Author's Note: Hello. As usual, here are the notes about the speaking:
"Talking" - Amestrian/English
"Talking" - German
'Speech' - Thinking
"Talk" - Emphasis
Chapter Nineteen
'Maybe I should have just told him myself,' thought Darcy. 'He hasn't gone yet and it's almost lunch time. Maybe I should tell him about it now.'
She sighed and looked at the office doors. A flash of alchemic light flashed behind them. She could hear clapping and giggling from Nina. Darcy was so focused on her thoughts about Ed and Nina that she didn't notice someone coming up to the desk.
"Miss?" asked the person.
Darcy jumped and looked at the person.
"I'm sorry for startling you," said the person.
"Oh, don't worry about it," said Darcy. "I wasn't thinking of anything important. What do you need, General Hakuro?"
"I just need to speak to Edward," said the person, Hakuro. "Is he in?"
"Yes, he's showing his daughter some alchemical tricks," said Darcy.
"He's not supposed to bring his daughter to work," said Hakuro.
Then he went to the door and opened it. As Hakuro went in, he was shocked that instead of Ed showing Nina tricks, it was the other way around.
"Good work, Nina," said Ed, as he surveyed what Nina made. "You say you learned it from Al and General Mustang?"
"Uh-huh!" said Nina.
"That's some good work," said Hakuro.
Ed looked up and quickly stood. He put the toy onto his desk and then saluted Hakuro. Nina looked from Hakuro to Ed and then back to Hakuro. Ed stopped a few moments later.
"What can I do for you, General?" asked Ed.
"I just wanted to talk to you about your divorce," said Hakuro.
Ed looked down.
"Oh, then you know about it too," said Ed.
"Almost everyone here knows about it," said Hakuro.
"Oh," said Ed. "You don't say."
He looked at Nina who looked up at him as innocently as she could. Ed couldn't help but feel that Nina was hiding something from him. He brushed it aside as paranoia. Ed then looked back up to Hakuro.
"What did you want to talk about?" asked Ed.
"I just want to tell you that the house you are furnished with is not up to negotiating with," said Hakuro.
"I know that, sir," said Ed. "Is there anything else?"
"We would like for this to be done as quickly and quietly as possible," said Hakuro. "And do not admit any fault to the ending of your marriage. It would..."
"But it is my fault," said Ed. "I know it wouldn't look good for the military, but I can't deny something I had a part in. I had a part in destroying the trust and marriage. It wasn't adultery, but it was worse than that."
"What's worse than adultery?" asked Hakuro.
"You don't want to know," said Ed. "Anyway, about with Nina. I know I'm not supposed to bring her and Spot to work, but she insisted she come with me."
"Don't worry about it," said Hakuro. "She's going to be a very gifted alchemist. Maybe she'll be the next youngest State Alchemist."
'Don't bet your life on it,' thought Ed.
"It'll be her decision, right, Nina?" said Ed.
Nina giggled. A few moments later, Hakuro left. Then Ed picked Nina up and held her.
"Do you want to get some lunch?" asked Ed.
"What about Spot?" asked Nina.
"We'll take him with us," said Ed.
Nina cuddled up to Ed's chest and looked up at him.
"Papa?" asked Nina.
"Ja?" asked Ed.
"Why don't you want me to be a State Alchemist?" asked Nina.
"Because I don't want you to be on a leash," said Ed. "It's not what I want for you."
"Oh, okay, Papa," said Nina. "Let's go get lunch."
"All right," said Ed.
During lunch, Ed tried to convince Nina to go to the school that Al enrolled her into while he was on his...search, but he didn't succeed. After lunch was over and Ed, Nina, and Spot were all back at Headquarters, Ed was greeted by more paper work.
"Great," said Ed. "More paperwork."
Nina yawned as Ed put her down onto the sofa.
"I think it's time for your nap," said Ed.
"I'm not tired," said Nina.
"I think you are," said Ed. "Now, take your nap, all right?"
"Okay," said Nina.
She laid down and after she clutched her doll closer to herself, she fell right to sleep. Spot jumped onto the sofa and went to sleep at Nina's feet. Ed took off his jacket and put it over the sleeping Nina. He kissed her forehead and went to his desk and sat down. Ed groaned and started in on his paperwork.
"Now I know why General Bastard hates paperwork," said Ed, as he signed the papers. "There's way too damn much! I really don't have time for this...damn, I'm starting to sound like..."
As Ed signed the paperwork, he didn't notice Darcy coming in.
"Sir?" asked Darcy.
Ed didn't answer.
"Mr. Elric?" asked Darcy.
Ed still didn't answer.
"Colonel Elric?" asked Darcy.
Ed didn't answer.
"Herr Elric?" asked Darcy.
Ed's head snapped up and he looked at Darcy.
'I hope I said it right,' thought Darcy.
"Ja?" asked Ed. "I mean, yes?"
"I don't know if Nina told you or not, but the clerk needs you to go by his office before the end of the day," said Darcy.
"Why?" asked Ed.
"Because you signed in the wrong place," said Darcy.
"So, they haven't been filed yet?" asked Ed.
"No, they can't be filed unless you sign in the right place," said Darcy. "And if you don't get it corrected today, you'll have to wait another week."
"What for?" asked Ed.
"Well, he'd have to draw up another one," said Darcy. "And that'll take a week at least. Should I call and tell them that you'd be coming by the end of the day?"
"I don't know," said Ed.
"What do you mean, sir?" asked Darcy.
"Just let me think about it," said Ed. "You can go now."
"Yes, sir," said Darcy.
Then she left. Ed sighed and looked at Nina.
'What should I do?' thought Ed. 'Nina needs a mother, but...'
Ed sighed again.
"This is hopeless," said Ed. "How am I supposed to move on if Winry doesn't want anything to do with me?"
He looked at the phone and hesitated. Ed then looked back at his work and started to sign the papers again. By the time he was finished, Nina was awake and playing with Spot.
"Nina, did you have a nice nap?" asked Ed.
"Yes," said Nina.
"That's good," said Ed.
"Papa?" asked Nina.
"Yes?" asked Ed.
Nina looked down and then back up to Ed.
"Nothing," said Nina.
"Are you sure?" asked Ed.
Nina nodded. Ed stood, went to Nina, and ruffled her hair.
"Papa?" asked Nina.
"I'll be right back, Nina," said Ed.
"Okay," said Nina. "Where are you going?"
"Don't worry, I'll be right back," said Ed.
Nina nodded again. Ed straightened and was going towards the door when Nina got off the sofa and grabbed onto his right leg.
"Nina?" asked Ed.
"Don't go, Papa!" said Nina.
"Don't go where?" asked Ed.
"Don't sign," said Nina. "Please, Papa."
"Don't sign what?" asked Ed.
Nina didn't answer. She held onto his leg tighter.
"Papa," said Nina, starting to cry. "Please, do not sign them."
"Oh," said Ed.
He picked up and held Nina.
"Nina, I have to," said Ed.
"No, you don't," said Nina.
"Nina, I just can't deny Winry of..." started Ed.
Nina managed to free herself from Ed and kick him in the leg.
"Nina!" said Ed. "Don't kick your father!"
"Papa wouldn't give up!" said Nina. "You not Papa!"
Then Nina pulled open the door with all of her strength and ran off.
"Nina!" called out Ed. "Nina!"
Then he pulled on his military jacket, picked up Spot, and went to Darcy's desk.
"Take care of Spot," said Ed.
He deposited Spot into Darcy's arms and then ran off to find Nina.
"Mr. Elric!" said Darcy.
Spot started to whine for Ed and Nina. Al came a few moments later.
"What's wrong, Darcy?" asked Al.
"Nina ran off and then Mr. Elric, your brother, went after her," said Darcy. "Edward is having me watch Spot."
"Why did Nina run off?" asked Al.
"I don't know," said Darcy.
"I'm going to help!" said Al.
"Alphonse!" said Darcy.
It was too late, Alphonse was already gone. She sighed and looked down at Spot.
"I just hope they find her," said Darcy.
Spot whined in response.
Elric Residence...
8:00p.m.
"She won't call herself, Brother," said Al.
Ed looked at the doorway of the den and seen Al standing there. Ed sighed and looked to the phone.
"I know," said Ed.
"Nina's down for the night, so she won't hear anything," said Al.
"That's good," said Ed.
"Then why don't you call Winry, Brother?" asked Al.
"I don't...," started Ed. "She might not talk to me."
"Did you already sign the divorce papers?" asked Al.
"You mean re-sign?" asked Ed. "No, I couldn't bring myself to like I did yesterday."
"What did you tell the clerk?" asked Al.
"I didn't go," said Ed. "I just told your girlfriend to call and tell him that I wouldn't be signing the papers."
Al blushed. Ed smiled softly.
"I'm glad that at least one of us has a love life," said Ed. "Mine is non-existent right now."
"Brother?" asked Al.
"Yes?" asked Ed.
"Nothing," said Al. "Are you going to call Winry?"
"I don't know if I should," said Ed. "I want to since Nina almost got herself hurt because of me wanting to have the divorce finalized, but..."
"You're scared, Brother?" asked Al. "Are scared that she'll tell you that it's your fault?"
"Yeah," said Ed. "But it is my fault. I caused her all this pain, and then I expect her to forgive me just like that?"
Ed sighed.
"Brother, just call, okay?" asked Al. "If not for yourself, do it for Nina. Nina does need a mother, Brother. And Nina really likes Winry. Come on."
"I suppose I should," said Ed. "But what if she's asleep?"
"Winry pulls all nighters, Brother," said Al. "Of course she'll be awake."
"That's right," said Ed. "I'll call her in the morning."
"No, now, Brother," said Al. "Don't make me dial the phone for you."
Then Ed sighed in defeat and called Winry.