September 26th, 1958

"We've got to stop meeting like this," Edward quipped as he sat down in the chair across from Breda across the President's desk. "I never know what to expect."

Breda smirked, "I could have asked you to bring donuts."

Ed refrained from rolling his eyes, though he did chuckle. "And face Nancy's wrath? You should know me better than that by now." His sympathy for anyone only went so far, even on diets. "I thought you liked being healthy," he teased.

"I like it better than trying to give executive orders from my living room couch," Breda admitted with a snort as he set aside a pile of papers he had been looking at when Ed arrived. He had been out of work for a solid month and a half that spring before he had been allowed to return actively to Headquarters. The doctors – and Nancy – had been insistent! Privately, Edward agreed with them, but only because he had healed up from enough nasty injuries to know what it could take. Still, it had only been three months since Breda was back in the office and everything seemed like it was finally all caught up.

"So is this an executive order then?" Ed asked curiously.

"Actually, it's an offer," Breda replied. "Technically this should probably go down through Kane's office, but I wanted to offer you this mission myself." He slid a document across the desk.

Ed picked it up, confused but also curious. "A mission? What happened to Ed doesn't leave Central?"

"That's why it's an offer," Breda smirked. "You can turn it down if you want but it should be perfectly safe. It's a request from the Drachman government, straight from their headquarters in Petrayevka. They'd like to talk about alchemists."
Ed snorted. "That would be a first. What do they want with alchemists? They need something to shoot at?" He skimmed the paperwork looking for the real meaning behind the political position and general crap.

"The short version," Breda did it for him, "is that they're asking for someone to come up and give them advice on how to incorporate an alchemist program into their own government work. They want to offer incentives for the alchemists in Drachma to work with the government instead of being at odds or scattered."

"They can't figure that out on their own?" Ed asked skeptically.

Breda shrugged. "Alchemists are viewed differently up there, much more mystically. The old folklore makes them little more than magicians and not always in a positive sense. The common Drachman wouldn't know what to do with an alchemist if it bit them in ass."

"Well count me out of that experiment," Ed grimaced. Still, the idea was intriguing. "So you want me to go up there?"

Breda smiled, spreading his hands in front of him. "Who else would I send up to a country full of people who only understand abrasive language and growling?"

"Very funny," Ed retorted. "So you want me to waltz on up there and explain to them how to start their own State program. Isn't that like offering weapons secrets to the enemy?"

"Do you really think they can rally a group of alchemists capable of threatening our program, Ed?" Breda chuckled, and Ed bristled slightly, but only because he knew what Breda was inferring. Did Ed doubt the program he had helped create and had been teaching for thirty years?

"Of course not," Ed snorted. "Even if they wanted to it would take them generations. They don't seem to have that many alchemists anyway, forget strong ones. The only one they got to cooperate during the last altercation was Ice, and we know what happened to her," he smirked at the end.

"Another reason I thought of you," Breda admitted, matching his expression. "Not to rub it in their faces, but sending you seemed a nice bold move. You're also one of the best we've got. They'll know we take the offer seriously. You don't have to go alone," he pointed out. "They're willing to put up a full delegation. I'd say pick a couple of other alchemists to take with you on this little consulting trip. Hell, take Winry and have a bit of a vacation. We're not at war with them. We're supposed to be allies. Might as well act like it."

Ed almost laughed. "A cozy little vacation in Drachma in the winter? Yeah that sounds like fun."

Breda's smile became smugly amused. "I don't know. The first thing I'd want up in that frigid wasteland would be my wife."

At that point, Ed did laugh. "You have a point." Who'd want to freeze his rear off all night when he could have his wife snuggled up with him in bed? "I'll have to ask Winry about it," he reminded him. Breda might be the boss, but Winry trumped any order. "I can take anyone I want?" An idea was forming in his mind, and it frightening him how much he was starting to like it.

"Anyone who can manage the time off," Breda agreed. "Who did you have in mind?"

Ed set the Drachman request back on Breda's desk. "Oh, just a couple of other big names I think will make the Drachmans sit up and take us seriously but decide they really shouldn't mess with us." When Breda gave him a look, he continued. "Roy and Al."

A light went on in Breda's head, and Ed knew he clearly saw the advantages to that combination. "If they'll go with you, and Winry agrees of course," Breda chuckled. "Consider it done."

Well that was easy. It was the first mission out of Central Ed had been even offered since he stepped back to just State Alchemist duties. Simple, and it was exactly the kind of mission he would actually be good for. It was growing on him. There were also other advantages. "I'll talk to them tonight," Ed grinned. "Anything else you want this mission to accomplish?"

"Don't start a war?" Breda suggested.

Ed barked a laugh. "I think we can manage that."

"So you want us, all of us, to go to Drachma?" Elicia asked, looking around Edward's living room that evening. Sitting with them were Al, Winry, Tore, and Roy and Riza.
Ed grinned wickedly from where he was perched on the back of the couch. "Why not? They're not going to dare try anything stupid with me, Roy, and Al as the alchemist consultants that they specifically asked for, and it seems a whole lot friendlier if we bring along three lovely ladies."

"And me," Tore pointed out with a snort.

"Oh I especially want you coming, kid," Ed smiled at his student. "After all, where better to see about getting a fresh lead on the investigation than in Drachma?" He had thought this through.

Tore's eyes lit up in understanding and he looked between Ed and Elicia – who was on that investigation – and then Winry, and nodded emphatically. "I'm sold!"

"Which is what really matters here right?" Roy snickered. "We all know Ed just doesn't want to spend those cold Drachman nights alone in bed."

"Just saving you the embarrassment of the stories that might get around Central if you high-tailed it up to Drachma alone with me in the winter." Ed was feeling bold enough to dare say it he was in such a good mood, and following on Roy's last comment, the connotations were not missed.

Mustang's face went red. "Damn it, Ed. That's disgusting."

"Isn't it though," Ed chuckled. In truth, the very idea made him shudder. "I wouldn't share a bed with you if we were going to freeze to death, and yes my wife is much better looking than you are. No offense, Riza," he apologized as he turned back to the matter.

"No offense, Riza?" Roy arched an eyebrow.

"For insulting her taste in men," Al translated with a chuckle. "Go on, Ed, and quit making dirty jokes."

"Please," Tore looked mildly traumatized. "I understood that one."

"All right, all right," Ed shook his head. "I figured we could all use a vacation, and I think Roy's the only one of us who's ever seen more of Drachma than the uninviting side door. It's an all expenses paid vacation and we're an official delegation, so that means the good treatment too. We go up, spend a little time, see what it is they really want to know about working with alchemists, give them enough information that they can't damage themselves, and come home. What do you say?" He was speaking to them all, but he looked at Winry.

His wife gave him a knowing look as she looked up from the copy of the Drachman request that Edward had brought home. "Well it does sound like something you three would be good at."

Ed grinned at her. "You know you're curious to see Drachma. It's one of the few places we've never been."

"It's going to be cold," Winry countered, though she didn't seem dissuaded by that fact.

"So I'll keep you warm," he replied playfully.

"And when we're not in bed?" Winry smirked.

"Are you going to flirt or are we going to make a decision," Roy groused.

Riza chuckled. "I think it would be a good experience. I've been curious to see Drachma for myself, and anything we can do to improve relations with them is in the interest of peace and good politics." Privately Ed wondered if she also felt it would be good to just get away for a while. Maes and Elena seemed to be doing all right. Their youngest child, Rochelle, was seven months old now, and they seemed completely absorbed in their son and daughters. At work Maes was all business. Still it had been a rough year for the family, and a vacation would probably be good for Roy and Riza. That was one of Ed's many ulterior motives.

"Do you want to go?" Al looked at Elicia.

"We haven't gone anywhere in ages," Elicia chuckled. "We keep talking about a vacation and yet we never seem to take one. I think it sounds like a fun little adventure."

All right! So that was definitely Riza, Al, Elicia, and Tore on his side on this one. "Roy?" Ed looked at him. "You can't tell me waltzing in there as an honored guest and alchemy expert doesn't appeal to you?"

"Drachmans hanging on my every word, quality treatment at the hands of men who probably hate my guts…" Roy looked contemplative for several seconds. "Well I did negotiate the last two major deals we made with the country. Why stop now?" He had negotiated the original peace after Bradley as well as the truce and new agreement after the old Border dispute.

That was five. Ed turned hopefully back to Winry, who looked amused and irritated at the same time. "Do you think that having everyone else on your side will even remotely effect my decision, Ed?"

He shrugged and grinned. "It can't hurt can it?"

Winry shook her head. "Well you didn't have to go through all that trouble." Ed felt his stomach drop. Was she going to say no? He waited as a slow smile spread across her face. "I definitely think we should go."

Ed laughed and hugged her tight. "I knew I loved you."

"Now that the decision is made," Roy snorted, "When are we supposed to leave on this little jaunt?"

"A couple of weeks," Ed replied. "At least that's the timeline Breda would like; a quick response to their request. It's going to take us about two weeks of travel each way on top of however long our trip takes."

"And Breda's already said we can have that much time off?" Al asked for verification.

"He approved the idea or I wouldn't be here explaining all this and getting heckled," Ed pointed out.

"Just checking," Al chuckled. "I wouldn't have put it past you to just suggest we all play hooky for a couple of months."

Ed smirked. "Oh, come on, the only one who'd have gone for that is Roy and he's retired!"

Roy glowered at him briefly. "You're just lucky I'm not lecturing this semester."

"I guess we should all start brushing up on our Drachman," Riza commented glibly.

"Does anybody speak Drachman?" Tore asked curiously, looking around at the adults.

"Some," Roy shrugged. "It's a little rusty, but I managed to negotiate well enough with what I know."

"I'm better at reading it," Alphonse admitted. "But I think I can probably get by."

Ed chuckled. "Well then you're one up on me." He had some experience with the written language, and a little with the spoken, but his own vocabulary was rather limited. "I guess I'll be doing a little studying before we go."

"We all will," Winry said. "I know a few phrases, but they're mostly related to working with auto-mail."

Ed shook his head with amusement. "Why am I not surprised?"

"I'm only passable," Riza admitted.

"I think I'm in trouble," Elicia giggled even as she shrugged her shoulders. "I know almost none."

"At least I'm not the only one." Tore looked relieved.

"So one crash course in Drachman for the lot of us. I'll put it on the schedule," Ed quipped as he did make the mental note to study up. Of course he was sure anyone assigned to work with them would speak Amestrian, but it was better to know what people were saying when they didn't know you understood them too. "I'll give Breda a call and let him know what's been decided." He stood up and headed for the phone. Sure it was a Friday night, but he couldn't wait until Monday to tell Breda they were going! It had been a long time since he'd been able to go out and do something exciting. A break from the routine was something he did not want to admit out loud that he desperately needed!

October 15th, 1958

Edward managed not to bounce on his heels during the moments when he had to stand still while they loaded their bags on the train and boarded. He wasn't a kid anymore, but he was excited and anxious to be off. As soon as everything was loaded into their berths – he was very glad they had opted for full berths with beds – they all met up in the observation car as the train pulled out of the station and headed northward.

Alphonse and Elicia had taken one end of the longer booth and table in the car that would actually seat seven since it was made for eight. Roy and Riza sat across from them, and Tore had parked himself next to Roy but all the way up against the window where he could peer out. It was only his second trip by train – the last being Resembool over a year ago – and he still seemed to find the concept as fascinating as most younger kids would.

"So off we go on another diplomatic mission," Ed grinned at Al and Roy as he and Winry sat down.

Al chuckled, his arm around his wife's shoulders. "But this time with much prettier company."

"Though we still have an irritating teenager along," Roy smirked.

Tore rolled his eyes and smirked at Roy. "Are you sure it's not you that's the irritating one?"

The comment was met by several snorts of laughter that were quickly, but badly, stifled as Roy smirked back at the kid. "You want to back that mouth up with alchemy twerp?"

"Anytime," Tore replied fearlessly.

"When I say so," Ed cut in before this got dangerous right on the train! "No alchemy duels without your teacher's approval."

Tore sighed. "Fine, but it's gonna happen someday. You and me," he gave Roy one last impudent grin before turning back to the window.

"Well I'll be happy with a quiet trip," Al commented. "It's been too long since we had a long vacation outside of family get-togethers."

"Try never," Elicia chided her husband, and Ed watched his brother look embarrassed.

"Never?" Riza looked startled.

Al nodded. "We've talked about taking a long trip for years, but it's never worked out."

"I still think we should," Elicia grinned. "Something long and just the two of us would be nice. The last time we went on a trip alone was our honeymoon."

Roy shook his head. "Shocking Alphonse. How can you live with yourself?"

"He consoles himself with his devotion to duty," Ed teased. "When we get back from this mission you definitely owe your wife a long romantic holiday, Al."

"And you?" Winry asked Ed with one of those wary expressions that Ed knew meant he was either going to get laughed at or slapped upside the head if he wasn't careful.

Ed slid his auto-mail around her waist and pulled her close against him in the seat. "With you, Winry, every day is a romantic holiday."

"Smooth," Al chuckled.

"I give it a seven," Roy snickered.

Winry eyed him for another moment, then shrugged and leaned against his side. "I'll take it."

That, of course, was all that really mattered!

October 18th, 1958

It was almost eleven at night when Edward slipped into the berth the fourth night of their trip. Winry had abandoned the evening's festivities when it turned to cards and alchemical conversation. Elicia and Riza had followed not long after. Ed figured they had probably all talked as well, but was not surprised to find his wife already in bed. He tried to change quietly, but she stirred and rolled over, smiling at him as he stripped to his shorts.

"I was hoping you'd show up," Winry said softly. "Where's Tore?"

"Completely enraptured in Roy's tales of Ishbal and the coup against Bradley," Ed smirked as he slipped under the blankets and curled up next to his wife. "They're still playing cards with Al."

"I'm surprised you were willing to leave before it got to the part about your patriotic heroism," Winry chuckled, resting her head against his left shoulder and sliding one arm over his chest.

Ed snorted. "That version only gets told in the history books," he pointed out. "Roy prefers to tell it the way it really happened to anyone who knows me."

"Well he can tell it however he likes," Winry shrugged. "I know the story well enough. If his telling it gives me some time alone with you in private than its all too the better," she smiled, easily visible in the moonlight coming through the train window.

"Always the optimist aren't you?" Ed kissed her tenderly, enjoying the closeness and the privacy.

Winry chuckled. "One of us has to be," she replied quietly. "You know, this was a good idea."

"I'll make sure to thank Breda for offering me the mission," Ed said. "And thank you for agreeing that it is."

Winry seemed amused. "You're welcome. You seem to forget how easily I can tell what you're feeling. You still get bored when you do the same thing every day, no matter how much you may enjoy it. I'm just glad you thought to bring us girls along for once."

Ed couldn't help smirking roguishly. "You think that wasn't as self-serving as I said it was?"

Winry propped herself up with one elbow, her hair falling down across her shoulders and his arm. "Do I think you really just invited me along for the company in bed? Well that is a good question. No, I don't think so."

Ed gazed at her, his expression softening. "You're right. The truth is I'd have missed you too much. I don't ever want to leave you behind anymore." He had already learned that lesson. "Besides," he chuckled softly, "I always wish you were there when I'm on the good trips, so if I get the excuse to take you along on the State's ticket, how could I turn it down?"

Winry clearly liked the answer. She settled back down again, running her hand lazily down his chest and stomach. His muscles tightened in response. "Good answer. Now… how long do you think Roy will keep Tore distracted?"
Ed liked to think he had decent self control, but years of experience had taught him there was one woman that, on some things, he couldn't say no to except in very strange circumstances.

These circumstances were not nearly strange enough.

October 22nd, 1958

There was no train rail that ran through both Amestris and Drachma. There had been once, but it had been destroyed back when Bradley was still Fuhrer, and it had never been rebuilt. The northernmost station stop on the Amestrian line was two days drive by truck from the southernmost Drachman stop. It was hardly conducive to tourism, but then very few people seemed to want to travel between the two countries outside of the mercantile businessmen who put the effort into trade.

Still, the two days trip by vehicle across the border was only a minor hassle. An Amestrian military vehicle made the trip, and the stop at the customs buildings at the border took very little time since they had been notified in advance that there was a delegation coming, and who to expect! No one wanted to argue with the men involved.

"Traveling with guys with legendary tempers has its perks," Al teased Ed and Roy after they passed through the point.

"Careful or you'll learn all about the rest of it personally," Roy quipped in response.

At the end of the second day they were in the little Drachman village of Malask, which was where their railway began. They spent the night in the little inn there and retired up to their rooms after a dinner of local fare that was really not much different than the food of northern Amestris, though the Drachmans seemed much fonder of cabbage. Still, the roasted chicken was tasty, and the bread light and slightly sweet.

Ed and Winry had gotten a small two-room suite, because it gave Tore a room of his own without completely separating them in a new country. After getting settled, Ed poked his head into Tore's room. The thirteen-year-old boy was sprawled across the bed on his stomach, an alchemy book open in front of him, but his face was turned and he was looking out the low window by the bed at the village beyond.

"So what do you think of Drachma?" Ed asked as he entered, the door creaking closed behind him.

"It's… different than I expected," Tore admitted. "I mean, yeah the architecture's a little unusual, and the way things are laid out and some of the clothes… but even with the language difference it doesn't feel as different from Amestris as I was thinking it would. Does that make sense?" he looked up at Ed.

Ed chuckled and crossed the room, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "Perfectly. I felt the same way the first time I went to Creta and to Xing. I felt that way on the other side of the Gate too. The truth is no matter where you go people are people and there are just some things about them that will be the same."

For once, Tore had that intently listening expression he usually only got when Ed was talking about alchemy. The kid nodded. "I guess that makes sense. Do you… do you think my Mom is really up here somewhere still?"

The real question of course. Ed would have been shocked if Tore hadn't been thinking about their unofficial mission up here. "That's what we'll find out hopefully," he replied. He wished he could promise the kid an answer, but he'd be lying for false hope.
"Elicia has the case information and we're here to talk about alchemists. We can ask at the hospitals, but we can also see if we can track them through your uncle. If they're still around somewhere we might get a lead. They had to come this way to get to anywhere that your Mom could even conceivably get treatment." Though if they had left the main road and headed off into the wider expanses of Drachma they might never be found. He didn't say that out loud though.

Tore nodded determinedly. "We'll find out what happened, no matter what it is." At least he was accepting that it might not be good news, especially not after this long. "And, hopefully have a good time in the process," he added with a grin. "This is supposed to be a vacation right?"

"As long as you still keep up with the schoolwork your teachers sent along," Ed nodded with a grin. Taking him out of school for the trip he had gone to the teachers and made sure to get the assignments so Tore wouldn't get behind.
The smile faded to a look of annoyance. "Yeah," Tore sighed. "I won't get behind. If I did you'd take it out of my hide in training."

Ed laughed. "You've got that right. We'll still be drilling. An alchemist can't afford to be out of practice."

"You mean you can't," Tore smirked impishly. "At least it sounds like it the way all your stories go."

Ed shrugged. "People who can handle trouble tend to find themselves in it, or get involved, whether they should or not," he added honestly. He probably could have stayed out of a lot of the trouble he ended up in over the years if he had really tried hard enough. Even so, he would probably have charged into the majority of it again given the opportunity.

"So does that count as work or fun?" Tore asked.

Snide little brat wasn't he? Ed found it endearing… sometimes. He grinned back at Tore and ruffled his hair just to be a pest. "Depends on who you ask, kid."