Midas Touch

By Jodi Marie Johnston

Disclaimer: Full Metal Alchemist is a copyright program and all characters belong to the companies. However all other characters are my own creative works and creations.

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Chapter Six: Blue Coat

Ed and Al stood watching Aura at play. She seemed innocent the way the sunlight caught her summerset hair. She seemed so at piece, missing arm and all. Off in the distance down the dirt road, Ed noticed a dust cloud was growing. Someone was coming. Al followed his brother's gaze.

"Brother what is that over there?" Al asked.

Ed and Al looked at the silhouette that road shotgun on the carriage. That frame was impossible not to know.

"He's early," Ed hissed under his breath.

The carriage stopped just shy of the boundaries of the Pinako house. Armstrong marched causally into the town. Those steel blue eyes noticed everything as he twitched his golden mustache. At the forefront of his head a single curl of golden hair stood out in stark contrast to his baldhead. An imposing man, tall and a built like an ox, it was hard to believe the kind of child-like soul that was inside. His blue uniform made him a keen target for the eye. He headed towards the front of the house, no doubt looking for the brothers.

There was a sudden movement as Ed felt the vise like grip of Aura's one good arm wrap around his chest as she concealed herself behind his body. Aura never dropped her gaze from Armstrong. With wide eyes she had dropped to the ground and was shaking. Armstrong had yet to spy their little quartet, if you include the dog.

"Aura?" Ed asked. "What's wrong?"

Aura motioned for silence by placing her finger over her lips and began to silently back away indicating to Ed and Al to do the same.

"Aura, tell us what is wrong?" Al asked when they were about forty paces away.

"Blue coat bad," Aura whispered. She still had not let go of Ed; in fact she had practically dragged him with her into the bushes.

"That's Armstrong, he's our friend," Al said.

"No. Blue coat bad."

"He is not bad Aura," Ed said as he untangled himself from Aura's grasp. "I work with him."

"Why here?"

"I don't know, but I can find out," Ed said."

"No. No find me," Aura pleaded.

"He won't find you. Stay here with Al. I am have to go talk to him," Ed said.

Ed made to stand as Aura wrapped her arm around his chest and pulled him to the ground.

"No, go. No, go," Aura whispered into his back.

Ed could feel her heartbeat racing as her whole body shook. Her one good arm was like a vice around his chest, unwilling to release him.

"Aura did that man hurt you?" Al asked.

"A man in a blue coat was the one who hurt you?" Ed asked.

Ed felt Aura tense up even more.

"Yes," she whispered.

Ed sat there for a moment as Armstrong drew closer. Ed knew Armstrong would not stop looking until he found Ed. The only way to keep Aura from breaking into hysterics was if he went out and directed his superior away from her. Right now, behind these oleander bushes even Al's hulking armor was obscured, but Armstrong would not be fooled for long and close inspection would reveal them all. If indeed a man in a blue coat had been responsible for what had happened to Aura than that meant the military was involved. She didn't need anymore trauma if he could help it. The over powering urge to protect her filled Ed's head. He reached up and pulled Aura's hand away. She was incredibly strong and resisted at first then yielded.

"Aura, I have to talk to him. You can stay here with Al and I promise no one will hurt you."

"No go. Please."

That please almost broke his heart. She was worried for his safety as much as her own.

"It will be all right," Ed said. He got to his feet and this time Aura did not try to stop him. She looked honestly afraid for him. Ed nodded to Al and headed over towards Armstrong. Al allowed Aura to crawl into his lap. She seemed so small as she wrapped herself into a tight ball, eyes wide as she watched Edward's back as he headed towards the house. The backdoor opened and Armstrong stepped outside. Aura stopped breathing.

"Edward, there you are. I hear you have made a new friend," Armstrong said.

"Yeah I guess you could say that. She just left in fact."

"Really? Where is Alphonse?"

"He went with her, into town."

"Well, that is good. I have new orders for you Edward from Mustang."

"What does he want us to do now?"

"There is no hurry. I hear from Miss Winry that your new automail will take a week to finish. Your mission can wait until then."

"Mission"

"Yes, it's all explained in here," Armstrong said handing Ed an envelope.

"You came all the way out here to give me this?"

"Um, well," Armstrong blushed. "You know how much I care about you two, besides this was on my way to my next stop at Central."

"You're going to Central?"

"Yes, Mustang wants my report in person, but no need to worry about that."

Armstrong dropped his huge meaty hand on Ed's head almost encompassing his skull as he gave those yellow locks a good rub, like a father figure.

"Ok. Whatever you say."

"When do you think Alphonse will be back? I was looking forward to seeing him again."

"Oh you know Al. He'll probably be distracted by some cat or flower of sorts. Who knows how long he'll be gone."

"That's all right, I can wait."

Ed cursed silently to himself. Armstrong was not someone he could just strong arm into leaving. If he wanted to see Al than he would make certain he would see Al. Almost on cue Al began making his way up to the house. Aura was nowhere in sight.

"Hi, Armstrong," Al said.

"Alphonse!" Armstrong said giving him a head rub as well. "It is good to see you my boy. How was the store?"

"The store? Oh, I never made it. I just took my friend home."

"Like a perfect gentleman. Good lad."

"What are you doing here?"

"I just came to give Edward his orders and to have a nice visit. Shall we have tea?"

"Good idea," Ed said holding the backdoor open. "After you."

"Lead on Edward." Armstrong said almost pushing Edward through the door. There wasn't time for him to find out what happened to Aura. She had to be hiding somewhere. Inside Pinako had tea already.

"There you boys are, where is Aura?"
"Oh, I took her home," Al said.

Pinako looked at Ed and instantly caught on.

"Well that's good. Would you like some tea Mr. Armstrong?"

"Thank you Ma'am."

"Why are you really here?" Ed asked.

"You were never one for small talk Edward."

"Mustang sent you didn't he?"

"Yes. After your little incident outside of Dublin, the Lieutenant Cornel wanted me to make sure you were all right."

"My automail took most of the damage but its nothing Winry can't fix."

"You boys take too many chances out there," Pinako scolded.

"That's just the way the world is sometimes," Ed replied

"We do try to be careful," Al added.

"Still this next mission is nothing to scoff at. The men you are going to be dealing with may not respect someone of your stature," Armstrong said.

"What the hell is that supposed to me," Ed shouted.

"It has nothing to do with your height Edward. You are still young, and despite your accomplishments, sometimes that is all people see."

"Yeah I know but we still manage just fine."

"You have both handled yourself well in the past, I guess I just worry about you."

"That is very sweet Mr. Armstrong," Pinako said. "You boys are very fortunate that you have such a caring supervisor."

"We know," Al said.

"Well I think I must be going." Armstrong got to his feet. "It was a lovely visit. See you boys later. Ma'am," Armstrong bowed and exited the front door. Ed and Al made certain that he climbed back in the carriage and was on his way before Ed turned on Al.

"Where's Aura?"

"Relax brother she's right here." Al opened his chest cavity revealing Aura huddled inside.

"Why in heaven's name did you put her in there?" Pinako asked.

"It was the only place she felt safe."

"Why?"

"Because it was the military that did this to her," Ed said.

Anger welled up in his as he clutched his state alchemist watch. He was one of them, and in a way he felt responsible. Aura wiggled her way out of Al's chest and crawled towards him. Her legs had fallen asleep hunched in Al's armor. She managed to get to her feet with Ed's help. She took his head in her hand and forced him to look at her.

"Ed, good. Aura, care about Ed. Ed not like Blue coats."

"I'd listen to her Edward," Pinako said. "She seems to know what she is talking about."

"Why were you hiding in Al's chest?"

"Aura, needed to see. Al said Armstrong friend. Aura see now. Not all blue coat bad."

"Thank you." Edward pulled her hand away with his good hand, gently stroking her palm. "The least we can do is make you the best automail possible."

"Like Ed?"

"Just like mine."