Disclaimer: I do not own Full Metal Alchemist except Trey.
"Lieutenant, you in there?"
Trey rapped the door. It was two in the morning, and Trey knew nobody in their right mind would be happy. Havoc had taken her there, but nobody tried to follow them. The door opened slightly. A glint of metal.
"Do you realize what time it is?"
Same Hawkeye. Not understanding the situation they were in, but more profound on the subject of curfew. Somehow, Trey fell asleep. Havoc had left muttering apologies but not really meaning them. They made it through the night, safe and sound, as everybody predicted. They were there in the morning, Trey being escorted by Hawkeye. Mustang was just as amusing as he thought of more ways to avoid paperwork, and Havoc and Trey avoiding Hawkeye's wrath that seemed to expand in every moving second. The days passed swiftly until Mustang asked to meet with Trey privately. Hawkeye was reluctant, but she agreed to wait outside.
"It's been time enough. Have you reached your decision?"
Trey knew what that was all about. Enough stalling.
"Colonel, you know as well as I do that whatever this military's got to offer can never match my gratitude for this messed up life. Not even my hatred"
"Just make your decision."
Trey looked at her arms again. The symbolic tattoos seemed to almost glow for all the pain that the military had caused her people. Trey's eyes narrowed as she relived the memories of the torment.
"Well"
"I'll do it, but in one condition"
"And what's that"
"You need to honor my promise. I promise that I will never kill or hurt another Ishbalan, and that if this military forces me to go against my promise, I will do everything in my power to let my people live"
"Welcome back, Major."
Trey looked up, temporarily confused. Mustang explained, "Every alchemist begins with the title 'major.' You weren't before because you did not enlist... you were drafted." He held out a hand. Finally, Trey shook it. Mustang held out a gleaming, silver pocket watch engraved with the symbol of the military. It looked almost brand-new. Trey received it carelessly and stuffed it in her pocket.
"Dismissed then."
Trey stood up to leave. As her fingers curled on the doorknob, Mustang added, "Oh, and by the way..." Trey's fingers stopped clenching.
"Know your limitations, and that includes Lieutenant Hawkeye."
"You wish, colonel."
Trey grinned a little as she opened and closed the door. Mustang, from inside, sighed wondering what mess he got himself into.
"In your face, lieutenant!"
He heard the cock of a loaded gun, a flash of light, and sounds of icicles forming. A groan of frustration. Mustang thought to himself plainly that it would be a very soon until Trey would leave. But the truth of that matter was that a national alchemist was rare, especially entitled to a young teenager made it even more exciting. As Trey proudly displayed it to Havoc, all he could say was, "An Ishvarite alchemist. Now I've seen everything."
"Hey, who you calling Ishvarite, man?"
Havoc laughed as he belted out of his chair and ran full-speed, knowing full well that Trey could stop him at any given moment. It was just more entertaining than watching Hawkeye pull two guns and give a glare.
"She did what, sir?"
Mustang sighed.
"She's part of the military now, Hawkeye. Show her some respect."
Hawkeye grumbled a little. Mustang leaned closer with his hands closed. He said, "Now, what was that? I couldn't hear you." Embarrassed, Hawkeye said, "As good as your intentions might be, sir, I still think you should reconsider. She's young and fragile." He expected that.
"So is Edward, lieutenant, and quite the loud mouth that he is, I think it was good idea. Oh and by the way, when are they due back? I'd like to see that pint-sized..."
And with that, the conversation ended. Colonel Mustang, after all, is quite the powerful man. The next day, Mustang called Trey in for her first mission. If that's what that was called. A retrieval, he had said in an important tone. Get Full Metal, and bring him back safely. Trey had given him the strangest look. Why? Just do it. Alone? Bring Havoc with you. So that was that. In one hour, Havoc, who was relieved of all duties and quite happy with himself and Trey, boarded the first train to Resembool. As they sat in coach, Trey first began to notice the snow.
"Chief, you ever wonder-?"
A snore interrupted her question. She looked back and found Havoc fast asleep on her shoulder. The usual cigarette in his mouth was missing, and it almost seemed strange that he was without it. With a heavy-hearted sigh, she turned out the window. The snow fell fast, and it almost looked dangerously beautiful. In an hour, they arrived. Trey nudged Havoc awake. They walked until Havoc stopped at a house that he assumed was where the Elrics were staying. It was a frigid winter day. Havoc knocked on the door. An old lady opened it.
"Excuse me, ma'am, but is this where the Elrics are staying?"
The old lady was short and wearing an apron over a forest green long-sleeved dress. She had glasses, and her hands were behind her back. She nodded her head, but she looked cautious.
"And who might you two be?"
Havoc snapped to attention. This was one of those times he was glad he didn't have a cigarette hanging from his mouth. He introduced himself and Trey, "I'm Second Lieutenant Jean Havoc. This is Trey, the Ice Alchemist." Obviously the second part just had to be said because Trey wasn't wearing a military uniform. The old lady sort of stared at Trey; not directly but sort of gazed at her with a faraway glance. Trey followed her eyes onto her right arm. The automail was the object of the old lady's interest. Havoc nudged Trey to look up. Rockbell's Automail - The finest ever!
"You've got an automail arm just like Edward."
Trey nodded, slightly confused. The truth is that not much people had been given much notice of her arm because of the fact that it was covered up often. Today, her sleeves were rolled up. Quite by accident.
"Grandma, who's out there? Is it a customer?"
The old lady turned to welcome the young girl who had been peeking through. She looked like a young teenager. Holding a wrench.
"This is my grand-daughter Winry. I am Pinako Rockbell"
"And we specify in automail. But I'm sure Ed's told you all about us, right?"
Winry seemed active and cheerful. Trey was taken back immediately at this new sense of personality. She replied, "No, I'm sorry. I've never met... Full Metal before. We're just here to take him back." Winry pouted a little. Pinako motioned to the weather and said, "In this weather? Come in, come in." As they walked in, Trey recognized the boy who had barged in that one time. He laid sprawled out on the couch with his busted automail arm. Automail arm? His head turned slightly at the newcomer.
"Hey, it's you."
Trey didn't say anything. A large suit of armor moved towards her. Trey took a step back. Her hand was already in motion.
"No, wait!"
Ed jumped up and stepped in front of the armor.
"He's not dangerous! He's just my little brother."