Returning Fun
Winry stepped off the train, grinning madly. Okay, so she had kept to her word and gotten on the train three days after she had made her decision. Not only was she at Central to torture the Elric's and pawn off some extra tools, but also she hoped to do something good to Ed and the colonel, Roy Mustang. Ooh, how evil her mind could be sometimes. Winry went to the cargo load and waited for her luggage to arrive. A barking cage was set down and Winry ran up to it, opening it and letting out her dog, Den.
"Hey, Den, how was the ride?" she smiled as she stroked the dogs fur. Taking a quick check on Den's auto mail leg, she stood and grabbed her luggage, Den grabbing a bag with his teeth. Laughing lightly, Winry strode out of Central station, Den trailing after her. She completely forgot about the cage Den had been in.
------
Ed yawned. He turned over on the bed, slitting his eyes open. Al lay on another bed opposite him with a blanket over his armor, not even getting close to covering him. The blanket Ed was using, the same length as Al's, reached over Ed's feet. In fact, it was almost too long. How he hated that. Yawning again, Ed sat up and stretched, his auto mail arm creaking slightly. It needed to be oiled. Especially after the little cooking ordeal he had gone through just a mere three days before. Ed called out Al's name.
"Hey, Al, wake up. Al? Hey, Alphonse?" the suit of armor moved, then sat up.
"Yeah, brother?" Al asked.
"Just wanted to make sure you're still in there. Never know when a homunculi will strike." Ed grinned.
"Sheesh, Ed. I could have predicted that." Al replied. He stood, the armor clanking as he did so. Ed also stood and stretched.
"What? It could happen." Ed mumbled. Al seemed to shrug.
"Come on, brother. Let's go." Al turned, opened the door, and stopped in his tracks. Ed stared at his brother strangely.
"Um, Al? What'cha doin?" he asked. Ed strode next to the armor and stared up at Al. Sure, it sucked that Al was about two, three feet, possibly even four, taller than Ed was.
"..." Al didn't answer. Ed stared down at where Al had his white-red orbs locked onto. A little black kitten stared back. Ed jumped back.
"Holy CRAP!" he cried. Ed shook his head and stared back at Al. "No, we don't have the means, Al." Ed stated.
"B-but, brother. It's all lonely. Can't we just..." Al was interrupted.
"No!" Ed warned. He turned to start to walk from the door. Al's body reached first and picked up the kitten.
"You're heartless, brother! I hate you!" Al raced off, the kitten bobbling dangerously in his hands.
"Oh, c'mon, Al! Think of the kitten! You're gonna shake its eyes out!" Ed shouted back.
"I am! You can't stop me, brother!" Al turned the corner and left. Ed stared after.
"O-kay... He'll get over in about three hours or so." Ed shrugged and walked down the hall his brother had just spazzed on. Military items hung all over the walls. Ed hated having to stay at headquarters. He'd have to see the colonel at least twice a week. Ed left the hall and walked down some stairs to the first floor. About to race out of the building, Ed ran right into Major Armstrong.
"Oh, crap." Ed muttered. The major towered over him, standing in a tall way, adding to his large frame.
"Oh, dear Edward Elric! What brings you down here so early in the day?" Armstrong asked in a loud, booming voice.
"Going for a walk... it's eleven thirty, major." Ed answered, wishing to get out of there.
"Not without a companion!"
"A what...?" Ed asked blandly.
"Ms. Winry Rockbell is here to see you!" Armstrong turned to show Winry and her bags. Den barked, dropped the bag he had been carrying, and jumped for Ed.
"CRAP!" Ed turned, took position, and high-tailed it out of there. Winry fumed behind, Den stopping in the 'dust' Ed had made in his getaway.
"Edward..." Winry growled.
"Fear not, Winry Rockbell, Edward is just in his hurry. He does that a lot whenever I see him." the major boomed, shiny purple stars glittering around his head. Winry sweat dropped.
"I can see why..." she turned towards the direction Ed had gone and glanced down at Den, "But, Ed is still dead! Go get him, DEN!" Den barked and ran after Ed, Winry nodding.
"Why chase him, Winry Rockbell?" Armstrong questioned.
"Because Den will bring him back." Winry grinned evilly.
"I understand." Armstrong nodded. "I must be off, Winry Rockbell. I am sorry to leave you, but I have duties." Armstrong stated.
"That's okay. I-I highly understand." Winry waited for him to leave, then sighed. "About time." She walked into the room Armstrong had given her and set her bags down. Opening the one Den had been carrying, she pulled out her trusty wrench.
"Time to hunt! Ed, here I come!" she laughed.
------
Ed slowed to a stop after about two blocks and wiped his forehead. He not only ran into Armstrong, but Winry too? Now what? Sure, Winry was nice and all, maybe even slightly cute, but she had the temper of a raging boar. He didn't like getting on her bad side. Den was here too, so Winry had help. She probably wanted to pawn off more money. It was just... her. Ed gulped. She was at the base, he'd see her again. She'd kill him for running, literally. Definitely not a pretty sight, or thought.
That was when a panting sound was heard. Following it was a bark. Ed stood straight. He poked his head around the corner. Den sat there, tail wagging, leading Winry RIGHT TO HIM! ED! RIGHT TO ED! Not good. Ed was about to run, but a wrench collided sickeningly with his skull. He fell backwards and landed on the hard pavement. Winry's voice rang in the background.
"Yes! Right on target! Oh yeah! How's that ED? Den, we sure showed him!" she chanted. Ed finally sat up and picked up the wrench. He stood, swaying slightly, and glared at Winry.
"What was that for?" he demanded.
"You ran," Winry replied, grabbing the wrench from Ed's hands and holding it.
"I was running from the major. You know how he is." Ed protested.
"Sure. You were talking to him before you even noticed me." Winry had a large point. Ed hid his worry.
"Well, Den has the tendency to jump on me. I really don't like that."
"Sure..." As if to prove his point, Den jumped on Ed and he went crashing back to the ground. Den's pink tongue swiped across his face and Ed sputtered, trying to get the dog off of him. Winry giggled, then realized Ed was telling the truth.
"Told you!" Ed managed over the dog's tongue. Winry sighed.
"Fine, you win, Ed. But only for today." She called Den off of Ed. Ed sat up and wiped his slobbery face. Winry grinned.
"So, where's Al?" she asked.
"Out protecting cats and animal rights, no doubt." Ed stated. Winry nodded.
"That's Al for you. He's a huge suit of armor on the outside, but a big soft lump on the inside." Winry laughed.
"What do you want?" Ed asked lamely.
"Ugh, what a way to treat a lady!" Winry exclaimed. Ed snorted.
"Trust me, you're nowhere near being a lady."
"What was that, Ed?" Winry held up the wrench, an evil glint in her blue eyes. Ed shrunk back.
"I-I just meant, um... what are you here for, Winry?" Ed managed.
"I came to check up on you guys. See how tall you've gotten, which isn't much..."
"Who're you calling a shorty short shrimp who can't stand above his own shoe? Who're you calling a lousy little pipsqueak?" Ed roared.
"Shut up, or fear the wrench." Winry growled. Ed shut up.
"Why else are you here?" Ed demanded.
"Like I said. See you guys. Maybe grab some new items, check on other clients, rip more money off of you, make you buy me new parts, that sort of thing." Winry shrugged.
"What...?" Ed steamed.
"You heard me." Winry smirked. Ed glared back.
"I'm not going to allow you to get more items!" Ed stated. Winry held up her wrench.
"Parts, or die..." she ordered. Ed shrunk.
"Yes, ma'am." he cowered.
"Good boy, Ed!" Winry patted Ed on the head.
"Hey! I'm not a dog!" Ed protested.
"I know. But Den doesn't." Winry snickered as Ed ran ten feet away from Den. The dog was good and loyal, but a pest all the same. Winry walked up to Ed and grabbed his arm.
"Come on, let's go. I have to check on your auto mail." she stated cheerfully.
"And then what?" Ed asked.
"We go shopping!" Ed groaned. Winry was prone to act the complete opposite of regular, normal, squealing woman. She would fantasize over a new auto mail part or wrench, while another, more common woman, minus Riza Hawkeye, would want a ring or necklace. Not to mention auto mail cost more, so Ed was nearly broke whenever Winry came.
------
"Okay, Ed. It looks like you haven't gotten any taller than the last time." Winry exclaimed. Ed groaned.
"Great, just what I needed to know." He rolled his eyes.
"Oh, be happy! Now granny and I can't charge you. Your auto mail arm isn't that messed up either. But I will take a guess. Have you been cooking?" Ed blushed.
"NO!" he protested.
"Ah, so that means yes. I can tell because there are small, very small, scorch marks. You started off without using an oven mitt, didn't you?" Winry stabbed Ed in the shoulder with her finger.
"Ah, I, uh... guess..." Ed hmphed.
"I see. Why? I've never known you as one to cook. Don't you always burn everything?" Winry asked.
"NO! I mean, yeah. But Mustang dared me. I won too, by the way."
"Really? I'll have to say, I'm amazed. What did you make him do?" Winry questioned.
"Wear a pink frilly dress, throw the cheesecake I had to make in his face, and sing the American 'Star Spangled Banner' in front of the whole military base. I haven't seen him since." Ed grinned wickedly.
"Oh, geez, Ed. So predictable." Winry sighed, standing. "Looks like I can't get more cash off of you. You have no real damage." she groaned. Ed smirked.
"Beat that!" he cried.
"Yup, guess I have to. Let's go shopping now." Winry grabbed her wrench and pulled Ed out the military entrance. Ed reluctantly followed, Den behind them.
------
Halfway to the market, Ed, Winry, and Den ran into Alphonse. Al was sitting in the middle of a lawn of green grass, holding four kittens.
"Oh, hi, Al!" Winry greeted.
"Winry!" Al stood. He bowed, "Nice to see you again. What are you doing here?"
"Just the usual. Why so many cats?" Winry glanced at the purring animals.
"I'm taking care of them. Brother won't let me keep them," Al looked down.
"Oh, that's okay, Al. I'm sure Ed has a very good reason why." Winry glared at Ed.
"Yeah! We travel so much, we don't have time to take care of a cat." Ed added, looking at Winry nervously. Winry only suppressed a cackle. Yes, a cackle. Who knew she could be so evil... wait, Ed did.
"Well, we're off, Al!" Winry grabbed Ed's arm and pulled him off. Ed pleaded for Al to help, but Al only laughed and went back to the kittens.
------
When Ed, Winry, and Den arrived at the market area, Ed was groaning and checking his wallet, wishing that he hadn't filled his pockets since his big loss against Riza in poker. How humiliating. Especially since this was the FullMetal Alchemist, afraid of his own mechanic, who happens to be a girl. Pathetic. Ed was reluctantly dragged into a parts store. Winry, stars in her eyes, jumped around, picking up every little item. She grabbed a wrench there, a few nuts and bolts here, and an auto mail leg.
"Ooh!" Winry cried in one store when she spotted a "brand new, hand carved, beautifully crafted, hammer!" as she later stated.
"Eeeeeeh! Ed, you have to buy me this. It's perfect!" Winry stared at the wrench in its glass case. Ed gulped, nodding rather sadly. Den barked from outside of the door.
Great, now she has another tool to hit me with. He thought while paying the clerk. After a sad many, many hours, Ed was dragged from another store. He was holding bags upon bags, all filled with tools, making them extra heavy. Den had taken a bag in his mouth, making Ed's load less heavy. Winry turned to Ed.
"Well! I'm done. Let's eat!" She pulled him towards a nice place. Ed steered her in the opposite direction.
"Why not settle for something else." he suggested. Winry nodded. They stopped at a quick stand on the way to the base and grabbed some food. Ed then sadly picked up the bags and began towards the base. Winry and Den following after. After Ed had set down the bags in Winry's room, he glared. Now, he had no money with him, again. What was it with girls and money? First Riza, now Winry. Was it just him?
"Thanks, Ed." Winry grinned at Ed. Was it just him, or did Winry look especially evil? Ed shrugged. Winry, with a quick grab at her wrench, held it in her hand. "Well, I guess you'll be going now, right?" she asked. Ed nodded and walked from the room. Winry shut it, rather loudly, behind him and smirked at the items. Her eyes glinted evilly.
"Well, granny, looks like I've got more supplies. Ed and Al are so easy to pawn off." she cackled again. Den barked beside her and she scratched his ear. What a good day. Maybe she would be able to find something better tomorrow, like get Ed and Roy to do a dare. First, she'd have to talk to Riza Hawkeye. She knew Roy well enough for the both to think up something evil.
--------
Ed sighed as he walked down the hall. Sure, he was highly rich, but man, did Winry know how to use up money or what? Ed sighed again and turned the corner. That was when he heard his name.
"Hey! Ed! Wait up!" Ed turned to see Lieutenant Colonel Hughes running up to him (A/N Okay, this happens before Hughes dies. I loved him, so he takes place in my story.)
"Hey, Hughes." Ed greeted droopily.
"Perk up, Ed! I have new pictures!" Hughes pulled out a stack of pictures and held them out in front of Ed.
"Ugh, same as ever, lieutenant. Insane." Ed groaned. (A/N Also, In the Anime, Hughes is the major. He doesn't become lieutenant colonel until later on. In the manga, he's Lieutenant colonel to begin with. Please don't hurt me. I'm just doing this bit off of the manga. I love both versions.)
"Isn't she the darndest thing? I think this picture of her in her new dress is absolutely ADORABLE!" Hughes continued. He held up a new picture. "Isn't Elysia the cutest? Gracia picked that summer dress just yesterday and I had to take pictures. Isn't my wife just the best!" Hughes pulled out more photos.
"Lieutenant, I can see that. I have to go now, so..." Ed was cut off by another sprout of rants.
"She's ADORABLE! Gracia and I took Elysia to the beach just last week. She found a little sand dollar and has kept it ever since. See, that's her with it. Isn't she just perfect. Gracia even baked a little treat! My wife is just the best at cooking. Don't you think so, Ed?" Hughes stopped.
"Uh, yeah, Mrs. Hughes is great." Ed stated.
"I KNOW! SHE'S WONDERFUL!" Hughes placed the pictures back in his pocket and pulled out another wad of them. "Look at this one! It's of them at the store. Aren't they just the darndest! If I don't say so myself, I'll tell you that they are PERFECT!" Hughes laughed. Ed nodded.
"Look, lieutenant, I really have to..." Ed was cut off as Riza walked down the hall.
"Hello, Edward, Lieutenant colonel Hughes." she greeted, stopping in front of them.
"Oh, RIZA! Ooh, you just HAVE to come over. Gracia would love to see you. She'd like to talk to you too." Hughes showed Riza some pictures. "Aren't they WONDERFUL?" He questioned.
"Edward, you can go if you need to." Riza stated, nodding towards him. Ed didn't budge. He'd never really seen Riza talk with Mrs. Hughes before.
"Oh, Riza, I also want to say one more thing." Hughes put his pictures away.
"Yes, lieutenant colonel Hughes?" Riza stared at him, waiting.
"I always tell Roy this, but he always hangs up on me. I don't know why, but I'll make one crucial suggestion to you before I am off." Hughes grinned. "I suggest that you find yourself a good man, first lieutenant. Crucial time, crucial times." Hughes walked off. Riza's eye twitched. Ed stared, Riza never got annoyed without pulling out her gun.
"Um, first lieutenant..." he was cut off.
"That stupid man. He's just as bad as the colonel." Riza growled under her breath. Ed nodded.
"You got that right!" he pronounced. Then he slowed down. "Hughes always tells Mustang to find himself a man? I didn't think he was..."
"No, Edward. The colonel is like that." she added emphasis to the word, "Hughes always tells the colonel to find himself a wife. Get your facts straight, Edward."
"Yes, ma'am." Ed saluted. He turned and raced for his room. Hawkeye didn't remark. She stood still.
"Stupid man." she growled under her breath and resisted the urge to pull out her gun.
------
Ed raced into his room and slammed the door shut. By now, it was late. Al stared at Ed.
"What's wrong, brother?" he asked.
"Nothing. I just spent a load of money, though. Don't expect anything fancy for a while." Ed groaned, shedding his red coat. He sat on the bed and kicked off his shoes.
"I bet. Why do you look scared? Did you make Winry mad again?" Al asked.
"No! I ran into the lieutenant colonel on my way here." Ed answered.
"Oh. Hughes. How long did you last?"
"Riza came and saved me, then got tortured herself." Ed lay back on the bed and turned over.
"Ed?"
"Night." Al sighed and flicked of the light. He lay back too and fell asleep.
------
Roy looked up as Riza entered the room. She stood in front of him, stiff. He knew her to be very dedicated to her work, but this was different.
"Um, first lieutenant?" he asked.
"Yes, colonel?" Riza answered, almost in a robotic tone. She was mad, Roy could tell. At least she wasn't using him as target practice. She'd done that before, and he had gotten his ass kicked. But let's not mention that now, shall we?
"Nothing." Roy looked back at his work. The phone beside him rang. Roy reached for it.
"I suggest you be careful at who might be calling." Riza stated. Roy glanced at her.
"Why's that?" He questioned.
"It could be the lieutenant colonel." she replied. Roy hesitated for a second, then answered. If it was Hughes, and he didn't answer, the guy would probably come over to bother him. That was much worse than talking over the phone, where he could hang up. But, then again, if Hughes came here, Roy could flame him. But, that wouldn't be able to happen. He'd probably loose his job, or worse.
"This is colonel Roy Mustang speaking." Roy spoke.
"Hey, Roy! How're ya?" Hughes voice rang.
"I'm fine, Hughes. I just saw you an hour ago." Roy muttered.
"But I still have to make a crucial, crucial suggestion. I mentioned it to Riza earlier and thought, maybe you two should get hitched. She needs a husband and you need a good, strong wife! How about-----" Hughes voice was cut off as Roy slammed the phone onto the hook. Riza sighed.
"Calm down, colonel. I'm sure it wasn't that bad." Riza said.
"He told me to get hitched." Roy growled.
"Like I said, not that bad. He does that all the time. He told me later today." That explained why she seemed mad.
"He told me to get hitched with you." Roy ended.
"It's not that bad... WHAT?" Riza cried.
"Oh sure, not that bad." Roy grumbled. Riza drew out her gun. Roy stood straight quickly.
"I'll kill em." Riza growled. She then sighed and put her gun back. Roy relaxed. He sat back down and glanced at his papers. He glanced up and turned slightly pink. Riza turned away. "I'll be off, then." she said briskly and left. Roy slumped against his chair and took a deep breath.
"Damn." he stated. "Moron Hughes."