A/N: Carter's back in town XD
Well, hey you guys. Check it out! I am in fact NOT dead. Yet. And I really hope you all DON'T kill me.
Anyway I want to apologize for being gone so long. A lot of stuff just came up at once but I made a commitment to these stories and they're great writing practice too. So I'm back and here to stay this time. Hopefully. My brain is a little fuzzy on my plans for these stories so this chapter might seem a little slow or filler-y BUT BEAR WITH ME MY CHILDREN and I hope you enjoy what I'm typing out for you!
Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING :DDDDD
"Oh, crap." Breda mumbled as the soldiers all moved into their 'superiors' office. No way was Brigadier General Richardson calling them into his office for good news- especially at the end of the day. The soldiers all stood at an attentive line while they waited for their commander to speak to them. Richardson looked up at them all from his desk before getting up slowly and walking in front of them.
"It has now been two months since I have taken over as your commanding officer. As you all were made aware beforehand this situation is merely temporary. However, an decisions I make during this time are not. Is that understood?" He wasted no time before going off on his subordinates. "Yes, sir." They all answered. Richardson looked each of them over. "I have also been informed that Colonel Mustang will most likely not be returning for another three to four months instead of just two. You all are still expected to act under my command. Clear?"
"Yes, sir." The soldiers answered again while most of their thoughts were actually mirroring Breda's earlier comment.
"Dismissed." Richardson said, going back to his desk. The soldiers filed out of the room and back to their desks as quickly as possible. The men all took longer than necessary to collect their things in the hope that Riza would finish and get out first. But, of course, Riza merely moved over to the door and waited for the men to finish out of habit. Havoc was about to move over to go out with her when the Brigadier General spoke.
"Lieutenant is there any reason you're lurking around the office still?" He asked. The men's jaws clenched as they all fought against saying something. "No, sir." Riza answered. Slowly, Richardson stood from his desk and crossed into the room they were in. "Well, then;" He began.
"Yo!" Everyone turned as Edward's head poked around the door frame and into the room. "Hope I'm not interrupting any work." He said, walking into the room. "Nope, just about to head out." Havoc said, moving to where Ed and Hawkeye stood by the door. "Ah, alright. I'll catch up with you guys later then." Ed said, nodding at everyone as they moved out the door with Riza at the very front of them all. The door shut behind them leaving Ed with his commanding officer.
"What can I do for you, Fullmetal?" Richardson asked, visibly more relaxed than when Ed had walked in. Edward wasn't an idiot though- he knew what he had walked into and he'd done it on purpose. However, he fought down the urge to throttle the man before him and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Oh," He said, grinning. "I just came into Central for a visit. Figured it'd be best to drop in and let my commander know I was in the area. My train only just got in. Didn't know it was already time to go." Richardson grinned back clearly pleased with Edward's answer. "Of course. You know Fullmetal it's good to see a soldier that goes out beyond an office that still knows how to be a proper official in one."
"Well, you lucked out." Edward started, leaning against the wall. "Mustang's got the best team in Central." The Brigadier General let out a low laugh. "It's amusing that you think that." He said.
"I don't think it I know it." Edward stated. Richardson looked up at him. "Really?" He asked. "Who do you think is most valuable of the people that just left this room?" Edward didn't miss a beat in answering the question. "Lieutenant Hawkeye. Obviously." Richardson looked surprised. "You think so?" He asked. "I do." Edward answered. "Interesting." Richardson mused. "And what if Lieutenant Hawkeye was no longer part of the military?" Edward stared at the man before him. "That would be a significantly great loss on the military's part." He said. Richardson nodded slightly but it was clear he was no longer paying attention. He turned his back on Edward and headed back to his desk giving Ed the perfect opportunity to slip out of the office.
"He said that?" Roy asked. It was nearly one in the morning in Central which meant it was even later in the East but Ed had decided to call his bastard commander after his unpleasant meeting with the Brigadier General. "You think I'd make this up?" Edward replied. "I'm with Hawkeye on this one. Why do think I didn't mention I came back with Winry and Al? I plan on keeping them as far away from that bastard as I can."
"That just doesn't make any sense." Roy said. "How could he get the Lieutenant to leave the military? She'd never do it willingly and she's a perfect soldier. Even he has to know that."
"Which is probably just pissing him off more. Hawkeye is more competent than the rest of the guys in your office and that's just going to make him want to keep pushing her. I mean- Hey!" Roy glanced at the phone as if he could see why Ed had just screamed by looking through it.
"Colonel?" Roy grinned a little understanding Ed's exclamation now. "Hello, Winry." He greeted the mechanic on the other line. "I figured it was you. Anyway for once in his life Ed's actually right. This guy is a sexist pig which basically means that nothing is going to make him angrier than a competent woman. So the more Riza holds her own the more he's going to push her. Which fits with telling Ed that Riza may not always be in the military." Roy paused at the end of Winry's explanation and he even heard Ed stop grumbling. "What do you mean Win?" Ed asked the girl sitting beside him. "I mean it was obviously a threat." Winry stated. "This guy is going to push Riza until she gives up or screws up bad enough he can have her discharged."
"That would never happen." Roy stated. The teenagers on the other line went silent. "What?" Roy asked. The only thing worse than those two being loud was the two of them being silent. "Don't get me wrong Colonel, Hawkeye is tough but...she's not super human." Edward said. "Everyone has a breaking point and this assholes got at least two more months to find hers." He added. Roy was silent on the other line. The blonde teenagers exchanged a glance. It was obvious the Brigadier General had made everyone uncomfortable and they couldn't just let Riza be tortured for the next few months.
"I've got to get back there." Roy said before the line went dead.
"Great." Ed mumbled, setting the phone back down. Winry got up and slid her jacket on. "Where are you going?" Ed asked his friend. "To Riza's apartment. Why?" She answered. "Let me walk you." He said, jumping up. Winry looked down at the alchemist. "I can manage, Ed." She told him. Edward gave her a stern look. "Don't you try and pull your pride out too right now. I know the streets better and I want to see her too. I've never doubted you Win." He told her, putting his cloak on. They spent a moment looking each other over. "Alright." Winry said opening the door. "Let's go."
"I've never seen two people run away so fast." Winry said trying not to laugh. "What can I say I'm an intimidating guy." Edward replied, clapping his hands and making the blade in his arm go back to normal. "Oh, yeah, all six inches of you." Winry replied standing in the doorway of Riza's apartment. Ed glared at her. "Yeah, I bet you wouldn't be laughing if you had come out here alone. A wrench can only take you so far." He commented, walking past her and opening the door. He stopped just after getting one step inside the building. Winry had somehow managed to get under his left arm and wrapped her arms around his torso.
"Thanks, Ed." Winry said into his chest. Ed felt his face turn really red as he hesitantly put his arm around her. Winry tilted her head to look up at him but Ed moved quickly before she could see the color of his face. He shut the door behind him and by the time he looked back around-his face a normal color again- Winry was waiting at the staircase for him.
"Race you." Winry said before dashing up the stairs. Ed blinked and started running after her. "Dammit Winry." He mumbled. Winry was already at the Lieutenant's door by the time Ed got to the top of the stairs. "You're getting slow." Winry commented before knocking on the door. "Shut up." Ed told her, standing at the door. They stood in silence for several moments before knocking again. There was still no answering and Winry and Edward looked at each other.
"Maybe she's asleep?" Winry suggested, even though she doubted it. Ed leaned over and knocked on the door. "Lieutenant Hawkeye? It's Ed and Winry. You home?" He called out. This time there was an answer from the other side of the door: a sharp bark. Ed and Winry looked at the door, startled. "Hayate?" Ed asked out loud. The dog barked several more times. Just as Winry was about to speak to him again Ed clapped his hands together and held them against the door. He then grabbed the knob and opened up the door.
"Ed, I'm pretty sure alchemy counts as breaking and entering." Winry said as he did it. Immediately after the door was opened Hayate was barking up at the duo. "I can't bring myself to care right now." Edward told her as he walked into the apartment. Winry followed after him as Riza's dog led the two of the through the rooms until they reached the couch.
Riza was laying there, seemingly asleep. Her chest was rising and falling and she didn't look like she was harmed or in any pain. Hayate, however kept barking at his owner and Ed had the distinct feeling she should have woken up by now. Winry knelt down by her friend and held her hand against the Lieutenant's neck. A pause. She moved her hand up to Riza's face. Pause. Winry then stood and looked at Ed.
"Her pulse is slow and her breathing is labored we need to get a doctor." She stated. Ed looked down at the woman on the couch. "Call the others. We'll do one better and get her to a hospital."
A/N: Wow, I am crap at endings, huh?
Winry: You know if Ed was always this devoted to taking me everywhere you're other fic wouldn't have happened.
Ed: Oh, come on! I already blame myself for that can we not bring it up.
Winry: Whatever short stop.
Ed: WHY YOU-
Chameleon: ANYWAY I hope this pleases everyone that was waiting for an update and the next chapter will be up within the next 24 hours. Probably.
Roy: Are you going to bring me back for things better than random-ending phone calls?
Chameleon: I am trying to emphasize the strain you being far away is taking on everyone and how useless you must feel BUT it is also great at showing how everyone is still loyal to you by still keeping you up to date and taking your dumb orders.
Roy: That doesn't mean I have to like it. Hey where's Riza?
Chameleon: The hospital we just went over that before the A/N man.
Roy: -_-
Well, that's all for now dearies! :)
~Chameleon52
August 5, 2014
