Hi! Here's where stuff really starts to get interesting between Ed and Roy! Or at least I hope it's interesting! Thanks for all the reviews! This is so cool actually getting some feedback! If you want Ed to actually fall in love with Catherine, better say so 'cause otherwise I think I'll probably just drop that idea. I'm having a hard time seeing them together so...

Also, if any of my reviewers need a beta reader, I've decided I woudln't mind at all being one! But one thing: I will critique as well as spell and grammer check, so if you just need spell-checks, I found out it's really easy to download FreeSpell 4-2 for free off google and I like it. So anyway!

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Winry headed back to Risembool the same day Ed headed back to HQ. She was eager to make sure Pinako was okay after having military personnel search her house. Ed was less eager to go ask Roy if he could head East anytime soon.

He peeked his head in the door, then slammed it open, causing Roy to jump and spill ink on himself. "Aarrrgh! Dammit Edward. Get in here. Don't pull stupid pranks on your father." he said, putting a slight emphasis on the word 'father' to remind Ed of their roles, but Ed still couldn't keep himself from grinning as he came in. Roy gently cuffed him on the back of the head. "Hey!"

"Don't talk back. Why are you here?"

"Hmp. I want to head East, okay?"

"No, FullMetal." Roy sighed.

"What? Come on!"

"No. I want to keep an eye on you. I have a mission which shouldn't be a problem for you."

"Don't give me that crap! Why are you keeping me here?"

"Because Ed." Roy's tone was soft, firm and gentle as he came closer. "Believe it or not, I care about your health and I want to keep an eye on you." Ed took a step back, not about to let Roy invade his space. Roy sighed and for just a moment, Ed thought he saw regret in those black eyes. "So I've assigned you to be a bodyguard for Ms. Catherine Elle Armstrong. She's going to a golf tournament 2 days from now and needs an escort."

"Why do I have to babysit some rich girl who likes to hit balls with sticks?"

"Show some appreciation for other peoples' pastimes Edward." Roy told him mildly. "She's very good, and that tends to draw attention. Sometimes of an unwanted variety."

"Like what?"

"She has many...admirers."

"You mean guys?"

"Yes. Her parents don't want them getting within 5 feet of her, as her admirers in particular are a little out of control. Over come with love. Crazy about her. However you'd like to put it."

"But wasn't there anything else I could've done in Central? And I still want to go East."

"You're not going East and I thought you could just relax for a little longer, alright? Dismissed." Ed snorted and went to the door. In a strangely soft voice he said suddenly "Mustang?" Roy looked up at Ed, who now had a sheepish smile on his face and was self-consciously holding his right shoulder. "Yes?"

"Thanks." Ed ward replied very quietly.

Mustang stared at the empty doorway. That last bit had been an abrupt switch in attitude. And what exactly was he being thanked for?

That night Roy came in front the office, lit a fire and was about to go upstairs to find Ed and Al when the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hi, it's Winry."

"Hello Winry."

"So um, how's Ed doing?"

"He's perfectly fine."

"Can I talk to him?"

"One moment. I'm not sure where he is."

"I'll wait."

Roy trotted up the stairs. "Edward! Phone!" Al came out of his room. "Uh, hang on Colonel. I'll get him, just a minute." Al slipped into the bathroom. Roy pressed his ear to the door.

"Ed! Don't fall asleep in the bath! The Colonel wants you. You've got a phone call."

"Mm. From who? How long have I been asleep?"

"Hurry up and get out!"

"Sheesh Al. I'm coming."

"Ed! You're shivering. What are you gonna do if you catch a cold?"

"I won't Al."

"If you do I'll make the Colonel take you for another check-up."

"You wouldn't dare."

Roy was unprepared for Ed to fling the door he was pressed against open. "Hey! What are you doing?" yelled a noticeably damp Ed.

"Winry's on the phone. Go get it."

"Pervert."

"Shrimp."

Ed slammed down the stairs.

"Winry?"

"Ed! How's your automail?"

"Good as ever."

"And the rest of you?"

"I'm fine Winry."

"Hey, do you know anyone named Russel Tringham?"

"What, you mean that impostor from-Wait! Why?"

"You guessed it. He got caught trying to rip off the ticket seller at the train station. He said he should get to ride free because he was Edward Elric the State Alchemist."

"Why that dirty little-"

"Ed, he was starving. Cut him some slack. He's pretty handsome. And tall too."

"Dammit! He got me in big trouble you know! He almost got the both of us shot at the station in Central, remember?"

"If I recall correctly Edward." she said icily "You almost got us both shot."

"RRRR. I was trying to keep you from getting arrested!"

"And Al almost did instead. Not to mention that Mustang guy almost got in trouble because you went to his house. Why are you staying with him anyway?"

"...I know I messed up."

"Why are you staying there?"

"Military orders. Can't tell you." Ed snapped.

"That's lame and you know it Edward."

"Here. Talk to Al." Ed jerked the phone at Al and went into the kitchen to find Roy.

"Hey Mustang?"

"Yes?"

"Do you have a hairdryer?" Roy stared at him.

"Do you?" Roy broke out laughing.

"What are you, a girl! Ahhahahahaha. You crack me up Edward."

"Shut up!!" Ed screamed savagely. Roy flinched.

"You don't have to scream."

"No, but I do have to get out of here." Ed snapped, pulling on his jacket and gloves and heading out the door. Mustang let him get maybe 10 feet from the house before happily running out and saying "I'll come with you then! For our charade." The cool breeze was suddenly very warm as Edward clenched his fists and sped up angrily.

Any walking pace Ed set, Roy easily and casually matched. Finally, Ed broke into a run. Roy jumped and started to follow. "Edward! Where are you going?" Ed didn't answer, just kept running. Roy really wasn't in the mood to chase Ed anywhere. Grudgingly he put more effort into his strides, trying to catch up. He was within arms' reach of Edward and about to grab the back of his collar when Ed looked over his shoulder at Roy, grinning. He sped up, just a little. Roy sped up and could almost grab him, but Ed took an 85 degree turn into an alleyway, speeding up even more. Roy followed, running hard to catch up. He was relieved when he saw Ed hit a dead end of a brick wall up ahead, until Ed scrambled up and over it like a monkey. Roy pulled out some chalk and made a door through the wall into a parking lot next to an ancient warehouse. He saw Ed open the door and his heartbeat tripled. Ed was playing around. If he went into that warehouse it would most likely collapse. Ed would be killed. He flew through the open door and crashed into the back of Ed, who had in fact, been proceeding very cautiously. Roy wrapped his arms around Ed's waist and lifted his feet off the ground to carry him back out.

Ed was laughing as Roy set him down in the parking lot, completely oblivious to Roy's anger. Ed doubled over, both laughing and catching his breath. Roy smacked the side of his head hard enough to knock him over. Ed put a hand to his head and looked up at Roy, obviously angry.

"Don't be an idiot! You're lucky that $#ing building didn't collapse on your head!"

"What? It wasn't-"

"Shut up! Just shut up, idiot." He grabbed Ed's hand and started pulling him toward the alleyway. Ed dug his heels in, leaning backward.

"Come ON." Roy hauled him forward.

"Quit being a bastard about me going into an old building. Jeez."

"I've seen people get killed by collapsed old buildings Edward. Now move it." he started pulling Ed along roughly.

"Oh yeah? Like who?" Roy turned around and Ed had one of his not-so-rare moments when he wished fervently that he was taller. Maybe then he wouldn't have been so intimidated by Roy's furious look down at him. "Like my brother Edward." he turned and hauled Ed forward again. Ed followed this time. Roy was beginning to scare him. He was also walking so fast Ed was having to trot to keep up.

How did Mustang always manage to make Ed feel like a kid? Wanting to cling to Roy when he was sick and now really not wanting to make him angry, which was unusual. When Ed had made his decision to join the military, he hadn't needed Mustang to spell it out that he couldn't claim childish innocence or ignorance anymore. He'd taken it to heart. He was going to be an adult for Al. He was not going to depend on anyone for help, he was not going to stop until they got their bodies back and he was not going to sacrifice innocent people in his own quest. 3 promises to Al and himself. The thing was, lots of people had actually wanted to help. But Ed couldn't let them. Add that to his already impatient, abrupt personality and he became what some would call "directly confrontational" when they were being polite. He'd never before let himself be intimidated out of an argument. But right now, he wouldn't dare say anything to make Roy angrier than he already was. And Roy had a brother?

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Ahahah --; I really don't think Roy has a brother in the series, but I thought this would introduce some more drama into the story. Lots more in the next chapter anyway, which is coming soon! Reviews o kudasai! (that means something like give me reviews please it's Japenglish or something. GAH. That sounds terrible.)