A/N: Hello again, I'm going to try and keep up with the updates being every day, if not every other day. It doesn't take long to write my goal for each chapter, but sometimes inspiration is a bit hard to draw. Anyhow, on with the story, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Chapter Length: 2,143

Chapter 2

Yesterday's Lunch

The morning brought nothing but a bounty of noise and whirring as Edward watched his neighbor pack his vehicle, which looked as though it would break down at the midpoint without fail, and slip off to begin his trip. It should have been silent, and peaceful after the trap putted to the end of the street and look its destined turn. However, the birds decided that with Shou Tucker safely away, they would sing Edward the song of their people in gratitude.

Edward did not find the act gratuitous but instead vindictive. They hadn't wanted him to sleep in any later than any other element in the cosmos system created by The Gate. Deciding that it was best not to wallow in his own self pity, the blonde pushed himself out of the comfortable confines of his bed and began his morning routine of brushing his teeth, braiding his hair, and tugging on either a set of his work clothes, or a set of casual clothes. Being a Monday, Edward still had to dress for work. With a heavy sigh he tugged on heavy brown burlap pants tucking his white tank top into them before applying his belt. Over the top of the tank stop, he tugged on a long john shirt, before a matching burlap brown uniform shirt. Deciding it would be best to get in a quick breakfast before slipping into his jacket and boots, he sauntered into the kitchen. With a quick flourish of his wrist, and a clap of hands, a warm bowl of oatmeal rested before him.

Just before leaving for work, Edward stumbled next door in the frigid morning air. He hated winters in Central just as much as he hated the summers. One was too hot, and the other was too cold. It always messed with his automail, which in turned messed with the ports attached to their respective limbs. Well, it only messed with the ports on a good day, even the rain could cause aggravation and swelling in the connections. What he really hated was how raw it made the skin with the temperature changes. It would hurt to wash them for at least two weeks after a good freeze. Nevertheless, he found himself unlocking the door to Shou's home and stooping down to pet the cat that rubbed herself against the palm of his hand happily.

"Good morning Tilly," Edward sighed heavily before patting her head twice and going into Mr. Tucker's kitchen. "How many scoops do you want today?" A soft meow echoed back in answer as he dug through the cabinets. "What on earth did he do with it?"

The food was not in its original placing, which frustrated Edward. He hadn't made time in his daily schedule to play hide and seek with cat food. Of course, he knew he could simply give the cat some of the tuna that was no doubt in the pantry. However, he recalled an argument that Alphonse had with him one day.

As a vet, Alphonse questioned leaving any animal in his brother's care. Never had the thought occurred to him that his brother wasn't able to take care of an animal, it was just that his brother had enough on his plate he didn't need anything else falling onto it. Alphonse knew that Edward wouldn't give the animal a second thought when switching food, but would question and panic when the poor thing got sick from it. Thus, all animal care questions and animal care in general was directed to Dr. Elric.

Giving up, Edward sighed heavily and stomped over to the pantry. If it had been legal, by chance, Edward would have simply transmuted the tuna into a dry bag of cat food. Unfortunately, under the new Fuhrer, such frivolous transmutations were not in his frame of legality. Instead, he simply pried open the can before slamming it down onto the ground and darting out of the door. If he were late one more time, he would be certain to feel the wrath of a certain gun-toting Lieutenant.

"I'll be back for your dinner tonight." Edward sighed rubbing his neck as he shut the door on the mewling cat. He would have to call Tucker as soon as he could and ask where he had moved the food.

Amestris Central Military Headquarters

He was late. It was something that heavily grated on the man's nerves as he paced about his office. All of his other subordinates had little to no problem managing to arrive on time for the daily report. It had been an ongoing problem since his return, but Lt. Colonel Roy Mustang was lax enough to not acknowledge it. Today, though, a Major General, one of which would be happy to fire him or at least court marshal him for being so lenient on his officers, was examining him. Impatiently, he drummed his gloved fingers on the hard oak of his desk.

"Where is he?" He growled furrowing his brows further down. Elric had been late before, but only by a mere two to five minutes. Today, he was a good thirty minutes behind, and unless he had an absolutely dire situation going on, he could plan to be disciplined harshly. If there was one thing that infuriated Roy Mustang more than tardiness, it was tardiness on an important date. He had given them all fair warning that he was going to be evaluated today. In fact, he had been pretty consistent in updating them on the time and date for the past two weeks.

"I'm here!" Came the voice that set the rest of the group a sigh. Edward wasted no time in knocking blatantly ignoring the fact he was supposed to wait to be summoned before rushing in. He attempted to straighten his jacket and looked at his commanding officer smugly before changing his tactics. "Sorry for being so late sir. The traffic on the way in was miserable."

Roy knew for a fact that Edward did not have a car, and that he was only about a twenty-minute walk away from the headquarters. So how on earth the man standing before him was always late, he didn't know.

"Major Elric," He snapped exasperated. "Glad to see you actually decided to join us. Perhaps cleaning the latrine and mess hall would give you time to think about time? It should take you long enough." Mustang sneered leveling a glare at the blonde. Edward simply shrugged him off but snapped into attention instantly after. Any other day the disrespect would have miffed him at most. However, in front of one of his seniors, it frayed his nerves.

"If that's what you want me to do." Edward smirked at his CO. Today could prove to be at least a bit fun.

Nearly four hours later, Edward regretted showing his ass. His knees and back ached from kneeling down for so long, and his flesh arm was cramping up from having to either sustain his weight or scrub the brush back and forth. It certainly didn't help any that Mustang decided to 'reinforce' the team mentality by punishing the rest of the group to the chores as well. It hadn't settled to well with him that he had drug the other guys down with him, but still, he had to admit it was worth seeing Mustang get so flustered.

"Honestly Chief," Havoc sighed around his cigarette as he dropped another bucket of soapy water by his side and produced a clean rag. "Why can't you just keep your mouth shut sometimes?" Edward could have pulled rank at the comment but decided that Roy had done enough rank tugging to suffice the company for the rest of the day. "He was being evaluated."

"Serves him right then," Edward shrugged and went back to scrubbing the white tile until it shined under the fluorescent light. He could almost see his reflection staring back at him. "Maybe a hit to his position will take his ego down a notch!" The poor man beside him couldn't help but splutter in laughter at the remark.

"It's been your mission to make his life hell since he commandeered you." Havoc knew he was about to get a rise out of the blonde. Hell, sometimes getting a rise out of him was just as, if not more, amusing than getting a rise out of Mustang. It was a loud clang, and a light spraying of debris that alerted them to a bird listening for the worm.

"Less talk, more scrubbing." Hawkeye snapped as she finished polishing the last table and took to the silverware. "Perhaps if you two had worked harder, instead of running your mouths all the time you would have known about the evaluation today, isn't that right Edward?"

The young aviator flinched but grinned anyway. He rolled his eyes looking at the Hawk before quickly getting back to his work. He didn't need another warning.

Roy sighed heavily as he looked at the ever-present paperwork. He had sent all of his subordinates off to clean the mess hall, leaving his office in an odd silence. It was astonishing, really, to see the office so still and silent when it was usually so full of boisterous laughing and energy. It wasn't as if his group was far away, or that he couldn't go see them. No, he needed to be stern. But Roy Mustang hated silence. If only because whenever it was completely silent, there was sure to be a storm to follow.

Practical Petcare Center, Resembool

The phone was constantly screeching in the office. Alphonse sighed heavily waiting for his secretary to pick it up, the paper work in front of him was more demanding than what was sure to be over the phone. In fact, it was probably just another patient calling to make a general check up, or get their booster shots. He hadn't ever expected his business to bloom so quickly in his small hometown, but Alphonse Elric was happy to take every pet that was brought or walked through his door. However, being a small farming town, he also had to take appointments that sometimes brought him out of his office as well.

"Dr. Elric?" A timid voice called through the door. "There's a General Brighton on the phone for you?" His red haired receptionist fidgeted anxiously as she stood in the small doorway. She certainly was a mousy girl; wirey hair, long lanky limbs, too thin. Of course, she was still in the middle of a growth spurt. The people with animal knowledge where he originated, was few and far between. Thus he had a limited supply of people he could hire, and while she wasn't the most appeasing to look at, she certainly did her job well.

"Put him through, Jenny" He rubbed his brow wearily but still managed a smile to encourage the girl. Perhaps, with enough training, he could get her to do some heavier lifting, put some weight on, even train her so that he could at least have someone else as knowledgeable as him. She nodded and rushed out before he could even think to utter a thank you.

Alphonse chuckled to himself as he picked up the phone and held the receiver to his ear.

"Dr. Alphonse Elric speaking, how can I help you today?" He always tried to make his voice as polite as he possibly could over the phone. Speaking to his brother, teacher, and Roy Mustang over said device, had quickly taught him just how easily it was to convince someone miles away that you didn't particularly care. And considering this could be a new customer, Al didn't want them to get the wrong idea.

"Perfect, I had been hoping to catch you in your office. Mr. Elric, I'm General Brighton, I'm sure you've been informed." The phone went silent as the officer waited for a response; to which Alphonse nodded, forgetting that they couldn't see him through the phone line. "Mr. Elric?"

"Ah, right yes. Forgive me, General. It's been a rather long day. What can I do for you?"

"I've got a bit of a project I would like you to oversee. I understand that you're Major Edward Elric's brother? It's been brought to my knowledge, that just as he is a prodigy in Alchemy, you are a prodigy in veterinary science?" Alphonse felt the blood rush to his cheeks. He wouldn't exactly go so far as to call himself a prodigy, but he had taken the subject seriously in school.

"I wouldn't say prodigy, but I do have quite a bit of knowledge yes." Al took a deep breath in an attempt to keep the comment from going to his head. An ego would do him no good in a town such as Resembool.

"Grand! Here's the proposition…"