Not a lot of changes in this chapter. Basically, just corrected some grammar issues and, if you notice, instead of being 5, Ed is now going to be 7. I didn't want how smart he is to seem too abnormal for his age.

Anyway, thanks for the support and let's keep this going.

Chapter One: What Once Was Lost

A small boy with messy blonde hair got off the train as it pulled into the station of Central. This was his first time so far from home and in such a big city. He walked out onto the platform and looked in awe at all the tall buildings and the crowds of people. They bustled around him and never noticed the small child who was rolling a small suitcase behind him. He grasped his item closely; keeping a close eye open for the thieves he had heard would be in such a big city.

He stepped from the platform and into the streets looking around; his mother told him that he would be meeting someone at the station to pick him up.

The boy's name was Ed, and he was from a small town called Risembool. His mother had said that she was no longer able to care for him and was sending him to meet his father. That was the last time he saw her; when she put him on the train and bid him goodbye. Ed didn't know how he felt about meeting his father. All his mom had ever said was that he was in the military; a state alchemist.

Ed rolled his suitcase behind him and continued to look around. He saw people and flashy cars, but nothing seemed familiar. Of course, he didn't even know what his moms friend looked like, just that he was part of the military as well. How did she expect him to find this random person?

"Why do I have to go?" A young Ed asked as he was standing and waiting for the train with his mother.

She was a beautiful woman with auburn hair and soft eyes. She smiled down at her son then kneeled on one knee, fixing his hair.

"Because dear, it's time that you got to know your father."

Ed scrunched his face up and frowned. "Why? There's no point. He hasn't been around this long!"

His mother just smiled back and pulled him into a hug. "I know and I'm sorry. Please give him a chance."

Just then the train whistled, announcing its arrival. Their hug broke and she started double checking to make sure that her son had everything he needed.

"I want to stay here. With you. Please!" Ed pleaded, his eyes watering. He tugged on his mother's skirt and stared up at her.

The train pulled in and came to a screeching halt. The doors opened, and the conductor yelled for everyone to board. The other few people that were waiting boarded the train and took their seats.

"You have to go now. And you have to be brave for me."

She took Ed's hand and guided him to the entrance. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the ticket and handed it to the conductor then turned back to her son and engulfed him in one last hug.

"Please behave. And don't forget to give my friend the letter I wrote. He will meet you at the station. Take care."

She kissed his forehead and the hug would have lasted longer if it were not for the conductor who urged them to hurry.

Ed looked back as he boarded the train and took a seat near the window, where he could still see his mother waving. He waved back and continued to do so even as the train pulled out of the station.

Ed sighed and stopped walking. He leaned against a light post, not wanting to venture too far from the station. He had no idea what he was supposed to do now. He didn't even know the name of his father let alone what he looked like. How would he find him?

*****^w^*****

"Shit, I knew I should have left earlier." a man with dark hair and wearing glasses cursed as he drove through the streets. It was already starting to get dark, and 30 minutes past the time he was supposed to be there.

Hughes eyed the streets as he neared the station, just in case the boy had tried to walk away, hoping he didn't. Central was no place for a child to be on the streets at night, especially not one that didn't know anyone or the area.

He pulled up to the station and stopped his car, getting out and surveying the area. The platform seemed almost empty aside from a homeless person sleeping on the bench. He walked over to him, looking around the whole time.

"Hey buddy." He said, shaking the sleeping bum.

The man rustled and opened an eye. "Can I help you?"

"Did you see a kid round here? Blond hair, gold eyes."

The homeless man thought for a second. "Hmm…I don't remember."

Hughes groaned and reached into his pocket, pulling out a ten-dollar bill and shoved it into the man's hands.

"Oh yea, he should be on the other side of the platform. Little guy seemed lost, so he hid."

"Thanks."

Hughes made his way to the other side just in time to see Ed shooing away a stray cat that was interested in his sandwich and being quite aggressive about it.

"Go Away! This is mine!" Ed yelled, hugging his sandwich that his mother had made for him tight. His stomach growled when the cat hissed again and took another step towards him.

Hughes smiled as he watched the events, but decided to step in.

"Hey, how about you give up the sandwich and we get you something better?" he smiled walking towards Ed.

He looked him over for a second considering this. The man seemed strange, but he was the only person who had spoken to him so far, so he must be his moms friend right? He was wearing a military uniform.

"W-who are you?"

Hughes held up his hands non-threateningly. "Don't worry. Your mom sent me."

Ed smiled and tossed the sandwich away. The cat grabbed it and ran off. "I thought I was going to be stuck here." he exclaimed. "You're late," he added with a slight glare.

Hues apologized. "I got caught up in work. Now, how about we get you some food."

Ed grabbed his suitcase and followed Hughes as he led him to his car. He took the luggage and put it in the back while Ed climbed into the passenger seat and fastened his seatbelt.

Getting in the car, Hughes started it up and headed for his home. Gracia was cooking tonight and he knew that Ed would just love her cooking. Everybody did.

"So, mind if we talk?" Hughes asked, breaking the silence.

Ed looked over at him. He had gotten caught up staring at all the buildings they passed. This place was something new; much larger than his small town.

"Uh…sure."

"So, how much has your mom told you?"

Hughes and his mom used to be best friends when she stayed in Central. Then she just moved away randomly, and he didn't hear form her for a while and when he finally did, she had already had a son.

"She told me that I would be staying with my father for a while." Ed answered.

He still was not keen on the idea of staying with some guy that he didn't even know. Plus, he was a state alchemist. No one in his town spoke anything good about the military. But, he thought, this guy didn't seem so bad so far.

"Did she tell you anything about your dad?"

"He's an alchemist…That's it."

Hughes nodded. So, the boy knew almost nothing. He mentally sighed. He really didn't know what Trisha was thinking. This entire situation was sloppy. Too sloppy for a kid to be put in the middle of.

"One more question."

Ed looked up at him. "What is it?"

"How old are you?"

Ed stopped to think for a minute. If this was his mom's friend, wouldn't he know this already? Although, he saw no harm in answering for now. "I'm 7"

It wasn't long after that until Hughes pulled up into his home. He helped Ed out of the car and grabbed his suitcase, leading him into the house. Gracia greeted them at the door and smiled down at the young boy.

"Well hello. And what's your name?" she asked politely.

"You're HUGE." Ed exclaimed, wide eyed at the size of the woman. He had never seen someone so…. round.

Gracia chuckled. "That's because I'm pregnant and soon, I'll have a baby girl. Want to feel?"

Ed looked back at Hughes who urged him forward and he walked over to Gracia and placed his hands and ear to her belly. He smiles when he heard the extra heart beat and felt a small kick.

"There really is a baby in there!"

"Yup…Why don't you take him into the kitchen? I need to go make some quick calls." Hughes suggested.

Gracia smiled, catching the hint and grabbed Ed's hand. "How hungry are you, because I've made a lot for you to eat."

"Wait." Ed stopped and reached into his pocket, pulling out a folded note. "My mother said to give this to you." He handed the paper to Hughes and then turned, continuing with Gracia into the dining area.

He eyed the note and headed to his study, reading it as he walked. It was from Trisha. By the time he reached his study, he didn't know what to do. The note had pretty much cleared up any questions he had, but none of them were good.

"Fuck."

Hughes sat at his desk and placed his head in his hands. This situation was far more messed up than he originally thought and at this moment, there was nothing he could do but warn his friend about what was about to change his life forever.

He picked up the phone and dialed some numbers, waiting for it to ring on the other end.

"Hello?"

"Yea, Roy. We need to talk."

*****^w^*****

"Sir is there something wrong?" Risa asked when she saw Mustang hang up the phone with an exasperated sigh. She was sure that it was Lieutenant Hughes on the other end.

"Yea." He answered in his usual bored tone. "Hughes just said he needed to come by early and talk to me about something. He wouldn't say what it was on the phone."

Risa frowned. "You don't think anything is wrong, do you?"

Roy shrugged. "Who knows. It's too late for this," he yawned.

"Well you do still have a lot of paperwork to finish." Risa reminded him.

Roy looked at the stacks on his desk and considered something for a second.

"I will…finish this tomorrow." he said, getting up and walking out of his office.

Hawkeye groaned at his constant irresponsible behavior and followed.

*****^w^*****

Ed walked out of the bathroom, dressed in the red pajamas that his mother had bought for him. He usually hated wearing them, but since she wasn't here, he felt like it would make him feel closer to her. Hughes was standing outside waiting for him.

"So, you ready for bed buddy?"

"I don't have a bedtime." Ed smiled and lied.

"Really now?" Hughes pretended to be amazed. "Why don't I just ask your mom if that's true the next time I see her?"

"Never mind! You don't have to do that." Ed changed his mind and started off down the hall to the guest room.

Once in the room, Hughes helped him into bed and tucked him in. "If you need anything, me and Gracia are right down the hall." he explained as he was getting up to leave the room.

"Can I ask you a question?" Ed said between a yawn.

"Sure. Anything." Hughes stopped.

"Do you know my dad? What is he like?"

Hughes was taken aback for a second and thought. "He's…one of my best friends."

Ed smiled and rolled over, closing his eyes. "That's good. You're a good man. That means he is too."

Hughes smiled and walked out closing the door behind him.

Roy was his best friend. But father material, in this situation, that remained to be seen. Hughes knew that his friend was about to have a lot to learn and every mistake he made would affect this little guy. Either they would grow and learn together, or Ed would have a tough life ahead of him.

Ok, so I didn't have to change much in this chapter. So, on to the next one! Please R&R