Chapter 8

Trust, Innocents, and Kittens

Jack

The plan appeared to be working. Jack winced, feeling pain lance across his ribs as Alphonse tightened a bandage around his torso. The boy insisted on remaining in order to inspect Jack's ribs.

The fall wasn't a part of the plan, but it certainly did help. Jack was sure rescuing the cat helped to get Alphonse's trust and, if not, it certainly was enough to plant the seeds.

But Jack wasn't sure, not with Alphonse. The boy always smiled and acted polite. As a result, he was difficult to read.

Unlike Ed who just looked at Jack and screamed the words grudge with his very stare.

With a heavy sigh, he watched the 13 year old check the binding around his chest, and step back, pleased. "That should do, Jack." Dark golden eyes sparkled. Alphonse planted his hands on his hips and studied the man. "I'm sure they're just bruised, but you might have to see a doctor to make sure."

Jack grabbed his shirt from the bed stand and pulled it on. "Nah, I'll live. Better me than you, anyways." He tried to sound paternal and reached out to scruff Alphonse's hair. To his surprise, the boy stiffened.

Both boys were damned skittish. It made his job more difficult. Widening his eyes, Jack lifted his palms. "Hey, I don't bite you know." He shifted his weight, feeling the bed beneath him creak. "Look, I appreciate you patching me up, that's all." To emphasize the point he tapped the bandage on his cheek. "See all better, I'm grateful…"

Sighing, Alphonse bit his lip. He looked away, apprehension crossing his young face. The kid wasn't the timid sort, but something bothered him. It had to be Edward, Jack decided. The boy was worried he was betraying his brother by trusting him.

Jack slowly came to a stand waving his hand at the boy. "Hey, I don't plan on coming between you and your brother. I'm just doing my job, ok?"

"It's not that." Alphonse informed quickly. He cleaned up the remaining bandages and alcohol and carried them into the bathroom. Jack heard the clatter of the medicine cabinet. "It's just... it's my fault you got hurt. I should have learned a long time ago, not to let people talk me into things I think are unwise."

"Eh?' Jack blinked. "Unwise?" It had nothing to do with Edward? How could he be so wrong about the child? "It's my job to…"

"You were far too large to climb that tree safely, Herr Harkness, and yet I let you talk me out of climbing it and doing it yourself." The boy came out of the bathroom, and lifted the kitten off the floor. The animal purred, and clawed up his arm so its head pressed into the nook of his arm. The boy's focused on the kitten and tiny smile crossed his face. He gently stoked it. "I let you climb the tree because I didn't want you knowing how capable I was. Better for you to think I'm weak, like this kitten."

Weak? Jack watched the child, for a moment, aware that Alphonse innocent smile was suddenly gone, and something dark hid behind his child like mask. "You're saying you're trying to play me?"

"Yes." Alphonse placed the kitten on his shoulder and let it bat at his long ponytail. "We're both playing games here, Mr. Harkness. The difference is, I'm not the child you're hoping I am and I'm too experienced to believe you're the nice guy you want me to think you are. So I took a well thought out tactical advantage to get what I wanted, and it hurt you. So I am very sorry."

Considering the boy's words, Jack buttoned his shirt. Alphonse didn't like using people, or at least, that was what his words said. "I accept your apology, Al."

He than addressed the boy's earlier accusation. " And, I am a nice guy, really."

Alphonse shook his head and crossed the room to the

coffee table and couch. There was something off about his gait, it was too smooth, and controlled like the boy was attempting to hide something.

Jack rubbed his chin. Yes, he was sure of it, both Edward and Al moved like experienced martial artists. He'd have to see them fight to be sure, but he was pretty confident his hunch would pan out. Was that what Alphonse was trying to say? He had skills that set him apart physically from other kids?

Alphonse placed the kitten on a crumpled blanket on the couch. Regret wrinkled his brow and he shook his head. "I know you say you are, Jack. But I can't let myself believe it." He sank down beside the kitten. He looked lost, and far younger than 13. It made Jack feel his own conscience twist. The boy was a walking weapon, as was his brother; yet... they were children, and didn't need anyone, not the Nazis, not Kaiser, or even his superiors to control them.

But he had his orders.

Alphonse wrapped his arms about his legs and buried his face. He peeped up, eyes peering though tangled bangs. "I'm sorry, Jack. I wish I could find it in my heart to be a child again, and trust."

"You are a child, Al," Jack informed. "I suppose your situation makes it hard to be one, but I see it. Between you and me, you and your brother should be being kids, not mini adults. Its not too late."

"Tell Kaiser that, when he tortures Noa and I to get Brother to work."

That hurt. Jack heaved a breath, and fought away the rising guilt. The boy was right. If he didn't have his orders, he would have found a way to help him. Alphonse must have realized it. Or perhaps, he was like his brother and out to make Jack miserable with anger-ridden comments about Jack's loyalty to his job. A job, Jack himself despised, but was sworn to do until he had further orders.

He watched the boy well aware the child was far more than he seemed. "If you feel guilty about me getting hurt falling out of the tree," Jack began. "Don't be, I damn well knew you'd climb it better than me, and that you're hiding something. Hell, I told you earlier I knew you weren't some ordinary brat."

"I've seen death before." Alphonse said absently. With his knees still drawn up, he reached out a free hand and picked up a bowl of milk he had retrieved from the kitchen earlier and held it close to the kitten. It lifted its head and sniffed the stuff, then hungrily delved into the liquid in a race to lap it up.

"I see it in your eyes." Jack weakly smiled. He walked to the boy's side and sank down on the couch next to him. How in God's name was he going to get the kid's trust? It was obvious both he and Edward carried far too much baggage to just trust anyone. "I really am here for your welfare, Alphonse."

The boy laughed. "I know you would like to believe that, Mr. Harkness." When the kitten finished drinking, he placed the bowl on the end table and unwound from his ball. "In your heart, I'm sure you want to be a hero. But you won't be one on Kaiser's payroll. I know you are different than the others, you talk to me, and treat me like a child." He blinked away tears. "I like being treated like a child, Jack. It makes me feel like I still have time to be one."

"Than be one." Jack reached over and touched the kitten's soft gray fur. It purred and peeked up at him with big green eyes. It made Jack feel like he had done some good. "So, what are you going to name him, and how are we going to convince Ed to keep him here?"

The tactic worked. Alphonse lifted the kitten and looked at it for a long moment. "Einstein. I'll name him Einstein. As for Edward…" He forced a childish smile. "I'm sure you'll come up with something. Hmm, let's tell him you are allergic to cats… He'll keep him around then…"

"Thanks a bunch." Jack leaned into the back of the couch. "Something tells me you're brother is a sadist."

He heard the boy suppress a chuckle. "Only to the people that cross him."

It was good to see him happy, even if it was only for a short time. Alphonse might have been a sneaky little bastard, but his heart was in the right place. Side glancing the cat, Jack couldn't help but feel pleased with himself. Yes, he failed to get Alphonse's trust, but at least the animal was no longer cold and frightened. It had a good home with Al. The boy would care for it. As for Edward, Jack wouldn't give him a moment's peace until he gave in.

It dawned on Jack Harkness he liked Alphonse Elric. And that wasn't a good thing.

The door across the room burst open, the Edward stalked in. He was white as a sheet, and his brow was drawn with thin lines that frowned around his delicate lips. If Jack read him right, the young man's eyes were haunted, and filled with desperation.

The long blond ponytail bounced behind him. Sloppy displaced strands of hair dangled around his neck and down past his shoulders. He was disheveled, and driven, reminding Jack of a mad scientist on the verge of some important, but horrifying discovery.

Edward Elric was distressingly attractive, even now. And despite Jack's attempts to not like the young man, he was unable to ignore the fact he was undeniably cute.

Taking no notice of them on the couch, Edward crossed over to the ladder and scaled it with one leap. He gave it a push, so the ladder rolled across the shelves to the opposite end, just past the couch. "Alphonse, the medical Journals you were reading, which one discussed diseases of the blood?"

Alphonse arched a brow, and came to his feet. "Well, there is the German Journal of Oncology." He climbed up the other half of the ladder. "It talks about diseases like Leukemia. We also have the New York State Journal of Medicine; it has lots of information on Hemophilia." The boy picked though the books, then pulled out two massive volumes and handed them to Edward. "You don't look well, Brother. You should be in bed."

Edward snorted, slid down the ladder. Circling the couch, he dropped the two volumes on the coffee-table, taking absolutely no notice of Jack. "I can rest anytime…"

He bent to sit, bottom first.

Jack lifted a brow, studying Edward's tight buttocks. "Hello, Ed. Hard at work I see."

The innuendo went completely over the Alchemist's head. Edward Elric plopped down, and turned to face the security guard with a mixture of shock and distain on his effeminate features. "What the HELL are you doing here?"

He did look ill, Jack decided. Those golden orbs were circled with dark bags, and a thin sheen of sweat dampened his brow. Glancing briefly at Alphonse, Jack stood. "You're brother invited me." He replied. "We had a little adventure, you see."

Alphonse lifted the kitten from its nest on the couch and held it close. "Jack was injured helping the kitten."

It was apparent; Edward was attempting to process the discussion. He looked from Al to Jack, three times before noticing the kitten, than dawning widened his gaze. "Alphonse…"

Alphonse held the animal out, so its' sad emaciated body was held a few inches in front of Edward's nose. "He was starving and freezing to death in a tree. Brother, how can you expect me to ignore him?"

Tears rimmed Al's wide eyes and his face was a mask of horror mixed with sadness. It was almost as pathetic as the kitten that mewed helplessly in his out stretched hands.

The kid was good, Jack thought. "I'm allergic…"

The kitten batted at Ed's nose. And Al's mouth trembled as he was on the verge of tears.

Three against one, the odds were certainly against Ed.

Edward touched the kitten's nose with a gloved finger, and then exhaled. His breath puffed his bangs up and away from his face as he slouched into the cushions behind him. "It seems like I have no choice in the matter." Edward Elric declared defeated. He waved an annoyed hand. A weak smile crossed his now pained face. "It will be good for you, Alphonse. How can I say no?"

Alphonse's gaze narrowed and he held the kitten close to his chest. Suspicion crossed his young brow. "What's wrong brother" His mouth formed a thin line and his gaze shifted to the books. "You're sick aren't you?"

Edward failed to meet the boy's gaze. "Of course I am ill. I've been working hard, with little sleep…"

"You know what I mean!" Alphonse snapped.

Edward's shoulders slumped and his eyes filled with guilt. " Later, Al." Weary golden eyes lifted, focusing on Jack. "Go."

How come he expected that? Still, he was concerned nonetheless. Even if Elric hated his guts, he didn't like seeing the kid looking so washed out.

Not to mention how little Alphonse's world was wrapped up in what his brother did.

Jack inhaled, and came to his feet. "I'll be waiting outside if you need me, Al."

"Thank you, Mr. Harkness, but I think I'll be ok." The boy replied. He joined Edward on the couch and placed a free hand on his arm. The kitten made its way to his lap and snuggled there. At least it would offer the boy some comfort. Jack had the feeling with what Edward had to tell Al, the boy would need it.