"Oh...you can hang with me if you want." Al tilted his head.

Gemini smiled a little. "Okay. That'll make time pass easier, I think." She said.

"I'm not sure what to talk about...the only girl I've ever talked to us Winry and she can be scary." Al looked to Hughes who was helping put his baby to bed.

"That's okay, we don't have to talk if there's nothing to say. It'll be enough for me just to have someone else around." Gemini said, watching as well.

"So you talk about normal things right? Like alchemy?" Al asked shifting nervously.

Gemini seemed to light up. "Of course! I want to become a state alchemist, so I've been practicing since I was little. All I have is this one book my parent's friend sent me years ago, but I've taught myself by reading it. I'm not the best, but I think I'm pretty good. Not as good as you, though." She said. Clearly, she was passionate about that subject.

"I'm not that great. Brother is the best there is...even better then some of the higher ranking alchemist." Al felt like he was blushing even though he wasn't. "We learned by ourselves as well from our father's books."

Gemini smiled. "I thought you were great." She said. "So, your father is an alchemist? How come he didn't teach you himself?" She asked innocently.

"I have no memory of him." Al shrugged. "He left when I was young and he never come back. A few years later mom died and Ed has hates him ever since."

"...Oh." Gemini felt bad for bringing up another bad subject. "I'm sorry that happened." She said.

"You didn't know...not many people know. It's part of why I have no body and Ed is missing his arm and leg." Al explained fidgeting a little. "If it hadn't been for Colonel Mustang we might not be here."

Gemini looked curious, but didn't want to ask anymore awkward questions. "Colonel Mustang is the Flame alchemist, right? I've heard a lot about him." She said instead.

"That's him." Al grinned. "He's OK and he knows a little about our past. He's helper Lori-chan and Riza are really nice."

"That sounds pretty neat. Will I get to meet them, when I eventually take my test?" Gemini asked. "Oh! There's someone else I want to see, too. My parent's friend who sent me my book...though I don't know where to find him. But maybe you know! His name is Alex Louis Armstrong. Do you know him?"

Al turned pale which wasn't possible. "Oh I know him." He shivered then looked to her. "You may regret meeting him." He shivered again.

Gemini tilted her head. "I've met him before, a couple times when I was younger. Why would I regret it now? And did you somehow turn pale?" She asked, inspecting Al's armor curiously.

"I just." Al shivered again. "he's scary and kind of gross. When you go tomorrow for the exam he'll be there and you'll see...you'll see."

Gemini shrugged. "Okay. If you say so." She said, deciding to take his word for it. She didn't remember the man very well, except that he hadn't minded playing dollies with her.

"Get some rest you'll need it for tomorrow." Al settled in wishing he could sleep.

Gemini nodded, leaning back against the wall, though she knew she wouldn't sleep. It would take a miracle for her to even doze off.

((Time skip?))

((Sure beans.))

The next morning, Gemini was the first up- mostly because she hadn't slept. When the baby cried, she went to comfort her until one of her parents showed up. "Shh...it's okay. I don't know how to change diapers or feed you, but I'm sure your mommy and daddy will be here soon."

At that moment Hughes hurried in yawning a little. "Morning you two." He smiled at Gemini. "Did you get enough sleep?" He picked up his daughter and went to the changing table.

Gemini didn't answer that question, but followed him. "Can you show me how to change a diaper? I want to learn so I can help, and so that someday I'll know how when I have a baby." She asked.

"Aren't you a little young to be thinking about that?" Hughes frowned but let her watch him change his daughters diaper.