A/N: Sorry for the late update, everyone. Classes started this week. So with school and work, things have just been hectic. Hope you enjoy!
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Missing Piece
Chapter 4
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"Hmm." Scar examined Bailey closely. "He looks like Reina, don't you think?" Bailey hid his face in the crook of Edward's neck.
"You better not be sick, Scar," Ed hissed, "Maybe think about taking a few steps back."
Miles smirked. "If I didn't know any better, I would think you were the boy's father, Fullmetal."
Ed grimaced. "Oh, shut up! I don't need a sick brat sleeping next to me at night."
"Miles," Scar snapped, "Does this boy look like Reina or not?"
Miles cleared his throat and looked over the scared child. "Awh, yes. Their eyes are similar...also, their ear shape. She has a toddler, correct?"
"If I remember correctly, yes. I haven't seen her in the area in awhile." Scar answered.
"What about his father? Was this Reina woman married? Living with anyone?" Ed watched as Scar and the major exchanged a look.
"Reina was..." Miles paused to think, "...a very promiscuous woman." Scar grunted at his answer.
"Reina was a common whore," Scar bluntly added, "She slept with anyone and everyone. It's a shock that she only has one child."
"Now, Scar," Miles shot him a sharp look, "Just because you didn't have a very happy ending with her doesn't mean you should bad talk her in front of the child." Scar grunted again and walked off. Miles sighed and turned towards Ed and Bailey. "Don't pay any attention to him. Reina is a touchy subject for our seemingly emotionless friend." The group started walking in the direction Scar took off in. The city of Ishval was coming along well. Businesses were busy, kids were playing, elderly were taking walks. There was still rubble along the south side of the city, but in the past six years, Miles and Scar, along with other military officials, had done a great job.
"So, you don't have any idea who the father of Bailey could be?" Ed asked while walking past a flower stand. Bailey started squirming in Ed's arms, so he set the boy down. Miles and Fullmetal watched as Bailey looked at all the different flowers with a bright smile on his face. The toddler picked up a yellow rose and smiled up at Ed, then suddenly dropped it as a thorn pricked him. "Oh, no." Ed picked him up as tears began to swell in Bailey's eyes. "Oh, it's okay. You're not hurt, see," he lifted the boy's finger and showed it to him. "See, no scratches. You're fine. Do you like the yellow rose?" Bailey nodded, sticking his hurt finger in his mouth. Ed smiled at the boy and bent down to pick up the fallen flower. He gave it to the lady who ran the stand. "How much?"
"100 cenz," the woman stated as she began to remove the thorns from the flower. Ed used his free hand to dig change from his pocket and pull out the money. "Thank you, Sir."
"Thank you," he gave the flower to Bailey. Bailey smiled at Ed and squirmed to get down again. He took a hold of Ed's finger and they continued to walk again. Bailey began rambling to the flower as Ed turned to Miles to continue their conversation. "So, about his father?"
"Looks like he has already found one," Miles commented with a small smile. Edward blushed as the major continued, "But as for his biological father, there was a man Reina was almost always seen with. He was dangerous, known for robbing people with the threat of using alchemy to blow them up...he's suspected to have done so on occasion. Quite frankly, I'm not sure what Reina saw in him."
"So, where is this bastard?"
"He hasn't been around in a couple of days. He does disappear every once in awhile, then reappears after a week or so. I'm sure if you stay for a few days, he'll appear again. Although..." Miles stopped and looked down at the boy who was still talking to his yellow rose. "Without Reina, I'm not sure if I would trust that man to raise such an innocent soul." Edward looked up at him and nodded in agreement.
"Maybe he can tell us where Reina is. Looks like we'll be staying in Ishval for a couple of days."
By sunset, Edward was in the center of the town eating at a café with Jerso, Zampano, Dr. Marcoh, and Scar. Dr. Marcoh had came to Ishval when reconstruction of the city had started, to pay his dues for killing so many of them during the Ishvalan war. Jerso and Zampano had decided to stay in Ishval once they returned from Xing, also helping with rebuilding the city. "I'm surprised you're eating with us, Scar," Ed started, "You always struck me as the unsociable type."
"Things have changed since you last saw me, Fullmetal." Edward looked down at the three year old who was eating a bowl of cut up carrots.
"Hey, slow down! You're going to choke!" Ed grabbed one of the three carrots in the boy's hand and placed them back in the bowl.
"Oh, there's Roy! I was wondering if he came with you." Dr. Marcoh stated. Ed's eyes widened and he turned around to see Roy and Riza in the distance, walking towards the café.
"Shit." Ed looked down at Bailey. "Here. Hold him, Scar." Ed passed Bailey to Scar.
"What the hell?" Scar passed him to Jerso.
"What's the matter, Ed? Roy hasn't seen the kid yet?" Jerso asked as he passed the now crying kid to Zampano.
"No, now hid him." Ed hissed. Zampano gave Bailey to Dr. Marcoh who turned around, back facing the table. Roy and Riza walked up to the group and looked around.
"Scar, Zampano, Jerso. Nice seeing you all again." Roy nodded at all of them curtly. His eyes found their way to Edward who swallowed hard. This was not the reunion he was expecting. "Edward," Roy forced a smile. "I'm glad I was finally able to catch up with you. I thought you'd keep dodging me. May I have a word with you?"
Ed glanced in the direction of Dr. Marcoh and Bailey. "Um...sure." He stood and began walking behind Roy. He turned and made eye contact with Scar. 'I'll be right back,' he mouthed to the older Ishvalan. Scar nodded and Ed turned back around. He caught a glimpse of a questioning look on Hawkeye's face before catching up with his boyfriend. This was not going to turn out well.
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A/N: Okay, before someone questions me about this, I'm not sure how the whole cenz to normal currency converts, so I just made it up! Go with it! And don't forget to rate and review! :)