Sorry this took so long! The holidays have been keeping me busy, and when I finally was home, I started feeling sick. But here's chapter five!

Also, thank you for all of the lovely reviews. It really means a lot to me. You guys are awesome.

Out of curiosity, I thought I'd ask what you all think about OC's in fan fiction, when used as a main character? Feel free to send me a private message on the subject. I would love to hear your opinions.

I hope you enjoy, and thanks for reading!

Chapter 5

The scalpel slipped smoothly and easily through the skin, the metal gleaming brightly under the light. The blade was quite sharp, and had no trouble parting the strata of flesh.

Edward was grateful for his lack of squeamishness. He was hardly phased by the sight of the inner human anatomy and other such gory things. He was always able to focus in peace on his work, and never gave his patients anything to worry about. Everyone knew that they would be safe in the hands of Dr. Elric. His hands were steady and sure, which he had not expected. The atrophy of his right arm had been fairly extensive; but his hours of physical therapy had paid off in full, leaving him to work with patients with the confidence and love of an inspired painter with his brush ready against a canvas.

The man on the table had been diagnosed with appendicitis. Dr. Elric had performed the required surgery plenty of times previously. He almost thought he could do it in his sleep. He removed the inflamed appendix gently and with ease in record time. His hands never faltered, and never shook with nervousness. Covered in blood, they moved, as if with a mind of their own, through the man's body.

He treated suturing as a much more delicate process. After inspecting the curved needle for a moment, he set to work, sewing the skin securely shut. He smiled to himself. The man would hardly be able to tell that he'd had surgery at all once the stitches were removed.

Once he had finished and cleaned up, he returned to his office. There was always plenty of paperwork to be done, and if ever he thought that he had finished a sufficient amount, he took pleasure in triple checking on the state of his patients.

He enjoyed peaceful days like this, where he did not feel stress or anxiety, and had enough work to keep his mind busy. There was the view from his office window, too. He always kept the white curtains pulled back, so that he could gaze out over the city, and watch the people outside.

The sun was bright outside, and bathed Central in soft, yellow light. A finch peeked in curiously through the window, carefully perched outside.

There was a timid knock on the door of his office. He turned in his chair, wondering who it could be.

"Come in," he called.

Slowly, the door opened, and the young medical student who had watched him perform the appendectomy slipped inside. Her name was Mary, as Edward had recalled. Her test scores were decent, and proved her to be competent enough to be allowed to watch some of the medical procedures at the hospital.

"Hello, Dr. Elric," she said, her voice shaking slightly.

Edward smiled. "Hello. What can I do for you?"

"I just wanted to tell you how amazing that surgery was," Mary answered. "I've never seen anyone work with such precision, and so much confidence. I feel like I learned so much just from watching you."

"Well, thank you. I'm glad to know that it was a good experience for you."

Mary shuffled and avoided looking Edward in the eyes. "I was just wondering, do you think you could ever tutor me sometime? I would really like your help."

The phone on Edward's desk rang, breaking the quietness. Mary jumped, surprised by the sound.

"Excuse me," Edward said as he reached for the phone. "Hello?"

"Ed, it's me," a soft voice murmured.

"Winry?" Edward blushed. "What is it? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I just thought I should call you. See how you were."

"I'm good, but I know you wouldn't call me just to shoot the breeze."

Winry sighed. "Remember what you said to me, outside at the wedding?"

Edward's blush deepened, and his eyes moved quickly to Mary, who was still standing by the door. If he had known who had been calling, he would have asked her to step out for a moment.

"Y-yeah, I do," he stuttered.

"I was just thinking...Al went off again to do more research. He's been gone for a while, and I know he probably won't be back for a while. I know I should be used to it, but I still feel a bit lonely. I spend my days with my customers, and then completely by myself, at home."

"Did you want me to come see you? It'll take me a while to get to you, but I can pack up and leave after work today."

"Well, you see, I'm at Central already. I'm calling from the train station. I was hoping that I could come over."

"Are you sure you're alright?" Edward glanced awkwardly at Mary. "It's not like you to come to me for help these days."

"I know."

"What's up?"

"Atelier Garfiel isn't doing so well. We provide great service, but we're not a popular automail shop. Our competitors have such flashier shops and are closer to the heart of the city, so it's hard for us to be noticed by potential customers. The shop is going out of business. I guess it wouldn't be so bad, but Alphonse isn't exactly getting paid well. I don't want us to end up having to sell our house. Anyway, you said you'd be willing to give me gifts-"

"Winry, if you're in a bind, I'd be happy to help you. Don't think of it as a gift. I can get you your own shop on whatever property you want, and I can find someone to market your services for you."

"Edward, that's so kind of you...but I can't just leave Mr. Garfiel behind. He's been helping me every step of the way."

"Then I'll make you the owner of your own automail company, where you can hire the best mechanics in Amestris. Garfiel can work with you. You'll have your own top of the line shop."

"Listen, Ed. I know you wouldn't do something for nothing. Equivalent exchange has always been important to you. If you really do all of these things for me, then I'll do whatever you want."

Edward laughed. "Take a good look at my life. Equivalent exchange hasn't gotten me anywhere. If anything, believing in that damn theory has made me worse off."

Mary stared, confused, at Edward. Edward felt her gaze burning into his head. He wished fervently that he had asked her to leave.

"In any case," Winry said, "I can't just accept your generosity without repaying you somehow. I know what you want from me, Ed, so let me come over tonight and give it to you."

Edward felt heat growing in his heart, and moving ever so slowly down, lower and lower. When he saw Mary, still watching him, he crossed his legs uncomfortably, embarrassed.

"That's uh—er—if you really want to do that..."

"I'll be at your house later tonight."

"Don't be silly. I'll come get you from the station."

"Aren't you at work?"

"I always am. If I leave early on one day, no one is going to be upset about it. I'll be there soon."

He hung up, and stood sheepishly, unable to look at Mary, his face crimson.

"Sorry about that," he said. "That was...my sister. I have to go to my sister."

"Oh," Mary said, nodding her head, unsure what to do.

"I guess I'll see you later. We'll see about getting you some tutoring, eh?"

As Edward walked away, Mary sighed, her heart racing.

Edward quietly led Winry into his house. It was dark and cold inside, and Edward wished that he had been able to do some cleaning before having a guest over.

Winry did well to hide the way she felt about the gloomy home. She needed help, and it didn't seem to be something that a little acting couldn't fix. She lightly stroked Edward's arm, and pulled him through the house, up the stairs, and into his bedroom.

Edward reluctantly allowed himself to be taken inside; he never expected Winry to take things so far, and never planned on asking this with her, no matter what she asked for. Furthermore, for personal reasons, he didn't want anyone to see his bedroom, but Winry pretended not to see the noose in the corner of the room.

She pushed Edward down onto the bed, and stared down at him. He began to breathe heavily, and propped himself up on his elbows to look at her.

"Winry, listen," he said hoarsely. "You really don't have to..."

"Stop talking," she whispered. No matter how much she lusted for all the luxuries she could get her hands on, she knew she would never feel at ease if she was indebted to someone. She silently damned her conscience, or what little she had left of it. She was already married to Alphonse, and she knew a sudden divorce would ruin her reputation. She had used his name countless times, telling everyone that she was so happy to be married to the Alphonse Elric. This tactic proved to be of little use in the long-run, however. Soon, people stopped caring. So, she was left with no money, no fame, no customers, and a husband who was never home. She refused to let her happiness slip through her fingers. As she trailed kisses down Edward's chest, she told herself that it would pay off. As she unbuttoned and unzipped his pants, she told herself that she would never be in trouble again. As she began to slip out of her dress and shoes, and let her long hair down, she told herself that she was a good person.