Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ A Love Forgotten ❯ Taken ( Chapter 35 )

A Love Forgotten

By Joyfulmusic

 

I don't own FMA

Note: May contain spoilers!

 

Chapter 35: Taken

 

“Did you have a good time last night?” Briana questioned in a teasing voice. Ed had brought her by the shop that morning when he picked up Alphonse. They had left the women alone to continue with the paperwork. At that moment the girls were going through the folders which had been left over from the Friday before.

 

“Yes.” Andrea murmured, feeling a slight flush in her cheeks. `I really did, I'm not just saying that.' She'd pretended so many times before that she was surprised at her own sincerity. Usually she was uncomfortable around men, but with Al things were completely different.

 

The bell on the door interrupted their conversation. Glancing toward the front room, the artist scowled. `Who could that be?' Making her way to what would be the main gallery, she saw that the elder Elric was waiting by the entry dressed in his black uniform and red jacket. “Oh hey, what are you doing here?” Peering past him she added, “Did Al come with you?”

 

Smirking toward her, the alchemist shook his head. “No, he had some work he needed to finish up.” Moving past her he nodded toward the door to the storage room, “Brie back there?” Receiving a nod, he continued on through the opening. Once he'd reached her he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck. “Hey Baby.”

 

Smiling she stroked the back of his neck. “What are you doing here?” But instead of getting an answer, their lips locked. That hungry sensation seemed to have returned. She was willing to feed his desire because they had been under so much pressure the week before.

 

Finally pulling away, she had to gasp for breath. “Darling, what's gotten into you?” She wasn't upset but rather a bit surprised. She hadn't expedited him to show up, especially not without his brother tagging along behind. `I would've thought he'd have come to see Andrea if nothing else.'

 

Edward took a step back, kneeling down he stretched out her legs and locked the knees. Straitening up again, he pulled her to her feet. “Let's go for a walk in the park, alright?” She nodded pleased with the fact he didn't mention the wheelchair and was instead getting her crutches.

 

Glancing to her friend, who was standing in the doorway, Briana smiled. “We're going for a walk, hold down the fort.” Something in those hazel eyes seemed strange, although she merely shook the feeling off. `It's probably because Al didn't come.' Telling herself that, she put it behind her. She was going to have a wonderful outing with her husband, nothing to ruin the mood.

 

Once the couple was out of sight Andrea took a seat at the table. `What's wrong with me anyway?' Shaking her head, she tried to overcome the odd feeling she'd gotten when her friends had kissed. Something about it was different. She hoped nothing was going on between the two of them.

 

 

As they made their way down the clear sidewalk, the brunette beamed with happiness. The sun was out, and other than a wet spot every now and then, there was no sign of the storm from the night before. She could feel her husband's left hand on the small of her back.

 

He seemed to be leading the way, and she didn't want to ask where they were going. Somehow not knowing made it seem all the more romantic. Instead, she observed the world around her. It seemed as though the leaves glistened ever brighter after the rain fall.

 

The only time she did bother to ask, was when they turned the corner down an alleyway. “Where are we headed?” As he grinned at her, she wondered what he could possibly have in mind. Realizing that they were at the staff entrance of the old theater she became excited. “Oh Edward, you remembered!”

 

Nodding, he opened the door, ushering her in. “I thought you'd like to see the old place.” He followed her across the wooden floor. Reaching the middle of the stage they looked out over where the audiences of the past had sat. Taking a step forward he smiled, “I would like to introduce the wonderful Miss Briana!”

 

Laughing, she moved toward the seats, taking an awkward bow. As he wrapped his arms around her she sighed, noticing that he was wearing his coat. Tugging at the sleeve she asked, “Aren't you getting hot in this thing? Besides, you took the day off, so why do you have it on?”

 

Shrugging, he tugged off the outer red jacket, and then the black under one, watching his hands while doing so. “I just decided to…” When he glanced back at her, he realized that she was staring at his shoulder intently. Touching it gently he scowled, “What's wrong Brie? Why are you looking at me like that?”

 

Shaking her head slowly, she tried to back away. “You're not my husband.” Her eyes were still trained on the scar which shouldn't have been there. `It's him… it's that thing again…' Her heart pounded wildly in her chest. She'd fallen for the same mistake twice. How much would it cost her this time?

 

A grin came over his face. As he began to stride toward her she continued to coward away in fear. Reaching out his hand to stroke her cheek, she stumbled, plunging backward. Because of the braces she was unable to catch herself. When she landed, she hit her head on the floor, knocking her unconscious.

 

Kneeling over the girl, a smirk appeared on Envy's lips. `Things are going better than I planned.' Stroking her hair he could feel the rush of victory wash over him. His name was Envy and he intended to live up to that. `I'll take everything that pipsqueak holds dear.'

 

 

The phone rang, startling Andrea awake. She hadn't even realized that she'd dozed off. The last thing she could remember was trying to decipher the figures that were in front of her. Standing, she stretched momentarily before moving to pick up the receiver. “Hello, Andrea's Art Gallery. How may I help you?”

 

Chuckling, Al thought of how tired she sounded. “Hey, are you doing ok? Maybe you should have taken the day off too.” He could hear the heavy sigh that came through the line. Laughing again he continued, “Brother was wondering if you'd like to go out to a café for lunch.”

 

Perking up at that comment the artist scowled. “You mean to tell me he came by here, picked Brie up just so he could take her back home? If he was worried about her he could have just said he didn't want her working today.” Leaning back against the wall she felt distrusted.

 

“What are you talking about?” It was Alphonse's turn to frown. He peered across the room at his sibling who gave him a quizzical glare. “Brother is right here. He hasn't gone anywhere since we got back home earlier. What do you mean he picked her up? Are you sure?”

 

The alchemist was by his side in an instant. Something was obviously wrong and he feared the worst. “Give me that.” Snatching the receiver he told the woman, “Listen very carefully, I want you to tell me exactly what happened. Don't leave out any detail no matter how small.”

 

Straitening at his demeanor, she relayed what she remembered about what she had thought had been their encounter. She mentioned the odd feeling she'd gotten when he'd kissed her friend. At that she thought she heard a slight growl. Finishing up she asked, “What is this anyway? Wasn't that you?”

 

Handing the phone back to his sibling he didn't bother to answer her. Instead he ordered, “Get down there and make sure Andrea is safe. I'm going after them.” Rushing into the bedroom he grabbed his red jacket. Realizing something he called out, “Which direction did they go?”

 

Asking the woman, Al answered, “They went North, toward the old downtown.” Into the receiver he murmured, “Stay at the store and wait for me. Don't leave with anyone else.” Then, realizing his dilemma he added, “The first thing I'll do when I get there is ask you how your mother is. Got that?”

 

Shaking her head, the artist was becoming confused. “But I don't understand. Why would you do that?” Tears were creeping into the corners of her eyes. Instead of persisting she murmured. “Never mind, just hurry up and get here. I'll keep the door locked until you do.”

 

Nodding, Alphonse said his goodbyes and hung up. Edward was already heading out the door. “Hold on a second brother!” He called, plopping down on the couch and quickly pulling on his shoes, not worrying with socks. Running out, he took the key from his pocket and turned it in the lock. “Brother, wait up!”

 

Rushing down the street, the alchemist paused only a moment, giving his sibling just enough time to reach him. “I've got to find her Al. If I don't…” He couldn't finish his sentence, couldn't think about what might be happening at that very moment. “You've got to keep Andrea safe.”

 

The younger knew he was only saying that to keep his mind off of the real issue at hand. The artist had no reason to be attacked, but they had to make sure. The last thing they needed was two women missing. If Envy was targeting the Elric brothers, he might go after her because she was becoming a close friend, and perhaps more.

 

Arriving at the shop, Ed continued onward, leaving Al to his duty. Knocking on the door, he found himself impatient. Relief washed over him when he saw her peering around the corner from the back room. Rushing forward she turned the lock, opening it just slightly, waiting for his reply.

 

Not even bothering to put on a face smile he asked, “How's your mother doing?” With that one question out of the way, the door flew open and the artist fell into his arms. Sobs racked through her body. The realization that this was not a joke had hit her with the force of the storm the night before.

 

Leading her through the opening to the back, they sat down on the cot he'd created. He was glad now that they hadn't bothered to change them back into the various things they had been. Rubbing her back soothingly he allowed her to cry. “It's going to be ok. Brother will find her.”

 

Shaking her head, she bawled, “But I don't understand. If that wasn't Ed then who was it? He looked exactly like him, even Briana thought so. She went with him without question.” Quivering with despair, she felt as though things were falling apart. She still hadn't been told of the accident which had taken the use of the woman's legs.

 

Alphonse frowned. This was highly classified, but she had seen Envy, although she didn't know it. Thinking over everything he knew as a soldier, he tried to find some way of explaining without giving away too much. “It has to do with the last incident. I'm sorry but that's all I can tell you.”

 

Pulling back, she peered into those silver orbs. “It's classified, isn't it?” He nodded solemnly. Brie hadn't even told her that much. All the brunette had ever said was that she'd been attacked. Leaning against Al again she sighed heavily and closed her eyes. `Please be safe. Please…'