CM: Hee! It's snowing where I'm at. Hope you all are enjoying your February. Did anyone see the groundhog? I didn't. So is it more spring or winter? Who know? On with the story!
Chapter Two: Building the Bridge
"Full house! My win!" Elly declared scooping up the chips.
"Has Kat been teaching you things?" Hughes said in dismay.
"Nope, actually I learned this game from Havoc," Elly said proudly.
"I hope you managed to clear up your differences," Kat implied from the couch where she was bouncing Elicia up and down on her knee.
"Well…we seem to be…better," Elly answered, suddenly feeling rather heated. "Why do you ask?"
"Ju~st curious," Kat replied slyly.
There was a knock on the door and Gracia volunteered to answer it. "Why Colonel Mustang, what a pleasant surprise," Gracia said happily opening the door. "Please, won't you come in?"
He did so and found his way to the living room, where everyone else was. As he entered the room, he spotted Kat bouncing her niece on her knee and for some reason she had darker hair than usual and her eyes looked darker as well. He realized what he was thinking and a small shout escaped his mouth.
"Uh…it's just cards," Elly muttered looking up at him in confusion. "We're not even betting on anything real."
"Why don't you take a load off, Roy?" Hughes said, also confused towards his friend's strange behavior. "In fact, why don't you and Kat get us all something to drink?"
"Yeah…I could use a mango shake right about now," Elly agreed, holding back the smile that wanted to break through. "Oh, and can you put a little lemon in that too?"
"Chocowate miwk!" Elicia cheered from Kat's lap.
"A cup of coffee, if you don't mind?" Gracia requested, catching on to what the others were up to.
"Oh, and Roy, could you get me a tea?" Hughes asked with a smile. "I know my sister won't be able to carry all of this out herself so go help her out. If you need anything just ask."
Roy looked like he wanted to set his friend on fire but not in front of the wife and child.
Kat merely smiled and set her niece into Elly's lap. "Here, Elicia, play with auntie Elly for a bit."
"Okay," she said happily.
"Kat..wait…" Elly started as Kat walked out of the room. "Well, I guess you're stuck with me, huh?"
"Uh-huh!" Elicia exclaimed happily.
"She's so cute," Hughes squealed.
"Hmm…you want to help me beat your dad at cards?" Elly asked the girl in her arms.
"Okay!"
"Good."
In the meantime, Kat went to the kitchen while Roy grudgingly followed. There she got out several glasses and got to work making the requested drinks. "I didn't expect to see you until tomorrow when we headed back to Eastern, Colonel," she stated conversationally.
"I had some time on my hands," he replied casually.
"It's too bad Edward and Alphonse couldn't have joined us," Kat said with a sigh. "Sent straight to the infirmary."
"Yes, they seem to be determined to follow in your footsteps," he muttered. "First they don't tell me anything, and now they're turning up in the infirmary almost as often."
Kat tapped her lips to wipe the smile from them. "You have to remember, they're still young."
"I know, and if this is how they're going to act now, I worry about their future," he muttered as he set some water to boil for Hughes' tea.
"Well, well, do I detect a soft spot?" Kat said teasingly.
"Not a chance," Roy replied. "It'll just look bad for me if someone under my charge ends up causing more trouble than can be handled."
Kat opened the fridge and got out some milk as well as some fruit and chocolate syrup. "I don't think you need to worry so much. They seem to know what they're doing. And people have their reasons for keeping secrets."
"Like you?" he asked pouring the hot water into a mug with a packet of tea. "It's been how long and you still can't trust me?"
"It's nothing personal, Colonel," Kat said honestly after a pause. "I don't tell anyone anything."
"True, that's one reason why you get into so much trouble." He watched the clear water slowly turned dark. "I'm curious as to how you made such a transition from your years before joining the military."
Kat mixed the chocolate into the milk, watching into go from white to dark. "Things…. Happened."
"What kind of things?" he asked curiously.
"Things that make me question how I managed to keep what little innocence I have left," Kat murmured.
"When we have more time, I want to know," Roy murmured, finding the words rather difficult.
"They aren't years I'm exactly proud of, Colonel." She managed to keep the strain from her voice.
"Do you honestly think those were the best years of MY life?" Roy asked her.
"No…. But at least you were there with them," Kat whispered.
"Not as much as you might think," Roy murmured. And when he had seen them, it was only to watch their sanity slowly break under the madness they had all been forced to be a part of. He was glad Kat hadn't been there to watch the people she cared about fall apart, or worse, turn into ruthless killers.
"So apparently the investigation is over," Roy spoke up, changing the subject.
"Really? Why is that?" Kat asked quizzically.
"According to the Fuhrer's men, they have proof that Isaac was behind the Gel alchemist," Roy explained.
"I don't believe that." Kat stared at Roy. Roy was surprised how ashen her face had become. "There's just no possible way."
"I admit I have my own misgivings, but as far as they're concerned, the case is closed," Roy told her. "We'll no longer be allowed to investigate."
Kat rubbed her head as if it was aching. Roy watched her closely, and he could see through the front she was putting up that she was troubled. Something was building up inside of her that she was forcing down. He wanted to know what she was thinking, what she was feeling, everything that she kept locked away from him as well as the rest of the world. But he knew she wouldn't; she wanted everyone to believe she was cold and heartless. She wanted everyone to believe that she wasn't mourning the death of an insane criminal who had once taught her in her chosen element.
"Let's get these drinks to everyone, and give your partner the news. I'm sure she'll like to know," Roy murmured, knowing he wasn't going to get anything out of her…at least not right now.
Kat nodded and poured coffee for her sister-in-law, before placing the drinks on tray and lifted it up.
"Just a moment, Lieutenant," Roy said catching her lightly by the arm. Kat turned to him curiously, but before she could make an inquiry, Roy kissed her lightly on the cheek. "If you walk out with a face like that you're brother would get after me for making you miserable."
Kat liked his smiles, especially the one he wore at that moment. They made her want to smile right back. She sighed, giving in for just a moment, and leaned up to return the favor. "An eye for an eye, Colonel."
He watched her walk away and smiled as his previous thought surfaced in his mind. He quickly shook his head to clear it again and was just in time to focus his mind on what was walking away. "Someday, I just might tell you exactly what I see…maybe," he thought before grabbing the other drinks and following after her.
The next day, the team from Eastern were once again at the train station waiting to board. "Farewell my dear sister! I'll miss you!" Hughes exclaimed holding onto Kat tightly.
"Um...I can't leave if you don't let go of me, Brother," Kat gasped trying to get her air back.
"I don't want to let you go...not yet. There's no telling when I'll see you again!"
"For God's sake, Hughes, let her go already," Roy grumbled. "She's a state alchemist, I doubt she needs her brother constantly doting on her."
"I've heard of heartfelt goodbyes but this is ridiculous," Elly mumbled in agreement.
After another minute Hughes finally released his younger sibling and after Kat promised she would call as soon as she got back to Eastern, they boarded and the train pulled out of the station with Hughes waving farewell to them.
"That Hughes, I almost thought he was going to end up coming with us to Eastern by Kat's hip," Elly laughed.
"My brother just likes to show that he cares," Kat stated in his defense.
"There's caring...and then there's obsession," Elly laughed. "I think he's bordering on the latter."
As she laughed, Havoc and the others walked by and she ignored their presence. "Well...I'm going to find a seat," she muttered, walking in the opposite direction.
Havoc heard that and his expression fell. Roy noticed this and made a sour face. Kat saw this and sighed.
"Man, I must have really screwed up. I shouldn't have done that, it moved it way too quickly for her, and now she probably hates me," Havoc groaned as he sat on the seat in one of the train compartments away from the other three Royettes, wanting to be alone. It had been only a few days since the...incident, but already he was realizing that Elly wouldn't talk to him unless she needed to, and she refused to meet his eye...ever. He was sitting away from everyone as he felt the need to be alone to clear his head and possibly think of a way to make it up to her. If only there was somebody he could ask for advice...but the only ones he could think of would either have no clue or just not care. As the tain took a turn around a bend, he noticed a familiar form walking by his seat. "Perfect," he thought, then out loud he called, "Oy, Kat, mind if I talk to you for a moment?"
Kat glanced up and mild surprise was evident on her face, but it quickly gave way to a temperate smile. "Havoc, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Kat, I need some advice," Havoc said jumping straight to the point.
Again, a flicker of surprise passed over the Lieutenant face. "Well, I'll see what I can do," she said as she sat down next to him.
"Ah, thanks," Havoc breathed in relief. "I...need to know how well you know Elly," he started awkwardly.
He heard Kat let out a small humming noise. "I'd like to think after three years I know her fairly well as a person, if nothing else. Did something happen while the Colonel and I were away?"
Havoc began to flustered. "N-no, nothing big happened. I was just curious."
"What happened?" Kat asked pleasantly, completely ignoring his denial.
"I-I already told you, it's nothing. Really, I swear," Havoc insisted, feeling pathetic that he was nearly a head and shoulders taller than her and still feeling intimidated.
"You kissed her didn't you?" Kat guessed finally.
"No! I wouldn't dare...it wasn't...okay yes, I did. But it was just sort of happened," Havoc stuttered. He took a minute to explain the incident and looked at the floor shamefacedly. "Anyway...now she's pretty much ignoring me and I can't figure out why."
"Well, that's simple, she's terrified," Kat said straightforwardly.
"Of… me?" Havoc asked in confusion.
"No, more of the situation that she would be putting both you and herself in," Kat explained. "Think on it for a moment. Relationships within the workforce are frowned upon. Can you imagine what people would think of a soldier and an Ishbalen together? I'm not saying it's wrong," she said when he opened his mouth to say something. "I'm merely giving you the general public's view."
"I-I never thought about that," Havoc admitted. "I guess I got so used to her just being around that I've kind of forgotten all the crap she got when she first arrived." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "So then, what am I supposed to do?"
"In the end, everything boils down to two choices. You either do, or you don't," Kat told him frankly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Havoc asked still confused.
"That is for you to decide," Kat said. "I will tell you this much though, if you want to get anywhere with Elly, you need to be honest with her."
Havoc sighed. "I never thought I would have this kind of problem until now."
"Yes well, never would I have dreamed that we would be having this conversation," Kat said with a small smile. "I must say that I'm rather flattered you would come to me about this."
"Why's that?" Havoc asked.
"When you've spent most of your military career with a reputation such as mine, conversations such as this tend to be few," Kat replied humorlessly.
"Only with those that don't know you the way we do," Havoc pointed out. "But I still don't understand what you're suggesting I do. I suppose telling her how I really feel is one thing, but what if she...again...?" he couldn't finish his question but his mind focused on her face when she ran to her room.
Kat placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're a good man, Havoc, and I don't say that about many. As I said, it's up to you how you decide to approach this, or not at all. Let me ask you something. Do you love her?"
"I....yes." He didn't know why he was able to answer that so easily, but he couldn't ignore the fact that it was true; he had actually fallen in love with an Ishbalan...but he could only focus on the fact that she was sad. "Yes, I do love her...but I don't want to make her sad."
"That is impossible," Kat said without mercy. "Either way, I can guarantee you there will be sadness. It's just a matter of which sadness would be more worth it in the end."
"More worth it? You mean she feels the same way?" Havoc asked surprised.
"Yes, she's stubborn and doesn't want to admit it but yes she does," Kat told him.
"So it's either tell her and have her be sad because of the spite that will be thrown at us, or don't and have her be sad because her feelings aren't returned?"
"Essentially, but she needs to come to terms with her own feelings first. Denial is a very ugly monster that can destroy any opportunity. But it's something she alone needs to deal with," Kat said closing her eyes. The way she spoke almost made it sound as if she had first-hand experience. "All you can do is let her know the door is open."
"Let her know the door is open," he repeated thinking about the words and how he might be able to do that. "Alright, I think I know what I'm going to do now. Thanks, Kat, you've been a big help." He gave her a salute and a grateful smile before taking off.
Kat watched him go with a small sigh. "I just hope he didn't misinterpret."
The next car over, Elly was sitting alone while keeping her nose in a book when a familiar swish accompanied by a form sitting in front of her pushed into her mind. She ignored the person who had sat down and continued to read...well, stare at her book.
"Don't pretend like you don't know I'm here," an authoritave voice said.
"Well, you can't blame me for trying," Elly muttered putting her book away and looking up at the aggitated Colonel. "So, what can I do for the great flame?"
"You can start by explaining why one of my best men is lagging in his performance," Roy said folding one of his legs over the other and leaning back in his seat. "And don't say you don't know because it's clear you have something to do with it."
"Ask him," she replied shortly.
"I did, he wouldn't talk," he said just as short.
"And you think I will?"
"If you don't wish to be permanantly transferred beneath Major Armstrong."
"I hate you, you know that," she grumbled in irritation. "Look, I already talked to him about it and he should know now that I need a little me time before I fully get over it."
"What do you possibly have to get over that involves him?" Roy pressed.
"That's private."
"I'm sure the Major will be delighted to have you at his place for dinner."
"No one can have a personal life with you around can they?"
"Not when it's causing difficulties inside the workplace, no," Roy replied definitively. "I don't know what exactly is going on, but if you're going to reject Havoc, than reject him and be done with it."
Elly stared at him in surprise. How is it he always seemed to know...not that she was exactly rejecting him... "I'm not rejecting him okay...I just...why do I have to explain this to you?"
"Because indirectly, you work for me," Roy stated.
"Look, I'll tell you, but I swear I'll plaster pictures of you in a mini-skirt if it gets out," Elly threatened. Roy glared at her, but he stayed silent waiting for the explanation.
FLASHBACK
"You win," he whispered softly with a light smile.
Elly's face turned red so that her hair and eyes blended in with her face. This only intensified when she found Havoc's face suddenly really close to hers. Seconds later she felt the same jolting sensation she had before when their lips had brushed, only this time it didn't stop there. Their lips brushed each other making Elly's head spin, before they pulled back in hesitation, then Havoc closed the remaining gap.
It was so soft, yet it was enough to send Elly's body into a hurricane of sensations that she had not experienced in so very, very long. His mouth moved gently and slowly over hers. Elly didn't even have time to think as her mouth reacted to his and she found herself kissing back without hesitation. As there mouths moved against one another, the kiss went from warm to suddenly blazing hot that it seemed to make the Roy Mustang's flames seem like nothing more than a light summer breeze. She felt his hands gently take hold of her shoulders, moving her so that she was in a more comfortable position, while her hands were against his firm torso and she could feel the solid muscle that the military uniform always hid. She heard a strange moaning sound as suddenly she felt something warm ease its way into the cavity of her mouth. Without even realizing it, she had allowed him access and he was now tentatively exploring.
She heard the moan again and only then realized that it was coming from her own lips. A few minutes later she felt herself changing elevation as Havoc turned slightly, allowing her head to rest against the couch.
Only after she felt the solid piece of furniture beneath her and the solid form of Havoc above her, did an image shoot across her mind and her bliss became one of guilt and fear. She gently but powerfully pushed Havoc off of her and sat up with her eyes closed panting a bit.
Havoc took the hint and backed off, his face tinged with coloration and he looked as if he was afraid he did something wrong that displeased her. "Elly?" he asked uncertainly.
"Um… I'm really tired," Elly mumbled, turning away from him and standing up. "I'm going to go to bed."
"Elly, wait, I…" he didn't get to finish as she rushed to the guest bedroom and went inside shutting the door, and as if to add insult to injury, Havoc heard the lock click. "I'm really sorry," he murmured. "I didn't mean to make you feel like that."
In the room…
"I-I just kissed him," Elly gasped shaking all over. "We were really kissing. Just like that time…" She sank to the floor covering her face with her hands blocking everything from sight. "I'm really sorry Havoc…I probably led you along back there didn't I. Honestly if I wasn't Ishbalen….if I wasn't Ishbalen…I probably wouldn't have this fear. Maybe after things settle down…maybe then I'll be able to…"
END FLASHBACK
After listening to her story, Roy was silent for several moments. He dug his hands into his coat pockets and sighed. "I'm going to be frank with you, it's best if you both just quit now."
"Just like you stopped your relationship with Kat?" she demanded slightly offended.
A vein twitched near Roy's temple. "Our particular.... arangement is more forgivable."
"Why, because you're both Amestrian? Are you upset about this thing because I'm Ishbalan?"
"I could care less whether you were Ishbalen or from Drachma," Roy said seriously. "But would YOU be willing to bear with the concequences of being in a relationship with an Amestrian soldier? Your actions up til now tell me otherwise."
"I know what'll happen if this...goes on further. I know I could deal with it...I just don't know if I could bring that on him," she admitted. Why was she telling him that? He was such a pain...there was no connection between them...at all. So why was this coming out so easily?
"Havoc may be an idiot at times, but he's tough," Roy said simply. "If he likes you enough to take it this far, I doubt he would mind anyone else's opinion of it."
"Yeah...probably," Elly murmured as she stared out the window. "I'm not sure what I'm going to do...but...I'll stop flat out ignoring him."
"Good," Roy said getting up.
"What, that's it?" Elly asked him indignantly. "You pry and pry and then you just walk off? Why not try sprinkling some of your great wisdom?" She couldn't believe she was asking for his help. She had hit an all new low.
"It's none of my business what you decide to do," Roy replied with a shrug and a smug smile.
"I'm so going to hurt him one of these days," she thought as he marched off. "But I guess that means...only I can decide this...I just hope I do it right the first time."
Several hours later the train came to a stop at Eastern station where the troops under Roy got off. "Oh it feels great to be back!" Breda exclaimed stepping off the train.
"I can't wait to get back to my dorm," Fuery said happily.
"I will most joyful when I can resume my personal experiment," Falman said calmly.
"You all have the rest of today to get settled back in your rooms," Roy said getting off the train behind them. "But that means that you will be here early tomorrow morning."
The men inwardly groaned but gratefully headed off to their much missed homes. As Havoc walked off Elly called out, "Hey, Havoc.... I'll see you tomorrow, kay?"
He turned in surprise, and then smiled. "Sure thing."
"Bravo," Kat said patting her partner on the back. "Now I think we better take advantage of what little time off we have left."
"And do what?" Elly asked with Kat's hand still on her back.
"I hear there's going to be a meteor shower," Kat told her with a smile.
"Really? Well...I guess I could do that," Elly smiled softly. "I could use a conversation with my brother right now."
Roy watched the two girls leave as Hawkeye appraoched him from behind. "That was a very kind thing you did for Elly, Colonel. I'm sure it meant a lot to her."
"As long as Havoc is working like usual, I don't care how she feels," Roy retorted.
"Of course, sir," hawkeye agreed before following him to his car.
The next several days passed peacefully and it was almost as if everything had reverted back to normal..... well, for the most part at least. Things were still a little awkward between Elly and Havoc, but the two were able to push through it with help from the other. Kat and Roy were still prone to getting into verbal snipes with each other, though they weren't so explosive that other soldiers would run for cover when they occured.
The only other thing that happened, was a hostage situation that happened on the train coming into Eastern. "What happened with that?" Elly asked as she and Kat were walking toward the train station.
"It was taken care of by our DLF," Kat answered happily.
"Ed's back? I wonder how things went in Lior," Elly murmured putting her hands behind her head.
"Well, you can ask him once they get off," Kat told her. They arrived just as the train pulled in.
"No surprises Colonel Snapdragon is here. I'll bet you anything he's going to take this moment to pull some sort of poser move to make himself look good," Elly muttered, noting the Colonel standing there with a group of soldiers.
No sooner had she said this, than a psychotic lunatic with an eyepatch and a metal arm tumbled out of the train and attempted an assault on the Flame Alchemist. He easily snapped his fingers with a flourish and stopped him in his tracks. "And now it's time for his special speech....and there it is," Elly continued.
"Did you really expect anything less?" Kat said. "THough I can't help but pity the man. It really isn't any fun being on the receiving end of that snap."
"What do you mean?"
"Let's just say I didn't trip and skin my arms like I told you I did."
From that Elly put two and two together and her eyes widened. "What did you do to get him THAT mad?"
"I let him get possessed," Kat said.
"....Okay, you're definately gonna have to share later. Oh look, here comes Colonel Snap Happy now."
"What are you both doing here?" Roy asked them as he approached with Edward and Alphonse. "You should be back at headquaters working."
"Relax, Colonel Hothead, we just came to say hi to the midget," Elly said.
Al had to hold Ed back as he began to throw another one of his tantrums. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SMALL HE COULD GET CRUSHED BY A SPECK OF DUST!?!"
"Why must you always cause me trouble?" Roy said looking at Kat as if the whole thing were her fault.
"Don't blame me that Karma is a mistress you failed to woo," Kat said.
"I want you both back at headquarters, helping the rest of my men finish up the paperwork that went undone because of the fiasco you two got into in Central," Roy ordered, a vein twitching because of her comment.
"At least let us say hello to the two midget alchemists," Elly said with a smirk. "After all, who knows what kind of help the older alchemists can give them."
"Ano.... it's nice to see you again, Elly, Kat," Alphonse greeted politely, letting his brother go.
"And it's good to see you both are safe," Kat returned. "Did you have a fun ride?"
"Naturally, considering we managed to take care of a heist all by ourselves," Edward statement smugly. "Hey Colonel, I think this means you owe us one."
"The thought of owing you anything gives me chills," Roy muttered.
"Aw, he's learning how to be manipulative," Kat said happily.
"Oh dear, he's turning into another Kat," Elly groaned.
"What is it you want?" Roy demanded.
"Well..."
"So we'll see you guys later, we have to get back to HQ," Elly announced. "It's great to see you again."
As the two walked off, Roy turned to Havoc who was standing nearbye. "Lieutenant Havoc, take these two over to the Tucker residence. And while you're there please give him a reminder of what time of year it is."
CM: Innocence is something very precious, but also something very fragile and easily lost. Sometimes, even the rain can't hide shedded tears. Stay tuned for the next chapter of Sisterhood.
Time for the after chapter funny!!!! ^^
"I am Colonel Roy Mustang, the hero of the Ishbalan War and soon to be the highest ranking General. Once I reach that point, all female officers will wear, TINY MINI-SKIRTS!" Elly was standing in the office that belonged to the four Royetts with a black wig on and striking a familiar pose while the guys all laughed.
She caught site of Fuery laughing hard and quickly took his hand in hers. "My fair maiden, you seem to be rather feverish. It must be the heat coming off of my enormous ego."
She let him go and looked toward the window. "This battle shall be won by me, though I deeply hope that it doesn't start to rain. Oh water...my one and only weakness...it's a good thing that no one has ever tried to attack me in the shower."
They guys were holding onto their guts with laughter at her antics as she struck another pose. "Stand back, I shall defeat these enemies with my perfect dancing skills." As she said this, her hands flowed gracefully from one end to the other with a snap each time she reached the end. She hummed a waltz song as she moved, her feet moving along the floor like a dance.
The guys almost fell over in laughter and then one by one snapped to attention. "Elly...Elly you need to stop," Havoc hissed.
"It's the Colonel," Breda added.
"Well of course it's the Colonel, who did you think I was doing...Hughes?" Elly replied doing a little jump and twirl only to come face to face with the flame alchemist. She quickly pulled the wig off her head as she saw his face and smiled nervously. "H-hey Colonel...how's it going?"
Elly couldn't practically feel the flames from Roy's angry aura. "You have ten seconds to write your will."
"As if I have anything to leave behind to anyone," Elly remarked.
"Then your time ends now."
"Look, a woman in a miniskirt!" Elly shouted and, sadly enough, every guy in the room looked. Pulling a bucket out of nowhere she doused the flame. "I'M OFF!" she shouted and dove out the window.
"And as the Great Colonel Mustang stood dripping from head to toe," Kat narrated from behind the drenched alchemist, "he tried to fathom how he could have possibly been bested by a...."
"That's enough out of you, Lieutenant," Roy growled as water dripped from hair and coat. His men stood completely at attention trying very hard not to allow their amusement to show.
"Alright, come on, Colonel, let's get you dried off," Kat said, then in her head thought, "....before someone decides to take advantage of the moment and attack East HQ." She ushered Roy out of the room before someone really did end up getting torched.
As soon as the Colonel was out of sight, his men started laughing again. "I'm glad that Elly's back to her old self....though something tells me that if he has anything to say about it, she won't exist anymore."