Disclaimer: I cannot be held responsible for certain ankle-biters attacking when provoked. I mean, I do not own Fullmetal. Enjoy this non-profit fic.
A/N: The previous fic I was working on was deleted and taken apart to help create this one. I'm using the same character and a few recognizable paragraphs, but it is not going the same place I thought it would be. I advise that chapter one be reread as some of the plot has been changed. (Now that I actually have a clear one in my mind!) I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
The office in Central HQ was in proper working order thanks to a new edition to Mustang's team. Not only were all floors and surfaces spotless, but there were more papers stacked in the 'Completed' bin then Riza Hawkeye knew what to do with. The Lieutenant looked across the room at her new apprentice who was busying herself with Roy's half of the work. She may have been a bit shy at first but she was diligent. Riza would give her that much. It was her own personal hell while she trained the young girl. She had trouble remembering where everything went. A little coaxing with Hawkeye's .45 caliber was all that was required in order to speed things up. She hardly had time to baby-sit the Colonel let alone his newly appointed secretary.
As Riza observed the girl, Aakarashan, she noticed the casual, yet dressy manner she held. She wore a plain black skirt and a pale blue blouse with matching black heals. It seemed no matter how hard they tried it just wasn't possible to find a military issued uniform that fit her. She was too short, plain and simple. Her blonde hair was tied up in a loose yet slightly messy bun. What stood out on the ensemble the most was the silver cross that dangled around her neck. It was a bold move showing one's religious persuasion in this line of work. Riza admired her spirit.
Aakarashan placed a file in the bin and reached for another one to read over. It was a small letter on that special military issued letterhead the Colonel reserved for his more important documents which read:
To His Grand Excellency Fuhrer King Bradley,
In accordance to keeping military appearance in high fashion I, Colonel Roy Mustang hereby request an article to be included in the military dress code. In order to further the glory of the military, I suggest the women who serve be issued classy mini-skirts. Not only will this raise the morality of your most faithful officers, but it shall enable the public to look upon us with a more humane eye. A woman's influence is a valuable commodity. Therefore I strongly urge you, our great leader, to pursue this matter with extreme sincerity and consideration for the good of our impeccable country.
I speak for myself as well as my subordinates when I say our gratitude shall be forever yours.
Yours Truly,
Colonel Roy Mustang, The Flame Alchemist
The secretary moaned inwardly. 'You've got to be kidding me', she thought mentally picturing the women she had met in Central wearing skirts. 'He doesn't have time to sign his own work, but he can come up with this? I'll never understand men.' She concluded as a shrill ring from the phone interrupted her thoughts. She snapped back to reality and picked up the demanding device.
"Central HQ, Colonel Mustang's office. Aakarashan speaking." She rattled off waiting for the receiving end to reply. She used the valuable free seconds to stretch out her cramped hands.
"Yeah, hi. Is the Colonel Mustang available?" a tired voice asked.
"I'm sorry but he's currently attending a meeting. If you leave your name and a message I can see that he gets it."
"Just tell him Edward Elric called and is heading back to HQ."
'Oh my God! Edward Elric! I'm actually speaking to him! Oh no, awkward silence. Say something!' She finally found her breath enough to speak to the prodigy again.
"V-Very well, is t-there any….t-thing else I c-can do for you M-Mr. Elric?" Aakara finally managed to stutter. She grabbed a sticky note and pen although she doubted she would have any trouble remembering the fateful call.
"That's it. Thanks for everything. Bye." The young boy replied hanging up the phone.
She sat there for a minute dumbfounded. There was an echoing silence as the phone fell from her hand into its rightful place. Once the clicking sound verified the phone was in place, she felt a rush of energy burst. "That's it! That's all he says!" she shouted her eyes widening and teeth clenching. "Ugh! I must've sounded like a total idiot the way I stuttered! With my luck it'll be too soon before I actually meet him and make a total fool out of myself!" she groaned for the second time that day. Her voice had become very high pitched and she was nearly ripping out her hair.
Since Edward had become public knowledge she had worshiped him. His adventures had spread as far as her hometown in Aqrouya. She still had newspaper articles from his encounter with Psiren that were preserved in a scrapbook she kept. He had captured her heart and inspired her to pursue alchemy, though her results were miniscule at best. There was the protective barrier she could erect for about ten seconds, but it seemed useless when she looked at the facts. Aakara considered herself an embarrassment to the science. For now she dabbled in it as one would a hobby.
When she had been given the job as Roy's secretary, Aakara never thought she would be able to read confidential files concerning her idol. It was a thrill to read some of Edward's reports to the Colonel. Files reading "Dear Bastard Colonel" and "Dear Paranoid Pyro" were always the first ones she read. His colorful descriptions and sharp wit amused her till she cried. The alchemist's escapades never ceased to amaze her. The one's she was allowed to read anyway. For some reason or other Roy had kept a few reports from her.
"Now that I think about it, you've never met him before have you?" Jean Havoc asked making her jump out of her skin. "How ya doing kid?" asked the good natured soldier. He had lurked in the shadows when he entered the room during her ranting.
"Just fine thank you, and you Lieutenant?" she returned cringing on the 'kid' comment. She may be vertically challenged but she was 16 for crying out loud! She had to hand it to the man, he seemed to love irking people as much as she did.
"Never better. I just turned in two crooks. Not to mention I got a date!" he said with a glint in his eye.
"Congratulations." Aarakarashan said with sincerity.
"So are you in love with Ed or something?" Jean inquired relishing in her embarrassment.
"Love! What are you crazy? I….I just……. respect him a lot that's all", she retorted taking a defensive stance.
"R-E-S-P-E-C-T huh? Riiiiiight." he said chuckling a little.
Just then Lieutenant Hawkeye appeared to have a few private words with Havoc. 'Back to work!' she scolded herself for her boss.
At that moment, a loveable bookworm appeared in the doorway to address her. "Hey Aakara, did you have your lunch break yet?" a rather cheerful Scheiska asked.
The girl glanced at the clock and then at Hawkeye who nodded ok. "Sure, sounds great." She replied grateful for the break. She quickly straightened up the desk and followed her friend down the corridor to the mess hall.
Halfway there she stopped cold and turned on her heals. "OH, sorry Scheiska! I forgot something. I'll meet you there. Could you save me a seat? "
"Ok, no problem. See you in a few." She said as she continued towards their previous destination.
Back in the office which was abandoned, she hastily found the note she scribbled on earlier (featuring Ed) and scuttled over toward Mustang's office door. A quick tap on the ornate oak entryway revealed no one was there so she crept in ever so cautiously. As she gazed around the room she took in her superior's sharp sense of style. Only a renowned playboy would have stylish and comfortable furniture in his office such as this.
"What am I doing!" she said jumping off the couch that had her succumbed to its temptation. The teenager shifted behind Mustang's desk and placed the note by the phone in case he came back while she was gone. As Aakarashan left the office she closed the door and waved to Maria Ross as she passed by.
Content on a job well done the young secretary hummed to herself as she hurried to meet her lunch partner.
A/N: Again I apologize for the inconvenience. I shall not be so hasty in the future The plot shall not be revealed until the second or third chapter, when our heroes appear. Please bear with me. Any suggestions, corrections, and comments are welcome. Arigato!