I do not own FMA.


Little Miss Nina (Despair and Sorrow: Part 2)

East City, 1914

Ed.

"Why are you two coming with us?" I asked as I saw Nate and Bo with the Colonel.

Nate had no particular interests in Bio-Alchemy unless he wanted to find a way to get their normal sight back. Unlike Al and me, they could not get their mother and sister's bodies back; they made it clear that they died like 'sacrifices'. Bo had even less interest in Bio-Alchemy. She was a combatant; she should be with Lieutenant Hawkeye.

"We asked the Colonel. Something's wrong with that, Ed?" Bo's stare was menacing like on the train. I preferred to keep my mouth shut on that. Nate did not even bothered to say anything and just entered the car. He was actually silent during the whole car ride.

The Colonel gave us more details about Tucker. He had transmuted a chimera that could talk, which was outstanding.

"It only said one thing: 'I want to die'," the Colonel ended. "After that, it refused to eat until it had it had his wish."

We were all shocked by it. Sensible Bo's eyes were filling up, but she did not cry.

Arrived at the mansion, the Colonel went to ring the bell. We could not help, but to be in awe with how big it was. Suddenly a huge fur ball jumped over me. The dog landed on me. Bo laughed at me. It was so damn hilarious; she could laugh as much as she wanted. Revenge is sweet. Only Al was worried about my well-being. I was thankful to have him.

"Daddy…" a cute girl called. "There are people out there. Look."

"Nina, this is why I told you to keep the dog tied up," her father, Shou Tucker, lectured.

Tucker let us in. It was pretty messy in there. He brought us a cup of tea each as he explained the situation he was in. His wife had left him.

The Colonel told him that we four were interested in his research. Tucker was glad to share it with us only if we shared the reasons why we were particularly interested in his field. It was understandable since it was an equivalent exchange. The Colonel was about to cover it up, when I decided to tell Tucker Al and I's story. When it came to Nathan and Bo, Nathan took charge. I thought it was for their sights, but it was for another different purpose.

"I'm only interested as personal interest…and I can only tell you that my alchemy is a field in Bio-Alchemy as well." Nathan remained enigmatic on the subject like during the train ride. It was classified information after all.

It surprised me that Tucker did not push him to reveal anything more. I guess it was, because of the look in Nathan's eyes. He was troubled. The overconfident Nathan Bennett was actually troubled by something. I would have said something, if it was not for Bo's sad face. What was so wrong about their secret? And it also surprised me that the Colonel was not bothered by it. Did he know something? It was most likely after what he said to Nathan in his office.

Bo declined the offer of stepping in the laboratory, because she had a fright of chimeras. She decided that she would give the house the feminine touch it lacked by cleaning. It made Tucker happy. Meanwhile, we went the lab. Tucker told us that even if he was regarded as an authority on chimeras, things had not gone well for him. I was still impressed.

"Amazing," I exclaimed when we arrived at his library.

All three of us went straight to a shelf, and started reading.


Bo.

I did not notice Colonel Mustang leave. I was so occupied with all the cleaning that needed to be done. It was funny, because I never was one who enjoyed chores. When we were at Master Frey's house, it was my way to repay him for his teachings, for the food and for the roof on top of our head. Now, it was my way of repaying Mister Tucker for letting my brother learn about his research with a vague mysterious reason.

There was so much to do. I started with dusting the main quarters – the private quarters were off limits. Then, I passed the broom in them. I went to the kitchen to wash and to dry the dishes. I even mopped the floor. I was done all that in two hours thanks to experience. Meantime, the boys were in the library reading studiously. Were they even human? I laughed.

"Why are you laughing, big sister?" asked Nina.

I did not notice her presence at all. She was so cute. I had to remember what was going to happen to her soon…It sucked I could not change this. Nate was really clear about it. "Her death is important for them, because they will learn from it." That was what he told me privately, before we joined Mustang outside.

A part of me wanted to keep a distance, because the pain and the grieving were going to be harder to handle, but the other part wanted to spend the remaining time with her, so she could be happy. It was probably a way to look at things. 'Before she died atrociously, I gave her the best time of her life'.

I squat to her level with a cheerful smile. "I was thinking about how the big brothers have been doing nothing, but studying."

"Why aren't you reading, big sister?" she asked with that adorable voice of hers.

"Because I wanted to help out in the house," I answered. "Nina, do you want to bake cookies? We'll eat them with the big brothers and daddy."

Her eyes brightened. We made some homemade chocolate chip cookies with what I could find around the kitchen. While they were baking, I sent Nina to play with big brothers. They needed to take a break. In the meantime, I was going to make some juice and take care of the cookies.


Al.

While I was reading a book, Nina sneaked up to me. I turned my head to her, and she hid herself. She took another peak, and giggled cutely. I knew what it meant. She wanted to play. I could not refuse, so I left my books and went to play with her at a corner of the library. She was on my shoulders and I was acting like her horse. Nina's giggle was genuine and loveable. It was fun playing with her.

"Al, what are you doing? You're supposed to be reading," brother reproached.

Nina and I were surprised by his presence, and I stopped moving.

"Euh…Nina looked like she wanted to play," I tried.

"In case you forgot, we didn't come to play horse-y," he continued, when suddenly Alexander jumped on him.

Nina commented that Alexander wanted to play as well. Brother said that he was going to vanquish it for besting him twice, and ran after the dog. It made Nina laughed.

The noise distracted Nathan who came to check on us. He smirked, when he saw Alexander on top of brother again.

"Well, Goldie, you must be a dog's favorite mat," he teased patting Alexander's head, before going back to his corner to research some more.

When Bo arrived with some lemonade and cookies was the only time of relief brother ever had. Bo's cookies looked delicious. She emphasized on the fact that Nina helped in making them. She even told me to add the special "Nina and Bo chocolate chip delight" in my things to eat as soon as I got my body back. That was so nice of her.

We had such a good time until evening came. Lieutenant Havoc came to pick us up. Brother was on the floor with Alexander on top of him again.

"What are you up to now, Ed?" Lieutenant Havoc wondered.

"Let's just say that I'm taking a break-" Brother started.

"Are you sure about that, Goldie?" Nate cut as he gathered his notes.

"After all that you must be dog-tired," teased Mister Tucker, which made everyone laughed except for brother.

Mister Tucker gave us the permission to come back on the next day, and I assured Nina that we were all going to play with her again. It made her really happy.


Bo.

As we left, Havoc reminded Tucker that his assessment day was near. I could hear my heart starting to cry. I could hear my thoughts repeating 'do not want' nonstop. I wished that there was some kind of Amestrian time-turner existed.

"Oh, Mister Tucker, your supper was already taken care of," I said loudly, before the car drove off.

"You took the time to cook supper." My brother arched an eyebrow.

"Of course, I had nothing to do, while you nerds were devouring books by the hundreds," I said, rearranging my glasses.

The next day came very fast. As we were driving to the Tucker's instate, I could not help, but thinking that it was my last day with the lovely Nina. I wondered if it was harder to know before hand and be powerless or if it was harder not to know and learn everything too late. Both seemed very painful in their own way. On that day, we were all going to face a different kind of pain. My brother and I were going to feel remorse. I was positive that deep down, Nate was in pain, but he was good at keeping things in.


Nathan.

I was in my side of library doing my personal research, when I heard them talking to each other. I thought the midget said the reason they were hear was to read. I guess that the kid changed their plans. Bo was clearly a masochist. She was staying with the kid all the time, which was basically emotional torture. If I did not partake in their little games was simply, because I was not the best at handling grief. It had been three years since it happened, but I still could not talk about my darker secrets. Overworking was my way to escape from it. I never learned how to cope. I never had good models in my life anyways. My father committed suicide when I was young, because he could no longer deal with all his debts. He did it even if he knew the consequences. To cope with all the burdens of her life, debts and children, my mom would drink and take pills. Was she not the happiest person? I guessed it explained a lot about our personalities. Bo never learned how to control her emotions. I knew I was an unbearable sardonic guy, though I had this likeable – or in Edward's case "annoying" – mask.

I decided to hide behind a row of books to spy on them. Nina, on my sister's lap, told them how her mother left them when she was young and that she was lonely, because her father would shut himself in his office. As much as Fullmetal, I could relate to that. Days before dad's final act, he would lock himself in his room. Did fathers know that it is painful to keep a distance with their kids? If I ever had kids, I would do my best to remain close to them. I would not let them feel that emotional impact. Distance was a good way to damage anyone.

"My shoulders are killing me." Ed yawned.

"Maybe you should try to move some, brother," advised Al.

"Not a bad idea, Al." Edward pointed the dog. "Hey, you mangy mutt, looks like you can use some exercise."

The girls started laughing as Ed ran after the dog. Bo took Nina in her arms, and they ran after the two.

"You should come and have some fun as well," Al told me. "Let's go too, Nate."

How did he know that I was there? How could I even refuse an offer from the kind Al? I sighed as I revealed myself, and nodded.

The kids were being their hyperactive selves as they were running left right in the backyard. I remained in the shade taking some notes while I continued reading. That was the closest to Nina that I was going to get. Wait, who was I kidding? While Bo went to whip us a snack, Nina came to me.

"Big brother, come and play," she demanded with that smile of hers.

I looked away, because it was super effective. She had those adorable big eyes. I had to keep my distance from the kid.

"Don't bother, Nina. Mister Antisocial over there is no fun at all," Edward said.

My left eye twitched. I controlled my anger.

"Hey Nina, let's play together." Fuck this; it was impossible to say no to her.

It was getting late, and Mister Tucker told us the elaborate version of his wife's departure. When he told Nina that they were going to play together the next day, I could see a hint of sadness in Bo's eyes. She took off her glasses and hid her eyes the best she could with her peekaboo fringe. Today was the last day we were ever going to see Nina Tucker as she was. Her precious self was going to be nothing more, but a memory.