Behind Closed Doors

Summary: Children have been disappearing all of Central City for the past few months. When Roy is put on the case, his worst nightmare becomes a reality he'd rather not live... especially when Edward disappears. (Parental Relationship)

Warnings: Torture, pain, possibly gruesome descriptions and lots of angst… oh and slight possibility of Male x Male implications

Authors Note: Ok I wasn't really expecting any reviews at all for the Preview but hey ho! Thanks you guys for reviewing!! As you probably guessed that was just a Preview and not the actual story, the story begins with this chapter. I hope you aren't too disappointed! Any ways this is my first FMA FF so be nice. The idea was inspired by one episode where Roy tried to convince Ed he was helping him… cookies if you can guess which episode that was.

Ch1; Of Imminent Crossings…

The hiss of static sparking inside a television set was annoying at the best of times. The frustration of not being able to watch the program you wanted would spark off a sour mood when boredom was already a major problem. But to be behind said television with wires looped around several limbs and fingers, with no clue which hole to plug a dangerous looking socket into with said hissing blaring into one ear… Well let's just say Alphonse Elric was not happy at all.

"Have you got it working yet?" His new found wife and mother to his handsome nine month old son, called from the kitchen where she was currently feeding said son. He growled his frustration.

"Not yet!" He closed his eyes and sighed, trying to calm his frustration down before he blew a fuse too. A gradual calmness – a tact he'd developed at a young age - finally swept through his veins.

Yes his veins… now that he remembered his life with his brother after the 'accident' he found out just how grateful he really was to have his old body back. To be able to see with colours and light instead of just bleak greys and blacks; to be able smell the odours around him rather than leaving his brother to breathe in fatal fumes alone; and to be able to taste and eat rather than just feeling hollow and empty they were all a blessing to him. But the one sense he revelled in having back was to touch. Oh how he'd missed being able to feel, to touch something. How he'd longed to feel his brother's warmth radiating into him as he slept on the train while using him as a cushion. A smile tugged at his lips…

After the miracle of finally finding each other and jumping into the Gate to find the 'Other World' the two brothers had set their lives to helping those who were trapped in the despairs of war. But the wars had settled down on their own within weeks after Germany's ashamed defeat yet again and even though that meant their goals had no more value, the two were more than happy; for now they could spend their lives trying to find a way home, to Amestris. It had taken them almost half a year to find a lead and even after that it had taken another three months before Edward had finally remembered the incident before he went back the first time.

Their blood was the key. No matter what world they found themselves in, they couldn't change the fact that Alchemy was part of them. It was in their souls, their brains…and their blood. That was when he also hit himself in the head for not thinking of this earlier; why didn't he use alchemy to fix the damn T.V?!

Several complicated equations and transmutation theorems later and Alphonse had done it. Well, he'd know for sure if he turned it on again. He hit the power button and the television jumped to life. Winry walked in just as his cry of success was cut short; the news reporter who had jumped on to the screen began to blare her report to the people listening;

"– ss of 32 have disappeared without a trace. This is the seventh case that has attacked Central City and The Fuehrer(Sp?) has decided to turn this investigation over to the Military Officials in hopes of moving forward and finding the kidnapper and the children as soon as possible."

"Sources say that Col. Roy Mustang and his subordinates have been put on the case. These sources also say that among Col. Mustang's subordinates is the City's favoured State Alchemist; Maj. Edward Elric the Full Metal Alchemist. Parents can be assured that their children's case is in good hands."

"Another kidnapping?" Alphonse stared at the screen with growing trepidation, his brother was on the case but at the age of 17 (see end of chapter) he was also technically still a child despite his rank and maturity… Al's eyes narrowed with worry.

"Nii-san…"

Winry gave a worried look. The kids were still disappearing in Central City and no one knew where they were taken or who was taking them. She hugged her bundle of joy into her chest and moved closer to Alphonse, feeling the need to be near him. He must've felt her feelings for seconds later he pulled her close, hugging her as though it was his last…

"Al, you should call him. Talk to him." Alphonse sighed and shook his head.

"No he'll be alright. Besides we're only here for one more night, it'd be pointless running up your grandmother's phone bill when we'll see him tomorrow. He's been in tighter situations." He explained, finding again his unwavering faith in his older brother. Winry sighed, she wasn't so convinced.

"He always had you with him though." She tried, feeling an ominous shadow settling over her. She shivered.

"Not all the time…" It was true; she knew it was but still…

Roy Mustang was never one to hang around in a run down, filth ridden and dirty place such as 'Gary's Bar' but then he didn't really have control of the situation either. If the clues lead him here, then here he would follow until all the clues to the current mystery he was working on made sense. Besides, there were missing kids out there waiting for him to puzzle out the mystery and save them from their nightmare and his evidence lead right to this bar.

"Hey boss, this guy is really pissing me off… can I squish him?" Ok so maybe the little brats weren't worth saving after all… his eyebrow twitched.

"Derry just answer the man's questions, he'll be gone after that." The 'boss' replied lazily, sipping from his grubby beer mug. Derry scowled but soon stopped when his phone began to vibrate softly on the table top. Roy gave a silent acknowledgement before stepping away politely. The guy answered the phone with a brusque; "Hello?"

Roy pretended to ignore the conversation, but old habits die hard. These guys were untrustworthy after all. "Another one? Do we have the space?" At this Riza also began listening in but she kept her face schooled and her eyes focussed on the room, watching for anything suspicious.

"Unusual colouring huh? And he's just sat there? Outside?" Roy's brows knit together; this conversation was… worrying him. "Ok sweetie if you can catch him, I'll let you keep him, but you're looking after him deal?" The guy put the phone down then, after saying goodbye, and glanced up at him smiling casually.

"Daughters, you can never say no to them when they latch on to a stray animal." That didn't particularly ease his nerves for Roy could tell when a man was lying, and this guy just lied to him unnecessarily.

"I wouldn't know, I don't have one." He replied tersely but politely. The guy sighed then, a gesture of surrendering, but Roy wasn't too sure he could trust it.

"Ok I'll answer your questions, but why are you after Frankie? He's a good guy, worked his entire life to keep his family dry, fed and clothed. What has he done to get this much attention from the military?" Roy stared hard at the man sat before him. There was an underlying anger simmering deep down in those black beady eyes. He'd have to keep an eye on this one.

"Our evidence suggests that Mr Frank Hasslemere witnessed a crime that my team and I are investigating. We'd like to ask him a few questions." He replied without giving away too much information. Derry's scowl deepened.

"What crime?" Boy this one was persistent wasn't he? Civilians weren't authorised to know exact investigation details in order to stop bias responses and unreliable evidence being found. But time was running out and he was losing his cool rapidly here. Kid's lives were depending on him…

"Mr Derry, children of various ages have been disappearing everyday for the past three and a half months. Last week an entire class of thirty two were hijacked on their field trip to the Central City Zoo. I have evidence to believe that Mr Hasslemere saw this happen. Please don't hinder my investigation any longer than necessary; those kids don't have much time. I'm sure you can understand the gravity of the situation being a father yourself." The guy put on a good act at looking stunned. The rest was just all too easy.

"My God! And you think Frankie witnessed it?" The act was clean and good but Roy was on to him. "Sure, he lives on Elmer's Avenue, third house on the left, big yellow truck. You can't miss it." Way too easy.

"Thank you Mr Derry, have a nice day." He turned to Riza with the new information and gave her a knowing look before heading out of the bar.

Lavender eyes looked up at the sound of soft footsteps moving closer to her hidden position. A second later, cold crimson eyes stared back with a glint of curious interest sparkling in their hidden depths. "Where is he?"

The Lavender eyed girl turned back to her view and pointed silently. Crimson eyes, swallowed up the image of a young boy sat up against a veranda wall, eyes closed against the dark dreary scene that was the district they called home. A soft whispering wind blew a few strands of golden hair away from the boys face, causing the boy to open his eyes. Her own eyes widened with delight.

Oh such colour! She could get lost in those eyes for a long time and never resurface. Golden auburn orbs of sunlight glanced around as though looking for something. Her need was already set. This boy was hers.

"He's perfect." She said in a tone that said I'll take him anyway regardless of the answer. The silent one closed her lavender eyes and nodded, pulling out her phone to relay her Mistresses' wishes. It rang twice before he answered.

"Sir, Kaa-san has found another one." She reported in a monotone voice.

"Another one? Do we have the space?"

"Space is not an issue. Kaa-san doesn't want to let this one get away; he has unusual colouring. He's sat outside possibly waiting for the man you're with right now." She reported, automatically bartering for her Mistresses profit. Such had been her role for a long time now.

"Unusual colouring huh? And he's just sat there, outside?" At this point the Mistress snatched the phone from the younger girl and started relaying orders to the man on the end of the line.

"He's perfect Derry-kun. I've found our Prince to be. Lure them to Entrance D? We already have a pickup there. We can ditch the other two in the house." She already had a plan forming in her mind. The guy gave a sigh before answering; he never could deny her wishes.

"Ok sweetie if you can catch him, I'll let you keep him, but you're looking after him deal?"

A cunning smile played on her red lips.

"Deal…"

(End of Chapter) In the Anime Series, he was 16 yrs when he went though the Gate of Truth for the 'last' time. After that in the movie it's said that he's close to 18 yrs, almost the age of becoming a soldier. In this fictional story however I'm changing his age to 17 yrs otherwise my plot bunny wouldn't exist. Reasons for this change will be explained in later chapters.