Disclaimer: I don't own anything. My OCs actually own themselves. (owning people is wrong, even if they are not real)
beta: meowcubed3
I admired the city sights as my ragtag team of misfits trekked to our next location. Such a quiet and peaceful day. Yep, this silence is not awkward at all! Okay, I lied. On the bright side, if there is one thing I am good at, it is breaking an awkward silence!
"That is some awesome armor. Do you wear it as a hobby?" Yep, breaking awkward silence by making it more awkward. Brilliant, Nia. You are an absolute genius.
"Um... Yeah. A hobby..." Al responded , looking away.
"Edward, what happened to you? Did you get caught in a warzone or something?" I asked.
"Piss off." Oh great. He is mad now. You are one step closer to getting killed by your own allies!
"Okay cut the crap. I know you have been through hell. We all have! Why else would I bother joining the military?" I demanded.
"You don't know anything! You haven't been through half the stuff we have!"
"Oh yeah? TRY ME!"
"Look at me! I have two metal limbs! One wasn't enough! Do you know how hard it is to find gloves that fit? Don't even get me started on the wether! Aching ports hurt like hell!" Ed shouted.
I just sat there a minute. "Dude, chill. I'm not having a pity contest. I guess I was just trying to ask about you in some odd roundabout way."
Ed growled but seemed to have calmed down.
My companions didn't have anything to say after that. Great, just great. Now the awkward silence has returned!
"So, you know anything about this 'Sewing-Life Alchemist' guy? With a name like that, I am expecting some creepy mad scientist type," I remarked, trying to break the silence.
"What makes you say that?" Ed asked.
"Just a feeling. I swear, it's like I have a creeper signal that warns me of any suspicios people. Maybe it's a form of women's intuition," I explained.
"Come on! You really expect me tp believe that? You are more naive than I thought. Are you sure you are cut out to be a state alchemist? Your alchemy doesn'teven make sense!"
"That's because you have to be highly intelligent to understand the mechanics behind my alchemy."
"Did you just call me stupid?!" Ed growls, clenching his fists.
"Brother, this is the address. Do you think anyone is home?" Al asked, interrupting our 'friendly chat'.
"I'm not sure but-" Ed suddenly stopped, staring at the bushes. I felt a chill in the air, an ominous presence that had me on edge. Dammit, it's like being with her all over again! Two flashing orbs were the only warning before the beast pounced!
BWARARARARRARFFFF!
All I saw was a blur of white before the beast tackled Edward. He was not pleased.
"AARRGGHH! GET OFF ME YOU STUPID MUTT!"
Wait, that thing is a dog? Now that I take a closer look, I can see distinct dog-like traits.
"I have never seen a dog that big! He is bigger than you!" I said, laughing.
"SHUT UP! YOU ARE SO GOING TO GET IT!" Al just sighed and shook his head.
"Am I the only sane one here?" Al asked. "Do you two really have to act like this all the time? We've been a team for a week and you still can't act civil."
Ed glared, but the effect was ruined by the bouncing ball of happy, drooly fluff currently using his body as a pillow. I had to sit down, this laughter was killing me!
"Alexander! You have to share your new friends! Did Daddy invite you here to play with me?" I managed to compose myself enough to see who had just spoken. It was an adorable little girl with big blue eyes and twin braids.
"Aww!" I cooed. "I think you just gave me diabetes! Seriously, between you and Elysia, I'm having a sweetness overload!"
She tilted her head to the side. "I don't know what dia-beetles are, but thank you!"
I think my heart just exploded from so much cute. "Who are you sweetie?"
"I'm Nina Tucker! I'm six years old! My best friend is Alexander!" she sang, pointing to the dog. Alexander was licking a distressed Ed while Al was running in circles, panicking.
"I'm Virginia Simmons. The armor guy over there is Alphonse Elric. Alexander is sitting on his older brother Edward." In a feat of superhuman strength, Ed managed to shove Alexander off of him and stood up, brushing dog hair off his clothes.
"What she said. I'm looking for Shou Tucker and- wait, what are you doing?"
Nina had walked up to Ed and Al and was studying the two of them.
"If you're older, why is he bigger?" she asked. "You're the big brother," she stated pointing at Al, "and you're the little brother!" she finished, pointing at Ed. I could almost see the hellfire surrounding him.
"No, I'm the older brother," he growled, "older meaning I am the big brother."
"Ed, she's a kid. Save it." If looks could kill, I'm pretty sure Ed would have been dancing on my grave.
"Nina, what's all the commotion out here?" An older man with glasses came out the front door.
"Daddy!" Nina ran to the man and gave him a hug.
"Mr. Tucker, I presume?"
"Yes," he answered, staring at me. "Can I help you?"
"Yes, you can," Ed interrupted. "Mustang sent us here. He said your research could be beneficial to our project."
"Ah, you must be the Fullmetal Alchemist. Come inside and I'll show you my library.
"Here is all my research. Help yourselves to whatever you want." I gaped at the massive size.
"This is your personal library? I feel like I need a map to find my way around."
Tucker chuckled. "The perks of being a state alchemist. My research is well-funded."
"Thank you Mr. Tucker!" Al exclaimed. "This will be a huge help!"
"I heard from Mustang that you got your name 'Sewing-Life Alchemist' by working with chimeras. You even created one capable of human speech," Ed noted. He looked up with a suspicious gleam in his eyes. "Show meeee!"
"Sorry, it died only days after I created it. Sadly the only thing it could say was 'I want to die'." I shuddered. The temperature seemed to drop 10 degrees.
"Daddy! I wanna play with Big Brothers and Big Sister!" Nina whined, breaking the tense atmosphere.
"Sweetie, they have a lot of work to do. Don't bother-"
"Hey, I can entertain her. Beats looking through books all day. Not everyone has their intense focus" I gestured to the two boys, already lost in their reading.
"Yay! Let's play!" Nina cheered. Alexander barked in agreement. The three of us left the males to their work.
"Okay Nina. For this to work, we have to be super quiet," I whispered. She nodded and I smirked. "Alexander, you need to drag him out of there. Seriously it's been four hours! I'm surprised their eyes can still function!"
Alexander nudged me with his nose. Good dog. I turned to Alphonse, who was crouching behind me. "Ready?"
"Yeah, on the count of three. One... Two... THREE! GO ALEXANDER!"
BWARRARARARAFFFF!
"AAARRRGGHHH! AGAIN?! THAT"S THE THIRD TIME TODAY!"
"Sorry brother, it's for your own good. Even I have to take a break."
"AL! You traitor!" Alexander proceeded to 'play' with Ed and we all played the rest of the afternoon. By evening, we said our goodbyes, promising Nina we would return soon.
"So, did you find anything?" I questioned as we passed a couple other military officials.
"No. Not that you were any help! You read only one book!" Ed chastised.
"Hey! Lay off, I'm not a bookworm like you!"
"Whatever! I thought this lead would get us somewhere!"
"Relax, we can go back tomorrow. We shouldn't be out much longer. Mustang warned me about this man who has been killing state alchemists."
"What? Why wouldn't he tell me?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe because I actually LISTEN to authorities!" I rolled my eyes. This guy was infuriating!
"Never would have pegged you as the kind to respect authority. You seem more likely to sass and snark anyone above you."
"NO! I sass and snark those who think they are above me! I can't stand people like you with a holier-than-thou stuck up attitude!"
"Oh! People like ME?! I'll show you!" Al had to hold his brother back as he attempted to claw at me.
"Ed, stop it. You make me wonder who is older. Nia, I see you smirking. I am so tired of you agitating my brother," Al scolded.
Ed and I stopped and muttered apologies. "Good! I swear, if you keep this up, the forehead of my armor is going to be dented!"
I stuck my hands in my pockets and grinned. "Hey, at least- oh crap." My eyes widened as I frantically checked my pockets. "I left my pocket watch! Nina wanted to look at it, and I guess I forgot it there!"
"Way to go genius! You'd probably lose your head if it wasn't connected to your body!" Ed sneered.
"Oh, because you are one to talk about losing limbs!" Ha! Score one for me!
"Low blow! Don't joke about that." Great, now I'm the bad guy. Smooth move Nia.
"Knock it off! Do you think we all should go back and get it?" Al asked.
"Nah, I can get it myself. Just head back without me. I'll see you soon! It'll only take a few minutes!"
"I don-"
"Alright fine. Let's see if your alchemy is actually useful."
"Brother!"
"No Al, I have to do this. He just insulted my alchemy. No one insults my alchemy! I don't need you guys to act as wannabe bodyguards. You know I am not some 'damsel in distress'."
"You certainly are no damsel, in distress or not. Al, if she is really a state alchemist, she can handle herself."
"You have got to be kidding me! She was the one who just said it was not safe to travel with a killer on the loose!" Al facepalmed.
"Listen, nothing will happen. Even if something did happen, it would probably be her own fault. 'Learn from your mistakes.' That's what we did," Ed replied.
"Are you even listening to yourself right now? She could DIE!"
"Wow, and people say I am negative. What happened to having faith in your teammate?"
"You know what? I'm done. If something happens, it's your fault."
"Hey Mr. Tucker! It's Nia! I came back to get my watch!" I opened the front door. I soon found Tucker closing the door to a room near the library.
"Sorry for letting myself in, Alexander didn't greet me. The door was unlocked so I thought it was okay."
"I-it's fine. I'm j-just finishing up m-my project for the e-evaluation," Tucker stammered. Alarms went off in my head. Shut up, I just changed the batteries!
"You don't look so good Mr. Tucker. Maybe you should take a break."
"Oh no, I'm fine. I'm almost fin-"
"Daddy? Is that big sis Nia? Is she going to help too?" Nina peeked through the door. "Daddy's circles are so pretty! He said me and Alexander get to help!"
"Just wait dear. 'Big sis Nia' and I are talking about grown-up things okay?" She nodded, joining Alexander. I could feel my creeper radar warning me. Tread with caution, Nia. Tucker has some major creep vibes going on.
"Mr. Tuck-"
"Miss Simmons, it's awfully dark out. Why don't you stay here for the night?" My inner creep radar is beeping off the hook! Retreat!
"Thank you, but I can-"
"How cute. You thought you actually had a choice! You will be staying here, permanently." A deranged look broke out on Tucker's face as he shoved me against the wall, choking me. Nina screamed.
"Nina- run!" I choked, clawing at his hands. The girl sprinted to the front door, Alexander following.
"You bitch!" he roared, starting after her, but I grabbed his ankle. He fell, giving Nina enough time to escape.
"Not this time, asshole," I muttered. The creeper radar was right. Dang, sometimes it sucks to be right.
Screaming, the man smashed my head against the floor. I felt a sharp pain and passed out. Lovely.
"I can't believe it!"
"Brother, I'm sure she has a reas-"
"I don't care what excuses she may have, Al! That girl didn't bother to show up this morning, making us waste two hours waiting for her!"
BAWARRARARRARARARFFFF!
"Are you KIDDING ME?!" Ed screeched, pinned down once again by the formidable Alexander.
"Big brothers!" Nina cried, racing to Alphonse.
"Nina?! What's wrong?" Al asked, gently picking her up.
"D-daddy a-and b-b-big sis N-nia... H-he said w-w-we could h-help... b-but..." Nina burst out crying, unable to speak.
"I can't understand you Nina. You need to calm down." Nina only sobbed harder.
"Al! This mutt is dragging me! I could use some HELP!" Ed yelled. Alexander was dragging Ed by the sleeve towards the Tucker's home. Al followed, attempting to console Nina.
RAWRF!
"Alright! I'm going! Come on Al, something must have happened to Tucker. Oh god- it may have gotten Nia!" Ed swung the door open, frantically searching the house.
"Nia! Tucker! NIA!"
"Edward, what's with all the shouting?" Tucker confronted Ed.
"Nina was freaking out! Tell me, have you seen Nia?"
"Not since last night. I'll help you, but I need to finish my presentation. I have my evaluation today." Tucker went into a room across the hall and closed the door, the lock clicking.
Ed sighed, plopping into a nearby chair. "When I find that girl, I'm-"
His threat was interrupted by Alexander nudging him. "What do you want, mutt?"
The dog placed something in his lap. It was something silver with a chain- a pocket watch!
"Didn't Nia come back to get it? Why is it still he- SHIT!" Ed jumped to his feet and ran to the door Tucker went through. Al found him kicking the door down, eyes burning with rage.
"TUCKER YOU BASTARD!" Ed roared.
"Oh Edward. It's a pity you had to see this. I haven't finished the transmutation." Ed looked in horror at the circle in front of him.
"Dammit! Nia was right; you are a total creep! No, you are a monster!" Ed attacked the man, punching him repeatedly with both fists.
"Nia? NIA!" Al screamed, seeing the body lying on the floor. "Wake up!"
"She had it coming," Tucker spat, blood dripping down his face. "That bitch let Nina and Alexander escape. If you hadn't figured it out, it would've finally worked."
"Shut up! Shut up shut up SHUT UP!" Ed yelled, pounding with his fists.
"Brother stop! You'll kill him!" Al cried, restraining Ed.
"He deserves it! He was planning on using her to create a chimera!"
"Daddy?" Ed stopped struggling and watched Nina slowly approach her father. "Why?"
The man just laughed, lost in an insane fantasy. Al knelt down next to the girl and blocked him from view. Ed approached Nia and lifted her limp form.
"Al, call the Colonel. He'll know what to do." Ed ran, carrying the girl close to him. He weaved through the crowd, sprinting for the hospital. Al chased his brother, Nina clinging to him.
No one noticed the scarred man entering the Tucker estate.
"The girl will be fine. She has a concussion, resulting from head trauma. Luckily, there isn't any severe damage. She should be waking up soon."
"Thank you sir." The doctor nodded to Alphonse and left the room. The two brothers sat by their teammate's bedside in Central Hospital. The door opened again, revealing Major Hughes.
"I took the girl and her dog to my place. Gracia will take care of them." Al thanked Hughes, but Ed just sat there silently.
"Mustang gave me the report from the crime scene. Apparently, once the military arrived, Tucker was dead. It looked like his body imploded. Not a pretty sight. In the adjacent room, there was blood on the floor. They confirmed it to be Nia's. Bastard smashed her head on the floor." Hughes seethed.
"It's my fault. Al wanted to go after her, but I insisted that she would be fine." Ed muttered.
"Don't blame yourself. It could have been a lot worse. Use this as a learning experience." Hughes put his hand on Ed's shoulder.
"What's going on? Where am I?" Everyone in the room looked up.
"Nia! You're awake!"
"Yeah I am and- owwwwww! Note to self: no sudden movements. Did anyone get the license plate of the truck that hit me? My head is killing me!" I moaned.
"You idiot! How can you be joking at a time like this?! You could have DIED!" Ed shouted.
"Awww, you do care! And here I thought you hated me!"
"You had us worried sick!" Al scolded. "You said you could handle it, but you couldn't!"
"Oh no! Don't you dare blame me! Tucker is the one who went all psycho! Anyone would have been screwed!"
"I hate to interrupt your lovers' spat, but I need to speak with Simmons. Alone." Hughes nodded to Mustang and took a grumbling Ed and protesting Al out of the room, leaving me alone with the Colonel.
"Simmons, what you did was ridiculously stupid and dangerous. You could have died. It was only luck and the Elric brothers being there that let you survive. You owe them your life."
"Like hell I'll let them hold it against me," I scowled.
"Don't let it happen again. You'll be discharged this afternoon, but try and take it easy. For your sake and the sake of your teammates."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll be careful." I reached over to the table next to my bed where a tray of food was sitting and picked up a glass of water.
"Good. I'm sure you wouldn't want Fullmetal to have to carry you to the hospital again," Mustang said smirking.
I choked on my water. "W-what?! I don't believe you!"
He chuckled. "Hughes took the liberty of photographing it." He handed me a stack of photos.
"Hughes," I growled, my face burning red.
"Unless you want these circulating around the office, you'll stay out of the hospital."
"I can see why Ed doesn't like you." I mumbled under my breath.
Mustang composed himself and turned to me with a piercing stare. "On a serious note, Tucker was murdered before we could arrest him. Was there anyone else there that you can remember?"
"No. Just Nina, Alexander, the creeper, and me."
"The creeper? You mean Tucker?"
"I refuse to say his name! I should have known he was a creeper. My creep radar hasn't failed me yet!"
"I donot get paid enough to deal wirh this. Anyway, I didn't think you would know. We think it may be Scar, the man going around killing state alchemists." I was silent and Mustang turned to leave.
"Wait, what about Nina and Alexander?" Mustang paused at the door.
"Hughes is taking care of them." I sighed in relief. Mustang left and the others burst back into my room.
"Hughes, I found out about Nina and Alexander. How mad was Gracia?"
"Livid," Hughes answered grinning, "but she forgave me after hearing the whole story. We plan on adopting her."
"That's great!" I assured with a grin.
"Ms. Simmons." A nurse entered the room behind Hughes. He looked over some papers and turned to address me. "The doctor has released you. I don't want to see you in here for a while."
"You aren't the only one who doesn't want me back here!" Hughes helped me up and Alphonse led me out of the room.
Ed's face twisted into one of dread. "I just realized something. Hughes has TWO daughters to rant about! Spare us!"
I quickly changed into my clothes, and we all got out of there before Hughes could 'regale' us about his daughters.
"Alphonse! For the last time, I can walk on my own! I don't need you mothering me!"
"You just got out of the hospital!" Al protested.
"For a head injury! My legs are fine! I am completely healthy. Stop acting like I am made of glass! I almost prefer when you two didn't talk to me," I groaned.
"What can I say? Near death experiences bring people together," Ed teased.
"My reputation as the snarky sass master is ruined!" I lamented, "People are going to think I am nice!"
"No they won't," Ed assured. I glared at him.
"Let's just hope we don't have any other near death experiences for at least a week."
T/N: I combined Ch. 6 and Ch. 7! Wow, you people are getting really long chapters.
Teacher: That ending was weak. They are going to end up almost dying again in the next few hours.
Hey! I am trying my best here! And how do you know?
Teacher: Anyone who knows the canon story knows what happens next! Besides, even if that didn't happen, I would show up to whip their whiney butts into shape!
Stop giving possible spoilers! You are screwing up my plans for the story!
Teacher: Tch! Like you actually have a plan. God, my student is pathetic! She got taken out by a middle aged man who didn't even specialize in combat! I might have to come back and give her a remedial lesson! *cracks fists*
No need for that! She just got out of the hospital!
Teacher: WEAKLING! I don't even know where to begin with this chapter. Maybe I should give YOU a remedial lesson!
NUUUUUUUUUU! *hides in a corner*
Sorry if this chapter was lame-
Teacher: It was!
No one asked you! Anyway, Next chapter will be better!
Manga-neko signing out! :3