After a further ten minutes of listening to how Havoc FINALLY managed to bag a girlfriend and his many plans to schmooze her to within an inch of her life, Roy finally snapped. It wasn't really surprising, considering how much he had drank in his boredom and anticipation of the pint-sized blonde's arrival.

"For God's sake Havoc, I don't care! Nobody does! Just shuuuuut up!" He yelled. Havoc was taken aback for a moment until his eyes swept the surface of the Colonel's desk and narrowed at the sight of all the empty bottles safely hidden from Hawkeye underneath.

"You been drinking, chief?" He asked, a cold edge to his mellow voice.

"What's it to you?" Mustang fired back.

"Nothing. I just don't think Chief Hughes would be too happy." He suggested. Roy gritted his teeth at the idea, but deep down he knew Havoc was right. Maes would be turning in his grave right now. Jean strolled to the door, but paused and turned back to face Roy, his expression grave.

"Colonel. Ed will be here soon. Don't you dare try to pull—" He faltered and shook his head "Look, what I'm trying to say is that drunken stupidity is one of the few things that poor kid hasn't been badly exposed to and forced to handle in his life. Just don't do anything stupid." He sighed, leaving. He took a heavy drag on his ubiquitous cigarette as he walked through to winding corridors 'Am I getting to protective of him?' he asked himself. Havoc had always thought the little guy needed looking out for. He'd felt strongly that way since Ed was twelve and he'd come back from his first mission without Al.

"You're being real quiet back there today chief." Jean laughed as he pulled up outside Central HQ it had been a good 45 minutes and the little alchemist hadn't said a word the entire journey.

"Chief?" Havoc enquired again. The 2nd lieutenant glanced at his rear view mirror. He raised his eyebrows and felt his heart turn to warm mush. Edward was sleeping. His mouth was slightly open, revealing his straight little white teeth. His golden blonde hair cascaded down his shoulders where it had fallen from the tight braid that it was permanently detained in and his long eyelashes slightly touched the top of his cheeks. Havoc couldn't help but smile as he came round and opened Ed's door. He gently shook his shoulder. Molten honey-amber orbs stared blindly for a moment before being re-covered by his eyelids. Jean sighed and gathered the tiny form in his arms. He was remarkably light, as if all his weight came from his automail. 'He looks so frail and delicate… it's pretty hard to believe he's a human weapon.' He thought, as he gently sat Edward on the bench outside the lobby.

"Ed? You gotta wake up now Chief, Lieutenant Colonel Mustang wants to see you." He said softly, gently shaking the boy again. Edward groaned and slowly opened his eyes. He was greeted by Havoc's grinning face and a white cloud. 'Oops.' Havoc thought, as he realised he had accidentally been puffing smoke in the Fullmetal Alchemist's face. Ed coughed

"You shouldn't smoke so much."

"Sorry Chief." Havoc laughed "I won't do it in your face again."

"No… I mean you shouldn't smoke 'cause it's bad for you. You'll get lung cancer."

Havoc chuckled 'He still hasn't given up on telling me that now. Ed's so patient… except if someone calls him small.' He mentally added, picturing Ed's common flamboyant reaction to the word and laughing out lout. 'Speak of the devil…'

"Hey Jean."

"Oh, hi Ed."

"Is… he in there?" Edward grimaced, gesturing at Mustang's office.

"Yeah." Havoc chuckled. "He 'aint that bad, Chief." He smiled, patting him on the back.

"I beg to differ." The smaller blonde huffed.

"Don't worry, it won't be too long. Oh, but he's a bit tipsy at the moment, careful." Havoc warned, miming taking a sip from a glass.

"Thanks." Ed sighed, heading towards the place he least wanted to go.

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Bwahhh, sorry for the slow update. Now this story could go many ways. We all know what'll happen to Edo. It's just what'll happen afterwards. Whether Mustang's gonna get busted (probably by Havoc or Hawkeye), hold onto Ed once he's sobered up, not able to let him leave 'till he promises he won't snitch…. Or Ed'll snitch. :3 Comment which in your lovely reviews please, and thank you for so many!