Chapter 5

When Anna made her way into the house, she wasn't sure if she was more terrified or relieved. Al had managed to grab Ed before he was able to lay into the Sewing-Life Alchemist, but the man was standing against the far wall with a crying Nina in his arms. He was smiling a sickeningly sweet smile at the two boys and completely ignoring the woman that still had her gun trained on him.

Shou's voice was soft as he spoke. "You know as well as I do that what I did was the only way to advance. I had to do it to try and find a breakthrough."

Ed snarled and tried to break out of Al's grip. "No! What you did was monstrous. You are sick!" When he couldn't crack his brother's grip, he growled up. "Let me go!"

Riza cut across them both. "Mr. Tucker, I have heard enough to know that we will need to investigate further, but I promise no one is going to harm you. You need to let the girl go and surrender before this gets out of hand."

Shou finally looked over at her and laughed bitterly. "No, I don't think so. I will not surrender just so you can take away my daughter and our home."

Nina started crying harder at that point. "Why, daddy? Why would they take you away? I don't want you to leave."

He patted Nina's head and gave her a smile. "I won't let them; don't worry." He then turned to face Riza. "You are going to let us leave. We wouldn't want anyone to get hurt, now would we?"

Ed growled at Shou's thinly veiled threat, and Riza took a step to the side to block the man when he tried to walk off. Anna noticed a flash of aggravation enter his eyes as he backed up again. She could tell this was getting nowhere fast, and with Ed thinking with his temper, it wouldn't change either. At least not for the better. She swallowed once before she stepped forward and held up her hands.

"Look, why don't we all calm down. I'm sure we can make sense of this if we talk it out."

Several sets of eyes turned her way, and most of them held derision or aggravation. Shou still managed to hold onto his fake smile. "I'm not sure who you are, but the only thing I want is to get my daughter out of here. I'm not the one yelling."

Ed made a frustrated sound again, and Anna didn't blame him. She doubted her next request would be met with any more success than the last one, but she still had to try. "Okay, why don't you let Nina come with me then? I can take her and Alexander outside while you four talk."

The man across from her laughed before he sneered. "I think not. We leave together."

The whole situation was a disaster waiting to happen if something didn't change. When Ed made another threat, Anna had a desperate idea come to mind. She only hoped she was good enough to pull it off. She turned and made sure she got both brothers' attention. She then put her palms together, and Ed's eyebrows rose as he focused on her intently. She was glad for small favors, at least.

"Okay, we all need to calm down before innocent people get caught up in something they would be defenseless against." Her eyes had flicked down to her own hands when she said down and then back at Ed's when she said up. She hoped like hell that would be enough for the boy to get what she was trying to say. He was genius enough that if he didn't, then it was probably her fault for using such a horrible diversionary tactic.

They both turned to Shou when he laughed derisively again. "Did you believe that was subtle?"

Anna turned to him with a frown. "Not everything is about you. Some people deserve to leave this room with as much of their innocence as they can."

He glared back at her as he realized she was talking about the girl he was currently using as a shield. She knew they didn't have time to wait since he was already expecting an attack. She just hoped he wouldn't realize where it was coming from until it was too late.

She looked over at Ed and nodded. As soon as she did, Al let him go, and Anna dropped to the floor. Her palms had already created the circle, so she placed them both on the floor and concentrated. She couldn't afford for this not to work. She heard both Ed and Shou shout above her, but ignored them as she focused her energy into the wall behind the man. She was more than relieved when she saw the wood warp out and around their target's legs.

As soon as the impromptu cuffs were finished, she looked up to see that Ed had been able to both morph a giant fist that grabbed Tucker as well as a palm that had caught Nina before she could fall. The girl was bawling, but Riza had already made her way over as soon as Shou was restrained.

Alexander came out barking when Riza tried to lift the girl, and she started crying harder. Anna wasn't sure where she could help the most, but she didn't get to try at all. The room was a cacophony of sound and movement that only became worse when two more people rushed in. One of them instantly moved to help Riza, the other froze at the sight that waited for him. Roy then turned to Ed with a frown.

"What is the meaning of this Fullmetal?"

Ed huffed and rolled his eyes. "Way to show up late, as usual. Had you gotten here sooner, you would have heard Tucker confess to using his wife as part of his first successful chimera."

Both Anna and Riza shot the boy a glare. Anna stepped closer and lowered her voice. "Do you think you could not traumatize Nina any more than she already is, please?"

They were all shocked from their conversation when a tiny body ran between them and started clinging to Al's leg. He looked down in surprise before he looked back up. His voice held slight panic. "What? Why me?"

Riza stood and looked at them all with a frown. She kept her voice calm as she spoke. "I imagine you are the closest to a person she can trust right now. You didn't yell or threaten anyone." She paused and looked back at Shou. He was still trying to get out of the fist that restrained him but was not having any luck. She then looked back at Al. "Do you think you can take her upstairs and help her calm down?"

Al had already reached down to pat Nina's head, but he finally sighed and nodded. At that point, he knelt so he could be on Nina's level. As soon as he did, the little girl threw herself into his arms. He stood with another sigh as he spoke quietly to her to try and ease her mind.

Once the two of them were up the stairs, Roy turned to face his subordinates with a frown. "So, will someone please explain why I just had to respond to a call stating two of my alchemists were trying to kill each other?"

Ed growled at the reminder and pointed to where Shou was still restrained. The other alchemist had given up on trying to get out, but it was only when he stilled that Anna realized there was an even smaller hand that was covering the man's mouth. Part of her wanted to laugh at Ed's imagination, but she knew now was not the time.

Her attention was drawn back when Ed spoke. "That asshole used his wife to transfigure the chimera that got him the State License. It wouldn't surprise me if he was thinking about using his daughter if he couldn't get another break before he had to retest in two days."

Roy looked disbelieving but slightly disgusted. Riza shook her head when she added her own testimony. "I do not know how Fullmetal figured it out, but when I came in, I heard Shou confess. He did not seem to feel he had done anything wrong."

Roy cursed under his breath before he looked around. He motioned to two men that were still standing outside, and they came in. He then looked at Ed. "Release him."

Ed didn't look happy with the command, but that could have just been because it was Roy giving it. It only took him a moment to undo both what he had done as well as what Anna had as well. Once the man was free, the two soldiers had him cuffed almost immediately. Roy then pointed to the stairs. "Take him to his room and post a guard. He will be listed as under house arrest until we figure this out."

Ed glared back as the two walked off with a shouting Tucker between them. The boy stalked to his commanding officer and tried to get in his face. "What do you mean 'when we figure this out?' He confessed."

Roy pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. He then pinned the boy with a glare of his own. "How did you know? I was told your cousin showed up with visible worry, and then all of a sudden, you pushed her aside so you can get to Shou?"

His eyes had flicked over to where Anna was standing, and she felt the weight of his suspicion even at that distance. She wouldn't be surprised if he had already figured out she had something to do with it. Especially since she had practically thrown a fit to get to the boys when she found out they were working with Shou Tucker.

She wasn't given long to worry about it as Ed waved off the question with nonchalance. "Meh, she's heard stuff about what we're researching. When she found out we were with another alchemist, she freaked out. It was just something she said that made it click, and I had to confront the jackass."

Anna tried not to look too relieved that Ed was quick on his feet. Although, part of her wondered at how good a liar he was. It wasn't until her relief passed that she grasped the rest of what he said. By the time both males turned back to her, she was glaring at her 'cousin.'

"Well, I was only worried about your foul-mouthed ass. Forgive me for being concerned."

Ed gave her a wide-eyed look that was nearly matched by Roy's. Riza caught their attention when she tried to cover up a laugh with a cough. Anna turned to see the woman flash her a smile behind her hand before she then turned to the Colonel. "Sir, if I might?" When Roy nodded with a sigh, Riza continued. "With Shou being on house arrest and Al taking care of Nina, it might be best for both Ed and Anna to stay as well. I doubt Ed would want to go far without his brother, and Al might need help once the girl is calmer. I doubt he knows a lot about babysitting."

Roy nodded. "We'll have to figure out where to take her, but that won't be decided tonight." He then turned to the other two. "I'll send another guard for Tucker. Fullmetal, don't even think about trying to confront him. Let the system handle it."

Ed looked like he was about to argue, but Anna stepped in. "Nina is going to have a hard enough time as it is. The last thing we need is to freak her out more by letting her hear fighting again."

The boy seemed to deflate a little as he thought about Nina. Finally, he huffed and turned to the stairs. "I'm going to see if Al needs help."

Roy called out a last warning as the boy started up the steps. "Don't push it if she doesn't want to see you."

Ed's voice was fading as he called back over his shoulder. "Yeah, yeah."

Roy shook his head with a sigh as the boy disappeared. He then turned to Anna with a frown. "Miss Stephenson, I believe we might need to have a chat." He paused at that point and looked to Riza. "Lieutenant, would you please make arrangements to have Havoc sent here."

Riza saluted and walked out to follow orders. She only paused long enough to give him a look that Anna couldn't see. That didn't make her feel better when he turned back to her and gestured to one of the unoccupied seats. She took it with a little trepidation as he joined her.

He gave her a charming smile as he sat, which caused her to sit back stiffly. He raised a brow at the obvious action, but his voice didn't betray anything he was thinking. "Please relax. I am sure that the last couple of days aren't the best example of life in Amestris, but I assure you things aren't always this crazy."

Anna chuckled at his empty reassurances and tried not to roll her eyes. "Look, I am upset by what happened here, but not because I see it as representative actions of this country. Ed was involved. That is enough to know things aren't likely to go smoothly."

Roy had to take a moment to not laugh out loud. Their first meeting notwithstanding, the pretty Miss Stephenson was already proving to be just as bullheaded and outspoken as her cousin. Whether that was a good thing or not remained to be seen. He cleared his throat and tried to put on a slightly sterner look. "Speaking of Fullmetal, what exactly did you need to speak to him about that was so worrisome?"

Anna forced her breathing to stay calm as she tried to think about how to build on what Ed said and not give away too much. She gritted her teeth and tried not to sound as nervous as she felt. "I don't know any details, but I have been told they are researching something that could be potentially life-threatening and that it has something to do with alchemy. When I heard they were with another alchemist, I suppose I overreacted."

Roy narrowed his eyes slightly. "They are both talented alchemists in their own right. Edward is even a state alchemist. They can take care of themselves."

Anna narrowed her eyes at his assessment. "Yes, but they are still boys. Fourteen and fifteen years old. You can't tell me that doesn't at least cross your mind."

Roy held up one hand. "Please, I understand. We do keep an eye on them, as well. I suppose I should just be glad that they have family that cares, as well. That is one thing they lacked."

Anna shook her head and sighed before she gave him a wry smile. "They have the Rockbells. That family is closer to them than I am. I'm practically a stranger."

The Colonel looked as though he had something else to add, but shook his head and changed the subject. "All that aside, you seem to be handling this well. I wasn't sure what to expect, but this can't be easy for you."

She knew it would probably seem strange to him, but she couldn't hold in a laugh. When he gave her a questioning look, she shook her head, and her smile turned a little sad. "That would be because of my mother. Or rather, how I was raised. Since she was a renowned archeologist, we didn't spend much time in the place that was supposed to be our home. We traveled all over following whatever she wanted to research next. She took care of my schooling herself, but she also taught me how to handle unknown situations."

She paused as her memories tried to overwhelm her. She managed to push them back with a sigh. "Since it was just the two of us so often, I had to learn not to let my fear rule my mind. My mother had a saying she would use whenever I felt scared. It came from one of her favorite stories, but it worked."

Roy gave her a patronizing smile. "If you handle things this well, then I suppose it must have. Do you mind sharing?"

She wondered briefly what kind of saying he thought it was with the look he was giving her. Probably something juvenile. She was happy to disabuse him of the notion. Her grin widened slightly. "Sure. It was 'I will not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will let it pass over me and through me, and when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone, there will be nothing. Only I will remain.'"

There was complete silence for several seconds before Roy finally blinked a couple of times and gave her a curious look. "And how old were you when she had you learn this?"

Anna chuckled slightly at the memories his question evoked before she raised a brow. "As soon as I was old enough to say all the words and understand them. So at about four or five."

His eyes widened slightly before he stood. He held out his hand for her to shake when she joined him. "Well, that is certainly a fascinating saying. I can see how that would help you cope. Perhaps sometime you can tell me more about it." He paused and looked out the doorway to see if Riza was back. When she was still not in sight, he turned back with a charming smile. "I suppose I will see you again tomorrow. Please feel free to let Havoc know if there is anything you need once he arrives."

Anna swallowed a sigh and shook his hand. "Will do. Thanks."

Despite her not losing her head, the whole situation was nearly overwhelming. It was taking all she had to keep her head straight enough to think through things. It would have helped if they hadn't immediately gone to shit, but it wasn't like she ever had a say before.

She watched both Roy and Riza leave before she turned to head up the stairs as well. She figured it was a good sign that they hadn't heard any yelling yet. Maybe Nina was calmer, or at least Ed wasn't losing it. She only hoped that they figured out a way to make sure this outcome didn't end up worse than the possible one had been. At least Nina wasn't alone for now.

A/N: I almost feel like we jumped head-first into the deep end lol. At least things aren't boring (hopefully you feel the same). The next chapter will be about the same, so I hope you all enjoy! Thanks for reading.