Oh, -blink- wow. I got around 50 visitors for this story and around 30 for my other fic. ^_^ Thank you guys for being interested in my stories...even if they are a little short (for the moment, don't worry). I was worried that my stories were a bit empty and not well-explained enough, but if you readers see anything you don't like, or have any reader critics, please PM me...

Or send a review...? I'm ready to offer a one-shot on what you like.

I do not own Full Metal Alchemist.

Her grey-blue eyes flickered over to the figure approaching them. It was a man,covered with dirt from head to toe. A small nervous smile crossed his face before installing himself next to her.

'General Cortesse,how come you're so tranquil?' one asked. Days and months few by,while the question always remained the same.

'The better to face what comes next,Dear.' Was her answer. Having a woman around men's quarters was sure to make many uneasy. But her presence was naturally intimidating for them.

She did her job without a word. She acted so normal,compared to the traumatized soldiers. Something must have cracked in her mind. Without a surprise,she had became one of the main discussions around there.

Karin Cortesse was one of the state alchemists in the Ishbal civil war. A quiet,but very useful scientist that was always around the Crystal alchemist. She held very important information about the researches they did over there...But she slipped from our hands. Some say she was killed. Others say she left the country with her husband and kids.

But what we have now,can help us keep track of time.

-Edward-

A long yawn came out of my mouth. Being in the train for so long is getting me annoyed. I was finding it harder to think about other things.

Thankfully,Second by second,the gears in my brain started to function once more. The details on what I was thinking earlier: What are we going to do after arriving at our destination? Going to a city in the middle of the desert wasn't the best mission,but we had to search everywhere.

My brows furrowed in thought.

Would anyone over there have an idea about what we'll be searching? I doubt it, Mustang hasn't informed us of any possible alchemists. Doing a bit of searching might waste time,but we might have results.

Three years of doing this can be exasperating,but Al and I are not giving up.

I unconsciously crumpled the paper I had read earlier just by looking at her. The words that were written on the letter were already printed in my mind.

Full Metal,

I'm entrusting you Melissa since I have little time to listen to her commander's antics. Show her how we go by the ropes. Don't let her die or I'll be killed myself.

P.S: You still owe me 2500 cenz.

Lt. Colonel Roy Mustang.

Only one word could come out of this letter: Bastard. I will get my revenge.

A snort from the figure in front of me cut through the silence(was that a ironic response?).

Ever since she fell asleep I almost forgotten about her existence. It's almost as if she was the background herself.

The way Melissa slept made it look as if she was dead. No drooling,no mutters,and no movements. Was that how a girl slept?

Very freaky. How can she be comfortable sleeping like that? Odd. Even when she knows she won't be getting away that easily.

"Would you stop looking at her? Geez,you're staring at her. Again." Al cut the silence with his unnecessary comment. I scrunched up my face in disgust,having a clear idea behind his words.

Why would I be interested in her? She didn't have anything to do with our plans.

"But she won't wake up." was my excuse. As a way to amuse myself, I moved across the distance between our train seats.

Melissa had a whole seat to herself where she was in a position that seemed as if she was awake,except for the fact her head was barely touching the window. A flesh finger of mine poked her cheek.

No response.

Her head only turned a little,letting her front bangs fully cover her eyes. The small sound of her head bumping the window resonated throughout the silence.

I grinned.

I couldn't wait until she found out we're going to Lior. Of course,bringing extra baggage was going to slow us down somehow,but I wasn't allowed to leave her in the train(says Al). Ever since she popped up out of nowhere and ate my remaining dango,my mind is now stuck on commenting the way she sleeps,leaving me with a now empty stomach.

"Was bringing her along so important? Why was Colonel insisting on the fact?" Alphonse changed the subject,turning a page on the book he was reading.

And know he asks?

I sat back down next to him,my interest going to the changing scenery at the window. "Have you seen what she was carrying? Stacks of photos of Hughes's daughter and copies of letters that Mustang failed to receive that speak of the Hughes' family."

Al let out a chuckle. "Being his subordinate must be very interesting." I let out a another yawn before Al spoke up again. "Nii-san?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think we'll get it this time?"

I scoffed."Who do think we are,Al?" Getting the Philosopher's stone was our main priority for the mission to Lior. After three years,we might finally get it.

With or without obstacles.

A/N: Hum, I'm not very fond of this chapter, probably because it's in Edward's POV (I'll be rarely using that) and the introduction of Melissa sucks. The upcoming chapter will be longer than this one and the previous one, so for the moment, please review! It gives love~ :P