Disclaimer: I don't own that FMA and I sing it in my own way!

a wretch like me

"Martel! MARTEL!" Ross yelled as she dashed around another dumpster. Her baggy grungy army pants hung dangerously low on her hips, but Ross just smiled and hiked them up again. Her long black ponytail flickered behind her like a victory banner as she pelted full out down the narrow alley. Today was a good day.

After a month of living on her wits, Ross was proud to say she made her first successful steal. Ross kept the silver pocket watch close to her heart with both hands as she made her way to their home. It changed from week to week but Ross thought that it was a wonderful way to live. She got to see all parts of Rush Valley from the theatre district to the market place. Today they were living close the northern border of the city where all the travellers came in and out. Martel had taken the fist few days to show her the different escape routes and vantage points so she could navigate one her own.

Martel new the city like the back of her hand and Ross was amazed anew each day by how thorough the other girl was. For someone with no education at all, Martel was a street genius. Ross figured that's how she managed to live alone and survive for as long as she had.

Ross halted in front of the door. "Martel?" she asked as she opened it up and walked in.

It was a dark and sparse room, no doubt a back storage way for a shop, but the interior door remained looked at all times. Martel had explained that when living in the tourist part of the city, they search the streets daily for rift rafts. This small room was opened up the first week of the month, every month just for her. Martel didn't know why exactly, something to do with knowing the people who owned the building, but she never questioned a bout of good luck.

Ross sat down and crossed her legs to lean against the wall and wait for her partner to return. They weren't really friends when she thought about it, and figuring out how to classify them was hard. Some days she thought Martel was glad to have her around, someone to talk to and tell stories too, even someone who could now be of use as a distraction or a decoy in particularly risky events. Other days it was like Martel was disgusted in her. Ross didn't know how to react anymore. But today was a good day because Ross was contributing. She stole this watch and she was contributing!

Where was Martel to celebrate with?

As if summoned by being thought of, Martel stumbled in the doorway and staggered over to the corner of the small room deemed 'sleeping'. She didn't seem aware she was not alone. Ross stood up and wandered over to her. Martel was curled in a ball and… crying.

"Hey, are you okay?" Ross pocketed her prize and knelt down by the suddenly fragile girl. It was unsettling that this steel core individual even had a soft side. "Martel?"

She uncovered her head to glare at Ross. Her words were weak and lacked their usual venom. "Go the fuck away."

Martel curled back up in a tight coil that Ross couldn't see a way to draw her out of. She tried though. "What's the matter? You can talk to me Martel. What happened?"

"Shuddap, shuddap, shuddap! Fuck wha is wrong with ya! Look around wit' those pretty eyes of yers." Martel snapped up with vicious tears streaking down her face. "Do ya see anything ta be happy about around here? Go home!"

Martel was panting, perched on her knees. Her shoulders heaved dramatically and she clenched her fists. Ross eyed her apprehensively, was Martel going to hit her? Ross wasn't worried too much if she did, when did getting beaten become a normal thing? She had never gotten a thorough thrashing, but Ross ran out of fingers to count the times she been snagged by dangerous man looking for a pretty face. Martel had been there each time to snag her back… That's when she saw it.

Martel's belt was missing and her shirt was ripped and stretched out of its natural shape. There were bruises forming on her forearms and her long hair was missing its normal tie. Ross may be new to the world, but the way Martel was holding herself told her everything.

"Well girlie, are ya gettin a good look?" Martel nearly spat out the words. "Ya done playing street now? Why doncha just leave already. I'm tired of waking up each day thinking yer gone and yer here. Go already before I start ta get use ta ya!"

Ross leaned forward, distributing her weight between her two knees and one hand, using the other to cup Martel's cheek. "It's okay to like me Martel. It's okay to want me around, to have fun with me. It's not a crime. Just because life happens and happens hard doesn't mean I'm going to leave." She wiped a tear away with her thumb and attempted the blonde girl's rough dialect. "Doncha get it chickie? Yer stuck wit me 'n I'm stuck wit'chu."

"Fuck you… I don't need ya." Martel choked out, followed by a weak sob.

Ross ignored her profanity and kissed her forehead. It was a simple gesture she took a small comfort in while a small child, but had taken it for granted. Her father used to do it whenever she scraped her knee or tore a dress. It was something nice that Ross cherished. It had always cheered her up, so maybe it would work on another.

Martel looked shocked at first, but then did something that surprised them both. Martel kissed Ross fleeting on the lips and collapsed in her arms, face buried in Ross's shoulder. Ross blinked repeatedly as she held the trembling girl. She was obviously distraught and didn't mean it but Ross had to wonder if that were true as Martel whispered over and over into her shirt, "Please don't leave me too."

A/N: Well there is another piece. Do I detect a hint of yuri? Who knows.

-rix the demon