Author's Note: Hey there once again!! Here is the next chapter! I hope you enjoy the twist at the end! Oh, and, just to specify, this story has more a parental Roy relationship.

Disclaimers: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.

Enjoy!


Chapter Four: Chemicals React

It had been a month since Mustang had found out about Evelyn's secret and, as he promised, he had kept it from the other officers. Not one of them treated her or acted differently and she was pleased. She was in a good mood as she headed back home after handing in her report to Mustang. Surprisingly, the older man had almost completely stopped teasing her about everything and anything but Evelyn had to tell him to start it again before anyone got suspicious. However, she would miss the uneventful meetings in his office. She walked down her street, wondering what Alphonse had cooked up since she had sent him home early, not wanting her brother to wait for her to give in her report.

"Shorty!"

"Stop calling me that!" she yelled, turning towards the owner of the voice. "I'M NOT SHORT, GODDAMN IT!"

"To me you are," laughed Cedric as he caught up to her. "And compare to everyone in the university, you are."

"Well, shows what those guys know...," she murmured. "Absolutely nothing..."

"Hey, you do remember, even with that short memory of yours; that I happen to attend that university, top of my class."

"I rest my case," she remarked, smirking in his direction.

"You do know how to hit below the belt," he murmured, shaking his head.

"You would know: you're my favourite target. And don't think I did not miss that short comment."

"And I thought I had you," he replied sarcastically, ruffling her hair.

She growled and was about to punch him when he jumped off the sidewalk and onto the small path leading to his home. He laughed softly before waving towards her and heading inside. She rolled her eyes and continued towards her own house, her stomach growling.

She unlocked the door and stepped inside; breathing in the delicious smell of her brother's cooking. She smiled, closing the door behind her. She was about to remove her boots when she noticed two extra pairs of shoes in the hallway, surprising her. She wondered who was visiting as she placed her boots next to the shoes and made her way towards the living room and kitchen.

"Hello?" she called before turning the corner.

"Ed! It's been so long!"

Evelyn was indeed surprised when a younger boy jumped in front of her, a large smile plastered on his face. His sun blond hair flew in every direction while his silver eyes shone happily. Even if he was two years younger than her, he was already as tall, no longer the small, scared kid she once knew.

"Hey Fletcher," she replied with a smile, trying to cover her annoyance that he was going to be taller than her soon. "What are you doing here anyway?"

"We came to visit," he replied happily.

Evelyn was slightly surprised, wondering why he had not mentioned the visit in any of the letters they would send to each other to catch up on each other's activities.

"We? You mean your brother is here too?"

"Yes I am, Shorty," replied Russell, leaving the kitchen to greet her.

Evelyn was about to yell out at him but stopped, staring wide eyed at the boy. Even if he was only a year younger, he was much taller than her. His sun blond hair still fell over the right side of his face and his silver eyes stared right at her. They had not seen each other since the red water incident and they had changed since then.

Evelyn wanted to reply to that smart remark but she could not find her voice at that moment. Therefore, she just gave the younger man a glare before passing by him and entering the kitchen to where his brother was. As she passed him, she bumped him with her shoulder, the past quarrels not forgotten. However, when she did, her heart leaped and her stomach tightened. She quickened her pace towards the kitchen, wondering to herself what in the world was wrong with her.

"Hey Al!" she greeted, spotting her brother preparing the meal for her and the two boys. "What are you cooking?"

"Hello, Brother," replied Alphonse, turning towards her. "Some stir fry. I hope it will be enough for all of you."

"Aren't you going to eat, Al?" wondered Fletcher, returning to the kitchen, a large smile on his face.

"No, I had a large lunch before, I may have something afterwards," lied the younger brother, eyeing his sister for a moment. "Can you get the table ready? The food is almost done."

"Sure thing!" agreed the young Tringham, going around the kitchen and taking out the utensils, cups and plates.

Evelyn was about to help the boy bring everything back when Russell entered the room as well. She froze up once again but before the older brother noticed it, she had turned towards her own brother, wondering if she could help with anything. Alphonse realized that his sister was acting stranger than usual and glanced in her direction. When the two Tringham brothers had left the room, he bent down over the food, coming close to his sister.

"Ed, what is wrong?" he wondered softly, pretending to smell the food even if he could not. "Is it something with Russell and Fletcher?"

"I... I don't know Al... I... I really don't know," she replied softly, not meeting his eyes. "I just seem to freeze up without realizing it."

Alphonse looked at his sister, studying her. However, he also realized that she had never acted this way before today so he could not tell if she was lying or not. He did not know what was going on with her. Therefore, he stood up straight once again and returned to preparing the meal, Evelyn staying next to him, fidgeting slightly.



Evelyn changed into her travelling pyjamas since the Tringham brothers were staying for the night. Therefore, they had taken her room while she bunked with her brother in his room. She would have preferred the opposite but the boys would have gotten suspicious if they found no clothes in any of the drawers in Alphonse's room. Evelyn did not like the plan but she could not refuse since the brothers had no place to go. The hotel they were supposed to be staying at called, saying they had over booked and there was no more room for them. Damn my luck. What luck I supposedly have, she thought, readjusting the binding around her chest, annoyed that she had to keep it on, even at night.

Evelyn yawned loudly, opening the door to her brother's room and stepping out, heading towards the bathroom. He should be... Arg... He's still in there! How long does he stay in there! She thought, heading towards the door and knocking loudly on it.

"Come on Russell, you've been in there long enough. You would think you're a gi..."

The end of her sentence died in her throat as the door opened and Russell stepped out, looking slightly annoyed. His hair was still wet, proof that he just finished a shower. However, what made Evelyn stop was what he was wearing, or lack of wearing in this case. A towel was tied at his waist but that was it, the rest of his clothes in his hands. Evelyn found herself staring at him her mouth hanging open slightly. She realized she had frozen up once again and began to panic. Russell frowned, eyeing his friend in front of him, wondering what was wrong. They stood there in silence for a moment before Evelyn finally found her voice.

"Took your sweet time," she muttered, heading past the taller boy and quickly closed the bathroom door behind her.

Evelyn leaned against the door, taking a deep breath. She did not know why her body was reacting that way whenever she saw Russell. It did not happen with anyone else. This is ridiculous. He's obnoxious, self-centered and... and what else? Damn... it's been too long since I've seen him. I can't remember why I hate him so much apart from him calling me short... Ah! Get a hold of yourself Evelyn Elric! She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She walked to the mirror and wiped off the steam that had collected there and stared at her reflection. She was about to reach for her toothbrush when she did a double take, noticing the red on her cheeks. I'm BLUSHING! Why the hell am I blushing? She closed her eyes, holding her head. I need to talk to someone. I can't take this anymore!



"Where did Brother go?" wondered Alphonse as he came downstairs the next day. "Have you seen him?"

"He was already gone when I came down," replied Fletcher before taking another bite of his toast. "Maybe Brother saw him."

"Yeah I saw him and he was acting weird again. I came downstairs and for some reason, he jumped when I entered the kitchen. It's not like I was sneaking up on him or anything," explained the older Tringham, puzzled. "He ate quickly and left without a word."

"I wonder where he went?" thought Alphonse out loud, also puzzled by his sister's actions.



Evelyn ran through the corridors of Central Headquarters, dodging past officers as they sleepily moved through the building. She made a hard right turn and kept going, her mind in turmoil with questions she knew no one else would be able to answer since no one else knew her secret. She burst through the doors of a large office, quickly coming up with a plan. She had not expected Havoc, Breda and Fuery to already be at work. Therefore, she put on an angered face and stomped up to Mustang's desk, slamming her hands on it.

"I demand an explanation Mustang! What is this stupid mission you're sending me on?" she yelled but her face was pleading him to play along. I need to talk to you, she mouthed before he could reply.

"Now Fullmetal you know-"

"No, I don't! Why don't you just explain it now!" she continued to yell angrily, hoping for the best possibility.

"We'll be outside," called Havoc as the three men left the room, closing the door behind them.

Evelyn sighed in relief as Mustang stared at her, confused by her actions. However, he figured that whatever was bothering the young woman would not be summed up in less than five minutes.

"Evelyn, how about we talk during lunch?" he suggested quietly, knowing his subordinates where at the door listening. "They won't be gone for long."

"Fine, I don't mind. I just need help figuring something out," she replied, massaging her head. "It's really not making sense to me right now."

"Sure thing. Meet me outside at twelve thirty, all right?" he asked as she nodded, taking a deep breath. "So it's settled then Fullmetal?" he added in a louder voice.

"Yeah, whatever," growled Evelyn, playing along as she stomped towards the doors.

She glanced back a moment, nodding to the man before pulling the door open violently, startling the three men behind it. She glared at them as well before pushing past them. They were all scared of the angered teenager and did not dare ask any questions about the exchange with Mustang. The Colonel, however, eyed his subordinates, a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips. If they only knew they were scared by a teenage girl. Not even Hawkeye has that power over them without a weapon, he thought as he returned to his work or so to make the others believe.



Evelyn leaned against the wall of the military building, waiting impatiently for the Colonel to join her. She had spotted her brother pass by previously with the Tringham brothers but she purposely avoided them, hiding around the corner of the building. Her heart had started beating faster when had seen them but she still did not understand why, it was the first time she felt that way. That time, it had been a close call; therefore, she was ever watchful on who passed in front of the building, making sure to duck whenever the three of them passed. They had just passed once again when Mustang came out of the building.

He watched them walk away, not willing to catch their attention when he had to go meet Evelyn at that time. Once the three had turned the corner, he looked around the entrance, trying to find the blond alchemist. He was indeed surprised to see the young woman come out from around the corner of the building, eyeing the street her brother and the boys had gone down.

"Fullmetal?" called Mustang, walking over, surprising the already anxious girl. "What in the world were you doing over there?" He already figured why but it never hurt to ask.

"Nothing," she replied, knowing full well that the Colonel knew she was lying.

"Right, that's why you were hiding from your brother and the two boys with him?" remarked Mustang, walking towards her. "Come on, let's go eat something and you can tell me what in the world is bothering you."

Evelyn stuffed her hands in her pockets and followed the older man towards a small cafe. Mustang eyed the younger alchemist and noticed that she really did feel uncomfortable. This really did surprise him since he had rarely, very rarely, seen the Fullmetal Alchemist unsure and frightened. They took a seat near the corner of the store and they both ordered a meal, Evelyn's much smaller than Mustang's. The man figured it was the nerves.

"So Fullmetal, what in the world happened?" asked Mustang, eyeing the young woman in front of him.

"I have no idea!" she whispered desperately. "Ever since last night, I keep freezing up and my mind goes blank. I can't help it! I don't know what... SHIT!"

Mustang stared wide eyed as Evelyn literally fell from her chair, hiding from view of the main entrance. She poked her head over the seat of her chair as her superior officer continued to eye her, puzzled. He slowly turned his head slightly to look at the door and spotted Alphonse, Fletcher and Russell enter. She's hiding once again from them..., he noticed, looking back at where Evelyn was supposed to be sitting. She... Ah! This is going to become interesting! He could not help but chuckle softly, hiding his grin with his hand.

Suddenly, he felt a quick, sharp kick at his shin and he spotted Evelyn glaring at him. He intercepted the waitress and asked for their meal to go. She nodded, winking at the Colonel before heading off towards the kitchen. Evelyn eyed the exchange, shaking her head before returning her attention towards the three boys. Mustang shook his head, leaning it after on his hand as he continued to study her strange behaviour. Once their food came, he stood, letting Evelyn stand right next to him so she would not be seen by the three boys.

Once they were far enough, they entered a park and took a seat on a bench. Mustang handed her meal to her and they sat in silence for a while, eating.

"So, has this anything to do with the two boys with your brother?" wondered the Colonel, though he already knew the answer.

"In a way," she murmured. "It happened after they arrived. But I have no idea why this is happening!"

"Well, first of all, who are they?"

"They're the Tringham brothers. We met them at Xenotime during the red water incident. They were using our names to be able to help with the research there. We've been keeping contact ever since. The youngest is Fletcher and the other one is Russell."

"And how old are they?"

"Are you going to rub it in because of my height?" she asked, frowning towards him. "Sixteen and seventeen. Russell's seventeen."

"I see." Mustang's first thought was confirmed and he smirked, leaning back onto the bench. However, Evelyn noticed this and grew suspicious.

"What in the world is funny? I know they're taller already, you don't have to rub it in."

"I'm not. I was just wondering in front of which of them you freeze up," he replied, looking at her from the corner of his eye.

"In front... What are you implying Mustang?" she growled, completely confused.

"Are you meaning to tell me, Fullmetal, that you have never had feelings for a man?"

"Feelings...," she repeated slowly, dumbstruck.

"Yes, feelings, feelings of love to be exact," specified the Colonel.


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