This took forever to write (and rewrite and rewrite). There was so much I wanted to squeeze in without seeming like I was just trying to squeeze stuff in.

Chapter 20

If he deserved a medal for anything, it would have been enduring that whole ordeal. Everyone else seemed so pleased. Mustang beamed with expansive pride at what must have been his brainchild. Rada was nearly giddy with relief and utterly charmed the reporters. One of them had the temerity to suggest that the reason Scar had been living here in secret all this time was to keep such a lovely lady all to himself. Rada giggled so sweetly in reply that he didn't have the heart to threaten the man with the serious bodily harm he deserved.

The reporters gorged themselves on this feast like a flock of carrion birds. They seemed just as delighted to record the new of turn of events as they were with the possibility of him being arrested. It was indecent. Mustang told him in an undertone that if he couldn't bring himself to smile, he should at least look dignified and not like he wanted to start another murder spree.

Then, for Mrs. Bradley's benefit, Darius and Heinkel quickly organized their troupe for what they jokingly referred to as a command performance. Scar was desperate to go home, but Danika was so thrilled that he would be able to watch the circus with her that he could hardly say no. He had to admit, Yoki put on quite a performance.

Finally, finally, they were able to go home. Rada promptly sent Scar to bathe off the circus smell that still clung to him while she saw to the domestic arrangements. As it turned out, Mrs. Bradley and her son would be their guests for the night, something else he could hardly say no to. While he sat in the tub, he could hear the bustle and cheerful women's voices from the adjoining rooms while other people's possessions were moved in and out. Winry would be sharing Danika's room, and an army cot was being sent for to accommodate Selim.

Selim had given him quite a shock at first sight. He certainly seemed like a normal little boy, but he had deceived an entire nation for years. When Mrs. Bradley brought the boy over to be introduced, Scar looked down into what seemed like a pair of completely innocent violet eyes. He took the small hand that was offered in his, then, after a moment of hesitation, he covered it with his other hand, almost afraid of what he might discover. Not having a previous frame of reference, he wasn't sure what to compare it to. It did not feel, as he was afraid it might, like a writhing mass of souls, but it was a little hard to place. It wasn't the same sort of feeling that came from his own children, but it was not very different. He could feel a heightened sense of curiosity, but no malevolence or any effort at deception. On top of that, Heinkel mumbled that he smelled different, and a chimera's nose was reliable. Scar could only conclude that Selim was as close to being a normal child as he was ever likely to be.

An outdoor supper was arranged by Scar's extended family, who had embraced Mrs. Bradley and her son in the boisterous and unstinting fashion that was typical of most of their undertakings. After supper they all sat around the cul-de-sac, enjoying the rest of the evening and each other's company, and listening to Dejan and his troupe play.

Danika nestled against her father's side, content to sit there all evening. Once all the excitement had died down, she had been clinging to him, reluctant to let him out of her sight. She gazed at the enameled medal that she cupped in the palm of her hand. He could foresee that this so-called honor would make him more of a curiosity than a hero in the eyes of the rest of Amestris. He also felt that he had come by it in a very underhanded manner.

They had played a trick, not just on the reporters, and by extension, the entire nation, but on the woman who had presented him with this bit of metal and ribbon. Scar looked across to the fountain in the middle of the cul-de-sac where Mrs. Bradley sat with Rada, Riza, and Vesya, the twins playing at their feet. The four women were deep in conversation, very likely concerning motherhood, that rippled frequently with warm laughter. Mrs. Bradley was a kind and innately good woman. Even if he hadn't taken her hand in both of his when she congratulated him a second time, he could sense that much. He had also sensed her excitement at being such an essential part of this performance, at being "in on it." But she wasn't, not really. Of course she had no idea that the man she had just presented a medal to had killed her husband. She must have always been kept in ignorance of her husband's true nature and had been led to believe that he died a hero. A lie on top of a lie. Was that a kindness?

Roy walked over to where Scar sat in front of his house. He glanced down at the medal in Danika's hand, then smiled at the girl.

"You must be very proud of your father," he remarked.

Danika nodded. "Uh-huh!"

"I haven't yet thanked you for this," Scar said, regarding Roy with a look that held a measure of irony.

Roy lifted his hands. "It wasn't my idea!"

Scar's brows lifted a little in surprise. "No?"

"Nope. I just came along for the ride." Roy shrugged. "It was all Mrs. B's doing. I knew we needed to do something fast, but that didn't even occur to me. All Riza had to do was make a phone call and Mrs. Bradley came up with the rest." Roy chuckled. "She must have had that old fox Grumman shaking in his boots. I wish I'd been a fly on that wall."

Scar looked down at the medal. "I'm surprised she went to the trouble," he remarked quietly.

"I'm not," Roy said. "She's a very sweet lady and she generally lives quietly. But when she voices an opinion or takes up a cause, it's usually met with a lot of approval because the whole country loves her." Roy nodded down at the medal in Danika's hand. "If she thinks you deserve that, I suggest you go with it."

Scar just shook his head. He looked down at the little girl at his side and gave her shoulders a squeeze.

"Why don't you go play with Mika?" he suggested. "Everyone else seems to want to celebrate."

"I don't wanna play right now." Danika gave a small shrug. "Anyway, Mika's being all grown up." She said it very matter-of-factly, without any apparent resentment.

Scar searched briefly around the courtyard and saw the older girl. Mika was standing by her father and Naisha but was gazing wistfully over at Stoyan. The young man, in turn, was gazing wistfully across the courtyard at Winry, who was having some sort of minor argument with Stanno while Edward looked on with a slightly sullen look. Ever vigilant, Dejan called Stoyan over to engage him in conversation, much to Mika's delight.

"She's only eleven," Scar remarked. "She can't be that grown up. She's certainly too young to be contemplating marriage, no matter what her father thinks."

"She's gonna be twelve soon, Papa," Danika replied as though the vast gulf that lay between eleven and twelve should be obvious to anyone. Beyond that, she seemed to have little interest in anything but the medal in her hand, which she contemplated with a frown.

The girl was silent for several moments, then she said quietly, "Did you—did you do bad stuff, Papa?"

Scar sighed. She had heard things today that could only have troubled her, and apart from her outburst at the reporters, she had said nothing about it until now. He planned on telling her someday, but not until she was much older. Circumstances had taken a different turn. Did she want the truth or did she want it to not be true? "Yes, little one, in my folly I did."

Danika scowled a little as she took this in, but before she could go on, Roy crouched down in front of her. "I did, too, Danika," he told her. "So did Miss Riza. There was a time when a lot of good people did bad things."

Danika considered him somberly. "You mean, like when there was the war?"

Roy nodded. "That's right. We told ourselves that this was a war and we had to do those things, but a lot of us knew we were doing something wrong."

Danika's eyebrows puckered and Scar could feel her give a little shudder. "What about that Kimlee man?" she asked in a hushed voice. "Did he know he was doing bad stuff?"

Roy and Scar shared a look. "You know something," Roy replied, "I'm not sure. We'll never really know." Danika gazed back at him, her eyes still troubled, and he smiled at her. "But that was a long time ago, and we've all learned a lot from our mistakes. I did, Miss Riza did, and your father did."

Danika thought about this carefully for a moment. "So there won't be any more bad things, like a war?"

"Not if I have anything to do with it," Roy answered determinedly. "And if I'm elected Fuhrer, I'll make sure of it! So you make sure to tell your father and mother to vote for me when the election comes around, all right?" He smiled warmly at her. "I'm counting on you to sway the household vote, Danika."

Taking this as a grave responsibility, Danika gave a solemn nod.

Scar gave a hint of a wry smile. "She's a bit young for you to be plying your charm on her, Roy Mustang."

"I'm just cultivating my constituency," Roy replied smoothly, straightening up.

"The election is nearly two years away."

"All the more reason to start—"

"You wanna play?" Selim blurted out. He had run up to them and halted in front of Danika, his eyes dancing with the excitement of the day's adventures. One of the bodyguards, Lars, loomed up behind him.

Danika considered the little boy with polite curiosity and seemed of two minds about his suggestion.

"I will keep an eye on them both, sir," Lars said to Scar in a deep, quiet voice, then added, apparently for reassurance, "Selim is a very nice little boy."

Scar looked at the hopeful expression on Selim's face. He was the last of his kind, free from the influence of a perverted homunculus "father" and raised by a kind and loving human mother. Scar turned to his daughter. "Go ahead, Danika. Selim is our guest, after all."

Danika looked back up at him. "Will you stay here?" she asked anxiously. "You won't go anywhere?"

Scar nodded. "I'll stay right here."

"You promise?"

Scar pressed his hand over his heart. "I swear on the honor of the house of Ruhad," he replied somberly.

Apparently satisfied, Danika slipped down from the bench where they sat. She was about to dart off, then turned back to Scar. "Oh, here!" She handed the medal back to him, then skipped off with Selim.

Scar watched the two children as they moved around the cul-de-sac, Lars gliding along protectively in their wake.

"That was surprisingly trusting of you," Roy remarked.

Scar shrugged off the comment. "It seemed like a risk worth taking."

Roy nodded in agreement. He looked out to where Danika and Selim were buzzing around the cul-de-sac and giggling. "You took something of a risk with Danika, didn't you?"

Scar frowned slightly at the comparison, but then had to concede that it was a fair one. "I suppose. It was more than worth it. She doesn't seem to have inherited any of Kimblee's nature." His frown deepened. "I may have made a mistake in telling her about him, though. It wasn't until then that she began to have nightmares about him and she has no face to put to him."

"Hm," Roy mused. After a few moments, he said, "I'll be in touch with you when I get back to Eastern Command."

Scar looked up at him questioningly. "About what?"

"Oh, just a thought…" Roy looked down toward the entrance of the cul-de-sac. "Colonel!" he called. "You've certainly put in a day's work!"

Miles approached them, looking like Roy's comment was an understatement. He stepped up and gave a crisp salute that belied his weariness. "Brigadier!"

Roy returned his salute. "Did you get everyone tucked in for the night?"

Miles gave a wry smirk. "The reporters seem to have finally gotten what they came for and they've called it a day. They can tuck their damn selves in. I hope they all get fleas." He handed a small white paper bag to Scar. "As I was leaving, Darius handed me this to give to you. He said it was from the ladies. Then he gave me a big wink. I'm not sure I want to know what you were up to."

Scar opened the bag, which was full of peanuts. He smiled slightly. "Some measure esteem in different ways. I can only feel humbled."

Resolving to remain mystified, Miles turned to Roy. "Brigadier, I hope you'll accept my hospitality for the night."

"Vesya beat you to it, Colonel," Roy replied. "She said you keep a spare room ready for when General Armstrong comes to visit and isn't up to the noise at Dejan's place. She kindly offered it to us."

Miles nodded. "Good. And Mrs. Bradley?"

"She's staying with me," Scar said, weariness tingeing his voice. "She and her son will use the room Winry's been using. Winry's moving in with Danika for the night. Dejan offered to put up Mrs. Bradley's bodyguards, but they won't leave her, so they'll sleep in the front room with Fullmetal." He looked up at Miles with some irritation. "I'd go back to the circus if I could get Rada to come with me."

Miles shook his head. "No more running away to the circus for you," he said with mock severity. "You're officially a public figure now and you have to act in a responsible manner."

Scar held up the medal. "I was under the impression that I could now go anywhere I wished."

"Of course you can," Roy replied cheerfully. "But as a public figure, you have to maintain a public image. You could once again end up gracing the pages of fine journals like The Delver."

Scar looked revolted. "I think I'll just stay here."

"Oh, now, don't be a spoilsport!" Roy chided him. "It's not so bad once you get used to it."

"Shua loves it," Miles added.

"That's because he's like a cactus wren," Scar rejoined. "He's shamelessly bold and he likes to make noise."

Vesya waved at Miles from where she sat with Mrs. Bradley and Miles turned to Roy. "Shall we join the ladies, Brigadier?"

"Now that we're done with our brandy and cigars?" Roy quipped as the two officers strolled away.

Sitting alone, Scar opened his hand and considered the medal that lay there. He didn't share his daughter's reverence for the object. He had come to terms farther than he thought possible with his feelings toward Amestris and Amestrians, but the white dragon would always stir up a measure of bitterness, however deep-seated.

He heard the faint metallic clank that signaled Ed's approach. "Shouldn't you be wearing that?" the younger man asked. "Seems to me you'd want to really flash that around."

Scar frowned at the medal a little morosely, then pinned it onto his shirt. "I detect a tone of envy in your voice, Edward Elric. It's unbecoming."

Ed gave a slight shrug and mumbled, not entirely convincingly, "Hardly! Anyway," he went on, "it's not really that important to me. I'd rather be recognized for the research I'm doing." He drew himself up a little. "I'm thinking of starting a new book on alchemy."

Scar looked up at him, unable to hide his incredulity. "A book?"

Ed scowled back at him. "That's right! I've got the notes that my old man left behind, the ones he carried around in that suitcase of his. Plus I have plenty of my own discoveries. I feel that there's a lot of information about alchemy, and maybe even history that needs to be rewritten."

Scar glanced across the cul-de-sac to where Roy and Miles stood talking with their wives. "There are some who might take issue with that."

Ed rolled his eyes contemptuously. "I know, I know! Stick to the official version." He glowered. "I personally think it should have all been let out. The government should give the people a little credit. I think they could've handled it."

"I agree," Scar remarked.

Ed gave a slight frown that turned into a smirk. "There was a time when hearing you say that would really piss me off."

"Let's hope that means you've matured," Scar replied. Before Ed could snap back, he went on. "Are you sure you should have left them by themselves?" He nodded toward where Winry and Stanno were still deep in conversation. The carpenter gave a sudden yelp as the automail mechanic slugged him in the arm.

Ed looked over his shoulder and shrugged. "They're just talking shop, which is why I wandered off." He turned back to Scar. "Besides, Winry can handle herself just fine."

"That's as may be," Scar said, a little sternly. "It doesn't mean she should have to."

Ed's expression grew dark. "Don't start with me about Winry!"

"Why not?" Scar countered. "Her welfare is as important to me as it is to you. And for someone who claims to be her champion, you're shamefully negligent."

"Oh? And you became an expert when?"

Scar gave the younger man a somber glare. "I'm not a boastful man, but if there is one thing my wife will not complain about, it is that I am not attentive."

Ed gave a slight shudder and raised his hands. "Excuse me! I had enough trouble picturing my parents—"

"Shehai li Ishvala!" Scar clapped his palm to his forehead. "And you expect a girl to marry you? Although after that pathetic excuse for a proposal, I'm surprised she's still even speaking to you! Equivalent exchange!" He glared at Ed with disapproving repugnance. "If I were a girl, I'd have spit in your eye."

"Believe me, even if you were the last girl on earth—" Ed stopped and stared at Scar. "Wait, how do you know what I said?"

"Winry told me. She seemed to be very taken by it but I was not impressed."

"Well, you're not the one I was trying to impress."

"Lucky for you," Scar replied drily. He gave Ed a critical look. "But then what did you do? You got on a train and left for months!"

Ed just shrugged. "I had things I had to do. And it was only for a few months."

Scar shook his head. "I will never understand how you Amestrians think. I was away from my wife for one day and it was near torture!"

"It doesn't have anything to do with being Amestrian! It's just—" Ed gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "Look, Scar, I don't even know why I'm having this conversation with you. You're the last person I need to justify myself to." The two glared stubbornly at each other, then Ed gave a sudden grin. "But if you need convincing, watch this!"

Ed turned away and strode back over to Winry. Making a brief remark to Stanno, he put an arm around Winry's shoulders and drew her off to one side. He pulled her closer to him and spoke close to her ear. From where he sat, Scar could see the look on the girl's face change from puzzlement to surprise, and then to delight. She turned to search his features and spoke one word, which Scar thought might have been really?, to which Ed nodded in reply. Winry let out a squeal of a laugh and threw her arms around his neck. Ed glanced over at Scar with a smug expression.

Winry spun away from Ed and hopped up and down, waving her arms. "Hey! Hey!" she cried out. Conversations died down as the others in the cul-de-sac turned to her. "Hey, everybody! Ed and I are going to get married at the end of the year! And I want you all to come!"

Ed lost his smug look but slapped a smile back on his face before Winry turned back to hug him again.

It took only a moment for the girl's words to register before there was a general sigh of approval and clapping. Nearly everyone drew closer to the young couple to congratulate them. Scar didn't join them, feeling duly impressed but content to remain where he was. Stoyan hung back at the edge of the crowd at first, and an unguarded look of forlorn disappointment crossed his face. He covered it quickly with a smile as he stepped forward to shake Ed's hand, then Winry's. He then drew back, the fading of his smile going unnoticed by everyone but Scar.

Well, Scar thought as he hid his own smile. He'll get over it in time. Dejan will certainly be relieved.

Dejan was delighted. He let out a loud ululating howl and called for his musicians. Stoyan dutifully took up his flute and played along as the others formed into a line to dance. Several of the girls drew Mrs. Bradley and even her bodyguards in to join them. Danika grasped Selim's hand and reached up to take hold of Roy's as he joined the end of the line. Finally, Winry and Ed joined in as the end of the line snaked by them. Ed looked as awkward as he must have felt, but it was a simple enough dance, just a few grapevine steps and a couple of side-to-side steps. It didn't take him too long to pick it up.

As the line circled past the fountain, Rada stepped around them and walked over to where Scar sat, holding out her hand with a playful smile.

"You're not dancing?"

Scar took her hand and pulled her onto his lap. "I promised Danika I wouldn't move from this spot."

"Then I won't move either." Rada twined her arms around his neck and leaned her head against his, closing her eyes and sighing with contentment. "I missed you!" she breathed wistfully.

Scar turned his head to brush his lips against her ear. "I missed you, too. I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"It doesn't matter now," Rada replied softly. "I have you back, and things turned out better than we could have hoped." Her fingers brushed against the medal. "This little pin changed everything."

"Not everything." Scar turned her face toward his and kissed her. "You're still my bright sunrise."

Rada smiled at him warmly. "And you will always be my brave hawk."

Scar kissed her again then searched her face thoughtfully. "Rada, am I an attentive husband?"

Rada's eyes widened a little in surprise. "Of course you are! Why do you even ask?"

Scar gathered her closer, smiling with satisfaction. "I just wanted to be sure I wasn't making a claim I couldn't back up."