A Quiet Day
After making his phone call to Mustang, Havoc decided that he could benefit from a couple of hours of rest while in Armstrong’s estate. It was there that he finally met the rest of Armstrong’s family - the estate was enormous and the family members tended not to see each other for hours on end - and they, in turn, were more than happy to make sure their guest was comfortable.
And Havoc learned what it means living in an Armstrong residence.
The hard way.
“It’s true that the Armstrong family has always been placed in key positions in the State for generations. I was a general myself, and my older daughter is also a general, stationed at the northern borders of Amestris…”
“Really, dear, you shouldn’t tire Mr. Havoc out.”
Tired out, Havoc managed to think even in his benumbed state, hardly cuts it. It was more like he was happy he didn’t have his gun with him or he would have shot himself out of his misery. And to think that he thought the major was odd. Now, as he looked at both the mother and the father, he had got a pretty good idea how a son like the major acquired his size.
Because both parents were huge. The only difference was that the father was huge sideways, whereas the mother was huge in the vertical sense.
Havoc hated to think how the older sister might look like.
On the other hand, the younger daughter, who was now sitting quietly beside her parents, seemed nothing like them. She had a very petite form, and the only thing that was huge on her wouldn’t be very much of a problem in the eyes of any man. If someone else hadn’t caught Havoc’s eye weeks ago, he wouldn’t mind asking her out. But now, Havoc was just content with merely having a pleasant conversation with her.
“So, Katherine… what do you do in your spare time?”
The girl wrung her hands nervously, blushing. “Well, um… I like to play the piano…” she said timidly.
Havoc couldn’t help but smile. Katherine was really cute.
“Well, that is…” Katherine then continued on, “I like to lift the piano three times a day.”
All right, Havoc was wrong about her. Her chest wasn’t the only thing that was ridiculously huge.
Yikes.
It was then that one of the maids appeared through the door and curtsied politely.
“Mr. Armstrong, the young master has just arrived.”
“Ah, excellent,” Mr. Armstrong replied with a broad smile, which was hardly concealed by his thick blond beard. “You may start preparations for luncheon, Mirabel. Come, my dear,” he added, taking his wife’s hand in his own and guiding her outside. “We should let Mr. Havoc talk with our son for a moment.”
“Katherine, run along now,” the woman said. “You shouldn’t bother them.”
“Coming, Mother,” the girl said; then smiled in Havoc’s direction. “It was nice meeting you, Mr. Havoc.” And with that, she followed her parents out of the room.
Havoc watched the family go and, soon afterwards, the major came in. Havoc stood up and saluted.
“Ah, Lieutenant Havoc,” Alex said, gesturing to Havoc to sit down. “I see you’ve met the rest of my family. Isn’t little Katherine very much like me?”
Havoc kicked himself mentally for the question that sprang up in his mind, and he bit his tongue too late before he exclaimed, quite incredulously: “In what way?!”
“The Armstrong eyelashes, of course!” Alex said proudly.
“Oh, yes… of course.” The fact that Havoc still didn’t see it was of no matter whatsoever. He decided he should be polite. “Any news from the hospital?” he asked instead.
Armstrong smiled. “Everything has turned out well. Alphonse has been found and he made amends with young Edward.”
“And Beregond?”
“He’s with them. And, since Edward is still in considerable pain and the Sergeant too fatigued to think clearly, Lieutenant Colonel Hughes and I decided to let them be for today. We’ll go to the hospital again tomorrow to discuss about what happened these last few days.”
“That’s good,” Havoc said. “And I’m coming with you.”
“Of course,” Alex said with a nod. Suddenly, the sparkly aura that Havoc had already spotted on the rest of the Armstrong family appeared on the major’s countenance too. “Would you like to join the family for lunch? I’m sure you must be famished.”
Oh, dear. Havoc had to think of something to escape his predicament - fast.
“Ah, I was thinking that maybe I should take a walk. You know, get those weakened muscles back in shape…”
“Nonsense!” Alex said, waving his hand dismissively. “You can always have that later. A walk is better after a nice meal.”
Havoc mentally sighed. It was worth a shot, at least.
But, once this was over, he would definitely call Sarah.
Roy was in his office when his phone rang, and somehow he knew who it could be. Picking up the receiver, he answered with a brief: “Yes?”
“My secretary said something about you roasting me alive, I believe,” Maes said from the other end of the line.
“I see my message was delivered,” Roy replied, putting down his pen and gripping the receiver more tightly. “Now, care to explain what the hell is happening there?”
When Roy heard the melodramatic sigh, he regretted not having his gloves on, because he felt like burning everything in sight. “Roy, nothing important happened. You know I would have told you if it did.”
“So you didn’t think it was important to tell me that Ed and Al are in the hospital?!” Roy exclaimed.
But Maes was still irritatingly cheery. “Really, Roy, they only got a couple of scratches!”
“Ed was in a fight! He couldn’t lift his arm!”
“Just a minor malfunction that was fixed in no time! His automail mechanic came and fixed it!”
Roy huffed angrily. Damn it, Hughes, why are you doing this now?
“Can you tell me the same about what happened to Beregond and Havoc?” he asked. “They almost got themselves in the middle of a riot, Maes; they could be dead by now! Or should I mention that the sergeant is practically a fugitive?”
The small, momentary pause was enough sign that Maes flinched. He had clearly not expected Roy to know about that.
“Maes… you’re my eyes and ears in Central. You remember that, right?”
“I know, Roy; I know. But, I’m telling you, everything’s under control,” Maes insisted, still keeping his nonchalant act. “Just concentrate on your big transfer to Central… and find yourself a good wife!”
Roy didn’t bother with an answer this time. With a sound that almost resembled a snarl, he slammed the receiver down.
“Easy on the phone, Sir,” Riza said quite business-like. She was carrying a box full of paperwork to her own office when she saw Roy’s violent reaction.
But Roy hardly heeded her advice. He was frowning now, lost in deep thought.
“Sir?”
Roy pursed his lips momentarily. “What has Breda’s report on Connors been so far?”
“Nothing much, Sir,” Riza replied. “Connors has been visiting every village and town in the East area and keeps looking at the death certificates. Unfortunately, Breda has yet to discover why.”
Roy sighed and crossed his arms. “And he won’t have to.”
“What do you mean?” Riza asked.
“I was suspicious when I found out that Connors wasn’t dismayed at all from his visit to Dr. Thornlace’s office. So, while making all those phone-calls last night to Central, I also made one to West City. When I asked Thornlace if he made anywhere any reference to Beregond’s case, he didn’t mention the magnetic tapes, but he mentioned a small notebook where he keeps notes for his next book.”
Riza nodded her understanding. “Connors found the notebook.”
“Exactly. So now this much is obvious: Connors probably read Beregond’s death experience. I bet he disregarded most of it as either the ravings of a madman, or rather, a very good act; nevertheless, he decided to go with that grain of truth that is in the core of the story.”
“Beregond’s death.”
“Which brings us to the death certificates.”
“But, with all due respect, Sir, what does he hope he will find there?”
“If I know anything about Connors, evidence of the oldest trick in the espionage book. Staging one’s own death, picking up another name and then infiltrate the country. Or, in this case, the military ranks.”
Riza’s eyes widened slightly at this. “So, he’s basically trying to convict Beregond as a spy.”
Roy nodded grimly. “Just like he tried to convict him as a murderer.”
“That still doesn’t make sense. Beregond didn’t die in this world.”
“True,” Roy agreed. “But there’s the possibility that there’s someone out there who resembles Beregond, remember? And if nothing came up after the whole search Fawcette and Connors did among the living…”
Roy didn’t continue, nor did he have to. Riza had understood perfectly, and she had clenched her jaw.
“Amestris is vast and her population even more so,” she said.
“Connors, on the other hand, is quite persistent. I just hope he’s also unlucky and he won’t find anything.”
“Yet you set Breda after him.”
Roy smirked tiredly. “I said I hope, I never said I’d leave anything to chance. But on the first news on Connors’ success or not, we’re focusing on other matters.”
“Like Central, Sir?”
Roy nodded. That was enough answer.
“This isn’t as bad as it looks, I hope?” Beregond said, scrutinising Edward from head to toe. He hadn’t missed the wincing expression that momentarily crossed Ed’s features as the young alchemist settled on his bed once more.
“Yeah, don’t worry,” Ed said, waving his hand dismissively and plastering a grin on his face. “I’ve had worse.”
“It was still a bad idea to spar with me, Brother,” Al replied, shaking his head in a disapproving manner.
“So that’s what happened,” Beregond murmured, more to himself than to the two present teens. He faced Ed again. “You will get yourself killed with that kind of attitude,” he noted, pointing the elder Elric with his index finger in mock lecture.
But Ed had his answer ready; someone had provided it for him long ago. “My chances are almost as good as yours, and we’re both still here,” he declared, returning the ‘so there’ face Beregond had given him back at the time the Gondorian had to take care of his own injuries.
“Great,” Al exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air in exasperation. “That means you’ll both take turns in getting hospitalised!”
None of the three could help it. They laughed. True, probably their humour would be regarded grim by some under the circumstances; but they didn’t much care. They were happy, and that’s all that could be said.
It was when their mirth had started dying down that Winry came in the hospital room, holding in her hands the tray of food she had promised to bring on her return. Ed dug into his share with his characteristic enthusiasm; whereas Beregond, being more courteous, thanked Winry for her trouble before he started eating also. Winry also joined them soon enough, and Al sat close by to keep the others company, like always.
“So, Miss Rockbell…”
Winry blushed before she could help it. “Just Winry will do, if you don’t mind.”
Beregond smiled. “Not at all. So, Winry, how long will you stay in Central?”
“A couple of days. That reminds me, I’ll have to go get my ticket tomorrow.” She took another bite from her food and swallowed. “And, thanks to you, I’ll go back home without worries.”
“Why is that?” Ed asked, not really understanding.
“He’ll make sure you won’t break your automail again!” Winry answered, glaring at Edward.
“It’s not my fault if people keep aiming at it whenever I fight them!”
“Here’s an idea: don’t fight!”
Beregond and Alphonse could merely watch in morbid fascination as Edward and Winry burst into yet another argument. And it was only when the two blonds hardly paid heed to their surroundings that the Gondorian leaned close to the suit of armour.
“Does this happen every time?” he whispered.
“Pretty much,” Al answered in the same tone. “It could be worse though; she hasn’t hit him with her wrench yet.”
Clank.
“I stand corrected,” Al said, sighing.
Beregond just winced and stood up with a stoic look on his face. “I’ll get some ice.”
“Sarah, there’s a telephone call for you. Will you take it?”
Sarah lifted her gaze from the list of books she was currently making. “Did they say their name?”
“No. It’s some guy, though.”
“Oh?” Intrigued, Sarah put down the list and walked toward the office. “I’ll take it. Thank you, Milly.”
“Any time,” the other librarian said, and she went to continue with her work.
Sarah picked up the receiver and answered with a polite: “Hello?”
“Hello, Mrs Abbot; it’s Jean Havoc.”
“Now that’s a pleasant surprise! It’s good to hear your voice again, Mr. Havoc.”
“Likewise,” Havoc answered. “I hope I’m not bothering.”
“No, I’m almost done for today. And, frankly, I meant to ask Lieutenant Colonel Hughes for a phone number where I could reach you after I finished work.”
“Really? So you knew I was here in Central?”
Sarah smiled mischievously. “Don’t you know news travels fast?”
“I never thought it travels that fast,” Havoc answered with a chuckle. However, Sarah noted that his tone changed immediately to mild nervousness. “So… um… I was wondering… That is, I don’t know how long I’ll be staying in Central, but… Would you like to go out tonight?”
Sarah frowned momentarily. “It’s quite the short notice, really. I don’t want to leave Alice on her own.”
“Oh… that’s right.”
The woman winced to hear Havoc’s tone of disappointment, even though she partly expected it.
What she didn’t expect was his next question.
“What time does Alice finish school?”
Sarah blinked, momentarily taken aback. “Uh… hold on a second.” She quickly checked the clock by the wall. “In about an hour.”
“Ah, good. So how about this? I come to pick you up and then we can go get Alice so we can all have some hot chocolate or something. Does this sound good?”
Sarah grinned broadly before she could help it. “Well, it’s been cold these last few days; so it sounds perfect. I finish work in twenty minutes. Do you know where the library is?”
“Yeah, no problem. See you in twenty.”
“Okay. Bye-bye.”
“Bye.”
And with that, Sarah hung up and resumed with her work. It was strange, but her heart fluttered with a very familiar, yet long forgotten feeling.
Giddiness.
As promised, Havoc was by the entrance of the library twenty minutes after his phone-call with Sarah. A couple of minutes later, the woman herself appeared through the door, smiling and apologising for her delay. But Havoc assured her that she wasn’t late at all – and even if she were, it would be worth the wait. All Sarah could do was blush profusely and quickly change the subject, saying that they had better not be late in picking up Alice.
Havoc was certainly surprised to see just how much Alice had grown even at the small period of time he hadn’t seen her. And he couldn’t help but laugh when Alice replied to his compliment: “Of course I grew! Small is boring!” That, however, made Sarah smile mischievously and declare that, since her daughter wasn’t small anymore, she wouldn’t like to go get some hot chocolate now, would she?
Suddenly, Alice wasn’t so big anymore; so they went and had a seat at a café nearby. The little girl was the one who did most of the talking, sitting between her mother and Havoc and retelling everything that happened at her school today. All the exercises that she had written correctly; which classmate fought with who and how the teacher made them stand in a corner of the classroom without talking; about the boy that the girl Alice always sat next to liked; and even about the games she played during breaks. She didn’t stop not even while she was drinking her chocolate – she would just pause to take a sip from the sweet beverage and then she would resume as though nothing had interrupted her.
If Havoc didn’t know any better, he would have thought Alice was Hughes’ daughter. Nevertheless, he enjoyed listening to everything she had to say, and he answered to her truthfully that Beregond wanted to see Ed and Al in the hospital first and that was why the sergeant wasn’t with him. He was even saddened to see her face reflecting her slight disappointment, so he assured her that Beregond would see her soon. That made the girl cheer up a bit, so she resumed with her talking.
She didn’t seem to notice how both Havoc and Sarah reached for a napkin when she asked for one, nor did she seem to notice the brief touch of their hands at that simultaneous motion. And if she did notice how her mum and Havoc looked at each other, their eyes revealing their surprise and a little bit of something else entirely, she certainly didn’t comment on it.
At that contact, Havoc felt like his heart stopped pounding, only to start beating again with an a new, oddly happy rhythm. In fact, he enjoyed himself immensely and barely noticed how the time passed by. It was actually Sarah herself that alerted him to that fact, when she said that it was probably best they had headed to her house. Havoc nodded his understanding, and he made sure that this time the chocolates were his treat.
Sarah didn’t seem to mind this time. Instead, she said that she would be more than happy to accept Havoc’s offer, but Havoc himself had to accept her invitation to dinner.
“Yay!” Alice cried out excitedly. “Please come! I can show you our new home!”
With that kind of request, it was impossible for Havoc to refuse. However, he told Sarah that he’d have to make a phone call to the Armstrong estate first, in order to inform the major of his current whereabouts. Sarah agreed with a small smile, and so all three started walking to the woman’s house, while Alice was naming every single dish that she thought would make a nice dinner.
“Well? Any luck?” Edward asked Al, currently pointing at the top of his blond head.
Understanding, Alphonse checked carefully the spot Ed uncovered after removing the icepack. “Yup. The swell is gone,” he declared.
“I didn’t hit you that hard,” Winry said with a roll of her eyes.
“No; I have to admit that her technique, though crude, is quite excellent,” Beregond noted in a teasing tone.
“Hey! Whose side are you on, traitor?” Ed exclaimed, feigning annoyance.
“I’m just stating what’s fair,” Beregond said with his palms upwards in a gesture of peace.
“You just don’t want a wrench on your head,” Ed retorted.
“That too,” Beregond added, laughing. Al and Winry laughed as well, sharing the humour. But, as Ed still watched Beregond, other, darker images penetrated his mind’s eye.
Can you picture it? I could take your appearance; smile at him; maybe even hug him… then crush his ribs before he had the chance to do anything. It would be so gratifying to watch him fall in a heap on the floor, a look of disbelief in his eyes as he would keep staring at the face of the person he was willing to protect with his life… the face of his murderer.
And, just like that, Ed’s smile vanished from his lips. Al was the first to notice Ed’s sobered visage, and it was only natural that he asked in a concerned tone: “Brother? What’s wrong?”
At that question, Beregond and Winry looked at Edward also, a curious expression settled on their features. And Beregond was clearly surprised when Edward locked his gaze on him.
“Beregond, while you were in East City… Did you notice anything strange around you?”
Al tensed, aware what his brother was talking about.
However, the Gondorian was just puzzled. “I’m not sure I know what you mean,” he answered.
“Like you were watched,” Ed explained, being careful with his words. After all, telling the man that he was probably stalked by immortal psychos wasn’t the best option.
Beregond immediately shook his head. “Nothing like that. Although…” He stopped and bit his lower lip.
“What?” Al asked then, anxiously. Winry didn’t say anything, realising that her friends were talking about something very important, and she had best listen.
“That yellow file you had been working on is gone,” Beregond said. “Stolen.”
Edward felt his eyes widening. “Are you sure?”
“Beyond any doubt. But I don’t know who could have done it.”
Al and Ed exchanged a knowing, nervous glance. They had a pretty good idea who could be behind the theft, and it even explained how the Homunculi came to know of the Gondorian.
“I see the file was important,” Beregond said, sighing with regret. “I should have looked after it better.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” Ed assured the man.
“What was in the file?” Beregond asked. “Maybe we can restore some of the missing data.”
“The data is before me.”
It took a couple of moments for Beregond to fully understand what he told. But it was Winry who finally said: “Why would you keep such a file?”
“It was the Colonel’s orders,” Ed answered. He bowed his head in shame, not daring to look Beregond in the eye. “He wanted me to keep an eye on you and gather any information I could so as to present it to him.”
“But… why?”
The tone Beregond used was soft, yet it still had the power to make Ed flinch. In the end, it was Al who answered.
“It was at the time we didn’t know about you. I mean really know about you. We, all of us, were curious, but… you wouldn’t say much. So we went through a different route.”
This time Beregond didn’t say anything, but Alphonse could clearly see the Gondorian’s disappointment. That pained the suit of armour more than any words ever could.
“Beregond…”
But the man this time proved faster. With a gentle shushing sound, he silenced Alphonse and clasped a hand on the armour’s shoulder; whereas the other hand cupped Edward’s chin in a fatherly fashion.
“I’m not angry. I just wish I had given you and the others more reasons to trust me.”
Ed’s eyes widened again. “How can you say that? You were alone, you were afraid…”
“And an intruder, so your reaction was reasonable,” Beregond said, cutting in. “The question now is: do you trust me now?”
“Yes,” both boys said at once, truthfully.
That made Beregond smile broadly. “Good. So no worries on my account, all right?”
The boys nodded, earning a small pat on their shoulders.
It was then that all three realised that Winry seemed now quite confused.
“What?” Ed asked.
“You guys told me that Beregond lost everything in an alchemic accident, that’s why he was in Amestris,” she said. “But if it was just that, why would anyone bother to steal Beregond’s file?” She paused, looking at them with concern; especially at Al. “What more is there, and why didn’t you tell me, Al?”
Beregond frowned at this. “You mean you don’t know?”
“Know what?” Winry asked exasperatedly. “Obviously, I’m not told anything!”
Ed sighed and shook his head. “It wasn’t our secret alone, Winry. We couldn’t tell you.”
“It doesn’t matter,” the Gondorian said then, pinching the bridge of his nose. “In a way, it’s good that you didn’t say anything, because there have been developments.” He smiled wearily as he turned to the boys again. “That’s why I came to find you.”
Ed and Al stared in puzzlement, taken aback by Beregond’s words.
“What kind of developments?” Ed asked.
Beregond averted his gaze and stared at his hands, a faraway look settling in his eyes.
“I remember everything.”
And with that, he started telling his tale once again – from the beginning.
TBC…
And Havoc learned what it means living in an Armstrong residence.
The hard way.
“It’s true that the Armstrong family has always been placed in key positions in the State for generations. I was a general myself, and my older daughter is also a general, stationed at the northern borders of Amestris…”
“Really, dear, you shouldn’t tire Mr. Havoc out.”
Tired out, Havoc managed to think even in his benumbed state, hardly cuts it. It was more like he was happy he didn’t have his gun with him or he would have shot himself out of his misery. And to think that he thought the major was odd. Now, as he looked at both the mother and the father, he had got a pretty good idea how a son like the major acquired his size.
Because both parents were huge. The only difference was that the father was huge sideways, whereas the mother was huge in the vertical sense.
Havoc hated to think how the older sister might look like.
On the other hand, the younger daughter, who was now sitting quietly beside her parents, seemed nothing like them. She had a very petite form, and the only thing that was huge on her wouldn’t be very much of a problem in the eyes of any man. If someone else hadn’t caught Havoc’s eye weeks ago, he wouldn’t mind asking her out. But now, Havoc was just content with merely having a pleasant conversation with her.
“So, Katherine… what do you do in your spare time?”
The girl wrung her hands nervously, blushing. “Well, um… I like to play the piano…” she said timidly.
Havoc couldn’t help but smile. Katherine was really cute.
“Well, that is…” Katherine then continued on, “I like to lift the piano three times a day.”
All right, Havoc was wrong about her. Her chest wasn’t the only thing that was ridiculously huge.
Yikes.
It was then that one of the maids appeared through the door and curtsied politely.
“Mr. Armstrong, the young master has just arrived.”
“Ah, excellent,” Mr. Armstrong replied with a broad smile, which was hardly concealed by his thick blond beard. “You may start preparations for luncheon, Mirabel. Come, my dear,” he added, taking his wife’s hand in his own and guiding her outside. “We should let Mr. Havoc talk with our son for a moment.”
“Katherine, run along now,” the woman said. “You shouldn’t bother them.”
“Coming, Mother,” the girl said; then smiled in Havoc’s direction. “It was nice meeting you, Mr. Havoc.” And with that, she followed her parents out of the room.
Havoc watched the family go and, soon afterwards, the major came in. Havoc stood up and saluted.
“Ah, Lieutenant Havoc,” Alex said, gesturing to Havoc to sit down. “I see you’ve met the rest of my family. Isn’t little Katherine very much like me?”
Havoc kicked himself mentally for the question that sprang up in his mind, and he bit his tongue too late before he exclaimed, quite incredulously: “In what way?!”
“The Armstrong eyelashes, of course!” Alex said proudly.
“Oh, yes… of course.” The fact that Havoc still didn’t see it was of no matter whatsoever. He decided he should be polite. “Any news from the hospital?” he asked instead.
Armstrong smiled. “Everything has turned out well. Alphonse has been found and he made amends with young Edward.”
“And Beregond?”
“He’s with them. And, since Edward is still in considerable pain and the Sergeant too fatigued to think clearly, Lieutenant Colonel Hughes and I decided to let them be for today. We’ll go to the hospital again tomorrow to discuss about what happened these last few days.”
“That’s good,” Havoc said. “And I’m coming with you.”
“Of course,” Alex said with a nod. Suddenly, the sparkly aura that Havoc had already spotted on the rest of the Armstrong family appeared on the major’s countenance too. “Would you like to join the family for lunch? I’m sure you must be famished.”
Oh, dear. Havoc had to think of something to escape his predicament - fast.
“Ah, I was thinking that maybe I should take a walk. You know, get those weakened muscles back in shape…”
“Nonsense!” Alex said, waving his hand dismissively. “You can always have that later. A walk is better after a nice meal.”
Havoc mentally sighed. It was worth a shot, at least.
But, once this was over, he would definitely call Sarah.
Roy was in his office when his phone rang, and somehow he knew who it could be. Picking up the receiver, he answered with a brief: “Yes?”
“My secretary said something about you roasting me alive, I believe,” Maes said from the other end of the line.
“I see my message was delivered,” Roy replied, putting down his pen and gripping the receiver more tightly. “Now, care to explain what the hell is happening there?”
When Roy heard the melodramatic sigh, he regretted not having his gloves on, because he felt like burning everything in sight. “Roy, nothing important happened. You know I would have told you if it did.”
“So you didn’t think it was important to tell me that Ed and Al are in the hospital?!” Roy exclaimed.
But Maes was still irritatingly cheery. “Really, Roy, they only got a couple of scratches!”
“Ed was in a fight! He couldn’t lift his arm!”
“Just a minor malfunction that was fixed in no time! His automail mechanic came and fixed it!”
Roy huffed angrily. Damn it, Hughes, why are you doing this now?
“Can you tell me the same about what happened to Beregond and Havoc?” he asked. “They almost got themselves in the middle of a riot, Maes; they could be dead by now! Or should I mention that the sergeant is practically a fugitive?”
The small, momentary pause was enough sign that Maes flinched. He had clearly not expected Roy to know about that.
“Maes… you’re my eyes and ears in Central. You remember that, right?”
“I know, Roy; I know. But, I’m telling you, everything’s under control,” Maes insisted, still keeping his nonchalant act. “Just concentrate on your big transfer to Central… and find yourself a good wife!”
Roy didn’t bother with an answer this time. With a sound that almost resembled a snarl, he slammed the receiver down.
“Easy on the phone, Sir,” Riza said quite business-like. She was carrying a box full of paperwork to her own office when she saw Roy’s violent reaction.
But Roy hardly heeded her advice. He was frowning now, lost in deep thought.
“Sir?”
Roy pursed his lips momentarily. “What has Breda’s report on Connors been so far?”
“Nothing much, Sir,” Riza replied. “Connors has been visiting every village and town in the East area and keeps looking at the death certificates. Unfortunately, Breda has yet to discover why.”
Roy sighed and crossed his arms. “And he won’t have to.”
“What do you mean?” Riza asked.
“I was suspicious when I found out that Connors wasn’t dismayed at all from his visit to Dr. Thornlace’s office. So, while making all those phone-calls last night to Central, I also made one to West City. When I asked Thornlace if he made anywhere any reference to Beregond’s case, he didn’t mention the magnetic tapes, but he mentioned a small notebook where he keeps notes for his next book.”
Riza nodded her understanding. “Connors found the notebook.”
“Exactly. So now this much is obvious: Connors probably read Beregond’s death experience. I bet he disregarded most of it as either the ravings of a madman, or rather, a very good act; nevertheless, he decided to go with that grain of truth that is in the core of the story.”
“Beregond’s death.”
“Which brings us to the death certificates.”
“But, with all due respect, Sir, what does he hope he will find there?”
“If I know anything about Connors, evidence of the oldest trick in the espionage book. Staging one’s own death, picking up another name and then infiltrate the country. Or, in this case, the military ranks.”
Riza’s eyes widened slightly at this. “So, he’s basically trying to convict Beregond as a spy.”
Roy nodded grimly. “Just like he tried to convict him as a murderer.”
“That still doesn’t make sense. Beregond didn’t die in this world.”
“True,” Roy agreed. “But there’s the possibility that there’s someone out there who resembles Beregond, remember? And if nothing came up after the whole search Fawcette and Connors did among the living…”
Roy didn’t continue, nor did he have to. Riza had understood perfectly, and she had clenched her jaw.
“Amestris is vast and her population even more so,” she said.
“Connors, on the other hand, is quite persistent. I just hope he’s also unlucky and he won’t find anything.”
“Yet you set Breda after him.”
Roy smirked tiredly. “I said I hope, I never said I’d leave anything to chance. But on the first news on Connors’ success or not, we’re focusing on other matters.”
“Like Central, Sir?”
Roy nodded. That was enough answer.
“This isn’t as bad as it looks, I hope?” Beregond said, scrutinising Edward from head to toe. He hadn’t missed the wincing expression that momentarily crossed Ed’s features as the young alchemist settled on his bed once more.
“Yeah, don’t worry,” Ed said, waving his hand dismissively and plastering a grin on his face. “I’ve had worse.”
“It was still a bad idea to spar with me, Brother,” Al replied, shaking his head in a disapproving manner.
“So that’s what happened,” Beregond murmured, more to himself than to the two present teens. He faced Ed again. “You will get yourself killed with that kind of attitude,” he noted, pointing the elder Elric with his index finger in mock lecture.
But Ed had his answer ready; someone had provided it for him long ago. “My chances are almost as good as yours, and we’re both still here,” he declared, returning the ‘so there’ face Beregond had given him back at the time the Gondorian had to take care of his own injuries.
“Great,” Al exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air in exasperation. “That means you’ll both take turns in getting hospitalised!”
None of the three could help it. They laughed. True, probably their humour would be regarded grim by some under the circumstances; but they didn’t much care. They were happy, and that’s all that could be said.
It was when their mirth had started dying down that Winry came in the hospital room, holding in her hands the tray of food she had promised to bring on her return. Ed dug into his share with his characteristic enthusiasm; whereas Beregond, being more courteous, thanked Winry for her trouble before he started eating also. Winry also joined them soon enough, and Al sat close by to keep the others company, like always.
“So, Miss Rockbell…”
Winry blushed before she could help it. “Just Winry will do, if you don’t mind.”
Beregond smiled. “Not at all. So, Winry, how long will you stay in Central?”
“A couple of days. That reminds me, I’ll have to go get my ticket tomorrow.” She took another bite from her food and swallowed. “And, thanks to you, I’ll go back home without worries.”
“Why is that?” Ed asked, not really understanding.
“He’ll make sure you won’t break your automail again!” Winry answered, glaring at Edward.
“It’s not my fault if people keep aiming at it whenever I fight them!”
“Here’s an idea: don’t fight!”
Beregond and Alphonse could merely watch in morbid fascination as Edward and Winry burst into yet another argument. And it was only when the two blonds hardly paid heed to their surroundings that the Gondorian leaned close to the suit of armour.
“Does this happen every time?” he whispered.
“Pretty much,” Al answered in the same tone. “It could be worse though; she hasn’t hit him with her wrench yet.”
Clank.
“I stand corrected,” Al said, sighing.
Beregond just winced and stood up with a stoic look on his face. “I’ll get some ice.”
“Sarah, there’s a telephone call for you. Will you take it?”
Sarah lifted her gaze from the list of books she was currently making. “Did they say their name?”
“No. It’s some guy, though.”
“Oh?” Intrigued, Sarah put down the list and walked toward the office. “I’ll take it. Thank you, Milly.”
“Any time,” the other librarian said, and she went to continue with her work.
Sarah picked up the receiver and answered with a polite: “Hello?”
“Hello, Mrs Abbot; it’s Jean Havoc.”
“Now that’s a pleasant surprise! It’s good to hear your voice again, Mr. Havoc.”
“Likewise,” Havoc answered. “I hope I’m not bothering.”
“No, I’m almost done for today. And, frankly, I meant to ask Lieutenant Colonel Hughes for a phone number where I could reach you after I finished work.”
“Really? So you knew I was here in Central?”
Sarah smiled mischievously. “Don’t you know news travels fast?”
“I never thought it travels that fast,” Havoc answered with a chuckle. However, Sarah noted that his tone changed immediately to mild nervousness. “So… um… I was wondering… That is, I don’t know how long I’ll be staying in Central, but… Would you like to go out tonight?”
Sarah frowned momentarily. “It’s quite the short notice, really. I don’t want to leave Alice on her own.”
“Oh… that’s right.”
The woman winced to hear Havoc’s tone of disappointment, even though she partly expected it.
What she didn’t expect was his next question.
“What time does Alice finish school?”
Sarah blinked, momentarily taken aback. “Uh… hold on a second.” She quickly checked the clock by the wall. “In about an hour.”
“Ah, good. So how about this? I come to pick you up and then we can go get Alice so we can all have some hot chocolate or something. Does this sound good?”
Sarah grinned broadly before she could help it. “Well, it’s been cold these last few days; so it sounds perfect. I finish work in twenty minutes. Do you know where the library is?”
“Yeah, no problem. See you in twenty.”
“Okay. Bye-bye.”
“Bye.”
And with that, Sarah hung up and resumed with her work. It was strange, but her heart fluttered with a very familiar, yet long forgotten feeling.
Giddiness.
As promised, Havoc was by the entrance of the library twenty minutes after his phone-call with Sarah. A couple of minutes later, the woman herself appeared through the door, smiling and apologising for her delay. But Havoc assured her that she wasn’t late at all – and even if she were, it would be worth the wait. All Sarah could do was blush profusely and quickly change the subject, saying that they had better not be late in picking up Alice.
Havoc was certainly surprised to see just how much Alice had grown even at the small period of time he hadn’t seen her. And he couldn’t help but laugh when Alice replied to his compliment: “Of course I grew! Small is boring!” That, however, made Sarah smile mischievously and declare that, since her daughter wasn’t small anymore, she wouldn’t like to go get some hot chocolate now, would she?
Suddenly, Alice wasn’t so big anymore; so they went and had a seat at a café nearby. The little girl was the one who did most of the talking, sitting between her mother and Havoc and retelling everything that happened at her school today. All the exercises that she had written correctly; which classmate fought with who and how the teacher made them stand in a corner of the classroom without talking; about the boy that the girl Alice always sat next to liked; and even about the games she played during breaks. She didn’t stop not even while she was drinking her chocolate – she would just pause to take a sip from the sweet beverage and then she would resume as though nothing had interrupted her.
If Havoc didn’t know any better, he would have thought Alice was Hughes’ daughter. Nevertheless, he enjoyed listening to everything she had to say, and he answered to her truthfully that Beregond wanted to see Ed and Al in the hospital first and that was why the sergeant wasn’t with him. He was even saddened to see her face reflecting her slight disappointment, so he assured her that Beregond would see her soon. That made the girl cheer up a bit, so she resumed with her talking.
She didn’t seem to notice how both Havoc and Sarah reached for a napkin when she asked for one, nor did she seem to notice the brief touch of their hands at that simultaneous motion. And if she did notice how her mum and Havoc looked at each other, their eyes revealing their surprise and a little bit of something else entirely, she certainly didn’t comment on it.
At that contact, Havoc felt like his heart stopped pounding, only to start beating again with an a new, oddly happy rhythm. In fact, he enjoyed himself immensely and barely noticed how the time passed by. It was actually Sarah herself that alerted him to that fact, when she said that it was probably best they had headed to her house. Havoc nodded his understanding, and he made sure that this time the chocolates were his treat.
Sarah didn’t seem to mind this time. Instead, she said that she would be more than happy to accept Havoc’s offer, but Havoc himself had to accept her invitation to dinner.
“Yay!” Alice cried out excitedly. “Please come! I can show you our new home!”
With that kind of request, it was impossible for Havoc to refuse. However, he told Sarah that he’d have to make a phone call to the Armstrong estate first, in order to inform the major of his current whereabouts. Sarah agreed with a small smile, and so all three started walking to the woman’s house, while Alice was naming every single dish that she thought would make a nice dinner.
“Well? Any luck?” Edward asked Al, currently pointing at the top of his blond head.
Understanding, Alphonse checked carefully the spot Ed uncovered after removing the icepack. “Yup. The swell is gone,” he declared.
“I didn’t hit you that hard,” Winry said with a roll of her eyes.
“No; I have to admit that her technique, though crude, is quite excellent,” Beregond noted in a teasing tone.
“Hey! Whose side are you on, traitor?” Ed exclaimed, feigning annoyance.
“I’m just stating what’s fair,” Beregond said with his palms upwards in a gesture of peace.
“You just don’t want a wrench on your head,” Ed retorted.
“That too,” Beregond added, laughing. Al and Winry laughed as well, sharing the humour. But, as Ed still watched Beregond, other, darker images penetrated his mind’s eye.
Can you picture it? I could take your appearance; smile at him; maybe even hug him… then crush his ribs before he had the chance to do anything. It would be so gratifying to watch him fall in a heap on the floor, a look of disbelief in his eyes as he would keep staring at the face of the person he was willing to protect with his life… the face of his murderer.
And, just like that, Ed’s smile vanished from his lips. Al was the first to notice Ed’s sobered visage, and it was only natural that he asked in a concerned tone: “Brother? What’s wrong?”
At that question, Beregond and Winry looked at Edward also, a curious expression settled on their features. And Beregond was clearly surprised when Edward locked his gaze on him.
“Beregond, while you were in East City… Did you notice anything strange around you?”
Al tensed, aware what his brother was talking about.
However, the Gondorian was just puzzled. “I’m not sure I know what you mean,” he answered.
“Like you were watched,” Ed explained, being careful with his words. After all, telling the man that he was probably stalked by immortal psychos wasn’t the best option.
Beregond immediately shook his head. “Nothing like that. Although…” He stopped and bit his lower lip.
“What?” Al asked then, anxiously. Winry didn’t say anything, realising that her friends were talking about something very important, and she had best listen.
“That yellow file you had been working on is gone,” Beregond said. “Stolen.”
Edward felt his eyes widening. “Are you sure?”
“Beyond any doubt. But I don’t know who could have done it.”
Al and Ed exchanged a knowing, nervous glance. They had a pretty good idea who could be behind the theft, and it even explained how the Homunculi came to know of the Gondorian.
“I see the file was important,” Beregond said, sighing with regret. “I should have looked after it better.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” Ed assured the man.
“What was in the file?” Beregond asked. “Maybe we can restore some of the missing data.”
“The data is before me.”
It took a couple of moments for Beregond to fully understand what he told. But it was Winry who finally said: “Why would you keep such a file?”
“It was the Colonel’s orders,” Ed answered. He bowed his head in shame, not daring to look Beregond in the eye. “He wanted me to keep an eye on you and gather any information I could so as to present it to him.”
“But… why?”
The tone Beregond used was soft, yet it still had the power to make Ed flinch. In the end, it was Al who answered.
“It was at the time we didn’t know about you. I mean really know about you. We, all of us, were curious, but… you wouldn’t say much. So we went through a different route.”
This time Beregond didn’t say anything, but Alphonse could clearly see the Gondorian’s disappointment. That pained the suit of armour more than any words ever could.
“Beregond…”
But the man this time proved faster. With a gentle shushing sound, he silenced Alphonse and clasped a hand on the armour’s shoulder; whereas the other hand cupped Edward’s chin in a fatherly fashion.
“I’m not angry. I just wish I had given you and the others more reasons to trust me.”
Ed’s eyes widened again. “How can you say that? You were alone, you were afraid…”
“And an intruder, so your reaction was reasonable,” Beregond said, cutting in. “The question now is: do you trust me now?”
“Yes,” both boys said at once, truthfully.
That made Beregond smile broadly. “Good. So no worries on my account, all right?”
The boys nodded, earning a small pat on their shoulders.
It was then that all three realised that Winry seemed now quite confused.
“What?” Ed asked.
“You guys told me that Beregond lost everything in an alchemic accident, that’s why he was in Amestris,” she said. “But if it was just that, why would anyone bother to steal Beregond’s file?” She paused, looking at them with concern; especially at Al. “What more is there, and why didn’t you tell me, Al?”
Beregond frowned at this. “You mean you don’t know?”
“Know what?” Winry asked exasperatedly. “Obviously, I’m not told anything!”
Ed sighed and shook his head. “It wasn’t our secret alone, Winry. We couldn’t tell you.”
“It doesn’t matter,” the Gondorian said then, pinching the bridge of his nose. “In a way, it’s good that you didn’t say anything, because there have been developments.” He smiled wearily as he turned to the boys again. “That’s why I came to find you.”
Ed and Al stared in puzzlement, taken aback by Beregond’s words.
“What kind of developments?” Ed asked.
Beregond averted his gaze and stared at his hands, a faraway look settling in his eyes.
“I remember everything.”
And with that, he started telling his tale once again – from the beginning.
TBC…
Subtitles
- Brother's Debt
- Fullmetal Body, Fullmetal Heart
- A Quiet Day
- In The Night
- Two Men's Faces
- Transfer
- Making Plans
- Shadows Of The Past
- Underworld
- The Price Of Immortality
- Departure
- The Key
- Enemy Revealed
- A Step Back
- A Step Closer To The Truth
- A Race
- Rush Valley
- Responsibility
- Izumi
- Time To Stand Still
- Wild Child
- Encounter
- Riddles In The Dark
- In Search For Answers
- A Teacher's Mistakes
- Complications
- Visits
- The Nature Of A Homunculus
- Dante Of The Deep Forest
- Kidnapped
- Fight At The Devil's Nest
- Innocence Lost
- Blood Spilt
- Recovering
- Bearers Of Ill News
- The Flame Alchemist
- True Colours
- Markings On The Ground
- The Mission
- Heading To Liore
- Change Of Plans
- The Scar
- Holy Mother
- A Mother's Face
- Final Moments