To say that Roy Mustang was surprised to get a call from Edward was an understatement but to hear from him that Sayla had been arrested ended in dead silence.
"Hello? Hey are you there? Didn't you hear what I just said Colonel? Sayla's been arrested by some back water sheriff that won't let her out!" Ed shouted into the receiver. Roy stared blankly ahead at the stack of papers that sat in front of him processing what was just said to him.
"What?" He asked feeling his temperature rise.
"Sayla has been arrested, they won't let us post bail; you are the only one that can get her out of there." Ed said slowly getting irritated. Roy simply blinked a few times as Ed fumed having to pull the phone away from his ear as Roy began laughing loudly.
"This isn't funny, it's serious!" Ed yelled.
"Don't worry about it full metal. You and Al just get on the next train to h.q. stat. Understood?" Roy ordered.
"But colonel we can't just..." Ed began.
"Get here on the double full metal or else." Roy said before the line went dead. Ed placed the phone back on its holder and hanging his head down.
"Crud." He said noticeably pouting. After persuasion and reassurances he managed to get Alphonse on the train. Morale was at an all time low to say the least as Ed sat silently his hands drawn into fists as they rested against his legs while Al was too depressed to even move. Besides the fact that Sayla had been arrested the local's had upset him beyond consolation and Edward didn't have the patience or the sympathy to deal with it at that point in time but Sayla would have. The two trudged off the train and onto h.q. They walked up the stairs down the hall and opened the door to the colonel's office.
"Hey guys!" Ed and Al stared wide eyed at Sayla as she sat at the large table that took up most of the room and greeted them with a smile.
"Sayla!" They both said in unison as Alphonse ran to her embracing her tightly. Sayla laughed as he lifted her off the ground and she wrapped her arms around him as well.
"How the in the hell did you get here so fast?" Ed wondered staring at her.
"I told you not to worry about it full metal." Roy said from behind the paper he read. "Of course Sayla there is something now you have to do for me."
"Yeah, yeah, equivalent exchange; name it." She replied as Al put her back down.
"As you already know the fuehrer ball is coming up. It would really be in your best interest to attend." He said. Sayla groaned as a thought occurred to her.
"Aw, man it's a shame I don't have a date." She replied. "Oh well, too bad."
"Not to worry dear sister of mine, full metal's attending as well. Aren't you Edward?" Roy asked lowering his paper slightly. Sayla stared dumb founded at him for a moment opening her mouth in protest.
"I'll take Sayla." Ed blurted out. Sayla turned to stare at him in shock at his sudden out burst.
"You mean you want to go to a military function brother?" Al asked the first one finding the ability to talk again. Ed's mind raced desperately trying to grasp anything for an answer as to why he had replied so quickly and with such enthusiasm as that.
"Thanks Ed. I really appreciate you going with me seeing how it's going to be so boring and all." Sayla said. "Oh no, the ball's only a week away! I have to get a dress and my nails are a wreck! Ah, my hair!" Sayla exclaimed running out of the room.
"Hey Sayla wait for me!" Al called after her exiting as well.
"You're welcome." Roy said reading his paper again.
"For what?" Ed asked turning around to face him.
"Why don't you just tell Sayla how you feel Ed?" Roy said. Ed felt his face turn a deep crimson red as he clenched his fist.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Ed stated stuttering slightly. Roy smirked fighting the urge to laugh.
"Look let me give you some advice kid; tell her how you feel now before it's too late." Roy said.
"What do you mean 'too late'?" Ed asked unclenching his fist. Roy didn't say anything only read his paper. "Well?"
"Women are required to wear evening gown ball style dresses while men their military uniforms. I'm sure this won't be a problem considering what you get out of it." Roy said folding his paper and placing it on his desk.
"That being?" Ed asked trying to stop his hands from shaking. Roy just stared at him and shook his head.
"Stop playing dumb Edward, it doesn't suit you." He replied.
For the next week Sayla shopped for her dress along with Riza and Maria as Al helped Edward transmute an authentic looking uniform. To say that Ed was picky about it was an understatement, he was downright anal.
"Brother I don't see what's wrong with it this time." Al said examining the blue jacket. Ed sighed pulling at one of the sleeves.
"It's just, not right. It needs to be longer." Ed said.
"Edward if it's any longer it will cover your knees; brother trust me, its fine." Al replied. Ed sighed again looking in the stand up mirror at his reflection.
"You know Alphonse, seeing myself in this uniform finally makes it all real for me; I'm just a pawn of the military." Ed said with a slight frown.
"I hope you have fun brother." Al said sitting down on the bed. Ed glanced at his younger brother's reflection.
"I'm sorry you can't go Al." Ed said regretfully.
"Yeah that's what Sayla said too but it's you guy's night Ed. Besides Sayla's going to make it up to me she said." Al said happily as Ed noticed his eyes light up. He never would have even noticed if Sayla had never pointed it out to him. After a year of traveling for the stone one stormy night Ed and Sayla had been separated from Al; Ed was distraught beyond any cognitive thought and had broken down completely. He had crumpled to the ground in a rain soaked sobbing heap moaning about how Al couldn't eat, sleep or even show any physical emotion. Sayla rubbed his back compassionately gently pointing out that there was a slight light in the holes of Al's helmet when it was connected to the rest of his body; when he was happy it was brighter while sadness dimmed it tremendously to the point of being nonexistent. Ed simply hadn't been paying close enough attention. Ed saw the light in his brother's eyes now accompanying the excitement in his voice causing Ed to smirk.
"Oh yeah? Let me guess why; is it a trip to the toy store?" Ed asked knowing his brother and friend too well. Al nodded his head excitedly.
"Yep, I can get anything I want then afterwards we're going to the pet store but I can't get anything there of course but it's still fun to look." Al said. Ed turned around and stood up straight.
"So it looks good?" He asked. Al gave him a thumb's up.
"Definitely; styling brother."
"You ready for this full metal?" Roy asked his black hair slicked back as opposed to it usually hanging in his face.
"I, uh think so." Ed said uncertainly. The uniform he wore still gave him an uneasy feeling but it was for Sayla. He could barely believe that they were going on a date; formal dress with food and dancing, no worries just the two of them. Ed wanted to run inside his dorm room and hide but he stood his ground.
"You bought a corsage for your date right?" Roy asked.
"A what?" Ed asked confused. Roy tossed the small white box at him which Ed caught.
"Good for you I figured you wouldn't. That's for Sayla." Roy said. A car pulled up and stopped. The driver promptly stepped out opening the back passenger door. Riza was the first to step out her long dress sweeping across the ground as she let it down.
"Come on Sayla, it's alright." She said extending her hand into the car. Sayla grasped her hand hitching her dress slightly as she stepped out. Her hair was pinned back lying atop her head in a bun with strands hanging down loosely. Her dress was spaghetti strap lilac in color tight at the torso accentuating her developing curves. At the waist it flared out reaching the floor. Ed stared at her his mouth hanging open slightly ajar.
"Watch and learn full metal." Roy said walking up to Riza and taking her hand in his. He laid a soft kiss against it before opening the box and took out the corsage pinning it on her dress.
"Thank you colonel." She said as he offered his arm to her. Sayla and Ed stared at each other both clearly uncomfortable. Roy cleared his throat breaking Edwards's trance. He slowly walked to Sayla taking her hand in his but unable to copy Roy's suave maneuver. Instead he opened the box noting that this one was a bracelet type style and slipped it on her wrist.
"Thank you Edward. It's so pretty." Sayla said smiling.
"You're welcome." Ed said softly offering his arm the way Roy had which Sayla readily accepted.
"Now for the fun part." Roy said sarcastically with a smile to boot. Ed and Sayla glanced at each other uneasily but continued walking inside none other than the fuehrer mansion. They were greeted at the door by the butler alongside other military personnel and lead to the ball room where they could hear talking and laughter inside.
"Now presenting General Sten Ismal; accompanied by Sanya Ismal." A voice said from inside as the next in line entered the ball room. Ed and Sayla paled considerably as Roy walked along beside them.
"You never said anything about being announced Roy." Sayla whispered glaring at him.
"If I had neither one of you would have shown up. Besides be grateful, only the important people are announced." He said smiling. "Aw, what's wrong full metal? No witty come back?"
"I…hate…you." Ed said through gritted teeth.
"Oh don't bother to thank me. Now listen when the two of you are announced walk in up to the fuehrer; Ed bow, Sayla curtsy then go off on your merry way." Roy said as they neared the door.
"Now presenting Colonel Roy Mustang; flame alchemist accompanied by first lieutenant Riza Hawkeye." Roy and Riza walked into the room walking straight. Both stopped in front of the fuehrer. Roy bowed while Riza curtsied before both walked off to the side.
"Oh god Ed; I'm so nervous." Sayla said softly moving closer to Ed.
"Yeah me too, I feel like running in the other direction." He said. Sayla nodded in agreement.
"Now presenting Lieutenant Colonel Sayla Hosner, singing alchemist; accompanied by Major Edward Elric, full metal alchemist." Both walked stiffly in the room glancing off to the sides nervously.
"There are so many people here and their all watching us." Ed said.
"Yeah I know what you mean. Good thing we're not paranoid or anything." Sayla replied. Ed gave her a side glance that she caught.
"Well not right now anyways." She said.
"So good of you both to come." Bradley said formally. Ed bowed while Sayla curtsied respectively before they hurried off to the side both their blushes turning down slightly. Officers and their wives walked over practically lining up for the chance to meet the alchemist of the people as well as the singing alchemist. They were commended on their service to the state as well as getting such influential positions at such young ages.
"Aren't you going to help them?" Riza asked as the two could barely be seen through the crowd surrounding them.
"Why should I? Nothing wrong with accepting a little praise." Roy say. He sipped a glass of champagne trying to ignore the stare he was receiving from his date.
"Fine, fine." He sighed handing her the glass to hold and made his way through the crowd.
"Lieutenant colonel Hosner, Major Elric. May I speak with the two of you?" Roy said grabbing the two by the hand leading them away out to the balcony.
"Thanks Roy." Sayla said once they were safely outside.
"You two just stay out here for a while and maybe they'll forget about you." Roy stated walking back inside the ball room. Ed sighed rubbing a hand across his eyes.
"Man those people were like piranhas." He said.
"You're hair isn't braided." Sayla said. Ed glanced over at her as she gazed out across central city.
"Yeah I thought it would look better just pulled back instead of braided." Ed said bringing a hand to tug on the ponytail.
"You look very handsome Edward." She said. Ed felt his heart speed up drumming wildly in his ears.
"Uh, well thanks." He said. "You look really nice too. Beautiful even." He said struggling.
"Thank you Edward."
I still hear you're voice when you sleep next to me
I still feel you're touch in my dreams
The soft music flowed out of the ball room through the open balcony doors reaching them. Ed knew that this was his moment.
"Sayla would you like to dance?" He asked extending his hand to her.
Forgive me my weakness but I don't know why
With out you it's hard to survive
"I would love to Ed." Sayla said accepting his hand. Ed began to lead her back into the ball room. "Out here. It's too crowded in there Edward." Ed looked at her and nodded his head once.
"Sure." He said bowing slightly in front of her. Sayla curtsied to him as he tightened the grip on her hand pulling her closer to him. She placed her hand on his shoulder as he put his on her hip and they began to move to the music.
Every time we touch I get this feeling
Every time we kiss I swear I could fly
Can't you feel my heart beat fast?
I want this to last
Need you by my side
Every time we touch I feel the static
Every time we kiss I reach for the sky
Can't you feel my heart beat so?
I can't let you go
Want you in my life
"Sayla there's something I have to tell you."
You're arms are my castle
You're heart is my sky
They wipe away tears that I cry
"What is it Ed?"
"Well it's just uh, you and I; we've been through a lot together."
The good and the bad times
We've been through them all
You pick me up when I fall
"Yeah we have."
"I think I've…"
Every time we touch I get this feeling
Every time we kiss I swear I could fly
Can't you feel my heart beat fast?
I want this to last
Need you by my side
Every time we touch I feel the static
Every time we kiss I reach for the sky
Can't you feel my heart beat so?
I can't let you go
Want you in my life
"Yes Edward?"
"Well Sayla I…"
"So you're the full metal alchemist, huh?" A voice said from the balcony doorway both Ed and Sayla turned to look seeing a brigadier general standing before them.
"Uh, yeah." Ed replied.
"I'm Brigadier general Ki Hikashi and I have heard a lot about you Major Elric."
"Is that so? Have you also heard about Lieutenant colonel Hosner here too? We do a lot of traveling together." Ed said.
"We've met." He said not even meeting Sayla's gaze. "Perhaps you would care to join us and regale a few of us with stories of you're travels." Ed had an uneasy feeling in his stomach at the way this guy was sizing him up deciding to keep his guard up.
"Sure." He replied beginning to walk back inside. Sayla grasped Edwards's hand pulling him back slightly.
"Edward." Sayla simply said.
"Don't worry. I can take care of myself." He said with a smile as he let go of her hand and walked away.
"Colonel Mustang have you seen Edward?" Sayla asked after leaving Ed alone to his own devices and was unable to track him down.
"No why?" Roy asked.
"He took off a while back with Brigadier general Hakashi and I haven't seen him anywhere since." Sayla replied.
"You let him go with Ki?" Roy asked trying to keep himself from shouting.
"I know, I know but Ed said not to worry but now I can't find him." Sayla said.
"Why what's wrong with the brigadier general?" Riza asked.
"Nothing per say he just has a different sense of humor then most people do." Roy replied. "Lieutenant I'll be right back, Sayla come with me." Roy ordered. They walked out of the ball room looking in each room stopping in front of one particular room.
"This is the brandy room." Roy said opening the door. Laughter along with the smell of cigars filtered out as they walked in.
"Ah, colonel Mustang care to join us?" An officer asked.
"Where's Ed?" Sayla asked walking further into the room.
"Sorry but no girls allowed miss." The officer stated.
"Ed? Are you okay?" Sayla asked kneeling in front of a chair. Roy walked over and glanced down at a heavily intoxicated Elric.
"Oh great." Roy stated.
"Roy help me get him up." Sayla said. They each grabbed a hand pulling him up as he groaned.
"Sayla? What are you doing here?" Ed slurred out.
"I came looking for you." She replied as they half dragged half carried him out.
"Come on. One of the limos outside can take you guys back to my place." Roy said. "So you can take care of yourself full metal?"
"I can!" Ed replied stumbling. "I didn't think it was physically possible to rooms to spin so fast."
"This is ridiculous. Oh god only knows how much he told those losers in there." Sayla said fear suddenly clutching at her heart.
"Don't worry; if they were able to understand him they'll probably just brush it off as drunken rambling." Roy said. "I'll make sure of that."
"Yeah." Sayla said as they walked outside. Roy and Sayla helped Ed into the back of a car before Sayla climbed in after him.
"I'll see you later Sayla okay?" Roy asked. Sayla nodded.
"Yeah see ya." She said as Roy closed the car door and it pulled away. Ed groaned laying down on the seat putting his head in Sayla's lap.
"I'm sorry I got so drunk and ruined everything Sayla." Ed moaned. Sayla brushed his bangs away from his sweaty forehead and smiled.
"It's okay Ed don't worry about it." She replied. Ed closed his eyes smiling as she stroked her fingers lightly across his forehead and down his cheek.
"That's what I love about you Sayla, your so sweet and forgiving. I love you so much Sayla." Ed said.
"I love you too Ed you know that." She said automatically.
"No Sayla I really love you." Ed said opening his eyes and sitting up. "I want to be with you and marry you. I want to have kids with you and kiss you." Sayla stared at him her heart beating madly.
"What?" She asked.
"I love you Sayla." Ed said leaning in closer in what looked like an attempted kiss. Sayla pushed back a little.
"Ed wait; you're drunk you don't know what you're saying." She said.
"No I really do even when I'm sober." Ed replied his lips catching hers. Sayla froze her body trembling as the taste of alcohol invaded her mouth making her stomach churn. She pushed him off of her.
"I knew it. I knew you didn't love me. I tried to tell myself that you'd see but you never did because you just don't love me." He said sadly.
"Edward listen, we'll talk about this in the morning." Sayla said. The car door opened and Sayla placed Edwards arm around her shoulders pulling him out.
"Need some help?" The driver asked.
"No thanks we're fine." She said dragging Edward towards the front door. She reached under the front mat to grab the extra key and unlocked the front door to Roy's apartment. Once inside she laid Ed down on the sofa whom was staring at her with tired golden eyes.
"Tomorrow Ed we'll talk." She said. Ed nodded slightly before closing his eyes passing out cold.