NaNoWriMo 2008 - Fullmetal Alchemist Fanfic - Chapter 2 (part one)

(See Chapter 1)

Maes stepped into the office doorway and briefly observed the people busy at their work: Warrant Officer Vato Falman bent over a couple of files, totally absorbed, Second Lieutenant Breda on the phone (feet up on his desk), Master Sergeant Kain Fuery busily making calculations on a large notepad, and Havoc and Hawkeye conferring quietly at her desk, the man leaning against one corner of it, arms folded across his chest.

Fuery was the first to see the newcomer, setting down the pencil and greeting him with only a slightly diminished degree of cheerfulness. He obviously knew about the latest case of arson, and was aware that Maes would have just come from there. “Good morning, Lieutenant Colonel Hughes,” said the young man. “Good to see you. How is Elysia?”

Maes beamed at him, even while inwardly chuckling at the way Breda grimaced and tossed an eraser at his co-worker at the next desk. Pulling out a sheaf of photographs. “Good morning, Fuery,” Maes enthused, “I can tell you exactly how my little ambassador of sweetness is. See?” He walked over to Fuery’s desk, leaning over it and fanning the photos out on its surface. “Look at this one, on her tricycle. Her pigtails are just bouncing, you can tell even in a picture. Isn’t that the cutest thing ever?”

( Heading into the inner office )

(Cont'd - Chapter 2 part 2)

NaNoWriMo - Fullmetal Alchemist Fanfic - Chapter 2 (part two)

(See Chapter 2, part 1)

“The thing is, Roy,” he said in answer to his friend’s quiet remark, “we really have to know if it was possible for anyone else to get hold of Riza’s father’s research. You have to tell me that nothing – nothing – escaped that burning in the fireplace. Are the two of you absolutely certain that there was no trace of this alchemy left, outside of that house?”

He expected an immediate, certain confirmation. But instead, Roy and Riza exchanged an uneasy glance. He pounced on it immediately.

“There is something, isn’t there? What is it you haven’t told me?” After another uncomfortable silence, he pressed the point. “Come on, you two, this could be important. I have to know.”

( Maes develops some theories )

(Go to Chapter 3)

NaNoWriMo 2008 - Fullmetal Alchemist Fanfic - Chapter 3

(See Chapter 2, part 2)

“Daddy! You’re home!”

Maes shut the front door behind him just in time to bend down and scoop up an armful of four-year-old as she hurtled in stockinged feet down the hall toward him, brown pigtails bobbing.

“Hel-lo my angel of cuteness!” he cried, gathering the little girl against him. “Have you had a good morn – aaagh!” He made exaggerated strangling noises as his daughter closed her arms tightly around his neck, and she giggled. It was their regular noon-hour ritual, whenever he could manage to get home at lunchtime.

“I killeded daddy!” Elysia hollered over her shoulder toward the entrance of the kitchen, toward which Maes now proceeded, carting his bouncing burden with him.

“Well, stop killing daddy and tell him the soup is getting cold!” came another voice from inside the bright room at the end of the hall. Gracia appeared in the doorway, smiling as she wiped her hands on the apron around her waist.

( Lunchtime conversation )

(See Chapter 4)