Hi Everybody, Thanks so much for all the Reviews I've gotten espcally in the past 12 hours, that would be about 15. I love to hear from you guys so please review as mush as you can, Oh and the next chapter is probably going to be the last until I can get pass a little bit of writer's block.

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After I changed into normal clothing I sat in the Hughes backyard watching Elysia for Gracia. For some reason I couldn't wrap my mind around playing tea party with Elysia. I was groggy and, not for the first time, I was thinking about running away and hoping no one in the military would find me. I was strangely tired and I felt like I was going to fall asleep each time I took a play sip. After twenty minutes of this I picked up Elysia and tickled her until we were in a warm grassy area. I laid down in defeat, settling Elysia so she was lying on my chest and stomach. I yawned loudly, rubbing Elysia's back, and wrapping my coat a little tighter around us both.

"Nii-san, why are acting so funny?"

I smiled at her, "I've had a big day. I really need a nap, but I promised your mommy and daddy I'd watch you."

Elysia yawned too, "Really? I'm a little tired too."

I stroked her hair, further pulling her into the trance like state my grandfather use to do on me. "Why don't we both take a nap? Then I can rest and watch you too, but you have to promise me if you wake up before I do, you can't leave my side. Understand?"

She'd snuggled on my stomach gripping some of my shirt, "Mmmm…" She was a sleep before I could repeat the question, I stroked her hair for a while to make sure she'd stay asleep then drifted off to my own dream land.

My world was strange, it was too bright, too dry, and way too hot. I sat up slowly looking around me. There were half a dozen beige tent, men blue uniforms were walking around with guns. Some of them had sand colored cloaks on their shoulders, but I couldn't make out any of their faces. I didn't realize my wings were out until one of them sent a surge of pain through my shoulder. I thought I'd called out but no one came to me. Suddenly I was crouched in the middle of the dessert, one of my wing lay limp next to me. A man with dark skin and hair stood over me, he had a gun pointed at my head. I had a strange sense of peace, despite this, some how I knew he wasn't going to hurt me. My hair wasn't pulled back, but hung all around me. The wind played with it pulling it in and out of my face. The man opened his mouth, "Rest easy, Dalka." His voice sounded just like Hughes's.

The man faded and I was flying into the city. I descended to land, a man looked up at me and opened his arms to me. I flew to him my wings disappearing as he caught me. I couldn't see his face but he kissed me passionately and held me in his arms. I pulled away to look at him, strangely smiling. He spoke to me, his face still in shadow, his voice sounded amazingly like Havoc's. "Dalka…" He called, "Dalka, wake up… It's time for dinner."

I moaned and rolled over. Someone touched my shoulder, shaking it gently, "Come on, Dalka. Wake up." My eyes fluttered open, it was dim out. I could feel the soft grass under my cheek and cold autumn wind playing with my bangs. I sat up slowly, looking around me. Havoc was swatted next to me. The lights in to house were all on. From outside I could see Riza and Gracia putting trays of food on a table Ed's head bobbed into the room followed by Al with Elysia on his shoulders, Maes and Mustang were nowhere to be seen but I was sure they were not far behind "About time you woke up," Havoc said, I turned and looked at him in surprise. He grinned at my expression, "Though, honestly, I wouldn't have minded trying to wake you up with a kiss."

I pulled my boot knife and dug it into the ground in between his spread fingers. "Put a hand on me and I'll remove it," I said icily.

"Nice aim," He gulped.

I stood up, putting the knife away, "What are you talking about?" I smiled coolly, "I missed." I shivered suddenly, and realized how cold I was. Havoc placed his air force style jacket on my shoulders. I looked up at him blinking in surprise, but pulling the coat tighter around me, relishing in his transferred body heat, "Huh?"

"You're cold aren't you?" He raised an eyebrow, "Come on let's get inside before I freeze to death." He placed a hand behind my back and ushered me inside. The house was as warm and welcoming as ever, and I quickly warmed up again after being outside after dark so late in the fall. I hung Havoc's coat on one of the hooks near the door and ran a hand through my ponytail as I passed through the door into the dinning room.

Riza and Gracia were still putting food on the table, but Ed, Al and Elysia were all sitting at the table. Al was even playing paddy-cake with Elysia in her high chair. I took a seat next to Al, Havoc stuck his head into the kitchen and asked if he could help with any thing. Mustang's voice came back in reply, "Yeah, get Maes out of here, and out of my way. He's distracting me." Havoc sighed and went in. He came out dragging Hughes, who strangely enough had hearts floating around his head, behind him. Gracia laughed at her husband and then gently asked him to sit down. He did so fawning over her each time she passed to put another plate on the table.

The table was filled with large platters of food. I saw green beans with mini potatoes, baked beans, and corn on the cob, there were even candied yams with a marshmallow layer on top. I could smell fresh rolls, the garlic in the mashed potatoes, and something that reminded me of my grandfather's chicken and steaks. There was also a sweet flavor in the air I suspected a pie or cake of some kind. "Garcia, Riza, this all smells wonderful!" I smiled at both of them as Gracia sat next to her husband and Riza passed into the kitchen one last time, they both smiled back. Riza and Mustang came out each carrying a dish of meat. My nose registered garlic and rosemary chickens, well season grilled steaks, and sausage, spicy sausage.

My mouth watered, I hadn't had food like this in almost a year. Hughes said a quick grace and started passing the plates around. I took a spoon of every dish, aware of the spark in my eyes, and the smile on my lips. "Maes," I said using his first name so not to confuse His wife or daughter, "What's with all this food?"

Maes smiled, as did the rest of the adults and Ed, Elysia looked around at her parents and everyone else and then smiled too. "You like it?"

I nodded a fork of mashed potatoes in my mouth.

"Good," Maes's smile widened, "Then that call to your grandfather wasn't a waste," He said looking at Riza.

I tilted my head to one side and blinked, "Ooookkkey… Um, I'm confused."

Mustang piped up, "We decide to make some foods you might like."

I looked at him, "Why?"

"To celebrate," He said bluntly, his mouth twitching into a smirk before he took another bite of green beans. "You know, this is actually good," He pointed with his fork.

"Celebrate what exactly?" I squinted at him. I had a fairly good Idea what we were celebrating but I wanted to be sure of it.

Ed spoke up for the first time that evening, "You."

Mustang put something on the table and slid it down to me, I caught it before it passed me by. It was a brand new State Alchemist watch. "You said you wanted you own watch right?" I looked down at the watch, all the good emotions out of me. "The brass thinks your good enough to be a state alchemist. I've requested you be under my command. Unfortunately they think you'll be more useful in the field, their putting you in the hands of a trusted friend of mine. He'll take care of you…"

"I don't need to be taken care of, Colonel, I would have been fine in the worst company." I interrupted him, I stared coldly at my watch, "What about my grandpa's watch?"

"I thought you might want someone around here to take care of it until you got back from the front lines." Mustang said scratching his eyebrow.

"I'd like it now, if you have it, sir," I felt the mood of the party fall like my own.

"I'll be able to give it to you later," Mustang said his fingers laced together. "Right now let's celebrate your good fortune," He smiled weakly trying to lighten the mood.

I smile falsely at him, "Your right, sir. This is a happy occasion; I don't have to go to jail," Some how I always seemed to let my sarcastic side out for some unknown reason. I changed my tone very quickly before anyone comprehend what I'd said, "This food is great, how you get these reipeces? There are all the foods grandpa use to make, with just enough flavor too."

After that I managed to pick up the pieces of the party I'd ruined. The dinning room became a lively center in the house hold. I watched as my body went through the motions of being a good hostess. My smile and movements false but believable, my reactions and facial expression true to my nature but just as fake.

At midnight, I excused my self saying I was tired. Mustang, Hughes and Havoc were all drunk, Gracia had already put Elysia to bed and was trying to get her husband to bed as well, and Riza was covering Ed, who was unconscious on the couch, with a quilt. Later she would drive Havoc and Mustang to the hotel, wither she actually took them inside or made them sleep in the car, I'll never know. Al stopped me at the door to my room.

"Dalka?" His voice was tentative and concerned, "Are you all right?"

I flashed him a fake smile, "Of course I am," I lied.

"Then why do you look like your in pain, and why are you trying to fool us into thinking your happy?" He asked

"Wow, you see all that?" I felt my face begin to crumble, I turn back to my door and leaned my forehead on the door. "I don't know how you'd see that, no one ever sees past my mask."

"Dalka…" Al sounded really worried.

I turned back to him and smiled as I whipped the tears from my eyes, "I'm sorry Al. This is just a lot for me. I never wanted to be in the military before. I never wanted much of anything, but I never wanted the military. God, I wish Grandpa was here, he'd be able to tell me what to do." I took a shuddering breath, "I miss him so much, that's all, I miss him." I started to sob hysterically, and couldn't stop. I slid to the floor, cupping my mouth and noise.

"Dalka?" Al reached out to me but didn't know wither to hold me or pat me on the back. I reached up grabbing the elbow piece of his armor, and sobbed against the cold shine of his body. "Dal…" Al held me until I couldn't cry any more.

When I finally finished I pulled away from him and stood abruptly, "I'm sorry Al, I didn't mean to worry you." I walked into my room and closed the door before he could say anything else. I silently changed into my sleeping clothes and slid under my many blankets. I curled into the fetal position, and waited for sleep to come. I was thankful when it was calm and dreamless.

I hope everyone liked this chapter I know the ending was a little confusing... I was really sad when I wrote it, it was the aniversury of My grandpa's funeral... Sorry, Moment of weakness.

I hope you all liked it, Review while you're here