Breda was idly playing with a lighter when Roy and Ed walked into the office. Mustang gave him a disapproving frown but didn't say anything. Breda and Ed went through some male back-patting before sitting down to catch up.

"I heard that you got a promotion."

"I did. First Lieutenant now," he remarked proudly.

"Congratulations, same rank as Hawkeye, right?"

"Mhhm. She'll probably be promoted within the year – she's too good not to be."

Ed laughed, a full and rich sound. "Yes, I suppose she is. I heard Havoc was up and about – walking – and that I missed his visit to Risembool."

Breda nodded. "You did, but he moved back here, oh, a month ago I'd say. He set up a Havoc General Store here in Central. Not doing bad at all."

"That's good – I'll have to go visit with him sometime."

They fell quiet for a few minutes – a companionable quiet however.

Breda twisted in his chair and began to work on filing documents away.

Ed interrupted him a moment later. "Where are Fuery and Falman?"

"Falman's still on loan to the North for a bit and Fuery was contracted out to another office for a few weeks. Hawkeye is on vacation."

"Vacation?"

"Yeah, I know. It's all I can do to get the Chief to work. We're so behind on paperwork with just to two of us here."

"Can I help?"

Breda was rarely startled – especially if it concerned Edward Elric – but he was so surprised he nearly dropped the paperwork he had been transferring over to the file cabinets. The old Fullmetal would have dismissed paperwork as boring and unnecessary and left someone else to do it. Al had often times written Ed's report for him when the boy was too lazy to do it himself.

"If you don't mind. There's not much to sorting them. Hawkeye's got them all labeled, so just match the labels with the papers and you'll be fine."

For the better part of two hours they sorted paper into the different files until Fuery poked his head around the door.

"I heard you were here Ed! I stopped by to see if you two wanted to grab lunch in the mess."

"That'd be nice," Ed agreed. "What time?"

"Now?" Fuery asked hopefully. "I know my breaks earlier than yours Breda, but do you think that the Brigadier-General will let you go early?"

"I can only ask."

Breda ducked into the Brigadier-General's office and a few minutes later he returned with the man following him.

"I'll be joining you for lunch. All this paperwork is starting to give me a headache."

"But all you do is sign your name!" Ed protested.

"Do not look down upon signing your name! It must be perfect –" the men let Roy continue on his rant as they sauntered down to the mess. Ed sniffed the air.

"Smells like chicken of some sort."

And indeed it was. Chicken with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy. The men dug in with gusto. All of a sudden Breda sighed. "I miss having Hawkeye, Havoc and Falman here with us. It's almost as if we're missing part of our family."

Fuery looked up and nodded. "I know what you mean. It just feels empty sometimes. Not as many bets or wagers…"

Breda laughed. "Havoc was always the one to start them…yeah, it's much more lonely now. No offense, sir."

"None taken," Mustang responded with a nod. "I do agree however. Havoc always managed to make light of dire situations."

Ed chuckled. "I'm going to visit him after this I think." He made a face at Breda. "I don't know how much more I can take of all this paper filing. Sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about, Boss. The little help you gave…well…helped."

The meal finished, Fuery returned to the other office and Ed set off on his journey to Havoc's General Store.

He gave a friendly knock and called out a hello as he entered the store. He heard a muffled curse from the back and then, "Give me a minute! I'll be right out?" As Havoc exited the back office carrying a box he asked, "How can I help you?"

"Long time no see!"

Havoc peered around the box and yelped with delight when he saw Ed. "Boss! What'cha doing here?"

"I came for a visit to Central – I already stopped by the offices earlier today, and this was next stop on the list."

"I'm glad you stopped by. It's good to see you."

Havoc put down the heavy box and planted his hands on Ed's shoulders. "Let me get a look at you!"

"You're acting like an old man," Ed told him laughingly.

"You would too, especially with how long you've been gone. You're what…eighteen now? So it's been two years."

Havoc gave him a good look up and down, starting with his feet and working his way up. For a minute Edward felt uncomfortable under the scrutiny. It felt as if all his layers were being peeled back and leaving him vulnerable.

After a few more seconds Havoc stepped back and nodded. "We need to find you a girlfriend."

Ed's eyebrows dipped in confusion. "Girlfriend?"

Havoc nodded. "Something to keep you here in Central for a bit. Can't go having you disappear for two years again."

"Not even a woman can keep me chained!"

Havoc sighed and flopped into a chair and let his arm fall over his head – an attempt at a dramatic moment, "Then what shall keep you here, young warrior?"

Ed went along, "Only the greatest, most passionate love of a man shall keep me here!"

Havoc nearly tipped his chair getting up. "That was the greatest line ever uttered by a man. How can you sound so serious?"

"…because it's true?"

Havoc paused. "T-t-true?"

Ed nodded serenely, "Very true. In actuality I came here to tell you of my undying love."

"You're in love with me?"

Ed sighed sadly, "You now know the truth. I have only one option left." With a deft movement he wrapped his hands around Havoc's neck stood up on his tiptoes brining his mouth level with Havoc's when the store door opened.

The trio froze in shock.

"I-it's not what it looks like Chief!"