Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist, and this story is not for profit.

Author's Note: So I find it kind of awful that last chapter I mentioned that reviews make me write faster, and wrote some awesome reviews, and then five thousand years later this chapter came out. I'm super sorry about that. I've been super busy but I wasn't lying when I said that reviews do make me write faster. And I really appreciate all of your guy's support! Also I just want to let everybody know that there is an important author's note at the bottom of this chapter!

Safire08: I'm glad you like their conversations! Trying to keep Greed in character is the hardest job and you have no idea how happy it makes me that you think Greed would really act like this!

Vorazlov28: As far as Beth's deal goes, that story will reveal itself pretty soon I upcoming chapters. I'm super nervous about how people are going to feel about it TBH. But I'm happy you think the mystique is entertaining so far! I'll try not to let you down. And in regard to hanging out with Dolcetto, maybe in the future…

Anonymous J: Thank you as always for all of your support! More backstory is soon to come, and I'm thrilled you thought the last chapter was great. And don't worry there's always more sexy Greed to come!

Guest: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you liked my joke…

Five

When her managers were acting strange again the next day at practice, Beth decided she would speak to them.

It was 9:00 in the evening when they had all finished practicing. She grabbed her bag and was making her way to their office, when Adaline surprised her by meeting her in the hallway.

It always took Beth a minute to decide which manager she was speaking to. Both Errol and Adaline had the same dark eyes and hair, but they both wore them around the same lengths and so it was hard for Beth to tell who was who, even though one of them was a man and the other was a woman. She usually had to wait until they spoke. Adaline had a deep voice but Errol's was surprisingly high pitched.

"Could we see you in our office for a minute, Beth?"

"Sure, Adaline. I was just coming to talk to you all."

When they stepped into the office, Errol was sitting on the table, arms crossed and staring at the wall. Adaline took the chair behind the desk.

Neither of them offered her a seat.

"I guess we'll just get straight to the point, Beth. Have you forgotten that you are under contract?"

"Of course not. How could I have forgotten that?" As if she could forget that these two people controlled her entire life.

"And you remember the rules?"

"I come to practice everyday, I go to performances every night that we have one. I don't leave the city without your permission, I don't dye my hair without your permission, I don't make any big decisions without your permission. I basically don't do anything without your permission."

For the first time Errol spoke. "And you don't see any men without our permission."

Beth hesitated. She didn't like where this was going. "I know this. And I haven't."

"You know why that is, don't you? Until you become too old to dance, you don't need that kind of distraction. If you start dating a man, then you'll want a family soon, and-"

Beth couldn't listen to this anymore. "Alright, alright! I understand, but I haven't been seeing anyone I promise."

"We all saw you dancing with that man at the Gala a few months ago. You two were dancing awfully close and you looked like you knew one another."

"Well we didn't." At least not at the time.

"He came and spoke to us, Beth."

Beth froze. "What? When?!"

"A few days ago." Adaline said, playing with her nails.

"What did he want?!"

"You seem awfully eager to know."

"Don't play games with me. Just tell me. I deserve that much."

Adaline looked over at Errol, but her younger twin was actually blushing, and couldn't bring himself to look her in the eyes.

"Well, what is it?"

Adaline crossed her fingers, and leaned forward over the desk, watching Beth carefully.

"He asked if we were the one's who had you under contract, and how much it would cost to buy you out of your contract."

Beth's head shot up. "What? Is that true?" She looked over at Errol, who finally met her eyes. He nodded.

She couldn't believe it. Had Gifre really asked her managers to free her from her contract? Of course it was probably for selfish reasons, but still…She hadn't even thought he was listening when she had talked about how she didn't have any freedom because of her contract.

Her next words came out breathy. "What did you tell him?"

"We said no, of course."

Of course. Always "of course". She should have known by this point to never get her hopes up. Beth didn't even realize her head was down until Adaline spoke again. She looked back up at the woman.

"What did you say?"

"I said, when we told him no, he asked us how much it would cost just to spend a night with you."

There was an uncomfortable silence that seemed to last a lifetime. Or, it was for her managers at least. As far as Beth herself was concerned, she couldn't barely see straight she was so angry. She knew her face was red now and not just from embarrassment. That settled it. She would kill Gifre if she ever saw him again. He had asked to pay money to spend the night with her. Like she was a prostitute. A whore.

Errol went on, but now she was the one who couldn't make eye contact.

"We naturally told him that was out of the question. We aren't pimps, and you're not a prostitute. You're a dancer who doesn't need any distractions. We reminded him that if we found out about you seeing him you would be punished."

"I see."

"Tell us Beth, are you seeing that…man?"

"No. He's spoken to me some, but I can't help that. He's very persistent."

"I see. Beth, I can understand how you could be tempted. He seems to be a very persistent and charismatic individual, and you're still a young, impressionable girl after all. But there's something strange about him. He doesn't seem quite right."

Beth didn't say anything. She had the same feeling about Gifre, but she didn't like to hear other people talking about him. It felt somehow meaner coming from them. All she wanted now was for them to stop talking.

"I haven't seen him. I don't plan on doing so." I plan on being on my own, just as I've always done.

Adaline sighed. "Alright. You can go now, Beth. Just remember what we said. It's for the best really. We have a deal after all. You devote all your time to dancing for this company and in return we pay your expenses. And I'm sure we don't even have to mention the kindness our mother did for you, what with taking you out of that orphanage in Drachma when you were a child."

"Of course. How could I ever forget?" Beth said through gritted teeth, and then closed the door a little too hard, its slam echoing throughout the hall as she left.

….

As if she would get involved with someone like him.

No matter how much his company assuaged her own loneliness, she could never let herself develop any kind of attachment. She wouldn't forget and let herself develop feelings for him.

She was already spoken for, in a manner of speaking.

When she was a young girl, she had made a deal with someone.

That deal, that bargain, had been her only option at the time. The only way for her to change her life and find a way out of the terrible situation that she was in.

And the price? The price hadn't seemed bad at all at the time that she had made the deal. As Beth grew older, she realized that it probably wouldn't be as easy as she had thought it might be, but it was still manageable. And even though she was older now, she probably still had years ahead of her before it was time to pay.

It was late now. Too late to go to the library.

Walking back to her apartment, she randomly found herself taking some of the short cuts through the city that Gifre had showed her. Back alleys twisted and turned, and she saw parts of Dublith that she hadn't even known were there. It's like there are actually two cities. She thought. One that's safe and pleasant. The daylight city. And a completely different, darker side.

She was thinking about this when someone called out to her.

Her head shot up, thinking that it was Gifre. But although the person calling her was very tall, she had never met him before in her life.

And he was blocking her way, so she had no choice but to say, "Can I help you?"

Checking to make sure that no one was around, he pulled a pistol out of his belt. "Yep. You can give me your purse, lady, and any jewelry you have."

She surprisingly found herself very calm, more annoyed than scared. In fact, she was very annoyed. "How about you get out of my way, and put that thing away before you hurt someone?" She snarled back at the man. She wasn't afraid of this thug.

He cocked the trigger. "Not until you give me your money."

"I would rather die than give my money to a low-life like you."

"Well, allow me to grant your wish."

The gun flew out of his hand as her foot connected with his palm. "Ow! Dammit! Geez lady-" He pulled his hand to his chest in pain, but then she kicked him in the head as hard as she could.

The man doubled over, blood gushing out of his temple. After a few seconds he lost consciousness and hit the ground with a thud.

Beth looked around for the gun, just in case, but someone came up and grabbed her from behind, wrapping his arms around her and putting a cold blade against her throat.

"Now that was just cheap." She muttered under her breath.

"Shut up. We just wanted your money, but after watching what you did to my partner here, I'm thinking that maybe we should kill you first and then take your money."

"Well, I think you should take your hands off of the young lady." A different voice behind them said.

She felt the man holding her get pulled off of her. Beth knew before she turned from his voice that it was Gifre who pulled the man off her, and she saw him now, a grin on his face as he held the man up by his shirt.

Gifre looked over at her, still holding the man up. "What are you doing Beth, running around with this crowd?"

Her face flushed with anger. "I wasn't running around with them. I should have known better than to take shortcuts that you showed me."

She grimaced when he put an arm around her shoulders. "I meant for you to let me take you through the shortcuts." He said, laughing.

"So it was a no-win situation."

"You're being awfully rude to someone who just saved your life."

"Thanks. Are you going to do anything about that?" She nodded to the burglar that he was still holding up with his other arm.

"Oh, right." He set the man down on his knees and with a quick crack! snapped his neck.

Beth gasped, putting her hand over her mouth, hardly believing what she had just seen.

"You…you just killed him."

"Yeah I did. Now I guess I gotta do the other one." He made a movement towards the other thief, who was still lying on the ground unconscious from her kick.

"No, wait!" He turned to look at her when she grabbed his bicep. "We should probably leave. Someone might see us."

"Mmm…" He made a dissatisfied sound, gritting his teeth and looking at the man. "I don't know. I don't really like to leave witnesses alive."

She wrapped her other hand around his bicep as well and tried to tug him away. "Come on, Gifre, we have to leave. Please."

He looked at her for a minute and then at her hands around his arm and finally said, "Ok. Let's go."

He grabbed her hand and pulled her away, leading her through some back streets.

As he led her around, struggling to keep up with the pace he was setting with his long legs, the man's death was replaying over and over in her head. She had seen a lot of people killed over the course of her childhood. She had lived and seen things much worse in the rough places and situations in which she had lived, but she had never seen someone killed so coldly. So without passion or any semblance of feeling. Who was this person who she had befriended, really?

She wanted to ask him, but they were moving too quickly. When they finally stopped in front of her door she had to take a breather, and then when she was finally able to speak, she found she couldn't ask after all.

"Why don't you open the door?" Gifre said. "I could go for a glass of something strong."

She let him in and made them each a glass of wine.

He sniffed it with a suspicious look on his face. "What is this?"

"Wine." She said, taking a sip herself.

He threw his head back and downed the glass in a few seconds, while she watched over her own glass with wide eyes.

"That was refreshing." He said, "but I'm ready now for something a little stronger than alcoholic grape juice."

"I don't have anything stronger."

He raised his eyebrows, and waited, looking at her expectantly.

"Fine." She reached under her bottom cabinet and pulled a bottle of whiskey out of the back.

She handed it to him, who thanked her enthusiastically. "Pour yourself a glass," she said, "I'm going to go hang up my coat."

She went to her room and flicked the light on. She looked around at the furniture for a minute. It was all so nice, very expensive and ornate. None of it was really hers; the apartment had been completely furnished when she had moved to Dublith two years ago. She still remembered the moment when she had first looked around, scarcely believing that all of this was hers now. She had jumped on the bed and laughed. Now she walked past the bed and went to her closet, moving aside fancy ball gowns and outfits to hang up her coat. She sighed. Once a nice, safe place to live had been all she had ever wanted, and the nice things had just been a bonus. These days she found herself yearning for something more.

"Here."

She jumped, turning around to see him holding out a glass for her.

"Oh, thanks." She was still shaking a little from what had happened. She took a small sip, the whiskey warming her body and calming her down a bit.

"What is it?" Beth said a little sharply when she caught him looking at her.

He laughed. "I'm just remembering you kicking that guy in the face and knocking him flat on his ass."

"I'm glad you thought it was funny."

"I like strong, feisty women." He said, lowering his voice and stepping a little closer.

"I'm glad."

He stroked the collar of her dress with a finger, making her heart race. He went on, "I also liked how selfish you were back then. Willing to fight rather than give him your things."

Her face flushed. "I wasn't being selfish!" She turned her face away, finding it easier to think when she wasn't looking at him. "It wasn't about the stuff. It was about not letting some vagabond take what's mine."

He moved his hand to her chin. "That's my girl."

She shoved his hand away, his hand dropping to his side. "I'm not your girl, or anyone else's. And you have to leave now."

Looking at her the whole time, he took a long swig from his glass, downing it all. "I did save your life after all. You could show a little more gratitude."

She didn't say anything, not even while he came closer and closer until he pressed his mouth against hers. He kissed her quickly, and roughly; she could still taste the whiskey on his tongue and felt his warm breath as he exhaled. When he stopped she stepped back and slapped him across the face.

"I don't owe you anything. Certainly not that."

"I saved your life. Most people would say you owe me something."

She paused for a moment, and suddenly remembered what had happened earlier. The discussion she had had with her managers that morning.

"You! You went to my managers!"

His face was blank until recognition sparked in his eyes. "Oh, yeah. I guess I did. Not very reasonable people, are they? Like talking to a brick wall I swear…"

"You asked them what my price was! Like I was a prostitute! Or…I don't know…property or something. How could you?" She said, her voice breaking a little on the last word. Despite her best efforts, she had come to really like him, and thus far she had never felt more betrayed in her life.

"Well, it makes perfect sense, really. They had something that I wanted and so I-"

She interrupted him. "No! I can't hear anymore!" She said, putting her hands over her ears. "You're some kind of monster, and I can't look at you. Leave now."

He crossed his arms, a sour expression on his face. She forgot he didn't like to be called names.

"Fine! I don't care. If you won't leave then I will. " She made a move towards the door, but he pulled her back, his hands on her shoulders as he stood her in front of him.

"Hey, hey, just be cool for a second, ok? Now listen. Yes I went to your managers, and yes I asked them how much money it would cost to…well you know." He winked at her, but went on when she just scowled at him. "Anyways, when they said that wouldn't work I asked how much to free you from your contract. And what's so wrong about that? They practically own you, you said. I just wanted to free you. I wasn't even going to force you. I like for my girls to be happy, and come to me of their own accord. It's no fun if the girl isn't willing."

"You think that I would…be with you…because you tried to free me or because you saved my life?"

"Why not? That's all relationships are, after all. Transactions of some kind or other. Men take you to dinner and tell you that you're beautiful. That they love you. In return you women marry them and sleep with them. Give your lives to them. And vice versa. Say you meet a man and agree to be faithful to him, to take care of him and his house and his children. In return he takes care of you and gives you shelter and kindness. That's all 'love' is. Just a series of transactions. And it's the same with friendship. I don't believe the actual feelings of love or friendship exist by themselves without the rest."

Throughout his speech, he had been staring down. Now he looked back up at her face.

"But I've given you more than any of those superficial words." He took a step closer to her. "I tried to free you, and I protected your life, the most important thing you have." He took another step, until her whole head was turned up, looking at his face right above hers. "How much is your life worth to you?" He said, his hand wrapping around the back of her head, trapping her when he went down to kiss her again.

She knew she could debate the rights and wrongs of everything that he had said all night if she wanted to, but she didn't care anymore. She had wanted this for a long time, she knew; she had just been afraid of letting it happen.

She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck. As her smaller body arched into his bigger one that was curving down to meet hers, she shuddered at the contact. His body was hard from all of his well-defined muscles. Even his teeth were too sharp to be comfortable, poking into her lips when he would suck on one or poking into her skin when he would gently bite one. But she felt comfortable all the same.

They kissed until she ran out of breath and gently pushed him away. She held his eyes with her own as she slowly unbuttoned her dress that went all the way down to the bottom, her hands shaking as she did so.

He smiled, pulling her back against him for another kiss, the feel of his chest against her bare one making her shiver. He slid the rest of her dress off her shoulders, covering her with himself as he pushed them both to the bed behind her, covering her up.

Author's Note: So…as you all can see…there will be some sex in this story. Here's the thing: I kinda feel like this story is heading in an M direction. This first scene was T-rated fade-to-black, but I don't want to keep them all that way for the sake of the story. But that being said, I realize I rated this story T to begin with, and I don't really think it's fair to change the rating on people who don't read M stories. If anyone has an opinion on this matter just tell me in a review; whether you want it to go M or you want it to stay T, and I'll look at them and try to make a decision. Thanks guys.