Lessons Learned (A PRIVATE FMA rp)

[ocobeam]

"Hello Edward..." Riza said, trying to sound as formal as she could, "I was wondering if you were coming back to Central any time soon... because I have a favor to ask you..."
She shifted from one foot to another, feeling unusually antsy. Her dog was out there in the hands of some crazed maniac (possibly pervert) and she didn't know what to do...

Winry watched as Ed spoke on the phone... she hoped that it wasn't too serious... She didn't know what would happen if she lost those two...

[Lierik]

"A favor?" He asked with surprise. He hadn't been expecting that, but Hawkeye had always been good to him and Al... "What do you need me to do?"

[ocobeam]

"Black Hayate was kidnapped last night..." Hawkeye stated as though she were giving them an important mission, "I need help looking for him, as I babysit the Colonel... I'd really appreciate it if you could help... but if you can't, I understand..."

[Lierik]

"Black...Black Hayate was kidnapped?" If it hadn't been Hawkeye talking, he wouldn't have believed it. But the Lietenant loved that dog... and Hayate really was a good dog. And too small to crush him when he was inevitably jumped on. And he was so cute...

What monster would do such a thing?

With a sudden rush a rage he said, "Lieutenant, I'll be right-" But he cut off before he could finish the promise. He was still sans arm and with a subpar leg. And Winry...

Turning slowly to face his mechanic, he began hesitantly, "Hey, Winry..."

[ocobeam]

Winry nodded before he could say anymore.
"I understand..." she said solemnly, "I worked all night, but your automail is finished... I'll go wake Al up, and you can get going..."
She sighed, and went to head into the other room.

Hawkeye heard the hesitation in his voice, and instantly felt regret for dragging the boys into such a petty problem... but she couldn't help it...

[Lierik]

Torn between what to do, Ed finally lifted the reciever to his lips and said quickly, "Okay, Lietenant, I'll be there as soon as I can." With that he hung up the phone and ran after the other teen.

"Winry!" He called, limping as quickly as he could in her direction. He caught up with her in front of the bedroom where his brother slept and explained desperately, "I'm really sorry, Winry, but see...Black Hayate's been dognapped and Hawkeye needs help finding him..."

[ocobeam]

"It's okay, Ed..." She responded, shaking Alphonse softly, "I understand that you have your duties... besides, I understand how important dogs are... I'd be heartbroken if I lost Den..."
As if on cue, the dog popped her head into the room, her tail wagging.

Hawkeye hung up the phone and returned to the Colonel's office.
He better not be asleep again...

[Lierik]

Al blinked grumpily up at the two arguing above him. He wanted to sleep. If they wanted to argue, couldn't they leave him out of it? "Wha' do'ya want?" He muttered blearily.

Ed looked uncomfortable for a moment before replying, "We're leaving, Al. Lieutenant Hawkeye called; Hayate's been dognapped."

Al choked and sprung up from the bed. "What?" He demanded immediatly. "What happened?!"

"I'm not sure," Ed said slowly, angrily, "But we'll find out."

Al just stared at his brother in horror. How could anyone endanger such a cute, sweet little puppy? He must be so scared...

Al rushed to his nightstand and pulled out his wallet to get to a picture of the office personnel he kept there. He brought it back over and stared down at the tiny puppy's happy little face, cradled lovingly in his mommy's arms.

"I just don't believe it... That someone would be so cruel. And he's such a good dog." He turned teary eyes on his brother, "He''s like a mini-Den."

[ocobeam]

Winry nodded in agreement.
"He must be..."
She never met the dog, but she could only imagine the heartbreak that the Lieutenant must be feeling over her missing pup.
"Ed, I'll be right back..."
She left the room, and returned with a chair. She carried a case that held her hard work from the night before.
"Here, Ed... let me just reconnect it and you can go..." she said, pulling the new parts out along with her beloved wrench.
She regretted letting them go again, but what choice did she have? She wouldn't be selfish as to keep them to herself... she had to be strong for those two... they didn't need any more worries...

[Lierik]

Ed glanced at her in surprise. "O-okay," He nodded submissively and sat down so Winry could do her job. But as he watched her glance at the picture in Al's trembling hand and bite her lip, he asked hesitantly, "Do you... want to help us look for him? I mean, I don't think it's a conspiracy. Just some creep--"

Somewhere in Central, Roy and Maes sneezed in tandem.

"--It shouldn't be that dangerous, and if we have all of Central to cover in the search..."

[ocobeam]

Winry's eyes lit up,
"You really mean that you'd take me with you?!" She asked excitedly.
Her hands closed in her excitement and she pressed her fists against the front of her mouth to almost stifle her enthusiasm.

[Lierik]

Ed wasn't sure exactly what had just happened, but he was hit with the sudden epiphany that he had just done something very, very right.

And that never happened.

Scared to ruin it, he spoke softly, "Of course. Me and Al, we always want you with us. It's just that when it's dangerous...we don't want you getting hurt because of something we did."

[ocobeam]

Winry's eyes filled with tears as she threw her arms around Ed's neck and embraced him tightly, her chest practically in his face.
"Oh, thank you, Ed! You don't know how much this means to me!" She cried happily.

[Lierik]

Ed stood very, very still and remained very, very quiet. He hadn't ruined it. This was a momentous occation.

...Now if only he was brave enough to hug her back.

[ocobeam]

Winry smiled,
"I won't have to worry now!" she said, hugging him tighter, "Thank you, so much Ed!"