March 8th, 1964

"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Sara asked Will quietly as they loaded one of the trucks they were going to be taking out to the drop off point for their mission. They were going to go as far around the Drachman line as they could manage, then drive up into the hills using back roads. From one of the small towns, they would be hoofing it down to Buzcoul and around to the supply depot they were going to be taking out. The warehouses had once belonged to a shipping company, but now they were full of munitions and military supplies the Drachmans had brought down. That was going to end… soon.

Will glanced over his shoulder and then turned around again. Yes, he had obviously seen. He shrugged. "I see my sister wishing one of my colleagues a safe return," he commented neutrally.

Behind them, Sara knew Alyse and Cal were still locked in each other's arms, kissing rather passionately. Oh what an interesting difference five days could make. A couple of days ago, all Alyse and Cal would do in public was make eyes at each other. Then they were holding hands. Now they were kissing only a few yards away and Sara wondered if her cousin was going to let Cal go, or vice versa. "So you're okay with it."

Will looked sideways at her. "I don't have a problem with Fischer, if that's what you're asking," he admitted quietly. "He's got a surprisingly clean rep if you ask around a bit, and I think he'd rather die than hurt my sister. Just don't tell him I approve… yet." He winked.

Sara chuckled and turned back to checking the supply list. "As long as you don't tell them I don't have plans to skin Cal the moment we get out of North City." Really, who could argue with the obvious attraction – and affection – blossoming between her cousin and the Whitewater Alchemist? She knew they had been hanging out, and the fact that Vince was not entirely dissimilar to Cal had not escaped Sara's attention when her cousin had started dating her previous beau. Besides, it was the least mopey she had seen Cal in years. Sara wasn't going to get her personal opinions involved this time; she was determined. "Assuming he hasn't done anything to Alyse."

"The first man to bed my sister, if they aren't married, is going to be castrated," Will nodded calmly. "And I'll take even bets as to whether my Dad or I get to the guy first."

"I bet Cal knows that," Sara pointed out. She was, surprisingly, not worried knowing Alyse's particular issues on the subject. There were times she was rather proud of her cousin's ability to stick to her guns on things. "You know, I think we should just let them have their space and let things develop as they will."

Will gave her a surprised look. "I thought you were against Cal having anything to do with Alyse."

"Several years ago," Sara nodded. "She was such a kid, and let's face it, he's not an innocent. But he's an honest guy and I've never seen him look at a girl the way he looks at Alyse. I swear he almost worships her."

"There is that," Will nodded. "Alyse is sure happy."

"So we don't kill him?" Sara chuckled.

Will grinned back. "Yeah, I'd say we let him live for now."

March 10th, 1964

The day and a half of driving through middle-of-nowhere countryside was uncomfortably tense. Not because of who was crammed into the back of the transport truck, but because of the constant worry about being found by Drachman scouts. Just because the route should be quiet did not mean that was any kind of guarantee. They stopped only to switch out drivers, so the Alchemists did their best to cat nap on the benches and floor of the truck, with only bedrolls for warmth and padding.

What Cal would have given for a more pleasing bed companion than a pile of dressed alchemists in blankets. Not that he objected to a little male bonding, but he still preferred a naked female form to Tore's rolling, Sky Fire's snoring, or Will's tendency to mumble if he got jostled too much. Lyssandra Fines and Sara bundled up under blankets at one end, leaving the boys to themselves. Not that Cal would have dreamed of even sharing blankets with Sara again unless it was a life or death situation. Besides, the only woman to invade his dreams on the entire trip was the one he had spent the last few days rapturously dizzy over… Alyse. Funny to be so wrapped up in the only girl I've been interested in and not slept with in…. too long.

Being part of a real relationship… a couple… was not something he had ever been prepared to do again until Alyse refused to give up on him. It was so strange still, knowing there was someone out there who knew him, really did know him, and still loved him. She had given him her trust, her confidence, and was willing to risk her heart again for him. Given how long he had done his best to forget the stir of feelings the first time they had tried dating, it would have been unfair to them both to deny her.

"You know if you keep daydreaming about my sister you're going to get shot in the ass out there," Will snickered from where he sat across the way. "It looks like even the great cavalier isn't immune to Alyse's charms."

"A man would have to be dead," Cal countered with a shrug. "Just tell people my reputation is drastically overstated."

"I figured that," Will commented more evenly. "Otherwise Alyse wouldn't be with you now."

It was the first time Alyse's brother had brought it up. Cal had made a point of not doing so. The last thing they needed was anything resembling bad blood in the team on the mission. "So where do you stand?" He might as well get it over with.

Will blinked, apparently startled by the candor. Then he shrugged. "If Alyse trusts you, so do I. She's obviously in love with you. So we're cool… as long as you don't break her heart later," he smiled.

Cal smiled back. "Well that's the last thing I want to do, so on that we agree. I'm glad," he admitted. "I'd hate to do anything that would make things tough on her, and given how close your family is, I was concerned about friction."

He was glad they were sitting at the far end of the vehicle, near the back where the road sounds were loudest. He didn't want everyone else listening in. Not that they seemed to be anyway. Fines and Kane and Sara were all talking in one corner, the others were passed out on the benches, trying to nap.

"Dad's your only concern for now then," Will replied, relaxing. "I don't think Alyse has ever made the same mistake twice, so the rest of us are inclined to let her have her way. She always has before. So if Dad doesn't kill you, you're in the family."

Cal blinked. "We're just dating," he pointed out, suddenly nervous. He and Alyse hadn't discussed anything beyond that yet!

"You should see yourself," Will shook his head in amusement. "Sorry, man, I'll back off. I'm just saying… I know my sister."

Cal did too. If he was completely honest, he knew that Alyse wasn't looking for just another dating relationship, but then neither was he. Right now though, all they had talked about was surviving the war and moving forward from there. He would worry about what-ifs later.

The hike down into the Buzcoul area was made in silence. The alchemists wove through the trees and the rocks in pairs, keeping reasonably spread out so that they were less likely to all be spotted or caught. The depot they were supposed to hit was north of the city, and they were coming in from hills just to the east. It seemed like agony to Tore, who hated the slow going but bore it because he had no other choice.

He and Cal slipped down behind a boulder and then peered out, looking at the walls of the city and for any sign of Drachmans. There were definitely a few out patrolling, though mostly nearer the city walls. He was fairly certain if they were careful they could avoid them. The difficulty would be getting up the north road without being spotted. But then, what good was sending anyone up here if they couldn't do the job? Tore was sure they could.

At least, he was until they were at the point in their path closest to the city walls. His first clue that things had gone wrong was the truck full of Drachmans that came around a corner without warning from the edge of the forest and started shooting.

It happened too fast.

One moment they were moving along, and the next Tore heard rumbling with enough time to sent a lightning bolt in the Drachmans' direction before dodging. It was an all out fray in seconds. The shooting, the alchemy flying, Tore could barely see some of the others from time to time, working to take out the truck and the gunners, then another truck that rumbled up to reinforce the enemy.

Tore fought. Two men died… not him. He ran, he dodged, he feinted, and he sent bolts shooting into the growing group of Drachmans. He spotted the nearest get-away… the open northern gate of the city. Now there was a place to hide where they wouldn't dare just start shooting up the place. He turned, hoping to draw the Drachmans away from the others – only to draw their fire.

Searing agony ripped through his left shoulder. Oh shit, I'm hit! He kept moving, out of instinct more than anything else. The others were scattered; hide, survive. There was black at the edges of his vision as Tore briefly smacked into the side of a building. He staggered on, his right hand up over his shoulder. The blood was seeping past his hand, through his fingers. He could feel it despite not looking down. He was losing it fast, and the white-hot pain in his shoulder was agony. He needed to hide... he needed help. He was going to lose consciousness at this rate, but with the Drachmans around, there was almost no one on the street. Or maybe that was the hour. It was almost evening... right? His brain felt fuzzy.

Stumbling, he only half-caught himself with his hands as he fell into a snow-drift. The new, shooting pain made him cry out, though all he got for his suffering was a mouthful of icy, dirty snow. Why do I have the feeling I've been here before... almost? Eyes closed, he felt himself slipping, the cold seeping into his body. It would be so easy to just... fall asleep.

A soft hand touched his back, "Hey, you all right?"

The voice jarred him back to consciousness, at least partially. Groaning, Tore tried to push himself back out of the snow enough to blink in the falling dusk. At least, he was pretty sure that was why the snow was turning blue and orange where he didn't see the dark splotch his shoulder was leaving. He blinked several times before he focused on a pretty face with brown eyes framed by smooth brunette hair. "Better now," he chuckled weakly, then grimaced. "You're prettier than the Drachmans."

The girl's eyes widened at the sight of blood, "You're injured, why didn't you say so? Come on, my uncle's a doctor; he'll help out anyone who's hurt. Can you stand? You can't just stay out here you know."

She was a chatty one. Tore struggled to stand, pushing himself up with his good arm. "Yeah...I know," he replied. "Damn... lousy shots. You should get out of here." The Drachmans were surely looking for him, and the rest of the unit. Shit, what about Cal? Kieleigh? ... he hoped everyone was all right. "They're looking..." he cut off as he slipped trying to stand and barely caught himself. "Doctor huh?" Her words sank in. He needed treatment. He struggled to stand again. "Let's go."

"Steady there," the girl supported him with an arm. She was shorter than Tore, but pretty strong. "It's not too far to my uncle's place. You're lucky I saw a good friend while running some errands; I'm not usually out this late. We'll get you patched up in no time."

Tore grimaced again, but leaned willingly on the kind girl saving his neck. He leaned against her more heavily than he meant. "Thanks...." He forced the grimace into a lopsided, if pained, smile. "Didn't know snow angels came out... this late."

"Oh, stop that," the girl chided, a blush rising in her cheeks. "I'm no angel, I'm just can't stand to see someone hurt. At least now I have a good excuse for being late."

"So your friend's a bad excuse?" Tore asked as they started moving. His grin came a little more naturally. "What is it... boyfriend?"

"No!" the girl answered immediately. "Uncle just said to come right back! And for good reason," she added with a quick glance around the street.

"With those bastards around, he's right," Tore agreed, focusing on the conversation to keep himself moving. His left shoulder was agony, his uniform soaked with still-leaking blood, though he thought it might have slowed...maybe. He was looking forward to getting inside. He just hoped the Drachmans didn't follow his tracks. "I am such an idiot." If he had just been a little faster, or noticed the soldier taking aim a moment sooner....

"We all have our off days," the girl smiled. "Granted some are worse than others. You'll be all right, I'm sure of it. Just keep moving one step at a time, uh..." Her voice trailed off and she chuckled, "I just realized I don't know your name yet."

"Tore..." he replied simply, focused on taking each step, trying to keep his mind clear, her words at the front. He'd never been shot before. He wasn't enjoying the experience. He wasn't about to announce his full name - or rank - to the open air. Who knew who might be listening behind closed doors. "What about you?"

"Oh bother, I didn't tell you my name either," the girl blushed again, chuckling easily. "I'm Noelle, and you made it to my uncle's place." She opened a door and helped him inside. "Uncle? I have another patient for you!"

The wash of warm air was like a breath of new life after the numbing cold, but it made his head swim too. Tore wobbled, his grip on Noelle tightening.

Further inside the building, past the warm wood-lined entry way with cream colored walls, he heard a gruff voice. "Noelle? Thank goodness!" Footsteps in the hall and then a man of middle height, and middle build, with heavily white flecked brown hair thinning on top and an oval shaped face scowled deeply as he appeared. "Oh gracious, what a mess! Blasted Drachman bastards, shooting people in the street now are they?" He moved closer immediately. "Bring him to my workroom. I'll have a look at that gunshot wound." He turned, motioning for Tore and Noelle to follow without so much as a word to Tore.

Tore might have been offended if he hadn't been hurting so badly... and used to brusque doctors. "He always so abrupt?" He asked as they made their way down the hall.

"Pretty much," Noelle answered with a smile, continuing to support Tore as they made their way to the workroom. "He's just in 'business mode' right now, so nothing to worry about."

"Typical," Tore tried to smile. It came out as more of a grimace.

The doctor led them into a room that was pretty much what Tore had come to expect from a doctor's examination room; sterile, simple, and uninteresting save for the instruments he needed to do his work. "Put him here," he gestured to the bed. "You, sit down and hold still. You can explain why the Drachmans thought you were worth shooting at."

"Yes sir," Tore replied, not about to argue with the man who was going to patch him up.

"Did you want me to stick around, or do you want me to get Auntie, Uncle Horace?" Noelle asked as she helped Tore down to the bed.

"Tell Evelyn to put hot water on," Doctor Horace nodded as he pulled out a syringe and filled it with liquid.

Tore was grateful to be sitting, though his shoulder still burned. He leaned on his right hand, still bloodstained, so that he could take any pressure off his injury. He eyed the syringe, wondering what was in it.

"We'll have enough hot water for what you need and a cup of coffee afterward," Noelle smiled warmly as she exited the room.

Doctor Horace turned back to Tore with the syringe on a tray and gloved hands. "All right now, let's have a look at that wound."

Tore swallowed. "What's that, sir?"

"Antibiotics," the doctor replied as he approached and began to assist Tore in getting his blood-soaked shirt and coat off. It took several minutes. Tore grimaced but refused to cry out despite the pain of moving his shoulder. When he was stripped down to shirtless, he was grateful to just hold still. "At least you're not a whiny one," Doctor Horace nodded briefly. "As soon as Noelle returns with hot water we'll wash that shoulder off, disinfect it and see what we're working with. So."

So? Oh, right. Tore sighed. He might as well get that part over with. "I'm a State Alchemist," he explained simply. "My unit's on a mission. We got ambushed just outside of town."

"That means you have people worried about you," Noelle came back into the room with the hot water. "Here you go, Uncle. Good and hot."

"Good." Doctor Horace dipped a clean cloth in the steaming liquid and, with no further ado, began cleaning off Tore's shoulder.

"Nnnnnnngh." Tore wasn't going to scream. He tried to will himself to relax. It hurt less when the muscles weren't clenched. "Probably," he agreed with Noelle's assessment a minute later. "But if they made it out of the firefight all right, they should be on their way to the Drachman supply depot north of town." If they were doing what they were supposed to, than they wouldn't be looking for him right now.

Noelle moved to Tore's uninjured side and offered a hand, "If it's painful, it's ok to say so. Or you can squeeze my hand until the worst of it is over. And don't worry about hurting me, my hands are pretty tough."

Tore took her hand, and grinned impishly. "Feels pretty soft to me." He looked up at her pretty face. It was much better than looking at the Doctor, who was now beginning to prod at the wound in his shoulder.

Her face flushed as she rolled her eyes slightly, "I'm doing this as a favor to you, mister. If you'd prefer to embarrass yourself with screaming, go right ahead."

"If you prefer embarrassment, we could skip to kissing," Tore countered without missing a beat. Just to add to the response, he winked at her.

Noelle jerked her hand out of his and muttered, "Stupid soldiers, all thinking of nothing but kissing." She looked at her uncle. "I'll have that coffee ready for you when you're done. Auntie said she'd get out some pie, did you want some of that too?"

"Later," Doctor Horace replied, focused on the shoulder. He prodded at it again.

"OHMYSHII-" Tore bit down on his tongue to keep from cursing a storm in front of the girl as his shoulder felt like it had caught fire. His now empty hand clenched reflexively until it was white.

"I'll go help Auntie then," Noelle replied, already halfway out the door.

Tore said nothing, his thoughts turned away from the girl quickly.

"In good news," Doctor Horace replied a moment later as if he hadn't been listening to the exchange, "the bullet went straight through and left nothing inside, though I want to stitch both holes closed."

"That's the good news?" Tore asked, trying to unclench his jaw.

"The bad news is you've just irritated your primary nurse." That time he was sure he saw the doctor smile, however briefly.

"I wasn't trying to," Tore sighed. "Spirited, isn't she?" He had only replied in kind.

"Quite."

The room became quiet as Tore sat as still as he could while the doctor disinfected and stitched the holes in both sides of his shoulder. He didn't shout again, but it hurt a lot more than just about anything else he had ever felt. He relaxed a little when his shoulder was bandaged. It felt better. "Thanks."

Doctor Horace grunted. "If you can walk, follow me. I'll show you to a clean room you can rest in."

Tore shouldn't have been surprised that the doctor wasn't making him leave. He'd want to keep an eye on his patient. He stood up and followed the doctor slowly down the hallway and into a room with a bed, a chair, and a small bed stand. It was obviously the equivalent of a hospital room, but it looked more like someone's minimalistic guest room. He could live with that.

"You can rest in here," Doctor Horace said. "I'll have my wife bring you dinner in a bit. If you need anything just let us know. There are no other in-patients at the moment, so you won't disturb anyone."

"Good to know." Tore sat down on the bed. Now that the rush was over, he was definitely beginning to feel exhausted. Dinner sounded good if he was awake that long. "I really do appreciate this."

"Nice to know someone does," Doctor Horace sniffed, but once more Tore thought he might have looked pleased for a moment. "At least I know where to send the bill."


Author's Note: I would like to thank the delightful Purplefire for assisting with this chapter and allowing the use of one of her OCs from an elsewhere FMA RPG scene, Noelle!