F1 ch1

Edward stood in the bright sunny office of Colonel Mustang. The sun was bright; the weather hot making him sweat, and Roy Mustang was giving him his all too annoying and infamous smirk. Ed was about to blow.

Very calmly he wet his lips not daring to take his eyes from Roy's. "And why do I need to get on a train to Ariss?"

Roy's smirk deepened as he sat back in his chair. How he couldn't not be hot in that uniform, Ed didn't know, he was sweltering and he'd taken off his jacket while in here.

"I need you to fetch a very important package for me; it's fragile, delicate, and if you mess up," Roy lifted his gloved hand becoming deadly serious. "You're toast. I mean it Ed, this is terribly important."

"If it's so damned important you go get it." Ed bit. He didn't like being threatened.

"I can't, I have to stay here and work. Some of us can't leave when we want Fullmetal. You can, after a fashion; besides where you are going might have a book or two you might want to take a look at. All of it is waiting for your arrival." He sighed. "The military isn't funding this expedition; I am personally as it is a personal matter that I can't see to myself. I am trusting you, Edward, with something terribly important to me. Of course there are others I could ask, but you and Al I think are perfect, so don't let me down. Now," He lifted an envelope from the desk. "Here is everything you will need, money for food and the train, and the address. I expect you back in a week so you might want to get going."

Edward's curiosity was beginning to out weight his annoyance at this point enough to calm him down. Why he and Al? Why were they perfect and no one else, no one older 'perfect' for this errand? "What is it?"

Roy smiled. "You'll see when you arrive, just be extra careful… I really am counting on you, Edward."

Ed nodded and stepped forward to take the envelope. "Fine, see you in a week."

Roy held on to the envelope. "I mean it, no detours; the philosopher's stone is going to have to wait this time. I promise to keep my ears open for anything while you're gone and tell you about anything I learn as soon as you return."

"Yeah yeah," Ed muttered. Now this was just odd. He definitely wanted to go now for he wanted to see what it was that was so important to his commanding officer. He could guess it had something to do with alchemy, but he wasn't sure.

Roy let go of the envelope and Ed picked up his jacket, pulling it on and grabbing up his cloak before he headed for the door. As soon as his hand touched the knob he heard Roy's voice. "Thank you Edward,"

Ed looked over his shoulder, a little confused by the warmth in his voice. "Don't thank me until I get back." With that he was gone.

.

Ed rubbed his face, waking for what seemed the millionth time that afternoon from train turbulence. These last two days on the train had been bumpy and filled with the heat; it was a miserable summer to begin with, and a thousand questions ran through his mind. Al just sat and put up with his grumpy mood as always. Al was a little happier about Mustang trusting them with something so important, but what the hell was it!

"Ugh, it's so hot," He grumbled sitting up.

"Can't sleep brother?" Al asked turning his head.

"No, too bumpy. How much further anyway?" He asked smoothing his sweat dampened bangs from his face.

"The steward said we were almost to Ariss, shouldn't be but ten more minutes. Then you will finally know what we were sent for. Have you looked at the address yet?"

Ed shook his head pulling the envelope from his pocket. He'd been shocked when he'd first opened it and found way more money than he deemed necessary inside. There was enough for seven train tickets, two nights stay in a hotel at a standard rate, and lots and lots for food. It was like Roy had put a good chunk of Ed's savings in here. He didn't dare spend more than he had too and would return what was left over as soon as they got back to East City.

Sighing, he pulled a slip of paper out. "Ariss, Hilton road, number fourteen." He frowned. "There are even directions from the train station on here, as if we wouldn't be able to find it on our own."

Al sighed. "The directions will save time."

"But what does he need so badly?" Ed asked. "And why us, why are we perfect?"

"I don't know, but it's nice that he trusts us Ed, be glad for that."

Ed gave his patient brother a smile. "Sorry Al,"

"It's okay, oh look there's the city,"

Ed leaned to look out the window. This was his first time seeing Ariss and he'd never really heard too much about it, save for it was a little like Aquroya, a tourist site and had some old buildings from a long time ago left over from something. Really it was more of a historical and cultural center where people came from all different areas to sell goods and the like. There was also an auto-mail district that Winry would probably love. He'd have to bring her here someday. Too bad they really didn't have time to look around.

As they drew closer Ed began to see the architecture of some of the taller buildings, it was pretty detailed and really nice, white stone from what he could tell, no wonder they called it the 'white city'. Arcs connected one building to another, walkways too, tall narrow windows with colored glass and gold trim, good grief even from this distance it was beautiful. Talk about a rich place.

Ed's wonder at the place intensified once they were off the train and walking around. "This place is so beautiful, peaceful, everyone looks so happy." Al said in awe.

Ed nodded as people from all walks of life smiled at him as he passed or said welcome. Everything looked so cheerful, as if it was part of some different world. Children played in the street with out a care in the world, people hugged and laughed.

They found Hilton Street, taking Roy's directions and it was a good thing they had them, there were so many streets and so many twists and turns Ed probably would have had to buy a map just to get around with out them.

When they came to the house, they both stopped to gape. This house was bordering on rich mansion with its glory of white stone and high black iron fence and lush yard full of trimmed shrubbery. "Wow,"

"Yeah," Al agreed.

Ed reached for the string that attached to the large bell and pulled twice. A man opened the front door of the house dressed in a black uniform, a butler no doubt, and came down the gravel walk smiling. When he reached the gate he opened it. "Edward and Alphonse Elric I assume?"

"That's us," Ed replied unable to keep the smile from his face.

"I thought so; Colonel Mustang's description was right on the money. Please come in, Ms. Miller is currently busy with a guest and asked that you both settle in and clean up."

"We have to get back as soon as possible." Ed replied as the man stood aside and let them pass.

"Colonel Mustang gave his approval for you both to stay awhile and rest. He and Ms. Miller are very close friends and ask that we take very good care of you two." The man replied with a warm smile. "He said you deserve a short break."

Edward blinked at the man dumbfounded. "They are, he did?"

The man chuckled. "Of course, now come along. Mandy, our cook has been waiting for two days to make you both lunch and has the kitchen staff in a frenzy to make it perfect, you wouldn't want all that hard work to go to waste would you?"

Real food, not train food sounded very appealing to Ed and he shook his head. "Nope,"

The room they were given was so fancy Ed felt like there was something going on. His healthy dose of paranoia began to kick in and he would have poked around if the butler hadn't come to usher him to the bathroom for a bath. The man stood there the entire time, not watching, just waiting with a towel, making him nervous. So far no one had said a word about Al, they just left him alone and didn't push a bath upon him.

"So what's the relationship between Colonel Mustang and Ms. Miller?" He asked scrubbing behind his left ear.

"They have a mutual interest in what you're taking back with you. They are good friends, have been so for many years."

Ed paused a moment. "Good friends huh,"

"Yes, I really can't tell you any more. Anything else you want to know about them you're going to have to ask from them. I don't think Ms. Miller would mind telling you, not with the praise Colonel Mustang gave you."

Ed's hands dropped the washcloth. "The what?"

The butler smiled. "Surprised? Colonel Mustang has written about your accomplishments to Ms. Miller, your progress and other things. Our impression is that he is very fond of you boys though he might not show it. Colonel Mustang isn't one to open up easily though with his goals and position and his past I really can't blame him."

"His past, you mean the war in the east?" Ed asked. This was just weird; Roy was found of him and Al? That annoying bastard actually liked them! Through all of that yelling and teasing he…

"Yes," the man paused then came closer making Ed a little uncomfortable. "I shouldn't tell you this, but he lost a lot in that horrible war and it hurt him so terribly. I think if it weren't for Major Hughes and Ms. Miller he wouldn't be where he is today and have lost a lot more. He's worked very hard to get where he is now though it's been difficult for him, being away."

Ed frowned. "Being away, away from what, Ms. Miller?" This just got stranger by the second. What was it Roy lost in the war, why did it sound like something bad would have happened if it weren't for his friends? The man he knew… no he really didn't know too much about Roy, and from the sound of it there was more to him than the sarcasm and manipulation, almost as if that was all just a mask covering over the real person.

The man waved him off. "I've said too much as it is. Finish your bath Edward, lunch will be ready soon."

Ed wanted to ask more, but knew enough to keep his mouth shut. Besides he could ask Mustang when he got back or Ms. Miller.

Edward was dressed and down in the dinning room where Al awaited quietly in no time at all. The butler, who had never given his name, waited at the door in silence while the kitchen staff, all dressed in white and black buzzed about to seat him beside his brother and place food upon the table. It was a feast! This Ms. Miller must be loaded!

"How was it brother?" Al asked softly.

"It was a bath Al," Ed replied. He wanted to tell Al what the Butler had told him, but thought it best to wait until they were alone.

Finally, once the food was all upon the table a tall woman entered. Ed and Al were both in awe. She like the city and her home, was beautiful and elegant. She was tall, had long red hair, and big green eyes, and the smile of an angel. She paused at the door to look behind her. "Excuse me a moment; Lily, come along, don't be shy. They are friends, remember?" She turned back to Ed and Al. "Please forgive her, she's excited, but a little shy."

Ed leaned a little to try and peak around the woman and the door. Who was Lily? Suddenly a small blur of black and pink ran in and hid behind a high backed chair. He frowned trying to get a better look as the woman came in, dismissing the Butler.

"Lily, take your seat, they won't bite… Oh I'm sorry, I'm Anise Miller, it's nice to finally meet the Fullmetal Alchemist and you as well Alphonse. Roy's told me so much about you two. I just hope the book on human transmutation I have will be of use to you and your endeavor."

Ed tore his eyes away from the little girl hiding behind the chair to stare at Ms. Miller in shock. "Human Transmutation? How did-"

Ms. Miller laughed and picked up the cloth napkin, placing it upon her lap. "Roy told me of course. He keeps some of his books here with my father's and once a few years ago he too had been looking into the subject. He had two very different reasons from yours though. Needless to say he asked that I find his book and my father's to pass on to you."

"But if he didn't-"

"Edward, Roy abandoned his theories and notes for many reasons, but kept them here on the off chance that he might come back to them later on. I think by giving them to you and your brother, he thought you might have a different angle, or at least it might be a help to you. Now," she turned to the little girl. "Will you stop hiding Lily? Roy wouldn't have sent them if they weren't nice."

The little girl let out a sigh and pulled her chair back; then, finally, Ed got his real first look at her. His jaw dropped in astonishment. This little girl… she… she was a mini Roy Mustang! Her black hair was longer; the front pulled out of her face and held in place with a pink bow that matched her pretty pink dress. Her slanted obsidian eyes gave him a curious look, but she was a little girl copy of the Colonel! He couldn't believe it, and she looked no more than six or seven at the most. Was this… what the hell!

"Edward, Alphonse this is Lily Mustang, Roy's daughter, Lily this is Edward and Alphonse Elric, the two boys your father told us about."

Lily left her chair and rounded the table; there was a beautiful smile upon her face and excitement and sudden braveness in her eyes. She slipped in between them and reached for Ed's hand with her small one. "Daddy says you're my big brothers, but they way he talked… you're a lot taller than I imagined."

Ed was so thrown by the situation he didn't seem to notice the comment about his height. "We are? This is what we were sent for, her?"

Ms. Miller nodded smiling. "Yes, Roy said he was sending the best possible people for the small task. He said he wanted to come, but he had to work and Maes was busy with a case, but he has everything ready now and he missed her so much he just couldn't be with out her any longer."

Lily smiled, dropping Edward's hand and crawled into Al's lap unafraid and as if they had know each other for years. "Daddy says you're my big brothers and can do alchemy like him too."

Ed's shock was dissipating slowly. Daddy says huh? "Why wasn't she with him before?" He had to ask. Roy had never once mentioned having a daughter, there were no pictures shoved in his face, none upon his desk, nothing at all to indicate that he was a father. Though this might shed some light on why Roy took leave every couple of months to go somewhere he was never told.

Ms. Miller sighed lifting her tea. "That's a complicated question Edward."

"Oh no it's not; it's simple like the explanation of rain falling from the colds. Daddy couldn't take care of me alone after Mommy died, he couldn't take care of himself and Uncle Maes was worried. So was Aunt Anise. Daddy didn't want to, but he agreed it would be better for me to live with Aunt Anise until he was better and thought I would be better off here and not in the military dorms. He had to work and he couldn't take me as a baby to work.

"So he worked really. really hard, saved up and bought a house in East City after he transferred. He says he thinks his job is stable enough and I'm old enough to be left alone for long periods of time. He said it won't be as nice as living here and even asked me if I wanted to go live with him, let me decide, but I've been asking for a long time. And now he sent you to take me home, that simple." She said matter-of-factly.

It was far from simple. Oh Edward understood the stress of being a single parent; his own father had left his mother alone only, she wasn't in the military. Roy would have to keep working to support Lily and himself, but he could have sent for her sooner. "How did her,"

"Mommy was killed in the war, she was an alchemist too so she had to go. Aunt Anise took care of me while they were gone. I was born before Mommy went, Daddy was already there fighting and really upset that he missed it, but as soon as I was here she was ordered to go and help end it. Daddy doesn't really talk about it much. He only tells me what Mommy was like, that he misses her so much, and that he wishes she were here because I'm missing out. I think he blames himself, but that's so silly, he didn't shoot her, some Ishbalan man did." Lily explained quietly.

Ed and Al were both quiet, Ed almost lost his appetite. A million questions swam around in his head, but he didn't want to ask, he was too respectful to ask.

Ms. Miller cleared her throat. "It is important for you to know boys, that this is a delicate subject for my brother in law. My sister was shot right in front of him; he watched her die. He wasn't stable enough to care of Lily when he came back from the war and sending her away while in the best interests for her, shattered what was left of his already broken heart. He's never abandoned her, wanted her with him all this time, but didn't feel like he could take care of her the way she should be taken care of until now. So it's not like he pulled what your father did, if any one is to blame it's me. I ripped Lily from him, oh he put up a good fight, but in the end he knew it was for the best. And because I did that to help them both, I stole years and moments he'll never get back with her."

Ed nodded, but didn't say anything. This was so unreal. Mustang had a wife once, one who he watched die, had his daughter ripped from him… Maybe Roy understood him better than he thought. Maybe that's why Roy was helping he and Al, because he knew what it was like to lose someone special and try to get them or the things they lost back.

"Did he try to…"

"Sable, that's was my sister, and others. But luckily Maes found out about it before it went too far and he ended up like you or worse, dead. Roy wanted to bring back everyone he'd killed and those who'd died on both sides." Anise replied grimly. "He was a mess, now he's almost his old self. He opened up a little more when you two came into the picture; he was happier, worried a little more, but happier."

Lily hugged Al with a smile that lit up the room. "He said Edward reminded him of himself and Mommy, mostly mommy he's got her temper and determination. He said you seemed to be the one keeping Ed out of a lot of the trouble he could get into, that you were wiser."

Al pat her head chuckling while Ed smiled a little. He was beginning to wonder how much this little girl was like her father; she sure didn't seem bothered or too shy to talk. Suddenly she grinned and that was Roy's grin and that meant trouble.

"You have really pretty hair Ed; can I play with it on the train?"

"Lily, come sit in your own seat and eat your lunch." Anise ordered softly.

"Uh, I guess," Ed replied as she slipped from Al's lap and hurried around the table to her seat.

Lunch was quiet from there on out, they ate their fill then retired to the library where Ed was given two books and three note books. There were no more questions or tales about the war or Mustang's wife and while Ed took a peak at Roy's notes, Lily sat upon the sofa reading a book of her own out loud to her aunt. To Ed's surprise it was alchemy, the standard beginner's book and the girl was explaining it to her aunt in detail. He had to smile at Al who asked her a few questions of deeper thought.

"Hey you're pretty smart." Ed said after awhile. "Did Colonel Mustang teach you alchemy?"

Lily smirked, Roy's smirk he noted, and replied with her father's arrogance. "No, he didn't even know I was reading books like this until last summer. He's going to teach me though, the things I don't understand on my own, I made him promise but he won't let me start practicing flame alchemy until I'm older. He said I might blow something up and he wants me to learn it right."

"You want to be like your dad?" Al asked.

"Mommy was the frost alchemist, but I've never seen her alchemy before, Daddy says he can do it, she taught him, but he won't do it for me. He did promise he would someday, but not right now else I might want to freeze his shoes."

Ed bet it had more to do with Roy not wanting to be reminded of his wife. That was understandable in some ways. Well maybe he could teach Lily a few things on the train and surprise Roy. It might be interesting to see the look on his face when Lily did something unexpected.

"Are you making anything yet?" he asked. Knowing how some things worked and actually doing it were two different things.

Anise smiled smoothing Lily's hair. "She thinks I don't know but she is. She made herself a doll and has been making flowers in the back yard. I swear she does it just to annoy the gardener. He'll come along to trim the bushes and find a patch of flowers that wasn't there the day before."

Lily shrugged innocently. "I don't know what you mean."

If that wasn't like her dad Ed didn't know what was. He smiled though and stood. "Well thank you for everything Ms. Miller but we should get going."

"All right, and you may call me Anise, it was nice to meet you both. Please come back and visit me sometime."

"Sure, it was nice to meet you too." Ed replied.

"Lily, go get your things."

"Okay," She said and slipped from the sofa, running off.

"She's a handful sometimes, but mostly quiet." Anise said as she stood. "You might want to keep an eye on her near night fall when she begins to grow tired. She grows hyper and is more prone to do mischievous things. She'll talk more then as well, but she's a good kid and can entertain herself very well."

Ed nodded and took in all the seemingly special needs Lily had; her bed time, what she liked to eat, when she normally awoke, and really they weren't anything that any other normal little girl or boy had. She didn't like milk, which he completely understood, and there was no way he'd force her to drink it.

He was surprised when Lily appeared with only a suitcase and a book in her hands. He would have thought she would have more to take with her. Al took her suitcase for her and they left.

Ed was impressed to say the least when they boarded the train. Lily simply followed them and sat beside him quietly, but he could tell she was excited.

"Is this your first train ride?" Al asked.

"Yep," Lily replied. "Daddy always came to visit me, not the other way around, and it's so strange; this is the longest I will be with out talking to him. He calls me every day." She sighed and fingered the lettering on the book.

"Well you've got us to talk to." Ed said with a smile. Lily looked up at him and smiled a halfhearted smile.

"Yeah,"

She must love and miss Roy a lot to be saddened to go two days with out hearing his voice through a phone line. He wondered what they talked about, the way Roy was when with her, was he different, nicer? Probably.

Oh boy was Ms. Miller right about Lily when it came close to her normal bed time. All day Lily had been quietly reading or absently humming while looking out the window, now she was a little bouncy and chatty. She and Al were currently talking about kittens and small animals. She was so lively and cute; her laugh alone was like sunshine. He really liked her, even when she was teasing him, but she never once mentioned his height in the least, just teased the way little kids teased, harmlessly. Earlier Ed wished she'd talk; now he wished she'd take a breath every once in a while. Suddenly she stopped talking and sat still as a statue.

"What's wrong Lily?" Al asked softly.

"Nothing," she replied.

"Oh come on Lily. you can tell us." Ed coaxed. This he didn't like, she looked like she was about to cry and he didn't know what to do if he didn't know what was wrong.

"I'm sorry, I should be quieter."

Ed frowned. "You're not being loud,"

"No, not talk as much. Aunt Anise says Daddy won't like it too much when he gets home from work, that I need to take care of him and stop being a kid."

"You're what six or seven?" Ed asked.

"Seven," she replied.

"Well Colonel Sarcasm should be taking care of you, and I don't think he needs to be taken care of himself anymore, he's an adult. Besides, I don't think he'd mind you at all, he puts up with me, right Al?"

"Yeah, don't worry Lily."

Lily was hesitant. "Do you live with my Daddy?"

"No," Ed replied. "We don't, we stay in the dorms and in hotels when were on assignments."

"Oh, so you won't come over and see me during the day when you're back?"

"Do you want us too?" Ed asked a little warmed by the invitation in the form of a question.

She nodded. "Yes, Daddy says he likes you both so I don't think he would mind. I just wish he could be home during the day too."

"He gets the weekends off and he can take leave." Ed reasoned.

"I know, but I miss him and now I get to live with him all the time. I know I should be happy for that, but I want to spend every minute with him in case something bad happens. He's a soldier and an alchemist like my mommy was that means he might have to fight in war and he might be killed too. I know my aunt would take care of me again if that happened but…" she began to cry.

"Lily," Al said softly.

Ed slipped his arm around her. "Don't be silly, you're dad's too stubborn and annoying to die and leave you. He'll be fine." Okay so it was a lie, anything could happen in war, anything could happen on a normal day when it was peaceful, but somehow he figured she knew that, she was pretty smart.

The rest of the trip was quieter and Ed was beginning to worry. Lily sat quietly and no matter how much they tried to get her to talk as much as she had been that first day, she just wouldn't. It wasn't fair; she'd be fine, she just had to be herself, which he told her over and over again.

They did teach her how to play poker and talked about alchemy. Ed found that he didn't need to teach her the little kids stuff of alchemy because she already knew how. And the rest of the time she slept, and rather hard.

She was asleep when the train pulled into East City. He tried to wake her, but she grumbled snuggling closer to him. It was pretty late, but she'd slept two hours today. "Lily come on we're in East City. You got to wake up if you want to see your dad."

"Lily," Al tried.

Ed sighed and tried to gently push her away. "You want to carry her?"

"Sure," Al replied getting up. "You think he will mind?"

Ed scratched his cheek. "I don't think even he has too much choice in the matter."

As soon as Al began to lift her Lily opened her eyes. "Al?" She frowned. "The train's stopped are we here?"

"Yeah," Ed replied getting up. He stretched then reached for his and her suit cases. "Wake up."

Lily yawned as Al set her on her feet. Then she smiled. "Are we going to his work or his house?"

Ed shrugged. "We'll try Eastern Command first. I don't know where he lives, but I bet Lt. Hawkeye might."

"Riza! I haven't seen her in a long time, or Lt. Havoc, does he still smoke?"

Ed was surprised. "You know them?"

Lily nodded. "Of course, they came a few times to visit with Uncle Maes and Daddy. It was a few years ago, but Lt. Havoc wrote me a letter just last month and Riza calls all the time. She visited me this spring for a day and she's really nice and pretty like my mommy was. Want to know a secret?"

"Uh sure," Ed replied.

"My Daddy really likes her. He's afraid she'll shoot him sometimes and it's fun to annoy her, but he really likes her and you can't tell, promise?"

Ed grinned. "Yeah, come on let's go." She sighed, smoothing her dress and took Al's hand before following him to the platform.

Ed didn't expect to see Roy waiting there but he was, with Riza and Havoc in tow. He looked the same as always, dressed in uniform and expectant. Suddenly Lily abandoned Al and ran for straight to her father. Roy in turn knelt and caught her up in a hug and a real smile. It was nice, really nice.

Roy didn't want to let go so he stood, holding Lily as close as possible. She looked so beautiful and happy; it was enough to make him cry. It was finally happening; she was finally with him for good and he could rest a little easier. She'd grown a little since he last saw her; it was amazing. "Hey Poppet, how was the trip?"

"Good, Ed and Al taught me to play poker."

Roy smiled. "Did they?" He would have glanced at the boys, but he couldn't keep his eyes off his little angel.

"She's as sneaky as you." Ed said with annoyance.

"She should be, she takes after me." Roy said proudly. His smile faded a little. "I wish I could take you home, but I have some paperwork to do. Do you want to come along? It will be pretty boring."

Lily shrugged. "I don't care; can Ed and Al come too?"

Roy smiled. "Of course, coming boys?"

Roy couldn't keep his eyes off his daughter, even after they settled into the car and were on their way back to HQ. She sat so quietly, yawned once, but didn't say a word as he'd expected her to. Normally she was all chatter about all the things she'd done or read, or seen, but today she was quiet. She must be tired; he thought and brushed her bangs from her eyes. "I promise to hurry Lily,"

Lily smiled and hugged his arm possessively. "You don't have too."

Riza smiled. "It can't be helped today."

"That's okay; I've never seen where Daddy works before. I'm a little curious."

"A little?" Roy asked.

"Okay a lot. Will Fury, Falman, and Breda be there too?"

"Yep, they've got just as much paper work as we do." Havoc said from the driver's seat as he lit a cigarette.

"Oh, so they can't talk?"

"Sweetie, they're in a different office down the hall from mine, but I'll take you to meet them before we leave." Roy promised. "You should probably decide what you want for supper."

"I ate on the train; I can make you something when we get home. Aunt Anise was teaching me how to cook. Don't tell her but Mrs. Summers says I cook better than Aunt Anise."

Roy bit back his laughter. She probably could, anyone could cook better than Anise. "I already ate too and you need to rest, that was a long trip."

"I have been resting. Ed let me sleep already." She tried to hide her yawn, but failed.

"Uh huh, not tired in the least?" He said, wrapping his arm around her. God it felt so good to finally have her with him like this. He felt cheated in some ways, missing out on so much, but it had been better for her… right? He often wondered about that. Maybe he should have taken her from Anise sooner.

Roy sat at his desk an hour later watching Lily play poker with Ed and Al upon the floor. She was still pretty quiet and it was almost as if this were an everyday occurrence, not a new one. The three acted like they'd known each other for a long time, not just the short span of two days and it was nice. He knew she'd get along well with Alphonse and with Ed, but Edward seemed taken with her. That was great, he'd hoped so. Ed was pretty good with kids and he smiled more. As much as Lily seemed to be like him; she was like her mother too in a way that when she was around no one hurt. She just made people feel happier. God how he'd missed her. It killed him every time he'd had to leave her to come back to work and he felt so alone with out her with him.

"Fold," Lily said placing her card upon the floor.

Ed grinned. "Al?"

"I got two pair."

Ed flipped his cards over. "You win then, I got nothing. You want to play again Lily?"

Lily nodded with a smile. "Sure," She looked to Al. "Um big brother?"

"Yeah Lily?"

"I'm don't want to be rude but aren't you cold?"

"Cold?" Al asked. "No, I don't get hot either. Here," He looked around then bent over lifting the helm to show her. "See?"

Roy was waiting for her reaction, fear or gasping or confused questions, but none of it came she just sat still as Al put his helm back on. Ed on the other hand busied himself with shuffling the cards.

"So the seal inside is what anchors you to the armor?" She asked.

"Right, but I can't feel anything like you can." Al replied. "I don't get tired or hungry."

"And Ed put you there to keep you alive?"

"That's right,"

Roy was beginning to fear her next response. He figured it would be something along the lines of 'Daddy why didn't you put Mommy in armor too?' But he thought wrong. He wasn't prepared for what did slip out of her mouth; he'd never be prepared for something like that.

"So if something happens to my Daddy you'll help me do the same thing Ed? That way we can fix him and put him back?"

"Lily," Al said softly.

Ed looked up at Roy, both exchanging looks of hurt and bewilderment. Roy could tell Ed didn't know what to say so he stood and made his way over. He knelt beside Lily, brushing her hair from her eyes. "Lily, why are you worrying about something like that? Nothing bad is going to happen to me."

"You don't know that, did you know Mommy was going to die?" She asked calmly.

"Uh… no," Roy replied solemnly. Enter the hard questions he didn't think he'd have to answer.

"Well there you go. If something bad happens I want to know how to fix it."

"But you can't fix everything with alchemy Lily." Ed said softly.

"I know that."

"So you plan on following me around dragging a suit of armor behind you?" Roy asked. That was probably a really dumb thing to say.

Lily seemed to think about it a moment then shook her head. "No, I don't think I could carry it."

Roy sighed, he was tired and it had been a long day with only her arrival to brighten it. He was so happy she was here but terribly concerned with her line of questions. Had she been sitting on this ever since he'd told her about Ed and Al, was she really all that frightened to lose another parent? It wasn't a safe world, he could go to war again and very possibly be killed and he knew she understood that, but… He wouldn't give up with out a fight and neither had Sable. He'd sworn to protect Lily, give her everything he could even sacrificed years of them being together just so she could grow up in an environment that would be healthier for her, easier on her.

"Lily why do you think something is going to happen to me?" He asked calmly.

"Because of your job," She replied simply.

Roy smiled, petting her hair. "Well it can be dangerous, but I'm not going to leave you anytime soon and even if something did happen I don't want you dabbling in human transmutation clear?"

"But,"

"No, Lily look how hard it's been on Edward and Alphonse. They may seem fine, but it hurts sweetie." He picked her up as he stood. "Come on, you can help me with my work for a little bit. I have one more report left to read and sign. You can read it to me if you want."

"Okay," she replied and Roy knew this was not the end of this conversation; she was many things if not persistent.

He sat in his chair with her in his lap.

Finally his work was finished and they were getting ready to go home when Lily suddenly pulled open his desk drawer. "Daddy where's the picture?"

"What picture?"

"The picture of Mommy I want to show Ed and Al." She replied, lifting up a note pad.

Roy smiled. "It's at home; I never keep things like that here."

For the first time in his life he met his daughters glare. It was kind of scary, that was Sable's glare and one not to be messed with. "Why not!"

"Because there are some things I don't want people to see and before you get started it's because there are certain people who come through here that will ask too many questions or try to use certain information."

"Uncle Hughes keeps pictures on his desk, he told me." She retorted. "And besides, all you have to do is glare at them and they'll shut up and go away."

Roy smiled. What on earth had people been filling his daughter's pretty little head with? "I only wish that were true."

"You can't do that? But you're the flame alchemist; I thought people would be crazy to cross you."

"Let's go home Lily," Roy said setting her upon her feet. If only everyone thought like his daughter. It certainly would make his job easier.

"Let's go home Lily," Roy said setting her upon her feet. If only everyone thought like his daughter. It certainly would make his job easier.

Lily heaved a sigh and ran over to Ed and Al. "But what about Ed and Al?"

Roy smirked as she wrapped her little arms around Edward's neck. She was attached to them already huh? Well wasn't that cute, must be because she'd not really had anyone close to her own age to play with, Anise keeping her with her most of the time. "So boys, care to get out of the dorms for a bit?"

"Huh?" Ed asked blinking at him.

"I've got an extra room, actually two; there yours as long as you want them." Roy said, busying himself with cleaning up his desk and pulling his coat from the coat tree behind his desk. In truth he'd had those rooms ready for them all this time in the hopes that he could get them to live in a real house and he could take care of them. Perhaps it was imposing upon them, but… He smirked pulling on his coat. "You wouldn't make Lily cry would you?"

Lily rested her head upon Ed's shoulder. "I will cry if you don't come."

Ed's jaw dropped, then he sighed closing his eyes. "That's just dirty Mustang… Getting her to manipulate us."

"Please?" Lily begged. "You already promised to come and see me. If you stay with us you won't have to go very far at all. It's completely logical, aren't brothers and sisters supposed to live together?"

Edward shook his head. "Fine, guess I'll need some clothes."

Lily giggled and ran over to Al, taking his hand as he got up. "I'll show you the picture of my Mommy, she's really pretty."

Roy sighed; he'd have to dig the photo from out of his bedside table before Lily got too far into the house. He'd kept it there so he wouldn't see it everyday and be reminded of… He swallowed, with Lily in the house he just knew he was going to have to face that photo every day now, face the fact that he'd not been able to save his wife, take the bullet in her place… Keep her alive for Lily and himself, Anise. But Lily needed to see and know who her mother had been, what she'd meant to those around her, and if keeping her photo out would help, he'd just have to bear it. After all, if it weren't for Sable he'd have never gotten Lily.

He bent over to pick up her suit case, a suit case that was heavier than he'd expected, she must have packed all of her clothes and what ever else she wanted right away and probably had to sit upon it to get it closed. "Still want to meet Breda, Falman, and Fury before we leave?"

Lily nodded as Edward cleaned up the small mess they'd made upon the floor. "Do you think we could have Riza come live with us too Daddy?"

"Uh…" Roy began as Edward snorted. "I don't know if she'd agree with that at the moment Lily."

"But why not?"

Roy lifted his brief case. "Do you want all of my subordinates to live with us, if so I'd have to get a bigger house."

Lily frowned. "Does that mean we couldn't get a dog and a cat?"

"Do you want a dog and cat?" Roy asked hoping this would lead her away from Riza living with them. Lily's face brightened.

"Well, actually I thought a raccoon or a mouse would be better."

"Mouse?" Roy asked with bewilderment. Didn't girls usually scream when they saw mice? And a raccoon? He knew she liked small wild animals and raccoons the best, which was why he'd found a small stuffed animal raccoon for her birthday last year, but to actually own one? What was next a spider monkey, or a gopher? She had the strangest tastes in animals. Most little girls wanted ponies. "We'll talk about a dog and cat first."

"Okay," she replied.

Ed smiled. "I'm sure Al could find you a cat in no time at all, they flock to him."

"Thanks Edward," Roy breathed nodding toward the door. "I'll keep that in mind." Though he already knew Al often hid stray cats and kittens inside his armor when it was raining out.

They headed down to the personnel office and Roy opened the door, clearing his throat. Heads came up instantly and Breda leaned back in his chair. "Hey Colonel," He said.

Roy looked back at Lily. She stood, hiding half behind Alphonse's leg. Now she was shy? "Coming in? They don't bite."

Lily hid her face and it was kind of cute, but they didn't have all night and he wanted to get her settled in and to sleep before it got too late.

"It's okay Lily, they are really nice," Al tried.

Suddenly Lily stepped out from behind him and looked Roy squarely in the eyes. "How do I look?" she whispered with a serious air, slipping her hands into her coat pockets.

Roy bit back a smile and nodded. "Pretty,"

She nodded and it was as if all her shyness melted away as she walked passed him into the room. She looked back at him silently asking him to follow. Roy stepped into the room, noting that all eyes were upon his little girl and not him, well Breda's and Fury's were moving back and forth between them.

"She looks just like you, I mean really like you." Fury said.

"Yep she's a mini Mustang," Havoc said with a smile.

"Lily, the tall rigidly sitting man over there is Warrant Officer Vato Falman, next to him is Master Sergeant Cain Fury and the man next to Lt. Havoc is 2nd Lt. Hymens Breda. Gentlemen, this is Lily."

"Hello Miss Mustang," Falman said with a brief smile.

"Nice to meet you," Fury said happily.

"Hi," Breda said with a smile.

"Lily is fine," Lily said softly.

"Are you going home for the evening Sir?" Riza asked.

"Yes," Roy replied as Lily eased away from him, her black eyes watching the men until she reached Riza. Riza smiled, setting her pen down then scooted her chair back and leaned over so Lily could give her a hug like always. Lily had taken to Riza so easily in the beginning and he wondered often times if she should of Riza as an aunt or older sister or even a mother figure. Riza was always stern, but kind and gentle to Lily and always treated her like an equal. Havoc on the other hand played with her and treated her like a kid sister.

"You'll be good?" Riza asked.

Lily smirked, pulling away. "When have I ever been bad?"

Riza smiled again tucking Lily's hair behind her ear. "Okay,"

Havoc stood. "Well are you ready kid?"

Lily nodded and turned away from Riza. "Bye, it was nice to meet you." She ran back to Roy. "I can come back soon, right?"

Roy nodded. "Sure, but let's talk about that later okay?"

"Okay,"

Havoc put out his cigarette and grabbed his coat to drive them home.

As they left the room Roy glanced at Edward. "Havoc take us by the dorms first and wait while Ed runs inside."

"They're actually staying with you Chief?"

Roy nodded. "Lily convinced them,"

"It was easy; I said I would cry if they didn't." Lily said with a smile.

"And we wouldn't want that now would we Ed?" Havoc teased.