I didn't really give much thought to the way I would die. Always thought it'd be because I got too old, so my body just gave out on me. At least that's what I had hoped. Now that I have that shiny silver pocket watch, I had a better chance of going into war. I could die in a blaze of glory. Or I could come home.

I had a feeling that right now, Maes Mustang was leading me to my death. He drove us to the middle of nowhere, far from Central, far from any sort of civilian population, and took me up to a big, grassy hill. This was the part where I started to get nervous.

"Maes," I quivered a little, "What the hell are we doing here?"

"It's a surprise," he grinned, digging around in his pockets, "You'll see shortly."

"Look," I blurted, "If you're going to kill me, at least make it quick. Tell my parents I love them."

"What?" Maes gave me a look, "What are you talking about? I'm not killing you, Tricia. Your dad told me to have you back by eleven."

"Then, what are we doing here?" I asked.

"Since someone can't be patient," he shot me a glare, "See these?"

A handful of different tablets rested in the palm of Maes' hand, "What are they?"

"They're different kinds of metals," Maes explained, "I was making a casual stroll through one of the labs and I had a few hours to kill. Within each of those tablets, I can make a certain alchemic reaction happen. Pick a color."

"Ok," I wasn't really sure where he was going with this, but I thought it over, "Blue."

"That's..." Maes dug around in the tiny pile in his hand, "This one. This is cupric chloride. Throw it in the air."

"Why...?"

"You'll see," Maes took his gloves off, putting a new one on. A bright white one with some sort of transmutation circle in the stitching that I had never seen before. He dropped the tablet in my hand, "Throw it up. As high as you can."

"Ok," I tossed the little tablet of cupric chloride high into the air. And with a snap of his fingers, Maes induced an alchemic reaction, blowing the compound up midair. And the most brilliant shade of blue burst in the sky, "What was that?"

"A little homemade fireworks," Maes beamed, "Each one of these is a different compound. Different compounds make different colored flames. I can control the way the air currents work, thanks to the old man's ignition glove, and snap, snap, spark, spark. Homemade fireworks."

"Maes," I smiled, "It's beautiful."

"Here," he insisted, "Pick another one."

"This one," I didn't even know what compound I picked up. I just wanted to see that again.

"Excellent choice," Maes threw this one and repeated the process. Only instead of a bright blue, this one was a rich shade of purple, "That was potassium chloride. Makes a purple flame instead of a blue one."

"Do it again!" I begged.

"Here," Maes threw his entire handful up into the air, lighting each one individually as they began to fall back down in a brilliant display of red, green, orange, and yellow light. As he burned each one, he rambled off the name of the compound. And they were all so beautiful.

"That was incredible!" I praised, "And you made all of those yourself?"

"I'm not exactly stupid," he nudged me, "Yeah. Like I said, I had time to kill."

"And the ignition glove?" I wondered, "Something tells me that, if flame alchemy is seen as such a taboo in your family, Uncle Roy doesn't know you have that, does he?"

"Sticky fingers," Maes smirked, "I won't tell if you won't?"

"Deal," I rested my head on his shoulder, "I couldn't think of a better way to end this night."

"Alchemic fireworks?" Maes looked down at me.

"I got certified tonight, Maes," I told, "You got certified tonight. Hell, I got promoted! I got to see my uncle that I haven't seen in months tonight. And then, to top it all off, this?"

"I would've hated to see how the day began for you," Maes giggled.

"It was hectic," I grumbled, "That's for sure."

"You poor baby," he teased.

"It's rough being a girl for these things!" I whined, "And for the most unfeminine girl you will probably ever meet in your life, it makes it even worse."

"I'm sorry, Tricia," Maes wrapped an arm around me. Not sure what that was all about, but it happened, "And all because I had to ask you to this damn thing."

"I had to go anyway," I reminded, "If you wouldn't have asked me, I'm sure Mom and Dad would've dragged me along. They couldn't just send them in the mail, could they?"

"They used to," Maes told, "As soon as my father became the Fuhrer, he started the induction ceremonies. Said they felt more personal. More be thou for the people."

"Anything for the party," I figured.

"Pretty much…"

"Maes," I asked, "Why did you really bring me up here?"

"Because," Maes took a flask out of his pocket, "I hate those damn functions as much as what you do. Maybe even more. I've been doing them since I was a kid. And now that I met you, I have someone to heckle with. We should get our own balcony."

"Really?" I scoffed, "That's why? Because you now have someone to heckle the higher ups with?"

"It's not like we could be anything more than friends," Maes grumbled to himself, "So, if that means I have someone to heckle with, then so be it."

"I'll gladly heckle with you," I cuddled into his ribs, doing a shot from his flask, "You know, when you told me I was going to need someone to watch my back…I did some thinking. I will need someone to watch my back. I'm too much like my dad. When I get pissed, I get sporadic. My attacks are less focused, but more powerful."

"So, what are you saying?" Maes' eyes lit up.

"I'm saying that if I'm going to have someone watching my back," I explained, "I'd rather it be a State Alchemist than a soldier."

Maes held me close against him, "Lieutenant Colonel Elric, it'd be my honor to be the one watching your back."

"You know that means you could also end me, right?"

"Why would I want to do something stupid like that?"

"You wouldn't?" I chimed, "I would if I had that kind of an opportunity."

"That's comforting," Maes chuckled, "Thanks, Tricia."

"Not like that, you idiot," I shoved him, "I wouldn't kill you. I know better."

It got very quiet between us. And I couldn't have asked for anything better. I loved this. Just Maes and I on a hilltop. The stars shining bright. His jacket around me. Nothing could've made this any more perfect.

All of a sudden, completely out of the blue, I found Maes' face attached to mine. His lips were on mine. My brain couldn't even comprehend what had just happened. As soon as he pulled away, I turned bright red.

"Um…" I looked away, "So…"

"Yeah…" Maes cradled the back of his head in his hand, "Should we go back to the, uh, party…?"

"Sure," I agreed. And the two of us headed back for Central. The entire ride was silent.

What in the hell just happened? Come on, Tricia. You're a logical creature. Think this through. What's happened tonight? From the beginning. I got certified. I got promoted. Youngest Lieutenant Colonel in Amestrian history, probably. I don't know of anyone else that's been a Lieutenant Colonel at eighteen. Focus. What else? There was Maes' fireworks display on the hill. And then…A different fireworks display. One I didn't see coming.

At this point, I just wanted to go back to the inn and call it a night. As soon as we got back to the party, Uncle Roy had officially found the strong stuff and started swing dancing on a table by himself, despite his insistence that Aunt Riza join him. And when she said no, he moved on to Mom. Who also said no.

"Tricia!" Uncle Roy sang out, "Come here! Come dance with me!"

"I'll have to pass," I giggled, welcoming the distraction.

"I could order you!" he slurred, "You're officially on my payroll!"

"With all due respect, sir," I stood my ground, "I'd rather not."

"Fine then," he pouted, "Dance with Maes."

"What?" I gave him a look.

"Dad," Maes shared my sentiment, "I think you should get down."

"That's an order!" Uncle Roy barked out, "You two need to have a little fun. Is that too much to ask?"

"We are having fun," I tried to convince him, "It's getting late and I'm kind of tired. What I want now is to go back to the inn and get a good night's sleep."

"Fullmetal," he whined, "Get her to do it."

"Sorry, sir," Dad stuck up for me, "She's her own woman. I have no control over her. And you haven't had any over me in years."

"Come on, Tricia," Maes started to come around, "We might as well humor him. He's not going to let up about it."

"Fine," I caved, "Could I have a minute?"

"That's fine by me," Uncle Roy beamed, "Hey, General, does Amestrian law permit arranged marriages?"

"No, sir," Aunt Riza rolled her eyes, "You really should come down."

"I'm not going to!" he chirped, "I don't want to!"

"How do you do it, Riza?" Mom asked.

"A lot of prayer and a lot of liquor," she joked.

"I'll be right back," I grabbed my mother by her wrist and dragged her into the bathroom with me. I knew what was about to happen and I knew how she was going to react, but I needed to vent to someone.

"What the hell, Tricia?" Mom regained her footing, "What was that all about? And what's with you not wanting to dance with Maes? I thought you two were friends."

"You know how he and I went off by ourselves?"

"Yeah."

"He made fireworks for me, Mom," I told, "And they were so bright and beautiful…"

"Tricia," she awed, "That's so sweet."

"There's more," I bit my lip, cringing at the mere thought of my mother's reaction, "I think he might have kissed me. I kind of blacked out."

"WHAT?" Mom squeaked, "What happened?"

"We were just talking!" I settled her, "Then, that happened."

"What were you talking about?"

"He told me that I'd need someone to watch my back," I explained, "And I said that I'd want a State Alchemist watching my back over a soldier any day of the week, so he volunteered for the job."

"He likes you, Tricia…" a soft, shaky voice chimed from one of the stalls, "He sounds really sweet. I'd take him if I didn't already have a ring on my finger."

"Aunt Mei?" I assumed, "What are you still doing in here?"

"Crying for the past half hour," she admitted, "But no need to worry about me."

"What's wrong, Mei?" Mom worried.

"It's nothing," she brushed it off, "Go on, Tricia. I could use a distraction."

"Alright," I wasn't going to deny her. Aunt Mei could kill me with her bare hands as easily as Mom could. She may be small, but she could pack a punch, "Honestly, I just want to go home. If Uncle Roy wasn't drunk ordering me to dance with Maes, that's where I'd be right now."

"It's just a dance, Tricia," Mom assured, sitting on the counter, "You're overthinking it."

"Not my fault," I grumbled to myself, "I blame genetics."

"Tricia Elric!" Mom yelled, "Are you saying I overreact?!"

"Both you AND Dad overreact!" I pointed out, "Admit it."

"She's right, Winry," Aunt Mei agreed, then proceeded to throw up. Violently.

"Are you sure you're alright, Mei?" Mom leaned against her stall door, "That doesn't sound too good."

"I think I might have the flu," Aunt Mei assumed.

"How long have you been sick?" she asked.

"Maybe a day or two."

"Uncle Alphonse said it's been a few days," I chimed in.

"Maybe I should make good use of our time in Central," Aunt Mei said, "Maybe I should see a doctor about this."

"Should I go get Al?" Mom suggested, "The two of you could go back to your hotel room and you could get some rest."

"No," Aunt Mei declined, "I'll be fine."

"Which brings us to you," Mom turned her attention back to me, "Go dance with Maes. It won't kill you."

"I'm half tempted to jump out the window," I chuckled, "You're right. I am just overthinking. It's just a dance."

"That's my girl," Mom popped me in the shoulder, "You go dance with Maes. I'll keep an eye on Mei. Go find Al and tell him about her."

"I will," I pushed the bathroom door out and looked around for Maes and Uncle Alphonse. I found Uncle Roy dancing some more…then throwing up into a potted plant…then back to dancing again. And that's the man leading our country. You sure know how to pick a leader, Amestris. Can't really blame you, though. Decorated war hero. Saved the entire country from a homunculus trying to become God (with the help of Daddy dearest). A true man of the people. Yet here he is, throwing up into plants. I've seen enough of that tonight.

"Hey," Maes found me before I found him, "I'm sorry. Dad gets demanding when he's drunk."

"It's just one dance," I affirmed, "After this, I'll probably go home and turn in for the night."

"Me, too," he took my hand, "Shall we?"

"Sure."

I wasn't exactly excited about it, but I had no choice. I couldn't turn down a direct order from the Fuhrer. No matter how trashed he was. And of course, it had to be a slow song. Why? What did I do to deserve this? What saint did I brutally and viciously murder in a past life to warrant this kind of torturous hell? This uncomfortable, forced, cringe worthy dance that I had to partake in.

Maes pulled me in closer in attempts to make me feel better. And as much as I wanted to be out of it, his warm embrace was rather settling. All of a sudden, the room stood still. Along with time itself. And I reveled in his arms. Maybe that kiss wasn't such a bad thing. A bit too soon for me and I probably wouldn't be making such a big deal out of it if it wasn't my first.

Not a single word was spoken between us. Not because of discomfort or awkwardness, but because nothing needed to be said. Everything was going to be ok. I had only felt this once before. And that was from my dad. No. I refused to believe the superstition. I could still hear Granny Pinako in my head, saying that one day, I'd meet a man like my father and I'd fall head over heels for him. Granted, she told me this when I was seven, but still.

Her funeral was the last time I felt like this. I was close with Granny. She taught me so much. She taught me more about automail than my own mother. Then again, Mom wouldn't know half of what she knew without her. Of course, the last act of a desperate little girl wanting to see her great grandmother again would be to look in Daddy's alchemy notes. I had been studying for a couple years already. And I knew what had happened. Why Daddy's leg was made out of steel. Why he had the scars around his shoulder. He caught me going through his human transmutation notes. And he held me crying on the floor for a while.

And Maes could somehow recreate the feeling. I didn't understand how he did it. I don't think he even knew he was doing it. But somehow, I knew everything would be ok. I hated that Granny was right, but she was. Out of everyone I could have, I wanted Maes watching my back. With the final spin, I had come down enough to never want this to end.

"I guess I'll see you in the library tomorrow?" Maes assumed.

"Yeah," I snapped out of my haze, "I'll see you tomorrow."

Before my heart palpitations got any worse, I practically sprinted out of the ballroom and went back to the inn. Look, Tricia. You're getting everything you wanted. You got your certification. You got your shiny pocket watch. The silver never tasted so sweet. But what was I going to do now? I had Maes Mustang wanting to keep me safe. I was perfectly capable of doing it myself, but he won't have it.

I really am thinking too much. I unzipped the back of my dress, let it puddle at my feet, and crawled into bed. Maybe after a good night's sleep, I'll feel better in the morning…

A/N: He made her fireworks…HE MADE HER FIREWORKS! If you don't think that's the cutest thing that Maes is capable of, you need to leave. The door is right over there. And the casual snap, snap, spark, spark reference there…High fives for those that understand. But then again, if you don't know about Roy Mustang's brief foray into a rap career, what are you even doing here? You don't even go here. Search it on YouTube. Now, our little Titanium Alchemist is at war with herself. Does she stand strong or does she fly away with the Phoenix? And what's wrong with Mei? All questions that will be answered next week. See you next chapter, guys! xx