April 21st, 1964

Leg pain aside, Aldon was in increasingly good spirits as the train neared Central. By the time it arrived he was almost giddy with anticipation. That might also have been pain medication which, after getting to North City, had been almost forced upon him during his first examination, and then every twelve hours there-after by medics and nurses. Coupled with being forced to lie still for hours at a time in order to allow his body to rest and mend, Aldon was getting a little twitchy for action too. Crutching up and down the train car a couple of times a day just wasn't good enough.

At least by the time they hit Central Station he was allowed to move around some by himself, though he would be on the crutches for a couple more weeks to keep weight off his leg. What had him most anxious was Cassie's promise – relayed by his father – that she would be waiting for him in Central.

It had been over a year since Aldon had seen his wife. They had talked on the phone maybe twice, despite dozens of letters. Today, he would hold Cassie in his arms. If it weren't for the bandages on his upper thigh, he would have planned on doing a good bit more as well.

He spotted them from the train window almost as soon as they stopped at the platform; Cassie and all five of the boys, waiting eagerly. In that moment, all of Aldon's patience fled. The medic chastised him as he hobbled to the exit and barely allowed them to help him down to the platform.

Aldon had dreamed of this moment for months, but instead of rushing into Cassie's arms, she rushed into his. Her arms were around his neck in seconds, and her lips send a jolt of near-electricity through his body like he couldn't believe. How had he ever even begun to forget just how amazing and alive and gorgeous his wife was?
His arms unavailable thanks to the stupid crutches, Aldon contented himself with leaning into the kiss until Cassie decided to let it end. Green eyes sparkled as she beamed up at him, teary but relieved and happy. "Thank goodness you're safe." Then she kissed him again, briefly, and again on the cheek, and then one more time on the lips for good measure.

Aldon couldn't help a laugh. "Oh my darling, I've missed you."

"Darling…" Cassie giggled. "You really have missed me." Her grip on him loosened just a little as the boys joined them and insisted on getting their own hugs in. In moments Aldon was mobbed by his sons. It was a great feeling. Coran and Reichart had both sprouted into young men, and Uray and Ian – different as night and day it seemed – had sprouted up taller. Urey looked to be about ready for another spurt again. Little Edward, a baby when he left, was now a rambunctious toddler.

"Of course I've missed you," Aldon smiled, getting a good look at his wife for the first time in far too long. "I've missed all of you! I… wow." The image sunk in as he noticed… she was not quite the same as when he left. Her hair was still relatively long, but it was styled and layered just a bit more. The clothes looked new and…

"You look…."

"You can say it, promise," Cassie giggled, her cheeks blushing rosily.

Permission was good. "You've lost weight."

"Mom made us swear not to write you a word," Coran chuckled. "She said it was a surprise."

"Well I think it's a great one," Aldon laughed, far from displeased. Not that he'd had any problem with Cassie's looks at any point, but she had been discontented, he knew, with what having five boys had done to her once dance-trim form. She had managed, somehow, to recover that slim waist he remembered from at least three or four children ago, and the more rounded elements of her figure were firmer, but certainly curvier than when they got married. She had been near-on a twig then. Now… "You look amazing!"

"Well I worked out long enough for it," Cassie replied, clearly delighted by his response. She waded in through their children to hug him again. "We're staying at your folks' place with Lia. She's waiting with the car whenever we can have you." She glanced past him meaningfully to the male nurse standing behind them.

"He'll need to check in with Doctor Gray weekly," the nurse replied, "but other than that he's been discharged from hospital care. Orders are to report to the doctor today as well."

Cassie beamed and the boys cheered. "Great. Then let's get you out of here. We can swing by the hospital on the way home and get that done." She glanced past Aldon as if to make sure that was all right.

Aldon was glad when the nurse nodded and headed off to get other patients. He would much rather spend the rest of the day in the company of his family! "Let's get out of here."

"I'll have Lia bring the car around front," Cassie kissed him on the cheek, her hand lingering momentarily on his chest, clearly reluctant to leave him again.

"I'll help Dad," Coran offered.

"Great. Come on then," she herded little Edward, Ian, and Urey ahead of her, leaving Coran and Reichart with their father.

Coran picked up Aldon's duffel and slung it easily over his shoulders, then followed as Aldon crutched his way slowly down the platform toward the car. Reichart fell in on Aldon's other side. "Does it hurt much?" Reichart spoke first, the twelve-year old looking with some curiosity at Aldon's crutches.

"Not too bad," Aldon replied with a reassuring smile. "But I don't recommend getting shot if you can ever avoid it."

"Sounds good to me," Coran quipped, though Aldon noticed conflicting emotions playing across the face of his nearly-fourteen year old son. They were not boyish expressions either. Even without going to the war, his oldest son had done what most of the family seemed to do, and grown up earlier than most. "I'm just glad you came back."

"Me too," Aldon said. "Though it's a nice surprise to see all of you here." He hadn't been sure if Cassie would meet him with just the youngest and leave the rest with a friend in Resembool so they wouldn't miss school, or what. His father hadn't had that information.

"Mom figured we wouldn't miss much coming up early," Coran explained. "We were going to visit Central for the summer anyway. And I can make sure no one missed anything important anyway."

"That's true." They reached the entrance to the station and waited. There was a line of cars. Aldon could see his father's car, with Lia and Cassie inside – the younger kids in back – waiting for others to pull out. "Your mom said you've been a big help this year. Both of you have," he grinned at Reichart.

Coran looked a little embarrassed, but Reichart beamed proudly. "There was a lot to do, Dad."

"I'm sure there was." Aldon leaned on his left crutch long enough to ruffle Reichart's hair with one hand. His son grinned broadly as he did so.

Coran's expression remained more reserved. "Grandpa didn't tell us the whole story," he commented after a minute. "Will you?"

"When we get back to the house I'll tell you the whole thing," Aldon promised. "Now that it's over, it makes for a pretty exciting story." True and goodly over; his part in the war was done. There was more to do, but Aldon could stay with his family now, content that he had contributed all that he could and also kept his promise to his wife and children. He had come home alive and whole, if battered.

April 22nd, 1964

Another day, another letter; Maes wasn't sure if the last one had been delayed, or this one had come more quickly. Elena had not put dates on her last two letters, but the newest one had not assuaged his concerns over the last one. Negotiations had taken a one week recess while Aerugo celebrated their spring festival holiday, and Elena had gone to the seaside with the other Amestrian ambassadors and Miguel. It was full of happy little anecdotes and little finds; presents she thought the children would love, and how much she missed them all. How they would love the beaches, the warmth. There was a party on the beach almost every night during the festival.
And there was Miguel. Every time his name appeared in ink Maes wanted to rip him to shreds.

Or at least, that was how he felt most of the time. At the moment, Maes was feeling a little mellower on the subject. If Elena felt like telling him all about her enjoying time with another man, why should he take offense? It seemed like an implicit invitation to relax and enjoy himself. At least, that was what the logical voices in his head told him after the third tequila. Or was it fourth?

Time to head back, Mustang. There's plenty to do tomorrow. Maes tipped the bartender and left, preparing to make the short walk outside of the small town they were most lately camped outside of back to the tents. The cool, damp air felt good on his face. It was too cold to remind him of Aerugo, but the stars above tonight, the moisture in the air, were close enough. He'd picked tonight's drink in honor of his wife.

Hell, he was hallucinating her now; walking in the lamplight across the small street he was about to cross. No, wait… that was a real woman. She was looking at him, with a bemused smile. It wasn't Elena though. "Hi Eileen," Maes couldn't help smiling as she came up to him. "What are you doing all the way out here?"

"Delivering something for a friend," Eileen replied with a small shrug. "Hello again, State Alchemist." The last was said with a slight smile. "Still lonely?"

"Not now," Maes chuckled, smiling at her. She was pretty, with the thick dark hair, full lips, eyes glinting in the lamp light. Fair, smooth skin. "I was a minute ago."

The brief look of surprise in her eyes was not the reaction Maes had expected. "Cute," she smiled, relaxing again. "You had me going."

"I meant it." Maes stepped in a little closer, looking into the depth of her eyes. They were warm, open. They widened a little when he put a hand to her cheek. "You were interested in North City. Are you still?"

Wide eyes turned to angry slits. "You're married."

"You look a little like her," Maes admitted, "But prettier." He tried to kiss those tempting lips.

A hand landed firmly on his chest. "And I think you've had too much to drink. I want no part of this, Lieutenant Colonel…."

"Mustang," he supplied, realizing he'd never mentioned it. "Maes Mustang."

Her eyes widened almost incomprehensibly. "Mustang… like, Roy Mustang?"

Great, his father preceded him again. "Yes, I'm that Maes Mustang," he sighed.

"Go back to your camp and sleep this off," she pulled away angrily. "I want no part of helping a man cheat on his wife."

Maes tried to catch her hand. "Eileen! Please wait… it's not like that."

"It's not." She paused, glancing back over her shoulder skeptically. "You're married, right?"

"Well, yes."

"You love her?"

"…Yes."

Eileen shook her head. "You're drunk. You smell like an Aerugean cantina. Go back to your tent and don't talk to any women. You'll regret it tomorrow."

Would he? Half of him screamed yes, but the other wasn't so sure. "So… that's a no."

"Oh dear god why do I get to deal with the dumb ones?" he thought he heard her mutter as she covered her face with one hand for a moment. "You're correct. That's a definite no. Good night, Mustang." She walked on down the street at a brisk pace and didn't look back.

Maes stared after her until she vanished around a corner two blocks up. It was only when she was gone that what he had just done began to sink into his sodden brain. What the heck is wrong with me?

April 25th, 1964

"Welcome back to civilization…sort of," Edward laughed when Alphonse climbed out of the truck, followed by Roy, Riza, and Armstrong.

"Somebody find me the strongest cup of coffee you've got," Roy snorted, though he smiled anyway. "Then I'll feel welcome."

"Anything we have is in the Mess, as usual," Breda chuckled. "Things are lean all over."

Ed turned his attention to only his brother as Al approached him. His brother looked, for all intensive purposes, about the same as they last time he had seen him, months ago. Other than needed a hair trim he was near identical really… except for the eyes. They looked even more serious than usual and sharp as he looked around. Though the brief hug with which he greeted Ed included an enthusiastic grin. "Hey, Ed."

Ed hugged him back, then grinned. "Hey, Al. How was the East?"

"About as much fun as the West from what I hear," Al snickered. Together, they turned and headed towards the rest of camp. "I'm glad it's lunch time. I'm starved."

Ed had to lengthen his stride a little more than he remembered to keep pace with Al. His brother moved with an efficiency of purpose that seemed motivated only by the goal of reaching the Mess. "I bet," he replied. Now seemed like a pretty decent time to try and fill Al in on the news he was missing. He knew – from Ethan and Will – that Alyse hadn't quite dared mention her relationship to Al. It wasn't exactly a secret, but it was going to be better if Al knew, because he was going to see soon enough. Alyse and Ethan had been transferred to the front instead of North City, now that the army was preparing to push for Briggs, and in their off moments Alyse and Cal had quickly become inseparable.

"What's Alyse doing here?"

Too late. Ed spotted his niece and the Whitewater Alchemist walking into the Mess together. "She's been helping out as a nurse, working with Ethan mostly."

"I knew that," Al replied, slowing up a moment. "I just mean what's she doing up here?"

In the war zone; where they were all likely to get shot at no matter how careful they were. "They've been assigned to our division," he said, waiting for his brother to explode.

Al stopped walking entirely. His expression had gone blankly unreadable. Not a good sign. "And she's holding hands with Whitewater…."

Ed sighed. "Because they're seeing each other."

"Just what do you mean by seeing?" There was a dangerous note in Al's voice.

"They're dating," Ed clarified, though he felt it unnecessary.

There might as well have been thunderclouds as dark as Al's expression became. "After what happened last time…. She's seeing him?"

Not good! Ed put a hand on his brother's arm. "Hold up a minute, Al. What's wrong with Fischer?" He asked the question straight out.

Al stared at him as if he had gone crazy. "He's a womanizer and a party animal."

"He's no worse than Havoc or Breda was when they were single," Ed felt the need to point out. Except where Alyse was concerned, Al had never once made a comment or complaint about Cal Fischer's choice of lifestyle. "Even if you don't like his habits, he's hardly a bad guy and those are Alyse's issues to be concerned with, not yours."

"I'm not sure I'd have let Breda or Havoc date her either," Al replied with a surly shake of his head.

"Stubborn," Ed snorted. "They're good friends and good people. Cal's had it rough; losing a leg, going through auto-mail rehabilitation, and his mother died while we were out West."

Al winced at that, but at least now he looked a little more thoughtful, if still displeased.

Ed pushed on. "Yeah he's a little rough, but he's no worse than any other guy and it's obvious that he's in love with her. What are you going to do? It's not like she'd listen to you anyway. Get over it and be grateful that she's found someone who treats her well."

"He does?" Al asked cautiously.

Ed nodded. "Like royalty." If there was one thing he could say for the kid, it was that he did know how to treat a lady. "He hasn't looked at another woman in months – even before they got together," he felt the need to add. "I've been keeping a close eye on them," he admitted.

"Well there's that at least." Al looked mollified. "I just don't know about this."

"Hey, everyone's allowed to worry about their little girl," Ed smiled. "But you've got to remember, Alyse broke up with him last time, not the other way around, and even then he saved her from those thugs."

"True."

"Do your daughter a favor then, and don't chase him off."

Al shook his head. "You know, Ed, sometimes you're a real hypocrite."

Ed blinked, then shrugged. No, he hadn't exactly been fair to Franz at some points. "Everybody makes mistakes. I'm just saying, there are plenty of worse guys out there she could have fallen for than Fischer."

Al said nothing for several seconds. Then he sighed. "You have a point."

"Only one?" Ed quipped.

Al glowered at him. Then his expression softened. "I just don't want to see her get hurt again."

"None of us do," Ed smiled. "Promise you're not going to rip his head off?"

"At least not today," Al replied. At least he meant it.

"Good, then let's eat." Ed moved forward again, reassured that things weren't going to explode just yet. "You're not the only one who's hungry."

When Edward recounted the conversation to Winry later that afternoon in camp, she gave him a bemused look. "I'm surprised to hear you stand up for Cal and Alyse."

Ed looked up at her, leaving off cleaning his boots for a minute. "Why shouldn't I? I meant what I said," Ed replied, as he watched Cal and Sara sitting and talking quietly on the other side of camp. His brow creased slightly.

"What's wrong, Ed?"

"I know Sara got over being angry with that guy a while ago, but it's still weird to see them on good terms." She had been reasonably antagonistic with Cal years ago, and still not too thrilled with him after Aerugo. It wasn't hatred, but it seemed to swing between toleration and disgust. Or it had. Now they seemed relatively friendly. A good thing, he supposed, given the latest turn of events. Still, it took some getting used to.

Winry's eyes looked in the same direction. "You don't like it?"

Ed shook his head. "I'm just not sure I understand why she was so antagonistic towards him in the first place."

"You really are oblivious, Edward."

That was not the comment he had expected. Ed looked over at her. She had gone back to mending a raveled seam on one of his uniforms. "Okay what did I miss?"

Winry shook her head. "I promised Sara not to tell, but if you actually apply logic to the situation I suspect you'll figure it out."

Ed hated it when Winry was cryptic, especially about one of their children's personal secrets. But then, that's what they were. Sara's anger at Cal had seemed the worst when it involved the rather open dislike between Cal and Maes that had been blatantly obvious to any alchemist in the military. When Cal had helped save Maes from court-martial that seemed to be the end of it.

That was as far as he could get on that train of thought. So, what about Sara's thoughts on Cal and Alyse? He knew Sara hadn't been happy about them going out a few years back, but now she seemed a lot more supportive of the idea; or at least she was staying out of it. She cared about Alyse, but the two had never been particularly close. They were so different. Why would Sara involve herself that much in her cousin's personal life over Cal specifically? She never had with Alyse's other boyfriends.

Boyfriends; Ed's mind made a logic leap that left him shaking his head. No, no way. His mind flashed to the conversation he'd had with her a few years ago, when Sara was first pregnant with Trisha and upset about it. She'd told him straight out that Franz was not her first lover, but she had refused to say anything else about the subject because it had already been a long time before. "Wait… you're not telling me they were involved?" His head jerked around and he stared at Winry.

Winry shrugged, but a small smile played on her lips and he knew he was right. "It took you long enough to figure that out, Ed. I did quite some time ago, but you know how she hates to disappoint you. I think she was probably more worried you'd take it out on Cal."

"I probably would have," Ed replied, surprising himself that he did not feel the urge to do so now. It was so long ago that it really was past history. "Wow."

"If you say a word to her about knowing…"

"I won't," Ed cut Winry off. "It's irrelevant now." He didn't have to like it, but he couldn't say anything. He didn't have the right. If it happened before she got together with Franz than what did it matter?

"You still stand by what you said about Cal earlier?"

Ed had to think about that one for a moment, but he nodded. "Yeah, I do. Just please don't make me think about this too much or I might change my mind."

"All right," Winry chuckled, leaning over and kissing his cheek. "Just remember, I'm proud of you."

Ed almost asked what for, but decided it was a question that didn't really need asking. Her expression said it all.

May 1st, 1964

"How's that feel?" Ethan asked as he sat back away from his patient, sweating slightly from a reasonably long transmutation session. He had been driving back and forth between the front and North City just for these treatments.

Lying on the bed, Ollie Larson looked uncomfortable, but not in agony. "Weird," he admitted, "but not as agonizing."

"Good," Ethan nodded, taking the glass of water one of the nurses offered. "That's the last time I'll be able to come down here before the army marches again tomorrow." He had been doing his best to correct and encourage whatever proper healing could be done with Ollie's splintered legs. Dozens of breaks and splits had been effectively reconnected with alchemy; guided carefully so that they would stay inside his skin and heal back they way they were supposed to. The muscles were connected again where they had separated. It was still going to take months of healing and then therapy before he would be able to use them. "The legs should heal up just fine now."

"What about the foot?" Kit asked from the other side of the bed, where she had been lurking with a worried expression.

"I can't feel it," Ollie replied.

"Then I did my job right." Not that it felt very satisfactory. Ethan drained the glass of water. "They'll still give you a painkiller, but you shouldn't feel a thing when they amputate." The foot had been unsalvageable; smashed almost beyond recognition and shredded muscularly. "I've simply turned off the nerve receptors from the point down where they'll need to amputate, and then attach the auto-mail when you get that far. The nerves work, so after they reattach it you'll need to have the endings reactivated. I've already sent the information on down to my partner. She will be happy to assist with that part of surgery."

Kit fidgeted, but Ollie nodded in acceptance. "Thanks, Ethan. It's better than losing both legs."

"That's for sure," Ethan nodded. "And you're welcome. They're already making arrangements for your care at Central Hospital until you're well enough for out-patient care."

"I guess it's a good thing my folks still live in Central," Ollie replied with a tired grin.

"Definitely saves on hotels," Ethan agreed. The Larsons still lived next door; that meant Kit and the kids would have someplace to stay. He grinned. "Especially when it comes with free babysitting."

That finally elicited a smile out of Kit who, despite Aldon's descriptions of her, had been much more subdued than Ethan would have believed. Not that he found it unexpected after everything their family had been through. "So we'll see you in Central."

"As soon as this is over," Ethan smiled. "And you'll have plenty of company. Aldon and Cassie are staying at our place for a while, and all the kids are there."

"Great." At that, Kit's face lit up. "Sam and Millie will be thrilled to have someone to play with."

"Well they'll have plenty of someones," Ethan chuckled. "Sara's kids spend a lot of time over right now too, and Will and Ren's two are often around. Don't worry. They'll like Central."

By the time Ethan felt ready to go and finished his conversation it was too late to grab food before having to hop in the next truck heading back to the front.

He hopped into the passenger seat and leaned his head back, closing his eyes and listening to the rumble of the motor and the ground going by underneath them.

"You all right?" Danny Wise, one of his fellow physicians, asked from the driver's seat.

"Yeah, I'm all right," Ethan replied. "Just tired. I wish I could have saved Larson's foot."

"You've already pulled a near miracle saving his legs," Danny pointed out. "What more did you expect?"

"Expect, nothing," Ethan admitted. His work had been amazingly successful really. "I just wish I could have saved him a little more agony. Physical therapy for his legs on top of auto-mail… I don't envy him." Ethan opened his eyes and held his hand up in front of his face. There were days –many of them- when he honestly forgot that two of his fingers were auto-mail. Unless they needed maintenance, they were just a part of who he was. He hadn't had them operated on since he was a kid. The cold weather up here, however, had made them a near daily reminder in bad weather, when his hand would ache.

"No one does," Danny nodded. "But it's got to be better than replacing two legs or living the rest of his life in a wheelchair right?"

Ethan smiled. "Yeah, it is that." His stomach growled, and he began to wish he had held up the truck or missed it in favor of a meal.

A piece of beef jerky appeared in front of his face. Danny – one hand on the wheel – was grinning. "Eat that. Your stomach's bugging me."

"Bugging you?" Ethan didn't argue though, taking the scrap of meat and biting into it hungrily.

"Yeah, it reminds me that I'm hungry, and I ate less than two hours ago," Danny snickered. "So eat that and try not to remind the rest of us that there are guys like you who can eat whatever they want."

Ethan chuckled. "Sorry. I'll try to look less underfed in your presence."

"Thank you."

They bantered and chatted all the way back up to the front. It was a several hour drive now, and it was evening by the time they pulled into camp. Ethan hopped out, but stopped almost as soon as his feet touched the dirt. "What's going on?" There was quite a crowd gathered in the distance, and he could hear chatter. They didn't sound upset though; more excited.

"I don't know," Danny admitted. "Are those trucks Xingese?"

Ethan squinted in the dusk light. "They could be." Suddenly his interest perked. If they were from Xing… "Could they be troops?"

"Not many if they came in a few trucks," Danny snorted. "Let's go find out."

They had to push through the crowd at first, which did seem to be in a state of celebration. "What's going on?" Ethan asked out loud as they stumbled into a break in the swarm into the ring in the center, under the tall flood-light that was the only bright spot in the falling darkness.

"Ethan!" His father appeared out of the chaos, grinning broadly. "Good timing."

"For what?" Ethan asked.

"Reinforcements," Ed's smile was almost too smug. "Come on. They'll be glad to see you."

"Me?" Ethan followed, startled, to the smaller circle within the big one. There were Xingese people all right; perhaps fifty of them. And standing, smiling near the center with Breda, Uncle Alphonse, his mother, Kane, and the other higher-ups… a woman who looked much like Ren, only a bit older, though still lovely and elegant.
Mei Xian, mother of the Emperor of Xing, smiled broadly and forwent Xingese traditional greetings to hug him. "Ethan, how good to see you!"

Stunned, Ethan hugged her back, then stood straight and bowed out of reflex. "Ma'am," he smiled. "What are you doing here?"

"A special delivery; a gift from the Emperor of Xing to Amestris," Mei winked. "Fifty of Xing's best."

Best… as Ethan looked around at the men – and women, there were quite a few – standing around them, their garments, and their range of ages. Then he understood. "Fifty alchemists!"

"What could be better than having fifty alchemically trained doctors on our force?" his father commented, still looking gleeful.

Apparently Ethan had missed the formal arrival and greeting, but he didn't mind. He laughed instead. "The Drachmans will think we're resurrecting people." Fifty people, at least as good as himself; plenty probably better, could save so many! "Are they combat ready?" He asked anxiously, realizing that could be an issue.

"Would I bring anything less, Ethan?" Mei chuckled with a little shake of her head. "These are the finest surgeons and military doctors that Xing could offer. That means, of course, that most of them are at least as talented as I am."

Having seen her fight – and use distance transmutation to do so – Ethan couldn't argue. He joined in the celebration readily then, his exhaustion momentarily driven from him by joy. The Drachmans weren't going to know what hit them!