DB; YAY FOR RICK ASTLY!

Ed; Shut. Up.

DB; "NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP! NEVER LET YOU DOWN, NEVER GONNA RUN AR-hmph!"

Roy; Please, ignore the authoress and just keep reading – Thank you.

DB; ON WITH THE SHOW!!

--

Ed smiled as he fell backwards onto the plush grass of Eastern Headquarters. His breath was ragged from chasing Havoc about yet another short comment. The chase led to Roy, Maes and even Black Hayate to get involved which then led to Jean and Roy colliding head on and Black Hayate peeing on Maes shoe and sent Ed into a laughing fit.

"Out of breath, Fullmetal?" Roy asked, leaning over Ed's basking form. Ed pouted, "Not if you aren't you bastard." He declared quietly. Maes laughed and Riza, who had come out to see what all of the commotion was, scooped up Black Hayate into her arms. "Relax boys." She said calmly.

Havoc yawned from his spot in a tree, which he climbed to get away from Ed's wrath. "Where's Alphonse?" He asked, noticing the lack of the metal Elric. "Oh, he's in town getting supplies for a cat that I let him get." Ed grumbled.

"You let him get a cat?" Roy asked, confused. "I thought you hated pets, Fullmetal."

"I do," Ed rubbed his eyes and sat up. "Unfortunately, it seems that my 'innocent' little brother has learned the art of blackmail."

Riza grinned slightly, "What could Alphonse of all people find it in his heart to blackmail you?" Ed just rolled his eyes, "I think he's been in that armor suit too long." He muttered. "Now his heart is turning to steel too along with his love for his older brother." The blond alchemist said dramatically.

Havoc sniggered and skillfully dropped from the oak tree. "Whatever he blackmailed you with, I want to know it." He pulled a cigarette and a lighter from his back pocket. He lit the small object, took a drag, and continued to speak. "What could be so bad that the great Edward Elric would want to hide?"

Ed blushed and stood up. "Isn't it time you all got back to work?" He said, sounding a lot like Riza for a moment. "An excellent suggestion Ed." Riza piped up. "I know someone who really needs to catch up on his paperwork."

Roy smirked and rolled his eyes, "Whatever are you talking about, Hawkeye?" Slowly, Riza shifted Black Hayate into one arm while she un-holstered her 9.mmGlock (1) and cocked it. "I think you know exactly what I'm talking about." She said, her tone changing from happy to dead seriousness.

Roy raised his hands in defeat, "Fine. Everybody inside." He said. Riza holstered her gun back into its holder and all of the alchemists slowly mobbed towards the large double doors of headquarters.

Roy spared a small glance back at Ed. He was completely spaced out – his blush still ever-present on his face. Roy lagged behind until he was at the same pace as Ed.

"Ed," Roy whispered to the smaller boy. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Ed said, brushing off the question. "Are you sure?" Roy pestered. "Yes, colonel. I'm fine." The blonde haired boy insisted. "Now, if you'll excuse me." He pushed past the colonel and all of the other alchemists and fled to the wooden door.

Maes lagged behind and grabbed Roy's elbow. "What's up with Edward?" He asked. "I don't know, he wouldn't tell me." The Flame Alchemist sighed, wishing that Ed wasn't as childish when it came to talking about your emotions.

"Hey!" Ed yelled. All of the adults turned to see Ed waving a white envelope with a red bordering over his. The alchemists rushed up to Ed, out of curiosity. "What is it?" Asked Jean, who was trying to grab it out of Ed's metal arm. "Uh…I don't know, it was laying at the foot of the door and there's no return address on it and no name so…"

"Open it." Riza said, shifting Black Hayate in her arms to make him more comfortable. Complying, Ed carefully ripped the top of the envelope off. A cream colored piece of paper fluttered to the ground. Maes carefully picked it up. "Mind if I do?" He asked Ed. Ed shook his head so Maes began to read.

"Dear Mr. Edward Elric,

You have been cordially invited to a grand ball at Mhuller Estate. Formal wear is required. You may bring as many guests as you like, the more the merrier! Please be sure that they too follow the formal dress attire. We would enjoy having such an accomplished alchemist, such as yourself, to be an attendee to this gala of the fine arts. The date will be October the twenty-seventh at nine o' clock, P.M.

My Fondest Wishes,"

"That's all it says?" Asked Jean. Maes nodded, "Yup, take a look for your self." He handed the invitation to Havoc who quickly read it then handed back. "That's weird."

"What?" Asked Ed. "Well, the sender's name was blotched out at the end. Very suspicious."

"Well anyways, who the hell is Mhuller?" Asked Ed. "You mean you don't know?" Riza suddenly said. "He was –" Roy cut her off. "It's a subject for closed doors, Lieutenant. My office." He said in a low tone, opening the wooden doors. The five alchemists piled inside and quickly and quietly made it to Roy's office. When the door was shut and locked tight, courtesy of Jean, Roy spoke. "He was almost as great as Dr. Marcoh himself. He was a brave and valiant general in the Ishbal War."

"Wait, was?" Ed cut in. "As in you mean he's dead now?" Roy nodded. "I was getting to that Fullmetal. Anyways, he disappeared in the middle of the enemy's raid of the camp. People believed that he was captured and then turned into a K.I.A."

"So," Havoc leaned against the desk. "This person must be a relative of General Mhuller, right?" Riza set Black Hayate on the floor and nodded. She straightened her hair and then spoke. "That's what we can possibly believe."

Roy walked to his chair and then sat down. He sighed and then he and Edward locked eyes for the first time in awhile. "So, what are you planning to do, Fullmetal?"

"I think that-"

DRIIIIIING.

All eyes in the room turned to look at the phone that was shrilly ringing. "Who could that be?" Muttered Maes. Roy picked it up, "Colonel Mustang speaking." The room remained deathly quiet as all of the alchemists waited for Roy to speak again. Finally, Roy said, "I see…" and handed the phone to Edward.

"Fullmetal, it's for you…"

--

DB; Tehe, I'm a bastard for leaving you on a cliffy. Anyways, this went in a completely different direction then what I was planning it in… OH WELLZ… lawlz.

SORRY FOR MAKING YOU READ THE WRONG CRAP CHOCOBO-CHAN!

(1) A .99mGlock is a real gun. It's a small, black handgun that is very light and portable. Riza uses this in the manga and the anime. The reason I know this is because my friends are experts on identifying guns and their belongings. (Thanks Colin and Drew!)

Review Please!