Chapter 25: Karma

Winry's eyes were pulled back to the blade that was at her throat; her mind left to wander into her past. Visions of all the people she had saved along with the panic and disarray of the war flowed through her. It was as if each vision was dragging her further and further down. The glint of light that flashed off the sharpened edge beckoned her towards a quick death.

A deep feeling of lost lingered in her eyes as she stared at the mesmerizing silver. She had been so sure that with every life that she saved that she would be rewarded someway, somehow. At night she had prayed that in exchange for her non stop labor and dedication to saving lives even in the worst of battles that someone, somewhere was watching out for those brothers, her friends, and her grandmother. But her efforts had only gotten her into more and more complicated situations.

When would doing the right thing save the people she loved from pain. As she gazed upon Al's face she couldn't help but wonder when it was he had stopped being that innocent boy and become so burdened with the sins of these men that his face had aged well beyond his years.

What had been done to Bradley to make him the way he was and worse to raise someone like the man standing behind her. She looked down once again at the blade but this time another flash of light caught her eyes as she looked down at the ring Edward had given her. She was about to break her promise, a promise that she would take her vows of love and devotion. It was quite clear that she would never utter those words to him.
A humorless thought gathered in her drifting mind as she thought of the man who had proposed to her in the middle of a waging war. How had she not seen this coming, how had she not been able to see him become the man that he is until now? The answer appeared in her mind quickly, because it was the same for her.

She had gone to the battlefields with her shinning spirit and courage that rivaled the men on the front. But the war had tainted her and forced her to grow up. Grow up and forget all those silly happy notions she had had for the future. Their dreams had been sealed away and replaced by the brutal reality. But whatever it was that caused them to grow up she was happy that she had at least been able to do something in this world. In her dream world she would have been planning her wedding. Shopping for her dress with her mother, watching Edward squirm under her fathers stern protective nature for his daughter and her well being.

Alphonse would be more excited than her, ready to make her part of their family. At that moment she thought hopelessly of the wedding invitation that Mrs. Hughes had insisted she make once the war was over. Her heart sank…what a lost cause.

Edward felt an incredible force of rage wrack through his body as he made his way in stealth towards the gathering in the field. The sun was about to break across the horizon its rays warning its approach.

It was almost too easy to hide amongst the tall grasses as he approached Selim from behind. He knew instantly why his brother and Armstrong stood rooted to the ground their faces full of anguish and frustration. The young Bradley had made good on his word, he was going to kill the only girl Ed had ever loved.

Everything from the tear tracks on her face to the rips lined with blood in her clothing made Edwards heart scream. His desire to protect her had always been his top priority, even weighing out his heart at times. The same heart that was screaming out at her obvious pain began to race as he formulated his attack. It had to be precise, there was no room for mistakes with the life he held in his hands.

Something in his brother's eyes grabbed his attention; his eyes grew large as he recognized it. Not waiting for his brother's selfless act to get him killed or allow for Winry to suffer Ed decided it was time. He felt like he had dragged them all into this, now it was his turn to bail them out.

In an instant he had grabbed Selim's arm with the blade away from Winry while slamming his body to the ground. Everything happened so quickly it took him several seconds to work out just what he had done. He fell to the ground his eyes glued to the object in his chest. He noticed with a small smile of relief that Armstrong had taken over and was now restraining the young Bradley with what appeared to be little effort. Alphonse had recovered from his shock quickly enough to catch Winry in his arms. Ed wanted to sigh with relief but the pain in his chest was almost too much to bare as he stared at his brothers shocked expression.

Winry felt the arms binding her release as she was thrown into the awaiting arms of the younger Elric. Her breath came out in a shudder of relief as she sank her head into his chest. But the hitching of Al's breath grabbed her attention as his body went stiff. Turning her sights back to Bradley, who was now being detained by Alex she was slightly stunned as to why she hadn't seen it before. Her eyes lit up as her gaze rested on her savior, the man who had always saved her.

Her feelings of relief and love vanished instantly as her eyes connected with his. She was suddenly well aware of why he had such a pained expression on his face. A high pitched unearthly like scream filled her ears sending chills down her spine. It was one she had heard before on the battlefields of South City, but this scream if possible seemed worse, far worse.

Her mind which had been working in slow motion slowly began to catch up with her body which had already thrown itself by his side. It was then as he reached towards her face that she realized that she was the one screaming as her eyes caught the end of the dagger that was now resting deep within Edward Elric.

"Edward! Oh no Edward! Edward Please stay with me!"

Edward looked down at his chest and then weakly back at Winry's horrified expression of pain and angst. The tears were now freely falling down her cheeks slowly dripping onto his face. It wasn't fair; he didn't want to die with only an image of pain on her face left in his mind.

He chuckled painfully as he grabbed her hand weakly, "Win I've seen you fix people loads of time, this is no different." His brow was wrinkled in an effort to keep his pain at bay. "I trust you."

Winry stared at the handle of the blade her eyes betraying her fears, "Ed…I cant do it."

Knowing that what he was asking was hurting her deeply Ed clenched his jaw tightly as he quickly with all his strength ripped the dagger from his chest before everything began to grow hazy.

The sight of blood broke Winry from her daze; her mind quickly alerted to his need for medical attention that only she could give. Without thinking she ripped part of her clothing off as she tried to bandage his wound the best she could.

Hours, no days couldn't take away the look of horror that had etched itself into the young beautiful features of the girl. Al hated seeing her like this and he knew that his expression was the same as her eyes mirrored his own look of fear and pain. The worst part was that they were caught in the unknown. A world of waiting. He knew that Winry hated waiting and he was learning exactly what it was like for her to always be waiting. Al let his hand find hers. Once she had grasped it he gave it a gentle squeeze in an attempt to convey everything he could not say.

Winry turned to him her face gracefully finding the courage to smile. "I'm glad you're here Al."

She then resumed her task of changing Edwards bandages. Her face flinched with remorse as she gentlytook away the bloodstained bandages to replace them with new ones. Winry turned around hesitantly as she watched Al leave the room. She was thankful at that moment that he always seemed to know her feelings. Once he was gone she sat down wearily in the chair next to Ed's bed, letting her hand caress his peaceful face. Her voice came out in a beautiful murmur that carried its way to his ears. "Edward."

It was the voice of an angel that woke Edward Elric.

Opening his eyes he smiled at her in awe, "Winry."

Winry's eyes misted over as she let her lips seal themselves against his refusing to break apart.

After what seemed like an eternity of not breathing Winry pulled back sheepishly a small blush covering her features.

Ed smirked up at her, "Geez Win if Id known you could kiss like that I would have stabbed myself sooner."

Winry eyed him angrily for a moment before Ed pulled her back for another kiss; to which all her anger vanished. She was suddenly well aware of what saving lives had given her. Her karma for saving lives was that she had been able to save his. That she was able at that very moment to kiss the lips of someone who attracted danger and death almost as easily as she could cure it was her reward.

Long time huh

I don't know why this story gave me such problems

I apologize for the lack of editing and lateness

Amy