Disclaimer: I still don't own it, as the anime would have a beefier Havoc, and he'd never leave the shower.
Thanks and Pocky to anat-astarte for first edit, feedback and the chapter title!
Chapter 29: Gearing Up
The morning sun filtered in through the patio door, waking me up a few minutes before the alarm was set to go off. I rolled over as noiselessly as I could and nuzzled closer to Sciezka. She stirred a bit and wrapped her arms around me.
"Good morning sleepy head, it's time to get up," I whispered in her ear.
She grumbled and burrowed deeper under the covers.
"Come on, time to get up, it's going to be a busy day," I cajoled.
From under the covers I heard her say something that resembled, "Just five more minutes, promise."
I chuckled, extracted myself from the tangle of covers and Sciezka, put on some pajama pants and went to make coffee. Maybe that would help coax her out of bed.
After setting up the percolator I went out onto the porch for a cigarette. I was pretty sure Winry never intended for me to use the little storage pouch under my chair to keep my smokes and lighter in, but it came in handy.
It was warm and the sun on my skin felt good. I stretched out to better take it in and hoped that the weather would hold for the trip. Though I was worried about if I would be able to keep up with Mustang and Hawkeye and get around under my own power, I quickly put it out of my mind. Hawkeye had always been amazing with the finer details in a mission and she knew my capabilities and limitations from our sessions at the firing range.
After taking a final drag on my cigarette I stubbed it out in the ashtray and went inside to check on the coffee. The aroma coming from the kitchen confirmed it was ready. I grabbed two mugs out of the cabinet, poured the coffee and set both mugs on the counter. I went to the table for the sugar bowl and brought it over to the counter. After adding two heaping spoonfuls of sugar to my mug and one level teaspoon to Sciezka's I went to the icebox for the milk. She liked almost as much milk in hers as coffee, so I was glad I remembered to only pour her half a cup. After adding a splash of milk to my mug I put the milk back in the icebox, set our mugs on a tray and took them into the bedroom.
I set the tray on the bedside table, and then leaned over as far as I could to try and wake Sciezka.
"All right you, you got fifteen minutes. It's time to get up," I said.
She gave a muffled moan and pulled the covers tighter around her.
"C'mon, there's coffee and if you hurry up you can catch me in the shower."
The mound of blankets moved and grunted something unintelligible, but I think it was obscene. I decided that the situation called for more extreme measures.
I yanked the duvet off of her and said, "You, coffee, then shower."
That woke her up and she was pissed. She sat up, glared at me and said, "Coffee, now. If you know what's good for you."
I handed her the mug, then began to drink mine. A few sips into her coffee she smiled and said, "Thanks for the coffee. Sorry to be such a bear, it's just that your bed is so comfortable and I don't want to get up. Can't you get back in here?"
After finishing my last drop of coffee I set my mug down on the bedside table then said, "Nope, no can do. It's time to get up. I'm going to take care of a few things, then shower. Feel free to join me if you think it'll make getting up any easier on you."
She smiled, nodded and I headed into the bathroom.
We got showered and dressed without incident other than our now routine shared shower arrangements, and agreed to meet for lunch before Sciezka headed off to work.
Once she was out the door I went out onto the porch to have a cigarette while I waited for the housekeeper. I finished and decided that leaving dirty coffee mugs in the bedroom would not make a very good first impression. As I was putting the mugs in the sink the phone rang. I quickly made my way to the phone on the wall and caught it on the fourth ring. It was the housekeeper and she was running late. I thanked her for letting me know, and after hanging up called Gracia to see if she could brief her while I was at therapy.
Gracia saved the day, as usual and told me to just leave a list of what I wanted done and she'd take care of the rest.
After calling a cab to get me to therapy I wrote out the list, left it on the kitchen counter and headed out the door so I wouldn't have any delays in my schedule.
At the hospital entrance I ran into Jim. He cast a glance at the cab and I shrugged and said, "The driver is now the chauffeured. I guess I'll have to get used to it. Add it to the list?"
Jim smiled and said, "Maybe Winry will be able to figure something out. I'm sure she'd welcome the challenge."
"You two are the best. Some days it really is all the small things that get to me the most. Let's hurry up and get to work."
"Busy day?" Jim asked.
"After having to rest all weekend I'm going stir-crazy, and there are a few more details to see to before the trip," I answered.
We got down to the therapy room and Jim instructed me to get behind an exam screen so he could check "the wound". After he was satisfied that it was healing nicely and the session wouldn't make it worse we did my usual routine.
As my session wound down and I was stretching on the mat Jim and I made small talk about my plans for the day and the trip.
"Well, today I'm meeting Sciezka for lunch, then getting in some target practice with Hawkeye, and finally picking up the books for my classes at Roy's office. Then home for dinner with Sciezka and packing for the trip."
Jim nodded and asked, "Are you excited?"
I thought for a moment then answered, "I'm looking forward to it, but I'm still anxious. I just hope I can do everything on my own there. That's my only worry."
"I'm sure it will be fine. Lieutenant Hawkeye is quite astute and has a reputation for meticulous attention to detail. She was all over the staff while you were an in-patient."
I raised an eyebrow at this revelation.
Jim nodded and said, "She put some fear into them, but it got you the best care. So don't worry, I'm sure she has things handled."
"Thanks for the reassurance, I should get going."
As I was leaving he called after me, "Don't forget, tomorrow is your evaluation with Doctor Parker."
I groaned and said sarcastically, "Thanks for the reminder, like I could forget about something that pleasant."
Jim chuckled and said, "If it's any consolation I'll be in presenting my findings so you won't have to go it alone."
"Thank goodness for that. I'll see you tomorrow, and I'll try to behave."
I then headed over to Sciezka's office to meet her for lunch after a quick stop in the locker room to clean up after my work out.
When I got to the Investigations Department Sciezka was barely visible at her desk because of the mountain of files heaped upon it.
I rapped on the doorframe and she gave a startled yelp and the papers went flying.
After making my way over to the desk I leaned over to help her pick up the papers. Between the two of us we finished quickly and set the piles neatly on the desk.
"Is this a bad time?" I asked as I handed her another stack of papers.
Sciezka took the stack, placed it on the desk and then wrung her hands.
"I'm sorry, I won't be able to do lunch today. I have to finish this for Major Armstrong."
Frowning, I thought for a moment and said, "I have to go see Lieutenant Hawkeye at the firing range. Why don't I pick up sandwiches afterwards so you don't go hungry?"
Sciezka threw her arms around my neck in an uncharacteristic display of public affection and said, "You're the best, thank you for understanding!"
I chuckled and said, "Well that was easy… apparently all I have to do is feed you to keep you happy."
She smirked, tweaked my nose and shooed me out of the office so she could get back to work. I made my way down to the firing range so I would be set up when Riza got down there. It still felt odd calling my former C.O. by her given name, but as she had argued, we are friends, and I had earned it.
By the time Riza got down to the line with Hayate at her heel I had shredded one paper target beyond recognition and was preparing to lay waste to another.
"Nice work Sniper. Were you here long?" she asked.
After putting the safety on my rifle I rolled over, sat up and pulled out a cigarette.
She gestured at the cigarette and said, "You've cut down, haven't you."
I lit up, took a drag, exhaled, and then said, "Yeah, I guess so. But I still like one first thing in the morning, after meals and after well… not to be crude…"
She smiled and said, "I get where you were headed. No need to explain."
"What can I say? They're a social crutch, something to fiddle with, and help take my mind off things."
Riza then did something rather unexpected. She sat down on the drop cloth next to me and hugged me.
"What was that for?" I asked stammering.
"That was for being you and for listening, and most of all for coming back. He needs you."
She then placed a box in my lap. I opened it carefully and once I saw the contents said, "I can see why you saved this 'gift' for here. Will I be needing it right away?"
She shook her head no and said, "Better safe than sorry, and I can't have you involved if you are unarmed."
After carefully taking out the .38 caliber pistol, I loaded it. I then placed it in the leg holster she'd thoughtfully included and strapped it to my right calf under my pants.
"Good thinking. I don't think anyone would check me there and I can get to it fairly easily," I said. "By the way, thank you."
Riza hugged her arms closer to her and said quietly, "I just hope you never have to use it."
I squeezed her shoulder and said, "Me too."
She glanced at her watch and said, "Shit! This is what happens when I let myself get distracted, I had to make sure I wasn't followed."
"What's the matter?" I asked.
"There's more to today besides your gift. He's gone off to get Fullmetal, it should be fine… if we timed this right."
"It's natural to worry," I broke in. "He can handle himself. Is there anything I can do?"
Riza sighed and said, "The departure date is moving up to tomorrow. After your evaluation you'll go with Jim to the compound."
"So I am going with Gracia and Elysia, Sciezka and Jim? Wait… I don't need him for a trip."
She paused and said, "Stay calm, he's not for you. There has been an injury."
"Fullmetal? Shit, this is no good!"
She grabbed me by the shoulders, held me tight and said, "No, not Ed. It wasn't Ed. They're going to be fine."
Scrubbing my hands across my face I asked, "So it's not a pleasure trip anymore?"
Riza smiled a small smile, scratched Hayate's ears and said, "You don't get off that easy Birthday Boy. We'll just have to multi-task. Keep this under your hat. Just tell Sciezka and Gracia there has been a change in plans. Jim knows and he'll help you deflect suspicion."
"I won't let you two down. I'll see you both soon. Hopefully you can relax out there as well."
Riza stood up and said, "I gave the directions and keys to Jim before I came here. Your books are up in Sciezka's office. I suggest you hurry up with that sandwich."
I gave her a lopsided salute as she walked away and then started putting away my things. On my way to the locker room to stow my rifle and scope I saw her emptying round after round into a target with startling accuracy. She didn't flinch once. She never did.
On the way up to the Investigations Department I stopped at the canteen to get Sciezka a sandwich. They'd always had better food there than at the mess. While I was scanning the menu I thought about how I'd tell Sciezka we were going early without alarming her. I hated lying, but in this case an omission of facts was needed. She'd understand, I hoped. I must have been staring off into space because someone tapped me on the shoulder to get my attention and asked if I was all right.
That was a big mistake, as when the voice didn't register as familiar I caught my would-be rescuer by the wrist. Hard. Once I got a good look at him I was so embarrassed.
"Staff Sergeant Smith, I'm so sorry… you caught me by surprise," I stuttered.
He held up his hands, equally embarrassed and said, "I should have known not to do that to a soldier."
I smiled weakly and said, "No harm done?"
He inspected his wrist, flexed his fingers and said, "It smarts, but no, no permanent damage."
I chuckled for a moment at how absurd it sounded and thought to myself, "No, not on the magnitude of a blown out spinal cord. But even that's better than dead."
"Hey, I owe you another apology," I said. "For the barbershop… sorry I lost it like that."
"It was a stupid thing to say, " he said, looking down at his feet. "It came out all wrong. I didn't think you'd be out on your own if it was as bad as they'd said it was."
"Don't worry about it Smith," I replied. "Half a year ago I could have made the same mistake. You meant well."
"Really?" he asked sheepishly.
"Really," I said. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to pick up some lunch for my girlfriend. She's in Investigations and swamped."
"Girlfriend?" he asked in disbelief.
"Yep, just had to get out of the secretarial pool," I said and chuckled.
"My wife talked to Mrs. Hughes and she said something to that effect."
"Wait, wife?" I asked.
"Oh, that, I meant to thank you for that too. For hiring her," he answered.
I was confused and then put the pieces together: the housekeeper.
"Well, you know Gracia, she likes to make sure everything runs smoothly for everyone. I guess she sets a lot of the wives up like that."
"Well we just appreciate that you didn't hold my comment against her. We're trying to save money for a house. I'll let you get going, and thanks again," he said.
I waved as he walked away, quickly picked out two sandwiches, some fruit and juice for Sciezka. I'd let her pick first and eat what she didn't. That is if she let me live for keeping her waiting for so long.
When I got to Sciezka's office I noticed the mountain of files had diminished and that Sciezka looked utterly frazzled.
She looked up from the file she was poring over and said, "My hero! What did you bring me?"
I laughed and said, "Roast beef, turkey or both if you're that hungry."
After retrieving an apple from the bag I offered the rest of it to her. She came over to me, gave me a quick kiss and snatched the bag out of my hands.
As I ate my apple she devoured the first sandwich, then looked at the second, handed me half and promptly ate the other half. I made a mental note to order extra groceries after the trip.
When she finished and was sipping her juice she slumped in her chair and rubbed her temples. I moved closer to her and massaged her shoulders and neck and said, "No worries, I won't pull any funny business. Really I'm doing a service to the military."
She relaxed noticeably and I hated to break the news to her, but the longer I waited the worse it would be.
"I have an appointment with Doctor Parker tomorrow morning," I started.
She wrinkled her nose like she'd smelled something foul at that news.
I continued, "But then it will be a great day because we'll be leaving straight from the hospital. Jim is driving. Riza just gave me the good news."
Her shoulders stiffened and I continued kneading them.
"I guess they were able to get an extra day of leave. Don't worry, yours has been arranged for as well. It'll be a real vacation. This will be one of my best birthdays to date," I said, hoping she wouldn't catch on.
She turned around to hug me and said, "You'd better get going. I'll have to stay late to finish this, then go to your place to finish packing."
"I'll get out of your way," I said, and then pecked her on the cheek. "Oh, and don't worry about packing. I'll lay it all out for you so you just have to check it and stuff it into your bag. Do you need anything else?"
She ruffled my hair and said, "Gracia's rubbing off on you. Here are the books for your classes. Now shoo!"
On the way home I stopped off at Gracia's to give her the news and found out she'd already heard. That was a relief as knowing Jim's spin on the story would keep me from blowing our cover. Gracia and Elysia came back to my place with me and I arrived home to Mrs. Smith taking the laundry down from the line in the side yard.
"Gracia, I have a clothes line?" I asked, half seriously.
"If you'd checked out the garage you'd have noticed the washing machine and wringer," she said and winked.
The three of us then went around to the side yard so I could introduce myself to Mrs. Smith properly.
I extended my hand to shake hers and said, "Hello, I'm Jean. Thanks for coming and doing this. I should have had a housekeeper ages ago."
She smiled, shook my hand and said, "No, thank you really. Michael and I appreciate it."
Smiling I said, "I ran into him at the canteen today. Don't mention it, the thanking part that is. We should all thank Gracia."
Mrs. Smith nodded and said, "She does this for so many of the wives. It helps so much."
Gracia blushed and suggested we get the wash inside, as there was a lot to do before we left the next day.
While Gracia and Mrs. Smith folded and put away the laundry Elysia played in her room and I packed. Soon I had my bag ready and started laying Sciezka's things out on the bed. Once I'd finished I had Gracia check it over to see if I was forgetting anything.
"Um, she might want to wear underwear," Gracia said, barely stifling a giggle.
I blushed and said, "Honest, I forgot! Thanks for the reminder."
Once that problem had been remedied Gracia deemed my efforts a success. By then it was almost dinnertime and Mrs. Smith left and Gracia and Elysia went home to finish their preparations for the trip.
I sat down on the couch to read my text books while I waited for Sciezka to get home from work
Just as I was finishing an outline for the first chapter of my psychology text Sciezka got home. She dropped her bag in the entryway and flopped onto the couch next to me. I shut the book, set it and my notebook on the coffee table and pulled her into my lap. As I ran my fingers through her hair and massaged her temples she sighed contentedly. Then she rested her head on my shoulder and wrapped her arms around me.
"Whatcha reading?" she asked, her voice muffled by my sweater.
I rubbed her back and answered, "Just school stuff, for psychology. I'm only one chapter in and I think the major theorists are loonier than their patients and preoccupied with getting laid."
She giggled and nuzzled my neck.
"You must be exhausted. It's after nine already. How about I draw you a bath and make you some dinner?"
She shook her head in protest and said, "I'm too tired, and I still have to pack."
After kissing the top of her head I said, "I already took care of that and Gracia supervised. It's all laid out on the bed. You take a quick look and then go have a soak while I get it packed for you. Well, and so we can sleep on the bed."
"That sounds wonderful. You are brilliant," she said dozily.
Sure that she was properly prepared for the trip Sciezka went into the bathroom to soak and I packed her bags.
Once I had finished packing I went into the bathroom to check on Sciezka. She had a washcloth over her eyes and looked utterly content.
She smiled and said, "Get in here."
Remembering "the wound" she removed the cloth and asked, "Is it healed enough, your butt I mean?"
Laughing I said, "Jim gave the ok for swimming, so this should be fine."
I stripped, got in and moved so Sciezka was sitting on my lap. After thoroughly massaging her shoulders and arms I said, "You're starting to get all pruny. We should get you into bed."
She stood up, steadying herself on my shoulders, got out of the tub and toweled off. Even tired and groggy she was a sight to behold as the water beaded on her skin and she stretched, yawning softly.
"Go get into bed and I'll bring you something to eat and then we can get some sleep," I suggested.
"I'm too tired, how about just sleep?" she whined.
"Trust me, you'll like it. Now get in bed."
She headed into the bedroom and I heard her flop on to the bed heaving a contented sigh as I got out of the tub. I toweled off, took care of the necessaries and went into the bedroom to check on her.
Sciezka had propped herself up on the many pillows and asked, "So what's for dinner?"
Gesturing to my attire, a towel, I said, "Whatever is easy. Besides, by the time I cook something you'll have fallen asleep. I was thinking ice cream."
Smiling at that idea she said, "See, you are brilliant! Hurry before I fall asleep on you."
I came back to the bedroom with a large bowl of chocolate ice cream balanced on my lap. After passing it to Sciezka I turned back the covers and joined her. Before she started eating, she noticed there was only one spoon.
"Fewer dishes this way and less messy too. You're so tired you'll spill."
She giggled and handed the bowl over to me. Suddenly she frowned, pointed at my chest and asked, "Did I do that?"
I looked at where she was pointing, inspected the small mark on my chest, and found a few others on my shoulders and biceps.
Smirking I answered, "You most certainly did. Parker is going to be so confused. The man is oblivious."
Sciezka blushed as I said, "Imagine his surprise when he finds out that an innocent boy from the sticks, cruelly cut down in the prime of his life has become thoroughly debauched."
Cocking an eyebrow in confusion she asked, "Care to explain? That didn't make too much sense."
I kissed her, nibbling on her bottom lip and then explained, "I am having ice cream for dinner in bed, naked and covered in love bites, with a wanton sex goddess. I'm not complaining."
She shook her head and said, "I'll never be quite sure you didn't get hit on the head at some point, but that is one of the things that makes you so cute. Hurry up with the ice cream. It's melting."
We shared the rest of the bowl and when we were finished I set it on the bedside table, and then turned out the light.
Wrapped up in each other we kissed softly and slowly and then settled in to sleep. Sciezka made the small night noises, contented sighs and murmurs, that let me know she had drifted off. I draped an arm over her, turned my head so I could bury my nose in her hair and whispered, "I love you."
