Closing the Distance Between Us

Disclaimer: I unfortunately do not own Fullmetal Alchemist sniff sniff

Here's Chapter 5 I hope you like!

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The Bastard and I walked into a brick building with nothing particularly unique about it. The walls were white along with a few tables and desks. I wonder if this is their militaries main office. I decided to ask.

"Hey Mustang is the main military building?" I looked around a little more noticing that there was no one here not even Ms. Sanders.

"No, this is an extension to the main building. This is where some of the people work including General Jay who seems to absent right now." Mustang looked in the other small spaces that could be called offices although they were only separated by little cubicles.

"Well I guess he’s out on a break or something. While we are here you can call Al. The phone is over there." Mustang pointed to a small desk that contained a mountain of paper work. I sat at the desk musing to myself. This desk reminds me of Colonel Bastard’s, but I think his paper work would probably break the desk.

I could feel my lips turn upwards with a smile at the thought of Mustang and his lack of work ethic. I dialed the number for the operator and she connected me with Winrys’ apprenticeship.

"Ed is that really you?" Winry’s chipper voice asked over the phone.

"Yes, why else would I say it was Ed calling." I said knowing that she did not have the ability to beat me sense less with a wrench or any kind of tool. But I better watch myself.

"Ed why you..." But she was caught off by some one talking to her. "Ed your lucky I can’t physically hurt you right now or okay here’s Al." I could hear Winry mumble under her breathe, but I couldn’t hear what she said. All I know is that it was not good.

"Hey Big Brother how are you doing? Are you getting along with the Colonel?" Al questioned.

"I am doing great and I am surprisingly getting along with The Bastard better than I thought that I would. How are you doing? Has Winry tried to work on you again?" We both chuckle of the memories my question brought back. And I didn’t think that it was the right time to tell Al about Mustang and me. I also didn’t want to discuss it with said guy in the room. Who I could tell was trying to ease drop, but being subtle about it.

"I am having a great time here with Winry and I’ve been working on something’s too." Al added in hushed tones, "And no Winry has not tried to work on me. You better hope she doesn’t hear you talking about her like that Big Brother. You know how she feels about you." Oh, I definitely knew how Winry felt about me. Ever since we were little I knew, but I never felt anything like how I feel toward Mustang. I’ve actually never felt like this way in my entire life. I do love Winry, but not more than one of my best friends.

I do a mental shake to talk to Al with a clear mind. "I know, anyway do you know when you are going home?" I change the subject immediately.

"Oh, um I am not sure. I am really liking it here and I think that I might stay for a few more weeks." It made me very happy to hear that Al was doing really good.

"That sounds great Al. I should be back in Central in a few days or who knows when. It turns out that they already got the guys that were doing the thievery. But they wanted Mustang and me to stay a few more days to make sure that nothing else happens"

"That’s good that you didn’t have to do anything dangerous and it sounds like good vacation time to me."

"Yeah, but I am with the Bastard." I commented to Al, but it was more of teasing than anything else toward the man standing in front of me with that stupid smirk.

I am with the Bastard in more ways than one. I thought, but I kept it to myself.

Mustang leaned down and his warm breathe ghosted over my ear. I was having the hardest time listening to Al. My mind kept wandering over how close Mustang was to me and his breathing near my ear was really distracting that I could barely concentrate on anything other than the man in front of me. Finally after what felt like a millennia Mustang spoke, "Ed, General Jay is here, just thought that I would let you know." Before Mustang pulled away from my ear, he nip it. I dropped the receiver and grabbed my ear in total shock. And a wave a pleasure washed over my body from the action.

I could hear Al saying ‘Big Brother are you still there.’ That broke me out of my phase of staring wide eyed at the smirking imbecile in front of me.

I quickly picked up the phone. "Yeah Al I am still hear sorry I accidently dropped phone due to some annoying things." I glare at Mustang from my seat at the desk. But my body wont let me forget the pleasure I felt when Mustang’s breathe was on the shell of my ear and the enjoyment I felt when he lightly nip at it. I still can’t believe he did that. I mean who does that? Well I found some one who does. I guess I really don’t mind. But I am going to have to get back at him for doing it to me while I was talking to Al.

I return my attention to Al on the line. "Al I have to get going. I guess the guy we were waiting for is here, but I’ll call you when I get back in Central and tell Winry bye for me."

"Okay Big Brother I will and have great time on your trip." I smile at Al’s words.

"Bye Al."

"Bye Big Brother talk to you soon." With that we both hung up the receivers.

I got up from my seat to better yell at Mustang when a big burly man came out of one of the small office spaces. He had a hard look to him with features to match. His hair was a dark gray with black eyes, but nothing like Mustangs'. This mans eyes held nothing for any one to see not even a wall. They were just black and blank. I could see my reflection in them which really weirded me out.

"What’s this kid doing in a military office?" General Jay asked directing his question to Mustang. I could already tell that I wasn’t going to like this man at all.

"General Jay I would like to introduce you to The Fullmetal Alchemist." The man eyed me and gave a questioning look to the newly arrived Ms. Sanders.

"This really is The Fullmetal Alchemist Sir. Nice to see you both again." Ms. Sanders said from the side of General Jay with a smile.

"Isn’t he a bit short." That was what sent me off.

I marched up to the man who was more than double my size and weight. "Who are you calling so small that..." I was gently pulled away by a pair of arms that I was immediately getting used to being wrapped up in, but at the moment I was not in the mood to be messed with. I shook Mustang off me.

"I am sorry about the General Jay." Mustang looked apologetically at the man.

"The rumors are true about Fullmetal having a short fuse." General Jay commented.

Okay that’s it this guy is in for it. Then I remembered the counting exercises that Al told me to do when Mustang made me mad. Breathe in and breathe out. Okay so I start out by counting backwards from ten. 10, 9, 8... or wait is count up to ten. I’ll try it that way. 1, 2, 3,...no wait. Ah, Freaking A! I can’t do it!

"That’s it who are you calling so short that they need a high chair to eat." I shouted at General Jay. He looked mildly surprised and then he exploded.

"Colonel Mustang would you please restrain you subordinate before he makes me really angry." General Jay told Mustang in a cold cruel tone. I could see Ms. Sanders behind the General covering her mouth to restrain the fits of giggles that she was having. I guess no one talks to this guy like that.

I turned to stand beside Mustang with a smirk. And Mustang had a hint of a smile behind his mask that he wore for this man. I surprised myself with the ability to read Mustang a little bit better. His walls were shattering slowly but, surely.

"I will sir as soon as we get back to Central Fullmetal will be punished." Mustang looked down at me with an evil grin spreading across his face. I am not sure I like the sound of that. But it was clear that Mustang and Ms. Sanders were greatly amused with my outburst at General Jay.

"Well that will be sooner than you thought. Your services here are no longer required and you have a train to catch today."

I see a look of relief and confusion travel over Mustangs face before it’s completely wiped away. "I thought that you wanted for me and Fullmetal to stick around for a few days to make sure nothing else happened."

"It turns out that the thieves pose no threat to anyone. They are just a bunch of kids that were trying to feed their families. We are making them stay in jail for a while to make sure that everything checks out. But we will send them to their families with jobs working for us so we can keep an eye on them and so that they can care for their families at the same time."

"That sounds like a good plan General. When does our train leave?"

"Your train leaves at noon."

"I have taken the liberty to make sure that all your belongings are already at the train station and ready to board the train." Ms. Sanders piped in. " You may eat breakfast here and head for the station afterward."

"Thank you Ms. Sanders." Mustang gave her a smile that would make any body male or female weak in the knees. I felt the green eyed monster that was in me stir, but I kept my cool remembering that Ms. Sanders had a boyfriend. She smiled back with a light blush dusting her cheeks, but not going all stupid like most girls did when shot with that smile.

I made a mental note to kick the Bastard's ass some time in the near future for making me jealous whether it was intentional or not I could not tell. But either way he was going to have it coming and for his earlier stunt too.

Mustang and I enjoy a wonderful breakfast eating with Ms. Sanders and General Jay. Although I think that it would have been better without the guy, but begger’s can’t be choosers. They all talk about politics and what not. I added in a comment or two, but I concentrated on eating as much as I could. Who know’s when lunch will be served.

I reached out happily for some more bacon and eggs when General Jay commented on my eating habits. "Does Fullmetal always eat like that Colonel Mustang?" I dropped my bacon and growled low in my throat. He acts as if I am not here. What the hell?

"General Jay would you please refrain from talking about Fullmetal like he is not even hear and please do not make any comments about his eating habits." Mustang replied with a calm and commanding tone.

General Jay looked taken aback for the second time in a day not even with in an hour. "I am sorry Fullmetal and I apologize to you as well Colonel Mustang." General Jay choked out. His face had a sour look to it like he had just eaten something that was hard to swallow.

I looked at Ms. Sanders who was grinning ear to ear. She was obviously enjoying the General being put in his place.

"I accept your apology." Mustang looked at me expecting me to accept to I guess.

I let out a deep sigh and I take a deep breathe. " I accept your apology too." I sputter out. Gosh darn it that was hard to get out.

The meal went on like nothing happened and I picked up my bacon with renewed vigor. We said our good byes to General Jay and Ms. Sanders.

"Bye Ms. Sanders it was great working with you." Mustang held his out and she shook it.

"It was great working with the both of you and I hope to meet you again." She extended her hand to me and I accepted.

"Bye Ms. Sanders I wish you the best of luck working for that guy." I stick my chin out at General Jay who was saying his good bye's to Mustang.

She laughed then smiled. "Oh, don’t worry he’s really not that bad, but thank you any way." I gave her a questioning look, but I let the subject drop.

I went up to General Jay and I extended my hand, he gripped my hand, but not without hesitation. "Good bye General."

"Good bye Fullmetal." And that was all that was exchanged between us.

Mustang and I headed for the train station where waited for about an hour before we boarded on the train and we were on our way home to Central.