Chapter 27: Change of Events

"It's troublesome that we have to switch trains at this place to get to Central," Edward muttered gruffly, his hands stuffed deep into his pockets as he wandered along the pier by the local train station in Aquroya, the water city.

They had been here once before, a couple of years ago back in the days when they had been travelling around Amestris looking for the Philosopher's stone. They had met a pretty female thief called 'the Psiren'. She was like an icon to the depressed civilians and entertained them through the news every time she made a move. Since the city was said to be disappearing underneath water little by little, and would disappear entirely in the future, that kind of action going on in town was appreciated by the citizens.

Being here now, Edward couldn't help thinking about the balance, and if it had something to do with the fact that the city was drowning. If the worlds had been unbalanced before in the past, maybe this city was one of the sacrifices it had caused? He hoped other similar things like this could be prevented in the future, if he could just do what he was supposed to do. He felt like they were just wasting their time here, and it aggravated him.

"We have a whole hour to kill before the next train leaves." Edward let out a heavy sigh. Nothing to do about that unfortunately. He looked around, realizing he had been talking to air this whole time. "Al, what are you doing?"

The little brother easily ignored the complaints where he was standing a couple of meters away – at a quiet spot with a perfect view over the city. The main city river streamed down below where some kids were playing on one of the bridges curving over the large river. He was used to his brother's complaints by now, and he knew it didn't matter whether he joined in or not. He didn't mind staying here for one hour, it was rather nice. The sun was shining warmly and the sky was as blue as the sea in view. "This city is as beautiful as the last time we were here," he said.

"Ah, you remember that…" Edward scowled. "I wonder if they managed to keep that thief behind bars where she belongs."

"Nii-san," Al said. "Clara-san is a good person. I hope she still helps keeping up the spirit of the citizens."

"No matter what, you only see the best in people, don't you?" Edward chuckled softly. "Let's get some food. Maybe time will go by faster that way."

"Maybe," Al replied half-heartedly. It was a good thing they had spent the night over at a hotel in Lior though. His brother had been completely drained after what happened. While he had forced Edward to stay and rest (which wasn't hard since he had fallen asleep shortly after arriving at the hotel), he had been out helping the citizens in Lior rebuilding some of the damage Thule Society had caused some weeks ago together with the Strong Arm Alchemist, Alex Louis Armstrong. ("My big, sparkling muscles are exactly what this city needs, and I feel honoured to have you assist me during your visit, Alphonse Elric! Please give my sincerest regards to your brother and have a safe trip back to Central!")

Al always had to smile at the big man's spirit and his ability to spread cheerfulness all around him, and he was glad he had met him. Edward had been rather reluctant to hearing the man's greeting and had dragged Al along back to the train station to fetch the early train from Lior (and perhaps to avoid accidentally running into the sparkling body builder), despite the fact that Al could tell by just looking at him from afar to see that he was still a little worn-out from the day before.

"Are you sure you're okay now, Nii-san?"

"Sure, I've never been not okay," Edward brushed it off.

"You could hardly walk after that transmutation, and I've never before seen you completely drained of energy like that after performing alchemy," Al pointed out.

"That was because of the Gate. It didn't want me to get too close," Edward said.

Al didn't reply to that. He knew the subject was a little too sour for his brother's tastes, and he didn't want to cause another eruption on his brother's part. His eyes lowered towards the river, just as a little girl fell right into the water from the bridge and was driven off by a strong stream. He gasped as his thoughts quickly left their recent subject. "Nii-san!"

Edward scowled down and noticed her as well. She was screaming and waving her arms rapidly up and down in the water. It was obvious that she couldn't swim at all.

"Not good!"

The two brothers started running fast down towards the riverbanks while the little girl's friends started screaming after her as she struggled to keep her head above the water.

"Help! Help!"

There were no other adults nearby, and neither of the kids looked old enough to be good swimmers either. Edward and Al stopped by the riverbank, breathing heavily after running. The streams looked awfully strong. The girl was much further away now.

"Please help save Maya!" another girl cried desperately out to them.

Edward was about to jump in, but Al had already wrung off his red coat and dived straight into the river. "Al!" Edward shouted after him.

The water was dark and the cold stung like he was being stabbed by icicles. The bright sunny sky had obviously no effect on the freezing water. Al's head reached back to the surface, ignoring the cold as best he could and started swimming towards the little girl called Maya. His teacher had taught him how to swim after he started his training, and she had brought him to the island where he had once been training with Edward. Although, he still wasn't very good at it, he was good enough to keep himself moving. The girl's head dipped under the surface and his heart made a twist inside his chest. He was still too far away to reach her! Fortunately she carved herself back up, albeit splashing around in panic. Her brown hair was sticking to her round face, and the water in her eyes made it hard to see anything.

Edward was left on the riverbank; his heart beating a million times a second. He wanted to jump in after Al, but as much as the fact bothered him, he would be useless. He couldn't swim at all and the automail would only slow him down. And both Al and the girl were already much further down the river. He picked up Al's coat in a hurry and started running again, following at the riverside to keep up with them.

Al was driving closer to the girl and stretched out an arm at her. "Take my hand!"

The frightened girl was still struggling with keeping herself up above the surface, but she stretched her hand towards Al. The streams were pulling at her with great force and Al felt himself having the same problem. At this rate they would be brought far, far away from the city, unable to reach shore. Maybe they would even be driven out at sea.

Finally Al grabbed a hold of the girl's hand and pulled her close to him. She clung to him like a lifeline and it made Al have even more trouble with swimming. "I got you," he said, trying to seem calm. "Take long breaths and use your arms to float. Trust me."

His gentle voice reached the girl's ears and she calmed slightly, keeping her arms to her sides while Al held around her chest. But swimming with only one arm was not exactly good. The streams were pulling him like the wind blowing away a leaf. Still, at least she wouldn't drown as long as he held her up this way.

"There's a waterfall," the girl stuttered.

"What?" Al hoped he hadn't heard right. He stared ahead, and to his disbelief it seemed like everything just stopped at an edge. Like the end of the world.

"Al!" Edward shouted.

Al twisted his head towards the riverside at shore. His brother was standing further down, closer to the waterfall. He seemed to have run passed them to keep up with them as they were driven down the stream.

"Get ready!" Edward shouted again. Then he clapped and touched the ground. Al understood what he was doing and turned around in the water to have his legs float first.

Blue alchemy light sparkled up around Edward and shortly after a thick wall of sand and mud was rising up from the ground almost all the way across the river. Edward made sure to make the obstacle long enough for Al to reach it, but not entirely across the river as it would block all the water and cause a flood. He made the wall hard and thick enough to stand on and quickly stepped up on it, following the new path he had created like a bridge across the river.

Al hit the wall with his legs first, avoiding hurting himself and the girl, and he helped her climb up on the alchemy made road. Edward reached them, a little short on breath, and reached out a hand to pull Al up from the water.

The girl sat on her knees, shivering and dripping wet, but safe. Al let Edward help him up and lingered on his knees as well to catch his breath. "Thanks, Nii-san."

"You're really something, scaring the hell out of me like that," Edward scolded. But then he grinned. "I expected nothing less of my little brother."

Al looked up at him and smiled, ignoring the freezing water that lingered and made him shiver. "We should hurry back now, or we'll miss the train."

Edward gasped. "Shit, the train!"

As soon as they were safely back on dry land, Edward undid the transmutation and dragged Al with him in a hurry back towards the train station.

Back in Central everything was seemingly like normal. But Alfons was at home instead of in the office like he was supposed to be. How stupid and gullible he was.

He had thought that he could take it. Anything. Whatever it turned out to be. It had been rather obvious that the Brigadier General had had something like this in store for him, if he only thought back to everything in detail. While working on Azure the Brigadier General had tried to earn his trust by occasionally speaking to him in person and even lied to make both him and Edward mistrust Colonel Mustang. He had never been hiding the fact that he had a certain influence and power among the highest positions in the military, and after a while he had gotten them both transferred to his command. Maybe that's why he had somehow known that Alfons would go to him while Edward might be given a death penalty, and used it to make Alfons obey every wink. As a bonus he had figured out that Alfons' identity was false, and that it was Mustang who had arranged it all – even the fact that he had covered up for Edward's human transmutation. Carl R. Kiehle would get away with all of that, because Alfons would seem to be only his assistant on the surface when he was really his prisoner. That's what he was. A prisoner.

The man had given him a rank where he could keep Alfons close to him at all times. Alfons couldn't go anywhere without informing the Brigadier General. He couldn't talk about anything concerning his situation. And the most dreadful thing about it was, he had no other choice than to obey him. If he didn't, Edward would die, Al would be imprisoned somewhere as a research subject, Mustang would be jailed and stripped of his state alchemist license, and he… what would happen to him? Did it even matter? Either he would be sentenced to death like Edward, or imprisoned for a lifetime like Mustang.

Alfons sat abruptly up in bed and clutched the covers in front of him. His breathing came out in fast and tattered inhales and exhales. His throat felt sore, but screaming either asleep or awake, didn't make any difference. Nothing had ever hurt so much.

However, what happened to him was insignificant as long as he was able to think of all the pain he would inflict upon the others if everything had gone differently. It was like his fuel.

Everyone would hate him. Or, perhaps Edward wouldn't hate him, but Alfons would still hate himself for having inflicted everything upon him by being selfish. If Edward was killed by the military it would be his fault. And living without Edward would be like Alfons had already died. He had thought… He had really thought that with these facts in his mind, he would be able to withstand. Hold out. That he wouldn't break.

And look at me now, Alfons thought as he brought his knees up to his chest and cried silently, feeling his shoulders trembling and heart beating sharply. There was no way any human being would be capable to live such life, suffering by submitting to someone they hate, while being forced to lie about everything. He couldn't live with this for even a week, how was he supposed to withstand it for two whole years? He didn't know if he would be even capable to face Edward at all after last night.

Alfons had been doomed from the start, from the very first day he agreed to the Brigadier General's twisted desires, without even realizing it. He had gone thinking that it couldn't be very serious, but the one he had been fooling the most was probably himself. He had thought it would only happen once, and just when he had managed to put the whole episode behind him… he had been raped.

And thinking for just one second that the Brigadier General wouldn't do it again was of course naïve and hopelessly optimistic, which Alfons now wasn't. At least not optimistic. He knew, Kiehle would try to do that to him again. He didn't know if he could handle it a second time. He would break entirely. He would collapse right in front of Edward and cry. He was actually happy that Edward and Al were away, or else he might have exposed himself already. But it would still take some hours before they were back, so maybe he would manage to keep his own emotions in shackles before that time.

He started recalling how he had gotten himself home at all, but wishing he hadn't. He had somehow managed to dress himself and got sent out of the office, still in a shocked state and limping from pain. His insides were dirtied with semen and blood. It hurt. His mind was sluggish. And Kiehle had simply said:

"Go home and sleep. Be back tomorrow."

Alfons supported himself at the wall as the door swung shut with a loud slam behind him.

Sleep?

Would he ever sleep again? The prospect of sleep seemed completely impossible to reach, likewise did the house and his and Edward's bed.

Alfons was shaking badly and tried to keep his focus on the floor. He was still dizzy and felt a terrible sense of nausea bubble up inside his stomach. What had happened had still not reached his brain completely, but he knew only that he wanted to get away. Anywhere. He wanted to hide somewhere and never come back to this place ever again.

"Edward..." he whispered. He wanted to see him terribly right then. He wanted to tell him everything. Get rid of this burden he carried all alone. How convenient it was that he was in Lior by now.

Slowly he started moving down the hall towards the elevator while he still supported himself by the wall. If someone saw him like this, what would they think? They probably wouldn't suspect what had really happened to him, rather that he was sick or something.

Alfons balled his fists as he finally reached the elevator and pressed the button. It felt like the elevator took forever to reach him and he was afraid he would just collapse right there on the floor before it finally arrived. He was prepared to step right into it, but as the doors slid to the sides, someone already stood there, ready to walk out. Alfons backed off, his back hitting the wall in surprise.

Colonel Roy Mustang stepped out of the elevator, noticing him and frowned with his one dark eye. "Alfons."

"Sir." Somehow Alfons managed to get his voice to work fairly, while his eyes shot down to the floor to avert the Colonel's while straightening himself up a little.

"Why are you here this late?" Roy asked.

"I was... working," Alfons said. "I'll be heading home now." He stepped into the elevator, bypassing the man, but he felt a strong grip around his arm stopping him and he froze as he was held back. The Colonel was blocking the way of the elevator doors, so they wouldn't close shut.

"Is something wrong, Alfons?"

Alfons dared to lift his eyes, looking up terrified at him. He was still shaking badly. If he could've just stopped shaking! There was no way Mustang wouldn't notice it. "No, I'm fine," he replied quietly. "Just... feeling a little sick."

That was an understatement.

The Colonel looked at him carefully and slowly let go of his arm. "I need a couple of words with your superior officer," he said. "It will only take a couple of minutes. Wait for me downstairs, and I'll drive you home."

Alfons stared at him with bleary eyes. To be honest with himself, he didn't know if he would even be able to walk all the way home without passing out. He probably wouldn't. "Thank you, sir," he replied half-heartedly.

The Colonel nodded and continued further down the hall without looking back. Alfons stared after him as the door to the elevator closed. That had been a close call. Alfons knew he shouldn't underestimate the Colonel's sense of judgement, and he was close to being the Brigadier General's enemy as well. If Mustang started suspecting something it could get bad. Worse than everything already was. That couldn't happen.

Alfons sighed deeply as the elevator made a halt and the doors went up. He stepped out the main doors of Central HQ, seriously considering walking straight home without waiting for Mustang to avoid further questions. But still he was feeling awful and the Colonel had just wanted to be nice to him. He leaned against one of the pillars decorating the front of the headquarters and waited. Actually, he wondered slightly why Mustang was visiting the Brigadier General at this hour in the first place. It was far after working hours. The sun was setting in the distance, leaving the sky within a dark purple gloom.

What were they talking about right now? It probably had something to do with Thule Society, or maybe it was something more personal? Alfons remembered being under the impression that Mustang and Kiehle had known each other for a long time, and been like rivals all the same. Obviously they both held some grudge against each other, and during the Azure-project it had become clear that Kiehle had wanted to rip all the credit right out of Mustang's hands. He considered asking the Colonel about it when he returned.

After a quarter of an hour Mustang appeared walking out the main doors, acknowledging Alfons with a nod. "My car is this way," he simply said.

Alfons followed after him, trying to walk as normally as he managed without limping too much.

Mustang turned around, looking startled at him. "Are you hurt?"

Alfons shook his head and clutched his abdomen, muttering: "Just a stomach ache." It was hardly even a lie.

Mustang stopped and waited for him to catch up. "You look pale. You should probably get some rest," he said, laying a supporting hand against the small of his back, leading him onward.

"Probably, I'll be fine," he reassured densely. He decided to try a bold move to make their conversation head in another direction. "Can I ask..." Alfons started, "what were you talking with the Brigadier General about?"

"No, that you may not ask," Mustang replied.

Alfons averted his eyes again, feeling a little ashamed for stepping over the line on a matter that didn't concern him. "My apologies, sir."

"It's alright, Alfons." He sounded like he meant it.

They reached the car and Mustang held up the door on the passenger side for him. "I still haven't seen where you live now, so you'll have to tell me where to drive."

Alfons nodded. He got into the car and rested deeply into the car seat, his eyes already drooping. As Roy seated himself in Alfons told him quickly the directions and for the rest of the way none of them spoke much.

Alfons had trouble keeping himself calm, and awake for that matter. He still felt like his mind was lingering in lethargy because of the drug. Maybe that was the reason why he hadn't broken down crying yet. Besides, being this close to Mustang made him keep on his mask. Somehow, Mustang's solemn face became an encouraging emotion for him to copy instead of falling into his own little tormented world.

The car stopped. "Here we are. Your place looks nice," Mustang commented.

"Thanks," Alfons replied, opening the door and putting his foot on the ground.

"Alfons," Mustang said as he was on his way out. "Get some sleep. You don't look so good. Edward will probably be back tomorrow, and he wouldn't want to come back to see that look on your face." He smiled gently.

"Ah..." Alfons answered silently. "I will."

When he had finally gotten himself inside the house he went directly into the shower and turned on the hot water. He hadn't even taken off his clothes as the water poured down over him, soaking him. Alfons closed his eyes where he leaned against the white wall tiles, feeling somehow that he was able to think more reasonably after having met the Colonel.

He couldn't let anyone know. Not about anything. This was his secret and his problem. He had to figure out a way to get out of it by himself – without having anyone else suffer from it. The Colonel was right. If Edward came home seeing him looking as awful as he had been just now he would definitely become worried and ask questions. Alfons didn't want that.

Then he had gone to bed and fallen asleep, still feeling terribly sick and thinking that it was all for the best this way. But it hadn't stopped him from waking up some hours later in the middle of the black night, when the drug was completely out of his system, sucking in sharp breaths of air and crying into his knees.

Would he really be able to face Edward? He had to, of course. The alternative was getting everyone to hate him by getting them mixed up into this horrible mess he was in. There was no way he would ever let that happen.

Late in the afternoon the following day Edward and Al returned to Central from their little journey. They had to report back to the Headquarters immediately after returning, so the brothers headed directly to Central HQ from the train station. Their case had been kind of special after all, and the result had been quite disturbing. Still, Edward was set upon going through with this to the end, no matter where he had to be to do it. He was curious if the spying team Fuhrer President Hakuro had sent out on a mission to Thule Society had found out anything new.

Colonel Roy Mustang sat on his usual spot by his desk, glaring annoyed at his paperwork which never seemed to come to an end. He was glad to be interrupted by his 1st Lieutenant, sticking her head into his office announcing that the Elric-brothers had returned to Central to report in.

"Send them in," Roy said.

A moment later the two young siblings entered his office, Edward carrying a suitcase. It seemed like they had arrived straight from the train station. The door closed behind them and Roy's eye fell on the youngest. Al looked slightly pale and tired.

"Welcome back," Roy greeted. "How did it go?"

"Well," Edward started. "Not so good. I couldn't destroy the Gate from Lior."

Al sneezed.

"And he's caught a flu," Edward added.

Al dried off his running nose on his sleeve. "That's not what we're here for," he muttered hoarsely. He had indeed caught something, Mustang concurred. His voice sounded awful and his cheeks were flushed feverously.

"Sit down," he offered and picked up his phone to connect to Riza's desk. "Could you bring us some tea, please?" he asked.

"Yes sir," she replied in the other end.

The two young siblings sat down on the couch, and Edward's eyes barely left his brother. "I told you this would happen, doing reckless things like that," Roy heard him scold as he had spoken to Hawkeye.

"Oh now," Mustang shot in, putting down the receiver. "Who is calling who reckless here?"

Edward gave him a look. "Al jumped into a river."

"A girl was drowning," Al persisted.

"Are you all right?" Roy asked, suddenly struck by worry. Any time he felt real worry about something it always involved one of the Elric-brothers.

"Yeah, it turned out all right," Edward said. "Except that he got sick suddenly." He held his hand at Al's forehead, but the younger brother sighed deeply.

"It's nothing serious," Al insisted. "I've had a cold a dozen times since I got my body back." He sneezed again into his arm. It seemed like he was getting all his sicknesses now since he had been unable to while being a suit of armour.

"Let's get this meeting over with quick so we can go home," Edward said, turning to the Colonel. "Basically, I did the transmutation using my blood to connect to the Gate. But I couldn't touch it. Somehow I could hear a voice inside my head, like it was the Gate speaking to me. It said 'the lights cannot be separated'."

Mustang listened carefully. "What does that mean?"

"While having the transmutation activated I saw two parallel lights which I think resemble how the Gates of each of the worlds are connected to each other," Edward explained. "But I couldn't reach them. I've figured, the only way to do it is from the Gate inside Thule Society."

Mustang rubbed his cheek thoughtfully as Riza came in with tea for all of them. Al nibbled at the hot liquid as the Colonel continued speaking. "That sounds troublesome, indeed. For now, we can only wait for a new report while the Fuhrer President has sent a team of nine to Thule Society's old headquarters to see if they are still active there. We have to act depending on what they report back to Central."

Edward nodded. "I see." They couldn't wait for too long. For both of Alfons and Al's sakes he had to get rid of that Gate as fast as possible. That reminded him, "Where is Alfons?" he asked. "Is he still in?"

"No," Mustang said. "He's not here today."

"Why?" Edward asked, rising from the couch.

"I drove him home from the office yesterday. He seemed unwell, so I suppose he stayed at home today."

Now Edward was even more set upon getting home fast. "Are we done here?" he asked.

Mustang nodded. "I'll know as soon as something is reported in. I'll fill you in tomorrow." With a concerned glance at the youngest brother, he picked up his phone and dialled the intern number to Havoc's desk. "Havoc, I need you to drive the Elric-brothers home for me," he said.

A small smile graced over Edward's lips. "Thanks, Colonel."

After thanking Havoc for the ride they came into a seemingly empty house. Everything was dark and it didn't look like anyone had even used the kitchen since they left for Lior.

"Don't tell me he's stopped eating because of work again," Edward muttered. "I'll kill him. Can't even leave him for one day, geez."

Al sneezed and huffed. "He should be home though."

"Yeah, he's probably upstairs." Edward sighed. "Go to bed, Al. I'll try digging up something that might help against that flu." He followed Al up the stairs. "I'll just go check upon Alfons first."

"It's alright, Nii-san. I'll just get some sleep and I'll be better," Al assured. He went to his room, pulled off his clothes and curled up in his comforting bed. He liked his room and he had actually had time to miss it a little while being gone. Edward stepped in after him and pulled the covers up to his shoulder.

Al smiled and closed his eyes. "I hope Heiderich-san is okay," he muttered softly, already starting to doze off.

Edward silently thought that whatever plagued Alfons he might be able to cure him in some way. "Get well now, Al," he said as he left and shut the door carefully.

He stepped down the hall to the study first, and surprisingly Alfons wasn't there. Maybe he was feeling really unwell, as the Colonel had said. He went back up the hall again to the other bedroom and knocked. "Alfons?" He didn't get any reply so he figured he might be sleeping. Carefully he opened the door and stepped into the dim room. The air was tight and warm. Edward stepped towards his bed, seeing a blond figure lying curled up there. He was hugging his covers tightly in his arms instead of having them over him, and he was dressed in a blue t-shirt and boxers.

Edward sat down on the bedside, considering just letting him sleep. He didn't want to wake him, but he wanted Alfons to know that he was back too. Edward had missed him, and he was sure Alfons had missed him too considering the way he was using his covers as a substitute.

"Alfons," Edward whispered softly, and gently placed his hand on his shoulder, caressing lightly down his back. "I'm home."

His lover shifted a little, and his eyes quirked awake in the next second. Noticing that someone was sitting beside him, he gasped out and lunged out a fist right towards Edward's chest. Edward caught his hand in the last second, stopping his punch. Alfons stared at him with wide eyes.

"That was close," Edward murmured. "If that had hit it would've hurt more for you than me. My chest plate is on that side, stupid."

Alfons retrieved his hand slowly, his mind still in shock. "You're back..."

"Of course I am," Edward said. "Are you feeling alright?"

Alfons sat up slowly on his palms in bed, his forehead damp and his breathing a little heavy. "I'm sorry," he managed.

"Don't be sorry," Edward said. "Was it a bad dream?"

Alfons shook his head. "I don't know what..." A lie. He wasn't even able to finish it. Instead he leaned close to Edward and wrapped his arms around him before he could ask again. "I've missed you..."

"Me too," Edward said, his hand closing around his slender waist. "Why were you absent today? Are you sick?"

"No, I'm just not well."

"Why?"

"No particular reason."

"I see." Edward pulled himself back, staring Alfons over. "You're probably overworked already. That bastard..."

Alfons looked away. "Whatever I do... I have no choice." His chest hurt and his throat lazed together. "Even if I had wanted to change it, I can't."

Edward stared at him intently, not quite understanding what he meant about that. "Something is wrong. Is he making you do some shitload? I swear, I'm going to fucking kill—"

Quickly Alfons pulled Edward firmly closer and silenced him with a deep kiss. Edward's voice drowned away into his mouth, and then he closed his eyes and submitted into it.

What am I doing, saying this much? Alfons scolded himself. He couldn't let Edward get worried or worse – suspicious, or everything would immediately get much worse. It had to be kept hidden forever, from everyone he knew. But another voice deep inside his mind was screaming: How the hell are you supposed to manage living with this? How can you live and not tell him?

Alfons shut his eyes tightly and swallowed down the lump in his throat. He felt Edward's cold metal fingers against his damp forehead and he sighed as he parted from the kiss. He placed his hand on top of Edward's. "It feels good."

"You look like you have a fever," Edward noted, feeling the damp heat oozing from Alfons' cheeks. He urged Alfons to lie down on his back beside him. Alfons obliged and lied down with his head resting in Edward's lap and let his hand of cold steel coat over his forehead.

"I'm glad you're back," he whispered. "How did the mission go?"

"Not good," Edward admitted. "I failed to destroy the Gate." He gave Alfons a brief explanation of everything he had learned on their short trip to Lior.

Alfons stared quietly up at him while he spoke. When he was finished he closed his eyes again. "So, we're going back there, aren't we?"

Edward's lips pressed together in a thin line for a couple of seconds. "Not you." He felt the movements of Alfons's furrows forming on his forehead underneath his palm.

"Not me?"

"That's right."

"But you are going." That was obvious. Alfons knew that. Edward, determined as always, would never give up until he had reached all of his goals.

"Yeah," Edward silently said.

Alfons opened his eyes and stared straight up at him, his cobalt eyes being almost as hard as the steel coating his forehead. "Don't make me tell you this again," he said. "I'm not with you just to be protec—"

"That's not it," Edward shot back. "Just punch me again for saying this, I probably deserve it. But I won't let you come with me this time. It's too dangerous. It'll probably be a gunfight, you don't even like carrying a gun and neither do you have authorized permission to carry one. To be completely honest... there's nothing you can do. You'll only be in the way."

Alfons sat up abruptly, shaking Edward's hand off. He didn't say anything, and there was like a shadow had fallen over his eyes. Edward retrieved his hand slowly, keeping his eyes against the back of Alfons's head, waiting for him to turn around.

"I'll be going with the military this time," he stated after a small moment, as Alfons didn't make a move to turn to him again. "It's a mission. You're not even certified to come, 1st Lieutenant or not."

Alfons turned half-heartedly at him at that. The words were only logical, after all.

"This time it's different," Edward continued, looking pleadingly at him to understand. "I won't risk losing you again... I don't know what I'll do."

Alfons frowned. "You never lost me, Edward."

Edward gave him a hard stare back. "Yes I did. I lost you once when you were shot and lay unconscious at the hospital for over two weeks. And I lost you when you told me you were dying of an incurable disease and that I had to leave you and the other world for my own sake."

Alfons' eyes shot down towards the sheets, feeling the lump returning inside his chest. Not again. He felt a hand of metal rest on his shoulder. The metal had become warm. It squeezed lightly.

"I got you back at both times," Edward said, his voice softening. "I've been damned lucky, but I'm not comfortable with trusting myself enough to be that lucky a third time."

Alfons' shoulders relaxed more as Edward's words sparked his memory. He was right, of course... even if Alfons didn't want it to be logical, it was. "I guess I forgot," he mumbled softly. Actually, it was like all his memories of Munich were growing fainter each passing day.

"For both my sake and your own, we'll be better off if you just stay right here," Edward surmised quietly. "Besides, I need someone to look after Al for me."

Somehow Alfons just knew Al would be just as unpleased with being left behind from the mission as he was.

"Without you I would've lost already," Edward then said. It was rare of him to talk this way. "So, if I know you're here, safe, I'll definitely not lose in the future."

Alfons finally turned around to look at him properly. Into those determined-looking eyes of amber gold. Drowning into them.

"I'll dispose of Thule Society once and for all, and destroy the Gate that is haunting you." Edward's eyes were always hard as unbreakable ice whenever he was serious. Either of anger, suspiciousness or determinedness. "This thing is scaring the living shit out of me. All I want is to get it all over with as soon as hell." Before I start forgetting about you... And before you start forgetting about me too... He considered telling Alfons, but he didn't.

Alfons finally spoke words again. "Have it your way then... I'll wait for you." It was hard saying them. But it was exactly what Edward wanted to hear.

Edward's eyes softened immediately and he leaned forward, making their lips clash together again in a soft and moist fondness. He pulled him closely and they ground their hips against each other, undressing each other, breathing and tasting. Some minutes later they were both naked and their bodies damp. He relaxed soothingly by just lying like this, and Alfons wrapped his arms tighter around his lover and nuzzled into his loose hair as he cocooned him.

Alfons would leave the whole matter be for now. Anything could happen. It was the present that mattered, and now he was finally embraced by the secure feeling of mutual love and the pleasure of sex, not the heartless cruelty of it.

The fact that Alfons had slept much better that night, now that Edward lay closely beside him, fell almost completely into ruins the very moment the alarm clock started ringing the next morning. He shut it off with a heavy slap against the annoying mechanism, allowing a soft groan from his dry throat. Then he simply dug his face into the pillow next to Edward's sprawled blond locks.

I'm not going, I'm not going, I'm not... Needless to say, he didn't want to.

Edward shifted onto his back beside him and yawned loudly. "Did it just ring?"

"Yeah," Alfons replied stifled.

Edward rubbed his eyes and propped up on his elbow. "Usually it's you who has to urge me out."

"Just urge yourself," Alfons mumbled, feeling suddenly in a bad mood. "I don't feel like getting up."

Edward frowned down at him. "You never skip work."

"I'm still feeling a little unwell."

"What's wrong with you?" Edward laid his palm against Alfons's neck, but Alfons gently brushed the hand away.

"It's nothing serious. Just a small headache and nausea."

"Maybe you should see a doctor to be sure," Edward said. He sounded worried.

"No, it's fine, I'll just sleep." He knew he was receiving a soft but circumspect scowl at that statement from those intelligent golden eyes.

"Are you sure this hasn't got something to do with work?"

Great. He didn't do a very good job to ease down on Edward's suspicion right now.

"Positive." Alfons turned around on his back and reached up to leave a chaste kiss on Edward's mouth. "Don't worry about me."

Edward sighed. "Well, you and Al take care of each other then. He'll be home today too because of the flu he caught while we were away."

"Oh, I see." Alfons lay down again, smiling meekly up at his lover. "We'll try get better then. I'll bring him some soup later or something."

"Thank you." Edward leaned down to kiss him one more time, looking like he really didn't want to leave either. "I'll see you later." He climbed out of bed and stood up. "I'll probably have another dreary day with paperwork." He groaned.

Alfons closed his eyes, ignoring his complaints. "I love you, Edward."

Edward snorted like Alfons was mocking him and left the bedroom, but Alfons heard the small smile on his lips. He rolled over to his side and pulled the blanket all the way up to his nose. Actually, only being in the same room as Edward again had made him feel much better. All he needed was Edward and some time to think of something to do with his problem. Maybe he should convince Edward that they should run away. Or maybe he had to make some proof of what the Brigadier General was doing to him so he could have something to show the higher-ups. If he had solid proof, nothing could hold them back from arresting the Brigadier General. The problem was just, how to get it?

Still, only by thinking in this direction made Alfons more relaxed and shortly after he fell into another quiet, albeit light, sleep.

He woke up later that morning by the sound of a door shutting in the hall. He figured it had been Al who had just been at the bathroom. He gazed over at the clock on the nightstand. It still wasn't noon yet, but more than late enough to get up from bed. He wasn't really feeling that sick anymore, even if he would never feel the same about the Central Headquarters again. The thought of that he had to go back there sooner or later made his stomach curl. He might never feel the same way about himself either.

He decided to take a shower, in a desperate attempt to think of something else and feel a little cleaner. Even if he had showered before he went to bed the day before it had started to become a long time ago and due to the lack of restful sleep and nightmares staining him with sweat, he probably needed it.

He stood up from bed and took out a clean shirt from the drawer he shared with Edward. They even borrowed each other's shirts sometimes. Alfons wasn't much bigger than Edward around the shoulders and besides Edward usually preferred shirts one size too big for him. At least he used to in Munich, but Alfons had noticed that his way of dressing had slightly changed since they came to the other world. He had started to wear more colours and tighter shirts, even tighter pants. Alfons didn't mind it at all. He thought it rather suited him more and Edward looked more stunning than ever in his tight black t-shirt with the red alchemy emblem on. He wondered if Edward was actually aware of it. He had to have some conscious mind of how he dressed himself.

He stepped into the shower, enjoying the hot flow of water streaming down over him. He had turned the water pressure high, and as the water hit his back it almost felt like a soothing massage. It was nothing like Edward's though, of course.

Alfons smiled. How silly he would've seemed if anyone knew that he was spending almost every minute of his alone time thinking of Edward. He wondered if Edward did the same. He doubted it. He almost felt like a lovesick girl for keeping this up. Edward probably thought about him sometimes, but he didn't let it come in the way of what he was supposed to be doing. Still, right now Alfons had nothing he was supposed to do, and he had experienced another trauma in his life lately. Thinking about the one person that truly loved him in the world obviously was the best existing comfort he had. He even almost forgot about the Brigadier General. Even if it was for only two seconds.

He finished showering, pulled on his fresh clothes and felt surprisingly much better. He wasn't even that sore anymore, so he could walk properly without looking like a lunatic. He went downstairs to prepare some food as he heard the door to Al's bedroom open up again and the sound of steps towards the bathroom. At least Al was awake. Alfons figured he could make him some breakfast too since he probably hadn't eaten anything since yesterday.

The kitchen contained some traces that Edward had been there earlier and made breakfast in haste. Alfons had lived with Edward for a long time already, so he was kind of used to the fact that Edward rarely cleaned up after himself without being told to. He cleared Edward's used dishes away from the table and started preparing some breakfast for him and Al.

He wasn't really that used to living with Al yet (and probably vice-versa). They had barely been home at the same time so far, so he still wondered what it would be like. At least Al hadn't woken up last night... They had tried to keep themselves as quiet as possible though. Alfons thought that after seeing how Al reacted when witnessing him and Edward kiss in the hall the other day, it seemed he still wasn't used to the fact that he and Edward had that kind of relationship in the first place. And for that reason, Alfons didn't feel directly comfortable about being himself towards Edward as long as Al was in the same room. But hopefully that would change later. Most likely, it all just needed some time to adjust.

While he had started cutting bread, the door bell rang. Alfons put down the knife, wondering who would come here at this hour. Most of the people they knew were supposed to be at the office. He figured it might be Riza though. Maybe she had heard they both were sick and wanted to check upon them. Besides, she had mentioned that she would come by sometime in case they needed help for something else in the house.

He stepped to the hall and opened the door, not at all expecting to see the man who was standing on the porch.

Alfons' eyes widened in fear and his first reaction was to quickly shut the door. But the man had already a foot inside, blocking the door from closing.

"Good day, Alfons," his commanding officer said. "This wasn't the welcome I expected." He laid a hand on the door to push it further up.

Alfons gave it up and stood back, but his eyes turned hard. He almost found himself asking how did you know where I live? But then he suddenly remembered that Kiehle had provided them this house in the first place. Of course he would know... Instead he asked: "Sir, why are you here?"

"I haven't heard a word from you, so I decided to check up on you myself," Kiehle informed neatly. "Are you not feeling well?"

"I've called in sick," Alfons replied. "Didn't Mrs. Vera tell you?"

"Yes, that would be yesterday. I've heard nothing from you today, Alfons." Kiehle took a step forward, clearing the doorway in front of him.

Alfons took another step back, nervously. "Well, no, I'm still not feeling well. But you didn't have to come here."

"Don't worry about that. It's my duty to take care of my subordinates, as you know." He closed the door behind him, keeping his eyes watchfully on Alfons. "And this is my lunch break. I decided to take lunch right here." The lock clicked.

Alfons felt an uncomfortable twist in his stomach. "What do you want?"

Before he could think straight of what was happening, the Brigadier General had him pressed against the wall in the hall with his arms above his head. His back hit the wall hard, and shortly after a knee pressed in between his legs, efficiently preventing him from escaping.

Alfons gasped out.

"Do you really think I'm stupid?" Kiehle asked smugly. "You're avoiding me, Alfons, and that's not good. That's not why you're working under me. Do I need to remind you? Why are you working for me?"

Alfons found himself unable to perform anything akin to coherent speech. He twisted and struggled where he was pinned, but not able to go anywhere. Kiehle tightened the hold around his wrists with one hand and gripped around his chin with the other, forcing his face to point towards him. He was so close that Alfons could smell him, and needless to say – nothing about Kiehle smelt good.

"It's because you owe me," Kiehle continued in a purring voice. "Because it's thanks to me that your sweet lover is alive. So everything he gets to do with you, I should get to do with you as well."

What kind of twisted logic was that? Alfons shook his head, despite the hand locking his head in place. As bravely as he could he coaxed his voice back into function. "Let go of me," he managed, surprisingly composed. He didn't want to discuss all this now. He needed time. He needed some sort of plan. This was his house now. The Brigadier General had no right to force his way in! "Please leave," Alfons said, trying to sound polite as he usually was. But he didn't quite succeed in keeping the spitefulness away from his tone. Not that he wanted either really.

"No, Alfons I'm not going to leave," Kiehle said sleekly. "I'll give you a choice. You can resist and I'll take you right here, or you can come with me willingly to your bedroom."

Alfons' breath suddenly started arguing with his lungs, making his chest tighten. "Wha...?"

Kiehle's lips coated him, and his tongue thrust forcefully between his lips, playing effortlessly around his mouth. Alfons resisted by writhing and twisting his head away and gasping for his breath while attempting to pull his arms free. "Neither! Please, get out."

He didn't want this... Not again! Not here!

"I know you're alone," Kiehle said, pressing his knee further up between Alfons' legs, making him let out a painful whine. "I ran into your dear Edward as I left the office, so I assure you that we won't be disturbed this time either."

Alfons' eyes widened even further as he came to think of the fact that they weren't alone in the house. "I'm not alone," he whispered desperately. "Al is here. Alphonse." Maybe this fact could save him!

Kiehle stared at him circumspectly. "You're lying. The youngest Elric-brother is supposed to be at the office as well. Nice try."

"He's not at HQ, he's here because he's sick," Alfons replied, trying to move off from Kiehle's knee, which still pressed uncomfortably against his crotch.

The man snarled and pressed his arm at Alfons' throat while still holding his arms like being stuck in a giant tool vice. "If this is your answer, I'll simply have to teach you how to submit to me the hard way."

Alfons shook his head in disbelief. "Please..." He was shut up by a hand moving to press against his mouth, while the Brigadier General's teeth abused his sensitive skin by his neck. Alfons wanted to scream and yell out, but something stopped him. What if Al heard...? He didn't know if it would be good or disastrous, so instead he kept his mouth shut and focused on struggling himself free. But Kiehle didn't let him get anywhere and smacked the back of his head right into the hard wall. Stars coated his vision and the lack of air made him dizzy. Kiehle bit down on his skin, harder than before, making him muffle out a soft cry.

"You're not getting away from me, you never will," Kiehle whispered into his ear. "I can make you do anything, I'll mark you, scar you for life. I can make you bleed, don't think that I will hesitate to do it. If you try to fight me, I will make sure you'll never consider that option ever again."

Alfons shut his eyes tightly and coiled in discomfort. No one had threatened him this way before. Everything was so hopeless... He could do nothing.

A sudden short gasp, barely audible, sounded from another direction and made Kiehle quickly whip his head towards the doorway pointing toward the living room. Right there stood Al, his jaw gone slack in bewilderment and his body stiff in alarm. From his stand he had a full view of the situation and a disbelieving look on his face. Still, his eyes were as aware and hard as his rigid stance, directed at the Brigadier General.

Kiehle stepped away from Alfons so fast that Alfons almost flopped right to the floor. He leaned heavily against the wall, breathing hard and touched his abused throat. It felt sore there. Unpleasant. But this sudden change of events turned everything all around as fast as it had started.

"You will forget that you saw this." Kiehle's hard steel eyes were directed at Alphonse now. It felt like heavy, dark storm clouds were suddenly filling the ceiling of the room. "Or your brother will be as good as dead." Kiehle then turned back to Alfons without waiting for a reply. "Come to work tomorrow, or I'll come right here again, and don't think I won't drag you if I have to."

Alfons swallowed, but was too relieved to see that the man turned away and walked quickly out the door to pay tomorrow much mind. The door swung shut with a loud slam as he left, and the two doppelgangers remained in the hall, both of them as silent as a grave.

For some seconds Alfons could only close his eyes and let all kinds of pessimistic thoughts run through his head. Al knew. He had seen it. What did that mean? This would complicate things to a great extent.

In the end he simply let himself slide down and sit on the floor with his back against the wall and arms wrapped around his knees. He didn't even dare look in Al's direction. What he must think of him, living this double life. Maybe he hated him. Maybe he didn't want to do anything but tell Edward. How could Alfons stop him from doing that?

Al took a small step closer to the older, his voice lifting Alfons from his haze of distress. "Heiderich-san..." he started in a careful tenor. "Tell me... What is going on here?"

Lying about it didn't even cross Alfons' mind at that point. He hugged his knees a little tighter. "Remember that I signed a contract to work under Kiehle that made him save Edward from being executed?" he asked half-heartedly.

"Of course," Al replied timidly.

"Something else was bound in that contract that I wasn't aware of. And if I told anyone, it would be fatal." Alfons rested his chin on his arm. "I don't know what to do, Al..."

Al frowned at him. He had never seen Alfons like this before. He had always seemed so relaxed and optimistic to him. And usually he was smiling. At least when Edward was there. "Is the Brigadier General... using you?"

Alfons nodded, having already given in. Al had seen it with his own eyes, so what was the point in hiding it anymore? "I don't want to go into the details with you. Let's just say that he is. And if I don't do whatever he wants... that would be even worse."

Al stepped closer and kneeled down beside him. "I doubt that. This is awful and serious, and you're letting that man get away with it. You can't just do nothing and let this continue. Edward doesn't have a clue, does he? You have to tell him." His voice was hard and persistent, but still full of emotion all the same.

Alfons shook his head. "I can't do that. Please understand this, Al." He looked up with a soft expression, meeting his parallel's deep bronze eyes. It was almost like looking into a mirror. "You can't tell anyone what you just saw. The Brigadier General has more power than Mustang, and he will use it to execute Edward and strip Mustang of his position in the name of justice." Alfons looked down again. He didn't want to tell Al about the fact that the Brigadier General knew about him being a result of a human transmutation too. He didn't want to scare Al more than necessary. The thought that the military's ability to use Al as an object for science was really disturbing.

"He can't do that," Al protested. "He's not that powerful. And if you tell the military what he did to you—"

"Who would they believe?" Alfons counteracted. "Kiehle knows about me. Nothing would stop him from telling them that I'm from the same world as Thule Society. They'll probably assume that I used to be one of them and give me a lifetime in jail."

Al fell silent for some seconds at that. "He knows quite much..."

Alfons moved to stand up. "He dug into my records." He stopped and corrected himself. "My false records. If the higher-ups find out that Mustang faked it all for me, it'll be his downfall, as well as mine." Standing on his feet again, he kept resting his back against the wall. "So, not for me, but for Edward and the Colonel – don't tell anyone about this, Al." He knew he was asking Alphonse to keep very dark and dangerous secrets from his brother, but he had no other choice. He didn't like it any more than Al did.

Al didn't reply at once. He stood slowly up to his feet as well and averted his eyes, seemingly incapable of deciding which alternative to settle with.

"I'll find a way to stop him without letting them know anything," Alfons added resolutely. "I can't risk ruining their lives as well. So, just forget all about this. It's my problem." He knew already that Al would keep his mouth shut, and turned to the stairs, thinking darkly that Kiehle had known he would make Al stay quiet. That's why he had just left without saying much. Kiehle had left Alfons to deal with this mess, and tomorrow... who knows what would happen. He had to come to the office, or else Kiehle would probably come and drag him. Or worse. Alfons headed for the stairs with quick steps.

"Alfons!" Al suddenly called out loud, making him stop for two reasons. Firstly Al rarely raised his voice like that and secondly, Alfons couldn't remember ever having heard him calling him Alfons before. He turned around slowly, facing Al again.

"What are you planning to do?" Al wanted to know, fidgeting a little.

"Well," Alfons sighed. "You know what kind of person Kiehle is. He wasn't a good person before this either. I don't think someone like him could have a spotless record. If I'm able to dig something up about him, maybe I can keep him in shackles for a while." Alfons beamed softly, like it should be easy, though he knew it wouldn't. He didn't even know where to start, and the idea had just suddenly popped into his head.

Al nodded slowly, looking thoughtful. "You're right." He paused before he said steadfast: "I'll help you." Almost exactly the way Edward would've said it.

Alfons scowled at him. Al... help him? He was about to refuse, but then his thoughts started spinning and the fact that someone else knew everything in case something happened to him didn't sound very stupid. Al was smart, and Alfons had witnessed him taken down four soldiers more or less by himself. If someone could help him who wasn't Edward or the Colonel, it was Al.

"I'm not sure about this," he said slowly. "And I don't know how to do it. But I appreciate the offer. Thank you, Al."

Al gave him a resolute nod. "Actually, I have an idea of where to start looking."

"This paperwork bores the crap out of me," Edward complained. "Do it yourself, you old bastard." He was standing in front of the Colonel's desk with his received stock of sheets in his hands.

Mustang gave him an indifferent stare. "I can't send you out on missions at these times, Fullmetal, so I have no other way of making use of you."

Edward gnarled at him.

"So, if you please, get started on that." He failed to hide a smug smirk.

"What are we waiting for really?" Edward demanded. "Does the Fuhrer have any contact with that unit he sent out to Thule at all?"

"To be honest, Fullmetal," Roy sighed, "I don't know yet. I haven't heard any news."

"Isn't it about time we hear from them already?" Edward asked. "It's been two days since they left."

"Patience, Fullmetal," Mustang inclined. "You've never lacked anything more than that."

Edward pouted theatrically and then scoffed. He'd make the Colonel pay someday for taking advantage of him like this.

Just as Edward turned to leave, the phone suddenly started ringing and the chiming sound made him stop and forget every avenging method towards his superior officer. He turned around excitedly. Maybe it was the call they had been waiting for! If they could finally get some news about Thule Society, maybe they could get ready for the main mission soon.

Mustang picked up the phone quickly. "Colonel Mustang here." His face turned into a deep frown. "What?"

Edward stepped back to the desk, curious and hurriedly rid himself of the papers in his arms. He wanted to ask Mustang right away what this was about, but he restrained himself.

"I understand," Mustang said. "We'll be there shortly." He put the receiver down with a thoughtful scowl.

"Any news from the unit?" Edward asked quickly.

"No," Mustang said. "It was a call from the department of investigations."

Edward looked puzzled at him. "What about them?"

"Thomas Peterson has finally decided to say something."

Edward's eyes glinted excitedly. He had almost forgotten about that bastard already. He had been quiet in his jail cell since the attempted kidnapping of Alfons. "What did he say?"

Roy mused. "Apparently, the only thing he said was that he wanted to talk to you."