Disclaimer - I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist

Chapter Twenty-Four - Search for the Stray Dog

It had been nearly a month since Nick had been sent to the Northern Region and he had yet to send a report to his superiors on the progress of his mission. And despite repeated attempts by the military to contact the boy, his whereabouts remained unknown.

The fact that Nick could not be found was beginning to seriously piss Mustang off.

"Where the hell is he?" Mustang ranted for the hundredth time, pacing his office in frustration also for the hundreth time. "And why the hell hasn't he been in contact with us?"

The pacing usually helped to calm Mustang's anger to a manageable level but it wasn't working this time. He growled in frustration and stormed out of his office. He walked the few feet down the hall to the office that belonged to Havoc and, without bothering to knock, the Fuhrer burst through the door. Havoc, stunned by Mustang's behavior, jumped to his feet and saluted his superior.

"At ease," Mustang said gruffly, beginning to pace the floor of Havoc's office. "Havoc I want the truth. Have you had any contact with Fullmetal in the last month?"

"No sir," Havoc said earnestly. "I've tried to contact him but haven't had any success."

Mustang ceased his pacing and sat down heavily in the chair in front of Havoc's desk. "I knew you'd say that and I know it's the truth but I was really hoping for a different answer."

"I'm sorry sir."

Mustang shook his head. "No, it's not your fault Havoc. I just wish I knew what was going on with him. I know Fullmetal's grown restless recently but I'm not sure if it was enough to make him desert the military."

Havoc's eyes widened. "You don't really think that the kid ran away do you sir?"

"I don't know what to think at this point," Mustang said honestly. "But we have to look at it as a possibility. After all, Ed ran away from the military as well."

"That's true," Havoc said. "But you have to remember that when Ed ran away he was being actively pursued by the military, not to mention the fact that the head of the military was trying to kill him and he knew it."

"Point taken," Mustang said. "But I still want to know where he is and why he hasn't reported back to us. After all, it was an important mission he was entrusted with."

"So what do you propose we do sir?"

"I'm going to dispatch a search party," Mustang replied, making his mind up as he spoke. "Their orders will be to locate and question the Fullmetal Alchemist and, if necessary, to take him into custody."

"Sir," Havoc said, returning to a state of attention. "If I may make a request."

Mustang nodded.

"I would like to be in the group you send to search for the kid," Havoc said. "I want to hear for myself what Nick has to say."

"Very well Col. Havoc," Mustang said. "As of now you are in command of this mission. Gather your troops, you'll receive your orders in the morning."

Havoc saluted. "Thank you sir."

"No problem," Mustang said. And with that he got to his feet and left the office.

Havoc sat back in his chair and sighed. "Dammit Chief, I hope you have a good excuse for disappearing off the face of the earth."

Havoc gathered together a handful of soldiers whom he trusted enough to accompany him on his mission, including Lt. Jason Griffon, and in the morning they received their official orders from the Fuhrer himself.

Then, once they'd received their orders, the group departed fro the train station.

Mustang accompanied the group of soldiers to the station. "Col. Havoc, I expect to have regular correspondence with you. Understood?"

Havoc saluted. "Yes sir."

Col. Havoc's search party spent nearly two weeks scouring the Northern Region for Nick but no signs of the boy were found. As expected this thoroughly frustrated the group.

"Where the hell could he have gone?" Havoc wondered. "There are only so many places he could be."

Havoc didn't want to think it of the boy but desertion was quickly climbing to the top of the list of reasons for why Nick couldn't be found.

"He wouldn't really desert the military would he sir?" Lt. Griffon asked after two weeks of fruitless searching.

Havoc sighed. "I'd like to say no in answer to that question lieutenant but at this point I'm not sure anymore."

"Well I don't believe it," Lt. Griffon declared adamantly. "Nick would never do something like that."

"Your loyalty is admirable lieutenant," Major Jack Andrews said. "But it may be misplaced."

"We'll find out," Havoc said. "We've been ordered back to Central. Fuhrer Mustang no longer thinks Fullmetal is out here."

"Really sir?" Lt. Griffon said. "Did the Fuhrer find out something new?"

"I wish," Havoc said, shaking his head. "But after hearing my reports day after day, the Fuhrer has come to the conclusion that either Nick never came North or he left the region sometime before we arrived.

"So now what are we supposed to do sir?" Major Andrews asked.

"We have been ordered to travel to Nick's hometown, Resembool," Havoc told them.

"Fuhrer Mustang thinks the boy went home?" Lt. Griffon asked.

"He thinks it's worth checking out at any rate," Havoc said. "So we're leaving on a train first thing tomorrow. We'll travel to Central and from there we'll catch a train to Resembool. Until then, you're dismissed."

The four soldiers all saluted and then three of them turned and walked away. Lt. Griffon remained behind however. He wanted to talk to Havoc without the other soldiers present.

"Colonel."

"What is it Griffon?"

"I want your honest opinion," Lt. Griffon said, his tone serious. "Do you honestly believe what the others are saying; that Nick deserted the military?"

Havoc held a thoughtful expression on his face for a few moments before answering. "No, not really. It may simply be that Nick got distracted and simply forgot to check in. Wouldn't be the first time that's happened after all."

"Hmm," Lt. Griffon said. So the colonel didn't believe that Nick had ran away either. But the two of them were in the vast minority. Most of the others who knew about the situation thought that Nick had simply grown tired of being on the end of the military's leash and ran off.

But Lt. Griffon thought otherwise. Even under the military's control Nick had never been one to blindly follow orders and as a high ranking State Alchemist he was still able to do pretty much as he pleased so there was really no reason for him to desert.

"What happened Nick?" Lt. Griffon wondered to himself. "Where are you?"

Lt. Griffon had known Nick for a few years and although they'd generally had more disagreements than agreements he'd actually grown rather fond of the kid. And he was beginning to worry about him.

The next morning Col. Havoc met his troops at the train station and the five soldiers boarded a train bound for Central.

"When I find that boy. . ." Col. Havoc thought to himself, clenching his hands into fists. "If he's still alive I'm gonna wring his neck."

Col. Havoc had radioed ahead and Fuhrer Mustang was waiting for the group of soldiers when they arrived at the station in Central. As the soldiers disembarked from the train they saw Fuhrer Mustang standing on the platform. The group came to a halt in front of him and as one they all raised their hand in salute.

"So you didn't find any trace of him Havoc?" Mustang asked, even though he already knew the answer.

Havoc shook his head. "No sir. It was like he was never there."

"Maybe that's because he never was," Mustang said. "Take your troops to Resembool and search for him there."

"Sir," Havoc said.

"And one more thing," Mustang said, hesitating slightly before he disclosed this little bit of information to Col. Havoc. "Edward doesn't know anything about the boy's disappearance so be careful."

"You haven't told him?" Havoc asked incredulously.

Mustang shook his head. "No. I didn't want Ed to know that the military is searching for Nicholas on the off chance that the boy went back to Resembool since I can't picture him handing his only son over to the military that he despises."

"I see," Havoc said. "Well sir, I'll send you a report from Resembool."

Mustang nodded and handed a folder to Havoc. "Here are your train tickets. The train to Resembool leaves in about fifteen minutes so you'd best hurry."

Havoc took the folder from Mustang and saluted, mirrored by his troops. Then the five of them made their way to the train bound for Resembool. The troops boarded the train and left Central, prepared for yet another exhausting search for Col. Havoc's young subordinate.

"I really don't wanna do this," Col. Havoc whined as he sat down.

"Why not sir?" Lt. Griffon asked, confused. "Don't you want to find Nick?"

"Of course I want to find him," Col. Havoc said. "I just don't want to face Edward and tell him that we've lost his son."

"Why?' Lt. Griffon asked. "I've met Nick's father and he seemed like a nice enough guy to me."

"That's because you don't know Ed," Col. Havoc said. "Ed has a nasty temper and he's already promised to kill me if anything happens to Nick. Now he has an excuse to follow through with that threat."

"Come on colonel," Lt. Griffon said, attempting to soothe his commanding officer's raw nerves. "If worse comes to worse you can take him sir."

"Uh no I can't," Col. Havoc said.

Lt. Griffon's eyes widened.

"Ed's a skilled fighter and an even more skilled alchemist," Col. Havoc said. "He's a match for Fuhrer Mustang so I wouldn't stand a chance. He'd absolutely annihilate me."

"Whoa," Lt. Griffon breathed. "He's a match for Fuhrer Mustang? But he's the Flame Alchemist. His battle skills are legendary."

"True enough," Col. Havoc said. "But you've also heard stories of another legendary alchemist during your stint in the military right? Nick's predecessor, the original Fullmetal Alchemist."

Lt. Griffon nodded. "Yea. He was supposed to be an extraordinary alchemist as well. Certified as a State Alchemist at the age of twelve and the youngest State Alchemist in the entire history of the military until Nick was certified. One of the few State Alchemists actually able to hold their own against the Flame."

Col. Havoc nodded. "Well Nick's father Edward was the original Fullmetal Alchemist."

Lt. Griffon's jaw dropped. "You're kidding."

"No I'm not," Col. Havoc said, his face paling as he thought about exactly what Ed was capable of doing to him. "But at this point I really wish that I were."

"Now I see why you're worried sir," Lt. Griffon said. "Best avoid a fight if at all possible. I don't want to have to find another commanding officer. Good ones are so rare."

Col. Havoc wanted to thank Lt. Griffon for the vote of confidence however there was too much truth in what he said for Havoc to argue. So he chose to say nothing and turned his attention back to the landscape that was zooming by his window.

The train ride to Resembool hadn't taken any less time than usual but it seemed vastly shorter to Col. Havoc, who was seriously dreading their arrival in the rural town. As the train pulled up to the station Havoc groaned.

"Come on colonel," Lt. Griffon said. "Putting it off won't make it any easier."

Col. Havoc nodded and slowly rose to his feet. He exited the train, followed by his troops. Once the group was assembled on the platform Col. Havoc addressed his troops. "Okay, let the search begin."

With that Col. Havoc turned and began walking away from the train. The troops made their way down a dirt road that seemingly led out into the middle of nowhere.

The troops walked quickly and after about half an hour of walking, a house came into view. A young girl stood out in the yard, a large dog standing at her side. The girl turned as she heard the noise made by the approaching soldiers.

The dog began to bark.

"Keeva," the girl said quietly.

The large, furry dog whined and sat down at the girl's side.

"Can I help you with something?" the girl asked as Col. Havoc and his troops came to a stop a few feet away from her.

"Is your dad around Aiya?" Col. Havoc asked the girl.

"I'm right here," a voice called out from a short distance away.

Col. Havoc grimaced and shifted his gaze toward the front porch, where Ed was standing.

Ed surveyed the group of soldiers standing in his yard and then he stared at Col. Havoc, a knowing look in his golden eyes. "You lost him, didn't you?"

Col. Havoc winced. "How the hell did you come to that conclusion Ed?"

"Why else would you come here with a group of soldiers?" Ed said impatiently. "I haven't completely forgotten my days in the military Havoc."

"Okay, I get your point," Col. Havoc said. "So have you seen him Edward?"

"No," Ed replied, shaking his head. "We haven't heard from Nicholas in a couple of months."

"And let me guess," Col. Havoc said with a sigh, shaking his head at his rotten luck. Why did these things always seem to happen to him? "You wouldn't tell us even if you did know where he was would you Ed?"

"Probably not," Ed said honestly. "But the fact remains that I really have no idea where he is."

"Dammit," Col. Havoc swore.

"Why don't you come inside Havoc?" Ed said. "We can discuss this further inside."

Col. Havoc nodded and he and his troops walked across the yard and filed into the house behind Ed. Ed led the troops into the kitchen and the group of men sat down at the kitchen table.

"So tell me Havoc," Ed said, folding his hands in front of him. "When did you last see Nicholas?"

"The last time I saw him was over a month ago," Col. Havoc replied. "Nick was ordered to travel to the Northern Region, near our border with Drachma. He left Central and promptly disappeared. He was supposed to check in regularly but he didn't and after awhile Mustang grew suspicious and angry."

"Tell me, has Mustang done anything to make the boy angry recently?"

"No more than usual," Col. Havoc said, racking his brain in an attempt to recall something that the Fuhrer might have done to make the kid angry enough to desert the military. Nothing came to mind.

"Hmm," Ed said. "Then it seems highly unlikely that he simply deserted the military."

"I thought that too," Col. Havoc said. "But when we searched for Nick in the North we found no signs of foul play."

"Well that's a small relief," Ed said quietly.

Col. Havoc gazed sympathetically at Ed. Nick's father had already lost one child to a tragic accident and Havoc didn't know if he could cope with the loss of another. Especially not under this set of circumstances.

"Don't worry Ed, I'm sure he's fine," Col. Havoc assured him. "Although I'm not gonna be if I don't find that boy soon."

"Would you like me to help you search?' Ed offered.

Col. Havoc shook his head. "That won't be necessary Ed. You should stay here with your family. We'll find him and when we do you'll be the first person I call. I promise."

"Thank you Havoc," Ed said.

Col. Havoc nodded and stood up. "Come on guys. We'll search the outskirts of town, because we were ordered to search the entire town, but I already know the outcome. We won't find him."

The troops all stood up and followed Col. Havoc out of the house.

Ed was still sitting at the kitchen table, lost in thought, when Winry entered the room.

"Edward," Winry said, jolting her husband from his thoughts as she sat down beside him.

Ed looked over at Winry.

"Aiya told me that a bunch of soldiers were here," Winry said. "What did they want?"

"Nothing much," Ed replied, not meeting his wife's gaze.

"Edward," Winry said, her voice full of warning. "Is it Nick? Did something happen to him?"

"Nick's fine," Ed said.

"Edward."

"He's fine," Ed said again. "They don't know where he is but there's no evidence that he's anything other than alive and well."

"They don't know where he is," Winry repeated. "What do you mean they don't know where he is?"

"Nick went on a mission to the Northern Region and after he left he stopped checking in with his superiors," Ed informed her. "But that doesn't mean something happened to him."

"Oh no," Winry said, tears appearing in her eyes.

Ed quickly rose from his chair and wrapped his arms around her. "He's fine Winry."

"How can you possibly know that for sure?" Winry asked, her voice shaking.

"Because Nick would never allow anything to happen to him," Ed said. "He'll resurface."

The troops searched the outskirts of town, including the caves where Nick and his siblings had played as children, but no sign of the boy was found. Not that any of them had really expected anything different.

Col. Havoc was not surprised. He'd known that Nick wouldn't be there.

"That's it," Col. Havoc said with a sigh. "The boy has simply dropped off the face of the earth."

"So now what do we do sir?" Lt. Griffon asked after their fruitless search of Resembool.

"We go back to Central," Col. Havoc informed the group. "I'll let Fuhrer Mustang decide what we should do next."

The troops all nodded.

So Col. Havoc led his troops back to the train station. Luckily for them there was one final train bound for Central leaving that day. The colonel bought tickets for the train and then they waited until it was time for their train to depart.

When the train arrived in Central Col. Havoc dismissed his troops. Then he made his way to Central HQ and down the hall to the Fuhrer's office. When he reached the door of Fuhrer Mustang's office, Col. Havoc knocked lightly on the door.

"Enter."

Col. Havoc opened the door and entered the office. He walked across the large office and came to a stop in front of the Fuhrer's desk.

"Havoc," Mustang said in surprise. "Back so soon?"

Col. Havoc nodded. "He wasn't there and Ed hasn't seen him."

"Are you sure?" Fuhrer Mustang asked.

Col. Havoc nodded. He had no doubt that Ed had told him the truth concerning the boy. "Yes. Ed was worried when he found out about Nick and fear for the safety of your child isn't the kind of emotion that you can believably fake."

"I see," Fuhrer Mustang said.

"So what do you want us to do now sir?" Col. Havoc asked his superior.

"I'm going to suspend the search for Fullmetal for now," Fuhrer Mustang decided. "I may restart it later if new evidence arises but for now you may return to your other duties colonel."

Col. Havoc saluted and left the office.

A/N - And there's the end of another chapter and now the military is looking for Nick. But for some strange reason I don't think that they're going to find him. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a review and tell me what you thought. Til next time this is Hitsu-taichou signing out.