Maintenance

By Suzi aka KatsyKat

Summary: Ever wonder what would happen if Winry snapped and actually went through with trying to kill the man who murdered her parents? Heavy angst. Implied Edwin. No bashing, but expect severe oocness.

My first attempt at Full Metal Alchemist. This is set after anime episode 36 when Winry returns to Central after she finds out from the Isbala children that the flame alchemist killed her parents.

POV – Edward Elric

chapter 1: Shocking News

Something kept nagging me in the back of my mind as Al and I watched the Train depart from the military camp, on it's way to Central. Something about Winry, and the smile that wasn't quite a smile.

Winry never faked smiles... she'd sooner throw a wrench in anger. She wasn't a deceitful person. So, what would make her hide whatever had happened?

I considered this for a few moments.

However, as the train rolled out of sight, so did my ability to focus on anything other than the philosopher's stone and our quest to find it. With a clear conscious born of the narrow minded determination that had gotten me this far, I started up the ridiculously fast green tractor and took off with it barely under my control.

If I'd realized then, what I knew now... for sure I could have changed something.

But, as was ever my curse, it is only after I can no longer change an event, that I see how, with only a little effort, or foresight, I could have.

"That can't be!" Al's unsure voice broke me out of the daze I'd been in since Lt. Hawkeye informed us that Winry had been tried and found guilty for attempted murder of Cl. Mustang. She was scheduled to be executed in under a months time. It was a speed unheard of, even by military court standards.

"Take me to her." I said, my voice surprisingly steady despite the shaking fists at my side. My thoughts raced so fast and in so many directions, I couldn't keep track.

The most prevalent feeling was one I was far too accustomed to: guilt. I knew I was partly responsible for Winry's actions. I had never told her what I knew of her parents' murder... I knew something was off when she wanted to return to Central so quickly after fighting to prove her usefulness and help Al and I with our quest.

I... there was so much I had never done for the girl who had done everything she could for me. And now the desire to protect her was my driving force.

I saw the hard look cross the Lt's features as she prepared to deny my request to see Winry.

"I don't care how you do it, but I WILL see her." I raved. My eyes of steel must have been more effective than I could have hoped for, considering my emotional turmoil, because I immediately watched her face crumple.

I slowly realized that considering her proximity to Mustang, this was probably not the best person to ask, before she abated my concern.

"I might be able to bring you... but I couldn't manage Al."

Like most people, she avoided looking at my brother, even when the conversation related directly to him. The fact that he was known as the more reasonable of the two of us, didn't make his tantrums any less feared.

I also understood that Al's lack of expression disturbed people, because it unnerved even me from time to time.

I, knowing what to watch for, saw the slump on his shoulders and the tightening of his fists. My heart cried out to him. How many times would he be held back by his current form... first the state alchemy test, the heat ducts at the 5th laboratory, Greed's kidnapping, ... how long would this go on until I could give back what I'd been responsible for him losing?

I tried to lay that familiar mantle of responsibility aside for the moment. Winry was what was important right now.

Slowly Al nodded his consent, and I understood that he did not trust his voice.

Knowing he couldn't feel the warmth of my hand, did not stop me from placing a comforting hand over his arm. Perhaps, I needed to feel the cold steel of his body more than he needed my touch.

Without saying anything, I turned to the Lieutenant and we begin our trek down the hall to death row.

tbc...

Reviews are appreciated - no matter how short. And constructive critisism is asked for and welcomed!