Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ The Storm Within ❯ Strange Encounters ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter 3: Strange Encounters

 

Two days later...

 

Blue eyes scanned the parchment she held in her hand and her mouth turned up in a smile. “I like King Bradley, he's nice.” Celeste looked up at Ed who sat next to her bedside. “He actually gave me a more proper name.”

 

“What was inaccurate about your last one?”

 

“Shut up Ed.” Celeste stated hotly. “Anyway, he's named me the Artillery Alchemist. It's perfect since I specialize in making guns with Alchemy.”

 

“Interesting name.” Ed sat back in his chair. “Feeling any better today?”

 

“Yeah, much better.” She moved her arm to check for pain. “By the way, I heard rumors of another Alchemist coming over from America. Is it true?”

 

Ed nodded. “Yes, but he doesn't need training like you do. But there's a part that's missing from the story. Did you hear of why he left?”

 

“He left for other reasons?”

 

“He fled after becoming an Alchemist. He was young, maybe my age, and he didn't want to go to war. So, he left for the United States. They found him there, asked for his help in training other Alchemists, and he agreed. Then our branch found him again. They're forcing him to come back to train our new Alchemists.”

 

“So he didn't want to be a State Alchemist?”

 

“No, he didn't.” Ed frowned. “And neither did I.”

 

“You didn't? Then why...?”

 

“About four years ago, I left my hometown of Resembool, burning down our home so me and Al didn't have anything to return to.”

 

“Oh Ed, how could you do that? Didn't you...?”

 

“Yeah, we had people who cared about us, but Father had disappeared during the Ishbal Massacre with many other Alchemists and Mother died of an illness a few years later. I had literally nothing left.” His amber eyes looked right into her blue ones, and his glittered with sadness. “For starters, Al and I weren't always like this.” He pulled his sleeve up to show her his automail arm. Celeste's eyes widened. It wasn't just his hand, but his entire arm was gone. “Al is nothing but a soul attached to some empty armor. While he lost his entire body, I lost only my leg when...when we tried to bring our mom back.”

 

She looked away from his metal arm to look him directly in the eye. “You tried to bring your mother back through human transmutation?” She'd only heard rumors of what such an act could do, but she never thought she'd meet someone who attempted it and lived to tell about it.

 

“Yeah, and the only way I could bring Al back was to retrieve his soul. I dragged him back by sacraficing my arm and putting his soul on that armor.” He stood and looked out the window by her bedside. “I became a State Alchemist to get all the information on the Philosopher's Stone.”

 

Silence passed between them for a few minutes. Celeste felt tears building in her eyes for this poor boy. He was no longer a child; he'd lost his childhood too early because of this very military.

 

He sighed. “Celeste, don't feel sorry for me.” Turning towards her, he put a smile on his face. “I chose this path for Al's sake. I will get his body back. If I never return to normal, it's okay.”

 

As he went for the door, she asked, “Why'd you tell me all of this?”

 

He shrugged. “So you don't make the same mistakes.” He opened the door. “I'll see you on the job tomorrow. Don't be late.”

 

***

 

The shrill alarm went off at five in the morning, way too early for Celeste Dominique. She groaned and pulled the covers over her head, trying to drown the sound out. But a loud knock on the door ten minutes later finally got her moving. She rose, stretched, and began to dress.

 

`A State Alchemist uniform…' Celeste gazed at the blue uniform that all military personelle wore, whether they be an Alchemist or not. Hers was a smaller size than most because of her smaller frame, but it looked like it would fit normally. She put the top on over a white tee-shirt, and then proceeded to pull on the…mini-skirt? She sighed. `It figures. Roy Mustang must've really wanted the women to wear these.' She then fastened the gold chain on her right shoulder, looked herself over in the mirror, smiled at her reflection, and walked out the door.

 

Ready for the day, she headed over to headquarters. In Colonel Mustang's office, she took a seat on the orange couch and waited patiently for him to arrive. As the minutes ticked by, her eyes slowly became leaden, so she closed them for a minute. `Just to rest them,' she thought.

 

Five minutes later, the door opened. But the man who entered wasn't Roy. While he wore the same uniform as she and Roy did, he didn't have the hardened face of a Colonel. He had cropped, black hair that was combed neatly into place. His green eyes scanned the room as he entered; all he found was Celeste dozing off on the orange couch. He waved away the long bangs from his eyes and decided he'd have to wait for Colonel Mustang to report in. He took a seat next to the girl.

 

More minutes went by and the man grew restless and bored. He hummed to himself, got up walked about the room. `Am I in the wrong room?' He wondered, walking over to the desk. His question was answered when he saw Mustang's paper work with his signatures all over them. Looking up from them, he studied the girl more closely. He smirked. He looked around the room, saw it was still clear, and tip-toed over to her. He bent at the waist and put his face in hers, scrunching it up to make him look fierce. She didn't repsond. He snickered and backed off. He decided to try it again, so he got close to her face again, and before he could make his face again, her eyes opened lethargically. But her response was instant.

 

She brought a knee up in a swift kick to his groin, stood and punched him to the floor. Standing over him, fist drawn back for a fight, Celeste eyed him suspiciously. “Who the hell are you?” She demanded.

 

He tried to speak, but his voice came out an octave higher than usual. “If'd you'd asked me nicely before kicking me, I might've answered you back.” He grit out between clenched teeth. “There's no way I'm telling you now.”

 

She kicked him slightly on the side and he groaned in pain from the jarring movement. “Tell me your name.”

 

“Hell no! I don't need to give my name to some psycho chick who kicked me in the nuts!”

 

“Psycho? I'm the one who's psycho? Who's the one who put his face directly in mine while I was asleep?!” She launched another kick, a more powerful one that could seriously hurt him, but the man rolled away and stood quickly, ready to attack.

 

“What a brutal chick!” He ran forward, ready to launch a punch, but Celeste grabbed his arm after dodging the punch and swung him over her shoulder, flat onto his back. With the wind knocked out of him, he managed to say, “You're good.” But before she let go, he pulled her down onto the floor with him.

 

Rolling on top of her, he simply straddled her upper body to keep her arms pinned. She struggled against him. “You bastard! Get off of me!”

 

“Why, so you can kick my ass again?” He asked sarcastically. “Honestly babe, I enjoy life and I'd like to continue living.”

 

“Don't call me babe! Now get off!” She tried to wriggle her arms free, but he held her down.

 

He studied her face as an angry flush crept into her cheeks. “Hmm...you're cute when you're angry.”

 

“I most...hey, you're hitting on me!” She stared at him in disgust. “Arrogant pig! I won't let you get away with that!”

 

She struggled more and he barely managed to keep her arms in place. Her legs flailed, nearly knocking him in the head. “Calm down missy! It was frickin' compliment!”

 

“I don't care if it was or not, but I'd appreciate it if you'd get your bulbus ass off of my chest!” She fumed, her face flaring bright red. “And don't call me Missy!!”

 

“Well what the hell am I supposed to call you then? I don't know your name.”

 

“Why don't you just ask for it then?”

 

He blinked. “Okay, what's your name?”

 

“I'm Gonna-Kick-Your-Ass.”

 

“Well, Gonna-Kick-Your-Ass, my names Don't-Give-A-Damn.” He smirked and leaned down so his face was only a few centimeters from hers. “I can play along with any game you toss at me, babe. Just try me.”

 

The door opened suddenly and Roy Mustang stepped in...only to see his new officer stradling his rookie, his face close enough to hers that it looked he was going to kiss her. “What is going on in here?” He asked impatiently.

 

Both Alchemists blinked, broke their glaring contest, and stared in shock at Colonel Mustang. The man cautiously got off of Celeste and even offered her a hand to help. But she slapped it away and stood on her own. He frowned and turned from her to salute his commander in chief. “Sorry sir. I was merely teaching this young woman a lesson or two about self-defense.”

 

“I think you have it wrong,” she glared over at him. “I was teaching him manners. As you saw earlier, he failed.”

 

He smirked and bowed in respect. “There, is that better?” `Any game you toss at me, girl. Take me on and I'll beat you down in one breath.'

 

“All right,” Roy stated angrily. “Artillery Alchemist, Celeste Dominique, I'd like to introduce you to the Midnight Alchemist, Hunter Phillips.” He moved to his desk and took a seat. “Have a seat you two.”

 

`Artillery, huh? I'm surprised she didn't transmute a gun and shoot me.' Hunter looked over at her as they sat in their high-backed chairs. `Then again, I didn't really give her a chance to draw a transmutation circle, so I was safe. Still, I'd better not get her angry again or I'm sure to get pumped full of lead.'

 

Colonel Mustang folded his hands together and rested his back against the chair. “I'm sure you're both aware of the fact that I called both of you to this office at the same time. But I never thought that you'd be at each other's throats so quickly.”

 

“Sorry sir.” They both answered.

 

“Don't apologize to me. Celeste, you should apologize to Hunter and...”

 

“But he started...” She began, but cut herself off when Roy glared at her.

 

“As I was saying, you should apologize and Hunter, you should also apologize.”

 

They turned to face each other. Celeste started and as she said hers, Hunter couldn't help but really take a better look at her. Her lips were full and covered in a light lip gloss that shone in different facets when she talked. And her eyes, they had been icy blue when she'd been going at him with her fists, but now they were as blue as her uniform. His focus went back down to her lips as they moved with her apology, and he couldn't help but wonder if she tasted sweet of spicy.

 

“Hunter?” Celeste saying his name brought him back to safe reality. His gaze shot back up to her eyes and he noticed that one eyebrow was quirked up in question.

 

“Y-yes?”

 

“Do you accept my apology?” She asked for the third time.

 

“Uh, yeah, sure.” He almost shook his head. Since when did he start thinking about kissing someone he got kicked by?

 

Celeste sat there and waited. “Well?”

 

“Well what?” He asked, but regretted it when Colonel Mustang cleared his throat. “Oh, I sincerely apologize for startling you and pinning you down.” He took a steady breath. “Do you accept my apology?”

 

“Yes.” She said evenly.

 

Roy clapped his hands. “Well done. Now onto other more important issues.” He leafed through some papers. “You two are going to be partners.”

 

“What?!” They both yelled at once.

 

“Yes, partners.” Roy was mildly annoyed and it carried into his voice. “You're going into the Elite Force, so you will be on call at all times.”

 

Celeste blinked with slight confusion. “There's an Elite Force?”

 

“Yes. America doesn't have one because they have so few Alchemists.”

 

“But I thought I was in training.”

 

“You are,” Roy smirked. “And what better way to train you than to put you with Midnight on an advanced level.”

 

“But...why him? Can't I train with Fullmetal?”

 

“He's got his own concerns. Most of his missions are aimed for the Philosopher's Stone.”

 

“Yeah, but...”

 

“My decision is final, Miss Dominique.” Roy looked up from his papers at the two Alchemists. “Any comments or complaints before I move on, Mr. Phillips?”

 

“No, sir.” Hunter said respectfully.

 

“Good, because there's more. Since you'll be paired up for every elite mission you're called to, it'd be pointless for me to call both of you with separate numbers.”

 

Celeste tensed up, beginning to know what he was implying. “Sir...”

 

“You and Hunter, Celeste, will live together in one of our elite houses in Central.”

 

Hunter groaned. `Aw great, so now I really need to watch myself.' He scratched his head. `I guess that means no more parading around the house naked after I shower.'

 

She dare not say something in protest; Roy was already mildly annoyed with her previous complaints and obviously pissed about her and Hunter's tussle. The last thing she wanted was to be sent back to America without her training. She held back a sigh of defeat and said, “Yes, sir.”

 

“Good. Here's the address,” he gave her a slip of paper with the street name and the house number. “And we'll call you when we need you.”

 

“Yes, sir.” Celeste stated monotonously and stood to leave, Hunter walking close behind.

 

***

 

Hunter Phillips watched Celeste run up the stairs of the town house they'd been given. She hadn't said one word to him during the whole car ride and had avoided him on the walk into the house by running ahead and practically slamming the front door in his face. And now he was watching her final retreat by slamming her door to one of the two bedrooms in the house.

 

He sighed. `Well so much for having a friendly roommate.' He wandered over to the kitchen and poured himself some juice in a tall glass. Thinking of his roommate, he ascended the stairs with a second glass of juice. He knocked on the door. “Um, Miss Dominique? Would you...?”

 

“No! Leave me alone!” She yelled through the door.

 

“All I asked was if you'd like some juice.” He huffed. “You know, it's not my fault we have to live together. Blame Colonel Mustang; he put us here.”

 

There was silence on the other side of the door. He sipped from his glass of juice and waited. Finally fed up with her immaturity, he put his glass down and opened her door just a crack. He peeked inside, being careful not to be seen. Hunter almost yelped when he saw her facing her mirror, uniform off of her torso and only a bra on her chest, covering her bosom. She was gripping something on her chain and...crying? He squinted his eyes and saw the shimmer of tears on her cheeks.

 

The sudden need to comfort her almost had him opening the door so he could hold her against him. He leaned in...and the door creaked. She hadn't missed it and whirled around, eyes wet but angry. “You pervert! Get your face out of my room!” She stormed towards the door and flung it open. Hunter met her chest up close and personal since he'd stooped some to peek inside. She was still shirtless with only the bra covering her breasts. He felt fire on his face, but it was soon cooled off when he found himself careening down a flight of stairs.

 

He hit the ground hard at the bottom, his face smooshed into the floor boards. He heard the door slam upstairs again and anger coursed through his blood. He stood, climbed the stairs, didn't bother to knock, and flung the door open. “Okay, Celeste, I've had enough of this! I'm your training officer, not some doll you can toss around!” He yelled, his anger so hot he didn't even take into account that she was still shirtless. “From now on, you will treat me with respect and you will call me Officer Phillips or Midnight, but my first name is off limits!”

 

“And what about my first name?!” She shouted back at him. “You have no right to call me...!”

 

“That's an order, Miss Dominique!” His voice echoed through the house, and somehow he wasn't proud of how commanding it sounded. The anger drained from his red face and he instantly regretted how bad his temper had ridden him. “I mean...” He saw her bottom lip tremble, and slowly approached her. “I'm sorry, Cel...Miss Dominique. I...”

 

She backed away, like a forlorn little puppy that had been scolded. “Officer Phillips, please leave my room. I'm not proper.” She said with an even voice despite her trembling body.

 

Hunter cursed under his breath. And before he knew what he was doing, he took her in his arms and lowered his mouth over hers.

 

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&

 

(Blanket Disclaimer: All Fullmetal Alchemist characters mentioned in this story do not belong to me. The OC's and story line are off limits.)