Chapter three: Oops!

Monday morning was its usual routine, save for that Ed and his little brother were now in the building and very curious about Heidi. They had heard about the pranks she and the Colonel had been playing on each other and Ed, being the little pipsqueak brat that he was, was eagerly offering Heidi tid bits of ideas to get at Roy. Roy wasn't sure if he liked that. It felt like the kid and his new officer were going to tag team him at any moment. So he'd decided by Tuesday after nothing had happened, to make it a day of surprises and surprises is just what everyone got.

First off his plan to get Heidi to gather his mail went awry. Fury had gone to get it for her trying to be helpful and been the one to walk into his office early with one very black face covered in soot. The smaller man was obviously confused as to why Roy would rig his personal mail box to blow in his face. At first he thought Heidi might have come up with that one, which was until she walked in and was more surprised than them both.

By noon they heard a cry from down the hall, it sounded like Breda and sure enough it was Breda. The poor man had walked into the wrong bathroom with out thinking and sat down on one very wet toilet seat.

By three Havoc stormed into the office looking rather disgusted. "Colonel what the hell is this?" He demanded offering his greasy hand up for examination.

"Butter," Roy replied. Damn, this was not the way it was supposed to work. Heidi was supposed to be the one to pick up the radio's from the train station, not Havoc. Roy had buttered not only the door handle but the steering wheel of his car, giving her the keys. She was the one so interested in the damn devices. So why didn't she go.

Havoc sighed shaking his head. "Is she getting back at you for this stuff, we have to know."

Roy's eye brow twitched. "Not yet, why afraid you'll lose the bet?"

Havoc nodded and stormed out muttering something about washing his hands and the car.

Heidi entered the office with a frown. "I thought he was going to the train station."

"I thought you were going." Roy replied.

"He asked if he could go for me so I let him." She smiled. "You did something to the car didn't you?"

Roy picked up his pen. "I don't know what you mean."

"Come now Colonel, you really should take credit for your pranks. I did." She came beside him and sat upon his desk resting her gloved hand upon his bare one. This was the first time Roy had ever seen her gloves and there was a blue transmutation circle printed upon it. It looked rather complex and fascinating. This was also the second time she'd touched him. Even through the fabric of the soft material he could feel how warm her hand was, how slender and strong it was.

"I thought you didn't want anyone touching you Major," He said with out looking up at her. "Is that you're circle?"

"Yes," She replied softly. She lifted her hand from his and pulled the glove off. She then placed it in his hand. "If you want to know anything about my alchemy I'd be glad to tell you."

Roy smirked, sitting back in his chair and examined the glove. It was so much smaller than his own. "Are you asking me out on a date Major?"

"Since when is a date fabricated from spending a little time talking about alchemy. But if you want to call it that I'm free all next week. I'd say sooner but my parents are coming for a visit this Thursday, at least that's the plan. They won't stay but a day or two since they have to get back to Latak. My father now owns the factory, but they wanted to come and see East City." She smiled. "And my mother wants to inspect my apartment to make sure I've got everything she thinks I need."

He smiled at this. He wished his parents were still alive to visit him or vice versa. He hadn't really thought about them much lately. "That'll be nice."

Heidi nodded. "Yeah, I think so." There was a sadness in her tone that made him frown.

"You miss them?"

"And my brother," She said absently.

Roy was all ears. "I thought you said you didn't have any siblings." Heidi paled and she looked away. A slip up?

"I don't, not any that are alive... Zane, he died a long time ago. He was a good brother until he went insane. I don't know what caused it, maybe he wasn't happy, or just snapped one day. It's kind of hard to talk about. We were very close, close like I've noticed the Elric's are."

She frowned wetting her lips. "My parents won't even talk about, they can't and I only really spoke to Ivan about him. When he passed it was like losing an arm, he was so much a part of me, took care of me when our parent's couldn't because of work. But…I learned to live with out him."

Roy saw it in her blue eyes. She wasn't telling him the whole truth, she was hiding something. Again, though he'd forgotten of it for a time, she reminded him of someone. He rested his hand upon hers warmly. "You can talk about it with me if you want. Sometimes it's good to finally air out the skeletons in the closet. I've had to do it a few times myself."

"Maybe someday." She replied very softly. "There are things I'd like to tell you but I don't know if I can."

Roy felt her hand tremble beneath his and he was about to speak when his phone rang. He almost reached for it then he remembered he'd rigged that too while she was at lunch. "Could you get that for me? I don't feel like answering it."

Heidi turned and began to reach for the phone then smiled. "Oh I don't think so."

"I didn't do anything to it," He said with a sigh.

Heidi watched him and just let the phone ring.

"It might be important, it could be the Fuher."

"He'll call back." She replied. "And if you're so worried about it answer it yourself."

Roy lifted his other hand to look at his nails. "I don't know why you don't trust me Major."

Havoc walked in frowning and drying his hands upon his. "Are either of you going to get that?" He asked.

"We were having a rather serious discussion; I don't want to be bothered." Roy replied and held up her glove. "An alchemic discussion."

Havoc sighed and lifted the receiver. "Mustang's office,"

Heidi grinned when Roy's eyes widened. "I knew it, things just aren't going as planned are they Colonel?"

"Yeah Lt. Hawkeye he's right here," Havoc said and tried to pull the phone from his ear. He frowned when it wouldn't budge. "What the…Damn it! I don't believe it!"

Roy felt himself pale. Lt. Hawkeye, oh no that wasn't good. He began to get up as Heidi turned to help poor Havoc who had fallen victim to yet another prank. "I need to go check on Fury." He said quickly.

"Colonel you did this now fix it!" Havoc cried. "What is this?"

Roy paused at the door. "Super glue,"

"Super glue!" Heidi gasped. "Colonel Mustang I can't believe you'd do that. How are we going to get the phone off him without hurting him?"

Roy thought about it and smiled. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his glove. "Havoc did you know that nothing dissolves glue faster than sweat, not even chimera saliva."

Heidi backed away, getting off the desk. "That's so cruel."

"No Colonel don't!" Havoc cried trying to yank the phone from his ear.

Roy snapped making a spark but didn't transmute. Havoc sighed in relief. "I thought you were going to torch me."

"Never said I wasn't," Roy replied. "That was just a warm up."

"Colonel, please I'm sure there is some other way." Heidi breathed. "You can't scare him to death."

"What she said," Havoc said nervously. "Didn't you have some plan to get the phone off her?"

Roy nodded. "After sometime,"

"What's ?" Ed asked coming inside the room.

"Colonel put super glue on the phone as a prank and I answered it that's what!" Havoc snapped. "This is it Colonel bet or no bet, this has to stop!"

"I agree," Heidi said climbing upon the desk. Her knees slid a little upon the papers but she caught herself grabbing hold of Havoc's shoulders.

"What? Oh yeah he started it, it was just little pranks between the two of them until today." Havoc replied to Hawkeye on the other end. He smiled looking at Roy, a smile of satisfaction as Ed came closer to investigate. "Oh she's not happy with you, you're gonna get it."

Ed snickered climbing up next to Heidi. Heidi turned Havoc around. "Stop moving so I can get a closer look." She snapped.

"Yes sir," Havoc replied.

Ed frowned. "I think we might be able to pull it off if we're careful." He scratched his head. "Or maybe I could just transmute the thing, yeah that'll work." He clapped his hands.

"No Ed wait!" but it was too late Ed had his hands upon the phone and it was turned into some gooey substance and somehow Havoc was free. The man sighed in relief turning to find the colonel no where to be found.

Ed fixed the phone and lifted it. "Hello, oh hi Lt. Hawkeye, no he's gone, the coward."

Heidi let Edward handle the phone and took a look at Havoc's ear. "It's a little red, but other wise I think you'll be fine."

"Thanks sir." Suddenly he grabbed her shoulders startling her. "You have to do something, get him good. You'd do that for us right?"

Heidi began to shake her head. This latest prank was stretching the limit she was willing to take. "Havoc, this time some one could have been hurt. I can't risk anyone getting hurt because of this. I'm going to go find him and convince him this has to stop and if he wants to get rid of me he's going to have to do it the old fashioned way."

"That's what this has been about? Getting rid of you?" Ed asked hanging up the phone. "Why would he want to do that?"

"Hawkeye," Havoc and Heidi replied.

"That bastard, he's pulling all this just so he can get her back, it's so childish." Ed snapped crossing his arms over his chest.

Heidi smiled. Ed was right, it was rather childish. Still the boy needed to understand. "Edward come sit with me for a moment."

Ed eyed her warily for a moment then followed her to the sofa. They sat together as Havoc sat opposite of them lighting a cigarette. "Listen Ed I can understand where he's coming from. It's not easy losing someone who's a close friend. Lt. Hawkeye was more than just a friend. Look at from your point of view. What if you were the Colonel and Al was your right hand man. You were friends, shared small things, had a bond of trust so tight that you depended on each other, watched each other's backs and covered for each other."

Ed nodded thinking it over. "Al and I are like that now."

"Now how would you feel if Al was suddenly taken away, still alive just in a far away place. It would hurt a lot wouldn't it?" Ed nodded. "And what if someone, a stranger who you knew nothing about was sent to take his place, how would that make you feel?"

"Never happen, no one could ever take Al's place, but I'd be pissed." Ed replied realizing what she was saying. "I wouldn't be able to trust them and naturally I'd want Al back."

"Right," Heidi replied. "I can't blame Mustang, I was honored that I was going to be transferred to his command. I've heard many things good and bad about him and chose to accept it all. But I also felt a little guilty about it because I knew he would be losing someone from his team. So I've put up with a lot of things that no other superior I've had has ever pulled. This unit will only work if all of it's members can trust and depend on each other. What do you think would happen if war broke out and the Colonel didn't think he could trust me or I didn't think I could trust him? I'd still follow any orders he gave but honestly Ed when it comes to things like that there can be no question in a person's mind about those they serve with or serve under. If there is then a mistake could be made and something terrible could happen.

She smiled. "Some of it's been fun and some of it's been down right stressful, but if this is what it takes for Mustang to have faith in me, including letting him see things about me that I can't bear myself, things that have hurt me terribly, then I'll do it. I think you'd do the same if Al was your superior officer."

Ed nodded. "For Al I'd do anything, I get what you're saying."

"It's the same for me. I'd do anything he asked and back him all the way no matter what it cost me. If he chooses to accept it is his choice, but I'm here none the less and I won't let him down just like you wouldn't let Al down, just like Lt. Hawkeye wouldn't let him down."

"I still think it's stupid," Ed said.

Heidi chuckled. "It is, Havoc where are you going?" She could see him getting up in her peripheral vision, hear his clothing rustling.

"The bathroom,"

Heidi sighed. "No just go home," She looked at the mess upon Mustang's desk. "I'll clean up here."

"Thanks Sir, bye," Havoc said.

Ed got up with Heidi. "Want some help, Al's outside with Fury with some radios."

Heidi smiled. "So someone went to fetch them after all, good. That would be nice Edward, thank you."

Roy stood watching Al and Fury unload the new radios from the car. Apparently after Havoc's run in Fury took a different car and picked them up. Fury looked rather pleased that Al was taking an interest in something he specialized in. Roy found that he liked having the Elric's back from time to time; Ed and Al both. Al was so innocent, Ed was too though he thought he wasn't. He just hoped the two wouldn't grow up too fast; losing childhood too early was a terrible thing.

"Sir," Havoc's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Sorry about that Jean." Roy said glancing at the man.

Havoc shrugged. "Hawkeye's upset with you, said she'd be calling again on Monday to have a little chat with you. You know she's not going to come back anytime soon."

Roy nodded slipping his hand into his pocket. He felt the softer material of Heidi's glove. "I know,"

"So maybe you should just learn to deal with it and give Major Kruger a chance instead of trying to run her off, cause I'm telling you sir, she's not budging. I just listened to her explain something to Edward, this whole thing. She knows you're trying to send her packing."

Roy looked at him. "Does she?"

Havoc nodded taking a long draw from his cigarette. Slowly he let it out into the late spring breeze. "And you know what she more than understands why you're doing it, why you're upset. She explained to it Ed in terms he could understand using him an Al as examples. She said some other things I think you ought to hear."

"What?" Roy asked a little curious. It was so rare that Havoc did this sort of thing, really talked to him like this, put him in his place. That was usually Hawkeye's job and he and Havoc mostly talked about women and dates, or work, complained about paperwork together.

Havoc smiled. "Well the sum of it is that she was honored to be sent to you, had heard both good and bad things about you. She gets it that you're upset for losing Hawkeye. She said she felt a little guilty for it too because it was basically breaking up a team you trusted. She's putting up with a lot, said it's been fun and stressful, but if that's what it takes for you to trust her, have faith in her, she'll basically bend over backwards.

"She also said that she'd do all this even let you in on stuff that hurt her, I'm guessing some stuff from her past, no matter what it cost her just so that this team works. But she also said whether or not you accept it is up to you and regardless she'd do what ever you say, back you up that sort of thing. You know that sort of loyalty doesn't come often or that easily. I mean we've known each other for a couple of years, hell even Fury, Breda, and Falman have known you for awhile. We've had time to get to know what you're about, she hasn't. It's just something I thought you should know. Any way she told me to go home. She and Ed are up in the office cleaning up. See ya Monday Sir."

Roy nodded. "Hey sorry about the car and the phone,"

Havoc smiled, slipping his hands in his pockets. "Eh, my dumb luck, don't worry about it." With that he walked off for home.

Roy sighed. Heidi was still hiding something from him, he knew that much, but he knew Havoc well enough to know he wouldn't lie to him. So in a way Roy felt guilty for his behavior. He supposed he really should just accept this change and move on with his life. Hawkeye was still his friend, she'd still back him even from afar, and nothing could change that. Heidi was just a new addition, one he'd have to learn to trust, get to know better. Hell the woman had let him do something she'd not let anyone do in three years, was trying. That really was something Roy couldn't forget.

Maybe a small prank or two here and there could fly just as long as it was kept in good fun, but he really did need to start being nicer to her. She was probably trying to adjust too. She'd been up north for so long and now was here with him, away from that friend of hers, her parents, and comrades. She had to start all over and that was pretty hard.

Heidi Kruger really was a nice young woman, pretty, smart, she'd have to be to have been able to keep up with him. She did things Hawkeye hadn't been willing to do just because she wanted too, not because he'd asked. That was the start of a friendship.

He'd have to get in touch with Maes again and do some digging, try on his end to make things easier. She was right this team had to work. Maybe she'd tell him the things she'd mentioned wanting to tell him on her own, in time. Tell him her secrets; tell him about this brother of hers. Hell she probably didn't trust him as far as she could throw him right now, so he'd have to earn it.

Roy decided making an appearance would be a good thing right now. So he left Fury and Al, not that they'd noticed him watching from the side anyway, and headed back to his office.

Heidi stacked the last set of papers with a sigh. "There all done, now he can get back to work when he returns."

"Hey Major," Ed said, setting a pen down.

"You can call me Heidi if you want."

Ed smiled. "Heidi, you like the Colonel or something?"

Heidi's eyebrow rose. "Define like Edward."

"Well I mean,"

"Of course she likes me Ed, why else would she stick around?" Roy asked entering. He looked at his desk. "I could have done that Major,"

"Just keeping things ready for you." She replied moving out of his way so he could sit down.

"Thank you Heidi," He said as the phone rang. He reached for it almost hesitating. "Mustang... huh? Oh sure put it though." He caught Heidi's arm before she moved to go to her desk. Ed had gone to plop down upon the sofa, which was odd. Usually Ed couldn't wait to get away from him. Kid must be bored.

"Yes?" Heidi asked turning around.

Roy held up his finger listening. He heard the click, the switch over from the secretarial office's downstairs to the line that was waiting. "This is Colonel Mustang," He said with a smile. A very deep, gruff sounding man said hello and asked if he could speak with Heidi.

"Yes, she's right here Mr. Kruger." Roy replied before passing the receiver to Heidi who looked a little surprised. He smiled. "Well don't keep your father waiting."

Heidi blinked a moment then smiled taking the phone. "Hello Dad," She said softly. "What's wrong?"

Roy watched her smile fade. "Oh, no that's okay I understand. Was anyone hurt? That's a relief so it's just number three then, well you've always had problems with that one. I think a replacement would be a good idea, want me too look around see what's new. I mean you'd know more about than I would, but I'm sure I could find something. No that's okay you and Mom just worry about the factory for now. I'm not going anywhere. Sure love you too bye."

Heidi hung up the phone with a sigh.

"They aren't coming this weekend?" Roy asked.

She shook her head. "Nope, there was an accident at their factory and one of the older machines broke down, messed up a whole order." She smiled. "It's no big deal, they'll have it taken care off by the end of the weekend and they said they'd come sometime later in the summer when things slow down."

Well that was depressing, she missed her parents a lot, looked like she was looking forward to their visit. "Since their not coming there's no sense in you sticking around your apartment alone. I've got nothing planned you can school me in sound alchemy."

"Sound alchemy?" Ed asked with a frown.

Heidi nodded. "I use alchemy to amplify sound to burst ear drums or blow things up. It's complicated since you have to make sure to get the right sound waves or frequencies or in some cases pitch."

A thought, more like a memory flash passed through Roy's mind; something from Ishbal. "Did you say burst ear drums?"

Heidi nodded. "I did, and my research didn't go in the direction I'd hoped to take it."

Roy kept the memory that nagged at his mind to himself. Who he saw using this alchemy was not a blonde, but a brunette and she had been at least twenty pounds lighter. He got the feeling he was starting to remember something important.

"Neither did mine." He sighed. She might tell him this weekend, he just had to find a way to get it out of her with out pushing. He smiled "So when can I come over?"

Heidi smiled. "Mm mm, let's meet somewhere other than my apartment." He began to speak. "And yours Colonel. The Library would do just fine I think. I'll bring my notes and books. I'd like to look at flame alchemy if you don't mind sharing."

Roy smiled. "Not at all, so saturday say noon?"

"I'll be there."

Roy glanced at Ed. "You know Fury and Al are outside with the new radios. I'm sure you could show Ed a thing or two. Then go home there's not much point in staying when there isn't anything left to do."

Heidi looked to Edward. "Want to see how those things work?"

Ed shrugged. "Sure, got nothing else to do."

Roy waited until they had gone then made a call to Central. "Hughes here,"

"Maes I need you to start looking into Major Kruger again. I'd like to know as much as I can." Roy replied.

"Something wrong?" Maes asked.

"It's probably nothing, just something I thought of."

"Sure thing Roy I'll see what I can dig up."

"Thanks bye." With that he hung up.