Disclaimer: I do not own Ed nor Winry...

Pure As Fire

"Winry!?" Damn it, Winry are you in there?!" I opened my eyes with my hands folding on my chest, the alchemy book on my lap. "WIN! I can't open the frigg'en door!" Ed? I sat up immediately to find the room black, but as hot as an oven. It seemed to be getting hotter by the minute. A strong glow was peeking brightly from under my door. Black smoke had filled the room, and I couldn't even make out my hand in front of me. I pushed myself up to my feet as I coughed rapidly. My head was throbbing and I found it almost impossible to breathe.

"Winry!?" His screams interrupted my thoughts as I collapsed back on to my bed unable to stand.

"Ed, what, what's happening? I c-can't get up..." I stuttered not understanding a thing. My mind went blank and I couldn't process anything. Again I attempted to jump to my feet and run to the door, yet my legs failed me. I felt as if I was paralized. Fear swept through my body as sweat began dripping down my forehead. I wanted to cry but couldn't find the energy to do so.

"Winry, thank god. Win can you hear me? The damn appartment is on fire! Open the door."

"I can't move Ed. I... I don't feel-"

"Ok... Ok, just stay away from the door a minute. Just for a second, Alright?" His voice was full of panic, and disbelief. I used the rest of my energy to pull my self up against the warm wall of my room to grab the red rose that layed on top along with the alchemy book. I waited for Edward's next move. I tried to calm down, not wanted to admit to myself how terrified I was. Was I going to die? Here in Germany? Away from Grandma Pinako and everyone else? No one would know what happened to me, I would be gone forever and no one would ever know. It would be the same as disappearing into the air.

Without a second thought the door was smashed open, with Edward on the other side as he held his right hand to his chest. His eyes were full with fear and his pony tail had almost completely fallen out. His long bangs were glued to his skin from the sweat dripping out of his pours. Our once living room was set on fire, the plaid couch was destroyed along with our dining table. The entire kitchen was black, and was almost impossible to see. I had always thought a fire was a beautiful thing; Something warm and bright that glowed at night; That kept one warm or gave us light. But this was a disaster; the once grey smoke was darker then black itself. It filled my tiny bedroom quickly, forcing me to shut my eyes. I couldn't breathe at all as I unwillingly fell to the bed peeling my eyes to open as Ed cut through the dark smoke, making his way to the bed, coughing himself.

"Winry, you still with me? Damn, Win just stay with me a little longer!" I looked up at him and reached my arm out to his face.

"Edward, what the hell's happening? What are we gonna-?"

"Can you stand up? We need to leave now."

"I'm not sure... Where's... Where's Alphonse?"

"God Winry, he's not home yet. Just try to get up!" It was almost as if he was about to break down into tears. He was literally falling apart. He had rolled up his sleeves revealing his auto mail, however still had his white gloves on now covered in ash. I took a deep breath still holding the rose and his book, as I reached for the window pain with my free arm to pull me up. It was then we both heard something snap as the wall connecting my bedroom with the rest of the apartment collapsed. My eyes started to close. With out another thought Ed's powerful arm slid under my legs as the other under my neck. With out much effort he lifted my small body off the bed, with me still holding the small possessions I had saved close to my heart. I dug my head into his flesh shoulder as another wall from the building fell to the ground causing the entire floor to shake.

"Ed what are we gonna, d-do?" I whispered into his warm cotton shirt. He didn't answer as I felt him run out of my room into the burning living room. He mumbled something to himself. "What?"

"I can't see a damn thing..." I grabbed his shirt as we trudged through the walls of our home. He gasped. I looked up to find a ring of fire had completely surrounded us, including our way out. He squeezed me tight as I began to cry. It was over, we had lost this battle and we were both about to die. It was done.

With out warning I felt him catch his breath before letting it out again. He backed up, then run leaping over a large piece of burning wood. He ran into his room, placed me on his bed, then ran back to the door slamming it shut. It was the only room the fire hadn't reached yet. He cupped his face with his hands walking to the window as I watched him let out a sob. He sucked in the smoky air around him before opening the window and sticking his head outside of it for fresh air.

"Edward?" He spun around towards me and gave me the most terrifying look any man could possibly have. I watched him walk back over to the bed pick me up, then to the open window.

"Just hang on, Win..." He stated gaining his voice back as he turned to stick a left leg outside of it. Then another. That's when I realized; The fire escape! Our side of the building was the only side with a fire escape! Maybe we could survive after all. I continued to take short, even breaths, using only will power to stay conscious as he slowly climbed down the ladder. He almost lost his balance once or twice. He grasped me with his left hand, and climbed down with the other. I slung my arms around his neck holding on as tight as I could. We had almost made it to the ground when we stopped dead in his tracks.

"Whast's wrong... E-Ed...?" I manged to peek over his shoulder to discover the rest of the fire escape was completely gone. The fire was hot enough to even melt metal, and the burning mess was right below us. We had no choice but to jump.

"Win, just jump. I'll be right behind you. Just go, ok?" I looked up into his eyes. He was serious. There was no way I could find the energy to jump from the height we were at. No way. But I had to try; For him.

"Ok." He turned toward the ground away from the ladder as I slowly released my grip from his neck. I turned around, only holding onto his damp black tee shirt. "You can do this Win... Just let go. I'll be right there..." I jumped. It was almost as if it was in slow motion. My energy disappeared in the air and was gone when I hit the ground. I landed on my feet, but fell to my knees staring at the cold, hard ground. I looked up to see people rushing with buckets of water, and a fire engine in the distance. With in seconds Ed was behind me, assisting me to my feet. We walked slowly to the front of the building to find Al standing and watching. Ed and I turned to face our home, as it burned to the ground. There are no words possible in this word that could explain what was going through my mind. And Ed... for him to have to stare at his home burn to the ground for the second time. What could he possibly be thinking. How it must of felt... Such memories were stored away inside his mind. I guess that was the reason he suddenly ran off alone into the darkness, leaving me and Al with the building slowly disappearing before our eyes.

xxx

Author's Note: The reason Winry felt like passing out was because of the chemicals from the smoke. She had just inhaled too much, but I promise she'll be fine!