Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist or anything entailed in this story that may be related to it and/or copyrighted. I merely have too much time on my hands, and a strange imagination.
Summary: 15 years has passed and Ed has finally returned to the world where he belongs. But with him he brings secrets and deception. It seems, that Ed's attracted the attention of unwanted company, and they'll stop at nothing for the knowledge he has. Can Al and the others realise the danger of the enemies Ed's made before it's too late? Or has his fate already been set in stone?
Warning: May contain spoilers for movie and/or later episodes in the series. Take that in mind for the whole story, because I'm too lazy to put it in more than once. :P
Chapter One
Arguements and Bets
'We'll fight, not out of spite,
'Cause someone must stand up for what's right,'
Jewel - Hands
"You can't have cared that much! If you couldn't even take the time to come and see us!"
"It's not like I had a choice, alright! If you're going to be like that then screw you! I shouldn't have come back in the first place." Edward stormed out of the house, slamming the door shut behind him only to have it open again moments later. After all the searching, after everything that had happened so that he could find a way back across the gate, this was the reception he got. If anything, his angry stride increased in defiance.
"What do you mean you didn't have a choice?" Al asked, having opened the door and heading after Ed. Ed spun around in a rage and glared coldly at Al. "Please brother," Edward found it strange that even after all these years Alphonse still called him brother as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "I just want to know what happened. Where have you been?"
Ed ignored him and once again spun around, briefcase clutched in his left hand, choosing instead to continue down the sidewalk. He apparently changed his mind and spun around again, to face Al who had begun down the stairs. "You know, after everything that we've been through together, after all that we've done and seen I would've thought that you would've been happy to see me. That it wouldn't matter where I'd been or what I'd done, that you of all people, would be patient enough to wait until I was ready to tell you."
With that said, he turned and stormed off down the path again, but not before he heard Alphonse's quiet comment. "I guess a lot can change in 15 years…" He said, sighing when Ed made no effort to stop or slow down and finally disappeared around the corner.
"Honey?" Alphonse turned to look at the woman who had emerged from their house. "Are you alright?" She asked, concern lacing her voice, and Al sighed again.
"Yeah, I'm fine." He turned and headed back into the house with her. "I just…can't say I expected…any of this. I can't say I thought we'd meet like that. I'm not angry with him, not really." He said, closing the door so they were alone in the house. "I'm angry at myself, for giving up on him…"
"It's alright," She said, taking his hand and half-dragging him back into the lounge room. "From what I've heard, this argument won't last long. You both just need some time to handle the shock. You two'll be fine in no time, you'll see."
By the time Ed had made it to the only other place he thought he could stay, he had calmed down. Despite the fact that logically he knew that his old team should've been moved, he headed down the same familiar hallways anyway – silently rolling his eyes at the lack of security. He turned the doorknob with a steadying breath, vowing not to get angry yet again, and opened the door in much the same fashion he had when he was younger.
He was disappointed however, when he was greeted with an empty room and closed the door again, picking up his briefcase and placing it next to the couch. He was only going to sit down for a few minutes, and then head to the information desk and find out where they had all gone. However he had just taken a seat when the door opened again and a familiar figure entered. Ed smirked, this time; he would catch the bastard off guard.
Mustang was indeed caught off guard and sent a curious look towards the newcomer. "Is there a reason you –" But he stopped short and his eyes narrowed, in a sense of recognition. "Do I…know you?" He asked and Ed scoffed, silently storing the look of slow comprehension on Mustangs face away in his memory.
"I should hope so, bastard." He added, just for good measure. And Ed was rewarded with the most shocked look he could ever recall seeing on Mustang's face.
"Fullmetal?" He asked and Ed glared.
"Still haven't learnt my name I see," He replied, deciding he was in the right place and stretching out on the leather chairs. "You know, the security in this place has really gone down. And," he picked at a tear in the leather. "I really think it's time you rearranged this room, it looks exactly the same as it did the last time I was here."
"I'm surprised you can remember that far back." Mustang said disbelief still on his face and in his voice. He had the sense to move to his desk though, and placed his coffee – Ed suspected purposely – on a form of some kind, effectively making the writing indistinguishable. "What – why – what are you doing here?" He asked at last and Ed yawned.
"I need a place to crash." He said, "And it's not like I know too many people. I thought it'd be easiest to come here."
"I can…uh…give you Alphonse's address if you'd like." Mustang said, beginning to regain a sense of normalcy, though still thoroughly confused. Ed looked away, a look of anger passing across his features. Needless to say, Mustang's interest was tweaked.
"I've already been, and I'd prefer the barracks." He replied, before fixing Mustang with a glare. "And no I would not like to indulge you in the details." He said and Mustang winced mentally.
Dammit, am I that predictable? He thought to himself.
"I can read minds." Ed said, as though he were explaining something. Mustang scowled, clearly irritated.
"How'd you learn that one?" He asked.
"I've been hanging around Noa too much," He said, somewhat disinterestedly. "That and you're easy to read."
"Noa?" Mustang questioned.
"Never mind." Ed said, turning his attention back to the other man in the office. "So, m'hearty," He teased, putting on a fake pirate accent, "What be with ye eye? Were ye playing with sticks again? Or be it something else, yarr?" He asked. "Ye be trying to start a new trend? It be very unfashionable." He stated and Mustang smirked.
"Like a pirate would know what the word 'unfashionable' means. And it'll be the apocalypse before I take fashion advice from ye." He mocked, gesturing at the ensemble Ed wore.
"I'll have you know," Ed defended, "That this is considered very fashionable in –" He stopped suddenly and Mustang raised an eyebrow.
"Very fashionable where, Fullmetal?" He asked, leaning forward slightly.
"Very suave Mustang. But you're not getting anything out of me." He replied and Mustang sat in his seat.
"Why not?" Mustang asked. "You disappear for 15 years; we all thought you were dead –"
"Well, great to know you put so much confidence in me." Ed muttered.
"– and you expect us not to be curious. You expect us not to try and blackmail answers out of you." Mustang asked, in all seriousness.
"It would be nice of you to show an ounce of humanity, Mustang. I don't think it's going to do harm to anything – except perhaps your reputation." Ed said, sarcastically. "I just got back, give me a break."
"Where did you get 'back' from? That's all I want to know." Ed scoffed.
"You wouldn't understand if I told you anyway,"
"Try me." Mustang replied, finally taking a drink from his cooled coffee.
Ed sighed, closing his eyes in irritation. "Look," he said. "Are you going to find me a room, or was coming here as much as a waste of time as…" he trailed off again, and once again Mustang's curiosity was provoked. "No, I'm not telling you." Ed said, in determined irritation and stood up, grabbing his briefcase and ignoring the woman who opened the door, instead waltzing straight past her. "Thanks for nothing." He called angrily, annoyed at himself for breaking the vow he'd made before going in.
The woman stared after him, trying to place where she'd seen him from. She realised with a start and turned to Mustang so quickly that he swore something in her neck had to have clicked. "Was that..?" She asked and Mustang nodded.
"I'm still recovering." He admitted with a grin and she saluted sharply, even as he restrained from rolling his eyes.
"Permission to –" She began but he cut her off.
"Why are you always so formal?" He asked. "Relax a little Riza." He said and she glared at him.
"Perhaps, while we're at work Roy. You could try to be a little more formal." She huffed and followed Edward down the hallway, Black-Hayate trailing after her tied to a lead.
"I hate when he always stirs up trouble." Mustang muttered to himself with a frustrated sigh and picked up the phone receiver. "Something's different about you, Fullmetal." He said quietly, twisting the gold band around his ring finger.
"Edward!" Hawkeye called, running through the halls, much to the surprise of the other officers – Hawkeye never broke the 'running through the hallway' rule. She never broke any rules. She finally caught up to the fuming man and placed a hand on his shoulder as he whirled around.
"I don't want to hear it Hawkeye," He said, and she couldn't help but smile at the familiarity of it. "If Mustang sent you after me so he can piss me off some more tell him to shove it up his –"
"Language." Hawkeye said sharply and Ed glared.
"– chimney." He finished sarcastically. She smiled again, looking at him, and at how much he'd changed but still stayed the same. He looked so much older – then again, after 15 years she expected it – his hair was still long and pulled back into a ponytail, and she noticed he couldn't have shaved for a few days – something that was an entirely new prospect for her to accept about him. He had infact, grown a little, though she doubted he'd yet be boasting about his height.
She pulled him into a hug. "Wha–"
"It's good to see you Edward, I really mean it." She said, and felt Ed relax slightly in her grip, raising an awkward hand to half-hug her back; still pulling away rather hurriedly. "If you really do want a place to stay, you're always welcome to come and stay with Roy and I for a while." She offered, Ed grinned slyly, earning a suspicious glare.
"Roy?" He questioned, in just as a suspicious tone of voice. "My financial problem has just been solved," He announced, eyeing the engagement and wedding ring on her ring finger. He laughed gleefully and rubbed his hands together. "Where can I find Breda and Havoc?" He asked and the suspicious glare deepened.
"Why?" She asked.
"I bet those guys ages ago that you two would end up together. I bet them a large amount of money, and I intend to make them pay up." She sighed and smiled softly, remembering the guys habit of making bets about Havoc and Mustang's love lives.
"You're lucky the General was able to keep all his old subordinates, or you'd probably be running all over the place." She said, beginning back down the hallway, expecting Edward to follow. After a moments hesitation he turned around and followed her back the way they'd come.
"I suppose you're all still sticking with him then?" He asked. "How long has he been a General?"
"For a while. He was out for a bit after…the incident." She said, "And well, now that the military's no longer in control…a lot's changed since you've been gone." She said.
"I suppose…the Fürher's not around anymore then." He said, their voices both vague with a sense of understanding.
"Well," She smirked. "No one quite knows what happened with the previous Fürher." She said. "After all, his house was burnt to cinders, and it seems he was caught in the fire." Ed chuckled slightly.
"I thought he hadn't done it. I met someone, who…well…"
"Nice to see your faith in me is so strong, Fullmetal." Mustang said. Ed ignored him, walking back into the room, only to be greeted by a group of shocked faces. He stored those away in his memory too, laughing quietly at them. Havoc's cigarette fell out of his mouth.
"I offered him a place at our house, Roy." Hawkeye explained, letting Hayate off his leash and stowing said leash in one of the draws at her desk. Mustang looked outraged. "And before you say anything, I know you meant for me to." Ed smirked.
"Told you you're easy to read." He said.
"When is Winry arriving?" She continued and Ed looked at her.
"Why did you call Winry?" He asked, the three of them ignoring the shocked people in the room.
"The unmoving arm at your side would suggest you are in need of some new automail." Mustang explained. "She's catching the next train to Central. Should be here some time in the morning."
"I could've called her." Ed grumbled, once again sitting on one of the couches. "She's going to call me a lazy jerk because I didn't call her. Then she'll probably whack me over the head with a wrench, and I've been hit over the head with enough inanimate objects to last me a lifetime, Thankyou very much."
"Not even a thanks, so ungrateful." Mustang said, shaking his head.
"So…" Ed began looking at the still shocked – but recovering – group. "When did they become brain-dead?" He asked, laughing at his own joke.
"Is it really you Ed?" Fuery asked, and Ed nodded, sliding up to them.
"Yes, it is." He confirmed. "And I believe you –" he pointed to Havoc "– and you –" he pointed to Breda "– owe me a large sum of money."
"For what?" Havoc asked, still reeling at the fact that he was there standing in front of them, in the flesh and blood. Ed cocked his head towards Mustang and Hawkeye and Breda slapped his head in realization.
"I remember now, but – but I don't have that kind of money." He said and Ed smirked at him.
"Not my problem. As of now, you're in debt. And you," He turned to Havoc.
"I've actually got it." He said. "But!" He said. "You'll have to wait until…until I have recovered from the shock." He said, sincerely. He lit up another cigarette while Mustang glared at Breda and Havoc.
"Why do you owe him money?" He asked, "I was enjoying the fact that he was broke and dependent on us." He said, sounding annoyed.
"They bet – apparently a while ago – that you and I would end up together." Hawkeye explained calmly.
"Predictable!" Ed practically sang, earning himself a glare. "So…what do you actually do around here?" He asked a hand on chin while he leant on his elbow.
"I suppose Havoc could take you to Alphonse's." Hawkeye suggested, missing the look that once again passed Edwards face. "I don't like him smoking in here anyway."
"I think I'll go get reacquainted with Central." Ed said, stepping out of the room before anyone could say anything.
"Fullmetal and his brother have already had a falling out it seems." Mustang explained.
"Edward and Alphonse fighting?" Falman asked. "No way, they never fight."
"Yeah," Breda agreed, glancing sideways at Black-Hayate, who wagged his tail happily. Breda glared.
"It doesn't matter, they'll sort it out. Back to work." Mustang said. It was then that Hawkeye noticed he'd spilt coffee all over the paperwork he'd been assigned.
"Sir," she said threateningly and he looked up at her innocently.
"Yes, Colonel?" He asked and she glared. "This is the downside to being a higher-up." He sighed wistfully.
'The darkest hour is just before dawn, so, if you're going to steal your neighbors' milk, that's the time to do it.'
A/N: I have decided to re-write a little of this. If you don't have the patience to go through and read it then I don't blame you. I hardly have the patience to re-write it, but I felt there were some plot holes that needed filling. The story-line isn't too different, but I tried to make the characters seem more like themselves as well as try to incorporate skills I hope I gained throughout the writing of this. Enjoy!
DoThePieFace