Hi! So this is my first FMA story. I've been reading them for some time and have finally decided to write one. Hope everyone enjoys, please review (nicely).

Few things: this is set after the anime, and I've played around with one of the ways I feel the series continues after the show ends.

I've added some original characters, but I will try to keep canon characters as in-character as possible.

Also, I have set the rating at M, because it may have mature things later on. If you feel at any time that it should change, please let me know.

Sadly, I own nothing of Fullmetal Alchemist. Yes, it's very sad. :(

In Search Of Knowledge

Chapter 1

"Keep it under control! Damn you, keep moving!"

The man turned abruptly, his dark blue coat swirling around him, so dark it almost blended with the night. His eyes flashed in anger and frustration as he bared his teeth, gritting out orders to the scattering of confused soldiers around him. The soldiers around him were worthless, he was sick of dealing with incompetence. If it weren't for that very same inability, he would have accomplished his mission years ago. His hand shot out, grabbing the neck of the closest unlucky soldier, a young private who was shaking in fright of his first battle.

The young man, in reality a boy in a man's world looked up at the officer holding his collar, as flashes of rifle shots filled the night, illuminating everything in erie bursts of brightness. The screams of the civilians running to seek shelter from the unexpected invasion mingled with the dull thumping of military boots down the deserted streets. The boy was terrified, this was his first true combat experience and he was so scared. All he could think was to force one foot ahead of the other, and even that was becoming difficult.

"Focus boy! This is nothing, a small skirmish. Ha! When I was your age I reveled in having fun like this." growled the officer. Looking past him, as if seeing something far away the man smiled, a dark smile, free of mirth or true laughter. The soldier cowered, even more convinced of the insanity of his superior. The man continued, speaking as though the young private wasn't even there.

"We will get what we came for. We must not fail…"

General Roy Mustang stepped out of his car in front of Central Headquarters. Tilting his head back against the glare of the sun, he shook some of the tension from his shoulders before pushing open the door. The newest case of his was stressful, he could feel the tension wearing on him. It seemed that it was an impossible task set in front of him, something that would never be completed. Granted, he knew that wasn't exactly true, but it still felt so daunting.

As he walked down the corridor, he smiled at a few people, before almost colliding with someone as they came rushing around the corner. Picking up the scattered papers she had dropped, the woman gasped, saluted and promptly dropped all of the papers again.

"General Mustang Sir! I am so sorry, I apologize for almost running you over, sir, please forgive me-" her breathless stutterings were cut short by Mustang.

"It's alright Sargeant, no harm done. Are you alright?" He smiled to himself at her clumsy shyness. As the newest and youngest secretary, she was known for causing chaos wherever she went. He wondered what her hurry was today. Fuhrer Grumman's staff was constantly in an uproar because of her.

"Oh no Sir, I'm fine!" Sergeant Adira smiled shyly at him, wondering to herself about what kind girl in her right mind wouldn't feel a little flustered? The whole command knew most of the women had a crush on the popular and handsome Roy Mustang, and she knew that there was little need for explanation! She had heard the rumors of his exploits with the ladies; he were infamous. Interestingly, it seemed lately to not be as easy to gain his attention as as rumor said it once had been. He seemed disinterested, but the women were convinced he could be won around. The only problem lay in catching his eye…

Her internal musings were cut short abruptly by the General saying that yes, it had been pleasant, glad she was ok, but he would be heading off now, before someone had his head on a platter for being late. He turned to head off down the hall with one final goodbye gesture. There was something Adira knew she needed to tell him. She looked at the ceiling, biting her lip as she tried to remember. Suddenly, it hit her, like a train running full steam into a fluffy feather mattress, scattering thoughts like downy feathers.

"General! General Mustang!" She flew off down the hall like a cyclone, leaving several bewildered soldiers shaking in the wake of her rushed flight. She caught up with him a little ways down the hall, catching his sleeve as she tried to gain his attention. He turned, a slightly confused look on his face.

"Uhmm… yes? Sergeant What's wrong"

"Gener- *gasp* General Musta- *pant*" She struggled to caught her breath enough to speak clearly. "General Mustang sir! Fuhrer Grumman wishes to speak with you!" she finished triumphantly.

"Thank you, Sergeant. I'll speak to him as soon as I can." With that abrupt dismissal, Roy turned way, musing to himself. He assumed it is about the Bledcaugh murders, at least he hoped so. It was incredibly frustrating to just keep to hit dead end after dead end! Grumman must want us to speed up things, and finding a new lead might very well do that, if not bring a solution to it all. He turned to open to the door to his office, never even noticing the forgotten girl standing sadly in the hall behind.

The scene Roy walked into was interesting to say the least. Second Lieutenant Havoc was standing on a table, seeming to deliver an impassioned speech. Sergeant Feury and Second Lieutenant Falman looked on in glee, as Second Lieutenant Breda gave encouraging remarks. In the background, Lieutenant Hawkeye was working at her desk, doing her utmost to ignore the shenanigans occurring around her.

"So she dumped you because you weren't in your wheelchair anymore? That's the lamest excuse ever, she just knew she couldn't get rid of you once you could chase after her!" Breda teased mercilessly.

"Not true!" Havok waved his hands in the air, trying to maintain his hold over his audience, "She knew that when I was out of that stupid chair she wouldn't be equal to the task of being my girlfriend, I already explained this to you! She was leaving- at great personal and emotional sacrifice- in order to allow a better-suited girl into my life."

Roy rolled his eyes at their antics, nodding to Hawkeye as he went past to his inner office. He noticed her hair was a little messy, and she had a smudge of ink on her cheek. He felt a slight prickle of guilt that she had been busy at work while he had been… well not working. He was about to stop and offer to bring her a cup of coffee when he heard his phone ring inside his office. He turned from Riza and he hurried to go answer it.

"General Mustang." He said in way of greeting.

"Roy!" The Ferhur's voice rang over the line. "I have been needing to speak to you, but didn't want to have to walk over. How are things going on the Bledcaugh case? Anything new?"

"Sir! We are working with all diligence" There was a heavy thump from the outer office, followed by a loud metallic bang, "and we have followed up several promising leads… But so far nothing substantial."

Grumman sighed through the phone. "It's as I thought, this case hasn't been too promising, but that is why I gave it to you! I did hear something about strange happenings on North Fergus Avenue. You might want to check there later today. Well, good luck!" And with that he hung up.

Roy stared at the phone. As much as he respected Grumman, he was still a strange man. Oh well, no matter. Roy now had another lead to follow up, as well as some very juvenile soldiers to deal with. He pushed open his office door, stepping over Havok and Breda who were engaged in what appeared to be a wrestling match. The entire office was literally covered in papers, presumably from whatever desk was currently lying sideways, providing a shield for Fuery. Black Hayate was excited by all of the commotion and was jumping about, as Hawkeye continued to work diligently at her desk.

Seriously, Roy thought, how did that woman manage? She was incredible. He had known, in fact been with lenty of women over the years, but he had never met anyone who fascinated him quite like Riza Hawkeye. She was not only mysterious, but she was also unimpressed by his masculine charms. He really needed to focus better today, normally he had it under control, but as a wad of paper hit him in the side of the head his attention was drawn back to the energetic group in front of him.

"Alright, listen up!" He yelled over the noise, as Fallman launched a paperweight missile toward Feury's hiding place. "Quiet! I said be Quiet!" The noise and mayhem continued, no one paying any attention to their commanding officer.

Bang! Bang! Two gun shots rang out, everyone freezing in their tracks. Roy turned, hands slightly raised in defense to see Riza putting her gun away, a slight smirk on her face.

"When the General says quiet, he means shut up." She said, and then nodded for Roy to continue with whatever he had been doing.

"Thank you Lieutenant" Roy nodded, and then he continued with his announcement. "Come on, everyone we have a new lead in south town. North Fergus Avenue to be exact, Fuhrer Grumman heard of a possible lead on the Bledcaugh murders. Havok, I want you to get up off the floor and give us a full briefing on the way there."

End of chapter 1! Hope you like, please leave reviews… constructive criticism is appreciated, so feel free to point out problems.