"A ball?" Aiden repeated dubiously, waving the flyer she'd been given in her mail. "We're going to have a ball? People still have those? What is this, 1811? Will the Duchess of Bedford be in attendance?"

Roy blinked and set is coffee down on his desk, barely missing the paperwork strewn across. "Ignoring the possible political figures of your world, yes there's going to be a ball. I don't see the point in asking when you've been to all the military funded New Years celebrations."

"Yes. Celebrations. Forgive my 2019 otherworldly knowledge and preferences but no one calls them balls anymore," she stressed.

"You're being especially moody today," Jean commented.

"Constant vigilance," she replied drearily. Their blank expressions disappointed Aiden and she sighed and slumped further into the couch she'd landed on only minutes ago. Of course no one would understand her Harry Potter reference.

After receiving the sheet of paper notifying her of the upcoming ball, Aiden sped to Roy's office, bypassing her subordinate's questions, though they should've been used to it by that point. It was a new office, given that his last one had been destroyed by Father as had a good portion of Central Command. Roy'd been grinning when he realized all his paperwork had been vaporized, until Aiden calmly reminded him that he'd need to do it all over again. Poor Sheska was going to be worked to the bone. Maybe they should all pitch in and buy the woman a present. Like a chiropractor for her hand.

The alchemists on the job had finished repairs only three weeks ago and work was slowly returning to normal. People were promoted to make up for the missing and dead soldiers from the supposed coup d'etat. The new recruits were rather skittish, but it wasn't their fault they were assigned to Central two weeks after the small war. Not to mention how most the superior officers they'd been assigned to were gone, meaning a lot were on leave until the positions were filled.

"At least Katy would've appreciated my references."

"Keeping you two in the same room is a bomb waiting to happen. And given that you two did blow up that company building..."

"Okay first off, it was the shady employee who lit the fuse, we just didn't stop it. Second, they were lacing their products with drugs! What kind of pharmaceutical company does that? I mean sure, they got people to buy more of their shit but still!" She sighed heavily. "What's it for anyway?"

Rather than pointing out that her flyer was inches from her leg, Roy sat in his chair and explained. "It's the six month anniversary of our government being overthrown. Grumman also wanted to boost the morale of his officers before the councilors we have on staff filed any more complaints."

Aiden hummed and nodded. A salacious grin slowly started to stretch across her face. "And I suppose the Presidency election coming up in two months wouldn't have anything to do with it in the slightest, right, Brigadier General?"

He smiled softly. "Well I suppose you're not all witty comebacks after all, Lieutenant Colonel."

The company of the room rolled their eyes at the not-so-subtle flirting. Ever since the two got over their pining and became a couple the longing looks had lessened and the teasing had grown. They weren't yet sure if it was an improvement.

"Oh please, I'm the smartest dumbass in the room. I can name all the waiting staff around Eastern, and yet I didn't know we had councilors until that murder two years ago."

"Your ability to simultaneously compliment and degrade yourself continues to astounds me."

"Thanks it's the trauma."

Silence entered the room and Aiden leaned her head back and closed her eyes and listened to the sound of multiple pens scratching. Roy's sighs over his work were easily heard over the scritching, a sound she'd become very accustomed to in the nights spent together. She was ready for the couch to swallow her up and leave her in a peaceful sleep.

Catching up on the work she'd missed while... absent had been taking its toll on her. Her subordinates had done all that came across when they could but eventually someone had to step up and replace her position as department head. She was extremely thankful it was Jed and not some other corrupt soldier and their team. Her Lieutenant had done a remarkable job of keeping things together while the team were investigated for her whereabouts.

A loud bang sounded as the door flew open, followed quickly by a, "That's mean brother!"

Aiden's head shot up and she turned to glare at the two entering the room. She had nearly fallen asleep damn it. "Those are new doors Edward, why do you feel the need to do that?"

The golden haired teen turned to her and grinned. "I did that a lot to the Colonel's last office too. I'm just breaking them in!"

"No, you're just breaking them," she corrected.

Alphonse sighed heavily at his brother's antics and the rest of the team didn't feel the need to comment on the matter. They'd grown used to the boy barging in and his younger brother apologizing for Edward's actions. "Hello Brigadier General!" he chirped, spotting the raven-haired man at his desk.

"Hello Alphonse," Roy said and the others waved or replied in their own way.

"Welcome back Alphonse," Riza added.

Edward groaned loudly. "This is blatant favoritism!"

Aiden frowned, "Were we not being obvious before?"

Roy's shit-eating grin was lost as Edward handed him sheets of paper stapled together. His eyes glanced over the paper before he frowned and placed it on his already covered desk. "Your resignation form?"

"Yeah... I figured since I can't do alchemy anymore there'd be no point in continuing my enlistment as a State Alchemist. Even so, resigning was the plan from the beginning. I only agreed so Al and I could restore our bodies."

Jean's downhearted voice carried from his desk. "And now your leaving us Chief?"

Edward nodded and Aiden frowned, chest filling in disappointment at the news. She'd be sad to see him go and would miss their talks. The kid filled his end of Roy's agreement and now it was Roy's turn to return the favor and remove the Fullmetal Alchemist from the State Alchemist's roster. 

"Oh yeah." Edward reached into his pocket and placed a small object on the desk, it clinked against the wood.

Alchemists were required to hand in their pocket watch upon retirement so they could no longer gain access to the research materials held in the military libraries. From there they were recycled and given to the next alchemist who happened to pass the exam. There was no telling where Katy's watch had gone, the woman more than likely took it with her so searching for the thing would be a lost cause.

Roy stared at the watch for a moment. "Keep it," he said.

The teen gaped at his commanding officer. "What? Why?"

"That watch has been through a lot, as have you boys. I see no point in letting you return it when it only belongs to you. That watch wouldn't fit right with anyone else." Roy opened the lid to look at the inscription still inside. Don't forget 3, Oct. 10; the day everything began for them. He then closed it and tossed it back. "I think it'd be better off with its owner rather than being recycled, don't you think?"

A small smile reached the teens lips, "Thanks Colonel."

Aiden smiled slightly. It seemed Edward wasn't above thanking Roy at all, especially not when Roy did such a meaningful gesture. "So boys," she said, drawing the attention away from the dreary atmosphere. "How long you gonna be in town?"

"Just until the forms are filed and maybe a bit longer," Alphonse answered. "We wanted to spend some time with the Hughes', Winry came along too."

"Why what's up?" asked Ed.

"The sixth month anniversary of the Promised Day is coming up and you two were invited."

"It's already been that long?" Al questioned just as Edward glowered.

"This better not be another one of those political things!" he sneered. 

Aiden's smile turned into a predatory grin. "If I have to go you have to. I will not suffer alone if I don't have to and I will drag you into that ball with me if I have to."

Al sweatdropped as Edward took up the challenge with a growl. "You can't make me go! Anything otherwise would be kidnapping!"

"Bold of you to assume I couldn't kidnap a shorty like you."

"We're the same height you god-awful woman!"

"It only took you sixteen years to get there! Alphonse is taller than both of us and he's fifteen!"

Alphonse, not wanting to be the center of the conversation, quickly piped up from his spot. "What could it hurt brother? We've been to the celebrations before and this time we could invite Winry."

"Your teacher and her husband were invited as well Edward," Roy said.

"If she's going then I'm definitely not!"

Aiden rolled her eyes. "Ed, I've never met your teacher, but from what I hear she wouldn't accept the invitation if it were the last party on Earth. Just because it's a military function."

"And Winry would love to attend a party in Central!" Alphonse added eagerly.

The golden-haired teen groaned. "Ugh, fine damn it! We'll go! When is it?"

Roy checked the notice. "Two weeks from Tuesday, you've got fourteen days."

She shot up from the couch. "Fourteen days?" Aiden cried out just as Riza jolted, "Brigadier General!"

"Al! Is Winry at the Hughes'?" 

"Uh, yes-"

"Riza! Code 1D12!"

"On it!"

Aiden snatched up the invitation from the couch and vaulted over the furniture that blocked her from the door, Riza close behind and  three files in arm. The two didn't bother closing the doors behind them. The male occupants of the room stared in shock at the abrupt exit of not only Aiden, but the normally composed Riza Hawkeye as well.

Roy blinked rapidly as his eyes burned. "Was it something I said?"

Breda shook his head. "No, they're like this every time they're given short notice on an upcoming event."

Jean nodded. "Yep, and somehow you've managed to miss every single one."

"So... are they getting ready? This early?" Ed questioned.

"I've learned that no amount of time is enough time for women," Roy answered blandly, turning to face his paperwork.

"Is that a yes?"

"Yes, Fullmetal."

"Speaking of, brother, we should get you sorted as well. You can't go in that red jacket anymore. And I'll be needing a suit as well since I'm no longer a suit of armor." Alphonse gasped. "Ed I can wear suits now!"

Ed smiled at his brother's enthusiasm. "Hey yeah that's right!"

Roy shook his head lightly at the pair. "We'll get you two situated."

**********

So... It's been a while... I am so sorry. I just didn't have the drive. Good news! I know exactly what I'm doing now! I plan to have this story finished by the end of January!

Plans for the MHA fanfic? Not a clue! I'll let you guys know.