B/N This is the not-so-long-awaited sequel to "Like You". While the basis of that story was Evanescence, the basis of this one is Kelly Clarkson (blame my sister). I was going to title it "Since U Been Gone", but decided on this, based off of it. This first chapter is just an intro to their lives several years after the last story ended, showing a typical day of their lives. There's some foreshadowing (just a tiny bit-like 2 sentences) in the next two chapters of what the story's going to be about (no, the summary didn't give it ALL away!), so yeah. Some things may need explaining (or maybe not, but I'm just always afraid that I'm not getting the point across and such) so I may have to take the time to explain it. I've tried to make everything as accurate as possible, too! I'm also working on the last chapter of this story right now, just so you know. Also, don't ask me what Ed's job it, but it requires an occasional trip out of town. Finally, there are several different POVs throughout the story, but I won't say who it is for any. It's more fun that way Thanks to all who reviewed on "Like You"!! By the way, if you haven't read it, you should do so before you read this one. Just to understand why Winry's in Germany and the time changes and such.

Stumble

I'm not the kind of girl you bring to mother,

I'm not the kind of girl you kiss in public,

My manners leave a lot to be desired

At least I'm not a liar

And I'm not about the subtle innuendo;

More likely to throw rocks up at your window

Won't walk on eggshells so you don't hear

The crazy things I'm saying when you get near me,

I'd rather disappear than be faking it, anyway!

"Come one, Ed, it's such a nice day out! And besides, I need to buy groceries for your going away dinner!"

"I'll be gone for three days! And I still have to finish packing. I can't take you on a walk throughout the city!"

"S-So then, you don't want to?" I ask, lip quivering, tears filling my blue eyes. I see the look of compassion he gives me as he sighs and says he'll change out of his pajamas. Ha! Works every time.

My mind wanders as I wait downstairs for him. That horrible war ended soon after I came to this world, but like back home, they can't go very long without some kind of a war here. It's like it's an addicting drug! Well, this one is a "cold war" at least, so there's no fighting (for now, anyway). I've been here for about seventeen of their years (I think), but really, Ed and me are only about twenty-seven. He's made calendars for our world's time, so we don't really go by what it is here.

Umm…That's a bit confusing. Well, Ed and me are twenty-seven, and Al is twenty-three. Somehow. Or something.

GAH! I've managed to confuse myself just as Ed comes down the stairs. He gives me an odd look (I can only imagine what my face looks like) as he turns around the post at the end of the banister to lock arms with me. I stumble a bit as we walk towards the door, and I see him roll his eyes at me.

So I give him a little shove as I call back into the house, "Bye, Al! We'll be back in a little bit!" When I close the door from outside, I find myself pinned up against it by Ed's arms.

"That wasn't very nice," he whispers, moving in for a kiss.

"E-Ed!" I exclaim, ducking away. I'm pretty sure that I'm bright red. "Not here-people can see us!"

"Fine," he sighs, then smiles, "But you owe me."

"Sure thing," I say, taking his hand, and we walk down the steps leading from our house. I don't want to move away from it; it's so beautiful! But Ed and Al say that we must, or else people will notice our aging differences. They say it'll have to be before five of their years are up. Which is how many of our years? Oh, never mind!

I guess that Ed senses my mood, because his hand leaves mine to wrap around my waist. It still feels awkward in public, but it's not like there aren't other couples walking the streets of West Berlin.

My foot was in my mouth the day I met you

All my friends said I'd never get you

But they don't know it when they see it;

They need glasses to believe it!

They don't understand, so be it

What can I say? Anyway…

It's still hard to believe that all of this is happening; that I'm really here. There's still a part of me that thinks I'll wake up back in Risembool or even at Elizabeth's house. It feels like it should've taken longer to find the two Elrics once I got here.

But I look at them, see them smile and laugh, and occasionally fight, and I know this is real. I won't deny that it's hard to believe; the three of us together again, like when we were kids…

When I think of those days, I begin to cry every time. Those were the days before we lost everything. Tears prick at my eyes and Ed sees. He asks me what's wrong as I wipe my eyes and lie, telling him it was nothing.

I just can't help but feel bad for them both.

"So what exactly are we getting?" he asks, breaking me out of my trance.

"Hmm…Oh, I don't know! What do you want?"

"Doesn't matter, as long as it doesn't involve milk."

"Y'know, it's hard to believe that you've never, ever liked the stuff," I giggle," I'll bet you wake up at night and sneak milk when we're not looking!"

"Ew. I've never liked it, and I never will!"

"There must have been some point in your life…Ah-ha! What about when you were a baby? All babies drink milk!"

"That doesn't mean I ever liked it," Ed retorts.

"Fine…" I sigh, "Mr. Stubborn."

You like me, yeah, I know it!

You're so transparent,

How you stumble 'round those words so well

You like me; there, I said it!

Don't need a dictionary helping me

'Cause I can spell (I can tell)

By the way you turn me on to your favorite band

By the way you pour me coffee when I'm too tired to stand

The way you lift me up when I'm fading,

Breathe me in when I'm suffocating!

Don't say that it's just because you can

And don't be stupid, thinking I've misjudged you

I know enough to know when someone trusts you

Why fight it now? It isn't gonna hurt you!…

When we get to the marketplace, we finally decide on our dinner. Ed doesn't really care what it is we eat, but I want it to be special. He's leaving for East Berlin for some kind of…something. I just hope they don't finish that damn wall until he comes back…

Anyway, he carries most of the groceries for me back to the house, this time holding my hand on the way back. His actions speak louder than his words, so I know he loves me, even if it's a bit difficult for the mighty FullMetal Alchemist to say.

I start laughing at this. Of course, to me it's perfectly acceptable, but Ed, who's been walking in silence for the past few minutes, looks at me with one of his many "what the hell?" faces. Which only causes me to laugh even harder, stopping us where we stand. I double over in laughter, fairly certain that people are now staring.

In a minute, I get over my little fit (mostly; I'm still giggling a bit). Ed sighs, shakes his head, rolls his eyes and mutters, "Women…" before taking my hand again to lead me back to the house.

"Alphonse! Come down!" I call upstairs after setting the bags down on the kitchen table, "I need your help! And you know your brother can't cook!"

I hear rummaging upstairs and Al's voice call back, "Yeah, you're right! Brother can't cook for beans!"

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A BEAN!?" Ed growls, and I walk over to him.

"It's not like I'd make you cook your own special dinner, even if you could cook, Ed," I say to him. His eyes soften, and before I know what's happening, our lips are together.

That is, until we hear Al at the top of the stairs clear his throat. We break apart, blushing like a couple of teenagers who had been "caught". "So do you need my help," Alphonse asks, "Or would you rather prefer that I left you alone?" We know he's not really angry because the laughter in his eyes is supported by the laughter that soon flows from his mouth.

Al helps me with dinner as Ed finishes packing upstairs. He flirts with me the entire time (as usual), but it's definitely unintentional. I guess they're both a bit thick when it comes to love; Ed doesn't even notice. I think it's kind of funny, but at the same time, I wish that he'd find himself a good girlfriend. He deserves a really great girl, and he's the type of guy that any girl would die for. He's so sweet and kind…Plus, he can cook! But (and I guess he got this from his older brother), he's completely oblivious, and anyway, I'm not sure if he'd actually be able to get a girlfriend, with our aging differences and all…

After we eat, we get ready for bed early. Ed will have to leave a little early the next day, so despite his protests, I force him into bed early. Well, I guess it's more like luring him in, with my lips and light pajamas. Ed likes to stay in his for as long as he can every day; I kind of find it cute.

"C'mon, Win," he breathes in my ear, laying on top of me after our…rather intense kissing, "I'm not tired, and I know you're not either." While that…may or may not be true, I don't want to keep him up half the night before his trip.

"Wait 'till you get back," I tell him, "Can't you just suffice with this for now?" I ask, moving my body under his, trying to get him to start up, too.

"Sorry," he says, and kisses me, "Not tonight." I'm not afraid of being hurt or anything, I mean, we've done it before, but…

"But what if something happens? What if this time…And you're delayed…And I don't want to be alone if…"

Ed sighs. "First of all, what are the odds that would happen? Secondly, even if I was delayed, it wouldn't be more than a week. And finally, if something ever did happen to me, Al would be here."

I sigh and mutter, "You win," before stripping myself of my clothes.

So, a few words before I leave you. Yes, Al kind of flirts with Winry sometimes, but it's unintentional. It happens with me and my friends all the time. So it's totally normal for close friends to flirt and not realize it. Also, at the end, Winry's afraid (well, not really afraid, but there's just this little prick of worry in the back of her mind) that she'll get pregnant, and something will happen to Ed while he's away so he won't be back. Because, after all, they're building the Berlin Wall now. I typed this all while doing my math project (secretly, of course) so be grateful!!

Next chapter: BreakAway. Ed leaves for East Berlin, and Winry paints while Al reads.