Ok, so it decided not to send out the update once again, I'm starting to think fanfiction doesn't like my fan fic...oh well, that's too bad. I'll just have to end the story on this chapter...

The chapter isn't ALL about Aria, it just give a lot of informations about her, so don't be afraid, I'm still progressing in the story.

And no, there's no more flashbacks...not for a while I think. I'll just have to see where the story takes me. Enjoy!

Chapter 23 - Aria
"What the hell is he doing here...do you think he followed me?" Aria sunk down further on the floor, her knees pulled up to her chin. She buried her head in her knees. "Oh god...what if he finds me?"

Al knelt down in front of her. "Don't worry, we'll keep you safe. There's no way I'll let him take you back." Al smiled.

"That's so sweet of you." She put a hand on his cheek.

Al's face turned bright red and he laughed a little. "Well..."

"You two should hide till he goes away." Phylis stated. "Here." She crossed the room and pushed away a shelf to reveal a hidden door.

Al was shocked. "A secret door? What for?"

Phylis smiled. "Not really much of a secret, I just didn't have anywhere else to put this shelf. It's only the storage room in the back. You two can sit here till it's safe." She jiggled the knob and then the door slid open. "Go on."

"Good idea." Aria took Al's outstretched hand and stood up. And with stealth they sunk into the little dark room. It was filled with shelves and shelves of seeds. Even a few large bags of grass seeds were piled on the floor, three on top of one another. Al sat on one of the stacks, and right across form him, Aria sat; Phylis closed the door and replaced the shelf. They could still see the light from underneath the door, so the room was illuminated somewhat.

"I wonder if there's a light in here?" Al stood up and reached around for a drawstring.

"No, probably not." Aria spoke quietly. "Seeds are attracted to light, it might cause some of them to activate and grow, thus, ruining them..."

Al was surprised, she really knew her stuff. "I guess that's why it's so dry in here too huh?"

"Yeah..." Aria smiled and then it quickly faded. "You don't think he'll think to look for me in this town do you?" She sat facing the door, looking at the light shining underneath. Waiting to see if footsteps would come up to the door.

"I don't think so...why would he?" Al comforted her.

Just then they could both hear the door to the shop open, the bells rung loudly, it was kind of rough too. "Phylis!" A harsh sounding voice rang out from through the door.

Aria turned to face Al and the adjacent wall. She gasped. "That's him...he's in the store."

Al placed his hands on hers that were sitting atop her knees. "Shh...just keep quiet, Mrs. Mullins won't say a word. I've known her since I was little, she a good person." Al looked at his hands as he rubbed his thumb over top of Aria's hand. They were so soft.

"Dear Phylis. I have something I need to ask of you." Felix tapped his boot on the rickety floor boards.

Phylis smiled and kept up a strong front. "What might that be?" She said without a hitch.

Felix gritted his teeth, the old lady's lack of intimidation bothered him to know end. He was use to people cowering before him and backing down. "I'm looking for someone. She's young, about this tall." He held his hand slightly below his shoulder, Aria was indeed rather short. "Deep green eyes and extremely long red hair, though it might be dark brown...you wouldn't happen to have seen anyone like that would you? One of the people I know said they saw her come in here earlier today." He firmly placed his hands on the counter.

Phylis played it up a little and went deep in thought. "Hmmm...no, I'm afraid not. My old mind can't keep up with everyone that comes into the store throughout the day." She lied.

Felix snickered to himself. "I see...let me give you this." He took a step back and spread his arms out at his sides. "I'm feeling generous." He began. "If you tell me what you know, I'll call off the debt on this store." He smiled a wicked smile. "It'll all be yours.

Old lady Phylis was shocked and went silent. She thought about the proposition for a moment and then lowered her head. "I'm sorry sir, I haven't seen a thing."

Felix gritted his teeth hard. His outstretched arms fell to his sides and he sighed. "So be it you old bat, but if I find out you were lying, I'll make your life a living hell." He pointed a finger straight at her. "And don't for one second think I'm joking." With that said he turned and left tout the door, slamming it in the process. Those little happy bells couldn't take the shot and they fell to the floor, never to be rung again.

Phylis stood up and walked over to the bells and picked them up and on the way back to the counter, she smiled. "He's left the store, but he and his friends are still outside. I'll tell you when they've gone." Phylis spoke through the door.

"Thanks..." Al's voice sounded though the door. "...Uh, Mrs. Mullins?" Al spoke again.

"Yes dear?" She asked, her sweet old lady voice trying to keep quiet.

"How come you hesitated when he asked if you seen us?" Al's voice seemed a little hurt.

"Oh that." She chuckled slightly. "I was thinking if I should have told him you two said you were heading up to Drachma to get away from him. But I figured that lie might come back on me." She laid the bell on the counter. "I wouldn't sell you and your girlfriend out that easily. You two just keep quiet in there."

"Thank you Mrs Mullins." Aria's voice sounded through.

"Think nothing of it." Phylis smiled.

"See, I told you she was good." Al spoke softly as to not let anyone hear that they were in there.

"I didn't doubt it...but I was a little worried he'd ask to search the shop." She smiled at Al. "Thank you again. I know I've said that so much since I got here, but I really can't think you and your family enough for helping me...where I'm from someone would have turned me in already for the money."

"Money? He's offering a reward?" Al was once more surprised.

Aria shrugged. "I'm not sure, but I wouldn't put it past him. He's a spoiled brat in a man's body and on top of that, he's got 'daddy's' money to play with, he's practically unstoppable with all his connections too. I know what I'm dealing with, I know it's best to lay low...I hope you don't think I'm a coward for doing so...you don't do you?" She sounded a little helpless.

Al didn't think she was being a coward, but still she seemed a little scared, but from what he'd been seeing and hearing, it was justified. "No...not at all." He then swallowed a lump in his throat, there had been a question burning in the back of his mind for a while. Al didn't want to ask it because he was afraid of the answer. Though he needed to know, he had to ask. "Aria...I need to ask you something...it's kind of personal..."

Aria was confused but then she snickered. "If it's about the tattoo, I already told you I'll show you someday."

Al shook his head. "No...not that...is about your relationship with him..."

Aria lowered her gaze to meet his, Al had been staring at the floor the whole time he spoke. "Go ahead and ask...it's ok."

Al hesitated. "Was he..." It was a difficult question to get out, but he needed to know. "Was he abusive to you?"

Aria seemed as though she had been bitten by his question. "..." I was indeed a hard question to ask, but an even more difficult one to answer. "You won't beat him if I say yes will you?" Aria smirked a little.

"No promises." Al spoke in a straight tone.

"Hm...yeah, he was...he almost broke my arm once too." Aria seemed to be doing ok, but still that notion of fear was still there.

Another question came to Al's mind, this time, he was afraid of the answer. Really afraid of that answer. "Did he...ever try to take advantage of you?"

Aria nodded. "He tired, but I got away...a couple times." There were a few moments of silence between the two of them, the air, as dry as it was, seemed really thick and heavy. Aria then slid across the small gap on the floor and put her arms around Al's waist and hugged him tight.

"Aria?" Al looked down at her, she never seemed to lose face till just then. "What's wrong?" He rubbed her shoulders. Then he herd it, it was only slight and rather quiet, but he knew he heard it. A small sniffle of someone crying. Al never hated anyone up until that moment, but if he ever saw this husband of hers up close, there was no telling what he would do.

She sat up and wiped her cheeks quickly. "I'm sorry, I just don't like people seeing me cry."

"It's ok..." He slid down to the floor next to her and wrapped his arms around her again. "You know that if I ever meet him..."

Aria nodded and returned the gesture by encircling him with her arms, allowing her hands to travel up his back. "Just don't do anything that would get you thrown in jail...ok?"

Al nodded and squeezed her tight. Aria snuggled him close and it made her feel better, it even made her feel safe just being next to him. Alphonse had done so much for her, she felt entirely in his debt.

She gave him a slight nudge away, just enough so that there was a bit of distance between them. "No one's going to know..."

"Going to know what?" He was confused up until he felt a pair of warm lips on his own. He shut his eyes and fell into the deep kiss. His hands traveled along her face and neck. These few moments were ones to be treasured, for if they were to get caught, they would both probably end up behind bars.

Al felt Aria tug him back, she leaned with it and he put his entire weight on top of her. He kissed her passionately, his tongue pressed against her in a loving way. He smirked through the kiss and his hands traveled downward; over her chest, down to her hip and then back up again to her face.

Aria, without breaking the kiss, allowed her hands to travel down to the hem of his shirt. She rubbed the lower part of his bare back with both hands, he skin was surprisingly soft.

A minute or so passed and before they could go any further, witch was probably for the best, the door to the little room opened and shed blinding light on the two young teens. "Al? What are you doing?" Ed's voice rang out in an accusing manner.

"AH!" They both yelled then jumped back to opposite sides of the back of the room.

"I, we...it wasn't uh..." Al struggled with words.

"We fell!" Aria blurted out, a stupid smile on her face, as she approached Ed. "Thanks for shedding some light on it." She gave him a firm pat on the shoulder as she walked by. "You're a great big brother for helping him like that Ed." She continued to walk by. "Oh look Felix is gone, let's go! Bye Mrs. Mullins, thanks again!" With that all said and done she left the store.

Ed and Al blinked as watched in amazement. She was pretty good at getting out of embarrassing situations rather quickly. Ed turned to Al and noticed something; he merely shook his head. "Must have been one hell of a fall." He walked up to Al with the big bag of seeds in his hand. "You might want to cover that." He passed the seeds off to Al, knocking him in the belt with them in the process.

"Huh?" Al then noticed what his brother had meant by 'that'. Al blushed and carried the seeds low to cover the front of his pants. "Thanks brother..." Al was beet red from head to toe, apparently he had gotten a little more excited than he should have.

"See ya' Mrs. Mullins!" Ed said as he walked for the exit. "Thanks again."

"It was no trouble at all. Come see me again boys." She smiled as they walked by. Al laughed a little and just waved with his free hand.

"What were you two doing in there?" Ed laughed. "You 'fell'...I'm not stupid." Ed scoffed at his younger brother.

"We were...I was..." Al gathered up his thoughts and took a deep breath. "I'll tell you what we were doing if you say what you and Winry were doing last night."

Ed blushed. "Never mind then." He quickly dropped the argument. Ed had finished checking with the police and decided to see what Al was doing. Do his dismay, not a hell of a lot; at least nothing useful in finding the escape lunatic.

Deciding that it was best to search together, they decided to stop for coffee. It was still early in the morning, only half past eleven and Ed was finding it hard to keep awake, so coffee as the best way to keep him up.

Finding this guy was going to be tough, in a city as big as the one they were in, it was going to be exceptionally difficult. He could be anywhere. And due to the depression that hit about ten years ago, there were a lot of abandon buildings, so they would have a lot of ground to cover. Ed thought about it as he awaited his coffee to show up, Aria was waiting by the counter getting their order, so he and Al were free to talk.

"So..." Al began. "What exactly did you do when you went upstairs last night?" He was leaning over the table somewhat to keep his voice in a hush.

Ed's face once again turned red. "Why do you want to know?"

"Why not?" Al quickly retorted.

"...I'll tell you when you're older." Ed turned his head off to the side. He was never any good talking about 'sex things', especially not with his little brother.

"That's not fair! You're only a year older than me!" Al retorted.

"Year and a half. Huh?" He looked over at Aria doing her best to not spill the three cups of coffee.

"Don't spill, don't spill, don't spill..." She chanted as she walked back to the table. Aria's klutz attacks were now few and far between since she had matured, but this situation looked to her as thought it was lining up to be a disaster. It was bad enough she felt awkward around Ed right then. 'Really though, it's so awkward, his brother just had me pinned down on a bag of grass seeds.' She thought as she balanced her way to the table. 'They're probably talking about too...no big deal, it's not like he wouldn't have found out eventually anyway...right...that right.' She comforted herself.

"Careful." Ed watched her approach the table and slowly place the tray down on the table.

"I've got it." She sat down at the table next to Al and took her cup of tea and blew on it's steam.

"About Felix..." Al began. "How old is he?"

Aria thought about it. "He does look kind of old, but he's only twenty-six. He drinks a lot and I think he does opium, so he looks considerably older than what he should." She sipped her tea. "Ow." She said quietly, the tea was still quiet hot and it nipped at her lips somewhat.

"Twenty-six?" Al sounded disgusted. "He's more than twice your age." He pointed out.

"AH!" She sipped the tea and burnt her lips more, Al's statement gave her a bit of a start. "Twice my...how old do you think I am?" She seemed query.

Al thought for a second. "I'm not sure...about twelve, thirteen-ish."

Aria laid her head on the table. "Damn..."

"Am I wrong?" Al seemed slightly scared, guessing at a girls age had a good possibility of getting them mad. He was hoping she wasn't upset.

"Kind of..." She looked up, comedic tears in her eyes. "I'm sixteen. Why does everyone think I'm so young? I know I'm kind of flat and I'm kind of small, but that doesn't mean I'm young!' She laid her head back down.

Ed nodded. "I know exactly how you feel -except for that flat part- but I agree with you. Height shouldn't determine your age." He proceed to fold his arms in a smug way.

Aria looked up at him and smiled. "At least I'm not alone."

They finished their drinks without further incident. They needed to call a cab to get to the dock's to see if they could find their father, so Aria ran off back into the café to use the phone. 'Hey Al." Ed began.

"Yeah?" Al smiled as he looked at his older brother.

Ed got close and grabbed him by the scruff of the shirt, a little rough, but still playfully. "So help me Al...if you get rid of her, I will not hesitate to beat you to within an inch of your life...you got it?" Al couldn't help but smile, even thought Ed was being rather scary about it, it was good to see that he approved of Aria.

"No problem brother, I didn't plan on it. Why the aggression though?" Al questioned.

Ed looked from side to side and then back to Al, who was slightly nervous. "She's cute, she's nice, she's the same age as me...and significantly shorter..." Ed smirked. "I doubt you'll find anyone else who'll fit your's and my standards." He released his brother and fixed his shirt for him.

"I guess not." Al smiled wide, she was quite a catch.

And there you go...I was lying! (laughs evilly) I would never end it like that, that's just cruel. There'll be plenty of cute romance stuff and maybe another lemon soon enough. Let me give you something to think about...Why is Ed acting so distant?

Huh? Think about it. ;D

Another chapter polished and posted. :D I was quite happy with the way this one turned out. It was cute, romantic and kind of funny. It had all the stuff I love to wrote about in it.
It's safe to say, this chapter made me smile!

I hope you thought the same thing!

Don't forget, a little review will go a long way! (Hundreds of people read, but 4-5 review...what's up with that?)
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