"Do you know what your doing?" Edward asked as he sat in a chair while Erika trimmed his hair. He thought she was taking longer than necessary. He was starting to get fidgety and was tired of sitting still for so long. It was actually relaxing as Erika would run her fingers through what was left of his hair but he wasn't used to this kind of attention. It reminded him of his visits to Gracia's when Al was recovering in Central. Little Elysia had been so enamored with his hair she insisted on brushing it whenever he visited. Even then he limited the hair brushing to a minimum. He felt like a doll and his teenage pride said it wasn't a really masculine thing for him to sit through. He laughed to himself when he thought how upset she would be to see that he had cut it all off and had no intention of growing it out again. Especially now that Erika had taken matters into her own hands and decided to straighten out his hair.

"Of course," Erika answered back, trying to sound offensive. "I used to cut my father's hair. It's been a while though. I couldn't do any worse than your last barber."

"I was the last barber."

Erika laughed. "Why did you cut it?"

Edward shrugged not wanting to explain his real reasons. At the time it had been a compulsive thing to do and he did it without really thinking about it. Later he realized it was his way of finalizing his decision to go to war and not look back, like when he and his brother burned their house down when he first became a State Alchemist. It had come to mean he had closed one chapter of his life and started another; that he had fully committed himself to the military, which also meant the war. He hadn't realized what that entailed until it was too late, but he had grown to accept it; to accept everything that went along with the war.

"It was too long. Against military dress code," he said trying to make it sound like it was no big deal.

"How long was it?" Erika asked curiously.

"About as long as your hair."

"Really? You are so spoiled."

"Why do you say that?"

"You don't know how lucky you are. Any girl would kill to have blond hair like yours."

"It's just hair," Edward sighed. "Besides, I don't think long or short hair will prevent me from being killed."

An awkward silence settled in between them. Edward thought that was probably not a very appropriate thing to say. Talking about your own death wasn't necessarily a great conversation piece. He had started to feel more comfortable around Erika and found it easy to talk to her. He cursed himself for spoiling the light mood.

"Can I ask you something?" Erika asked after a few minutes breaking the uncomfortable quiet.

"What?" Edward asked eagerly, hoping for something else to talk about.

"Have you ever kissed a girl?"

That wasn't exactly what Edward had in mind to talk about. But it was slightly better than talking about getting killed.

"Just you," he said but knew it wasn't entirely correct. "I mean, I've been kissed before but I didn't kiss back."

"You've never had a girlfriend then?"

"No."

"Not even while you were in school?"

"I dropped out of school when I was eleven."

"Eleven! What have you been doing since then?"

"I've been in the military since I was twelve. I didn't have much time for anything else."

Erika mentally slapped herself over the head.

"I don't know why I didn't figure it out before. The automail and the State Alchemist watch. To think I've been enjoying the company of the famous Fullmetal Alchemist."

Edward just shrugged and Erika smiled when she realized something. It wasn't the fact that she was with someone famous. She knew most girls would be only too happy to brag about such a thing. But it was the fact that she would be the one to teach him how a woman would want to be treated. He was new to these experiences and she had the chance to show him what to do before he became a horrible man who treated women like pieces of meat. It didn't seem like he had it in him to be that way but with men you couldn't tell. They always seemed sweet and innocent but most of the time it had turned out to be an act, Erika had discovered over the years. It had not been a fun lesson to learn she thought bitterly.

"You're so different. I haven't been with someone like you for a long time. Someone who is innocent to such things."

"You've been with others?"

"I had to get by somehow," she said in a matter of fact tone.

"Did they hurt you?"

"Some of them did."

They sat in silence for a moment, the sound of the scissors the only sound and Edward silently fuming. He didn't like that anyone had hurt Erika. He didn't like the fact that it could happen again. But he knew there was nothing he could do about it. He could not change the past for her and he would not be able to protect her if he was away. The one comforting thought he had was knowing that the least he could do was fight to keep the Drachmans from further advancement. Protecting what was left of Amestris was also protecting Erika in some way.

Erika let out a soft laugh.

"I intend to make sure you don't turn out like those men that have hurt me."

"That's fine with me."

Edward had never approved of Mustang's escapades with different women. But he had to admit to himself he was getting older and that it was only natural that at some point women would begin to come to his attention. He hadn't really planned on things happening the way they did though. No one ever did when they were just a kid and such matters were non-existent, especially since he had more pressing matters to attend to. If he were to start forming any kind of relationships, he might as well learn something to keep from being a jerk. As much as he was starting to like Erika there was still the guilt that this was not something he should be doing. He enjoyed her company but he really had no intention of developing any kind of relationship. It made it harder still when he knew he was going to be gone in a couple of days when his leave was up. He hadn't said anything about it and didn't know how to bring it up.

They ventured out into the city to see what was left of the town that evening. While Edward was away Erika had done some exploring and wanted to show him some of the things she had found. As they were leaving the inn, Edward hesitated a bit at the foot of the stairs, looking across the lobby towards the room Mustang had been using. To his relief he could see through the open door that the communications console was being broken down and Mustang's aides were carrying boxes out of the room. Mustang was nowhere in sight and it looked like he was preparing to leave.

A theatre group had come into town to perform for the soldiers. Edward treated Erika to one of the performances but as he sat there watching he found he couldn't take it much longer. Erika seemed to enjoy it but he could not make himself sit still long enough. It was one thing if he was reading. At least he was involved somehow and using his mind. But with the performance they were watching he couldn't get into the story and was finding it hard not to wonder how they set off their special affects, instead of paying attention to the drama unfold. Since he couldn't get into the performance he tried to occupy himself by watching the rest of the audience.

They were mostly soldiers like him and like him some were with women. The women in attendance obviously were not girlfriends or wives. Some were attractive and some not so much. They were quite boisterous and made a great deal of noise. They enjoyed adding their own extra commentary throughout the show, much to the delight of their gentleman companions who would whisper in the ladies ears and pass bottles of booze to them. Looking back at Erika he could see that she was much prettier than the other women in the room, with her hazel eyes, light brown hair and smooth thin lips. She was younger than the other women but in her eyes there was a hardness that matched the other ladies in the room; like they had seen and done too much, that there had been a lot of pain in their lives but they would not let that keep them from enjoying themselves when the opportunity presented itself.

Erika had also attracted a lot of attention from some of the officers in the room and while Edward didn't notice, he too attracted some attention. Most were narrowed looks from the officers upon seeing such a cute girl on his arm. Others looked at him suspiciously, not believing a young kid like him could possibly hold a rank higher than them. Some of the women had caught sight of the young, good looking officer and followed him with their eyes as he took his seat before the performance began. Their male companions were none too happy they were not the center of attention for those quick moments.

Bored of watching the audience, he began to shift in around in his seat, wanting to smoke but thought it rude to be blowing smoke into Erika's face, despite the fact that most of the soldiers watching the performance were already doing so. Erika would giggle every time he fidgeted around and ended up making jokes during the rest of the performance to make him laugh.

Afterwards they found a small cafe that was still open around the corner from the theatre. Edward had gone two weeks without smoking and he realized how pathetic he was to want one so badly. Unable to resist the urge any longer, he made sure it was alright with Erika, and finally lit one, feeling at more at ease.

Most of the dinner items were crossed out on the cafe menu. The waiter explained that their specialties required ingredients that came from the north. Now with most of that region in Drachman hands, it was impossible to get certain things. Edward and Erika made due with what was available. As they waited Edward entertained Erika by transmuting their silverware into different shapes. He liked that he was able to make her smile and laugh. It had been so long since he had been able to do that for anyone other than his own troop. Once their dinner arrived, Edward was grateful that it was a lot better than cold field rations, considering the limited choices, and Erika gobbled everything up like it would be her last dinner.

It was late and they were walking back to the inn slowly. Erika was wrapped in Edward's heavy overcoat, her own thin coat not helping against the winter cold. Edward wanted to find a coat for Erika but she refused, saying he had done enough for her already. Edward being Edward didn't feel like he had.

As they walked along, Erika clutching Edward's hand, he couldn't help but notice that she was constantly watching him. It was unnerving. He felt like she was expecting something from him but he couldn't figure out what. Finally he had to say something.

"Why do you keep looking at me?" He asked trying hard not to sound rude.

Erika giggled. "I'm sorry. I can't help it. But have you really taken a good look at yourself? You really clean up well."

Edward pouted not liking the idea of being looked at that way. He had never given much thought to his looks. It was strange to have someone admire him for that instead of his abilities.

"Who cares what I look like?" Edward grumbled. Erika laughed again at his obvious discomfort from such a compliment.

"Come here," she said dragging him towards a shop window. The street lights offered enough lighting so he could see his reflection. It was like he was looking at a completely different person. The last time he had a good look at himself in a mirror he looked like hell, all bruised and swollen. He had to admit that he actually looked like an officer now in a clean uniform and a well-cut head of hair.

"See what I mean," Erika said looking up at him. "Just remember to always keep your shoulders back and stand straight," she added as she pushed against his shoulders and the small of his back, getting him to stand taller than usual.

"That's much better," she said admiring his reflection. "Nobody will ever question your authority now."

"They'd better not if they know what's good for them," Edward said turning away from his reflection.

"Those you outrank have to but when you present yourself like you believe in what you're saying; they're more likely to follow your orders willingly. You'll probably find that you might even intimidate those that outrank you."

"That sounds like something Havoc would say."

"Is he the one who came to your room that night?"

"Yeah," Edward said not wanting to remember that night. It ended well but he hated to think about how it had started. He pushed those thoughts out of his head. Not in the mood for anymore military advice he ignored what Erika said, but as they walked into the inn, Edward did so with his shoulders back.

As the stepped inside Edward was slightly afraid to go back to his room; he had an idea what was to happen once they were alone together. He really wasn't ready for that. He felt like he was taking advantage of her if he led her straight back to his room. It had been Erika who had instigated their encounters together but he had followed along too. He didn't want her to think that was all he expected of her. It wasn't because he didn't expect anything from her at all. He didn't want to leave her with the impression that was all he was after. Instead of heading up the stairs he steered towards the barroom and asked Erika to wait in the lobby, not wanting her to be the subject of more soldiers' leering stares. He found Brody at the bar having a drink with one of the men from Breda's group. Brody didn't seem to mind the interruption and followed Edward back to his room, smiling and chatting pleasantly with Erika.

Brody got to work right away on a new tattoo for Edward. It was an entertaining way to pass the time and Edward liked how he was able to remain tight lipped over the meaning of his latest tattoo. He liked how Brody and Erika first started with pleads to know what it meant, which then turned to begging and soon followed with outrageous bribes. When none of that worked they resorted to making up their own definitions that had Erika lying across the bed holding her stomach from laughing so much. When Brody was done he left, leaving Edward and Erika alone.

Edward thought he had gotten used to Erika's company. But he was still left feeling nervous in her presence. It didn't help matters as she sat next to him on the bed, observing the finished tattoo on the inside of his forearm.

"I know soldiers don't stay in one place for long," Erika said as she reached for the bandage left for Edward's tattoo. She began to wrap it loosely around his forearm. "I was wondering when you'll be leaving."

"In two days," he said. In a way he was glad Erika brought it up but he felt bad; for not having the nerve to say something first.

"Then I'll have to make sure you enjoy these last two days." She did not sound concerned that she would be left alone to fend for herself as she leaned in to kiss Edward.