August 3rd, 1972
"You call this alchemy training?" Winry asked, voice dripping with a mix of both sarcasm and amusement.
"Sure we do," Ed replied, peering up at her from where he lounged in the reclining chair by the side of the pool. Ted and Urey were both in the water, floating on their backs. "What would you call it?"
"Lazing around," Winry suggested. "What purpose does this achieve?"
"Relaxation!" Ted grinned as he swam over to the edge.
"Focus," Urey replied without opening his eyes, though he smiled.
"And exercise too," Ed added.
"Doesn't look like there's much exercising going on here right now," Winry countered.
"That was earlier, Granny," Ted replied. "We had swim races and a splash fight! And practiced diving too."
"Well I guess that counts," Winry agreed. "It's too bad fixing auto-mail isn't this laid back."
"It could be," Ed suggested, grinning up at her. "You should join us."
"Maybe when I finish this foot I'm working on," Winry replied, looking regretful, and sweaty. "The balance isn't just right yet."
"Grandpa! Grandpa! Grandpa!"
Ed sat up at the sound of a very excited young male voice carrying through the garden. He recognized Ian immediately.
A moment later the fifteen-year-old shot out of the bushes, grinning with excitement. "Grandpa! Grandma!" He waved at them as he slowed to a jog, then spotted his brothers just a hair too late to try and look 'cool.' "Oh, hey guys."
Urey swam over to the edge to join Ted and the conversation. "Hey, Ian. What's up?"
Ian stuck his hands in his pockets and slowed to more of a swagger, grinning. "I got a call from CV Studios. They want me to come to Central to interview for a television series!"
"What would make them do a crazy thing like that?" Urey snickered.
"Hey! They recognize talent," Ian grinned. "They liked my work, and they have a role in mind."
"What is it?" Ted asked. "An underwear model?"
Ian glared at Ted before turning back to Ed and Winry. "A precocious, mischievous, teenager. It's a major role for the series too."
"Well that's great," Ed replied. "So you're going?"
"Yeah, Mom and Dad said they'd let me," Ian nodded. No wonder he was excited! "Though if I get the part, I'm going to have to live in Central so I'm close for filming. It goes on a lot of the year. But Dad said if Aunt Sara will let me stay with them, and I get the part, then I can do it."
Ed wondered if Aldon had mentioned that to Sara first. "Have you called Sara?"
Ian nodded. "Oh yeah, I called her immediately. She and Uncle Franz said I could stay with them for the audition, and during the year too if I get the part."
"That's great." Ed grinned. "When's the audition?"
"Next week. Dad said he'd get me a train ticket for Friday."
"You've only got two days to pack," Ed reasoned out the math. "How much are you taking?"
"Just enough to last until I see if I've got the part," Ian replied. "If I do, Dad said they'll send me anything else I need."
"Well, break a leg, then," Ed replied.
"Yeah, we'll finally get you out of our hair," Urey chuckled.
"And when I'm famous, you'll wish you could say 'I know that guy,'" Ian retorted, grinning back.
"You're my brother, I'm stuck with you," Urey pointed out. "We do share the same name, and there's only one Elric family in Amestris."
"Don't worry," Ted chuckled. "We won't forget you when you go off and become someone else."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Ian rolled his eyes.
Ed didn't try and cut into the brotherly banter. If Ian did as well as he might, they might not see him for quite a while.
"So why don't we celebrate this opportunity?" Winry suggested. "I just made some fresh raspberry lemonade this morning."
"That sounds great!" Urey launched himself out of the pool, with Ted on his heels, splashing water everywhere.
"Hey!" Ed laughed as he got splashed. He sat up, stood, and stretched. "No rush. I'm sure there's plenty."
"Well last one in may not get any," Ted laughed, charging down the path without grabbing his towel.
"And wet feet on my wood floors will get you banned from my kitchen!" Winry shouted after them as all three boys took off out of sight.
"Does that count for me too?" Ed asked as he grabbed a towel and wiped himself down before tossing it over his shoulder.
Winry smiled sweetly. "It counts double for you."
August 8th, 1972
Sara hadn't ever been on the set of Central Vision Studios until today, though Ian had shown her easily to the place where the auditions were being held. He'd worked her before after all. So Sara followed her nephew as he led the way with little sign of nerves, if any. They were let on immediately and when they got to the right building, Sara was offered a seat outside with a small group of other adults, several of whom seemed to be parents. Only the casting directors were watching the auditions it seemed.
"Don't worry. I'll let you know how it goes," Ian assured her, grinning, before he vanished behind the doors.
Sara settled back. She wasn't nervous about the audition, other than if Ian did get a role, he'd be moving in for at least the next school year. James was excited about the idea.
"Is that your son?" one of the other women –this one with a very well-done hairstyle, a violet dress-suit, and manicure- asked.
"My nephew," Sara replied casually.
"I don't think I've seen him at many of the casting calls."
"He's not local." Sara reached for the book she had brought to kill the time.
"I didn't think they did an open call for this show."
"They didn't," Sara shrugged. "The studio called and asked him to come in and audition."
"Oh really?" The woman looked Sara up and down, as if trying to figure out who she was. Since Sara wasn't in uniform, there was little to give away her status or family. Nice khaki slacks and an emerald green short-sleeved blouse were not exactly going to give anything away.
Sara didn't bother to give her any further information and the woman didn't pry, just kept glancing at her, then back at the room.
It was a good book, which was definitely a good thing, since Sara sat and read for over an hour before the door opened, and a small swarm of teenage boys of different shapes, sizes, colors, but all about the same age, came out of the room.
A dark-haired boy walked up to the woman in the suit.
"How did it go, Reggie?" she asked.
Reggie shrugged. "Well enough. They've got four roles we're being considered for. They said they would make calls this evening."
"Then we'll celebrate this evening," his mother replied as she stood, and they headed out.
Well, they're certainly confident.
The room began to empty, and Sara didn't see Ian. She was beginning to be concerned
when a gentleman earlier identified as one of the Directors, Bartholomew Tanner, approached and shook her hand. "General Heimler, please come with me."
Sara followed, and found herself in the same room with the casting directors, and a very excited looking Ian. Well, that answered that question.
"General, we've been informed that your consent counts as Ian's parents' consent in this matter, and we'd like to offer Ian the role of Logan Green."
That, she knew, was the lead Ian was so excited about. She looked at her nephew, who was trying so very hard to keep his cool. "Yes, I have that authority, and yes, if Ian wants the part, I give my consent."
The director looked at Ian, and smiled. "Well, Ian? Would you like to come work for me again?"
"Yes, sir," Ian replied, his face breaking into a broad grin. "It would be my pleasure."
"All right. Congratulations then. Rehearsals begin next week. Filming starts the week after. We'll go ahead and have you do all the necessary paperwork on your way out."
While that got done, Sara asked several questions regarding how filming would work around school hours, what kind of tutoring would be available, and other important things she insisted on knowing. Ian was going to be working professionally, but that didn't mean she was going to let him skimp on his education. Her brother and Cassie wouldn't have forgiven her.
On the way back to the car, she looked at Ian, who finally bubbled over and started grinning ear to ear. "Well, congratulations. You've got your first big role."
"Thanks, Aunt Sara." Then he surprised her by hugging her right there in the parking lot. "If you hadn't agreed to let me stay with you, I don't think Mom and Dad would have let me do this. It's the greatest chance I've had! I really think I can make a living out of this, and I love it! So thank you, really."
Sara grinned, then ruffled his hair. "You can think me by doing the dishes tonight after dinner… dramatically, but without breaking anything."
Ian laughed. "Yes ma'am. For you, a command performance anytime!"
August 12th, 1972
It had been, so far, a very boring day of work for the Shock Alchemist. Mostly, Tore sat in the office doing paperwork, writing up the results of that morning's inspection trip with the Central Electric Company to test the new types of wiring they were considering using. Of the five types they had tested, two had taken very little electricity before they just melted and sparked and started fires in the testing facility. The third and fourth had proven to be about equivalent to the current wiring. The fifth, however, had taken a super-jolt nearly three times the strength of normal electrical current as if it wasn't there. Which meant, essentially, it would handle a minor lightning strike without too much danger. It was coated, and it was sturdier and less likely to fray and spark.
Tore definitely approved. He wondered how much it would cost to rewire the house in the stuff. He'd never feel concerned about the possibilities of an electrical fire with that stuff. So he was finishing up the touches on that report before going to lunch. If he had time, he intended to pick up Charisa so they could eat together. Since the Assembly hall was inside the HQ grounds, and that was where Charisa and most of the Assemblymen were today, it was convenient for them both.
The phone on his desk rang, and Tore put down his pen and picked it up. "Lieutenant Colonel Closson speaking."
"Mr. Closson, this is Dr. Cavell, at Central Medical Center."
Tore gave the phone his full attention. "Can I help you?" He didn't like the serious tone in Cavell's voice.
"We need you to come down here at once, sir. Your wife was brought in just a few minutes ago and I am concerned about pregnancy complications."
Tore's stomach sank through the floor. He didn't ask what was wrong on the phone. If the Doctor knew, he'd have said something. "I'll be there shortly."
Tore hung up the phone and only years of practice had him auto-pilot through Sara's office. "I've got to go for a bit," he said. "I got a call from the hospital…about Charisa."
A look of understanding concern crossed Sara's eyes. "Well, go!" She shooed him out.
Tore just nodded in thanks. After that, it was all he could do not to break into a run, and he was grateful that he and Charisa usually drove to work in the General's old car.
Getting caught in traffic did not improve his mood, but Tore couldn't speed when the cars were barely moving. What, did everyone drive to lunch these days? Finally, he reached the hospital, parked, and gave up on decorum and ran inside. "I need the room number for Charisa Closson," he blurted out at the receptionist. "Dr. Cavell called me?"
The woman was infuriatingly calm as she looked up the number, then nodded. "Room four-oh-three. You're expected."
"Of course I am!" Tore took off again. Charisa! Fear was beginning to take hold now. Why had she been brought in? Pregnancy complications? What if they lost the baby?
The doctor was waiting in the hallway, and put a hand out, half to stop Tore and half to shake it, as Tore arrived. "Mr. Closson," he nodded.
"How's Charisa?" Tore asked without bothering with greetings. "The baby?"
Dr. Cavell's serious expression was not reassuring. "Both your wife and the baby are fine for the moment. We've given her medication and she's resting now."
"What's wrong with her?"
"Her blood pressure was too high," Cavell replied. "We'd like to keep her overnight for observation. If the problem continues, we will need to consider further treatment."
"Like what?" Tore didn't ask what would happen if she didn't get treatment and it was still a problem. He already knew what those could be, and the thought of losing either her or the baby was terrifying.
"Continued medication and bed rest," Dr. Cavell replied. "At the moment, the case is not considered severe, but we need to take all precautions."
"Of course. Can I see her now?" Some part of Tore would not be convinced that Charisa was all right until he saw her for himself.
"Yes."
Tore didn't wait to hear anything else, he pushed through the door into the room, and his eyes went straight to the bed, where Charisa was resting quietly. He crossed the room in two steps.
Charisa looked up at him and offered him a small smile. "You look like someone ran over the cat."
She was joking. Tore let out a small breath of relief as he sat down on the edge of the bed and reached out, smoothing a curl out of her face with one hand. "Oh, please. They'd just bounce off him. Are you okay? What happened?"
"I felt light-headed, but I thought it would pass." Charisa shrugged. "So I sat down for a moment at my desk, and I passed out. Ginger woke me up, and brought me here when I was having trouble thinking straight."
Ginger was one of her coworkers.
"Thank goodness for that." Tore leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Doc says you're both okay though."
"Yeah, we are. You can feel movement still." She brought his free hand over to her stomach and rested it along one side. Sure enough, reassuring little flutters reached Tore's hand within a minute.
More relief. "Strong little fella." Tore felt some of the fear slowly ebbing out of him with the adrenaline. "So you'll be here over night."
Charisa nodded. "That's what I was told. It's all right, Tore," she smiled again, more reassuringly. "There's medicine for this, and if I'm fine, I'll be home in the morning."
"And if not?"
"I'll still be home soon," she replied. "I may just have to rest more."
"Keeping you still and relaxing is harder than convincing Rapscallion or your Dad to get exercise," Tore snorted. "You'll go stir-crazy."
"I've thought of that," Charisa admitted, sticking her tongue out slightly in disapproval. "I thought I might ask if I can do some of the minor paperwork or data stuff for work at home, just so I have something productive to do. I can do that lying in bed or on the couch."
"We'll talk about it when you're home," Tore promised. First, he'd just hope that this passed and everything would be back to normal tomorrow. "Do you want me to stay here with you tonight?"
"What about Dare?"
"I'll just tell him we're having a little sleepover," Tore replied. "Your Dad can handle him for one night, and I don't want to worry him."
"All right," Charisa replied, clearly too tired to argue. "That's a good idea. He's so excited about this after all."
"He'll be a good big brother," Tore agreed. Dare had been ecstatic ever since he found out he was going to have a brother or sister. "Now you rest and I'll be back soon. I need to make a few calls." First, to work to let Sara know he wouldn't be back in today, and very possibly not tomorrow. Then to Breda to let him know what was going on. He had a feeling the General was not going to be happy about this either. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
August 14th, 1972
It was not a triumphant homecoming, but given Charisa and the baby she carried had been declared otherwise healthy and allowed to come home, Tore still considered it a win as he settled Charisa down on their couch with a tasty lunch of Xingese take-out.
"Yay, you're home," Dare gave Charisa a hug, and then gave her belly a hug. "I missed you."
"I missed you, too," Charisa smiled as she hugged Dare back. "Did I miss anything exciting?"
"Grandpa sat on the cat!"
Tore looked over at Breda, who shrugged. "He didn't want to get out of the recliner. I figured he'd move."
Tore looked over at Rapscallion, who was now sprawled along the back of the couch, looking as though nothing so undignified could ever have happened to him. "Well, at least he's not hurt."
"Are you okay?" Dare looked at Charisa then. "Daddy said you were in the hospital."
"I'm just fine," Charisa assured him. "But I'm going to work from home for a while. Won't that be fun?"
"Yeah!" Dare grinned.
"Hey, kiddo. Can you get the napkins?" Tore asked.
"Sure." Dare got up and shot off into the kitchen at top speed.
"Fun huh?" Tore smiled at Charisa. He hoped she did find it enjoyable. He knew how much she hated feeling like she was behind or not being productive.
Charisa smiled. "If I keep telling him that, maybe I'll believe it too.?"
August 23rd, 1972
"And cut! Good work boys. Ten minute break then we'll try that scene from the top."
Ian relaxed as he headed for the snack table, where he grabbed a bottle of water and downed half of it before he reached for a bagel and slathered it in herbed cream cheese. He had already wolfed down several bites before Reggie came over to the table, gave Ian a mild look of disgust, and reached for a few carrot sticks.
Ian remembered Reggie from the auditions, and they had been working together ever since Reggie was cast as Dennis, Logan's high school nemesis. It wasn't hard, Ian thought, to see that. Reggie was a bit taller than Ian, and had a bit more bulk on his muscles. Dennis was supposed to be Logan's competition in both sports and with girls. It worked well, Ian thought, casting the two looks as opposites as well.
He'd tried being friendly, but for some reason, outside of practice and shooting, Reggie seemed inclined to ignore Ian as much as possible.
Ian was already tired of it. "Something wrong?" He asked, letting Reggie know he'd seen the glance.
"How do you eat like that?" Reggie replied. "You're little more than a twig."
Gee thanks. "It's genetic," Ian shrugged as he took another sip of water. "Seriously, most of the guys in my family could inhale half a feast table and you'd never know it the next day." Not that Ian didn't exercise, but he didn't spend hours in the gym. The most he got was taking Aunt Sara's dog for long walks or jogs. If nothing else, since he'd arrived, the dog was in better shape.
"Seriously?" Reggie looked disbelieving for a moment, but when Ian didn't waiver, he shook his head. "If I ate like that I'd look like a walrus, and my mother would shout at me for having bad manners."
"I can chew more slowly if it'll make you feel better," Ian offered with a playful smile, hoping to diffuse the awkward situation.
At that, Reggie actually chuckled. "No. That's all right. At least it means I've got one thing I'm better at than you, even if it is table manners."
Ian thought he had an inkling of what was going on here. Reggie had auditioned for Logan too. All the boys had, and Ian knew they'd wanted it as badly as he had, though some of them actually took lessons from acting coaches here. Ian had come in out of nowhere and gotten the role on their turf. Or that was how it probably looked, though none of the other guys had been anything other than reasonably friendly so far.
"Don't say that, man," Ian replied. "You're really good. When we're out there, if I didn't know better I'd think you really hated my guts." It was a calculated risk, making that statement.
But it paid off. Reggie looked slightly uncomfortable. "You really mean that, don't you? You're… don't take this the wrong way, man, but you're different from most of us."
"I'd noticed."
"I mean, you're a natural, and you've got experience, but you just do it because you love it, and no one seems to be putting any pressure on you to be good, other than yourself."
"That's true," Ian acknowledged, a little surprised by Reggie's insight. "My folks think my getting to do this stuff is great, but acting was my idea. I'm sure they'd have been just as happy if I wanted to be a cook, or an accountant or something."
"My mother was an actress," Reggie admitted, nibbling his carrots. "Had one big role after some small stuff, but that was it. She never did become the big name she wanted. I like acting, I really do, but nothing I do is ever good enough for her, even if it's good enough for the director. She doesn't care about supporting roles; just leads."
Ian found himself feeling sympathetic towards Reggie. He hadn't lied, the guy was really, really talented. He worked hard, and he was convincing. "Does she give you a hard time about getting Dennis?"
"Went on about it for hours," Reggie replied, rolling his eyes. "Doesn't matter that they really wanted me in this role, and told my mother I was perfect for it. Doesn't matter that I like playing Dennis and the character conflict. I'm not the lead and you are, and so she's not happy with the world as a whole; not the casting directors, not me, and not you either."
That last should have been a surprise, but it wasn't. "That's a bummer," he replied after a minute. "So… where do you stand?" Ian asked finally. "I wouldn't blame you if you don't like me. That's a lot to deal with."
Reggie sighed, and shrugged. "I didn't like you when we started. I figured you had to be some big shot, getting a personal invitation to the audition and all that. And you're better than me for that role. But I figured you'd be more of a know-it-all, or a jerk, or something. It's almost more annoying that you're really a nice guy and a hard worker."
"Thanks, I think."
"No, I don't hate you," Reggie admitted then. "Besides which," he actually smiled. "We have some great chemistry going out there on camera. It's a lot more fun to pretend to hate you."
Ian laughed and offered Reggie his hand. "On that, we can agree. You're the best enemy I've ever had. Friends?"
For a moment, Reggie looked nonplussed, and then he laughed and took Ethan's hand. "Best enemies huh? Sure. Friends."