"Well, Colonel," General Hakuro started, leaning casually against his subordinate's desk. "How well do you think you'll fare this year?"

"Sir?" Mustang furrowed his brow in momentary confusion. He had not been expecting a visit from the general, but the man was usually friendly, so he didn't protest much. After all, it gave him a break from staring at page after page of various reports and requisition forms.

Hakuro chuckled, pulling out a couple cigars from a case he pulled from the breast pocket of his military jacket. "Your annual State Alchemist assessment," he explained, passing one the cigars to the younger man. "I've decided to approve the vacation time you requested, so you can prepare for it. You'll have two weeks to work on it." The grey-haired man winked as he placed the cigar in his lips. Reaching back into his pocket, he pulled out a lighter, which he used to ignite the cigar. After taking a couple deep puffs, Hakuro let the smoke trail out of his mouth slowly. "I expect good things from you this year, Mustang."

"Thank you, General," Mustang muttered, bringing the cigar to his nose and giving it an appreciative sniff. He rarely smoked, but he did savor fine goods when he was treated to them. He considered the cigar for a moment, and decided to share it with Hughes when the weekend came. He hadn't had a chance to visit his fallen friend's grave in a while, anyway, so it would be a good excuse to go. "Cretan tobacco, Sir?" he asked, holding it up.

"Of course, nothing but the best." Hakuro passed the lighter to Roy, who shook his head in response.

The dark-haired man laid the cigar down on the desk. "No offense Sir, but I think I'll smoke it later. Thank you very much, though."

"You're welcome. Be sure to enjoy it when you get a chance." Hakuro spoke as he moved to the couch, gesturing for Mustang to follow him. After both men were seated, he continued. "What will you submit this year?" He draped one leg over the other and leaned back, making himself more comfortable.

Roy crossed his arms and leaned back as well, thinking about his possibilities. "I'm not sure, yet. I've submitted everything I can on the flame alchemy I specialize in, so I have no idea. Maybe I'll impress Fullmetal into service. He knows quite a bit about many different kinds of alchemy. Plus, he has the chance to travel, so his knowledge is rather extensive." Roy smiled. "That boy has a passion for learning, and knows a little bit of everything. He's a good subordinate, even if he acts his age sometimes." The smile fell from the alchemist's face.

Hakuro scowled in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Mustang took a deep breath before explaining. "Well, he is fifteen. He may be a genius, but that doesn't stop him from being a teenager. I suppose I'm a safe outlet for him to vent his frustrations on. I don't mind, but sometimes, I get upset with his behavior."

"I see. His assessment is coming up soon, as well... Isn't that right?"

"I believe so," Mustang agreed, laying his head on the back of the couch. As he stared at the ceiling, he asked, "Why do you mention that?"

Hakuro smiled, though the younger man couldn't see it. "Well, perhaps I can speak to the fuhrer, and somehow get permission for a joint assessment for the both of you, like the battle assessment from a couple years ago. Say, if you were to both work on this report, and sign it. Perhaps the fuhrer will accept it, and approve of your alchemic service to the state for the both of you." He looked over at the younger man, waiting for a response.

Mustang mulled over what his superior had just said for a few moments, knowing the other man was waiting for him comment on the suggestion. "Well," he started. "It seems like an easy out, but I'm not sure how Fullmetal will feel about it. I will ask him about it next time I see him. Is that fair enough, General?"

"Hmmm..." Hakuro looked around the room, his eyes lighting on the lamp on Mustang's desk. "I suppose that will do for now. When do you expect to see him next?"

Mustang sat up once more and looked at his superior officer. "He pops in and out throughout the day, but not every day. So... Maybe I'll see him later today." 'I know I will...' he added mentally. ‘Tonight... I wonder if Alphonse is coming...'

"That's fine. Do you know what time it is?"

Mustang pulled out his silver pocket watch and flipped it open. "It's a quarter to four, Sir."

Hakuro stood up and straightened his jacket. "I see. Well, I must be going then. It was good visiting with you, Colonel. Let me know Fullmetal's answer to my proposal," He spoke as he strode toward the door.

Mustang stood as well, saluting the general. "I will, Sir." He dropped his hand to his side. "Have a good rest of your day."

Hakuro turned and smiled. "Thank you. I'll try, but you know how this place is... I'll probably only get to rest once I'm home and playing with my son."

"I understand completely, Sir," the raven-haired alchemist chuckled knowingly. "That's the only trouble with the higher ranks. The more power one has, the more responsibilities one has." Mustang sighed dramatically.

"Be careful, Colonel. You almost sound like you're complaining," Hakuro turned back toward the younger man, his hand on the door knob in preparation for leaving.

"Oh, no, Sir. I don't mind the responsibilities. But, I will admit, this vacation time will be good for me. Although I will be working on my project for my assessment, it will be a pleasant rest for my mind."

The grey-haired man looked the younger man up and down. "Well, you do look tired. I agree that this vacation might be just what you need." He pulled open the door and stepped into the outer office. "Good day, Colonel," he spoke before nodding to each of the younger man's subordinates in turn on his way out.

Once the older man closed to the door to the hallway behind him, Hawkeye stood and made her way to Roy. "Sir, I have a message for you from Edward. He called while you and the general were speaking." She passed over the note she had written earlier.

Mustang took the slip of paper from her and glanced quickly at the lieutenant's neat script, which read: 14h16m - Edward Elric - Called regarding this morning's conversation - Requested return call to dorm. "I see. Was that all he said?" the dark-haired alchemist asked as he walked behind his desk to sit in the chair.

"He said he had more information for you, but refused to elaborate. He asked that you call him back as soon as you were able, Sir," Hawkeye said as she followed the colonel. She stood at attention in front of the desk, and saluted when Mustang looked her way. "Did your meeting with General Hakuro go well, Sir?" she asked amicably.

"It did. I'll be on a two-week vacation starting next week to have time to work on my assessment. Was there anything else I can help you with, Lieutenant?"

Hawkeye lowered her arm. "No, Sir. I'll leave you to your work now." She bowed at the waist slightly and excused herself from the room. As she exited the inner office, she heard the colonel pick up the phone and ask to be connected to the dorm where the Elrics were staying. The man's voice faded when she closed the door and sat at her desk to sort the rest of the day's workload.

O o O o

"Hello?" Edward's tired voice came over the line. Mustang smiled, imagining how the teen looked. Perfectly sloppy, as though he had just woken up from a nap, with his hair tied back in a messy ponytail and a baggy shirt over sweat pants. He knew Edward didn't sleep in the clothing he was envisioning, and probably wouldn't have changed into whatever he used for pajamas for a midday nap, but in his mind's eye, it looked good and he found himself breathing hard.

"Fullmetal, did I wake you?" he asked cordially. He heard the teen grunt in answer. "I guess... that's a yes?"

"Yeah. What time do Al and me need to be there for dinner? He bought a pie, and he won't let me any until dessert, so the sooner we can come over, the sooner I can have apple pie."

"It's 'Al and I,' Fullmetal. It seems you write the way you talk. And you wonder why I keep sending back your reports for editing," Roy huffed, ignoring Ed's squawk of protest. "Besides, is that all you care about? Apple pie?"

"But, it's really big, and it smells really good," Ed argued, his voice reaching an almost whiny pitch. "And I want some... Apple pie is my favorite!"

Mustang could imagine very well Edward squirming and dancing like a child trying to charm the people around him into giving him his way. "Calm down. Anyway, there is something I need to talk to you about, so do you think you can meet me at six this evening?" 'That will give me time to buy food for dinner and begin setting up.'

There was a moment of silence on the other, but finally he heard Edward saying that six was fine, and what was for dinner. While he waited for Ed's answer, his mind wandered to the events of the previous night. His mind had escaped there often during the day, and it had been a struggle to bring himself back to the present task at hand at these times.

"I was thinking about cooking some steaks with all the fixings," He answered, grinning broadly when he heard the boy practically purr with happiness at this answer.

"That's good, but, I'll warn you now, I'm really hungry."

Roy's grin faded a bit at the thought of how much Edward might be able to eat. "That's fine, I'll make extra. After all, you are still a growing boy."

"Of course I am. I told you so last night, remember?"

"Yes. Well, I'll see you tonight, then," Roy said as he pulled the phone away from his ear. However, he stopped when he heard Edward ask what it was he needed to speak with him about. "Oh, I need to go over your yearly assessment. General Hakuro had a proposal he wanted me to give you."

"Oh. Okay. We'll talk about that tonight, then. Bye. Al's calling me back to the room, anyway," the teen rushed out before abruptly hanging up the phone, leaving the older man to stare at the handset for a moment before hanging up himself.