Fic - Tangled Web ch 9-10
Apr. 14th, 2011 07:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cornerofmadnessTitle - Tangled Web
Author-![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
cornerofmadness
Disclaimer - not mine. All rights belong to Ms Arakawa
Rating Pg-13
genre action/adventure
Characters/Pairing Roy/Riza, Ed/Win, Al/OC
Timeline/Spoilers future fic and contains spoilers right up to the very end
Word Count 45,437
Warningviolence but no more than the manga,
Summary Father and Bradley were defeated but not everyone has gone quietly into that good night. Someone thinks Ed and Al were responsible for the death of General Raven and is out for revenge.
Chapter Nine
“Ed, you look like you’re going to fall asleep in your scrambled eggs,” Al said, grinning at his brother over Gracia’s dining room table.
Ed yawned, stretching until his shoulders popped. “Winry insisted on getting up at the crack of dawn and getting back here before it started snowing again.”
“Oh, is that the only reason.” Al’s grin got wider and Winry kicked him under the table.
“Honestly, you boys. I’m not sure what’s worse, you not getting along or when you do,” Gracia said. “Why don't you boys go on out to the living room? Winry, Elicia and I can get the dishes. We're going to do some baking anyhow.”
“Are you sure?” Al asked.
“I'm sure,” Winry said, her voice snapping.
The brothers headed into the living room. Ed noticed his brother was dragging, not that he was feeling too peppy himself. Sex was more tiring than he imagined, so much better, too. How had Al, in his weakened state, kept up with Snowdrop?
“You spent the night in a hotel room.” Al stretched out on the couch, sparing a lazy look for his brother.
“Had no choice, the cabs weren't running.”
“You could have stayed inside the hospital.”
“Where would the fun in that be?” Ed smirked.
Al chuckled. “Now that's what I want to hear. Hope it was a lot of fun,” he said as his brother stifled a yawn.
“I'm not telling you everything, Al.”
“You don't have to. You might as well have walked in with a sign around your neck that says, 'I Had Sex'.”
Ed blushed. “Oh, shut it, Al.”
Al laughed, again. “About damn time. She does love you, you know.”
“I know.” Ed rubbed the back of his neck. “Guess I’m ready to accept that and enjoy it. I'm just a little slow.”
“Do you hear me arguing?” Al pulled the crocheted afghan around him. He wondered if Gracia had made it herself. He also wondered if Mr. Hughes had picked out the colors, purple and yellow. It was the wild contrasting colors that the man liked.
“Al, are you okay?” Ed leaned over the back of the couch. “You look more worn out than I feel.”
Al shrugged. “I am tired, just a little groggy.”
“We don't have to go to the surprise party for Mustang, Al. If you're not feeling well.”
“Ed even if I don't got, you can take Winry. Snowdrop might be a little disappointed but there is no reason for Winry to miss out. Besides, I plan on doing nothing until tonight. I should be just fine.”
Ed flipped a hand at him. “Yes, maybe a day of no sex for you might let you recharge.”
“I told you I’m always getting a good workout but you never believe me.” Al accompanied his smug tone with a smirk.
“I fear how imbalanced your musculature will get. I'll send you to Armstrong to fix it.”
Al huffed at him. “I do expect to be the best man, Ed. You know that, right?”
“Al!” Ed yelped. “I'm not getting married just because...” He flushed, glancing toward the door as if he might have been overheard in the kitchen. "In a few years, you know you will be. Though if you keep teasing me, I'll make Mustang the best man.”
“As if. You two would kill each other long before you made it before the magistrate.”
Ed’s nose wrinkled. “You’re probably right about that. You need anything, Al?”
“No, I’m just going to read a little.” Al pointed to the book on the table. “Or at least look at the arrays. Xingese alkahestry. Snow knows a little alkahestry, mostly medicinal but, of course, the book is in Xingese so there’s not much I can read.”
“You never told me she could do alchemy.”
“It’s not much and Snow doesn’t like to make a big deal of it.” Al shrugged. “You know what, Ed? Could you go get me the Children of the New Moon out of my suitcase? My brain is fuzzy. I might as well just read fiction. I won’t make sense of those arrays.”
“Are you reading those silly building colonies on the moon stories again?”
“No, this is horror but I plan on listening to Colonel Power and the Space Rangers on the radio tomorrow,” Al replied with a smug grin.
Ed rolled his eye. “You’re hopeless.”
“Just bring the book please or I start in again on the teasing and asking for details about last night.” Al smirked.
“Bastard,” Ed said. If a pointless book of horror would shut his brother up, he’d have skated all the way to library for it.
XXX
“Where are we going, Al?” Snowdrop asked as the cab pulled up to a small house just off the base.
“Breda’s. He and Havoc are throwing a little dinner party. He’s a friend.”
“Oh.” She smoothed her skirt, her face pale and pinched. “When you told me to dress up, I thought we were going out.”
“We are.”
“That’s not what I meant.” She bit out the words.
“Is there a problem?” Al asked, opening the door. Even when she said no, he didn’t believe her. Still, she took his arm as he led her up to the door. Breda answered.
“Hey, Al. This must be the lovely lady we’ve been hearing about. Come on in.” He stepped back so they could get out of the cold.
“Snowdrop, this is Heymans Breda and that’s Jean Havoc,” Al said, noticing that his brother had beaten him to the surprise party. Snow sealed closer to his side. “And Kain Fuery and Vato Falman. Guys, this is Snowdrop Winthrop.”
“Nice to meet you,” Fuery and Falman said in unison.
“Al didn’t tell us just how beautiful you are. The alchemists always get the good girls.” Havoc swept a hand toward Winry.
“Thank you,” Snow said, her voice shaky.
“Snow, are you all right?” Winry asked as Ed said hello. “You look pale.”
“Snow, you really do,” Al said, putting his arm around her waist.
She squeezed his hand. “I think I want to go home.” Snow leaned heavily against him, putting a hand to her lips. “I’m so sorry, Al. I don’t feel so well.”
“Sure, we can go. I’m sorry guys. I guess we’re going to miss the party.”
“Don’t worry,” Breda said. “We understand.”
“Sorry you’re not feeling well, miss,” Fuery added.
“Thanks,” Snow mumbled.
Before they could leave, a knock sounded on the door and Al opened it on his way out. Roy and Riza stood there, looking a little surprised to see him.
“Al? I wasn’t expecting you for poker night,” Roy said, letting Riza slip inside first. He froze in the doorway, his eyes widening and Al realized he was staring at Snowdrop. “Snow! What the hell are you doing here?”
Al turned to his lover, stunned to see tears forming in her eyes. Her skin had gone so white, he swore it was translucent. “Snow, how do you know Roy?”
She turned from him, her hands covering her face.
“I can’t believe this. The madam is at the heart of this mess with the boys?” Roy roared and Snow shrank further.
“Hey,” Ed said, protesting Roy’s tone as Al held out a hand to the older alchemist.
“Snow, I don’t understand what’s going on,” Al said, refusing to acknowledge the dark thoughts flashing in his mind. He got between Roy and Snowdrop.
Ed jumped to his feet. “Damn, you’re saying she’s the spy?”
“Ed, don’t be…” Al started but couldn’t finish. He was thinking it, too. With a heartbroken sob, Snow shoved Roy aside, fleeing out the door. “Snow!”
“I’ll go get her,” Roy said, following after her.
Al couldn’t breathe. Vaguely he was aware that all of Roy’s men were staring. Winry had also gotten to her feet, her hand closed around Ed’s. “I don’t understand,” he whispered.
“Snow is the spy,” his brother said again.
“That can’t be right.”
“Obviously Mustang thinks so, too. He knew who she is, probably has a huge file on her,” Ed said. “I never did trust her.”
“Edward,” Riza said.
“Ed, that’s not helpful,” Winry said but Al barely noticed.
His legs felt weak. Riza put a hand on his shoulder, guiding him to the couch. She sat him down. Someone wrapped an arm around him. Winry? Al couldn’t lift his head to look. Could Ed be right? No, surely it couldn’t all be a lie. Snow loved him, didn’t she?”
Someone asked him something but the words glanced off his mind, not sinking in. Reality didn’t come crashing in until Roy came back with Snowdrop. Her knees were bleeding badly. She must have fallen on the slick sidewalks. Roy seemed to be supporting her almost entirely.
“You tried to get us killed!” Ed bellowed and Al grabbed his arm as if fearing what his brother might do.
“No, that wasn’t us. The madam is trying to find who is out to kill you,” Snow said through her sobs.
“Madam?” Winry asked.
“Snow, what have you done?” Al managed to get out the words, but she just shook her head, unable to answer.
“I’m taking her home and going to talk to the Madam. Riza, did you want to come with me or did you want to see the boys and Miss Rockbell home?”
“I’ll go with you. Fuery, Falman, take them home please,” Riza said.
“Of course, Captain” Falman said.
“Sorry we can’t stay for cards…or whatever this really was,” Roy said, leading Snow out. “Take them home, Falman.”
Al watched them go. He let Ed herd him into Falman’s car but nothing else registered until they were back at Mrs. Hughes’s. Nothing was going to be the same again.
X X X
“I’ve been trying to get Alphonse to drink some tea but he’s so distraught,” Gracia told Roy as he and Riza came into her home. “I don’t even understand what’s going on. Is Snowdrop a spy like Ed says? Winry said they didn’t really know what was going on. They’ve been bickering back and forth with Al shouting at them both to just shut up. And it’s so loud, I can’t get Elicia calmed down and in bed.”
“I’m so sorry to dump this on you, Gracia. I should probably have just taken them with me to the Madam’s, but I needed to find out what in the hell was going on first,” Roy said, his mouth pulling into a grim line.
“What is going on?” Gracia looked between him and Riza.
“It would just be easier to talk to all of them. Are they all in the living room?”
“Ed might have escaped by now. He wanted to go after you. Apparently he harassed Mr. Falman all the way here, but Mr. Falman didn’t exactly know where you went or so he said.” Gracia sighed. “I know Edward is angry for his brother’s sake, but he’s only making things worse.”
“That’s Edward’s special gift,” Roy said wearily, walking past her.
When he got to the living room, the palpable hostility nearly knocked him over. Winry sat with Alphonse on the couch and Gracia went over to drape her arms around Winry’s shoulders. Alphonse was crumpled up, looking as used as the limp handkerchief in his hand. Edward stalked the room, not really looking at them. Feverish spots of anger stood out on his cheeks. As soon as he saw Roy, Edward stomped over to him.
“What the fuck is going on?”
“Go sit, Edward. I’ll explain,” Roy replied.
“I don’t want to sit. I want to know who that girl was and what did she do to my brother!”
Roy sighed. That Edward would be in a fury was not surprising. Now he knew for sure he should’ve just transported them to the madam’s but his mind had been clouded with worries about his own sibling. He would have to make it up to Gracia for unleashing this unpleasantness on her.
“Is my brother right?” Al mumbled, turning swollen eyes to Roy. “Do you have a big huge file on Snowdrop?”
Roy stared at him blankly. What did these boys think he did for a living? “No.”
Al sent a murderous look his brother’s way. “Then Ed’s been working me up for nothing?”
“She’s not a spy?” Edward’s jaw dropped.
“I didn’t say that. She’s definitely a spy, along with Belle, and for that matter, so is the boy you were kissing in the deli, Edward.”
“What the hell is going on? Why are all these people following us?” Edward glared.
“Why? Why would Snowdrop do this to me?” Al trembled and Winry tightened her grip on him.
He looked so miserable, Roy ached for him. “Someone wants to know about you boys. I’m not sure yet how or why, but it obviously doesn’t look like they mean you anything good. The Madam is backtracking the client, especially after they sent someone to kill Snowdrop. The madam and I started going over who Edward might have pissed off but we’ll probably need you to get a complete list, Edward.”
“Me? The spy was using my brother.” Ed reached over, putting a hand on Al’s shoulder.
“Yes, probably to watch you. Alphonse’s too mild to have that many enemies,” Roy said.
Hearing Winry muttering, Edward flushed and shrugged. “Fine, it’s probably me they want but why do all this? Why not just attack me? Why put Al through this? Just look at him.” He flung a hand out. “He’s a mess.”
Roy refrained from mentioning that Edward was partially responsible for that.
“You’re both alchemists, Edward,” Riza said. “That can make you a daunting target for most people.”
“And never underestimate knowledge,” Roy added. “Knowing what you’re up to could be just as important to whoever this is. Hopefully, the Madam will know who that is soon.”
“What I don’t get is what the hell a hooker has to do with this,” Ed said. “I heard you calling her brothel from your house and you keep taking about her. Is that how you know Snowdrop, too?”
“Ed!” Winry shrugged away from Gracia to go slap Ed’s arm.
“What, Ed? She’s not just a spy, now she’s a whore?” Alphonse rasped.
Edward grimaced. “That’s not what I meant. I think I know who he means. Remember that bar you thought you saw Snowdrop in? We were wondering if it was a brothel because he was outside talking to someone he called the madam, that pudgy lady.”
“Edward, ladies don’t like to be called pudgy,” Gracia admonished.
“That is her, Edward, but she’s not a whore and that bar is just a bar. Madam can just be a term of respect, you know.” Roy scowled.
Refusing to be mollified, Edward waved his hand. “Fine, whatever, who is this woman and why is she sending people to spy on me?”
“How do you know, Snowdrop, sir?” Al rubbed his redden eyes. “You obviously do. If you haven’t been investigating her, how did you know who she was and what she was doing?”
“Have you hired her, too?” Edward added. “Or was I right with my first guess and you’re lying about what that bar is?”
“Edward, it’s not a brothel,” Riza sighed.
This time Winry pinched his side. Roy felt like doing the same. “Please insinuating Snow is a prostitute, Edward. I know you’re angry and upset and probably think you’re defending your brother but you’re only upsetting him.”
“You keep not answering our questions,” Edward said more gently.
“Snowdrop Winthrop’s real last name is Mustang. She’s my baby sister,” Roy said and could have sworn he heard Edward’s jaw bouncing off the floor.
“I…don’t understand. She doesn’t have a brother,” Al said, misery shining in his eyes. “Or was that another lie.”
“Well yes, but that one’s my fault. I really should have had her and Mother change their surnames to hide our relationship better, just in case things go badly for me,” Roy said.
“I…what? Just what?” Edward managed to get out. “Your sister that no one has heard of is a spy who was sent to sleep with my little brother? That makes it even worse”
“It really does. How could you never tell Ed that you had a sister?” Winry said, sinking back down next to Alphonse.
“And that she works in a brot…bar,” Edward hastily corrected himself.
Roy fixed them with a hard stare. “To protect her from people who would use her against me. Edward and Alphonse should understand that all too well.”
“But what does she have to do with this madam?” Alphonse asked.
“A madam who knows you, too,” Ed said. “And I’m not really convinced she’s not what I think she is.”
Roy sighed. “I’ll take you to meet her now. It’s not late, not at least in a way the Madam judges things. Alphonse, do you feel up to coming along?”
“No.” He dragged a hand across his eyes. “But I have to go.”
Crossing the room, Roy patted the young man’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Alphonse. I should have been more interested when I learned you had a girlfriend. I was too wrapped up in my own wedding plans and all the rebuilding efforts. I’ve been a lousy friend.”
Alphonse shot him a grateful look but Edward opened his mouth, probably to rebut the idea Roy was their friend but he seemed to think better of it.
“Miss Rockbell, Edward will probably try to shield you, but I think it would be helpful if you came along, too. There’s no telling what information my family has on you. We might as well get it all out in the open.”
“Thank you, sir. Now we know why this other girl, Belle, was trying so hard to date Ed. She was trying to get close to him,” Winry said.
“Sadly for her, Edward’s got the romantic streak of a squashed hedgehog,” Roy replied, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Though I’m fairly sure you’ve found what little amorous nature exists in him. I think fate gave all the idealism to Alphonse.”
Blushing, Edward and Winry exchanged glances, making Roy wonder.
Al snorted. “Fat lot of good it did me.”
“And this whole mess is even more complicated and sad than you know, Alphonse.” Roy turned to his friend’s wife. “Gracia, sorry to drop all this drama on your doorstep.”
“It’s not your fault, Roy.” Gracia offered up a sad smile.
“I’m assuming the boys have a spare key to get in. There’s no sense in you staying up half the night waiting on us. I have no idea how long we’ll be at the Gate Hangs Well,” Roy said. At her nod, he rounded the kids up and Riza got the car keys out of her pocket. Ed seemed relieved that she might be driving. With another sigh, Roy herded them out all into the cold.
XXX
“Oh, Roy boy, you’re back with that kid,” Vanessa said, wiping down the bar. “He’s tried sneaking in before.”
“I keep telling you guys I’m older than I look,” Edward groused.
“Vanessa, tell the Madam we’re here, please,” Roy said.
“Sure thing.” Vanessa slipped away and Roy noticed Alphonse was looking around the bar as if desperate to be sure Snowdrop was nowhere around.
“Hey, you!” Edward pointed a finger at a blond young man at the end of the bar. “Just what the hell did you think you were doing the other day?”
“Sampling a piece of spice cake.” Ringhand winked at Edward.
“James, he’s more cow pie than spice cake, trust me,” Roy said, chucking Ed’s shoulder. “Ten minutes with Elric will disabuse you of the desire to kiss him, no offense, Miss Rockbell.”
“None taken. I’m immune to Ed.” She smiled weakly. “I’m assuming this is the guy you kissed, Ed.”
“That was not my fault! Here, explain to my girlfriend what the hell you thought you were doing.” Edward pulled Winry over to him.
“You actually have a girlfriend?” James’s eyes widened. “Belle said you were gay.”
“Belle misread asexual for homosexual,” Roy said and Edward sputtered, not quite able to form words. “I think he’s fixed that character flaw.”
“How the hell do you know him?” Edward stabbed a finger at James again.
“Roy boy is my big brother.” James went over and wrapped an arm over Roy’s shoulder.
“You sure as hell don’t look like brothers.” Edward narrowed his eyes.
“I’m adopted.” James shrugged. “Most of our siblings are. We have a lot of them.”
“Is Snow really your sister then?” Alphonse asked weakly.
“Yes, she is.” Roy’s brow beetled. “Half sister. We do have the same mother. It’s a long story and not a very nice one. You think your father was bad. All he did was leave. Trust me, it could be worse.”
Before anyone could question that, someone cleared their throat, dragging their attention to the hallway. Madam Christmas stood there with Hohenheim. Roy was surprised to see the boys’ father in the bar, glaring at him, but judging by the gasps, nowhere near as stunned as his sons.
“I figured you'd be back, Roy boy,” the madam said.
“What is he doing here?” Edward glowered at his father.
“Hohenheim and I have been having several nice nights together lately after he visits with Mr. Wu. You'll have to tell me what you have going on with Mr. Wu, Roy,” Christmas said.
Roy leaned close to Edward and whispered, “I swear, Edward, if your dad is sleeping with her...”
“What do you care? Besides he's not allowed to do that,” Edward said. “It's too gross.”
“You know we can hear you, right, son?” Hohenheim raised his eyebrows and Edward winced. “Though, I have to confess I didn't expect tonight's conversation. You two boys have gotten yourselves into another fine mess.”
“It's not our fault, you bastard.”
“I can see why you told me you no longer were his commanding officer, Roy. It was wishful thinking,” Christmas said.
“A pleasant dream to be sure. Let's go somewhere more private,” Roy said.
She beckoned for them all to follow her. Hohenheim returned with the group. Once the door was shut and the radio next to it turned on, Roy swept a hand toward the three young people.
“The mouthy one is Edward Elric, as you've obviously figured out. Alphonse is the one who is visibly crushed by all this garbage and Winry Rockbell, the reason your spies couldn't get near Edward.”
“Really?” Hohenheim adjusted his glasses, smiling. “How wonderful for you, son. If she's anything like her granny, you're in for interesting times.”
“Oh shut up. If you actually knew anything about us, you'd know what Winry is like,” Ed growled and Hohenheim’s shoulders slumped.
“I can see why Snowdrop was terrified of this young man,” Christmas said, tapping some ash into a crystalline ashtray.
“Terrified?” Edward's head snapped back. “She's afraid of me?”
“Told you, you upset her,” Alphonse mumbled.
Christmas nodded. “Though she thought you were just friends with Miss Rockbell.”
“I could see why,” Winry said, with a wry grin. “But why did all of this happen? We don't understand.”
Christmas gestured for them all to sit. “It's a long story. Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, just tell us what's going on,” Edward said as Roy helped himself to the madam's crystal decanter of brandy. He handed one to Riza then poured another, offering it to Hohenheim who took it. “Why would anyone send spies and assassins after me and my brother? What does this...bar have to do with it?” He pointed at Roy. “He keeps saying it's just a bar.”
“And so it is.” Christmas looked up a Roy as he set a brandy in front of her. “What does he think this is?”
“Whorehouse,” Roy replied.
“Ah.” Christmas ran a hand over the sparkling necklaces that gleamed in her vast cleavage. “He wouldn't be the first to think that. They don't know?”
“I wasn't sure if we should divulge everything,” Roy replied.
“Know what?” Ed stabbed a finger at Roy. “What other secrets are you keeping, General Jerkoff?”
“Many that you'll never know, Edward.” Roy smirked.
“Edward, the madam's name is Chris Mustang,” Riza said and all three of the young people stared at her.
“What?”
“Madam Christmas is my mother,” Roy said and Edward spun around to face him.
“Mother?” His eyes slotted. “You don't look related.”
“You boys don't look much like your mother, either,” Hohenheim reminded him. “Well, Alphonse has something of her face.”
“And Roy is adopted,” Christmas said, gesturing with her cigarette. “All my children are. Unfortunately, I didn't get Snowdrop until she was a little older but Roy's mother gave him up to me when he was weaned. She lived with me until then, unable to care for him by herself. Roy is the son I've had the longest. He is very special to me.”
“But he's not a spy, like you,” Edward said, still frowning.
“No, he was interested in alchemy so I sent him to the best I could find when he was young. Still, haven’t you ever seen him amassing information?”
“The walks every lunch,” Alphonse said. “He seemed to know everyone in Eastern command and I see him doing the same here.”
“I figured he was just running around flirting when Hawkeye wasn't listening but those women, they're more of her spies aren't they? I mean, I've seen you talking to her before.” Edward nodded to Christmas.
“They are part of my family,” Roy replied.
“I still don't understand. What could I possibly know that was worth doing this to me?” Al sagged in his seat, his head falling into his hands. Roy thought he would start crying again, but the boy simply shuddered then sat back. Winry put an arm around his shoulders.
“I know it's not any consolation but it wasn't supposed to go like this. She was only meant to be a friend,” Christmas said.
“My sister was never supposed to be out in the field in the first damn place. I can't believe she even agreed to this. She doesn't even really trust men,” Roy glared at his mother.
“She insisted she wanted to try this,” Christmas said. “But you were right, Roy and Snowdrop realizes that now.”
“Is she here?” Al dragged a hand through his long hair, getting snagged in the knots.
“She's home, in the hotel.” Christmas picked up her cigarette pack. “And we don't know why the client wanted information on you. Whoever the client is, they used a proxy, a Xingese man who did not give his real name that I can tell. We thought they were interested in your connection to the new young emperor of Xing. My girls didn't even get out of Xing to return here after all the excitement before the old one died. There could be a lot of reasons someone wanted to know this. They could want to know if trade routes might be possible or maybe use you to get close to the emperor for good or bad.”
“We're Ling's friend,” Ed agreed.
“But it looked more like you were just working with Roy and that's when I was going to break the contract then someone tried to kill my little girl along with you three. I've spied for various generals for a lot of years. People do sometimes die because of the information gathered. I can't even guarantee that the assassin wasn't aiming for Snow. I lost one of my girls last month, but usually there aren't shoot outs in public,” Christmas said. “So now I’m thinking this has nothing at all to do with Xing and more to do with you two boys. Roy suggested you specifically, Edward.”
Ed rolled his eyes at Roy.“Yeah, he said you wanted to know about enemies I might have made.”
“Might actually want to send for food. We'll be here all night,” Roy said.
“Shut the hell...okay, maybe.” Ed shrugged. “Where do you want me to begin?”
Chapter Ten
Evelyn looked across the table at the alchemist Yu had found for her. Smug blue eyes, his blond hair swept back, he exuded arrogance the way a squashed skunk left off reek. “You have the means to do what I need doing?”
“Do you know how powerful state alchemists are?” He waved her off. “I might not be one anymore since I’m not exactly on good terms with the new regime but I was a State Alchemist. I can tell you we’re a powerful bunch.”
“Neither am I,” she replied grimly. “Have you heard of the Fullmetal Alchemist?”
“I’m aware he’s a child, the youngest State Alchemist ever inducted. He is the one you want me to get rid of for you?” the former Storm alchemist asked.
Evelyn nodded. “I tried to get proof he killed my father, so he would face a military execution. That cow, Christmas, failed to find anything of worth. She was a waste of my money.” Her fists balled up as that injustice reached up to slap her.
“Don't worry, taking out a military dog will be a helluva lot of fun.” Storm smirked. "I heard he was under Mustang's command. Know if that's still true? He's a problem.”
“No clue but the preliminary reports I did get from Christmas mostly had them with teenagers their age,” Evelyn replied. “You should be able to easily find them away from the military. They seem to like the Ice Festival.”
He waved her off with a smirk. “Leave it to me. I'll handle them.”
A cold smile slipped across her face. “That's what I want to hear.”
XXX
“How is your brother?” Riza asked Edward as she took the coffee pot off Gracia's stove. Roy was practically face down on the kitchen table, half asleep. Gracia and Winry were washing and drying the morning dishes while Elicia was upstairs playing with her dolls.
“Miserable. Didn't think he'd stop crying,” Edward said, slapping a hand down on the table, making Roy jump. “Your sister really messed him up.”
“She messed them both up,” Roy grumbled.
“Am I supposed to feel sorry for her?” Alphonse asked from the doorway, bringing everyone to a halt. Winry took a few steps toward him then seemed to think better of her. “I'm the one who got betrayed.”
“And I’m sorry for that,” Roy said, realizing Alphonse had moved on to the pissed off stage of mourning.
The boy held up his hand. “Why don't you just not talk? I thought my family had its problems but yours is seriously screwed up.”
“Alphonse,” Gracia started but he whipped around, glaring at her, too.
“I don't want to talk about it. I'd leave here right now if I had somewhere to go.” Alphonse drew in a ragged breath. “It's cold and snowy and I don't want to run away home. I just want to be alone.”
“Al,” Ed said.
“I mean it, Ed. It's bad enough someone is out to hurt us. I feel guilty being here putting Mrs. Hughes and Elicia in danger, but the person responsible for it is someone I loved.” Alphonse's fists balled up. “What am I supposed to do or feel? None of it was real. You were close to right about that bar and those loose women trading themselves for information.”
“Don’t call my sister that again,” Roy growled.
“Why not? It's true.” Alphonse puffed up his chest.
Roy got up, nearly knocking over his chair. “I mean it, Alphonse.”
“Roy,” Riza hissed.
“What are you going to do about it?” Alphonse asked and Winry put a hand on his arm. He jerked away angrily. “I'm not some little kid you can turn over your knee and punish.”
“No, you're a man I can punch and I don't want to do that.” Roy sighed. “Go in the living room, Alphonse.”
“Don't tell me what to do.”
Reading the strained, furious expression on Alphonse’s face, Roy asked, “You don't believe we've told you everything, right?”
Alphonse’s fists clenched. “I know you haven't.”
“Then go into the living room and I will. I'll tell you everything. Edward, Winry you can join us. Do you want coffee, Alphonse?”
Alphonse waved a hand then stalked into the living room. Edward followed him, sparing Roy a look that suggested he was sympathetic to Roy. That was more stunning than Alphonse's ire. Roy took a cup of coffee and waited for the women to join him. Well, Riza and Winry. Gracia went upstairs to get Elicia into her snow suit to take the girl out of ear shot.
Roy sat down with his coffee but he noticed Alphonse took up his brother's usual role of pacing the room. He let him, knowing Alphonse needed his anger, deserved it, even if it wouldn't help him any. Roy waited for the others to sit before he started.
“Aren't you curious how my sister got involved with all of this, Alphonse, and why I never wanted her out in the field?” Roy asked.
“I don't...”Alphonse said then bit off his words. “Yeah, I guess I do want to know. How did you and a half-sister end up with the same foster mother?”
Roy took a breath. “That was my doing but let me start earlier. My mother crossed paths with Christmas while she was pregnant with me. I have no idea who my father is. I'm not even sure he knows about me and I’m not sure I want to know him, either.”
“Sir?” Winry asked.
“You see, my mother gave birth to me when she was thirteen. At best, my father was another young teenager acting older than he should have. At worse, he's a pervert taking advantage of a young girl. Mom worked for a while, helping the madam out, but she was still just a girl herself, so she thought I’d be better off with an adult.” Roy paused, sipping his coffee. “I think the reality is my mother was really hurt when she was a child and that it damaged her greatly.”
Winry made a sympathetic noise in her throat. “That's awful.”
“But I don't see what it has to do with anything,” Alphonse added, his face still red with barely contained fury.
“I'm getting to it,” Roy took another drink of coffee, wondering how much to tell them. If Snowdrop knew he was telling this story, she would be very hurt, but she brought this on herself. “My mother disappeared. Nothing the madam did could make her stay. After my first year with Mr. Hawkeye, I went back home and the madam had located my mother. Naturally, I wanted to see her even though the madam warned me it might not be the happy occasion I was imagining.”
“I get that,” Edward said. “Al really wanted to see our dad again even though he's a huge dick.”
Roy snorted. “You might be revising your opinion shortly, Edward when you have something else to compare to. Anyhow, I went and visited with my mother. That's when I found out I had a baby sister nearly ten years younger than me. Snowdrop was only five and so very little. I quickly learned that life had been hard on my mother. I don't know who Snow's father is, either, but she was living there with a stepfather.” Roy paused, taking a deep breath. This wasn't easy for him to talk about. “Alphonse, what did Snow tell you about her scars? You surely couldn't have missed them.”
Alphonse curled his lip at Roy, but he paused in his pacing. “She said it was a horse and buggy accident, that she got dragged. Let me guess, another lie.”
“At this point, Alphonse, I’m not sure Snowdrop knows it's a lie. I think she's convinced herself of it.” Roy slumped down a bit on his seat.
“Why would anyone want to be convinced they got ran over by a bunch of damn horses?” Edward asked, obviously confused.
“Because her stepfather was abusing her and selling her to whatever pedophilic freak that he could find,” Roy said bluntly.
Edward and Winry flushed with rage, pulling against each other instinctively. Alphonse paled, going weak. Roy thought he was going to fall but the boy caught hold of the back of the couch. He swung around and sat down next to his friend and brother. Alphonse templed his fingers over his nose and mouth, his eyes watering.
“What?” Alphonse whispered behind his hands.
“Did your mother know? How could she let that happen?” Edward said, his voice low and tight.
“My mother is an opium addict now. I'm not sure she knows what world she's on,” Roy said, bitterness twisting his face. “She did one decent thing. She begged me to take Snow and run before that man came back. I wanted her to come with me but she said it was too late for her. I left her. They both disappeared, my mom and that bastard. If the madam knows where they went, she has never told me. I think she’s afraid I’d kill him if I found him.”
“I wouldn’t blame you,” Winry said.
Roy saw the tremors racing through Alphonse, but it was too late to stop now. Maybe he should have held his story longer, let Alphonse be angry for a while and maybe if their lives weren’t in danger he might have. Now, however, they needed the whole story. “I failed you and my sister, Alphonse. I heard her say she had a boyfriend. I questioned her but she closed down. I should have made her talk to me but I had to talk to the madam and wasn’t thinking about it.” Roy scowled. “Thinking too much about my wedding.”
“No one blames you for that, Mr. Mustang, and you couldn’t have changed anything. They were together before we all came to Central,” Winry said.
“No, but I could have given her a less horrible end to it all.” Roy sighed. “I’m not saying this well. What I mean is, after what she went through as a child, the men and the booze and drugs they fed her, Snowdrop doesn’t like men.”
“You mentioned that last night. You said she was terrified of me,” Edward reminded him.
“You have to understand, Edward. Snow sees most men who are not me as the enemy. She’s afraid of them. She thinks most men do nothing but rape and beat women, which is why I was so stunned when she said she had a boyfriend. You’re so loud, Edward, so much larger than life, that you made her feel very afraid. She was convinced you had to be hitting Winry where she couldn’t see it and I think she still believes that. I couldn’t dissuade her, but last night she was hardly in a state of mind to listen.” Roy paused, trying to compose himself. Riza rested a hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “She had to have gone into this job thinking Alphonse was going to hit her at any moment because that’s what she expects of men. She could have only been confused to find someone so nice as Alphonse. Here was someone she could actually trust and care about safely and it was all predicated on a lie. I have no idea what this is going to do to my sister.”
Alphonse scrambled to his feet, racing for the hall, making retching noises. Edward took off after him with Roy following, fairly sure the women were, too. Sounds of vomiting echoed down the hall and Roy nearly slammed into the back of Edward in the small bathroom. Alphonse clutched the white porcelain as the remainders of his stomach emptied itself. He fumbled blindly for the toilet paper, scrubbing it across his mouth.
Alphonse twisted, looking up at Roy. “Are you trying to tell me Snowdrop might actually be in love with me, that it’s not all a lie?”
“Yes, I guess I am. Sorry, Alphonse,” Roy said, shoving around Edward. He put a hand on the boy’s shoulder, expecting to get it swatted away.
Instead, Alphonse’s lip quivered and he started to cry. Roy knelt down next to him and Alphonse latched on. Roy didn’t know what else to do so he let the boy cry. Edward knelt down next to them and Roy let him take his brother.
“Here Al,” Winry handed him a wet towel.
When Roy got to his feet, he noticed Riza was gone. She came back with a glass of water and gave it to Alphonse. She took Roy's hand and started to lead him out of the room.
“I wish you hadn't told me any of this. Now I feel bad for being so angry,” Alphonse said, his voice muffled by the towel.
“You shouldn't. You were innocent in this, Alphonse. My sister knew exactly what she was getting into. She has herself to blame.”
“How can those girls do this? Don't they have a heart?” Winry shook with rage. Ed pulled her closer to him.
“Most of them were jaded by the time they go to work for my mother. It's easy to not care when you've spent a lifetime getting hurt by people. Sex is pretty uncommon in the information gathering but it happens. Maes and I were far more casual about it.”
“You're saying Mr. Hughes was one of you?” Edward's eyes widened.
“No, but he was in investigations. Information gathering is part and parcel of that job and he was damn good at it. It would have been so much easier if Edward had been Snow's target because he's loud and crass, no offense, Edward.”
Edward waved a hand. “I can't deny it in this crowd.”
“At best, she would have been a new friend, nothing more.” Roy nodded at Winry. “Maybe two. You're very different, Alphonse.”
“Lucky me,” he grumbled, trying to get up. Roy extended a hand, hauling him up. Alphonse walked out of the bathroom unsteadily. He went back to his room and flung himself on the bed. Pulling up the comforter, he dislodged his new kitten who mewled her protest.
“Al.” Edward followed him, starting to go into the room.
“Let him rest,” Roy said, tugging on Edward's shirt.
Edward went back toward the living room with Winry. “He can't just hide under a blanket all day.”
“Leave him be for now, Edward,” Riza said.
“You've never had a broken heart like this,” Roy added. “You've been in love with Winry for forever. You two might have your fights but you're together. Imagine if Winry left you.”
“I'd rather not. Okay, I can see why he wants to hide under the covers,” Edward grimaced.
“You can drag him out a little later,” Roy said. “And in the meantime, I'm going back to my mother's and I’m going to ask her why she's been courting your father even though that idea scares me.”
“With my luck, I’m a hairsbreadth away from being your step brother.” Edward shuddered and Winry nudged him.
Roy held up his hands. “That's all I need. Riza can just shoot me.”
“Do it now before you end up foolishly married to him.” Edward tried to lift the mood.
“I'll get death benefits if I wait until afterward, though it would have to look like a mugging,” Riza volleyed back.
“If you were a tad older, Winry, I’d say you and I could run off together and leave these two jokers to enjoy themselves.” Roy winked at her.
“And what makes you think I haven't learned my lesson and don’t want another brat alchemist?” Winry smirked and Edward's eyebrows rose.
Roy sighed. “Everyone's a joker. All right, Riza, coming with me?”
“Yes.” She turned to the teens. “If you want to go out alone, Gracia will keep an eye on Alphonse.”
“Just go make sure your weird mother isn't doing anything with my bastard father.”
“I will. Hopefully by now my mother will have an idea who this client is,” Roy said.
Edward asked, in all seriousness, “When you find out, you will tell me, right?”
“Will you behave if I do?” Roy sighed.
“As good as I ever do.” Edward smirked.
Roy rubbed his forehead. “That's what I’m afraid of.”
XXX
Snow couldn't feel her toes anymore. She hadn't thought to dress properly when she fled out into the festival's day activities. Her mind wasn't working. There was no way of pushing all this aside, as much as she wanted to. She was too numb even to mourn her loss, but there was no doubt Alphonse was lost to her. Even her brother wasn’t pleased to speak to her and neither was the madam.
There was nothing she could do to change the past or salvage her future. She had never been in love, had never expected it. Now Snow didn't know what she would do without it. Her 'sisters' had tried to convince her he was just a boy, that she would get over it. That's when she decided to find her solace in the cold within the crowds at the festival. Yes, Al was painfully young, so young, she should feel bad even though she was only six years older. Still, he was no child. He had seen too much. Roy had told her everything, but it only made her feel worse. Al had suffered so much and she added to it.
Listlessly, she looked through the jewelry she hadn't had time to get see once the assassin had started shooting. It did nothing to help her make any sense of this mess nor did it make her forget. All she thought was Al would have wanted to buy her a few selected pieces.
Sighing, Snow walked toward the park. In the center were the ice sculptures, but it was the near barren flower beds that called for her attention. She felt as empty and cold. Ironically, pushing up through the snow was her namesake, the white-petaled snowdrop. Her real mother had loved them, it was the reason she got tagged with such an unlikely name. They were beautiful flowers in their way, strong, pushing through frozen ground to turn their face to the chill. If only she were as strong as the flowers.
Someone walking swiftly caught her eye. In spite of the cold, most people were lingering, enjoying the sights, sounds and merchant stalls. Snow watched him, noting he was Xingese. There weren't all that many of her background and most lived in Little Xing. It was part of her training. This man she had seen before, but not in the city. He’d been in her mother's bar. Snow thought the man had to do with the mission to find out what Ed and Al were doing.
Pulling her hood tighter, Snow crossed the park. It didn't take long to pick up the man’s trail. There were enough people around to make it hard to notice her. Her hood would obscure her face, not that she was sure he had ever seen her in the bar. This bit of spy work was more up her alley than what she had done before. Snow's only regret was there wasn't time to call in and let her mother know where she was going.
XXX
“Care to explain about Hohenheim?” Roy asked casually, pushing through his pot pie looking for the meat. It was thoroughly awful – his mother had already mentioned the cook would be finding other employment – but without the meat, it was edible. He’d be taking that garbage home to Hayate. Riza sat next to him, trying to ignore the process.
“And since when do I explain my personal life to my children?” Chris looked down her nose at him, unamused. She waved a hand at Vanessa behind the bar who came over with a fresh pot of coffee.
“Since you started hanging out with very unusual alchemists.” Roy looked up from the pie. “He may not look dangerous but he is.”
She sat back, crossing her arms. “He seems like a very pleasant and somewhat befuddled man, but you can’t con someone in this business easily. I could tell there was something hiding behind those golden eyes.”
“How did you even find the boys’ father?” Riza asked, having gone with the soup for lunch and fared a bit better than Roy.
“By accident, actually. He came over here looking for company and something to drink after he left Mr. Wu’s. I took an interest in him. He’s not a bad looking man.” Chris smiled. “It took me a few visits before I knew who he was.”
“And did you learn anything?” Roy asked, curious.
“That he regrets not being there for his sons, that he knows less than nothing about their lives. He was very guarded about some aspects of their lives.” Chris sipped her coffee. “I believe he knew something that he definitely was not comfortable telling me.”
Roy snorted. “Let's just say it's a secret that could get the boys and me, for covering it up, court-martialed, exiled or even executed.”
Chris sighed, making the steam around her mug wave. “How do you get mixed up in these things, son?”
“Could I stand by and let a hurt kid and his younger brother suffer? I was in the position to help them even if it was highly unorthodoxed remove. Granted, I didn't expect the little asshole to show up when he was only twelve and actually pass the State Alchemist exam.” Roy frowned.
“I see your potty mouth hasn't improved with time.” His mother scowled at him.
“Edward brings out the worst in Roy and vice versa,” Riza said wryly.
“Am I not right?” Roy cocked up an eyebrow.
“The term applies equally to you both some days,” she replied.
He wrinkled his nose then popped a piece of crust into his mouth. “Maybe so. Anyhow, it doesn't surprise me that Hohenheim knows so little. He left his children when they were very young and has only recently come back into their lives. Alphonse is more accepting of him because he is the forgiving sort. Edward is having more trouble with that.”
“Do you know what the boys might have been targeted for?” Chris asked.
“Any number of reasons,” Riza offered. “They were instrumental in the Promised Day and the coup. Any of the old guard would have reason to want them dead.”
“And Edward gave you a list of people and towns he might have pissed off,” Roy added.
His mother picked up the list off her desk. “How does one little boy get entire towns to hate him?”
“I stand by my asshole assessment.”
“Edward has a special talent to annoy.” Riza smiled. “But other people love him. He's considered the People's Alchemist and he does have a good heart.”
Roy laughed. “He's a tiny package of evil. Have you seen his art?”
“Well, he does have a different sort of imagination,” Riza agreed.
“It's hard to know where to start with this list.” Chris frowned.
“Lior, even though that seems to be rebuilding well and Al, at least was there without repercussions,” Roy said. “And any of the displaced old guard. They would have reason to hate Edward and me. Alphonse is a very restful young man. He has to be. Someone has to rub the balm on the rents Edward makes on the fabric of reality.” Roy smirked.
“He's not that bad unless, of course, your last name is Mustang.” Riza smiled sweetly.
“I'll keep that in mind,” Chris said, reaching for her cigarettes.
“And then there’s Xing. The current emperor and his family really are friends with the Elrics and Miss Rockbell,” Roy said with a tone that still managed to sound somewhat surprised at the idea. “I'll start checking the military rumor mill about the old guard. You've already been looking into Xing, Madam.”
“I'll give a listen to what’s coming out of Lior, Youswell and Dubilth,” Chris said as she lit up.
“We'll be going. Thanks for the lunch.”
“Your dog will appreciate it even if we didn't.” Chris took a drag. “I do hope Hohenheim will come back. He didn't seem overly mad, but I guess I am a threat to his children. I wouldn’t be too happy with that.”
Roy glowered. “You just leave that man alone, Madam.”
“And when did I start taking commands from you, General?” She smiled around her cigarette.
“From the moment it became possible Edward could becoming my little stepbrother.” Roy scowled.
“You already act like an obnoxious big brother. Why not make it official?” Riza patted his arm.
“Well, it would kill Edward to have another reason to obey me.” His eyes lit up brightly. “Though Alphonse would be in a very awkward position.”
“He could just kill you both and get some peace,” Riza said.
“I meant about Snow, but yes, thanks for the support, love.” He nudged her.
“Winry and I would probably help him.”
“What an affect you have on people, son.” Chris laughed. “I'm getting the idea you and Elric shouldn’t be allowed in the same room for any length of time.”
Riza bobbed her head. “It can be entertaining but tiring,”
“And I have better ways of tiring you out.” Roy caressed Riza's arm.
“Do I need to assign you two a room?” Chris's dark eyebrows rose.
Her son snorted. “We're going.”
“The chill will take it out of him,” Riza said. “Until he gets home.”
Chris waved a ring-laden handed at her. “I trust you to handle him, Riza.”
“I usually do. Roy's pretty simple.”
“Thanks again, love.” Roy sighed and went to get her coat.
XXX
“You two don't have to babysit me. You could have come to the festival alone.” Al stomped his booted feet. “I was fine back at the house.”
“You can't lie in bed all day. This is supposed to be good for you,” Ed replied and Al sighed. “Though I’m not sure how freezing our nuts off is good for anyone.”
“You really are loud and crass.” Winry rolled her eyes. “We could go to a movie.”
“No, I’m not in the mood. We can see the festival. We can just walk around. You want to see the stalls and the ice sculptures.” Al pointed to the ice bar. “I know I look too young to sneaking there.”
“The bastard will probably get you in if you want to go,” Ed said, surprising his brother.
Al stared at him as if Ed had grown another head. “You're going to let me get drunk?”
“I don't suggest it, but in this case.” Ed shrugged. “It won't help, but maybe you’ll puke on the bastard. He deserves it.”
“Edward,” Winry sighed and tried hauling him toward a stall selling vases.
“He does. I mean damn it, she was the bastard’s sister. It’s like I subconsciously knew something,” Ed said and Winry pinched him.
“That would explain why you never liked Snow,” Al said, despondently.
“Ed's not that smart at reading people.” Winry tapped her breastbone in illustration.
Ed looked down at his snowy boots. “Yeah, I know and I am sorry about that Al. I’m sorry I was sort of right about her. I didn’t want this to happen.”
Al sighed. “I know, though I think you didn’t like her because you’re overprotective of me. This was my mistake to make. I just…” He wrapped his arms around himself and turned to a stall that had used books, which might work as a distraction. “I wish I understood why all this was necessary and I wish I understood that if Snowdrop really is mostly frightened with men then why me?”
“I think Mr. Mustang is right about that, Al,” Winry said, following him into the shelter of the book stall. “You’re a good man. She obviously trusted you enough to get that close.”
“So she might really have loved me.” Al picked up a battered novel. “That makes it worse.”
Winry didn’t say anything. She just rubbed his back but he could barely feel it through his jacket. Al continued to look though the books, occasionally handing one to Winry or Ed. He caught a glimpse of something familiar moving along the sidewalk outside the stall. Al abandoned his stack of books to follow after the red coated girl.
“Snowdrop,” he called, hating himself for it. What good could come of this?
She spun around and for a moment he thought she was just turn back the other way and bolt. Instead, she tightened her fists and her voice wasn’t even when she said his name. Snowdrop’s gaze skittered away.
“What are you doing here?” Al winced at his own question. How asinine. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Winry and Ed coming up behind him. He wished they had just stayed in the stall. Now it was three against one and he felt almost sorry for Snowdrop.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I can’t stay here.”
“I don’t understand any of this,” Al fumbled for words. Why in the hell did he start this? “I know what the Madam told us but…how? Why did this happen?”
“I’m sorry, Al.” She turned away. “I have to get back to the Madam.”
“So you’re just going to leave?” Al grumbled, grateful at least his brother was staying out of this. “What? You have more information for her?”
“Shh.” The harshest look he had ever seen on her face made him step back. “And yes. About all of this mess. I think I might have found where the client is.”
Al goggled, unable to say anything. Ed has less trouble. “You went there by yourself?”
“Yes.”
“Snow, they shot at us. That was so very dangerous,” Al said, feeling Winry’s hand brush his shoulder, telling him maybe he was too loud.
“Three months ago my sister, Amaranth, was killed doing this work. I know how dangerous it is,” Snow replied, edging closer.
“And still you do this,” Winry said, horrified.
“It’s why I do it.” Snowdrop drew herself up straight, determination in her eyes.
“In spite of all the things you went through before Roy found you? How can you do this? How do you trust men at all?” Al thought he could see those idiot words crystallizing in the cold.
Snowdrop went as pale as her namesake. “He told?” Her eyes glistened in the second he could still see them before she took off down the sidewalk, going far quicker than was smart in the snow.
“Damn, I’m an idiot.” Al took a few steps, thinking to go after her but what would it get him? Instead, he ducked back into the book stall. “And I don’t want to hear about it, Edward.”
“Maybe we should go tell the bastard his sister knows something,” Ed said. “Or do you think he already knows?”
“I don’t know.” Al sighed. “I’m not sure if we go over there they’ll let us in. Might as well just get the books and go back home. We can call Roy from there.”
“Even if they don’t let us in, they need to know Snow found out something! If she doesn’t go back home, she might get in trouble,” Winry said, looking after her, a worried expression on her face.
“I don’t even care,” Al said. “You two go. I don’t want to go over there. She’ll be there with her mother. There’s probably no where else she’d go now and she’s not going to want to see me now.”
“Okay, Al, you go back to Mrs. Hughes’s,” Ed said. “Tell her to contact the bastard. Winry and I will go check out the bar. You don’t have to see Snow again. She’ll probably hide from me, anyhow.”
“Yeah, wonder why,” Al said, heading away before they could continue the conversation. He didn’t think he could pretend the idea of Snowdrop spying on the client alone didn’t terrify him. He’d try to report to Mustang then go back to hiding under the covers. Damn Edward and Winry for dragging him out here in the first place.
onto chapter eleven & twelve
Author-
cornerofmadnessDisclaimer - not mine. All rights belong to Ms Arakawa
Rating Pg-13
genre action/adventure
Characters/Pairing Roy/Riza, Ed/Win, Al/OC
Timeline/Spoilers future fic and contains spoilers right up to the very end
Word Count 45,437
Warningviolence but no more than the manga,
Summary Father and Bradley were defeated but not everyone has gone quietly into that good night. Someone thinks Ed and Al were responsible for the death of General Raven and is out for revenge.
Chapter Nine
“Ed, you look like you’re going to fall asleep in your scrambled eggs,” Al said, grinning at his brother over Gracia’s dining room table.
Ed yawned, stretching until his shoulders popped. “Winry insisted on getting up at the crack of dawn and getting back here before it started snowing again.”
“Oh, is that the only reason.” Al’s grin got wider and Winry kicked him under the table.
“Honestly, you boys. I’m not sure what’s worse, you not getting along or when you do,” Gracia said. “Why don't you boys go on out to the living room? Winry, Elicia and I can get the dishes. We're going to do some baking anyhow.”
“Are you sure?” Al asked.
“I'm sure,” Winry said, her voice snapping.
The brothers headed into the living room. Ed noticed his brother was dragging, not that he was feeling too peppy himself. Sex was more tiring than he imagined, so much better, too. How had Al, in his weakened state, kept up with Snowdrop?
“You spent the night in a hotel room.” Al stretched out on the couch, sparing a lazy look for his brother.
“Had no choice, the cabs weren't running.”
“You could have stayed inside the hospital.”
“Where would the fun in that be?” Ed smirked.
Al chuckled. “Now that's what I want to hear. Hope it was a lot of fun,” he said as his brother stifled a yawn.
“I'm not telling you everything, Al.”
“You don't have to. You might as well have walked in with a sign around your neck that says, 'I Had Sex'.”
Ed blushed. “Oh, shut it, Al.”
Al laughed, again. “About damn time. She does love you, you know.”
“I know.” Ed rubbed the back of his neck. “Guess I’m ready to accept that and enjoy it. I'm just a little slow.”
“Do you hear me arguing?” Al pulled the crocheted afghan around him. He wondered if Gracia had made it herself. He also wondered if Mr. Hughes had picked out the colors, purple and yellow. It was the wild contrasting colors that the man liked.
“Al, are you okay?” Ed leaned over the back of the couch. “You look more worn out than I feel.”
Al shrugged. “I am tired, just a little groggy.”
“We don't have to go to the surprise party for Mustang, Al. If you're not feeling well.”
“Ed even if I don't got, you can take Winry. Snowdrop might be a little disappointed but there is no reason for Winry to miss out. Besides, I plan on doing nothing until tonight. I should be just fine.”
Ed flipped a hand at him. “Yes, maybe a day of no sex for you might let you recharge.”
“I told you I’m always getting a good workout but you never believe me.” Al accompanied his smug tone with a smirk.
“I fear how imbalanced your musculature will get. I'll send you to Armstrong to fix it.”
Al huffed at him. “I do expect to be the best man, Ed. You know that, right?”
“Al!” Ed yelped. “I'm not getting married just because...” He flushed, glancing toward the door as if he might have been overheard in the kitchen. "In a few years, you know you will be. Though if you keep teasing me, I'll make Mustang the best man.”
“As if. You two would kill each other long before you made it before the magistrate.”
Ed’s nose wrinkled. “You’re probably right about that. You need anything, Al?”
“No, I’m just going to read a little.” Al pointed to the book on the table. “Or at least look at the arrays. Xingese alkahestry. Snow knows a little alkahestry, mostly medicinal but, of course, the book is in Xingese so there’s not much I can read.”
“You never told me she could do alchemy.”
“It’s not much and Snow doesn’t like to make a big deal of it.” Al shrugged. “You know what, Ed? Could you go get me the Children of the New Moon out of my suitcase? My brain is fuzzy. I might as well just read fiction. I won’t make sense of those arrays.”
“Are you reading those silly building colonies on the moon stories again?”
“No, this is horror but I plan on listening to Colonel Power and the Space Rangers on the radio tomorrow,” Al replied with a smug grin.
Ed rolled his eye. “You’re hopeless.”
“Just bring the book please or I start in again on the teasing and asking for details about last night.” Al smirked.
“Bastard,” Ed said. If a pointless book of horror would shut his brother up, he’d have skated all the way to library for it.
XXX
“Where are we going, Al?” Snowdrop asked as the cab pulled up to a small house just off the base.
“Breda’s. He and Havoc are throwing a little dinner party. He’s a friend.”
“Oh.” She smoothed her skirt, her face pale and pinched. “When you told me to dress up, I thought we were going out.”
“We are.”
“That’s not what I meant.” She bit out the words.
“Is there a problem?” Al asked, opening the door. Even when she said no, he didn’t believe her. Still, she took his arm as he led her up to the door. Breda answered.
“Hey, Al. This must be the lovely lady we’ve been hearing about. Come on in.” He stepped back so they could get out of the cold.
“Snowdrop, this is Heymans Breda and that’s Jean Havoc,” Al said, noticing that his brother had beaten him to the surprise party. Snow sealed closer to his side. “And Kain Fuery and Vato Falman. Guys, this is Snowdrop Winthrop.”
“Nice to meet you,” Fuery and Falman said in unison.
“Al didn’t tell us just how beautiful you are. The alchemists always get the good girls.” Havoc swept a hand toward Winry.
“Thank you,” Snow said, her voice shaky.
“Snow, are you all right?” Winry asked as Ed said hello. “You look pale.”
“Snow, you really do,” Al said, putting his arm around her waist.
She squeezed his hand. “I think I want to go home.” Snow leaned heavily against him, putting a hand to her lips. “I’m so sorry, Al. I don’t feel so well.”
“Sure, we can go. I’m sorry guys. I guess we’re going to miss the party.”
“Don’t worry,” Breda said. “We understand.”
“Sorry you’re not feeling well, miss,” Fuery added.
“Thanks,” Snow mumbled.
Before they could leave, a knock sounded on the door and Al opened it on his way out. Roy and Riza stood there, looking a little surprised to see him.
“Al? I wasn’t expecting you for poker night,” Roy said, letting Riza slip inside first. He froze in the doorway, his eyes widening and Al realized he was staring at Snowdrop. “Snow! What the hell are you doing here?”
Al turned to his lover, stunned to see tears forming in her eyes. Her skin had gone so white, he swore it was translucent. “Snow, how do you know Roy?”
She turned from him, her hands covering her face.
“I can’t believe this. The madam is at the heart of this mess with the boys?” Roy roared and Snow shrank further.
“Hey,” Ed said, protesting Roy’s tone as Al held out a hand to the older alchemist.
“Snow, I don’t understand what’s going on,” Al said, refusing to acknowledge the dark thoughts flashing in his mind. He got between Roy and Snowdrop.
Ed jumped to his feet. “Damn, you’re saying she’s the spy?”
“Ed, don’t be…” Al started but couldn’t finish. He was thinking it, too. With a heartbroken sob, Snow shoved Roy aside, fleeing out the door. “Snow!”
“I’ll go get her,” Roy said, following after her.
Al couldn’t breathe. Vaguely he was aware that all of Roy’s men were staring. Winry had also gotten to her feet, her hand closed around Ed’s. “I don’t understand,” he whispered.
“Snow is the spy,” his brother said again.
“That can’t be right.”
“Obviously Mustang thinks so, too. He knew who she is, probably has a huge file on her,” Ed said. “I never did trust her.”
“Edward,” Riza said.
“Ed, that’s not helpful,” Winry said but Al barely noticed.
His legs felt weak. Riza put a hand on his shoulder, guiding him to the couch. She sat him down. Someone wrapped an arm around him. Winry? Al couldn’t lift his head to look. Could Ed be right? No, surely it couldn’t all be a lie. Snow loved him, didn’t she?”
Someone asked him something but the words glanced off his mind, not sinking in. Reality didn’t come crashing in until Roy came back with Snowdrop. Her knees were bleeding badly. She must have fallen on the slick sidewalks. Roy seemed to be supporting her almost entirely.
“You tried to get us killed!” Ed bellowed and Al grabbed his arm as if fearing what his brother might do.
“No, that wasn’t us. The madam is trying to find who is out to kill you,” Snow said through her sobs.
“Madam?” Winry asked.
“Snow, what have you done?” Al managed to get out the words, but she just shook her head, unable to answer.
“I’m taking her home and going to talk to the Madam. Riza, did you want to come with me or did you want to see the boys and Miss Rockbell home?”
“I’ll go with you. Fuery, Falman, take them home please,” Riza said.
“Of course, Captain” Falman said.
“Sorry we can’t stay for cards…or whatever this really was,” Roy said, leading Snow out. “Take them home, Falman.”
Al watched them go. He let Ed herd him into Falman’s car but nothing else registered until they were back at Mrs. Hughes’s. Nothing was going to be the same again.
X X X
“I’ve been trying to get Alphonse to drink some tea but he’s so distraught,” Gracia told Roy as he and Riza came into her home. “I don’t even understand what’s going on. Is Snowdrop a spy like Ed says? Winry said they didn’t really know what was going on. They’ve been bickering back and forth with Al shouting at them both to just shut up. And it’s so loud, I can’t get Elicia calmed down and in bed.”
“I’m so sorry to dump this on you, Gracia. I should probably have just taken them with me to the Madam’s, but I needed to find out what in the hell was going on first,” Roy said, his mouth pulling into a grim line.
“What is going on?” Gracia looked between him and Riza.
“It would just be easier to talk to all of them. Are they all in the living room?”
“Ed might have escaped by now. He wanted to go after you. Apparently he harassed Mr. Falman all the way here, but Mr. Falman didn’t exactly know where you went or so he said.” Gracia sighed. “I know Edward is angry for his brother’s sake, but he’s only making things worse.”
“That’s Edward’s special gift,” Roy said wearily, walking past her.
When he got to the living room, the palpable hostility nearly knocked him over. Winry sat with Alphonse on the couch and Gracia went over to drape her arms around Winry’s shoulders. Alphonse was crumpled up, looking as used as the limp handkerchief in his hand. Edward stalked the room, not really looking at them. Feverish spots of anger stood out on his cheeks. As soon as he saw Roy, Edward stomped over to him.
“What the fuck is going on?”
“Go sit, Edward. I’ll explain,” Roy replied.
“I don’t want to sit. I want to know who that girl was and what did she do to my brother!”
Roy sighed. That Edward would be in a fury was not surprising. Now he knew for sure he should’ve just transported them to the madam’s but his mind had been clouded with worries about his own sibling. He would have to make it up to Gracia for unleashing this unpleasantness on her.
“Is my brother right?” Al mumbled, turning swollen eyes to Roy. “Do you have a big huge file on Snowdrop?”
Roy stared at him blankly. What did these boys think he did for a living? “No.”
Al sent a murderous look his brother’s way. “Then Ed’s been working me up for nothing?”
“She’s not a spy?” Edward’s jaw dropped.
“I didn’t say that. She’s definitely a spy, along with Belle, and for that matter, so is the boy you were kissing in the deli, Edward.”
“What the hell is going on? Why are all these people following us?” Edward glared.
“Why? Why would Snowdrop do this to me?” Al trembled and Winry tightened her grip on him.
He looked so miserable, Roy ached for him. “Someone wants to know about you boys. I’m not sure yet how or why, but it obviously doesn’t look like they mean you anything good. The Madam is backtracking the client, especially after they sent someone to kill Snowdrop. The madam and I started going over who Edward might have pissed off but we’ll probably need you to get a complete list, Edward.”
“Me? The spy was using my brother.” Ed reached over, putting a hand on Al’s shoulder.
“Yes, probably to watch you. Alphonse’s too mild to have that many enemies,” Roy said.
Hearing Winry muttering, Edward flushed and shrugged. “Fine, it’s probably me they want but why do all this? Why not just attack me? Why put Al through this? Just look at him.” He flung a hand out. “He’s a mess.”
Roy refrained from mentioning that Edward was partially responsible for that.
“You’re both alchemists, Edward,” Riza said. “That can make you a daunting target for most people.”
“And never underestimate knowledge,” Roy added. “Knowing what you’re up to could be just as important to whoever this is. Hopefully, the Madam will know who that is soon.”
“What I don’t get is what the hell a hooker has to do with this,” Ed said. “I heard you calling her brothel from your house and you keep taking about her. Is that how you know Snowdrop, too?”
“Ed!” Winry shrugged away from Gracia to go slap Ed’s arm.
“What, Ed? She’s not just a spy, now she’s a whore?” Alphonse rasped.
Edward grimaced. “That’s not what I meant. I think I know who he means. Remember that bar you thought you saw Snowdrop in? We were wondering if it was a brothel because he was outside talking to someone he called the madam, that pudgy lady.”
“Edward, ladies don’t like to be called pudgy,” Gracia admonished.
“That is her, Edward, but she’s not a whore and that bar is just a bar. Madam can just be a term of respect, you know.” Roy scowled.
Refusing to be mollified, Edward waved his hand. “Fine, whatever, who is this woman and why is she sending people to spy on me?”
“How do you know, Snowdrop, sir?” Al rubbed his redden eyes. “You obviously do. If you haven’t been investigating her, how did you know who she was and what she was doing?”
“Have you hired her, too?” Edward added. “Or was I right with my first guess and you’re lying about what that bar is?”
“Edward, it’s not a brothel,” Riza sighed.
This time Winry pinched his side. Roy felt like doing the same. “Please insinuating Snow is a prostitute, Edward. I know you’re angry and upset and probably think you’re defending your brother but you’re only upsetting him.”
“You keep not answering our questions,” Edward said more gently.
“Snowdrop Winthrop’s real last name is Mustang. She’s my baby sister,” Roy said and could have sworn he heard Edward’s jaw bouncing off the floor.
“I…don’t understand. She doesn’t have a brother,” Al said, misery shining in his eyes. “Or was that another lie.”
“Well yes, but that one’s my fault. I really should have had her and Mother change their surnames to hide our relationship better, just in case things go badly for me,” Roy said.
“I…what? Just what?” Edward managed to get out. “Your sister that no one has heard of is a spy who was sent to sleep with my little brother? That makes it even worse”
“It really does. How could you never tell Ed that you had a sister?” Winry said, sinking back down next to Alphonse.
“And that she works in a brot…bar,” Edward hastily corrected himself.
Roy fixed them with a hard stare. “To protect her from people who would use her against me. Edward and Alphonse should understand that all too well.”
“But what does she have to do with this madam?” Alphonse asked.
“A madam who knows you, too,” Ed said. “And I’m not really convinced she’s not what I think she is.”
Roy sighed. “I’ll take you to meet her now. It’s not late, not at least in a way the Madam judges things. Alphonse, do you feel up to coming along?”
“No.” He dragged a hand across his eyes. “But I have to go.”
Crossing the room, Roy patted the young man’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Alphonse. I should have been more interested when I learned you had a girlfriend. I was too wrapped up in my own wedding plans and all the rebuilding efforts. I’ve been a lousy friend.”
Alphonse shot him a grateful look but Edward opened his mouth, probably to rebut the idea Roy was their friend but he seemed to think better of it.
“Miss Rockbell, Edward will probably try to shield you, but I think it would be helpful if you came along, too. There’s no telling what information my family has on you. We might as well get it all out in the open.”
“Thank you, sir. Now we know why this other girl, Belle, was trying so hard to date Ed. She was trying to get close to him,” Winry said.
“Sadly for her, Edward’s got the romantic streak of a squashed hedgehog,” Roy replied, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Though I’m fairly sure you’ve found what little amorous nature exists in him. I think fate gave all the idealism to Alphonse.”
Blushing, Edward and Winry exchanged glances, making Roy wonder.
Al snorted. “Fat lot of good it did me.”
“And this whole mess is even more complicated and sad than you know, Alphonse.” Roy turned to his friend’s wife. “Gracia, sorry to drop all this drama on your doorstep.”
“It’s not your fault, Roy.” Gracia offered up a sad smile.
“I’m assuming the boys have a spare key to get in. There’s no sense in you staying up half the night waiting on us. I have no idea how long we’ll be at the Gate Hangs Well,” Roy said. At her nod, he rounded the kids up and Riza got the car keys out of her pocket. Ed seemed relieved that she might be driving. With another sigh, Roy herded them out all into the cold.
XXX
“Oh, Roy boy, you’re back with that kid,” Vanessa said, wiping down the bar. “He’s tried sneaking in before.”
“I keep telling you guys I’m older than I look,” Edward groused.
“Vanessa, tell the Madam we’re here, please,” Roy said.
“Sure thing.” Vanessa slipped away and Roy noticed Alphonse was looking around the bar as if desperate to be sure Snowdrop was nowhere around.
“Hey, you!” Edward pointed a finger at a blond young man at the end of the bar. “Just what the hell did you think you were doing the other day?”
“Sampling a piece of spice cake.” Ringhand winked at Edward.
“James, he’s more cow pie than spice cake, trust me,” Roy said, chucking Ed’s shoulder. “Ten minutes with Elric will disabuse you of the desire to kiss him, no offense, Miss Rockbell.”
“None taken. I’m immune to Ed.” She smiled weakly. “I’m assuming this is the guy you kissed, Ed.”
“That was not my fault! Here, explain to my girlfriend what the hell you thought you were doing.” Edward pulled Winry over to him.
“You actually have a girlfriend?” James’s eyes widened. “Belle said you were gay.”
“Belle misread asexual for homosexual,” Roy said and Edward sputtered, not quite able to form words. “I think he’s fixed that character flaw.”
“How the hell do you know him?” Edward stabbed a finger at James again.
“Roy boy is my big brother.” James went over and wrapped an arm over Roy’s shoulder.
“You sure as hell don’t look like brothers.” Edward narrowed his eyes.
“I’m adopted.” James shrugged. “Most of our siblings are. We have a lot of them.”
“Is Snow really your sister then?” Alphonse asked weakly.
“Yes, she is.” Roy’s brow beetled. “Half sister. We do have the same mother. It’s a long story and not a very nice one. You think your father was bad. All he did was leave. Trust me, it could be worse.”
Before anyone could question that, someone cleared their throat, dragging their attention to the hallway. Madam Christmas stood there with Hohenheim. Roy was surprised to see the boys’ father in the bar, glaring at him, but judging by the gasps, nowhere near as stunned as his sons.
“I figured you'd be back, Roy boy,” the madam said.
“What is he doing here?” Edward glowered at his father.
“Hohenheim and I have been having several nice nights together lately after he visits with Mr. Wu. You'll have to tell me what you have going on with Mr. Wu, Roy,” Christmas said.
Roy leaned close to Edward and whispered, “I swear, Edward, if your dad is sleeping with her...”
“What do you care? Besides he's not allowed to do that,” Edward said. “It's too gross.”
“You know we can hear you, right, son?” Hohenheim raised his eyebrows and Edward winced. “Though, I have to confess I didn't expect tonight's conversation. You two boys have gotten yourselves into another fine mess.”
“It's not our fault, you bastard.”
“I can see why you told me you no longer were his commanding officer, Roy. It was wishful thinking,” Christmas said.
“A pleasant dream to be sure. Let's go somewhere more private,” Roy said.
She beckoned for them all to follow her. Hohenheim returned with the group. Once the door was shut and the radio next to it turned on, Roy swept a hand toward the three young people.
“The mouthy one is Edward Elric, as you've obviously figured out. Alphonse is the one who is visibly crushed by all this garbage and Winry Rockbell, the reason your spies couldn't get near Edward.”
“Really?” Hohenheim adjusted his glasses, smiling. “How wonderful for you, son. If she's anything like her granny, you're in for interesting times.”
“Oh shut up. If you actually knew anything about us, you'd know what Winry is like,” Ed growled and Hohenheim’s shoulders slumped.
“I can see why Snowdrop was terrified of this young man,” Christmas said, tapping some ash into a crystalline ashtray.
“Terrified?” Edward's head snapped back. “She's afraid of me?”
“Told you, you upset her,” Alphonse mumbled.
Christmas nodded. “Though she thought you were just friends with Miss Rockbell.”
“I could see why,” Winry said, with a wry grin. “But why did all of this happen? We don't understand.”
Christmas gestured for them all to sit. “It's a long story. Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, just tell us what's going on,” Edward said as Roy helped himself to the madam's crystal decanter of brandy. He handed one to Riza then poured another, offering it to Hohenheim who took it. “Why would anyone send spies and assassins after me and my brother? What does this...bar have to do with it?” He pointed at Roy. “He keeps saying it's just a bar.”
“And so it is.” Christmas looked up a Roy as he set a brandy in front of her. “What does he think this is?”
“Whorehouse,” Roy replied.
“Ah.” Christmas ran a hand over the sparkling necklaces that gleamed in her vast cleavage. “He wouldn't be the first to think that. They don't know?”
“I wasn't sure if we should divulge everything,” Roy replied.
“Know what?” Ed stabbed a finger at Roy. “What other secrets are you keeping, General Jerkoff?”
“Many that you'll never know, Edward.” Roy smirked.
“Edward, the madam's name is Chris Mustang,” Riza said and all three of the young people stared at her.
“What?”
“Madam Christmas is my mother,” Roy said and Edward spun around to face him.
“Mother?” His eyes slotted. “You don't look related.”
“You boys don't look much like your mother, either,” Hohenheim reminded him. “Well, Alphonse has something of her face.”
“And Roy is adopted,” Christmas said, gesturing with her cigarette. “All my children are. Unfortunately, I didn't get Snowdrop until she was a little older but Roy's mother gave him up to me when he was weaned. She lived with me until then, unable to care for him by herself. Roy is the son I've had the longest. He is very special to me.”
“But he's not a spy, like you,” Edward said, still frowning.
“No, he was interested in alchemy so I sent him to the best I could find when he was young. Still, haven’t you ever seen him amassing information?”
“The walks every lunch,” Alphonse said. “He seemed to know everyone in Eastern command and I see him doing the same here.”
“I figured he was just running around flirting when Hawkeye wasn't listening but those women, they're more of her spies aren't they? I mean, I've seen you talking to her before.” Edward nodded to Christmas.
“They are part of my family,” Roy replied.
“I still don't understand. What could I possibly know that was worth doing this to me?” Al sagged in his seat, his head falling into his hands. Roy thought he would start crying again, but the boy simply shuddered then sat back. Winry put an arm around his shoulders.
“I know it's not any consolation but it wasn't supposed to go like this. She was only meant to be a friend,” Christmas said.
“My sister was never supposed to be out in the field in the first damn place. I can't believe she even agreed to this. She doesn't even really trust men,” Roy glared at his mother.
“She insisted she wanted to try this,” Christmas said. “But you were right, Roy and Snowdrop realizes that now.”
“Is she here?” Al dragged a hand through his long hair, getting snagged in the knots.
“She's home, in the hotel.” Christmas picked up her cigarette pack. “And we don't know why the client wanted information on you. Whoever the client is, they used a proxy, a Xingese man who did not give his real name that I can tell. We thought they were interested in your connection to the new young emperor of Xing. My girls didn't even get out of Xing to return here after all the excitement before the old one died. There could be a lot of reasons someone wanted to know this. They could want to know if trade routes might be possible or maybe use you to get close to the emperor for good or bad.”
“We're Ling's friend,” Ed agreed.
“But it looked more like you were just working with Roy and that's when I was going to break the contract then someone tried to kill my little girl along with you three. I've spied for various generals for a lot of years. People do sometimes die because of the information gathered. I can't even guarantee that the assassin wasn't aiming for Snow. I lost one of my girls last month, but usually there aren't shoot outs in public,” Christmas said. “So now I’m thinking this has nothing at all to do with Xing and more to do with you two boys. Roy suggested you specifically, Edward.”
Ed rolled his eyes at Roy.“Yeah, he said you wanted to know about enemies I might have made.”
“Might actually want to send for food. We'll be here all night,” Roy said.
“Shut the hell...okay, maybe.” Ed shrugged. “Where do you want me to begin?”
Chapter Ten
Evelyn looked across the table at the alchemist Yu had found for her. Smug blue eyes, his blond hair swept back, he exuded arrogance the way a squashed skunk left off reek. “You have the means to do what I need doing?”
“Do you know how powerful state alchemists are?” He waved her off. “I might not be one anymore since I’m not exactly on good terms with the new regime but I was a State Alchemist. I can tell you we’re a powerful bunch.”
“Neither am I,” she replied grimly. “Have you heard of the Fullmetal Alchemist?”
“I’m aware he’s a child, the youngest State Alchemist ever inducted. He is the one you want me to get rid of for you?” the former Storm alchemist asked.
Evelyn nodded. “I tried to get proof he killed my father, so he would face a military execution. That cow, Christmas, failed to find anything of worth. She was a waste of my money.” Her fists balled up as that injustice reached up to slap her.
“Don't worry, taking out a military dog will be a helluva lot of fun.” Storm smirked. "I heard he was under Mustang's command. Know if that's still true? He's a problem.”
“No clue but the preliminary reports I did get from Christmas mostly had them with teenagers their age,” Evelyn replied. “You should be able to easily find them away from the military. They seem to like the Ice Festival.”
He waved her off with a smirk. “Leave it to me. I'll handle them.”
A cold smile slipped across her face. “That's what I want to hear.”
XXX
“How is your brother?” Riza asked Edward as she took the coffee pot off Gracia's stove. Roy was practically face down on the kitchen table, half asleep. Gracia and Winry were washing and drying the morning dishes while Elicia was upstairs playing with her dolls.
“Miserable. Didn't think he'd stop crying,” Edward said, slapping a hand down on the table, making Roy jump. “Your sister really messed him up.”
“She messed them both up,” Roy grumbled.
“Am I supposed to feel sorry for her?” Alphonse asked from the doorway, bringing everyone to a halt. Winry took a few steps toward him then seemed to think better of her. “I'm the one who got betrayed.”
“And I’m sorry for that,” Roy said, realizing Alphonse had moved on to the pissed off stage of mourning.
The boy held up his hand. “Why don't you just not talk? I thought my family had its problems but yours is seriously screwed up.”
“Alphonse,” Gracia started but he whipped around, glaring at her, too.
“I don't want to talk about it. I'd leave here right now if I had somewhere to go.” Alphonse drew in a ragged breath. “It's cold and snowy and I don't want to run away home. I just want to be alone.”
“Al,” Ed said.
“I mean it, Ed. It's bad enough someone is out to hurt us. I feel guilty being here putting Mrs. Hughes and Elicia in danger, but the person responsible for it is someone I loved.” Alphonse's fists balled up. “What am I supposed to do or feel? None of it was real. You were close to right about that bar and those loose women trading themselves for information.”
“Don’t call my sister that again,” Roy growled.
“Why not? It's true.” Alphonse puffed up his chest.
Roy got up, nearly knocking over his chair. “I mean it, Alphonse.”
“Roy,” Riza hissed.
“What are you going to do about it?” Alphonse asked and Winry put a hand on his arm. He jerked away angrily. “I'm not some little kid you can turn over your knee and punish.”
“No, you're a man I can punch and I don't want to do that.” Roy sighed. “Go in the living room, Alphonse.”
“Don't tell me what to do.”
Reading the strained, furious expression on Alphonse’s face, Roy asked, “You don't believe we've told you everything, right?”
Alphonse’s fists clenched. “I know you haven't.”
“Then go into the living room and I will. I'll tell you everything. Edward, Winry you can join us. Do you want coffee, Alphonse?”
Alphonse waved a hand then stalked into the living room. Edward followed him, sparing Roy a look that suggested he was sympathetic to Roy. That was more stunning than Alphonse's ire. Roy took a cup of coffee and waited for the women to join him. Well, Riza and Winry. Gracia went upstairs to get Elicia into her snow suit to take the girl out of ear shot.
Roy sat down with his coffee but he noticed Alphonse took up his brother's usual role of pacing the room. He let him, knowing Alphonse needed his anger, deserved it, even if it wouldn't help him any. Roy waited for the others to sit before he started.
“Aren't you curious how my sister got involved with all of this, Alphonse, and why I never wanted her out in the field?” Roy asked.
“I don't...”Alphonse said then bit off his words. “Yeah, I guess I do want to know. How did you and a half-sister end up with the same foster mother?”
Roy took a breath. “That was my doing but let me start earlier. My mother crossed paths with Christmas while she was pregnant with me. I have no idea who my father is. I'm not even sure he knows about me and I’m not sure I want to know him, either.”
“Sir?” Winry asked.
“You see, my mother gave birth to me when she was thirteen. At best, my father was another young teenager acting older than he should have. At worse, he's a pervert taking advantage of a young girl. Mom worked for a while, helping the madam out, but she was still just a girl herself, so she thought I’d be better off with an adult.” Roy paused, sipping his coffee. “I think the reality is my mother was really hurt when she was a child and that it damaged her greatly.”
Winry made a sympathetic noise in her throat. “That's awful.”
“But I don't see what it has to do with anything,” Alphonse added, his face still red with barely contained fury.
“I'm getting to it,” Roy took another drink of coffee, wondering how much to tell them. If Snowdrop knew he was telling this story, she would be very hurt, but she brought this on herself. “My mother disappeared. Nothing the madam did could make her stay. After my first year with Mr. Hawkeye, I went back home and the madam had located my mother. Naturally, I wanted to see her even though the madam warned me it might not be the happy occasion I was imagining.”
“I get that,” Edward said. “Al really wanted to see our dad again even though he's a huge dick.”
Roy snorted. “You might be revising your opinion shortly, Edward when you have something else to compare to. Anyhow, I went and visited with my mother. That's when I found out I had a baby sister nearly ten years younger than me. Snowdrop was only five and so very little. I quickly learned that life had been hard on my mother. I don't know who Snow's father is, either, but she was living there with a stepfather.” Roy paused, taking a deep breath. This wasn't easy for him to talk about. “Alphonse, what did Snow tell you about her scars? You surely couldn't have missed them.”
Alphonse curled his lip at Roy, but he paused in his pacing. “She said it was a horse and buggy accident, that she got dragged. Let me guess, another lie.”
“At this point, Alphonse, I’m not sure Snowdrop knows it's a lie. I think she's convinced herself of it.” Roy slumped down a bit on his seat.
“Why would anyone want to be convinced they got ran over by a bunch of damn horses?” Edward asked, obviously confused.
“Because her stepfather was abusing her and selling her to whatever pedophilic freak that he could find,” Roy said bluntly.
Edward and Winry flushed with rage, pulling against each other instinctively. Alphonse paled, going weak. Roy thought he was going to fall but the boy caught hold of the back of the couch. He swung around and sat down next to his friend and brother. Alphonse templed his fingers over his nose and mouth, his eyes watering.
“What?” Alphonse whispered behind his hands.
“Did your mother know? How could she let that happen?” Edward said, his voice low and tight.
“My mother is an opium addict now. I'm not sure she knows what world she's on,” Roy said, bitterness twisting his face. “She did one decent thing. She begged me to take Snow and run before that man came back. I wanted her to come with me but she said it was too late for her. I left her. They both disappeared, my mom and that bastard. If the madam knows where they went, she has never told me. I think she’s afraid I’d kill him if I found him.”
“I wouldn’t blame you,” Winry said.
Roy saw the tremors racing through Alphonse, but it was too late to stop now. Maybe he should have held his story longer, let Alphonse be angry for a while and maybe if their lives weren’t in danger he might have. Now, however, they needed the whole story. “I failed you and my sister, Alphonse. I heard her say she had a boyfriend. I questioned her but she closed down. I should have made her talk to me but I had to talk to the madam and wasn’t thinking about it.” Roy scowled. “Thinking too much about my wedding.”
“No one blames you for that, Mr. Mustang, and you couldn’t have changed anything. They were together before we all came to Central,” Winry said.
“No, but I could have given her a less horrible end to it all.” Roy sighed. “I’m not saying this well. What I mean is, after what she went through as a child, the men and the booze and drugs they fed her, Snowdrop doesn’t like men.”
“You mentioned that last night. You said she was terrified of me,” Edward reminded him.
“You have to understand, Edward. Snow sees most men who are not me as the enemy. She’s afraid of them. She thinks most men do nothing but rape and beat women, which is why I was so stunned when she said she had a boyfriend. You’re so loud, Edward, so much larger than life, that you made her feel very afraid. She was convinced you had to be hitting Winry where she couldn’t see it and I think she still believes that. I couldn’t dissuade her, but last night she was hardly in a state of mind to listen.” Roy paused, trying to compose himself. Riza rested a hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “She had to have gone into this job thinking Alphonse was going to hit her at any moment because that’s what she expects of men. She could have only been confused to find someone so nice as Alphonse. Here was someone she could actually trust and care about safely and it was all predicated on a lie. I have no idea what this is going to do to my sister.”
Alphonse scrambled to his feet, racing for the hall, making retching noises. Edward took off after him with Roy following, fairly sure the women were, too. Sounds of vomiting echoed down the hall and Roy nearly slammed into the back of Edward in the small bathroom. Alphonse clutched the white porcelain as the remainders of his stomach emptied itself. He fumbled blindly for the toilet paper, scrubbing it across his mouth.
Alphonse twisted, looking up at Roy. “Are you trying to tell me Snowdrop might actually be in love with me, that it’s not all a lie?”
“Yes, I guess I am. Sorry, Alphonse,” Roy said, shoving around Edward. He put a hand on the boy’s shoulder, expecting to get it swatted away.
Instead, Alphonse’s lip quivered and he started to cry. Roy knelt down next to him and Alphonse latched on. Roy didn’t know what else to do so he let the boy cry. Edward knelt down next to them and Roy let him take his brother.
“Here Al,” Winry handed him a wet towel.
When Roy got to his feet, he noticed Riza was gone. She came back with a glass of water and gave it to Alphonse. She took Roy's hand and started to lead him out of the room.
“I wish you hadn't told me any of this. Now I feel bad for being so angry,” Alphonse said, his voice muffled by the towel.
“You shouldn't. You were innocent in this, Alphonse. My sister knew exactly what she was getting into. She has herself to blame.”
“How can those girls do this? Don't they have a heart?” Winry shook with rage. Ed pulled her closer to him.
“Most of them were jaded by the time they go to work for my mother. It's easy to not care when you've spent a lifetime getting hurt by people. Sex is pretty uncommon in the information gathering but it happens. Maes and I were far more casual about it.”
“You're saying Mr. Hughes was one of you?” Edward's eyes widened.
“No, but he was in investigations. Information gathering is part and parcel of that job and he was damn good at it. It would have been so much easier if Edward had been Snow's target because he's loud and crass, no offense, Edward.”
Edward waved a hand. “I can't deny it in this crowd.”
“At best, she would have been a new friend, nothing more.” Roy nodded at Winry. “Maybe two. You're very different, Alphonse.”
“Lucky me,” he grumbled, trying to get up. Roy extended a hand, hauling him up. Alphonse walked out of the bathroom unsteadily. He went back to his room and flung himself on the bed. Pulling up the comforter, he dislodged his new kitten who mewled her protest.
“Al.” Edward followed him, starting to go into the room.
“Let him rest,” Roy said, tugging on Edward's shirt.
Edward went back toward the living room with Winry. “He can't just hide under a blanket all day.”
“Leave him be for now, Edward,” Riza said.
“You've never had a broken heart like this,” Roy added. “You've been in love with Winry for forever. You two might have your fights but you're together. Imagine if Winry left you.”
“I'd rather not. Okay, I can see why he wants to hide under the covers,” Edward grimaced.
“You can drag him out a little later,” Roy said. “And in the meantime, I'm going back to my mother's and I’m going to ask her why she's been courting your father even though that idea scares me.”
“With my luck, I’m a hairsbreadth away from being your step brother.” Edward shuddered and Winry nudged him.
Roy held up his hands. “That's all I need. Riza can just shoot me.”
“Do it now before you end up foolishly married to him.” Edward tried to lift the mood.
“I'll get death benefits if I wait until afterward, though it would have to look like a mugging,” Riza volleyed back.
“If you were a tad older, Winry, I’d say you and I could run off together and leave these two jokers to enjoy themselves.” Roy winked at her.
“And what makes you think I haven't learned my lesson and don’t want another brat alchemist?” Winry smirked and Edward's eyebrows rose.
Roy sighed. “Everyone's a joker. All right, Riza, coming with me?”
“Yes.” She turned to the teens. “If you want to go out alone, Gracia will keep an eye on Alphonse.”
“Just go make sure your weird mother isn't doing anything with my bastard father.”
“I will. Hopefully by now my mother will have an idea who this client is,” Roy said.
Edward asked, in all seriousness, “When you find out, you will tell me, right?”
“Will you behave if I do?” Roy sighed.
“As good as I ever do.” Edward smirked.
Roy rubbed his forehead. “That's what I’m afraid of.”
XXX
Snow couldn't feel her toes anymore. She hadn't thought to dress properly when she fled out into the festival's day activities. Her mind wasn't working. There was no way of pushing all this aside, as much as she wanted to. She was too numb even to mourn her loss, but there was no doubt Alphonse was lost to her. Even her brother wasn’t pleased to speak to her and neither was the madam.
There was nothing she could do to change the past or salvage her future. She had never been in love, had never expected it. Now Snow didn't know what she would do without it. Her 'sisters' had tried to convince her he was just a boy, that she would get over it. That's when she decided to find her solace in the cold within the crowds at the festival. Yes, Al was painfully young, so young, she should feel bad even though she was only six years older. Still, he was no child. He had seen too much. Roy had told her everything, but it only made her feel worse. Al had suffered so much and she added to it.
Listlessly, she looked through the jewelry she hadn't had time to get see once the assassin had started shooting. It did nothing to help her make any sense of this mess nor did it make her forget. All she thought was Al would have wanted to buy her a few selected pieces.
Sighing, Snow walked toward the park. In the center were the ice sculptures, but it was the near barren flower beds that called for her attention. She felt as empty and cold. Ironically, pushing up through the snow was her namesake, the white-petaled snowdrop. Her real mother had loved them, it was the reason she got tagged with such an unlikely name. They were beautiful flowers in their way, strong, pushing through frozen ground to turn their face to the chill. If only she were as strong as the flowers.
Someone walking swiftly caught her eye. In spite of the cold, most people were lingering, enjoying the sights, sounds and merchant stalls. Snow watched him, noting he was Xingese. There weren't all that many of her background and most lived in Little Xing. It was part of her training. This man she had seen before, but not in the city. He’d been in her mother's bar. Snow thought the man had to do with the mission to find out what Ed and Al were doing.
Pulling her hood tighter, Snow crossed the park. It didn't take long to pick up the man’s trail. There were enough people around to make it hard to notice her. Her hood would obscure her face, not that she was sure he had ever seen her in the bar. This bit of spy work was more up her alley than what she had done before. Snow's only regret was there wasn't time to call in and let her mother know where she was going.
XXX
“Care to explain about Hohenheim?” Roy asked casually, pushing through his pot pie looking for the meat. It was thoroughly awful – his mother had already mentioned the cook would be finding other employment – but without the meat, it was edible. He’d be taking that garbage home to Hayate. Riza sat next to him, trying to ignore the process.
“And since when do I explain my personal life to my children?” Chris looked down her nose at him, unamused. She waved a hand at Vanessa behind the bar who came over with a fresh pot of coffee.
“Since you started hanging out with very unusual alchemists.” Roy looked up from the pie. “He may not look dangerous but he is.”
She sat back, crossing her arms. “He seems like a very pleasant and somewhat befuddled man, but you can’t con someone in this business easily. I could tell there was something hiding behind those golden eyes.”
“How did you even find the boys’ father?” Riza asked, having gone with the soup for lunch and fared a bit better than Roy.
“By accident, actually. He came over here looking for company and something to drink after he left Mr. Wu’s. I took an interest in him. He’s not a bad looking man.” Chris smiled. “It took me a few visits before I knew who he was.”
“And did you learn anything?” Roy asked, curious.
“That he regrets not being there for his sons, that he knows less than nothing about their lives. He was very guarded about some aspects of their lives.” Chris sipped her coffee. “I believe he knew something that he definitely was not comfortable telling me.”
Roy snorted. “Let's just say it's a secret that could get the boys and me, for covering it up, court-martialed, exiled or even executed.”
Chris sighed, making the steam around her mug wave. “How do you get mixed up in these things, son?”
“Could I stand by and let a hurt kid and his younger brother suffer? I was in the position to help them even if it was highly unorthodoxed remove. Granted, I didn't expect the little asshole to show up when he was only twelve and actually pass the State Alchemist exam.” Roy frowned.
“I see your potty mouth hasn't improved with time.” His mother scowled at him.
“Edward brings out the worst in Roy and vice versa,” Riza said wryly.
“Am I not right?” Roy cocked up an eyebrow.
“The term applies equally to you both some days,” she replied.
He wrinkled his nose then popped a piece of crust into his mouth. “Maybe so. Anyhow, it doesn't surprise me that Hohenheim knows so little. He left his children when they were very young and has only recently come back into their lives. Alphonse is more accepting of him because he is the forgiving sort. Edward is having more trouble with that.”
“Do you know what the boys might have been targeted for?” Chris asked.
“Any number of reasons,” Riza offered. “They were instrumental in the Promised Day and the coup. Any of the old guard would have reason to want them dead.”
“And Edward gave you a list of people and towns he might have pissed off,” Roy added.
His mother picked up the list off her desk. “How does one little boy get entire towns to hate him?”
“I stand by my asshole assessment.”
“Edward has a special talent to annoy.” Riza smiled. “But other people love him. He's considered the People's Alchemist and he does have a good heart.”
Roy laughed. “He's a tiny package of evil. Have you seen his art?”
“Well, he does have a different sort of imagination,” Riza agreed.
“It's hard to know where to start with this list.” Chris frowned.
“Lior, even though that seems to be rebuilding well and Al, at least was there without repercussions,” Roy said. “And any of the displaced old guard. They would have reason to hate Edward and me. Alphonse is a very restful young man. He has to be. Someone has to rub the balm on the rents Edward makes on the fabric of reality.” Roy smirked.
“He's not that bad unless, of course, your last name is Mustang.” Riza smiled sweetly.
“I'll keep that in mind,” Chris said, reaching for her cigarettes.
“And then there’s Xing. The current emperor and his family really are friends with the Elrics and Miss Rockbell,” Roy said with a tone that still managed to sound somewhat surprised at the idea. “I'll start checking the military rumor mill about the old guard. You've already been looking into Xing, Madam.”
“I'll give a listen to what’s coming out of Lior, Youswell and Dubilth,” Chris said as she lit up.
“We'll be going. Thanks for the lunch.”
“Your dog will appreciate it even if we didn't.” Chris took a drag. “I do hope Hohenheim will come back. He didn't seem overly mad, but I guess I am a threat to his children. I wouldn’t be too happy with that.”
Roy glowered. “You just leave that man alone, Madam.”
“And when did I start taking commands from you, General?” She smiled around her cigarette.
“From the moment it became possible Edward could becoming my little stepbrother.” Roy scowled.
“You already act like an obnoxious big brother. Why not make it official?” Riza patted his arm.
“Well, it would kill Edward to have another reason to obey me.” His eyes lit up brightly. “Though Alphonse would be in a very awkward position.”
“He could just kill you both and get some peace,” Riza said.
“I meant about Snow, but yes, thanks for the support, love.” He nudged her.
“Winry and I would probably help him.”
“What an affect you have on people, son.” Chris laughed. “I'm getting the idea you and Elric shouldn’t be allowed in the same room for any length of time.”
Riza bobbed her head. “It can be entertaining but tiring,”
“And I have better ways of tiring you out.” Roy caressed Riza's arm.
“Do I need to assign you two a room?” Chris's dark eyebrows rose.
Her son snorted. “We're going.”
“The chill will take it out of him,” Riza said. “Until he gets home.”
Chris waved a ring-laden handed at her. “I trust you to handle him, Riza.”
“I usually do. Roy's pretty simple.”
“Thanks again, love.” Roy sighed and went to get her coat.
XXX
“You two don't have to babysit me. You could have come to the festival alone.” Al stomped his booted feet. “I was fine back at the house.”
“You can't lie in bed all day. This is supposed to be good for you,” Ed replied and Al sighed. “Though I’m not sure how freezing our nuts off is good for anyone.”
“You really are loud and crass.” Winry rolled her eyes. “We could go to a movie.”
“No, I’m not in the mood. We can see the festival. We can just walk around. You want to see the stalls and the ice sculptures.” Al pointed to the ice bar. “I know I look too young to sneaking there.”
“The bastard will probably get you in if you want to go,” Ed said, surprising his brother.
Al stared at him as if Ed had grown another head. “You're going to let me get drunk?”
“I don't suggest it, but in this case.” Ed shrugged. “It won't help, but maybe you’ll puke on the bastard. He deserves it.”
“Edward,” Winry sighed and tried hauling him toward a stall selling vases.
“He does. I mean damn it, she was the bastard’s sister. It’s like I subconsciously knew something,” Ed said and Winry pinched him.
“That would explain why you never liked Snow,” Al said, despondently.
“Ed's not that smart at reading people.” Winry tapped her breastbone in illustration.
Ed looked down at his snowy boots. “Yeah, I know and I am sorry about that Al. I’m sorry I was sort of right about her. I didn’t want this to happen.”
Al sighed. “I know, though I think you didn’t like her because you’re overprotective of me. This was my mistake to make. I just…” He wrapped his arms around himself and turned to a stall that had used books, which might work as a distraction. “I wish I understood why all this was necessary and I wish I understood that if Snowdrop really is mostly frightened with men then why me?”
“I think Mr. Mustang is right about that, Al,” Winry said, following him into the shelter of the book stall. “You’re a good man. She obviously trusted you enough to get that close.”
“So she might really have loved me.” Al picked up a battered novel. “That makes it worse.”
Winry didn’t say anything. She just rubbed his back but he could barely feel it through his jacket. Al continued to look though the books, occasionally handing one to Winry or Ed. He caught a glimpse of something familiar moving along the sidewalk outside the stall. Al abandoned his stack of books to follow after the red coated girl.
“Snowdrop,” he called, hating himself for it. What good could come of this?
She spun around and for a moment he thought she was just turn back the other way and bolt. Instead, she tightened her fists and her voice wasn’t even when she said his name. Snowdrop’s gaze skittered away.
“What are you doing here?” Al winced at his own question. How asinine. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Winry and Ed coming up behind him. He wished they had just stayed in the stall. Now it was three against one and he felt almost sorry for Snowdrop.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I can’t stay here.”
“I don’t understand any of this,” Al fumbled for words. Why in the hell did he start this? “I know what the Madam told us but…how? Why did this happen?”
“I’m sorry, Al.” She turned away. “I have to get back to the Madam.”
“So you’re just going to leave?” Al grumbled, grateful at least his brother was staying out of this. “What? You have more information for her?”
“Shh.” The harshest look he had ever seen on her face made him step back. “And yes. About all of this mess. I think I might have found where the client is.”
Al goggled, unable to say anything. Ed has less trouble. “You went there by yourself?”
“Yes.”
“Snow, they shot at us. That was so very dangerous,” Al said, feeling Winry’s hand brush his shoulder, telling him maybe he was too loud.
“Three months ago my sister, Amaranth, was killed doing this work. I know how dangerous it is,” Snow replied, edging closer.
“And still you do this,” Winry said, horrified.
“It’s why I do it.” Snowdrop drew herself up straight, determination in her eyes.
“In spite of all the things you went through before Roy found you? How can you do this? How do you trust men at all?” Al thought he could see those idiot words crystallizing in the cold.
Snowdrop went as pale as her namesake. “He told?” Her eyes glistened in the second he could still see them before she took off down the sidewalk, going far quicker than was smart in the snow.
“Damn, I’m an idiot.” Al took a few steps, thinking to go after her but what would it get him? Instead, he ducked back into the book stall. “And I don’t want to hear about it, Edward.”
“Maybe we should go tell the bastard his sister knows something,” Ed said. “Or do you think he already knows?”
“I don’t know.” Al sighed. “I’m not sure if we go over there they’ll let us in. Might as well just get the books and go back home. We can call Roy from there.”
“Even if they don’t let us in, they need to know Snow found out something! If she doesn’t go back home, she might get in trouble,” Winry said, looking after her, a worried expression on her face.
“I don’t even care,” Al said. “You two go. I don’t want to go over there. She’ll be there with her mother. There’s probably no where else she’d go now and she’s not going to want to see me now.”
“Okay, Al, you go back to Mrs. Hughes’s,” Ed said. “Tell her to contact the bastard. Winry and I will go check out the bar. You don’t have to see Snow again. She’ll probably hide from me, anyhow.”
“Yeah, wonder why,” Al said, heading away before they could continue the conversation. He didn’t think he could pretend the idea of Snowdrop spying on the client alone didn’t terrify him. He’d try to report to Mustang then go back to hiding under the covers. Damn Edward and Winry for dragging him out here in the first place.
onto chapter eleven & twelve
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no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 04:37 am (UTC)Stop? Stop should be in here.
Poor Alphonse. I feel so bad for him.
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Date: 2012-01-12 04:42 am (UTC)poor AL
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Date: 2012-01-12 04:53 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-01-12 04:58 am (UTC)