When Ed's out of sight, Hawkeye says to herself, "So he's really only a secretary..."

In the Fuhrer's room, Roy's having a good time making fun of Ed. "Speaking of which, this is the first time I've had the opportunity to drink Colonel Elric's tea! But it seems the taste isn't quite enough..."

"Well I apologize! I'm not the one who made the tea! It was those people at the other department..." Ed said in an irritated way. Ed went his way to make tea just to come back and get criticism in return? No fucking way...

"Oh, that's true. It's not like you could brew such wonderful tea!" Roy said with a smirk.

"Re...really..." Ed felt like hitting Roy in the face. But the Fuhrer was there.

Shit.

"If I'm not mistaken, Colonel Elric used to work under you." the Fuhrer commented.

"Yes."

"Then what kind of things did he do?"

Ed felt uneasy as he recalled all of the missions he had been assigned-and how he handled it when he was younger.

"Well...generally, he'd be sent around the country to investigate the administration of other officials. As you can see, his young appearance is the best form of undercover!"

"..." The hell? That couldn't have been it. Knowing General Roy, he has something up his sleeve, and it's not going to be pretty...

Roy continued. "Those officials would always show off in front of him, and if there was anything fishy, he'd be sure to go to the bottom of it! He's a rather good subordinate - a valuable asset!"

Roy checked his watch. "Ah! I must get to work, sir. Paperwork doesn't sign themselves!" The Fuhrer laughed at Roys "humor" as Roy saluted and walked out of the room.

Ed shook his head. Why am I even here...

"It seems General Mustang thinks highly of you!" says Bradley, when he knew Roy was long gone.

"Really..." Ed said in full denial, but kept his formal manner.

"But...I think he's quite a valuable asset too; being able to become General in his early thirties."

"Re...really..."

"Have you considered that matter yet? I assume you've already done the preparations?"

"I...I understand!" Ed saluted, remembering the paperwork he had to attend to due to the promotion.

After Ed leaves the room, King Bradley shook his head, "It seems...the wait is about to end..."

During lunch~~

Ed's tiredly wobbled down the corridors. He was tired of all the sudden responsibilities and he hoped some outside assignments are available. Then suddenly, Edward's body bounced off of something and he almost fell over. "Hey! Watch where your going-" Ed stopped when he noticed Havoc. "Oh! Sorry, Sir!" Havoc saluted. Ed waved his hand. He didn't and never will like formality.

"Edward, Hawkeye sent me to tell you that you have an important visitor."

"You know who it is?" Ed said. He thought Winry was busy today with automail appointments.

"Follow me." and with that, Havoc led Ed to the break room. He stopped when he saw Al socializing with Fury, Breda and Falman with a basket. Ed stared weirdly at Al.

"Al...don't tell me you came all the way to Central Headquarters to give me a basket? Ah, is that biscuits in there?"

"Of course it's biscuits! But since Central Headquarters isn't a market place, nor is it a place where you can come in and out as you please, I decided to bring you something. Ah! Also! Brother, you forgot to bring your silver watch when you went out this morning! I just came over to give it to you! Without Lieutenant Hawkeye's help, I wouldn't be able to get in at all!"

"What...I'm sorry!" Ed bowed to the exhausted Riza. He hoped she wouldn't get back at him for this...

"Brother...you're really...I'll help you put it on..."

Breda chirps in. "I really never thought Alphonse would be taller than Edward!"

Fuery looks confused. "But don't they have a one age difference?"

Breda nods and laughs at a beat. Everyone else laughs along with him. Ed grits his teeth. "I'M NOT GOING TO BE SHORT FOREVER! JUST WAIT AND SEE!"

Falman laughed, "Then we will be waiting for a VERY long time, Elric."

Everyone fell off their chairs at Falman's comment.

Ed was still irritated-but then his eyes went wide as he realized that he had a lot of work to do over lunch. Al looks puzzled at his brother. "Whats the matter, Brother?" Ed suddenly smiled. "I..have some work to do. See ya!" Al nodded and left Headquarters.

Back in the Fuhrer's office~~

Ok, something was wrong. Ed's feeling insecure for some reason as soon as he saw the look on the Fuhrer's face. I wonder if something went wrong...? King Bradley decides to break the ice. "How's Al's body? Is he doing alright?" Ed nods. "Yes sir. " King Bradley smiled. "Ah, that's good. Do me a favor and bring a document over to Roy's office, and to pass a message that I'll let him take care of "that incident"." Ed nodded and grabbed the document and headed out to Roy's office.

At Roy's office~~

Ed looked around and saw Roy with a perverted face-but oddly, he was looking at some papers that looked like work. Ed sighed. Roy can be so fucking stupid as to not realize that if someone would look in through the door, they can see the porn magazine in front of the papers.

"GENERAL!" Ed yelled. Ed got just the response he was looking for: Roy hurriedly tried to hide the magazine in his secret drawer of his desk and had a scared face. Ed handed the document and passed the message. Ed didn't want to stay and watch Roy do his "work", so he decides to leave immediately. But Roy asks, "Hey. What's with Alphonse? Is he ok?"

"He-he's fine." Ed dismissed the conversation and left the room.

Roy stared at the door. Yes, Ed may have said Alphonse is fine, but he doesn't seem so sure.

Aha...this was a longer chapter!

I intended for the future ones to be longer anyways-all for you!

English: Cookie

Japanese: "Kukki" or クッキー

Learn Japanese today! :3