I woke up and stretched in bed as I felt Edward's arms moved over my body and his hand was on my hip as I lifted myself up. Lifting my arms to the air I heard Edward stir as I looked back at him and saw he was fast asleep. I smiled gently and went to move from the bed, but I felt Edward grab my wrist,
"Is it morning already?" Edward mumbled, I chuckled,
"Yes, it is. If you still feel tired, then go back to sleep." I smiled and looked at him,
"Nah, I'll get up." Edward mumbled and let go of my wrist gently.
I got up from the bed and moved over to my cupboard and grabbed my black skinny jeans and a dark red shirt. As I dropped it over the bed, I looked at Edward as he stretched,
"I'm going to clean up." I smiled and went to the door, Edward nodded as I moved out and to the bathroom,
"Morning, Rea!" Alphonse called, seeing me down the hallway as I turned back and waved,
"Morning Al," I grinned and went into the bathroom.
I washed up, put my hair into a high, tight, ponytail and went back to my room as I saw Edward sorting his clothes back in his room, I noticed Denny and Maria had come in while I had been cleaning up. I moved to my bedroom and got into the jeans and shirt that I left on the bed, grabbing my leather jacket I walked out and saw Edward go to the bathroom.
"How are you feeling today?" Maria asked as she was sat on the sofa,
"Great. Have we heard from Sheska at all?" I asked,
"Yes, she finished everything and gave us a call this morning. Once Edward is ready, we will go back to hers." Alphonse spoke, I nodded,
"I'm assuming then a library so you guys can research?" I asked as Alphonse nodded,
"Yeah, Edward and I can figure out what Marcoh's research means." Alphonse spoke as I smiled.
We left once Edward was dressed and all headed straight to Sheska's, Edward didn't really say much, he had a lot on his mind by the looks of it. Probably hoping everything would be fine and work out easy.
I sat in between Edward and Alphonse this time and I put my hand on Edward's and smiled at him as he looked at me. Edward gave me a small smile back and went back to staring out the window as we turned up at Sheska's.
"Here you are, complete copies of all Tim Marcoh's notes! Sorry I know 5 days is a long time to wait but there was quite a lot to write down," Sheska smiled, Edward walked forward and picked up a few papers,
"Unbelievable, there are some amazing people in this world," Alphonse smiled as he also picked up some papers,
"These are really Doctor Marcoh's research notes?" Edward asked, he seemed slightly concerned but also curious,
"They sure are, come and take a look at them, written by Tim Marcoh. One thousand easy recipes'," Sheska smiled, everybody was in shock except Edward.
"Six cups of rice, one carrot, two onions, salt… oh great… does this mean we came all this way for a cookbook?" Maria asked,
"Miss, which part of this made you think it was an important document?" Denny asked Sheska,
"Is it not what you're looking for? All I did was copy down what I remembered," Sheska replied,
"Wonderful, so then this was just a wild goose chase?" Denny was disappointed. I watched Edward's face as he was staring intently at the documents. Edward knew something.
"Sheska, are you sure this is a flawless reproduction of the notes?" Edward asked,
"Oh yes, I'm 100% certain," Sheska nodded,
"Then thank you very much! You're incredible," Edward smirked with a determined look in his eyes. Edward knew there was something special about them.
"Alright, let's get these back to the library," Edward picked up a few wads of paper, followed by Al, I picked some off the table too,
"They should have related materials there," Alphonse spoke and gave some papers to Denny to carry. I took a pile as well to help the boys carry it to the library.
I walked by Edward as he stopped,
"Oh, I almost forgot Sheska's fee," Edward scribbled down something on a piece of paper from his notebook and gave it to Maria, "Lieutenant, here, this is my registration number and the pocket watch for ID, withdraw that amount from my annual research grants and make sure Sheska gets it," Edward explained, I looked at him confused as he looked back at me with a smile on his face as he saw my look,
"Right, I'll get on that right away sir, I assume that I can just take this note down to the state alchemist office?" Maria asked,
"That should work! Well, Sheska you're a life saver, bye!" Edward waved as we all left through the door. Walking down the corridor with Edward I stared at the pile of papers in my arms, I wondered if they'd work out what the stone was made from…
The journey wasn't long to the library, and carrying all the documents didn't take us long, as we piled them all on the table in the centre of the library, I could see Denny was confused,
"I-I-I don't understand these are cookbooks? I don't know what they would have to do with Alchemy?" Denny asked,
"Alchemy is a power art; it can be incredibly dangerous if misused. In order to prevent that, Alchemic research is always encrypted. These are designed to look like recipes to the average person, but they are actually advanced alchemic notes, only the alchemist who originally wrote them can understand," Edward explained,
"If they are so heavily encrypted, then how are you going to be able to decipher them?" Denny asked,
"It's not going to be easy, we'll have to use all our Alchemical knowledge," Edward answered and looked over some of the pages as I stepped back with Denny,
"Wow sir, that sounds really complicated," Denny put his hand behind his head.
"Al, there is a section in here about Green Tea," Edward spoke,
"Green Tea? Are you thinking what I am?" Alphonse replied,
"Uh huh, it might be a reference to the Green Lion of Melalurjic alchemy. Do we have copies available of Flamel's Codex or Lambspring's concerning the Philosopher's Stone?" Edward asked,
"Of course," Alphonse put some books down next to Edward,
"Alright, take a look at this here, and here too you see?" Edward smiled,
"Yea, your right, and maybe here too," Alphonse pointed at the page,
"Great! We've got a place to start, let's do this," Edward smiled.
I smiled gently as I moved to Denny's side and put my hand on his arm softly,
"Let's leave them to it," I smiled at Danny and pulled him to the door, "You aren't going to stay Rea?" Edward asked, I stopped and looked back at Edward,
"I don't get alchemy, not to the level that you understand it. So, I wouldn't be much help. It would be better for me to be out of your way, give you guys' space to focus." I smiled and looked between the brothers, Edward frowned but nodded as he looked away, "I'll bring you guys' food and drink when I can. And come back home when you need sleep okay? Make sure you take breaks!" I pointed at Edward as I could see a small smile on his face,
"We will. Thanks, Rea." Alphonse smiled, I nodded and walked out with Denny and closed the door, Denny moved to the side, and I looked at him,
"Do you want anything to eat? Happy to go get something for you and something for when Maria is back?" I asked as I understood Denny would have to sit and keep watch over the brothers,
"I'm all good thank you. What are you going to do the next few days?" Denny asked, i pouted and frowned in thought,
"I'll go see some friends about Central." I smiled and Denny nodded.
I left Denny at the library with the brothers and headed to HQ. I wanted to see Hughes again. I walked through the city and the library wasn't far from the office, so it didn't take me long to get on site.
I walked through the corridors and towards Hughes' office as I wanted to catch up with a friend. I stopped as someone stood in front of me and I smiled at Hughes,
"Where are you off to? I was just coming to find you." I grinned,
"Why didn't you tell me the Elric brothers were in town?" Hughes pouted as I blinked,
"I… sorry… it slipped my mind." I chuckled as Hughes grabbed my arm and started dragging me back the way we came,
"Well, where are they? I want to see them, take me to the Elric brothers!" Hughes commanded as I laughed,
"Sure! You don't have to be so forceful though!" I continued to laugh as Hughes just smiled genuinely and pulled me to his side, "come on. They are at the library." I smiled and Hughes nodded,
"I heard the boys are staying with you at the moment?" Hughes asked,
"Yeah," I nodded,
"Also, I heard what happened to you. I'm sorry about all that. We've sorted out the gang running that operation. Been trying to find those girls for months." Hughes frowned, I bowed my head slightly,
"As you know, I've been through worse." I mumbled,
"It's not something I'd wish on anyone. You know if you need to talk Gracia and myself are here." Hughes put his hand on my shoulder as I nodded,
"Thanks Hughes." I smiled and put my arm around his waist in a half hug as he moved his hand around my shoulders as we walked together.
Making it to the library together I showed Hughes where the brothers were as Maria and Denny were sat outside, Hughes pushed the doors opened and I moved forward as he stormed ahead,
"Yo!" Hughes waved,
"Lieutenant Colonel Hughes?" Edward looked over the table at me over his shoulder on the floor,
"I got dragged here after I told him you were here," I sighed,
"Also, Major Armstrong told me you were here, and I happened to see Rea on the way." Hughes walked over to them and smacked his hands on the table, "What gives Ed, I told you to give me a shout the next time you made it to central," Hughes smiled at Edward.
I smiled as they all spoke, Hughes was one of the very best people I knew. Always thought of others and put them first before anything else.
"We've had a lot of cases to deal with lately, and we're still working on getting the Tucker, Chimera situation settled… sorry… I guess that brings up some unpleasant memories, huh." Hughes sat down in front of Edward, I walked around and sat on the table next to Edward, "Anyway, as if things weren't bad enough for us already, the first branch had to burn down in the middle of all this," Hughes spoke,
"That's a problem, huh?" Edward asked,
"A big one, all our case records we're stored in the stacks of that location, trying to work without them hasn't been a picnic let me tell you," Hughes explained, I noticed Sheska was in the room as I looked at her. Edward and Alphonse looked at each other and then Sheska.
"Hey, Lieutenant Colonel, I think I've got exactly the person you guys are looking for," Edward smirked, we told Hughes about what Sheska did for us and the fact she used to work at the building that burnt down,
"Well, I have read the military's criminal records and I do remember them all," Sheska explained,
"That's all I needed to hear lady; you're hired! My office pays well so don't worry!" Hughes grinned,
"Oh, are you saying you want me-? Thanks so much! I'll have faith just like you told me too," Sheska smiled, as Hughes started to drag her out of the room, "Thank you, thank you!" Sheska smiled,
"Come on now, right to work!" Hughes laughed, we waved as they walked out,
"She may not be thanking us for long," Edward smirked as he held a pen in his mouth.
After they were gone Edward sighed and put his head on the table,
"How did you put it again Al? Think dedication is a talent all on its own, very smooth little brother, very smooth," Edward smirked with the pen in his mouth,
"Well, it's what I always think when I see a certain someone I know," Alphonse looked at Edward,
"In that case a certain someone, should hurry and get back to work, or your gonna have to come up with a new motivational phrase," Edward smirked, he held his pen back in his hand as I smiled gently and stood up,
"I'll leave you boys to it, good luck," I spoke and jumped off the table,
"See you Rea," Alphonse spoke, Edward was already focused on his research as I shook my head gently, heading out the room I closed the doors behind me and left my hand on the wood for a moment.
"You really have grown up," I smiled to myself,
"Did you say something?" Denny asked, I immediately blushed,
"Oh no! Sorry," I laughed nervously with my right hand behind my head.
The brothers would come home late and leave early in the morning over the next few days. Edward would go into his room so he wouldn't disturb me while I was sleeping, but I'd wake up to him leaving my room and his red coat on top of me as a comforter.
Though… after a few days, the brothers came home and both Edward and Alphonse locked themselves in the spare room.
I woke up that morning none the wiser because Edward's coat was on me as normal as I'd drop it off at the library along with lunch for the boys and the soldiers. As I walked a few steps to my open room I saw Maria and Denny on the sofa,
"Hey… shouldn't you be at the library?" I asked, Denny and Maria jumped as I rubbed my face, still half asleep,
"Oh, hey, Rea!" Maria smiled, though she looked suspicious as I frowned,
"What's up?" I asked,
"The brothers are in their room, they've been asleep. But they've figured it out." Maria tried to stay cheerful, but I knew that it was hard, I frowned as they stood up, "we will be outside now that you are awake." Maria spoke as stood up, they left the room, and I had some breakfast and watched the door where Edward was staying. It affected them as Alphonse was in the room as well…
I finished my breakfast and walked to their door, I tried to open it, but the door was jammed,
"Boys?" I called, I heard movement as I frowned slightly, "let me in." I added,
"Brother…" I heard Alphonse start to speak but he went quiet,
"I'm not in the mood for a lecture from Rea," Edward spoke, I frowned as I could hear them through the door. I sighed and frowned.
"Edward… open the door now!" I called, there was no reply or movement from the inside, I tried to listen as I could heard Alphonse's armour, I put my hand on the door, "Edward, Alphonse, talk to me." I spoke and looked at the door handle, I could slowly hear movement inside and I closed my eyes, "Ed." I spoke, I realised the movement was Edward as it stopped, he was obviously taken back by me calling him Ed as I barely said it like that. "Please Edward… I know your there," I spoke as saw the handle move slightly.
I smiled as the door handle turned and I saw Edward between the crack of the door,
"Do you want a drink? Have you eaten?" I asked, Edward shook his head, "I've made you some food. You need to eat and drink." I smiled sadly, "Will you come out or do you want me to bring it to the room?" I asked, Edward looked sad as I put my hand out, "whatever it is, we can work on it together, okay?" I spoke, Edward looked at my hand and slowly reached for it,
"Can I eat in here?" Edward asked as I nodded,
"Sure. Just remember I'm outside, anything you need." I spoke as Edward didn't respond; he just held my hand for a few moments.
The next few days Edward and Alphonse stayed in the room, occasionally muttering, and groaning as I'd knock the door, Alphonse would give me the old half eaten or sometimes uneaten food and I'd give him something else for Edward to try and eat and drink. Maria and Denny stayed outside the apartment to keep watch and I would invite them in for food. They seemed to be nervous around me, almost as if trying to not say anything. I had a feeling they knew what Edward and Alphonse found.
I wasn't surprised that they knew, they were there with the brothers all the time. I didn't ask them anything though, didn't pry or question, I just let them do their job.
Every night I would play the piano at a certain time in hopes it would help calm Edward and Alphonse slightly as I played. I would play slow, relaxing music to help them relax and chill.
It was on the third day I heard Alex outside the apartment charging to the door. I was about to take some food to Edward and Alphonse for dinner, but he beat me to the door,
"I know what it said Edward Elric!" Alex spoke as he pushed the door fully open and Edward fell back on the floor in shock, "How tragic! To think the legend of the Philosophers stone is built on such a terrible secret!" Alex cried. I stood there in shock as technically the boys hadn't told me yet… I stood in the doorway as Alex grabbed Edward for a moment.
"What secret?" I spoke and everyone froze and looked at me, Denny and Maria moved behind me as I just looked at Edward and he was glaring on my direction, probably at both Denny and Maria. Nobody has specifically told me what the stone was made from, so I played dumb.
Edward walked over to me and pulled me to sit down on the bed next to him after Alex had let him go,
"Rea… the philosophers stone, it's made out of people." Edward frowned and stared at the ground as I looked away, Alex put his hand on my shoulder as I frowned.
"We're- We're really sorry," Maria spoke,
"It's hard to stay quite when someone like him asks you," Denny explained,
"Imagine the military being behind something like that, oh, the truth is more cruel then we bargained for," Alex spoke, his one hand was still on my shoulder while his other held a tissue and was dabbing his eyes.
"The truth," Edward spoke and gripped my hand suddenly,
"What is it brother?" Alphonse asked,
"Do you remember what Doctor Marcoh said at the station?" Edward looked at Alphonse, I wasn't there when Marcoh came to the station, but they obviously briefly spoke, "I didn't have a clue what he was talking about then, but now, it's the same with his alchemical notes. What you can see, the surface is only a portion of the truth. There is still more to find here, there has to be," Edward spoke, and Alphonse nodded as Alex, Denny, Maria and I listened. "Major, can you get us a map of Central?" Edward looked at Alex who nodded and left the room for a moment, I looked at Edward as he was in thought.
"What are you thinking?" I asked, Edward looked at me,
"You'll see area." Edward smirked as I just waited beside him.
Alex out the map on the dining table and we all moved out of the room, heading to my table we stood around it and Alex pointed to several locations.
"Currently there are 4 working laboratories in central, that could have connections to the government. We've narrowed it down even further; Marcoh worked in the 3rd laboratory, we should start with that one, it's the most suspect," Alex explained,
"Al, myself and Rea have been to all the laboratories in the city and non were doing any remarkable research," Edward explained, I pointed at a building on the map.
"What's this one that's crossed out?" I asked, noticing a prison next to it, I had always had my suspicions on this one place but never really had any chance to get in on my own,
"It was designed for the 5th laboratory, but it isn't currently in use, the building isn't structurally sound, so it's been classified off limits," Maria explained,
"But look what's right next to it," I folded my arms,
"A prison…" Edward spoke, his shoulder bumped into mine as he looked over and I blushed slightly,
"Ok… so?" Denny asked, he was forgetting the reason we were looking into this originally,
"What was the main ingredient for a philosophers stone?" Edward asked, he half stared at Denny with his arms folded and a frown on his face,
"You said it needed live humans," Denny froze and shuddered at the thought,
"There'd be plenty of condemned criminals in the prison, officially they'd be recorded as executed," Edward spoke,
"They're using, the prisoners to make the stone," Maria looked disgusted,
"Don't look at me like that, I don't like talking about this anymore then you," Edward spoke and pointed at her for a moment before he folded his arms again, I moved back against the wall and just leaned with my hands around my waist,
"Prisoners from other jurisdictions could be used too, I wonder if the government is involved?" Alphonse spoke,
"Why do I have the feeling we're getting involved with something really dangerous here?" Maria spoke,
"That's why we told you to pretend like you never heard anything," Alphonse quickly explained as they were originally trying to limit on who to tell.
Alex suddenly started folding up the map and looked at Edward,
"This has the potential of becoming a political nightmare, before long," Alex spoke, "I'll look into what we've talked about tonight, in the meantime officers, speak of this to no one," Alex commanded and looked at his two subordinates,
"Sir!" Maria and Denny both saluted Alex.
Alex then slowly turned and looked at Edward and Alphonse across the table,
"And you Elric brothers, behave yourselves!" Alex spoke Edward and Alphonse jumped, "I know you two boys! You were thinking about sneaking into this building and taking a look around, weren't you? Admit it!" Alex snapped as the brothers panicked,
"We weren't! We weren't! We promise!" Edward and Alphonse shook their heads.
I raised an eyebrow as they were trying to appease Alex, it was right for Alex to be suspicious, the boys always found trouble.
As Alex, Maria and Denny left I closed the door and locked it, as I sighed, I turned and saw the brothers leaning into each other whispering to each other,
"Hey… what are you two mumbling about?" I walked over to them as Edward looked back at me,
"Ready to go?" Edward asked as I just looked at him surprised,
"Huh?" I questioned,
"We're going to the fifth laboratory; can you help us sneak out?" Alphonse asked as I chuckled,
"I knew you'd do this." I smirked at Edward, "Follow me." I nodded as I grabbed my black jacket and went to the back of the building, "if you make a door here then seal it back up. No one will know." I tapped the wall, "it leads out to an alley, no one will see the alchemical reaction, don't worry." I added as Edward smirked and clapped his hands together.