(AN: This is set in the 2003 anime and ignores the movie AND the end of the last episode in that it doesn't have Ed in the world of machines and such like, but AL is in his own body. Also incorporates elements of the manga and the 2009 anime. Also, I'm using the British military ranking system, so if you don't like it, sod off!)

"WHAT?" bellowed a familiar voice in Central HQ.

"If you'll calm down, You'll know that there has been an unconfirmed sighting of Fullmetal in the desert town of Liore, Brigadier-General Mustang." replied the ever-calm, and newly promoted, Lieutenant Colonel Riza Hawkeye.

"How?" he exclaimed much calmer than the previous outburst, "How could he have survived? It's impossible!"

"We'll have to ask him that when he's been brought in for questioning?"

"Questioning? Oh no, I'm not gonna waste time questioning him later, I'm going to be the one who drags his sorry, SHORT, and disobedient arse in here!"

At this a click was heard as the door to the Brigadier-General's office was opened slightly, and a head peered round. A familiar face, black hair, glasses, somewhat skinny-looking and, even after 15 years serving with Mustang, terribly nervous when the Flame Alchemist was getting annoyed.

"U... um, sir?"

"What is it Fuery?"

"W, well, sir, a message has arrived for you, and well..." Kain Fuery trailed off as he saw the fiery glare he was caught in.

"Well? Spit it out, man. Get on with it."

"W, well sir you're not gonna like it."

"Why not?" This time the voice was laced with enough fake suspicion as to allay suspicion only for a few moments.

"W, well sir, It's written in three parts each in a different language: Ishbalan Drachman and Xingnese. It says that you are not to go looking for answers where none are to be found, and to instead look back on yourself to find some of the answers you seek. And that's about it apart from a few other things like a few jibes and jokes and such. A few less than savoury ones at that, sir."

"No signature?" inquired Hawkeye with an eyebrow raised.

"No, ma'am." Fuery replied with as mush aplomb as can be shown when one is moments away from running in terror form a superior officer. Literally.

"Fine then, You can go." Roy said, venom dripping from his voice, not directed at Fuery but at the message he bore.

"Sir!" Fuery said a little too loudly, out of fear and nervousness, and all but scrambled to get out the door.

When again the two were alone Roy stood up from his desk and turned to the large window behind his desk, and peering out waited for Riza's immanent question. Not that it came. And so he pre-empted her waiting for him and turned to her.

"What do you think it means?" He asked

"Sir, it seems to be directed-" She was cut of as he interrupted her.

"I asked what YOU thought it means, now who it was directed at. Now answer me, what do you think it means?"

"Sir, if I may speak freely, It seems to me to mean for the recipient of such instructions to look on what they have done that may be worthy of note, Sir.

Mustang broke into a loud belly laugh, worrying all the remaining members of his staff: Havoc, Breda and Fuery. Falman had retired a small handful of years previously saying he wanted to get reacquainted with the remains of his family, such as they were.

Betting was still the main thing done when such events as the Brigadier-General laughing like that.

"50 says he's actually heard good news." -Havoc.

"50 says it's bad news." -Breda.

"100 says it's a rueful laugh and it's neither good nor bad." -Fuery.

Back in his office Roy had finally stopped laughing, tears pricking at his eyes. Wiping them slowly on the finger of his non-alchemical glove, he sat down once again.

Smiling slightly, he began to speak again.

"Worthy of note, HA, I haven't done anything worthy of note an any grand scale except employing Fullmetal and then his brother. Maybe IU am not not looking far enough back. Hmm."

Remaining silent for a few moment Roy began to mutter to himself.

"Ishbalan, Drachman and Xingnese, huh? Who would write in those languages and not in simple amestrian?"

"Someone who knows you and your history."

" Someone who knows..." Trailing off he sank deep into thought steepeling his fingers as he did so

"Well, most people know of my actions in Ishbal, A few would know about Drachma, But I don't know anyone even inside of the military who knows of any connection between me and Xing. Shit, I've never even been there."

"Perhaps it is Edward after all, only he'd be able to tie you to all three. And in such a way, but something doesn't add up. Why in that order?"

"Maybe he wants us to visit them in that order. We are finally at peace with Ishbal and Drachma. But why not just go to Liore and ask Fullmetal, if it's actually him that is."

"Perhaps, if you so wish I can organize a search team to go to Liore to track Edward down."

"No. If it's going to be done I'm going and you're coming with me as are Havoc and the others, objections be damned. And we're taking Colonel Armstrong and Lieutenant-Colonel Elric, Understood?"

"Perfectly sir."

(Change of point of view)

On one of the stools at the town square's café/rest-stop sat a man, with blond hair, glasses covering gold eyes, a dirty-blonde beard, and dressed in a clean-ish brown suit, white gloves each with a different alchemical array sewn in to the back, and crisp black shoes.

" A glass of fruit juice and a bowl of soup, please." His voice cracking from disuse.

" Certainly, and seein' as it's you, it's on the house, any-time your hungry come here and it's always on the house, any-time, noon, midnight, dawn or dusk all free."

"Your too kind, I intended to pay, the full cost and nothing less." His voice still cracking slightly.

"Pssh, Your money's no good here, I guess I'll have ta let you eat for free. Here's your juice, man. Freshly pressed mango juice with orange mixed in to compliment. Your soup'll be a coupl'a minutes though. Just heating up the ol' hob to put the pot on."

"Thanks, your too generous, by far." His voice no longer cracking after having drank a mouthful of juice, grateful for the liquid refreshment.

"So, friend, what's the news? What new tales do you have to tell?

Smirking the blonde began to tell his tales of the adventures he'd had.

(AN: So what do you think?