Disclaimer: I don't own FMA

Today was the day they were leaving. Ed and Al had stopped by my room to say goodbye.
I had gotten one of the nurses to help me in a wheelchair. They said I couldn't walk because the surgery had required them to open my chest up (I blushed when they mentioned that) and open my ribs to stitch my lung, and I had a long line down the middle of my chest where they stitched me back up. They didn't want me to open it so I had to use a wheelchair, since walking would cause my torso to move a lot and that would be bad. With a wheelchair I only had to use my arms. The horrible thing is, they made me wear this ugly tight brace thingy to make sure I stayed still. Besides, I couldn't exert myself, with the broken ribs and everything.
"I bet I look really ugly right now," I laughed slightly. I could speak, just not very loudly. "I have this hideous brace and a bad haircut." Both brothers smiled.
"I hope you'll heal alright. Sorry for getting you in this mess," Ed said sheepishly. I flapped a hand at him.
"You didn't force me, I volunteered. Besides, you two have to get your bodies back, right? I didn't want you to get hurt bad like this to hold you back. I took one for the team," I said in a horse voice. I swallowed a lump in my throat.
"Well, I wish you guys luck. Izumi's going to kill you," I said cheerfully. Ed and Al paled and I croaked out a laugh.
"Well Colonel Pyro is going to kill you," Ed reminded. It was my turn to go white as a sheet.
"Come back soon. By the time you're back, I'll be up and healthy again. I'm a fighter! But I want you two to be careful. Try not to make half-brained schemes being the idiots you are," I grinned, "I would go with you to the train station, but I bet I look pretty ugly right now, and blackmail is the last thing I need. So, I guess this is goodbye," I said. Ed and Al nodded sadly when I suddenly started to sparkle.
"Actually, this isn't goodbye," I sparkled, "I'll see you guys when you get back. You better stay alive till then!" I said smartly. Both nodded and waved to me.
"THAT'S MY FIRST TIME SEEING A MICROWAVE!" (*1) I called after Ed, who yelled he wasn't short. I laughed and waved back until they disappeared from the room. I sighed. I'm going to miss those idiots while they're gone. Oh well, life goes on. And I need to set up something today.Tomorrow night is Hughes scheduled death. I had time. Mustang will arrive just after that time. I had time. I needed to set up a few things.

~

Hughes visited me an hour after the Elric brothers left. He entered the room, finding me, playing with my wheelchair and maneuvering around the room like a child.
"Hughes!" I said, rolling over to him. He smiled at me.
"How are you?"
"I can talk. That's a good sign. I just can't ramble too much," I grinned. Hughes nodded.
"Well, lets go! I know you hate this place," Hughes said, and I scrunched my nose up at him.
"Damn right," I chuckled as I wheeled myself alongside Hughes as we went to check out.
After we checked out, I was able to get the brace removed. I cheered up as I exited the hospital.
"Hey, Maes,"I said as we went through Central. He glanced at me and nodded for me to go on.
"Yes?"
"Tomorrow, can I come with you to Central command? I'd like to get better aquainted with my surroundings before Mustang gets here." Hughes looked at me, surprised, but nodded.
"Alright, but you might want to get a haircut first," he reminded me. I grew mushrooms as a depressing aura enveloped me, and Hughes sweat dropped.
"I know. But I have a big favor to ask you," I said cautiously. "I need a guide to Xing ready for tomorrow night. I don't know how to find one being unaquatinted with the people here as I am."
"Why do you need to go to Xing? And before Mustang arrives?" Hughes asked suspiciously. I gulped.
"A very dear friend of mine contacted me a few days ago, saying he needed to go to Xing because his father was sick and his family was from Xing. He can't find his way through the desert alone." My brilliant excuse came. I mean, I had been gone from the Hughes place for a while a little part of each day to wander around. The lie was possible.
"You need it tomorrow?"
"Yes, very urgently."
"I'll look up on it."
"Thank you~"
"Your welcome.

~

We arrived at the Hughes household, and I was nearly tackled by Elicia.
"Oof," I breathed as Elicia hugged me slightly. She let go and gave me an angelic smile.
"Welcome home!" She cheered as she carefully stepped away. That was the first time I've heard the word "home" in a while. It made me feel touched, since I had never felt I had a home to come back to until now.
I grinned at Elicia before looking at Gracia, who looked a mixture of relief and exasperation.
"You're more of a handful than the boys..." She said, meaning the Elrics, but continued, "But welcome back."
"Hehe, well, thanks," I said, smiling sheepishly as I was ushered into the front room.

~

The rest of the day had passed quickly, and before I knew it, it was nighttime. I found Hughes alone in the livingroom, thinking.
I wheeled up to him, wondering what he was thinking about so deeply.
"You ok?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. Hughes glanced at me and sighed.
"Let me guess, the Scar issue," I said. Hughes shook his head, and suddenly alarms went off in my brain. Did he find out...? No, he would've been calling Mustang. So what was wrong...
"The uprising in Liore is becoming a hassle," Hughes sighed again, "But I think there's something more to that..." He trailed off frustratedly. My blood ran cold. He's going to find out by tomorrow night for sure.
"Hughes," I said urgenly, drawing his attention, "Have you been able to contact a guide?" He looked at me, puzzled.
"Yes, but they are in East City."
"I need a train ticket to East City. My friend is in Central."
"We can get one tomorrow. Why in such a hurry?"
"I care about this friend very much." I said quietly. It was true, I did care a lot about Hughes. He was like a father to me since I've been here, and he gladly took me in with no questions asked. I owed him greatly, and was about to pay him back.
"Ohh~ Lynete has a crush~" Hughes teased, mistaking my words. I looked at him with raised eyebrows.
"I don't have a crush on him."
"So you have a crush!" He sparkled as I facepalmed.
"No."
"You do~ You're smiling~"
"Shut up."
"Is it one of the brothers?"
"SHUT UP."
"I'm right~"
"SHUT THE HELL UP."
"I wonder if its Ed~"

"..."

"I'M RIGHT!"
"SHUT UP YOU OLD GEEZER HOW CAN YOU READ MY MIND LIKE THAT?"
"DON'T CALL ME A GEEZER!"
"DON'T READ MY MIND!"
"IT'S NOT MY FAULT YOUR LOVE FOR ED IS OBVIOUS~"
"SHUT UP BEFORE I KILL YOU." My chest hurt a little from yelling, but my face was dusted with pink. Hughes was grinning at me sneakily.
"Don't worry, I won't tell~"
"I am not going to tell him anyway. He's already got someone."
"You mean Winry?"

"..."

"Well, what's a little competition?"
"I don't date. Besides, I'm only twelve!"
"You can never love too early~"
"You just sounded so much like a geezer."
"I am not a geezer."
"Yes you are~"
"Well you are stubborn."
"Damn right."
"Besides, you and Ed are only three years apart~"
"If you haven't noticed, that's a fourth of my life so far."

"..."

"HA! I will never date!"
"I forgot how immature you are."
"Damn right."
"So I guess relationships aren't for you yet," Hughes sighed. I nodded.
I had promised myself three things after getting my heart broken. 1. I would never marry, 2. I would never fully trust anybody, and last but not least, 3.
I would never fall in love.
I know I was being unfair to myself, keeping myself from happiness. I know I was too young to make this decision, but I did anyway. And no matter what happened, I would keep those rules, even if I hurt myself in the process, because in this life, I wanted to be known as powerful, intimidating, and accomplished. I wanted to be recognized.
I would wish for happiness in my next life, because I wouldn't waste time on it in this one.

That is my promise to myself.

But was it going to be broken?

~

(*1) MICROWAVE definition: A wave from an extremely small midget (LOL)

Hey guys! Short chapter I know, but at least a fast update! I really like the banter in this chapter, don't you? Haha, teasing~
The next two chapters are what you've been waiting for. DUN DUN DUN DUUUUNNN! The Hughes problem. I can't wait~
How do you guys like it so far? Comments, questions, concerns?
My lovely readers, please review~
Thanks!