Things did not go the way Edward expected. In fact, he didn't really have any idea what to expect but he was certain that what just did happen shouldn't have. It couldn't be possible that the Brigadier General actually thought highly of him; had actually thought he had done a good job; was so willing to promote him after just under two years of serving in the war.

Once he had been able to sort through his confusion over this new revelation about the Brigadier General, the denial of a promotion began to sink in; and sting. He would have loved to have seen Robienne's face with his own Colonel stars and stripes on his shoulders. But those feelings didn't last long when he realized how much important the promotion was to him; that he was actually anxious for the opportunity to rise through the ranks. It was just as Al said; he was going to end up staying in the military. But that thought didn't bother him so much as it did before.

Russell showed no emotion when Edward returned to his troop. He did not appear smug, thinking he knew the outcome before hearing it. He was somber, deep in thought. When word spread, with some loud cheering from the troop intended for Russell to hear, there was still no reaction. Edward hoped that it was a good thing; perhaps he didn't have to worry about Russell making any more costly mistakes; that he had learned the error of his ways.

Later that evening he sat with Havoc away from the rest of the troop by a camp fire and told him about the lost promotion. The Lieutenant looked more disappointed than Edward had felt about it.

"You royally fucked up," Havoc sighed, exhaling a cloud of cigarette smoke at the same time. "Not only did you cost yourself a promotion trusting that asshole you screwed my chances as well."

"How so?"

"As a Colonel you could have requested a promotion for me as well. I think Captain Havoc has a nice ring to it."

"Why the hell would I ask for a promotion for you?" Edward said with mock disgust. "It's not like your good for anything."

"Except putting up with you," Havoc pointed out with a smirk and getting an eye roll from Edward in return. "So what are you going to do about Tringum?"

Edward sighed. "I don't think there's much else to do but put up with him and hope he doesn't fuck up again."

"You could always request a transfer for him," Havoc suggested a little too eagerly, like he'd been anxiously waiting his chance to offer up the perfect solution.

"I can't do that. If I request one for him than I'd have to do the same for Private Frasier. I've already assumed responsibility; I can't be seen going back on that and transferring him will look like I picked a side. Besides, didn't you see him when he found out nothing happened to me? It's like he doesn't care anymore."

"Haven't you learned your lesson, yet?" Havoc asked, exasperated over Edward's stubborness. "Just request a transfer for him."

"No." Edward said firmly. "You're not the one who gives orders around here."

Havoc sighed irritably. "Maybe not, but something has to be done with him. I can guarantee the men do not trust him at their backs. They'd prefer he was somewhere where they can keep a better eye on him."

"I've been thinking about that too. I've thought about having him switch with Major Parker..."

"You can't be serious!" Havoc exclaimed sitting up straight. "Ed, don't put me under his command..."

"But you're the only one I trust to keep him in line. I think you've worked with Major Parker enough that he can handle the artillery."

"I think you should put Tringum back with the supplies, keep him out of our hair."

"And make him more disgruntled, I don't think so. He wanted in the front; I should have given him what he wanted in the first place. Could have saved us all this misery."

"But he doesn't make the decisions, remember," Havoc stressed to remind Edward of his own words about who gives the orders. "You do."

"Exactly, Lieutenant," Edward said pointedly to stress that he knew what he said. He didn't care that it looked like he was giving in to Russell wanting to be in the front or that Russell was getting another chance; to Edward it was making the best of the situation because no matter what he really had no choice; that whatever decision he made regarding Russell would upset someone.

"It really wasn't fair," Havoc grumbled, knowing it was useless to argue. "I'm out of service for over a year and when I return I'm shipped off to a lousy war, then I'm held responsible for you like you're damn babysitter. How come nobody is being held responsible for my well being?"

"Russell will be. If he does something that gets you killed he will be held responsible. I'll see to it personally."

"Yeah, well, being avenged when I'm not around to see it is not very comforting."

For two weeks Havoc worked with Russell. It was strained but they managed without killing each other. In fact Russell was quite capable out on the battlefield and there wasn't much for Havoc to disagree with or have to suggest. The Lieutenant begrudgingly acknowledged that Russell's attitude did improve during the experience but he still didn't care for the Major. In fact Russell's attitude was noted by everyone within the troop. He kept to himself, which he usually did but he didn't do it with the condescending attitude he usually had, like he had been too good to associate with anyone he outranked. He was more reserved and didn't slink around, like he was waiting for someone to do something wrong so he could tattle on them. It made some of the men nervous, wondering what the Major had up his sleeve this time. Edward saw it differently. Especially when he saw Russell glance his way when he was with Erika, the one time they had been able to see each other after his meeting with the Brigadier General. There was no hostility in the look, it was resigned and even hinted at pity. Edward didn't understand it but he took it as a good sign. Perhaps they could get through this and work together. Nobody had to be best friends; they just had to get through the war killing Drachmans, not each other. However, there were certain forces that did not want Russell working with Edward anymore.

It was near the end of September and the camp had been moved to better serve troop deployments for the coming month as the siege of North City was making progress. A full assault was in the works and ready to launch within the week. He received the notice of Russell's transfer when they returned to base camp.

Edward held the orders clutched in his hand, a sense of foreboding washing over him. He wasn't scared to tell Russell but something told him this wasn't right; that things would not go well. He dreaded the words that he now had to speak when Havoc entered his tent to see if he'd finished signing some paperwork that needed to be submitted.

"What's wrong?" Havoc asked with a little frown of worry when he saw Edward's stony expression.

Edward didn't answer his question. "Bring Major Tringum here."

"Ed, what's...?" Havoc tried to ask again but stopped himself, realizing what it might be. "Should I stay close?"

"I said go get him," Edward ordered impatiently.

"Yes, sir," Havoc said as he quickly left, feeling his own sense of foreboding but for a completely different reason.

About ten minutes later Russell entered Edward's tent alone. Edward had time to compose himself somewhat but he couldn't speak. Instead he just handed over the transfer order to Russell to read for himself.

"Wait a minute," Russell said once he finished. "This can't be right. I didn't do anything..." He continued and looked up at Edward, stopping himself from what he was going to say. "It was all an accident, a misunderstanding..."

"Was it?" Edward asked for the first time questioning Russell's intentions.

"Ed, you can't believe I'd intentionally ignore specific orders," Russell said defensively.

"Just drop it. It's been done. There's nothing that can be done about it now."

"Did you request this transfer?" Russell demanded.

"No."

"I don't believe you. Why would you do this? Everything was just blown out of proportion; if the Brigadier General didn't think so he wouldn't have gone easy on you."

"He didn't go easy on me!" Edward exclaimed. "You don't know what I lost out on for you. And as to things being blown out of proportion, how should someone act when a troop is nearly decimated by its own military?"

"I'm telling you it was an accident. You can't do this when we're so close to launching the attack to take back North City. You need me out there. You can't just have me transferred over a misunderstanding."

"It wasn't my decision."

Russell looked like he was fighting with himself, part him not wanting to believe Edward; the other part feeling like Edward might as well have stabbed him in the back. But he knew Edward wouldn't lie to him but he still couldn't hold back the resentment that had been building up.

"Maybe you didn't request my transfer but I see what this is. You've got everyone wrapped around your finger. You sacrifice yourself and present yourself as some noble hero, taking the blame without the crying or pathetic excuses; the perfect martyr. I'm sure you cut a very impressive figure in front of the Brigadier General. He won't sacrifice his perfect officer so he cuts me off instead."

"That's the thanks I get after what I did for you. I overlooked you misinterpreting signals and gave you the artillery to command, but you fucked that up as well."

"Well I guess we can't all be perfect like the great Fullmetal Alchemist. One day this noble alchemist act is going to bite you in the ass one day when they see you're not all you've led them to believe. You just want all the glory for yourself. You're afraid I'll end up better than you. I don't know how I fell for your talk back in Xenotine. It was all bull shit as well as that ridiculous alchemist's motto you cling to: 'Be though for the people'. I'm sure you interpret it as 'Be though for Edward Elric'. You don't do anything unless it makes you look good and that includes putting on this show of the self sacrificing hero, and that's all I know it to be; a show. You don't protect lives. All you do is destroy them; like mine and Erika's."

"You know nothing about that!" Edward said through gritted teeth. "It's none of your damn business."

All Edward knew at that moment was that he wanted to hit something; hit something hard enough to break and preferred that object to be Russell. But he was stopped from following through when Havoc stepped in. He looked between the two of them. He knew it would be like walking into the middle of the lion's den but he heard the raised voices and didn't want it to escalate, knowing both young men had tempers.

"Sorry to interrupt, sir," Havoc said looking at Edward. "I just came for the signed requests."

"They're not ready," Edward said glaring at Russell.

"If you'll sign them I can get them turned in immediately."

"They can wait," Edward growled finally turning his attention to Havoc.

"I find it's good to get these things out of the way as soon as possible."

"You two make me sick," Russell burst out suddenly. "You know what, I'm glad I'm being transferred. Saves me from having to watch all this groveling before you by your pathetic lap dog and this damn troop worshiping the ground you step on."

Edward leaped forward intent on making a grab for Russell. But Havoc was anticipating it and pushed Russell to the side then ducked under Edward's swing. He came up from behind and grabbed a hold of Edward, finding it hard to restrain the wildly angry teenager.

"You're a fucking bastard!" Edward yelled. "Why did you even join the military if all you were going to do was blow it up?"

"I joined to be of some use but how could I with you holding me back," Russell said picking himself back up.

"I wasn't holding you back," Edward said trying to shake Havoc off. "I was trying to help you so you didn't have to go through what I did. You don't even know what it was like to be thrown into the middle of this with no clue or no training."

"Not all of us need babysitters," Russell shot back then smirked when Edward proved his point by making another rush towards Russell but Havoc still had a strong hold of him.

"Let me go, Jean," Edward said.

"No," Havoc said against the strain. "Tringum you should just get out of here now."

"Gladly," Russell said. "I hope you enjoy the glory, Ed, because just when you think everything is perfect in your life I'm going to be there to see it when you lose it all because that's what will happen."

Russell left the tent. Havoc continued his hold on Edward as he stood, shaking with fury.

"Let me go," Edward said warningly and Havoc finally released him. Edward stepped over to his table and before Havoc could stop him he raised his fist and brought it down, destroying it. Sheets of paper scattered around as Edward stalked back and forth.

"Feel better?" Havoc asked sarcastically.

"You really are still one of Mustang's dogs, sneaking behind my back like that."

"What do you mean?" Havoc asked, momentarily confused. Then it dawned on him, remembering his own reservations about bringing Russell for the news of his transfer. "Ed, I didn't do anything."

"Then how did Russell suddenly get transferred after you mentioned it."

"I don't know but I swear I didn't have any hand in it."

"Fuck! This will never end will it? I can't trust anyone and Locke said he knows everything going on within my troop. The military is no different than it was before."

"Don't get so bent out of shape. That's just how it is whether the military is corrupt or not. Generals always keep someone they trust the most in certain troops so they know what's going on. They can't be there personally so they plant their own eyes and ears."

"You know who it is, don't you?"

Havoc didn't answer.

"You do. Tell me."

Havoc remained silent.

"I order you to tell me."

Havoc sighed. "It's Lieutenant Kestrel," he said quietly.

"How long have you known?"

"The first day he was placed under your command."

"He just offered you this bit of information."

"No, I approached him about it. I recognized his name from Locke's command during the Ishbal rebellion. I thought it strange he was still a Lieutenant with his glowing personnel file."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Edward demanded.

"I didn't want you to worry about it. Besides, it didn't matter. Kestrel could see immediately he was going to have it easy under your command; that you weren't some incompetent that was going to get him killed."

"Locke was a fool to want to promote me. I don't deserve it yet," Edward said with disgust towards himself as he fell heavily upon his cot.

"But you do..."

"How, when I really don't know what's going on within my own troop? The one person I thought I could trust keeps things from me."

"I didn't want you to worry about it…"

"Next time let me decide that on my own," Edward said as he bent forward to start picking up the paperwork. Havoc kneeled to help. As he lifted a sheet Edward swiped it from his hand.

"I can handle this. Go tell Captain Meeks to come back here in fifteen minutes. I'll have the requests signed and he can turn them in."

"Yes, sir." Havoc said knowing that hiding information from Edward would probably weigh upon his mind more than anything else and the dismissal was Edward's way of showing he no longer trusted the Lieutenant.