A/N: Well I'm here for my weekly update (I'm really gonna try to keep up with a new chapter ever Sunday).

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA!

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Ch. 6: Surprise, Surprise

The next few days consisted of Winry practically relocating to the library. She had a lot to study if she was going to pass the State exam and she had been ordered to put everything aside till the examinations were over.

For the hundredth time, so it seemed, Winry wished that she had the studying ability the Elric's had. It would make things so much easier for her if her mind was as absorbent as theirs always seemed to be. She herself was more of a 'hands on' type of person, not one to just sit around quietly reading.

Winry pressed the large volume she was currently reading closer to her face, as if the proximity would help her mind absorb the material more efficiently.

All it really did was make her read crossed eyed.

In a strange way, Winry actually enjoyed the studying. For some reason she felt closer to Ed this way, hidden in the shelves of the large library, flipping through volume after volume, thinking that Edward had been here doing the exact same thing years ago.

The test, as time consuming as it was to study for, wasn't really something she worried about however. What worried her most was the applied part of the exam.

She had to do something with her specialty. But the only thing she had done was accidentally create Pyre.

At first she had been worried about how she could study and keep the dragon under wraps, but that worry quickly evaporated. It seemed somehow Pyre understood he was the remain quiet for the time being, and stayed out of trouble as he practiced flying around the secluded section Winry studied from. After only two days of studying, she even wasn't all that shocked when she found the dragon reading a book.

Its fire breathing continued, which confused Winry because he hadn't done something like that till after he ate that glove. Besides the fire, there were the metal needles and other strange scraps the dragon could spit out depending on what was in its belly.

Winry also found that it shed flaky metallic scales, which she made sure to collect. She collected everything that she could, and waited for the day an alchemist would come examine the dragon.

In the meantime, Roy had pointed Winry in the right direction for how to go about studying for the exam. Roy had given her personal use of one section of the library to study, for there were actually many students using the library with the upcoming exam.

Letting out a tired sigh, Winry went to put her current book back on a shelf. She stood there reading the various titles on the spines of the books, trying to decide which one to read next.

She was so absorbed in her search that she didn't hear someone approach from behind. It wasn't until two arms encircled her waist and a face pressed against her back did she realize someone was there.

Her reaction to the sudden intruder was an elbow in the gut.

"Ow! Geez, Winry, that really hurt!" came a pained voice, and Winry wheeled around to face the culprit.

"Well that's what you get for sneaking up on me," Winry snapped, watching as Alphonse Elric clutched his sore stomach.

The boy gave her a guilty look and then straightened, running a hand across his hair nervously.

He was a good foot shorter than the tall mechanic and his brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail. He had on the Fullmetal's signature red coat and black pants with boots, not to mention the white gloves. His eyes were a darker gold than Ed's, and Al's features somehow seemed softer as well. Other than that, however, he was a very good imitation of his brother.

"Sorry Winry," he apologized delicately, not wanting to anger her further, "I couldn't believe it was you at first and I just wanted to surprise you."

"Some surprise," Winry replied dryly, her hands on her hips. "Maybe if you actually told me where you were going, I wouldn't need to be surprised!"

Alphonse gulped. She was mad now. He knew she would be and he knew his skull would pay for that in the end.

"I'm really sorry Winry, but it was short notice and I didn't—,"

"I don't want to hear any of your excuses!" the blonde snapped, her anger rising dangerously. "You two are both the same. Neither of you want to tell me anything, you just leave. No note, no goodbye, nothing! I'm the one who has to pay for that because I just sit and worry the whole time."

By the end she was so livid she was shouting and people passing by were giving her dirty looks. Deciding that the library wasn't the best place for her to rant, she grabbed her bag and stormed past a hurt looking Alphonse.

Standing at the top of the steps outside the library, Winry tried to collect herself the best she could. She didn't like yelling at Al, but all the worry and pent up emotions of the week had called for an explosion. It had been only a matter of time.

The only problem was that Alphonse was someone who would take it all too personally. He'd be giving her that sad guilty look for days now.

"Winry?" Al called softly from her side making the mechanic cringe at how cautious he was being.

By the time she could face him again her demeanor was back to normal.

"Hey, what were you doing in the library anyways?" Winry asked, proud at how level her voice was now.

Al blinked a few moments in surprise before he explained, "The alchemist exams are coming up and I have to re-apply. I thought I'd get a head start on studying since I was in the area."

"I see. And did you…," Winry hesitated a moment before continuing with her question, "Did you find anything?"

Al didn't need an explanation, for there was only one thing she could mean.

Watching the people mull about the busy sidewalks of Central Al shook his head. Winry nodded in understanding and allowed her gaze to follow Al's.

"In a way, I'm kind of relieved." When Al turned to look at her curiously, she continued, "I mean, I don't want you to do all of the work. Even though I have a good position, I still feel I'm doing the least to help."

Even though she couldn't see him, she knew he had on a look of disbelief, and when he tried to grab her hand she pulled it away in shame.

"That's not true Winry! You work just as hard as I do! Ask anyone and they'll say the same."

Winry sighed sadly, letting her arms drop loosely to her side, and when Al reached for her hand again, this time she didn't pull away.

"Don't worry Winry, we'll find him."

Winry remained still, watching people walking about and cars going by. She didn't know if Al was right, but she felt comfort regardless. When he squeezed her hand gently, she even had the courage to return the pressure.

"Hey Win," Al began moments later, "What were you doing at the library anyways?"

Crap.

Startled, Winry blushed, looking around frantically for some kind of distraction, which happened to come in the form of a spiky haired blonde a ways away.

"Hey look! It's Major Havoc! Let's go say hello!"

With that she was bounding down the library steps, a surprised Alphonse in tow.

"Hey Havoc!" Winry called, hurrying up to the smoking man, who was taking his post lunch cigarette break just outside Central's large oak doors.

Startled by someone loudly calling to him (not to mention that the person happened to be very female sounding) Havoc nearly choked on his cigarette.

Frantic that she had surprised the poor man, Winry tried to aid the man the best she could by patting him on his back.

Seeing his last cigarette on laying on the sidewalk, Havoc's mouth opened in a horrified silent scream. At the moment he was torn on whether to yell or blush or cry, so he settled with gaping.

"Sorry Jean, I didn't mean to startle you. Smoking is bad for you, anyways." Winry added, seeing as the cigarette now lay wasted on the ground.

She had called him by his first name because she liked to be as informal as possible. It was hard for her to remember all of the ranks the military had, and she found it strange talking to her friends using titles. The hardest part for Winry had been to stop calling him 'Mr. Jean'. It was an odd habit when she was younger to refer to him that way, and it had taken mental preparation to stop herself from continuing using the name.

How embarrassing for her, not to mention him, if she had called him Mr. Jean in front of their co-workers! Winry shuddered at the thought.

"Uh, it's ok. Don't worry about it Winry," Havoc managed, taking one last tearful look at his last smoke before straightening up. "Hey Alphonse. Back in town for the exams, huh?"

Al nodded in reply, stifling a chuckle.

"How are you today Jean?" Winry asked politely, trying to change the topic from that of the exams.

She didn't want to take the chance that Havoc would let it slip she was studying for them too. Being one of the Fuhrer's best friends, she guessed he was informed of the situation.

It seemed that Havoc was finally able to regain his composure enough to speak normally and uttered an exhausted sigh. "Busy as usual. Boss seems to be in an extra fowl mood today, so beware."

His eyebrows snapped together, his fingers poised to snap in a perfect mockery of the Fuhrer as he shouted, "You're all fired!"

Al and Winry doubled over in laughter at the great impression while Havoc held his dramatic pose, eyebrows wriggling comically.

Their fun was cut short, however, when Havoc was almost plowed over by a frantic Sciezka coming through the door. Somehow, the man was able to catch her before she hit the ground, and promptly stood her upright. Winry reached a steadying hand out to her.

"Are you alright Sciezka?" she asked worriedly, seeing the terror-filled look on the brunettes face.

The girl shook her head numbly and fixed her glasses which had gone askew in her short flight.

"I think I really did it this time! He was so upset…I thought I was done for!" Sciezka rambled, latching on to Winry's forearm.

"What? Who's upset?" Winry asked, her brow narrowed in confusion.

"The Fuhrer!" Sciezka shrieked, sending pigeons nesting on a building nearby scattering.

Winry and Al twitched.

"I told you he was moody today." Havoc grimaced, rubbing his soar ear.

"What'd he do?" Al questioned, looking obviously interested in the turn of events.

Sciezka gulped and let a haunting look fall over her face as the others huddled around her to hear.

"So there I was, minding my own business when I realized the mail had come in. Trying to be helpful, I decided I would take it to the Fuhrer's office personally, to make sure he got all his mail. You know how important the mail can be after all! In the wrong hands who knows what could happen?"

"Focus Sciezka," Winry reminded her impatiently and the other two nodded in agreement.

"Oh, right. So, I went to his office and handed him the mail, and he sort of grunted in response. A thank you would have been nice, but anyways, he was flipping through it and stopped at one particular envelope."

Her voice lowered dramatically so that the other three had to lean in closer to hear her continue.

"A strange look passed over our dear Fuhrer's face and he clearly started sweating. I was at once concerned for his health, but I wasn't sure if I should bother him or just leave." Sciezka sighed and her face fell. "I decided to ask if he was alright. And he just yelled that he was fine and that I should get back to work. So I ran out of there. Who knows what would have happened if I had stayed!"

Winry looked worried because of the strange reaction from Roy, who normally was patient with most things, even the overly cautious Sciezka.

Havoc looked sympathetic and understanding, having seen this behavior before.

Al looked dumbfounded at the strange story which wasn't really all that scary to begin with.

Winry patted the bespectacled girls shoulder comfortingly.

"Don't worry Sciezka, I'm sure Roy didn't mean it. He must be having a bad day or something."

"Winry's right. Don't worry too much--," Havoc began before freezing completely. His eyes widened when they fell on a black, expensive looking vehicle that was pulling up at the bottom of the steps.

"Who's that?" Winry asked incredulously, seeing the man's strange reaction and turning her attention to the car.

Alphonse too seemed to sour considerably, his blonde brows creasing and his lips pulled down in a frown. Sciezka looked just as confused as Winry.

"So that's why…" Havoc muttered to himself, as understanding passed over his eyes.

The seriousness that had fallen over the group thoroughly scared Sciezka to the point were she was trembling and clutching Winry's arm so hard that it hurt. When Winry saw that Havoc had paled considerably, she felt herself growing afraid as well.

As one, Winry and Sciezka scuttled behind Havoc (Alphonse wasn't quite tall enough to hide them effectively), peeking around him to see who or what it was coming out of the car.

Havoc looked awkwardly over his shoulder at the two cowering females and couldn't help but feel pretty good with himself. He'd never seen Mustang fearlessly protect two women! Ha!

Havoc, you sly dog, he thought to himself with a grin.

"Don't worry ladies, I'll protect--,"

"Hello," came two voices in unison, efficiently causing the four to shiver.

The voices were cold and expressionless, bone chilling to the point they seemed almost inhuman. Four pairs of eyes whipped around at the sound, fearful of the creatures that could have produced the noise.

Standing on the pavement before them were a boy and a girl, twins, with dark hair and pale skin. They were smiling, and yet it didn't reach their eyes, which seemed very haunted.

Winry gulped.

Their eyes! She had never seen eyes like that before. They were pale, past the point of gray. They were white eyes, almost like the blind had. Winry wondered if they were blind.

"What are you two doing here?" Al's voice was hard and his eyes narrowed dangerously and Winry was shocked to see Alphonse act so commanding.

"Why hello Alphonse. It's wonderful to see you again." The twins said in unison, bowing.

This only seemed to make Al even more tense as he fisted his hands at his sides.

"You shouldn't be at Central. This isn't your station."

Two smiles grew bigger, the girl's was more of a smirk, and they laughed softly.

"Oh Alphonse, but we do have a reason for coming." the girl said taking a step closer, but Al held his ground.

Winry readied herself for quick action, grabbing a wrench from her pocket. She wasn't about to let these weird people hurt Alphonse!

"Roy Mustang requested help, and we have come to fulfill that request," the boy explained, closing his eyes.

The girl allowed her eyes to fall on Al alone.

"Are you frightened Alphonse?" she asked, playing with a strand of her black shoulder length hair.

Al stiffened but didn't reply.

Havoc cleared his throat loudly, gaining everyone's attention.

"So you're here in response to the Fuhrer's letter?"

The two nodded.

"Alright then, follow me, I'll show you to his office." Havoc reached for the door and held it open for them.

The two followed with that same smug look, but when they were in front of Winry, the girl paused.

"You will be needed," she said, her colorless eyes seemingly looking through, rather than at, Winry.

Her eyes widened and looked to Havoc for an answer. He merely twitched his head to the side, signaling she should go in, and she and Sciezka quickly obliged, Al bringing up the rear.

Once inside, Sciezka quickly excused herself, giving Winry an apologetic look before she practically sprinted away.

"Come on Winry, better not keep the Boss waiting." Havoc said behind her, putting a hand on her back. Winry could do nothing but allow the man to guide her away down the hall.

When Al went to follow Winry, Havoc shook his head and Al stayed where he was, watching Winry be guided down the hall.

If she would have looked behind her, she would have seen Al's confused face turn into one of set determination before he disappeared out the door once more. As it was, Winry was too caught in the fact that she really didn't want to be in a room with these strange people.

Why me?

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A/N: I really love Havoc, he's such a great guy really, and so much fun to torture! I'm starting to notice most of my chapters are a bit cliffy...I guess I -subconsciously- like keeping readers in suspense or something ;; haha sorry about that...just trying to keep the story interesting I suppose. Thank you to everyone who are sticking with me and my strange story and thanks for your reviews! Keep em comin'!

Next chapter: Underneath the Underneath: The two newcomers meet with Roy and Winry and and prove they have some interesting abilities. Could they shed some light on the mysterious dragon's origin?

--Miss Soupy