Note: this is just a random fic, set in any timeline of your liking within the brotherhood universe (before Hughes death, of course). Hope you will enjoy!
Disclaimer: I am just a fan who likes to write fiction. I own nothing.
Chapter 01.
Reporting for Duty
"Edward..."
A familiar feminine voice shot through the rather quaint hall. Ed turned to the origins of the call, a blonde woman in military uniform was briskly walking towards them from the doorway of the hall a few feet away.
"...and Alphonse…" she shot a smile and had come to a stop when she got to them. "It's nice to see you boys in the Eastern Command. What brings you here?"
It was a female officer very familiar to the Elric Brothers, indeed. Lieutenant Hawkeye had just entered the building of Central Command Headquarters to report early to the office before anyone of her colleagues did, she also had a folder of paperwork cradled on her left forearm. It was a daily routine like any other.
"Lieutenant Hawkeye!" Edward exclaimed as he stood up from the couch in front of the building's receptionist. He had been sitting there since the moment he and his brother arrived. "It's nice to see you again, too."
"How have you been, Lieutenant?" Alphonse kindly greeted with a slight bow.
"We're actually in town on orders for a couple of days." Ed answered.
"Oh?" the Lieutenant raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "I don't seem to recall the Colonel to have dispatched any communication regarding you boys to report today." She skimmed through the documents at hand to confirm that her statement was accurate.
"Ah! We're not here on orders from the Colonel this time." Al explained.
"Pfft. And thank goodness! I don't want to have to put up with Colonel bastard right now." Ed whined at a lower tone.
"Y'know you don't mean that, brother!" Al scolded his brother lightly.
Hawkeye gave them a relaxed smile, mostly because she was elated to see the young alchemists again. "So, who asked you here then, boys?"
"Oh, yeah! Where here on orders from Lieutenant Colonel Hughes. He said it was urgent, and had to report to him immediately today." Al said.
"It's a good thing we just came from a mission near here and were around to get some rest and stock up on supplies." Ed happily added.
"Did the Lieutenant Colonel tell you the details of your next mission yet?"
"Not yet. We were instructed to wait for him here before 07-hundred hours. He should be here any minute now." Ed glanced at his pocket watch.
A few seconds later, the subject of their discussion entered through the main entrance of the building.
"Speaking of which…"
"There he is now, brother" Al alerted, mostly to the Lieutenant's attention since she had her back to the door, as the Elrics immediately spotted him.
"Great! The Lieutenant's here too!" Lieutenant Colonel Hughes happily acknowledged. He was with his regular cheery self today, as usual. The Lieutenant saluted to greet her superior officer. "At ease."
"Wait, Isn't this our mission briefing?" Ed clarified.
"Mission? I didn't say anything about a mission!" the Lieutenant Colonel bursted out in laughter. His words, however, were what brought everyone to his attention.
"I was thinking of setting up a little party tomorrow eve…" the hushed tone of Hughes' voice made it seem like confidential information only intended for the group. "...it's Roy's birthday tomorrow!"
"What!? That's it?" Ed made an irritated look. He didn't seem at all excited with the information.
"Really, sir?" Al asked, in a much rather cheerful and enthusiastic tone than his brother's.
Lieutenant Hawkeye only smiled politely. She wasn't surprised since she knew it was her commanding officer and closest friend's birthday. She'd always known, not because she was his aide, but they had known each other since he was under her father's wing as an apprentice.
"Yeah, it will be at my place at 19-hundred, sharp!" the young Lieutenant Colonel grinned.
"That's very nice of you, sir" Hawkeye politely complimented, of course with a hint of respect for a senior officer.
"Hahahaha! I just want him to have a bit of fun is all!" He flashed the blond Lieutenant the most honest smile he could muster.
"Brother, we should go get the colonel some gifts!" Alphonse insisted.
"Eh? Why should we? He's - " Ed was cut off.
"Of course we should! He's been nothing but nice to us and made sure we were safe! He's also your superior officer!" Al convincingly reasoned to his older brother, "and besides, it's the least we can do."
Ed growled and crossed his arms. It took a while for him to gather up his thoughts.
"I hate it when you talk some conscience into me, Al" It was as lightly as Ed could grumble in an attempt to hide it away from the two officers, but to no avail.
The Lieutenant Colonel laughed loudly. "Good to hear that, boys! See you tomorrow then!" Hughes put up a hand in an attempt to wave to the boys to head out. "Oh, and Lieutenant!" he turned to the blonde woman, "I'll be expecting you there as well. I've already informed the team."
"Yes, sir."
"Now there's only the Colonel!" The man laughed hysterically as he turned and walked away.
"The Colonel's going to be in for a surprise when he reports to his office." Hawkeye lightly chuckled, holding her folder firmly. The young alchemists behind her merely stood there watching the officer walking away into the hallways of the building.
"This wasn't what I expected in coming here." Ed grumbled, hands still crossed on his chest.