Throughout the course of the day, Mustang, Cass, and the Elrics assisted the military in 'suppressing' the second uprising in Ishbal. By the end of the day, at least three city blocks worth of buildings had been reduced to rubble by the Flame Alchemist's explosive power, while Ishbalans aplenty were dead or dying as results of the Elric brothers'—as well as Cass'—skills.

The four of them sat alone around their campfire as they had the previous night, and Al had suggested that they learn more about the enigma that was Captain Cassandra Rickard.

Apparently, she had joined the military in part because of her cousin's example that she felt she had to live up to. When she said this, all ears were now alert and wanting a name to go with Cass' cousin.

Finally, Al broke the silence. "What's your cousin's name?

Cassandra smiled proudly. "Major Elizabeth Hawkeye, best sniper in the Amestrian military."

Roy blinked at this new information. "Do you know why they sent you here, Captain?"

Cassandra nodded her head. "Being so close to General Grumman and Major Hawkeye is that very little concerning a matter such as this can get by me without me getting at least a whiff."

Roy nodded appreciatively at her. She reminds me a bit of Hawkeye…At least I know why now.

There was silence for a few moments, broken—quite unexpectedly—by Al. "There's more to it than that, Captain." All eyes within the group turned to face the sandy-haired alchemist. "She reminds you of Hawkeye, doesn't she, Colonel?"

Roy nodded slowly as he began to fit the pieces of what Al was saying into place.

"It's not just so she can use her family as contacts to get information about what's happening…" He paused for a moment, sighed, then continued. "Bradley's using her to taunt you, Colonel." Ed saw in his brother's eyes fiery anger…and something else, as well.

Mustang blinked in surprise, not quite expecting that. "Taunting me? How so, Alphonse?"

Al looked the Flame Alchemist in the eye and said in a voice so cold it could freeze gasoline, "Because he knows you love Hawkeye."

If Roy thought he was surprised earlier, that caused him to correct himself…Okay, now I'm surprised. "In love with—That's ludicrous."

Ed got a feral gleam in his eyes, enjoying the chance to get back at the colonel for all the embarrassment he'd received throughout his time working under the man. "Really? Then how come, out of your group of friends, she's the one you're the most protective of?"

Roy grinned at Fullmetal, shooting back without so much as a second's delay. "That's easy. She's a female. Everyone knows the men are the superior se—" He was cut short at the last second by Cassandra, who'd rather casually dropped the butt of her rifle onto his head with a dull thwack.

"I stand corrected." The Elric brothers snickered at Mustang, who smiled inwardly to himself…I guess they're right…Maybe I do love Hawkeye. But I'd never admit it. He stood up and dusted himself off, putting his mental armor back on and turning to face the captain. "I'll let that slide, mainly because I'm used to it by now. And if you'll excuse me, I think I'll be getting some sleep while I still can."

Ed got up to head for his tent, not bothering to see if Al followed. Cassandra had grabbed her rifle and her other things and was about to head for her own tent when she felt a strong arm grip hers gently but firmly.

Turning, she looked Al in the eyes, her green meeting his blue. "Yes, Major?"

Al winced at the formality in the title. "You don't need to call me that…it's just Alphonse, or Al. I'm sorry if what I said earlier offended you in any way…"

She was taken aback by the tone in the boy's voice…a tone she didn't often hear. One of sorrow and pain. "That's alright. It's no big deal. Why the serious face?"

"It's just…that Bradley has no problem using us humans like we're his playthings, just to make sure that everything goes according to their plan…He has Hawkeye hostage, as well as Winry…and he's using the fact that you look like Hawkeye to taunt the colonel…It makes me sick."

Cassandra smiled warmly, the first real smile she'd managed in a long time. "I'm a soldier. It's my place in life to be a tool for war. That's all we really are to those higher up on the political food chain…just tools for war, so that they can all get away with murder."

Al frowned. "That doesn't mean you have to accept that! Find a way to disrupt the homunculi without getting innocent lives put at risk! Even if that's true, that doesn't mean you have to accept and go along with that!"

He wasn't quite sure what to expect, but he was nonetheless surprised when Cassandra gave him a brief hug and whispered into his ear, "Thank you…that might be just what I needed." She stood and began to walk to her tent.

"Good night, Captain."

"It's Cass. And good night to you to, Maj—Alphonse."

Author's notes: YAY!!! I finally finished off the whole of the second chapter! I don't know when I'll have the next chapter up, but don't be surprised if it's another six months or so…real life can be a pain.