Market Day Aftermath
By Bashfulglowfly
It was early Monday afternoon and Winry Rockbell-Elric paced back and forth in the small cell that she'd been locked in since Saturday morning.
She raked her hands through her hair in frustration. Other than the Matron bringing her food, no one had come to see her. Not any of the neighbors, not one of her local clients and certainly not Ed. She thought that he'd at least come and speak with her.
She'll certainly have a long talk with him about his neglect and just wait until she writes Al and tells him about this nonsense!
Winry spun around when she heard the locks turn. The Matron walked through and approached her cell. "Turn around and place your hands behind your back."
"What's happening? Is my husband here? Where are my children? Can I see them?"
"Rockbell, I will not tell you again. Turn around and place your hands behind your back."
Winry blinked in shock at her treatment. She was a local businesswoman! She had a solid reputation and she's being treated like a criminal! But she did as she was told.
After the Matron handcuffed her, she opened the door, grabbed Winry by her upper arm and marched her out of the cells. They walked up a set of stairs and through hallways until they arrived at a plain wooden door.
The Matron knocked then loudly announced "I have Prisoner Rockbell!"
The door opened into the room and the Matron shoved Winry through.
Winry blinked in shock. At the Magistrate's desk, instead of elderly Mr. Gerick, was a soldier.
A major if she was reading the rank on his collar correctly.
He looked at her for a moment, his face like a mask then he spoke "I am Major Robert Katsuk. I have been assigned as judge for this trial."
Winry gaped at him. "But…but where's Mr. Gerick? He's the magistrate! He's the one that should be here!"
Major Katsuk simply stared at her before he spoke again, "Ms. Rockbell, I received orders to deal with…this…Saturday afternoon. It nearly ruined my Tenth Anniversary. My bride was less than happy that I kept getting messages throughout our party. I almost did not get any Tenth Anniversary Nighttime Happy Fun…if you get my meaning. I'm not happy having to deal with a civilian dependent so don't waste my time."
Winry swallowed "Yes, sir."
The Major looked at the Matron, "Unlock the handcuffs. I think I'll be safe enough from her." He gestured at the two soldiers that stood at attention on either side of the desk and the one standing at the door.
"Yes, sir." The Matron unlocked the handcuffs and with a polite nod to the Major, exited the room.
After the door shut, the soldier at the door sat down at a smaller desk and picked up a stenographer's pad and pen then looked to the Major.
"Winry Rockbell, you have been brought before this Court because you have been charged with child abuse, brawling in Public and abuse of Government Resources. How do you plead?"
"What? Child abuse? I just…just gave Maes a little tap! And what Government Resources have I abused?"
"The child known as Maes Elric's left cheek remained red and swollen three hours after your attack. That most certainly is not a little tap." The Major looked in her eyes "And the abuse of Government Resources are the repeated attacks upon the persons of Fullmetal Alchemist Edward Elric and his younger brother, Alphonse." The Major picked up several pieces of paper and held them up to Winry. "I have several signed and sworn affidavits by honorable soldiers and medical staff that witnessed you attacking the Elric brothers with wrenches and hammers as well as other items."
"I…I…they weren't hurt! I never hurt them!" Winry began to breath heavily. "Edward isn't even an Alchemist anymore! How can he be considered a Government Resource if he isn't even an Alchemist?!"
"Mr. Elric is still considered an Alchemist by the Government." The Major's lip curled in disgust. "I have spoken to several people here in town and they have told me that you have always been abusive to the Elric brothers. Even as a child, but out of respect to your grandmother, they didn't want to bring it to official attention."
He leaned forward. "I have been instructed to give you two choices, Ms. Rockbell. One: you will agree to divorce Edward Elric, sign over all parental rights of the minor children Maes Elric and Nina Elric to Edward Elric and thereafter, have no contact with any of the three. If you do so, Mr. Elric will make no claims on your home or business."
Winry clenched her fists "My grandmother left everything to me!"
The Major continued like she never spoke. "Or, you will be convicted of child abuse, brawling in Public and abuse of Government Resources which is a minimum 15-year prison sentence. You will be automatically divorced from Mr. Elric and your home and business will be sold and the money will be held in trust for Maes and Nina Elric until they come of age.
"What is your decision, Ms. Rockbell. One or two?"
She shook with rage. Her blue eyes blind with temper. Her fingers curled into claws as she lunged for the Major.
Winry never heard the shot that echoed viciously throughout the room.
888888
"Ed, I hate to have to tell you this, but Winry is dead…"
Author's Note: Just in case:
Yes, Roy has files. Lots of files. For "just in case."
Yes, he's trying to make things better but sometimes, to protect the ones you love, you have to break your own rules.