A/N 11/21/06: Hey!! Wow it's been a long time since I updated!! Sorry about that! Seriously, I feel so bad, I mean I LOVE writing, I just haven't had any free time. There's been a lot going on lately. But I have the rest of this week off for Thanksgiving break, so the next chapter should come quickly! And I also plan on writing chapter 2 of Too Late either tonight or tomorrow…so keep a look out for that! I definitely didn't get everything I wanted to get accomplished in this chapter, and I haven't yet explained about the rebellion, but that'll come next (sorry I left it confusing, done on purpose!). Anyway, please read and review, the more you review the faster the next chapter gets written (a HUGE thanks to all the fantastic readers so far who have been reviewing! Also an extra thanks and apology to AKA Arashi who is awesome!)! I need some motivation, it was hard getting myself to write this and I'm afraid I'm slightly losing interest (stabs self). But don't worry, I will finish it!! I'm determined. Enjoy!
Chapter 6
The brothers stared in shock at the combination of the sudden intrusion and the familiar face. Ed slowly got to his feet with the assistance of Al who unsurely ventured, "Lieutenant Havoc?"
The man's grin widened as he corrected, "That's Major Havoc now. So I guess you got your memory back, huh kid. Well let's hold off on the reunion for now, I gotta take care of this."
He turned back to the group of men, who he still had his gun trained on. His casual smile hardened as he commanded with a fierce calm, "Drop your weapons, hands in the air. In any of you resist you will be shot."
As several of the group slowly released their weaponry, a large and unshaven man leered at Havoc and retorted with a slightly accented voice, "There's three of you and eight of us, how do you expect to win?"
The other men were emboldened by this brave statement and began to retrieve their dropped weapons.
Havoc growled warningly, "I won't hesitate to fire."
The large man threateningly stepped forward followed by the others when he was suddenly stopped short. An unseen bullet had pierced his foot from the opposite side of the room.
He howled in pain and dropped to the floor, clutching his lower leg in agony. The men lost their accumulated bravado and let their weapons clatter harmlessly to the floor.
Al glanced around the room before staring questioningly at Havoc.
"But if you didn't then who…?"
Havoc grinned cunningly.
"I guess I forgot to mention that backup was on the way."
From the shadow of the doorway emerged a blonde woman, average in appearance at first glance, but with piercing eyes that revealed a fiery determination and strength. She crossed the room towards them, followed by a small platoon of armed officers who immediately detained the rebels as she barked out commands.
Al smiled at her delightedly in recognition.
"Lieutenant Hawkeye!"
Surprise and shock registered on her face but then her sharp features softened as she absorbed the brothers standing together, a sight she hadn't expected to see again.
"Alphonse…Edward." She stared at the two with somewhat blurred vision, her usually cool and maintained voice slightly inflicted with suppressed emotion.
"I'm glad you're back." She smiled, the rare happiness revealed in her unguarded eyes.
One of the soldiers approached her and saluted.
"Lieutenant Colonel, sir, the rebels are taken care of and the area is secure."
The transition was seamless, in an instant she resumed her hardened emotionless features before turning to him and saluting back firmly.
"Thank you lieutenant, have them taken back to headquarters for questioning."
The young man complied and shouted the orders at the rest of the officers as they exited the building, prisoners in custody.
The dingy tavern was deserted; the soldiers had worked efficiently in removing its inhabitants.
After being uncharacteristically silent for so long, lost in thought, Ed finally opened his mouth to speak but was sharply interrupted by the insistent Lieutenant Colonel before uttering a sound.
"I'm sure you both have many questions and we have many for you, but this is not the place to discuss them. We will proceed to headquarters where we can talk in safety and privacy."
Al nodded obediently while Ed attempted to protest, but stopped himself and just shrugged instead.
The four filed out of the building into the brilliant sunlight of late morning. As they trudged down the vacant street, Ed marveled at the damage done to the city.
It was barely recognizable in its current condition. Following behind the two military officials, Ed and Al were slowly led to the heart of the city, and central headquarters. Ed silently observed the figures in front of them.
Riza Hawkeye had a steady even gait, each step full of purpose and pride, always focused on the goal ahead. In contrast was the man who strolled next to her. Jean Havoc walked with a casual laziness as if he had all the time in the world. He absorbed his surroundings and occasionally took a drag from his ever present cigarette.
After several minutes of walking in silence, Ed began to recognize various landmarks of the city even in their crumbling state. They passed a previous bookstore where Ed had been able to spend hours flipping through the alchemy books. Almost nothing remained of it now.
Riza, Havoc, and Alphonse had all stopped, but the oblivious Ed kept on walking, nearly running into his brother in the process.
They were standing in front of a dilapidated but still functioning Central Headquarters.
"Although much of the city is destroyed now, this still remains." Riza motioned towards the building with a slight nod of her head. "Most of the higher-ups have relocated to the East since the Rebellion, but we were ordered to stay here and keep the peace, prevent further uprisings." She sighed, eyes drifting over the ruined city.
"There's not much we can do, but we're trying to fix the city, little by little. Make right what was wrong. Make whole what was broken."
"At least that's what the Major General says." Havoc interrupted with a sly grin.
Riza shot him a dirty look.
"Major General?" Ed asked. "You can't mean Hakuro?"
Havoc shook his head. "You'll see."
The four made their way into the government structure. Ed had always remembered it as being incredibly busy, the halls were usually full of bustling officials hurrying to their destinations, but now it was eerily silent and barren. It was almost alarming how used he was becoming to this strange new ghost town.
The upkeep had been forgotten, walls were peeling and a thin layer of dust coated most surfaces giving it an overall shabby and abandoned façade.
Their footsteps loudly echoed throughout the deserted hallways, the only audible noise in the building.
The group approached a familiar looking wooden door and Ed and Al followed Riza and Havoc into a large office, devoid of much furniture. Ed thought it was vaguely recognizable, though he still couldn't pinpoint where exactly they were.
"Have a seat, boys." Riza commanded more than suggested, gesturing to the couches opposite each other in the center of the room. Ed and Al reluctantly settled into the worn leather, sinking slightly.
Riza and Havoc remained by the door at attention. Ed and Al shared a knowing look, slightly bewildered, but both were undeniably aware of the military formalities.
A few seconds later the door burst open with a dramatic flair, the void desolate room suddenly felt full merely by the authoritative presence of the powerful man standing in the entranceway.
The tangible assertive attitude radiating from the Major General made up for the physical flaw that adorned his face, leaving most people intimidated while in proximity to him.
But that had never stopped Ed before.
"Seems like they're promoting anyone these days." Ed smirked.
The Major General only grinned, shaking his head, falling back into the routine pattern of their playful banter.
"Hasn't anyone told you to respect your elders?"
A/N: What did ya think? And yes, both Hawkeye and Havoc got a promotion! Along with the Major General. And you should be able to figure out who it is… And sorry if the ending seemed weird, but I kind of wanted to end it on a light note for once. Anyway, please take 20 seconds out of your day to leave me a review! It makes me sooo happy and I guarantee the next chapter will come faster if you do!