Disclaimer: Fanfics are stories written by people about a series that they like. People who write fanfics obviously didn't create the series or they wouldn't be writing fics. Agreed? I own nothing!

Author's Note: Sorry it has taken me longer than usual to update this story. I finally saved the stories to a c.d. rom, so I wanted to update some of those before I worked on this one, since I hadn't in a while. Anyway, everything being said enjoy chapter 7!

Lessons in Alchemy

Chapter 7: A Kiss Between Friends

Ed raised an eyebrow. "You think?" he asked, and all the embarrassed girl could do was nod. "I can't believe I just said that," she thought. Ash laid on her back and looked at the sky, watching the clouds drift by. Things are awkward now…

"I guess I know what you mean; some emotions are hard to figure out," Ed replied, not looking over at her.

"Does that mean that you've been in love as well?"

X

Al looked back up at Mustang, his head spinning. "Her father? Who was he?" Al asked, sitting down in the chair in front of Mustang's desk. Mustang also sat back down.

"Not much is known about the McNill family actually. All I know is that his name was Trey McNill and that he had two daughters. I've also been researching the situation though, and I know that Trey was a scientist and discovered or created or did something that everyone still remembers. But someone was jealous of Trey McNill and murdered him and his wife Donna."

Al froze. He didn't realize everything that had happened in Ash's life. She was all alone; except for her sister…She had a sister?

"Did you ever figure out what it was that Mr. McNill did that made Ash so special?" Al asked, and was upset when Mustang shook his head. "That part is still unknown. As I said before, the McNill family was pretty unknown."

Al nodded and stared down at the watch. "I think that I might want to become a State Alchemist like brother…"

X

Lust smiled and sat down next to Envy. "It's only a matter of time until we get that wench and then we can have her powers. So what's the plan?"

Gluttony smiled as well. "Well, I have a plan. But we will need to call Colt and see if she's up to helping."

X

"Me? Well I'm not sure, just like you. I guess my heart is undecided; like yours."

Ash frowned a little. "You're talking about Winry huh?"

Ed, to her surprise, shook his head. "No, Winry and I are only friends. We don't want it any other way." He laid back like the girl next to him on the grass and stared at the top branches of a giant tree.

"My turn?" Ash asked, and Ed nodded so she proceeded to ask her next question, the one that was tugging at her heart. "So who's this lucky girl that you think you love?" She asked, in almost a whisper. She felt bad for asking, was it really any of her business?

Ed grew quiet, and Ash finally looked over at him. His hair was blowing in the wind and into his face, but he acted like he didn't even notice. She lied back down and stared at the sky again, afraid she had brought this game too far.

X

"You do Al? But why? Your brother hates it and you wish to join?" asked Mustang. He stares at the boy in armor right across from him.

Al looked away then back to Mustang. "Yes I'm sure sir. When is the next test?"

"Next week. I think you should wait until next time, after you find the Philosopher's Stone and help out Ash."

"I was planning on that sir. Well, where did you find all the information on Ash's family? I'd like to look up some things as well," replied Al. After Mustang pointed him to the library, Al hurried away to find books to help you.

He found a mound of books and immediately sat down to read. "I have to find out why everyone is after Ash…" he thought to himself.

After about thirty minutes he suddenly stopped and put down the book he was going through. "Why do I care so much about Ash being safe? I mean, I like her as a friend, but I care so much…"

He put his head in his hands, his armor clanking a little. "Why do they all call her Ed's girlfriend? Could brother like her?"

X

"Colt? Thank you for coming. We need your help," said Gluttony, letting the girl at the door inside. She pondered for a moment, then let herself in and looked around. "My help? With what?" She sat down in a fluffy chair across from Envy.

The girl was tall, about 5 feet 9 inches with long black hair that went down to the back of her knees that was braided. Her eyes were bright blue

Lust smiled and sat down in the chair next to the girl. "Colt, you heard about Ash did you not? Everyone seems to be after her for the bizarre powers she possesses. And we are as well. So will you help us?"

Colt thought for a moment then finally said, "What will I get outta it?"

Envy's smile faded. "Well…the pleasures of watching Ash suffer. Is that enough?" Colt began to think again.

"Alright. I'll help out. Just tell me what to do…"

X

"Ed. I'm sorry if I got too personal. You don't have to answer the question if you don't wanna," The amber orbed girl said, now hating herself even more. Ed still didn't speak.

"Are you mad?"

Ed finally spoke, and it relieved her to hear his voice again. "Not at all. We both agreed to this game and I'm just as guilty as you."

"Oh. So when is Al supposed to be back?" Ash asked, shivering a little from the cold. It was almost nine and starting to get dark.

Ed stood up and walked over to put his shoes on. He threw Ash's socks at her and she put them on her freezing feet. Things stayed quiet and Ash lied back down and closed her eyes; it'd been a long day.

Suddenly she felt the cold go away and opened her eyes to see Ed's jacket over her. Ash looked at him funny but he wasn't looking at the girl now, he's staring into the pond.

"Ed…" She whispered, watching him from behind. She stood up and pulled on his jacket and walked over beside him.

"Ash…" Ed whispered back. She stopped at his side. "Yes?" she asked, looking into the pond, seeing his soft gold eyes stare back at her through his reflection.

"…" Ed never answered.

"Ed?" Ash asked again, this time he opens his mouth.

"It's you…"

The girl raised an eyebrow and finally looked over at him. "What's me?" she asked, her head beginning to hurt.

"You asked who I think I'm in love with. It's you…"

X

Al picked up another book, pouring himself over the contents. But most things they had on McNills was false or not on the same family.

By this time, he was becoming irritated. "Mustang was right. There's nothing on Trey or Donna McNill or even Ash. Darn, if only I knew her sister's name!" he thought.

He banged his fists on the table and everyone in the library looked up at him before murmuring among themselves. Al sunk into his seat. "Maybe I should check some of these out. I do have brother's watch."

X

"What?" she said, trying to take it all in. She wrapped the jacket around her and stared at him for a moment. "Me?"

He nodded. "Yes you." He looked away, afraid of what his friend might say. "But we've only known each other for five days," was her retort.

Ed looked back to her and smiled. "It takes a second to meet someone, a moment to like someone, and an hour to love someone. I guess I've known since the first day…"

Ash didn't think like Ed though; she wasn't sure if the feelings she was having were love or not, she just new that somewhere in her heart Ed was there. Maybe that's what those pictures in her head were about…

She walked closer to him, stopping by his left side. She grabbed his left hand in hers gently and interlaced their fingers.

By this time it was really dark, and the stars were starting to come out. Ash saw a flash of light go across the sky. "Oh, a shooting star!" she exclaimed. "Make a wish Ed."

She closed her eyes and let the wish flow through her. After a moment, she opened her eyes back up and looked at Ed. She was surprised that he hadn't pulled his hand away.

"I hope my wish comes true…" Ash said, her voice drowning out.

Ed looked at her and smiled. "It will."

"How do you know?" she asked, glad things had gotten back to normal between them.

"Because I wished for the same thing." He said, bringing his face closer to hers. For a moment, she could feel his breath on her face, then he pushed his lips against hers…

X

There is the dramatic first kiss. Oh and I got the shooting star wish thing from Legend of the Dragoon. Why was Al acting so different? Could Ash have found a place in his heart as well? And what's with Colt? What are the Homunculi planning? Find out all this and more (even things about her 'sister') later on!

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Fox Kitsune