April 10th, 1964

Maes was definitely starting to miss city living. With the Front moving constantly further North, it was rarer to get leave days where they had time even to drive in to North City. Sometimes that meant wandering into whatever town was closest by that wasn't under Drachman control.

Tonight he was grateful for even a few hours off. After their successful mission to destroy the supply depot nearly a month ago their unit had been busy. They had taken out two smaller munitions deposits behind enemy lines without any further loss of team members or major injuries. Maes felt a little less anxious. He hadn't messed up since. Maybe his bad luck streak was finally over.

He wandered down the street of the little village that had been a short drive into town. He had ridden in with a couple of other folks in a borrowed truck and would have to head back before too late, but it was nice to look in the store fronts as he contemplated things he thought the kids or Elena might like.

He made his way down to the military post office, which was set up in the village out of the regular post here at the moment. There was always the possibility of a letter. It took a few minutes of waiting, but he was rewarded quickly with a "Yes, I've got a letter here for Lieutenant Colonel Mustang. It arrived this afternoon. We were going to put it on the truck out to the lines in the morning."

Maes took it eagerly and looked at it as he stepped back outside. The postage was from Aerugo, but he had expected that. Elena had plenty to do down there talking them into sending soldiers and supplies northward to protect Amestris. Maes couldn't imagine Aerugo wanted Drachma on their northern border.

Stepping into the light of a corner lamp Maes opened the envelope and leaned against the lamp post to read.

Dearest Maes,

Little has changed with the government since last I wrote. They continue to be obstinate and waffle on the issues. They might make a decision in the next year at this rate, though I continue to do my part in hoping to encourage them to better expedience. While I am the least experienced diplomat here, they still seem to listen to me more than others because of my family. While this might be foolish on their part, we continue to use it to Amestris' advantage.

I received letters from the children recently, assuring me they had written to you as well, and that they had received a reply from you not too long ago. It relieves me to know they are doing well. Also, while I am not certain he has expressed this wish to you, I feel I should bring it up so that you can discuss it when you return. Roy expressed great interest in learning alchemy from you when we are all home again. I know you hoped that at least one of the children would show interest, so I am sure this will please you. If he has not mentioned it yet, I expect Roy is concerned you won't think him good enough. If not, please let me know what you have said to him on the matter.

I appreciated also your last letter, brief as it was, and am glad your missions are going well. You have always been the hero of my heart, and I know you are doing the same to make our home safe now as you did when you fought down here. I admit, I feel nostalgia roaming my old home again. I remember the hardships of that time, but also the joy of my childhood during the years I was not in Central. I miss my family greatly, but the neighbors who lived are still very kind and generous. Missus Varez has allowed me to stay at her house throughout the proceedings, and recently her great-nephew, Marco's cousin Miguel came to visit. He's very delightful. I believe you would enjoy his company. He has an excellent sense of humor; wicked really. He lives on the ocean south of Bueáire where he owns a company that sells and builds boats. When this is done, he invites the whole family, children included, to come down for a visit. Don't you think the kids would enjoy the sea? I admit it would be pleasant. Miguel has taken it upon himself to see us – by which I mean all the diplomats – are treated well and enjoy our time in Bueáire as much as possible given the circumstances. We visited many of the same places in our childhoods, and it is nice to have someone to reminisce with about old times and acquaintances. He insists on affording me the comforts of my station; an amusing gesture, but sweet none the less.

I miss you very much, and the children. It is difficult to be away. Take care of yourself and be well.

Your beloved,
Elena

Maes spent several minutes reading, then read through the letter again and again. He always did until he had it nearly memorized. Elena was proud of him. He was glad, though guilt twinged inside him. He had glossed over his reasons remaining so long out of the action. He hadn't wanted her to be embarrassed by his mistakes. Did he deserve her praise?

Who was this Miguel? Elena's ex-fiancé's cousin apparently. He was showing Elena a good time. He had a good sense of humor and seemed to remind her of him. He had invited the family to visit. Was it really just a generous invitation? Or was there something more behind spending so much time with Elena?

Maes realized he had half-crumpled the letter into pulp in his hands and flattened it out before folding it again more properly. He stuffed it in his pocket and started back down the street. What was he doing up here? More importantly, why had he let Elena go down there? Everyone knew Aerugean men couldn't be trusted…

"Are you sure I'm not a third wheel?" Tore teased as he walked along beside Cal, who had Alyse contentedly and gracefully holding on to his left arm. While they hadn't had time to get off to go down to North City, she had managed to arrange enough time off to come up closer to the front and meet them for the evening.

"Promise," Alyse chuckled. "Besides, when we get to the restaurant I'm sure Margery will be more than happy to keep you company."

That, Tore decided, was the best part. Alyse had come up with some of the other nurses and at least one was interested in meeting him and hanging out. He remembered her from North City; a good looking brunette with big eyes and a very kissable looking mouth. The rest of her had been worth a look too! "As long as you're sure," he grinned impishly.

"I'd feel lost without you," Cal sniggered. "Like my shadow had run away."

"Then aren't you lucky I'm here?" Tore enjoyed the banter. They arrived at the restaurant and went inside. Tore spotted Margery sitting at a table already. She smiled and waved when she saw them.

"Margery, you remember Tore," Alyse introduced them casually as she sat down with Cal on one side, leaving the spot by the other woman open.

Tore grinned as he sat down beside her. "Hello again. It's been a while."

"Fortunately," Margery giggled, sipping from her drink. "Any time I see you in North City you seem to be injured."

"Well I assure you, I'm completely sound now," Tore winked. "And up to any challenge." His shoulder was almost completely healed, and he had been back on duty as of their mission this past week. If he exerted himself a lot, it was sore afterwards but otherwise fine.

"I may have to take you up on that," Margery smiled mysteriously.

Or at least, it would have been mysterious if Tore wasn't familiar with that look. "I look forward to it."

Dinner was enjoyable. It had been a long time since Alyse had the luxury of sitting and socializing with people she knew and liked. She had not had much leave time since coming to the war zone. Not that she had been here that long, she reasoned. She was fresh, and her work was hardly as tiring as the doctors and trained nurses, who spent much more time handling patients when it came to serious matters.

Ethan had been more than happy to sign off on making sure Alyse got the night off, and she was determined to spend it with Cal.

Tore and Margery hit it right off and flirted shamelessly through dinner and drinks. "We should leave you two to yourselves for a bit I think," Tore finally commented, standing and giving Margery a look. "Would you care to join me for a walk?"

"I'd love to." Margery hopped up and once he helped her with her coat she practically clung to his arm.

Alyse watched them go with a suspicious feeling. "They're not really going for a walk, are they?"

"Maybe to the nearest available hotel room," Cal snickered before he had the grace to look slightly embarrassed. "I mean…"

"Just what you said," Alyse cut him off. "You don't have to try and gloss things over for me, Cal. What my foster-cousin does on his own time is none of my business. They're both adults." And, besides, in a world where death might come anytime, could she blame anyone for wanting a little human contact? She reached out and squeezed Cal's hand. "Though I appreciate the sentiment."

"Sorry," Cal smiled, abashed. "I know I don't. It's just kind of reflexive I guess. I never exactly told my mother what I got up to on missions either. I always figured it would insult her sensibilities."

"Well my sensibilities aren't insulted," Alyse replied. "And as long as you aren't getting up to anything now that we're together, I'm not personally insulted either."

She had meant to tease, but Cal's face turned ashen. "You know I wouldn't!"

"Of course I do," she patted his hand apologetically. "I'm sorry, it was meant to be a jest! I know you wouldn't cheat on me. Honest."

Cal's tense muscles relaxed. She could feel it in his arm. "More's the miracle," he smiled, leaning over and kissing her cheek. "Let them have their fun. What would you like to do with the rest of our evening?"

"Take a walk and talk? Just spend time together," Alyse suggested. Preferably someplace quiet where they could be alone.

"That, we can most definitely do," Cal smiled as he waved for the check then went to get their coats.

Alyse waited, sipping the last of her hot tea. She had no intention of dragging anyone into a hotel room for quite some time yet, but the idea of wasting a moment of time with Cal was almost physically painful lately. Somehow though, that pain was reassuring. She loved and missed Cal every moment he was gone, and every moment they were together. It was more than the excitement of just another new relationship, and she hoped the feeling would last, even when the first thrill faded; when they had to deal with the world as it was. Which, she chuckled to herself, she knew they were already doing. Cal would live through this. She refused to think otherwise. And after, when this was all done, perhaps he would be ready to take things where Alyse wanted them to go.

"Ready?" Cal returned with her coat. "There's a pretty spot not too far from here. It's a park, with trees, and a stream. The owner says the early spring flowers are blooming there."

Alyse stood and smiled as he helped her with her coat. "That sounds delightful."

April 14th, 1964

"Anything new?" Edward asked Feury as he walked into the communications office in the main command tent. For the past several days the Drachmans had been squawking on their radios about something major going down at Briggs; explosions, damage, though not much in the way of lives lost. While there weren't a lot of details, it was clear that the higher ups were pissed off. The Drachman government had, by reports, been shouting at Rehnquist and cursing his name "Their curse words are getting less creative," Feury commented with a chuckle. "I guess that happens if you shout for more than a week."

"I wouldn't know," Ed replied with a coy grin.

"Yeah, your rants never last that long," Falman agreed as he joined them. Communications was Feury's domain though. Here, with the equipment and the banks of lower ranking officers, he might as well be king.

"Seriously," Ed looked back at Feury. "Is there any word from the soldiers who went on the mission?" Is there any word about Winry and Aldon? Are they alive?

"Nothing," Feury replied apologetically. "But if they're under surveillance they may be staying silent to avoid discovery. They should be back anytime in the next couple of days if they got out. If not, and they survived, we'll get some news."

Ed's hand closed convulsively on the thick paper cup in his hand, and the lukewarm coffee in it nearly spilled over the top before he loosened his grip. "Right. Thanks. Look, just let me know when you hear anything, okay?"

"I promised yesterday," Feury reminded him patiently. "And the day before, and the one before that."

Ed had to admit he did feel a little foolish, but it wasn't like he didn't have reason to be concerned. "I know. Sorry. I'll get out of your hair."

"That's not hard these days," Feury chuckled at his own expense. His high hairline had done nothing but recede since his forties.

"Don't you have something useful to be doing?" Falman joked, looking over at Ed.

Ed shrugged. "I wish." His unit had been hopping when they first arrived back, but diminished as they had been, then the remnants of another team put together with his, had made for good distraction. This week however, his whole unit was down for a little much needed rest and recuperation. They had lost one of their new members already – alchemist death tolls were well higher than Ed liked. Fletcher had pulled a back muscle that, while hardly a critical wound, needed time to heal up, so he had been taking it easy.

Finn… well Ed was still worried about Finn's head more than anything else. He hadn't made any major mistakes or anything, but whenever they weren't on duty, Finn was more easily found at the bottom of a bottle than anywhere else. Lordes' death had hit him rougher than he would admit. Ed didn't have to ask what was wrong with his subordinate. He knew all too well what Finn was going through, and he did his best to keep an eye on him. If it came to it, he'd order Finn off the battlefield and into a doctors' office, but he hoped that Finn's depression was something he would come out of on his own. A lot of people did. Though he should talk to him again.

Ed left the tent and looked around, trying to decide where he wanted to go next. He hadn't been kidding; he really didn't have much of anything to do. Reports went to Kane, or Breda and his staff, not him. He was completely up to date on what little paperwork was involved with one individual unit. His reports were in and other than the fact that he needed a little maintenance done on his arm he was in fine fettle. He could have gotten the arm looked at, but he didn't want to admit that he was waiting for Winry. As long as his auto-mail needed repair, Winry was almost guaranteed to show up.

Ed decided to talk a stroll along the line and check out the other units. There was no shooting going on today, just glaring across the expanse between the lines. That was good. Days of rest were getting further and further in between. Keeping shipments of supplies and ammunition coming, even on their own soil, was starting to be a challenge. Even if they won, what would be left for the rest of Amestris? War's only good for the economy when it's not on your own soil.

It was the third "Fullmetal!" before Ed realize someone was shouting for him excitedly. He turned and saw Cal Fischer waving in his direction.

Ed paused and waited. "What's up, Whitewater?"

"What's up? Only the news you've been waiting for. The caravan's here! Well, it's coming," he amended. "They just spotted it from the watch towers, coming in around from the east on our side of the line. Looks like they made a pretty big detour."

Now that was news! "Well let's go." Ed took off at a jog, not caring how hurried he looked to anyone. He had to see if his family was all right!

They reached the east side of the line a few minutes ahead of the caravan, which motored in at a pace that made Ed almost crawl out of his skin with anxiety. Soon, several very battered trucks pulled up into camp and came to a halt.

Ed saw Breda huffing up to meet them a moment later, but Ed beat him to the first truck. "How'd it go?" he asked Brigadier General Larkin, who was sitting next to the first driver.

"Explosively," Larkin replied seriously before breaking out in a tired grin. He looked past Ed to Breda, but Ed didn't feel like griping about it as long as he got the information he needed. "We got out the entire underground camp save the few who died in the escape. We lost ten men all told, had six wounded."

"How badly?" Ed asked.

Larkin looked at him again with a knowing expression. "Mrs. Elric and your son are in the fourth truck, Fullmetal. He's wounded but the medic says he'll be fine in time; took a shot in the thigh pulling a buddy out of an exploding room."

Well now that was a story! Ed didn't hang around to hear the rest. He'd get the report later. Instead he headed for the fourth truck. "Winry?" he couldn't help calling out as he came around the back.

"In here," her voice sent relief through his entire body.

"Fullmetal, Sir," the soldier at the tailgate offered him a hand up into the high-backed vehicle, with a respectful nod.

Ed was in too much of a hurry to worry about the fact he was still short enough to need it. Most guys were. Half the soldiers had already gotten out, the people who remained were the injured, the doctor, and related people. Winry and Aldon were to one side, with Aldon sitting propped up against one of the side benches, clearly in the process of getting up enough to get out of the truck.

Ed headed straight to them and got under Aldon's other arm. "I hear you were playing hero," he commented with a sideways smile as he hefted his son.

Aldon chuckled. "Your positive influence of course." He looked scruffy, tired, and wobbly. He put a lot more weight on Ed's shoulders than it probably looked like.

"And here I hoped at least one of you would get your mother's good sense," Ed smiled across Aldon at Winry. "How are you doing?"

"I've been better," Aldon admitted, sounding relaxed about the whole thing. Of course, he'd had days to get past the initial rush. Ed was more impressed he wasn't restless.

A funny waft tickled his nose. "Are you drunk?" he asked incredulously.

Aldon snickered. "Not really," he replied. "That would be the only painkiller I've had this week."

"Didn't you take medics?" Ed looked over at the medical officer he knew had gone with them, who was taking care of another patient, one who hadn't moved. Ed blanched when he recognized Ollie Larson. That made the pregnant woman with the two little children his wife, Kit, and the kids.

Aldon glanced past him. "Ollie needed them more than I did," he replied by way of explanation. "His legs are in pretty bad shape."

"They'll have Ethan on his way to have a look at him soon I'm sure," Winry said as they helped Aldon hobble to the edge. Arriving medics helped them get him down and made him lie down on a wheeled gurney.

Aldon didn't argue. "Wow that feels good."

"How bad is the leg?" Ed asked, almost afraid to find out. It hadn't sounded critical from Larkin's comment, but he couldn't be entirely sure.

"It will heal up in a few weeks," Winry explained as Aldon was wheeled away towards the medical tent. "It's mostly tissue damage and it went clean through. There have been no signs of infection either."

Thank goodness. Ed smiled, relieved. "So I guess you get a little R&R before the rest of us."

"No question of that," Breda commented, joining them. He looked at Aldon. "As soon as you're fit for travel, you'll be on a train to Central; medical discharge. Good work out there. Now go home to your wife."

Aldon chuckled, wincing slightly. "Yes Sir, General Breda."

"Thanks," Ed looked at Breda.

Breda shrugged, and grinned. "Hey, at least one of us should have that chance. Excuse me, I have to go listen to about a dozen reports." He headed away again at a brisk walk.

Aldon closed his eyes. "Dad, can you call Cassie and let her know?"

"As soon as I can get to a phone," Ed promised. He suspected it was a call that would worry and relieve his daughter-in-law. Aldon was hurt, but he was alive, and he was coming home for good. "So the mission worked?"

Winry responded this time. "It did. The plan worked perfectly as far as we could tell. At least, the explosives went off and we got everyone out."

That was enough to call it a success considering, Ed felt. "Well reports coming in from listening to the Drachman frequencies are that there's been a lot of damage it's going to take them months to repair if they can. They're furious."

"Good!" Aldon grinned broadly. "We've heard nothing."

"Radio silence," Winry explained. "We had a couple of close calls coming back, or we would have contacted everyone sooner."

"I'm just glad you're back," Ed replied, refraining from stopping and grabbing Winry in a longer hug. That could wait for a more private moment when they weren't on the mood.

"Me too," Winry admitted with a smile and an expression Ed knew meant she looked forward to that hug as much as he did.

They reached the medical tent quickly enough, and the gurney with Ollie was brought in just a minute behind them, though he was wheeled off elsewhere. Aldon was parked in a quiet spot near the end of a row of injured soldiers.

"If you'll give us some time," the doctor looked at Ed and Winry, "we need to do a full examination. You can come back later."

"Of course." Winry nodded reasonably.

With that cue, Ed didn't try and argue for staying near his son. Aldon was in good hands and in no immediate danger. He followed Winry outside, and was startled when she abruptly whirled and threw her arms around his neck, half-choking him in a tight embrace. Ed put his arms more gently around her shoulders, patting her back. He couldn't help smiling. "Hey, beautiful, it's okay."

Her body quivered. "I know… I missed you."

He knew it was more than that. Ed nodded. "I love you."

Winry sniffed, then stood straight again and smiled tiredly, only one tear escaped her eyes. "Can we find someplace private? I'd like to get away from all this for a while."

"I have a tent," Ed offered apologetically. He wished it was a private room, or a palace.

Winry kissed his cheek and hugged him again. "Sounds perfect."

April 15th, 1964

A good night's sleep in Edward's arms was better balm than anything a doctor could have given her. Winry slept deeply and peacefully despite the constant activity in camp. She awoke only when she felt the chill metal of an auto-mail hand on her shoulder and Edward's quiet "wake up, honey."

Blinking things into focus, Winry rolled over and looked at her husband. "Do I have to?"

Ed smiled apologetically. "You do if you want to come to the strategic meeting Breda's having in half an hour. He's got some big news apparently."

Sleep would be nice, but sleep without Ed was less appealing. "All right, I'm coming."

Warm clothes and a quick breakfast – with a strong cup of coffee – had Winry feeling alert and ready by the time she and Ed arrived at the command tent. Inside, Breda and his full staff, Kane, and several other officers were already in evidence. No one looked twice at Winry when she came in with Ed though. They weren't the last ones in either, though after a few minutes the last man arrived.

Breda nodded. "Good, let's get started." He picked up a stick and tapped the western front. "At the present time, the Drachmans are in full retreat here. We've pulled Alchemists and soldiers off that line and they are still retreating briskly. The western line is broken and clear."

Winry noticed Ed looking pleased at that prospect. So did a few others who had been out west at any point.

"Reports from our eastern front," he tapped the area on the map where Alphonse and the others were located, "are just as positive. The Drachmans are pulling back and have suffered heavy casualties. With intelligence, it seems clear that they are also going to pull back. What this means is that they are likely going to recoup their losses, re-consolidate, and plan to make another strong push down the center here." His stick landed right on the area where they were standing.

"So what are we going to do about it?" Kane asked.

Breda smirked. "We're going to bite back. While they're still regrouping we're going t make a hard push north, aiming straight for Briggs."

Winry was almost surprised at the boldness of the move given the distance and force required, but then, it might just be time for a move like that, as opposed to one more conservative. After all, when you had the king in your sights in chess with the option of crossing half the board, didn't it make sense to put the enemy in check?