Disclaimer: I do not, in any way, own Fullmetal Alchemist. I do however own all original characters that appear and are portrayed in this fic.

- Only Human -

Chapter One

"Edward," a voice sounded, jolting me awake. I looked up into the smiling face of Lieutenant Colonel Riza Hawkeye, and sighed deeply. I hadn't gotten much sleep last night, and was pretty desprate for a good nap right about now. I was in Central City, eating lunch in the cafeteria. Well, I was eating lunch. Until I fell asleep in my food. Now I had food crumbs all over my face, along with what I was sure was sauce from the pasta that the cooks had served that day. The food here wasn't all that edible anyways.

"Does that idiot Brigadier General want something again? I gave him my report this morning," I snapped, impatiently wiping away the food on my face with my napkin. "If he's looking for something, tell him to go get it himself. I'm not doing any more of his dirty work."

Riza smiled. "I guess now's not the best time to tell you that Brigadier General Mustang has a new mission for you, right?"

"Well, at least you know that," I scowled. "I didn't get any sleep last night, and then I had to write my dumb report for the perverted Brigadier General this morning. It's all his fault anyways. Giving me an overload of missions, then expecting a ten page report... he really does torture me more now that I'm officially an adult, right?"

"He's not bad," Riza replied, sitting down next to me. "Once you get to know him. I mean yes, he is obsessed with miniskirts and is too determined to become Fuhrer, but overall, he's a good guy."

"Easy for you to say," I mumbled, picking up my fork and poking at whatever food was left on my tray. "You don't have to go off completing his missions, then going back home to take care of your family. I need to go back to Rizenbool anyways, I've been away from there for too long. Winry's going to get mad at me, again."

"Say hello to Al for me, by the way," Riza said. "I haven't seen him for the longest time."

I yawned, dropping my fork. "I will, don't worry. I need to catch the twelve thirty-five train anyways if I want to make it back to Rizenbool by nine tonight. Get a good night's sleep for once in my life, and spare my mind the treachery of thoughts of the Brigadier General Roy Mustang."

Riza grinned. "You do know that it's twelve twenty-five, correct?"

I froze, right then and there. "OH SHIT! I HAVE TO GO BACK TO MY ROOM AND GET MY STUFF!" I jumped up and sprinted off, only slightly aware that I was knocking over several military officers in the process. It wasn't surprising though, they were Mustang's subordinates. Quiet, light, easy to push over. I could swear that I rushed past Mustang too, but I didn't stop to look back and check.

--

I guess I'm lucky, I made it to the train station at exactly twelve thirty-four. Just enough time to get on the train back to Rizenbool, and the long train ride was a perfect place to take a good nap. Especially since I hadn't been sleeping much lately. Staying out late finishing missions, then coming back at the brink of dawn with a report due the same day. Being a State Alchemist is tough, especially when you're a Major and your commander is the Brigadier General.

I took the train a lot lately, and I guess it's because Roy forced me on so many missions all over the country. I'd already gone back and forth to the city of Meyvn about ten times now in a span of two weeks. I suppose it was because Meyvn was a fairly new city, established just west of East City. Some of the civilians were refugees from Ishbal, and survivors from the city of Lior. And as someone that had established ties with these civilians quite a while ago, I was proclaimed the ambassador. Most of the civilians in Meyvn were wandering folk, looking for a place to make a living. The majority of citizens weren't Ishbalian or from Lior, they were from the South. Drought had terrorized the area, so many of its civilians had fled off to Meyvn. These people weren't from the city, they were from the rural coutryside. They had grown up away from the military rule, so they had no idea how to act or anything. I guess the military was afraid that they'd revolt like Ishbal or Lior. And if they did, I'd be called into service, to kill again. But I guess doing my best on establishing diplomatic ties with Meyvnians wasn't going so well; there'd been a riot shortly after I'd left yesterday. Apparently it was the remaining Ishbalians against the Southerners. From what I heard, there had been several casualties. I had to escape Central before Mustang sent me back there again.

So this is me, Edward Elric. Nineteen years old. State Alchemist, better known as the Fullmetal Alchemist, I suppose. A guy who is a dog of the military, yet sides with the civilians. Blonde hair that fell halfway down my back, and gold eyes. And one of my most distinguishing traits, my auto-mail. I had lost my right arm and left leg when I was eleven years old, and had failed to regain them. Even after acquiring the Philosopher's Stone, I had not regained my missing human limbs. My little brother, Alphonse Elric, had regained his body though. Good alchemist he'd become; incredible, even. Good enough to become a State Alchemist. If he did become one, that would make two Elrics that had defied Sensei's teachings. But then again... we already had, hadn't we? I had more than Al, especially recently. But this time, it wasn't about alchemy, it was about the choices that you make in life.

After quite a long time, the train had finally neared Rizenbool. I didn't have time to send word ahead, so Winry and Auntie Pinako didn't know that I was coming back tonight. I didn't really want to face Winry at the moment; our last conversation hadn't gone all too well. We'd argued a considerable amount, and I had to hang up the phone to stop listening to her scream at me. Though I suppose that me hanging up on her last time would bring me much grief when I faced her tonight. Or maybe I could crash at Al's place tonight, then go see Winry tomorrow. Blasted auto-mail mechanic she is, even if she does make the best auto-mail anywhere.

"We have arrived in Rizembool. Please clear the aisles for disembarking passengers, and please wait for the train to come to a complete stop before exiting. Thank you for riding, and enjoy your stay." The voice over the intercom sounded so optimistic right now, and I really didn't have the patience for such optimism. I hated listening to that voice. After all, listening to it only about a million times would get you tired of it, right?

I got off the train, stretching my legs. It was already past nine, and chances were that Mustang would send someone to find me with a new mission tomorrow. Better get a good night's sleep tonight. But then again... really, what were the chances of me sleeping tonight? I had to take care of someone...

I lugged my suitcase all the way across town to the Rockbell home, and pulled my key out of my pocket. I slowly unlocked the door, and as soon as I was inside, I dropped my suitcase on the ground as fast as I could. That thing was heavy, and carrying it all by myself wasn't exactly the most exciting thing to do. It crashed on the ground, making a loud noise that was bound to draw the attention of everyone in the house.

Sure enough, footsteps came crashing down the stairs, and four faces appeared. Al was there, apparently. Well, there went my plan of staying at his house instead of the Rockbell home. He looked older since I last saw him, which was actually a month ago. He was maturing quickly, as he no longer looked anything like a young child. Instead, a man stood before me.

"Nii-san, you came home for my birthday!" Al shouted, running up and hugging me. "I can't believe you're here!"

It was Al's birthday today? Oh yes... it was the day. I felt guilty, ashamed. I'd completely forgotten my own little brother's birthday, and I hadn't brought him back anything from my travels. How old was he now? Oh yes, eighteen.

"Happy Birthday, Al," I smiled, pretending that I had remembered. "I'm sorry I didn't bring you back anything, I've been so incredibly busy lately that I haven't had the time to go shopping, let alone find anything."

"Just that you're here is the best present," Al said proudly. "You didn't miss my eighteenth birthday! Thank you so much, big brother."

I only smiled in return. Looked like I would have to stay up longer, but it was the least I could do to make up for nearly missing, and forgetting, about my own little brother's birthday. I glanced up to see Winry and Auntie Pinako standing at the base of the stairs. Winry was smiling, as was her grandmother.

"Your auto-mail all right, Ed?" Winry asked patiently. "I heard there were some riots in Meyvn, so I was hoping that you didn't do anything stupid and reckless again to break it. I mean, it is the best piece of auto-mail that I've ever made!"

"My auto-mail's just fine, Winry," I smiled. "How's Alexander?"

"He's right here," Winry said, her smile fading slightly. I noticed that Auntie Pinako was holding a small bundle, one that held a tiny infant that was only about five months old. Winry gently took him from her grandmother's arms, and cradled him gently.

I walked forward and took the child from Winry, holding him carefully so that I wouldn't drop him. Alexander gurgled with happiness. Winry took one of his tiny little hands, and spoke to him softly.

"Say hello to daddy."