Chapter 10: Jealousy's Decision

"But I knew that you were a truth I would rather lose than to have never lain beside at all" Death Cab for Cutie

Winry pulled away from Connor and flung herself after Ed. The judge was the first to snap to as he stood up from his bench, "Miss please with strain yourself!"

Winry shielded Ed from the clutches of the court marshal and the two other officers who had been called to assist. "No I wont, he's innocent. He never laid a finger on me."

The courtroom began bustling with whispers at her outburst. No one seemed to notice that Connor had turned a deathly shade of white. Ed stared at Winry relief flooding every inch of his body. She remembered him.

Winry held on tightly to Ed unsure of just what it was she was doing. Taking a deep breathe she turned to stare at Connor. "I remember… it was him." She pointed her finger straight at him causing everyone in the room to turn in his direction. Her voice cracked as the night came flashing back. She had trusted him and he had hurt her. "Connor how could you do this to me?"

The angry giant who was concealed within Connor seemed to spiral out of control as it dawned on him what exactly was happening. He had hurt her, and now he was losing her. Completely losing all restraint he stood up out of his seat and started to move towards Winry and Edward. As he got closer she barely had time to gasp before he pulled out a gun at Ed. However within seconds he had slowly turned it so that it was aimed directly at Winry. "I fucking saved you and this is how you repay me? That piece of shit did nothing but cause you pain and you still love him? What the hell is wrong with you? God help me if I can't have you…no one will."

Winry's breathe came out in panicked rasps as she whispered to Ed who was still crumpled on the ground behind her, "I love you Edward Elric, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for what I did. I could never forget you, not now…not ever."

Edward remained behind her unable to move the handcuffs binding his arms to his back. His mind wound into knots as he glanced back and forth between the gun and the girl in front of him. Her words marked the love in her heart and he wanted nothing more than to reach out to her.

The court marshal had started to reach for his gun, but his actions did not go unnoticed.

"Move one more inch and I swear to you I will pull this trigger." Connors eyes flashed as he pointed the gun point blank at her. A terrible noise halfway between a sob and laugh escaped his throat as his hand tightened on the trigger.

Winry began to shiver as the fear slowly closed in. The tension in the room finally split as the sound of gunshots rang through the air. Winry closed her eyes tightly wishing more than anything that she could disappear from the pain. The same pain she had once given into was now here to finish what she had started on that cliff so long ago. The world was punishing her for her blatant disregard for life. The irony of it all fell upon her because more than anything she wanted to live. Her thoughts ceased as the bullet pierced her skin.

Ed felt Winry fall back on him, her hair draping delicately across her face. Turning his gaze back on Connor Ed was shocked to see he was on his knees his hand clutching his chest. His face slackened as he dropped to the ground; his hand fell limply from his chest revealing a bullet wound to his heart. Several steps behind him stood Riza Hawkeye her face unflinching her gun still pointed directly at him. The courtroom was dead silent with shock. Winry's hair shielded her pale face, but the blood that was now soaking through her clothes revealed the truth.

Ed couldn't register what was going on, the voices around him seemed muffled and weak. All he could see was the blood on his clothes as they carried her away. He barely noticed that Al was at his side until he found himself being led out of the court. His younger brother was a wreck as he stumbled over apologetic word after word. Al's face was filled with sadness and shame as the truth of it all was revealed. Seconds turned into hours which forced him into a game of waiting. Waiting for the charges to be dropped, waiting to be released and waiting for news of her condition.

His voice echoed through the interrogation room like a hollow wind, "I need to see her, please let me go."

The interrogator shook his head, "I'm sorry Mr. Elric we cant do that."

Ed stood up quickly knocking his chair to the ground, "She could be dying…I'm innocent please let me see her!" the veins in his neck were clearly visible as his anger finally kicked in.

The officer in the corner cleared his throat, "We will let you know as soon as we know. But while we're waiting for news your best bet is to tell us everything. Now tell it from the start, because as far as we're concerned you were proven guilty."

Edward couldn't fight their logic and every moment he spent wasting on them was a moment he was not with her.

After he got done explaining everything the investigator nodded his head and walked out of the room leaving Ed alone with his thoughts. The worst were triggered by the blood stains on his clothes.

'She was so pale.'

Finally the door opened again revealing Roy Mustang.

Mustang spoke quickly his face set in a grim line. "Fullmetal I didn't think I would be saying this but I was wrong. You are free to go." He proceeded to step away from the door watching as Ed slowly stood up and walked out. Right as they passed one another he spoke rather softly. "I'm sorry I didn't believe you."

Once he was out of the station Edward did the only thing he could think of, he ran. His heart thumped loudly in his chest as the adrenaline pumped through his veins. The urgency in every movement of his body pleaded with the ground to get him there faster.

'Don't die on me Winry Rockwell.'

The starch white walls and the dimly lit area of the waiting room were not comforting. The doors to the ICU stood like a grave marker to all those who were forced to stand before them. The faces of family and friends remained glued to the floor each suspended in a moment of waiting. Al and Riza sat together but no words were spoken. The younger Elric brother looked around at all the eyes on the ground and found himself watching the nervous bodies that paced the hallways awaiting bad news. He felt the regret well up inside his thoughts, he had failed. He had failed to see the truth and believe his brother and he had failed to protect his best friend. The sound of swishing doors and footsteps brought his face to meet the doctors. The doctor walked in a straight line his face unreadable.

Ed appeared in the hospital his body run ragged from the distance. As he rounded the corner he was brought into the waiting room. His deep breathing and haggard appearance gathered the attention of all but two, the two talking to a doctor. As Ed got closer his steps slowed as he watched the doctor walk away from Al and Riza. Al hung his head and Riza threw her hands up hiding her face from his view. He cautiously put a hand on Al's shoulder. In return Al picked his head up to level with Ed's revealing the tears that were streaming down his face. Riza pulled her hands down a smile lingering on her lips, "Ed she's going to be ok."

The elder Elric slumped down in the chair beside Al his face mimicking the tears of relief that were spread across his younger brothers. No one questioned the display of emotion by the brothers. They sat there in the waiting room having finally seen the silver lining they had been searching for.

Oh and by the way I lied

this wont be the last chapter muhahaha

I really thought I was going to end it

but I think I'm going to stick with this one

Amy