CH.3


Edward and Alphonse were mingling and catching up with old friends, having jokes and telling stories, some women fawning over the attractive brothers, asking for numbers and dates, with Al politely declining, and Edward ignoring.

Finally after some time, Edward was glad the attention was off of him, and he began to scan the crowd, looking for a blonde woman with cherry brown eyes.

Riza stood, assuming it was about time she got back out and had a good time, she probably looked more like a snob and seemed depressed not mingling with friends. When a voice spoke behind her,"Lieutenant?"

Her heart skipped, and she turned,"Oh, hello Ed." she smiled hoping she didn't sound breathless.

"I almost didn't recognize ya." Ed said with a chuckle to his voice.

She laughed,"I'm sure I look much different out of those baggy military clothes. Sorry I didn't get up to greet you boys, I was finishing up a drink."

"No, don't worry about it."

"Hi Lieutenant! I've missed you guys!" Al smiled beside his brother.

"I've missed you both too, you boys look great."

"Thanks! It's been a while since I've been in Central. How have you been?" asked Al, stealing all of Eds thunder.

"I've been great, though it has been quite tough balancing work and my social life." Riza smiled softly.

"Oh, that must be pretty tough..." Al frowned, while Ed stared off to the side, annoyed by his brothers constant questions. What was Ed supposed to talk about with her?

"Yes, but it is nice to get out once in a while, and it seems that you boys came into town at just the right moment."

Al nodded,"I'm glad I came! I just hope Winry doesn't kill me for not inviting her."

"Oh? Why would she? Are you two dating?"

Al blushed and looked away,"Well, yeah sort of."

Ed laughed,"Don't be so modest Al. They've been going out for about a year and a half. I was pretty shocked when I found out myself."

"At least I have a girlfriend!"

Ed hesitated, and stole a quick glance at Riza before he turned his head and scoffed,"Yeah what ever Al."

Riza smiled, happy that the brothers were still as close as ever,"Go enjoy yourselves boys. The dancing is about to start."

In unison the boys asked,"Dancing?"

"Yes, its the main event of a ball. It should be fun. Watch out now, the ladies have had their eyes on you both."

Al blushed,"Oh no, I couldn't!"

Edward rolled his eyes,"Yeah, I don't think so."

The lights dimmed slightly, and tables were moved aside, as the band prepared, and the guests chatter increased in noise. A woman who was no older than Riza grabbed Als hand,"Oh please dance with me cutie!"

"Oh, I don't -" Al screamed as the woman dragged Al out onto the dance floor.

Ed smiled sympathetically for his younger brother being pulled about by women, as Riza laughed.

She took her place back at the bar stool, and began to work on her second glass, as condensation built up outside the glass.

Edward took a seat next to her, grateful for some time alone,"What are you drinking?"

"Whiskey on the rocks." she swirled her drink around and placed her lips around her straw, gently sipping the strong beverage.

"What'll ya have kid?" a different bartender asked Ed.

"Uh... same as her I guess."

"Wait a second, how old are ya boy?"

"I'm 21!"

"Yeah sure... I ain't getting fired for serving alcohol to a minor!"

Ed scowled,"Hey listen buddy, I just turned 21 not too long ago."

Riza turned,"That's right, your birthday was just last month wasn't it?"

Edward nodded,"Yeah, turned 21."

The bartender looked at Riza,"He telling the truth ma'am?"

"Yes, he's 21."

"Alright then...if you say so."

He handed Ed the drink who took a large gulp,"Sheesh, it's just a stupid drink."

"He thought you were still a minor. That isn't a bad thing, it's good to look young when you're a certain age."

"Yeah I guess...how old are you?"

Riza coughed, and blushed,"I don't think I'm inclined to answer that Edward."

"Aw, come on. I won't tell." He grinned.

She sighed, unable to hide anything from that gorgeous face of his,"I'll be 27 in a few months."

"Really? You don't look it."

She shook her head,"Oh? Older then?"

"No way!" Ed blushed a bit and sat back for a quick second, as that came out louder than he intended,"You...you don't look old at all..."

Riza blushed, then chuckled, taking another sip of her drink,"Thank you, I was worried I looked like some old hag" she put a hand to her cheek.

Ed found himself making a bold move, and grabbed her hand,"Not a chance..." He felt his palms sweating,"You're... a very... beautiful woman..."

She felt the butterflies go topsy turvy in her stomach, her face burning red hot,"Ed..." she laughed and put her other hand on top of his,"You're a very attractive man yourself."

The bartenders elbowed each other playfully, watching the two play out their scene of unrequited love in front of them, as if they were the only two in the room, and with the music playing and guests dancing, it was like they were. Their station was empty, other than a few other persons sitting at the bar, too busy to notice the new lovebirds.

Suddenly, the music changed pace, and a new song came on, much slower; it sounded romantic almost. Ed picked up his head, breaking his gaze,"That song...I've heard it somewhere before..."

"Oh, its called Pachelbels Canon, by Johann Sebastian Bach. I once heard it as a young girl, and it became one of my favorites. It's quite popular around occasions such like this."

"I like it. I can't remember where I've heard it though."

"Yes it's quite lovely."

Edward stood, and took a bow, holding out his hand,"Would you care to join me in a dance?"

Riza blushed, and hesitated,"Oh...Ed, I don't- I can't dance very well..."

Ed straightened up, and pulled her from her seat gently,"I'll help you. Come on."

Riza clumsily fell into his arms, as he pulled her to the crowd of dancing lovers and friends.

Al, who finally broke free from some woman, spotted Ed with Riza, his face was red, but also glowing with a type of happiness Al hadn't seen on his brothers face in a long time. "Wow, brother. I never would have guessed." He took a seat at a bar, and watched his brother teach the sturdy Hawkeye, how to loosen up and dance, who went from hard and strict to lose and clumsy. Al smiled,"Good for you Ed."

The bartender slammed his hand on the counter, startling Al,"Now I know you ain't 21!"

"Oh, no sir. I'm only 17." Al smiled sheepishly.

"Damn right. Here's some milk."

"Uh...can I just have some tea?"


"See? Nothing to it..." Ed whispered into Riza's ear.

Her heart was racing, her head resting into Edwards chest, so close she could smell his cologne, and feel the warmth radiating from his body. It was a spot she didn't ever want to leave. She wanted to melt into him, right then and there,"Yeah..." she didn't know what else to say.

Ed had his head resting on the top of her head, her hair was silky soft, and smelled like heaven. Her body was much smaller compared to his, especially since Ed was a man and no longer that small child she always knew him as. Ed was grateful that he finally had a massive growth spurt on the other side, going from 4'11" at 15, to 5'4" at 17, 5'7" at 19 and finally stopping his growth at age 20 at a nice and tall 6'0". He always thought he'd be the size of a bean for the rest of his life, his peers and friends always looking down at him, in a literal sense.

As the songs continued to change, the pace quickened, and due to the tempo change, they found themselves being pulled apart to keep with the beat, so they decided it was better to work on this, what ever it was, sitting down once more, being close to one another, rather than being apart trying to keep dancing.

Riza excused herself to the bathroom, giving Ed enough time to catch his breath, while Al scooted over to him,"So Ed...that's what all the fidgeting was earlier. I didn't know you had a thing for Lieutenant Hawkeye"

Ed ordered another drink and took a sip,"I didn't either Al. It's hard to explain...but when I came into town, she was the only one in Mustangs office. For some strange reason," he took a drink,"She just looked so beautiful."

"Instant attraction?"

"Yeah...I just found myself wanting to be closer to her. Then she showed me the invitation to this party, and somehow, without really trying, convinced her to skip all that paperwork her jerk coworkers left her, to come have fun."

"Seems like you both made the right choices in coming here tonight. I'm happy for you brother."

Mustang took a seat opposite of Ed,"So. Enjoying your night?"

Ed rolled his eyes,"Very much so. What do you want?"

"Brother, don't start."

"Al's right. I wanted to talk about why I summoned you. I'm actually grateful you came into town when you did."

"Where are you sending me now? Can't I catch a break for once?"

"A soldiers duty is never done Ed. There's a country town far out south that needs investigating. There's a rogue alchemist going around town, healing the plants of the nearby woods. Now, he isn't doing anything illegal, but there was an alchemist that skipped out of the military 15 years ago. He went into hiding, and the reason the military is curious, is because there was once an alchemist by the name of The Blooming Alchemist."

"Blooming Alchemist?" asked Al.

Ed laughed into his drink,"What a sappy name."

"Yes, it wasn't the Fuhrers best choice in names at the time. However, he was able to use alchemy to control plants and enhance their roots power and size. He was able to restrain, poison, and conceal, all by using a plant, tree or common flower. He wasn't much use in the Ishbalan war, so he wasn't sent out on duty. Yet when his reassessment came up, he fled the military. Nothing illegal, but he is still out there, and the military wants him found for an easy enough task. Turn in his pocket watch, and fill out a report about his vanishment and choice of leaving the military."

"Why can't you do it? I just want some time to myself and my family. I was away from them in that other shitty world for 4, nearly 5 years Mustang. If it's such a simple task, why the hell can't you go yourself? Besides, how do you know I can even still perform alchemy without a transmutation circle?!"

Mustang smirked,"Be in my office at 0800 hours, and I'll further instruct you. Besides, I wouldn't want to tear you away from such a lovely woman tonight." he winked and once more, vanished into the crowd.

"Mustang always seems to know everything doesn't he?" Al sighed.

"He's such a smug bastard! All these years, and I still want to punch him in that damn face"


Riza was in the restroom, freshening up, when her friend Rebecca walked in,"Wow Riza. Way to cradle rob!" she said grinning.

"Rebecca! Y-you saw us?" Riza asked, face on fire.

"Oh yeah, everyone saw. The guys in your office were pretty surprised to see you of all people dancing. And so close to someone...AND with Edward Elric!" she laughed.

"Oh lord...how embarassing..."

"Aw, don't be that way! You deserve some fun and happiness in your life. Don't let anyone stop you Riza. Besides, you two seem like a really cute couple." she winked. Leaving Riza to stare at her bright red cheeks in the mirror.


A/N: Woo! Another chapter guys! Hope you all like it so far! Stay tuned for future updates! ^^ I also apologize for any spelling errors or grammatical errors ^^