Disclaimer: I own nothing, but this fic itself. Also I apologize for not updating soon. I've been suffering from the dreaded Writer's Block.

FullAngel Alchemist

Thoughts "blah"

Chapter 4

After the party last night Ed went up to his room and immediately bolted the door shut and took off his coat and shirt allowing his wings the freedom that they so desired. "Damn this is starting to become a real pain. There's gotta be a better way to hide these things...I could try cutting them off, but something tells me that they'd just regenerate."

The FullMetal Alchemist thought back to the brief meeting he'd had with the Furher and several other high ranking Generals. They'd simply asked him to sit down in a strange looking chair, which he easily did. It wasn't until after that he'd learned that that was the third test. Only a true alchemist could sit in the chair and maintain their balance. The chair reacts to the alchemical energy inside of the person that sat on it and seemingly bolts itself to the floor. But that isn't what had sent up red flags during the meeting. Bradley had stood up and shook Ed's hand and was assaulted by a feeling of intense cold, maybe even pure evil.

Brushing it aside since he had no proof Ed covered himself with his wings and quickly fell asleep. At night the teen had learned that mostly all that he dreamt about was flying in the open sky unhindered by the fear of others seeing him. It always gave the blond a sense of everlasting peace and calm, but he prefered the real thing which is why he liked his hometown so much. There were plenty of places he could fly without fear of being seen. "I wonder what tomorrow will bring." he said before allowing sleep to claim him.

The next morning when Edward finally pulled himself out of bed he could hear Al and Tucker down stairs talking with the man about his visitor earlier that morning.

"Gran would be the type to deliver this kind of news with a smile on his face." spat Tucker. He knew that Brasque was only interested in power and could care less who he stepped on to get it.

Ed walked down stairs with his coated buttoned and pretended not to have heard Tucker. "Last thing I need is for anyone to know that my hearing is greater than that of any human. It sucks especially since Al snores at night. Speaking of which, how can a suit of armor snore anyway?"

Entering the room Ed greeted, "Morning. What's going on? I've only seen that look on Al's face after seeing a cat get run over."

The suit of armor glared at his brother. "Leave it to brother to rub salt into a wound." "This is seriously brother. Tucker is most likely going to lose his state certification as an alchemist."

"He's right Edward. Last year I had low marks on my assessment, so unless I can come up with something groundbreaking..." He turned towards Nina and watched her playing with the family dog.

Ed saw several emotions pass across his face before he turned his attention back to the Elric brothers. "I know that I saw guilt and desperation on his face. Well that can't be good. A desperate man is a dangerous man...I'll have to keep an eye on him." "Why not make another one of those special chimeras that you're so famous for? I think that would certainly impress the brass." Again the angel saw both emotions plain as day on the other alchemist's face and it worried him. He could sense that something really sick was likely to happen, but he had no idea what.

Smiling as best he could Tucker replied, "Yes that sounds like a wonderful idea, but creating a talking chimera was very difficult. I'm not sure if I can manage it again and it died shortly after being transmuted. Still...this could be my only chance to keep my certification."

Alphonse was completely oblivious to the undercurrent of the conversation as most of his attention was focused on Alexander and Nina. "Oh brother I forgot to tell you, Mustang wants to see you for something. He said that it was very imporant and something about getting the paper work out of the way before Hawkeye shot him."

"Hmmmmm? To go and find out what he wants or wait and let Hawkeye shoot him? Decisions, decisions." Ed shot Alphonse a devious look that made the younger Elric swear that Ed was a demon instead of an angel.

"You wouldn't?" inquired the younger brother. Of course he knew that Edward would do something like this just to see Mustang's grin wiped off of his face. Thinking fast before the angel could make up his mind Al said, "It might be something important to you becoming a State Alchemist. You don't want to blow this, right?"

"Damn it Al. Did you have to rain on my parade? I so wanted to see Mustang being wheeled through a hospital with a bullet hole in his back side. I'd be able to torment him with that for the rest of my life." He sighed and answered, "Oh well, I guess that you're right. Let's go see what the Colonel wants 'this time'."

As soon as the door slammed shut Shou slowly gets up and walks over to Nina and Alexander. He leans down with a minaical look on his face and sweetly says, "You want to help daddy, right Nina? Daddy needs you and Alexander to help him just like mommy did."

Nina being the sweety, naive little girl that she is just nods even though she's actually scared right now. The only other time that she had seen that look on her daddy's face was the night that her mother went to heaven.

Upon arriving at Central HQ the brothers entered the building and started walking down the empty halls towards the Colonel's office. "I wonder why it's so desserted brother?"

"It's the shift change Alphonse. Most of the military officers are signing in or signing out right now. It's nothing to worry about...who are you and why do you have wings?" growled Edward as he spotted something hovering in the hall.

Alphonse quickly followed Ed's line of sight and he saw...a wall and windows. Turning back to his brother he retraced the shorter Elric's line of sight and still got nothing of interest. Now he was really beginning to question his brother's sanity. "Brother are you ok? There's nothing there and where do you see wings?"

Pointing at the space Al had just be looking he shouted, "Right there. The strange guy with wings and on top of that he's got a bow in hand and arrows with heart-shaped tips." When Alphonse shook his head and muttered something about '...he's finally lost it.' Ed pointed at the winged being and demanded, "How is it I can see you, but my brother can't?"

The winged being smiled and said, "That's because I'm a cupid. I'm kind of like you angels except I don't fight. My job is to spread love whether those humans like it or not Muwahahahahahaha!!!"

Ed started backing away and Alphonse quickly did the same seeing the disturbed look on his brother's face. "Brother what did it...eh, he say?"

Ed turned slowly to his brother while keeping an eye on this 'cupid' and said, "Basically it's his job to spread love even if we humans don't like or want it."

The cupid jumped forward before the teen could react and landed his fist on top of Ed's cranium. "You're not human anymore short stuff."

That was the worst mistake he could have made. "WHO THE HELL ARE SAYING IS SO TINY THAT YOU NEED A MICROSCOPE TO FIND HIM!!!"

The cupid backed away with his hands up in surrender and said, "I only called you short stuff, not the rest of that...although." He turned back to Ed and smirked devilishly at him.

As soon as Ed saw the smirk adorning the cupid's face he clapped his hands together and transmuted his automail arm into his blade. "Keep going with that sentence. I dare you to."

"No, I don't think so. Besides I'm not here to torment you Edward." Extending his hand towards the Alchemist he said, "My name is Coop and I was told to bring you a message from the Higher-ups. While you are forced to live as an angel you have to take assignments and carry them out just like you're going to have to do with Mustang. In exchange any information available concerning putting your brother back in his body will be made available to you...in time."

"What do you mean 'in time'?!" demanded Ed. Pointing his blade at Coop he made it known that he would use force if the cupid didn't give a straight answer.

Coop sighed and replied, "I'm certain that there is a way to put your brother back into his body, but you have to earn the right to that knowledge. Besides your biggest concern would be those that you are going to have to hunt down."

Alphonse continued to watch his brother seemingly talk to himself, but he knew by now that there was indeed someone or something else there conversing with Ed. He felt left out that he couldn't hear or see the other being and he knew that he'd have to pry the information out of Edward later.

"And who exactly do I have to hunt down? For that matter why should I?" said Edward dismissing his blade and crossing his arms.

Coop gave a sympathetic look and said, "Understand that this is non-negotiable. You have to hunt down and destroy beings called Homunculi."

Before he could say more Ed burst in saying, "Homunculi are not real. That's just a myth with no real evidence to support their existence."

The cupid winced at Ed's screech. Firmly he stated, "Don't forget you're an angel. Something that, to most people of this world, would be considered a myth too. I assure you that these things are real and very dangerous. If you are thinking about not doing it then let me add this: Even if you don't hunt them, when they learn of your existence, then they'll be hunting you. They'll stop at nothing to kill you simply because you are an angel. Homunculi are the physical representation of the seven deadly sins. In other words they are evil incarnate, the exact opposite of what you are."

The gravity of the situation was finally starting to seep through Ed's thick skull. "They're going to try to kill me simply because I am what that damned 'Gate' made me."

"It was done as punishment you know. This wasn't meant to be nice or easy for you. Think of this as community service for your crimes." said Coop. He knew the hell that the young blond was going to go through trying to kill those things and he couldn't help but wish that this fate hadn't been forced on such a young boy. Coop sighed knowing that wishing was pointless and said, "Now you really should go see what Mustang wants and try to digest what I just told you."

Before the alchemist could object Coop just disappeared in a flash. "How the hell did he do that? I've gotta learn to use these powers of mine like that. I still don't even know my limits or how to control them that well."

On the way to the Colonel's office Ed retold Coop's story to Alphonse. To say that the younger brother was in shock was an understatement. "How could they do this Ed? We're only kids, so how could they expect us to be able to handle Homunculi?"

"According to Coop that's the point. Something that benefits this world, but is extremely difficult for me to accomplish. I'm sure that I can do it if I can master these angel powers." Ed stopped just outside of the main offices and stared down at his hands. For a brief three seconds his hands glowed a light blue before fading away. "I wonder just how strong I really am."

"Edward get in here!"

"How did Mustang know that I'm out here?" Opening the door he grumbled, "What do you want now Mustang?"

"Come here and find out." replied Roy not looking up from his paperwork. This convinced Ed that Hawkeye was somewhere nearby if Mustang was actually doing his paperwork.

When the Elrics entered Roy's office sure enough Riza was in the corner almost glaring at Roy. Upon closer inspection Ed determined that Mustang was sweating. He smirked and thought to himself, "Yep Roy's pissed her off again. Probably let months of paperwork 'mysteriously' disappear." "Well, what is it?"

Mustang glanced at Hawkeye as though asking for her permission and then reached into his desk. He pulled out a golden watch with a lion inscribed on the cover. Both Elrics recognized it as the state seal. Roy threw the watch to Ed who caught it none too gracefully and said dully, "Congratulations. You are now a dog of the state. You may go now."

Alphonse like his brother was puzzled by Roy's lack of enthusiasm. "Is that it? I thought that there was supposed to be some ellaborate ceremony or something since brother passed the state certification exam." Ed just nodded dumbly feeling cheated and insulted.

The Flame Alchemist looked up from his paperwork with a bored expression on his face and said, "There's some icecream in the fridge in the lounge. Go congratulate yourself." He then turned back to the paperwork when he heard Riza clear her throat. He knew that that was her signal that she knew he was trying to slack off.

The young state alchemist walked outside of the room into the large workspace for the other officers and ran into Hughes and Havok. "Don't take it personally Ed. It's just not something we celebrate unless you've earned a metal or something like that." Hughes smiled and then pulled out his dread endless supply of pictures of his baby girl. "Isn't the cutest thing that you ever laid eyes on? I'll bet that you're hoping for the same thing from Winry."

Both Elrics' eyes practically shot out of their skulls or armor in Al's case. "WHAT!?"

"I don't- don't like Winry...atleast not like that!" barked Ed. Of course it would've been believable if he wasn't blushing furiously and desparately trying to look in any direction away from the other officers.

"Oh yes you do. I'm a cupid remember, so I know love 'like that' when I see it." called a familiar voice.

The blond alchemist groaned as he saw Coop appear in a flash of light. "Oh great. Not again."

Alphonse being the intelligent young man that he was immediately caught Ed's meaning and distracted everyone else. "Hughes could you show me and these guys all of your pictures of your daughter?"

The smile of Maes face would forever be burned into the nightmares of all present as he seemed to start pulling pictures out of thin air. And so it began...the dreaded photo album from hell AKA Maes' family photo album.

"Brother you owe me BIG TIME for this and I intend to collect."

While Al had everyone's attention focused on Maes' pictures, whether they wanted to or not, Ed was talking with Coop. "What are you doing here now? I got your message already."

Coop shrugged. "I decided to stick around and watch you for a while. You also lied about your feelings about Winry. You can't lie to me about love even if you won't admit it to yourself. I know for a fact that you have a crush on that girl despite what everyone else thinks."

Ed's face told all who looked that he knew that he was caught. Even so his pride wouldn't let him admit that Coop was right. His angelic nature made lying hard, so he chose to say nothing to rebute the cupid's accusation. "Gotta change the topic fast." "How exactly do you make people fall in love with each other?"

The cupid grinned and lifted the bow from around his shoulder. "I just take an arrow and shoot the human that I want to fall in love with someone. The thing is that they fall in love with the first person that they see after being hit."

Edward scratched his head and asked, "Wouldn't shooting somone with an arrow kill them instead?"

Coop shook his head and replied, "If they were normal arrows, then yes. But these arrows are made of my magic just like your sword."

The alchemist's head shot up and he said, "Uh...what sword? I don't have a sword." Holding up his automail arm he added, "I've got this small blade, but it's not a sword. More like a dagger if anything."

"You just haven't learned how to summon it yet. Give it time and you'll learn." When Coop saw the inquizitive look on Ed's face he quickly added, "And I can't teach you. It's something that each angel has to learn on his or her own. You see the trigger is different for each person, so I can't really be of any help there. Sorry."

"That sucks. I was hoping that I could find someone to teach me how to control my powers or atleast tell me what they are." Ed sulked. "Why can't I find a teacher...even if she/he's like my alchemy teacher?" Ed noticed Coop knotching an arrow on his bow and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Giving love a push in the right direction." was the simply reply

Ed looked in the direction that Coop was aiming and his eyes nearly popped out of his head for a second time that day. Right there in front of Coop was Riza Hawkeye standing in the doorway to the Colonel's office with her back turned to Ed. "Oh this is going to end very badly. Um-hm." "Coop I don't think that's a good idea. You don't know how volatile that woman can be."

"Relax Edward. I do this all of the time." said the cupid before releasing the arrow. It pierced Riza's chest before turned into a red light that was absorbed into her chest. "Watch and learn."

Riza's eyes started to sparkle and immediately Roy sensed immient danger. Looking up from his work he saw Riza staring at him with a look that he'd only seen on her face in his dreams. In truth see that look on her face while he was awake terrified him to no end. He slowly stood and started backing up from his desk.

Hawkeye saw this and chuckled. "Now, now Roy. That's no way to act around a lady." she said as she started shaking her hips seductively and walking around the desk to a corned Mustang. Before she was completely away from the door she looked back and saw Ed's mouth hanging open. She grinned and shut the door blocking Ed's view, but not his enhanced hearing.

"Where were we? Oh, yes that's right." Hawkeye turned back to a frightened Roy and continued to stalk her prey. Her movements were so graceful and fluid just like a mighty beast stalking it's lunch.

Roy tried to bolt towards the door when Riza was half way around the desk, but Hawkeye was faster. She flipped him so that his back was on his desk and scorned him, "Roy you're going to have to play by my rules love." The next thing he knew a hand was felt unzipping his pants.

Finally his playboy persona managed to assert itself. "Riza what took you so long?"

Outside Ed felt sick on his stomach listening to them. "Surely they wouldn't do 'that' in here with everyone present."

Coop said, "I wouldn't bet on it. The magic can only work with what's already there buried underneath the rational mind." Turning to Edward he added, "This can end one of two ways: 1) They get married and have lots of kids -or- 2) She shoots him when the magic wears off in about an hour. Her normal mind will regain control and we'll see how things turn out."

The angel glanced at the door with a sympathetic look on his face. "Roy is going to die and so would Coop if Riza ever finds out about this."

Hawkeye sighed and answered, "Those naughty rules about relationships between yourself and your subordinates. Whoever made that rule needs to be punished severly."

Author's Note: Ok now click that review button and tell me whatcha think.