Ugh. Sorry about the wait guys. But, between this chapter being pretty long (by my standards, anyway), writer's block, school, and work, this thing has taken a while to finish. Now fully betaed.

Anyway…sorry about the rant posing as a chapter. Most of the crap in my life has straightened itself out, and I am not that pissy anymore. I got a massive influx of support that helped me get through this. ^_^ Thanks guys. There fore the Reveiwer Replys section is going to be MASSIVE…I think that I will put them at the end, so it wont take up so much room…

As for the last 'chapter'…I will leave it for a couple days after I post this, so people will know that I have updated…then I will take it down and put a long foot note at the end of the first chapter. Sound good?

Thanks again guys!

~OxO~

It was weird.

I used to hate him…I used to think that he had helped me out, just so I would behave, or maybe he thought that he would get something out of it. After all, you don't get something for nothing, right?

But…recently, I'd found myself not being so on edge when we were in the same room. We nodded to each other in the hallways. Sure, he still gave me odd looks sometimes, I guess when he thought I wasn't looking. And he was still a womanizing prick.

But something had changed. Some shift in the ether had caused this…almost…friendliness between us.

Was it possible that Roy Mustang really wasn't that bad?

~OxO~

Most kids hated Mondays. The start of the week, not being able to sleep in, returning to teachers and schoolwork just ticked most people off.

I loved Mondays.

I got to see Al living his life outside the house, which was just the most amazing thing ever. Seeing my little brother laugh and have a grab at his own slice of everything was the absolute best thing in my life. And there was a small part that enjoyed the prejudice against Mondays. I kind of identified with that. Everyone hating you just for being there. Even though there are good things that happen on Mondays, everyone only sees the bad. If 'Monday' was a person, and not a day, I thought that we would be pretty much alike.

And…when being totally honest with myself there was a dark, secret place inside me that liked to play pretend. And Monday was the only day I could really get away with that. Only on Mondays could I imagine that everyone around me was acting so hateful, not because they didn't like me, but because they didn't like Mondays. It seemed kind of shallow, but it was the only way could trick myself into believing, that, just for a moment, I actually belonged.

And, on a more upbeat note, I didn't have to work on Mondays. Among other quirks that I could only equate with his odd 'code', Greed insisted that everyone in the gang get a day off. I remember Fletcher saying that I was unlucky to have gotten Monday as my free day, because I still had to go to school. But, it really seemed to work this way, so I didn't mind.

Thus, every Monday followed a typical routine: Wake up, shower, eat a sad excuse for a breakfast, come to school. That was followed by a mostly normal school day…the only noticeable difference was that Noa never talked business with me on Monday. Then, Winry would come to pick up Al and me.

That was all completely normal, so I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself when Winry pulled up and I felt uncomfortable getting in the familiar old pickup truck.

Getting in next to my little brother felt like getting up close and personal with a grumpy lion. Al was still pissed. Really pissed. And I really had no idea what to do about it…

~Couple Days Ago~

I trudged up the stairs, a cold dread building in the pit of my stomach. I did not want to go up there, where I knew my imminent doom was awaiting…but, if I went back downstairs now, I'd just get sent up here again.

I wasn't the type of person to run away from a tough situation. However, I didn't really want to die at sixteen either. So, I didn't feel that bad about trying to come up with every conceivable excuse to not go talk to my brother. Unfortunately, a pissy Teacher could be just as bad as a pissy Al.

And so, stuck between a rock and a hard place, I crested the stairs and turned right into the hallway. All the way at the end of the hall were two doors, right across from each other. They marked how different my brother and I really were. Al's door on the left was simple, unblemished, but for one of those 'enter/do not disturb' flip-over signs hanging from his doorknob. That was just Alphonse for you. Calm and simple. Looking at the door on my right was almost like looking in a mirror. It had random decorative crap all over it. But, it wasn't gang-poser decorations. The entrance to my own personal haven was just…me. Chaotic and quirky. There were band posters on it (Not just emo-goth bands. Yeah, MCR and AFI were up there, but so were Matchbox 20 and the Goo Goo Dolls), a 'no stupid people allowed' sign, a couple pages of the Anime Insider magazine I had ripped out (You could bet your ass one was a review on Sailor Moon. I didn't care what anybody said, whoever came up with the idea of school girls flitting around on rooftops and kicking ass in mega-miniskirts was a fucking genius). A couple movie posters adorned the corners (Iron Man was the best fucking super hero movie of the modern era, and was therefore worthy of hanging next to the likes of the Moon Princess herself) and my personal favorite: a big yellow 'x-ing' sign with a picture of a flying monkey on it sat right smack dab in the middle of all that crap.

'Heh…maybe that would cheer Al up. Who doesn't love winged primates?' I thought to myself.

Smiling a bit at the thought of flying monkeys swooping through the hallway, I took the safe route to my own room. I opened the dump of cultural feces that was my door and stepped inside. After shutting it behind me, I took a moment to survey what I considered to be a sanctuary. My room really was a reflection of me. Wild, out there, and not afraid to speak my mind loudly on the outside, but the inner walls of the only space that could be close to being my own were quieter. There were no posters on the inside of the door, no crazy voodoo dolls or anything like that. The walls were a rich blue, trimmed with a silver band near the ceiling. The line was a little jagged in places, since it was hand done, but it looked nice enough. I had my window with the overly expensive wooden blinds I got for my birthday last year (plastic blinds sucked, and keeping the little lace curtains that were originally there would've been kinda…gay) on the window opposite of my door. On the right wall was my faux-wood desk that mostly matched my blinds. This had paper and crap strewn all over it and several rubber bands were wrapped around the desk lamp. The only clean spots over there were my shitty metal folding chair and the sacred space where my itty-bitty, pre-owned laptop rested.

On the left wall was my silver-painted entertainment center with my 19-inch T.V. that had the casing cracked in one corner with my old PS2 perched precariously on top of it. On the shelf below the T.V. was my 500-dollar sound system (I was a major audiophile). To each side of the electronics' nest were the two bookshelves Al and Sig had made for me for the holidays one year. Next to the door, the wall jutted out a bit to make room for my closet, which had sliding mirrored doors.

The only other notable thing was what you saw right when you walked in. Right under the window, along the wall was my small bed, clad in its burnished metal frame, bedecked with black pillows and a cover fashioned after the night sky. One would think that a starry blanket would look pretty hokey, but this one was really nice. I paid a fortune for it at one of those Native American trading stores that you find on the sides of highways. It was hand-woven and more like a tapestry than a blanket. The background was a deep blue-black color. The stars were different sizes and multiple shades of blue, green, yellow, and white, with little sparkly strands of thread in them that made them shimmer. There were a couple of rainbow-hued nebulas on it. And right in the middle of it was a big sapphire colored circle with a triangle in it. There were various unrecognizable symbols on it that looked sort of like a cross between basic shapes, kanji and hieroglyphics. The shop owner told me that 'The Ancients' used these circle things in rituals to turn bad crops into good ones. Like, a tree-hugger version of the old European practice of alchemy. But, seriously, this thing was just…stunning.

I remembered going into the shop because Al wanted to and not really caring enough to look at anything. But then, I caught a glimpse of this blanket on display and I just had to have it. And I don't mean I wanted it a lot. I had to have it. Something about the stars, and the circle sent a rush through me and made my fingers tingle. I'd never resonated with a material object like that and I actually went out of my way to make sure the shopkeeper saved it for me until I could pay for it. Al was so happy that I had found something I loved so much and that I wanted to 'broaden my horizons with Indian culture,' that he didn't protest at splurging on something so unnecessary.

I went and picked up my old friend, and threw it over my arm. If it could keep someone as cold as me warm at night, then maybe it would make for a good peace offering and help me warm my brother's heart.

~Present~

It didn't.

Al had just kept his door shut and wouldn't let me in, and I hadn't had a chance to talk with him since.

At the end of the day, Winry really was our sister, blood be damned. Her sibling spidey-sense had obviously picked up the weird vibes coming from the back seat and she kept glancing worriedly at us in the rearview mirror.

Surprisingly enough, she managed to keep her mouth shut until we got to her house. We pulled up in the driveway of Pinako Rockbell's small, but happy home. It was a nice robin's egg blue with a trim front lawn. Walking in the front door of the Rockbell place always reminded me of home. It smelled like homemade bread and motor oil, two scents that somehow managed to work together in this place. I took a moment to breathe it in and relive memories of happier times, when Al rudely shoving his way past me, into the house pushed me back into the present.

I sighed heavily and followed him into the house, Winry close behind me. I could just feel her worry and curiosity, and I wasn't looking forward to all the nagging questions that she would no doubt drill me with when she got the chance.

I flopped ungraciously onto the very small couch in the living room (I could just hear Fate laughing at me because it was the exact right size for me…damn genetics…) Naturally, Granny Pinako told me to 'Straighten up, real men don't slouch.'

"Old hag." I muttered under my breath.

"What did you say, midget?" Of course. She was, like, 60, but her hearing could still pick up on my mutterings.

"Nothing!" I quickly answered.

It was about that time when Winry appeared out of nowhere and motioned for me to follow her. I shrugged and left my comfy spot on the couch, and followed her down the hall to her room. As with every time I came into Winry's room, I was momentarily dazed by the sharp contrast of the pink walls and the racks of wrenches and screwdrivers that adorned them.

"I know you and Al are having a fight," she said the moment the door closed, "So spill. What happened?"

I heaved a sigh and followed it up with "I don't know…he was at my work the other day and I told him to leave…then he started shouting something about the gang coming in between us, or something. I mean, I know that I spend a lot of time working, but I have to. He knows that, so I don't understand why he is upset."

The nutty mechanic just looked at me like I was the dumbest thing ever to walk the face of the Earth. A minute or so passed in total silence.

Finally, it got too awkward for me. "What?"

"You…don't understand...that's a joke, right?"

"No…"I said slowly. "It's not. Have any advice as to what the problem is?"

She then got this odd exasperated look on her face and rolled her eyes. "God, for a guy with an obnoxiously high IQ, you sure are stupid. Anyone who can't figure that out deserves a little pain and suffering."

"Wait, what? Why am I suddenly stupid?"

She just shook her head at that, which only served to make me more confused.

"You…aren't going to tell me, are you?"

"Nope." She stated frankly. "Now get out of my room, dinner will be ready soon." Winry said, while pushing me out the door.

"Lousy bitch." I whispered.

"What was that?" snapped the most frustrating girl ever.

"I said that you can be such a witch, Winry."

~OxO~

On Tuesday, I was busy moping, and not really paying attention to anything Noa was saying, so she told me to take the rest of the day to get my head out of my ass, so I would be able to work later.

Sighing, I worked my way to the library, the only place I didn't really have to worry about keeping up appearances. At least I could use my free period to read and get away from it all for a while.

After browsing for a few minutes, I settled on "A Wrinkle In Time" and shuffled over to my normal reading spot. The old, familiar smell of paper long forgotten lulled me into a calmer state of mind, and eventually, I was completely absorbed in the story, and thinking to myself that Charles Wallace was a pretentious little twerp to try and take on that nasty brain thing alone.

Just then, I felt something…a tingling on the edge of my consciousness. I knew exactly what it was, but what surprised me was that it wasn't nearly as unpleasant a feeling as last time.

Looking up, I saw Mr. Awesome himself smirking at me. For once, his eyes weren't…asinine or creepy stalkery, so I was actually able to concentrate on the other things about him. He had on a blue button up shirt over a white undershirt that was accompanied by black pants and those annoying black loafers that were too formal for school, but not formal enough to be 'dress shoes', so he could get away with them. His clothes along with his dark hair that was tousled just so really pulled off the tall, (shit, why was everyone such a fucking Amazon!) dark, and handsome look pretty well. Not that I would ever tell him that.

"You look very gay today, Mr. President." I said in a crappy British accent.

Something flashed in his near-impenetrable mask that I didn't quite understand, like he was looking for something. I slowly raised an eyebrow at him.

"I look like I didn't get dressed in the dark this morning. Unlike some I could mention." retorted Mustang, finally.

I snarled and went back to looking down at my book and sulking, in the hopes the he would just drop it and go away. Of course, things never work out the way I want them to.

He sauntered behind my seat and proceeded to look over my shoulder. "What'cha readin'?" came a purposefully annoying, nasally voice from behind me.

Initially, I thought about telling to mind his own fucking business, but then, all the weight of recent events pushed down on me again, and I suddenly didn't have the energy to carry on an argument.

"Nothing, just…nothing." I said wearily. "Listen, could you not be a total dick to me today?" And then, I added as an afterthought, "Please?"

"Holy cow…Edward Elric using something akin to manners. The sky must be falling."

When I didn't look up, or reply to his 'witty' comments, he sighed and sat down in one of the many chairs cluttering this area.

"What's the matter?" he asked softly.

The tenor of his words made me look up, but years of conditioning led me to my knee-jerk-reaction-answer of "Nothing."

He scrutinized me closely for a moment, and then flashed a mischievous grin.

"Did your namesake vampire dazzle you with his sparkling abs, or something?"

"Ok, firstly, Edward Cullen is a fucking pixie wanabee, not a vampire, and secondly, there is no way he would come anywhere near me if he did exist, because I would tear him to fucking pieces." I said, in a mostly calm manner.

The grin then wobbled, shifted, and morphed into a full-blown smirk. And with that, I couldn't hold the remainder of my composure anymore and let loose a small chuckle.

"Then what has a wondrous creature such as yourself got to worry about?"

"Spare me your sarcasm, oh Lord of All Jackasses."

Mustang just continued to stare, as if waiting for an answer. Was it me, or were awkward silences becoming more common?

I sighed in defeat. "It's nothing really…my brother and I are having a fight, that's all."

"I see." He hunched over a bit and put his elbows on his knees and put his fingers together in front of his face in such a way that it made him look like he actually cared about my personal life. "Sibling rivalry?" he guessed.

"No, just…he doesn't like that I have to work all the time, I guess."

"Oh…so he wants to spend more time with you?"

"Huh?" I asked stupidly.

"Your brother. He doesn't like that you have to work because he wants to spend more time with you. Right?"

"Oh, I-I guess so…"

'So that's what Winry was talking about…why didn't I see that before?' I said internally.

"Well…what are you going to do about it?" asked Mustangs voice, shaking me into the present once more.

"I don't know, Mustang!" I flushed, realizing that an exasperated outburst was not a good thing when one was in a library. I continued on in a harsh whisper, "I don't have any choice in the matter. I have to work. Not all of us are made of money."

The god of womanizing looked at me a moment longer, then got up to leave.

"Well, I certainly hope that this situation works itself out. We here at Amestris High like all of our students to be happy both at school, and outside of it."

"Don't give me that crap, you patronizing bastard!" I growled, perhaps just a little too loud. But really, it was his fault. He was the one trying to make me see red with his snooty comments. Asshole.

"I didn't mean it like that, Elric. Just…you seem to be really down today. That isn't like you." And with that, he swept away, around a corner, disappearing from sight.

'...Ok, what the hell just happened? Was…Was he being nice? Maybe I should skip work today and start preparing for the apocalypse…'

~OxO~

To My Reviewers:

~Ch. 9

Paon- The 'ok-ness' shall continue, at least for a while (until they get into a fight, like they always do…*sigh*)

wishfulliving89- Glad you liked it. I tried to make Ch. 9 funny.

Jokerfest- Yay! I love getting new reviewers! I am so happy that you enjoy this story!

shadowX101- Lol. Yeah, I bet the look on Jean's face was priceless!

I'm At My All Time Low- Hehe…poor Roy indeed….mwhahaha!

Rukeya- And I lahv you for all your wonderful support!

Conrii- I bow to your awesomeness for actually taking the time to review…lots of people don't. T.T But you did! You guys always make it worthwhile to continue!

~ Ch. 10 (the rant)

Paon- Yes, I was stressed. (Major understatement) I'm sorry for taking it out on you guys ~bows~ I shouldn't have. I'm glad that you understand the appeal of an M rated story that does not revolve around smut. I love all my readers, especially ones that show intelligent opinions. Thanks for sticking with me, even though I was a total bitch. ~huggle~

Jokerfest- Thanks for your support! I'm glad that others see the appeal of a relationship that takes more than 10 seconds to form.

Wicked Winter- Thank you for your kind words…it means a lot to me!

KianaRia- I am glad you find the character's depiction enjoyable. It's that kind of stuff that helps me to keep going.

wishfulliving89- I am glad that you are always so eager to read more.

firedragonmaiden- I'm glad you think it is 'just right'. Honestly, for me, getting the pace down is one of the hardest parts of writing.

Deikuru- MUFFINS!1! ~ohm nom nom~ Thfnk shu! ~gulp~ I was soooooo happy with your review! It made me all warm and fuzzy inside. ~glomp~ Ahem. Anyway…Armstrong is probably my favorite minor character as of right now, so hopefully we will be seeing some more of him. Thanks for letting me vent and being supportive afterward! ~shoves a cupcake at you and runs~

Palette- Glad you found me on here! Pretty easy to know when I update if it tells you, huh?

Shadows of a Girl- Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! And I am very glad that your whim paid off! I try really hard to keep my characters from being one-dimensional. It's only because of my beta and my reviewers that I can pull it off though…so thanks to you!

freakgirlXD- So, so, soooo happy that you like the style of this story! I am always worried that it is going too slow, but if you like it, then it's worth the wait!

Wolffin- I'm glad that you like the dose of realism that I have added to the story. Just that lets me know that it is a good idea to continue as I have been!

VersarFfion- I hope they get to jumping each other soon…otherwise Roy is going to kill himself from being so pent up.

XXImakeusmilEXX- I'm so happy that you like my story! ~hugs~