Edward and Elysia had been home for only a week. Al and Gloria had left, having only stayed an extra day before leaving to Resembool and they had just seen Richard off – after a too brief visit in Edward's opinion and a bitter taste still left after Erika's midnight confession - but his son was due to return for another visit and to attend Havoc and Rebecca's wedding. Lin had gone from Briggs straight back to Xing and Mustang was due back in Central that day.

Edward only spoke to the Xing Emperor briefly while he was recovering in Briggs. It was a short visit with Lin in and out of consciousness frequently but he did manage a feeble 'I'm sorry' to Edward at one point. In fact, when he thought about it, he only spoke with Mustang the one time when he and Al went to the Fuhrer regarding funding for their school.

Edward was glad he didn't have much contact with both men. He needed to get his head - and heart - straight how he really felt about the two of them and their actions. But he soon discovered he didn't resent either of them. He didn't need any apologies. They did put their lives on the line to help clean up the mess they contributed to and it wasn't like he never kept secrets from anyone… or made bad decisions that hurt those close to him. Edward understood them a little too well.

He also knew he had been easily forgiven for his own mistakes. So it wasn't a surprise to find Mustang on his doorstep, with a request to speak with Gracia and Elysia. He was leaning heavily on crutches and looking bedraggled from the train ride and quite pale, prompting Edward to wonder if the man was in pain but too stubborn to say anything. It was a nasty break and would take time for his leg to heal. But he didn't say anything as he led Mustang in, hobbling along, followed by Riza.

Edward didn't say much as he led Mustang into the sitting room then went up to bring Elysia and Gracia down, who were in Elysia's studio upstairs. Both women were taken aback when they saw Mustang waiting for them; Edward didn't tell them who had requested their presence. He made himself scarce, taking little Erika with him out to the back yard, Riza going along with him.

Neither Edward nor Riza said much except for idle chit chat about the weather and how much Erika had grown. They were too preoccupied with their own thoughts of the other three adults in the townhouse.

Edward didn't have to wonder what Mustang was saying. He wasn't known to ask for forgiveness but he would, along with revealing the truth of Hughes death.

Elysia knew every detail of her father's death. Gracia only knew what Edward had told her when he was only fifteen. There were a lot of holes to fill.

Maes Hughes wasn't only helping the Elric brothers but Mustang too when he died. Whatever dirt his investigating dug up would have been useful for Mustang to use to rise to the top; so he was all too willing to help to the point of sacrificing himself unknowingly.

They were only out in the yard for thirty minutes – Edward watching Riza entertain Erika while he stood back to have a couple of cigarettes - when he heard the back door open and shut. He turned around and saw Elysia walking towards him.

"What did he say?" Edward asked putting the cigarette out and meeting Elysia halfway.

"Nothing new for me," Elysia said looking a little shell shocked. "But it was all news for my mother. I don't know if she really understands it all, she didn't say anything until he was done and when she did all she said was she needed to be alone, then got up and left."

"How are you doing?"

"Fine."

Edward looked at her in disbelief; she clearly didn't look like she was fine.

"Compared to my mother, I'm fine," Elysia amended. "It was difficult to have to listen to the details again and..." her voice dropped to a sobbing whisper, "I never told her what you had told me about Envy. Not when I first learned who really killed my father or after we returned from Briggs. I feel like I've betrayed her."

Edward could understand that. He pulled Elysia close and hugged her. "But it wasn't for you to tell," he told her kissing the top of her head. "It was for the ones who were involved. Hughes was working to help Mustang and he accepted that help, as did I."

"I know but you didn't see the way she looked at us both, like we were strangers, that she couldn't believe we had kept this from her... he was her husband, she had every right to know more than anybody."

Edward held her tighter as her shoulders shook from crying. "You know she won't hold a grudge. She's not like that. She did after all let me marry you. She wasn't exactly thrilled with my attentions toward you in the beginning."

Edward's attempt at humor to help ease Elysia was lost on her. "Maybe not but I know I've disappointed her, I don't want her to not trust in me."

"You're being too hard on yourself. You've been around me too long."

Elysia actually laughed this time and looked up. "Maybe, but you should be able to understand then. The last thing I want is to hurt her. She's been through enough, losing a husband and raising me on her own, then finding that the man who had helped her through the years was secretly keeping the murderer of her husband alive..."

She let the words hang, unable to say anything else she sighed as her head fell against Edward's chest once again. "It was that same cold demeanor I've only seen once before, when we first started seeing each other. I hate it. I wish she would have exploded, or cried, or punched Roy."

"I would have liked that too," Edward smirked.

"He wants to talk to you now."

Edward stiffened. "Did he say what about?" He asked suspiciously.

"No. But I have a guess."

"I do too." He wiped Elysia's tears away and looked her in the eye. "Hey, don't worry too much about Gracia. It was a shock. She needs to think things through. She could never be disappointed in you, well actually I take that back," he said with a lopsided grin. "She may be disappointed in your choice of husband but not you personally. You're her daughter and she will always love you."

"Thank you," Elysia said smiling up at him.

"Well, I'm going to see what Fuhrer ass hole wants. You'll be okay?"

Elysia nodded and he left, going back into the townhouse finding Mustang sitting where he had left him earlier.

"Didn't I tell you I wouldn't be at your beck and call?" Edward asked irritably sitting opposite Mustang.

"Yes, and that's why I'm going to ask you to hand over your pocket watch I'm not tempted."

That caught Edward off guard. It wasn't exactly what he had suspected. But the watch was technically the State's property and he had resigned. He reached in his pocket and withdrew the watch. He ran his right thumb over the crest. He did join the military in order to restore his and Al's body. Mission accomplished. Finally.

He really had no need of the watch any longer. But he was still attached to it. He also promised it to Richard. He was never sentimental... until now. But there wasn't much he could do. He wasn't a State Alchemist anymore.

"However," Mustang said and Edward looked at him warily. "I am short of State Alchemists who can effectively use alchemy -"

"I knew it," Edward interrupted, gripping his watch tight, ready to throw it at Mustang's head again but kept his temper in check.

"Please, Ed," Mustang said sincerely getting a startled look from Edward at the word 'please' and his apparent genuineness. He almost felt sorry for Mustang. It was clear he was exhausted and stressed out. He had obviously been beating himself up mentally. "I would appreciate it if you stayed on as a State Alchemist only; on a consultation basis, in fact."

"What do you mean?"

"I would like you to head the yearly selection process for new State Alchemists."

"That's all? You wouldn't end up ordering me to go on some ridiculous mission?"

"Of course not," Mustang said eagerly.

"I'll think about it."

It was clear Mustang didn't like that answer. "I know I don't have a right to expect an answer now but in light of the situation, it would be extremely helpful when I give an official statement regarding the sudden loss of our main military power, that at least the Fullmetal Alchemist is still an active alchemist who can actually use alchemy."

"I said I'll think about it." Edward tried not to laugh as he watched Mustang reigning in the urge to order him to give an answer. He left the room, enjoying his newfound freedom and went back outside for Riza.

After the Fuhrer and his Chief of Security left, little Erika was put down for a nap and Edward and Elysia retreated to their sanctuaries to think; Edward to his study and Elysia to her studio.

Edward didn't think much about Mustang's request. He didn't want to. There was just a too much emotional turmoil that Mustang stirred up… once again and he wasn't in the mood to deal with now. He was surprised that he was able to set it aside and actually read - and comprehend what he had read - when he was distracted by Gracia's return. He had left the door to his study open so he could hear when Erika woke from her nap. Gracia passed by and kept going, heading for the stairs. She didn't stop until he heard her reach the top floor to Elysia's studio and go in. He had only a brief glance but he could see Gracia had been crying.

He wouldn't get involved. He could tell this was another one of those things were there wasn't anything he could do. It was between Mustang and Gracia. Maybe he had been able to forgive - or rather more willing to move on and forget - easily enough but that was him. Gracia lost her husband and came close to losing her only daughter. He didn't blame her if she never forgave Mustang.


Weddings are always a happy affair. One can forget their troubles and enjoy watching two people take the first step toward sharing their lives together.

A soon as Havoc stepped off the train, once he returned from Briggs, he had the ring out of his pocket and on Rebecca's finger. After that there was a flurry of activity over wedding plans. Both had been single long enough they didn't want to bother with a long engagement.

Edward in the meantime, was trying to avoid Mustang after his offer.

At times it was tempting - other times not so much. But during Havoc and Rebecca's wedding reception any pressure he had felt from Mustang melted away with a couple of drinks flowing through him.

He was feeling pretty good. He got what he wanted: to stand by his best friend's side. He had also worked out hard enough in order to do so without feeling the need to sit and rest and he was determined not to be a wallflower during the reception, especially since Elysia looked too good in her dress. She needed to be shown off on the dance floor and throughout the evening he kept hinting for the two of them to sneak out for a bit, while Richard kept little Erika occupied; he could hardly resist the fitted dress, that was cut low enough to tease him and her hair piled up, exposing a nice slender neck.

He also noticed Gracia's mood lightened by the happy occasion; the weeks following Mustang's visit she was very quiet and kept to her self most of the time. He questioned Elysia but she told him not to worry, her mother still needed time to herself to think. Now, he could actually see the old sparkle in Gracia's eyes.

Mustang spotted it as well and took the opportunity to ask Gracia to dance. She hesitated a moment, her smile faltering. But like a true lady she recovered and through the dance if there was any false liveliness it didn't show. She was reserved at first, polite but by the end of the dance she was herself; kindness and understanding lighting up her features. Edward watched, shaking his head wondering how Mustang managed to make people forget how upset they were with him.

Then with a fun twist and a little smirk, Gracia ended up passing Mustang over to Riza.

Riza was Rebecca's maid of honor and was quite stunning in the strapless gown she wore – which looked suspiciously like it had been picked out for a reason other than the special occasion. Mustang surely noticed once she was so blatantly thrown at him by Gracia and couldn't help but keep noticing throughout the night. And Edward noticed Mustang noticing. Soon everyone was noticing as the Fuhrer danced perhaps one too many with his Chief of Security.

The drinks really loosened his tongue that evening. "I make an excellent best man, don't you think?" Edward asked as he casually strode over to Mustang and stood beside him, Riza presently dancing with the groom.

"What?" Mustang asked looking at him startled. "Yeah, if you say so," he added looking back at the dance floor, a little distracted.

"So when's the big day?" Edward pressed.

"Big day?"

"Yeah, when are you going to make an honest woman of Riza?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Fullmetal," Mustang said in that pompous manner Edward always hated but found easy to ignore that night.

Edward grinned. "Well, I wouldn't be surprised she's knocked up now the way you two were pressed together while dancing."

Mustang blushed and actually looked embarrassed. Edward celebrated his accomplishment, of actually making the Flame Alchemist blush, with another flute of champagne he gracefully grabbed from a passing waiter's tray and a hearty slap on Mustang's back, walking away laughing.