Chapter Nineteen

Mission in the South

February 12th

Hamlet of Rushville

2:33 pm

Warehouse District

Ed crouched grouchily behind a stack of crates as he watched three men walk up and down the aisles in search of him. Luckily thanks to his stature they had originally didn't recognize where he could be hiding, a thought that had him biting his steel hand to avoid the angry tirade that wanted to bubble up regarding the unusually tall Amesterians.

Everything had happened quickly. Ed had shown up to ask a few questions regarding the missing supplies that all seemed to funnel through this warehouse, he had even attempted to be polite about it, but he didn't get any further than introducing himself when they started shooting at him. If nothing else, this should be fair proof that they were up to something. Ed had ducked behind a tower of crates and run along the road while curing the fact that he had sent Al on ahead to look at the journals a widow of a former state alchemist had offered to show them. He had wanted to get the mission out of the way quickly but loathed to wait on the journals either, so it made sense for them to split up. Of course, then this straightforward mission just HAD to have issues. Once again, he cursed the fact that someone had asked, he handle it instead of sending someone who actually worked this region. After all he had enough work in his own area without having to clean up other mistakes.

With a sigh, and a silent promise to his son that he would make it back, Ed silently shifted over to the left until he could see the men's' shadows. He calculated where they were before clapping. The resounding ring of his alchemy activating had all the shadows turn in his direction even as he slammed his hands to the floor. Soon all six men were incased in concrete from the warehouse floor now shaped into large fists and Ed was standing before them.

"I really so not have the time for this," Ed began as he glared at the presumed leader, the man who owned the warehouse. "There's no point in trying to claim innocence at this point so why don't you do us all a favor and tell me where these supplies are going so I can get out of this flea bitten hellhole a bit faster, hmm?"

"I don't have anything to say to a worthless little shrimp like you." The man says before spitting in Ed's direction. The vein in Ed's forehead ticks as his face grows red and he grits his teeth. He tries very hard to let it go for as long as he can, trying to act as a better influence for his son… then he remembers his son isn't here to see this and that had this guy had his way Ed would not have seen his son ever again. The resulting tantrum terrified all of the men present, especially the leader who received a very strong fist to the face.

Twenty minutes later the local police finally arrived to collect the men and Ed was free to go back to the hotel to continue helping his brother read through the journals in question. The widow had allowed the boys to borrow the books if they promised to return everything in the same condition, she lent it before they left town. As Ed walked out of the door, the police reminded him that he would need to make a statement in the morning.

Mission out of the way, aside from paperwork, Ed had at least a couple of days to read as much as he could of the journals before they would be cleared to leave town. This was an added frustration but not one he was going to bring up when he already had 'being shot at' at the top of his list of complaints.

On the way back to the room, Ed decided to detour long enough to call the office and check on his son. Anything official could wait until they return because if Mustang thought being Ed's primary babysitter was going to make life in anyway easier for him then Ed was happy to correct him. He didn't care if Mustang was a great babysitter, he wasn't going to just reveal anything over the phone. Ed knew better than that. Mustang had taught him better than that, at any time someone could be listening in. It was unlikely with Fuery on it, but not impossible. Nothing had happened that would be classified as dangerous information, but one could never be too careful.

Hawkeye answered the phone after Ed gave his passcode and was redirected. After greeting her happily he asked to speak to Mustang. A few moments later he answered to Ed's relief. "How is everyone there?"

"Hello Fullmetal, nice to hear from you too? How's the mission going? Good, that's nice. "Mustang says in return with a teasing tone.

"Yeah, yeah, I know work on my communication skills, blah, blah, blah. The mission is going as great as expected, should be able to leave by the end of the week hopefully. No property damage yet, or local complaints. Now how's everyone there?"

"Everyone here is fine. Some of them are missing you for some reason, but otherwise everything is running smoothly. My new assistant is giving me a bit of grief over some stomach issues, so I am going to head out soon you just barely caught me actually."

"Ah, stomach issues can be a problem. I suggest eating less fruit and more liquids until he is feeling better. Hopefully, he recovers by tomorrow. I may be able to return a little quicker if I can wrap this up."

"No need to rush through anything, we have it covered here. I know you're anxious to get back to your research and deskwork, but we are able to manage with you out in the field."

"Alright then, if it's going to be longer than expected I will be sure to check in." Ed said before hanging up.

Someone was listening in then. At least Mustang suspected some was listening in, and Yuery was overall adapting well but was feeling a bit cranky. Hopefully, he would feel better tomorrow, but Ed would call again tonight to Mustang's home line in hopes of being able to get a better picture of the issue. As he had offered he could always cut out early, the main objective was already completed and the journals could be studied at a later date if necessary, after all it didn't seem very promising to actually help him and Al anyway.

He made his way back to the hotel and up to his room to begin studying the journals with his brother. Al could see Ed was exhausted and dirty, and seemed upset, so he assumed that things had not gone according to plan or there was something concerning Ed about Yuery, or both. He waited for Ed to say what was bothering them.

Ed sighed at his brother's obvious unspoken questions. "The mission went south by me just announcing my name, I didn't even do something rash this time! I managed to arrest them all though. Yuery isn't feeling well Mustang said."

"Were you injured?"

"No, I'm just pissed off that they sent me as their errand boy. Honestly, literally anyone down south could have handled this, and they asked for me instead. I don't know or care what game they're playing, they need to back off. I'm more concerned for Yuery. I hope he's feeling better tomorrow because I'm kind of stuck here until they take my statement on what happened, not that they won't just release the guy as soon as my back is turned, they always do."

"I'm sure Yuery is fine, Colonel Mustang is very good with him." Al said as he ignored the statements made about the case. Al knew it, and so did Mustang, worse Mustang told him to stay put until the case was completely absolved of any accusation that he hadn't done his job the other engineers said behind his back. Ed hated politics. To distract himself he picked up a second journal and began reading so the whole thing would be dropped for now.

East City

Mustang Residence

6:00 pm

Roy and Yuery arrived home after a trying afternoon filled with a cranky baby, extra paperwork from Central, someone bugging the phonelines and Havoc whining about losing the babysitting privileges. The baby and the paperwork would continue on, but Fuery was certain he had managed to rid them of the bugs and Havoc was quick to get over it after Mustang allowed him the honor of holding the extremely angry baby while he took a call from General Raven. Havoc decided then that had gotten off easy.

Now that they were home, Roy planned to try to feed the baby and hopefully get him to finally take a nap since he skipped it this afternoon. He was fairly sure the baby was teething again, and missing his father, as well as whatever tummy bug he seemed to pick up. All in all, it was going to be a long week at this rate, though from the sound of it the Elric's week wasn't going any better.

Roy decided now was not the time for brooding when Yuery's loud squawk reminded him he had a sick, hungry, tired baby to settle before he could get to anything else. He set all their things including the paperwork he had been unable to finish but was due in the morning, then took the baby into the kitchen.

His kitchen, like most of his house, had acquired baby supplies in the last few weeks. In the kitchen's case that meant a highchair and special dishes to handle the baby. In the living room, it meant a playpen as well as a toybox standing ready. In his own bedroom, this included a crib and changing table in the corner. In his study he had included a second playpen just in case like tonight he had to bring work home while babysitting.

He strapped the baby into the highchair before removing his blue uniform shirt and after consideration, his white button-down shirt as well. He didn't care if the boy got his undershirt dirty and covered in applesauce finger marks. He then sat down next to the angry baby to feed him his dinner. Yuery seemed more interested in throwing food than actually eating it however, and this was not helped by the phone ringing just as Roy managed to trick the baby into actually trying some of the food instead of slapping it away.

"Mustang." Roy said sharply into the phone as he held in between his ear and shoulder and just barely managed to stretch the cord far enough to return to the baby. The baby had managed to get ahold of the bowl of applesauce and spill a generous amount onto the tray where he was slapping it around and squealing. Roy stole the bowl back moving it further down the table.

"Roy. Are you busy?" Hughes said through the phone. "Good, because the greatest thing happened today! My Elicia- "

"Hughes was there a point to this call?" Roy asked as he dodged a handful of apples.

"You aren't planning any trips out this way anytime, soon are you?" Hughes asked.

"No, no trips at all, why do you ask?" Roy answered as he continued to feed the baby and ignore the mess that was being flung around his kitchen. He could clean later after the baby settled down again.

"No reason, just wondering. Well we've run into a bit of trouble, but it shouldn't cause any harm your way before we clear it up. Just…stay out of the city for a while, okay?" Maes said. "Is Fullmetal coming back through here on his way home?"

"I assume he is it is the quickest route after all. I'll be sure to tell him to stay alert while in the city for whatever it is that has you spooked." Roy said as Yuery loudly announced that he was done eating and considered it a great insult to still be stuck in this chair after being done for the last thirty seconds. "If that was all, I need to get him down for a nap."

"I won't keep you then, enjoy the time you have with him, perhaps he'll finally convince you to settle down and build a family!" Maes said. "If you would just find a good woman- "

"Goodbye Hughes." Roy said before standing and hanging up the phone. He was tired of the constant nagging. He had far too much to do to bother looking for a wife at this point. The angry wail behind him was just a reminder that he had much to juggle tonight.

He filled the sink and bathed the baby quickly before setting him to play in the playpen in the living room and clean the kitchen quickly. After a couple minutes of angry grumbling from the playpen it grew silent. A quick peek around the corner proved the baby had fallen asleep. Roy grabbed his paperwork to finish at the coffee table instead of leaving the baby alone while working in the study, or risking waking him by moving him.

When the phone rang again, he managed to lung for it quick enough that Yuery didn't stir. He sat on the couch as he barked a quiet "Mustang."

"Sorry, is Yuery sleeping?" Ed asked over the line.

"Yes, he skipped his afternoon nap. I expect he won't sleep much longer." Roy said. "How are you?"

"Fine. The case is all wrapped up, and we've managed to talk the widow into allowing us to borrow the two journals that look promising, so we can be on the train tomorrow. The only problem is the only train available tomorrow takes the long way around. It goes further south than through the east passed my hometown then up into East City instead of going straight through from Central. Al is moaning about not stopping to visit with the Rockbelles, but honestly it is only at the station for maybe fifteen minutes and the next train wouldn't be for like four days. I know I checked. At any rate, we should be back in the city around Friday."

"Very well, then I'll expect you back in the office Monday. If you want to collect Yuery after work, or on Saturday depending on what you need to do and what time you get in just let me know and I'll be sure to be here."

"Thanks again for taking care of him. Don't let him sleep much longer or he won't go back to bed tonight, and then Hawkeye will shoot you for sleeping at work." Ed said with amusement. "Are you still feeling up to watching him while we go to Liore?"

"We will be fine." Roy assured. "Would you like to head straight there and then collect Yuery or would you still prefer to spend a week with him in between?"

"Is he teething still?"

"Yes… he also seems to have a slight virus. Nothing serious."

"Hmm. Then I'll spend the week with him for sure, though I hate the idea of disrupting his routine again so soon." Ed said with a sigh. "There's nothing for it though. Once I get Al's body back, I'll be able to stay home all the time without leaving him!"

"You and your brother are welcome to stay with me for the week instead of hustling the baby and cat back home just to drag them right back over here. It may help Yuery settle in better that way." Roy said.

"Maybe. I'll think about it." Ed said, before saying something muffled to someone else. "Al, I told you we don't have time. Sorry anyway, I should go. Wake him. Seriously, unless you enjoy staying up all night."

"I will in a bit, I have one more file to get through. That reminds me, should you travel through Central anytime soon, they seem to be having some sort of issue. I was not clear on the details, I'll have to look into it tomorrow, but should you travel there, stay in the train station between trains or ask for a car, please." Mustang said, fully expecting Edward to rant about it but to his surprise Ed simply agreed.