Disclaimer: I do not own this manga/anime nor do I make any money from writing this.

Warnings: Not much, really. Mentions of violence, character death, light Roy/Ed.

Really? What would really happen if Al were murdered? Would Ed mourn and just get over it, let it go? There are a lot of fics that say he would, but I just can't agree. It's a bit short but have a look and let me know what you think!

Reflex

Roy opened the door to his office and stepped through. The room was silent and dark, the way it should be but he froze anyway. "Fullmetal."

"No need for that. I'm pretty sure I'm not certified anymore." The blond melted out of the shadow by the window. He stared straight at his former commander, letting him see his latest disguise clearly. His hair was blond again, pulled in a high ponytail, bangs and all, and he appeared taller than his usual, almost as tall as Roy. The extra height and baggy clothes made him appear more slight, more delicate than his superior knew him to be.

Roy's lips were suddenly dry and he licked them quickly, trying to be subtle. "Don't worry, I haven't come for you. Well, not the way you think." A cold grin flashed, all teeth and disturbingly reminiscent of his homunculus brother. "Sit with me for a minute?" He settled casually on the couch and waited, letting Roy make his choice.

He did, moving forward to sit on the other end of the couch. "Why? I know there was an accident, but"

"It wasn't an accident. He was pushed." Small, strong hands trembled and a shivery breath was taken. "They had him murdered so I would finish their stone for them."

"It was an accident, Ed. There were witnesses. The water was rough, the ferry too small. It was an accident." Slim hands folded, gripping each other so desperately they almost didn't separate quickly enough to catch the note tossed to him. "What's this?"

A seemingly careless shrug. "The orders I took off his body." The brunette's mouth worked silently and he stared. This couldn't be Edward Elric, not this chill killer. "Read it, and tell me it was an accident."

Gloved hands shook as he unfolded the worn piece of paper; heavy, stiff parchment, obviously from an upper level desk. The formal wording swam before his eyes and he picked out a few key words. "Elric" "Traitor" "Execute" "Accident" "Top Secret" And at the base, the sign of the Fuhror, stamping it all in neat lines. He covered his mouth and felt bile rise anyway.

"Ed." The name whispered over coarse material. "I…"

"It's not your fault; you're the only one who had nothing to do with it. I won't come for you, or Armstrong, as long as you don't interfere." The blond leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "I do want something from you. Tell me, anyone who you can guarantee had nothing to do with it; I will allow you to guide my hand."

"What?" The dark head snapped up. "No! Edward, you have to stop this! I, I'll help you disappear, it'll be over and you'll cease to exist." Long hair shook and its owner settled back against the cushions. "How many, Ed? How many will it take?"

That grin was back, and Roy shivered under it, no longer caring if it showed weakness. "Until they are gone. The last one told me there were only seven, and I have four: Greed, Wrath, Lust, Gluttony. Sloth and Pride are together, then only Envy will be left." He shrugged again and flexed his hands. "And, of course, the alchemists, the forsaken creatures that created them; they will join their sins." Unholy light, that of a fanatic, glowed in the formerly gentle eyes, eyes that no longer held the all-consuming love for a younger brother.

Roy suddenly realized, clearly, and perhaps for the first time, that Ed lived for nothing if not Alphonse. Without him, there was nothing holding the genius back, that god-like power in check. The slaughter that had preceded now would be nothing if he were allowed to leave. A pale hand slid to his pocket. "Please, don't. If you will not help, then do not get in the way. Nothing will stop me."

"What about Al? He wouldn't want you to do this." A faint snicker started and the blond threw back his head and laughed until tears fell.

He wiped his eyes, still giggling madly. "You know, they all said that, every one of them. They looked me in the eye and told me my dead brother, the one they murdered, wouldn't want me to kill them. You are the only one who even knew him, and you know that he would understand. He may not approve, but he would understand."

"Edward, you've killed, murdered 30 people. Please, let me help you." His voice rose in pitch and it shook with desperation.

"43. And you can't help me, Must, Roy." A soft smile, like the ones he used to give Al appeared. "You're not a killer." He stood and hovered over the older man for a moment before turning to the door. "Stay here, Roy. Bring Alex in, and anyone who is innocent. I won't come back."

A tear trailed over Roy's cheek and he went for his gloves. His hand was almost out of his pocket when the floor rippled under him, knocking him off his feet. His hands splayed to ease his landing and a slim spike rose through them, mushrooming at the top to keep him pinned. When the spots cleared from his eyes, Ed was standing over him.

The small form knelt and he flinched as far as he could, a tiny pained cry escaping. "I'm sorry, Roy. I didn't want it to be like this." A gentle fingertip traced over each dark eyebrow. "I always thought I'd be able to come back to you, come home when it was all over." He sighed and pressed a kiss to the high forehead. A few steps took him to the window and he clapped. "They'll come for you soon, it shouldn't be long." He stood with his hand on the door and listened to the running steps coming to the office, the shouted commands. A winsome smile peeked over his shoulder and he was gone, a whispered "I'm sorry." lingering in the air.