Swamped at work, tired. I'm going to sleep now. Enjoy the next chapter, even if it short. Thanks for reading, reviewing and being the patient folks you are!

Chapter 20

Kimblee was beginning to get impatient.

Or more impatient than he was already. The alchemist started to chew on his thumb as he stared at Archer sitting at his desk. Kimblee had moved forward in every stage of their relationship from friendly teasing to just spending more time together without fighting. In fact, just yesterday he had listened to part two of that radio drama thing with Archer without any complaining whatsoever. The only thing that had yet to move an inch forward was their physical relationship.

And it was driving Kimblee crazy.

The alchemist was starting to get the impression that Archer had no sex drive. Which was a shame because Kimblee's was in overdrive. He wasn't sure how Archer did it, but the man could just sit there and make Kimblee start squirming. However, every time he tried to steer the topic towards the bedroom, Archer would either get angry or change the topic quickly. Kisses and hugs were brushed aside and also resulted in the same two reactions. What did it take to get Archer to respond? Because groping certainly wasn't working.

The only thing that seemed to excite the man was his damn chimera and Kimblee had no desire to indulge the thoughts that stemmed from that notion. So the alchemist was left with little options.

He could try the forceful approach and just throw Archer down somewhere (after removing the gun) and get down to it. That would result in lots of anger, yelling and violence or depending how well Kimblee did, repeated occurrences. Kimblee was hoping for the latter. Or Kimblee could also try the straightforward approach and instead of hinting that he wanted to be with Archer and just outright ask him. Then he would at least get a straight answer that could lead to a serious discussion over why he had been turned down, should that be the case.

The last time Archer had kissed him was still burned into his memory and he wanted to feel it again. This one-sided affection was no longer tolerable; Kimblee wanted Archer to respond not just take. Which meant of course that Kimblee was leaning towards the first and just jumping the man if he kept sitting there looking delectable.

The Crimson Alchemist groaned and smacked his forehead into the desk, startling the sergeant next to him. Kimblee thought Archer looked delectable doing paperwork; he really was getting desperate. If he wasn't so damn serious about being with just one person, Kimblee would just take his frustrations out on other people. But he had a feeling Archer wouldn't take Kimblee's advances seriously if he knew the alchemist was sleeping around.

"Kimblee, if you're going to continue to fidget, than please take it outside." Archer mumbled as he sorted through yet another document. Accusations of soldiers letting Ms. Marta, or 'the intruder,' into the building had been flying about and it was Archer's job to sort and interrogate. He'd been at it for a week now and no one was closer to figuring out how she got into the building. Privately, Archer thought that was fantastic; it meant the woman was truly skilled. "The rest of us are trying to work."

"I'm working, I'm working." Kimblee huffed and pulled himself out of the slump he'd fallen into. Turning over the form he had been filling out, Kimblee picked up his pen and started to finish. Paperwork; the things he did for love. At least it somewhat got his mind off of other problems.

Or it did until Archer started to crick his back and stretch in his seat.

Kimblee bashed his head against the desk again and groaned outright; scolding be damned. It just wasn't fair!

Marta had a lot to think about as she sat in the dusty bar. And she had the time to do so considering she had to stay away from the military base long enough for them to drop their guard. Marta wanted to focus on killing Kimblee, so she couldn't afford to be occupied with insignificant soldiers following orders. So, she planned to give herself a month or two before heading back.

She also had to figure out how to deal with Kimblee's new 'friend.' As far as Marta was concerned, that man was just as guilty for Greed's death as the traitor himself. She was almost angry at herself for not remembering him in her initial rage. Not to mention Marta was still cross for the way that man stared at her. She was still getting shivers down her spine from that gaze. Which lead her to other interesting thoughts involving Kimblee.

He had almost looked scared when that man had drawn attention to himself.

It was an expression Marta was sure Kimblee hadn't even realized he had let on his face, but Marta caught it. It was surprising to think that man cared about anyone other than himself, but stranger things had happened in Marta's life. She'd just have to be sure to use that to her advantage, and maybe get revenge on the both of them.

"What was with you today?" Archer shook his head as he packed up his belongings for the day. He had ended up staying late again and of course Kimblee hovered around like the puppy he was. Maybe he should force the man to make other friends no matter how dangerous that might be; this was starting to get unhealthy. Archer paused when he noticed a form that had escaped him earlier and almost groaned. He'd deal with it tomorrow. "You were all over the place and more than usual. My 1st Lieutenant was complaining about you today for misfiling a few forms."

"I'm sexually frustrated."

"Blunt as always, I see."

"It's true." Kimblee smirked and came up behind Archer to wrap his arms around the mans shoulders and whispered in his ear. "And all because somebody's been dodging all of my advances."

"We've gone over this before, Kimblee." Archer sighed and slid his eyes to the side to look at the man's face hovering so very closely. The man's breath was warm. Archer steeled his voice. "I'm not interested."

"We'll have to fix that." Kimblee smiled and slid his hand down Archer's collar to find the snap to the first button. His hand was pulled away and Archer started to pull away. Kimblee frowned. "What's the problem?"

"You're not listening." Archer snatched up his folder of papers and threw his coat over his arm as he headed out of the room and into the empty hallways. "I will admit, you somehow weaseled your way into being my friend. And I would probably feel concern if something were to happen to you." Archer shrugged on his coat as he continued down the hallway. "That in itself is a small miracle."

"So why can't we keep the miracle going?" Kimblee trotted up behind Archer to dodge around in front. He was tired of hearing the same answers from the man. "You already admitted you cared, so why not take it to the next level?"

"Kimblee." Archer stopped. "This is the last time I'll say this so listen well." He waited for Kimblee's golden eyes to focus on his own before he continued. "You and I, will never be an item. That kiss so long ago was just to get your attention. It didn't mean anything. We're friends. That's all."

Kimblee disagreed.

Archer's papers clattered to the floor as Kimblee's mouth covered his own fiercely nipping and biting and forcing his own mouth open. His back slammed into the wall as the alchemist ground his hips so tightly into Archer's own that the wall to his back felt like it would give under the pressure. Kimblee's fingers were firmly pressed into the back of neck, thumbs pressing into his jaw. It was hot and desperate and Archer could feel Kimblee reaching out and rubbing, groping, and reaching for any reaction.

Archer felt nothing.

Kimblee pulled away to breath, his breaths labored, and rested his head against the wall. Archer was still beneath him and Kimblee kissed his cheek lightly. Archer didn't move, and his breaths were still as even and calm as they were when he sat behind a desk doing his paperwork. "Why, why can't we?"

"Kimblee," Archer started quietly. "How many people does it take to have sex?"

"Two." Kimblee mumbled. "There are two people right here."

Archer took the alchemist's shoulders and pressed up lightly to push the man off. He shook his head sadly and took a deep breath. "No, there aren't, Kimblee."

The Crimson Alchemist gripped his fists as Archer walked away from him down the hallway, papers still scattered on the floor. His heels clicked and clacked, echoing in the empty space off the cold white walls. Kimblee bit his lip to keep from screaming; he'd never felt like this before in his life. All of it; he hated all of it. The nauseating feeling of wanting to cry and scream and kill everyone he could find and just not feel this way anymore. Archer was making him lose his mind.

Kimblee turned to the floor and started to collect the papers into a neat stack. Now he just wanted to laugh. Archer had said those horrid things, pushed him away and stomped all over his heart and Kimblee was concerned about how he'd feel when he realized his papers were scattered on the floor. If Kimblee had known all those months ago what he'd turned into now, he would have blown Archer's insides all over the Devil's Nest walls and have been done with hit.

But for now, he'd just sleep at Tucker's and try and pretend that he hadn't turned into a damn girl.