February 5th, 1986

Charlie couldn't believe his luck. He wasn't usually a big fan of field trips, but today's was good for two reasons. One, the entire sophomore class was going to visit a farm outside Central to learn about where their food came from, which meant it was required for all students, and Shelby would also be on the trip. Two, there would be tons of opportunities crammed together in a mob for him to possibly get close enough to her to speak in person. Not that they could sit together on the bus. Charlie sat with Gill, while the girls sat several seats ahead of them.

It was as they were walking through the barns that housed the cows, and all of the farm supplies, that Charlie saw a chance for them to slip away for a few minutes. The man giving them the tour had just started lecturing them on how cows produced milk –an utterly boring topic about which Charlie knew plenty from visiting family in Resembool anyway— and since he and Shelby were standing near the back, it was easy to vanish around a corner and into one of the barns stacked high with hay bales.

As soon as they were out of sight down a row of hay bales where no one was likely to wander upon them, they were kissing passionately, pressed up against the stack of hay. Charlie had meant to talk to her first, but thoughts of talk fled as she returned his kisses with the same pent up longing that had been driving him to distraction. "Oh, god…I've missed you," Charlie murmured between frantic kisses.

"Charlie," she murmured, her skin flushed warm. Her hands pressed against his chest, then slid up and wrapped around his neck. He let his arms loosen around her waist, as he hands went up under her skirt, catching the hem of her panties. He paused, but only for a moment. It would be so easy to just…slide it down…

Shelby didn't fight him. In fact, her hands slid down his chest, her slender fingers catching on his belt buckle.

It wouldn't take long… Charlie edged them sideways a few feet to where the stack of bales was low enough to make a bed instead of a wall. Shelby tumbled willingly with him onto the stack. Then he was on top of her, and he could feel her excitement along with his—

"Charles Fischer and Shelby Cruse!"

Charlie froze. Shelby's eyes went wide in terror.

They were so dead.

"On a field trip?" The furious disbelief in his father's tone made Charlie cringe. The look of betrayal on his father's face did not help. "What were you thinking, Charles?"

Full name…bad news. Charlie stood stiffly in the living room, not sure he dared to answer that question. His father hadn't said a word to him when he picked him up from school. He'd walked into the office, spoken with the principal, and come out, giving him a let's go look. He hadn't spoken the entire drive home either. Charlie had been waiting for the explosion. He and Shelby had both been suspended from school for the next week. He could only imagine what her father was saying.

"We didn't have sex," Charlie pointed out, not expecting it to go any good. The fact that they hadn't gotten that far didn't mean it wouldn't have. Hell, that had certainly been their intention.

"Well you sure the hell weren't holding hands!" His father roared, stalking back and forth in a rage that was starting to scare him. "I told you to be patient, to give this situation time to settle down, to show you were responsible, and this is what you do instead? Get caught breaking school rules and defying orders on a school trip?" He threw his hands in the air, spinning on his heels, and stomping back the other way. "You've really stepped in shit this time. Suspended from school? Your mother is going to have a heart attack…" the wind seemed to fall out of his sails at that point… "This has to stop. If you two can't be mature about this, then you shouldn't see each other."

His only ally had just forsaken him. "But, Dad—"

"Shut up, Charles. Go upstairs. You're grounded, and tomorrow I'm calling the counselor."

Charlie cringed. He'd gone to a counselor for several months after the kidnapping four years ago. He had liked the guy all right, but the last thing he wanted to do was talk to a stranger about how he felt about Shelby, or this whole embarrassing mess. "How long am I grounded?"

His father didn't turn around. "I'll have to talk it over with your mother."

Charlie didn't dare argue. If his father was using his proper name, he didn't have a hope. His parents were never going to trust him again. So he picked up his bag and went upstairs to his room, where he flopped down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

They had only meant to steal a few moments to talk…maybe kiss. It had escalated so quickly, but it had felt so right. It wasn't fair. Didn't being in love count for something? It was their life, not their parents' life. They should be able to make their own decisions about their relationship.

Not that Charlie had any idea how he was going to fix this. Now even his father wasn't on his side. Aside from the fact that the school notes had not yet been discovered, he didn't know how he would find time with Shelby.

When Mom finds out, I may not be alive long enough for it to matter.

February 7th, 1986

"I can't believe you talked me into this," Bonnie said in a small voice as she glanced out the window of the back seat of the car.

Ian chuckled, and gave her hand a reassuring pat. "Talked you into it? You were the one who was nominated. It would have been a disaster for business if you didn't come. Besides, you look amazing." He couldn't hide the appreciation in his voice. After a lot of Bonnie not making up her mind, Ian had taken her into her own workshop and made her try on dozens of dresses. In the end, he had talked her into a dress of her own design; a strapless, fitted dress that shifted in a subtle ombre between the bluish-green of a peacock's feather in jewel tones, down to a light frothy hue at the bottom. Only the gauzy wrap that she could pull around her shoulders had made Bonnie comfortable enough to wear it. It suited her, more than she would admit. The color set off her fair complexion nicely, and brought out the reddish tones in her rich brown hair, which was curled and pulled half-back. Simple, silver jewelry provided nice accents. Her make-up was subtle and natural, like the girl he loved.

Bonnie sighed. "All right. Let's do this."

The driver in front of Ian's car chuckled. "I'll see you two later," Ted grinned back at them.

Ian chuckled. "Don't wreck my car."

Then the valet waiting at the end of the red carpet opened the door, and Bonnie was being helped out of the car. Ian followed her out onto the carpet, and into the bright stars of flashing cameras.

Bonnie waited for him. Or, he realized as he took her hand, she had momentarily frozen in fear.

"Smile," he whispered into her ear as he slid her arm into his. "This is your night."

Bonnie smiled at him and down they went.

Ian had walked the carpet before, for movie premiers, for these awards, once as a nominee for supporting actor, but usually just as an attendee. That didn't mean he didn't get his usual share of attention. The cameras and the reporters loved everybody, and everyone got mobbed walking down the carpet.

"Ian!" one of the female reporters, Bella Yardley, he recognized from one of the more reputable entertainment magazines was waving his direction. "Ian, who's your date?"

Ian slowed down long enough to smile at her and make sure that Bonnie was a step in front of him. "My date?" he laughed casually. "You've got it backwards, Bella. This is Bonnie Walsh; she's the nominee." If Yardley had done her research, the name would be familiar.

Judging by her expression, she had done her homework. "Of course! Miss Walsh… a moment, please?"

Bonnie tensed. Ian squeezed her arm subtly. "It'll be okay," he whispered while barely moving his mouth. He steered her to the side.

"Miss Walsh, can I call you Bonnie?" Bella asked, holding out a microphone.

Bonnie smiled, looking far more collected than she really was. "That's fine," she replied.

"Great. So, Bonnie, you're nominated for your costume designs for King of Creta –fantastic work!"

"Thank you."

"I admit, I'm a big fan of anything that puts Harry Varnell in a toga of course," Bella chuckled richly, "but your work is stunning. I understand you've also got a commercial line now, available at Silverman's here in central."

"I do," Bonnie nodded. "I'm very excited about it. I love the idea that anyone should be able to express themselves in what they wear, while being fashionable, and comfortable , and without going broke. The Spring line is coming along fabulously, with an even wider range of styles and colors." She glanced at Bella, and then her smile widened a little. "As a matter of fact, isn't that one of my scarves?"

Bella glanced down at the decorate gauzy scarf looped around her neck, as if surprised, then laughed. "It is! Good eye. I guess I can't deny I'm also a fan of your work. The quality is exceptional. All right, one last question." Now her expression looked like she was looking for juicy gossip. "How did you wrangle Ian Elric as your date tonight? He's a very hot commodity."

Bonnie looked at Ian for a moment, then turned back to Bella with a confident little smile. "Oh, that was easy. He begged."

"That was brilliant," Ian chuckled after they had walked away. "Begged! That may be my favorite moment this evening… except for when you win."

"If,"she corrected him. "We shouldn't get too cocky."

"You be humble. I'll be cocky for both of us." He was having a great time. Three more times on the carpet he stood there in his tuxedo and smiled at cameras while Bonnie was interviewed. She didn't need his help to make herself look good. As she got used to it, she was her usual charming, pleasant self. He could tell that the press loved her, and that was good, because that meant more people would like her, and that was good for business.

Ian got his own share of questions, mostly about his recent films that had just come out, or were coming out soon, and wouldn't be up for awards until next year's ceremony. He answered them, then managed to steer conversation back to Bonnie.

Finally they made it inside and to their seats, where Bonnie finally relaxed a little. "This is it." Ian grinned.

Bonnie nodded. "Thank you for being here."

"I wouldn't miss this for anything." The orchestra began to play, and Ian sat back to enjoy the show.

He always enjoyed attending the award shows. They were fun to watch by themselves, and even when he wasn't up for any awards, Ian enjoyed watching others rewarded for their hard work in a tough profession.

Tonight, he could hardly wait for the technical awards to get to costume design, even if it did only turn out to be to hear Bonnie's name said aloud in the list of talented nominees. Despite his confident statements to Bonnie, he knew full well that her designs were up against some stiff competition.

"And now, the nominees for best costume design."

Ian sat up a little straighter. Here we go. He tried to look calm and collected as they read off all of the nominees and the films for which they were nominated. I wasn't this excited when I was nominated.

"And the winner is… Bonnie Walsh, for King of Creta!"

The room erupted in clapping and cheers. Ian almost bounced out of his seat. "You did it!" he turned to Bonnie, who was sitting there, looking stunned. Ian smiled, and nudged her. "Bonnie… go!"

She blinked twice, then seemed to come to herself. Bonnie was on her feet, moving towards the stage. She smiled graciously as she accepted the statuette, then turned to the microphone.

You can do it, Ian willed positive thoughts in her direction. Being the center of mass public attention was definitely not in Bonnie's comfort zone. She had practiced a speech in his apartment –at his insistence- just so she wouldn't freeze up on stage.

Bonnie was smiling. "Thank you… everyone," she began. "I really never thought I'd be up here. Everyone's work is so incredible. I'd like to thank the awards committee, and Lorenzo Valens, the director of King of Creta for his support of my designs…the entire wardrobe team, thank you. The cast, for making my work look good on screen. My parents… Mom, Dad, I couldn't have made it this far without your support, and letting me turn ever spare scrap of fabric in the house into drama costumes." That got a chuckle from the audience. "My little sister, thanks June… and, I'd especially like to thank my boyfriend, for cheering me on, for always supporting my work… and for helping me find the courage to get up here, and stand in front of you tonight." She smiled in his direction. "Thank you, Ian." With a last little bow, she left the stage.

For a moment, Ian sat too stunned to speak as the audience cheered her off the stage, before turning their attention to the next announcers. Bonnie had thanked him on stage… Bonnie had called him her boyfriend on stage….on television… in front of everyone watching.

He was on his feet as she rejoined him in the row. "Congratulations," he said in her ear as she reached him.

Bonnie smiled, and only as he took her hand did he realize she was trembling. "Thank you," she said in little more than a whisper. She clung to his hand.

Ian helped her sit, before she fell over. He decided not to ask if Bonnie realized what she had said.

"How was it?" she whispered as she turned her eyes to the stage.

Ian replied with all seriousness. "Best speech I've ever heard."

February 8th, 1986

If he never saw the inside of a hospital again, it would be too soon. Unfortunately, Cal could be fairly certain that he would at some point. He just hoped that soon, it wouldn't be because his wife was in one. He waited impatiently while the Doctors finished their examinations, holding Alyse's hand firmly in his. "Well?" he finally asked impatiently.

Alyse looked irritated, but he couldn't summon anything resembling feeling apologetic.

Dr. Xinai straightened up and began rolling up the silk cloth wrapped around his hand. "The pneumonia is gone."

Cal waited, but the man was quiet so long he couldn't take it. "And the cancer?"

"We will move forward with the surgery," he replied as if Cal hadn't been rude. "It's growing again. I'm afraid there's no time."

Dr. Martins nodded. "I'm putting it on the schedule for Wednesday afternoon."

That was two days away. Cal felt Alyse's hand tighten her grip on his, and he checked his tongue. "Thank you, doctor… doctors."

"If all goes right, you'll be cancer free in a couple of days." Dr. Martins sounded reassuring as she smiled at Alyse. "Excuse us a minute." She gestured to Dr. Xinai, and both physicians left the room.

"If all goes right," Cal repeated the words as the door closed behind them. He couldn't keep out the bitterness. Only a tight grip on his hand made him turn.

Alyse looked up at him, her deep green eyes tired, and sad.

His anger left him, and for a moment, Cal just pulled her close, enfolding her in both arms as he leaned over the bed. The soft silk of her head-scarf rubbed his chin, and he could feel her slender frame in his embrace, leaning into him for support.

There were no words. Four years ago, they had been on the verge of divorce, and now…now he couldn't stand the idea of living in world without Alyse in it. She was the center of his whole world, and the best part of it. This was their only chance left.

"It'll be all right," Alyse whispered, and Cal bit back a sob that threatened to come from his throat. She was consoling him?

He nodded anyway. "I love you, Alyse. You mean everything to me."

"I know," she replied softly. "I love you, too and, I'm sorry."

"Sorry, for what?" Cal looked down at her.

Alyse sighed. "For every time I've ever complained, or been particular, or yelled… anything that has wasted the time we've had. You're a wonderful husband, and a good father. I couldn't have made it these last few months without you."

"I'd do anything for you, you know that." He kissed her softly. A good father… He hadn't had a chance to tell her about Charlie's suspension from school. Perhaps he would tell her after the surgery.

She returned the kiss. "And I will do anything I have to. I'm scared, Cal, but… I'm not done yet. I don't plan to die like this, or leave you, and Gloria, and Charlie. If the doctors feel confident that this will work, then I'll do it…and I'll do it without regrets."

"My brave…beautiful girl." Cal held her tighter as a soft sniffle came from her. "I'm right here with you… forever."

Author's Note: 8/3/2016 Happy August! I hope everyone has had an enjoyable summer (or winter!). I'd like to apologize for the scattered nature of this summer's posting schedule. I've had several trips and activities (and camping with my son with the Boy Scouts in 112 degree heat for a week) that have pulled me away from my computer! Thanks to all of you for your patience!