AN: Thank you again for everyone reading this fanfic...I hope you guys are enjoying it so far. If you are looking for an EdxWin fanfic check out my other one The Communication of Souls!

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA : (

Closing the door firmly behind her, May was able to fully relish in the fact that Al had kissed her! He had pulled her near and placed his warm lips on hers, then to her surprise she had not only returned the kiss but wanted more and taken it. She had no idea how incredible their tongues moving against each others would feel. Shao May was just as excited for her especially since she liked Al more than most humans.

Wanting to impress and coax more fantastic kisses from Al, May took her time as she bathed in three different scented baths. Her hair smelled of flowers, spices and vanilla. Carefully dressing her hair, she put it in such a way that a cascade of dark locks fell down her back and also wrapped around her head like a crown. Hopefully he would like her hair down. Applying a bit of color to her lips and cheeks she decided that was about as good as she got. Pulling on her dress she left the room.

On the trip to the palace May felt Al's eyes on her but being that they were in the presence of her personal guard and Jerso and Zampano neither of them said much. Once they got to the palace Lan Fan was there to greet them and check everyone for weapons before seeing Ling. Even though she was a warrior, Lan Fan was gorgeous and suddenly May wished she had been wearing her damn mask so Al wouldn't notice. However, when she did actually look at him it was clear to see he only had eyes for her. He did exchange hellos with Lan Fan and ask how her about her automail but that was about it. Lan Fan started leading them into an immense hallway dressed in the most vibrant reds and golds. They entered the room that Emperor Ling was seated in, as a matter of customs they bowed until they were under Ling's height. Al being so tall was funny to watch perform this movement. Afterwards Ling dismissed the people who were on both sides of him.

"Hey Alphonse! I thought it was you when my guards outside said a golden man was approaching! How have you been?" Ling was true to form over the top with his jovial attitude.

"I have been well! I hear you haven't had any assassination attempts yet, so that must mean either you are doing great or Lan Fan has been working extra hard." Al jabbed him in kidding with his elbow. "This is Jerso and Zampano they were with us at The Promised Day but I don't think you ever got the chance to know them."

"Nice to meet you both, what brought you so far away with Alphonse?" Ling was dressed in the most regal Xingese garb he had seen so far, it definitely gave airs that showed he was in charge.

Zampano stepped forward, "We followed Al here in hopes that we could also be returned to our human bodies, we would like to be able to go home to our families. Since Al is now under May's tutelage we figure it's only a matter of time before he aces it and finds the way to make us normal again."

"Alphonse is brilliant for as young as he is, he has already started picking the sense of Chi up quite quicker than his former attempt." May smiled at the memory of their days together before the Promised Day for as it was an uncertain time it was also one the most fond from those days. Al had been so frustrated it cracked her up.

"Well I'm sure you are a good tutor May...You haven't been putting the moves on my little sister have you Al?" At this May felt her face become engulfed in flames. Sneaking a peek at Alphonse she saw that he was as red as the silk curtains in the room.

As Al spoke up his voice cracked."I shall not even dignify that with a response." His expression was hilarious he looked like a disgruntled butler.

"Ah..I see you don't kiss and tell, well just keep in mind that there are eyes everywhere even if you can't see them." Ling was messing with Al to get a reaction, he started laughing as he turned to wink at Lan Fan who's straight face was starting to falter. "Oh I'm just trying to get a rise out of you, well kind of because in fact I do plan to have May here married with small ones of her own within the next two years or so."

"Why so soon?" Shock seeped through Al's voice. Clearly he had never thought Ling to be pushy that way.

"Well I'm surprised May hasn't explained. Even with our extensive healing experience with Alkahestry, there are some catastrophes we can't fix. Recently there was a disease that ran wild through our country taking not only a little under half of our population but also nearly wiping many of the royal clans out in its wake. Our procreation is essential to maintaining the line." At this his eyes swept to Lan Fan again but this time with no hint of happiness in his countenance. May didn't want to meet Al's questioning eyes. She had not been ready to explain why her family had been so adamant on her marrying and expanding the royal line. She was tired of talking about it, especially since she had no say in the matter.

"I wasn't aware that there was such a dire situation at hand." The coldness in his voice dripped off every word clearly he wasn't happy that she had not disclosed this fact.
Just then another voice joined the conversation alarming all but Ling and Lan Fan.

"Then certainly we can come to some type of agreement on me marrying Princess Chang and strengthening the line." All heads turned to look at the person the words had come from. In fairness she had to admit he was quite handsome in a dark come hither way, definitely Al's antithesis. The chi she was picking up was mixed and somehow guarded. How was he able to guard his chi? Oh shit he was walking towards her. He bowed to her and gave her a meaningful look. "Princess Chang I am Ruo-Jian Qin. I know I am older than you and that we don't know each other but I am practiced in Alkahestry so at least we would have common ground to start from. I am asking that you give me a chance and let us unite our clans." She wanted to see the look on Al's face, she could feel the tension in the air. They had just begun to open up to one another she didn't want this situation ruining everything...

"Well I am just now meeting you and while you have conversed openly with my family on the terms of our union, before this second you have never made yourself known to me. While everyone else thinks that I should just acquiesce to this life changing decision for the good of our people, I feel it should be made with weight since I will have to live with it for the rest of my life." She was beyond mad, sometimes she hated being born into this stature. It was asinine how little control she had over her own life. Poor Jerso and Zampano looked like they were trying to leave the room unnoticed, they had probably never expected to see a princess act like this. Finally Ling raised a hand to silence any further emotional outbursts.

"I believe this is a matter which still needs talked over more before it is jumped into, so for now let's stop scaring away our company and do MY favorite thing-eat!"

For the most part dinner went better than expected minus Ruo-Jian staring holes in her head and Alphonse staring holes in his. If she thought about it, this whole situation was mildly funny because she would expect this behavior from Edward but not Alphonse. He was definitely going to give her an earful later she was sure. After dinner Ling pulled Al aside for a couple of minutes and he seemed a bit mollified upon his return. They exchanged goodbyes though Al's to Ruo-Jian was clearly feigned.

When they arrived back at the Chang estate May and Al said goodnight to Jerso and Zampano who still seemed like they were just trying to stay off the radar. Walking quickly to her room Alphonse remained silent. When they got to her door she figured she may as well start explaining now. But just as she opened her mouth to tell him why she hadn't told him about everything he put a hand deftly behind her head while pushing her against the door jam into the most incredible and possessive kiss. This type of dominance was intoxicating, he tilted her head back so he could more intimately vie with her tongue. He tasted of the mint leaves that had been steeped in his tea at dinner, and now it was tingling against her mouth. Her hands slid up his strong, lean back and then began to dip downwards. Al's own hands were roaming in a way that for being wrong should never feel this good. Moving his slender fingers up her ribs she thought for sure he would try and touch her generous breasts, but instead he had remained that tantalizing distance just under as if on purpose to make her want him to touch her there. She pulled back so she could look into his honeyed eyes and scry the why from them, however at this halting of their contact Al took the chance to get ahold of himself by turning heel and leaving her speechless and bereft outside of her door.