Four weeks later and Edward was back in Central. He sat back in the town-car rubbing the spot where he had been wounded the night of the Ishbalan rescue. It still ached and it didn't help that he was hit hard enough to have sustained a concussion. The last four weeks were brutal with getting the Ishbalans away from Chenxing and then trying to push the rest of his regiment out of Xing as fast as he could. He was glad to finally turn the Ishbalans over to General Ross at Eastern headquarters. It would be their job to relocate the Ishbalans to their new homes designated somewhere in the East. Edward was just glad to bring all he could safe and sound. But the entire time he had to deal with his concussion and the massive headache and random dizzy spells that came with it. Plus he couldn't eat very much because of the nausea that would overcome him at times.

Edward's butler looked at him through the rear view mirror. "We're almost home sir," the old man said trying to give some reassurance to his master. Edward didn't look to good to him. Edward was pale and a lot thinner than when he had left. He knew what Edward needed was a good dinner, some rest and probably a good strong drink to help ease him into a peaceful nights sleep.

Edward didn't respond. He was too tired and the ride from the train station had allowed him to think and he wasn't very happy about what he was thinking about. The memory of the last two months without a letter from Elysia began to weigh upon his mind. He didn't want to think that she hadn't written but when he returned from Xing there were already letters from Al and Winry waiting for him in East City. Nothing from Elysia. He hated to think that she didn't write and that maybe her letters had been misdirected but he knew that wasn't the case. And the thought of Elysia with Jol at those dinners Mustang gave really started to bring him down. Perhaps Mustang succeeded, Edward thought. Maybe it's best that I did stay away from Elysia.

But the more he thought about it the more he got upset with himself for giving up so quickly. But there were so many things against the two of them. He knew Gracia wouldn't approve and Mustang already made his thoughts known on the subject. Jol Haren was closer to Elysia's age and he knew he wasn't exactly an angel and had not been able to prove he could commit to anything other than the military. But I could, he thought. I would do it for Elysia. Also nearly getting his head blown off was another matter. He thought back sixteen years ago when he first heard the news of Hughes death. He remembered confessing to Gracia that it was his fault Maes was killed for helping him. Gracia had assured him it wasn't his fault, that Maes would do what he could for his friends. But he could never forget looking up and seeing Gracia standing in front of the window. Seeing her there alone, holding Elysia with her head in her hand crying. Edward couldn't get rid of the memory. He didn't want anything like that for Elysia. But he also couldn't bear the thought of moving on, leaving Elysia to live a life without him.

Edward had just closed his eyes, tired from thinking so much when his butler had informed him he was almost home. He opened his eyes and sat up to see that they had just turned down the street his townhouse was on. Knowing he'd be passing Elysia and Gracia's townhouse he tried not to look at the front door but he did. But he soon turned his eyes away when he saw the young Dr. Jol Haren climbing the steps to Gracia's townhouse. Edward thought he was going to be sick. The thought of Elysia spending the evening of his return to Central with Jol got him so fired up with jealousy it was more than he could stand. Suddenly he was wide awake. When the butler pulled up in front of Edward's townhouse, Edward didn't wait for the butler to open the door for him. He stormed out of the car and went up the steps to his house. The door opened for him, the maid standing to the side, apparently on the lookout for his return.

"Welcome home, sir," the older lady said smiling and giving Edward a little curtsy. Edward ignored her and rushed by. The maid was taken aback. Edward was always cordial and kind when he returned and she knew something was wrong right away.

Edward didn't look back and headed straight for his room, taking the stairs two at a time. The butler came in out of breath. He had hurried as fast as his old body would carry him to see what was wrong with his master, why he had tore out of the car the way he did. He looked at the maid who only shrugged in response to his questioning gaze not knowing what ailment had overcome Edward.

Once Edward entered the confines of his room he slammed the door shut and tore off his coat letting it fall to the floor and began to pace madly, roughly unbuttoning the top buttons of his shirt. Edward knew he had no plans to see Elysia that very night. That he was too tired. He had planned to go over the next morning but seeing Jol had changed everything. He wasn't about to go over there now and he couldn't stand the thought going the next morning and seeing Gracia looking at him like she wished he would disappear.

Edward continued pacing. He didn't know what he was thinking; all he knew that the jealousy he was feeling at that moment was driving him like a trapped animal in a cage. He thought about calling his brother. Al could get him to calm down. But Edward knew he would feel like a fool if he did that. He never mentioned anything about his feelings for Elysia when he wrote to his younger brother. He had only written that Elysia and Gracia were in Central. Besides, what kind of older brother would he be going to his younger brother for advice! And then calling like a raving jealous lunatic on top of that! So Edward paced some more and finally decided he needed a drink. He left his room and headed back downstairs to the sitting room where a full decanter of whiskey was waiting. Brushing by the maid and butler who were at the foot of the stairs he headed strait for the whiskey and poured himself a nice full glass. After draining the entire contents down his throat at once he refilled his glass.

"Sir, would you like your dinner now?" The butler asked hesitantly. He had seen Edward upset before but not like this. There was something in Edward's eyes that frightened him. Like he was looking into the eyes of a wild, ravenous animal.

Edward ignored him, tossed back the second glass and filled it again. The heat of the drink going down his throat seemed to numb the jealousy a bit but two tumblers back to back on an empty stomach quickly took its toll on Edward. After the fifth he was really feeling the alcohol take affect. He wanted to go out, get some air, and maybe catch a poker game or two. He was starting to feel like his real self, except it was a darker, more sinister version of himself that he didn't notice but the maid and butler seemed to sense.

"Bring my jacket," Edward ordered.

"Sir, perhaps you should lie down and get some rest," the butler said hoping he could get Edward to calm down. "You've just returned."

"I said," Edward said darkly, with a dangerous glint in his eye. "Bring my jacket. I'm going out."

"Yes, sir," the butler said hopelessly climbing up the stairs slowly.

As soon as Edward left the townhouse the butler was on the phone.

"Colonel Havoc please," the butler said in a panic, then a moment of waiting where he nearly wrung the cord off the telephone.

"Colonel Havoc speaking," the voice on the other end said finally.

"Sir, this is Oscar, General Elric's butler," the butler began not sure if the Colonel would remember him since the times Havoc was at Edward's home he was usually drunk.

"Yes, I know who you are, what can I do for you?"

"It's the General, sir," the butler began not sure how to explain. "He's not himself. When he returned home he just stormed in and started pacing in his room. Then he came out and started drinking then left. He looked like he wanted to kill someone."

"What happened? When did you notice a change in him?" Havoc asked over the phone urgently.

"As soon as we pulled up in front of the house," the butler explained. "I'm not sure what really did it."

"Okay, I'll see if I can find him. Do you know which way he went?"

"No, sir," the butler quivered. "I was just too scared. I've never seen him like that before."

"Don't worry, I'll see to him. Get some rest," and Havoc hung up the phone. The butler looked over at his wife and knew that neither one of them would be getting any rest that night until the General was safely asleep in bed.