Chapter 11: Explosion

For a split second Ed had a conscious and rather remarkable insight into his situation. Either he was about to commit an act of heroism or in that moment he would be defined as a complete idiot. Probably not the former considering he was about to blow himself up. Not one of his better plans he had to admit. Perhaps Winry had been justified in her judgment of his plan. Smiling he lit the fuse. This wasn't the way he pictured his end but he was more than happy to do it if it meant she would live. This whole journey of his had been about seeking the truth about his past and about extracting the means to an end. But in the end protecting her had become his highest priority, a simple act for a grander reward.

In a split second he watched as the spark flew up the fuse his body dangling dangerously close to the barrels. Then the sound of hooves on the ground miraculously caught his attention over the roar of the engine and the yells of the men aboard. His eyes flickered to the sound but it was impossible to believe.

Less then a minute was left now.

His hands flew to the reigns as his he threw himself onto the familiar back of a horse.

Time was up.

A roaring boom blasted the car to shreds, incinerating all who were aboard. The echoing boom across the prairie land cast an eerie silence in its wake. The deed was done.

Ed clutched onto blackjacks hide cursing in a violent loving way to the animal that he had so belligerently disliked. His face twisted in pain and grim acceptance as the scene before him faded into worry. There was something more important, more pressing than the sight of destruction now fading behind him.

She was still missing, he just hoped the bastard Kimblee was at least telling the truth about her whereabouts. Turning around he watched as the engine smoldered and burned like an angry dragon. The flames licked at the sky as the dark cloud of smoke spread itself across the brilliant blue sky. Stealing himself at the sight he urged his horse onwards down the tracks.

It was quite silly on his part to not realize that his horse had obviously done some extreme riding to catch up to him. It was just one of the finer details he would later regret not noticing. Just as he caught sight of what he was looking for he was ungraciously thrown from the back of his horse. The animal's body collapsed, its chest refusing to rise. In his desperation to get to the object of his desire he stumbled to his feet and raced off towards her without a backwards glance at the animal that had saved his life or the movement in the wreckage.

Winry winced as the sound of the train chugged forward towards her demise. She wondered vaguely if it would hurt.

Without warning a huge eruption of flame and dust skyrocketed across the sky illuminating the destruction. The locomotive stilled to a halt as its fragments withered amongst the flames. Her eyes widened as the sight of destruction registered in her mind.

A painful lump formed in her throat as she watched a familiar black stead riding towards her from the wreckage. She felt the pain of the ropes that bound her and felt confused. Obviously the blast had killed her because on that horse was Edward and she knew that couldn't be right.

She couldn't blink away from the blazing look in Edwards's eyes as he stumbled to his feet and ran to her side. She stared in silence as he sliced through the ropes, she couldn't ignore the trembling of his hands. Once she was freed she felt the world sway slightly before his arms brought her tight to his chest.

Edwards's voice broke as he held on to her tighter, "Winry…"

She hung limply in his arms her face buried into his shoulder. Something was building up within her and she fought the urge to pull her head up and find his lips, but she didn't have to.

He pulled her chin up so that he could look into her eyes.

Worry etched across his face as he scanned the burn marks on her wrists from the harsh material that had bound them. His voice cracked, "Your hurt."

Winry shook her head the tears fighting their way to the surface. She bit her lip to keep them from falling "Edward…how did you?"

His face became grim.

Winry gasped in horror as she stared pass him to the burning wreckage behind him. Her eyes widened as she clamped a hand over her mouth. "No!"

Suddenly she couldn't escape the pain in his eyes but she didn't speak. She hung her head at the damage that had been done.

With a jolt her head shot up as she tried to stand quickly. Ed followed her gaze his face falling slack as he realized that Blackjack remained motionless, laying right where he had fallen. Winry rushed over to the animal her eyes avoiding the wreckage behind them as she tried desperately to save the dead animal. Winry chocked out a sob as she helplessly knelt by the horse's side, her insides churning at what was happening. A sob trembled through her lips, she would cry for the death of those who had deserved it and those that did not. There was no coming back for them. She cried for the blood on Edwards's hands, blood that was not his for the taking.

She wasn't sure just how she had gotten to the local saloon as Edward slid a glass of whiskey towards her across the table. She vaguely remembered their walk there, her vision blurred hopelessly by the tears. She pushed her hat further down onto her head afraid of attracting attention in the rather crowded bar. Finishing her glass she finally looked up at him.

She immediately regretted it, his face was torn in pain his expression almost pleading in her silence towards him. His glass remained untouched his gaze unyielding as he scanned her lifeless eyes for any sign of forgiveness.

She felt her heart ache. Those sick men had made him a criminal and she had played right into their hand. She couldn't look at his apologetic face for much longer because she deserved no apology; least of all from him.

The silence thickened until at last Edward broke it, his voice shattering the painful stalemate.

"Come on Win we better find ourselves a place to stay. I don't reckon we should be out on the trail tonight."

He didn't have to add a reason; she knew he was worried about the fall out from what had happened. It wasn't likely that some of the top railroad baron's assassination would go unnoticed. She nodded her head once in agreement. It was impossible for her lips to find words without letting the floodgates open.

She was all consumed by what had occurred, a vengeance realized, a criminal born. The tears began to build as she remembered Scar and his irrevocable deed, the murder of her parents all on his self administered vengeance.

Something took a hold of her hand and led her out the musty tavern. It wasn't until the sunset kissed her face that she realized he was holding her hand. Instinct driven blood rushed through her veins as her hand squeezed it back.

Edward didn't think as he grasped her hand in his. It was the only thing keeping him from losing it as images of the explosion tainted his thoughts. He didn't want to look into her eyes afraid they would reject his absolute need for her presence.

He thought of Al for a moment, would his younger brother pay for this like they had paid for their fathers crimes?

The loneliness, the worry, the confusion, all of this and he had done it. Worse…he had dragged her into this.
They didn't ask for his name and he wondered if the dirty weather worn inn was common place for people like them. Winry was still clutching onto him her eyes staring lifelessly at the ground. His voice was rough as he accepted the key to his room…she was still crying.

Was it only days ago that she had danced with him, her beauty radiating from every pore?

Once they had made it up to their room he carefully led her to the bed his hands lingering on hers. She finally pulled her chin up so that her face was level with his. Her lower lip trembled as she pulled her hand away from his as she clasped her hands together in a death tight grip. He didn't want to see this; he never wanted to see this broken unreal version of his Winry. What he wouldn't give for her to be angry at him, for her to throw something at him, scream at him…do anything just not this. Not this unbearable silence filled with hurt and pain.

The same damaged hurt voice came from deep within him, "What have I done?"

His body stiffened when he felt gentle hands on his arm, he didn't realize he had hurt himself. She was silent as she moved about cleaning his wound. She wrapped his arm but her hands lingered.

Before he could even think of the words to explain how sorry he was she had wrapped her arms around him. Her head sank into the crock of his neck and everything melted away.

"Don't…don't leave me again Ed."

Hate, anger…but fear? He didn't understand how after all that happened within those twenty four hours that she could fear losing him right then. But the way her hands where clutching to him, her breathing on his neck…that kiss that now seemed so much closer than before.

His voice wouldn't work properly as his heart raced; all he could do was wrap his arms around her and let her cry.

The morning light caught Edwards eyes. The suns rays found the blonde girl sleeping next to him, her head laying across his chest. The same image had been going through his head since he had first fallen in love with this girl. But unlike the images of his dream this Winry had tear stains on her face. She wasn't the happy girl he so wished he could make her. For a second he wanted to do it.

He wanted to get up and leave. Write her a note explaining so much of the guilt and fear that ripped through his chest. He wouldn't tell her that he loved her...that would be too hard. But he could do something better for her, he could save her from his life of misery.

She would go back to Al and her grandmother...maybe his brother could make her happy. They deserved happiness right?

"Stay."

Ed's eyes flickered to meet the blue that was resting on his chest.

"I can see it Ed...I can see that same look on your face."

Ed turned his head quickly, how could he lie to her now. "I should have never brought you."

Winry bit back a cry. She was hardly weak, but he was breaking her heart.

Sorry school has been taking up so much of my time

I will update soon

I promise

Amy