A Trial of Sin
Chapter 11: Unexpected Decisions
December 23, 2005
By CCD
A/N: I am so sorry for my lack of updates. My schedule has been really hectic and I've also had writer's block on a lot of these stories. I hope this was worth the wait and if it wasn't…please vote to have this story updated more often in my poll. I hope you enjoy!
The sun began to cast a muted light as it started to rise over the horizon of East City. Edward leaned on the windowsill of his bedroom. He clutched a coffee cup in his hand as he enjoying watching the sunrise. After a month of recovery, he was sick of being stuck in the Colonel's house. More than anything else, he wished he could return to work for the military.
He heard an alarm start to blare from another room followed by a crash. He smirked knowing the Colonel was going to have another late start. Ed sighed and pushed himself from the window seal and went downstairs to the kitchen. The blond-haired teen placed his mug on the counter before grabbing a clean cup and proceeded to fill both mugs with coffee.
At first, Ed was a little surprised at the small similarities between him and the Colonel. They both drank their coffee the same way, and they liked to sleep in. It irked him at first, but lately they had fallen into a routine. Ed had been rising earlier lately because he was getting sick of resting. He would make coffee and when the Colonel couldn't get himself out of bed, the younger alchemist would wake the bastard up and offer him coffee. Hawkeye had even gone out of their way to thank Ed for getting Roy to work on time.
Ed twisted the doorknob and cracked it before kicking it open. He stomped loudly towards the bed. Mustang's only response was to put the pillow over his head. Ed placed the coffee mugs on the night stand before flinging open the curtains.
"Rise and shine bastard before Hawkeye comes in here and shoots us both."
"Just five more minutes, Ed."
"No, because every time I come back you will ask for five more minutes until you're late. I have a reputation to uphold, you know."
The pillow came up and dark sleep filled eyes attempted to glare at the younger alchemist. Ed smirked before picking up his coffee mug and leaned on the wall closest to the window. The Flame alchemist sat up and grabbed his coffee from the night stand. He took a sip before he studied the teen in front of him.
Mustang knew that Ed was bored sitting around the house. For the past month, he had petitioned to have Ed do minor work in the military. Hughes had even put in his two-sense since they still hadn't found who had poisoned the young alchemist and tried to get thehigher-ups to bring Ed back as a researcher or state librarian at the very least.
Ed had really bounced back within the last month as well. The pale, weak boy that had existed last month was gone and the fiery teenager had returned. The elder alchemist knew it was only a matter of time before Ed would be craving to work again.
He wants to get back to work already; he's just not going to say anything. His pride won't allow it.
"Hey Colonel"
"What?"
"If you don't want a bullet in your head, I suggest you get moving."
Mustang looked at his wall clock. He paled slightly.
"Shit!"
He threw off his sheets and took off swiftly for the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind him.
"Fullmetal, you better be out of my room when I get back."
The teen smirked.
I'm glad I set his clock fifteen minutes fast. It's worth it to see his reaction this early in the morning.
I am going to kill Fullmetal when I get home.
He had arrived to work fifteen minutes early earning odd stares from the soldiers in Central and jeers from his subordinates. Even Hawkeye was shocked at how early he was.
"Oh come on Colonel, being early makes a good impression. Ed was just trying to help you with that," Havoc said with a laugh.
"I don't see what's so funny Lieutenant; perhaps I should find a way to amuse everyone," the dark haired man said as he snapped on oneof his gloves.
Havoc stopped laughing and retreated to the next. The others got really quiet with the tense mood of their superior officer was giving off. Lt. Hawkeye entered the room next.
"Sir, with all due respect, I realize that you're upset, but you don't have to take it out on your subordinates."
He sighed, "I know Hawkeye and I'm not really frustrated at the fact that I got here early…"
She waited for him to elaborate, but he let his statement hang in the air.
"Then what is bothering you, sir."
"If Edward is feeling well enough to play pranks, then he's restless. I'm waiting for him to get to a point that he's going to…well…"
"Do something stupid?"
"You know how he is Hawkeye. When Ed isn't happy he gets reckless and when we try to steer him in the right direction, he feels like he has everything under control and lashes out."
"He is a teenage, sir," Hawkeye said as the door swung open to reveal Hughes.
"Yo Roy, look what I have," Hughes said as he started to pull out pictures of his daughter.
"HUGHES! I WILL TORCH THE NEXT PICTURE OF YOUR DAUGHTER THAT I SEE!"
The room was silent. Hawkeye stared at her superior while Hughes dropped the folder and pictures he had in his hands. They had never heard Mustang yell like that before. Hawkeye decided it was time for her to leave and let the two friends figure things out.
"Roy, what has gotten into you?"
"I'm sorry. I'm just stressed out, Maes."
"Edward?"
"Yeah,"
"Well, I might have some good news for you."
Friends looked each other in the face. Hughes bent down and picked up the discarded folder. He handed it to Mustang who opened it swiftly and scanned the content. The alchemist placed the folder on his desk with a sigh of relief.
"Well, what does it say?"
"With the investigation going on about the attempted murder of Edward Elric, parliament is beginning to think that the death of Alphonse Elric is not Edward's fault. They are willing to let Edward back into the military on a trial basis. They are temporarily reinstating him as an alchemist, because of his natural ability in the area, but whether he remains is going to be based on the investigation and evaluations of his superior officers."
"Well that's a good thing,"
"But there are still a lot of things to overcome…"
"Yes, but if we all work together, things will turn out all right."
The two of them were silent for a moment. They were trying to take everything in.
"Well, now we just have one last thing to do," Mustang said allowing a smirk to cross his face.
"Oh yeah, and what's that?"
"We have to go tell Fullmetal."
