Redemption

It had been a week since Ed had re-joined his team and Riza was still not talking to him, she went into his office only to hand in any paper work or paper work that Ed had to do. "How much longer are we going to be like this Riza?" Ed asked as she was about to walk out of his office. "I don't know Ed I'm still unsure about my feelings." Riza said not turning around. "Ok then take as long as you need I'll be waiting for you until then." Ed said as Riza left his office.

After a few days everyone noticed small changes in the way Ed behaved, he would come in late, he sometimes didn't go to get something to eat or he would be very quiet and nothing like his normal self. Riza started to worry about him but knew she had to stay strong to sort her emotions out to know if she could forgive him.

Later that day Riza rang up and spoke to Roy in Central about everything, how Ed had changed and about her concerns about him "Don't worry about it, I know what to do trust me Riza ok?" Roy said. "You're about the only one I can trust and talk to about this." Riza said just before hanging up on Roy to make herself some dinner.

The next morning Roy spoke to the Fuhrer and he agreed to allow Roy to take some leave. "Team I'm going away for a week, I need to sort some business out." Roy said after walking back into his office "I'm leaving Havoc in charge. Any questions?" Roy said looking at everyone "No sir." Everyone said and then Roy walked out of his office to go pack and leave for West city as soon as he could.

When Roy finally arrived in west city it was late evening, so he headed to the nearest hotel as he didn't want either Riza or Ed to know he was here.

The next morning Roy took a walk around the city to get to know all the places and then he headed to Western Command to speak to General Quinn in private. He knocked on the door and Quinn let him in "Mustang what a surprise to see you here what can I do for you?" Quinn asked as Roy sat down on a chair. "Well General Quinn it's about Ed, I know everything that's happened and I'm here to help him but I don't want him to know I'm here just yet. I need to know what time he leaves work, so I need someone from his team to inform me when he has left for the day." Roy said to Quinn who could tell that Roy was worried about Ed.

"That shouldn't be a problem. I know just the person to ask, Nina frost was the person who fought to convince me not to demote him about what he did, I think she's also really concerned about him as well." General Quinn said, "I'll have someone bring her here right away and we can get it sorted." The General said calling in one of his men. "Can you get me Nina Frost right away please." "Yes sir right away." The soldier said headed out the door.

It was about twenty minutes before the soldier came back with Nina. "You wanted to see me sir?" Nina asked before she realized that Roy was sitting in a chair looking right at her.

"Yes Nina I want you to inform both myself and General Mustang about what time Lt Coronel Elric leaves here and I want you to do so without him knowing." Quinn said waiting to see if Roy wanted to ask her anything himself but he simply shook his head. "Do you have a problem with this? Or do you have anything you wish to ask?" The General asked her.

"No sir I can tell that it's for the best that I do as you have asked of me." Nina said looking at Roy who could see that she was just as concerned about him as he was. "Thank you your dismissed." Roy said saluting her, Nina saluted her superiors and left the office to return to her desk.

When she got back everyone was still doing their paper work or reading up on something and didn't even know that she had come back so she sat at her desk and continued doing her reading of the different types of guns the military use.

During the week Nina did as she was told and informed both Generals about what time Ed left the office.

Ed sat at the bar and demanded another drink moments after downing his last drink and the bartender not wanting any sort of fight to kick off poured him another one and handed it to him, while he sat there drinking he suddenly heard a voice from behind him speak. "I think you've had enough now." And they placed a hand on Ed's shoulder. In a flash Ed turned around to hit whoever it was, only to stop at the sight of Roy and then turned around back to his drink.

Roy turned him around making Ed nearly fall off his chair. "Didn't you hear me the first time?" Roy asked in a stern voice but Ed didn't seem to care.

"What do you want Mustang?" Ed asked in a drunken tone trying to turn around again to finish his drink. "I'm here to sort you out Fullmetal." Roy said grabbing Ed by his arm. "Get off me you bastard!" Ed shouted, taking a swing at Roy but in his drunken state completely missed letting Roy punch him right in his face making Ed fall to the floor, Roy was expecting everyone else start on him but as he looked around not a single person reacted to him. "Wonder if they know I'm here to help sort Ed out." Roy thought to himself.

Ed took a while to get to his feet again and just stared at Roy. "So then did SHE ask you to come here since she won't talk to me? Or are you here to gloat?" Ed said finally getting to his feet, Roy wanted to knock him out for that comment but knew better.

"No I'm here of my own accord, Riza doesn't know I'm here." Roy said taking a deep breath. "So you came all the way here to save me from myself? Well too late for that so piss off." Ed said in a sarcastic but somewhat angry voice. "No Ed I'm here because I was once in your shoes, I drank myself stupid and nearly lost everything I hold dear but I had a friend to help me find myself again." Roy said with concern in his voice.

"Well whoop de do, why should I give a damn if you got an idiot to help you out...?" Ed didn't have a chance to finish his sentence because Roy knocked him off his stool again "THAT IDIOT YOUR TALKING ABOUT WAS MAES HUGHES DAMN IT!" Roy couldn't hold back after hearing someone talk bad about his friends.

Roy saw people get up after he knocked Ed out and got ready to defend himself against them. "Don't worry General Mustang we don't want a fight, let us help you get him in the car for you." One of the men said to Roy's surprise, they helped put Ed in the car as gently as they could and one of them turned to Roy "Hope you can help him get back on the right track, he's fallen so far we all miss his cheerfulness." Roy could tell that they were all from Western Command and wanted to help him but didn't know where to start. "Don't worry once I'm finished with him he'll be back to his old self maybe better." Roy said before getting in his car and driving off.

The next thing Ed knew he was in his apartment sitting in a chair with Roy sitting in a chair right in front of him. "Glad to see you're awake at last." Roy said placing a cup off coffee on the table.

"What the hell am I doing here?" Ed said trying to clear his mind and remember what had happened. "I'm sorry but you gave me no other choice, I was hoping you two could sort this out together but it seems like a third person is needed." Roy said getting Ed a glass of water, Ed looked at the floor remembering what he had said in the bar.

"I'm sorry for what I said back there I deserved that last punch." Ed said with tears rolling down his eyes, "I never meant to disrespect the memory of Hughes." Roy could see that Ed was truly sorry for it all as he gave Ed the glass. "I know you are Ed but if you are truly sorry then don't go down this road of despair, I've been there and thanks to Hughes I sorted my life out and swore to him I would do the same if I found myself in his shoes." Roy said looking Ed right in the eyes so he could see that he meant every word that he said.

Ed and Roy spoke for a while about each other's past mistakes and Roy spoke about how he turned his life around and became the man that was sitting in front of Ed. "So what are we going to do about you and Riza getting back together?" Roy asked rubbing his index finger across his chin. Neither of them spoke for a minute thinking about what Ed could do to win Riza back and then Ed had an idea. "I know what I need to do to win her back but it's going to have to take some time to work it all out." A smile came across Roy's face as Ed said that because he could see a fire in Ed's eyes the same fire he saw when he first met the Elric brothers.

Roy stayed the night because it was getting late and Ed offered him the spare room. The next day Ed went to work with his plan swimming through his head and almost bumped into Stan who had a pile of paper work in his hands "Oh sorry Stan I was lost in thought can I help you at all?" Ed said as he could see he had too much for one person "Thank you Sir I was heading to the Generals office as he has asked to see it." Stan said handing Ed half the pile. As they walked to the Generals office they talked about things "So Stan how are things going? I know you been trying to find a girlfriend." Stan was shocked that Ed asked him because they never really spoke about anything other than military life "Err… I'm finding it hard to be honest, I try asking some of the beautiful women I see in the bars but when I go up to them I get nervous and walk away." Ed was shocked to hear this since he always seemed so confident with everything he did.

"I'm surprised about that, everything I've seen you do you always have an air of confidence about you, so why are you shy talking to women I mean I see you having a joke with Nina all the time." Ed said just missing a solider. "That's the thing though talking to Nina is one thing but trying to chat someone up is another thing." Stan said putting his pile onto Ed so he could knock on the general's door and then took his half back.

"Here you go sir, this is all the reports you asked for." Stan said as the General looked up to see both Stan and Ed standing in front of him, he looked at Ed and could tell straight away that Roy had succeeded in his plan to help Ed. "Thank you very much you are dismissed." The General said, both Ed and Stan saluted him and left the office to continue talking as they headed back to Ed's office.

"Ok so if I got it right you can talk to Nina but you can't talk to women outside of work?" Ed said looking at Stan. "Yeah I don't know why I start walking over to someone and by the time I get there I'm walking away again." Stan said and Ed could instantly tell why and a big grin came on his face.

"What's so funny sir? Want to fill me in on it?" Stan said looking annoyed. "Don't you see Stan? The reason why you can talk to Nina and are nervous around other women is because you have feelings for Nina." Ed said making Stan walk into a wall which made Ed laugh. "That's not true sir I only see her as a friend, I know the rules about dating other officers." Stan was getting more and more nervous the more he spoke.

"Look Stan take a deep breath ok, I know you have feelings for her because I was in the same boat soo many years ago with Riza, just spend some time thinking about it and you'll find that you do, if you need any help with what you should do I'm always here to chat to ok." Ed said stopping outside the office door.

When they both went in everyone else was there busy with work, Nina was the first to notice them both. "Morning Sir, how are you today? Hiya Stan did you give Quinn the paperwork?" Stan went quiet making Ed answer her. "I'm feeling a lot better Nina thanks for asking and yeah I bumped into Stan so I helped him deliver the paper work." Ed saw Riza didn't look at them, she just kept on doing her paper work. Ed went into his office and shut the door to start writing down his plan and to work out what he would need when there came a knock at the door, it was Chris.

"What can I do for you Chris?" Ed asked putting the paper in a draw on his desk. "Are you sure you're alright Sir? I know you have been drinking after work but I felt like it was not my place to say anything but if you're doing drugs or something else I'm going to have to inform General Quinn." Chris said in a serious voice, Ed took a deep breath before he spoke

"sigh yes I have been drinking after work but not anymore, a good friend sorted me out and I would never take drugs." Ed stood up looking Chris in the eye so he could see he was telling the truth.

"I'm glad sir I have always had a lot of respect for you but I have certain things I won't stand for." Chris said saluting Ed and headed out the door.

It was the following week when Ed started to put his plan into action, he made several phone calls to different people and had to leave work early as well which made his team wonder what he was up to but was told by General Quinn it was nothing because he knew what he was up to.

On Tuesday evening Riza had a knock at the door so she answered it because Lucy had gone out for the night, when she opened the door she was shocked to see it was Roy. "Are you going to let me in Riza?" Roy asked and Riza let him in and made them both a cup of coffee.

"What brings you here Roy?" Riza asked still shocked and surprised to see Roy. "I know that look I'm here because I want to help you and Ed get back together, I never saw you as happy as I did on your wedding day." Roy said sitting on the couch while Riza was making the coffees.

Riza sat down on the couch next to Roy handing him his coffee. "I know you want to help us but I'm just not sure about my feelings towards him, I'm guessing you know what he did to make me leave him?" Riza said looking into her cup. "Yes I do he killed six people by crushing them to the celling." Roy said taking a sip of his coffee.

"But you know what If it was me I would have done the same thing, end of the day Riza you have to see it from his point of view, he just saw his wife on deaths door because of them, he has never been one to hide his anger." Roy said to Riza's surprise but then thought about what he said and realised Ed has always let people know he was angry and when she thought about it the other way around she would have most probably done the same and then looked at Roy who was drinking his coffee and saw the look she was giving him.

"Thank you Roy your right I was so wrapped up thinking about what he did and not why he did it." Riza said giving Roy a hug who just managed to put his cup down before she got to him. "Your welcome Riza, just think about the many times I did something stupid and you still forgave me, even when I truly lost it with Envy and nearly burnt Ed just to get him." Roy said hugging Riza back when Riza let go she kissed him on his cheek. "What would I do without a friend like you Roy?" Riza said making Roy blush. "You have been more helpful to me than I ever can to you I just want you to be happy again." Roy said seeing Riza smile.

The next day Riza went to work with a smile back on her face, when she got into the office she went into Ed's office to speak to him about what her and Roy had talked about the night before to find a note on the desk addressed to her and the gang so she picked it up "To everyone I won't be in the office until the afternoon as I have something very important to do so please get on with any paperwork you need to get done Ed." Riza put the note on the desk and left his office, wondering what he had to do that was so important, moments later the rest of the group turned up to see Riza leaving Ed's office. "Is he alright in there Riza?" Nina asked seeing that Riza had a confused look on her face.

"I don't know Nina he left a note saying he was coming to the office in the afternoon, as he has something important to do." Riza said as she went to her desk. "It makes me wonder what he does here." Frank said sarcastically making Stan laugh. "I wouldn't say that in front of him you know." Chris said sitting down and getting some papers. "That's why I'm saying it now ha ha." Frank said sitting down and putting his feet up but then put them down after Riza look at him.

It was lunch time and everyone went to get some lunch, everyone sat outside because it was such a beautiful day, as they walked to a spot outside Riza saw a blue flash of light on top of the roof of Western Command and thought it must have been nothing so she sat down next to Nina. "So how are you Nina?" Riza asked taking a bite out of her turkey sandwich. "I'm ok Riza thanks for asking how about you?" Nina asked her. "I'm feeling a lot better." Riza replied.

"How's your girlfriend hunt going Stan? Any luck?" Frank asked taking a swig of his tea. "I'm not having much luck" Stan said looking at Nina and then looking away. "Oh for Pete's sake Stan ask her out already we all know you like her." Chris said knowing how he felt about Nina. "What do you mean Chris? I'm not following." Nina said with a confused look.

"Come on Nina hasn't the penny dropped for you yet, Stan fancies you." Frank said making Nina turn bright red and making Stan want to die from embarrassment. Riza could only sit there and laugh. "Is it true Stan?" Nina asked "Err… yeah I do but I get nervous when I think about asking you out because of you turning me down." Stan said, Nina jumped towards Stan and landed on him and kissed him on the lips. "You're a fool you know that? I've been waiting for you to ask me." Nina said.

Everyone cheered at the sight of them kissing and then all of a sudden there came a sound over the radio and then Ed's voice came on the radio "Good afternoon everyone this is Edward Elric and I have something important to say to a certain someone, you know who you are." Riza looked around to see where the light had come from to see if she could see him. "

When I wrote this song

On my own, in our house

I was thinking about you

Wishing that you was here

I know I have made mistakes

What we had I wish it would return

You would always be there in my heart

And forever in my soul"

Riza started running to the part of the roof that she knew that Ed was on and everywhere she went she could still hear his voice.

So let me come to you

Close as I wanted to be

Close enough for me

To feel your heart beating fast

And stay there as I whisper

By the time she got to the roof Ed didn't know that she was not that far behind him and kept singing.

Darling, so there you are

With that look on your face

As if you're never hurt

As if you're never down

can I be the one for you

Who pinches you softly but sure?

If frown is shown then

I will know that you are no dreamer

Ed turned around and found Riza standing there in tears. "Oh Ed that was beautiful." Riza said running to her husband and gave him a passionate kiss. "I'm sorry Riza, I will do anything I have to do to make it up to you." Ed said on one knee.

"You don't have to do anything I've been foolish to leave you." Riza said helping Ed up off his knee. "ABOUT TIME!" A voice shouted from down below it was Roy before he clicked his fingers to set off some fireworks. "I should have known he had a hand in this." Riza said kissing Ed again. "You know we still have twenty minutes left before we have to head back to the office if you want to stay up here." Ed whispered into Riza's ear "You're a dirty boy Edward." Riza said with a cheeky grin appearing on her face.

"I hope I did you proud Hughes I kept my promise." Roy said looking up into the sky before turning around and walking away.

When Ed and Riza finally returned off their break everyone was cheering and had a smile on their faces. "Where we really that bad to work with?" Ed said smiling at everyone. "Yeah you two were, there was such tension working here." Chris said. "You sure it was because of them two Chris and not the new love birds over there?" Frank said pointing at Nina and Stan. "I'm sorry if it is my fault but it doesn't matter now at least they got back together in the end." Stan said trying to change the subject back on Ed and Riza.

"Anyway to celebrate me and Riza sorting all this out I want to take you all out for a drink?" Ed said putting his hand around Riza's waist pulling her closer to him to only get a "behave you" look from Riza.

Later that night everyone went to a local bar to have a drink. "So am I to believe that you not only sang the song but wrote to music for it as well?" frank said sitting at a table. "Yes you are because it's true. I did write it all, to be honest I wrote it years ago for her but never used it so when me and Roy sat down and thought of a plan I knew I had to use the song now but change the words." Ed said sitting next to Riza "So what are we all having?" Chris said "I will have an orange juice please." Ed said knowing about his old drinking habits. "Make that two." Riza said looking at Ed "I'll have a beer." Frank said. "I think I'll have a beer too." Stan said. "White wine for me please." Nina said polity. "Ok then I'll be right back Frank do you mind giving me a hand with all of them?" Chris said and Frank just nodded and got up to follow Chris to the bar to leave the others to themselves.

When they got back Frank remained standing. "I would like to make a toast to Mr and Mrs Elric for finally getting back together I think I speak for everyone else when I say it is about time." Frank said laughing and holding up his beer. "here here." Everyone else said lifting up their glasses. The group spent a few hours sitting there talking about everything, having jokes at Stan's expense and then they all decided to head back to their homes Stan took Nina home before heading back to his own and Ed and Riza took a slow walk back to theirs.

"So you wrote that song for me all those years ago?" Riza asked holding Ed's hand. "Yeah I wrote it but never had the nerves to sing it, so I put it away thinking that maybe Al could use it or something." Ed said stopping to cross the road. "I know it's going to take time to re-build the lost trust but I would wait forever." Ed said turning to face Riza. "You know what Ed you really talk too much." Riza said as she went to kiss him.

For the rest of the night Ed and Riza just cuddled up on the couch in front of their fire place until Riza was falling asleep on Ed so he carried her into their bedroom for the night.

"I've just got news that the Elric's got back together at last." The leader of the terrorist group said "What did I tell you?" A woman's voice came from the shadows. "I never doubted you for a second, you were the one who told me she was a spy all those years ago remember, but back then I didn't have the sort of follows I have now." He said sitting in a chair looking into a fire place." But now you have and we can finally sort this country out." She said staying in the shadows. "Now all we need to do is get our plan sorted, is their latest "Spy" ready for his part?" He said not looking behind him to where she was standing. "Yes he's already and by the time he or Edward Elric has any idea of the real plan it will be too late." She said as she slowly came from out of the shadows. "Brilliant please come sit down and share a toast with me? But before you do loose the wig it doesn't suit you." He said pointing at a seat next to his.

She slowly made her way to the chair dropping a brunette wig on the floor and sat in the chair. "That's better here you go" He said hanging her a glass. "To the end of Edward Elric." They both had some of the Red wine in the glass. "I'm glad that you joined me all those years ago when we formed this group Lucy." He said looking at a fiery Red haired woman. "My pleasure anything to end this dictatorship."

I hope you like the shocking ending please review and I'll try and have the next chapter up soon