"This is just not my day," Winry muttered to herself as she stomped down the dark streets of the industrial district.

When her coworker and friend Paninya had found out that Winry had vacation days that were to the "use or lose" state, Winry had grudgingly agreed to take a few days off after her big presentation earlier this afternoon. Which would have been fine, except Winry had gotten nearly home before realizing that she'd forgotten her purse and cell in her workroom. If she wasn't taking the rest of the week off, she would have just left it and gotten it in the morning. But, since it was only Tuesday and she wasn't due back into work until Monday, she kind of needed her things.

She sighed and shivered. Her pencil skirt and button down had been fine today, but knowing she was going to be out for a few days meant she'd stayed late to have everything in order. Add her walk home and now back to the office, and it was getting late and chilly. This neighborhood is usually pretty much abandoned after six or so, except for the workaholics like Winry, but even then few people were still around at nearly eleven at night.

She was so focused on her own stupidity that she didn't notice his presence until a hand roughly grabbed her left bicep from behind. She'd barely gasped when she felt the cold edge of a knife at her throat.

"Alright, girly, hand over your wallet."

She gave a little squeak, "Um, I don't have it. I forgot it at work and-"

"Seriously?" He muttered to himself for a bit, but she only made out a few random curse words before he began dragging her off to the alley a few steps away. "I guess you'll have to give me some entertainment then, huh girly?"

Winry was frozen, stunned. She felt the edge of the knife occasionally bumping against her throat as he roughly hauled her along, thankfully not hard enough to actually penetrate her skin. Finally he seemed to feel they were far enough into the alley when they'd reached a rusted blue dumpster. He shoved her against the brick wall beside it, turning her to face him. All she saw other than the black knitted mask was a pair of muddy brown eyes scanning her up and down, and a wicked smirk.

She was somewhat aware of his awkward fumbling and gropes, but she was too scared to really let it penetrate her consciousness fully. Finally she realized she was crying, and turned her face away from her assailant and back toward the street. How could this be happening? She'd made a great presentation today, and had been looking forward to a few days to vegetate around her apartment.

Her eyes widened and she gasped as her shirt was ripped open, just as she saw someone walk past the end of the alley. He was hunched forward slightly, as if very focused ahead of him, a long blonde braid bouncing off his back as he walked quickly past. She could barely make a gargle, let alone scream for his help, she was so terrified with the blade at her neck. She closed her eyes with a sob of resignation as the blonde man disappeared from sight and she was dragged away from the wall and forced to lean over the dumpster.

Edward snarled in frustration. He was so sure he was near a breakthrough on his latest theory, when he'd gotten a call from his secretary Sheska. Apparently the papers she'd sent over days ago for him to sign were due in legal by morning. Whatever.

So, here he was, prime work time for him, walking home after dropping off a pile of boring paperwork.

He paused as he heard the sounds of a scuffle up ahead, then instinctively started jogging off in that direction. After just a few paces he slowed and shook his head. He had work to do at home. If some idiot was roaming this neighborhood at this time of night and couldn't defend themselves, it was their own fault. They deserved to get mugged. He didn't have time to get involved in someone else's problems.

With a decisive nod, he steeled himself and walked purposefully past the entrance to the alley, determined to get home and back to his research. Of course, his eyes betrayed him and darted to the left at the last moment to see a young girl thrown over a disgusting dumpster by a tough looking character. Said tough then lifted his knife and sliced the girl's skirt nearly off of her.

Now just slightly past the alley, Ed froze. He debated for maybe a second before turning back to the alley with a sigh.

Winry squeezed her eyes closed as tight as she could, but the tears kept coming. The mugger had twisted her left arm behind her back and was pushing her down hard. Her right hand was braced on the metal in front of her and she whimpered in dread at what she knew was coming next.

Suddenly the weight was lifted off of her back so quickly that she nearly collapsed. After a few meaty thumps she dared to slowly turn her head and look behind her.

The blonde man from before was standing over the unconscious form of her assailant, glaring down at the bloody pulp that had just been threatening Winry. She saw the knife several feet away on the greasy pavement. Slowly, she brought her eyes back up to her savior. He studied the thug for a moment before turning to her.

"Are you alright?"

Everything went black as Winry felt herself falling.

Edward sighed as he stepped forward and caught the girl. Great. Now what does he do with her? Take her home? He looked around, but couldn't find a purse or wallet. Odd. With a sigh, he juggled the girl back and forth in his arms to take off his black duster and wrap it around her half dressed form. When she seemed pretty well bundled, he set off for his apartment.