Awww, Ed's falling in love...or at least he's sure it is! ^_^

Now onto Taylor and Roy...

I love reviews and I will/might do points of view on different characters if you want.

Songs: Try by Pink. I just know this will become Taylor's song. I just know it. -starts to mutter the chorus-

Far Away by Nickelback. The chorus...yeah... seems to fit. I don't know, I kept finding myself listening to it when you hear about the past between Taylor and Kenzi. (Not so much of a spoiler as you just see...)

Here is another constant song that might pop up again: I'll Be Missing You by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans. That chorus (Yes, mostly the choruses strike a chord with me (no pun intended)) is a good one that makes me think: This is what Taylor's thinking!

Roy looked at me as he poured me a glass of brandy from the other side of the bar we were seated at. We were skipping dinner and going stright to the drinking. I knew I probably wouldn't be able to eat until I knew Kenzi and Ed were safe. He handed me my glass and I promptly took a swig, letting the burning, soothing liquid roll down my throat. Step one into feeling numb from the worry and the guilt.

"Thanks again, Roy," I said. "You really didn't have to."

"Ah, but it wouldn't be fair for McKenzi for you to put her in hiding without putting yourself in hiding when you're not in work. We're not sure who this bastard is after, so we need to take precautions for you and McKenzi." I knew he was thinking the same as I was: who cared if Uncle Devon died, it would be doing the world a favor. "I'm sure she's fine with Fullmetal. He is a trustworthy guy."

I knew it was no surprise Roy was sticking up for Colonel Elric. After all, it was Roy who had offered to let Edward into the military when he was young because he performed some alchemy amazingly. I never got the entire story, and Roy was never willing to tell it. Neither was Colonel Elric. I let it be. I knew the Elric's had a complicated past like I did and I hated talking about mine.

"I am sure you're right," I sighed, setting the brandy glass on the bar where we were sitting, "but I am still worried. Kenzi and I may be cousins but she's like a younger sister to me. Since I never really got close to anyone but her, I still worry about her safety. I know she can get a little out of hand and she's sometimes reckless, but she's still a teenager. She's only nineteen."

"Nineteen and living recklessly. I could see it. I had a subordinate, who through his teen years, decided reckless was worth my effort in equal paperwork."

I giggled, totally seeing a young Major Elric like that while he somehow worked to get something back for his younger brother. Whenever I heard about his escapades with his missions, it would always remind me of Kenzi. I knew she would do near about the same without batting an eyelash. Hearing these adventures almost made me want to read the report to see what actually happened. I finished my brandy and ran my fingertip over the shining glass, letting it move in a large circle around the rim. Focusing on it for a second, I let my thoughts fade. The thoughts of Kenzi going into hiding with Colonel Elric. The thoughts of what would happen if those two were remotely attracted to each other, especially if she was attracted to him. I especially wanted the thoughts of how attracted I was to Roy to fade. I tried to ignore the last thought as much as possible. He was helping me as a friend and co-worker. That's it.

I tried to get my mind back to what Kenzi and Colonel Elric would do if they were remotely attracted to each other. I didn't know if I wanted to be angry and frustrated or relieved she picked someone I could approve of. No, she couldn't be attracted to him. He's in the military. But, if she was...

"Would you like more brandy? Or would you prefer soemthing else?"

I looked at the glass, knowing brandy had never been one of those tastes I acquired. "Do you have wine? Any kind of wine?"

"I do. I usually have some when I have dinner. Let me get you a glass." Roy got off his seat and walked to the other side, getting the wine from the darkest corner of the cupboard. "I have a question. You don't have to answer it or anything. But I am wondering, since today seemed to have been a reoccurance, aside from the assassin."

I looked to him, secretly thanking him for tearing my thoughts of just how far Kenzi would go with Elric, or any boy. My focus redirected from the glass to him uncorking the wine bottle. "Go ahead. It's the least I could do."

"Why do you always offer to take McKenzi from General Lockert? Surely there has to be a reason why you took a bullet to the shoulder for her."

I gently touched the shoulder that was shot. Roy had been more than happy to take the bullet out and close the wound. He even bandaged it as he offered his place for me. I looked to my lap, gathering my thoughts and the reasons I take Kenzi from him.

"Uncle Devon took me in when my family died. I grew close to Kenzi, and even closer when she lost her mother. It was like Uncle Devon had started writing her off then. He started to grow distant a little. Kenzi hardly noticed. As time grew on, she and him were like strangers to each other, but she always talked to him, telling him about her day as if he cared to hear it. When he was promoted to General when she was thirteen, he thought of the choice to start sending her to these boarding schools outside of Central. Reasons of that, I am not sure. By then, I had taught her some hand-to-hand combat, knowing that she wasn't going to be near me anymore. She started to detest the man she once called dad about that time. Every time she would be sent home from one of the boarding schools, I'd offer to take her because it would near about make her snap if he laid a hand on her like the first time she was kicked out." I sighed. "I guess a part of me is avoiding the fight, but the other part is protecting her from the General we all see in Uncle Devon that Kenzi started to see when she was being sent away for no reasons sometimes."

Roy blinked. "Explains her record in schools."

I nodded. "Yeah, she had a problem with boys and fighting. She'd always find more than one boyfriend to make out with and then she'd start a fight. I don't know why she fights. I sometimes think that she calls Central home and those boarding schools were like a prison to her. She never told me her thoughts on them, though I am sure what she thinks of them."

Roy handed me a glass, which I gladly took. I took a sip as he said, "A prison. I could see it. Having to be forced onto a train to some place you'd rather not be. It would be grounds for the feelings of it being a prison."

My mind flashed to what I had done to her. Kenzi would never forgive me. I pretty much did the same thing to her without any comforts of home. Not her clothes, her books, or her favorite red coat with the alchemy flamel. I clasped my hand over my eyes, feeling the sting in my heart.

"What's wrong, Taylor?"

I felt a tear escape. "I am no better than my God damn uncle. I just did that to her, Roy."

Roy walked to me, hugging me close to him. "At least she saw you weren't just sending her away like Lockert would. You proved it was for her own safety and not just because."

I curled into his arms, knowing he had a point. It still hurt. I made her a promise I would never send her away like he does, and I broke it. "You don't understand, Roy. It near about kills her every time she's sent away, and I stuck the knife in this time."

I felt his arms tighten around me, letting me know he was there. Right then, I wanted him near me. "I know, but I don't think you did. Yeah, she's sad she had to leave, but Olivier will keep her safe. We both know this, and you can call whenever as soon as we know she's there."

I nodded. At least I know Armstrong will let me keep in contact with her since Kenzi is still in protective custody no matter what she has Kenzi doing. "You're right, Roy."