Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or any of the Characters!!
Alphonse Elric quietly watched land come in view from his position at the rail of the ship. He listened to the lapping of the waves hit the metal sides and wondered what life in America would bring for him and his older brother Edward.
They had to find a way to destroy The Gate on their side of the universe while in another world General Roy Mustang was destroying his side of The Gate. The Gate, a portal between the world of Alchemy and the world of Weapons and Mortal War, Alphonse and Edward have lived in both worlds but only one would ever be their home.
It had been approximately a month and half ago that Edward suggested they go to America to try and find a way to destroy their side of the Alchemic Gate.
So here they were, a month and half later, watching the shorelines of America getting closer and closer on the horizon.
Pale green and staggering, Edward made it to the rail just in time to bail his lunch over board. Alphonse handed him a cloth to wipe his mouth then turned back to the approaching land.
"I hate ships…" Ed mumbled glaring at the sea beneath them.
"You'll feel better as soon as we get our feet on solid ground, brother."
"Yeah, but we're not even close-" Ed stopped in mid-sentence as Alphonse pointed his eyesight over to the strip of land.
"Land! Al, look, it's land! Yes, we're saved!"
"Yes, brother, land." Al laughed as his brother yelled excitedly.
A little later…
As soon as the ship boarded and each passenger had gathered their own luggage, they walked off the ship. Well, in Ed's case, stumbled.
Ed had to sit down almost as soon as their feet hit the pavement. Al grabbed his arm and led him to a bench so he could rest for a minute.
"How can you not be even a little dizzy? We were on that ship forever…"
Al set the suitcases down at the end of the bench and sat beside his brother.
"I don't know, and that wasn't forever, brother, you're just impatient-"
"I am not impatient!"
"Yes, you are!"
"No, I'm not!"
"Yes."
"No!"
"Yes."
"NO!"
"Uh…excuse me?" a lady's voice asked as they attempted to stare each other down.
Al looked up first, followed by Ed, "What can I help you with?" Al asked politely.
The red headed women smiled kindly and responded, "I was wondering if you knew where the Pink Café is?"
Ed shook his head, "No, sorry, we just got here."
"Oh, well, thank you, anyhow." Her smile dipping a little before walking on by.
"Are you feeling better?" Al asked standing.
"Yeah, I think I can walk straight now. So where's the address of our apartment?" Ed asked getting to his feet as well.
"Hmmmm, oh, right here!" Al said digging out of a pocket in his jacket.
"Okay, Encore St. 1504, this should be easy enough!"
Three hours later…
"How many streets are there in New York City?!" Ed cried, giving up.
"Uh, well the map said we should have taken a left back there…"
"There, where? Al, we're lost. We're never going to find it!"
"Okay, let's just try turning here…"
"Al, that's not it! The map says it's over there,"
"No, I'm sure it's this way."
"How would you know that?"
"Well-" WHAM, CRASH! Groceries spilled all over the sidewalk surrounding a disheveled girl sitting on the concrete.
Her shirt and hand covered in spaghetti sauce caused by a broken jar stood out colorfully against her white clothing.
The brother just stood there for a second in front of the girl in total silence, as if they couldn't believe they had just ran into her.
Her lips quickly grew into a grin which turned into a full laughter as she sat sprawled on the ground.
Al reached down and helped her up, while apologizing, as Ed tried to gather most the groceries.
"I'm so sorry, is there anything we can pay for or help with?" Al asked her as her laughter quieted down a bit.
"No, it was my fault entirely. I didn't mean to plow into you," all of a sudden she burst out laughing again while wiping her hand off on her already ruined shirt.
"Can we replace these groceries for you at least?" Ed asked her holding up the sack.
"Nah, it's all right but thank you. It probably would have spoiled anyway. You two look lost, can I help you find somewhere?" She asked brushing her light brown hair from her green blue eyes.
"Yes, actually, we're trying to find, Encore St. 1504."
"Really? Well, I was headed there anyway, so I'll just show you the way. Uh, you two wouldn't mind if I stopped into a shop really fast would you?"
"No, not at all. Oh, I'm Alphonse Elric, and this is my older broth Edward."
"I'm Jessica Dawn, nice to meet you. Here let me take that," she said taking the bag of ruined groceries from Ed, "I'll take you guys to Encore St. but I need to step in this store right there, for a minute, then we can be on our way. Sound good?"
"Yeah,"
"Sure,"
"Okay, I'll be right back!"
She disappeared into the shop next to her and appeared moments later, wearing a new blouse and rid of the groceries.
"Thanks for waiting! Kay, now we need to go this way," she directed turning back the way they had originally come.
"See, brother, I told you, it was this way!"
"No, you didn't!"
"Yes, I did!"
For a moment the brothers had forgotten that they had another party member with them, but one of her amused looks made them remember.
"Sorry, Ms. Dawn,"
At this Jessica burst out laughing as once before and said, "You're welcome to call me Jessica or Jesse or whatever you like. So, what are you two doing in New York City?"
"We're here for research."
"Really? That's interesting. If I may ask what are you researching?"
"Scientific matters on chemical unbalances and other stuff."
"Turn right here. First day here?"
"Yeah,"
"Kay, we're here!" She said stopping in front of a tall apartment building with old architecture decorating it.
The brothers exchanged approving looks before walking in behind Jess.
She led them up the stairs as their luggage dragged after them. Al watched her walk up each step with a small smile on his face. Ed, on the other hand, kept her busy in conversation about New York.
"So, are there any universities close by? Or any jobs, we could take up?"
"Yeah, there's a few universities but there kind of spread out. And if you wanted a job teaching science or anything, you might look up the local high schools. I heard on the news last night that they're running short of staff lately."
"Any libraries-"
"Edward-May I call you, Edward?"
"Ed, actually."
"Well, then, Ed I'll tell you what. I'll leave you my number and you two can call if you need someone to show you around. Oh, and never buy a map at the docks again."
"Uh, why?"
"Was a scrawny dark haired elderly man selling them from his booth?"
"Yeah…."
"He's a joking old hoot. Kind but three forth's of him are practical jokes. Glen is what we call him. Great man, he's got lots of stories, but never ever buy anything he try's to sell you."
"This is a fake map!"
Al listened to her full laugh, as they stopped in front of a door with the number, 1504 in silver on the dark brown door.
"Key?"
"Oh, uh, it's around here somewhere!"
"I'm just kidding! Here's your key, and papers. Hope you like it!" She giggled then handed Al the keys with the paperwork.
She began to walk away, when Al said, "Uh, wait! Your number?"
Jess turned and smiled, "Oops, forgot!"
"Hold on!" Ed burst out staring at the girl.
They both turned and raised an eyebrow at the amber eyed man.
"Yes?"
"You work here?!"
"No, my friend owns the building and he was going to show you around here and give you, your keys and stuff. But he couldn't make it, his wife went into labor a couple of hours ago. So he asked me to do it." She explained while writing her phone number down.
"Oooohhhhhh," Ed sighed, worried that Jess might be the daughter of Glen.
She looked up and said, "Well, I have to go, so, see ya'll later!"
Al let his eyes follow after her as Ed ripped the key from his hand.
"Ready, Al? Hey, Alphonse!"
The younger brother seemed to snap out of it and nodded.
"Ready, brother!"
Ed unlocked the door, paused for a minute before turning the door knob, then he thrust it open and walked into the apartment.
"Wow, this isn't bad at all…."
"Al! Did you not trust me when I said it would be nice?!"
"No, brother, I trust you, I just don't trust your friends."
The brothers smiled and looked over their new home.
