The most expensive thing in the world is trust. It can take years to earn. And just a matter of seconds to lose.

**********

With only a strong word from one of the nurses about keeping the wound clean, Aiden was in the clear and discharged. Roy would stay until the afternoon and while Aiden wanted to stay until then, she had a train to catch. She packed her things and headed to the train station, not without leaving a note for Roy with Riza telling him not to push himself and to keep up with the exercise routine. The entire ride was spent either with short snoozes or watching the scenery go by. It was at those times she wished she had brought something more to read other than the journal, which she didn't dare take out in public.

Maes was waiting for her at the train station when she arrived. One look at her leg and he said: "Just what am I going to do with danger seeking people like you?"

"Love me, feed me, never leave me," Aiden deadpanned. Then she grinned as Maes pulled her into a hug. "Yeah, yeah, I know. I was gone too long."

She picked up her suitcase and hung it over her shoulder. Getting out of the train station was a little difficult as it was more crowded than usual. The apartment wasn't too far away and neither of them minded walking the short distance.

"Well, what can I say? No one else appreciates me and my family. Oh! Speaking of which," Maes pulled a picture from his blue jacket and held it out for her to see. "Elicia looks so cute in her mother's clothes! Doesn't she?"

Aiden smiled as Maes fawned over the picture of his daughter. Elicia was smiling up at the camera, wearing a woman's blue blouse like a dress, a pearl necklace around her neck reaching her stomach, and a purple hat completed the ensemble. She could faintly see the evidence of Gracia's flats under the blouse.

"Isn't she adorable?" Maes gushed.

Aiden laughed and nodded, brushing away the stray tear in the corner of her eye. Tristan would often do the same, dressing up with whatever he could find around the house. It usually ended up being one of her tank tops, a jacket belonging to Jessica, his own pants, and flip flops that belonged to both Aiden and Jessica. He only ever took the left ones.

"Elicia will be a beautiful one when she grows up," she nodded.

Maes' glasses flashed as he pushed them to the bridge of his nose. "Any boy that goes near her will die." It was surprising to see the dark aura surrounding Maes, but it wasn't entirely out of the normal when the protection of his family was on his mind. "Off topic, how's Roy?"

"As far as I know he's fine. He almost cracked a rib and there is a cut on his side, but other than that he's the same snarky ass we all know and love."

"That you love maybe," Maes grinned, prodding her side.

"Shut up," she mumbled, slapping his hand away and quickening her pace when the apartment complex was in sight. "Bye Maes!"

"You can't deny it forever!"

"I can and I will!"

"Ooh! Is that a partial confession I hear?"

"Goodbye Maes, see you at work tomorrow."

Aiden bounded up the steps quicker than a gazelle being chased by a lion. She knew Maes suspected her feelings - hell he more than likely wanted them together, but she didn't think he'd straight up accuse her. Although she should've expected as much, Maes wasn't one for subtlety. Either way, Aiden's face was red by the time she reached her apartment.

When Maes got wind of the brothers being in Central and not telling him, Aiden was sure Maes shattered like glass. But being the person he was, Maes was up and marching out the office door dragging her behind like a sack of potatoes. Luckily Aiden was able to grab her shoulder bag and convince Maes to stop by a shop - that was very much out of their way - so she could grab a few things for the boys.

Then they made their way to the library. They had to search through two other libraries before they actually found where Edward and Alphonse were staying. Aiden and Maes peeked their heads around a corner to stare at the man and woman guarding the entrance to the library.

"Who's that?" Maes asked.

"Sergeant Denny Brosh and Second Lieutenant Maria Ross. Didn't Major Armstrong tell you who was guarding them?"

"Doesn't matter."

In other words, no or Maes wasn't listening. They rounded the corner and approached the two just as Brosh yawned. He stared at them for a second and stood up straight, saluting. Ross did the same.

"Are Ed and Al in?" Aiden asked, knowing full well the two wouldn't be there if they weren't.

"U-Uh, yes ma'am!" Ross nodded.

"Yo!" Maes greeted as the two opened the double doors.

Ed and Al were sitting at a desk with piles of books laying around them. Rolled up pieces of paper were discarded to the floor, as were some unrolled papers. A woman with glasses was with the boys, Aiden assumed her to be Sheska. She blinked, so it was that day.

"Lieutenant Colonel Hughes? Aiden?" Ed asked surprised. "What're you doing here?"

"We heard from the major that you'd be here," Aiden answered.

"What gives Ed? I told you to give us a shout if you were ever in Central!" Maes pouted.

"Yeah, sorry about that," Ed laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "We've been busy since we arrived."

"I know what you mean. We've been swamped by all the work lately! And we still haven't closed the Tucker chimera case." Maes grimaced and Aiden winced at the sorrowful look both boys took on at the mention.

"Sorry guys," Aiden apologized. "We didn't mean to bring up such a sore subject. Anyway, speak for yourself Maes. It's practically a graveyard it's so quiet on my end." Her eyes strayed to the boys and pointed at Maes with an accusing finger. "And as a result, Maes here has commandeered my team and I to help him with stuff. He didn't ask, he just took my men! I didn't know until after my lunch break when I came back and found my office empty aside from a note from our resident thief and kidnapper."

Ed and Al shared a quiet laugh while Maes stared at Aiden unashamedly. "So you were able to take some time for us in the middle of your busy schedule?" Al asked.

"Nah," Maes shook his head and sat in the seat across from Ed. "We're just on break. We thought we should drop by and say hi. We've gotta get back to work in a minute." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "And if things were bad enough already in the work situation, the First Branch went and burned down in the middle of all this."

"I'm guessing that's a huge problem if you're bringing it up," Ed said.

Aiden nodded and sighed, thankful that she wasn't in charge of getting everything back and in order. She shot a glare at Maes because he, however, was in charge and he stole her team. At least he did so by asking first. In a way. The question was left on the note.

"All our case records were stored in the First Branch," she said. "So trying to work without them hasn't exactly been a walk in the park."

Ed and Al stared at the two Lieutenant Colonels as an idea popped into their heads. They slowly turned to look at Sheska, Maes and Aiden following their gaze. It took a second, but Sheska gasped as she came to the realization she could help.

"Hey Lieutenant Colonel! I think I've got just the person you're looking for!" Ed stated proudly.

"Well I did read the military criminal records and of course I remember them..." Sheska said, trailing off in uncertainty.

"So what'd you think, Aiden?" Al asked. "We're trying to find her a job."

"That's all we need to hear!" Maes declared before Aiden could reply. The man looked at Aiden almost for permission to hire Sheska and she gave him a funny look. It's his idea, she'll be his subordinate. Aiden shrugged and nodded. "You're hired! My office pays well so you won't have to worry about anything!"

Sheska gaped. "Well - I - so you're saying..." She squealed in excitement and looked at Ed and Al. "Thank you so much for this!"

Maes grabbed the back of Sheska's purple sweater and began to drag her away from the table. "Let's get the paperwork out of the way, right now! Your talent is going to be a huge help to us!"

Ed, Al, and Aiden waved as they left. Aiden said she'd be along shortly when Maes asked if she was coming. She chuckled to herself as they rounded the corner, "He looks like a kidnapper." Maes' voice dropped out of hearing range as he walked further from the room.

"She's not going to be thanking us for long," Ed grinned.

Aiden laughed and nodded. Sheska had yet to meet the Maes Hughes that worked people to their eventual death and had Elicia pictures galore. Boy was she in for a wild ride. A weight against her side registered in her mind and she stared at the bag at her waist. 

"I have something for you boys," Aiden said, sliding the shoulder bag off and setting it on the ground. She pulled out a few water bottles, small bags of chips that she thought Edward may enjoy, and a handmade puzzle box. "The food is for Ed just in case he forgets to eat - please make sure he eats Alphonse." Al nodded and Aiden smiled in response, handing him the puzzle box. The wooden box itself was about the size of a small watermelon, with carvings engraved on the sides, and a prize at the center if one was able to solve it. It took Aiden a long time to perfect the thing and she was proud of the finished project. 

Al tilted his head at the box in his hand. "Thanks?" 

Aiden laughed. "It's a puzzle box, Al. Each side has a puzzle for you to figure out and when it's done, the top will open like a chest and you'll get the prize inside! And to ensure no cheating, this box can't have alchemy used on it or it will never open again. Not that I think you'd cheat, but I'm a paranoid person."

Al tilted the box this way and that in an excited manner. He loved puzzles and prizes! "Oh wow! Thanks Aiden!" he cheered.

"No problem. See you boys later!" 

Aiden waved as she left. Ed and Al said their goodbyes and went back to their decryption, Ed reaching for food and Al giving the puzzle box one last look-over. Ross and Brosh closed the doors behind her and when the doors gave a soft click, Aiden turned to the two.

"You two have been here every day, all day, for a week." She gave a concerned look. "You two need anything?"

"Oh! N-no, it's okay ma'am!" Ross shook her head quickly and Brosh nodded just as quickly.

"Yeah! We're good!"

"Well if you're sure..." Aiden trailed off. Neither Ross nor Brosh said anything more and Aiden nodded and bid the two farewell.

Time passed by and Aiden finally received the report from Katy about her time in Resembool with the brothers and Armstrong. There was nothing out of the ordinary and no sightings of Scar which she was thankful for. Aiden put Katy on standby until a new case came up that Katy could help with. So far Amestris was quiet aside from the occasional robbery she saw in the newspapers. The military police could handle those things so the alchemist wasn't needed.

Maes and Aiden made it a point to visit the boys whenever possible, Maes having stories to tell and Aiden bringing fresh food. Alphonse hadn't yet figured out the puzzle box but he did get one side finished. Aiden was impressed he was able to do so in such a short amount of time. However, on the tenth day of research, Aiden was late and Maes couldn't get out of work so she was arriving around sunset.

Aiden paused in the doorway, staring down at the books and papers strewn across the floor. Ed was on the floor, as was Al, and Brosh and Ross were staring at them. They all had their backs to her.

"What's so evil about it?" Denny Brosh asked.

"The main ingredient for a Philosopher's Stone..." Edward held a hand to his forehead, "is human life."

Aiden's eyes widened and she stared at the boys in shock. Not because of what he said, she already knew the ingredient, but because he said it so damn loudly with the door wide open Aiden was surprised when no one came around the corner to see what all the ruckus was about. Ross and Brosh gasped and she watched as they shivered.

"In order to manufacture a single stone you have to make multiple human sacrifices."

"How could the military authorize research into something so horrible?" Brosh asked.

"That's just... awful," Ross said, staring at the ground in horror.

A person rounded the corner and Aiden didn't think twice about her actions. "Don't you people ever close doors?" Aiden whispered furiously in alarm. She rushed inside the library and closed the doors behind her, throwing a scathing look at Maria Ross and Denny Brosh who at least had the decency to look abashed.

Edward and Alphonse looked up at Aiden in shock. Ed shook his head and grimaced, now another person knew the truth behind the blasted stones.

"Did you hear everything?" Al asked, still staring at their superior.

Aiden nodded and cast her gaze to the ground. "I did."

"Do us a favor," Ed said, addressing his two bodyguards as well. "Don't speak to anyone about this."

"But sir-" Brosh tried to protest.

"Please. Just... pretend you never heard any of it."

Aiden sighed and shook her head. They needed time alone to think. The three officers were able to coax Edward and Alphonse from the library and to their room. When they were settled Aiden ordered the two to watch over them and keep people away from the boys until she got back. They agreed and Aiden left to fetch a water bottle from the kitchens, figuring that Edward wouldn't be able to stomach much even if he did ingest a fluid. It was better for him to drink water on the off chance of Ed throwing up.

When Aiden found herself back in the lobby she spotted Armstrong talking to Brosh and Ross. She crept closer and leaned against a pillar as Armstrong stared down his subordinates.

"What's this now?" Armstrong asked. "The Elric brothers are holed up in their room again tonight?"

"Yes," Ross confirmed. "They haven't been eating either."

Armstrong nodded, turning his back on the two. "Hmm. The fatigue must be catching up to them. They seem to have devoted all of their energy to these notes."

Maria and Denny turned away from Armstrong, somehow not seeing Aiden standing ten feet away. "They worked so hard to decipher those notes only to find out that," Maria whispered.

"It disturbs me too, just thinking about it. I bet I'd act the same way," Denny added.

Armstrong turned around just in time to see the strange way Denny and Maria were whispering. Aiden rolled her eyes. It served them right, acting all suspicious-like!

"What was that?" he asked. Maria and Denny gasped, standing straight up and staring at their commanding officer.

"Oh! It was nothing sir!" they chorused. 

At that point, Aiden almost felt like the two deserved to get caught in the lie. Unfortunately, they were only lying because she told them to keep people away. On the other hand, they were terrible at being discreet.

"Your behavior is most suspicious!" Armstrong declared, staring down Maria and Denny.

Aiden sighed and stepped into view. Armstrong immediately calmed down as if he wasn't being his usual eccentric self. She placed her hands on Maria's and Denny's shoulders. "You need to calm down Major. They are acting under my orders. The brothers need rest after ten days of research."

Armstrong nodded slowly. He saw her point and he didn't want to say aloud that Aiden was acting just as suspicious as Maria and Denny. At least, that's what his senses told him and they were almost never wrong. And he couldn't very well act out against a superior officer. "I see."

Aiden knew Armstrong had to be up there with the boys soon. It was sad that the two never got to think over the new revelation more because Armstrong would come bursting in. In her opinion, the boys needed more time to think things over, and unfortunately, they didn't have time on their side. Aiden had to stick to the timeline.

"However," Aiden said as Armstrong went to walk away. "There is something you need to know."

She took Armstrong off to the side and Maria and Denny followed. There they told him what the Elric brothers found out which set him off on an emotional roller coaster that Aiden knew they wouldn't be able to stop. Armstrong barged up to the brother's room and demanded to be let in. When there was no answer he broke the door down and started his rant about how the knowledge of the Philosopher's Stone was very tragic. They earned a very sour look from Edward at that.

"Sorry guys. Nothing short of an order of a superior officer would deter him," Aiden said.

"Well why didn't you order him to go away?" Ed roared.

"Edward I was the one to tell him."

"Why the hell did you do that? That wasn't your call!"

"Edward."

"This isn't something you should share without telling us!"

"Ed-"

"We all should have agreed on this! You can't do that!"

"Edward Elric you listen to me!" Aiden roared, using a tone of voice she hadn't in almost eight years. Edward stared at her, shocked at the fact that she would yell at him. He went to open his mouth again but Aiden cut him off before he could begin his childish tirade again. "This was very much my call to make and do you know why? There are few people we can trust with this and Major Armstrong is one of them."

"It is so sad that the truth is often sadder than we bargained for," Armstrong said. He had quieted down when Aiden had yelled at Edward, staring at her in shock. That specific tone was saved for mothers scolding their child, and he'd never once heard that voice come from Wilson.

Ed's glare receded as his eyes widened and he stared at Major Armstrong. "Truth," he repeated, as if he came to a realization that no one other than Aiden could follow.

"What is it brother?" Alphonse asked, tilting his head.

"Do you remember what Doctor Marco said at the station. He said: 'Look closely. Maybe you'll find the truth hidden within the truth.' I didn't have a clue what he was talking about then but now... it's the same with his alchemical notes. What you can see on the surface is only a portion of the truth. There's still more to find here. There has to be."

Edward had whispered the last part but everyone heard him.

Aiden looked at her watch and sighed. She was out of time, she had an appointment to make. "I'm afraid I can't stay," Aiden apologized. The door was still on the ground and she gracefully stepped over the object. "I have two - no, three pieces of advice for you Edward. One, don't do anything stupid. Two, fix this door so that we don't get a repeat of eavesdroppers." Aiden knew that she was basically calling herself out but she wasn't going to deny it. "And three, I find that maps help when decoding. Ta-ta!"

She disappeared around the corner and made her way home. The only appointment she had was with a certain journal. There were no chances of anything changing in the Laboratory Five incident if she never showed up. Her walking pace slowed as she thought of how injured Edward was going to be after that night. Hopefully her words of caution would be heeded. It had to be done. She needed to keep the timeline intact.

In his hospital room, two days after the incident, Edward held up a paper with his own drawing of Envy and Lust. He was sitting on the bed recounting his time in the Fifth Laboratory with Alphonse, Maes, and Armstrong. "Well," he said, "the last thing I remember was this guy kicking me."

"It's odd that he let you live," Armstrong said. "And what about this 'sacrifice' and the other armored souls?"

"Not to mention the Ouroboros tattoos and the transmutation circle," Maes added. They stared at the information Ed had written down, each with their own speculations. "Doctor Marco claims that they were using the Philosopher's Stones in Ishval."

"Every clue we have to work with seems to lead to its own mystery," Armstrong sighed.

"Not much we can do about that, though. Any answers we might have found are under a ton of rubble back in the lab."

The atmosphere of the room dropped into an unknown emotion as all four occupants of the room 'hmm-ed' at the same time. Edward paused as a thought caught up to him and he froze. Maes caught his eye and he stared at the man, an uneasy feeling settling in his gut.

"Hey, Hughes?"

"What is it?"

"How much do you know about..." Ed trailed off, "Aiden?"

Alphonse gasped as he came to the same suspicion as his brother. "Brother, you don't think..."

Maes narrowed his eyes. "Just what are you getting at, Ed?"

"Just answer the question please."

"She was born the 8th of November in 1885, same as me and Roy, her favorite color is purple, she loves animals, and doesn't mind babysitting when Gracia and I ask her to. Aiden doesn't have very many friends who don't work in the military, and she does her job well."

"Her past Hughes," Alphonse clarified. "How much do you know?"

"Aiden is from another country, was an only child, and as far as I know she was put into her country's military at a young age."

"I see."

"What is this about?"

"A while ago, Al and I saw an Ouroboros tattoo on her left wrist." Maes and Armstrong gasped and Ed continued. "She said that a friend of hers had her get it and that we shouldn't tell anyone. After that, she left pretty quickly."

"You can't be suggesting -" Armstrong began.

"That Aiden may be helping these people?" Edward finished. "I am. We already know that the military is involved. Aiden has the tattoo, told us not to tell, is in the military. Before we left for the lab she told us to be careful and to use a map. It's like she knew that we would go. Hell Aiden could be the person who told these two we were going!"

Edward gestured toward the picture of Lust and Envy. Maes glared down at the drawing, almost like he was daring it to come to life and answer his questions. He hated to admit it, but the boys had a point. No one knew anything about Aiden's past before she came to Amestris aside from the basics. She always did her job well, talked to people, and made actions that didn't make sense. Edward said that the two at the laboratory acted like they'd be in trouble if Edward died. He remembered how Aiden had paced back and forth during the Tucker incident. It was like she was waiting for them to set off and find Ed so she could make sure he was okay. And while that could be seen as genuine concern for Ed's safety, it could be seen as Aiden protecting a 'sacrifice' just as easily.

Maes sighed and took off his glasses before cleaning them. "Aiden has been going up through the ranks quickly ever since she enlisted. And jumping ranks is somewhat common in war. But now that I think about it, it's strange that Aiden was able to become a Lieutenant Colonel when she began as a Sergeant. That's seven ranks she has ascended in just as many years. It's strange how Roy began as a Major and in those seven years, he only became a Colonel. That's just two ranks difference."

Maes closed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. It was only speculation, but the evidence against her was starting to become overwhelming. Was Aiden friend or foe? Was she ever their friend to begin with? 

"What's going on here Ed?" Maes asked. Edward didn't reply and stared at the ground, Alphonse doing the same. He sighed and picked up the drawing of the tattoo. "I'll run a search. See if I can find anyone else with an Ouroboros tattoo."

Armstrong nodded, somewhat thankful for the slight subject change. "Very good. And while you do that I will continue looking into the research team that was working with Doctor Marco in Ishval."

With that, the meeting concluded, though not by choice. A knocking at the door revealed Fuhrer Bradley who brought Edward a melon for his recovery and knowledge telling them that the researchers had gone missing a few days before the laboratory had collapsed. He said nothing more than a suggestion, who were they kidding it was an order, for them to keep quiet and trust no one before jumping out the window.

Aiden rounded the corner of the hospital in a panic, almost bumping into a nurse who gasped and stepped out of the way just in time. She called an apology over her shoulder but didn't slow down. Earlier that day Aiden had received a message from Maes telling her to come to the Elric's hospital room due to an urgent matter. He didn't give a reason why, just telling Aiden to get there as soon as possible. With no more than a glance at Maria and Denny, she entered the hospital room.

"I came as fast as I could!" she gasped, skidding to a halt. "What's so urgent Maes?"

She paused at the stares and in turn looked around the room in confusion. Armstrong, Maes, Edward, and Alphonse were by the window with strange looks on their faces. Winry was just off to the side staring at Aiden who had burst into the room like a madwoman, but she looked like she had just arrived as well. The two women in the room looked back at the men. 

"Did we... miss something?" Aiden asked.

"Just a tornado passing by," Edward said.

"Well I don't think there's anything I can do about that," Winry said, walking around the bed. "But I did buy the train tickets you asked for."

Aiden slowly dragged Maes away from the group and stared him down. She went to open her mouth and question her presence when she noticed how bothered he looked. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Maes said, putting up a false smile.

Aiden smiled in return, glad that her friend was okay. "That's nice. But Maes, why am I here? I'm in the middle of sorting through all the chaos the laboratory caused. You said to get here ASAP and that it was an emergency."

Maes was silent for a moment, trying to give her a reason. Aiden was supposed to have been there for the meeting and now he was sort of glad she was late. The brothers wouldn't have been able to tell them their suspicions if she had been present. Maes shrugged and held up his hands in an apologetic manner as Aiden sighed loudly and her hand met her face.

"Damn you Maes," she wailed. "I almost had a heart attack on the way here!" 

Aiden slumped against the wall and slid to the ground. Towering above her, Maes frowned. Her exasperation seemed real enough, and perhaps it was. Maybe they were making something out of nothing and that nothing was just a coincidence.

His eyes caught sight of the tickets in Winry's hand. "Where are you headed off to this time?" Winry showed him the route on the tickets. "What's in Dublith?"

Edward began to explain how he and his brother needed to visit their teacher when Alphonse started shaking. The clanking gained everyone's attention including Aiden's.

"I think I'm too scared brother," Alphonse admitted. "There's no way she's not gonna kill us!"

"Don't you chicken out on me now!" Edward gasped, shaking like a leaf. "I'm scared too, okay?"

"What exactly does this person teach?" Winry questioned, not knowing how Edward and Alphonse, the two most reckless people she knew, could fear their own teacher.

Aiden was wincing in sympathy. She knew very well the kind of welcome the boys would receive upon encountering their teacher. Izumi Curtis was a woman to be feared by all. She vaguely wondered who would win in a fight, Riza, Izumi, or Olivier Armstrong. A shudder passed through her and she shivered. Those women could take over and rule the world within a month.

A squeal brought her from her thoughts and Aiden slowly slipped around Winry as she went off about Rush Valley. She paused next to Armstrong and listened to Edward try and get out of bringing Winry along. Obviously the boy had never paid any attention when arguing with the female sex. Didn't he know that girls fought tooth and nail to get what they wanted? Suddenly Winry was out the room declaring that she needed to inform her grandmother she would be off to Rush Valley. Aiden laughed at the struck look on the men's faces in the room.

"She'll make you a fine wife someday," Maes said in the most serious tone she'd heard in a while. Aiden's laugh turned into a cackle when Edward told Maes to not begin another discussion like that. Maes chuckled. "I would rather talk about my wife anyway."

Aiden's laughter died down and she sighed. "Well if you can't remember why I'm supposed to be here, then I guess I'm not needed. Safe travels!"

"Thanks," Edward said slowly.

Aiden briefly questioned the tone but it was shaken from her mind as she remembered her plans. She walked out the door, pausing only to wave at Maria and Denny, and made her way back to her office. There were only a few things left to take care of. More specifically, a certain troubling, alchemist of hers.

**********

Ed: Look I know she acts nice but she's pretty damn shady.

Maes: Holy fuck you're right tho.