AN: OKI… so here's chappie 2… don't expect s h I t to be perfect (especially not the spelling) but yeahhhhh I though for a beginning story, I couldn't leave you guys for the weekend with no perspective of how they got off.. and it IS entertaining so… enjoy! ^.^

Ed was driving… Al probably shouldn't have caved that easily, but Ed was persuasive… and playing on his brother's emotions and sweet nature was useful sometimes. He knew he was in shit.. he didn't know how much, but he was willing to bet his ass that he was going to be called in and bitched at. He would have done it, he'd be surprised highly if the General ignored him.

So to avoid being late more than he was he bullied his brother into letting him drive the ambulance.

Al didn't want to really be here, he knew. He was more interested in spending time with Winry. Ed couldn't blame him, if he had had Winry for a girlfriend he would have probably not wanted to leave either; but Al was head over heels in love with her and Ed didn't mind the homey atmosphere from time to time.

Truth was, he was itching to get back on a plane and up in the air. He hadn't been on one in months now, and it was slowly depressing him. So when he got the letter he had to hide his whoops of joy because he knew that Al would be hurt to see him happy to once again be in the midst of the battle.

He didn't mind though, even with his automail, which by now he had gotten so used to, that they didn't bother him anymore. In fact, they came into use during fights, steel being stronger than bones and flesh…

All he had to do was avoid looking into the mirror; he couldn't stand his maimed body. Dressed and on a daily basis, he was fine. He became a pro at masking what he really felt, partly because it was his job as a solider, and partly because every time he saw himself without clothes, he was reminded of that time… and what price he paid for his brother's life. A price he'd give all over again, but left him scarred inside as well… he considered himself flawed and unfit for any type of relationship…

What was left to do but throw himself into the only thing he loved apart from his family? Flying… and here he was, late as fuck… So he bullied Al, told him a tear-jerking story (for Al's part) and two minutes later he was speeding as fast as the machine let him, siren on and all… he turned that off before turning into the harbor, but he was pleased to see that he made it in time, with only a day's lateness.

He now pulled Al out by the arm, and raced to the deck, amazed by the size as he went. The ship gleamed in the afternoon sun, it added to his sense of pride of being a part of the crew. He promptly ignored Al's protests at leaving all their belongings in the van, which Ed pointed out was being loaded in full onto the deck.

They arrived at the top, breathless and panting, but nothing could prepare Ed for the mass of people on deck. There were hundreds of people, dashing this way and that, and about ten carts that people were driving.

Al stopped short behind him and whistled low. "Biggest ship I've been on to date."

Ed nodded, puling on his sunglasses and cocking a hip. This was going to be interesting in the least.

He stopped a ships mate that was passing through. "Where are the jets?" he asked simply, not bothering with introductions.

"Underdeck sir." The sailor looked at his rank nervously and saluted. "They won't be brought on deck until we're well on our way… or in case of emergency."

Ed nodded and the solider saluted again and walked off.

"Whatever will you do, brother? Without your toys art your fingertips?" Al sighed dramatically.

"What else?" Ed shot at him with a grin, "I'm going underdeck."

"Elric brothers?" Their names were being called by a man sitting in one of the carts. "Are you the Elric brothers?" He stopped by them and looked back and forth between them.

"that would be us, yes" Ed answered, pissed that he couldn't step on properly without being buggered off the bat.

"You're requested by the General." The man said simply. Waving at them to get on.

"Both of us?" Al asked, surprised that he'd be needed.

"Nope, just Major Elric."

"That would again… be both of us." Ed bit out, rolling his eyes. The man didn't seem to care.

"Flight major…"

That would be me then." Ed jumped on and waved to Al, who started moving down toward the deck into the doctor's quarters.

The ride to the headquarters wasn't eventful. The driver was busy listening to something over the radio to take much notice of him and Ed preferred it that way, the silence giving him leeway to look around and observe.

He knew that he would be appointed a squad, something he wasn't too keen on having. Mainly because his appearance didn't quite make the impression he would have liked. Instead of respect, people tended to doubt his abilities on the field. That was because he was of average height, not short… just average… and in the army, if you weren't the size of the statue of liberty you weren't considered important enough to be listened to… Some people just learned the hard way… usually reinforced by a fistful of steel.

They arrived, the man just stopping the car and letting him know by the silence that he was to get off. "Sir, the Major is here."

Ed turned back to see him drive off, and quickly looking up to the floors above him. "Holy. fucking. hell… you're big." He murmured to the structure as he made his way up the stairs, two at a time.

He made it to the first floor, and was met by a tall gangly youth, holding a clipboard and nervously poking at his glasses.

Ed knew off the bat they wouldn't like each other much. Ed was the exact opposite of this stuttering boy. Although age-wise, they were probably similar, ed held an air of uncontested confidence and a swagger of nonchalance he did his damnest to keep up. He stood now, before this kid, long hair in a braid, flight jacket half-way unzipped with his tight shirt underneath, ranks in place, on both shoulders; he had on huge aviators, they his his fiery gaze from view, but as he took them off slowly, he saw the small flicker of fear coming off his superior Lieutenant.

What a win… he scared his superior with sunglasses…or lack thereof. He only hoped the general would be similar, he'd hear less fuss about his flying if he could get a similar reaction from the man who ran the thing.

"Sir." He saluted respectfully, or as respectfully as he could manage in the face of the total douche that stood before him.

The man shook himself from his stupor, stuttering intently. "major Elric, I do believe that the General would like to speak to you."

Ed smiled, baring a toothy grin. "that my dear lieutenant, is most obvious." He stepped around him and made his way toward what he deduced was the officer's mess. He looked back at the man behind him. "This way, yes?" he pointed in the direction of what looked like a series of rooms.

The lieutenant nodded, still ogling the blonde.

"thanks." Ed smiled, trying to look friendly. He walked off towards the first door pointed out by the lieutenant.

He knocked on the wooden door twice, smartly. He was told to "come in." which he did, and he stood facing the back of a tall, broad shouldered back, it was carrying a head full of black hair, the face of which was turned from him at the moment.

He stood at attention in front of the desk, deeming it better not to say anything until his superior decided to speak.

xXx

Roy had decided, in the course that it took to get the Major in, that he would be forbearing and cool. He didn't want the man feeling like he was being treated differently than the others, but he also didn't want him thinking he was easily influenced. Roy deemed it best to show a strict side first, observing quietly and then deciding on the course he should take.

So when the man entered he stood with his back to him… Yes, for dramatic effect but still….

Silence… so major Elric wanted to play the good solider.

"When were you supposed to be on board ship Major?" he asked, turning his head to the side, waiting for the answer until he'd turn around.

"yesterday sir." The answer was short and clipped, but it had an undertone of something else… amusement perhaps?

"And then why are you here now, major? Instead of yesterday?"

"Circumstances beyond my control, sir."

Roy turned then, "bullshit." That got him the response he wanted. The deep, molten honey eyes widened in surprise and amusement.

"no, sir.' He quipped, trying to suppress an emotion Roy couldn't quite catch.

"I don't like to repeat myself major." Roy sat down with his chin on his hands. He got a good look at the major now and he had to say… not quite what he expected. For one, the man… no... youth; couldn't be older than twenty. He was sure of that, he had too much fire in him as a solider to be older. He'd learn... he suddenly understood what Fritz and dale meant by prodigy… he was most likely to be here, at the rank of major, and so young.

Not that'd he go easy on him for that, he was after all…a soilder, but his respect raised itself a notch.

"And I sir, don't like to whine about a matter that can't be fixed."

That was a surprise. Roy hadn't expected the mouthing off, although he probably should have with the warnings he received.

"Watch yourself solider," he clipped getting up and walking around the desk, now standing directly in front of him; they were practically nose to nose.

The man stood, staring straight ahead, smirking slightly, something he finally couldn't hide.

"yes sir."

"what's with the grinning?" Roy asked, voice authoritative.

"nothing important sir."

"at ease."

The blonde relaxed , now grinning wider, and Roy grudgingly admitted to himself that major Elric was very good looking… grudgingly.

"you're a bit taller than I heard about." He noted, waving his hand to indicate for him to sit." He didn't miss the low growl that escaped him. Ohhh he had this shit covered. Two could play the grating game.

"Are the bastards on board?" the blonde asked, looking about like he was expecting someone to jump out at him.

"majors Dale and Fritz? I do believe they are…" Roy smirked at having the kid get so worked up about height. He wasn't particularly short, although he guessed that maybe he was a year ago, when they have last seen him.

"they missed you," he added as an afterthought. "called you 'hornet' or something of the sort." He watched with amusement as the major flopped down into one of his chairs with all the grace and power of an elephant and murmured out an "I'll kill them."

"I'd refrain if I were you… since there's only three teams, one of which will be under you capable command…" he paused for effect; "I'd rather like my crew in one piece."

"I saw right through you you know that?" major Elric sighed, looking at him with one eye. The other being obscured by his hand, which was rubbing his temples.

"pardon?" Roy was by now quite curious what the kid meant, major Elric had indeed proven to be quite a handful.. nothing he couldn't handle, but it was going to get interesting.

"That whole; back turned, facing the light-short questions- asshole you were trying to look like you were." Ed smirked. "I saw right through that."

"Well well well…" Roy sighed, "whatever shall I do? The kid on my ship saw through an obvious guise… Lord save us all… are you a pilot or a detective?"

Ed didn't like the way Roy addressed him. He wasn't a kid and he wasn't about to be treated like one, even if in the privacy of the office.

"Listen sir," he got up now, leaning over the desk, palms flat on the wooden surface, leaning very close to Roy's face, which stayed annoyingly neutral through his uprise and coming tirade.

"I'm not a kid… by years or experience, Im late because my brother, who is a doctor on this God forsaken ship didn't have to arrive until today and I didn't want to leave without him. So before you go flaunting your rank in my face, I'd suggest rethinking a few things... for one, tricks like that don't work on me.. Never did, never will. Second, I know what to expect of my troops,, and if you're worried or implying that one lateness will somehow reflect on the performance as their chief, well… you can forget that."

Roy didn't know what to think of this outburst… he was amused at the kids firey temper, although he was sure it would prove to be burdensome in the coming future, he was taken aback by the seriousness of the speech. Elric wasn't joking around when he said any of it. And with Roy knowing what he did, he knew the kid had experience and courage few did. He looked into the eyes now, looking at their anger and defiance.

He reached out a hand without taking his eyes off the majors and placed one hand over the metal.

Elrics eyes widened and he jumped back as if burned, fist clenched. Not looking at him.

"Im aware youre not a child, ad that is why I expect you to own up." He said, rising as well, and going to him. The blondes eyes flashed angrily, daring him to do something.

"What's your codename?" he asked him.

"wasp"

"Not correct, it's Fullmetal."

"Come again?" the question was directed as to an idiot.

"I said," he spoke slowly; "that your code name is no longer 'wasp' it's now fullmetal."

"Why?"

"because I said so… and it suits you… now that you've gotten taller." Roy smiled evilly, watching the confusion turn to livid anger.

Elric marched to the door and just as he was about to open it he truned and spat "with all due respect sir… fuck you."

"not unless you ask." Roy deadpanned, not bothering to look at the incredulous expression he was sure the boy was wearing. "And fullmetal… don't mess around with me… I don't like it and trust me… I can mess around as well… this is my ship and for all intents and purposes… you're at my every waking command until you're back on land."

The door slammed behind a furiously waving braid.