One Big Military Family

Author's Note: This is my very first on going Royai fic! I had a lot of random ideas for how I wanted to do so I hope it actually turns out decent. I actually got the idea before seeing episode 25 and I liked how it turned out so much I decided to keep the first chapters the way they were and I'll figure things out from there. There are only a few spoilers I actually know of cuz I'm relying on the Adult Swim schedule, so go easy on me.

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA or the characters. I just like writing fics about 'em. :)

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Chapter 21- Lab 5, a Trip to Liore, and Hyper 3 year olds

Winry dropped her bag instantly when she walked into the hospital room and saw Ed and Al sitting in their hospital beds. Al had a bandage around his head and across his cheek as well as a few on his arms while Ed was missing his entire automail arm, had bandages around his head, bandages on his face and he looked like he had gotten run into the ground in whatever fight he had been in. The brothers turned and Al smiled brightly over at their childhood companion.

"Hi Winry. You got down here faster than we expected." He said. His smile faded when he saw the look on her face.

"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU TWO DOING!" she screamed.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SCREAMING AT US FOR!" Ed yelled back at her. Al sank back in his pillows as the pair began screaming back and forth at one another. It wasn't like he wasn't expecting this to happen, just not as quickly.

"What happened to your arm? I mean when Scar was around it was understandable! But what is your excuse this time!" Winry demanded. Ed stared at her with a stubborn expression on his face and sighed.

"I can't tell you just yet." He answered. Winry looked at him in confusion and then looked over at Al, who was now looking down at the book in his lap. Winry frowned and opened her mouth to say something, but what cut off when someone entered the room.

"Oh, hello." Winry turned around and smiled when she saw it was Rose. Rose had stayed with her, Al and Pinako in Rizenbol for a while after Ed's disappearance years back, so she was on good terms with the young woman. Ed looked between the two in slight confusion.

"Hello Rose. You've been well I see." She said with a warm smile. Rose nodded and smiled over at the brothers.

"I was just coming to bring something for Edward and Alphonse." She said, indicating to the bag she had. Winry nodded and after shooting at glare at Ed, she began helping the woman. Ed sighed and watched the two carefully, or more so Winry. Why did she always have to be mad at him? Al looked at his older brother and smiled slightly. He noticed Ed was watching Winry carefully, but he wouldn't say anything until they were alone.

Roy walked behind his crew with a bored expression as he up at the laboratory ahead of them. There were a few groups of soldiers around investigating whatever it was he had gotten called out there for. "General Mustang!" Roy turned and saluted to the older solider that had just came walking up.

"General Maxson." He said. The older man smiled and nodded. "So, what's going on out here?" the man sighed and looked over at the large, once abandoned building, that was being reconstructed.

"Well you remember this was once laboratory five, I believe." Roy nodded. He could never figure out why anyone wanted the building put back together, but it was being worked on and who knew what it would be used for now. "Well there was supposedly individuals seen stepping foot on this property." He said, leading Roy to the building.

"So what's the big deal? It's probably some kids messing around where they shouldn't be." Said Roy. The older General shook his head.

"There's more to it… it seems they have a little taste for murder." They stopped short and Roy caught sight of Maes talking to a group of people.

"Hughes!" His best friend looked over at him and turned, saying something to the men before walking over to Roy, letting out a sigh. 'What's going on?" he asked quietly as General Maxson went to give orders to the men who were standing by what was clearly a covered up body.

"I couldn't tell you. All I know is we found what looked like a transmutation circle and a dead body." He answered. Roy frowned.

"You can't be serious? Did it look like a human transmutation?" he asked. Maes shook his head.

"Honestly, I just looked like they killed a person and used their blood to create a transmutation circle. Roy looked over in the direction of the men moving the body. "I don't know what the point of that was, but if you would have seen the body…" Roy sighed and nodded.

"So we have a murderer or two going around trying to make themselves appear to be alchemists. Great." Maes sighed and shook his head, glancing over at the others around them.

"I don't really want to say it, but I honestly think its someone inspired by Scar." He said in a low voice. Roy looked at his friend in slight shock.

"What are you talking about? Why would anyone want to follow his steps?" he asked. Maes shrugged a shoulder.

"I wouldn't know. But the body we found, was one of a state alchemist."

Sheska sat on the floor in a defeated manner as she watched Ross and Brosh chase Lee around the room. The child seemed to get a great rush of energy once far enough from his parents. Maybe someone had snuck and gave him candy before Riza had handed him over to them. Lee stopped running and turned to Brosh, who was running in his direction and was trying to stop. "YAY!" Without warning, the boy ran and tackled the man directly, sending him to the ground.

"Wow…." Said Both Shezka and Ross. Ross ran over and helped up her partner after Shezka removed the grinning three year old.

"How about we read a book?" she suggested. Lee looked at her in slight confusion.

"Don't wanna." He informed. Shezka looked at him in slight shock.

"What do you mean you don't want to? Books are some of your best friends." She informed. Lee shook his head stubbornly.

"Ha'te is." A confused look crossed the young woman's face and an entertained chuckled was heard. They all turned their attention to Falman, who had just entered the room.

"Shame how they tossed little flame on you." He informed, shaking his head. "No one can really control that kid." Shezka looked over at Falman with gratefulness and relief shining in her eyes. Lee got up and bounced anxiously over to the older man.

"You come to play?" the little boy asked anxiously. Falman looked down at the little boy and smiled slightly.

"Actually I came to check and make sure things were ok. The colonel called and she seemed pretty serious about making sure the boy is ok." He answered. The two women looked slightly confused.

"Why? Is something going on out there at the lab?" asked Ross. Falman just shook his head to show that he couldn't really say what was going on. Lee clearly could care less and went back over to the couch and began jumping once again.

"So… are they coming back yet?" asked Brosh, glancing wearily over at the hyper active child who had caused him harm.

"Actually, I believe they have to go to a meeting of some ort. That's why Hawkeye… Mustang sent me to check up on the little one." Falman answered.

"Mommy is coming?" Lee called from the other side of the room. Ross looked over at him and forced a smile.

"Not just yet, Lee." She answered. The child stopped jumping and frowned.

"Is big bruder Edo coming?" he asked. "An' Al?"

"No. They're too far away to come visit right now."

"Winry?" The adults stopped and looked at the stubborn child with raised eyebrows.

"No one is coming Lee." Said Ross, trying to keep patience.

"Daddy?"

"No, little flame. NO one is coming. Everyone is too busy right now." Said Brosh. Lee looked at him and suddenly tears filled his eyes, causing the man to begin to panic.

"B-but I want to see my mommy… n daddy… n big bruders… Winry…" he answered, tears flowing freshly down his cheeks.

"Oh boy…" Mustang was going to be down all their throats when they came back and saw the child having an emotional break down due to possible fear of abandonment.

Ed sighed as they sat in the room with complete silence, him lying on his stomach as Winry adjusted the new automail he was now sporting. Al, with the company of Armstrong, stepped outside for some fresh air, leaving his brother and their childhood friend alone. He lazily opened his eyes and frowned a little when he saw Winry staring at him. "What?" he asked. She just smiled innocently and shook her head.

"It's nothing… But, well… have you ever considered cutting your hair?" she asked, reaching and tugging at his long unbraided ponytail and causing Ed to glare at her. He sat up quickly and moved away slightly.

"What do you mean? What's wrong with it?" he asked defensively. Winry just smiled a little.

"Nothing… I just wanted to see what you might look like with shorter hair… almost like Al's I guess." She answered. "Or at least no ponytail." Ed scowled.

"I'll shorten it but I'm not slicing it all off."

"Why not?"

"Because…"

"Because what?" Winry asked, becoming slightly annoyed by Ed's stubbornness clearly. It didn't really matter considering she was beginning to bug him as well.

"Because it'll make me look too young." He muttered. Winry stared at him in slight confusion and began to giggle. Ed looked at her in outrage. "What're you laughing for? I'm serious!" he yelled. Winry laughed and shook her head.

"First it's your height and now this. I mean really Ed. You can't be serious."

"Well I am." Ed grumbled and slumped back with his arms crossed. "If I cut my hair it's gonna make me look younger than I already am. Mustang is gonna tease me and I won't get all the respect I deserve by looking like a little kid." He grumbled.

"I think you'll look fine either way." Winry informed. Ed blinked a few times and a blush crossed his face.

"Uh… thanks Winry." She smiled a little and nodded.

"Well… I better go get Alphonse. I suppose you two have a sparring match to get to or something." She said, rolling her eyes. Ed smiled faintly and nodded.

"Yeah, I think we could get in a few punches before the nurses come a screaming." He answered. Winry nodded and excused herself, going off to find Al, which shouldn't be too hard considering who was with. Sighed, Ed stood up and looked in a mirror at his long hair and frowned a little. Maybe it was too long. After all, in a fight the opponent could easily grab a good handful and have the upper hand. "I hate when she's right…" he muttered.