Chapter 1: Travels and Old Friends

A/N

It's only been a day since I uploaded and already there are 6 viewers! I can't believe it, thanks everyone! And since from this chapter afterwards follows the manga, the chapters are going to be longer than the prologue, for sure.

Anyhoooooo – you meet the Elrics this chapter! So I won't dillydally anymore!

Love, alinalee

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

"Do you have your suitcase?" Gracia peered over to look at her daughter, her eyes questioning.

Ever since Roy had asked her to travel to East City to help some wounded soldiers in their hospitals, Gracia had been ecstatic – too ecstatic for Melissa's liking, but still ecstatic nonetheless.

"Yes mom, I do,"

"Your cloak?"

"I'm wearing it, mom."

"Chalk? You'll need plenty for your alchemy – though God knows how you do it, honey!"

"Yes, I have chalk. Worst case, I can always ask Colonel Mustang to borrow some. I'm sure he won't mind." Scratch that, Melissa was very sure Mustang would mind if she didn't bring enough chalk.

As far as she was concerned, Gracia was being a little too attentive for this trip.

She'd only be gone 2 days and a night, after all.

And it was only a few hours by train, so Melissa was really confused why her mother was worrying so much.

Besides, she was overly certain that she wouldn't be out of Mustang's sight. And even if he was gone, she was certain she wouldn't be out of Hawkeye's sight, either.

"She's just worried, Mel," as a new voice literally answered the question she had been asking herself in her head, she looked up to see familiar black hair and glasses, adorned with a smile. Dad.

"I would be too, if I didn't not know that Roy would be looking after you. I trust him, after all." Well, there goes her confirmation. Maes—no, dad would never have let her go if she wasn't supervised 24/7.

Sometimes, the whole parental vibe they've been treating her with went straight over her head. It had been too long since anyone had treated her with parental love – and, as long as she had her family here, it certainly wouldn't be the last.

Especially since Elicia was having a meltdown around the corner. That wasn't a sight Melissa liked seeing at all.

Though, it had been rather shocking to see her little sister comply overly too quickly when she had promised her to play with her as soon as she got home.

How convincing Elicia can get sometimes over the simplest things made Melissa smile, though.

"I get it, mom and dad. Though, I should probably head out soon-" the teen was just about to check her watch for the time, as it was around close to when she had to depart when she was thrown into a hug.

Small hands wrapped themselves around Melissa's legs, as the hugger looked down to see her abuser—her little sister, Elicia, who was wearing the largest smile Melissa had ever seen.

"Love you, big sister! Be sure to play with me when you get home, ok? I'll miss you!" Gosh, Elicia is just too adorable sometimes. Ruffling her sister's hair one last time with a smile, Melissa reached over to grab her suitcase, while shoving a few extra pieces of long, white chalk into the side of the bag.

Grasping the bag in her hands, she turned to address her family. "I should get going to the station now—I'll be sure to call when I arrive, alright?"

"Got it, honey."

"Love you, Mel. Now go save some lives!"

"Bye sissy! See you soon!"

Oh yeah, Melissa was going to miss her family. Big time.

Well, Melissa was early. Not that early, where she'd be anonymously waiting in boredom, but early by her standards. Which was surprising, because she had large tendencies to be later than she liked.

Melissa walked over to the ticket booth as she was greeted by the ticket master.

"Ah, hello! One ticket to East City, please."

While the man nodded and went to go grab her ticket, Melissa looked behind her and glimpsed around the station. It looked overly quiet today, not many arrivals, and was the most serene she had heard the station in awhile-

"Your ticket, Miss Hughes." her thoughts were interrupted briskly as the ticket master gave her the ticket with a smile and a nod. "Enjoy your ride today, ma'am! And stay safe."

"Thanks! You too, sir." She grabbed her ticket and her luggage, and began making her way to her train—wait, hold on-

It was really, really easy to recognize an Amestrian military uniform. It was enormously easier to recognize it as Major Alex Louis Armstrong, the Strong-Arm Alchemist. Another of Maes' friends.

And, yes, it was extremely easy to find Major Armstrong, especially with his large bulky build and his muscles. Thank God had he not ripped his uniform yet, surprisingly.

He was not alone, it seemed, as he had gotten off with a short boy with blond hair, and – a suit of armor? Interesting, to say the least.

What made it all the more surprising was when the small boy interrupted the peace and quiet of the station with a high-pitched, enthusiastic, shout. "Alright! We've made it to Central!"

One quick look at her watch told Melissa all she needed to know – she was still early for her train, at least well off a good twenty minutes.

Which, of course, led it to perfect time to say hello to Major Armstrong, his two companions, and—well, and Lieutenant Danny Brosh and Second Lieutenant Maria Ross, too.

Melissa didn't see them before – ah. She must have had spaced out again.

The teen briskly grabbed her belongings as she approached her way to the group.

With her free hand, Melissa brought it up to a proper salute. "Long time no see, Major Armstrong. Ross and Brosch, too."

Luckily, Armstrong had turned to meet her eyes for a quick second – before his eyes alit with recognition. "Ah! Hello, Mel."

At least Ross and Brosch had been respectful enough to salute back to the girl, whereas Armstrong just said his introductions. Quick to forget, as always.

And the poor duo beside them – well, the blonde boy looked beyond confused.

"Where are you traveling to, Miss Hughes?" Ah, so the blonde didn't look as confused as before.

"Hughes? Are you by chance related to Lieutenant Colonel Hughes?" Well, apparently the suit of armor had been confused, too – as it asked her a question in a very high-pitched, young male voice.

Though it was odd, seeing a suit of armor talk – Melissa had seen and heard worse that had surprised her.

She smiled. "Yes, I am, actually."

Oh, wait – she hadn't answered the major's question. Breaking her chain of thought from the two she had previously been talking to, her directed her attention to the major.

"To answer your question, Armstrong – I'm traveling to East City for assigned business."

Armstrong, much not to Melissa's surprise, chuckled. "Does the Colonel have you working that much, now?"

Melissa giggled. "I'm pretty sure your subordinates could answer that question, major."

"If you're going to the East City train, you'd better hurry. It just arrived." the blonde interrupted with a brisk tone, looking at his silver watch—oh damn, the blonde guy was a state alchemist?

His eyes looked down at the teen, pretty much telling her you're going to be late for your train! Hurry up before you miss it.

"I- oh. Oh my! Thank you so much." she acknowledged the blonde, giving him a small smile. "Nice talking to you again, Major Armstrong, but as your alchemist friend here said – I should really catch my train."

"Yes, you really should. I'll be seeing you around Central soon enough," the major responded with his overly large Armstrong smile, that, as the major had told her many times before, was a trait passed to the Armstrong family for generations.

All Melissa responded with was an overly quick wave as she ran off to her train, her luggage and ticket waving obnoxiously beside her.

Damn, she was almost late again!