Full Metal Alchemist Fan Fiction

Strength

By Kraven Ergeist

A/N: I don't own FMA, or any of its characters. Sure would like to, but you can't always get what you want. It's sort of the reason I'm writing this fan fic here.

xxxxx

Chapter One: Return to Life

Pinako Rockbell had seen few days as gorgeous as this one. The sun was shining brightly, the slight breeze countered the mild humidity perfectly, and there were just enough clouds to provide the occasional bit of shade.

She was sitting in a wooden rocking chair out on her porch, Den was sleeping quietly at her feet, and Alphonse had just returned from East City after a long fruitless search for his elusive brother. What had started out as a search had become more of a volunteer job, as the survivors of Ishbal, lead by Rosé, were making a home for themselves, returning to their peaceful way of life. Pinako chuckled as she remembered seeing Winry's reaction to Al's return - he had adopted his brother's red coat and ponytail, and looked almost exactly like him.

Wrath was now living out his young life peacefully in Rizenpool, first under his mother's diligent tutelage, and then under his surrogate father, Sig's, and always under Pinako's. Taken to a new level of humility with his once arch-enemy's own auto-mail arm and leg, Wrath spent his time doing chores with his father, refinishing the house, chopping wood, running errands, and generally building himself up into a reasonably well refined young man. Winry often cursed herself for seeing almost as much of Ed in the youth as Al.

Yes, it was indeed a beautiful day, thought Pinako, as he puffed her pipe when she saw a familiar face coming up over the horizon. Having seen that exact face thousands of times coming down that same road, Pinako just smiled, rocking back and forth in her chair as Den's ears twitched. It was only until the dog's head rose and he began barking that it had even occurred to Pinako that there was anything out of the ordinary.

"What it is, Den?" she pondered aloud, getting to her feet, her old bones complaining all the way. She followed the dog's line of site until she found the young man walking in the distance in their direction. "Yes, I know boy," Pinako muttered. "Edward's come by for a visit…"

There was a gentle clatter as Pinako's pipe hit the freshly lacquered floor. For an inestimable period of time, Pinako didn't move. It was only until Winry exited the house and onto the porch, shedding her top layer of work clothes as she wiped a band of sweat from her brow that the old bird dared inhale.

"Evening," Winry voiced, her mouth somewhat dry from the day's work. She had both gloves off before she noticed that Pinako hadn't responded. "Grandma?"

Winry turned to see that her Grandmother was still in good health and staring befuddled at something off in the distance. The auto-mail toting pooch at her feet was in an uproar, having not seen the stranger in so long.

Winry's eyes focused on the incoming blip on the horizon. She smiled, looking away. Minds have a way of playing tricks on you. Rubbing the sweat from her eyes, she sighed and looked again. Sighing again, she made a second attempt at cleaning out her eyes. No matter how many times she tried, her mind was set on convincing her that Edward Elric was in fact pacing his way towards them.

Watching her granddaughter running at full gallop towards the oncoming passerby, Pinako sat back down, retrieving her pipe for another satisfied puff.

Yes, today was a beautiful day indeed.

xxxxx

"EDWARD!"

Ed did not have to look up to see the blonde woman hurdling herself towards him at full speed. He would have, but the strength needed to do so had long since left him. Having dragged himself up from the lost underground city and all the way to Rizenpool on foot, Ed wasn't exactly sure how he was still standing.

He didn't have long to wonder, as at the first sign that Winry had reached him, he collapsed into her arms.

"Edward!" came her panting cry, as she clutched the boy she had let go of all those years ago. She stared long at hard at his face, his tired locks of shaggy blond hair. Tears welling up, she indulged in a long heaving sigh. Slinging his arm over her shoulder, she began to haul him back to her grandmother's house.

A million thoughts were going through her head as her body motored on the single solitary notion that he was home. That finally, at long last, Edward was home. And unless her eyes were deceiving her, he had found what he was looking for.

She had gained an intimate knowledge of the structure of his arms and legs years ago, having used his good limbs as mirror images of what to make, and having created numerous metal counterparts over the years. Seeing him whole once again sparked too many emotions to keep track of.

Not the least of these emotions was guilt.

Guilt that she had not held out longer. Two years ago, she would have kissed him outright at the sight of his return. One year ago, she most likely would have discarded all shame and pounced him.

But now…

But now, all she could do was glance hesitantly at the silver band on her third left finger and bite her lip warily.

Winry paused to hoist the man up better onto her back, before setting off towards home.

Al would be happy to see him.

xxxxx

"Passengers, we have reached our fifth stop on our round trip from Central," came a voice over the train intercom. "To those of you leaving us here, please be sure that you have all carry on items and…"

Riza tuned out the intercom voice as she proceeded unhindered off the train. After stepping on to the platform, she took a deep breath, wondering why she was here. The military had spent an entire year stationed in Rizenpool, only to divert their efforts searching elsewhere. The new fuehrer had reasoned that if Full Metal was hiding from the military, that he would have stayed away from Rizenpool until the military had cleared out. After two years, it would be reasonable to think that Edward might think it safe to return home.

Reasonable. Riza scoffed.

Shouldering her military issue canvas bag and her own personal duffel, she made her way to customs to clear herself with the local magistrate, before looking into the residents.

Half an hour later, Riza was on her way to Rockbell Auto-mail.

xxxxx

"How is he?" Wrath queried, impatiently.

Winry, twisting into knots on the inside, just clenched her fists. "For the last time, Wrath, we'll know in just a few minutes."

Wrath grabbed two fistfuls of hair. "That's what you said half an hour ago!"

Winry didn't respond. Wrath might have matured some during his stay here, but he was still such a child. Couldn't he understand that the wait was no less painful for her to endure?

At least my fiancé gets to see him; Winry sulked, matching her pace evenly with Wrath's. They may be brothers, but I've technically known him longer! Al doesn't even remember the two years they spent on their own!

At long last, the door opened to reveal Sig nodding his head. "He's awake. You can see him."

Winry and Wrath stormed in to see their long time missed companion.

Pinako stood back as the younger residents crowded around the young man. He had arrived sleep deprived and sickly malnourished. It wasn't anything that a bit of tender loving care couldn't repair, but he had obviously seen little of that wherever he had been for the past three years.

"Edward?" Winry's voice pitched.

Ed tore his gaze away from his brother – now fully restored as he was – and saw Winry. He offered a weak smile, taking her outstretched hand in his fully formed one.

"Winry…I…it's really you…" the young man heaved. "I…I never thought I'd get to see any of you again…"

Ed silenced when he saw Wrath, biting his lip.

"…Wrath…"

Wrath looked up, trying to smile. "Um…hi…"

Ed looked at Al for an explanation.

"It's ok, Niisan," the young boy nodded. "He's ok now."

Ed stared hard at the young man, sullenly. The picture of innocence on Wrath's face had never fooled Ed in the past, and it still didn't sit well with him, knowing that, at any minute, that happy face could contort into that of a sick, twisted killer.

"Nice to see you," Ed muttered, insincerely, returning his gaze to Winry.

"God, Edward," Winry pleaded. "Where have you been?"

Ed laid his head back, taking in the facts and collecting his thoughts.

"It's a long story…"

xxxxx

"…And then I finally broke through…" Ed finished.

Winry, Al and Wrath were kneeling before him, entranced in the young man's telling of the other world from when he had emerged. The tragic adventures, the painful familiarity of faces bearing different identities, and the long hard road to regain that which he had lost by sacrificing that which he'd treasured most.

What he had given up, exactly, he refused to say.

"Most of what happened later is a blur," Edward voiced calmly. "Climbing out of the city, making my way back to Rizenpool…it was like my body was moving all on its own."

There was a still pause that held everyone in derelict silence, before the sound of knocking was heard quite unexpectedly at the door.

There was no movement, as no one wanted to leave the young man's side. Finally Pinako sat up, going out to the door, prying it open.

"Mrs. Rockbell?" came a familiar voice.

The occupants of Ed's room couldn't make out the voices they heard beyond that, but were soon greeted by the sight of Riza Hawkeye.

There was a long pause as Riza stood there, her eyes on the boy sitting in the bed. A moment later, a sullen chuckle broke the silence. Riza's eyes came flying open as her eyes suddenly registered just who she was looking at.

"Edward…"

The laughter was coming from said youngster, as his eyes clenched in deep seeded anguish. "Two days…"

Riza blinked. "Edward…you're back…"

Ed shook his head, not bothering to pay attention. "Two days out of the gate…and they already want me back…"

Riza's face turned from awe to annoyance. "Edward…do you think I'd come all the way up here…just because the military wants you back?"

Ed rolled over, refusing to make eye contact. "Whatever…"

Riza sighed, seeing that the young man wasn't going anywhere for the time being. Taking a moment to glance around, she saw some familiar faces. "Al…Winry…nice to see you again…oh, and congratulations, you two…"

Winry tensed up. She knew it was pointless to hide it, but for it to be revealed to him so soon.

"Oh…thank you, Lieutenant Hawkeye…" Al said, innocently.

Winry almost cried right there, waiting to hear Ed's prying words for an explanation. When she heard silence, she knew that he must have already suspected it.

What she didn't realize is that Ed in no way expected it – he knew it outright. In fact, one might see he had orchestrated the entire thing.

xxxxx

Dinner that night was as awkward as it was silent. Pinako and Sig just ate quietly, while Al and Winry sat uncomfortably next to each other, knowing that any words exchanged would only worsen the silence. Ed sat across from the two, with Riza sitting at his left. His focus, however, was on the black hair, auto-mail wearing boy on his right.

Winry coughed. "So…Ed…everyone expect Mrs. Hawkeye has heard your story…why don't you tell her what happened to you over the past three years?"

Ed stared at his plate of food. "I'll…talk about it later…I don't…really want to have to relive it all again…"

Riza stared uncomfortably at him as he glared unquestionably at Wrath, who kept his gaze lowered to his plate.

One way or another… Ed thought, remorselessly, That brat always has something of mine…

Al, in his innocence, had taken the better part of an hour to realize the reason behind his fiancé's discomfort. Feeling as if it were his place to explain, he sighed. "Look, Ed…she waited as long as she could…"

"Al!" Winry cried. "We have company…"

"It's alright, you two," Ed shrugged. "I'm not angry about it or anything. I'm happy for you – really, I am…"

Winry pouted her lip. "Then would you mind stop being so sullen? Everyone's so happy that you're back – why won't you at least smile?"

Ed gave her a weak sigh before shaking his head. "You know what they say about never being able to go home again. I came here because I had nowhere else to go. But now that I'm here, I have no idea what I'm going to do."

Riza sipped her water glass quietly. "In all fairness, Edward, it's been three years. I think you've earned at least a few days to recuperate."

Al nodded his happy head. "Lieutenant Hawkeye is right, Niisan. Just settle down and take it easy. We've all had to make ends meet with you gone – it's no skin off our backs to let you stay for a while. After all…this is your home!"

Ed nodded, before throwing Wrath another murderous glance.

Winry and Al exchanged a glance, noting that they would have a have a long talk with Ed's behavior towards the homunculus.

Wrath, however, practically felt all of Edward's stares, and finally stood up. "I think…I should excuse myself…"

Sig gave his homunculus son a questioning glance, watching him clear his place setting. The big man threw Ed a disappointed look, before excusing himself as well.

Pinako puffed her pipe. "Edward…when are you going to get over that boy?"

Ed rested his head in his hands. "I don't know, okay? I know I'm not being very polite, but this much bad blood doesn't just disappear, alright?"

Winry sighed. "Edward…nothing that boy did was…"

Ed threw Winry a glare. "…Was his fault? Stop fooling yourself, Winry. I can't believe you…as soon as he loses my real arm, you go and give him my auto-mail one?"

Winry stood up. "That's not fair, Edward! He was as much Izumi's child as she'd ever have!"

Edward stood up, turning away. "If that's true…then you're looking a man who killed his own mother…and half brother…"

Both Winry and Alphonse let out a gasp as Edward walked away behind a closed door.

xxxxx

With two unexpected guests, sleeping arrangements were crowded. In the end, Winry offered to give up her and Al's room (Which had one time been Ed and Al's room) to Ed and Riza – she and Al would make due with sleeping bags in the living room.

"Just make sure to keep it quiet," Pinako said, arms crossed. "I don't care what kind of hustle and bustle you two get involved with, but I will not have any hanky panky going on this house."

Winry thanked whatever gods there were that Al was not present for this comment. "Yes, Grandma, I understand. We won't do anything."

The arrangement worked out, because Ed was already fast asleep in the bed he was given anyway – and seeing as how he was still under the weather, he got choice real estate in any case.

After spending the vast majority of the night getting caught up with Al and Winry – never once mentioning the Colonel – Riza made her way to her room, changing into a set of blue cotton pajamas and crawling into the bed on the other side of the room from Edward's.

For the longest time, she laid on her side, looking across the room at the young man she'd thought lost. It had been less than a week since the Colonel's death, and even less time since she had set off to find the runaway alchemist. It was almost too easy – all she had to do was report back to Central and…

…And Edward would be subjected to rigorous interrogations, not to mention a target for information on the Philosopher's Stone, possibly for the rest of his life.

Riza bit her lip. She had obeyed the Colonel's order. She had found Full Metal Alchemist. Had the Colonel specifically told her to report back to anyone other than him if she did find him?

No.

And seeing as how the Colonel was no longer…present, she was not truly obliged to report to anyone.

Sure, if it were ever found out that she had withheld information from the military, she would be disciplined – there was no doubt about that. Of course, it had taken the military two years to locate him in this place. Albeit, Edward had just arrived, but Rizenpool had not been under scrutiny in the two years – she should know, she was part of Edward's search party for the entire time period.

So, all she had to do was report that she had been unsuccessful in locating him – in other words, lie to her superior's face – and she and Edward would be safe.

And then what? She would leave Rizenpool and act like nothing happened. If she ever returned – ever – her superior's would suspect something. If she spent too much time – or too little time – "searching," they would suspect something. That would have to be it, then. There meeting would be their first in three years, and their last forever.

Riza frowned. The idea didn't sound very appealing. She didn't want to have to say goodbye forever to these people. She liked these people. She liked Al for his still childish innocence. She liked Winry for her love of life and dedication to her craft. She liked Edward for…

Riza shifted uncomfortably. Why the hell was she blushing?

She honestly didn't remember actually drifting off to sleep – but then who does? What she did remember is reliving Colonel Mustang's death over and over again in her dreams. Of life-draining tendrils that tore him apart piece-by-piece, that sucked his life away. His rigid determination, and the one time he had been beyond her reach. The one time his pure invincibility had been breached.

If she had known it to be the last time to share words with him, she would have shared so much more.

But now, all she saw was his face contort in shock, frustration, anger, and finally fear as he realized that life was being taken from him and he had no way of stopping it. She could see his face clearly looking at her in a plea for aid. Aid that she, as his self-proclaimed caretaker, could not provide.

Who the hell was she?

What did she possibly think she could do?

Just as soon as sleep was upon her, Riza had awaken, agleam in the moonlight backdrop of the silent room, beads of sweat lining her face. She caught her breath, glancing around the room, until she saw Ed, sitting upright in his bed, staring off to the side.

"Oh…Edward…" Riza whispered. "Sorry…did I wake you?"

Ed glanced over to her. "Yeah…you were kinda of tossing and turning a lot…"

Riza sighed as Ed paused.

"…And calling out the Colonel's name in your sleep wasn't helping either…"

This time, Riza was quite cognizant of the reasons behind her blush. She wondered which was worse, knowing or not knowing the reason? Regardless, a cold hand gripped her heart as Ed let out a still chuckle.

"How has he been getting along, by the way?" Ed queried. "I'd think the military would have gotten pretty shaken up after the homunculus ordeal."

Riza turned her gaze away. "…It's late, Edward. You should get some rest."

Ed blinked, a cold hard reality suddenly seeping in. "Um…Lieutenant Hawkeye…? What are you not telling me?"

Riza shook her head. "It's nothing Edward."

Ed frowned at the use of his full name. "Lieutenant…what happened to Colonel Mustang?"

Edward got no response but for tears.

"…Riza…what happened to Roy?"

Of all the reactions Ed had anticipated, the last one would have been to witness Riza Hawkeye, whom he has known throughout her career to be more firm and placid than a solid steel beam and to posses more mettle than most tanks could boast suddenly lose all nerve and rush over to him and bury herself in his embrace, crying a river of tears over his half dressed form.

Ed watched in a mixture of fascination and horror as Riza revealed what her frozen heart had contained come pouring out all at once. He clutched her as she shook and convulsed, damning her own incompetence, cursing Alchemy as a whole, and even cursing Ed himself for the plain simple truth that had silently been taking its toll on her:

Roy Mustang was dead.

"God damn it…" Ed breathed, Riza's hands squeezing his shoulders so tight, they were going numb. Sobbing and shaking in his arms, face buried in his chest, Riza poured her heart out, weeping for the one she lost that she had never seized her chance with.

"God damn it…" Ed breathed, as he heard that the man - who he had realized within the three-year span of his absence was one of his truest friends - was now dead. Letting his own silent tears come, Ed gripped the lost soul in his arms, trembling as another realization hit.

"God damn…" Ed breathed, as he realized that Riza, having just lost the man of her dreams, was now lost herself. And that he, having lost his chance at the only woman he had ever hoped for, was now just as lost.

As kindred spirits, two souls deprived by the deep empty space in their hearts, they shared a moment of incomprehensible banding, silently promising never to allow such hurt to damage their hearts a second time.

xxxxx

A/N: Yes, I'm ending off here. But as you can see, the two are on a way to a pretty concise relationship. Hopefully, the military won't get in the way, huh? Oh, and if you can't already guess what Ed traded for his limbs, then, well, I feel sorry for you, because you're going to have to wait until the next chapter before Ed reveals his secret (Though, it really should be obvious in that last bit).

Dog's actually do forget people after a while, so it wouldn't be strange for Den to suddenly act defensive after three years.

Will write more later. Read and review!