Homecoming

AN: Written for sharona1x2's pick in the playlist meme, #78 - 'Chris Franke: Babylon 5 - Into the Fire Combat Sim - Battle Simulation F', a soundtrack piece from a Babylon 5 flightsim that was never published. Yeah, I bet you all have that on your playlists... ;-) Mind, this is also my first ever venture into FMA.

Central was, as the name, location and stature implied, the unquestionably hub of knowledge and intelligence in Amestris - and beyond. It was Rome, it was Babylon. If there ever was a place that might hold a tome or house some foreign wise man with the secret of how to correct their mistakes, it would be Central.

Ed hated it when he had to leave and chase some wild goose of a rumor.

He hated even more to return, usually empty-handed. Like now. Colonel Mustang would not let that fact slip. Damn him. They turned a corner, Army HQ straight ahead. Ed sighed, stepped forward. "Let's get this over with, Al."

"Are you sure?"

He stopped, turned, frowned. "What do you mean? The lead was a bust. We have to tell Mustang, and-"

"That's not what I meant - are you sure we should use this entrance?"

"The heck are you on about?"

"Major Armstrong on welcome approach, one o'clock."

Ed spun on his heel to look. Oh, hell. After what they'd just been through, an embrace from the Strong Arm Alchemist was exactly not what the doctor ordered. Damn, he needed to- "Open up, Al - I need a place to hide!"

Al crossed his arms across his chest panel, fighting off Ed's hands. "No, brother - I only let kittens and women in distress in there."

Dumbfounded, he paused his fists, then started to laugh. "...from any other guy that would have sounded really weird..."

More than that, he had no time for. Armstrong was upon them, and around him. Far too much around him. Too busy struggling to breathe, he failed to register whatever overwhelming tirade of welcome Armstrong was serving them this time. No doubt well-intended, and just as certain giving much the opposite effect.

Released, Ed coughed, caught his balance, then registered a voice not short of sarcasm somewhere behind him.

"...Back again, Fullmetal?"

Ed froze. If he'd been a cat, his back would arc and his tail go fluffy. No doubt, his ponytail was acting a good substitute, hitting the sky.

"And what do you bring to us this time? You didn't come up short once more, did you?"

Catfight.

You can always trust Flame to ignite a powder keg by mere presence.

-end-