Final Chapter!
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Edward Elric usually hated waiting; he just simply didn't have the patience for it. But at the moment, he didn't know whether the waiting should continue or if they should get the damn thing over with.
Ed shifted uncomfortably, a dull ache still lingering in his chest. He could hear whispered conversations coming from all sides of the spacious room. The minutes ticked by slowly as the tension within Ed grew. The fingers of his flesh hand tapped against his metal leg. His eyes looked through the mass of blue uniforms to see if he recognized anyone. Giving up, he tried to remember what day it was; he was pretty sure it was a Monday. This particular Monday was the day Ed had finally been released from the hospital.
It was also the set day of Barry the Chopper's execution.
Ed stood in the basement of East City's military headquarters where a gallows had been hastily constructed. Any minute now, the Chopper would be brought out and then executed via hanging. Around him were several officers and a few reporters. Ed couldn't help but roll his eyes at seeing a priest here. Like the Chopper would want to talk to priest. These men were either setting up for the execution or waiting like himself. Ed looked at the noose as it hung on the high platform. It was about 15 feet in the air, plenty of space for a body to fall. It was funny how something so simple would be the end of this nightmare.
"You do know that you don't have to be here, Fullmetal?"
Ed didn't bother to turn at the sound of Mustang's voice.
"Yes I do." Ed responded. He could sense Mustang standing next to him.
"Pence's replacement, Kaine, has just finished his search of the factory that the Chopper held Miss Rockbell in." Mustang spoke offhandedly after a few moments of silence.
"And?" Ed looked up at him.
"His team found human remains that solve missing persons cases that go back almost a decade." Mustang said. "The entire lair was in a section of the building that went into the earth. The chopper had installed a fake wall in place of a door to keep his hideout hidden. After some digging, we found that this wasn't the first time The Chopper has been to this area. Train records put him in Rush Valley at the times of all the disappearances. Apparently Rush Valley was where the Chopper began his career as a serial killer. Based on the state of some of the remains, he experimented with his victims before perfecting his methods and moving on to kill in his hometown, East City."
"How many people did he kill?" Ed asked.
"Lieutenant Kaine wants to perform another sweep of the area to be absolutely certain, but at the moment we have nine partial remains" Mustang said. "That would bring the Chopper's kill count up to 35 known victims. We'd charge him with these murders but that would only lead to another trial and delay this even more."
"35 people." Ed let out a sigh. "That many huh?"
"You were the one who finally ended it, Fullmetal." Mustang said. "Don't forget that."
"It should have been ended two years ago." Ed muttered.
"No argument there." Mustang said. "But it wasn't you who failed, Fullmetal. You did your duty. We were the ones who failed you and Miss Rockbell."
Ed raised an eyebrow at Mustang actually admitting a fault to him.
"It's ok, Colonel." Ed said. "You're not that much of a bastard."
"I'll take that as a compliment." Mustang deadpanned before his face turned thoughtful. "In the report Ms. Rockbell mentioned that you stopped her from killing the Chopper?" It was more of a statement then a question.
Ed let out a breath. "I couldn't let her do it. Not Winry." He then motioned to his leg and where right arm should have been. "She gave me limbs to walk on; her hands were meant to give life not take it."
Mustang glanced down at his own gloved hands that were clasped in front of his chest. "Not everyone has that privilege."
"Plus," Ed continued. "the Chopper was ranting about how it's natural for humans to kill one another. He believed that what he did was natural. If we had just killed him there, while he was unconscious. It would have…proven him right. I wanted him to know that not everyone was a killer. If that makes any sense."
Mustang gave a nod of understanding, a small smile forming at Ed's words. Despite everything, it seemed Edward Elric could mature after all.
"Where is Miss Rockbell if I may ask?" He asked. Mustang had somewhat expected her to be here.
"She's outside with Alphonse."
"I take it she's been recovering well?"
Ed lips curved up in a small smile. Winry had been doing well. Ever since she'd been discharged from the hospital a week ago, Winry had been getting better and better. Not just physically but mentally as well. The trauma of what happened seemed to fade after a few days. Call it egotistical, but Ed liked to think that he'd played a role in that.
He thought of her waiting outside. He couldn't help but reminisce on how similar that circumstance was to the day the Chopper had first kidnapped her. But this time, she had Alphonse with her and they were waiting for him together. Winry had decided not to come for the execution and Ed didn't blame her. He too wanted all of this to be over. But this time; he wanted to see it through to the end.
The thought of Winry also caused an all too familiar sensation inside of him and a smile on his face. Ever since that night in his hospital room, things had been...interesting. Needless to say there was quite a hullabaloo after Winry and him were found sleeping in the same bed. Word had spread rather quickly through the staff but Dr. Stewart had kept things quiet. Which both of them had been thankful for. Since Winry was allowed to leave her room, she would spend almost every hour of the day with him. The first day had been full of bright red blushes and awkward moments. Neither of them really knew how to act around the other after they'd confessed their feelings. But they quickly got back into the swing of things, constantly bickering about the most pointless of subjects; while still stealing the occasional kiss.
Ed, though, had been worried about how Al would react to the news that Winry and him were now…an item? Dating? Anyway, Ed had remembered that Al and him had once fought over who would marry Winry. Thus he was worried that his brother might still have some feelings for their childhood friend. The last thing he wanted to was unintentionally break his little brother's heart.
Alphonse, however, had been quite ecstatic when he learned about the change in his brother's and Winry's relationship. Apparently he'd gotten over his crush on their childhood friend years ago and had been hoping for something like this to happen for a while. The younger Elric then proceeded to tease the two embarrassed teens for the rest of that day.
"Fullmetal, are you going to answer me or just stand there with that lovestruck smile on your face all day?" Mustang's drawl cut through the young alchemist's reminiscing like a knife cutting through butter.
Ed's face flushed red as he turned to glare up at his smirking superior officer. Unfortunately he couldn't come up with any rebuttal causing Mustang to laugh at his befuddled expression.
Ed growled and turned away. "She's doing okay." He muttered, hoping to retain some of his damaged pride.
"That's good to hear." Mustang said somewhat cheerfully, completely ignoring Ed's sulking. "She's a fine young girl."
Ed turned to the Colonel with a furrowed brow. "What's that suppose to mean?"
Mustang gave a look of feigned innocence. "What do you mean Fullmetal? I'm just complimenting Ms. Rockwell for the smart, resourceful, and if I might say, quite pretty young lady that she is. There's nothing wrong with that is there?"
"Stop it!" Ed growled.
"Stop what?"
"Stop talking about her, you womanizing bastard!" Ed shot back.
Mustang merely shook his head. "My, my Fullmetal; I never would have taken you for the jealous type."
Ed was seriously about to contemplate throttling the Colonel when Lieutenant Hawkeye suddenly appeared next to them.
"It's time." She said.
Mustang's demeanor immediately became serious and after a quick glance at Ed, began to walk towards the gallows. Ed gulped and turned as well. He almost jumped when he felt a hand on his right shoulder. Glancing to the side, he saw it was from Hawkeye. The usually professional lieutenant gave him a reassuring smile. Ed gave a smile back before the sound of a door opening was heard followed by the shuffling of chains.
Barry was led in by four armed guards. He wore an orange prison uniform with shackles around his hands and feet. The shackles were connected by chains leading to a collar around his neck. He moved stiffly, the chains or his injuries were the likely cause. The area where his right eye once sat was now a sewn up gash. As was the cut that ran across his face. Ed exhaled as he watched them start to lead Barry across the large room.
Suddenly Barry's head shot up, like a dog who'd just caught a scent. He turned and his eye zeroed in on Ed. Ed stiffened as he felt Hawkeye squeeze his shoulder reassuringly. But he didn't waver or flinch away. Instead Ed held the Chopper's gaze, returning his glare.
The soldier behind Barry shoved the killer to get the him moving. The Chopper moved forward without any further coercion, walking towards the noose seemingly without a care in the world. Ed continued to glare at the killer as he walked forward. The Chopper still showed the injuries from their confrontation in the desert. Despite them he walked with a bored confidence as his remaining eye once again went to Ed.
Ed's expression didn't betray a single emotion as he watched the Chopper ascend the steps of the gallow. The Chopper's mouth formed a small smirk and his one good eye winked. Ed didn't respond, as he just kept staring back. The smile left the Chopper's face when Ed did not give a reaction. It was then that Barry reached the top of the stairs and was now at eye level with the noose. Waiting for him at the top was Mustang, another guard, and the executioner. Ed could see the Chopper gazing at the rope thoughtfully as he was stood near it.
Mustang stepped forward and with a loud voice spoke. "Barry Jewell, you have been convicted for the murders of 23 women and 3 men in the first degree. You have also been convicted of multiple accounts of kidnapping and torture. And finally, the assault of a State Alchemist." Mustang glared at Barry the whole time he spoke. The Chopper looked bored. "For these crimes, you have been sentenced to hang by the neck until death. You've dismissed the option of receiving your last rites so the execution shall proceed immediately. Do you have any final words?"
Barry lazily turned to look at Mustang before looking at the crowd in front of him. The edges of his lips turned upward.
"I don't care if I live or die. Go ahead and kill me"
His eye landed on Ed as he spoke the last sentence. Mustang turned to the executioner and gave a nod before stepping back. The executioner began to place a black hood over the Chopper's head, but he leaned away from it.
"I want to see it coming." He said.
The executioner hesitated in his movements and looked back at Mustang who gave him another nod. The executioner walked away and placed the bag down. The Chopper straightened himself as the rope was fitted around his neck. Once it was secured the executioner stepped back and moved over to the lever. The Chopper glanced down at the trap door he was standing on and then back at the people looking at him. His and Ed's eyes meet one final time. There was no emotion coming from the Chopper's one good eye. It was like he was already dead. The executioner pulled the lever.
Crack!
Ed let out a breath as he watched the body of Barry the Chopper sway in the air. It had been over in less than half a second. The Chopper had fallen and died. Ed looked up at the lifeless face of the killer. He looked at how the Chopper hung at an angle with the way that his neck was bent.
He didn't feel the way that he thought he would, and that made him glad.
Killing shouldn't be something that should be enjoyed. Barry enjoyed it. He enjoyed it so much that he destroyed the life that he had and dedicated the rest of it to murdering as many people as possible.
As Ed stood there, he didn't feel happy or satisfied. He only felt relief that this was over.
It was finally over.
The hand on his shoulder tugged on it causing Ed to turn.
"Come on. I'm sure Alphonse and Winry are waiting." Hawkeye said before glancing at the hanging body. "You don't need to be here any longer."
Ed nodded and followed the Lieutenant out of the crowded basement. He could hear the officers talking and the sounds of reporters snapping pictures but Ed tuned that out. Some of the reporters tried to question him but were scared off by the glare that Hawkeye threw at them. For several minutes he and Hawkeye walked in silence before she turned to look at him. "How are you?"
Ed's pace didn't falter. "Fine."
Hawkeye nodded and looked at the hallway in front of them. "So what now Edward?" She glanced at his right sleeve, which was empty.
Ed let out a sigh, "Well I guess Al and I just go back to doing what we usually do; follow leads until we eventually find something."
"Do you plan to do that with only one arm?" Hawkeye asked.
"No." Ed said as the two began to ascend a staircase. "Before all that starts up again I'll need to take a detour to Resembool."
"How long do you think you'll be there?"
Ed's face got slightly red. "Well…uh I was thinking about a week…or maybe several. The doctors say I should rest a little longer."
Hawkeye raised an eyebrow. Ed was never one to follow a doctor's orders. "This extended visit wouldn't have anything to do with Winry now would it?"
Ed almost tripped over himself as his face grew flushed. He turned to Hawkeye to protest but stopped when he saw the small but genuine smile of her lips. Ed's shoulders hung in defeat and he let out a sigh. "Maybe." He muttered. "How did-"
Hawkeye smiled. "It was quite obvious from the way you two acted around each other. I only wonder how it took this long for you two to realize how you felt."
"Yeah well I've been busy lately." Ed grumbled defensively. His eyes avoided hers. This caused Riza to frown as she took in the young teen's body language. Something was bothering him and it wasn't just the embarrassment.
"Is something wrong Edward?"
Ed seemed to flinch at her words and he shifted uncomfortably. "Am I…do you think I'm being selfish Lieutenant?"
Hawkeye's brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
Ed finally lifted his head to look her in the eye. "Am I being selfish by getting together with Winry?" Seeing her confusion only grow, Ed decided to explain. "The reason Barry targeted her was to get back at me. What if someone else tries that in the future? What if by getting closer to Winry, I-I'm only endangering her more? I…I just want to keep her safe." The last words were barely above a whisper.
Riza's eyes widened at his words before turning sympathetic. For the second time that day, the blond lieutenant reached out and put a hand on Ed's shoulder. "You love her, don't you?"
Ed stiffened but he gave a small nod.
"And you want to be with her?"
Again Ed nodded.
"It's only natural that you'd want to protect her. But is pushing her away really the best means of doing that?" Hawkeye said. "You also have Winry's feelings to consider. I think she has a say in this as well."
At this Ed shifted and he started to rub the back of his head uncomfortably.
"What?" Riza asked with a frown.
"I kinda…already brought this up with Winry." He mumbled
Hawkeye took her hand off of Ed's shoulder and she shook her head. "And?"
"She…thought I was breaking up with her, started crying, then almost killed me with a wrench. I really fumbled that one" Ed said sheepishly. "But we're good now, I fixed it. But I'm still unsure if I'm doing the right thing."
Hawkeye gave a sigh, Edward was going to have to really work on his relationship skills. "Edward, you love Winry and she loves you back. Don't do something that you'll regret for the rest of your life. And if trouble does come up, you two won't be on your own. You have Alphonse, me, the Colonel, and many other friends. After everything you and Al have been through, you deserve some happiness." Riza resumed walking walking down the hallway toward the main lobby with Ed following. "Besides, I think Winry's more than capable of taking care of herself." The last sentence caused Ed to chuckle.
They reached the lobby of the building. Light was pouring in through the glass doors that lead outside. Hawkeye stopped to look at Ed, her face was stern.
"Winry is a nice girl. You better treat her well; buy her gifts, take her out to lunches and dinners, and always think before you speak." She said in a voice that left no room for argument.
Ed gulped before nodding vigorously. Riza's face softened and she glanced behind them.
"I need to be heading back downstairs." Hawkeye said. "The Colonel has a long day ahead of him. Do try to have a peaceful stay at Resembool."
"I'll try." Ed said with a small smile. The older woman gave him one final nod before turning and heading back down the hallway. Ed watched her walk away for a few moments before moving towards the door. Using his one good arm he pushed it open, wincing at the sunlight. Once his eyes had adjusted, he saw a large suit of armor not too far away. Sitting on a bench next to that armor was Winry, looking as beautiful as ever. She wore a white jacket with a pink tank top and a dark magenta skirt. Winry's hair was pulled back into a nice ponytail, it seemed to glow in the sunlight.
Winry glanced over as he descended the steps, immediately perking up when she saw him. She nudged Al with her elbow and pointed. Al's armor clinked as he stood up and jogged over to him.
"Brother." Al said as he came up to him. "How...how are you?"
"I'm fine, Al." Ed said with a weak smile. "Just glad that this is all over."
"You ready to head back to Resembool?" Al asked. "We have all the bags packed and the tickets ready."
Ed's eyes went to Winry as she came around from behind Al. She smiled at him and he returned it.
"Yeah." He said looking back up at Al. "Definitely."
Winry walked up to him and took his gloved hand in her own. Ed glanced down at her hand and the cotton glove it was wearing. Ever since being released from the hospital, Winry had taken to wearing a glove over her hand to hide the still healing stump of her missing finger. Ed has assured her that it didn't bother him, but she wore it anyway. Winry gave his hand a gentle squeeze as he looked at her. His golden eyes locked on her deep azure ones. And like that, all anxiety about the execution or what the future held seemed to vanish.
"You ready to head home?" He asked.
Winry smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Definitely, but don't think you're going to get any special discount on your automail." She said before leaning in for another.
"I'm going to have to live with this for the rest of my life aren't I?" Al muttered in annoyance as he watched his brother and surrogate sister kiss again, this time on the lips.
Ed broke the kiss and intertwined his arm with Winry's. "Come on Al, the train leaves in ten minutes." Ed called back to his younger brother. Ed heard Al mutter something about wasting time with kissing, but he didn't really make it out. He wasn't really paying attention to the things around him. He was thinking about what Hawkeye had said to him.
'She's right.' He thought. 'Pushing her away wouldn't solve anything.' He had no doubt this question would return to plague him in the future, but Ed didn't want to focus on that.
Right now, all he was focused on was Winry and how she was leaning her head against his shoulder. And the way she held his hand.
Everything was going to be alright.
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And this is it for 'Little Lambs'. Jerry Jewell is the name of Barry's voice actor. I picked his last name since Barry doesn't seem to have a last name in the show, I went with that. Anyways, I hope you all like. Please, please review and leave your thoughts. I'm also thinking about making more sequels to this in the future. Maybe how Ed and Al eventually get their bodies back and what Ed and Winry's relationship is like when they get older.
Before I end this author's note, there's something I want to talk about. When I first started writing this story (and I noticed this for Princess Bride as well) a lot of your reviews talked about how glad you were that I was writing this story. Several of you said that it was so hard to find a good Edwin fic. I quickly realized that you're right, there aren't enough Edwin stories. Despite their relationship being canon in Brotherhood and the manga, not many people seem to write about them. It seems like the most popular FMA pairing is actually EdxRoy and that frankly just seems weird to me. (I could rant about everything wrong with RoyEd for hours but I'll spare you the headache).
Ed and Winry are one of my favorite couples, not just in anime but in all of fiction. They just work off each other so well and are perfect for each other. I want to see more stories about them and if you agree with me then try your hand at writing one. Even if you have never written a fanfic before, just try. It doesn't have to be a multi chapter story, it could just be a one shot. Hell, I started off with just writing a one shot story. I didn't even think Drunken Confessions was that good and I was honestly surprised by the positive feedback (thank you curligurlu0896, Vhosek, and miskee).
I hope of few of you take my words to heart or else I've wasted a perfectly good, cheesy speech.
Thank you everyone who has reviewed, followed, and favorited this story. I have a few more ideas for stories lined up. The next one will probably be a story that I've been wanting to do for a while. Its going to be a modern EdWin AU. I came up with the idea for it while I was writing Princess Bride but it's been in development purgatory for months. I keep rethinking the story so it might be a while before you finally get to read it. Stay tuned.
Mediafan out.
