Ok, here goes. Now, for the first true chapter of the story. I want to thank ShadowFAIT, for giving me courage to actually post this. And a little side note, anything that is between two symbols that look like this ~ and is in italics are thoughts from the main character.


Chapter 1: The Letter

*Beep Beep Beep*

*Beep Beep Beep*

"Ugh." I rolled over and turned the alarm off.What time is it?It should've been around 6 AM. I opened my eyes, and looked around, only to notice that it was unusually bright for being so early on a Wednesday morning. So, I decided to check the time.

10 AM? Roy is going to kill me!

I quickly scrambled out of bed and pulled a pair of black jeans, a royal blue t-shirt, a black sweatshirt, and undergarments out of my closet. I raced into the bathroom to get ready. I took a shower and changed into my clothes.

I rushed out of the bathroom and noticed that it was already 11 o'clock. I put on my bracelet my teacher, Izumi Curtis, had given me a few years back. It had a charm on it that looked like the Flamel, a cross with a snake woven around it. I put on the necklace my brother had given to me when I joined the military, a silver chain with a sapphire stone hanging from it. Sprinting into the kitchen, I grabbed an apple and hurried on my way. When I exited the house I saw something I hadn't expected to see.

"Good morning, Nicole. Did you sleep well?" Hughes said while leaning against his car.

"Morning, Hughes what are you doing here?"

"Roy said that you weren't at his office yet. So, I figured that you had slept in again, and would probably like a ride to Head Quarters. Unless, of course, you would prefer to run there?"

"I think I'll take you up on that offer, thanks Hughes." As of late, this was becoming a weekly habit. Once a week, I would accidentally sleep in and end up rushing to get to Head Quarters. I usually end up having to run the three miles to Head Quarters. So, I was ecstatic to see Hughes's friendly face. I hopped into his car and Hughes drove to Central as I ate my "breakfast."

I was standing outside the doors to my brother's subordinates' office; Hughes had already left for his office. I wasn't ready to face them, let alone him. I took a deep breath and entered the room. I could hear their laughter and snickers fill the room.

"Good Morning," I said with fake enthusiasm, but it seemed to come out sarcastic.

"Good Morning? Nicole, it's almost noon," Riza commented with a smile.

"Good morning Nicole, and might I say you look very nice this morning," Havoc smirked.

I rolled my eyes at him; yet again he was hitting on me. I didn't think Havoc was that desperate, unless he had just lost another girlfriend recently, but that would mean he would be crying or at least moping by now. Everyone was laughing at him now instead of me; I was grateful for that at least.

"She's Roy's sister, and she's too young for you," Riza said to him shaking her head, but not looking up from the papers in front of her.

"Sorry, Havoc, but I don't like you like that, and I don't think I ever could. Could you do me a favor though?" He just looked at me with a blank face. "Please tell Roy that I'm here." I was shocked to see Havoc rise from his chair and do as you had asked.

Next thing you heard was your brother's voice; it was a bit too loud and a bit too calm. "Send her in now, please."

Havoc exited Roy's office with a look that matched Riza's voice behind you saying, "Good luck, he's in a horrible mood this morning."

I walked to the door and said, "Here goes nothing."

Walking in, I saw Roy sitting at his desk glaring at the stack of paper work sprawled across it. "Good morning, brother," I said as happily as I possibly could with a forced smile.

"Sit." His tone was quick and sharp. I obeyed his command unsure of what was to come. "This is for you. The Fuhrer personally delivered it earlier this morning. He said he had hoped to give it to you in person." He handed me an envelope with "BlueRose Alchemist" scrawled across the front in beautiful cursive. I took it and flipped it over to see that the military seal rested on the back. I looked to my brother, but I could tell he was just as confused as I was. I opened it up and read that I were being sent on a mission and would be accompanying an alchemist, who was apparently very reckless and careless. The Fuhrer wanted me to become partners with this alchemist, but to keep my position within the state's ranks unknown. At least, until, I felt it would be safe to trust him and his brother. Wait, his brother? Who is this alchemist?

Finally, I got to the last line that said, "You will be accompanying the FullMetal Alchemist on his missions from here on out," after which was the Fuhrer's signature and the military seal.

The FullMetal Alchemist? The person my brother constantly complained about so much? No. It couldn't be. Could it? I had seen him in my brother's mind a few times and he didn't seem like he would need any help or protection. In fact, he was often taking my place of torture by my brother. I had heard he was the hero of the people, and he, according to your brother, displayed a temper like mine before I started to bite my tongue and control my anger. Apparently he, like myself, was a bit vertically challenged and took offence to any comments made about it.

I looked to my brother and told him the news. "It looks like I'm leaving the office. I'm supposed to be joining an alchemist on all of his missions from here on out. My position as a state member is to be kept a secret from him, for now anyway."

"Who is this alchemist?"

"FullMetal." As I said this, I heard him snicker. "What's your problem?" I asked.

"Nothing, have fun with that," he said in between chuckles. "Be here by 8 AM tomorrow morning. That's when he is expected to be here."

"OK," I said as I quickly headed for the door to escape the room.

"I never thought of that. That was a good idea to put the two pipsqueaks on a team together." Roy whispered to himself just a bit too loud.

"What was that?" I raised my voice turning to face him.

"Nothing."

"You just called me a pipsqueak, didn't you?"

"Maybe." He smirked with a calm tone.

"Why are you so mean to me? I'm your little sister for goodness sake!" My voice was raising and so was my anger level.

"Like you have any room to say that when you don't even show up to work on time!" He was now standing, his volume matching mine. There was no doubt in your mind now that his subordinates could probably hear your conversation, or rather argument.

"It's not my fault I'm overworked!"

"Over worked? Hardly! You slack off all day and YOU'RE over worked? Just shut up, you half pint!"

"Don't Call Me That!" By this point we were both furious, and screaming, and ALL of Central could probably hear us.

"Just get over it. You're short deal with it."

"Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP!" and with that I stormed out of his office without another word. "Hopefully dealing with FullMetal is better than dealing with him," I snapped as I passed through the subordinates' office.

The rest of the day I spent at home cooling off and relaxing. That night, I lay in bed and worried about the next few days. Eventually, I fell into a dreamless sleep.


Please review. I'm always open to suggestions and constructive criticism.

Thanks,

Edme