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 16:

Flesh and Bones

"Mustang in, it's Clark and Elric." Christina asked across the phone. It was now the 13th and both Christina and Ed had barred themselves in the seven books.

"Oh Clark, its Hawkeye, give me a second, I have to find him." She could hear the phone being placed on the table and Christina glanced at Ed. He was on the ground his head laid in one of the books. Christina thought back to the day that he had almost kissed her and blushed furiously. Now she thanked her god that he was asleep.

"Yellow, this is Roy; yes I know that Scotty doesn't know about Fiona and me."

"What the-" Christina jumped at the voice and Roy laughed on the other end.

"What do you need Cutting?" Roy's voice began to settle and Christina just kept her eyes glued on Edward.

"I'm letting you know that I've arrived and that tomorrow we'll be performing the Body Alchemy for my arm." Said Christina as she shifted her weight and watched Edward turn over onto his back she smiled at the imprint on his cheek.

"Without a guide? If your mother was alive she'd kill me for not being there." Said Roy as Christina yawned.

"Roy don't act like your family now. You should have done that when my mother died. I'll give you a call tomorrow if it worked." The whole time Christina's was talking she could hear him laugh.

"What's so funny!?" Yelled Christina, Ed jolted up and stared sleepy eyed at her. She noticed this and waved for him to go back to sleep, which he did.

"Nothing, nothing at all. You'll see when you get back. It will only humiliate the boys don't worry." A click sounded and Christina was left to hear and dull beep and she sighed.

She placed the phone on the hook and sank to the floor. She wore a tank top and blue jeans. Her eyes unfocused as she looked around the old house, then her eyes landed on the sleeping Ed and she felt her heart beat faster. He's getting in to deep with me, I can't focus with him….or is this what I want? Thought Christina as she reached out to him with her good arm. But pulled back quick and gripped her right arm. It throbbed and she kept her eyes shut.

"Does your arm hurt?" Yawned Ed as he crawled to her, she felt him wrap his arms around her but she didn't move into his touch. She just kept her eyes shut and hoped the pain would pass.

"Do you think this will work? I mean I know for a fact I can't use Body Alchemy very well." Edward said as he helped make an Alchemy circle on the kitchen table. Christina was also drawing the circle while reading one of the seven books that was open.

"Don't worry Ed all you have to do is make sure your side of the circle is correct. I'll be the one performing the Alchemy all concerns are mine." Christina put the chalk piece down and glanced at Ed who was slowly finishing up his part of the circle. Christina could only smile as she un-wrapped her right arm.

Plus I'm the only one that can do it because of my blood. Only blood relatives, Thought Christina as she continued to unwrap.

"Okay I'm done…." Ed said as he placed the rest of the chalk in his pocket and backed up. Christina flashed him a smile and placed her right arm on the table. The circles on her right arm reacted and soon all the circles glowed.

"This all comes down to what we believe," Whispered Christina as she placed her left hand on the circle on the table. The circle reacted and the table began to move.

Ed jumped forward to hold it down, Christina tried to keep her arm down, and the pain was like blue fire. Bypassing all the pain she was going threw, she watched as bones in her arm moved. It expanded out and the hilt of her sword appeared but she ignored it. With a few loud pops Ed eyed Christina as her face tensed and a light blinded him. With a final pop the light faded and Ed opened his eyes.

"Christina?" Asked Ed as he moved around the table.