Prices to Pay

Chapter 3: Decisions

"Young man, they are Special Agents! You shouldn't be-"

"We can handle the runt, Miss Appleton. Don't worry," Tony told her, ignoring the kid's tick-mark and mumbled curse. The lady blushed and nodded before shuffling out of the room, closing the door behind her. They turned to face the blond, meeting the steady iron gaze of his golden orbs. Tony couldn't even believe that such a shade could exist in the entire world, but alas, there it was. The kid's hair seemed to match the color of his eyes, tied up in a ponytail making him look (in Tony's perspective) a girl. He couldn't help but let out a chuckle, making the kid's gaze dart to Tony from Gibbs.

"What?"

Tony shook his head, still grinning. "Your hair, it makes you look like a girl." Gibbs slapped him on the back side of Tony's head, making his co-worker flinch at the stinging blow. The boy smirked, then returning his gaze to Gibbs. The man looked down at the boy and couldn't help but notice the bandages bounded on his right shoulder. Not wanting to interrogate the kid while standing up, he grabbed the chair the nurse was sitting on, pulled it over to the bed side, and sat himself down on it.

"So, kid, you got a name?" Gibbs asked, clasping his hands together while resting his elbows on his knees, looking in the boy's eyes. The kid narrowed his eyes, a hint of suspicion on his face, but he answered the question anyways, with a tone of caution in his voice as well as a firm edge.

"Major Edward Elric, State Certified Alchemist, 'Fullmetal Alchemist'."

Gibbs rose a brow, and exchanged puzzled glances with Tony before going back to 'Edward'. "State certified alchemist?" Gibbs said incredulously. "I don't think DC has an 'Alchemy Department', Edward. And you must be what? 14?"

"17," Edward growled. "And the time I got my ranking, I was 12. I'm surprised you haven't even heard of me."

"I'm surprised our government would even let a 12-year-old kid become a Major, nonetheless join the military."

"What, do you think I'm lying?"

"More believable than what you're telling us now," Gibbs told him. "Are you sure it's just what someone told you you were, not what you actually are?"

Edward frowned. "I know I am a Major, sir. I've been in the Amestrian military for over six years, most of my co-workers would be able to confirm that I am of indeed, military status."

"Amestrian military?" Tony asked, bewildered. "Are you sure it's not American?"

Ed's gaze switched to Tony, glaring at him. "Amestrian. Amestris. That is the name of this country, my country, I assume?"

Gibbs just shook his head. "You must be out of your mind, kid. There is no such thing as Amestris-"

"You must be the one out of your head, cause there is." Gibbs sighed in exasperation, trying to not blow up at the kid.

"If there really is an Amestris, what is the name of it's leader?"

"Führer King Bradley," Edward mumbled. "Are you really saying that my country doesn't exist?"

Gibbs shrugged. "There's no Amestris, as far as I know of. But let's get to some other matters. Like your arm?"

"And leg."

Gibbs blinked. "What?"

"My arm and my leg is gone. I have no idea where the hell my arm is, but I'm pretty sure the hospital people probably took off my leg because the port is still there-"

"Port?" Tony frowned. Edward glared at him.

"Yes, ports. That's how you get auto-mail in, dumbass." Tony looked offended but yet confused, and with one look over at Gibbs, he wasn't knowing any more either.

"What is auto-mail, Edward?" Gibbs questioned. Edward looked back at him and groaned.

"You don't know what that is either? This must be some rundown town or something, to not know what auto-mail is."

Gibbs or Tony didn't answer. Edward let out a sigh before explaining, "Auto-mail is like a prosthetic, except it's made out of pure steel and the wires are connected to your nerves through the port-"

Tony interjected. "A full-steel prosthetic? Is that even possible to create? Nonetheless even carry?"

"Hell yeah. Otherwise I would of been finished years ago," Ed told him, looking a little irritated at the interruption. "Now will you let me speak?" Then the blond continued. "They were mainly used for soldiers who lost their limbs during the way, but basically anyone could get them, if they could pay for it, I mean. I got mine for free from my friend who's a mechanic..." his expression saddened a little at the mention of his friend. Then he looked back up and demanded, "Are you sure I'm not in Amestris and that Amestris doesn't exist?"

"Unless we find out otherwise, yes, I'm very sure," Gibbs told him. Gibbs saw something change in the boy; an emotion flashed in his eyes, the muscles in his face shifted into a look of disappointment. But then it vanished as fast as it came, the boy's cold personality returning.

"So, any other questions you wish to weasel out of me?"

Gibbs nodded. "Yes, many. But first...we're going to have to get you out of here. Interrogation in a hospital could easily be overheard." Ed's lips curled into a smile, a look of relief on his face.

"Finally! But I need that wicked woman to give my auto-mail leg back.."

Gibbs shook his head. "No, you don't. We'll wheel you out of here on a wheelchair and get you back to the headquarters to put you under interrogation. We'll get your leg but Duck is going to have to take a look at it first, then Abby."

"Do they know how to do the wiring and...forget it. Probably not."

Gibbs nodded. "But we won't get you out of here if you're still in bad shape.."

"Oh, screw that. I'll get better on the way. Just get me out of here!" he groaned. Tony looked amused but then he dropped the smirk when Gibbs turned to look at him.

"Sign him out and get a wheelchair. We're taking him now."

Tony blinked. "Are you serious? He's only been in here for what, a day?"

"I don't care," Edward growled. Just get me out of this joint."

"Then it's settled," Gibbs said, standing up and placing the chair back in the corner. "We're busting you out of here, kiddo."

"Hey," Edward called, just as Gibbs turned to leave. "My name isn't kiddo. Don't call me Edward either. Call me Ed. Just Ed."

"Well, 'JustEd'," Tony said with a smirk. "It's nice to meet you."

A/N: Took longer than the last few chapters, but at least I got it finished! Shorter than usual, I'll try and make up for it next chapter.

Read and Review please? Pretty please? :D