Author's Note: Hey, everyone. Don't pelt me with rocks when I tell you this, but I haven't watched FMA for quite some time, and so I haven't been able to make proper fanfictions. I'm thinking about starting up again. So I looked back on my old ones. This one is from October '05. My first FMA fic. Can you believe it? My writing skills have improved...(hopefully xD) So I just wanted to see what you thought. Slightly edited so it's not too awful. (Fixed sentences and I took out the Japanese. I realize now it's somewhat tacky. At least for me.)

Summery: The first chapter is basically a flashback of the past, when Edward is 6 and Alphonse is 5. Their mother obviously can't always be around, so she hired a babysitter. How will the two little boys react?

Edward tugged on his mother's apron and began to fake cry, his way of persuading her to stay. He pouted, knowing she usually couldn't resist. "Mommy… p-please don't leave. We'll miss you too much, and I'm scared without you here…" His face was buried in the folds of her dress, so she couldn't see him smiling. He knew she couldn't help herself.

Bending down to kiss the top of his head, she smiled sweetly. "I'll miss you too, Edward. But don't worry; I'll be back after you go to bed, after I run a few errands."

He stared up at her in complete shock. 'WHAT?!' He thought to himself. He found it hard to believe she was really going to leave. He had just turned six, and this was his first babysitter. Putting on a final pout, he crossed his arms, muttering "But you can't leave, mom!" Alphonse hugged his mother lovingly. "Come back soon mom…" he whispered shyly. He was a bit nervous with the babysitter, but if Trisha thought she was alright, he too would give her a try. Trisha informed the babysitter with all the information. Then, she was out the door, leaving a timid Alphonse and disappointed Edward behind.

Lauren smiled and waved to Trisha, then turned around with a smirk. She was around sixteen, with brilliant red hair tied back in a neat ponytail, and glittering brown eyes with specks of gold. She was quite pretty, if she didn't have the personality she did.

"Bed!" she bellowed loudly. "And march!" Edward's eye twitched in shock. "Wha...? B-but the sun's still up!" Alphonse nodded. "Mm-hmm. Mom puts us to bed after dark." Lauren smirked again. "So? I'm in charge now. Bed." Ed glared at the teenager, putting his little fist in the air. "I'm not gonna do what you say!" He grabbed his brother's wrist and ran. "Come on, Al!" Alphonse's eyes widened. "B-Brother!" Thus, the start of a wild goose chase. Lauren chased the boys around the house a dozen times, shouting at the top of her lungs, restraining from cursing.

Finally, panting, little Edward spoke "Come on Al, let's lock ourselves in the bathroom! She can't get us there! We won't have to go to bed, and we can wait for mom to come home!" Al sweat dropped. "But Brother, Mom said not to lock ourselves in there..." Edward smiled mischievously. "Like the babysitter said, mom's not here right now." Pulling his brother into the bathroom, he locked the door behind him.

Alphonse gulped. "But brother…what if we can't open it again? Then we'll be locked in here forever!" Ed smiled. "Don't be silly. I can get us out again." Lauren pounded on the door. "LET ME IN YOU LITTLE MONSTERS!" she sounded angry, but was actually sort of worried. Smiling, Edward shouted back. "Not a chance! Now we'll never have to go to bed!"

Lauren got an idea. "Ooookay…if that's what you want." She made it sound like she was walking away, but stayed put. Ed smiled and listened for a few moments more, then turned the knob. But it held firm. He turned to his brother, and this time it was his turn to gulp. "Al…don't be scared now…but I can't open to door. I forgot how."

Alphonse stared at his brother in shock, fear, and complete panic. "WHAT?!" he yelled, then began to tremble. "I-I want out right now!" Edward sheepishly put his hand on his neck. "Don't worry, Al. I'll get us out." He pulled at the knob as hard as his small body would let him, with no result. Al began to sob, tears rolling down his cheeks, his shoulders shaking. "I knew this was a bad idea! Brother, how could you do something so stupid?" Edward turned beet red. "I-I didn't mean to!" But Al continued to cry. "I want mommy…" he said quietly. He never referred to his mother as 'mommy' unless he was truly frightened. Edward knew what he had to do, but hated to admit it. "I guess…we have to ask…the babysitter for help." He stomped his size three foot. "But I don't want to! Arrrggghhh!" Al wiped his eyes and continued to sob. "I want out..." he whimpered. Ed banged on the door. "We need help out! W-we're stuck!" Lauren gasped in worry but kept her cool. "That's what you get, you little bugger. What's the magic word?" Ed hung his head and stomped his foot in annoyance. "Please.." he groaned. Lauren smiled. "Okay, hold still. I'll be right there." Al rubbed his eyes. "Hurry!"

Lauren yelled "I'm going to have to ram the door down! Stand back!" Edward and Alphonse turned blue anime-style and held onto each other in fear. She stood back in position. "1………2………3!" then, she banged headfirst into the door. "Dammit! Owwwwwwww….." Al forgot his fear for a moment and stopped crying momentarily. "Ohhhhhhh….she said a bad word!" Ed grinned. "Dammit?" he liked the sound of it. Lauren covered her mouth. "Um! Never mind! Don't say it! Okay, plan B. Lock picking."

Edward raised his eyebrow in interest. "Lock picking? What's that?" Lauren covered her mouth again. "Ugh! Um…you'll learn when you're older." Both boys ignored it, focused mainly on getting out.

Picking the lock for about 20 minutes, Lauren finally managed to open the door. Alphonse and Edward immediately hugged her, squeezing tightly. But after realizing what he was doing, Ed let go, sticking out his tongue. "Ew!" he shouted as Lauren laughed. But Al held on, grateful. "Ready to go to bed?" she asked gently. He nodded, and yawned. He didn't care anymore. "I'm not listening to you anymore, Brother!" he shouted, but we all know that won't last long. Edward sulked bitterly. "Traitor." Lauren dressed Alphonse in PJs, then brought him on her lap, reading him a story. "What to come in Ed?" she asked quietly. She decided to be nice to both boys after the ordeal. "No!" he shouted. "I'm waiting for mom to get home!" Lauren shrugged. "Suit yourself."

But after an hour, both boys had fallen fast asleep in her lap. Lauren placed both boys in bed with a little smirk. "Geez.." just as Trisha got home. Their mother smiled. "How were they? Did everything go well?" Lauren blushed slightly. "They were angels."

End of Flashback.

(I would never refer to "anime style" stuff now. xDD You can see the original here: