Gale managed to stay with Ed the entire night, making sure that the werewolf slept easy. He slowly got up, wiping his face with his hands and gently nudging Ed. "Ed... It's time to go see who's got custody of you." Gale tried to sound cheery, but the only person who had offered to take Ed in was Kimblee. Gale hated that man. He was terrible, by everyone's report, and would probably put poor Ed in another cage.
"I don't want to see anyone but my dad," Ed replied gruffly.
"Maybe you can see him before you leave... I'll see if we can't visit his workplace," Gale replied. It was Ed's first day of freedom, and probably his last. It was the least he could do.
"I can see him at work?" Ed asked, instantly cheering up and looking at Gale ecstatically.
"Let me just get permission," Gale replied, getting up and heading to the phone. He dialed the main office number.
It was a few rings before General Mustang picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"General Mustang, it's Gale, sir. I called to ask permission to take Ed to your workplace, sir."
There was a long pause. "I'd love to have him in. Everyone will be glad to see him. It's been a long time." The General sounded almost happy. "Besides, he's going to be staying with me for a while. I won't let Kimblee have custody of him."
"Alright. I'll bring him right over," Gale replied, hanging up the phone. "Ed, get dressed. We're going to see your dad." Ed beamed, jumping up and happily grabbing his robe. Gale frowned. "Hold on. We're not going to visit him in that." Gale left, finding a spare uniform that was about Ed's size, then helped him put it on.
"It's uncomfortable..." Ed mumbled.
"You'll get used to it. It's like the clothes your dad and I wear," Gale said, trying to reassure his new friend. It was almost scary how close Gale had become to Ed. One night, and they had become like brothers.
Gently taking Ed's hand, Gale led him out of the labs and into the sun; the sun Ed hadn't seen for a long time...