Sorry it took so long. Life is a bitch.
Kat
One eventful train ride later Jessie found herself sitting outside Mustang's office next to Al waiting for Ed to return from his meeting. "So, Al…"
"Yes Jessie?"
"….A train hijacking? Stuff like this happen a lot?" Al sighed.
"Brother tends to stay in trouble…" Jessi giggled.
"I've noticed." The two continued to chat, Al explaining some things from Jessie's new alchemy book as they waited for Ed.
"Al, we may have a new lead!" The pair looked up as Ed exited the door they were seated next to.
"Really, brother?"
"Yes really." They looked in shock as Mustang stepped out behind Edward.
"Mustang is going to take us to Shou Tucker's place. He works with biological alchemy. Maybe he has some research that will help us."
"Yeah! Ok!" Al enthused. Jessie just gave a quiet smile. The boys needed good news.
"Wow. Big house." Jessi looked at the palatial house in front of them.
"Tell me about it." Ed agreed as Mustang rang the bell. Jessie opened her mouth to ask a question….but a giant dog jumped on top of Ed.
"Oh my god! Ed are you ok?" A muffled noise served as his reply.
"Bad Awexander!" Jessie looked up at the small girl who had opened the door.
"Aww! You're so cute!" The little girl giggled.
"I'm Nina." About that time Tucker showed up.
"Nina I told you to keep the dog tied up." He looked up at the teens, and Mustang, before continuing. "I apologize, Alexander just gets excited around people." Jessi giggled as the dog barked wagging his tail, never moving from his place atop of Ed.
As the man led them though the home he apologized for the mess.
"I'm sorry, things have been a little…unorganized since my wife left." He gestured for them to sit at a table. "It's a pleasure to meet you all, is there anything I can help you with?"
"Ed is interested in biological transmutations; I was wondering if you minded him looking at your work." The teens looked at Mustang as he spoke.
"Certainly, it's no problem at all. First however…I wish to know the reason you're interested; Equivalent exchange, correct?"
Mustang quickly began to come up with some excuse before Ed stopped him with a hand, standing to take off his jacket.
"No, he's right." Not wanting to hear the details, or the young girl next to her to either, Jessi asked to see Nina's room.
"Yeah!" Jessi squeezed Ed's shoulder before patting Al's arm on the way out.
"Wow, you have such a pretty room Nina." The little girl beamed from where she pet the massive white dog.
"Awexander wikes it too." Jessi couldn't hold back the giggle. The girl was just too adorable.
"I'm sure he does."
"Want to pway tea-party?" Smiling the older girl nodded,
"Sure! ….Ack!" Laughing she hugged back Nina who had tackled her in a massive one.
Ed walked up the stairs to where he was told Nina's room was.
"Hey Jess, the car is here to take us…" He smirked Nina had on a tiara while Jessi had on a crown, both wore what looked to be silk nightgowns on over their clothes. "Your Majesty, the captain of the guard has sent a carriage to take you back to your palace." He smirked with a sweeping bow. The teen flushed.
"Um…Ed…I uh…tea-party?" About that time Nina yelled
"Queen Jessi needs a king! You be it Edward!" Both teens turned red at that one. Clearing his throat Ed finally answered.
"Maybe tomorrow, Nina. It's time for us to go home now." The little girl deflated.
"Awww, you have too?" Grinning he ruffled her hair.
"We'll be back tomorrow." Jessi handed over the crown and "dress"
"I had fun Nina. We'll play tomorrow ok?"
"Ok." Smiling she waved bye over her shoulder as Ed tugged her to the door. Smirking as he ran up to the car Ed called out to his brother.
"Hey Al, guess what! We're in the presence of royalty!"
"What are you talking about, brother?" Grinning he threw an arm over Jessi's shoulder.
"Turns out that Jess, here is a queen." Sulking she pushed him away.
"Being an ass, Ed." He bowed mischievously.
"I apologize your majesty."
"Such an ass."
Jessi sat on the arm of the couch watching Al put his notes from the day in order.
"Did you guys find anything?" From his chair across the table Ed sighed.
"Not really. What about you, Al?"
"Sorry brother." Hearing a "thunk" She looked up seeing Ed beating his head on the table.
"Ed, it's not that bad. You two will find something. I'm sure of it."
"It's been years, Jess. I'm beginning to doubt there is anything to find."
All stood protesting.
"Don't say that brother! You're just upset, it was only the first day, Jessi is right, we'll find something!"
"Yeah, I guess." Looking up he saw Jessi's hand in his face.
"It's late. Got get some sleep, things will be better tomorrow." Accepting her help up he stood.
"Yeah. I'm sure they will."
The three friends spent many days over at the Tucker's house. Ed and Al finding interesting information, but nothing they were so desperately looking for; Jessi playing with the adorable Nina and the giant dog Alexander. Nina had even gotten Ed and Al to join in on a tea-party once or twice. Ed as Jessi's "king" and Al as the "Captain of the guard". Hues, being the picture ninja he is, got photo's of that one when he came to pick them up one day.
Ed still got teased about it.
"I'm going to go find Nina!" Jessi hugged her friends dashing up the stairs to see the little girl, but was confused by the empty room.
"Nina?" Still able to get lost in the giant house she went to the library to find her friends. "Hey, Ed, Al, you guys see…" It was empty.
"Brother! Stop, you're going to kill him!"
Jerking around Jessi saw the lab door open. Unsure if she should walk or run she made her way down the dimly lit stairs.
"Ed! Stop!" She grabbed his arm trying to stop him from beating Tucker. "Why are you doing this!" He dropped to his knees sobbing into her shoulder.
"Nina."
"What about Nina?" About that time a chimera nudged her side.
"Want to play? Ed. Jessi. Play." Jessi must have fainted, because the next thing she remembered she was in the rain, her head in Ed's lap.
"Ed what's going on?"
He smiled sadly. "Nina is dead. So is Tucker. They were murdered."
The three friends held each other and cried.
The secret side of me, I never let you see
I keep it caged but I can't control it
So stay away from me, the beast is ugly
I feel the rage and I just can't hold it
It's scratching on the walls, in the closet, in the halls
It comes awake and I can't control it
Hiding under the bed, in my body, in my head
Why won't somebody come and save me from this, make it end?
I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster
My secret side I keep hid under lock and key
I keep it caged but I can't control it
'Cause if I let him out he'll tear me up, break me down
Why won't somebody come and save me from this, make it end?
I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun
{ From: . }
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster
It's hiding in the dark, it's teeth are razor sharp
There's no escape for me, it wants my soul, it wants my heart
No one can hear me scream, maybe it's just a dream
Maybe it's inside of me, stop this monster
I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I've gotta lose control, he something radical
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster