Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Unleashed ❯ Chapter 6 -- Field of Battle ( Chapter 6 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

UNLEASHED
A Fullmetal Alchemist Fanfic With Lemon

by Sailor Mac

PART 6: FIELD OF BATTLE

Fletcher looked back and forth from the book in his hand to the notebook on the desk in front of him. ÒI think weÕve just about got it,Ó he said.

Al peeked over his shoulder. ÒOnce we knew about that building . . . that helped a *lot*. We got a lot of words out of that -- *mill*, *mountain*, *hideout* . . .Ó

ÒThe only thing we have left to go is these words down at the bottom,Ó Fletcher said, tapping his pencil. ÒItÕs a list of some sort.Ó

ÒMore bomb ingredients?Ó Al pulled a chair next to him.

ÒI think . . . it may be *names*,Ó Fletcher said, starting to scratch on the paper again. ÒYes, I think thatÕs it . . . look, this is the name *Margaret McNeill.* And over here, *George Baddley.*Ó

ÒMaybe it says who the leader is?Ó Al said.

Fletcher peered closer. ÒIt doesnÕt seem to say anything about their ranks,Ó he said. ÒWell, thereÕs one name up above the others . . . Ò He looked closely at the paper again. ÒHmm, thatÕs funny . . . Ò

ÒWhat is it?Ó Al looked over again.

ÒThis name . . .Ó Fletcher pointed to the top. ÒThe code is slightly different. I *think* IÕve made it out, but IÕm not entirely sure.Ó

Al took the notebook and studied it closely. ÒIf this says what I think it does,Ó he said, Òthis name *is* familiar.Ó

ÒI think so, too.Ó Fletcher stood up and stretched. ÒIÕm going to the lobby to see if Mrs. Miles is still there.Ó

ÒYou think she might know something?Ó

ÒNo. IÕm going to see if she has any more of those cold drinks she gave us before.Ó Fletcher headed for the door.

ÒThen IÕll come with you. I need the break, too.Ó Al followed his friend out in the hall.

Sure enough, Eudora Miles was sitting at the desk, going over the ledger. ÒOh, hello, boys,Ó she said, looking up when they came in. ÒYour brothers arenÕt with you tonight?Ó

ÒThey had work to do,Ó Al said. It wasnÕt a lie.

ÒWell, what can I do for you?Ó The woman set her work aside and pulled her reading glasses off her face, setting them in front of her.

ÒWeÕre wondering . . . can we please buy two more of those drinks you gave us yesterday?Ó Fletcher said, almost unconsciously giving the innkeeper big, pleading eyes.

ÒIÕll *give* them to you,Ó Mrs. Miles said. She left the desk and headed into a back room, returning with two brown bottles and a bottle opener. After prying the tops off, she handed them to the boys. ÒItÕs the least I can do if youÕre helping our town.Ó

ÒThanks.Ó As Fletcher took his, he couldnÕt help but look over and examine that unusual plant Mrs. Miles had next to her desk. It wasnÕt often one got to see one that size -- it definitely was some kind of special breed . . .

ÒYou do like that plant, donÕt you?Ó Mrs. Miles said.

ÒWell, my brother and I work with plants a lot,Ó Fletcher said, examining a leaf.

ÒYou know, I remembered something about that plant earlier,Ó Mrs. Miles said, picking up her glasses again. ÒI know IÕd told you it was given to me by a customer, but it was actually given to me by someone who lives here.Ó

This made both boysÕ heads snap toward her. ÒWho?Ó Al said.

* * *

Ed tried harder and harder to pull his hands toward each other, but the more he struggled, the tighter the plants bound him. Harker just stood, watching him smugly. ÒMaybe youÕre not as brilliant as I thought youÕd be, Edward Elric,Ó he said.

ÒNice to know you keep tabs on me,Ó Ed said, trying to move a foot to scratch an array in the dirt with his toe -- nope, Harker hard them bound as well.

ÒAll of us have been keeping tabs on you,Ó Harker said, gesturing to around the room -- yes, several other guys had gotten in quietly. ÒYouÕre quite well-known -- especially since you put two of our best alchemists out of commission.Ó

ÒMaggie was the best you had?Ó Ed said. ÒThen *you* ought to be a piece of cake!Ó He looked out of the corner of his eye at Russell, who was quietly struggling. *IÕll keep talking to this jackass,* he thought, *and distract him, and maybe Russell can get us the hell out of here.*

ÒItÕs not *me* you should be concerned about,Ó Harker said. ÒItÕs our boss.Ó

ÒWhat, your boss isnÕt here yet?Ó Ed said.

ÒNo,Ó Harker said. ÒNot yet. Which gives me time to give you a little . . . shall we say, recruitment chat?Ó

ÒWhat, are all you people alike?Ó Ed said. ÒYou want to get the almighty Fullmetal Alchemist on your side? Well, you can forget it, pal. I donÕt deal with terrorists.Ó

Harker put his fingers under EdÕs chin and turned the boyÕs face toward his. ÒNot even if they have bombs under Central?Ó he said. ÒWe managed to complete the Ultraweapon, you know, and itÕs planted right under your military headquarters.Ó

Ed wrenched his head away. ÒYouÕre bluffing!Ó he snapped.

ÒAm I, now?Ó Harker said. He pointed across the room, to an open door that led into a small office. ÒIn there is the switch thatÕll blow the Ultraweapon up. I also have switches that control several standard-sized bombs. If IÕm bluffing, then youÕll think nothing of me going in there and pulling them . . .Ó

ÒEd, what if heÕs *not* bluffing?Ó Russell said, his shoulders frantically wiggling within his prison of vines as he continued to struggle.

ÒI can assure you that IÕm not,Ó Harker said, cooly. He walked into the office and turned on a light, so Ed could see what was in there through the door -- a large switch and a series of smaller ones mounted on a table. There were definitely wires running off of the contraption and through the ceiling.

*Could a switch this far away from Central generate enough charge to set off a bomb there?* Ed thought. *Or maybe they donÕt set off the bombs themselves, they signal other members of the gang closer to Central who *can* set the bombs off . . .*

Harker put his hand on one of the smaller switches. ÒSo, Edward Elric, are you going to join us?Ó he said.

Ed made a scoffing sound. ÒYou think IÕd join the likes of *you*?Ó he said.

ÒSuit yourself,Ó Harker said, his hand starting to push the switch.

* * *

In a boardinghouse not far from the tavern, Clara stood before the closet, which fortunately had a full-length mirror. She wouldnÕt put her costume on without it. All-thatÕs-holy forbid anyone saw the legendary Psiren looking anything less than her absolute best.

She finished adjusting her gloves and picked up the hat and mask, the crowning touches. Once she was done, she could just bounce over the rooftops, and . . .

ÒSo *this* is what you *really* are,Ó a voice behind her said.

Clara spun toward the doorway. ÒWhy are *you* here?Ó she said.

ÒDidnÕt think I knew where you lived?Ó the person said. ÒI just asked your boss. People are very willing to talk to me.Ó

ÒAnd how the hell did you get in? I locked the door!Ó

ÒYouÕre not the only one who has special methods for that kind of thing . . .*Psiren.*Ó

Clara folded her arms and regarded the person cooly. ÒSo, now that you know, what are you going to do about it?Ó

ÒActually, IÕm glad to see this,Ó said the other person, walking into the room. ÒWe could use somebody like the legendary phantom thief Psiren on our side.Ó

The dim light from the room hit the personÕs face, and Clara found herself looking straight at . . .

* * *

ÒGretchen Heiss,Ó Mrs. Miles told Fletcher and Al. ÒThe deputy mayor of the town. She gave me the plant a month or so before you came here.Ó

The boys exchanged looks. ÒThe name at the top of the list,Ó Fletcher said.

ÒThatÕs the woman that Clara was talking to!Ó Al said. ÒThe one who told her about the paper mill . . .Ó

ÒWhich means our brothers were sent into a trap! We have to go to the paper mill NOW!Ó Fletcher tossed his drink down on the counter and bolted for the door.

ÒWait!Ó Al grabbed a small plant. ÒIÕm so sorry, Mrs. Miles, but . . . we need to borrow this. WeÕll replace it if anything goes wrong, I promise.Ó

Mrs. Miles suddenly look worried. ÒIs something wrong with Miss Heiss?Ó she said.

ÒWeÕll tell you about it later. Right now, we have to go.Ó Al rushed out the door, and Mrs. Miles heard him yell as he ran into the distance, ÒFletcher! You forgot to bring a plant!Ó

Mrs. Miles sighed deeply and went back to her ledger. She really hoped those boys would be all right . . . and that no harm was coming to Gretchen Heiss, as well.

She was *such* a nice lady.

* * *

Russell scratched frantically at the leaf with the one pinky finger heÕd managed to free from his bindings. It wasnÕt until you got into a situation like this that you found out just how flexible one finger was -- or, rather, *wasnÕt*.

He had no idea if what heÕd drawn was an accurate array. He had no idea whether it was going to free him, or backfire horribly and make the vines choke him to death.

But it was their only shot.

He pressed his finger down on the scratchings, and there was a quick flash of green light. The leaves tightened a bit, then fell away from RussellÕs body.

He looked up, saw Harker at the switch, preparing to blow Central sky-high . . .

Russell swore under his breath. He knew heÕd have no time to create an array to attack the man. But there was something he *could* do . . .

Out of the corner of his eye, heÕd spotted a piece of broken glass. He grabbed it and sliced at the leaves binding Edward, right over his automail arm. Ed pulled free, slapped his left hand against his right and bent over, touching the floor.

A chunk of stone bloomed up from the floor like a flower, in the pointy shape of a huge arrowhead, and sped toward Harker. The gang member was forced to leap away from the switch and hit the deck to avoid being decapitated.

The whole thing had happened in a couple of seconds.

Ed clapped again, freeing himself from the vines -- only to have a stone fist come up from the floor at him. Across the room, one of HarkerÕs other henchmen, a rawboned man with bristly brown hair and crinkly eyes, was activating an array.

Calmly, Ed clapped and hit the floor, sending a fist of his own to hit the one flying toward him, making them both explode in a riot of shards and pebbles.

ÒYouÕll have to try harder than *that*,Ó Ed said.

Meanwhile, Russell had crawled over to one of the plants around the room and drawn an array on the pot. He kept an eye on Harker, who was struggling to his feet . . .

A leaf whip flew at Russell from across the room. He quickly activated the array, and a whip of his own met it, knocking it out of the way. This wasnÕt going to be easy -- he had to keep an eye on Harker *and* the other alchemists . . .

Ed was busy countering a couple of guys who were flinging stone spears at him. HeÕd transmuted the shards of the broken stone fists into a shield, which he was holding over his head, unable to clap.

Russell activated his array again, creating a huge leaf whip that swept through the air like a giant windshield wiper, knocking down the spears.

ÒYouÕre talented, also,Ó Harker called from the other room. He was back to his feet, his hand on the switch again.

ÒIÕm picky about who I use my talent for,Ó Russell said, cooly, sketching a second array on the pot.

ÒIÕm upping my offer,Ó Harker said. ÒBoth of you come work for me, or IÕll blow Central sky-high.Ó

ÒGive it up, Harker!Ó Ed shouted, starting to clap -- but a stone column shot up from the floor in front of him, coming between his hands so they hit it instead of each other, the automail impacting with a dull *clang*.

ÒYou think we havenÕt learned your tricks?Ó Harker said, tightening his hand on the switch.

ÒYou think youÕve learned *all* of them?Ó Ed tried to turn away, but there was another flash of alchemical light, and the column split in two, twining around his body like snakes, holding him fast.

ÒEd!Ó Russell tried to activate his array, but the branch from another plant shot across the room, slamming into his body, sending him rolling away from the plant. He looked up to see three of HarkerÕs alchemists, all manning plants or arrays on the floor, preparing to attack again . . .

Then, a flurry of plant branches flew into the room from the doorway, swinging left and right wildly, swatting the alchemists away like flies. Another one flew at the stunned Harker, knocking him away from the switch and across the room.

And a small voice said from the doorway, ÒI brought a plant, Brother.Ó

* * *

Clara folded her arms over her chest, regarding Gretchen with a cold stare. ÒSo youÕre one of *them*, arenÕt you?Ó she said.

ÒYouÕre surprised?Ó Gretchen said. ÒI thought someone like you would know everything that goes on in the underworld.Ó

ÒJust because IÕm a thief doesnÕt mean I associate with *terrorists*,Ó Clara spat.

ÒTerrorists, you call us?Ó Gretchen walked into the room as if she owned the place and seated herself on the single, rickety chair. ÒYou donÕt understand what weÕre about.Ó

ÒI understand that you gave me a sob story to send my friends into a trap! I understand you build megaweapons and ultraweapons, you blow people up and youÕre planning to take over Amestris!Ó Clara stormed over to Gretchen.

ÒAnd would that be a bad thing?Ó Gretchen said. ÒWe have to be extreme, yes, but sometimes violence is necessary to bring everlasting peace.Ó

ÒPeace?Ó Clara said. Ò*You* people are into *peace*?Ó

ÒLook at the current government of Amestris,Ó Gretchen said, calmly. ÒItÕs no better than what we had. The Assembly claims to be in power, but thereÕs so many factions within it, so many people who are pulling the country this way, and then that way, that itÕs only a matter of time that thereÕs a coup. You donÕt remember how Fuhrer Bradley took over, do you?Ó

ÒIÕm not exactly into politics,Ó Clara said in an icy tone.

ÒThe old president had died,Ó Gretchen said, folding her hands in front of her. ÒUnder mysterious circumstances, I might add. Several different people claimed to be his heir apparent, there were demonstrations that escalated into riots, and the military asked the assembly for executive power so they could restore order. They never relinquished it -- and you know what followed. Ishbal destroyed, Liore nearly wiped out, war after war after war . . . and they didnÕt do anything to save your precious Aquroya, did they? They were too busy fighting.Ó

ÒAnd your gang is going to be *better*?Ó Clara said.

ÒWe will not cause any violence once weÕre in power,Ó Gretchen said. ÒWeÕll set up a paradise for the *people*. Everyone will be equal. It will be the government we *should* have had all along . . .Ó

ÒNone of you know anything about running a country,Ó Clara said.

ÒOn the contrary,Ó Gretchen replied. ÒAfter all, the leader of the group is from an old, established political family.Ó

It suddenly sank in what Gretchen was saying. *She* was the leader of the whole gang . . . not Harker, *her* . . .

ClaraÕs hand shot up to her zipper, prepared to release her array -- and then, there was a pop, and she felt a sting in her right bicep. Instantly, her body felt heavy, her head felt hazy . . .

ÒYou didnÕt think IÕd actually let you *do* that, would you?Ó Gretchen said, lowering the tranquilizer gun. ÒI came prepared for if you didnÕt want to join us.Ó

As Clara hit the floor, Gretchen calmly walked out the door and down the stairs, her eyes focused on the paper mill.

One of those alchemists was out of the way. It was time to deal with the others.

* * *

ÒFletcher!Ó Russell scrambled to his feet -- just as another plant branch flew at him. Fortunately, during his fall and roll, heÕd landed right next to a potted fern that was small enough to pick up, and pick it up he did, whipping out his chalk and drawing a fast array.

A green whip shot out from the plant and intercepted the other one just in time, tangling with it and holding it back. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Al clapping his hands and slamming them to the floor,. A series of small stone missiles went flying at the alchemists around the room, sending them running.

ÒWhat the hell are you doing?ÓHarker shouted at the fleeing men and women. ÒGet back in there!Ó

Ed took advantage of the confusion. He clapped and thrust his automail arm away from his body, the metal on the top plate pushing forward, elongating, tapering into a sword. He charged toward Harker, shouting, ÒIÕve got you!Ó

Harker calmly picked up what looked like a harmless letter opener -- but then, he touched the array tattooed on his arm with his other hand. The desk tool elongated into a sword, which he swung so it landed against EdÕs blade with a *clang*.

ÒI told you, I know your tricks,Ó he said.

ÒI may be more full of surprises than you thought,Ó Ed said, pushing against HarkerÕs blade and looking out the corner of his eye for Al. . . only to see his brother was in a similar situation, trying to hold off another alchemist who was flinging stone darts.

Across the room, Fletcher managed to find his way over to Russell, both of them activating the arrays on their plants over and over, sending vine whips around the room. ÒBrother,Ó Fletcher said, Òwe found out who the leader of the gang is. ItÕs . . .Ó

And then, an explosion rocked the whole room, causing everyone in it, whichever side they were on, to sprawl to the floor. Russell landed on top of Fletcher, shielding his brotherÕs body with his own.

Al peeked up from the floor. ÒIs that Clara?Ó he said.

But the figure that appeared in the doorway was clearly not the phantom thief, although it was definitely female. She stood with her arms folded over her business suit, eyes surveying the room with a cold glare.

ÒYou managed to chase off a lot of my people,Ó she said. ÒIÕm disappointed -- but, then again, IÕd expect nothing else from you, Edward Elric.Ó

ÒYou seem to know a lot about me,Ó Ed said, scrambling to his feet, motioning to Al that he should stay down.

ÒOf course everyone knows you,Ó Gretchen said, walking calmly into the room. ÒThatÕs precisely why we want you on our side.Ó

ÒAre you kidding?Ó Ed said, raising his metal arm, still in the form of a blade. ÒYou think IÕd join up with people like *you*?Ó

ÒYou sold your soul to the military, didnÕt you?Ó The gang leader approached the Elric brothers.

ÒHe didnÕt *sell his soul*!Ó Al cried, starting to get up. ÒHe did it because . .. Ò

ÒAl,Ó Ed said, putting his flesh hand on his brotherÕs shoulder to quiet him. Looking steely-eyed at Gretchen, he said, ÒI had my reasons. None of which would mean anything to someone like you.Ó

ÒAnd you never regretted any of your choices?Ó she said. ÒNot even when you investigated the Fifth Lab and found out what the military was capable of?Ó

ÒHow do you know about that?Ó Ed stepped toward her, his body dropping into a fighting stance.

ÒI have former military people in my ranks who had access to some very high-level classified documents,Ó she said. ÒPlenty of people who didnÕt like what Amestris was doing to its own people . . .Ó

ÒThose days are over!Ó Ed shouted. ÒThereÕs no need for you to be doing what youÕre doing!Ó

ÒAre they over?Ó Gretchen said in a quiet voice, one hand coming up to play with a necklace hanging from her neck. ÒIÕve seen the incompetence in the governments that are in place right now, from the local level all the way to the top. Just like it was when the military seized power before.Ó

ÒIt is NOT the same!Ó Ed said. ÒYou donÕt know the full story! You donÕt know *anything*!Ó

ÒI *do* know how government works!Ó Gretchen said. ÒMy family has tried to change Amestrian politics from the inside for generations, and itÕs never done any good! There were always lazy fat cats in more power than us who got their jobs through payoffs, nepotism . . .Ó

ÒSo you decided to stage a coup of your own?Ó Russell said, getting off the floor and rushing over toward Gretchen. ÒYouÕre no better than Bradley, then!Ó

Ò*My* intentions are just!Ó she said, whirling toward him. ÒIÕm trying to save this country from itself!Ó

ÒHell of a way to go about it!Ó Ed shouted.

ÒDidnÕt you even consider there might be alternatives to violence?Ó Al said, casting his eyes around the room, looking for possible ambushes . . . There was nothing. Apparently, the moment that Gretchen Heiss entered the room, it served as an automatic cease fire.

ÒIf there was, donÕt you think I would have used them?Ó she said. ÒThis is for the best. Once I have power . . . there will be no violence again. No more Ishbals or Fifth Labs ever. IsnÕt that something you want?Ó

Ed walked over toward her, slowly. ÒItÕs something I want, all right,Ó he said. ÒBut no way in *hell* am I switching sides, so you can forget it.Ó

ÒFine,Ó she said, in a cold, little voice. Then, she shouted, ÒHarker! Get on that switch right now. Set off the Ultraweapon.Ó

Ed was springing to the switch in a flash, armblade swinging to and fro, slicing the plant leaves that flew toward him. Harker was more than ready, and his blade met EdÕs again . . . as another one of their goons, the man with the bristly hair, dove for the switch. Al sent a stone fist flying toward him, but there was an array drawn on the floor already, which the alchemist activated, sending another stone fist flying toward AlÕs.

Russell knew what he had to do -- capture the ringleader. He touched the array on his pot, sending leaves flying toward Gretchen Heiss. She looked at it calmly, raised her hand, touched something on her wrist, and suddenly, there was a flash of light and she was slicing his whips away with a blade.

ÒYou didnÕt think I wouldnÕt know alchemy myself, did you?Ó she said, and as she held her hand aloft, Russell could see that every finger had a ring with an array engraved on her.

*ThatÕs who that man was telling Al and Fletcher about,* he thought. *The lady who can do alchemy with rings and bracelets . . .*

This was *not good*. He wished like hell he had a Red Stone . . . she was armed with several different kinds of alchemy that could be activated by touch, while he had to draw an array . . .

But he couldnÕt let her see there was a problem. And he said, in his most cocky voice, ÒWell, letÕs see just *how much* you know.Ó He went to activate his array again, when a branch came shooting from the other side of the room, ready to knock the gang leader off her feet.

Calmly, she touched her rings and bent over, placing her hand on the floor. There was a flash of light, and a small wall popped up in front of her, blocking FletcherÕs attack, making the branch slam against it, twigs snapping off.

ÒPlant alchemy? Very clever. I know some myself.Ó She reached over and grasped the branch with one hand, touching her rings with the other, and the branches shot back toward Fletcher. Russell let out a yell, diving for his brother, trying to pull him out of the way . . .

A playing card flew threw the air, embedding it in the wood, causing the branch to explode, shards flying everywhere. Gretchen hit the deck, covering her face to keep from getting injured. A large piece of wood flew toward the back of the room, hurling itself at Harker point-first, like a spear. Harker dove out of the way -- and in that split second, the Elric brothers exchanged glances. They knew what they were going to do.

In unison, they clapped their hands together and slammed them to the floor. The shards of wood lying around transmuted into darts and flew at Harker, pinning him in place.

ÒNot going anywhere, are you?Ó Ed said, walking up to Harker, crossing his arms over his chest.

ÒMaybe *IÕm* not,Ó Harker said, ÒBut . . .Ó

Bristly Hair was reaching for the switch again. Al clapped and slammed his hands to the floor again, creating a second series of wooden darts, which flew at the other man, pinning him to the wall.

ÒYou were saying?Ó Al said.

In the doorway, Clara stood, backlit by moonlight, wearing her Psiren costume minus the mask, leaning against the door frame for support -- but the look in her eyes was fiercely determined.

ÒShould have used a stronger tranquilizer,Ó she said, glaring at Gretchen.

ÒYouÕre even tougher than I thought,Ó Gretchen said. She reached for her jewelry -- but a leaf whip flew from the side and pulled her hand back.

ÒYou need both hands to work your alchemy,Ó Russell said, his hand still on the array heÕd drawn on what remained of the branch. ÒJust like Ed.Ó

ÒNot necessarily,Ó Gretchen said, calmly reaching for her necklace with her free hand. She pulled out a charm, which contained an array . . .

A blade shot out from the side, hooked around the chain and cut it.

ÒSorry,Ó Ed said. ÒYou people said you knew all my tricks? DidnÕt take me long to figure out yours.Ó

ÒIÕll blow up Central myself!Ó Gretchen said, clawing at the leaf with her free hand . . .

A new voice at the doorway said, ÒI wouldnÕt advise that.Ó

Ed suddenly whirled toward the sound. ÒWhat are you doing here, you bastard?Ó he shouted.

ÒIÕd congratulate you on a successful mission, Fullmetal,Ó Roy said, calmly walking into the room, followed by a group of soldiers, Òbut you seem to be more in the mood for being abusive to me.Ó

ÒHow did you get here?Ó Ed said as a group of soldiers started securing Gretchen, cutting her free of the vine and cuffing her wrists together.

ÒTake the jewelry,Ó Roy advised his men. ÒSheÕll use it to escape otherwise.Ó

ÒThis is *exactly* what IÕve been saying about the military!Ó the woman hissed. ÒYou just want to take over again, donÕt you? You want to rule the country by force like you did before!Ó

ÒMadam, the kind of government we had before is the last thing in the world we want,Ó Roy said as he helped secure the womanÕs wrist and ankle cuffs. To a group of solders behind him, he said, ÒTake her away.Ó

ÒWhat do we do with these two, boss?Ó Jean Havoc called from the back of the room, where he was struggling to pull out the pegs pinning down the two men by the switch. ÒTheyÕre *embedded.*

ÒFullmetal obviously got them that way,Ó Roy said. ÒHeÕll get them out.Ó

ÒIÕll do it,Ó Al said, rushing toward Havoc.

ÒYou didnÕt answer my question,Ó Ed said, fixing Roy with a stare.

ÒWe had a visit at headquarters from a young man named Mike,Ó Roy said. ÒApparently, he knew you from a previous mission.Ó

ÒThat son of a bitch?Ó Ed said.

ÒYouÕre quite fond of blue language today, Fullmetal,Ó Roy said, glancing over as Al performed the transmutation that would free the other terrorists.

ÒYeah, well, I have good reason, donÕt I?Ó Ed said, narrowing his eyes.

At the doorway, Russell and Fletcher were checking Clara over. ÒWhat did she do to you?Ó Fletcher said.

ÒTranquilizer dart,Ó Clara said, rubbing the place on her arm where sheÕd been shot. ÒNothing that hasnÕt happened to me before. Some police back in Aquroya thought that might be a good way to stop me. IÕm almost resistant to them by now.Ó

ÒWe can make a brew that can counteract the poison,Ó Fletcher said.

ÒIÕm fine.Ó Clara turned to go. ÒReally.Ó

ÒNo, youÕre not,Ó Russell said, starting to go after her. ÒYouÕre still wobbly.Ó

She turned back toward him. ÒIÕm a big girl, Russell. I can take care of myself. Really.Ó She started to walk -- and staggered, nearly falling.

Russell caught her. ÒThatÕs it,Ó he said. ÒYouÕre coming back to the inn with us, and weÕre going to look after you.Ó

Clara regarded him with hazy eyes. ÒHell of a way you have of hitting on a woman,Ó she said, weakly.

ÒHey!Ó Russell said, flushing. ÒIÕm not *hitting on* you!Ó

ÒI know.Ó Clara gazed across the room, where Ed was still talking with Roy. ÒYouÕve got someone else you like to hit on, donÕt you? Lucky boy.Ó

ÒMe, or him?Ó Russell said as he wrapped her arm around his shoulders, helping her to stand up.

ÒBoth of you,Ó she said, quietly.

Fletcher rushed back into the paper mill to tell Ed and Al where they were going. Russell watched as groups of soldiers led the leaders of the gang away to the paddy wagons, to join the other members that had been captured before.

*They must have gotten the others as they ran away,* Russell thought.

It was finally over -- the megaweapon, ultraweapon-building gang would doubtlessly go out of business, now that their leaders had been rounded up.

*And itÕs over for Ed, too,* Russell thought. *He doesnÕt need to be a dog of the military anymore -- he kept his promise to Mustang.*

He wondered what his lover was going to do now -- and what it would mean to their relationship.

____________

Fullmetal Alchemist is property of Hiromu Arakawa, Square Enix and Studio BONES. No profit is being made from this fanfic.