Alchemist Chronicles

Chapter 11 - Evening Tea

1908, Schuylkill Falls

{Dream Flashback Begins}

"Do you remember when we first met, Ari?" Roxy asks her. "Yeah, me and my parents just moved here from Cornwall Ridge. I think, I'm not too sure." Ari replies, putting a finger to her chin. "Your mom, Nara. Came over to me and my mom's house and introduced herself. Told me and mom about you. I took off running the minute our moms said I could go meet you." Both girls start giggling. "I remember when it was first day at school and you had me meet all of your friends and they all had back from then on. ... Remember that girl that tried to fight Nicole, but I stepped in and tried to fight the girl instead." Ari says.

"Yeah and you almost got your butt handed to ya. Luckily me and my crew stepped up. She knew not to mess with us." "Thanks for reminding me." "Your welcome ... little sis." They smile at each other. Roxy places an arm around Ari shoulders. "Let's make a promise just between us heart sisters." "Ok big sis." "Let's promise each other that no matter what happens, we will always be there for one another." She sticks out her pinky towards Ari. Ari locks her pinky with Roxy's. "It's a sealed promise." "Our forever oath." "Yeah, just between us."

{Dream Flashback Ends}

Central

The next morning in the Fuhrer's office, he debriefs AJ on her scheduled trip to Creta. He requests Mustang to find her a suitable bodyguard for the trip. Before she is to head over to there, she has to make a delivery to Posterim.

Leaving the Headquarters and running to catch her train, she makes it to Posterim by early afternoon. Back in Central Ed and Al stop by the public library.

Ed says to Al. "You know, Al. I am really regretting turning in my pocket watch. This place really doesn't have anything-"

Al whispers back. "Lower your voice brother. It's rising!" A few people around them start shushing them. "Not to mention. Do you really want to go back to doing the jobs that 'Roy himself didn't want to do' As you always used to say."

Ed sighs, then whispers. "To think I even brought up wanting to repeat 'those wonderful times', eh Al?" Al smiles and chuckles.

When leaving the library, they notice several military officers in the distance. Keeping a distance, they walk past the scene. Al sighs. "Bet you don't especially miss those times either, brother." Ed nods his head.

Ed - "It still reminds me of alot crap." He sees an officer cover the body with a sheet. He shivers at the thought. "Damn." Al pats him on the back.

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Roy - "Out of all the things I could be doing right now, I'm stuck with trying to find someone I can trust with protecting my niece on her trip to go meet up a friend that she hasn't seen in over 8 years."

Riza - "Caution to the wind sir. Regarding her. You shouldn't be so bashful."

Havoc - "I'm just wondering, General. Would you be willing to finish your paperwork instead?" Roy glares at him. "You know you could always send one us. Or ..."

Roy - "Or no one else! I am not sending either of those brothers with her! GODDAMN IT!" He shouts, standing up. He then apologizes for his outburst.

Riza suggests. "Some fresh air, Sir?" As she holds open the office door for him.

Roy looks at her for a moment. "Thank you, Hawkeye." She nods her head as he walks out to the hallway. She then closes the door behind him and sighs.

Breda - "I don't get how he doesn't trust them around her. They aren't being chased by the homunculi anymore and I highly doubt Ed is trying to cause any amount of trouble since he's engaged to be married."

Fuery - "Breda did you forget why he even hid her in the first place? It wasn't only because of them. We still don't if Adam is even alive or dead?"

Falman - "And even if they aren't being followed like they were before, it doesn't mean that danger won't follow them around. About Ed though, he did seem a bit more mature than the prior time he visited."

They all stare at each other for a few moments.

Havoc - "Our little Chief."

Falman - "Has had a ride on."

Fuery - "The white-knuckles."

Breda - "Rollercoaster."

Riza sighs as they all cheer and celebrate until one of them remembers her being there. They all stare at her with fear. She rolls her eyes and leaves the room, closing the door behind her.

Breda - "Who else hopes they are gonna get some action packed excitement tonight as well?"

Havoc - "Let's start placing our bets gentlemen."

While they are taking each one's bets, none of them realize the office door opening.

"You might as well as include my bet in there as well, Jean." Roy says calmly.

Havoc enthusiastically says. "Alright boss, let's hear-" He pauses then panic slowly sets in before he turns his head to face Mustang. Everyone else is standing there, shear terror across their own faces. Roy smirks as he slowly closes the door.

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Walking through the East City Station about to catch the Center City train, she remembers what Roy and her talked about the night before.

{Flashback Begins}

Both facing each other, sitting on Roy's sofa at his house. "Those boys. Edward and Alphonse. It's hard to explain their life stories to you but..." He sighs. "They haven't had the easiest lives in their childhood, you know. Did they tell you anything about themselves this morning?"Roy asks. AJ nods her head. "Ed tried to say something but I stopped him. His eyes gave away whatever he's guilty about and I didn't what to be apart of that guilt. Ma always tells me 'never let anyone tell you something that they themselves aren't ready to talk about.' I uh- I heard some things about them and I told them already. Exactly what I heard I've kept to myself." "Tell me everything you've heard about anything. All of it, Ari."

He leans toward her as she starts telling him everything. When she puts her head down and finishes, he leans back. Putting his elbow on the head of the couch with that hand on his forehead, closing his eyes. A few minutes go by before she lifts her head and speaks up. "I didn't mean to upset you." She looks away from him. He places his hand on hers. She looks back at him. He nods his head. "I'm not mad or upset. Especially not at you." He then smiles. "Being this high up from the ground, its no wonder I haven't seen or heard much of what happens down below. Damn clouds always blocking my view." She chuckles then replies. "Well its a good thing that you have this little plant down below telling you what's up." She smiles back at him.

{Flashback Ends}

She sighs deeply as she sits down on the train. When it starts moving, she stares out the window. Before she starts to doze off, she recognizes a voice coming from the corner of the train. Turning around, she immediately recognizes the man. She then quickly stands heading for the phone on the train.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(SS)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Winry who's with both Jerso and Zampano, is waiting for Ed and Al the hotel.

Win - "Where is he? Where are they? They were supposed to be here by now- It's about time!" She says when she sees the both of them. "Huh?" She then notices Ed hold something behind his back. "Whatcha got there, Ed?"

Ed - "This is something I found in a store before we made it back here. It reminds me of someone I know." He smirks at her and brings it around from behind his back, showing it to her. Winry eyes sparkle with curiousity. Ed places the toy on the table, winding it up a bit and letting it go. Winry catches it before it falls. "Just don't take it apart. It's not exactly easy to come across it over here. I first came across it over in Creta. I'm surprised that I found it at all with Creta's strict laws over there in the first place." Winry stares at it. Growing concern over her unresponsiveness, he asks. "Do you like-"

Win shrieks. "It's perfect! I Love It!" She looks at Ed, smiling. Giggling, she wraps her around his waist, kissing him on the cheek and laying her head against his shoulder. He hugs her back.

Bursting through the front doors of the hotel, scaring the crap of everyone. "OH HOW THE ROMANCE BLOSSOMS! MY HEART FLUTTERS WITH EXCITEMENT! THE BEAUTY OF LOVERS DANCING AS ONE IN THE MOONLIGHT!" Alex passionately shouts.

Al blushes. "L-L-Lovers?" Ed and Winry burst out laughing.

Alex - "Did I miss something, Edward Elric? I just recently heard about your engagement to Miss Rockbell. Congratulations to the both of you." He bows his head respectfully. Ed and Win thank him. "Now that that is cleared, the Fuhrer asked me to escort you and your brother to his office for some." He says clearing his throat. "Evening tea."

Ed stares at Alex for a moment. "Alright, that's fine with me. But Winry's coming too. Oh and Zampano and Jerso." Alex nods his head. They all leave the Hotel.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(SS)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sitting back at his desk, Roy contemplates on his decision on who to ask to be her bodyguard. He leans back, putting his arms behind his head. "Alright then its settled. I know exactly who I'm sending with her."

Fuery - May I ask who are you sending with her, sir?"

Before he has a chance to say anything, Riza lets herself in. She looks at the four officers, then diverts her attention back to Roy. "Sir." She hands him a folder. He notices a note sticking out from the bottom of it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(SS)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Walking off the train, she notices Maria and Denny waiting for her. They make it back to the headquarters. Walking back to the Fuhrer's office, she hears light chattering going on in there.

AJ knocks and then opens the door. She is surprised to see Ed, Al, and Winry there.

Grumman - "Welcome back, Janine. Thank you for taking care of that for me." She places several folders on his desk. "The top one is from Mustang, I presume?"

"Yes, sir." She replies.

Grumman - "Well alright then, go take a seat." She takes a seat. "Do you know if he has found one yet?"

AJ - "Yes, sir. It should be included in one of the files on your desk." He starts glancing, going through the folders, one by one.

Grumman - "AH! Here it is... Hmmm, interesting. Although I'm not too surprised. Say, Miss Janine. When was the last time you two had a girl's night out?

AJ - "A year? No, wait I think almost two years ago. I'm quite relieved though. Finally a chick I can hang out with instead of another dude. (She catches herself) Sorry... Sir."

Grumman laughs at her embarrassment. "Ohh it's quite alright, my dear. We all have our childish moments." She looks away, embarrassed at herself.

Ed - "So is there anything else that I can help you with, Fuhrer Grumman?"

Grumman leans back, looking up at the ceiling for a moment. Correcting himself a moment later, he replies. "Actually there is something that you can help me with, Mr. Elric." He smiles then turns to AJ. "You are excused, Sargent Rambo." She stands up and leaves.

'Something tells me that I just relisted myself in the damn military.' Ed tells himself as he scowls.

Grumman - "Do you still have that list and number, young man?" Ed and Al look at each other, nervously.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(SS)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Walking out of the Fuhrer office, she heads straight to Roy's office. She doesn't even knock, just opens the door and enters. She sighs after she closes the door.

Havoc - "Everything alright there, kiddo?"

She nods her head. "Today is just crazy, ya know. ... What happened to you guys?" She asks, noticing the bandages on them.

Roy - "They played with fire, burning off a candlestick."

AJ - "So the candlestick obviously won then?" Roy glares at her. "What? You walked yourself right into that one, dude." Walking over to the side of Roy's desk.

The knock on the door breaks them out of their squabble. Riza opens the door. "Good evening, Lt General Foxworth." She says.

Foxworth - "Good evening to you as well, Colonel Hawkeye." He says as he winks at her. Janine makes a disgusted face at him. She straightens herself when he looks at her. "And no polite greeting from the youngest one here? Teenagers are really still the worst people in the world, isn't that right, Roy?"

AJ - "Says the perv who sends love letters to just about anyone."

Foxworth - "Teenaged charm is still as dry as ever, eh Mustang." AJ replies. "Cleary not dryer than the desert in your pants, eh Foxworth." He puts a finger to his chin. "Tell me, Roy Mustang. Does she always speak for you since you apparently can't speak for yourself?" AJ rolls her eyes at him.

Roy sighs. "Why you even here in the first place, Foxworth?"

Foxworth - "I just wanted to see if you had an interest in-"

Roy - "No thank you. I'll pass. Anything else?"

Foxworth - "Suit yourself then. Oh and the annually military ball is coming up soon. Do you have any one to take you, Marisol darling?" He asks, facing her.

AJ - "Not on the rest of the years of your life, dude."

Foxworth - "What a pity it must be to waste away in shadows of your uncle, Ari dear. Someone should have taught you some manners. I've got some time." He grins wickedly, AJ steps back a little nervously.

Roy immediately stands up. "You will not lay one hand on her. Are we clear Foxworth! Now leave and get the hell out of my office!" Foxworth laughs as he leaves, slamming the door. Roy then reaches over, grabbing her hand with his, holding it.

AJ - "I'm fine. I'm fine. Just give me a moment. I wasn't expecting that." She chuckles briefly. She sighs as he lets her go and she sits on the sofa. "Are the clouds still blocking your view, sir?" She smiles at him.

Roy - "Yeah. Apparently so. Just thankful for the climbing vines, though." He smiles back at her. He then laughs a little. "Dryer than a desert, eh. Nice one."

AJ replies. "Thank you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(SS)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Walking down the steps of the headquarters and away from it.

Win - "You know I wonder how this Roxy chick will react when you show up with Ari?"

Ed - "Happy, of course. The entire time when I was over there since I met her, she would always talk about her friend."

Al - "8 years of not knowing if her friend was still alive or not." Al sighs sadly. Win pats his back.

Win - "Well now she knows that Ari is alive, Al." (She sighs.) I wish I could go with you Ed but today's my last day off and in the morning, I have to catch the train back to Rush Valley." She turns her head to Ed, pouting. She grabs his hand and says. "I'm gonna miss you." He places a hand on her hip and kisses her on the cheek. They both stop and she turns completely around, lip-locking their lips together. Kissing for a few moments then parting. Leaving Al, annoyed and furiously walking with Zampano and Jerso, away from them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(SS)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later that night at Madam Christmas's Bar.

AJ - "Nope." She says with a scowl, looking at Roy from across the table.

Chuckling, Roy says. "Just hear us out."

AJ - "No." She frowns. "I have a bad feeling about this."

Havoc - "Come on kid, you have nothing to lose. You're young, you can bounce back quicker than this old fart." Pointing to Roy.

Roy - "Shut up, Jean!"

Breda - "Yeah, I mean. What do you have to lose?"

AJ sarcastically replies. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe one of my arms, or my legs. Or most importantly. My Life!"

Roy - "I don't know why you're so worked up. We've trained the routine before. The stone does most of the work anyway."

AJ - "Do any of you even remember exactly where the energy from the stone's power comes from?" They all stay silent. "Exactly why I don't like to use when I don't need to. Remember what you told me about the other stone. They clearly aren't the same, right?" She looks at Roy, asking him.

Roy sighs. "Yeah, you're right."

Breda - "Well there's goes that idea."

Havoc - "So what are you gonna use for your reassessment recertification, Roy?"

He leans back a little, a closed hand under his chin. Just then, Edward, Winry, and Alphonse walk into the bar. Havoc and Breda look concerned at the both of them.

AJ - "Speaking of which, I heard that you and FullMetal fought each other on one of his assessment days awhile back."

Havoc looks at her confused. "Who told you that?"

Roy - "Yes we did. But Ed can no longer use alchemy and he's not a state alchemist anymore."

AJ - "But what about Al? I heard he's an alchemist."

Roy - "Where are you hearing all of this at anyway, kiddo?"

AJ smiles, replying. "The Command Center is a pretty big place, Roy-boy."

Roy looks at her and smirks. She smirks back. Then they both break out into laughter. Ed and the crew walk over. Calming himself before looking at Ed. "Well now, look who came back to buy himself another drink."

Ed sarcastically replies. "Haha. Very funny."

Win - "Janine, can I ask you something?

AJ - "I told you before just call me AJ. Sure. What is it?"

Win - "Have you ever been to a place called Xerxes?" Her question surprises everyone but Janine.

AJ - "The city in the eastern desert? No, I haven't. But I would like to. Are you planning to go there? Can I join you, then?"

Al - "Well to be honest. Winry hasn't been there either. So me and my brother were planning on taking her soon, but (rubbing the back of his head, blushing) sure you can come too. I uh- I don't mind at all." He says as he looks away, still blushing.

AJ blushes as well, replying. "Well thank you, Al. That's very sweet of you." She giggles afterwards. Al's face becomes a darker shade of red. Winry and Ed smile at each other.

Roy looks at Havoc and asks in a serious tone. "Do you want anything? My treat, I'll buy the drinks." Havoc and Breda stare at him with surprisement, unsure of what to say. Completely changing his attitude and smiling boldly. "Never mind. I just remembered what you gentlemen like." He excuses himself and heads over to the bartender.

Janine realizes something. "Shit." Covering her mouth quickly, she starts laughing. Havoc and Breda laugh along with her. Calming herself, she slowly gently starts sobbing. "Oh my god. She's gonna kill me. I totally forgot about her when I walked in here."

Havoc pats and rubs her back. "Go say hi. She's a forgiving woman." Breda tells her.

Wiping her eyes, she stands up. She then sighs and places a hand on Havoc's shoulder. "It was nice knowing you, gentlemen. I'll miss you both." She pouts at them.

Havoc chuckles. "Don't be such a pessimist. She'll understand." Walking with her head down, she heads over to the counter.

Ed - "Well I don't know what that was about nor do I care."

Win - "Is she gonna be, ok?"

Breda - "Yeah. Don't worry about Janine. She'll bounce back before you know it."

Havoc - "Ed. Where did your brother Al go?" Both Winry and Ed look at each other, then around. Havoc then notices Al walking over and sitting next to Ari. He notions to Breda and he too sees Alphonse. "Never mind. Didn't think Al had it in him, especially in front of Roy."

Ed looks at them confused before turning his head. Win says. "Well you did tell him to go say hi." He glares at her then sighs. "Yeah, your right Win." He smiles at her. She then places her hands on either side of his face, pulling him into a kiss. They part a second later. Havoc and Breda are sitting there speechless, staring at them.

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Roy sits down at the counter, she hands him his drink. "Good evening Madam." "Hello to you too, Roy-boy. Say you wouldn't of happen to have seen baby girl around here, have you?" "As matter of fact." he replies, turning his head only to see Ari siting down next to him with her head down. She takes a deep breath, siting up correctly.

AJ smiles and says. "Hey there beautiful. Sorry, I'm late."

Chris pats her on the head. "You are forgiven, little one." Taking a relief breath. "Thank goodness." AJ replies, putting her head down briefly. Chris places Ari's drink in front of her.

Al asks. "Is this seat taken?"

AJ sits up, blushing at him. "Um. No. It-It's fine." She smiles at him. He blushes back as he sits.

Al takes a deep breath before asking her. "So I'm uh. Just wondering. Where have you been this entire time?"

AJ raises her eyebrow at Alphonse. "Its depends. I mean I was born and I live in Amestris, I've traveled to Creta, Xing, and Aerugo. I've done a few other things in my life so far. What about you, Alphonse?"

Al - "Wait? You've been to Xing, Creta, and Aerugo? I've only been to Xing. My brother just recently went to Creta."

AJ laughs. "Wow. You really need to get out more Al, my friend!" He frowns then sighs. She notices his quietness. "Hey look Al. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." She sadly looks away from him.

Chris - "Roy. Your friends over there waiting for you. Here are the drinks. Get to it." Roy holds his tongue, picks up the tray and walks back to the table. "Young man, listen to me." Al looks at her, Ari looks at her as well seconds later. "Whatever your feeling right now. Let it out. Keeping it in will lead to an explosion. At my age, I've seen plenty of them. It never ends well."

AJ - "She's right." Al looks at AJ, while she is still looking at Chris. "A few years back I went through something... afterwards I felt lost, at my end one may say even but then my mom said something just like what Miss Beautiful just said." Chris smiles at Ari. "I remember feeling exhausted after crying it out, throwing and breaking glass mugs and hitting a cushion on the sofa. Mom was pissed at the mess I made and of course, I had to clean it up. But that next day. Do you remember what I told you, Miss Beautiful?"

Chris nods her head. "Of course little one. Your exact words were. "I don't know why I'm making this stupid smile, but I feel so relieved about something. I feel like a new person, just with the same tiny body." Chris breaks into laughter, Ari joins her seconds later. Al follows AJ's laugh.

Al laughs slowly turns into sobs as he puts his head down on the table, letting his emotions get the best of him. AJ rubs his back as Chris whispers to him.

End of Chapter 11.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(A.N.)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Poor Al! Anyways the note is in referrence to someone from a previous chapter. Thats all I'm going to say.