Title: The Door You Couldn't Reach
Summary: AU They crossed over in order to save their world… their sacrifice stays with them to this day. When an opportunity arises to return to Amestris will they take it or will they let the chance pass? EdOC AlOC
Shalan's Say: DAMN it's been a while since I wrote a FullMetal Alchemist story… HOLY COW sorry I was just marveling at my dumbosity… anyways Rae Mustang (NOT KADY HAWKEYE(D&D) OR ASUNA (WSSL) (though they're the same person)! YES! NO MORE MISTAKES!) makes a reappearance (though it doesn't seem like it right now) for fans of "Dirt and Dust" and "Walking in Shadow Seeing the Light" you guys will LOVE this story I believe… anyways… Chris should reappear (formerly Maria in WSSL) and I should have A TON more fun with this one… PLEASE READ AND REVIEW
Disclaimer: I Do Not Own FullMetal Alchemist… or the pipsqueak himself… or his darling brother… But I DO own Rae and Chris (and their multiple personalities)
Chapter: Dreaming of Her
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Present Day; 1922 Munich, Germany
Her fingers traced his jaw delicately, sliding down to cup her hand against his skin and guide his lips to hers. Her scent invaded his senses, her taste whirling around his taste buds like an exquisite liqueur. "Rachel…" he muttered against her skin, he heard her sigh, felt her heart stop, her fingers tangle through his already knotted hair, he saw her soft blush, a currant red against cream. "You always look so beautiful… how do you do it?" He whispered as their foreheads pressed together. She chuckled as his hands cupped her face tenderly.
"Love… makes those we love the most, most beautiful in our eyes… Edward…" His eyes snapped open as he shot up in the bed, a sheen of sweat on his flesh. A cool breeze whispered across his skin. "Edward…" her voice echoed in his mind. His left hand lifted to touch the locket around his neck. The golden oval beneath his fingertips shone in the dim light of the room. He rubbed his thumb against the locket and closed his eyes, imagining the feel of her skin.
"Ed?" His eyes fluttered open again, only to have his brother's face come into view. "Edward are you alright?"
"Yeah… yeah I'm fine…" He ran a hand across his brow, his bangs plastered to his forehead.
"Good… your fever broke last night…" Al crossed his legs Indian style, wrapping his hands around his ankles. Ed looked over at him, his blonde hair clinging to his shoulder.
"Oh… that would be why…" he closed his eyes again and conjured up her image, her piercing cerulean eyes, her blushing skin.
"You made the decision… and I did too…" Ed felt his brother's hand on his shoulder. "It's been two years Ed…" he watched his brother's thumb caress the locket around his neck. "Hopefully she's moved on…" Ed's golden eyes dimmed with something near sadness and Al leaned his head against his brother's shoulder.
"Alphonse… do you really think she's moved on?" He whispered and his younger brother shrugged. "I hope she has…" Ed spoke almost reluctantly.
"No you don't… but it's okay… come on take a bath… we'll be leaving soon… and you're all sweaty…" Alphonse shoved him out the door into the hallway of the house.
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TWO YEARS EARLIER; 1917 Central City, Amestris (1)
Her hand twitched tentatively then rested on the circle. A pillar built itself up, destroying the battalion of armed soldiers. "RACHEL!" She turned, wiping a few sweaty strands of hair from her face. Her long black hair was pulled back in a ponytail, hanging down her back like a sleek mane. Her black tank top was soaked, plastered to her back with sweat. Her uniform pants and riding skirt were filthy with grime. Her boots crunched on the broken earth as she walked towards the speaker.
"Uncle…" she smiled as her uncle embraced her tightly. "How have you been one eyed jerk?" She chuckled and he drew away.
"You're never going to let go of that are you?" He rested a hand against the side of her face and smiled softly. Roy Mustang… nothing but an enlisted man… but powerful as the general he once was. His niece tilted her head as he left his hand resting on the side of her face.
"What's wrong Uncle?" Her blue eyes dimmed as they met his. Her heart stopped then began to panic as his finger traced the place where her locket used to be.
"Where's your mother's locket Rae?" Their eyes met and she watched his face sink. She bit her bottom lip guiltily.
"I don't know… I think I lost it when the gate opened," her eyes immediately averted and he sighed, looking up.
"What is it with the human beings around me? Is there anyone safe from the Elrics?" He seemed flabbergasted… and rightfully so.
"Roy… stop being a complete fool…" he stopped when she slid a foot back from him. He heard the dirt crunch beneath her boot.
"You gave it to him didn't you?" Roy rapped his knuckles against her skull and she looked at her boots as one of them traced a circle in the dirt. "Christ… Rachel Anne Mustang…" he searched her eyes as she lifted them. Cerulean bored into cerulean for a matter of minutes before he sighed and let their foreheads touch. "You are the fool…" she nodded as tears welled up in her eyes. His hands gripped her face, something that a memory used to do to her, and lifted her head up so that their eyes met again.
"How could I be mad at you for trying to make him remember you?" He smiled. She chuckled in return, tears rivering a path through the dust on her face. "How could I be mad…" He wrapped his arms around her as she buried her face into his shoulder.
"Alphonse went with him… didn't he?" She whispered against his neck and Roy nodded. "I hate this…" His hand stroked her hair gently.
"GENERAL!" They turned, Riza saluted momentarily then walked towards them. "The city has been secured… the portal though…" her eyes met his and he looked down at Rae.
"We can break it down…" Rae pulled from her uncle's embrace and rubbed tears away with the back of her glove.
PRESENT DAY; 1919 Resembool, Amestris
Her finger traced a circle in the calm waters of the lake, her cheek pressed against her bare arm. She closed her eyes and breathed in, taking in the sweet scent of spring earth and blooming flowers. A fish came to the top of the water and nibbled at her finger and she smiled softly.
"Now that's something I haven't seen you do in a while…" she sat up and looked over, her uncle's hand extended to her. "Babe you sure are hard to track down… you know that?" He pulled her up and she smiled. Her black hair reached her knees, long and straight, as soft as silk… Ed had always loved her hair… "You suddenly look sad… I'm sorry if I'm not the person you wanted to see…"
"Oh shut up Roy…" she forced a grin and flung herself into his arms. The general wrapped her up in a bear hug and she giggled.
"Another thing I haven't heard in a while…" He set her back on her feet. "I swear you look more and more like your mother everyday… except for the Mustang colors…" he teased and a cherry blush flooded her cream cheeks. "He always said you were prettiest when you blushed…" Roy cackled and she slapped his arm.
"He always said you were smartest with your mouth shut…" she retorted and he frowned for a moment as they stared each other down. Her thinly strapped sundress exposed part of the pale skin of her breasts and collar bone. The empire waist gown was knee length, made of a soft cotton, and from what Roy could tell, her first choice of clothing. The pearls in her ears shone in the bright sunlight, glinting as she moved.
"Yeah well he also said that his brother wasn't going to Earth with him didn't he?" Roy's reply cut her heart and he immediately regretted saying it. "I'm sorry Rachel… I didn't mean…" he looked away and for a moment there was utter silence. She bit her bottom lip and looked over his shoulder as a breeze picked up, whipping her skirt around her thighs. Her hair lifted up from her back like a nimbus for a few seconds, her bags rushing back from her face.
"So what is it that you tracked me down for?" She folded her arms and pursed her lips, her brow turning towards her mouth.
"I have something that I think you might be interested in…" he offered his hand to her. "Meet me at the car… bring a suitcase…" Roy turned and walked off. Rachel blinked. What in the hell is he talking about? Crazy old man… that bullet probably sheared off part of his brain too…
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Present Day; 1922 Somewhere in Germany
"Are you alright Edward?" Al placed a hand on his brother's arm, gripping lightly. The older alchemist turned towards his brother thoughtfully.
"Yeah… I guess I am…" he leaned his head back against the headrest of the train. Al looked down and sighed impatiently.
"You've been telling me that for days Ed… what's wrong?"
"Nothing." Ed closed his eyes as he felt his brother lean back against the chair next to him. "Just Rae…" he muttered… Al rolled his eyes as he watched his brother's face relax into sleep.
"I wish I could bring her to you brother… I wish I could…" Al closed his eyes as well, breathing in his brother's scent… "But don't you love me?" he whispered. A hand rapped its knuckles on his head and he opened his eyes, only to meet his brother's ocher gaze.
"Of course I do Alphonse … why wouldn't I? I wanted you to be alive again didn't I?" Al looked down. Why in the world had he just said that? Ed had given up his right arm… then his entire self… there was no way that Ed felt anything for him but pure unadulterated love.
"Do you love her Ed?" The single question that had been floating in the air since they had come to earth finally burst from Al's mouth. His older brother looked at him. There was no emotion in his face but his eyes showed confusion and what appeared to be contemplation.
"I guess…" he turned his head to look out the window. As they paused in a train station… Ed could have sworn he saw her face in the crowd… I guess I do love you… I wish I could have told you that…
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Earlier the date says 1922 is present day. Meaning that 1917 would be FIVE years earlier instead of TWO. But remember that 1922 in present day GERMANY is three years AHEAD of present day in Amestris. So keep that in your mind… just as a tally:
Present Day in Germany: 1922
Present Day in Amestris: 1919
Okay… this first chapter is confusing as hell… please continue reading on to the next chapter. There are a few things that need to be cleaned up… and they will be. Otherwise there wouldn't be a storyline huh? READ AND REVIEW PLEASE!
Shalan