Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Fullmetal Alchemist: Revised Version ❯ An Alchemist's Anguish ( Chapter 5 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Disclaimer: FMA? T'ain't mine to begin with. Otherwise, it would have been like THIS.

A/N: -COUGH- You guys are gonna love this one. Yes, it's the angsty chappie you've either been anticipating or aching not to see. But fret not. Because I installed something really CUTE for you guys, LOL! And I mean cute! You gotta love Nina! It seems I like her in both anime and manga! But she's cuter in the anime, hehe!

Btw, have I ever given warning for some indecent language here? No? Bleah, sorry. XD

Well, such usage of the “F” word and other colorful phrases might come up throughout the story. And just now, I was reminded why I rated this M. Hehe.

Interlude

“Winry, I think you're getting prettier everytime I see you.” Colonel Mustang complimented her.

She stood there, stunned. “EH? No no, that's not true! I…uh…I never actually change, you see…”

The man couldn't help but laugh at Winry's modesty. “Well, aren't you getting cuter too when you look like that?”

When is this molesting bastard ever gonna stop? Ed griped mentally.

Call it a sense of brotherly care, but listening to the Colonel flirt with Winry was getting on his nerves, even though he knew she wasn't a giggly idiot about it. That, and he just wanted to get off the train platform and get moving already. He wanted to get away from Barud.

Then Ed frowned.

That's right. Barud.

He knew he'd touched Winry. Which meant…

Ed cast his gold eyes to the ruffian being dragged away by two officers. He grimaced.

…No, it doesn't matter. Nobody takes the words of a notorious criminal unless he had something to defend. And, he'll probably be charged guilty without going to Court anyway.

Ed calmed down somewhat with the knowledge that Winry wouldn't have her cover blown. He sighed deeply to himself. It felt good to unwind every once in a while without getting so worked up over their activities. As much as he wanted to get his and Winry's bodies back, even a guy like him needed a chance to relax. And he wanted to use every opportunity he had to do just that.

But one more glimpse of her being tortured by their superior's teasing attitude…

Noting the growl coming from the bristling alchemist, Roy decided to lay off now. “Very well. You two come with me. We can talk more in my office.”

Fullmetal Alchemist

Chapter 5: An Alchemist's Anguish

Ed sat in the armchair with his head resting on his metal knuckles, looking pretty smug for somebody who just took on a group of hijackers.

“You owe me for this one, right Colonel?” he leered.

Roy leaned back on his own chair hands clasped, and he seemed to be trying not to let the professional smile slip in spite of the mood in his office. “…There's something disturbing about having to be in your debt…”

All he'd been expecting was a free favor from Fullmetal. Not a favor to be repaid. Well, he had it coming, he supposed. “I'll cave in. What do you want?”

“That's our Colonel. You're quick. Can you show us to a library or introduce us to an alchemist that has detailed info about biological transmutation around here?”

“Right now? Good grief, man. You're impatient.”

Ed snapped. “We want to restore ourselves ASAP!”

“Ed, calm down!” Winry said from her seat next to him.

Mustang took an opportunity and smiled at her. “I'm so envious of Fullmetal to have such a pretty and patient girl like Winry to be with him always.”

“WHAT DOES THAT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS?” Ed roared. Briefly, he'd considered sending the desk flying into the air to follow his outburst.

Why the fuck do I have to put up with this SHIT?

Winry, at the Colonel's compliment, seemed almost happy to hear those words. If it didn't infuriate Ed, that is.

“Very well. Let's get to business.” their superior stood and flicked through the files in the bookcase behind him. “It's been a while since we met. Let's chat over a cup of tea.”

“And what would the fun be in drinking tea with a guy?” Ed remarked snidely.

“Hm, maybe…” the Colonel hummed to himself and nodded. “Ah. This is it.”

He pulled out a folder and spread the papers out on the desk for the pair to see. “Artificial synthesis at the cost of two or more organisms of different genetic backgrounds. In short, there's a researcher of chimera transmutation living within the city.” he pointed at the profile of a man with round, thin-framed glasses. “Shou Tucker, the Life-binding Alchemist.”

Winry leaned over the picture. “Shou Tucker.”

“So what projects did he take on?” Ed asked.

Mustang sat back on his chair. “A man who successfully transmuted a talking chimera and obtained a license to be a State Alchemist.”

Both Ed and Winry gaped, but it was Ed who spoke. “A talking…! You mean it could talk like humans do?”

“That seems to be the case. I wasn't in charge at that time, so I didn't see the actual thing. I heard, though, that it could learn what people around it would say and speak.” Looking back at his clipboard, Roy furrowed his dark brows. “However, it only said one thing: I want to die. As it said, it ate nothing and perished afterwards.”

The teenagers fell silent.

-sss-

Later, they found themselves standing outside the Tucker residence. Or rather to put it, the mansion. Ed and Winry couldn't help but stare in awe.

“Man, this house is so big…” Ed marveled.

“I know…” Winry agreed, eyes wide as saucers. “Does Mr. Tucker really have such a big family?”

“No actually.” Mustang answered for her. “He and his wife only had a single child between them.”

He walked up to the front door and rang the doorbell.

“Ed?”

He looked over to Winry, who smiled. “You and I are only children right? You to Auntie Trisha and me to my own parents.”

“Yeah.” he shrugged. “What's the big deal?”

Hands clasped behind her, she shifted her foot on the ground and beamed at him. “Do you think we make great siblings?”

Ed stared at her, lost for words. But even if he had something to say to that, she'd never get to hear it. Because just then, something landed right on top of Ed, taking both of them by surprise.

“GWAAAAHHHH!”

“ED!”

Then Winry stopped. The assailant was nothing more than a giant white dog. A happy one, might I add.

“…Eh?” she blinked. “…Ed, are you alright?”

“Mmmrr phnn.”

“Hey! Alexander, stop that!”

She turned to see the people at the door, and her eyes fell on a little girl with long brown hair in two plaits and the man who she knew instantly as Shou Tucker.

“Wow, lots of guests, Daddy!” the girl cheered.

“Nina, don't do that. The dog's supposed to be tied up.” scolded her father.

Winry bent down to pat Alexander on the head. “Nice boy. Come on now. Let Ed go.”

The dog wagged his tail in appreciation of the pat but he refused to budge, apparently enjoying using Ed as a doggie cushion.

“Heeeeeeelp…” Ed managed to lift his face off the ground and groaned.

-sss-

“Please excuse me.” Tucker apologized about his messy study. “Since my wife left, the house hasn't been very tidy. Please. Make yourselves at home.”

The three took their seats, Winry deciding to sit on a pile of books near Ed.

“How do you do, Edward?” Tucker greeted him pleasantly. “I'm Shou Tucker, the Life-binding Alchemist.”

“He's interested in biological transmutation and said that he'd like to examine your research.” Mustang explained for him.

“Oh, I don't mind at all.” Tucker replied, then his smile vanished. “But still, you know if you want somebody to lay their cards down, you should too, right? So why is Edward so interested in biological transmutation?”

The teenagers began to look uncomfortable.

“Ah, he—“ The Colonel began.

“Colonel.” Ed intervened. “Mr. Tucker does have a point.”

Winry's forehead creased. “Ed…”

Without another word, Ed snapped the collar of his jacket off and revealed a sight to his astounded host.

“…My God…” Tucker murmured, staring at the metal arm. “So…this is what the Fullmetal Alchemist is about…”

In private, Ed began to explain their situation, which of course, had to include the events revolving around it. And after he was done, Tucker just nodded solemnly.

“I see. Your mother…” he mused. “It must have been painful.”

Ed stayed quiet as Winry watched him with sad eyes.

“Since we've informed our superiors that he'd lost his limbs during the civil war, I'm asking you to not mention anything about the incident.” Mustang told Tucker, who nodded again.

“Yes, I understand. I know it would be pointless for the military as well to give up a talented young man like him.” Tucker stood up. “In that case…I'm not sure if this will be helpful, but let's take a look at my lab, shall we?”

They followed him through the house and entered through a set of double doors. And Winry made a small sound in her throat at what she saw: jars and cages of creatures she'd never seen before.

“Oh.” was all Ed could say, looking at the rat-like thing in the jar closest to him.

“Oops.” Tucker rubbed his head in embarrassment. “This is quite embarrassing. I'm told I hold authority over the creation of chimeras by quite a few people, but to be honest, I really can't say I'm all that great.”

He led the three back into the hallway and through another set of double doors. “This is my file room.”

Ed's jaw dropped at the sight that met his eyes once he entered. Nothing like bookshelves full of books to appease him and nurture his knowledge of alchemy.

“S-so many…!” Winry gaped, sweating a little yet impressed somewhat.

“Wooowww…!” Ed gushed like a 5-year old who got a toy firetruck he could drive for his birthday.

Tucker chuckled. “Feel free to browse as much you want. I'll be in the lab.”

“Okay. I'll start from these shelves.” he cupped his chin thoughtfully, deciding on which to pick.

“Then I guess I'll handle the ones over there.” Winry piped up.

“I'm going back to work.” Roy told them. “Someone will be sent to pick you up in the evening.”

“Okay.” Winry answered.

But Ed was already absorbed in the contents of the first book he had in his hands to listen. Gold eyes trained on the pages, he skimmed every line and paragraph with accurate speed.

“He's incredibly focused.” Tucker commented. “That young man can't hear anyone around him anymore.”

Winry giggled. “Yeah, that's Ed for you.”

Mustang nodded in agreement. “Yes…enough to become a State Alchemist at that age. He's quite amazing.”

“So he's the one, eh.” Tucker mused to himself. “A genius.”

-sss-

The grandfather clock struck four sometime later, rousing Ed from his concentration over the books. “Oh crap. I've been reading for too long.”

Setting the book in his hands down, he went to look for Winry. “Winry! Winry!”

No answer.

“Weird. Where'd she go…?” Ed began to rise.

Then he heard movement behind him, and whirled around.

Up jumped the Alexander.

“GWAAAAAAAAA!”

Footsteps rounded the corner, and Winry's voice came. “Ed! Are you okay?”

“Don't go `Are you okay' on me!” Ed puffed out from beneath the giant dog. “What were you doing if you weren't looking for any files?”

“Eh,” Winry offered an uneasy smile, “Nina looked like she wanted to play.”

Beside her holding her hand, Nina was smiling cheerfully.

“See?” Winry beamed at him.

“Don't be so easygoing!” Ed fumed, then he froze.

Winry was holding hands with Nina.

“Winry…!” he gasped angrily, but she shushed him reassuringly.

“It's okay, Ed. She doesn't notice. Besides, she's only five so it's not a big deal.”

“Geez…” he grumbled, struggling from underneath Alexander, who finally had the decency to get off him. But then, he started licking Ed's face like a loveable puppy.

“Alexander says he wants to play with Mister, too!” Nina giggled.

Winry thought it was the cutest thing she'd ever seen(either the dog or Ed), and giggled herself. “Aw, isn't that sweet Ed?”

Said alchemist's brow twitched, and he wiped his face with a handkerchief with as much calm as he could muster. “Oh. You sure got some guts to wanna play with me. They say that lions use up all their energy when they hunt down rabbits. So…”

“Woof?” Alexander tilted his head.

Without warning, Ed charged. “I, EDWARD ELRIC, AM GOING AFTER YOU WITH EVERYTHING I GOT, YOU DAMN MUTT!”

Barking, the dog sprinted off beginning the chase. Nina laughed with childlike innocence for them both. Winry stood there watching after the boy and the dog, a little amused. “What a kid…”

-sss-

Later, it was Lieutenant Jean Havoc who came to pick them both up, and to Ed's relief, Tucker gave them permission to come back the following day. And they were brought back to their dorm, which was separated into two rooms; one for Ed and the other for Winry.

She sighed and plopped on her own bed. “Nina's so cute, don't you think Ed?”

The door connecting their rooms was wide open so they could talk. Ed looked up from brushing his teeth before spitting the toothpaste into the bathroom sink. “I guess.”

But she could do better without that crazy dog… he sulked, reminding himself to get some sort of restrainment.

Winry gathered up her legs onto the bed and held them to her chest while resting her chin on her knees. A thoughtful expression crossed her face as she added, “…I've always wanted a sibling.”

She'd said it so quietly that Ed almost didn't catch it, and he walked out of the bathroom to enter her room.

She looked up to see him leaning on the door frame with a questioning expression, and they locked eyes for a moment before she looked down at her knees with an embarrassed smile. “It's nothing really. I just think about what it would be like to have an older brother or sister. I'm sure it gets lonely just to be the only child. Nina's an only child, plays with Alexander a lot, and she seems virtually happy just with what she's got with her father. And yet, she seems sort of…lonely there in the mansion. So it must be hard.”

Ed listened to her silently, before muttering, “Well…we're going to be there for a while, so she won't be so lonely.”

Winry glanced to him and nodded. “You're right.”

He scratched the back of his head. “Just as long as that dog stays away from me, I'll be just peachy. And…we can play a bit with Nina too.”

She smiled at him fondly. “Ed's like an older brother.”

Ed's face was blank for a moment before it broke into a smirk. “Huh.”

They fell silent after that, until Ed decided to leave and walked back into his own room, leaving Winry to her own thoughts on other personal matters. And a thought crossed her mind suddenly, something that she so seldom pondered on with herself.

Is Ed…like an older brother to me?

-sss-

The next day, sitting in Tucker's library, Nina told the pair about her mother while leaning against a sleeping Alexander.

“Mommy left 2 years ago.” she told them. “Daddy said she went back to her own family.”

Winry set her book down, and glanced over at the little girl with empathic blue eyes. “I see. It must be lonely to be in a big house like this with just your father.”

“No, I'm ok!” Nina chirped cutely. “Daddy's the best and I have Alexander too!”

The dog woofed happily in response. Then the girl's voice took on a sadder tone. “But…lately, it's been a little lonely because Daddy's been cooping himself up in his lab.”

Winry lowered her gaze to her. So she was right. Nina really was lonely here. But before she could do or say something else, a book slammed shut and she turned to see Ed in his corner rubbing the back of his head. “Okay. I'm feeling stiff from reading all day.”

“Why don't you go exercise for a bit, Ed? I'm sure you'll feel better.” his friend suggested.

“Yeah.” he agreed. “I'll do some exercising in the garden.”

What she didn't expect though, was for Ed to round on Alexander with a sharp, “Hey mutt! I need exercise, so I'll play with you!”

The dog's face actually lit up like he understood Ed. Winry stared and blinked twice before a smile spread across her face. Ed never usually showed it, but he did have a soft spot for kids. She turned to beam at the little girl. “Come on, Nina. Let's play.”

The expression that crossed Nina's face equaled Winry's.

-sss-

Ed broke into a full-sprint away from Alexander. The big dog was trying to jump him again. Winry and Nina watched laughing from their spot on the grass. It was a warm afternoon, and perfect for picnicking.

Nina looked up to Winry and asked, “What are Mister and Sis looking for in Daddy's library by the way?”

Winry paused, before answering with a smile. “Ed and I are looking for a way to get back something we lost a long time ago.”

“Really? What is it?”

Another pause. Winry didn't know what else to tell the little girl. “Well…it's something really important to us, but we can't tell anybody what it is, especially Nina. Sorry.”

Nina, unlike most kids who pouted over a secret hidden from them, offered Winry a bright smile before saying, “You and Mister can find it, I know it! Once, I lost a coin in the house, and me and Alexander went looking for it. It was hard, but I finally found it under the sofa! So I know that anything lost you can get back, Sis!”

Winry felt so warmed up to the sweet little girl. It almost felt like having a little sister. Then Nina stood up.

“Say Sis!” she exclaimed. “Can we play a game?”

“Of course Nina! What is it?”

“Let's play House!”

Winry blinked. House? “Sure thing Nina. So who do I get to be?”

The little girl put a finger to her chin in thought. “Well, I'm playing the baby, and Alexander's the dog, so…” she beamed, “Sis gets to be my Mommy!”

Winry liked that. “Okay! But…who's the Daddy?”

Then she stopped wide-eyed, the answer already with her. It wasn't exactly hard to spot, considering there were only three people in the Tucker's backyard.

“Mister!” Nina called out to Ed, who was galloping over to them with Alexander on his heels. “Me and Sis are gonna play a game!”

Ed, by now, was completely worn out by the overgrown dog, who didn't hesitate to dog-pile him.

“Mister, we want you to play with us! Please?”

He lifted his head to Nina, trying not to look so mean in spite of his situation. “…Yeah. Sure. What is it?”

“…House.” Winry answered for him, sounding embarrassed for some reason.

It was Ed's turn to blink. “What?”

Nina nodded with enthusiasm. “Yeah, yeah! And I'm the baby, Alexander's the dog, Sis is the Mommy…so you get to be the Daddy!” she cheered.

Ed stared, eyes bulging out of his sockets.

…Okay, wait a minute. WHY am I bugging out about that? It's just a stupid game, for crying out loud! So what if I'm the Daddy and Winry's…

Suddenly, Ed didn't feel obliged to finish that thought. Alexander woofed then stood up and walked over to Nina.

“Um…so how do we play?” he stammered, relieved at least that the dog finally showed mercy.

“You don't know how to play, Mister? It's easy! You just do like all Daddies do, and Mommy does what all Mommies do.” Nina told him sweetly.

Winry grinned uneasily at Ed. “Well, shall we start?”

He looked everywhere but the two girls and the dog. “…Right.”

Nina beamed. “Yay! So Daddy's at work, and Mommy's taking care of the house!”

Winry mimed folding clothes from the clothesline, then cooking, and sweeping the house, humming to herself.

“Okay! And then the baby and the dog are playing together, waiting for Daddy to come home.” Nina happily put her arms around Alexander, whose tail wouldn't stop wagging. “And then finally, Daddy comes home, and Mommy goes to greet him before us!”

“Welcome home!” Winry greeted Ed with a cheerful wave.

“I'm…home.” he answered half-enthusiastically, clearly embarrassed.

Nina blinked. “Oh. Mommy greets Daddy always with a kiss.”

The innocently suggestive words of the child sent the pair into a blushing frenzy. Or rather, sent Ed into it. But Winry might have equaled his facial color if she could blush.

“Uh…r-really?” Winry squeaked, trying to hide her bewilderment. Should they really…no, would they…?

Nina nodded vigorously. “Un! They always kiss when Daddy gets back! On the lips too!”

Now that was too much for both alchemists to handle.

Suddenly, a red-faced Ed stood up and announced, “Uh…D-D-Daddy needs to run with the dog before that! Mutt, come on!”

And with a joyous wag of his furry tail, Alexander leapt off after him, barking all the way across the grass. Nina blinked. “Eh? Okay.”

Then she looked over at Winry, whose face was in her hands. “Mommy! Are you okay?”

“Uh…y-yeah! Just fine!” she assured the little girl, trying to work a smile to her face. “I guess I just feel dizzy is all!”

“Oh! I'll go ask Daddy for some medicine!” Nina stood up and ran back into the mansion.

“Nina, no wait! That's not necessary!”

But the little girl had already gone inside.

Winry sighed to herself, trying to relax. Imagine how a simple game could work up so much tension.

I can't even imagine Ed as a father. Let alone a husband.

But she couldn't picture herself to be a wife to anyone either, especially a mother. Sisterly yes, but not motherly. Where exactly was she in Ed's family, other than the ward?

-sss-

An hour had gone by since Nina went in, who was followed minutes later by Alexander. But they hadn't come back yet. And the sky was getting dark. Ed took note of the storm clouds gathering overhead.

“It's gonna be raining today.” he stated, eyes on the dark accumulations. “Winry, we better get inside.”

Winry nodded. “Right.”

They walked in.

“Mr. Tucker!” Ed called out from the hallway. “Thanks in advance for today!”

No reply.

Then he realized how empty the mansion seemed. He couldn't even hear Alexander barking.

”Where are they?” Winry wondered out loud.

“Don't know. Mr. Tucker?”

They explored the mansion, looking for any sign of the three. They peeked into the library, and inside the lab. No one.

“Weird.” Ed muttered, crossing the hallway with Winry behind him. Then his eyes caught on an open door, with Mr. Tucker inside on one knee, kneeling next to something.

“Mr. Tucker?” Ed poked his head through the door, followed by a curious Winry.

The man looked up with a smile. “Oh, it's you two. Take a look at the finished product.”

He rose and gestured to the creature sitting beside him. “This is a chimera that can learn human speech.”

The creature looked up to the pair, its shaggy mane obscuring its bright glowing eyes.

Winry gasped audibly, and couldn't help but stare. This was a chimera?

Tucker bent back down to the creature's level. “Watch this. Ready? This person is Edward.”

The chimera seemed to hesitate a little, before saying audibly, “Edward?”

The teenagers' eyes widened in astonishment.

“That's right, good job.” Tucker patted its head.

“Good…job?” the creature continued to mimic.

“I can't believe it. It really is talking!” Ed exclaimed.

Tucker heaved a tired sigh. “Phew. I'm glad I made it in time for the evaluation too. My neck's saved. I don't have to worry about my research funding for a while.”

“Congratulations, Mr. Tucker.” Winry said to him.

Meanwhile, Ed was kneeling beside the chimera, which continued to say his name.

“Edward. Edward.” it repeated. “Ed…ward. Edward.”

Then its mouth seemed to curve up into what should be a smile as it looked at him.

“Mis…ter.”

Ed stared.

That…

“By the way Mr. Tucker, where's Nina?” Winry was asking.

But before he could answer, Ed spoke up, his tone rough.

“Mr. Tucker. When was your research on talking chimeras approved of and when did you get your license?”

“That was two years ago, I believe.” he answered, a hand cupping his chin.

“When did your wife leave?”

Winry found that question odd. “…Ed?”

“…Two years ago.” was the quiet reply.

Ed held the chimera's head in his hand, not once looking up throughout the time he'd asked. “One more question, okay?”

He threw a look at the man over his shoulder, a look of wide-eyed fury. “Where did Nina and Alexander go?”

Winry, at that instant, realized something was wrong, but she wasn't grasping the idea.

…Or maybe she just didn't want to face the truth.

Tucker however, knew where this was going.

“I hate kids with good instincts like you.” he replied in that quiet tone of his.

In an instant, a firm hand grasped his shirt and pushed him to the wall, to Winry's shock.

“ED!”

“SO THAT'S HOW IT WAS!” he roared, the ire evident in his blazing eyes. “YOU SON OF A BITCH! YOU'RE A REAL BASTARD!”

And before he knew it, the words were out. “YOU USED YOUR OWN WIFE TWO YEARS AGO! AND THIS TIME, YOU USED YOUR OWN DAUGHTER AND DOG TO TRANSMUTE A CHIMERA!”

And it was finally driven home to Winry. Hard.

Something in her plastered body shattered, and she couldn't place it. She only knew the horror of their discovery, of Shou Tucker's terrible secret. Horrified blue eyes fell on the creature, whose gaze was now on the floor, as if ashamed to be alive.

And for the first time since they'd applied human transmutation on Ed's mother, Winry felt the overwhelming terror of the situation.

“NINA…!” she gasped, falling to her knees on the floor, fingers digging into her cheeks, unable to tear her eyes away. “ALEXANDER…!”

Ed wasn't finished yet, and he rattled Tucker. “Yeah! You can only do so much with animal experimentation!” he hollered, terror-stricken. “So it should be easy if you used humans!”

Tucker, in spite of how shaken he was by Ed's behavior, somehow managed to answer calmly, “Why are you so mad? Haven't the advances mankind has made come from the results of countless experiments on human beings, to use medical science as an example? As a scientist, you—“

“NO FUCKING WAY!” Ed retorted furiously. “Do you think you're going to be forgiven for doing something like this? For…toying with human lives!”

Something about what he said presented something amusing for the Life-binding Alchemist, and a laugh was heard from him. “Human lives?”

Another laugh. “Yes, human lives! Fullmetal Alchemist! Take a look at your limbs and your little friend!”

His words pierced through Ed's restraint on his growing rage and shattered it. Without warning, he pulled a metal fist back and caught Tucker directly beneath his jaw with a vicious punch.

The sound caught Winry's attention enough to distract her from Nina, and she looked up to see the trickle of blood running down Tucker's chin. He grinned manically as if it that blow was nothing to him.

“Aren't those the results of your so-called `toying with human lives'?” he accused. “We're the same, you and I!”

“YOU'RE WRONG!” Ed roared in his face, more than ready for another punch.

“No I'm not! You saw a possibility in front of you and you just had to try it!”

“YOU'RE WRONG!” his breathing became ragged as his eyes grew wider with heated trepidation.

“And even if you knew it was banned, you couldn't stop yourself from trying! And you made the young lady suffer along with—“

It was all Tucker could say before the second blow got him again from beneath, Ed giving him no mercy in his fit of rage.

“YOU'RE WRONG! We alchemists…STUFF LIKE THIS…!” Ed snarled, his breath coming in heaving gasps as if his chest was being constricted by those cruel words.

He's wrong…! HE'S WRONG!

All they did…out of pure love…it was all. Ed was convinced of that. As a poor excuse for an alchemist and a cruel parent, Tucker had no right to criticize his intentions to save the life of his mother. And in his frenzy, that notion goaded Ed's errant resolve that the man had to be silenced.

“YOU…!” he growled, gasping for breath. “For you to tell me shit like that…!” he started to wheeze. “I…I…!”

He pulled back for another hit.

“ED! STOP!” Winry screamed, wrapping slender arms around his waist and trying to pull him away from the man, before lowering her voice to a softer, gentler tone as she dropped her head onto his shoulder.

“Ed, please don't.” she begged softly. “If you keep hitting him, he'll die. And I don't want you to become a murderer…so…just let him go now…”

Every muscle on Ed's body shook, but after a few moments of silence, Winry's feeble plea made him give in and drop the wounded man to let him slide to the floor. And without a word, he turned wearily for the gaping doorway. Winry released him, watching with lowered eyes before ushering him gently outside. Somehow, Tucker still found enough energy in him to have the last words, as he smirked painfully and wiped the blood off his chin.

“You can't always get things done without soiling your hands…” he stated after them.

Winry froze at the doorway, back still turned to the man on the floor.

“Mr. Tucker.” she said in a stiff voice, her hand trembling. “If you keep talking, I won't hesitate to hurt you too.”

This seemed to pacify him, when he didn't say anything else.

Then, she turned slightly towards Nina, and unable to think of anything worth comforting to say or hear, she knelt beside the creature and stroked her head. She could almost see that little girl again, somewhere in those bright glowing eyes she could. And if only Winry had the freedom to shed tears, she would have.

“Nina.” she whispered softly. “I'm…sorry. We can't restore you with what we know right now.”

Her painted face contorted into an expression of pain and heartache, and she embraced Nina.

“I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.” she murmured miserably, stroking the mane.

Nina seemed almost unmindful of the words. With the eyes of an animal, she gazed back at Winry, and said slowly, “Mommy. Daddy. …Play.”

-sss-

That night, Winry stood by the window of her bedroom with both elbows propped on the sill, looking downcast. After their confrontation with Tucker, the rest of the evening hadn't gone very smoothly. In fact, Ed was still outside in the pouring rain sitting on the front steps leading up to their dormitory, left alone to brood over the recent events. And perhaps, to reflect on Tucker's words.

Half of Winry wanted to go downstairs and drag him back inside before he caught a cold. But then, another part of her, the part where her thoughtfulness resided, told her not to bother a man when he was in a mood where he didn't want to be bothered by anyone. Especially her.

She remembered his mother telling her that once when Ed had gotten into a fight with one of the boys in town. They were only ten years old then…

“Winry…” she'd said to the young girl. “I know you're worried about Ed. I am too. But when he's like that, it's clear that he wouldn't want to be disturbed. Let him be, and let him think things over on his own.”

“But…what if he just really needs someone to be there for him?” Winry asked with round, eloquent blue eyes.

Trisha smiled affectionately then.

“In that case, you'll have to come forward and smile to warm him up inside.”

Winry turned away from the window and fell back onto her bed, the grief for an innocent child she became so attached to hanging over her like a plague.

“Nina…” she whispered the name, before curling up into a fetal position and making sobbing noises in place of the glistening tears that should have been there.

-sss-

The blue sky reflected the calm of the weather. And a young Ed made his way across the lush green grass towards a beautiful woman carrying a handful of tomatoes in her apron.

“Mom! Mom!” he called out excitedly. “Mom!”

She looked up and smiled. “What is it, Ed?”

“Hehe!” he laughed innocently, and held up a product of his work; a toy metal horse. “It's a present for you!”

“Oh, for me?” she laughed.

The little boy nodded his head. “Yep! I transmuted it!”

His mother held it up for inspection with mild amazement. “You did? That's Daddy's little boy! Thank you.” she ruffled his hair affectionately. “You're really wonderful, Ed. To be able to make such a perfect object.”

He grinned, proud to make his mother happy.

“But…”

He looked up.

And a drop of blood fell on his cheek.

“You couldn't make me right…”

-sss-

“UAAAAGHHHH!”

Ed fell back into reality gasping for breath, then his eyes widened in alarm realizing what his dream had been about. And he held back the bile rising in his throat as the image of his mother stood out vividly in his mind.

No sooner had he woken up, when the sound of something heavy falling down came from Winry's side, and within seconds, she was in his room, appearing distressed.

“Ed, what is it?” she asked.

Stunned by her, but unashamed to be caught, he tore his gaze and choked back on a sob as he sat in his bed, clutching his automail leg for support.

“It hurts…” he moaned.

Winry's panicked expression ebbed away and her features softened. “Ed…”

He didn't seem to notice her there anymore. He just sat there, rocking back and forth on his leg, as if trying to will away a horrible memory.

She hadn't seen him this way since…

Winry stood there by the doorway, suddenly helpless yet more than willing to help him in any way. Until, Trisha's words floated into her head.

“In that case, you'll have to come forward and smile to warm him up inside.”

Winry hesitated. Was she allowed to do that now?

But another glance at Ed in the corner goaded her.

Cautiously but purposefully, she approached her most precious friend, who stayed oblivious to her actions. Then he felt the mattress sink a bit, and he raised his head to catch the outline of her oval face in the darkness as she scooted closer to him on the bed. And with a tentative hand, she reached out to touch his face. Almost wondrous despite her failure to feel the texture of his skin. Winry couldn't help but stare as Ed's anguished visage dissolved and was replaced by a calmness that soothed her as well.

And they sat there on Ed's bed, gold melting with azure as the turmoil in both their hearts began to settle and die away. Images of Nina, Tucker and Alexander faded into a memory. All that mattered right then and there was each other's presence, and the comfort they were finding in the other's eyes.

And for him, Winry turned the corners of her mouth up into a small but meaningful smile.

End of Chapter 5

A/N: -cough- Um…feedback please.