Author's note: Hey guys! I'm so sorry for the really long pause in the frequency of this story's update. I really am. :( sorry. But here it is! Enjoy! Reviews would be appreciated :))

Disclaimer: Fullmetal Alchemist does not belong to me nor am i making any profit from this.

Chapter 9: outcomes and verdicts

The simplicity of the issue struck him.

All he had to do was to sleep with someone and bear his children. Simple wasn't it? He could save Al and his family from future danger as well. The downside was that he had to give up many…things.

Edward rolled over onto his stomach, staring into space. Yes, he had to give up the chance of finding a permanent mate if his first rut was not with said person. He was a hundred percent sure that the person he would be asked to sleep with would not be a Chimera. He was fine with that actually. He was fine with living a life that actually had some meaning to it and that his life was actually be beneficial to others.

Edward rolled back onto his back, staring at the ceiling. He would be content with Al's happiness. He could give up his love life, his future, his…happiness. All for Al. It wouldn't be difficult for him.

All he needed to do was to let go.

Roy sat at his desk openly staring at Edward. He was afraid of the blonde's temper when the Fuhrer told him that he would have to bear young for the military in exchange for the safety of his family. Edward, being Edward, had surprised him yet again. Edward had barely flinched from the question. He had looked at Bradley with that same contemplative glance as he had used when he was negotiating terms with Roy back in Chimera Paradise. Ed cocked his head to a side, looking as though he was thinking. Roy doubted that Ed would make this matter easy to resolve being the recalcitrant person he was. And Edward's answer had shocked him.

" I knew it was something along the lines of reproduction. How else would you be willing to leave the other Chimeras alone when you don't have your own little experiements?" Edward sneered at the last word, seemingly repulsed at the thought. Ed continued.

" And how are you suppose to think I would be able to refuse your offer when the terms I want are stated to clearly?" Edward paused.

Roy could barely conceal his shock. Did Edward really just agree to the Fuhrer's terms? He was ninety-nine percent sure that he was hallucinating. Edward continued speaking.

"I want your word that you will never touch my family in anyway possible or seek anything from them ever again. I want you to take an oath. Promise me you will never disturb them ever again." Edward's voice was chips of ice as he spoke to Bradley.

Bradley, however, seemed unfazed by the dangerous aura behind Edward's words. He smiled just as a snake would to its meal at Edward.

" And if I fail to fulfill your demands? Would there be any consequence I should know so that it would prove as an incentive for me to stick to my oath?"

Edward answered without any hesitation. His smile did not reach his eyes are he looked at the Fuhrer.

"Then don't blame me when your kingdom is in ruins. Don't blame me when you have no more followers to command. Lastly, try your best not to blame yourself for sealing your own fate should you choose to break the oath." Edward said with a deceptive smile.

The Fuhrer shivered slightly as Ed allowed some of his power to sweep around the room caressing the people within it like a forgotten lover. The air around the Fuhrer's neck tightened as his power concentrated to a form that even Roy was able to make out the fine, delicate air-thorns around the Fuhrer's neck. Edward's expression didn't change; he smile then slowly changed to a smirk.

"I'm sure a people-orientated leader like you wouldn't want to see the innocent hurt in your own folly. As I would not have allowed it to happen to my people as well."

Bradley swallowed loudly as the air-thorns tightened its grip. His eyes sparkled with disguised anger as well as a hint of fascination. He spoke in a loud and clear voice.

"I, Fuhrer King Bradley, swear to the terms that Chimera leader, Edward Elric, has laid that Chimeras would not be harmed should he manage to successfully breed for the military without any restrictions to the number of offsprings the military may need." He threw in the last part, watching Edward's expression.

Edward looked as though he was carved out of stone. Time seemed to freeze until Edward drew in a deep breath. He looked at Bradley with a newfound sense of determination. Nodding at the Fuhrer, he spoke, each word laced with power.

"It is done then. I accept your terms and conditions." Ed bowed slightly, as though making a business transaction. It seemed that only Roy could see the silvery light covering Edward for a second before it faded away, absorbed back into his body.

Roy was jolted out of his reverie was Edward slammed his hands on his wooden desk. He looked up to stare into Edward's too bright golden eyes. Edward stared back at him with the same cold detached intensity. Then he broke the ice between them with the whine, "I'm hungry! Can't we go to the cafeteria?"

Roy exhaled nosily through his nose irritably. "How can you think about food now? Why the hell did you give in to his demands?" Roy demanded as he watched Edward recoil from his raised voice. Edward stared at Roy, silent. Then, he shrugged. " It was the only way I could see that would make Bradley not break his promise."

Roy was confused. What did he mean? Did it have something to do with the shimmering silvery light around Edward when he Bradley agreed to the oath? He didn't realize that he spoke his thoughts aloud until Edward looked at him in shock. "You could see that light?"

Roy nodded slowly. "But that's impossible! Only Chimeras can see that light! You can't!" Edward's voice had a disbelieving tone to it. Roy just shrugged.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but believe it or not, that silvery thing glowing around you? I could see it."

Edward stared at Roy with muted interest. A human with a historical ability to see a Chimera's bond of trust was unheard of. Those bonds of trust were made solely such that only Chimeras were able to see them to protect them for humans with their ancient magic.

In simplified words: Chimeras were able to feel if a human had broke an oath with a Chimera and would be able to react accordingly.

Roy shouldn't have been able to see the bonds. Edward thought confusedly. But he did.

What did that mean?

Roy looked worriedly at Edward as he stared off to space wondering if hitting him was a good idea. Just then, the someone knocked the door. Edward snapped out of his trance and stared at Roy with a expression that Roy could not seem to place.

"Come in." He said.

Lt. Havoc and Hawkeye walked in and saluted him with a grim expression. Roy raised an eyebrow in return. Riza Hawkeye was the first to speak.

"Colonel Sir, the Fuhrer has finally decided on Edward's partner for this experiment." Riza didn't hide her disgust for the thought of such an experiment going on as it showed through her words. Edward had his entire concentration on her now.

Riza cleared her voice and said. " Roy Mustang would be your partner."

Roy and Edward turned and stared at each other in shock at the verdict.

"Wh..at?" Edward mouthed.