Disclaimer: Don't own FMA.

Author's Note: Looooong chapter. Relatively. These early chapters are amusing though kind of annoying to write because they don't have a whole lot to do with the main story, but it was either this or about five thousand words of exposition. Ouch. Next chapter is a Christmas chapter and will (hopefully) be posted tomorrow as my Christmas gift to you all. Originally I was going to nix the idea until I remembered that it actually covers several plot points easily that were going to be a pain to deal with otherwise. So it works out nicely, I guess. Though I'm on this brief Havocai kick right now at the least fortunate time imaginable. Darn you Havoc for being so made of awesome. Anyways, thank you all for reading and reviewing. Love!

Chapter Two

The sand was whirling violently around her, and her only sense of direction was the firm grip on her left wrist. Roy suddenly pulled her close, arms wrapping around her from behind, one hand covering her eyes, the other her mouth. She felt him speaking into her back, the vibrations racing up and down her spine. "What?" she called into his hand, desperately trying to understand what it was he said.

But with every passing moment, his words drifted farther away.

The welcoming warmth against her side made waking quite the chore for Riza Hawkeye, but finally she managed to pry her eyes open and stir a little, moving against the weight beside her.

Alphonse was curled up at her side, nestled snugly between herself and Mustang, who was offering her his trademark smirk. "Good morning, Starshine."

The corners of her mouth quirked up a little. "When did this happen?" she asked, indicating Al.

"He was having nightmares and he didn't want to wake his brother," Roy said softly, helping her to move his coat to cover the slumbering boy.

Her fingers threaded themselves through his hair, drawing him near. "Poor thing."

"How's the arm?"

"A little sore," she admitted, testing it out. "But it'll be fine. Thanks."

"We'll be arriving in about half an hour. Would you like to stay for dinner tonight?"

Al snuggled up more tightly against her, hugging her. "Really, sir, you don't have to-"

"I insist."

She offered him a soft smile. "All right, then. But I'm doing the dishes."

"No complaints here."

Settling back against the window again, she wrapped her arms around Al.

"Go back to sleep, if you like," he whispered, reaching over and brushing her bangs from her eyes before settling his hand on the boy's head. "I'll wake you when we arrive."

Her drug-misted mind needed no more convincing than that.

"Here we are," Roy announced, opening the door to his apartment.

Ed and Al peered inside, making note of the sparse living room. It wasn't quite messy enough to constitute a 'bachelor pad' but all the same it wasn't exactly white-wash clean. One might even argue it was borderline . . . homey. Not in the way their own childhood abode was, nor did it have the charm of the Rockbell house/automail shop, but it was comfortable.

Mustang set their luggage down inside the front door while his subordinate followed, one hand full of Xingese takeout, the other occupied with the last suitcase Roy couldn't manage to carry.

The officers made a quick call to Risembool to let the Rockbells know everyone arrived pretty much safe and sound, glossing over the more dramatic details of their journey on the train.

The entire posse was soon seated around the kitchen table, takeout equally dispersed amongst the lot of them. "So you'll be staying here with me until the state finds something more permanent for you two."

"Sounds good," Ed mumbled, moving his food around his plate with his fork.

Al nodded, not even bothering to pretend to eat.

Riza passed the brothers sympathetic looks. "You're bothered by what happened on the train, aren't you?"

"No," Ed scoffed, avoiding eye contact with her.

"Those men were scary," Al murmured, pushing a Brussels sprout to the other side of his plate.

"They're not going to hurt you now," Roy said firmly.

"How do you know?" Ed demanded, trying to hide one of his own sprouts under his remaining rice.

"I know."

The boy sighed and dinner continued in silence.

Eventually, Roy showed the boys to the room they'd share and helped them drag in the luggage while Riza set to cleaning up.

When Roy returned, he found her standing in front of the sink, elbow deep in soapy water and a familiar tune hanging round her lips. He couldn't help but stop in the doorway and watch – even after all they'd been through, this was the same. As long as he could remember, she'd hum that same song, wrinkled, soapy fingers working skillfully at the domestic task.

"It's impolite to stare, sir."

"Sorry," he said, moving to lean against the counter near her. "Need any help?"

"If you would dry."

"Of course." And he found a dishtowel, taking up the task of wiping the dishes dry and putting them away.

"Are they settled in?" she asked, wringing out her sponge.

He shrugged. "I suppose."

She drained the water and handed him the last plate. "When are you supposed to receive word?"

"Sometime this week," he replied, finishing and putting up the dish.

She wiped her hands on her skirt and moved toward the front door. "Thank you for dinner, sir."

He retrieved her coat and held it for her while she slipped it on. "Of course, Lieutenant, you know you're welcome here anytime."

"And if you need any help with the boys?"

"You'll be the first one I call," he assured her, holding out her suitcase. "Are you sure you'll get home all right on your own?"

She nodded and opened the door. "But thank you for the concern, sir."

"'Night, Hawkeye."

"Good-night, sir."

"This is Central Headquarters," Roy announced, ushering the Elrics inside the intimidating building.

Al stopped and looked on in awe as his two companions walked further down the hallway. Everything was so clean. Impeccable, as you'd expect anything military to be, full of blue-clad soldiers bustling about, seemingly unaware of the boy gaping at them.

"Alphonse!" Mustang called, trying his best to appease Edward, who was berating the man for already losing his brother.

Al scrambled off after them, and followed Roy to his office, where they were met by at least one familiar face.

"Lieutenant Colonel Mustang!" Hawkeye greeted, offering her superior a smart salute.

He returned the gesture as the younger Elric rushed to give her a brief hug. "Lieutenant!"

She patted back his hair a little, sending a small smile in Ed's direction. "You know, you can call me 'Riza'."

"So you two finally settled down and started a family? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Hughes," Roy growled, hands tightening into fists, not even bothering to look at the man in the doorway.

"These are the Elrics," Riza corrected him, seemingly unfazed. "Remember? We told you before we left last week."

"Ri-ight," the man winked, then squatted down a little to see at their level, adjusting his glasses. He was taller than Roy, and seemed to be in the process of growing a beard. "I'm Maes, pleased to meet you," he offered his hand.

Ed shook it warily. "Ed Elric, and this is my brother, Al."

Maes was about to engage the two in more conversation when Mustang interrupted from his desk. "Hughes, don't you have work to be doing?"

He snorted. "You're one to talk."

"He's right, sir," Hawkeye prodded, placing a pile of paperwork onto his desk.

"Slave drivers, all of you," Roy grumbled.

Hughes was making his way out of the room when he stopped suddenly, a grin on his lips and a photo in his hand. "Oh, by the way, have I shown yo-"

"Back to work, Hughes," Roy hollered, searching around for his pen.

Maes sighed. "Oh, all right, but Gracia will be wanting you over for dinner soon!"

"Hughes."

And the man was racing down the hall, waving the picture of his wife in a secretary's face.

Roy sighed, "That's Maes for you."

"Major Hughes is the lieutenant colonel's best friend," Riza told the two young boys who were making themselves comfortable on the couch.

"He's . . . interesting?" Ed commented.

Al nudged him a little. "I like him."

Riza finally sat down to work, doing her best to babysit both the children and her commanding officer, and finally had them under control when the last four men of their team came tumbling in through the door.

"Hey, what's with the kids?" the roundest of them asked, snatching his sack lunch back from the tall blond.

Hawkeye sighed, already tired of this introduction game they seemed to be playing. "These are the Elrics. The one with the scowl is Edward, the other is Alphonse. They'll be staying with Lieutenant Colonel Mustang for the time being. Any questions?"

The men knew better than to press her when she was already agitated, but apparently young Alphonse did not.

He raised his hand tentatively. "Um, Lieu-Riza? Who are they?"

Three days later, the Elrics were busy playing hangman with Fuery when Havoc dropped letters labeled 'URGENT' on both Roy's and Riza's desks.

They exchanged a look, shrugged, and set about opening them.

"Lieutenant Colonel Roy Mustang has been granted by the Amestrian government permanent legal guardianship of one Edward Elric . . ."

"Second Lieutenant Colonel Riza Hawkeye has been granted by the Amestrian government permanent legal guardianship of one Alphonse Elric . . ."

The two officers shared a long look, nothing else needing to be said.

"And this is your room," Riza said, flipping on the light. The room was small and sparsely furnished, but there was a bed with soft, warm sheets, and plenty of shelf room for his playthings.

Al seemed a little uncertain, throwing the smaller of his suitcases on the bed and plopping down next to it.

"We'll find you some decorations and things," she assured, sitting beside him.

"Why can't I stay with Brother?" he asked quietly.

She sighed, fingers threading through his hair. "I don't know why the state did what they did, but we're just going to have to deal with it."

"They didn't have to separate us."

"You'll still see each other," she promised, but the boy didn't seem particularly convinced. She thought for a moment, then suggested, "Maybe the lieutenant colonel will help you both with your alchemy? Would you like that? It could be once a week."

Al considered this for a moment, then added, "And maybe they could come here for dinner, too?"

She nodded. "That sounds fair. See? You won't be apart all that much."

"Promise?"

"Promise," she smiled, ruffling his hair fondly. "Now, let's get you unpacked. We have dinner at the Hughes' in two hours."

"Behave yourself," Roy instructed, straightening Ed's collar and then his own.

"Who are you trying to impress?"

Ignoring this comment, Roy rang the doorbell and shot his companion a warning look. They were soon greeted by a smiling woman, tucking a lock of short hair behind her ear as she moved aside to let them in. "Always good to see you, Roy," she beamed. "And you must be Edward. I'm Gracia."

After a moment's appraisal, Ed deemed the woman acceptable and smiled back at her.

"Brother!" another little voice called, and soon the two young boys had taken over the couch, catching up on their brief time apart.

"Sir," Riza saluted, ever the perfect soldier, even out of uniform.

"Hawkeye," he nodded.

"There you are!" Maes cheered, clapping his friend on the shoulder. "How's fatherhood treating you?"

Roy rolled his eyes. "He is not my son."

"Awww, come on, you'll make a great dad. Though I always expected you to get married first," he trailed off, stroking his beard. "We'll have to fix that."

Roy gave Gracia a pleading look, and she clearly felt sorry for the man. "Come on, dear, why don't you help me with the appetizers?"

"But-"

"Come on," she clucked, herding him into the kitchen.

Riza handed Roy a glass of water, and they spent a moment in silent conversation, half-listening to the Elrics babbling about the latest issue of some comic book.

Roy was the first to speak. "I was thinking about teaching them alchemy together."

"I was, too," she nodded. "Tuesdays?"

"My apartment." He took a drink. "A weekly dinner?"

"I'll cook," she agreed. "Saturdays?"

"Perfect."

"And don't forget Fridays here," Gracia stressed, handing them each a small plate of cheese bread.

The two officers exchanged a look and Roy smiled, "If you insist."

Gracia grinned, marveling at how easily they came to this mutual decision – if she were to discuss the same thing with Maes it would take the better part of an hour to accomplish what they did in less than a minute. "Here you go," she said, placing a larger plate between Ed and Al. "You are growing boys, after all."

Dinner went smoothly, with only a few reprimands in Ed's direction. The children seemed to take an instant liking to Gracia, and, more or less, to her husband, but Edward still insisted Maes was 'a few crayons short of a box'.

He was presently inflicting his old photo albums on two very bored and sleepy Elrics, while their newly assigned guardians were working out arrangements with the woman of the house.

"You see, we can't exactly pick them up after school," Roy explained, pouring himself a cup of coffee.

Riza added, "And we can't just leave them alone until we get out of the office."

"So you were wondering if I could help you out?" Gracia smiled.

"Only until they're old enough to stay on their own," Riza reasoned. "In a year or two, Ed will be old enough – and hopefully responsible enough – to handle things, but for now . . ."

"Don't worry about a thing," Gracia covered Riza's hand with her own. "I'd be delighted to spend some time with them. Give me a chance to practice for my own children."

"Thank you."

"But be careful," Roy warned, rubbing at his temple lightly. "Ed's quite a handful."

"I'm sure he's harmless."

The two officers shared a look, and the woman couldn't help but laugh.

Al looked up at his guardian drowsily, watching as she tucked the covers firmly around him. "Riza?"

"Mm?"

"You never told me you were in the Ishbal War."

She froze, but quickly regained her composure and resumed readying him for bed. "It feels like a very long time ago."

The boy yawned and curled up on his side. "Major Hughes showed me pictures of you and Roy there. Is that where you met?"

She paused thoughtfully, smoothing back his hair. "I have known the lieutenant colonel for a very long time."

"That's not what I asked," he mumbled.

"You're tired; go to sleep," she whispered, ensuring his warmth once more and moving to the door.

"Mm . . ."

She turned out the light. "Good night, Alphonse."

"'Night, Aunt Riza."

She smiled and closed the door behind herself.

Ed and Al were immediately enrolled in the local school. They were a little wary at first, as they attended a one-room school in Risembool, where children of all ages were taught together, and the school in Central was much larger; they were particularly disgruntled that they'd be separated.

But Roy and Riza had managed to explain the situation to their teachers, and convinced their respective charges to behave (well, Roy tried his best).

"Did you know Hughes told the boys about Ishbal?" Riza asked one afternoon over lunch.

Roy frowned, prodding at the unrecognizable lump on his tray. "No. Why?"

She rolled her eyes and handed him the extra apple from her bag. "Really, sir, you should know by now to pack your lunch."

He took a greedy bite out of the apple and shrugged. "At least you pack an extra for me." He pushed the lunch tray away and turned the conversation back to its original intent. "What were you saying? About Hughes and Ishbal?"

She set about folding and unfolding her napkin on the edge of the table. "He showed the boys pictures. You know, of us there."

He frowned, watching her fingers deftly work at their nervous habit. "Does it bother you?"

"A little," she admitted with a sigh, giving up on the napkin. "I guess I just didn't want them to know that I'm a murderer."

Their eyes locked for a moment, and she knew at once that he felt the same.

"Hurry up with that apple, sir," she said, cleaning up their table. "You have a lot of work left today."

When they finally returned to the office, they found Breda under his desk, trembling. "Is . . . is it gone?"

Mustang frowned, but soon spotted the culprit – there, in Fuery's arms, was a wriggling mass of black and white puppy.

"What is this?" Riza demanded, folding her arms across her chest.

"A 'dog'," Falman explained. "Order: Carnivora, Family: Canidae, Scientific Name: Canis Familiaris. An animal that was bred from the wolf and hunts in packs."

"That's not what I meant, Falman," the woman sighed.

"Is he yours, then?" Havoc asked, coming in from his lunch break as well.

"I found him all alone on the street in the rain," the young man explained in a rush, adjusting his glasses nervously. "And I just couldn't leave him there, but I can't keep him because I live in a dormitory."

"So you were wondering if one of us could take him," Mustang concluded.

"I live in a dorm, too," Falman said instantly, backing away, palms raised.

"Breda?" Fuery asked hopefully.

Hawkeye rolled her eyes and came over to stroke the puppy's ears. "Considering he's cowering under his desk in fear, I'd say 'no'."

"I'll take the little guy," Havoc grinned, relieving the younger man of the animal. "I love dogs."

Riza shot him a suspicious look, "Since when?"

"Thank you!" Fuery squeaked.

"I hear they're great stir-fried," the blond man commented thoughtfully, turning the furry lump over in his hands. "Apparently the red ones are best."

By the time he'd finished speaking, the dog was already against Hawkeye's shoulder. "I'm thinking you need to find him a different home." Mustang watched fondly as his normally strict and unyielding second lieutenant lovingly cuddled the little creature before handing him back to Fuery.

When the young man came into the office the following day, he refused to answer any questions regarding the puppy.

Things were going well for the disjointed little family, and though the boys clearly would prefer to be together all the time, sleepovers, alchemy lessons and family dinners managed to pick up the slack. They were very bright, and their guardians were proud to tell anyone who would listen about their high marks – but Riza often wondered if Maes' impatience with their gloating may be asking for retribution in the not-so-distant future.

Ed had a few disciplinary problems at first, but after seeing both Roy and Riza doing target practice with their respective techniques, the frequency of such infractions decreased significantly.

They were all settled around Hawkeye's kitchen table, a Saturday night ritual for almost a month now. Roy and Riza sat opposite one another, leaving each Elric to be sandwiched between them (much to Edward's discontent). But dinner carried on pleasantly regardless, nothing out of the usual at all.

"Pass the peas," Ed demanded of his guardian, brandishing a fork at him.

"Edward," Riza warned, clumping some mashed potatoes onto Al's plate.

Ed rolled his eyes and complied, "Lieutenant Colonel Bastard, could you please pass the peas?"

"Watch your language, Edward," she scolded once more.

"Yes, Lieutenant," he grumbled as Roy handed him the bowl of peas, smirking in that maddening fashion he always did.

Yes, it was just a normal Saturday night at the Hawkeye residence.

After a few more of Edward's not-so-pleasantries, Roy spoke, trying his best to sneak some of his vegetables onto Al's plate, "I spoke with Pinako Rockbell today." Riza cast him a stern look, and Operation Pea Evasion came to a stumbling halt.

"Granny?" Al asked, obliviously spooning the extra veggies into his mouth.

"Yes," Riza explained, generously replenishing Roy's greens on his plate. "We were discussing the upcoming holidays."

"Are we going home for Christmas?" Ed pleaded hopefully. It was strange, his brother had accepted Central as his new home relatively easily, but Ed's resolve was unyielding; Risembool would always be 'home'.

Roy pushed his peas around his plate, trying in vain to make them look the least bit appetizing. "No, but there's a train to Risembool on the 27th. You'll be staying with the Rockbells for the remainder of winter break."

"Then what are we doing for Christmas?"

"I think Maes and Gracia have everything planned," Roy smirked.

Riza sighed. "That's what I was afraid of."

Feedback always welcome.