This update isn't as early as it could have been, and it's a little on the short side. I had a busy week, back to normal next chapter : )

"GO!"

The blonde remained routed to the spot. When the other members of team Mustang ran blindly across the court, it was only when they were almost at the other side Roy realised Edward was still missing. When he came to his senses, he felt rather foolish for not realising sooner. The flames leaped from his finger tips and scorched the surrounding annoyances, leaving nothing but blackness and pained cries in its path.

"EDWARD, MOVE!" The Colonel couldn't see the teenager. Turning his back to search with his eyes would be idiotic and dangerous. He hoped that the sound of his dreary voice reached the blondes eardrums, or else he'd either have to risk his safety and go back and throttle him or hope Ed had the sense to move before it was too late.

"EDWARD!"

Ed emerged from his distant memories and came to the realisation that he was now alone, crouching behind the frail wood without his team mates. The sound of his superior's irritant calls grated through his ear drums, the familiar flash of flames reflecting in the clear window panes. He grit his teeth, demanding stubbornly that his mind pull itself together instead of doting on the past, after all no matter how hard he thought he could do nothing to change it. Now defiantly wasn't the time to be reflecting on memories, especially the negative ones. It wouldn't do Ed's mental health and favours.

Biting his lip, Ed took one last look into the glass and pulled himself to his feet, bravely throwing his tired limbs forward in the ongoing war zone.

Roy was relieved to see a familiar mop of golden hair emerge from the distance, the teen darted from side to side to avoid being pierced or grazed by another bullet, just like he'd been taught in training. The Colonel was surprised the blonde had been listening. If there had ever been a stressful day in his life that had certainly been one of them. Roy could still remember how his subordinate refused to co-operate, adding in the odd sarcastic comment whenever he could. Then again... What had changed? Although Roy had to admit, Ed has certainly matured since then, even if it was only slightly.

After running and using most of his energy, Edward soon found his legs refusing to co-operate. The metal weighed him down sluggishly, leaving the already drained blonde dragging his body forcefully across the damaged lawn of grass, cursing as he almost went flying after his steel toes caught the edge of a pot hole.

Smoke. The familiar scent lingered in his nostrils, floating through the air and obscuring his vision. Someone had really annoyed the Colonel, and that was putting it politely. In all honesty, Edward felt rather idiotic. He already knew he was nearing his limits, knowing full well anymore damage to his health wouldn't do him any favours.

Ed rubbed at his neck with a gloved hand as the wound began to throb, the stinging sensation clawing at his neck and shoulder. Thinking back to the encounter with Bald, he could almost feel his throat begin to tighten, each finger printed bruise felt as if it were set boldly in stone. Lowering a hand to his side, the blonde jumped as the sound of an explosion boomed from behind him, the smashing of glass ringing through his ears. Roy, Risa and Jean ducked, picking up the pace as ammunition began to soar through the air.

Ed growled as the loud noises made his delicate ears protest sorely, cursing after each shot. With each step forward it was like taking 2 steps back. Either the teen was slowing down or his superior was speeding up. Still, he couldn't blame the man for not wanting a bullet lodged nicely in his head. The thought wasn't pleasant at all.

Finally, the young alchemist had reached the other side of the humongous court, with just a short walk left to go. He sighed with relief, brushing a hand through the limp strands of hair clinging to his cheeks. Just as he was thinking "Thank god that's over with" the familiar click of a pistol sounded, cool metal pressed behind his ear to the side of his head. Edwards flesh fingers curled into a fist as he realised once again he'd have to deal with another idiot, and this one seemed to enjoy the confrontational approach instead of taking him down when his back was turned. Defiantly an idiot.

"Hello Edward" a voice leered in his ear, "I've always wanted to meet you, but I can't say you're as amazing as your reputation..."

"Its FullMetal to you" the teen spat through clenched teeth, turning his head to catch sight of the annoyance. Catching a brief sight of a man yet again in navy uniform, his head was roughly prodded back in its place with the barrel of the gun.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you... not that it matters of course, I was going to finish you off anyway"

The blonde growled in response, biting his lip in anger and frustration.

"What's wrong Eddy?" a mocking voice crated through his eardrums.

"What's wrong?" Ed fumed. He turned sharply and ceased the barrel of the gun with a strong metal hand, raising it above his shoulder. The metal strained as his grip tightened.

"I've had enough of assholes like you getting in my way!!" he grabbed the man's collar roughly, producing a choking sound from him. "I just want some dam sleep already!!"

Pulling the long gun from the soldier's fingers, Ed snatched it angrily and proceeded to smack him full pelt in the head, knocking him out instantly. The blonde smiled as the unconscious being hit the floor with a thud and emptied the device of ammunition and threw it far from reach. He knew he could have pulled off something far fancier if he wanted to, but the teen just didn't have the energy right now.

Turning back towards his destination Ed breathed in deeply through his nostrils, attempting to curb his already sky high temper. Avoiding Roy's smug gaze, the young alchemist grimaced at the feeling of his frail shirt clinging to his back. He came to the conclusion that he needed a very good wash, change of clothing and his poor right foot of metal needed some TLC. But no tender loving care was ever going to remove the mud from the joints in his prosthetics...

"Nice of you to join us" Roy smiled as he inhaled the smoky air, holding back a muffled cough; he knew it was his own work that irritated his lungs. "I thought about coming to get you"

"Now there's a shame..." Ed muttered as he pictured the Colonel trekking across the hazardous field to 'rescue' him, or in other words flaunt his nonexistent talent at the most inappropriate time.

The team proceeded to pace in sync, expect Edward who managed to stumble his way around without falling over, dragging his heavy legs across the pavement and ignoring the sensitivity and stinging of his airways. The row of warehouses loomed over them, casting out the distant artificial light from the cheap lamps. Jean and Roy had no problem navigating themselves in the dark, after all it was this block they had once visited before under similar circumstances.... in the middle of the night. It was a memory hardly mentioned anymore because of the sheer embarrassment. It wasn't every night they went hunting for ghosts.

At last they reached the end of the badly built storage rooms, the rusty doors and hinges falling apart at the seams. Roy wondered if anything would fall apart under his touch. He brushed a gloved hand loosely along the rough brick work until-

"Colonel Sir!" a familiar boomed.

For what seemed like the hundredth time that night Ed swore his heart was close to pounding out of his chest, he felt each beat against his ribs clearly. Clutching a hand to his protesting side and chest the blonde glared at Major Armstrong, who appeared to be as enthusiastic as ever. The Major stood between Fuery and Breda towering over them like a giant.

"Edward! It's been far too long!"

"Don't be stupid, I saw you in the office yesterday..." the teen grumbled, averting his narrowed golden eyes to his smug superior, who appeared to be enjoying his discomfort.

"Something wrong FullMetal?" Roy asked with a smile plastered to his face.

"Nothing" the blonde said through gritted teeth, rubbing at his neck like he'd done so for the past hour, ignoring the concerned looks from the other team members. Not that he could blame them of course. Edward looked as if he'd had more than his fair share of sleepless nights, and lots of them.

"Nothing at all." He lied, turning his gaze to a spot on the floor which had suddenly become interesting.