"So, is it serious?" Havoc whispered as he watched Ed stare at the cold street in silence. Her hands were buried deep in her coat pockets, the strands of hair which fell into her face damp from the light drizzle which fell on their heads. "Of course it is. That guys a terrorist." Ed huffed in annoyance. "Not that, your girlfriend." Havoc explained, pulling his coat closer around himself. It had been two weeks since the misunderstanding, two weeks of Mustangs teasing, two weeks of Hawkeye's amused glances and two weeks of Havocs relentless questions. So far Ed had not risen to any of it. She was intent on keeping it a secret. "I guess so." Ed muttered not really knowing what to say. "Do you need some advice?" "WHAT?" Ed shouted feeling herself blush. "You know, is she your first girlfriend? I can give you some advice on how, you know." Havoc trailed off as he lit another cigarette. "I don't think I'll take any of your advice." She could hardly believe it, this was going way too far now. "Well boss, let me give you some advice any ways. Keep her as far away from Mustang as you can." Havoc muttered sounding awfully despondent. "Trust me, Mustang won't ever lay eyes on her."
"No luck then?" The colonel inquired when he saw Ed and Havoc wander into the office, pale, shivering and trailing water along the plush carpet of the office. "How did you know?" Ed groaned shivering. "Sorry boss." Was Havocs rather short but precise report. "You two better sort yourselves out, there's a little get-together planned tonight." Mustang announced smiling at his two insubordinates. "Why would I bother coming to one of your parties?" Ed groaned squeezing some water from her thick blonde hair. Mustang grinned, he really was in a good mood. "It's a surprise" He confided looking smug. "I think I can do without your surprises." Ed mumbled staring at the puddle of water which had collected around her feet. "You will love it. Why not bring Al?" "He's returned to Xing like two weeks ago, I told you." Ed huffed staring at the older man's face blankly. "I've asked him to get here this afternoon. He's looking forward to it." Mustang continued getting distracted by Eds wrists. They looked awfully slim. Feeling his gaze Ed pushed her hands deep in her coat pockets again. She shouldn't have taken her gloves off. "Playing the Al card, I see.." She muttered feeling uncomfortable. "I wouldn't get you to join any other way." Mustang said, on his face a victorious smile. "Hey, Ed, you could bring your girlfriend" Havoc suggested happily, as he inspected his wet cigarettes. "Yeah, why don't you? I would love to meet her." Mustang said with a grin. "I'm sure you would but I won't invite her." Ed said without much emotion. "Keeping her away from me then? I promise I won't go after her." Mustang mused glancing at the ceiling.
"So you still haven't dumped yourself then?" Al asked as he inspected his reflection in Eds sad, little mirror. He looked amazing. Like a young man should. Ed knew she looked like a shrimp in comparison. Tonight she was wearing her uniform. It was a nice affair and it was easier to hide her shortcomings in the blue clothes than it was in a black suit. "No, I'm worried they'll ask even more questions.. I also suspect Havoc is waiting for me to break up with me, so he can go out with me." "Told you." Al said, a weak smile crossing his face. "So, are we ready?" Ed asked feeling that anger boil her blood yet again. "Let's go then."
Most of the night was spent catching up with Al and drinking champagne. It would be like Mustang to call this a little get-together. They were all dressed in their uniforms or suits or dresses. A gaudy chandelier lit up the room and the alcohol was flowing freely. "Al! How are you?" Mustang shouted across the room as he strode towards them. "It wasn't going to last." Ed muttered looking at his watch. Twenty minutes they had gone undetected by his superior. "Colonel Mustang. How are you?" Al responded when they stood face to face. "Thank you for inviting me... did we miss the surprise yet?" Al wondered, clearly hoping it was food related. "No, not yet. I was waiting for you two to be completely honest." Mustang confided looking a little bit peeved. "Well what is it?" Ed groaned rubbing her forehead. "I'm not telling you now. Al? Why won't your brother bring along his girlfriend? He should have better manners than that." There it was again, that peeved look. "Oh, she's shy, brothers just looking out for her." Al said helpfully. "Aw, that's so sweet." Hawkeye chirped as she made her way into the little group. "What does she look like?" She continued, looking at Al. "Its a little bit odd, but Ed and his girlfriend look almost like siblings." Al said a little wicked grin on his face. "Al, leave it." Ed growled, this made Al stop talking but it didn't get rid of his little wicked grin. "That's so sweet, did Mustang tell you what the surprise is yet?" "No not yet."