Central

We get off the train in Central and it's just as busy as I remember it to be. People rushing here, and there in a real hurry not slowing down for anything or anyone. We walk through the station and outside was a long black car with Lieutenant Hawkeye waitin for us. Armstrong and I salute her and she us. The three of us relax and Hawkeye says, "Good to see you all again. How was your trip?" I shrug getting quite. Ed grumbles, "Would be better if we didn't have to see Mustang." Al sighs and Armstrong says, "Delightful." She nods and we get in the car and she leans down and whispers, "You and Full Metal would look great together." I roll my eyes and whisper, "So I have heard. I still think you and Mustang would be good for one another." My voice bored and dead, She blushes and says, "Well enough of that." We get seated in the car and the ride is long from the station to HQ so I fall asleep.

Ed's Pov

We arrive at the station in Central and outside waiting is Hawkeye. I realize quickly that Rika's personality changes to a bored I don't care when she stepped off the train. We get in the car and I feel a weight on my shoulder. I glance down and there she is lying on my shoulder sleeping like when we were kids again. I wish she would see me as more than her best friend. I want to never leave her side and be with her forever. Now I sound so foolish. Hawkeye says, "Awww the big bad black rose has a boyfriend." I scoff, "We are not dating just best friends." Hawkeye raises a brow and says, "Really now? Cause the two of you would go perfect in looks together. If only we could do something about he distant thing all would be good." Al says, "She's not distant with us at all." Hawkeye says, "Well it's obvious you have some kind of connection with her since she fell asleep on your shoulder instead of the window." I nod and say, "Yea a connection." I stare at her and remember that night years ago. The pain on her sweet face; Her scream piercing the stormy night air. Her screams when her nerves were connected that night. Her crystal blue eyes when she left us to start her search for her father. Every detail that is she I remember and took in once more when I saw her at Winery's place after all these years. She went from my cute best friend to the beautiful girl on my shoulder that is my best friend. The changes in her features are clear as night and day. I stop my thoughts as we pull into HQ and sigh.

Rika's Pov

I hear a soft familiar voice call, "Rika wake up." I sit up and roll my shoulders mumbling, "Fine." I see HQ and sigh. Hawkeye and Armstrong leave us be and disappear somewhere else. Who cares? I say, "Since the two of you have to be under surveillance at all times you will stay in my quarters. Come along." My voice still distant and not at all the Rika that they know. Ed and Al exchange looks and Ed say, "Are you sure? We could always just stay in a hotel." Al chimes, "Brother is right." Ha! Like I am falling for that bull. I say, "Nonsense you will stay with me." I lead them up to my quarters where there is a note on my door saying that I was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. I start jumping around excited forgetting that I was in Central at HQ. Only remembering that I got promoted and that Ed and Al are here with me. Ed grabs my arm and says in my ear, "That's nice and all now calm down or I will take sugar out of your diet." His breath on my ear sent shivers down my spine as I stop bouncing and gasp, "You wouldn't dare!" He only smirks at me saying, "I have done it before and it wouldn't hurt me to do it again." Al says, "Brother I don't like that look in your eyes." I huff spinning around heading for my new quarters. Thinking of the changes between little Ed and now handsome Ed. The details are so silly to bother myself with only that he is my best friend so I notice everything about him. I arrive with them close behind me and open the door. My quarters are basically an apartment. Kitchen living room bedroom completely furnished and everything. I set my stuff down and call," Hey lets go down to the dance club! It's just down the street!" Al says, "Well 0-" Ed says, "NO!" I pout and drag him and Al down the street to the club against their wills. As we enter the club the music is pumping I hit the dance floor as Ed and Al sit at a table. Sticks in the mud oh well. We have been in the club for an hour and a half now and we hear, "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WE HAVE A SPECIAL TREAT TONIGHT MISS RIKA IS HERE TO SING!" I laugh and hit the stage. I sing Come on Over.

Ed's Pov

I take a breath in when Rika gets on stage to sing. I haven't heard her in years and she was good the last time I heard her just a little pitchy. The music starts and her mouth opens and I let out my breath as she sings. Her voice was very beautiful and breathtaking. Al says, "Brother she's gotten soooooo good." I whisper, "Yea it's breathtaking." Rika wraps it up gives a bow and then makes her way to us. Al says, "You were amazing." She smiles at Al as if he wasn't some huge suit of armor and says, "Thanks Al it means allot." She then turns her crystal gaze to me. What can I say? My old habits kick in; I shrug and say, "It was good. Tons better than the last time for sure. You still need work though." She smiles at me and shrugs innocently.

Rika's Pov

I smile and shrug innocently at Ed's comment. I mean hey he should know that he couldn't get away with that. Hell I never let him get away with such things so he's going ta get it. We step outside into the streets. They are now deserted. A cool breeze blowing. Ed and Al are in front of me and Al says, "Brother you really shouldn't of said that to Sister. Especially since you loved her singing." Ed sighs and says, "I know I... I just couldn't stop my impulse to say something like that. I mean I always have and I said it before I could help it." I smile just a bit but that still isn't an excuse. I silently change my rose into a baseball bat with a black rose down the handle and shout, "HELP THIS!" and BAM! I hit Ed in the back of the head just hard enough to knock him smooth out. I change my rose back to a rose and say, "I feel much better." Al says, "Well Brother should have seen that one coming." He picks Ed up and follows me back to my quarters. We walk in and Al lays Ed on the couch and heads for the love seat. I say, "AL you can sleep in the bed. I never do I always sleep in here on the furniture or in the window." He laughs and says, "Okay Sister. You know you haven't changed one bit. You are just as I remember you. Please don't change." With that said Al was of into the bedroom to lie on the bed. I curl up on the love seat and fall asleep thinking of when I was just a child back home wit Ed and Al and Winery and Granny Pinako...