Whew, seems like Wolfy's onna' role! I've been sick, so I've stayed home. So Sick + Home + Computer = Chapters !

Now... I STILL don't have many reviewers. I think I've got three, now (and I thank them, very much), but it WOULD be nice for more feedback. Don't be afraid to tell me something's wrong, mmkay? Go ahead and criticize me! (Constructive Criticism is allowed, but no flaming. If you flame, you will be ignored.)

So yeah. This chapter is also sorta short =w=;; But next one will be longer, since I have a script to go by.

READ. LIEK, NAO.

It turns out, that after I passed out in the Taxi-car-thing and Maes had took me in someplace, that I was hearing his wife, Gracia. She was a nice and kind woman, a great mother for her soon-to-be daughter (who Maes wouldn't atop talking about after I had woke up).

"So, are you hungry?"I jumped. I dozed off some. It was a tiring night, after all. But, instead of responding, I just nodded."Well, then, we can't have such a young girl with an empty stomach! I'll fix you some breakfast."

She headed into what i believe is the kitchen. I haven't exactly explored any, so I wouldn't know. I guess I could, though. I mean, no harm, no foul, right? Or was it fowl? Well, you get my point.

I stood up and stretched a bit, looking from under my darkened hood. The house seemed nice enough. Small, but nice. I was beginning to walk over to the staircase, but Maes pulled me back by my elbow. He had one of those faces of his. You know the one, where he obsesses over something (in example, his wife).

"So, what do you think about her? Isn't she amazing? She can cook and clean and be absolutely amazing at the same time!"

Again, I just nodded. I don't feel like talking. Not only had I talked too much last night, but it was just too much of an effort. I don't care if it only takes a twinge of my vocal cords, it uses up energy that I would rather not be drained of right now.

"And she can do all the laundry in just five minutes and she can make super delicious Apple Pies, which are made by her secret recipe that has been passed down her family for ages, and she can-" By this point, I just drowned out his voice while silently nodding.

Now, I drifted off, into my own thoughts. What would this life be like, now? I mean, being a State Alchemist? Well, if I became one, that is. And why was this Lieutenant Colonel so interested in some Fourteen-Year-Old like me? I've only heard of State Alchemist in their late thirties... that's when Grandpa Giolio*, my mother's father, had become one. Poor Grandpa, with his old peg leg... He was good at acting as a pirate, though.

"Now, Maes, you're going to bore her to death!"Gracia said as she came into the kitchen, holding a tray of gravy and biscuits in her hands. As she set it on the coffee table in front of us (who were seated nicely on the couch), Maes whined.

"But Sweetheart~! You know it's all true! So why not share?"

At this, Mrs. Hughes giggled to herself."Oh, shush. We have a guest." She smiled at me, before putting on a slight frown."Oh... aren't you hot under there, hun? It's pretty warm in here, even without a cloak."

I shook my head fervently, tugging on my hood, hiding my eyes. Hughes chuckled nervously before patting my back and whispering to me in a calming matter.

"Hey, it's alright. You can show her." I glanced at him quickly from under the darkness, and he gave a quick nod. Looking back at Gracia, she had a puzzled look on her face. If only I could imagine...

I slowly pushed the hood back, small strands of my hair falling forward, in front of my grayish eyes. My pupils both dilated and constricted to fit the lighting, more hair falling to cover my pale face. As I let the ebony hood fall back, I looked fully into Mrs. Hughes face, seeing widened eyes and shocked lips. This was going to be just great.

But, surprisingly, she didn't scream or shout a her husband for bringing a monster into her house. Instead, she stuttered, telling me to eat, while dragging Maes into the kitchen by his wrist, planning to have a private conversation. Though, as I took a bit (or, more like a hunk) of biscuit slathered in meat-tasting gravy, I stealthily eavesdropped on them, one ear tilted towards the door. It wasn't that hard, really. But what I did hear surprised me. It wasn't harsh or coldness, or even scolding. But it was crying. Pure-out crying. She kept asking him... how it happened. How I was like this. What happened to me. And why. Just plain why.

I looked down at the plate, smothered in that liquid-ish gravy. And I couldn't help but add some salty tears to it, give it more taste. Yeah, that's why. And the smile I had was just because I hadn't tasted a woman's food in such a long time. Yeah. Such a long time.

Gracia and Maes came out soon, Mrs. Hughes wiping her eyes and still slightly sobbing (though not very noticeable), and Maes seeming somewhat solemn, eyes softened and sad. Before I could even open my mouth (for the first time that day, nonetheless), Gracia had wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug, bawling on my shoulder.

"T-today, w-we're going sh-shopping! I-I'm going to give you a f-f-first class tour on th-the whole town, o-okay?" She exclaimed, trying to keep from stuttering (though failing). I gently patted her back with one hand, the other wiping my eyes in the same manner she came out in. It was weird, going so long without social contact, and then basically being attacked by some woman you just met that day. But, surprisingly, it felt... natural. Just like... like I fit in.

After going around a mall and a store or two (or a hundred, since I hadn't actually been in one), Mrs. and Mr. Hughes (yes, I'm being formal) took me to a secluded area in the park, where I gladly did Cartwheels and flips and twirls and Back-Bends and others of the sort. Honestly, I think she was amazed by them. Maes had his hand on his chin, murmuring to his wife on how useful my gymnastics would be towards the military. Now that I think about it, maybe becoming a "Mutt of the Military"** won't be so bad. I mean, I'll help the people, won't I?

As this thought continued in my head, I began climbing one of the nearby trees quickly (though my foot slipped a couple times. Keep in mid that I don't always think things through and tend to rush right in). I found myself at the top, though, and gazed at the view of the setting sunset over the millions of forest-green pines, maples, and oaks, giving them and almost citrus glow. I swear...

This, right here, right now, is the most beautiful part of my whole life.

*: Giolio Comanche, AKA The Silver Alchemist, is a small, one/two-episode/chapter character in the manga and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. He served in the Ishvalan*** war, until he was mortally wounded by a shot to the leg, which was amputated and replaced by a peg leg. He was later killed by Scar.

**: "Mutt of the Military" is referring to what Bailey had called Military Soldiers and State Alchemist at the beginning of the series. It is slightly different than what the Elrics and Rockbells call them ("Dogs of the Military") because Bailey sees herself already as a dog, and doesn't want to become worse (therefore, "Mutt" or "Mixed Breed").

***:In the manga and second anime, it is spelled Ishval/Ishvarite, while in the first series, it is called Ishbal/Ishballan.