Yay, I brought Hughes back! Killing him off was in my opinion so wrong he needs to be in my story! As you may have guessed there is slight feeling between Ed and Roy and it may turn into a slight romance, just to warn if no one likes yaoi! But it won't be graphic, doesn't really fit the story...

"EEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDDD! You have GOT to see this! It is the cutest thing ever!"

"Hughes, I am trying to eat..."

"Awww you can eat in a minute, but first you have to see my darling Alicia..."

"Remind me, why did I rescue you from the gate?"

"Hey! That's mean! What made you so grumpy? Oh I know what will cheer you up!" Hughes proceeded to thrust several photographs of his daughter in front of Ed's face. "Look, this is her in her new uniform, isn't she just the cutest thing you have ever seen? Oh and this is when we went to the zoo! I am telling you no fluffly panda or baby monkey could beat Alicia on cuteness!"

"Hughes!" Ed yelled, "You showed me these photos a hundred times already. Yes you have a lovely family. Yes you are proud. Good for you. Can you just sit still and let me eat my dinner?"

Hughes sulked and put his photos back in his wallet, mumbling to his daughter as if she were there about how Ed was a mean boy. Ed rolled his eyes and continued to eat his sandwich.

"So, Ed, has Roy spoken to you about Trinity yet?"

"Yeah, he gave me those photos of transmutation circles."

"What do you make of it all?"

"I don't know. These circles, I can't figure them out. I – I've never seen them before." Ed decided not to tell Hughes about the dream. Roy's right, it's just a coincidence, no need to bother Hughes. Wait, did I just call Colonel Bastard by his proper name? Jeez, must be getting soft in my old age...

"How long do you reckon it will take for you to decipher them?"

"No idea. I reckon I may have to head over to the new Central Library and see if any of the old books they saved from the fire can help. If not, maybe Sheska can remember some old texts."

"Good plan. Hey, maybe you could get Al to help out!"

"I'd rather not bother him. He finally has his body back, and he now has that relationship with Winry, I doubt working a case with me is something he would be keen on."

"Awww, but I miss that kid! I haven't seen him since the day you brought us back! "Well could you least tell him to come visit? Next week would be good, Gracia and I are throwing a party for Alicia's birthday. She is turning 7, can you believe it? So grown up!" Hughes had an almost sad look in his eyes, but Ed said nothing. He knew it must have been hard for him and his family. Hughes had been dead for four years, he missed out on so much.

"Sure thing, I'll call him when I get home."

"Great! Thanks Ed!" Hughes immediately cheered up. "Oh gotta go Ed. Hey Riza, RIZA! I have something to show you!" Hughes ran over to Hawkeye to show her his photo collection.

Ed shook his head and went back to his lunch. Despite his annoying obsession with his daughter, Ed liked Maes Hughes. Back during his search for the philosopher's stone, Hughes had helped Ed out on many occasions, doing valuable research. Unfortunately, his research into the Ishbal war got him killed by the homunculi. Ed blamed himself for Hughes' death and vowed to get justice. Miraculously, at the final confrontation at the gate, the power of the stone had caused the gate to temporarily break. He was able to pull Al back through, and as he did this he spotted Hughes trying to get out. Ed helped him out just before the gate fixed itself, and the three returned to reality. To this day Ed is still unsure how he was able to do it, but was thankful that he could accomplish this goal. Since Hughes' return to the military, Ed decided not to ask for Hughes' help again. He would not make the same mistake twice. On that thought, Ed finished his lunch and left to go to the library to research the peculiar circles.