May 26th, 1971

There was nothing more familiar than the backside of a teenage male sticking out of the refrigerator. Though it was rarer in his kitchen these days than some, Ed thought, as he leaned against the door and glanced over it at his grandson. "Looking for something?"

Urey looked up at him, one hand on a chunk of white cheese, another on a fat summer sausage. "After school snack. Not a crime is it?"

"No, no," Ed shook his head, and glanced back at the counter, already spread with bread, mayonnaise, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes (all the things for a good sized sandwich), as well as the open cookie jar, yesterday's strawberry pie, and an open bag of potato chips. "Just wondering what army you're planning to feed."

Urey snorted as he stood up and took the meat, cheese, and a knife over to the cutting board. "Leave off, okay?" He expertly sliced several rounds of the sausage and thick slices of cheese, and began to assemble his sandwich. 'It's not like you're not gonna chase it all off me in an hour anyway."

Well hello touchy teen years. Ed straightened up as the refrigerator door closed. Obviously something was up today with the fifteen-year-old that had nothing to do with Ed, or alchemy. "Something happen at school today?"

"No," Urey retorted, far snappier than usual as he slapped the top slice of bread on his sandwich, and scooped up the plate, the remaining pie, a couple of cookies, and the bag of chips, and dropped himself down at the dining table.

Ed stole one of the cookies off Urey's plate as he sat down on the other side of the table. "So what happened after school?"

Urey, mouth full, glared at him, and said nothing until the stacked sandwich, the pie, and the remaining cookie, were nothing but crumbs. He looked up at Ed, who was still watching him intently and not about to let the question go unanswered. Urey must have read the look in his eye clear enough, because he sighed. "I asked Jessica Norris to the end of the year dance."

"I take it she turned you down." That explained things. Jessica was a pretty little dark haired fourteen-year-old who seemed to have half the boys in Resembool after her.

"Worse," Urey sighed. "She's going out with Ian! He's not even fourteen till July!"

Ed winced. "Ouch. You didn't know?"

"Ian asked her out this morning." Urey reached for the potato chips. "It's not even his fault, I mean, he got there first…"

"You like her right?" Ed asked.

"Well yeah, but…."

"So fight for her."

"Against Ian?" Urey looked skeptical. "What chance do I have? Even if he is younger than me. Ian's popular, and talented, and he's got tons of friends. He's one of the most popular kids in the area. Of course Jessica would want Ian over me."

"And that defeatist attitude isn't going to get you anywhere." Ed leaned forward over the table, arms on the wooden surface. "If you want something, go for it. If you think there's any chance she'd have agreed to go out with you if Ian hadn't asked first, then try. If not," he shrugged and sat back. Maybe he was coming on too strong. "Well, either way it's up to you. I'm probably not the best person to be offering teenage relationship advice anyway." Though he did want to know if Ian had known about his brother's interest in the girl in question. "All right, let's go." He stood up, gesturing towards outdoors. They always sparred in the afternoons before settling down to the alchemical academics.

"What, now?" Urey looked up at him, startled.

"Why not?" Ed commented, perhaps a bit unsympathetically. "You've got to be ready for anything. In a real fight, a guy's not going to wait while you say "could you give me an hour to digest?"" Besides, it would help Urey get his frustrations out more productively.

Looking like he already regretted his self-indulgent pity snack, Urey followed without any further protest. "Do me one favor? Don't hit me in the stomach."

"I'll consider it."

May 27th, 1971

"So the deal's done then?" Coran grinned, not entirely sure he believed his ears.

His grandmother smiled and held up the paperwork. "That's what these contracts say. We've bought the store next door and the Central workshop is expanding."

"That's great," said Gale, sitting next to Coran on his grandparents' living room couch. "How long with the renovations take?"

"Just a few weeks," Winry replied as she set the papers down on the table. "We're not removing any major walls, just putting up a couple of smaller ones and then adding new workbenches and storage areas." She unrolled the plans that had been drawn up of the remodel.

"Fabulous," Coran looked over them eagerly. "But, what's this?" he pulled out the second page. "This isn't the workshop." It didn't look right.

Gale glanced over at it. "That's the upstairs apartment isn't it?"

It was. Coran looked at it in more detail. The building next door had used their upstairs for storage, but this plan extended the apartment, turning it from a one-bedroom with a bath, into a three-bedroom with two full baths, and a much larger living area, while retaining the existing kitchen. "You could actually have a whole family in that thing," he exclaimed.

Then he caught a look of amusement in Winry's eye, and a matching one in Gale's…

"This, is for us?" he looked at his grandmother.

"You'll need somewhere to live," she pointed out. "And while that apartment has always been fine for new couples, they've all had to move out when they needed more space. Now that Tore and Dare have moved out, there's no reason not to upgrade the apartment while it's empty."

"It's amazing," Gale said, beating Coran to it, who was still a little stunned. "Thank you so much, Winry."

Winry picked up her iced tea and sipped it. "We're pleased to do it. It puts you right there by the shop too. It's a very nice location, safe area, perfect commute. Now the apartment will actually accommodate more than two people at a time."

Coran wasn't sure he wanted to think about populating those other rooms just yet, but his fiancée was grinning. "It's perfect. When will the renovations be done?"

"In time for you to take up residence when you get there."

So right after the wedding in July. "Wow, you're contractors are fast."

Winry chuckled. "They are also experienced and well paid. Of course, since three of the men doing the work are also customers, they're very enthusiastic about doing a good job."

"That would do it," Coran agreed. This was far more than he'd expected, though he wasn't complaining about a summer when he got the best job, apartment, and –most importantly- wife ever!

Edward managed to catch up with Ian as his nephew was coming out of rehearsal at the little playhouse everyone in Resembool and the surrounding villages used for school and local productions. It was about the only place to catch Ian these days, given the current plays main character was an impetuous young boy just about Ian's age. So, naturally, Ian Elric had been cast in the role. He was really starting to become a sort of local minor celebrity.

That wasn't why Ed happened to be in town, and happened to be walking by when Ian came out, chatting with several of the other kids involved in the show including –Ed noticed- miss Jessica Norris.

The group stopped outside, and split off in patches of two and three young teens. Ed stayed carefully out of sight, not wanting to interrupt anything just yet. Ian and Jessica exchanged a quick, though passionate, kiss, and she waved and went off with a couple of the other girls. Ian, grinning, headed towards the edge of town on his own, heading towards the house.

Ed casually inserted himself back into the light flow of early evening foot traffic and sidled on up. "Hey, how was rehearsal?"

Ian looked up and smiled. "Oh, hey Grandpa. It went great! We're off book now and everyone's really getting into their characters."

"There a romance in this play?" Ed asked.

Ian laughed. "Have you been following me around?" He glanced over at Ed. "No, I don't get the girl in this play. Jessica's helping with costumes."

"So you get the girl anyway. There are worse things."

Ian nodded. "Oh yeah. I'm glad I asked her out. We've got so much in common."

"Like what?" Ed didn't have to fake curiosity. He was very interested in getting a full feeling of the dynamic, and whether or not Urey ever really had a shot with the girl he liked.

It didn't take any more prodding to send Ian off on a long list of the qualities and interests of Jessica. They both liked theatre, and movies, and the same music, and she was even pretty good at sports; running and volleyball anyway. She definitely sounded a lot like Ian… and not much at all like Urey.

Ed had to fight not to meddle and ask if Ian had talked to Urey since yesterday, or if he knew his brother's feelings. Urey's mood hadn't been much better today either, so after another thorough trouncing, Ed had set him a complex transmutation that would keep his mind busy.

Ian finally stopped babbling, and gave him another sideways glance. "You're not going to tell me I should have let Urey have her are you?"

Ed blinked. The kid was perceptive. "You knew your brother was interested?"

Ian shrugged. "Every guy around our age likes Jessica, and she won't go out with just anyone."

"Is that so?"

"She turned down three guys who asked her to the dance yesterday morning even before I got there," Ian admitted. "And if Urey had stuck around, he'd have found out she had to turn down four more after he left. It's not personal, but I think she'd have turned him down even if I hadn't asked. He's just not her type."

"Are there any girls in town that are?"

Ian winced. "Not really. I mean, maybe if he'd look at some of the other girls. The ones that aren't as pretty, or outgoing. I don't want to be mean but Urey's just not going to get the interest of girls like Jessica. He's a nerd. They just aren't into guys with brains."

Given Ed had certainly seen worse looking guys hook up with girls, he couldn't really deny that statement. "So there are no cute female nerds of any sort in Resembool."

Ian snorted. "Of course not. Why would there be?"

Ed refrained from socking his grandson in the shoulder. "Because where there's at least one family with them, there's no reason there can't be others."

To his credit, Ian figured it out and had the grace to look slightly embarrassed. "Oh. Right."

June 5th, 1971

The dual graduation party for Reichart and Deanna turned out containing half the town of Resembool and spilling out across the yard nearly down to the road when it was done. Given the small size of graduating classes being little more than a couple dozen students – and that up from when Ed was a kid- they all ended up at the party anyway, as well as all their friends.

"So much for a small family gathering," Ed laughed as he helped Aldon refill the big drink containers with iced tea and lemonade.

"On a celebratory evening in Resembool?" Aldon snickered as he set the other jug back in place and stepped back, leaning against the side of the house. "Though I think half the men here are just hoping to talk me into running for public office."

Ed knew they'd been on Aldon for a while to do something other than be on the local building and improvements committee, where he felt his engineering knowledge was actually useful. There were more than a few of the older folk one wouldn't expect to see at a party full of teenagers. At least, anywhere in a bigger town. Resembool wasn't like that. "Yeah, they tried that on me too."

"And you turned them down," Aldon nodded, then grinned. "Can't imagine why you wouldn't want to be Mayor of Resembool."

Ed snorted. "They only think they want me running this city and mucking about in its problems. The people who want me in that role think that a retired State Alchemist and legend must make for a good politician. I'm not that kind of leader. I'd make a lousy bureaucrat." Then he glanced over at his son. "Now, you on the other hand…"

"Have been considering it," Aldon admitted. "Oh, not Mayor. Or not yet," he chuckled. "But people do listen to what Cassie and I have to say on matters. I could do a lot of good. And it's not like Resembool is a hotbed of political activity."

"You just wait until you try and tell that to the ladies arguing over the theme for the baking contest at the next Sheep Festival," Cassie commented glibly as she stepped out on the porch with a plate full of miniature sandwiches.

"Point taken," Aldon grinned, snatching a couple of the sandwiches and handing them over to Ed before taking a couple for himself. "Maybe they just want us more involved because we throw good parties," he commented, taking a bite.

"That's one way to win votes," Cassie chuckled. "One stomach one vote?"

Ed almost choked on his first bite he laughed so hard. "Not a bad slogan."

"Not for our family anyway," Aldon admitted with a shake of his head. "Like I said, I'm thinking about it. This is always going to be home. We're already pretty involved."

"Better you than me," Ed smiled, clapping his son on the shoulder. "Well, let me know what you decide to do. When it comes to it, you've already got my vote."

Urey stood by the food tables, putting the fishing touches on a hamburger loaded with his favorite toppings. The party around him was a crowd of happy chaos, mostly teenagers listening to the music playing out of the stereo of someone's car, cranked to full volume. Tables of food were up at the top of the hill where the land was flat, and all around them people danced and sat and talked and laughed.

Urey was tempted to take his food inside. It was summer, school was out, and every couple between the ages of thirteen and …well, older, seemed to be enjoying themselves. He couldn't turn five degrees without finding another pair making eyes at each other, dancing, or outright kissing. It was worse when it was his brothers. Coran and Gale were relaxing, enjoying having finished their internships in Rush Valley and ready to move to Central. Reichart and Deanna were inseparable, and seemed to spend half their time staring adoringly into each other's eyes. He'd seen Ian and Jessica dancing earlier.

The only siblings who weren't totally absorbed in the opposite sex were little Ed, who was nine, and Callie, who was only six-and-a-half.

Urey added corn chips to his plate and thick Aerugean salsa, then grabbed a couple of cans of cola out of one of the coolers and found a corner to eat in. Much as he might like to go inside, his mother would shoo him back out. The kitchen was crowded today.

So he leaned back and took a large, juicy bite, filled with the flavors of meat, cheese, tomatoes, pickles, onions, mushrooms, and lettuce, slathered in ketchup, mustard, and mayo.

"There you are!"

Mid second-bite, Urey nearly choked on the burger as Ian came around the corner looking irritated.

Ian rolled his eyes. "I've been looking all over for you. This is no time to be stuffing your face. Come on."

Urey swallowed and glared at his brother. "What are you talking about?"

"Just trust me." Ian grabbed his shoulder and tugged. He wasn't heavy enough to budge Urey unless he wanted to move though.

"What is so important?" Urey jerked his shoulder free, barely managing to keep hold of his plate.

Ian sighed. "There's someone I want you to meet, doofus."

"Well can't they wait a few minutes?"

"It's a girl."

Urey stopped, burger halfway to his mouth again. Ian was setting him up? "What's wrong with her?"

"Nothing! Oh, you're impossible," Ian snorted in disgust. "I go through the trouble to tell a cute girl about my brother and you won't even show. Fine." He threw up his hands.

"She's cute?"

Ian half-turned to go, glanced over his shoulder. "Would I waste your time, Rey?"

It occurred to Urey half a dozen steps later that his brother the actor had completely fooled him, luring him right along. He hoped the girl really was pretty. Not that he expected her to be as pretty as Jessica, or Ian would have kept her for himself, wouldn't he?

"So who is it?" Urey asked. If it was an introduction it couldn't be one of the girls from Resembool. He knew them all.

"Her." Ian stopped, gesturing towards a girl standing and talking with Jessica and a couple of other girls. She was pretty in a quiet sort of way, in a cute but conservative skirt and top. Her hair was long, mousy-brown and pulled up in back. "That's Melissa. Jessica knows her from the regional girls' track meets mostly, but her uncle lives in town."

"And what makes you think this is a good idea?" Urey asked his brother.

"Melissa's hobbies, other than running, include cooking, reading, and math club," Ian gave him a small shove from behind. "She's cute and she's got a brain. Surely you can come up with something to talk about."

Urey swallowed his nerves, wished he'd finished his food which would have settled his stomach, and moved forward. He just hoped this didn't turn out to be a complete disaster.

"I can't…dance anymore, I'm sorry," Reichart panted as he half-stumbled out of the area cleared for dancing, his hand still around Deanna's wrist.

Laughing, Deanna followed willingly. "Already?" she teased. "How will you ever keep up at the wedding?"

Reichart grinned thanks at Brad, one of their fellow graduates, as he was handed a can of cola. He popped it open and drained it. He suspected there would be an after-party elsewhere, with harder beverages, but those weren't being provided here. "I've got time to practice."

"Build up your stamina you mean," Deanna smiled, leaning in close to kiss him briefly. "You'll need it," she whispered in his ear.

Reichart managed not to blush, he thought, as he smiled back at her. "We'll just see who needs it more," he replied in a similar whisper, though the teasing made it that much harder to wait. It was more than a month till the wedding, and so close it was hard to remember exactly why they had agreed they would wait until the wedding to consummate the relationship. It was lovely anticipation, and yet torture at the same time. Especially the way Deanna had teased him lately.

Deanna's cheeks did turn slightly pink, even as she smiled back a little more boldly. "I like a challenge."

"That's funny," Melissa chuckled as Urey finished his story.

"Thanks," Urey replied. He had been surprised to find that Ian had been right. Melissa and he did have quite a bit in common, and he was enjoying the conversation. She wasn't the flirty type but that was fine with him. He wasn't really good at that anyway. Still she was nice, and she was going to be around for a couple of weeks. Did he dare ask? Sure, why not. He didn't have anything to lose. "So, there's a new movie showing in town this weekend. Would you like to go?"

Melissa's smile faded, and with it Urey's hopes. "Oh that's sweet, Urey but… well… I kind of have someone back home, and it just wouldn't be right. You understand, don't you?"

She… had someone? Hadn't Ian thought to check? Urey nodded, though inside he felt embarrassed and set up. "Sure, I understand. Sorry."

"No it's not your fault, I should have said something," Melissa replied apologetically. "It's a new thing, really, and I just feel like it would be weird, you know?"

Urey shrugged, trying not to look hurt. "Yeah, I can see that."

"Excuse me," Melissa said, saving them both from more awkwardness. "I need a refill." She moved off towards the lemonade table, and Urey took the excuse he needed to make his way back to the house. Embarrassment quickly turned to fury. Had Ian known? Had Jessica? So much for being nice.

His fists were balled up by the time he reached the house, though he tried to look nonchalant as he went inside, wove through the dozen folks chatting and preparing food, and vanished upstairs with no one the wiser. He got to the room he and Ian still shared, and shut the door, locking it from the inside.

As he collapsed on his bed, his growling stomach reminded him that he had abandoned his burger earlier. Urey pulled his pillow to him as he sprawled out on his stomach and tried to ignore it. No way he was going back out there again with everyone still partying on the front lawn.

No way he was going to let himself be embarrassed by his little brother again either.

Ian's first clue something was wrong was the worried look on Jessica's face when she returned from the drinks table.

"I think we messed up," Jessica said immediately. "I just talked to Melissa."

Not good. "What happened? She didn't like Urey?" He knew his brother wasn't the type to say something stupid, but they seemed like a good fit. What could have gone wrong?

Jessica looked embarrassed. "Melissa just told me he asked her out."

"Normally that's good. You told me she was single, Jess," he prompted, waiting for more details.

"She was!" Jessica exclaimed. "The last time we talked. But… apparently she just got together with this guy back home she's had a crush on for months. I had no idea, I swear!"

Shit. Ian looked around, keeping his cool though inside he felt concern rising. Urey was nowhere in sight. "Oh, man. Urey's gonna kill me." He felt a twinge of guilt. He'd been trying to make things better with Urey and instead they had backfired… horribly. "Jess, do you mind if-"

"Go find him," Jessica replied understandingly.

"Thanks." Ian smiled then turned and headed into the crowd. He soon confirmed that Urey wasn't by the drinks, or the food, or around the side by the grill. Could he have gone to Grandpa's? No one was there. Or maybe he'd gone inside. Ian didn't want to ask anyone if they'd seen Urey, it would only draw attention to his brother's absence and cause questions.

Before trekking all the way to his grandparents' house, Ian slipped around back and inside the house, then ducked upstairs to his room. He knew he'd hit gold when he tried to open the door and found it locked. "Rey?" he called through the door. "Hey, can we talk?"

Several long seconds of silence followed his request.

"Urey, come on! I'm sorry! I swear I had no idea she had a boyfriend!"

After several more seconds, the door flew open, and Urey glared at him. "Oh really?" he growled, startling Ian with the fury of his anger. "You didn't think to ask her first, did you?"

"Well no, I asked Jessica, but—"

"Who told you she was single?"

"Jessica didn't know either!"

"About her own friend?"

"Look, don't put this on her," Ian straightened up in the face of Urey's anger. "It wasn't her fault."

"Oh no, defend your precious girlfriend instead of your brother."

"I apologized!"

"You set me up!"

"I did not!"

Urey's fist moving was Ian's only warning before pain sent stars dancing across his vision, his face stinging.

Ian put one hand over his left eye. "Owww, damn it, Rey!"

Urey was panting heavily, but he looked as startled as Ian felt.

Ian felt his eye. Was it swelling? "Shit." He ran into the bathroom and stared in the mirror at the quickly forming black eye. It was going to be big, and dark."Shit!"

"What, worried about your precious face?" Urey asked, poking his head around the door.

"The play opens in two weeks, you idiot!" Ian turned back around, sympathy for his brother gone. "Oh man…they're gonna kill me if this thing doesn't fade by then." He tried to touch it, and winced. It hurt! He could barely open his eye.

Urey's expression turned contrite, if not apologetic. "Oh." Then he vanished, and Ian heard the door to their room close again.

Fabulous. Just flipping fabulous.