Ling climbed into the same tree that he and Ran Fan had always played in when they were younger. Hanging his legs over either side of the branch, he rested his back against the trunk, bark pressing into his skin through his shirt.

"Ran Fan?" he called, perfectly aware that she was nearby, keeping silent vigil.

Not even a rustle of leaves announced her arrival. Ran Fan stood lightly on the branch in front of Ling. "Yes, Young Master?"

He sighed. "Sit down. You're making me nervous. And take your mask off. There's no need to hide your identity here."

Ran Fan sat, but didn't move to remove her mask. Ling sighed again, leaning forward and pulling the cord that held her mask in place. It fell off and he snatched it out of the air as Ran Fan reached for it.

"Young Master..." she began quietly.

"No. I like seeing your face when I talk to you." he stated firmly, hanging the mask on a branch behind him. Ran Fan blushed and looked down. "As you wish."

Ling closed his eyes and leaned back against the tree again. He seemed totally at ease, but years of knowing him told Ran Fan that he could spring into action at a moment's notice, if need be. He said nothing. Ran Fan slowly counted to 100 in her head, waiting for him to say something. When she reached 100, she cleared her throat and gently asked, "Young Master wished to speak with me?"

Ling opened one eye to halfheartedly glare at her. "I told you, when no one is around call me Ling."

"Yes... Ling." Ran Fan blushed again when she called him by his name. It felt too personal, as his bodyguard.

"That's not so hard, is it?" he asked with a grin, knowing how it made her feel. Ran Fan sighed. She could hide her feelings from everyone but him. "Anyway," Ling went on, "I want you and Foo to come with me to Amestris."

Ran Fan stared at him in surprise. "Me? I'm still in training. You'd be safer with someone-"

"I want you to come with me. Besides being perfectly competent, you're my friend. Please?"

Ran Fan sighed. He knew she couldn't stand up to his pleading. She bowed as low as her perch on the tree branch would allow. "As you wish." She repeated.

She felt his hand on her cheek as he lifted her face to look into her eyes. He leaned close to her.

In a flash, she was gone, her mask as well. Ling was alone on the branch.

Ran Fan sat hidden several yards away, hands shaking as she tried to retie her mask.

Ling knew she was there, but called out for reassurance. "Stay near me, Ran Fan."

He heard softly, "As you wish, Ling."