I am not giving up on this story. I made a promise to BlueTeller to continue the story and I honor my promises. Anyway. enjoy.

A. Leaf

The Richards

Ch. 2 Hugs & Chocolate

Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.

It was eight in the morning, when Edward returned to the Richards's home. He did not bother to knock or use the front door, just climbed through the window. It was opened. He checked the front room for any blondes; no one was there. Edward felt a little relief that they did not see him break into their house, but they might ask.

He slowly walked past the couches to the oak wood dining table in the right corner. Then he slid into a seat, placed an alchemical theory book on the table and started to flip through it. He forgot that he had the book when he left his dorm room. If he tried to return it, he would run into Al and explain where he was going. He already managed to slip away from him once; he did not want to push his luck. Besides, this visit is strictly business, right? Al does not need know about the Richards, yet.

It was a good thing that Edward has the book now. He is not going to check on the Richards while they are in their bedrooms. Edward snapped his head up when he heard a soft noise. He found a sleepy Eric staring back at him. He was wearing a light blue pajama shirt and pants and his gold hair was pushed down from laying on it. Eric blinked twice at the state alchemist and he did not look surprised to see him there.

"Morning," Eric said through a yawn.

"Morning," Edward watched him carefully. He seemed more relax this time.

"What are you doing here, Edward?"

Straight to the point, fine, Edward thought to himself. "Remember? I'm conducting an investigation."

"You're reading a book." Eric retorted right after he finished that sentence.

"You're working in the middle of your vacation." Edward retorted back just as fast.

Eric stopped to consider what to say next and could not think of anything. Explaining that would reveal too much and had to think of a lie. But Eric knows who he is dealing with; Edward will not stop to until he gets the truth.

"Fair enough," Eric shrugged it off. He is not going to fight with Fullmetal. "Well, do you have to observe me making coffee?" But, he can distract him.

Since Eric mentioned coffee, Edward remembered that he did not eat breakfast that morning. His hunger was starting to take effect on his body. He is not going to admit it, not now. Edward slumped into his seat as Eric went to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. Eric could not help smirking at himself, because his little ploy worked. When the pot was finished, he quickly poured himself a cup. Then he wondered about the oddly quiet Edward Elric in the other room.

"Do you drink coffee yet?" Eric asked out loud, not realizing what he said.

"Yes," Edward perked up a little at the offer. "What do you mean by 'yet'?"

"I mean you're too young to drink coffee." Eric placed a cup in front of Edward's book.

"Am not," Edward grabbed the cup and started to drink it, annoyed. Eric only started to sip his own cup. Edward's temper amazed him.

"Morning," a female voice echoed the empty room.

Fullmetal looked up from his cup to see Sara watching him. She was wearing a faded pink bath robe and was adjusting it cover herself. Edward froze under her gaze. He could not shake the feeling to run. Sara's gold eyes quickly darted to Eric's face.

"Shut up," she scowled at him.

"I didn't say anything." Eric said defensibly.

"You were thinking it." Sara responded darkly.

Edward watched the two siblings fight over Sara's ability to read Eric's thoughts. It was refreshing to not be in an argument for once. Watching them bicker reminded him of something, he could not figure out what.

Loud stomping broke him out of his thoughts. Ed found Eric sitting across from him with a satisfied grin on his face. "What was that about?" He wanted to explain that look on his face.

Eric shook his head, "It's nothing. Just take your time with your investigation." And if that means Sara would put some clothes on for once, by all means stay as much as you want.

"Right." Edward decided to drop it and started to flip through the alchemy book.

"What time is it?" Eric suddenly asked.

"Just past eight," The alchemist absentmindedly replied.

Eric's head shot up. "Oh, if you would excuse me, I have to go wake Nick up." He said that so politely that it was suspicious.

Edward did not see Eric leave the table. Seconds later, a loud thud made Edward jump. It was immediately followed by an equally loud rant. He barely recognized Nicholas's voice, since it was so strained. Edward gripped the edges of the book and held his breath; he was trying his best not to start laughing.

After a week of investing, here's what he found out. They told him a simple backstory; parents are alive and well, grew up in a small town, and they're splitting the cost of rent. Eric is clearly the oldest of the three and he works in a local restaurant in the kitchen. Sara and Nicholas are working part-time at a theater. He is not sure what they are doing there. He should make a note to visit them at work. Also, Nicholas is taking a few advance classes at a nearby college. Edward had a hard-time believing that, because Nicholas looks like a teenager. He needs to make another note about that.

It has been a long week and he managed to keep the Richards' existence a secret from everyone. He would pick a quick fight with Alphonse and slip away. Then he would come back an hour or two later and apologize for whatever he did or said. Al may be figuring it out what he is doing. Last night, Al just waved him off and told him, "Just go."

Great, he cannot hide them forever, but does not want to introduce the Richards to anyone. Alphonse doesn't need to know about them yet. Not until he figures out whom they are first. Or he just wants to prove his first theory about them wrong.

Edward stood in the empty hallway gazed; it was a weird night. He took a few breaths to calm himself and pushed open the brass door. He looked up to see the Mustang's team of subordinates working quietly at their desks. No one glanced up to look at Edward. That's good. He did not want to draw any attention to himself anyway.

He darted to the other side of the office, right to Riza's desk. Riza sensed something in her presence. She jumped when she saw how close Edward was to her. She didn't hear him come in. Riza smiled warmly and greeted him, "Good morning, Edward."

Riza examined Edward's expression thoughtfully, because she did not recognize it and he looked a little flushed. "Uh, Riza" Ed paused to look down embarrassed. After a moment, he continued, ""how do you know when someone is mad at you?"

Riza sighed in relief. Edward and Alphonse must be arguing again. She thought of the simplest solution to most of the Elric conflicts, "You two should talk about what's bothering you."

Edward shook his head in response, "I tried asking, but she insisted that it was nothing."

With the single word, "she", Edward managed to grab the attention of everyone in the office. Their eyes darted over to Edward all at once. Edward was unaware of that he became the center of attention, he solely focused on Riza and one one else.

Edward continued his explanation, "Besides, she said that she could never be mad at me, but I think I upset her and she wouldn't tell me why."

With that statement, Winry was automatically eliminated from the list of girls he could be talking about. Edward was talking about a new girl and one he cares about. Interesting.

Jean rose from his desk and stealthily walked over to Riza's desk. "Edward, there is always the possibly that…she was feeling under the weather and acting weird."

Edward thought about Sara's actions in the past few days, her behavior did change slightly. "No, she was in pain earlier, but all she wanted was chocolate."

Jean froze when he realized the problem. Riza was speechless. Falman and Fuery stared down as they made faces to their desks. Breda decided to speak up, "Edward, this is very important," Edward turned to face him, and he continued "did you give her chocolate?"

Ed was taken aback by the simplicity of the question, but he answered the question "Yeah"

"That is all that matters, Edward." Jean tried to reassure him, "So, what's her name?"

"Sara," Edward could picture her right in front of him.

Jean scribbled the name down on a notepad, "Mhmm-hmm, last name?"

That's debatable, Edward thought to himself. Jean saw that Edward was out of it, "Ed, what's your girlfriend's last name?"

"Girlfriend?" Ed heard that. His voice and his impatience was rose sharply, "She is not my girlfriend!"

"Hey, hey, hey, I only want to make sure of your safety," and learn everything about her. He managed not to say the last part.

"I'm perfectly safe around her," Edward growled. "I am capable to detect danger a mile away."

"Brother?" Al finally stood up from his hiding spot. He gathered enough information to explain Edward's strange behavior for the past week. Al tried his best not to yell at him right now, he should save that for later.

Edward was startled when Al spoke up. He did not know he was even in the room. How could he miss Al's armor? Uh-oh, Edward did not have a ready excuse for vanishing yesterday and he is pretty sure Al was eavesdropping the entire time.

Al had a million questions in his head. He started with the most basic one. "How are you, Brother?"

Ed knew this was a set-up. "I'm fine don't you want to ask about Sara?"

"No," Al had a better question in mind, "Where were you last night? You had me worried."

The room filled with sound of five people slowly gasping. They held their breath as they watch Edward's face. His face was in frozen in shock just like the rest of them.

"Edward, you didn't!" Riza stood up from her chair with her hands on her desk to support her. It's hard to believe that what Al was suggesting.

"NO!" Ed's face went red, "IT IS NOT LIKE THAT! Sara's a… a…" he was tripping over the right word. He couldn't explain it now. How could he?

"Can I meet her?" Al retorted.

"Huh," That was all Edward could think to say.

"I want to meet her, too." Havoc waved his hand near his head.

"Me, three,"

"Me, four,"

"Just bring her here, Edward." Jean suggested cheerfully.

"No! No! No! No!" Edward pointed at Havoc, Falman, Fuery, and Breda when he told them no.

"Fine, Fine, just me her last name." Havoc had his pen to paper ready to search and find the mysterious Sara.

"You can't track her down without a reason." Edward knew the irony in his words. He really just does not want anyone to know about the Richards just yet.

"What about me, Brother?" Al asked innocently.

Edward did feel guilty for keeping a secret from him, even something like this. "Sure, Al. Just don't ask if she is my girlfriend."

Al rose one of iron hands and swore that he will not do that. Al had one more thing he had to ask while they were still in front of everybody, "So Brother, do you also give Sara hugs, too?"

Edward winced at the question and replied with, "No more questions out of you."

Al got his answer, but no one else did. "Do you, Ed?" Havoc's teasing voice did not go away.

"It…" Edward could not believe his is saying this, "It calms her down."

Havoc raised an eyebrow. "It calms her down?"

"Yes," Edward was done with this conversation. He regretted ever bringing Sara up in the office. He should have known this would have happened.

"Awww, little Ed has a little girlfriend."

"Who are you calling a tiny little beansprout?!" Ah, the day did not officially start without one of Fullmetal's rants ringing in your ears.

To Edward's surprise, the room burst into laughter. He did not deny his girlfriend that time.

A/N: So, I basically summarized about a week's worth of fluff. They did their best to blend into society, but that didn't work with their features.

I wanted to get the plot rolling and I wanted Edward to connect with the Richards before anyone else knew about them, even Al. And a little spoiler alert for the next chapter, there is one more "Richard" that Edward has to met before he introduces them Al. Her character will show up next time.

Also, feel free to pm me for suggestions. I'm open to it.

A. Leaf