I do not own FMA. I own a cat, a pocket watch and a tea kettle. Set after brotherhood, before movies.

Ed's POV

'Stupid snow. Stupid cold, making my automail act up.' I thought, pulling my red jacket closer to me, and pulling up my wool hood. Al was the lucky one. All the way in warm Xing, flirting with Mei Chang and learning alkahestry.

I learned early on that achemy is the same in the west as in Amestris, so I taught some brilliant people our new theories and came back to Central. Furhur Grumman was pleased to have me back, and to have Roy promoted to general.

I blushed when I thought of the sexy bastard I was proud to call my superior. I'll admit it, I've fallen for General Mustang. I started glaring at nothing, willing away my blush. 'Stupid Bastard, having to make me fall for him.' I was walking faster now, trying to get out of the damned cold. I walked into the post office, waving at the receptionist. I headed straight for my box, knowing Al's newest letter was here. It only takes about three or four days to get mail through to Xing, thanks to Grumman opening back up the rail lines through the desert.

I opened my box, surprised to see not only Al's letter, but a small white box as well. I grabbed and opened it, reading the small slip of paper tucked into it.

'Something new for you to obsess over, Fullmetal. -General Roy Mustang'. I moved aside the wrapping paper to find a new pair of white pyrotechnic gloves. I shook my head. That bastard knew I couldn't use alchemy! I fingered the thick white fabric. Eh. They'd make good gloves, now that I needed an actual pair to keep all ten of my fingers warm. I shook my head again, tucking the gloves inside the pocket of my pants. I grabbed Al's letter, sitting on a nearby bench to read. I sniffed, holding the paper up to my nose. Xingnese paper smelled good. Like odd spices and food.

'Dear Brother,

I'm really sorry about the search in the west. Alkahestry study is going well. Mei is infinitely patient, what with alchemy being scalded into my mind. It's really beautiful here Brother. It's spring here in Xing, and the trees are in full flower. I've used the flowers from the trees to try and woo Mei like Winry suggested, but Ling intercepted and asked for them. Says he was going to give them to LanFan. And who was I to resist budding romance?

Ling had told me that repealing the 'most children, highest seat of power' rule is going well, which is good. He's still working on getting rid of all 50 of his wives though. I know he didn't mind the thought when he was there with Greed, but now that he admits his feelings for LanFan, the thought disgusts him.

Brother, don't ever ask me to teach you alkahestry. It' s confusing, and I know that we've disproved the Law of Equivalant Exchange, like I said, it's scalded into both our minds, and here, they have no concept of it. They talk about the 'Dragons Pulse' and use Kuni, which are those blade things that Mei has hidden in her hair.

Didn't Hughes used to have some of those? Or were those just leaf blades?

Oh gate Brother, just be glad Winry is an only child. Mei's sisters are driving us up the wall. I overheard them discussing our wedding yesterday. Our wedding. I swear, these girls have over active imaginations, though it is flattering.

Mei's family isn't very big, as far as the royals could be. Though they're odd, but I blame in-breeding. Though, according to Mei, the Chang family was desperate for a baby by the time she was born that her mother actually had an affair to have her. Which means that she's clean of the after-affects of said inbreeding.

Brother, I swear if you laugh at me, I will hit you next time I see you. And don't lie and tell me you didn't laugh. I can tell if you did. But I'm already imagining our children. -Don't you dare start laughing!- I can though, and it's scaring me Brother! I'm a guy, and more importantly, I shouldn't feel this way, let alone act on it!

Brother, I'm confused. Any advice? Please?

-Love,

Alphonse'

I read the letter, laughing my way through it. I laughed out loud when Al mentioned the kids thing, but was seriously considering helping my Brother. He did need some help. Mei had said that the legal marriage age for Xing was around 15, and she should be around that age now.

I began writing a rough draft on the back of Al's letter, giving my advice, telling Al about how I had broke it off with Winry, asking for his own advice with my crush on Mustang. I wrote the truth on how I laughed with his kid daydreaming, and lost myself in thought on what to tell Al next when I was tapped on the shoulder. I jumped, seeing that it was the receptionist. "Hey Michelle. Closing time?"

The red-head nodded. "What was in the box Edo? I saw that it was white, but that was it."

I rubbed the back of my head, glaring playfully at her. "Stalker. Watching me open my mail. And they were some gloves that Roy sent me. He was on a mission in Ishval, but he should be back at the command center by now though."

Michelle nodded. "Sounds warm. Now, can you please go Edo? I wanna go home and sleep!"

I laughed, getting up and walking towards the door. "I'm going, I'm going! It was nice seeing you Michy." I got a likewise answer, and walked out. I began walking towards Central Command, hoping to see Mustang and his subordinate family before they went home for the night. It was around eleven oclock, after all. I walked on, passing through my usual route.

I listened for anything, whether it was a stray cat or a fangirl. Those chicks could get vicious. I stopped. Was that a voice? "Help... me..." It was! It was a whispered plea, so lightly said that if I wasn't paying attention I would've missed it. "Please... anyone..." It again whispered. It sounded like a girl.

I headed towards her, against my better judgement. I could hear weak shuffling, as if she was trying to move. "Hello? Are you ok?" I took out the lighter I kept with me for candles, and lamps, flicking the flame to life.

I heard a cough, and a weak, "Over here..." I turned, shadows flickering eerily. I looked for anything that would give a sign of life. There! By the trash cans. A brown coat with the flamel symbol on the back. I stepped carefully, trying not to trip. I put my lighter closer to her body, seeing the gleam of something wet and sticky. Blood? I sniffed. Mhm. That was blood, sure as my leg was metal.

"Fuck." I swore, dropping to my knees. I rolled her over softly, cradling her head in my hands. Her left hand was gone. "What happened to you?" She mumbled something about alchemy and blinding whiteness. "Come on, I'll take you to some help." I stopped the bleeding with my old gloves as best I could, the bright red staining through. After I had mostly stopped the bleeding, I lifted her. She was far to light for her size, and I was worried. Didn't girls eat anymore?

I almost ran to Central Command. I had to be careful though. I didn't want to slip and end up dropping her. I sighed with relief. I had made it, and the lamp was still on. That meant someone was there. I burst into the office, using my automail leg (as usual) to force open the door. "Hello?" I called out, hopefully interrupting Roy's nap.

I saw Roy jerk his head up, shock written on his face. Which seemed odd, considering the fact he's usually so calm and collected. "Fullmetal! What's wrong?" He exclaimed, getting up.

I nodded my head at the bundle in my arms. "I found this girl in an alleyway. Her hand is gone and she was muttering something about alchemy and what I think might be the Gate."

Roy nodded. "Do you need me to cauterise the wound?"

I shook my head, laying the girl on the couch. By doing so, I could finally get a good look at the girl. Pale, black hair with blue streaks, willowy, but I could tell by her musculature that she could do some damage. Winry looked the same way. She wore a pale brown trench coat and a baggy t-shirt with some jeans, the t-shirt and jeans coming apart at the seams because of the supposed trip through the gate. I was wondering why her coat wasn't coming undone. I figured that the gate did know what it was doing. Why send a girl here if your just going to kill her, after all?

I put my coat over her, warming her and covering what the clothes were failing to in their falling-apart condition. Roy came up behind me. "So Fullmetal, what happened?" He asked, putting wood onto the fire.

I scowled. "I don't know. Like I said, I found her in an alleyway with her hand missing."

Roy looked like he was thinking, then said, "Well, once she's not in danger of frostbite or hypothermia, we'll bring her to my house." I was about to protest, but the bastard cut me off. "And don't protest Fullmetal. My house has spare rooms and fireplaces. Both of you can stay."

I glared, "Fine."

...Aaaaannnnnnndddddd that's it. We all know who this mysterious girl is, of course, and please tell me if this is too predictable. Or if this follows a plot line you've seen before. R&R!