Thanks to all who read. I do not own FMA or claim too.

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Chapter 12

A Break and Visit

A car is pulling up toward the Elrics. Ed and Al see a familiar face getting out of the driver's side. It is Lt. Hawkeye standing next to the car. Ed feels a rock forming in his stomach since he knows who is in the back. She opens the door and General Mustang steps out of the car. The soldiers around the car salute the General as he salutes them back. He looks around and sees the brothers with Thomas standing next to a building. Instead of a smirk, he has a serious look on his face. He walks over with Lt. Hawkeye toward them. Colonel Armstrong sees Mustang and heads over toward the Elrics as well.

"Well Fullmetal, I see I send you troops and you still manage to make a mess of things."

"Don't start with me General. We had a major break in what is going on."

"Lets hear it Ed. I don't want to have wasted a trip for nothing."

Ed gives Mustang a full report of what has happened. The tank of red water, Al possibly being not in the gate, and the fight with Bosely. The General takes a mental note of everything. Anger fills his eyes when the mention of a returning king.

"Thanks for the report Major. I will handle the investigation from now on. I want the three of you to take a break."

"What? You can't make us do that. We finally get a lead and this is how you reward us?"

"I want you to leave for a week Major. Go home or go somewhere else. With all the chaos you caused, now I want you to leave so I can try to capture these people. With your involvement, they will no doubt either be on their way out of here, or avoiding you at all costs. With you gone, I should be able to use some stealth to get close to them."

"What about when that week is over?"

"I want you back here right away. If I can't get anywhere in a week, then they aren't here anymore. You will come back and resume any investigation you feel needs to be done here."

"If they are all gone, then why should I come back here? I think returning to Central would be the best."

"Fine, in one week return to Central. I will decide what step is next for you."

The General turns around and heads toward the men. Armstrong follows him with Hawkeye. The three stand there, angry and confused as to where to go.

"Well brother, I suggest we take a trip to Dublith."

"I guess, we should go pay our respects to teacher. I don't want a ghost coming after us."

"Sorry boys, but who is your teacher?"

"Her name was Izumi, and she was the greatest. I would love to talk to her about everything that is going on. Regardless of whatever trouble we got into, she always knew how to get us through it."

They head back to their center and start gathering their belongings. They are going slow since they still don't want to go. The General comes in and still sees that they are there. He scolds them to get out and pretty much boots them from the building. Ed curses at him for still treating him like a kid after all this time. Thomas laughs at the banter between the two. He knows how much Roy cares about Ed. Treating him like this was just his way of showing that care. He didn't understand it fully but when it comes to the General it is hard to understand him completely. They get to the train station and get their tickets to Dublith. The three of them take a seat and wait for train to show up.

Thomas looks over at Ed. "I hope this trip is really where you want to go."

"Of course it is, why wouldn't it be a good place to visit?"

The Lt. Colonel smiles. "I was thinking Resembool would be on your mind."

"I do miss home, but I know I need to finish up this mess before I head there."

Getting off the train in Dublith was a trip down memory lane. That town never changes and neither do the people. All the familiar shops and homes are still lining the streets. Arriving at their destination, they stop and take in the feeling they receive. It has been years since any of them set a foot in this place. The door opens and a man comes out carrying supplies. He sees the three standing there in front of him and drops his belongings.

"Ed? Is that you?"

"Hey Mason, it's been a while."

"Don't tell me that is Al beside you?"

"Hi Mason, yes it is me."

"What are you doing in that armor?"

"It's a rather long story, is Mr. Sig here?"

"Yeah he is, who is your friend?"

"I'm Lt. Colonel Thomas. The boys are my nephews."

"It's nice to meet you. I never knew they had an uncle, well come on in. I'm sure Mr. Sig will be surprised to see you."

The four of them walk into the shop and see a large man working behind the counter. Looking up at the visitors, a worried look crosses his face. He walks around the counter and up to the Elrics. His eyes are focused on Al. The last time he saw Al, he was Izumis student. This armor standing before him reminds him of everything that has happened.

"You boys have been getting in trouble again, haven't you?"

"Not on purpose. I swear."

"Ed, you got a lot of explaining to do."

"I know. I wouldn't expect anything less from you."

A smile comes across the face of the big man.

"I am happy you payed me a visit. Izumi would be happy knowing her kids haven't forgotten this place."

Walking into the back part of the shop, they start their long story to their friends. Everything there was to tell. They told it. Thomas just sat back quietly listening to the brothers go on about their adventure. He noticed how the two men hung on every word. Mason gets up to take care of customers as Mr. Sig stays with the boys.

"You two should not have gotten involved with the State again."

"I know. It's hard to believe we can't even be home for a little bit without trouble finding us."

"We have done some good. Brother and I put away a lot of criminals so far."

"Fools, do you think that little bit of good is gonna make any difference. Al, you still need to find where you body is. Ed, you need to stop this life in the military and go home to Winry. As for you over there, I can't explain how upset I am with you."

Thomas looks at the large man. "What do you mean?"

"I am more then grateful for you bringing them home. These boys mean a lot to an awful lot of people. You should have never talked to Ed about working for Mustang. It was because of you, that they are here. It was because of you, that they are in this trouble now."

Ed jumps up from his seat.

"Now look here. He didn't make us do anything. We aren't a couple of kids anymore. We chose to do this without him telling us otherwise."

"Please Ed, you don't need to defend me. In a way, I agree with your friend. A part of me does feel responsible for what happened to you both. I can tell he said that for the simple reason he cares for you, as much as I do."

"You're not responsible. You had no idea this was going to happen to us. I had no idea I would be in a suit of armor again. Ed had no idea this type of fight would be happening. Trust me, Uncle Thomas, this was not your fault."

Mr. Sig stands up and goes to grab his coat. He puts it on and turns to the two sitting at his table.

"Come on you two. I am sure Izumi would want you to visit her. You are more then welcome to join us."

"Maybe another time. Those two need to pay their respects on their own. I'll stay here at the store and just wait for you to return."

The four of them leave to visit their loved on. Thomas had no idea when he said he will stay at the store, he would be watching it like this. Sitting at the counter, he looks over all the products that they sell. It was quite surprising just how much they had. The window was open next to him and the breeze felt good. Relaxing was something that he hadn't done for a while. Cutting himself off from day dreaming, he picks up the phone to report in. Mustang would want to know that they are actually staying away.