Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist, I never have and never will.
To Thine Own Self Be True
Chapter 9 - One Score and Two Alchemists Ago
About a few weeks later, Mustang took a trip to Central for the exam. He was going to be standing next to the Fuhrer as protection. In Central, Mustang had his own office. not that he had any work. Hughes came barging into Mustang's office the day of the exam. The phones have been down since the blizzard and he couldn't call.
"Major Hughes?"
Hawkeye turned and saluted. She was the only one in the office.
"Where is Roy."
"He's at lunch."
"I'll wait."
"Sir...?"
"Oh, right...sorry."
Hughes walked over to Hawkeye as she sat back down and closed her book. Then, about a dozen or so photographs fell onto the desk in front of her. They were of Gracia and Hughes new baby girl. She had a puff of blonde hair on her head and bright green eyes.
"Is this your daughter sir?"
"Yes, her name is Elicia. Isn't she just the cutest little thing you've ever seen. She was born a couple weeks ago. Thats why I've been out. Helping Gracia and spending time with my little princess. She shared Edward's birthday. Isn't that so cute. This one is of her sleeping. And so are these four. Oh and this one. She is so cute when she sleeps. This one is of her and Gracia and this is of me holding her. She is so tiny and adorable...-"
Hughes stood up and looked at the door as Mustang, returned from lunch.
"Hey Hughes, glad to see your still in the military."
Mustang smiled. Then, he was bombarded with the same pictures Hawkeye was looking at.
"He name is Elicia."
"Who?"
"My daughter."
"Gracia gave birth?"
"No I found her on the road. Of course Gracia gave birth. At Edward's party. you should have been there. Ed was such a help. But just look at my princess. She is just the cutest little princess in the world. I am so lucky to have these to in my life. Oh they are so precious and innocent like little angles from above..."
Mustang listened to Hughes brag. He felt this was an important stage in Hughes life so he would allow him to ramble. The pictures were passed around the office and they all agreed she was a cute little girl. About three hours later, Hughes got a call from home and he needed to run to the store. He left his pictures for them to look at. He had plenty more at home.
"I would hate to see what his wallpaper looks like."
Hawkeye said. Edward then walked into the office.
"So Edward, are you ready? This test isn't going to be easy."
"I don't want it to be."
"Okay. I'll take you down to the exam room in one second... here have some motivation."
Mustang smiled and handed Edward about twelve pictures of Elicia.
"I've seen them.. I saw her when she was born..."
"Well, according to Hughes, you can't get enough..."
Edward passed the photos to his brother who was behind him.
Meow!
Ed turned to face his brother.
"Al!"
"Brother it was cold and she looked hungry and lonely."
"Al we are going to take an important test. We can't have cats in the room!"
"But brother."
"Al, your brother is right. Sorry, no animals."
Al slowly walked from the room, handing the photos to Hawkeye as he left. Mustang and Ed followed Al shortly after that.
"Hey, mustang...exactly how hard is the test...?"
"I'm sorry Ed, I can't answer that...or any questions about the test."
Ed looked down at the floor as they made their way to the testing room. Edward and Alphonse sat next to each other up apart in the room. There were lots of other people there as well. The room was a half circle shape that had bench desks inclining. Ed and al sat in the back top row. Behind the desks were military officers monitoring for anything that would disrupt the test. In the front sat the Fuhrer behind a table. Next to him was Mustang, hands in pockets and looking calm.
"Begin."
The Fuhrer smiled and all the testers began. Mustang watched with interest as Ed and al tested. He tried not to stare knowing it was distracting. The Fuhrer watched for a while then pulled out a newspaper. On the front page was a picture of Ishbal and a few of their rebelling men with guns. The date on the paper was from last year. Mustang read the paper of the Fuhrer shoulder. The paper was quickly put away when a person was heard walking down the stares and over to the Fuhrer and Mustang.
"Sir..."
The man whispered and saluted. It was a military officer. In his hand was his test. He handed it to the Fuhrer and left quietly with an escort. Soon more people handed the tests in and left with escorts so not to disturb anyone else. After about seven hours, Mustang was feeling tired. He wasn't allowed to sit and his legs were starting to feel like jelly.
"Pencils down."
The Fuhrer announced as the last few testers dropped their pencils with a sigh.
"Silence, and please one by one bring your tests to me, starting with the front left."
The testers all passed in their tests and left.
"Mustang..."
The Fuhrer stood up and turned to Mustang.
"Yes sir?"
Mustang saluted as the Fuhrer smiled.
"See to it the respected passed are notified."
"Yes sir."
The Fuhrer left and mustang saluted until he was out of sight. Mustang returned to his office to find Hawkeye reading again.
"That book can't be that good?"
"It's a sequel, I finished the other one last night."
Mustang smiled and walked to his desk, there on his desk was the other book she just finished. He smiled and put it in his drawer. He'll read it later. He sat down and looked at his desk. no paperwork.
"I need a camera."
"Ask Major Hughes, sir."
"Well look, my desk is empty, no paperwork."
"Wait till we return to eastern."
Mustang lost his smile and glared at Hawkeye.
"You really know how to ruin a good mood lieutenant."
"It's one of my jobs sir."
"Well, your good at your job Hawkeye."
"Thank you sir."
And Mustang closed his eyes. The day went quietly. The following day, The Fuhrer's secretary along with two Military officers walked into the office without knocking.
"Sir, the list is here. The Fuhrer wants you to call the respected passers."
"Thank you Ms. Douglas."
She left, along with the officers. Hawkeye remained standing next to Mustang.
"This isn't good."
"Sir."
"They both passed. The Elric brothers."
"Thats bad..."
"No, but it's not good either."
Mustang picked up the phone and began to call the passers with the date of the next exam.
"I'm looking for Samuel Kogo... Hello... This is Lieutenant Colonel Mustang... The next test date is this Wednesday at 1200... Tell no one."
He hung up. Then he called another man. The same speech was used. Then after the list was done, about ten people or so, he called the Elrics at Tucker's house.
"Edward there? This is Mustang... Edward listen... Listen, meet me in the alley way behind the donut shop in five minutes... Yes he can... Edward... Okay..."
Mustang hung up and stood up.
"Sir...?"
"I need to go, hold down the fort as usual..."
"Yes sir."
A/N - Please review. Constructive criticism accepted. No FLAMES (Thats Roy's job only). Please look in my profile oo0AnimeChild0oo for all my other stories. And again, thanks for reading.
"Write a wise saying and your name will live forever"
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