April 4th, 1963

The Amestrians held their walls-outside-the-walls for the next week and a half. The Drachmans learned quickly that traditional warfare with added alchemists was not nearly as efficient or effective as a military with fully incorporated alchemical tactics. Still, their sheer weight of numbers and the destructive capability of their alchemists as well as traditional canon were still taken its toll on Amestrian forces. Unless something changed, they would be a sea wall against a tide of Drachmans until the sea wall broke.

Alphonse watched and fought each day with an odd feeling of disquiet, irritation, and the distance he had learned to keep on the battlefield for the sake of his own sanity. There was a critical difference between this war and Aerugo; there was no doubt whatsoever in his mind that they were in the right. It was a relief in its own way. Still, it bothered him daily that they had seen only a very small number of Drachma's alchemists. Where were the rest? What were the rest of their troops doing? Where is Tamirov?

"By all reports, Tamirov is still at Briggs."

Breda's voice made him turn his focus back to the meeting at hand. The strategic meetings happened daily, usually right after the end of the fighting now, or first thing in the morning if the Drachmans did not attack at dawn. There had been two days like that so far. Even the enemy had to regroup and rethink.

"Well we knew he wasn't here," Edward smirked as they looked over the maps spread out on the table in the conference room of the building they had temporarily appropriated as their battle headquarters. It was the first floor of what had once been a small office building. It was currently abandoned. "Or we'd have seen his arrogant ass out taunting us. He's got to know we're down here from the intelligence reports."

"How much do you think they know about our alchemists?" Breda asked, looking around the room at the assembled officers.

"Well it's not difficult to get reports of what some of us do," Roy pointed out, scowling down at the map of North City's defenses with his good eye. "Not after decades of news articles and stories. Some of us are near legendary."

"Not unlike yourself, Flame?" Kane smirked.

"As if our names didn't sometimes give it away either Sky Fire," Roy shot back.

Alphonse tried to remember the last time he had used the ability that fit his other name best. It had been quite a while. "They'll have looked up everything they can on us, and a lot of that isn't classified information."

"They've got to have a pretty good idea who's here. We've sent almost every alchemist we have here already," Ed added. "The sheer variety of different abilities gives them that knowledge."

Breda sighed. "And we still don't know what they've got. Intelligence has been spotty at best. They have alchemists traveling down in our direction, but we don't know what they can do. They may be more like these; planning to bombard us out of here. Or they could have a completely different set of abilities."

"They could be better alchemists," Armstrong added quietly.

"Better than us?" Roy scoffed.

"Better than what we've seen so far," Falman chimed in. He, Feury, and Franz were in the office as well. "It would make sense that while training a large number of mediocre but effective alchemists, they might also have made use of their more experienced alchemists like Tamirov. Drachma implied during your last diplomatic initiative that there were a reasonable number of alchemists already in existence within Drachma that they wanted to get working for the government. If that's the case, than it stands to reason those are the ones training these new alchemists. It also strikes me that they are likely being held in reserve from combat themselves. They're likely spread out with the units, with the most important remaining safely at Briggs."

"If they're brave enough to even come down here," Alphonse snorted.

"Bravery aside, if-"

Kane was cut off as there was a thudding knock on the conference room door.

"What is it now," Breda sighed? "Get in here!" He barked. "It had better be important."

The 1st Lieutenant that entered looked mildly terrified. "News from intelligence, Sir." He saluted sharply, and held out an envelope.

"Oh." Breda reached out and took it. Al watched as he flipped it open and read through it. He was scowling by the end. "Dismissed, Lieutenant."

"Sir!" The man vanished even faster than he had arrived.

"What's the news?" Roy asked.

Breda set the intelligence report down on the table. "They're sending two Divisions southeast from Briggs. It looks like they're going to try and connect with the railway there and make a push while we're focused here."

"But you saw that coming," Feury blurted.

Breda smirked humorlessly. "I did. Falman; I want Eastern Command apprised of the situation immediately. Tell them to mobilize. They should be ready by now." Then he looked around the room contemplatively. "Flame, Strong Arm, True Soul; ready your units. I'll send a couple others with you, and the Eastern Command alchemists should be en route today with the rest of the Eastern soldiers."

Al nodded with the others. "When do we move out?"

"In the morning," Breda replied. Then he smirked. "They'll realize soon enough that they can't outmaneuver us."

"Not with an army run by a bunch of old foxes," Ed chuckled.

"Who are you calling old, Fullmetal?" Roy asked.

"All of us," Ed snickered.

Al grinned, though he was already starting to think about the mission ahead. This was where things got interesting. They were being split. Could they keep this up on a longer front?

"I object to that," Franz laughed.

"Oh all right, mostly old foxes," Ed amended the statement.

"He's right," Feury grinned. "We've got experience and training they don't."

"Say that on the battlefield, Feury," Roy quipped. "I don't see you out there getting shot at." He was grinning though.

"That would be a waste of my talents," Feury came back with a retort almost immediately.

"All right, all right," Breda snickered. "Enough with the banter. There's a lot to be done before tomorrow here, and now with a second battlefield in the making. You all know what to do."

"If we don't by now, it's way too late," Roy agreed.

When the meeting broke up soon after, Al's mind was still spinning with the current situation, the new turn of events, and the fact that the one enemy he wanted to face most was still hiding up at Briggs, well out of reach. But how to flush him out? By taking out the rest of his alchemists. It was the only answer Al could come up with; making it absolutely necessary for Drachma to throw their best at them; which meant not only not losing the war, but pushing the Drachmans themselves to a point of desperation.

"Hey Al," Ed fell into step beside him. "What's got you all serious? You're scowling."

Al blinked and looked over at Ed. He shrugged and smiled. "Sorry, just thinking about everything I've got to do before we leave tomorrow."

"So get it taken care of, and then let's do something," Ed suggested with a grin. "Just hang out before you go."

"Sounds good," Al replied with a weak smile. It had been too long, and despite experience, the war was hard on both of them, even when it was a straightforward fight. Besides, he didn't want to miss out any time that might be the last time he ever saw his brother.

Edward was glad Alphonse agreed to join him for drinks and pool before he left the next day. Despite being stationed in the same city, their schedules left so little free time that Ed was lucky he got to see Winry let alone Al; and he only got to see Winry because she was sleeping in the barracks with him. He wanted to spend some time with his sibling before they were separated for who knew how long.

They didn't pick the pub closest to the barracks. It was always full of the younger soldiers and any of the available younger women in town. Though Ed was beginning to suspect that the bars and restaurants might be the only places left really getting much business at the moment. The place they ended up certainly was. It was still full of soldiers, but a little further out it wasn't quite as crowded.

It was a good evening. Dinner was hot dogs slathered in chili. They went well with beer – alchemically altered in Ed's case as usual. There was an available pool table and they spend over an hour playing. They each won about half the time. "You've improved," Ed teased as he sunk a ball in the corner pocket.
"We've played enough," Al chuckled, watching him.

As Ed set up his next shot his ears caught the conversation going on behind him. He probably wouldn't have paid attention, except that he caught the word alchemists.

"It's their fault you know," a male voice said from the table behind him. "Even if they didn't do anything the Drachmans are blaming them. They've got stories. If their people have evidence we don't, why should we be protecting them too? If we threw them to the Drachmans maybe they'd leave."

"You think that would do it?" Someone else replied; also male. "Yeah they're blaming the alchemists, but it could be framing them right? A convenient excuse to invade."

The first guy snorted. "You believe that? Yeah sure, but how can we trust that they're even all on our side? Or we won't end up getting turned on?"

"Well, maybe," the second guy didn't sound completely convinced, but he caved. Neither of them sounded sober. "It's pretty bad evidence against them."

Ed paused, pretending to line up the shot so he could hear the entire conversation. He was feeling hot under the collar just listening, but he wasn't going to blow his top over it. He'd been expecting there to be conflicting opinions within the military as well. It wasn't like he could deny that he, Roy, Al, and Tore had blown up Tamirov's workshop, and without Drachman approval.

"So getting rid of them would solve this mess?"

"Sure it would."

"Shut up," a new voice entered the conversation; an angry one. "You have no idea what you're talking about?"

"Oh don't I, alchemist?" The first voice came back snide. "Why don't you enlighten me then? Why did you guys send in a force and take out that workshop?"

Sent in…. so it wasn't even attached to the diplomatic envoy anymore huh? Ed had wondered.

"We didn't send in anybody!" Another voice – another one Ed vaguely recognized as one of the younger State Alchemists – replied, just as angry.

This was about to get ugly. Ed could tell even before he heard chairs scrape behind him and the insults start. Stupid kids. He looked up at Al, who was looking past Ed's shoulder with a frown, and stood up. "Just a second."

"Ed wait-"

But of course he didn't. Ed turned and strode right in between the two alchemists standing by the bar and the – four he now saw – enlisted men getting up from their table. "Hey guys," he grinned as he got in the middle of the insults and shaking fists. "Why don't we all just settle down and relax? We're all on the same side here."

The two alchemists blinked, and paused with their mouths half-open as they recognized him, even in civvies. The enlisted – nothing ranking higher than a Sergeant if that Ed would bet – had no such foresight.

They did, however, spot the watch chain that led to Ed's pocket. "Oh yeah right. Coming to the defense of your buddies, old man?" The mouthy one sneered. He was stocky, medium built guy with short brown hair. "Or are they your kids?"

The other guys snickered.

Ed shrugged, still grinning. "No, I just don't think we should bust up this nice establishment with a private quarrel." They really didn't recognize him. This was almost amusing!

The bartender was scowling, but watching for the moment. Obviously he had figured that if anyone was going to diffuse the situation, it was Ed, though he didn't seem to recognize him just yet either.

"You're just a coward," the mouthy guy replied, moving forward until his fist was under Ed's chin. "The whole lot of you are; hiding behind walls and taking distance shots when the rest of us charge out there."

"You've obviously not been paying any attention to the battles out there," Ed replied easily. "Why don't we take this outside instead of ruining everyone else's evening? I'll even let you try and take a swing at me."

"Try and, why you-"

So much for getting them to go elsewhere, Ed thought as he ducked the guy's first swing easily and came up underneath him, sending him flying backwards into his friends with one well-placed stomach punch. "I said let's take this outside," he repeated, straightening up, his smile gone this time.

Now all four of the soldiers were glaring. The alchemists, he could tell, were still behind him at the bar, sitting back down. They knew better than to get into it with a superior in the room. They had probably recognized Al by now too. "You'll be sorry, old man." The mouthy guy stood up again and charged, this time with all three of his friends behind him!

It wasn't much of a fight in retrospect. Ed didn't even work up a sweat as he took the mouthy guy to the ground hard enough to daze him, send the second guy careening gut-first into a bar stool, cup-checked the third with his foot as he dropped to the ground then hefted the fourth guy on his way back up, spinning him in the air and dropping him right back on the table he'd just been sitting at hard enough to knock the air out of them.

By the time the first one started to get up, Ed was more than ready for a second round of takedowns. Then a third, and a fourth. By the fifth only two of them dared to move, and one was unconscious. By the sixth attempt only the mouthy one was still angry enough to try going after him. Finally, Ed grabbed his pool cue, bringing it around so fast that the soldier ran himself into it as it came around, shoving all the air right out of his lungs as he doubled over, gasped, and slumped to the floor. "What the hell…."

"Not that any State Alchemist couldn't do that," Ed commented as he stood over them. Not a single chair or glass in the bar was out of place or broken. The bartender looked stunned. The rest of the room looked thrilled. Ed could hear money rustling; changing hands no doubt. "But the next time a superior officer makes a suggestion I recommend you follow it."

Horror crossed the kid's face as he looked up at Ed blearily. "Su-superior…."

Now the alchemists at the bar chuckled. "They didn't know who you were, Fullmetal, Sir."

"I figured that out, Major," Ed replied, his smile returning, though it wasn't friendly. "Or they wouldn't have been mouthing off about a mission they know nothing about. The one I was on. If you want to know what happened, gentlemen, all you had to do was ask." He looked back down at the soldier. His buddies were groaning and looking his direction, but none dared move. The room had gone quiet. "But no, you choose to believe the enemy; to even give them credence. Don't you think that's what they want; dissention in our ranks? Divide us, traditional soldiers versus alchemists? Just like Drachma? We're better than that. Besides that, this is the military. You don't get to know every piece of information that comes out of every mission anyone's sent on. Not without rank and clearance. You knew that when you signed on. If you don't believe in your orders than what the hell are you doing in the military?"

The last was a rhetorical question, and none of the guys answered it. In truth, they all looked flummoxed; especially the ringleader. Y-yes Fullmetal… Sir," he finally answered.

"Good," Ed nodded sharply once. "Then I want your names, ranks, and ID numbers. After that, I want all four of you back to the barracks immediately." He looked up at the two alchemists. "Consider yourselves warned; I don't want to see you getting involved in anything."

"Yes, Sir."

April 5th, 1963

Edward wasn't even remotely surprised when he reported to Breda and Kane the next morning to find he had been summoned specifically in regards to the previous night's altercation.

Breda shook his head. "Ed, I can't believe you got in a bar fight!"

Ed shrugged, grinning. "Technically; More like I tried to defuse a bar fight."

"By knocking the guys out," Kane pointed out.

"They were attempting to beat me senseless. They got off lightly."

Now both Breda and Kane looked amused. "You reported them to their commanding officers after beating them up," Breda continued.

Ed smirked. "They're alive aren't they?"

At that, Kane just shook his head. "You know Al didn't even report this? You could have just walked away scot free."

"If he hadn't left reports on our desks last night," Breda snorted.

Ed shrugged. "If you feel I should be chastised for last night go ahead. I saw what happened, got involved, and handled the situation. As for Al, well I suppose he'd rather forget he ever saw me get in a bar fight."

"It just amazes me the things you do while stone-cold sober," Breda sighed, shaking his head.

"You're not the only one," Kane laughed. "But still, turning them in after beating them up; you're a heartless bastard sometimes, Fullmetal."

"Is that a problem, Sky Fire?" Ed asked with one eyebrow arched.

"Of course not," Kane snickered. "This is the military."

April 17th, 1963

"Leave at last!" Cal Fischer was grinning from ear to ear as he and Tore strolled out of the barracks into the falling darkness in civvies.

Tore grinned, wishing he felt as celebratory as Fischer looked. He supposed there was reason to do so. The bombardment outside the walls had ended early today, the Drachmans pulling back a couple of hours after midday. On top of that, Fines had informed them that their unit had leave tomorrow. Combat or no, they had the day off to do what they wanted. That meant that about all they could do was see what was left open in North City, but it was better than fighting.

Not fighting, now that was something to celebrate. A day free of slaughter, death, and the screams of the dying. The wall hadn't broken through again where they were, but several times the Amestrians had forayed out beyond the walls to press the Drachmans into pulling back, and on a handful of those, it had been their unit – with other alchemists – who had gone out with them. Tore had not enjoyed it. He hadn't fallen apart again though; not the way he had after the first battle. He was learning to keep a mental distance, to not think too much on what was going on and just act, do his duty, and survive. His nerves were a wreck afterwards, but he was holding his own. He tried not to think about what it meant that he was getting used to the battlefield. After all, Fischer was, Fullmetal, True Soul, and the more experienced alchemists seemed no different here than they did at home other than being more serious.

It was rough, but he was dealing. He desperately wanted a drink by the end of the day, but that wasn't something he could rely on. After all, drinking on duty was frowned upon. No one looked at him twice though if he bummed a cigarette off Cal, or one of the soldiers at the end of a fight. The taste was foul, but the effects were enough to get him feeling more collected and calm. "So, what do you want to do tonight?" He asked Cal with a sideways glance.

There was a mischievous look in the Whitewater Alchemist's eye when he tossed an arm jovially about Tore's shoulder. "I think we should get drunk and hit on girls. What do you say?"

Tore couldn't help laughing, even if it was regretfully. "Sounds like a blast, but where in town are they gonna let me get a drink?"

"Anywhere you want, buddy," Cal snickered. "Don't you check the calendar? Today's the seventeenth."

Tore stopped dead on his feet for a moment. He was eighteen… today. "Wait a second, how did you know today was my birthday?"

"You said it was soon, so I asked Twilight," Cal replied, looking even smugger. "So what do you say? Let's hit a bar, have a few drinks, and see if we can hook up with some pretty local women? I've seen a few around. Drinks are on me."

"Well then you bet," Tore agreed immediately. As if he'd turn down a free drink!

It didn't take them long to find the closest drinking establishment. There was a pub three streets down from the North City barracks, into which the Alchemists had been given priority sleeping space. Preferable over tenting it in this weather for sure. They had already heard that the pub had good drinks and was being frequented by most of the remaining locals brave enough to venture near the walls.

Tore refused to admit that he had been waiting for this day for almost two years. He kept his cool and tried to look relaxed as they headed inside and sat down at the bar. Still, it was nice to be able to order a beer again.

"That's all you want?" Cal asked as he ordered a whisky on the rocks.

"To start," Tore pointed out slyly. "It's been a while. I'd rather not remember this as one of my more unpleasant birthdays later."

"A wiser man than myself," Cal replied, clearly amused. "I think I was hung-over for two days after I turned eighteen."

"Must've been something, but I'm really not interested in trying that again anytime soon." Tore commented as the bartender set a beer down in front of him and grinned.

She was a pretty good looking woman, given she had to be at least forty-five. Dark blond hair was pulled up in a loose twist, and hazel eyes looked amused. "There you go cutie. And you, handsome," she winked at Cal as she poured his drink.

Tore took a sip, enjoying the smooth taste as it went down. It wasn't an epic, world-changing moment, but it was enjoyable none the less. Unsurprisingly, the place was full of off-duty soldiers. There were pool tables. A few guys in a corner were playing cards over drinks. And yes…yes… there were quite a lot of pretty women.

Around the second round of drinks Cal nudged him with his elbow. "Hey, check out the blond over there."

Tore turned. There was a bright blond with blue eyes in a tight red top and a black miniskirt over by one of the pool tables, playing with a couple of other girls, and a couple of soldiers. "She's a looker," he commented, pretty sure he knew why Cal had pointed her out.

"Yeah well, in about twenty minutes she'll be my looker," Cal grinned, set down his drink, and stood. "Time me if you like."

"I think I'll just watch," Tore replied, curious to watch Cal at work. He'd heard a lot about Fischer's exploits. Girls loved him. Well, maybe he could pick up a few tips. Tore finished his beer as he watched Cal saunter over and start chatting up the blond between rounds of pool. She seemed cool at first, but within about a minute and a half she was already openly warming up to him. To the annoyance of a couple of the other guys, Tore noticed. Maybe they noticed the watch chain in his pocket though, because none of them tried getting pushy. All enlisted men probably; and that meant they were lower ranking even if they didn't know who Cal was specifically.

After about ten minutes though, Tore got bored watching Cal flirt. He turned around and ordered another drink and tried to decide what else he wanted to do tonight, or if there was a girl he'd like to make a move on. Obviously he wasn't looking for anything serious, but he hadn't had a date since before leaving Central, and he really wouldn't mind one!

"You're looking a bit glum," the bartender smiled kindly. "Rough day?"

"Rough war," Tore replied with a smile in return.

"Well it is that I suppose," she chuckled gently, her expression saddening for a moment before recovering. "Well I for one am grateful to do what I can to help you boys, even if it is just offering a place to relax."

"Well we appreciate it," Tore assured her. He sure did.

As she moved on down the bar to deal with another customer, Tore felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned to find Cal standing there, the blond on his arm. There was a curly haired brunette with green eyes next to them in a skin-tight black top and a green miniskirt. "Tore, this is Tina and her friend Angela."

"Hey good looking," Angela –the brunette- winked at him. "You didn't lie, Cal. Your friend's dreamy."

Tore really hoped he wasn't blushing. He chuckled instead. "Thanks for the compliment, beautiful."

"Tina told me I was all hers for the evening if I had a friend for her friend," Cal winked. "I was sure you'd be acceptable."

"More than," Angela grinned, dropping down next to Tore. "Though why hang out here? I've got drinks at my place."

"Oh, sure," Tore was really glad it was dark when he saw the suggestive glint in her eyes.

Cal tossed the rest of the money and tip on the counter. "Thanks for the drinks, Kala," he smiled at the bartender. "See you again soon. Count on it."

"Oh I will," Kala picked up the money, grinning. "Have a good night boys."

As Cal moved past he gave Tore a slap of a handshake. "See you tomorrow, buddy. Happy Birthday."

There was something in his palm, Tore realized as Cal moved away. Fortunately Angela was putting on her coat as he glanced down at the small packages Cal had apparently palmed. Now he was blushing! Does he really think I'll need more than one?

He pocketed the packages as Angela turned around and smiled, taking his arm. "So, are you ready for a good time?"

Tore swallowed and grinned as he let her lead him out of the bar. "You bet."

April 18th, 1963

Why did mornings have to come so soon? Oh…right. So a guy could enjoy moments like this. Tore opened his eyes just a crack. He was lying on his back, under the covers in a bed he'd never been in before. All he could see with his head turned to his right like that was the mass of brunette curls attached to the woman asleep beside him.

The woman who had spent hours last night completely redefining Tore's entire existence. His one brief experience with Lilah way back didn't even begin to cover the mind-blowing reality of the real thing. After the last month, it was like the ultimate relief. For a few hours he had completely forgotten about the war, about his problems, about… everything, but Angela.

He was exhausted, but he could not remember the last time he had been so relaxed. With a sigh of contentment he stretched and relaxed again. Today was a day off. He didn't have to move until he felt like it.

Or until Angela provoked him to it. A moment later he felt a finger slide slowly up his side, and he shuddered with pleasure. "Good morning," she purred in his ear, eyes opening. "Sleep well?"

"Very," he admitted. There was nothing left in him to feel awkward. That had passed last night, after the first sexual encounter. Apparently girls had more stamina than men, though Tore had found himself incapable of passing down the opportunity to try and keep up! It had only been a half an hour of conversation before Angela had dragged him into her bedroom.

"Your friend said you were green," Angela giggled, sitting up a little on one elbow, her hand tracing along his collar bones next. "But that's pretty hard to believe. You're such a natural."

He…"Cal told you what?!" He had told her Tore was a virgin? Well not anymore.

"Hey, easy there, Sugar," Angela chuckled. It was almost always a slightly sultry sound he noticed, though he was fairly sure she wasn't over twenty herself. "It's a compliment. And he didn't say it in so many words, he just implied you could use some relaxing and needed a good time. Though he told me not to break you," she added, leaning over him, her lips millimeters from his. "I didn't… break you did I?"

All he could see was her eyes, nose, and lips. "No…" he replied, mouth going dry again. He swallowed. "Not at all."

"Good." She kissed him softly, slowly. "Because that was more fun than I've had in months. You really are a natural you know."

"What does that mean exactly?" Tore asked as he pulled her closer.

Angela grinned and shrugged. "Just what it sounds like. You seem to be in tune with what I want, and you just try and give it, without worrying about what you get out of it."

"Well what I got out of it was pretty incredible," Tore admitted with a short laugh. His cheeks felt warm.

"That's not even half of what I can do you know," Angela replied coyly. "I just didn't want to get in trouble with your friend. He seems to care what happens to you."

"We're in the same unit," Tore replied by way of explanation.

"He mentioned," she was still smiling. In the morning light, she was less seductively alluring perhaps; but Tore thought she was actually prettier in natural light. "Still, I think I'd have had to go after you even if he hadn't come over and hit on Tina."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, you caught my eye," she let her hand stop wandering and it rested on his chest. "I've been pretty lonely since my boyfriend died last year."

She what? Tore swallowed. "I'm sorry to hear that I… you know I'm not going to be here forever right?" He hadn't even thought to ask what she wanted out of this other than sex. What if she was expecting more?

"Relax," she just smiled and shrugged. "I know. All I wanted was a little company with a nice guy. You're definitely good for both. You're an alchemist, and this is a war. It's…scary. But if I was looking for forever I wouldn't be after one of you boys," she kissed him again.

Thank goodness. Tore felt a twinge of guilt for being grateful that she only wanted him for sex and conversation. That's all he'd wanted last night right? Well…once he got into it. "Good. I… I wouldn't want to lead you on or…anything."

"You really are sweet," Angela winked at him. "I could use a little more sugar while you're here. Are you game?"

"I…I'd love to but…" He was rather out of something critical.

Angela giggled again. "That's all right. This is my place, and I'm always prepared for guests."

"Then I guess I have no choice but to accept your hospitality," Tore grinned back, his confidence coming to the front instead. For a little while longer he would put the war away, and spend his day of freedom just living and enjoying this new experience.