This fic is set... well after the library burned down but before Winry found any connection between Roy and her parents. (HINT: If this line doesn't make sense then there might be mild spoilers for you ahead.) Other than that fanfic continuity with is for the sake of only amusment so hopefully it wouldn't violate canon (gasp Oh no! Not that!) I like to get all my assumptions out in the open from the get go. Oh, and FMA doesn't belong to me and I haven't made any money from this. (I wish I did.)

Roy's Treat

By BattleJoy

"Edward. I'm bored," Winry complained for the hundredth time that day. She already had all these issues of "Automail Monthly" back at home.

"And a copy of Perushing's "Conversation, Reactions and Principles"," Ed called to his brother several stacks of unshelved books down. This was such a golden opportunity. No one had thought all the effects of that one fire could have been repaired, but the military was sparing no expense to keep its 'dogs' happy. They had ordered books from all over the continent. "You said something, Winry?"

"I'm bored. You said you were going to take me to a show or something today," Winry tried to keep the frustration out of her voice but failed. This vacation was the first time she got to visit the two brothers for the last 6 months. She had been here 3 days and had only seen them for a handful of hours and that consisted of watching the way Al methodically hunted through the mess of books or the way Ed would bite and lick his lips whenever he found a particularly interesting passage.

"Five more minutes," Ed said dismissively.

"You said that two hours ago! The day's half done and I'm tired of all these stupid books!"

"You don't need to get all snappy on me, Winry." Ed slammed the book shut to focus on the battle of wills he usually had with his childhood friend. "If you don't like it, you can wait outside! Me and Al will be down in 5 minutes," With that he turned over his other shoulder and called to Al to hurry up and bring him "Perushing's Conversations".

Winry angrily got out of her seat and stomped out of the room, fluffing off Al's efforts to calm her down and bring her back. She couldn't believe Ed could be such a jerk.

Winry had spent her allowance for the last couple months to get the money to come over to visit them. She picked green beans and sold them in the local farmers market for extra spending money on the weekends. She HATED picking, washing, and preparing green beans. She even went through the effort of buying a couple of new dresses so she'd look nice when they went out and did Ed even notice?

Since Mrs. Hughes's mother was ill, she was out of town. Winry had arranged to sleep on Al's bed set out in the living room of the boys' apartment. So she thought that was even some more time she'd spend with them and Ed said he was taking some vacation time.

But there had been no one waiting for her at the train stop or at their apartment. That meant waiting in front of their door until Ed dragged in at 11pm at night. It seemed that a basic reassembled collection of books had shown up at the newly rebuilt library earlier than expected and they were opening it to alchemists only. If waiting the first day wasn't irritating enough, Ed had abandoned her the very next day to go back to the library and where Ed went, so did his brother. Winry was stuck with going alone to the museum and other common tourist spots that she had already visited on her previous visit.

Ed had promised to make it up by taking her shopping and then to a play. He was only going to "duck in and check something" that morning in the library. She wanted to spend time with them so bad, like in the good old days.

"Edward Elric, you are so dense."

Edward's stomach protested. He ignored it. It protested again.

Luckily, Al noticed it. "Big Brother, you sound very hungry. I bet Winry's hungry too," Al gently prompted, ever considerate.

"Oh, I guess you're right," Ed checked his watch. "We'd better hurry. It's nearly 1 o clock. The mess hall will be closing in 45 minutes. If we check these out quickly we can get there in time." Normally most of the food was unpalatable at the military cafeteria but today was Sloppy Joe Thursday so Ed hurried out of the library.

Scanning the courtyard, Ed stopped, not seeing the blonde hair of his longtime friend. For a second he considered that something bad could have happened, but the courtyard watching the workmen continuing to reshape the landscape. Winry also had learned the lesson not to trust strangers in the city during her first visit and she was nearly an adult. Not seeing Winry, he was about to ask one of the gardeners when Al came running from the checkout desk with an armful of books. "Big Brother, Winry left us a note about a half an hour ago."

"Let me see that," Ed said testily. To think Winry could make him worry like that.

Fullmetal,
Since you seemed indisposed with research
and we couldn't find you, I decided to take
your ladyfrined, Miss Rockbell, out.
See you later.

Col. Roy Mustang

P.S. I'm disappointed with you.
I thought you knew never to let a lady wait.

The note fluttered from Ed's limp hand as his eyes widened, remembering distant complaints by other soldiers over Col. Mustang's womanizing ways.

"He-he wouldn't... not with Winry," Ed muttered to himself. "He can't..."
End Part 1/3.

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