Author's Note: I don't own FMA…I'm just borrowing the characters for a little while

Author's Note: I don't own FMA…I'm just borrowing the characters for a little while.

Thanks to all of you who have reviewed so far. It's nice to know people are reading!

The universe that this takes place in is an amalgamation of the anime and manga…so please forgive any inconsistencies. I'm more concerned with character than timeline!

Year One

Gracia

"Emily's first birthday party was truly a sight to behold. If you had been there I think you would have made everyone take back at least half of the presents they bought her. I honestly don't know where Roy's going to put everything. She loves all of her uncles, but she seems to have her favorites depending on her mood."

"Armstrong seems to be her preference when she wants to take a nap. I think the all of the stories he tells her soothes her. She also giggles hysterically when he takes off his shirt and poses. I don't think he understands why she's laughing and has stopped doing it quite so much, to the relief of everyone else. Alphonse can make get her out of any bad mood she's in. He's so very protective of her. Emily and Falman get into staring contests--which he always looses, usually because he can't help scooping her up into his arms. I never thought of Falman as a softie. He's trying to teach her chess, but she's more interested in putting the pieces into her mouth. Breda and Fuery don't really know what to do with her that much, but now that she's not so tiny they're getting better. I think they were afraid of dropping her. Jean…that man can do no wrong in her eyes. The way her eyes light up whenever she sees him… Jean's still spoiling her rotten, of course. You'd think she was his own child. Well, the way things have been with Roy… she might as well be. Jean's practically moved in to take care of her. I'm really worried about Roy, Riza. He's still so hesitant about being alone with Emily. He's gotten better, but he's still so…withdrawn. Edward comes over quite often to start fights with him. It's the only time I see the true spark of who he once was. The other men in the unit are picking up the slack so that Roy still looks like he's doing his job. I know they all care about him…but I wish they'd make him accountable for his actions. He never would have gotten away with what he's doing if you were still around. Hmm…maybe I should start taking lessons in weaponry. Maybe have a few shots go off near his head would bring him around."

Winry

"Hi Miss Riza. I've been really busy with my new automail shop so I haven't been able to visit as much as I'd like. I know you'd understand…but it still feels wrong not to come by as much. Edward is finally being more careful with his automail. I about fell over in shock when I realized two months had passed and he hadn't come in for a repair job. I think he's finally growing up. You said boys grew up so much slower than girls…I just never thought it would take this long!"

"I was thinking back to the first time we met. I was so in awe and afraid of you. I mean, Grandma Pinako is a strong woman, but she was always just--grandma. You were so different from all the other women I'd ever met. I wish I could be as strong as you are sometimes. Without resorting to gunfire of course. Alphonse says I'm more like you than I think sometimes. He says my aim with a wrench is almost as good as your sniper skills. I visit Emily whenever I can. She's such a funny little thing. Like she's weighing out your actions and what your saying to her in her mind before she decides if she wants to laugh, pout or just ignore you. She ignores Edward a lot, but adores Alphonse. It makes Roy laugh to see Edward get so frustrated. I know Mr. Mustang and I had some problems with our past--but I HATE seeing him so sad. I also want to chuck a wrench at him sometimes with how stubborn he's being. Men. I don't know how you worked with so many of them."

Elysia

"Hi Auntie Riza! Mommy said that I could talk to you here like I talk to Daddy. It's funny talking to a stone. I like talking to pictures of you two much better than this stone. Seeing a smile is always better, I think."

"Emily is finally able to play with me! She's much more fun to play with now that she is starting to walk. She's still not very good at it and falls down a lot. But she gets this funny look on her face and tries again. Mommy says she's de-terminal. No…determined. That's it!"

"Her birthday party was lots of fun! All of the Uncle's were there. Uncle Jean took so many pictures it was hard to see because of all the flashes! Mommy says that Daddy was just as bad…but I don't think so. She made such a mess with her cake! Black Hayate helped clean her up though. Uncle Breda says all that sugar made Hayate sick that night, but I could tell he wasn't that mad, he just seemed tired Uncle Fuery brought his girlfriend. She's really nice. Mommy says they might be getting married soon, if Fuery can ever get up the courage to ask her to marry him. Uncle Roy looks so sad when he sees them together. I think he misses you a lot. I miss you too. So does Mommy. But she says you and Daddy are together watching over us—and that makes me happy."

Breda

"Hey Hawkeye. Black Hayate and I are getting along a lot better than I would have imagined. Probably because you disciplined him so well he doesn't jump on me. That at least gave me the chance to get used to having a dog around. I know you'd want him to be in good hands. He is. I probably spoil him more than you would. He was so hesitant to get up on the couch the first time I offered him the space next to me. He kept looking at my guns. I guess I know why he's so leery when I'm cleaning my weapons. It's ironic that it took losing you to get the courage to overcome my fear of dogs. Alphonse and Edward call it equivalent exchange. Screw that. I'd rather still be afraid of dogs and have you around."

"Emily…I'm sure everyone's told you how wonderful she is. She's got your way of keeping all of the men in line. She has this look. I call it the "Hawkeye". If any of us are being too gaa-gaa over her, she throws us that look. I don't think she likes being treated or talked to like a baby. Except by Jean of all people. That little girl has the man wrapped around her little finger. I just wish Roy would step up to the plate more. We all sympathize with the man…hell…we all miss you, but I don't know how much longer we're going to be able to hide his lack of work and effort. None of us expect him to be the same, but for the sake of that little girl we honestly thought he'd eventually break out of this dark place he's gone. Shit, Riza. Life would be so much better if you were here. Damn…I'm starting to choke up. I promised I wouldn't do this. I gotta go. Hayate's taken an interest in the grave next to yours and even though I don't know the guy I'm not about to let Hayate "bless" the gravestone. Later, Lieutenant."

Armstrong

"Lieutenant. I have decided to pass on the secrets and history of the Armstrong clan to little Emily. My family is more than happy to share our techniques with her. The others feel she is too young, but in my heart I feel the need to start early, so that she grows up knowing that there is a much larger family out there that wants to do everything they can for her. Unfortunately, she likes to fall asleep to the sound of my voice. I hope this trend does not continue, but Gracia assures me it won't. Emily has the most interesting reactions when I try to show her the importance of having a strong body. She will come around in time, I am certain. I have concerns about the Colonel. He has been doing research at the most odd times in the Central libraries. I have expressed these concerns to Havoc, who told me he'd look into them. Mourning the loss of a loved one is never easy, but Roy seems to have secluded himself. All attempts to get him out of this mood fail. Except for his fights with Edward Elric. Why those fights bring him out of his shell, I can't understand. Maybe fighting is easier for him. I will keep an eye on him for you, Lieutenant. I know how much he means to you."

Havoc

"I thought I'd better come by in case I get court-martialed. I really fucked things up. I may not be able to keep my promise to take care of Emily…and that makes me madder at myself than anything. Roy's been doing a lot of research lately. I knew about it, but Armstrong came and expressed his concerns to me as well. Since I'm not an alchemist, I can't go to certain library branches and Armstrong brought me some information about the books Roy's been looking into. I broke into his office and found his research notebook. He's trying to bring you back, Riza. Even after seeing what it did to the Elric brothers…he's still going to try to bring you back."

"Stupid asshole. Dammit…doesn't he realize that we're all missing you too? Doesn't he realize how much we'd give up to have you back? Doesn't he realize that bringing you back could destroy everything we've all worked so hard to do to make changes in the military? Doesn't he realize what this could do to Emily?"

"I…I went and beat the shit out of him Riza. I mean…we got into an actual knock out physical fight. I knew he could burn me to a crisp; but I didn't care. If beating sense into him is the only thing that's going to work, then damn I was going to do it! I just didn't think things would go that far. Especially after I told him I burned all his research notes. I've never seen him snap like that. Not even after finding out about Hughes' death. He just turned into this…maniac. After what seemed like ages, he just sort of quit fighting. I dropped him off at the hospital. From what I understand he's going to be okay—it's mostly bruises and cuts. How I escaped with as few injuries as I did, I have no idea. If command finds out I beat up my superior…I'm done for. Shit! How could I have been so stupid? Emily…I know she's got a lot of people to take care of her, but I'M supposed to be there for her no matter what. How can I take care of her while I'm in the brig…or worse…executed for treason? Dammit! How could I be so stupid! Anyway, I'm heading back to the house. No sense in having a manhunt for me. I'm sorry for screwing things up so badly. I always was a bit of a screw up, wasn't I? Maybe you should have placed your faith elsewhere."

Roy

"I finally got some sense beaten into me. Literally. Funny how it takes physical harm or the threat of physical harm for something to finally sink in. I guess that's why you were always threatening me with those guns of yours. I almost committed the worse possible sin, Riza. I was going to bring you back. I was so sure I had it…then Jean interfered. Stupid, idiotic, stubborn and loyal man. He's never stood up to me like that…and I know he did it for you and Emily. I owe him my life. I owe the fact that I still have a family to him. Makes me almost feel bad for stealing all those girlfriends of his…okay, low blow I know. The hospital staff wanted to know who did this to me. I wouldn't tell them. No way was I turning in one of my men. Especially when I had it coming for a long time."

"Edward and Alphonse visited me in the hospital and let me have it. I honestly think the entire floor was cowering in fear after listening to them yell at me. Surprisingly enough, no security detail was called. I think Fuery disabled the phones so no one could interrupt us. Having Armstrong, Breda and Falman blocking the door probably deterred people as well. Gracia slapped me; Elysia told me I was a stupid man…that I needed to be there for my daughter—it was like having Hughes in the room again. Winry threatened me with a wrench. Where she stores those things…I really don't want to know. I knew people cared about us…I guess I never realized just how much of a family we really are. Dysfunctions and all."

"I want to let you know, that I'm going to stop being such an idiot. You worked too hard to get me where I am now. You gave me a beautiful little girl, that I've been too ashamed to call my own. Not anymore. I'm going to do right by her, Riza. She's my link to you. I promise. Things are going to change."