Hello again. Here's the seventh chapter and finally, a little Roy/Ed. I hope this lives up to your expectations.

Here you go.

Chapter_7

Roy watched as Ed's face ran the gambit from surprise to uncertainty to annoyance to total apathy and found he did not like the final expression at all. It contradicted every memory he had of Fullmetal, at briefings, secret meetings. In his minds' eye, the blond man was immortalized, taunting him, yelling at him.

In all the years Roy had known the young man, apathy had never been a part of his nature. It looked wrong.

"Sit wherever you want." Ed turned to back to stare out the window.

Roy hadn't intended to sit. In fact, he had planned to bid his former subordinate well on his sojourn and go back to unpacking. But something in Elric's voice irked him. And then before he even realized it, he was sliding into the seat next to the blond man. "Thanks, I think I will."

Elric grunted in a barely passable acknowledgement of Roy, his Fuehrer.

Roy frowned, but let the silence linger, the wheels in his head beginning to turn. Seven years ago, Fullmetal couldn't sit still near him for any extended period of time. Roy was hoping that was still true.

The conductor called from the platform, ten minutes until departure.

"Congratulations." Edward murmured; his eyes still plastered to the window. "On becoming the Fuehrer. Took you long enough."

Roy smirked. The last comment was at least a little bit more like the Fullmetal he remembered. It was just like him to give credit with one hand and slap it away with the other. At least that was the Fullmetal Roy Mustang knew. He didn't know or like this doppelganger. "Thanks." He didn't look at the blond, leaning instead back in his seat, as if the train wasn't leaving in four and a half minutes. "From what I heard, I owe you some congratulations on your marriage."

He didn't miss the slight stiffening of the blonds' shoulders. What that stiffness meant, however, he could not determine.

"Don't worry about it." Edward said. "If you really cared, you would have shown up to the wedding."

Roy chuckled this time, albeit with little genuine humor. "Harsh, but I suppose that's true enough. You never did like beating around the bush, did you, Fullmetal?"

"Don't call me that." Edward sighed. "I'm not a dog of the military anymore. That's not who I am."

"You're acting like one. When I look at you, all I can see is a dog with its tail tucked between its legs." Edward stiffened in anger this time. "You're running away from something."

Edward narrowed his eyes and growled as he continued to stare out the window. "I'm not running. I'm going North City. Not that it's any of your business."

Roy nodded amicably. "North? What's up there that's so important?"

Ed didn't answer for a long time. Roy counted away precious seconds. At last Edward shook his head.

"Quiet." He said. "There's lots of quite. A lot of places where I can think."

"Why don't you just go home?"

"I can't go home." Edward was resolute. "Not until…" He swallowed, but never finished the sentence, instead just shaking his head. "No, I can't go home."

Roy looked at the man sitting in the seat beside him and a stranger stared back. He no longer recognized this man who had taken over the body of Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist. This new Elric was soft and scared, running with the dogged single-mindedness of the pursued. Was he in trouble? Just what was it he was running from?

He probably wouldn't have cared, would have sent the young man on his way without giving it a second thought. But he owed the idiot a favor, for saving his life and Roy Mustang didn't like owing anyone anything. He decided he would offer a hand, a way out. But taking it would be up to Fullmetal.

Roy counted away ten second before standing. He straightened his uniform and looked down at the eldest Elric brother. The man sat hunched over, his eyes hidden by thick bangs, mouth set grimly. Roy thought he had never seen a man look so defeated in his life.

"You and I met a long time ago." Roy said. He didn't look for a reaction from Fullmetal, but continued to speak. He had five minutes left. "I said something to you then and I'm going to tell it to you again because it seems you've forgotten it. I don't know what's going on or why you feel like you have to go North. I won't pretend to understand what's driving you. But there is always another way out if you choose to take it." He ignored the other passengers who were staring in wide-eyed fascination at their Fuehrer, and pressed on.

"You need to understand, I'm not forcing you. I'm merely offering you the possibility. Will you sit in that chair wallowing in self-pity, or will you stand up and seize the chance I'm able to give you? Keep moving, whatever it takes. Even if the way ahead lies through a river of mud."

He left Edward sitting in his seat, ignoring the the other passengers. He didn't look back. Whatever path Fullmetal chose was his own. Roy was only going to show him there was a second option, just like he had…good lord, almost twenty years ago.

Roy frowned and ran the math in his head a second time. When the sum turned out the same, the Fuehrer sighed unhappily.

Roy spotted Riza standing next to the train. He approached her and offered a weary smile. "When did we get so old?"

Riza closed her eyes and began to walk away from the platform, but not before Roy saw an answering smirk. "Speak for yourself, sir."

Roy chuckled and glanced back at the train as it was swallowed up by the crowd.

"Do you think he'll come?" Riza asked.

"He did last time. All I can do is show him the way." It was all Roy could say. And all he could hope was that Fullmetal would decide to plunge once more through the river of mud.

.:xXXx:.

In the pit creatures screamed. Bodies writhed and twisted, crawling over each other like an angry horde of rats.

The dark man looked down at them and licked his lips. He was hungry.

"My lord," One of his creatures had returned from the surface.

"What?" He did not look away from the mass of intertwined limbs in the cavernous hole below his feet.

"The Fuehrer is on the move my lord. He is heading towards Central Station."

"Is he leaving Central?" The dark man narrowed his eyes.

"No, my lord. I've heard nothing of travel plans. And he should still be heavily involved with the Drachman Ambassador. He wouldn't risk good relations by leaving so suddenly."

"How well guarded is he?"

The creature smiled. "He has only the Hawk's eyes watching over him."

The dark man licked his lips and turned to his creature. "Bring a few of those." He inclined his head towards the pit. "You are going hunting. Don't let them see you and...bring me back something nice."

.:xXXx:.

"Daddy, don't go." His son ran up and threw his arms dramatically around his legs, burying his face in Ed's pant leg.

Edward tried in vain to disengage his son's incredible grip from the material. He sat instead, pulling the four year old into his arms. The boy curled into Ed's chest, hiding his golden eyes from his father's inquisitive gaze.

"Go? I'm not going anywhere, Big man." Ed tried to get his son to look at him, but the boy just burrowed deeper in his shirt.

"Mommy says you go."

Ed frowned. "Well I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying here, with you and Trisha and Mommy."

His son peered up at him. "Promise?"

"Promise." Ed nodded.

Satisfied, the boy hopped of Edward's lap and ran off, probably in search of his sister.

Ed sat and chuckled, calling after his son not to use Alchahestry on Trisha anymore.

"Oh, Ed, there you are." Winry stuck her head into the room. "Have you seen your son?"

Ed nodded, but didn't get up. "He was just in here. I think he's in the yard with Trisha."

"Oh." Winry smiled. "Good, he was looking for you and I just wanted to know if he found you."

"Yeah, he seemed to be under the impression you wanted me to go somewhere." Ed said.

His wife nodded. "I need you to go into town for a few things. He must've overheard me talking to myself and panicked. He gets that from you. Anyway," Her head disappeared and Ed could hear her footsteps retreating down the hall. "I'll get you a list."

"Sure." Ed called after his wife, but Winry was already gone.

.:xXXx:.

Ed jolted back from the memory as the conductor bellowed for final boarding. He watched people milling around outside on the platform. There was no trace of blue military uniforms, none that he could see anyway. Here and there a black clad State guardsman patrolled the crowd, eyes peeled for pickpockets and the like, but Hawkeye and Mustang were gone.

Ed might've thought he'd imagined the whole meeting with his Fuehrer except he was certain his subconscious would never have conjured Fuehrer Mustang to talk to him. He hadn't reached that level of hallucinogenic self-loathing yet.

Mustang's words, the same ones he'd used almost twenty years ago, rang in his mind. They were as direct and painful as they had been all those years ago, a slap in the face.

Twenty years ago, Ed had needed a wakeup call like that. But right now…did he need one? Had he looked so lost?

"Ticket sir?"

Ed jerked his head around at the usher. The bald man held his pudgy fingers out for Ed's ticket.

The blond man reached for his pocket, ready to draw out the slip of paper, but Mustang's words rose in his mind again.

'Are you going to sit in that seat feeling sorry for yourself?'

He wasn't feeling sorry for himself. Ed's knee-jerk angry denial rose up like a wave. But it ebbed, leaving behind the awful hollow truth that perhaps he was.

"Sir?"

'I'm merely offering you the possibility.'

The possibility of what?

Hope?

Life?

Forgiveness?

Did he want those things? Did he even deserve them?

'You have to keep moving. Even if the way forward lies through a river of mud.'

He was moving, travelling; he could hardly keep himself sitting still. But where; where was he going?

"Sir, ticket?" The plump man looked impatiently at Ed.

Where was he going?

"Sir, do you have a ticket?"

"I'm going." Ed didn't even realize he'd spoken until he was on the platform, suitcase in hand, weaving his way through the crowd. He didn't know what exactly was carrying him towards the 'idiot Colonel', except the one overwhelming thought that he'd tried running. It usually worked for him, running, but this time, all his moving felt a lot like staying in one place, a dark, guilty place inside his own head. It was a place he didn't want to stay in any longer. So maybe, just maybe choosing to stay was the right thing to do. He'd try it; see if staying was anything like moving. Just for a little bit.

.:xXXx:.

He watched the Flame Alchemist and the Hawk's eye emerge from the crowded train station. It was night, the perfect time for them to disappear. Beside him, the pets rumbled and whined, they could smell their quarry on the still night air. He stroked ones head thoughtfully, waiting until the Fuehrer and his Major had walked beyond the stations comforting light.

Their car wasn't far, but it wasn't close enough to do them any good.

"Go my beasts." He whispered and watched in satisfaction as the three shadows launched into the street below.

.:xXXx:.

Roy only saw them an instant before he was tackled onto cold pavement. Distantly he heard Riza cry out, but didn't have time to wonder if it was for his benefit, or if she herself was being attacked. Already his instincts were kicking in. Years of tough military training and hard living ingrained survival into every muscle.

He rolled away, hands diving into pockets for his ignition gloves. He regained his feet, his eyes sweeping the dark street. Here and there a street lamp winked feebly, silhouetting the humanoid forms sprinting towards him. Roy cursed and jammed his hand into one glove, knowing even as he did, he would be too late. He dove to the ground and rolled again. He felt the whisper of wind flash against his neck and above his head and knew he had barely avoided decapitation. He shot once more to his feet, working his other hand into the glove.

From somewhere behind him Riza screamed again. It was filled with pain and horrified terror. It was not a sound Roy thought Riza was capable of producing and chilled him to his very core. Shots rang out, their clipped bark followed instantaneously by the sound of pulverized meat.

Something hissed from the darkness in front of him. Roy didn't squint, didn't try to make out the attacker. He knew the street was empty besides the assassin, he knew Riza was behind him. That was all he needed to know. He filled the street with inferno.

He caught a glimpse of something that looked human before his flame consumed it. A long hideous wail emerged from the fire's loud crackle. It sounded like nothing Roy had ever heard from man or beast; it was high and hoarse and seemed to hang on the air even after his fire had vanished along with any trace of the strange creature.

Roy turned to Riza just in time to see a second creature leap towards him. He raised his gloved hand and was forced to the ground under the creature's body. He tried to throw it off, but it's sinewy thighs wrapped around his torso so tightly his breath hitched and staggered. A foul stench struck him full in the face as the creature leaned in towards his face. Roy's eyes were slowly adjusting to the darkness, but he could still only make out a thin black human shape and two luminescent red eyes. A popping hiss emerged from above him, closer than he liked and drawing nearer. Roy managed to pull one arm free from the legs' constricting grip, but before he could do anything else, the creature had his hand pinioned, thumb bent painfully away from his other fingers.

The creature let out a weird, warbling laugh, flicking flecks of saliva across Roy's face.

"No where to go. Pretty bird can't save you." The things voice was nothing more than a croak. "Eat you now."

Roy heard gunshots and Riza calling for him, but he knew she would be too late.

"Damn you." He swore at the thing crushing his chest. "I can't die here. There are too many people counting on me."

The things legs tightened inexorably before disappearing with a suddenness that left Roy gasping. Something wooshed overhead and landed between him and the creature which had been a hairs breath from murdering him.

Roy pushed himself up onto his elbows and saw a golden head which could only belong to one person.

"Fullmetal." He said, still catching his breath.

"Looks like I got here just in time." Edward replied, tossing his briefcase aside. The creature howled and ran straight for Edward, spiderlike arms grasping for purchase on the man's long coat. But Ed was already moving. His Automail leg caught the creature in the chin with enough force to lift it several inches off the ground. It staggered and hunkered low, its arms and legs scrabbling on the pavement as though the blow had short-circuited it's brain.

It was the opening Roy was waiting for. Before the creature could recover, it was engulfed in flame.

Roy stood, confirming the creature had been vaporized before turning towards the Major. He looked just in time to see a third thing charge Riza. Hawkeye tossed away the pistol in her left hand and drew a second in the span of a heartbeat. Roy clenched his fingers together, but in the next instant, the creature's head exploded. The spindly body impacted the ground with a mulchy crunch and began twitching.

"What the-?" Roy's eyes went wide as the creature jerked upright, wobbling and spewing fluids from what was left of its cranium.

He flicked his fingers in the same instant Riza fired. The creature collapsed, was wrapped in unforgiving heat and was gone.

Roy and Riza stared first at one another, then the place where the thing, it couldn't have been human, had lain just a few seconds before. Roy could feel his pulse jumping, adrenaline making his head swim.

"What?" Edward asked from behind him. "What were those things?"

Roy shook his head. "We'll have this discussion at a safer location. For now though, let's get to the car."

Roy started towards their vehicle parked a few dozen meters away. Riza walked after him, pausing only to pick up the gun she'd tossed. Roy knew the Elric would follow too and he didn't want to have this discussion on the unsecured streets, not after what just happened.

He waited until they were safely on their way to the Command Center before glancing to the back seat and the silent former State Alchemist. "I see you've accepted my offer, Fullmetal."

Ed frowned and growled angrily. "Stop calling me that. I'm not the Fullmetal Alchemist. How many times do I have to say it?"

"I'd watch your tone if I were you." Roy's smirk was all joking authority. "You're talking to the leader of Amestris."

"Whatever." Edward said. "You're still useless on rainy days."

Riza hid her smile by looking out the opposite window as Roy lost his smirk and began growling back.

Some things never changed.

.:xXXx:.

"Please, master." The man screamed as his skin peeled away. "I've served you faithfully for all this time. Please, mercy."

"But you have not served me well." The dark man hissed, pulling more useless flesh from his servant's body. He tossed it into the pit of roiling bodies, smiling at the sounds of induced frenzy each piece produced.

He turned back to the unfortunate man, stripping away a fresh piece with every angry word. "You let them escape, you let them live and you have the absolute idiocy to come crawling back to me. As if I could ever forgive such failure."

"Please master." The wretched man sobbed, tears dribbling down what was left of his cheeks. "I'll make it up to you. I swear I will do everything to please you."

The dark man looked down piteously at what remained of his servant. "It is too late for you to redeem yourself in my eyes. All I require of you is your death."

The man let out a startled squeaking gasp as his master ripped his heart from his chest. He watched it beating in the dark man's hands twice before he was kicked into the pit.

His body hung for a moment, suspended in the final pulsing instant of his life and then gravity gripped his still conscious corpse and dragged it to the feral mouths waiting for him in the dark.

A/N: This was a really hard chapter to write. The Roy/Ed dynamic is so tough to reproduce. Some days I would spend hours writing and rewriting three sentences before deciding Roy wouldn't say that at all. 'Shakes head at herself'.

I know this isn't exactly the Roy/Ed you were looking for, but be patient. It'll be worth it.

Anyway, reviews and PM's welcome. If you have any comments, critics or questions I'd love to hear from you and try to answer as best I can.

Until next time.