Disclaimer: I don't own FullMetal Alchemist. This fact makes me sad. Very sad. But my story rocks. Enough said.


So Chapter 4! Yay! This story is going a lot better then I expected it to. Thank you sooo much to all the reviewers and readers. If I didn't get feedback, I probably wouldn't write.

Chapter 4 - A Dog's Work

Ed sat down at Pinako's table across from Roy, who was sitting there with his smug "I'm better then you" expression. Winry and Riza sat with them, observing the glare that passed between the two alchemists. Pinako came with a cup of coffee for Roy.

"Thank you, Pinako. I apologize for intruding on such short notice, but I needed to speak to Edward about some military business. You have a lovely home." Pinako smiled at him, very happy at the compliment. Pinako was always polite to people who had manners, which was why Edward was always hit by any nearby cooking utensils.

"No problem Mr. Mustang." Then Roy's gaze turned back to Edward.

"So what did you come here for?" Ed said casually, already irritated with Roy's attitude. Roy put down his coffee and clasped his hands together.

"Edward, after that mission, we got no word from you. We didn't hear if you were in a hospital, alive, or dead. Either way, the mission was a failure, and I have some men out there right now looking for those documents. I told you to take alchemists with you. I don't know why you're so ignorant as to think you can take on a full-grown man by yourself." Ed twitched at the "full-grown" part of the sentence.

"I don't know where you get off coming here to whine about a mission. I was sitting there in a hospital and all you could think of was your stupid mission!" Once Roy's mouth opened to say something back, Riza intervened.

"Both of you boys quiet. Your useless insults are getting you nowhere. Get to the point of the conversation." Winry nodded in agreement. Roy sighed and continued.

"Anyways, Edward, there's another mission for you in Central." Ed sighed.

"Can't you go get another alchemist for the job?" Roy shook his head.

"Let me explain the mission. Recently, a group of rowdy rebels have formed a group against the military. There've been riots and fights breaking out everywhere, and recently one our soldiers were killed trying to calm a riot down and-"

"By calm you mean hold a gun to everyone's face and try to send them to jail." Ed huffed. Roy ignored the comment and went on with the mission.

"Now we have to find the group before they hurt anyone else. It could be a civilian, the military, anybody. We have too many out there right now searching for the crowd, we need you." Ed leaned back in his chair.

"Not interested." He stared at the ceiling.

"It doesn't matter if you're interested or not, Edward, you're part of the military, you will do your mission." Ed looked just sat there. He remembered having to face the facts of giving up anything and everything for the military.

"Look, Roy, I just got out of the hospital today. I want to stay home for a while. Next time I might not be so lucky." Winry sighed. How could Roy just come and try to take Ed away again? He can't just go back on another mission. Sometimes Winry wondered how it would be if Ed hadn't joined the military.

"We understand, that's why we won't need you for another three weeks. Until then, we hope you'll be able to put up with us, Pinako." Roy told her as she came to fill up his cup of coffee again.

"Of course." Pinako replied. Ed just stood up to go to his room. Winry stood up too.

"Why do you always take him away? Give him a break. He isn't a dog - He's human." Tears started to come to her eyes. She had no idea how Ed put up with being treated like a dog.

"Once he got into the military, he became a dog. Remember that." Winry turned away to follow Ed. When she opened the door to her room, he was sitting on his bed, staring at the pocketwatch he always carried. She went and sat in front with him. Gently, she took the watch from his hands.

"Is this worth it?" Ed looked up at her.

"What do you mean?" She looked back down at the watch. It was exquisite work, looking a little worn after the years, but still in good condition.

"Is this watch - being in the military - Worth being treated like a dog? Is it really worth putting your life on the line for research? Can you tell me that staying home isn't worth as much as this watch?" He looked down at his hands.

"Sometimes I wonder. But worth is greatly associated with priority. Is my brother's body worth putting my life on the line? The answers yes. Is it worth taking orders from Roy? Yeah, it is. If that's what it takes for my goal, I'm going to do it, no matter what it takes. Even if that means staying away from home." Winry handed the watch back. The watch that kept him away, kept him in danger, and tore everyone and everything apart. She laid on the bed next to him, staring at the ceiling.

"Al doesn't want it. He doesn't think it's worth it. Al has you, and he'd never give that up for his body back. Are you doing this out of guilt, or because it's another job?" She turned to face him. He was still staring at the watch.

"Either way, it doesn't sound very good, does it? I am guilty for Al, there's no denying that. It's my fault."

"But he doesn't want to lose you. If you die, you'll owe him much, much more. If you settle down, and stop treating him like a soul in a trash can and like a human, you will have paid your dues. He doesn't want his body - He wants to be treated like a person again."

"If only it was that easy." It was silent for a minute, both the young teenager's minds were filled with thoughts that were best left unexpressed.

"I just don't want to lose you." Winry's voice was soft and gentle. It was surprising to talk to Winry in a way that didn't include insults, but it was nice. He stared off to the window, as evening took over. He set his pocketwatch on the table. There was tomorrow to think of the military. It was good to be home, and it'd be even better if Roy would get off his back. Maybe quitting was more of an option then he thought. Or maybe Winry was just getting to him.

Whatever he was, he had to keep his mind set on his ultimate goal.

For now he was a dog of the military. Until everything was put right again, he would sacrifice his safety and his home.

Saftey for Research.

Home for Al.

That's equivalent exchange, right?


In my opinion, that was the best chapter yet. Everything seems to be flowing right along, until next chapter. I've decided not to be like some writers and make everything obvious.

I'm going to twist your expectations.

Mwaha.

--Thank yous...

Anicka-Thank you soo much! I'm glad I made you happy D

Silver Sliver-Thank you! More's coming soon!

teen13-Indeed I will update.

animechick50-You're my first review ever! I updated, so please don't pull out your rabid squirells. That would make me sad.

Sorry I couldn't thank you guys in earlier chapters.