edward shook his head. "I'm not sure. I half want to run after him. But I also want to know he's not doing this just because we have a deal or some shit to finish. Or that he's feeling guilty."

"How will you know that?" Al inquired.

"I just… will." Edward flopped backwards onto his bed. "I can't explain it, but I'll know when I hear it."

"Well if it's any consolation he looked like hell." Al smiled down at his brother.

Edward chuckled darkly. "Whoever would have guessed that this would happen to me."

"Just so long as you don't regret it."

"No." Ed closed his eyes. "I don't regret my feelings for him, not for a second."

Al's smile was soft as he gazed down on his brother, and eventually Ed had fallen asleep. Al knew that his brother was probably emotionally worn, and he quietly exited the room to leave his sleeping brother in peace.

Walking over to the phone Al picked it up and dialed the phone number he loved dialing the most. "Hey, Winry." He said as the familiar voice came over the line.

"Al, hey!"

"You asked me to keep you in the loop with that whole engagement thing?"

"O-oh what happened?!"

Al could hear her practically squeal over the phone. "Ed broke up with him. Literally, broke up. Gave him back the ring and everything."

"What?! But I thought you said last night it looked like they were falling for each other."

"They have." Al assured her. "But Roy told Ed this morning that he wasn't ready for a real relationship."

"That's stupid, what does he think he's been having the past few days? The man's smarter than that."

"I don't think he's ever been in love. It's probably scaring him. You know how much of a player he is. Was." Al corrected quickly.

"If he doesn't smarten up soon I'll scare him even worse."

"So anyway Ed's hiding in his room now." Alphonse divulged. "Roy came by earlier, but Ed doesn't want him to know that he's here."

"Can't say I blame Ed. I'd be a bit ticked off."

"Anyway I think we might be coming to Risembool tomorrow." Al sighed. "I think it would be good for him."

"What about Mustang?"

"I plan on calling him when we get to Risembool that night, and telling him brother is there. If he shows up and wins brother back, then everything will be fine. If he doesn't…"

"That's almost cruel. It'll take him nearly a day to get to Risembool by then."

"It could be worse. I could whisk us off to some remote island for a luau and margaritas served by someone named Paulo."

"Good point. Does Ed know you plan to do all this?"

"No. But I doubt he'll protest at coming for a visit."

"I'll make sure everything is ready then. And I'll get a stock of tissues."

"He isn't crying, Win."

"I'll be crying huge tears of joy if Mustang shows up and attempts to win Ed back."

"Ah, right." Al grinned. "Emotional girl."

"Shut up."

Al laughed, "sorry. Anyway I shall see you soon."

A few more words were exchanged between the two before Al hung up the phone and returned to his book.

Edward awoke when it was dark outside. Rubbing at his eyes sleepily he got up out of bed. He must have slept the whole afternoon and evening away. Not that he exactly had much to miss out on considering he was now a free man so to speak. Sighing he glanced over at his clock, the hands telling him that it was ten past eleven at night.

Groaning Edward got up out of bed and walked out into the kitchen. Al had left some dinner sitting on the counter for him, and he ate it listlessly while staring out the window that overlooked the city. He didn't even comprehend what he was eating, he just stared out the window, chewing, and generally feeling sorry for himself like a pathetic child.

Humble Abode of the Once "Engaged"

Roy returned home late that night. He'd scoured every possible inch of Central he could fathom. He'd even asked those who sold the tickets at the train station if they'd seen Fullmetal. No one had seen him. He couldn't think of anywhere else to look for his wayward alchemist. He was tired, and stiff with cold of the night as he entered the kitchen.

Walking over to the counter he began to get a pot of coffee going, and was on his second mug of the hot liquid when his mother walked in.

Daphne had pulled her robe over her pajamas, and gave Roy a half smile as she walked over. "No whiskey, scotch?"

"He wouldn't approve if I drank when like this." Roy sighed. "Besides, I'm rather enjoying this more being sober." He said bitterly.

"Couldn't find him?" She asked, rubbing his shoulder.

"Nowhere." Roy moaned, "it's like he dropped off the face of the planet when he walked out that door."

Daphne nodded. "Maybe he just needs some time to think. After all, you did say some things that would have been pretty hurtful."

"You don't think I don't know that?" Roy snapped at her. "I've spent fourteen hours looking nonstop for him. That's given me plenty of time to think about what I've done."

"And?"

"And I've come to the realization that I can't just apologize to him when I find him again. I've apologized far too much, he deserves something better."

"Like what?"

"I don't know." Roy admitted.

Daphne slowly nodded, "there's nothing more we can do about it for tonight. So let's try not to think about it. You'll find him. Just don't screw it up when you do." She said, and smacked him lightly over the back of the head before heading back to bed.

Roy watched her leave and sighed heavily. Whoever knew that one day he'd be on a wild goose chase to win Edward's affections back. The Roy of seven years ago must be laughing in his grave over this one.

He finished his coffee and stared over at the dirty dishes now cluttering his counter. He knew he should clean up in here, but there was something missing. Someone missing. As silly as it seemed, he'd enjoyed doing the chores with Edward. It was relaxing, and it took your mind off of the hassle of actually having to clean when you had someone to talk to. Someone to bond with over sponges and drying towels.

Roy left the kitchen still messy, and turned off the lights as he went. As he walked over to the front door to flip on the porch light, almost as if to flash a beacon of light out to signal home Ed, his eyes fell on something he'd missed before. Something he should have seen.

Bending down Roy picked up the blue and silver wrapped package. Amongst the shiny string binding it, Roy pulled out the envelope. He recognized the penmanship as Edward's, having seen the man's poor excuse for handwriting many times. Slowly he walked upstairs, all the while looking down at the things he held in his hands.

He entered his bedroom, suddenly noticing the reason for the blue and silver packaging of the item. It matched his room. The significance of this was still settling in as he collapsed into the armchair. The package he set down on the floor by his feet, the envelope he slit open. His heart seemed to be in his throat as he began to read…

Roy,

I used to think I knew you. Until Thursday, that is. Then

today as I'm hauled off to shop for a gift for your birthday,

I realize just how much about you I've learned. How much

I didn't know. It made choosing your gift actually very hard,

because I discovered that the real gift I wanted to give you,

it's not something I can buy at a store Hawkeye drags me

to while warning me not to buy you matches. I hope you'll

still like it anyway, and if you'll let me, I want to give you

my real gift one day.

Happy birthday, and you don't look a day over sixty.

Ed

"My real gift?" Roy repeated, not really caring that his eyes had gone bright and glassy from holding back the tears. He hadn't cried in years, but he felt that tonight just might be his undoing. He ached to hold onto Edward, and be damned if he ever let him get away again. "I have to find him."

He looked down at the paper wrapped box, and picked it up. Standing now, Roy opened a dresser drawer and set the package inside. It wasn't his birthday yet. He'd cheated a bit already by reading the card. The card that he carried back to bed with him, and laid it on the bedside table.

He crawled into bed, and extinguished the lights. While the sleep he had hoped for did come, it was a restless one.

As soon as dawn broke the next morning, Roy flung himself out of bed. For the first time since he turned ten years old, and suddenly thought that not bathing daily was an atrocious, caveman like thing to do, Roy Mustang completely ignored the shower. Yanking on clothes, and socks that most certainly did not match, he ran his hairbrush through his tousled black locks only a few times before flinging it haphazardly on the counter and heading for the kitchen while stuffing his gloves in his pants pockets.

He wanted to start looking for Edward again right away. But he needed coffee first to keep him going. No matter what, he wanted to find Ed, even if he spent all day again looking for him. He wasn't even sure he'd eaten anything yesterday he'd been so involved. But right now he didn't think he could eat, even stress eating was off the agenda. In the back of his mind, he knew Edward would not approve of him stress eating. Besides, every minute he spent eating was one where he might miss sighting Ed.

He hurried into the dining room, and then the kitchen, and stopped dead in his tracks.

"Don't just stand there looking shocked." Daphne said with a yawn, walking a steaming mug of coffee and a paper sack towards him.

"Mom?"

"Here." She said, holding the items out. "Drink the coffee, and take the food with you. I woke up early because I knew you'd be in a hurry to get out the door."

Roy took the coffee mug and the sack, staring at her as if in a new light. "Thanks."

Daphne smirked, "you're welcome." She replied, watching him try and down the coffee as quickly as he could. She had to admit, she'd never seen Roy like this before. And strangely it made her heart swell with pride. He'd finally grown up entirely. So she would help him, and not hinder him in this. Truth be told, she wanted Edward back too. She'd rather grown attached to the thought of him being a son in law.

Roy finished the coffee, and gave the mug back to his waiting mother. "I've got to go now." He said hurriedly.

"Yes you do." Daphne smiled and patted his cheek gently. "Good luck today."

"Thanks, mom, for everything." Roy said, and suddenly reached out to envelope her in a tight hug.

She chuckled and hugged him back gently. "Okay, enough. Go get your fiancé back."

Roy nodded wordlessly, and turned to all but run out the door of the kitchen.

Daphne watched him go with a hopeful smile. "He didn't even remember it's his birthday…" But she shrugged and laughed helplessly. "Good thing he's going searching for his real gift."

Roy had just made it out the door, stuffing the paper sack of food into the pocket of the black overcoat he'd donned. It was at that point he heard his name hailed, but not by the blonde he was looking for. "Riza?"

"Hey!" She smiled, waving from the sidewalk where she leaned up against one of the military cars. In her hands was her gift for Roy.

"What are you doing here so early?" He asked, walking over to her.

"It's your birthday, silly." She said, thrusting her gift at him. "The boys should be over today as well."

Roy took it, and stuffed that into a pocket as well, noticing its blue and silver packaging. "Did Ed wrap them?"

"He transmuted the plastic bags."

"Thanks." Roy gave her a small smile. "For the gift. But I really have to go now."

"Where? Why? It's your birthday." Hawkeye said with a confused look.

"Edward's run off, I can't find him anywhere and I've been looking since yesterday morning." Roy groaned.

"What?!" Riza gaped at him. "What did you do?" She asked, correctly assuming he was the one at fault.

Roy rubbed his temples with his fingers as if fighting off a headache, "I said something stupid. He was right all along and I screwed it up and pushed him away. Told him I wasn't ready for a real relationship yet."

Riza could have groaned, or shot at him, but she merely sighed heavily. "You do realize you two had one, don't you?"

"Now I do."

"What are you going to do when you find him?"

"I'm not sure yet, but I have to get him back. I love him, Riza, I don't want to lose him. I can't even think straight without him! I can't even do the dishes without him anymore."

She smiled, "someone's fallen hard."

"No shit."

"You said you've been looking for him since yesterday morning?" Riza asked thoughtfully.

"Yes, why?" Roy asked, "did you see him?"

She shook her head, "no, I saw Al. He had a bunch of takeout food, more than he could ever eat. He told me he was getting it for Edward. Something about him coming over for lunch or something. I thought it was weird, but I didn't question him."

"But I was over there yesterday afternoon! He didn't mention Ed being over!"

"Ed could have told him to keep quiet, after all, I'm sure he was fairly angry at you."

"Thanks, I'm going over there now." Roy said and made to dash off before Riza seized him by his arm. "Lieutenant, seriously, this is no time for more chatting."

"Get in the car, moron," Riza rolled her eyes. "I can drive faster than you can run."

Roy blinked at her, "ah! Good point."

Hawkeye shook her head muttering something about men, and got back in the drivers seat. "What did you tell your mom about Ed being gone?" She asked as she turned the car around.

Roy finished messing with the seatbelt and slouched back gloomily. "I told her the truth."

"And you're still alive?" Hawkeye laughed, "congratulations, sir."

"You're a radiant bundle of joy." Roy said waspishly. "I'll celebrate my good fortune with my mother once I get Ed back. He's all I care about right now."

She smiled over at him, and raised an eyebrow as he suddenly pulled out the paper sack from which he extracted a muffin. "No eating in company cars."

"Bite me." Roy glowered at her with a hiss, "I haven't eaten since, well, I don't know when. Certainly not yesterday, I spent all day searching for him."

"Ah," Hawkeye glanced away from the rule breaker. "Well, in that case, go ahead."

"Thanks, so glad to have your permission." Roy said, mouth full of muffin.

Riza cast him a withering look. "Honestly, at least have manners."

He swallowed in a rather noisy gulp, "I do. I could have spit it out all over the dash. But no, I had control."

"Thanks for that image. I'll treasure it always." She replied sarcastically. "You really want him back, don't you. I've never known you to do something like this before."

"Losing what I had made me realize that what I had was all I wanted, or needed. Suddenly all the things I thought were crap that Hughes would spill about settling down makes so much more sense. I can't even remember where I put my dating calendar. Honestly I don't care."

"Someone's a changed man." Hawkeye laughed. "Who would have ever thought those words would have come out of your mouth. I'm sure Maes would be proud of you if he could see you now. He'd tease you endlessly, but he'd be proud."

"Edward's always changed me in some way or another." Roy said thoughtfully, "I just didn't realize just how much he could change me."

"If I'd known this would happen, I would have locked you and Ed up together overnight in your office years ago." Riza grinned.

"We're alchemists, locks don't keep us out of anything." Roy pointed out good naturedly.

"What would be able to keep you two locked up together for a night?"

"Getting us very drunk, taking away my gloves, and taking away Ed's automail arm. Then it might have worked."

"That's a bit extreme… I'm good with this method." She laughed.

"Plus Miss Rockbell would kill you if you dared try and touch Ed's automail for such a purpose."

"True."

Roy stared out the window anxiously. "Aren't we there yet?"

"No." Riza told him. "Another three miles at least. Be glad it's not rush hour traffic on a Sunday."

"Everyone else should be glad of that. All I have to do is pull on my gloves and I could clear us a path."

"Yes, that's the responsible thing to do."

"Are we there now?"

"No."

"Can't you drive faster?"

"No."

"Please?" He wheedled as nicely as possible for a person who had just stuffed the last of his muffin into their mouth.

"Definitely not." She rolled her eyes with a slight smile. "Swallow your food and stop asking questions."

"What if I can form them into statements?"

"Then I shall shoot you."

"Ah," Roy mulled that over, and sat back in his seat. "Very well then, on we continue."

"Nice choice sir."

Roy was an anxious ball of nerves and tension when Hawkeye finally pulled up next to the apartment complex where Alphonse and Edward lived. Without waiting for Riza to even put the car in park, much less come to a complete stop, Roy flung himself out of the car door and headed for the stairs.

Riza poked her head out the window to watch him, and shook her head with silent laughter. She was sad that he was going through this, but the sheer fact he was finally going through this was quite amusing. Who would have ever thought… It seemed that Central would have to find a new womanizer to fill his shoes.

Roy finally made it to their floor, and he headed down the hallway to knock on the door, panting to catch his breath. "Come on, where are you Al… Ed." He muttered to himself.

A minute passed with no answer.

Frowning, Roy knocked again, and waited.

Still no answer.

"Where are they?" Roy muttered to himself and peered into the kitchen window where the blinds were still partway open. It was dark inside, the lights all turned off. "Don't tell me they're not home…"

"They're not home."

"I said don- eh, what?" Roy turned to look at the short elderly woman who had just finished locking the door to her own flat.

"They're not home." She repeated.

"Are they going to be back soon, do you think?" He asked her quickly.

She shrugged. "Not sure. Those boys keep weird schedules, one of them works as a State Alchemist and so he's away for months at a time. Nice boys though, they always help me if I need it." She looked at the groaning Roy quizzically. "Something the matter?"

"I need to find them…"

"Well they left absurdly early this morning." She said, "the youngest, Al, was carrying a suitcase. He often goes back to Risembool to visit some girl. You might be able to catch up with them at the train station."

Roy was just about to turn around and run back down the stairs when he paused, "the elder one, Ed. How'd he look?"

"Sad." The lady admitted. "He just looked sad… there wasn't anything else."

"Ed…" Roy whispered in a pained voice. "I'm such an idiot."

"Does Edward mean a lot to you?" The old lady asked with a smile.

"Yes, yes he does." Roy said and gave her a quick smile, "thanks for your help."

"Good luck." The lady called after Roy as he ran off.

Roy fairly flew down the stairs, somehow managing not to trip and fall at any point. Quite the miracle considering how distracted he was. He ran back over to the car and hopped back in.

"Not there?"

"No, head for the train station." Roy said quickly. "I think they might be there."

"Best hurry then." Riza said and pulled out onto the street again.

"I have to find him before he gets on a train." Roy whispered and stared out the window blankly, thinking about Edward. He sincerely hoped he'd make it in time.

Riza looked over at him once, before pressing the accelerator down harder.