Chapter Two- Max's Knowledge

Well, chapter two is here at last. I decided to abandon my review schedule already and I'm experimenting. I'm seeing if posting another chapter will help with publicity. My story's so pitiful, it makes me want to cry……. –sniffle- j/k!

Chapter Two – Max's Knowledge

Ed left the building feeling as though he got more than what he bargained for. He had just learned a big secret that he now had to hide from his newest friend. He had to be careful not to let it slip.

Suddenly a dark figure came flying out of the nearby bushes and jumped in front of him. Ed fell back in surprise.

"Ra!" Came a voice. It was sudden and sounded familiar.

Max extended her arm to help Ed to his feet.

"Ha, ha! I scared you!" Max laughed.

"No you didn't! I was… I was just playing along!" Ed lied.

"Uh huh, sure," Max said, raising her eyebrows in a bored look and putting her hands behind her head, "You're no fun."

"Like you could talk! What happened to the girl I met earlier? Huh?" Ed questioned.

"She…. Migrated?" Max gave a grin, "No, I'm only like that when I have to be, but, now that you're my friend I don't have to impress you anymore!"

"You shouldn't try to impress anyone! Just be yourself!" Ed told her.

"That's kinda hard to do when you don't know who you are!" Max growled.

"Oh, right, forgot about that!" Now it was Ed's turn to grin.

"See how easy it is to forget?" Max laughed, changing the subject she asked, "So what did the Colonel say to you?"

Ed felt his heartbeat increase dramatically, "Um, nothing really, he just chewed me out about giving tours of a 'working building.'"

Max gave him a stern look, "Uh huh, hey Ed?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you know that you're a horrible liar?"

"Wha-? Where did you get that from?"

"Trust me I just know. Don't lie to me Ed! What did he really tell you?" She pressed.

"I told you! He chewed me out and yelled at me some more!" Ed yelled, his heartbeat growing faster.

"Stop lying."

"How the hell do you know that I'm lying? I mean, think!"

"You're heartbeat increased, that was the major clue," Max informed him, pointing to his chest.

"You could hear that?" He answered.

"Yeah, I have excellent hearing," Max said.

"I guess, you'd be good in the military, you're really observant," Ed told her, trying to change the subject.

"Thanks!" Max smiled, then she realized what Ed was trying to do.

"Hey! You still didn't tell me what the Colonel told you!"

"Dammit, I was hoping you wouldn't realize that."

"I'm really observant remember?" Max shot back.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Then Ed got an idea, "Why do you care so much anyways?"

"Oh that was sneaky," Max retorted under her breath.

"I'm sorry? What was that?" Ed asked.

"Nothing," Max sighed. "I remembered something, we'll start there."

"Oh really? That's a first," replied Ed.

"Shut up!" Max laughed, "No but really, I was talking to Al about the Colonel."

"And?"

"He's my brother, I couldn't believe it but it's true! When I heard 'Mustang' it sounded really familiar, and then I realized; that's my last name too!" Max was overjoyed.

"Oh, well, that's what Roy told me in the office," Ed confessed, "He told me not to tell you, but since you already know what harm would there be in telling him?"

"No, I have a better idea, let's not tell him and see how long it takes him to figure out that I already know?" Max had a mischievous look about her now, "Just, to test his intellect let's say."

Ed smirked, "Alright."

The streetlamp ahead of them came on as they approached. It was pretty dark now.

"Where do you live again?" Ed asked, staring up at the endless black sky. It was a really clear night. There were no clouds and every star twinkled with a purpose.

"No where, remember?" Max looked up at the sky too, "What about you?"

"Sleeping quarters are supplied within the military building, I came out here looking for Al," Ed looked at his pocket watch hanging off a belt loop, "Unfortunately, that also comes with a curfew and we've got a half an hour."

"That sucks, I don't have a curfew, but that's because I don't live under any rules," Max thought for a second, "I guess that part's not all that bad, but still, I have no place to really call home."

Max sighed. Ed; not quite sure what else to do, put his arm on her shoulder.

"Someday you'll find it."

"The way things have been going lately, I'd say you were right," Max smiled.

Ed looked around, "Do you know where Al is?"

"He said something about going to your guys' room or something like that."

Ed laughed.

"That's great! I've been looking for him this whole time only to have him waiting for me in our quarters!" Ed shouted, his laugh grew heartier, "Oh that's great."

Max cocked her head, "You're amused really easily."

"I would invite you in for the night since you have no where else to go but Roy already kicked you out once and he will again and then I'll get yelled at," he said.

"But we're siblings," Max said in a soft tone, "That's not fair of him to do that…"

"Well, he doesn't know that you know so he's still going to maintain the authority," Ed saw the confused look Max had, "A.K.A. keep playing Colonel."

"Oh." Max got that look again, "Let's see what he he'll do if he tells me to get out and I don't hmm?"

"Nah, bad enough you know about the first thing," answered Ed.

Suddenly, Max looked alarmed.

"Frick!" she cursed.

Ed looked confused, "What?"

"It's going to rain," Max breathed.

"And? We could use it too," Ed said looking upwards, "How do you know?"

"The temperature just dropped a few degrees and I can smell the heavy moisture in the air," Max explained, looking around frantically.

"Dude, you're like a human computer," Ed told her, watching her search, "What are you looking for?"

"A place to hide," Max looked at him, "I hate getting wet."

"You don't like water?" Ed asked, confused.

Max nodded, "I don't like getting wet when I don't want to get wet, but sometimes I do go swimming, but I hate the rain."

"You're afraid of water?" Ed laughed. Max narrowed her eyes.

"It's not funny."

"Yes it is!"

"I'm glad you're having fun."

"I am, thank you for that, I can't believe you're afraid of water!"

"I have a perfectly good reason." Max growled.

"Like what?" Ed kept laughing.

"I can't tell you, but I'm sure you'll find out in a month or so, I think," Max tried to remember, "Nay, about three weeks."

"So, my weird friend, when is it going to rain?" Ed asked jokingly.

"A few minutes or so," Max informed him.

Ed checked his pocket watch again.

"Shit!" He exclaimed.

"Miss curfew?" Max teased.

"By ten minutes!" Ed turned back towards the building, "I really have to go now."

"Okay the-" Max was cut off as a drop of water splattered across her nose. She stared in horror at it for a second, as though unsure of what it was. More raindrops started to come down around them.

Ed sighed. So she was afraid of water. She had nowhere else to go. Why not?

Ed grabbed her hand and they ran towards the building. They opened the door and ran in. While Ed was locking the door behind them, Max was frantically trying to get all traces of moisture off of her.

"I'm sure they'll understand," Ed smirked, "It's raining after all!"

Max chuckled. Well, this was one night she wasn't going to have to look for boarding. 'Friends are nice,' she thought to herself.

"C'mon, oh, and it would be in our best interest to keep quiet," Ed said quietly. Max just nodded.

They went up the stairs that the Colonel had used earlier. Meanwhile, Max couldn't stop thinking about Roy. He was so…so….stern. Rule abiding. How could he be her brother? Might as well accept the fact and move on. There was nothing she could do about it. When upstairs, Ed looked around the corner before signaling to Max. They cautiously made their way to Ed's room with no encounters along the way. Ed unlocked his room and slowly pried the door open.

"Brother! Where on earth have you been?" Al demanded, standing from his lookout position, otherwise known as, the couch.

"I was out looking for you!" Ed argued.

"I've been here! Why's Max here?" Asked Al, softening his tone.

"It was raining. I couldn't leave her out there all night!" Ed explained.

"You'd better hope that the Colonel doesn't find her here!" Al told Ed.

"He wouldn't care! You don't fully know about her!" Ed shot back.

That was it. Max couldn't take it anymore.

"Would y'alls stop talking about me as though I'm not here!" Max shouted.

Ed and Al just stared at her.

"'Y'alls' wow, I haven't heard that one in awhile." Ed joked.

"Don't make fun of the way I talk!" Max ordered quickly.

"Alright, alright, sheesh," Ed gave in.

"Thank you," Max returned.

"What do you mean, I don't fully know about Max?" Al questioned.

"Roy's my brother," Max told him.

"Really? Wow, I didn't know that Roy had a sister, in fact, I don't know much about Roy's past, he's pretty secretive," Al said.

Max and Ed nodded.

Just then the Colonel's voice floated through the door.

"Elric, what's going on in there?" He demanded.

"Uh… nothing," Ed lied.

"Stop lying," He ordered, "Why do I hear someone's voice beside you or Al's?"

"I told you you're a horrible liar!" Max hissed; barely audible.

Roy sighed on the other side of the door. This was it. "Max, come out here, I- I need to talk to you," Roy stumbled.

Max sighed, "Now?"

"Yes."

She rolled her eyes. So now she had to leave to find out something that she already knew. How annoying.

Max creaked open the door. Prepared herself and walked out the doorway. She crossed her arms and put on the most bored face she could manage.

"What do you want, Colonel?" She asked plainly.

"Let's take a walk, shall we?" he asked.

Max shrugged, "Sure," she responded.

Roy led her through the building. The rain had increased and the soft pitter patter of it was quite soothing.

"Well to start off," Roy began, still deciding on what to say, "I have to tell you something very important."

He paused, groping for the right words. However, Max was not the most patient person in the world. 'Stop talking to me as though I'm four,' she thought.

"Go on," She ordered.

"Okay, I'll just say it-"

"Good,"

"I'm your brother,"

"I know."

Roy paused with his mouth still open, about to say the next thing. He shut it slowly. "You…. Know?" He paused, "Wait."

Max raised an eyebrow.

"I've been waiting."

"Max, please try to understand, I just found out today that you weren't heading north like the newspaper said," Roy said.

"Oh please, I haven't yet left me mark on this town yet, why would I leave so soon?" Max smirked.

"What?" Roy asked, confused.

Max chuckled, rather evilly too, I might add, "You need to read the papers better Bro."

Roy raised an eyebrow, those were almost the exact same words that he had said to Ed earlier.

"I'm quite sure that you have heard of the legendary breed of the FireWolf?" she asked.

"Yeah, but those are extinct Max, why are you bringing those up now?" Roy asked in return.

"You told me something that you didn't think that I knew. Time for that table to turn. I'm about to tell you something that I'm positive you don't know, for no one does, anymore," Max began.

Just then, the nearby door opened and Hughes stepped out.

"Okay, who's talking out here? Oh, hey Roy. Did you miss curfew?" He asked deviously.

"N-no," Roy stuttered.

A mischievous twinkle lit in Maes' eyes, "Than why are you out of your room after hours? You're the one who made that stupid rule."

"I know, I know!" Roy snapped, "You know, you're right, that is a stupid rule, I disable it right now."

"Cool, too bad I'm too tired to take you up on that offer, see you in the morning Roy," Hughes said, closing his door.

"Heh, that was the close one eh, Max?" Roy laughed.

"Yeah, I little too close, caught by the Major," Max highlighted.

"Yeah, so, what did you want to tell me?" Roy asked, bringing Max back to the previous subject.

"Uh, it's a little late for that, I think I'll hit the sack right now," Max said, stretching.

"Where are you planning on bunking?" Roy asked.

Max shrugged, "I dunno, why?"

"Well, since I'm your brother, and now we're both aware of that, you should probably stay with me…" Roy said, having a mature moment.

Max looked at him, "Uh… probably. I wonder why he didn't say hi to me…."

"Maybe he just didn't see you. Were you standing in the light?" Roy questioned.

"…No," Max responded.

"Well that's why! If you weren't even standing in the light he couldn't see you! Okay, anyways, you can stay with Ed tonight if you want, but usually siblings share the same room, but for tonight, you should probably stay with someone you know better," Roy smirked.

Max grinned, "Okay then!"

"Okay," Roy said, leading them back to Ed's room.

"This is too weird," Max stated, "Suddenly I have a brother, and I have to place to stay for, a long time, with people that I hardly know!" Max laughed.

"Don't worry, all the other soldiers here are really great people, you'll make friends with them sooner or later," Roy reassured as they came to Ed's door.

"Good," Max smiled, she opened the door, it was still unlocked from earlier, "See you in the morning."

"Goodnight." Roy said.

Well there was chapter two! This is moving pretty quickly but the pace will start to slow down as the plot thickens a bit. Just so yas know.

Kriss

P.S. PLEASE! PLEASE! Review if you are reading this, I'm going through a stage of denial in how good this story is! PLEASE!