Ch.2


Ed walked into his temporary hotel, and saw Alphonse reading a book,"Hey Al, I'm back."

"Already? That was quick. I wasn't expecting you back for a few hours at least. I also thought I'd see you covered in ash, fighting with the Brigadier General."

"Turns out he wasn't there. Apparently the military is having a special get together tonight." He flung the card to Al.

"Military ball? That sounds fun. Are you going?"

"Yeah probably. I'd love to smack the smug bastards face in, calling me back here to Central so quickly. I wanna know how the jackass even knew I was back."

"Really brother, must you make a scene where ever you go?"

"Whatever. Anyway, you're coming with me."

"What? I can't go! Winry would kill me if she knew I went to a shindig like that without inviting her!"

"It's not like she could get in anyway. Its military personnel bring one guest. I'm the only one still in the damn military, so you'd be my invite."

"Brother, if she finds out, and that wrench comes out, you're taking the hits for me."

Ed laughed,"Sure thing Al."

"So, what time are we leaving? I should get ready, I don't have anything nice to wear to a party like that, and neither do you Ed."

"Yeah. We should head out for a bit and see if we can find some nice cheap suits out there."

"As long as they aren't made of steel." Al laughed.

"Come on Al, don't joke like that..." Ed frowned, glancing down at the floor, still upset and carrying the guilt of harming his younger brother.

"Don't be like that Ed. It's in the past, and everything is fine now. We should learn to laugh and move forward, like we always have. Nothing wrong with a good joke."

Edward sighed,"You're right Al. I guess I just haven't really forgiven myself for all that I put you through."

"I know, it's okay brother. Come on, we better get out there and start looking for something nice to wear."

Edward nodded, heading out the door with Alphonse right behind.


The doors at a local mess hall opened at 7:30, and the guests started to pour in, which to everyone's surprise, was turning out to be a very large turn out. Men and women of the military were showing up with husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, and friends. The men were dressed in nice black suits, a few were wearing blue, others white. Women were dressed in simple dresses, others in large gowns, and others in moderately fancy dresses.

The music played a wide variety of music from jazz, contemporary, classical, and orchestral. There were punch bowls lined up next to food dishes, and stations within the hall that were serving alcohol to those who wanted it.

Havoc adjusted his tie, as he scanned the crowd for a girl standing by herself, hoping he can find one and ask for a dance, but his eyes found those of his comrades instead. Breda was wearing a white shirt with black coat over it, no tie, nothing fancy. Falman was wearing something similar, yet his coat was buttoned up. Fuery was wearing a tux, who was slightly overdressed, but blended in rather nicely, and wasn't too obvious that it was his first fancy gathering. Havoc smiled, waved and walked on over to them. Havoc himself was wearing a white pantsuit, with black tie, his hair slicked back, but his infamous cigarette was still glued to his mouth.

"Hey, you look nice Havoc." Breda grinned.

"Thanks, so any luck out there?" Havoc asked, while he ordered a beer from the bartender.

"Not yet, but the party just started, so we can't give up hope yet"

"Hey, have you guys seen the Brigadier General?" Kain asked, sweeping the floor.

A crowd of young women were surrounding someone, and everyone knew who would be at the center of that circle.

"Looks like Mustang won't be going home alone tonight..." Falman sighed.

"Geez, you'd think he'd leave some for the rest of us guys..." Havoc felt his hopes shatter.

"I'm sure you boys will be just fine. Just get out there and introduce yourselves." a voice rang out from behind them.

They all turned around, partly shocked by the sudden eavesdropping, and the source of the voice.

"Lieutenant Hawkeye?" they asked.

"Honestly, you boys will never meet anyone by just standing around and gazing at the girls." Riza smiled. She wore a form fitting lilac dress, the neck band was like a turtle neck, her hair down, and she wore small white heels.

"You look great Lieutenant!" Kain smiled.

"Come on Kain, we're off duty. Its just Riza."

"When did you get here?" asked Falman.

"I just got here actually."

"How long were you listening to us?" Breda asked, embarrassed by sounding so desperate.

"Long enough to know you guys are jealous by the crowd surrounding Roy." Riza laughed.

"Well, doesn't it bother you?" asked Havoc, breaking the ice about her and Mustangs relationship.

"Me? Why would it?"

"Well, we were all under the impression you and the Brigadier General had something...going on." Kain nervously spit out.

Riza paused for a minute, then burst out laughing,"Oh you guys don't know how many times I've been told that, or asked if we were an item."

"So you two aren't in a relationship?" Falman inquired.

"No, other than just close friends. He and I have been through a lot together, over the course of our years, but not once did he nor I ever feel a romantic connection."

"Wow, if I'd have known that..." Havoc smiled.

"Oh come on Havoc, you can't hit on the Lieutenant just because you found out she's single." Breda laughed.

"I was doing no such thing!"

Riza laughed,"You should go introduce yourself to some of the women here. It's a long night, and a lot of folks are here. If you don't mind, I'm going to mingle with some others." she dismissed herself, as she secretly scanned the crowd for a certain golden haired boy.


"Come on Ed, we're late! The party started over an hour ago!" Al sighed, annoyed with his slow moving brother.

"Yeah yeah, give me a second. Sheesh Al, the party is going on past midnight, whats the rush?" Ed said, fixing his tie in the mirror.

"Well, by the time you're finished dressing, the whole thing will be over!"

"Oh, so now we're in a hurry to dance with other girls?" Ed grinned.

"It's not like that Ed!" Al said blushing.

"What's the matter Al? Feeling feverish?" he laughed.

"Shut up brother!" Al crossed his arms,"I could ask you the same question! You've been fidgeting with your stupid tie for over 20 minutes. Are you trying to look good for someone? A girl maybe?" Al poked at his brother.

This time, Ed was the one frazzled, cheeks burning,"No, no way! I just...ah shut up. Let's go." Ed stopped messing with his tie, and pulled Al by the arm.

"Oh so it is! Tell me brother! Who is she?"

"I said enough Al! I'm gonna tell Winry!"


Riza sighed, gazing up at the clock which read 8:45,"Its still a long night...I'm sure he'll..." she stopped herself...shaking her head,'What is the matter with me? This is Edward Elric...why am I so anxious and nervous to see him...'

"Hello Lieutenant, you look lovely this evening." Roy said from behind her.

She sighed quietly, disheartened it wasn't the voice she was so eager to hear,"Thank you. You look wonderful yourself." She smiled,"Have you been having a good time?"

"Yes, so far its been nice. How about you?" He studied her,"You look anxious."

'Is it that obvious?' She shook her head," No, I guess I'm just not used to these kinds of outings, I feel a little out of place"

"Yeah, this is a pretty new experience I suppose. First in Amestris to my knowledge. Anyway, try and loosen up, its a nice night tonight." Roy smiled and patted her shoulder, as he wandered off into the crowds.

Riza snorted quietly,"He is right...I probably seem way too uptight...I haven't really spoken to anyone aside from Rebecca and the guys..." she glanced over at an empty bartender stand, who was washing glasses, smiling looking for a guest to serve,"Maybe a drink will help me to relax. No one is there, so I guess no one will be there to pester me."

She ordered a small glass of whiskey, and she felt the warmth glow in her belly, and her cheeks warmed up. She felt her nerves slowly unwind and she felt instantly better.

"Having fun tonight miss?" the bartender asked.

"Yes, I just needed to unwind a little." she blinked away her glare, angry that people kept pestering her about her night.

Suddenly the room grew quiet, and a voice called out,"Is that the Fullmetal Alchemist?"

Riza felt her heart and stomach jump and turn, while people started to laugh and chat up once more,"Well well, look at you! You're no longer a pipsqueak!"

"Yeah, you sure grew up!"

"Where have you been?"

"Oh wow, is that your brother Alphonse?"

Ed and Al laughed and waved nervously at the attention they were getting,"Yeah, its nice to be normal size." Ed answered, and Al nodded,"And I'm glad to be out of that tin suit!"

Mustang walked over,"Well well well. Look who's back. Been a while kid."

"Yeah and I still got a bone to pick with you! How'd you know I was back in Resembool? Did you have spies sent out there to be on the lookout for me?"

"Calm down Ed, it was nothing like that. I just happened to have some troops patrolling the countryside when they reported they had seen someone that looked like the Fullmetal Alchemist, so I sent a summons. I honestly didn't think you'd respond so fast."

Ed growled,"What the hell?"

"I thought for sure, the stubborn brat that you are, would have ignored my summons for a good while, I didn't think you'd show up so fast." Roy smiled.

"You got some nerve Mustang!"

"Brother, calm down, you're making a scene."

Ed sighed,"Yeah okay. I'm still not forgiving you Mustang."

Roy shrugged and wrapped his arm around a woman wearing a small black dress, and walked away from the brothers.

Riza was watching from afar, grateful the crowd was growing, concealing her from his gaze, and she laughed,"Same as always. Its nice to know they haven't changed..."

"Would you like another drink miss?" the bartender asked.

"Yes, thank you."


AN: That was the end of Chapter 2! Stay tuned for an update! Thanks for reading 3 Don't forget to review and follow the story for future updates.