Chapter 3

Saturday Night (Part 1)

"Alright people, I'm sure with our combined knowledge we can somehow piece together what happened on Saturday night." Roy turned to everyone in the room. In his office was Ed and Al, Lt. Ross and Sergeant Brosh, Hawkeye, Havoc, Breda, Fuery, Falman and himself. "From my understanding this all began to go out the window at about 9:30 to 10 o'clock." He turned his attention to Edward. "The events seem to have started with you, so why don't you tell us how your night began." Edward crossed his arms to think for a moment.

"Well, I forgot my watch at Central HQ, so I decided to go and get it before someone else found and stolen. When I got back to the banquette everyone was enjoying themselves. It was about 10 when I got back."

The night of Central's military banquette was in full swing. Drinks were flowing and h'orderves were being taken out by platefuls. A good chunk of the staff had their fill of food and moved onto finer things that encompassed being at a military banquette. All soldiers drank for free! That's their treat for going to a company social, as much free liquor as you could handle, and then some, and then some, and then some.

By the time it struck 10 all glasses were full and bar songs were chimed. There were several of what appeared to be vases filled with wine that lined buffet tables, there were kegs galore at the front bar. The bartender was showing off with a few bar tricks, pouring from great distances, shaking, spinning and flipping glasses as he mixed. It was quite a sight.

Ed crossed the floor and returned to Al and Winry who were patiently sitting at their table they had reserved. Ed sat down and leaned back. "Did you get it?" Ed held up his watch that he had left in Central Headquarters.

"I keep leaving it down places; I should attach it to my wallet and my belt tomorrow." Al smiled, as he opened and closed his own.

"That's what I do." Winry's eyes widened.

"Oh yeah, I never got to take one of those apart yet. You should let me take your apart there Al." Al smiled and reattached it to his belt.

"I'll think about it." Winry puffed out her bottom lip.

"I should have figured you'd be stingy too." They laughed it off. A few minutes later Edward got up and once more began to cross the floor. "Where are you going Ed?" He merely held up a finger to his lips. "…?" Winry glanced at Al who was equally as confused.

"What's he up to?" Al watched as his older brother vanish into the crowd of people and then returned several minutes later, a bit of a pissed off look on his face, arms folded over his chest and they disappeared into his long brown leather coat. Al seemed puzzled at what his brother was doing. Ed cocked his head in a way that it motioned for them to follow him. Al and Winry rose from their seats and followed Ed down the empty hallway of one of many corridors. Ed turned sideways to one of the doors; pushing down it's brass handle with his elbow he caused the door to become slightly ajar.

"Come on." He pushed the door open with his shoulder and advanced into the room with the other two following closely behind. This room center floor consisted of a long table lined with chairs that looked rather fancy and a small sitting area over in the corner. It had four loveseats arranged in a half moon pattern that encircled a small coffee table made out of a deep mahogany wood.

The adjacent side, the right side of the room when you enter, were many serving trays on wheels, they must have been to carry many plates without having to make an equal amount of trips, a few of them still had glasses and saucers on them. Against its back wall there was a rather large window that was covered in a long velvet red curtain hemmed with gold trim. It deserved to be called biggest clichéd hanging from a curtain rod.

"Ed…what's all this about?" Ed looked over his shoulder and then scanned the empty private dining room.

"Close the door." He said quickly; Alphonse hastily shut the door behind them. "Won't let me drink at their bar huh?" He whipped his hands out from underneath his jacket revealing two rather large vases filled almost to the brim with wine. "I'm a soldier too, I should be treated equal." The others seemed horrified yet at the same time excited.

"Edward! Where did you get those?" He smiled as he laid them down on the table that was situated in center floor.

"I took them off the table." Al backed up a bit.

"You stole them?" Ed shook his head.

"Soldiers drink for free remember? I probably wouldn't have taken them if that didn't say 'oh, you're too short to be a soldier' I just happen to be one, and so do you." He pointed to one jug on the table. "One for me." Then to the other standing next to it. "And one for you, and Winry, we can share ours with you. Of course." Winry's eyes widened.

"Ooh, I've always wondered when I'd have my first drink of wine." She picked up one of the vases and smelled its contents. They were deep red in color and had a slight sent of grapes. "It smells so good too. Ooo, I need to give it a try." Her voice was a squeaky and bubbly as it usually went in times of utter happiness. Al rubbed the back of his head.

"Are you sure it's such a good idea." Winry waved a hand at him.

"Oh Al, don't be such a stick in the mud. It'll be fun!" Winry coaxed as headed over to one of many serving tables and picked up a few tall wine glasses. She began to fill her cup; placing the glass to her lips she took her first drink of wine. The two boys watched her carefully, was it good, or did it taste like poison? Winry removed the glass from her mouth and swirled her wine in her cup. "It's good." She gave them a convincing look and then took another drink. Ed and Al smiled.

"That's good to hear. Honestly, I thought it smelled kind of off, but if it tastes good, I guess that's all that matters." Ed checked what time it was. "Okay, clock says it's 10:15, the banquette ends at 4, I think was can get rid of these by then." Al picked up one of the rather large transparent vases and poured some red liquid into one free glasses for himself and one for Ed. He handed the crystal glass to his brother.

"Cheers." The three friends clinked their glasses together and proceeded to enjoy the red liquor.

………………

Meanwhile, back in the main hall, Roy had returned from central HQ. "Mustang, wherv'ya been! You missed the speech." Havoc patted his friend on the shoulder; he handed Roy his drink and smiled, a cigarette hanging out the side of his mouth, not yet lit.

"I forgot my flask, can't enjoy myself without it." Roy pulled out his shiny silver flask. Hawkeye who was sitting next to him took holds of Roy's wrist and pulled the flask closer to her face.

"Isit silver?" Her speech seemed a little distorted and she was all to amused with the shiny brand new flask. "You-shoul- You shouldn't keep that in your desk. We aren't supposed tuh drink at work." Roy smiled at his delightful musing; Hawkeye always overdid it halfway through the night and had to be poured into a cab hours before the party ended. She sat back in her chair and allowed her head to fall back.

"I know I shouldn't keep it in my desk, but it's there for when I work extra hours. I don't drink it during the day. And yes, it's pure silver. It doesn't give liquor that off metal taste." He twisted off the cap and took a swig. "Ah." He sighed. "Good ol' Mule-Kick." Havoc's eyes lit up.

"Got the white lightning this time." Roy extended the flask and Havoc took a drink. "Woah!" He coughed slightly. "That'll knock you right out, no wonder it got the name mule-kick." Hawkeye reached over the table and snatched the sliver flask from Havoc. She tilted the small container back and took a big mouthful then stuck it back in front of Mustang's face; he removed it from her hand.

"Moonshine, thas what I thought." They snickered lightly at Riza's outward display of drunkenness. She had already polished off seven shooters and a couple beers. Roy examined one of many shot glasses that lined the table in front of her. The small glasses had a strong almost sweet scent to them; it was strong but not overpowering.

"Whisky I see." Riza patted his shoulder.

"No Roy, Moonshine, you put moonshine in the flask." She spoke to his as though she was speaking to a child. Roy laughed.

"I mean what you've been drinking. It's whisky, right?" Riza looked down at her empty glasses that were presented on the table in front of her.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. I was wsn't I?" She raised her arm up high. "Nother shot!" She yelled out to a passing server then gave a cheerful giggle. "Hehe, Scoch Whisy to be esact." She raised a finger and pointed art Mustang as she spoke; her speech becoming more slurred as she conversed. Roy laughed out loud and gave Riza a firm pat on the back.

"You're the reason I show up to these banquettes." Whenever Riza was into Whisky she became as giddy as a school girl. Very much unlike last time a get together was held like this, she had been drinking vodka the entire night. By nights end; she was starting bar fights and throwing glasses. The following day was met with frequent trips to the washroom and sincere apologies to all she injured and or offended, and also to those she threatened. Luckily there were no weapons allowed in the hall and Riza didn't know Alchemy; so fortunately for all that encompassed the area, Riza was relatively harmless and no one would die.

Havoc chuckled at Riza; she was always fun to get drunk with. It was a shame her parties were so short lived. This time she seemed to be doing a pretty good job at pacing herself. The rest of Mustangs crew were holding a small bet on when she'd lose her liquor or pass out. Havoc was the only one who bet she'd go the whole night without passing out. He had a lot of money riding on this, so he was praying for her sobriety. Just then something, or rather someone caught his eye.

He hadn't been drinking all that much, so he was able to keep up an intelligent conversation. This girl he saw was beautiful; she was slender with light brown hair that was neatly set up in a bun. It was a big bun so her hair was obviously long when let down. Her eyes were a cool greyish blue and she had a round soft looking face. Her cocktail dress she had on was peach and form fitting. There were sequences that stemmed from the left side of the dress and met at a gather on the right side. The dress had a sliming trait, made her long stand out and her eyes sparkle. She was drop dead gorgeous; Havoc was fortunate that Mustang was enticed with Riza's conduct to bother with this girl.

Second Lieutenant Havoc rose and approached the young lady. "Hey." She didn't look too much younger than he was, so Havoc figured he had a good chance; he gave his introduction. "I couldn't help but notice you here by yourself." She turned to acknowledge him.

"Hello." She said in a sparkling voice. Havoc began to flirt with this new girl while a waitress holding champagne on a large tray walked by.

"These called for?" The waitress paused and held out her tray.

"No, would you care to try one." Havoc nodded.

"Don't mind if we do. Thanks." Havoc removed two champagne flutes and the waitress smiled and walked off; handing her a glass he beamed.

"A soldier huh? I'm only a private; I have to pay for my drinks. What's your rank?" Havoc smiled.

"Second Lieutenant, names Jean Havoc." The young girl gasped as she drank from the fine crystal.

"Oh my, such high ranks. Do you serve under Colonel Mustang?" Havoc nodded. "How did you get to be where you are?"

"I've got friends in high places; Colonel Mustang and I go way back. I didn't catch her name." They chatted quietly while Kane, Breda and Vato approached the table where Mustang and Riza were sitting. Roy was listening to Riza very carefully to try and make out what exactly what she was saying. Kane smiled and held up his camera.

"Check this out! I just got a brand new roll of film, now we'll have no problem recalling tonight." On way to many occasions have things gotten out of control and no one has remembered a thing. This way, when they tell Riza she strip teased one of the waiters, she'll have no choice but to believe them. Didn't they all wish they had a camera that night. If they could replay last summers banquette they all would in a heartbeat.

"Oh! Takea pitchur!" Riza exclaimed as she glommed onto Roy's shoulder and hugged him. Roy blushed slightly; he too was starting to feel effects of the shine so he gave a "V" symbol with his free right hand. Kane smiled and held the camera up to take a picture. Centering it he snapped the shutter and a big flash of light shot out; thus preserving their memory for years to come.

"Think she'll remember it?" Kane said as he wiggled his camera in the air. Breda smirked.

"You care to put money on that." Kane shook his head.

"Nah, I'd like to eat this week sometime." They laughed as the whole crew, aside from Havoc sat down at their table and ordered up another round.

The party was really getting off the ground, not only in the main hall but the other hijacked room in hiding was also starting to become quite tipsy. The room was dimly lit and aside from the laughing, it was pretty quiet. Noise echoed out in the hall.

"Heydward…umhungry." Al's head rested back of one of the coaches, right across from Edward. He was so smashed that his words were so slurred that they almost sounded like another language. Edward laughed.

"Wha'ar'u talking about?" Edward was no better; though he could still form the basic parts of his sentences. "I can't understan." Al's head rolled forward and he looked at his older brother, he face was tinted red from the alcohol consumption.

"Food Ed!" He managed to get out without trouble. Ed nodded.

"Yeah, I'm kinda' hungry too." He looked at Winry who was resting on the coach's arm next to him. He poked her in the side; she had felt tired and dozed off in less than a half an hour in. "Wiry…Wiry…geup." He looked at Al and he snickered.

"Se hada glass, hehe, wuss!" His head fell backwards once again. "Well tsu glasses." He added. Ed shook his head, witch at this point felt like it a floating in water and whenever he moved, the water sloshed around, throwing off his balance. He went to lean over Winry to wake her up but fell on her instead. She had only dozed off for twenty minutes, so waking her now would have been best anyway.

"Wiry geup!" His face was so close to hers he could smell the wine on her breath; normally he was too shy to be this close to her face. "Do you wansum food?" She stirred and nodded. Ed stood up; it was his first time trying to walk since he actually became drunk. He straightened his body and inevitably gravity decided to have an adverse effect on his motions. Water that he felt he had in his head sloped backwards, causing him to fall back toward the coach. Luckily he caught himself on the back of the coach and straightened himself out. "Alright, I'll goet one na'those trays…with all those samwiges on them." Al watched Ed walked towards the door, aside from an initial teeter at first, his walking was almost flawless. He opened the door when it hit Al.

"Dun ge caut." Al tried desperately to tell his brother not to get caught but it seemed to fail, Ed looked over his shoulder.

"No cats! You ken forgetit!" Al raised an eyebrow and then laughed a little.

"I like cats." Then he proceeded to laugh hysterically; Ed closed the door behind him.

Peering down the hall in one direction he saw nothing then when he went to turn around to check the other way, he came face to shoulder with Lt. Ross.

I know I said I would get this out in one chapter, but oh well, I couldn't. There'll be a part two coming soon, I got to about 10 pages in and realized it was too long for just one chapter, so I cut it up into two parts.

Hope you liked it!