-vv-

Miss Element – as Mustang had called her – walked through the halls, getting greeted by some higher standing soldiers. Her feet carried her to a small inner garden where she sat down and sighed quietly. Meeting the Elric brothers, who were a sign of her happiest times, had been a bit too much. A shadow was cast over her and the falcon landed on her left shoulder. Absentmindedly she caressed it. Because this falcon had been by her side since that fateful day years ago it was the only presence being able to calm her. Soothing in the smell of the trees and flowers and the silence she could relax for a bit.

"You came at the right time, Nala." she told the female falcon.

"I nearly had forgotten my cover if it weren't for you. I really missed talking to them like that. But they can't know. They'll be in grave danger if they would."

As Nala purred in her ear, she heard steps coming towards her. She knew who it was, except for her nearly no one knew of this garden.

"So, so. Miss Element. A nice name that Colonel thought of." A voice cam from the shadows.

"..."

"Choosing silence over talking, as always." Envy sighed as he walked out of the shadows. "Aren't you glad to get out into the light again? No more hidden missions, secret assassinations and top secret research travels?"

"..."

"No use talking to you like that, huh?"

Nala softly crooned before she took off into the deep blue sky. Miss Element turned towards Envy.

"I haven't come here without an order, don't worry."

"..."

"Tch. You are ordered to keep an eye on the runt and his empty-armor-brother."

She nodded before slightly bowing and then going away without looking back.

"I would've killed her long ago if I wasn't forbidden to." Envy hissed through his teeth before he disappeared into the shadows.

-v-

~knock-knock~

"Come in." Mustang called and looked up from his paperwork as the door to his office opened to show Miss Element.

"Colonel Mustang." she greeted with a nod.

"Miss Element." he cautiously greeted. "Congratulations to your promotion, Colonel Swan." he corrected himself, still wondering why she had been promoted to such a rank a bit more than a week after her nomination to a state alchemist.

She nodded. "Thank you, Colonel Mustang."

"Why the great honor of your visit?"

"I have questions pertaining the Fullmetal Alchemist. You are his direct superior, so you should be able to answer those."

"I would be happy to help you with this matter. Please, sit down."

Mustang's subordinates had quietly continued their work, being very respectful to the person who had been promoted to a rank their superior had to work years for. In matter of reasoning for this promotion she also had worked some years for it; the fuhrer reasoned with a report on her secret work for the state and the military for years and her capabilities. The fuhrer's trust in her was proof of her loyalty, the reports and the state alchemist exam proof for her splendid knowledge and military capabilities.

"I would ask for strict confidence pertaining this matter." she added without sitting down.

Mustang's eyebrows raised before he slowly nodded. "You heard Colonel Swan. If you please would?"

"Yes, sir." everyone answered standing up. "Ma'am." They saluted before they left the room and Hawkeye softly closed the door.

"I have to admit to curiosity now. Please take a seat."

She nodded taking a seat in front of his desk.

Mustang folded his hands carefully.

"The problem with this rooms here is that listening ears are always around." she calmly stated.

"I absolutely think so, too. It is very dangerous to talk about secret matters around here."

"I'm glad you understand, Mustang. If I may call you so?"

"Yes, of course, Colonel Swan."
"Please: just call me Lucy when we're alone."

"Alright, Lucy. Why did you come here?"

She slightly smiled as she had noticed how he had reacted to her offer to call her by her first name, slightly shocked and irritated. And he became more forward and informal.

"As I said before, it's about Edward and Alphonse."

"Yes." he carefully nodded thinking about the secret of those two.

"I know their secret. But do not worry, I won't report it to my superiors."

Mustangs eyes widened. "I'm impressed. And grateful. It would danger my position if it would come to daylight."

"Yes, I am aware of that. Are those two still in Central?"

"They will depart tomorrow. They stayed to attend your promotion ceremony, or so they said."

"I would like to travel together with them. I, too, have a bigger research to do and it is difficult enough to travel alone as a young woman. And I admit that I am interested in their research."

Mustang smiled and nodded. "Should I call to tell them?"

"You could tell them that they're not allowed go on traveling alone and they have to expect company at their depart tomorrow." her eyes barely hid her mischievous intent.

"A good idea."

"I have to go now, pack my things." she raised herself from the seat and mentally smiled as he automatically did the same.

"I have to thank you again, Lucy."

"No need to."

She saluted and he returned it. As she turned he called after her.

"One question is left though."

"Then ask, Mustang." she calmly said without turning.

"Lucy Swan isn't your real name, right? It is just a cover, a false identity."

"You are right."

He nodded, satisfied for now.

"Colonel Mustang."

"Colonel Swan."

She left the room, nodding towards Lt. Hawkeye who passed her with a stack of paperwork for Mustang, slightly smiling.

-vVv-

I'm sorry for the long wait, but I did not know how to go on for a while and life had been pretty stressed.