Ruined

New Beginning

Chapter 2

You mindlessly nibbled on the end of your pen. Your eyes glazed over from countless hours spent hunched over a desk filling out reports on the East City Explosion. A chaotic jumble of thoughts clashed in your mind. You didn't know what to focus on or what to think. So much has happened in such a short amount of time.

The explosion that happened recently was somehow related to your brother's killer. Mustang's unit didn't find a body at the scene of the explosion, you weren't sure if you should feel relieved or angry. Relieved that your right to vengeance wasn't stolen from you or angry that a bloodthirsty killer still roamed the streets.

But that has been the least of your concerns for the past few days. It has been a week since the Elric brothers discovered a source for Dr. Marcoh's notes and three days since they ventured into the fifth laboratory.

Your grip tightened around the pen as you recalled the phone conversation you had with Edward three nights ago. Philosopher stones are created using human lives. You shuttered at the thought despite the revelation no longer being new to you. Who would do such a thing? Sacrifice innocent lives just to create a stone? You gritted your teeth and combed your fingers through your hair. You didn't know what to think. It was truly a devil's stone, but does that also make you a devil? Are you evil for still wanting a philosopher stone? Yes. Yes I am. You thought somberly, your reports forgotten. The stone could be forged out of the lives of a hundred souls and you would still use it, you know that. You were prepared to accept the consequences of your choices the moment you decided to seek vengeance.

The sudden smell of autumn leaves and pumpkin spice filled your nose and you were instantly dragged back to reality. A distant murmur of voices filled your ears as you dived back into your work. The voices became louder and louder until they became recognizable. It was the members of Mustang's unit.

"Yo." A masculine voice called to you. You looked up to find Jean Havoc leaning against the doorway of the enormous office room. The space was completely empty except for you, all the other soldiers took off a few hours ago. "We were wondering if you were still here."

"Yeah" you sighed, relaxing in your chair as you regarded the alpha. His scent wrapped around you in a warm embrace, filling your lungs and reminding you of a nice cup of tea on a crisp autumn day. "Unfortunately I still have a ways to go with the paperwork". And tonight's supposed to be my last night in East City too. You internally groaned. Hopefully Mustang would allow you to take the paperwork back with you to Central and complete them there. "I might be here for a few more hours." Or at least until the night cleaning staff kicks me out.

"That's a bummer." Jean replied. "We were going to ask if you wanted to go out drinking with us tonight."

"Tonight?"

"Yeah." Kain interjected. "It's our way of saying thank you for all your hard work this week."

"I don't know, I would like that but I can't leave when I still have all this paperwork to do."

"Oh Riza could help you with that! She could ask the Colonel if he'd let you take them back to Central with you. Right, Riza?" Kain chimed in, looking at the blond beta expectantly.

She sighed. "I'll see what I can do."

"Now that that's settled, how about it?" Jean asked.

"Well...uh". Your voice trailed off. The group looked at you expectantly, you almost felt like you couldn't say no even though you knew you could. You didn't know the Mustang unit very well but after spending a week in their care you knew without a shadow of a doubt that they were kind and understanding people. They wouldn't mind if you said no. You looked back at your reports and bit your lip. You should really complete your work, who knows if Riza could persuade Mustang into letting you take them back with you. You weren't sure if you wanted to risk getting written up for submitting incomplete work, but then again, after everything that happened recently you could use a drink or five.