Hiya! Sorry it's been so long; I've had MAJOR writers' block (and limited access to compys). But...Here ya go! Enjoy, all!

Disclaimation: I do not own FMA or it's characters. I don't own Mercedes, either, for she is a real person.

Okay, so I'll give you three guesses on who was on the other side of the door (other than the Colonel)

No, it wasn't Hawkeye.

Nope, it we'ren't another of the Mustang crew.

Figured it out yet? Good….

"Why hello, Mr. Shorty-Cutie-Pie."

Yep, das right, 'twas Mercedes Kidon!!!!

Mercedes Kidon was sitting in a chair in front of the Colonel's desk. The Colonel, of course, was grinning like a child whose Christmas or birthday had come half a year early. Al chuckled. "Well, I guess we don't have to tell the Colonel about her after all, brother." Mustangs' ears pricked. "What, you were planning on conveniently forgetting to inform me about this lovely young lady who you kept in a military hospital without telling me about it first?" He shook his head sadly. "Shame on you, Fullmetal." Mercedes Kidon leaned back in her chair and whispered to the Colonel: "Don't be so cruel to the adorable short one, Mr. Womanizer Horsey-man." The Colonel grimaced as she straitened backup in her chair. "Well, boys," he began. "Ms. Kidon has informed me of her situation…and I've come to the decision that-" "Wait, what situation?" Ed cut in. "All that happened was that we found her in some random alley, completely out of it, and brought her to the hospital to be checked out. No situation, no need for important decisions, so long, good-bye, the end."

Silence.

"Brother, that was harsh, even for you." Mustang sighed. "Ed, just hear me out, okay?" Ed grumbled something and slumped into a chair. "Well, as I was saying…" Mustang continued, then he shook his head. "No, I might as well have you tell it, Ms. Kidon. It is your story, after all." Mercedes Kidon bobbed in her seat. "I'm from another world," she stated bluntly. "No idea how I got here and no idea how to get back. Since you all are super fancy-dancy alchemists, I thought I should ask you guys for help." Ed snorted in disbelief. "If you want 'fancy-dancy alchemists', you should've gone to the Major…" He sighed. "What do you want me to do about it?" He asked, addressing the Colonel. Mustang shrugged. "I want you to let her tag along with you two for a bit. You're always travelling; always finding out new things. You're bound to find something helpful. Maybe you'll find another person like her." "Yeah, sure, while Al and I are looking for the stone, we can drag along this kid who claims to be from another world and glance down random alleyways for more random weirdos to drag along. We'll make a little club and call it the 'Happy Wandering Misfits', and have tea-parties and dress-ups and all sorts of fun crap." "Jeez, Ed," Mercedes Kidon muttered. "Who took a shit in your fruit-loops this morning?" "The magical flying tooth-fairy," Ed snapped back. "Maybe it's not shit in the cereal…maybe you've got your period!" "Hell no!" "WAAGH!!! Mr. Shorty Cutie-Pie is really Ms. Shorty I'm-not-a-guy!!!" "I'M NOT SHORT, DAMMIT!!!" *s-s-s-snap*! "ENOUGH!" Mustang roared. "I will NOT have this headache-inducing teenaged-drama play out in here!" He turned sharply towards Ed. "Fullmetal, you're taking her with you. That's an order," he said before Ed could protest. He muttered darkly under his breath. "What was that?" The Colonel said darkly. Ed glared at him. "I said fine, but I'm not gonna like it." He stood up quickly. "C'mon, Al, we're gonna be late for our train if we stay any longer." "'Kay." Mercedes Kidon got up to follow the brothers out the door. "Hold on," Said Mustang. He motioned for her to come to his desk. "I want you to be careful out there; you are just a kid, after all." He pulled something out of a drawer and held out his hand for her to take it: 'Twas a small packet. "Take this; you might need it." "What is it?" She asked. The Colonel chuckled and leaned back slightly, lacing his fingers together. "You'll find out." "Thanks," She muttered, slipping the Mysterious Packet into her pocket. Then, she dashed out after the brothers.

Al: "Sadee?"

Mercedes Kidon: "Yes, Al?"

Al: "What are fruit-loops?"

Mercedes Kidon chuckled. "I'll tell you on the train."

Somewhere…out in the vastness of someplace….something….or maybe some-one?...is thinking something…

Something cool…

So...this is a chappy. I hope it gives smiles to you all! I loves you, my dear readers!!!!

~BattyKatt