The Phoenix and His Demons

And finally back to the story, sort of, with a little mush thrown in. Reviews are always welcomed, adored and desired but most importantly; Enjoy!

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First Date Disaster

The rest of Friday went peacefully enough. Ed didn't have any more blow ups, but they didn't get much of anywhere in their research either. Saturday morning was spent making sure Ed actually had a dress uniform, which he didn't, so they had to get a requisition form mess handled and filed. That wouldn't have been so bad if Mustang hadn't made him beg, literally, for him to put aside all his current paperwork to sign Edward's form. After twenty unsuccessful minutes of pleading and threatening, Edward won the day by going over the General's head and pleading his case to Major Hawkeye. She agreed to help and after a brief, very brief, discussion with her sidearm General Mustang saw the reason with her argument and Edward got his form signed. He really needed to do something nice for that woman; perhaps if he got his back pay, which was due any day now, he'd get her an antique pistol or something.
The first disaster avoided, the second came when two hours before he was to be picked up; he noticed Al getting ready as well, though he wasn't donning a uniform.

"Hey, where are you going?" Al chuckled; he'd wondered how long it would take his scatterbrained brother to notice.

"Why out, of course. You can't really expect me to sit here alone all night while you have fun, now can you?" He buttoned the last button on his dress shirt and pulled on his jacket afterwards.

"Well no, but.who are you going with?" He wasn't sure if he should sound hurt, rejected or be happy. His little brother was growing up, and in a way they were growing apart.

"Emily. She's really sweet but a bit on the shy side. Don't tell me after being gone six years that you're really going to try and tell me I can't go."

"No. No! It's not like that at all," but his quick answer and face said that it was and Al knew it.

Thankfully, Al wasn't upset; then again he'd always been understanding when it came to his older brother. One could not live with Edward Elric and put up with what should only be described as insanity without developing a deep understanding and a lot of patience. "I appreciate your concern Ed, really I do, but I'm not a little kid anymore."

"You're not mad at me for being a jerk?"

"Nah, you're my brother and you care. How could I possibly be made at you for that? We're just going to have to get used to each other having our own lives without worrying that we'll forget about each other." Edward's shameful frown slowly evolved into a wide grin and rueful chuckle.

"You know, Al. I may be the prodigy when it comes to alchemy but as far as people and the more important stuff goes, you're definitely the genius." Al actually blushed a bit before he moved to hug his brother.

"Thank you brother. That really means a lot."

"Yeah well, it's true. Go have a good time."

"I will! You too, okay?" Ed nodded; Al beamed and left, a bit of a spring in his step.

Edward pulled out the silver pocket watch; two hours until Roy would be there for him and he was nervous as hell. His little conversation with Al had left him stunned and yet he was happy. As odd as it was, it was a definite sign that they were both healed, both moving on and the painful past was fast drifting into the realm of memories where it could stay forever. It was a good day. He hoped it would be a better night.
Brigadier General Roy Mustang, in all his glory, arrived right on time. Edward opened the door while he pulled on his overcoat and grabbed his cap from the rack.

"I'm impressed, Fullmetal, you actually clean up fairly well."

"Not so bad yourself, General."

"I assume I don't have to tell you."

'To be on my best behavior, I know. I won't do anything to embarrass either of us, I promise."

"Thank you. Let's go then, we don't want to be too late."

"Right." He closed the door and followed Mustang down to the car. Normally Havoc would be carting him around but tonight he didn't know the driver. Roy even opened the door for him and Edward was beyond relieved to see that were to be the only two passengers.

"What, the biggest womanizer in Central and East City has no date?" Roy couldn't help but smirk.

"Afraid not. It would seem they all had prior engagements so you'll just have to put up with me."

"Great. Well, I suppose I'll manage not to kill you or transmute you into anything."

"That would be advisable if you wish to avoid a court-martial," and have another date, but that was left unspoken but understood.

Edward just rolled his eyes and kept his hands in his lap, fidgeting with his white gloves. Roy watched this for a few minutes before he interrupted the odd little ritual.

"Nervous?"

"Kind of."

"Why?"

"Because I've never been to something like this before. I'm not like you or Al, I don't know all the right things to say or do and I'm afraid I'll screw up and end up insulting someone even when I'm not trying to."

"That never used to bother you before."

"Well, thing are different now. When you're a kid, people will forgive you easily or excuse it as being naïve or youthful ignorance. When you're an adult, they expect you to know it anyway and are much less forgiving.

To that, Mustang could only nod. Edward continued to amaze him since his return, even though he really shouldn't have been surprised. As a boy, Edward had been bright and careless almost to the point of what most would've called reckless, but Edward had called it confidence. Now as a young man he was even brighter, a little less careless when it came to people, his alchemy was probably still as dangerous as ever, but more observant and insightful. Though he could not deny that spark of confidence that usually resulted in mass destruction was still there, it had just become tempered, refined and maybe that was the most frightening revelation of all. Edward, the boy, had been burned but never betrayed, never truly hurt by the actions of others. Thus the boy had never really wished to seriously harm others. This Edward knew that stinging pain, knew how to hurt and he probably wouldn't hesitate to use it if he had no other recourse. Perhaps, Roy wondered, if he shouldn't fear Fullmetal far more than his little brother after all should this go sour.

"Just be yourself Edward. That's all anyone could ask of you and the brass be damned if they can't see that's more than good enough as the rest of us have. Al, Hawkeye, myself and the others are well aware of your unpolished nature and your tendency to enjoy defying my orders and I don't think any of us would have it any other way. In a world of strict regulations it's rather refreshing to have someone rough around the edges that can get away with it. It breaks the horrid monotony of our existence." The blonde's head snapped up and he could've, would've kissed him right there if the driver hadn't been present.

"Yeah. Right. Thanks Roy." Ed was smiling again. For the moment, all was right with the world, at least their world.

The car eventually came to a halt in front of a large house lit up brighter than the holidays. A string of cars had been waiting in line to drop off their passengers and many more in fancy clothes and sharp blue uniforms could be seen approaching by foot. The large iron gates would've been imposing had they not been open with lanterns lit every so often to help the party goers find their way. A footman opened the door and Roy slipped out of the car followed by the shorter blonde who had the presence of mind not to gawk. The long stone walkway was covered with a plush blue carpet with gold trim and had smaller lanterns placed on each side every so often to guide the guests to the main doors.

Edward had stuffed his hands in his pockets and while Roy could tell he was taking in everything, his golden eyes remained mostly hidden under his bangs and the brim of his cap. At the door, their coats were taken and checked in; each given a slip to identify it as they were two among many of the same. Upon entering, Roy was almost immediately set upon by another General who greeted him enthusiastically.

"Ah Mustang, there you are. We were beginning to wonder if you'd show up at all."

"Of course Saunders, I wouldn't refuse such a gracious invitation. You've done a wonderful job with the place I must say. "

"Why thank you and what's this? No pretty thing on your arm this time? I'm shocked."

"Yes well, unfortunately I dare say I think my charm is beginning to wane but don't let that get around; I wouldn't want my reputation ruined."

The other man chuckled to this and finally seemed to notice that while Mustang hadn't come with a pretty lady on his arm, he hadn't come alone either. "Certainly, certainly. So who is this, then?"

"Ah yes, Major General Saunders, may I present to you Lieutenant Colonel Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist. Fullmetal, this is Saunders.an old colleague of mine. Don't mind anything he says, he's full of as much hot air as the rest of us."

Previously Edward hadn't been paying too much attention to the conversation until his name came up; he'd been far too occupied looking over the various people that were meandering here and there, mingling casually. The whole scene was fascinating really and he began to see how Al could spend so much time just watching people. The dynamics were more obvious than the guests probably would've liked. He could tell easily who was making deals, allies and acquaintances and who was sucking up along with those that were just barely able to keep a civil tongue in their mouth but paid lip service to their superiors because, well, they were their superiors.

"Fullmetal?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry sirs." To his credit, he snapped the unknown General a quick salute. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance sir." He held out his hand once his salute was returned and it was shaken heartily.

"So this is the infamous Fullmetal Alchemist, hmm? Well, it is an honor indeed then. I've heard a great deal about your exploits. Though you know Mustang, he doesn't look near as bratty as you implied." Edward gave Roy a sidelong glare before speaking up for himself.

"Oh I'm sure I'm every bit as 'bratty' as he's described, but only to him, for pretty much just that reason right there." This apparently amused Saunders to no end and he clapped Roy on the shoulder with a chuckle before excusing himself as more guests arrived.

"So I'm bratty, huh?"

"Well, you were and still are sometimes."

Whatever smart assed retort Edward had planned was cut off as more people approached the dark haired General and the scene replayed itself over again a couple dozen times all before dinner. Some of them were amused, some seemed genuinely pleased to meet him and some couldn't have cared less. The worst were the ladies that tried to fawn all over him still thinking he was a child and he was downright fuming at them and smiling through clenched teeth until Roy found a reason each time to drag him off to calm down.

Finally, an announcement was made and dinner was served. This part Edward could handle. There were two other people at their table, and while Ed was sure he was never going to remember anyone's name from tonight, he didn't find this pair too bad and even joined in on the conversation whenever it turned to something he found interesting like alchemy. He even surprised himself when he went on for a good twenty minutes on his theories of chimeras and reverse transmutation of them. So sue him, not being able to save Nina had made him think long and hard about it and while he'd never attempted it, the theory still sounded pretty good. He didn't even bore them, or at least he couldn't tell if he did.

After dinner, drinks were served as a seemingly never ending stream of people took the podium and spoke about this or that. There were congratulatory speeches for this person's promotion or that, talk of this project or that rumor. It was all very tedious politics and as Edward watched Roy, he couldn't help but be impressed by the man's stoic and seemingly interested expression. He knew damn well it had to be boring the hell out of the General as bad as it was him but Edward could barely manage not to fall asleep let alone look interested. The night would've continued like that too, if all hell hadn't broken loose.
Sometime during Saunders' speech, this from what Ed could tell was about continuing the unity of the military and not forgetting its proud traditions, the stage exploded, literally. The fireball swept up into the curtains that graced either side of the podium and rolled out onto the floor taking the first rows of tables with it. Bits of wood and steel combined with what looked to be chunks of charred flesh cut through the air above their heads. Instinct had caused them to take cover immediately and when the debris settled the screams intensified for those that weren't on fire were calling out for help for those that were.

A quick glance told Edward the house was on fire and the ornate decorations of the ballroom would fuel the fire until it engulfed the whole building and brought it down upon their heads. Most of the soldiers had taken to ushering people out while trying to help the wounded; he ignored all of that instead clapping his hands together and slapping them against the wall blowing it outwards and creating a wide exit so people no longer had to trample each other to get out. He wasn't finished though and the fountain in the courtyard was his next target. Perhaps it was in poor taste that he turned the lovely white marble fountain that had once resembled a satyr and other woodland creatures frolicking around a waterfall into a large, almost cartoon-ish fire hydrant but the thing did its job and drenched the ballroom, holding off the flames until the fire brigade arrived.

It was hours before things calmed down, casualties were known and damages calculated. Now the questions began; the most important being who could have done such a thing and why? Ed sat on the edge of the altered fountain and waited until Roy found him. When the MP's arrived he answered their questions honestly; he really hadn't seen anything and didn't have a clue who would want to do such a thing. It didn't take them long to move on to more promising witnesses.

"Edward?" A bit of concern tinged with relief laced his name as Mustang took a seat beside him.

"Hey, there you are. I'd wondered where you got off to. You okay?"

"I'm perfectly fine, Edward and you?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. Sorry about your friend though." He should've been more upset, should've been more shocked but the cold hard truth of it was he'd seen worse, they both had.

"No need to be, we didn't get along all that well anyway."

"This is going to be one really big mess, isn't it?"

"I'm afraid so. They're letting people leave now, would you like a ride back to the dorms?"

His nod was accompanied by a sigh. "I suppose so."

"Edward?"

"It's just that.Al's gonna be worried if I don't go back after this unless he's.well I don't know but I don't want to ruin his night after ours was. It wouldn't be fair."

"I see. Well, I've an extra room if you'd rather stay the night with me."

"Yeah, I'd like that. Maybe we can salvage this mishap after all, huh?" There was something infectious about the blonde's smile and it soon found its way to Roy.

"Indeed, that sounds like a splendid idea." He stood and offered to help the other up who accepted silently. Soon the pair were back in the car on their way to the General's surprisingly humble abode.
The trip was made in silence, as was the walk up to the door. This time Ed didn't bother to examine the building and its surroundings, he was too preoccupied with his own thoughts; thoughts that became reality as soon as the door was locked. When the small metal lock clicked in place and Roy turned around, the dark haired General found a gloved automail hand clenched in his lapel and yanking him down into a crushing kiss.

To say he was shocked would've been an understatement, but that didn't mean he was about to protest one bit.