Munich, Germany, 1923

Events of the movie have not yet taken place, Edward turned eighteen-years-old a month ago.

I wrote this story because I love seeing the loving, caring, and protective side to my favourite characters.

A Golden Heart

Edward walked along the streets of Munich, thoughts drifting in his mind. It had been two years since he had been in this strange world. He found himself once again homesick, thinking of his brother Al, his friend Winry, Rose…even Roy Mustang. He missed them all so much. A week ago, he had turned eighteen. He had no destination in mind, only walking aimlessly, silently wondering what his brother and his friends were up to back home.

His thoughts were cut off when he heard an cry of pain coming from an alleyway. The cry was followed by laughter, and someone shouting, "Filth! Impure! Disgusting Gypsy!"

Edward ran toward the shouting, and was horrified to see a group of boys, who looked the same age as him or older, cornering a young girl, who looked about ten or eleven, against a wall. She had light brown skin and long brown hair. She was breathing hard and shaking. A boy took a rock and threw it at her, hitting her in the face. She cried in pain, shaking harder against the wall. Her shoulder was bleeding badly, and her eyes were unfocused. Her attackers were caught up in their hunt and it was almost as if they were possessed by some unspeakable evil as they yelled, screamed, and jeered. Edward couldn't get over his horror and disgust at such cruelty. He moved forward and snarled, "Hey! Why don't you pick on someone your own size, you bastards!" This was enough to distract them and Edward moved himself to stand in front of her protectively. He knelt beside her, eyeing her carefully. "It's okay," he said softly, "I won't let them hurt you." He wanted to say more, to help her there and then, but he had to deal with them first. She looked up at him, hope in her eyes now.

"Look at him!" the boy sneered, "Defending it! Caring for it! Don't waste your time with her!"

"Get the hell out of here!" Edward said fiercely, unable to control the rage in his voice.

"Who are you to tell us what to do?" spat one of the boys. "Don't you know what she is? She's a Gypsy! Beat it, and let us finish her off. What's one less Gypsy going to do to bother anyone?"

Edward gritted his teeth. There were so many terrible people in the world he'd had the misfortune to meet. He could feel the rage burning inside of him. A familiar feeling. This was to much.

"What does it matter?" he hissed, "She's a human being isn't she? A little girl! Doesn't that mean anything to you? She's more human then the likes you bastards!" If he could have used his alchemy, he would have been tempted to kill them, much as he hated killing. It was so hard to control the rage. "Get the hell out of here now!"

"Think we give up so easily?" growled the boy, who Edward was guessing was the ringleader now. "We didn't have a quarrel with you until you started defending it," he added empathise on it. "Now once we're done with you, we'll finish her!"

Edward spread out his hands, making sure the girl was behind him. He wanted to check on her more, but he had to get rid of them first. Have to make this quick! He brought his hands together in a clap, and the sheer ridiculousness of it to the boys sent a puzzled look onto their faces.

"Old habit of mine." Edward said coolly, then lunged.

He had still kept practice, while not being able to use alchemy, but made sure he was strong in body to fight if he ever needed it. There was at least six of the boys, but like all bullies, they didn't fight well against someone who could actually fight back. Just as he suspected. He easily beat them, offering spot on punches and kicks. And like all cowards, when they realized he was tougher, then ran, offering shouts of parting, "Gypsy lover! Hope she steals from you and brings you misfortune, like the lot of them does!"

Edward would have liked to chase after them. He was all for it. They hadn't learnt their lesson yet. But he knew he couldn't. The girl was hurt. He heard the young girl give a weak cough and gasp in pain as she struggled to get up. Edward felt another wave of rage at what these people had did to her. All because she is a Gypsy! But all I see is a young girl, innocent and hurt. How can they act like this to people? Can't they see how evil this is? What justifies hurting another like this?

"Easy," he said softly.

He knelt beside her, she looked up at him, exhaustion clear in her eyes, and a hint of fear.

"It's okay. I won't hurt you. Your safe. They're gone." Edward said, making his voice low and soft.

She pressed her head against his shoulder, the fear leaving her eyes.

She gave another weak cough, and her eyes blinked several times. She looked about to pass out. Edward saw then with horror that she was more injured then he'd thought. She was losing a lot of blood from her shoulder. He felt another wave of sickness as he saw bruises on her other shoulder and a bruise on her face. How can someone do this and not have their conscience drive them insane? He recalled Roy Mustang. He'd been forced to do terrible things in the war, including killing two doctors who had been Winry's own parents, and his conscience had never freed him from it even if it wasn't really his fault. He hadn't wanted to kill or hurt anyone. These people had hurt her not because they'd been ordered too, but because she was a Gypsy. For no other reason. Was their hatred so strong it didn't bother them? How can they sleep at night? How can they keep going? I couldn't live with myself if I hurt another for no reason, a child at that! I even feel bad for hurting my enemies. They called her an it, that's the name I'd call anyone who can be so evil and be blind to it.

He gently took her into his arms. She was becoming light-headed. He had to get her help fast. "It's okay," he assured her. "Close your eyes. Try and rest."

He felt her press against his chest, then her eyes closed and he realized she had passed out. Standing up, he quickly hurried down the street.

Damn it, were do I go? Will the hospital take her in? They could tell she's a Gypsy..What if they won't help her..

Before he could make his decision, a voice suddenly called his name.

"Edward! What, what happened!?" It was Hughes, or his look-alike in this world. Edward turned to him desperately. "This young girl has been hurt! Please, she needs help."

"She's a Gypsy, isn't she?"

"What does that matter?"

"The hospitals may not take her in," Hughes said slowly, "They have enough to treat as it is."

Edward glared at him. Hughes from my world wouldn't give a damn. He'd help her in an instant. In some ways they are similar, others very different. "What can I do? I don't care if she's a Gypsy or not! She's a child!"

Hughes eyes became serious. "Gracia used to be a nurse at the hospital. She could help her. It would be safer then a hospital."

"Thank you. Is she close by?"

"Yes, her house is over there."

Edward realized he'd been very close to her place. With relief, he hurried over, Hughes following him. "I wonder who her parents might be, if she has any."

A pang shot through Edward at the thought as Hughes knocked on the door, and the door opened. Gracia's eyes filled with shock. "Please," Edward asked desperately. "She's hurt and in need of help, and I don't dare take her to the hospital here, in case - "

"No worry. Bring her in!" Gracia said at once. Entering the house, Gracia said, "Follow me upstairs, she can rest in our spare bedroom."

Edward followed her upstairs, then gently placed the young girl on the bed. Gracia looked her over quickly and swore under her breath. "Poor soul. She'll be alright. I can take care of her." Edward was relieved. "Anything I can do to help?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. Go downstairs, you'll find blankets in my laundry bin freshly washed. I was about to bring them up. Bring them up here for her. I'll go get my first-aid kit, good thing I keep one around. I don't care if she's Gypsy or not, she is an innocent girl in need of help. I'd take her to the hospital, but your right. The Hospitals aren't safe, to many racist people work there these days. Better anyway, she'd be more comfortable here then in that kind of environment."

Edward hurried downstairs, found the blankets and brought them up. Gracia was cleaning her wounds, looking very upset. She had bandaged the girl's injured shoulder.

She stood back as he approached, and Edward gently placed the blankets over top of her, tucking her in, as his mother had done for him when he was younger so long ago. He felt an urge to protect her from danger, at any cost. "How is she?"

"She'll be alright. She needs rest, from the looks of her, she hasn't got much rest in awhile. Poor thing has plenty of bruises, some older then others. I hate to say it, but I think she's had a very harsh past." Gracia gave a sad sigh. "What is the world coming too? We'd best let her rest in peace and quiet. Perhaps you'd better stay with her, she'd be a little scared if she woke up to see me. Keep on eye on her for me, if anything is wrong, come for me. She's okay to just sleep for now. I'll let Alphonse know where you are. Do you want me to tell him?"

"Yeah, let him know. I'll stay with her to make sure she's okay. Thanks so much for the help Gracia."

"Don't thank me, it's you who saved her life. Had she been left to those hounds, they'd probably have killed her."

Edward's look of horror was obviously on his face, as Gracia commented, "There are evil people in the world, we can't deny that. But there are good people to, like you. Not many, Edward Elric, would risk their life for someone if it meant putting themselves at risk. You're a good man, seeing people like you inspires me. You have a golden heart."

Edward shook his head, "You flatter me. I only did what was right. I couldn't leave her. I've known a lot of people who give, who sacrifice, everything they have for others."

Gracia's eyes held a thoughtful look. "Maybe you have, but here in this place, in this time, they are harder and harder to come by."

Edward was embarrassed by her praise. He turned his gaze back to the young girl who was fast asleep. Angered burned through him once more to think what some people were capable of doing to another.

I'll make sure she is safe. No one will ever hurt her again!

Thanks so much for reading Chapter One. Awww, SQUEAL for protective Edward Elric!