I don't own FMA or its characters. I only own the OCs and plot.

Terribly sorry for the long wait but here it is! :)

The next morning was a blur. Everything had happened so fast. The only thing Alphonse could remember was taking a shower, Riza dressing him, and his father carrying him around while he rested his head on his broad shoulder and hugged his little knight stuffed toy. He clutched on to it as tight as he could in fear that he would lose it again.

The next thing he knew, he was lying on a bed, in a small, unfamiliar room. He pulled himself up and rubbed his big golden eyes. Slowly, he got off the bed and cautiously opened the door. He stumbled a bit onto the wall but regained balance. Dragging his stuffed toy with him, the little boy sleepily walked into the common room.

There, he realized where he really was. He was inside the private car his sister booked for them. It looked like a house—a luxurious one, to be exact. The sides were made of big glass windows that showed the scenery. They were still in the outskirts of Amestris. The whole train ride to Drachma would take around six hours. And they would have to take another train to reach the mountain side.

Rubbing his right eye, he walked slowly until the dining table, where his father and his uncle sat.

"Well, look who decided to wake up," Maes grinned. "You hungry, Al?"

Roy took Alphonse and sat him on his lap. Alphonse could smell the strong aroma of coffee. Alphonse cuddled up to his stuffed toy some more.

"Do you want some pancakes? Bacon? Everyone else is having breakfast in the food car. Why don't you go join them?" His father looked at him warmly.

Slowly, Alphonse let his feet touch the floor and dragged his feet—and his stuffed toy—into the next car where delicious morsels awaited him.

When he was gone, the two men started up their conversation again.

"I see he still drags that stuffed toy around with him on trips," Maes mused and took a sip of coffee.

"Not everywhere. Only on trips. Which is why I planted a chip in that thing," Roy sighed heavily. "He lost it once when we were in Xing, visiting my mom. He threw a fit when she called to say it wasn't at her house."

Maes laughed heartily, "how cute!"

"No way, man. It was scary. He refused to eat or drink until he got it back," Roy explained. "I had everyone I knew in Xing to look for it. He dropped it in the station. It was a good thing someone picked it up and gave it to lost and found."

"So after that you placed a tracking chip on it?"

"Yeah. Wouldn't want to lose that damn doll again," Roy took a sip of coffee. "But enough of that. We have more serious matters to talk about."

Maes' expression changed and his tone became serious, "of course. It's something we can't overlook."

(((-)))

Gracia spotted Alphonse entering the food car while she was getting a glass of milk for Winry. "Oh, Al. You're awake. What do you want, honey?" She asked him, warmly. "It's a buffet so you can get anything you want," she handed him a plate and smiled. Alphonse gave a sleepy one in return and lined up to get some waffles and eggs.

Riza, Micha, Winry, Edward, Elicia and Alphonse and Gracia all sat together and had a delicious breakfast. The two men were talking about something business related, so they were forced to move out so they could talk in private.

"I don't get it, mama," Winry looked up at her mom. "Why does papa and uncle Roy have to talk about business stuff when we're on vacation?"

"You know those two, love. They… try their best in their career so they can give their families whatever they want. You know papa works hard to give you dresses, and toys, right?"

"Yeah, but why does he have to spoil our vacation?" She asked, pouting.

"He's not really spoiling it, Winry. Just ignore it," Micha interjected. "Whatever they're talking about, it's got to be highly confidential and important if we couldn't be there or let the matter wait."

Winry just stared at her, processing everything she just said. "Okay." She lowered her gaze to her lap. "But I just wish papa was here to eat with us." She mumbled sadly.

"Wish granted!" Maes picked up his daughter and tickled her with his beard, making Winry laugh.

Roy took a seat next to Riza. "How do you like the food, Miss Hawkeye?"

"It's delicious, sir. You should also go have a bite to eat," she replied.

Roy stared straight into her eyes. It made Riza blush ever so slightly. The last time he looked at her like that was during their "date". But it all ended abruptly when he stood up and walked over to the buffet tables and started loading a plate with food. Riza looked down at her lap but Micha spotted her cheek's change in color in a heartbeat.

The teenage girl sliced her pancake and put it in her mouth and thought inwardly with a smirk, "interesting."

(((-)))

After breakfast, Edward sat on one of the couches by the window in front of Winry. She was reading a book about mechanisms and machinery. Edward and Alphonse aren't the only ones whose intelligence is way beyond their years.

Edward leaned on the cool glass, pretending to look at the scenery when he was actually looking at the little girl seated in front of him. He took quick stolen looks at her.

"It's not polite to stare, Ed," Winry's gaze was fixated on the words in her book.

"I don't think the scenery cares much about manners, Winry. In fact, I think it likes being stared at," Edward replied, nonchalantly. He was still gazing out the window.

Winry gave him a knowing look and smirked. "If you say so."

Edward noticed she changed her gaze and looked at her too. "I was not staring at you!" He snapped.

"I didn't say anything," Winry raised her eyebrow with a smug smile playing on her lips.

"YES YOU DID. YOUR EYES WERE SCREAMING IT!" The little boy exclaimed.

"So you admit you were looking at my eyes?" She had a smug smile dancing on her lips. Winry had him cornered.

Edward jumped back. He was founded out. He stormed off the sofa and stomped. "WOMEN."

(((-)))

Roy and Maes sat on a couch in a corner of the train car. They were simply exchanging fond stories and looking back at memories. While having glasses of scotch.

"Yeah, we were so crazy for girls back then," Maes laughed. "But I sure am glad I found Gracia," he looked at his wife across the car. She was sitting in front of Riza. Elicia was on Riza's lap. He elbowed Roy. "Don't you think she's just beautiful?" He asked.

Roy followed his gaze and spotted the two women. His eyes settled on Riza. "Honestly," Mustang brought the glass to his lips and took a sip and thought carefully, "yeah. She really is."

"Just look at her eyes! Her hair…" Maes added

"And she's so sweet, and caring, and she's so well mannered," Roy mused.

"Yeah, just look at how she handles the kids," Maes mused. Roy was not paying full attention anymore. Either that or the scotch was getting to him.

"The sound of her voice," Maes added while pouring more Scotch in Roy's glass and he accepted it graciously and started drinking from it again.

"The way she walks," Roy said after taking a sip. His eyes never left Riza.

"The way she dresses," Maes looked at his friend.

"The way she always smells so damn good," Roy took another sip. His voice was starting to sound a little bit more aggressive. "And all those damn curves…"

Roy was taking a sip when Maes added, "yeah. And she's all mine. Can you imagine that?" Maes grinned.

Roy spat out his drink. "WHAT?"

Maes moved back a bit at the violent reaction. "I was talking about my wife, Roy," Maes pointed to his wife using his thumb. "Who did you think I was talking about?" Maes grinned slyly.

Roy was wiping his mouth and chin while giving Maes a death glare.

Mustang's best friend added, "did you think I was talking about—"

"Sir, are you alright?" Riza was standing right in front of them, cutting Hughes off.

Hughes punched Mustang on his shoulder, playfully.

"Yes, Miss Hawkeye," Roy punched his friend back a bit too forcefully. Maes grabbed his arm and winced in pain. "I'm fine."

Riza looked at him, at Hughes, and then back at him. She nodded and went back to where Gracia and Elicia was.

(((-)))

Once Riza sat back down on the sofa, Gracia spoke up, "What was that all about, Riza?"

"I don't know. He said he was fine," of course he's fine. Gracia chuckled.

"Do they always punch each other like children?" She asked.

"Oh, sometimes." Gracia laughed. "You know," Gracia briefly looked at the the two boys and girls watching television on the other couch, out of earshot. "I heard one of them has a little crush."

"Oh really, who?" Riza asked.

"I'm not so sure but he told me she thinks she's beautiful," Gracia giggled.

"Oh really?" Riza looked amused. "So it's a boy who has a crush?" She asked.

"Well, yes. I'd be concerned if he started liking men," she laughed.

"Well, that would be… something, wouldn't it?" Riza was being cautious.

"Yes, it would, wouldn't it? The press would be all over it! And thinking that he's a Mustang."

Riza was confused. Press? Was Gracia talking about Roy? Wasn't she talking about Edward and Alphonse?

Gracia lowered her voice, "Don't tell anyone I told you this. But I heard the girl he likes is blond!"

Riza was eliminating everyone. She could be talking about Edward and the crush could be Winry because she's blond. Riza thought. Or it could be Alphonse… but what if it were Roy? He likes someone blond? … I'm blond. She realized. Does that mean he could have a crush on me? Whoa, whoa, whoa. That's a huge assumption. Don't even entertain that, Riza! She scolded herself. But… Could he really like me? She was in conflict with herself.

"Riza? Are you alright?" Gracia asked. Riza seemed out of it.

"Ah, yeah. Yes. I'm fine. I just feel a little… My head's spinning." She replied.

"Oh. Maybe you should rest." Gracia stood up and left Elicia playing on the floor.

I think I'll cut it here so you guys have something to read for now. ^^;

I'm terribly sorry it's such a late post. College has proven to be a challenge and I guess I'm still adjusting. And do you hear that? That's the sound of my heart breaking. Hahaha. Tough times. But I'm tougher. ;)

I didn't have this beta read yet because I don't know how to use it. *shot* I really hope I find time to figure it out and talk to my beta reader about it. :D

I'll be having my term break soon and I plan to immerse myself in reading, painting and writing to get my mind off things for now. So hopefully, I'll be able to make more chapters or a one shot or something. I am retreating to the arts to comfort my soul.

I really am happy that people still read and find my fic. It makes me want to cry. ; w; Sorry if I don't reply to your comments, though. I read all of them, I promise! And they are very much appreciated.

I hope you liked this chapter! I'm planning on a fun and somewhat… dramatic vacation for them. Hehehe.

Please drop a review my way. They make me happy. :D