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 extra long chappy for you guys! 7 pages! No wonder my fingers look burnt o.O heh, well I'm glad you all like it so far. Thanks for reviewing, and I will get round to replying individually but don't hold your breath, busy lives means little time to myself. And when I do have time for myself I'm typing up the next chapter for ya so it's up to you; a response to your review or another chapter to read?

Ok yeah I can pretty much guess the answer to that one. Ok, ok I give, here's the next chapter, sheesh…

Ch3; Of Missing Aggravations…

Three… Two… One…

"GO!" Both Riza and Roy charged into the empty house, guns held out ready to aim, gloved fingers prepped and ready to snap at a moments notice, but… no one was home. Startled brown eyes met confused obsidian ones as they waited for the enemy to make its move.

Several precious seconds passed by with no movement. Nothing stirred, not even the dust on the floor. Roy's eyes narrowed; that was suspicious in itself. It looked like no one had been here for quite some time but he was sure he felt someone watching him. Even Edward had sensed danger and it was very rare that he was wrong; it was like the kid had a sixth sense for this sort of thing.

Riza scanned the room once more before noticing other rooms branching off in different directions. She glanced back at Roy who gave a nod, confirming her thoughts; split up and yell if you find something. He veered to his right (which was her left) and she took the opposite direction, gun still drawn. She passed through an open doorway and found herself in an old fashioned sitting room, complete with delicate chinaware on show in a vast glass cabinet covering an entire wall. Dust covered everything dulling its beauty to a mere grey frosting. She held in the urge to sneeze lest someone really was inside still.

The floor boards creaked underneath her feet as she moved slowly and carefully around the room, checking every nook and cranny for possible hostiles.

Roy on the other hand had ventured into the kitchen. Again a thick layer of dust coated every surface available giving everything a grey frosting. He checked the cupboards, pantry and even the washroom that branched off again from a door behind the door he'd stepped through to get in the kitchen in the first place. He retreated back into the main room and found his second in command waiting for him. There were no other rooms in the building, no bedrooms, no stair ways, not even a bathroom; just a main room, a kitchen and a posh looking sitting room.

"It's clear. No one's here." Riza confirmed but still the feeling of being watched wouldn't leave. Roy nodded stiffly.

"Yeah. Where's Ed?" He'd been wondering ever since Riza barged in alone from the back garden. He'd kept an eye out for him but he never came in. He trusted Riza to know but that didn't stop his worry. They were, after all, investigating a child kidnapper and in the state's eyes, Edward was still a child.

"Outside. He found a trapdoor, told me to go on and watch your back." Riza gave the slightest hint of a smile as Roy frowned in annoyance; that cocky little bastard. "He radioed in a few minutes ago saying he'd found the kids. I told him to stay low 'till it was safe." Roy nodded, agreeing with the idea before another thought struck him; what if the kidnappers were down there too? They obviously weren't on ground level and they wouldn't just leave a bunch of kids in a place like this unguarded.

"Backup should be here in a few minutes, Sir." Riza continued, oblivious to the sudden horror that had attacked the Colonel. The sound of tyres screeching out the front marked the early arrival of said backup and Riza amended her verbal report. "Scratch that, backup has arrived, Sir."

"Good, I need a team of five to come with me." He ordered as he moved directly for the back door. Riza gave a puzzled look.

"Sir?" Roy's eyes darkened as he gave his response.

"The kidnapper is still here, and there's only one place left to hide…"

Ow.

That was the only word he could use to sum up what he felt at that particular moment, even though technically it wasn't really a word at all... His head hurt. His mind felt… hazy? And he was sure the room was spinning in two different directions.

"Unghh…"

Automatically, he tried to bring his hands to his head but something seemed to be holding them in place. He frowned. Al? No he was in Risembool on annual leave with Winry and Ed Jr. He winced at that name, the poor kid; he'd have to have a few words with his brother before the official naming ceremony. No kid would want to be named after their uncle with such a name. Briefly forgetting his earlier results, he tried to bring his hands to his eyes but again they were restricted by something. Frowning in confusion, before remembering that he'd already tried, he began to wonder what was holding him down. Then it hit him.

His eyes shot open but only a bleak darkness met his bleary gaze. He was still in the holding chamber underneath the house but something was different…He frowned trying to figure out what had changed. It was dark yes, but it had always been dark. Then again had it always been this stuffy and closed? Hmm… that was it; the entryway he'd used to find this place was missing, instead a rocky wall stood strong and firm in its place, perfectly sealed with no proof of there ever being an opening to begin with.

But how? He frowned trying to figure out what exactly was going on. Ok so he'd found a bunch of kidnapped kids. Then this kid walks in holding a candle or some sort of oil lamp. Then… then… that woman… that mad woman hit him from behind… but from there onwards it was a little fuzzy.

"Mmphh..." He tried to swear but something seemed to muffle his attempts at voicing his thoughts. Great, he was gagged too. Well that just added to his discomfort. He couldn't move to inspect the wall or find a way out and he couldn't call out for help even though he knew Roy and Riza were close by. Atleast he hoped they were close by; he didn't know how long he'd been out so it was quite possible they'd abandoned all hope of finding him down there. That just meant he had to get out of here all the more, before he was taken someplace he didn't know because then escape wouldn't be too easy. He pulled at his restraints, but they were solid iron shackles set deep into the rock. They weren't going anywhere anytime soon and by the looks of it, neither was he. He sighed inwardly, this just wasn't his day.

Creeeeeaaaak… Golden eyes flashed, peering into the darkness, searching for the newly heard threat. Hushed voices met his ears… oh Gods; they were back and by the sounds of it there were more of them.

"We'll have to move quickly; there's more of them now. We'll be found at this rate. Gods, all this palava for just one kid?! If I'd known he was so popular with the military I wouldn't have said yes." Hmm, that voice sounded familiar but why? He squinted into the darkness to see if he could see who was approaching him but it was too dark. Well he guessed he'd find out sooner or later considering he was their captive… for now.

"But Dear…" Oh God. He paled visibly. It was that mad woman from before; the one who knocked him into the next world. "You should see him; an exotic beauty fit for Prince-hood. You know I can't just leave pretty things like that alone." Prince-hood? Bloody hell, this woman needed therapy… and a mallet to the brain too but maybe that was just him wishing for revenge against his throbbing head.

"Ok I understand; you really like him. Just tell me where he is." A light appeared at the other end of the cavern where the small group of people emerged. From his vantage point he could count up to six or seven bodies; three of which were carrying candles or torches. He saw one figure raise an arm as though gesturing.

"On the far wall; where I keep my special prizes." Another figure turned his head to follow the gestured limb and he swore the guy was looking straight at him. Footsteps sounded as the two began to move in his direction and before long he was scowling up at an unshaven bully of a man. Edward's eyes narrowed. It was the man from the bar; the one Roy had been questioning not long ago. Derry.

"Hn, so you're the gold-mine brat those dogs upstairs are trying to sniff out." He knelt down in the dark in front of him and took his chin roughly in his hand forcing Edward's head left, then right, then up as though inspecting it for something. Edward fought against his grip but the guy had a good hold. "Hm? And what's so special about you I wonder?" He let the boy's head go before reaching up and squeezing his upper arms, testing his muscular bodywork before gradually moving lower down to his chest. Edward bucked then and kicked out; trying to escape the invading hands but two nameless faces suddenly loomed over him and held him still allowing Derry to continue inspecting the poor boy.

"Well he isn't much to look at but he's got a good body. He'll pull his weight in the mines that's for sure." Not much to look at?! 'Who are you calling ugly mister?!' The cheek of this guy! Hey wait; Mines? When did mines come into all of this?

"You can't see him in this light dear. Lavender! Bring that candle here." The mad woman called loudly across the cavern. Derry winced before hissing at her.

"Quiet woman, they'll find us." The woman glanced around fearfully before apologising timidly. Lavender, the girl from before, the one who'd caused all this trouble to begin with, stepped forward with a bright candle. The flame hurt his eyes after being so used to the darkness but he managed to get a good look at his captors while they got a good look at him.

"Well, this does put things into perspective doesn't it now boys?" Something wasn't right. Derry's voice just got a whole lot scarier, like he had finally figured something out and was plotting to use it against him. "Looks like we caught ourselves the FullMetal Alchemist." Ok that smirk did not look good. "You're right dear, he is a jewel. A very expensive one…" Expensive? Uh oh…

"You're not going to sell him are you? I wanted him for our home." Sell?! Gah it was just as he feared; this was some sort of child slave scandal. And now he was on the front page. Lord knew he had numerous enemies who'd do anything to get their hands on him… 'Gods smite me now…'

"Hmmm. I'll do you a deal darling; if the right price comes along I'll sell him but if not you get to keep him ok?" The woman's crimson eyes lit up with hope as Edward's dimmed even more. A lifetime with that excuse for a woman? 'Gods if you hate me, please kill me now!'

"How much is he worth?" Interesting question. He listened carefully.

"Hmm at an estimate I'd say 100,000 billion but it could go up." Both golden and crimson eyes widened. He was worth over 100,000 Billion on the black market?! How did this happen?

"No body can afford that. " The woman was fighting back tears of joy. Well atleast someone got something positive out of all this. Shame it was his enemies benefit and not his. But damn… 100,000 billion…

"But if they can, I'll sell him understand?" Positive now that she would be able to keep her little treasure, the woman nodded confidently before kneeling down in front of Edward. She smiled wickedly before reaching up to stroke her fingers through his hair.

"I understand completely..." He leant away from her touch as far as he could given his current restrained position but he was spared the humiliation of her 'tender love' by the guy who'd set up the entire auction out.

"That's enough dear, we need to move out. " He turned to Edward as the woman moved away; a smile on his face. "Well if it's you they're after, then it's you we'll move first." He said rhetorically before addressing one of the other guys who'd followed him down. "Get me the sedatives I can tell this one will give us a fight." Sedatives? Damn, these guys were smart. If only he could leave a sign for Roy, a message to pass on…

"Don't worry…" His attention snapped back to Derry who was sat in front of him squeezing out the remaining air bubbles in a rather scary looking syringe. Edward's eyes widened at the size of the thing. Then a plan entered his head. The guy loomed over him as he felt for a vein in his arm leaving his belly open to attacks. Edward bided his time; he was waiting for the prick to let him know when the needle had gone in. He breathed deeply, readying himself to move quickly with as much force as he could muster…

…

There it was! In a flash, he kicked out at Derry's gut pushing the man away with such a force that the syringe fell from his arm and smashed on the floor in a small puddle; his blood still lingering on the tip of the needle.

"Why you little brat!" He yelled, totally forgetting all warnings from earlier. "Heh, don't worry there's more where that came from!" Another guy came over with a readily prepped syringe. Two more appeared either side of him and roughly held him down while the 'boss' wasted no time in plunging this one haphazardly into his arm this time, not caring if he hit a vein or not. It hurt like a bitch.

When he felt nothing other than the throbbing pain from the point of entry, he began to think that maybe they'd used the wrong drug but he was soon mistaken when his eyes suddenly began to droop. He had no control over them; they just shut on their own. Traitors! But then, his body began to follow suit, relaxing against his will. A dark abyss rose up from behind and his last thoughts were those of the clue he'd left for Roy and whether or not Roy would find it.

"Heh, that's it brat, sleep while you can, coz you'll have none of that where you're going…"

'Roy…'

"Riza, I thought you said Edward was down here?" Roy's eyes shifted around the small cavernous hole he'd just dropped into; it was empty. He frowned in worry; Edward was supposed to be waiting down here for them with several kids. But he wasn't there.

"He was! I saw him! He radioed in saying he'd found some kids tied up! I told him to wait down here with them until it was safe to bring them up." Roy glanced over at his second in command. Riza's wide eyes were looking almost frantically around the small cavern underneath the house. She was telling the truth. He glanced around again, looking for any holes, hidden doors or even a tunnel but the place was clean, and more frustratingly; it was empty.

"Well he's not here now and there are no kids." The realisation of what must have happened was slowly dawning on him; panic flared up inside the dark haired Colonel. Edward was missing… But how?! How did one evacuate an entire cavern with little or no noise and absolutely no clues left behind? They'd have seen them if they used the trap door and it would've taken way too long to move all the kids out of there that way. So how…?

"I can see that Sir…" Agitation wavered her voice as she continued to look for a sign that Edward had been in the cavern. He inwardly winced; both were worried beyond comprehension but neither could do a damned thing about it.

"There must be a hidden switch or something down here." He said confidently. "They must still be down here." Riza frowned at him, unsure of what evidence the Colonel had for such a thought. He sighed.

"How would you evacuate this place with little or no noise that ensured you safety in leaving without being noticed?" He asked before continuing. "They didn't leave through the trap door, we would have noticed and that would have taken time. But clearly there is no other way out… I'm guessing these people used some form of alchemy to hide away their escape exit." At this Riza's eyes lit up. She understood now, but how would one find the hidden exit?

"Colonel!" A cry sounded from somewhere behind them, she turned instantly half expecting to find Edward crawling out of a hole and asking them what had taken so long but instead she found a young officer from the forensics team looking up earnestly in their direction. "I've found something come see!" By the looks of him he was obviously a Private-in-training; blonde hair, green-grey eyes and a round boyish face… a newbie. He was leant over something on the ground. Instantly Roy was by his side and she had to follow at a fast pace to keep up. When she arrived and looked down she had to hold back a gasp.

"Is that?" The flashlight lit up the lone red ribbon, golden strands of stray hair glittering with a faint crimson glow under the artificial light of the Private's torch.

Blood.

"Yeah… It's Ed's." Tears stung at her eyes but she held them back stubbornly. This didn't mean he was gone, it just meant he was here. She stared hard at the wall the behind the hair tie as she tried to compose herself. That was when she noticed it. A slight difference in texture and colour. She reached out and touched the rocky wall but it felt softer, smoother… unnatural.

"Sir. Take a look at this." Roy looked up and followed her gaze. She could see the scepticism in his eyes as he looked unseeingly at the wall that had captured her interest.

"It's a wall Riza…" She growled in frustration before thinking of clocking him one on the head. Instead she breathed a deep sigh to calm herself down somewhat. She then used her no-nonsense tone on him while threatening to take out her gun for more emphasis.

"Take a closer look…" Roy caught the sudden change in her voice and looked up at her. Her glare felt like icy knives cutting straight though him. She meant business. He frowned in puzzlement before moving to study the wall. It was nothing special, just a rock wall like all the others down there. He closed his eyes and sighed, trusting Riza with her judgement.

"What am I not seeing?" he asked turning to her expectant gaze. She nodded; satisfied that he was taking her seriously now. She then reached out again to touch the wall.

"It's smoother and lighter than the other walls, it's almost unnatural. Like it was carved or sculpted… possibly by alchemy?" Hmm… now that she mentioned it, it did seem a little lighter than the other walls, and it was smoother. It was definitely a possibility that someone had used alchemy to put it there. Roy reached out with an ungloved hand and touched the wall, closing his eyes as he let his alchemical energies feel the material underneath his fingertips. A low humming permeated through his being, charged energy that shouldn't exist in a bog-standard wall. He opened his eyes slowly, if alchemy had created this wall then what was it hiding? The escape route? It had to be!

"You've found it Riza! You found their hidden escape!" Elation seemed to sweep the heavy sense of loss to oblivion as the impact of what she had discovered finally sunk in. If she'd found the escape route then maybe she'd found Edward too? "Stand back, I'm going to open it." She moved away to a safe distance and watched as he stood there re-gloving his naked hand. He looked like a hero about to march into the depths of hell to retrieve his prized friend. He raised his hands in his signature stance before snapping his fingers with a quick and rapid ease. A spark flickered briefly before a small flame hovered above his thumb. For a long minute nothing seemed to be happening, but Riza knew he was actually gathering oxygen at one focussed point on the wall. It wouldn't be long now.

BOOM! With an impressive explosion of lights and debris, the Flame Alchemist had struck again. And it was still impressive even after seeing it so many times. To have such power at one's fingertips… it was unthinkable and yet Alchemists had been doing it for thousands of years.

It took a while for the smoke to clear away but when it did a small sizable hole was apparent. Roy held his hand up to the opening; a cool draft flowed through strongly, suggesting another opening of some form in the other room. He crouched down in front of it examining what he could see inside. Not a lot. He turned round ready to issue orders but to his surprise he found his team assembled and ready to go. Roy gave a proud smile and nodded once before entering the hidden room… ready to battle what ever Fate could throw at him.