For Her. For Him.

A/N: I tried to keep OC to a minimum, but I wrote and re-wrote the ending, and this character kept appearing one way or another. Couldn't help it. She's going to fill a spot left empty by Riza's death.

To my reviewers, kikiko, thank you. I was using it as a way to tell more without repeating the entire anime. Nomme de Plume, thanks. Ed's now 8 months in this chapter, so we're getting closer. nette, thank you. 4thcry, I figure Ed's going to be happy he got some action, and in his emotional state, I figure Ed's going to be angry about the fact that Hohenheim is what he is. Kumiko, thank you, babies still have a bit. milky, I'm not dweling too long on Hohenheim, but he hasn't forgiven him. Blissful Ignorance, thanks. As for Envy, I couldn't remember what his name was, so I went on sites like Wikipedia and some anime sources, those that had anything about it said it was William, but I'm still not sure. kuragari75, thanks.

Also, to reviewers, I know I'm on the home stretch on this one. Things will end the similarly, but I'm toying around with the idea of a sequel using the movie and more original plot to follow the two after the babies are born. (Otherwise, it will be a smaller bit at the end to tie off loose ends.)

Chapter 31

The Bachelor & the Sister

The time that had passed at the Rockbells had not been long enough to suit either of the two Elric brothers. Ed seemed so grateful to simply be somewhere that wasn’t Roy’s home, actually getting to move around without the fear of being seen that when the time finally came to go back to central, Roy had nearly told the blond to stay behind and enjoy himself. But that would mean being back at his house alone, and secretly, he was being somewhat selfish about it. Still, Al and Marta were coming back with them, so Ed wouldn’t be left entirely alone with the pets, making his complaints upon leaving had been minimal. But for Al, it was more the idea of having to leave his father behind in Risembool. After years of wanting to actually talk to the man, Al was desperate for every moment Hohenheim could spare.

Before leaving, they’d had to confront the hardest fact, that there was a female homunculus, according to Wrath, and it could very well be the result of the attempt the teens had made at human transmutation. Knowing the only way to destroy the homunculus if the time came was to have items from the original body, Al, Roy, Marta, and Hohenheim had dug into Tricia Elric’s grave, desecrating it in order to defeat a threat they were not even certain existed. Ed’s fluctuating emotions had hardly been able to take it, particularly that he hadn’t been capable of at least take care of this himself. He had watched from the side, with Winry comforting him as he sobbed, as the four dig into his beloved mother’s resting place, only to open up her casket and remove a few remaining locks of hair that could be easily given to the four alchemists should any of them encounter her--as Hohenheim admitted he was planning to go out on his own to track Dante down.

They had been in Risembool for less than a week before having to board yet another train for Central and return to Roy’s home.

Since then, more than a month had passed, Roy trying to keep things under control in Central, insurgencies from the rebellion months before gaining some ground during his absence. They feared him, not knowing that the reason he had lost control of himself, practically ending the rebellion on his own, was the result of word of Riza’s injury. With the Flame Alchemist out of Central for an extended period of time, the rebels had viewed it as their opportunity. Unfortunately for them, Roy had returned and squashed their hopes of causing more trouble.
However, at home Roy usually felt like he was entering a war zone. According to Dr. Knox, Ed was now about thirty-two weeks pregnant, meaning that the possibility of delivery could happen any time, and the babies, with proper medical treatment, would likely survive the premature birth, as they appeared to be healthy and, to Ed’s chagrin, on the larger size of average. The Fullmetal Alchemist now spent a large amount of his time complaining how large he’d become, as even the fat suit with added clothing items was not enough to properly cover his growing belly and still allow him any real movement. The moodswings were not decreasing by any stretch of the imagination, and half of the time, the teen complained of pains of one type or another.

One of the more frightening had occurred about a week before, when Ed had been walking out to the kitchen from the study, and fell against the wall, clasping at his groin, Roy had panicked, part of him worried that the babies were coming, the other part worried that Ed’s body had decided it needed to modify itself further to deliver them, and altering a part of Ed that the colonel had grown very attached to, as he was certain Ed was as well. Calling Dr. Knox, he’d told them that this happened because one of the babies had kicked the cervix, causing pain to shoot through the teen’s groin. Before they were even born, at that moment, their children received their first angry lecture from Ed, including quite a bit of yelling. Roy was sure that it wasn’t going to be their last.

Roy went into the study where Ed was laying in nothing more than a tank top hiked over his bulging stomach and a pair of boxer shorts. Roy, personally was wearing a sweater and wishing the young alchemist would at least allow him to build some bigger fires in the fireplaces. It had taken all of Roy’s persuasive powers to convince the moody teen that the house was not ridiculously warm.

Roy couldn’t help but look down at the blond, who’d taken to wearing his hair down around the house, his long golden locks cascading down into the crease of the back of the sofa and the cushions. His right arm was in a right angle, laying a few inches from his face. Roy also noticed that the cat had positioned herself under his sleeping lover. The slim calico had buried the lower half of her body under the crook of Ed’s neck, her head resting on her paws, which were situated over the automail arm. It was a rather sweet sight, particularly since Ed was completely silent.

“You can stop staring,” a raspy voice said. “I know I look like a beached whale.”

“Ed, you don’t.” The teen raised his head, struggling to lift his body up, Carlida hopping down quickly, apparently having learned from previous experiences that the effort of getting up usually took several unsuccessful tries. “Do you want help?”

“No, but I’ll take it anyway.”

Roy grabbed hold of the metal arm, each of their hands latching around the other’s thumb. Pulling the teen to an upright position, the colonel looked down at the belly, swearing he could see his babies shifting inside as well. It was then he noticed that the teen’s tank top seemed to be wet.

“What the…?” Ed said, looking down. He pulled the shirt back at his collar. “They’re leaking. What the hell? My boobs aren’t supposed to do that.” He let the shirt snap back against his skin. “I’m not even supposed to have damned boobs.”

Roy didn’t dare point out the irony that the teen who so hated milk now seemed to be producing it. “Let me get a washcloth and a new shirt for you.”

Ed reached to his neck to the silver Flamel that had hardly left the teen’s body since the day Roy had given it to him. Even angry as he’d been when he’d stormed off to Dante’s, Ed had apparently worn the emblem beneath his clothing, removing it with his shirt only that first time they’d been together, a confession he'd made to Roy later.

Disappearing into the kitchen, Roy returned as he’d said he would, handing Ed the softest washcloth he had in the kitchen, wet with warm water, then went to the laundry bag by the front door, trying to find a new tank top for the teen.

He returned, watching as Ed tentatively wiped off the strange liquid and hissed with each swipe of the cloth. They were sensitive, Roy knew. Every time the teen rubbed or bumped them, a noise of one type or another escaped the thin mouth.

“I’m hungry,” Ed said, pulling the new shirt over his head. He extended his arms out, hands clenching and unclenching, the silent, yet demanding request that the older man help him stand to his feet. Roy crossed his wrists, and held his hands out to Ed, who grasped them tightly.

Once on his feet, Ed placed a hand at his back and began his slow and awkward walk to the kitchen, Roy careful to walk close by, but not actually touch the blond.

“What would you like?” Roy asked as he helped Ed sit at the kitchen table.

Looking at his stomach and the distance between the rest of his body and the table, Ed mumbled, “I’d like a higher table.”

“That isn’t such a hard one to do,” Roy said, looking for a piece of chalk in the drawer by the sink.

“No,” Ed said, “Then I end up with my nose at the table.” He sighed. “I look like I’m trying to smuggle a beach ball under my shirt.” Roy came back over and timidly placed a hand on the teen’s belly, hoping he didn’t get it bitten off. A metal hand reached out and grabbed Roy’s own, pulling him down a bit. Its human mate curled its finger and signaled for Roy to bend down to Ed’s level. When Roy did, the young alchemist leaned up to meet his lips. “I know I’m being a pain,” Ed said, as Roy allowed their foreheads to meet.

“You have two children growing inside of you, Ed, I understand. My only request is just to stop hitting me with your automail.”

Ed sighed once again. Roy wasn't dense and could see how much all of this was starting to wear on him. He was a strong young man, but the lack of sleep and constant pains and movements were obviously taking their toll. The bright gold eyes had lost a bit of their sparkle and there were faint circles beneath them.

“I love you, Ed.”

“Love you too.” Ed darted his left hand up and ran it through the black hair. “Now, get me something to eat.” Roy smiled, then went to looked through the icebox.

********

Elsewhere in Central, Havoc and the other men from the office were walking through the streets, Havoc, half ranting, half smiling.

“I don’t know why I didn’t think about it sooner. I’m so tired of my dates telling me that they are waiting on Mustang to ask them out. They need to know they don’t have a shot. It’s for the common good. The women of Central deserve to know, and the men of Central deserve to have a chance.”

Havoc first entered a flower shop, where a young woman Havoc had been trying to get to go on a date with him for months worked. “Hello, Elsa,” he said when he entered.

“Mr. Havoc, I told you I’m just not ready for a date.”

“Are you always this effective with the ladies?” Falman asked, chuckling. “You manage hello and you’re already shot down.”

“Bite me, old man,” Havoc whispered, then he looked to Elsa. “Tell me, I’m not very big on flowers, but I was wondering what kind of a basket or arrangement you’d send to new parents.”

“Do you know if they are having a boy or a girl.”

Looking back at the others, Havoc said, as though he didn’t know, “Mustang is having both, isn’t he?”

“Little boy and little girl,” Breda answered, the only one of the other three that thought this was a good, hell, brilliant idea.

“I’d heard the rumors the colonel was going to be a father. He’ll be such a good daddy.” Elsa rested her elbows on the counter and looked off dreamily. “And he’s taking responsibility for the babies.”

Havoc stood in shock.

“We’ll come back later,” Falman said, pulling the second lieutenant by the shoulder out of the shop.

Once the stunned silence wore off, Havoc began ranting once again. “How the hell does he get credit for that? Is he that damned good in bed or what?” He jammed his hands in his pockets, trying to find his matches and cigarettes. “As far as she is concerned, he knocked his girlfriend up. And she gets all dreamy about it!”

“Kids are the world’s greatest pick-up line, Jean, and the colonel's still single,” Breda said.

Fuery stood in surprise at his friend's crude words, while Falman just nodded his head.

“Think about it Havoc,” Falman said. “You remember when you took Elysia to the park for Mrs. Hughes?” Havoc nodded his head. “How many phone numbers did you get that day?”

Gaping like a fish, Havoc looked at Falman in shock. “Well, damn.”

“You watched Elysia?” Fuery asked, surprised.

“Yeah,” Havoc said, lighting a cigarette. “Done it a couple of times to give Gracia a break. Kid’s pretty well behaved. I just can’t smoke around her, her mother’s orders.”

“Hey, is that Al?” Fuery said, pointing to the large suit of armor strolling down the opposite side of the street.

“’Is that Al?’” Breda mocked. “How much brain damage do you have?”

“Really Kain,” Falman said. “How many suits of armor do you know who casually walk through Central?”

“Fine, it was a stupid question. But he’s walking down the street.”

“Hey Al!” Breda yelled, waving. The four crossed the street to the armor.

“What’s wrong?” Havoc asked. “You’ve hardly left your brother’s side since you got back here. Even when he’s at his bitchiest.”

“He and Roy were getting all lovey-dovey,” a female voice from inside the armor said.

“Oh, hi, Marta,” Falman said. Marta had accidentally met the four from the office when they had barged into the colonel’s home about a week back. Since then, they had worked with Marta, Roy and the brothers to find out more about the homunculi, much as all were concerned they might meet the same fate as Maes for their research. Marta on her own part, stayed behind for the two Elrics, protective over them to the extent of trusting they would take her to the homunculi and Kimblee, rather than deserting the boys and seeking him out on her own.

“Hey, boys,” Marta said.

“Hey,” they all answered in unison.

“Why don’t we all go somewhere with a little more action?” Breda said. “What do you say, Marta?”

“What’ve you got in mind?”

“There’s a bar not far--” Breda said.

“I’m underage,” Al protested.

“Who can guess?” Falman said. "Do you think they're really going to ask for your I.D.?"

“Al, I’ve spent a month cooped up with your lovesick, moody brother and his pampering boyfriend," Marta said from within. "I need this. So if you don’t move on your own, I swear to you I’m taking control.”

Al complied, less than willingly.

********

Back at Roy’s house, Ed was sitting on the sofa, Roy behind him, finishing a very long back rub that practically had Ed purring.

“Feel better?” Roy asked.

“A little.” Ed fell back onto Roy’s chest, the older man’s arms wrapping around the teen’s shoulders. Roy pressed his cheek to Ed’s, the dark stubble tickling as their faces rubbed against one another. “I don’t think I’ll feel completely better for about another month.” Roy allowed his hands to move down onto the swollen stomach. “They aren’t moving quite as much. Doc says there isn’t as much room for them to. They still manage the occasional kick and jab.” Ed placed his hands over Roy’s. “You know, sometimes, I’m scared that they’ll never come out and the rest of the time I’m terrified they will.”

Roy kissed Ed on the cheek. “I feel the same way at times.”

Ed turned his head, meeting Roy’s lips, opening his mouth and jutting his own tongue out, the older man opening his mouth in response, giving Ed incredible access at their angle.

The two didn’t even notice the sound of the front door opening.

“Come on in,” the one said to someone else. “You want to talk to this Edward Elric, and I need to talk to Roy.”

Ed broke the kiss, not noticing the grimace on Roy’s face. A woman with creamy skin, black hair pulled back into a bun, and coal black eyes entered the study, immediately walking over to the blond and placing her hands on his stomach.

“I hear you’ve got two of them in there,” she said, rubbing around on the distended stomach. Gold eyes looked down at the woman then up at the man. “This one’s a pretty one. Bet the babies will be adorable.”

“Roy. Strange woman. Rubbing my stomach!” Ed choked out.

At this moment, Shezka stepped cautiously into the study, falling to a dead faint when she saw the two superior officers in a loving embrace and Ed’s swollen stomach.

The woman pulled a piece of chalk out of her purse and quickly drew a small transmutation circle on the ground, creating a sort of cot beneath Shezka before turning back to Ed. “You aren’t a girl.” The woman looked down at the blond, with a sort of amused pleasure that Ed had often shown on his own face before discovering some new transmutation. “A transferal transmutation. I’d heard of them in theory, but never found an alchemist with the power or the will to go through with it.”

“Who are you?” Ed asked.

“She’s my older sister, Fullmetal.”

Ed looked up at the raven-haired woman who was musing over top of him. Looking at her, the resemblance was almost uncanny. He was surprised he hadn’t spotted it sooner.

“The name’s Raine,” she said with a smile much like the one Ed saw on Roy's face when he allowed himself to forget his pain and past for just a moment.

“You know how I did this?” Ed asked her.

“I’m a medical alchemist, Baby.” She said the word “Baby” as though she was addressing a small child. She looked up at the older man behind him. “You didn’t even tell him you had a sister? I’m hurt.”

“You haven’t exactly had contact with me,” Roy said, still not moving his hands from Ed’s stomach.

“Well, you went and joined the military without my approval. And don’t talk about contact. You hardly talked to me either. Come on, Pyro, you’re going to be a father. What did you expect me to do when I heard?”

“Pyro?” Ed asked.

“I’ve called him that since we were kids.” She patted Ed on the cheek. “You’re so young. God, Pyro, how old is this kid?”

“I’ll be seventeen next week.” Ed moved her hand from his face, noticing that she had tattooed her palms, much like Kimblee.

“Lets me do healing transmutations.” She smiled warmly at Ed and patted his left hand. “You’re a strong one, I can tell. Do you have any family?”

“I have a little brother who should be home any time now.”

“Well, you just gained a big sister, Baby.”

“Do you have to keep calling me that?” She didn’t respond, merely grinned, letting him know the answer. Turning his head once again, Ed whispered, "How exactly does someone like you have a sister like that?"

"I wondered the same thing every day of my childhood."

*******

A/N: Okay, so there's my OC. Thought I'd name her Raine since it's a French name for queen (Reine being the word) and Roi is king in French.