Chapter Two

Edward walked down the streets of Central, needing a breath of fresh air. "Damn that Mustang, always sending me on pointless jobs…I could be doing something better with my life, like wondering what to do now with Al back in his body." He spoke aloud to himself, wondering what life would bring next.

He turned down a side road, one of the original roads made of brick. He secretly admired it for its history, smiling at the thought of past citizens roaming where he was now. He kept on, putting as much space between him and HQ.

A banging sound on a dumpster caught his attention and he looked up from his random thoughts. He would have paid it no mind, but it happened again, louder, accompanied by a small shout. He began walking towards it, furrowing his brow. Something doesn't feel right. He quickened his pace as another shout carried to his ears. That voice was familiar. And it hit him. "Winry?" A scream bellowed into the night air and Ed began to run at full speed, twisting and turning to find her….when he saw what he never thought could happen.

The man was holding her down by her chest, groping her breasts with his free hand and thrusting with all of his strength inside of her. She shrieked in pain as he pumped into her, laughing as he went. "Yeah, you like that, bitch?" He covered her mouth with his and gave an angry kiss. "Now how about we turn you arou-"

Ed had already transmuted his arm into a blade and penetrated the man between his shoulder blades…

Ed awoke, sweat covering his brow. He balled his hands into fists and swallowed his breath, holding back his anger as Winry slept beside him. He looked down at her, his face breaking into a frown and tears welled up. "I'm sorry I didn't find you sooner." His tears fell and he laid down gently beside her, sweeping her hair from her face. She stirred slightly, wincing in fear from her dreams. He wrapped his arms around her back and spoke softly. "Winry, wake up."

Winry struggled and he knew she was remembering. He squeezed, speaking calmly. "Wake up, Win, it's ok." Her eyes opened and he shrieked, trying to get away, but he laid his head against hers. "Sssh, you're alright. I'm here, now." She calmed, trying to catch her breath, and she succumbed to his comforting hold.

"That bastard…" Her voice quivered with anger, surprising the older Elric.

"Winry?"

"He grabbed me from behind. I was heading over to HQ to visit you and Al and he tackled me when I was walking in front of that alley. He…he forced me down with his pants already unbuckled…he was so drunk and cruel…" She began to shake and Edward laid his head on her back.

"Don't think about it right now. Just try to rest. Tomorrow brings a better day. I promise you." He tried to hide his seething and was relieved when she just nodded and relaxed.

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Alphonse began to nod off in the waiting room, losing track of time. He rubbed his eyes and looked at the clock, startled to see it was already past midnight. He stood from his seat, wandering over to the phone. Someone should call Granny Pinako. She should know what happened. She has the right to know. Al sighed. "Guess it has to be me…"

He dialed the number. It rang. Ring, ring, ring…"Pick up, grams…" He didn't want to say it on a message. How could he? Ring, ring, ring…It was late. Maybe he should wait until the morning.

"Mmph…hello?" He gulped. He woke her up.

"Hey Grams, it's Alphonse…"

"Oh, Al….Why the hell are you calling so early? Don't you know we old women need our rest? I have to build your brother's arm tomorrow he ordered. Winry's supposed to give me the measurements. She should have called me by now…Al? Are you still there?" He whimpered.

"I'm…still here. Granny, I have some bad news." He could hear her stiffen up by her breath. He knew she would stay silent until he said it. Why did he have to tell her? "Winry…She's been…Winry was raped." He half shouted it, realizing that he had tears streaming down his face. He staggered a little and a nurse laid her hand on his shoulder, smiling at him assuredly. He thanked her with his eyes and she stayed where she was.

"How?" Pinako's voice was small and far off. He shook a little.

"I don't know. Ed fought the dirty bastard off. She's here at the hospital now. Doctors said she will be fine. She won't let Ed leave her side…"

"Oh my god…Winry! I'll head there as soon as I can! Thank you for calling me, Alphonse." The phone clicked on the other end and Al threw the phone down. His shoulders slumped and he looked at the kind nurse. Her hair was in a neat pony tail and it was jet black. She had kind, brown eyes and freckles on her nose. She smiled.

"It's ok, Alphonse Elric. She's in good hands, what with Ed and all." He stared at her, something familiar striking about her.

"I know you…Moxie?" She nodded.

"How are you?" He smiled at his childhood friend, happy to see an old face. She pointed to the chairs.

"Let's catch up, I'm on break." He welcomed her company warmly, glad to have anything to take his mind off things.

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Edward left the hospital the next morning, assuring Winry he would be back. He had gathered the courage and kissed her forehead, and she looked like it made her feel better. So he left for HQ, reporting to his favorite person.

One knock at the door and the "Come in!" was ordered. He slammed the door behind, trying to act like himself. Roy didn't buy it. He gave Ed a pitiful smile, his eyes holding true sympathy. "Fullmetal, I know what happened. You don't have to be so aloof around me."

"It's none of your business." Ed felt his bangs fall in front of his face and he lowered his head. Roy leaned back in his chair.

"Edward, this kind of thing happens in any city. Nobody is safe. Not even us men. Unfortunately, Winry is one of five reported cases in Central the past three weeks." Ed looked up, his golden orbs widened in horror. Roy nodded. "It's becoming an epidemic of fear for our women. And all of the rape victims are connected to the military. So now it's our turn to catch him."

"Let me do it." Mustang stood from his chair and walked over to his colleague, resting a gloved hand on his shoulder.

"I can allow you to assist, but someone has already called for the head of the case."

"Who?" Edward was fully attentive and Roy let out a breath.

"Me." The Elric eyed him in surprise but nodded. He then noticed it was only them in the two person office. Roy growled. "Whoever this man is, he is strong and brutal. He knows how to dodge bullets." Edward gasped.

"Not Lieutenant Hawkeye…" Roy's nostrils flared. Edward swayed a little and stomped his boot clad feet.

"We kill him. He deserves to die." Mustang tugged at his gloves.

"My thoughts exactly." And for the first time, both Mustang and Edward agreed on something and would work together to carry out their decision.

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Winry stared at the ceiling while her doctor examined her once more. She grimaced as Dr. Hillin checked her "private area". She wished she could go home. She hated this. She hated alleys, cities, men. Especially men. She then thought of Edward and smiled. All, but him. He and Al were her only loves, but Edward closest to her heart. He reached her over the line of brother. And she felt secure with him, as if the darkness would never find her in his arms.

"Ok, Winry, you seem to be healing well. No infections and the swelling has gone down remarkably. I should be able to release you today. There is just one test we are waiting for and you will be all set." Winry covered her legs up and sat up in her bed.

"What's the last test?" Dr. Hillin sat on the edge of her bed.

"It's a pregnancy test. We are able to tell now a day or so after it happens. You should be ok." She smiled and Winry felt a little better. This woman was so kind to her.

"Dr. Hillin, you seem to know a lot about this…kind of thing." Her blue orbs looked at her with questions and the doctor understood.

"Well, lately, there have been several cases in Central and…I have experienced it myself. It's why I do what I do." Winry felt her eyes widen.

"How do you get past it?" She pulled her legs up to her chest. Dr. Hillin stood again and grabbed her file, tucking it under her arm.

"You have your cure, Miss. Rockbell. With him, you will feel clean. Trust me." She then walked out of the room, Pinako running in the room in her place. Winry choked back tears at the sight of the old woman. She had bags under her eyes and a rag up to her nose. She had been crying the whole way here. She opened her arms to her and held her as she asked if she was ok. Winry told her grandmother she was, and knew it would be. Edward stuck in her mind, his warm smile washing over her.

Oh I want to write more to this chapter, but I will end it here. Next chapter Al is gonna suddenly disappear and Central will be caught in a twist of fear they never thought they would have to face. R&R!