Author's Note: Okay, so here I am again with another Christmas story! I hope you all have a Merry Christmas, and enjoy the story!

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Disclaimer: I do not own Full Metal Alchemist. I do own the idea to this story though, and I do hope you enjoy reading it as much as I've liked writing it.

Chapter 1: The Asking

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go
Take a look in the five-and-ten, glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
Toys in every store,
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
On your own front door.

Central was covered in a dusting of snow with more of the fluffy, big flakes falling. The town's people who owned shops were out putting lights and wreaths around their windows and doors, while the households were doing the same. Even the government building had pieces of Christmas decorating its doors and windows.

In one of those windows, a third floor window to be precise, was a face looking out the center of the wreath that hung in the office window. The onyx eyes of the man were following two brothers down the street coming towards the Headquarters building.

"Sir, are you sure of this?" He heard his Second Lieutenant ask from behind him.

"The request came directly from the Fuhrer. There is no choice in the matter, Hawkeye." Roy Mustang said turning around.

"Colonel, not that I'm doubting the Fuhrer, but with everything that has happened, what they have found out about the Homunculus, and the stone, is it really safe?" Riza Hawkeye, Second Lieutenant and the one Roy Mustang turned too to protect him in the rain said.

"Both Ed and Al can protect themselves, and we will be there as well." Roy said, looking up from where his eyes rested on his desk. "Just wear a gown that will hide your guns well, Riza."

"I always do, Sir." Riza responded returning to her own desk.

Roy sat down at his desk, for once wanting to get some work done. He stared down at the reports piled high on his desk. He didn't have to wait long until he heard clunking footsteps from the hallway, signaling the approach of the Elric Brothers.

"Looks like the Elric's are here. Riza, I want you to stay, but everyone else may leave.

"Good afternoon, Full Metal, Alphonse." Roy said as the two brothers entered his office.

"Hello Colonel. How are you today?" Al said coming into the office after his brother.

"Good, Al. Full Metal."

"Colonel, is there reason you called us in here?" Edward Elric said as he stood in front of Mustang's desk, placing his red coat over the chair next to him.

"Yes, there is a reason, Full Metal." Mustang said, handing him an envelope. "Please, open it." Roy said as Ed stared at him. Ed stared down at the envelope for a moment, than opened it.

Ed finished reading the piece of paper, then stared at Roy once more with a blank look this time. "Are you serious?"

"Unfortunately. You and your brother are both invited to the Military Christmas Ball, by request of the Fuhrer." Roy answered him.

"I can't believe this."

"Oh, and each of you will be able to bring one guest."

"A guest?" Al asked from where he stood listening.

"A friend, girlfriend, significant other, whatever." Roy said watching the brothers closely. If Roy wanted to tease Ed, he didn't get he chance as Ed turned, grabbed his coat and walked out of the office.

"Thank you, Sir. I'm sure we'll be there." Al said, then turned and followed his brother out.

"That went fairly well, Sir." Hawkeye said from where she stood by the door.

"Surprisingly." Roy answered slowly, sitting back down at his desk.

:---:

'I can't believe this! Why after three years of being a dog of the military do I now get invited to the ball?' Ed thought as he stormed down the steps of the Headquarters building and into the bustling street of Central.

'And why do I have to bring a date? Who would I bring? I don't know any girls!' Ed suddenly stopped, causing several people around him to curse at the sudden obstacle in the middle of the sidewalk.

'You could ask her.' His mind stated, acknowledging what he didn't want it to acknowledge. 'Why would I ask her? I wouldn't be caught dead at a military event with her; it would give Mustang and the others way too much to criticize me for later on.'

'It would simply be as two childhood friends. They surely realize and accept that you have not had time to build relationships with the opposite sex.'

'That would work, I suppose, but still. Asking Winryto a military ball? It might not be the smartest move. These are the people that were there when Aunt and Uncle Rockbell were killed.'

'That might be wise, but still, these were also the people that admire them for the work that they did during the war. Just ask her, don't think to deeply into it.'

'That's right, and both Al and I would enjoy her company, and it's on her way back to Resembool for Christmas anyways.' Ed thought as he went up the steps to the rooms he and Al rented while they were in Central.

:---:

"Can you believe this, Al?" Ed asked his younger brother when he heard him come into their rented room. Ed was furious, even though he had made up his mind on the way home. It was all the details; a tux, because he didn't have a uniform like the regular members of the military, getting on the phone to call Winry, and getting her from Rush Valley to Central, safely. And there was one other thing bothering him.

"I think it will be fun, Brother." Al responded, looking for his older brother. Ed had had a running start, and Al had been detained by Master Sgt. Fuery on his way out since he hadn't caught Ed. Al finally found him, his feet the only thing giving him away as they were sticking out over the arm of the couch. He walked over to the wall opposite his brother and sat down, looking at his brother.

Ed laid on the couch, a look of confusion and worry etched on his face. Al wasn't quite sure what his brother was thinking, but he had a guess it was about what the Colonel had said about bringing a guest to the ball. He also knew if he wanted, Ed would say what was on his mind.

"Al, have you thought who you will be taking to the ball?"

"I haven't thought of it Brother."

"Isn't there anyone?"

"No. Our lives recently haven't allowed me, or either of us to build relationships with girls, other than old friends, and the few new ones that we've met. Plus, I'm a bit young, don't you think?" Al said, looking at his hands."

"You're only a year younger than me Al." Ed said opening his eyes.

"You're not a body of armor."

"I'm sure one of our friends would attend with you."

"Ed. Just ask her. I won't be." Al said, quietly looking up at his brother.

"Who would that be Al?" Ed said looking over at his brother.

"Don't play dumb with me. I know you both better than anyone. You know the shop number, just call her and ask her." Al said.

"The trip from Rush Valley is too far for her to take alone."

"Than have her bring Paninya, I'll take her."

"Are you sure, Al?"

"Sure. Paninya would love to come to Central. We're friends, it'll be fun."

"Okay." Ed said, closing his eyes again.

:---:

"Sir, it's Six O' Clock." Riza said, standing up and stretching behind her desk. "Everyone else went a long time ago, and I'm on my way out now."

"Okay, Hawkeye, thank you. I was just going to leave as well. Mind if I walk out with you?" Roy asked as he got up.

"That would be fine, Sir." Riza said, going towards the coat wrack where their trench coats hung.

"It's gotten a bit colder out tonight hasn't it?" Roy asked as they walked down the street in companionable silence.

"Yes, it has. We'll definitely be having a White Christmas this year." Riza responded, looking up into the sky.

"Have you found a date yet for the Ball?" Roy asked, looking down at his subordinate.

"No, not yet. I just haven't had the time yet. I have several friends in mind though." Riza answered. "I'm sure you already have a date, Sir, so I won't even ask you the same question."

"Actually, I haven't. At first I wasn't even sure if I wanted to go this year." Roy said quietly.

"Mmm, yes. It has been an extremely tough year." Riza said, not quite sure what to say to Roy Mustang not having a date, or not wanting to go to the Military Ball. The Military part yes, but the chance to party, dance, to have a beautiful woman on his arm, that was not like the superior that Riza knew. "Sir? May I ask you a question?"

"If you dispense with the formalities."

"Okay. Why did you make a point of telling the Elric's to bring guests with them?" Riza asked, stopping at the ice rink that was erected in the town square every winter.

"I wanted them to be kids for once, Riza." Roy said, leaning over the fence to look out at the skaters. "They deserve to feel like teens, no matter how difficult these years have been. Those years are hard enough."

"You're right, you know." Riza said.

Roy looked down at Riza, his eyebrow raised. "I am?"

"Yes. Those boys will one day reach their goal. They will get their bodies back, Ed will retire from the Military, and they will get other jobs, and find girls that they want to settle down and start families with." Riza said looking out in front of them, following the couples that moved gracefully around on the ice, or the ones that weren't moving as gracefully.

"Isn't that what everyone eventually wants? Someone to grow old with?" Roy said.

"One of the things most people think of wanting at one point." Riza said, looking up at her superior.

Roy took Riza's arm and looped it through his own, continuing in the direction that both of their apartments were located. "And what is it that you want Riza?"

"What I want?" Riza asked, looking up at her superior with a look of surprise.

"Exactly. Do you want to quit the Military someday to start your own family, or even if you do get married do you want to continue?"

"I don't know. I suppose it depends on where I am at that point and what my husband is doing and what he wants me to do, of course, not completely what he wants."

"And what of your promise to me?" Roy asked as they came up to Riza's' townhouse, his own townhouse being just down the street.

"Sir, I will be at your side until you reach your own goals. I'm sure my husband will not want me to break my own promises, and want to be disloyal to my superior." Riza said, taking her arm off of Roy's.

She walked to the door and turned, giving him a slight smile, saying, "Thank you for walking me home, Sir. I hope you have a goodnight."

"Thank you Lieutenant. I hope you enjoy your evening as well." Roy said smiling and waving goodbye to her as he continued down the street.

'Why did she have to look so damn beautiful standing there, the lights and snow falling down around her?' He thought as he turned slightly when he was far enough away not to get caught if she happen to be at her door still, which she wasn't. 'Until tomorrow than, Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye.'

:---:

"Brother! I'm home!" Al said coming into their rooms. "Ed? Are you here?"

"I'm right here, Al." Ed said coming out of the shower. "Were you able to get everything?"

"Yes. Were you able to talk to Winry?" Al asked. Ed had asked Al to do the grocery shopping, giving him a chance to talk to Winry without him there to eavesdrop like any good brother would do.

"I called, but she wasn't able to come to the phone. Paninya, who picked up the phone, said that she'll have her call me back. Apparently Paninya is coming for Christmas at Granny's anyways."

"Really? Hm. Granny…" Al started to say when the phone rang. "I'll just go fix dinner." Al said, slinking off, as much as an armor suit could, to the kitchenette.

"Fine. Leave me to answer the phone." Ed said as he went to the phone.

"It's for you anyways probably." Al said from the kitchen.

"Hello, Elric's." Ed said into the phone.

"ED! It's Winry! Paninya said that you called earlier, what is it you wanted to speak to me about…." Winry started, then paused for a second. "You didn't break your arm again did you?"

"Hey Win. No, there's actually, um, something else I wanted to know." Ed said, sitting down in the chair next to the phone.

"Well? What is it?" Winry asked him after a few moments of silence.

"Well, you see, Al and I received invitations today to the Annual Military Christmas Ball, and we were told to bring guests, and um, well we were wondering if you and Paninya would like to come to Central to join us for the ball, then all of us can travel to Granny's for Christmas." Ed went silent for a moment, running out of things to say and waiting for Winry to say something, anything really.

"Win?" Ed said, his voice becoming a bit out a bit higher than normal. "Winry?" He tried again.

"Uh, um…well…"

"Just as friends of course." Ed said, trying to get her to agree.

"Oh, of course. Well, you see I'm just so stunned. Of course we would love to come. Oh hold on, Paninya is asking me something." Winry said.

Ed was grateful for the moment. He let his breath out slowly while Winry spoke with Paninya. She had said yes! He glanced towards the kitchen, hoping to get Al's eye, and sure enough, his younger brother was looking over at him, waiting for an answer. In response Ed put his one thumb up as a yes sign; he could just see Al letting out a long breath. 'Thank goodness.'

"Ed? Ed you still there?" He heard Winry as on the other line.

"Yes, right here."

"Well, uh, Paninya wants to which one of us would go with you and Al." She said quietly.

"Well, um, she would be going with Al."

"So I'd be going with you?"

"Yeah. Yeah you would be going with me, is that a problem?" Ed said, starting to get a bit nervous.

"Oh no! No nothing is wrong with that. When is the ball?"

"It's on Friday the 22nd." Ed answered her, glancing at where the invitation sat next to the phone.

"Okay, well, I'll call and let you know what train we'll be on. Do you mind if we come a bit early?"

"No, come whenever you want, I'll get rooms for you here at Headquarters apartment building, if that is okay with you."

"That's fine; I'll pay you back for it when we get there."

"Don't worry about it Win. I'll take care of it. We'll probably leave for Resembool on the 23rd okay?"

"Sounds good." Winry said. "Oh, and Ed?"

"Hm?"

"Thank you for thinking of us. It sounds like fun."

"Your welcome." Ed said as they each hung up. He looked towards Al. "They're coming. Winry said that their coming up a bit early, she's going to let me know when they're going to be here so I can get a room for them here."

"Okay, well, dinner's about ready, okay?"

"Great! I'm starved!" Ed said, coming into the kitchen and washing his hands, helping Al with the last few preparations.