Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. This is Alchemy's first law of equivalent exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only, truth.

For the Love of Alchemy

Chapter 11:

Links to the Past

"Tee hee it jingles"

"What the-?" Edward held the phone away from his ear and glanced around, hoping no one had taken notice to him.

"Oh Full Metal, it's you! Sorry, thought you were Hughes. What do you need?" Roy's voice slowly turned back to normal and Ed just stared off into the distance.

"Full Metal?"

"Um….. Were coming back, we've hit some snags. When we get there we'll need two cars, and three rooms prepared. Oh, and a doctor if possible." A tapping came to his shoulder and he turned to see Russell signaling that it was time to go.

"Why? What happened?" Roy's voice shouted back.

"Christina's out cold and her right arm is shattered. It's been two and a half days now since she's been out."

On Roy's end, his face was ready to falter. Hawkeye stood by to get the answers.

"Get here as fast as you can!" He yelled at the phone and then slammed it down. He then stood up and he was ready to yell his orders.

"Hawkeye! Open the safe and pull out book six, I'm going to find someone that can help our situation." Roy glanced at Hawkeye as he finished his yelling, she snapped to attention and realized Roy wasn't kidding.

"How do you know her?" Ed asked Russell as they walked side by side down the train car hallway. Russell looked down at Ed. Ed just glared back.

"What is your problem?" asked Russell, by-passing Edward's question.

"My problem?! What's your problem? How do you know Christina?" Ed stopped and glanced around. Only families were on the train and he was glad that it was late; no one would be listening. He glanced at Russell again.

"Family relations, I don't think she wants me to go into her past with out her." Russell ran his hands threw his hair and sighed.

"Well I'm going to need to know. I'm her partner on this. I need to know about her in order to help her. Just like I have to tell……." Ed went quiet on the last part and looked up. Russell's face looked like a fish and Ed raised an eyebrow. Snapping out of it Russell grabbed Ed and dragged him down the hall till they came to there room and threw him in.

"What is your first Taboo?" Ed landed on the car floor and Alphonse and Fletcher both jumped.

"Why do you need to know?" asked Ed. He sat up a bit and glared at Russell.

"If you have two Taboos, there's noting of her past that can't be held from you. Only two…no, four people know about her full past."

"Colonel Mustang, what are you doing here?" Asked Havoc as Roy came down the hall. Roy gave him a slight nod so Havoc could lower his salute.

"Open the door Havoc; I need to talk to our guest."

"Human Transmutation, Christina you know how to pick them." Russell and Ed now sat in front of each other. Christina lay on the train car floor wrapped up. She was running a high fever.

"Why do you say that?" asked Alphonse as he fixed the rag on Christina's head.

"Body Transmutation," He pointed at Christina.

"Human Transmutation," He pointed at Edward.

"The Transmutation of Many," He pointed at himself. "Christina's family was dedicated to the Taboos. Her mother and father were the best in the Alchemy Business. The Military's Alchemy department was formed around them. They could pull it all off." Letting it sink in, Russell waited until Edward was ready. While he waited he reached for Christina's bag and opened it up. He pulled out the box he had given her before.

"Christina was trying Body Alchemy when this all started. Body Alchemy can mend bones in a heart beat when used properly." Russell slowly opened the box as he spoke and he softened. Ed watched the scene and could feel his body clench.

"Why? There are so many why's in Christina's life. Why does she allow two Taboos?" Asked Ed as he brought up his legs, Fletcher was moving around so he could check a bit more on Christina's pulse.

"Because not many can understand without them, you have to be able to feel that strange power." Russell pulled out the Alchemy pocket watch and held it as if it were gold.

"This was her father's, the Alchemy choker was her mothers, and they wore them to help out the people in the Shattered Body Epidemic. The Epidemic reached her home and took her mother, so Christina wanted to find a way to prevent it." Ed looked at the watch when he noticed it wasn't the same as his. He examined it closer. It had the Gem of Life on it. Russell moved a bit so his brother could sit and watch as Christina moaned. She was battling the worst of the worst now.