A/N

Hey everyone! I've been reading the FMAB manga for awhile now, and I couldn't help but love the manga - and the anime too – so I've decided to put my hat in the ring. It's been a long time, a really long time, since I last wrote a fanfiction, so please bear with me! I'd appreciate any comments about the story so far, and hope this first chapter is to your liking. It doesn't follow the storyline yet, but it certainly will next chapter!

Thanks, and hope you enjoy! The more reviews I get, the better! I always hope I can improve for the better as a writer, so any feedback is appreciated.

Well, the long author's note is over. I'll let you enjoy the first chapter, now!

alinalee

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is not owned by me, but by Hiromi Arakawa. I only own my OC!

Prolouge – Alchemy and Past

Silence was heard throughout the phone booth, the caller patiently waiting for a response as she watched the rather bland sky around her, looking for any clouds, any passerby cars, literally anything to cease the patience she had for the military operator on the other end.

"Excuse me, ma'am. You are calling the Central Command Military Office from an outside source. We'll need a code of entry to get through."

"Understood," A sigh could be heard by the voice on the receiving end, one of exasperation.

She had called his line so many times, she could be sure that the operator would know her by now. But, of course, there's always protocol. "Code: alpha, jam, six, beta, flame, trick."

A brief pause, before she could hear the response from the operator. "Accepted, Miss. You're being directed to Lieutenant Colonel Hughes at once."

Finally. She could get through, and quickly – she had places to be, and she would not stand being late again.

There was static, before a jolly voice could be heard. "Heeeeeeey! What do you need, Melissa?"

Of course, of course he'd ask. She really didn't call him during work hours, unless it was important.

"I don't need anything. I just wanted to let you know I'll be coming home late. I was pulled to the hospital to do some more medical assistance, so I'll be a bit later than usual." the teenager smiled through the phone, though she knew he could surely hear it.

Lieutenant Hughes frowned. "Does Roy really have you working again?"

Yes, yes he does. You really shouldn't be so surprised, she thought to her father's rather disapproving tone.

Much to her shock – and awkwardness, too, Roy had called her almost twice a week after he had been introduced to his good friend's daughter.

Apparently, her skills were very much needed, though much to Roy's displeasure, she did it to help him out.

She had zero intentions of becoming a state alchemist. Not when Maes already had a steady income, and besides, being a dog of the military really didn't suit her well. At all.

Cue laughter from the young teenager at her father's response, which Maes all too well knew was her answer. "Sounds good, kiddo. Don't be too late, though. Elicia will be asking for you after too long."

A smile was present once more on Melissa's face as she replied, this time with a more determined answer.

"Don't let Elicia worry too much, Dad. I'll be home before she can even ask for her sister."

There was a pause in the conversation as she continued. "Love you, and I'll see you, Mom and Elicia soon. Alright?"

"Sounds good, hon." he replied. "See you."

"Cya!" and the line went dead.

As the phone was placed back on the stand, Melissa left the phone booth briskly.

She checked her watch, which told her that she was very late for her appointment at Central's nearest hospital.

Oh, she was so screwed.

The last time she was late to an appointment her uncle had asked her to attend, things had turned out rather weary. After hours of drawing transmutation circles, hours of hiding the pain she endured as she dutifully healed wound after wound, she was done.

Though she was only three hours late to her sister's birthday party, and Roy did not back her up when she went back home.

Yeah, well, she was late again. Wait, she was going to be late-

"Crap, crap! I can't be late again!" The brunette cried, running off into the streets of Central. The wind blowing against her ponytail as she quickly turned the corner, running off to the hospital.

Right. "Hey, Miss Hughes!" a passerby—Mrs. Jordan, a lovely old woman running the flower shop nearby, waved. "Would you like some flowers?"

"I- Hello, Mrs. Jordan. I'd love to get some flowers," Yes, she really would – damn you, Roy. "but I'm kind of in a hurry. Maybe next time?"

"Of course, dear." the lady smiled. "I won't keep you, then. See you around!"

"Yes, see you soon!" Melissa replied jubilantly, as she turned another corner. Left.

Her feet ran across the cobblestone of Central's streets as she maneuvered her way through the street, waving to merchants and passerbys she knew. Keep moving forward.

Right, and—there!

After many shouts of exhaustion amidst the long-distance running she endured, the doors of Central's military hospital burst open, entering a very late brunette.

Panting heavily from all the running, she looked around only to find what she was looking for: an Amestrian military uniform, with three stars on the brooch, waiting for her arrival. Her late arrival.

Rather impatiently as always, too, she sarcastically thought as she approached the soldier.

The two left the entryway of the hospital, side by side. "You're late," was all that was spoken. Damn—the colonel must have been waiting for a bit for him to ask that, she realized.

Well, cue Roy's bad mood.

"I'm sorry, Colonel, I was on the phone," the girl complained back with exasperation. "what do you need from me today?"

Walking down the hallway was louder than usual in the hospital, known by the incandescent bickering of two people.

One, a tall male wearing a military uniform, with spiky black hair and striking black eyes looking to pierce through any obstacle. He was Colonel Roy Mustang, a state alchemist for the Amestris, and her uncle.

The other; a girl, no more a teenager, wearing a blue cloak and a rather impatient look on her face, which was adorned with long brown hair in a ponytail and kind blue eyes. She was Melissa Hughes, the adopted daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Maes Hughes, and a very talented alchemist.

"What I need," Mustang spoke, a serious look on his face. "is you to do your job."

The door of room number 243 opened, emitting the duo. Pausing at the bedside of the wounded lying in the bed, she smiled. A bright, understanding, and kind smile.

"I can do that now, Colonel. I can do that very well," Melissa replied. "let's just hope I can finish before I make poor Elicia worry."

As soon as she finished, Melissa pulled out a piece of chalk, concentrating on the circles she drew on the hospital floor. Finishing it, she looked over her circles before she began to transmute. It had only been what - two days since she had used her alchemy?

"Man, will I sleep well tonight!"

The sun had already begun to set as Melissa slowly began to make her way out of the hospital. Every few steps or so she'd wince - he after effects of her alchemy were brutal, but nothing she couldn't handle.

Mustang had the kindness, well, Melissa had thought the balls – to escort her outside the hospital begrudgingly.

"So, Mustang," she looked up at the alchemist with a questioning stare as the two crossed back to the Hughes' residence. "what're you doing in Central?"

Left. "I'm here on military business, Melissa." he replied curtly, not missing a beat as the duo made another turn. Right.

Keep moving forward. "Military busi—oh. That trial, right?" Her answer, not surprisingly, was a glare. Well, I at least finally got Mustang.

Melissa's eyes were searching around her to avoid his gaze, giving a quick wave to Mrs. Jordan once more, who smiled in return.

One more left. "Yes, and, well, no. I guess I can tell you, since Maes apparently tells you everything anyway."

That was Mustang's way of telling her she was in, he could tell her about work. Well, at least that means she did enough for him to spill military beans. Only took about that long. "Well?"

"The trial is null and void. The convict is dead." Well, damn. No wonder Dad had been frustrated these past few days. What Melissa missed, though, was the subtle way Mustang dismissed her.

"Well, that sure as hell sucks, Roy," If the bastard doesn't know she's very well being genuine, he can go leave for all I care, was what she didn't say as the two approached the door of the Hughes's residence, stopping at the door.

"Thanks, Hughes," was all she got as she entered the house, footsteps not her own squeaking against the wood floor in her direction. Elicia.

"Anytime. You want to stay for dinner?" her finger points toward the kitchen, which had some rather appealing smells spreading its way across the house.

"I don't even think Maes will let me leave since I'm already here." Roy responded, as the thoughts of what loud yelling Maes would exclaim was making him regret it.

Yeah, you're probably right about that one, she smirked, obviously agreeing with the statement.

Just about as she was going to reply - a squealing Elicia runs up to hug squeeze Melissa's left leg.

Melissa bent down to put her hand on top of her head, ruffling her hair. "Sissy!" the young girl squealed, obviously pleased.

"Hey, Elicia," she replied with a smile. "How's my favorite sister?"

Aaaand there's the prologue! Don't worry, we'll follow the storyline AND meet the Elric brothers next chapter! (It'll be starting on the FMAB manga, chapter 8!) Hope you all enjoyed, and I'll see you all soon! 3

alina