I DO NOT OWN FULLMETAL ALCHEMISTS OR ITS CHARACTERS, JUST THE STORY

(Flashback)

It was the last time she'd ever see them again. Somehow in her heart she knew that if she did see him today, it would be her last. But this time Al was gone too. She never admitted it to anyone, but Winry Rockbell had feelings for Edward Elric. And even though Winry knew it would the last time she saw him, she could never bring herself to tell him. Maybe it was for the better she thought to herself. She took one last look at the underground city and headed back up.

The city was dusty and dirty. The armored suits all piled up to one side while soldiers searched for civilians all around. Everywhere she looked buildings were crumbling, places that she used to go to were in pieces and people were searching for loved ones. She wasn't watching where she was going and accidently bumped into one of the soldiers.

"Oh I'm so sorry." She said.

"It's quite alright miss." He replied. She recognized that voice and looked up and realized that it was the lieutenant she had met long ago.

"Oh lieutenant Havoc, it's you!!"

"What? Oh Miss Rockbell. I didn't recognize you. What are you doing here in Central?"

"I came here to say goodbye to Edward." Her smile suddenly disappeared from her face.

"Oh I'm sorry. I didn't –"

"No, no it's alright. Somehow I knew our reunion would be short but sweet. No pun intended." She said giving him a half smile. "Actually he's grown quite a lot."

"Heh yea." He could how saddened she was by his departure, and he just couldn't see that. He felt that there should be a law where no young woman would ever look like that. That look reminded him of the time when Mustang resigned and Lieutenant Hawkeye was saddened by his sudden departure. He really didn't wanna see that again.

"Hey um, you know… if you ever need anything, just ask." He said putting a hand on her shoulder and giving her a warm hearted smile.

"Thank you, lieutenant Havoc." Giving him a smile back.

"It's Jean."

"Huh?"

"My first name is Jean, Miss Rockbell."

"It's Winry, just Winry."

"Well then, I'll see you around 'Just Winry'." He said grinning.

"Same to you Jean."

With that, they went their separate ways. She headed for the train station to get back to Risembool, and he went to look for more survivors. And that was the last she saw of him… until now.

Six months later…

Winry woke up slightly dazed to a bunch of chirping birds outside her window. It was the same dream she thought to herself. She dreamt she was in a white hallway and at the other end standing were Ed and Al. She would always try and run to them but no matter how hard she tried, she could never get to them.

She was always bothered by that dream. It wasn't that she needed it deciphered, she knew what it meant. It meant that Ed and Al were gone from her life and that they would live it out away from her. Just the fact that she kept having that dream even though she knew what it meant frustrated her.

Her grandma could see it too. It showed when she was working. She felt that staying here for so long brought back memories of Ed and Al, and it interfered with her work. So her grandma told her to take a trip to Central for at least three weeks. She had to threaten to kick Winry out of the house just to make her go until she finally agreed. Her grandma suggested she stay with the "bookworm" while she was there. She called up Sheska the day before and she agreed that three weeks in Central would do her some good.

Winry packed her things the night before so she just took a shower before heading out the door.

"Don't forget to say 'Hi' to the bookworm for me." Her grandma called after her.

"Her name is Sheska and yes I won't forget."

When she arrived in Central it was almost noon. Sheska must be on her lunch break. She thought to herself. So she decided to head down to the Central Head Quarters. She wasn't expected until two, but she figured that she could help Sheska with whatever she was doing.

"Okay 12 o'clock. Lunch break." Roy said to his subordinates composed of Breda, Falman, and Fuery as they rushed toward the door leaving him alone with Havoc and Hawkeye. Roy turned to his lovely lieutenant and a big grin came over his face. Havoc knew those two were romantically involved as well as the rest of Roy's subordinates. Ever since he came back six months ago they spent more time together than ever before. Whenever Hawkeye had given him paper work for him to sign, he didn't complain anymore. He would just take it with a smile and sign them. In Havoc's words, he was 'sprung.' Just then he heard Hawkeye giggle like a little school girl because Roy had whispered something in her ear.

"Ugh, you two make me sick." He told them making a face.

"Why lieutenant Havoc, it sounds to me like you're kind of jealous." Roy said putting emphasis on the last word.

"Hey at least I'm not the one who's sprung chief." He retorted smiling.

"Well I for one find that there's nothing wrong with being sprung. I certainly don't mind." Riza said pulling Roy closer to her.

Havoc walked out the door before he became sick to his stomach. Besides, lunch was one of the only times they could be alone together. And he didn't wanna spoil it for them. He needed a smoke anyway.

He was sitting on the Central steps for a while looking at the city and how much it had changed after six months. Repairs were still being done, but it looked a whole lot better. He was about to light a smoke when he saw Winry walking toward him. Quickly he put his cigarette away and went to meet her.

"Good afternoon Winry." He said with a cheerful smile on his face.

"Well hello there Havoc." She said smiling.

"It's Jean Miss Rockbell."

"Ugh, don't start that again." They both started laughing.

"So what are you doing here in Central?"

"I decided to take a three week vacation, I really need one."

"Oh is work getting to you?" he asked his words full of concern.

"No it's not that. It's just…" she started her voice getting serious. "I know it's been six months, and I know they're never coming back but I still can't help but think of Ed and Al. and being in Risembool for so long brings back memories of them. So I came here to get my mind off of them, but I have no idea what to do."

Havoc could tell she was really bothered by this. He hated seeing her like this and he had to something about it.

"Uh, Winry?"

"Yes?" he looked down and started fiddling with his hands.

"I was wondering…"

She cocked an eyebrow at him trying to figure out what was so hard for him to say to her.

"Really Jean, what is it you're trying to say?"

"Would, would you…" he sucked in a breath before finishing his sentence. "Would you like to go to dinner with me tonight?"

Winry wore a simple plain blue dress that was cut just above the knees. It was a strapless dress that showed off her curves. She had borrowed it from Gracia after her conversation with Havoc. Sheska had also lent her a pair of blue diamond earrings and a small blue bag to match the dress. Havoc was going to pick her up in 5 minutes and she was really, really nervous. When the doorbell rang, she quickly rushed up from where she was sitting and answered it. He was wearing a nice beige tuxedo with a red tie. Sheska wished them both a good night and shooed them off.

The ride to the restaurant was pretty awkward, so he decided to lighten the mood.

"That's a…really nice dress you're wearing." He complemented.

"Thank you. It's Gracia 's. She wore it the night Hughes took her out on their first date."

He flinched at the word. He really didn't know what to call this little outing.

Finally, they reached the restaurant. They told the waitress how many were dining, and waited to be seated. While waiting, Havoc took out a cigarette and was about to light it when the waitress beckoned for them.

When they were finally seated, they gave the waiter their orders and sat in more awkward silence. He sat there deep in thought trying to figure out what to say in a situation like this.

"Why do you do that?" Winry asked looking up at him.

"Hmm?" he said bringing him back to reality.

"Smoke. Why do you that? I mean there must be a reason why you smoke right?"

That question usually never came up in any of his conversations, but it was bound to happen sooner or later.

"Well it's been a really bad habit of mine for a long time. And… lets just say the reason is also pretty bad." He looked upset by the memory he had tried to forget so long ago. Winry saw this and reached across the table and placed a hand on his.

"It's okay, you can tell me. I'll listen." She said reassuringly. He didn't pull his hand back when she touched it. It felt warm and gave him a feeling of calm, so he continued.

"I loved my father, I really did. But sometimes, he just made me so mad. Sometimes he'd stay out late, get drunk, and we wouldn't see him again till morning. But one day, he just left. We thought he was just gonna go out and get drunk as usual but he didn't come back. He didn't even say good bye or nothing. And that's when I took up smoking. I was fifteen at the time I had my first smoke and ever since then, I've been hooked on it."

"I think you should stop." She said smiling.

"But I just finished my story." He said looking confused.

"No, I mean you should stop smoking. It's not good for your health and it certainly isn't romantic either."

He cocked an eyebrow at her. "Oh and just what do you know about romance?" he asked grinning.

"Let's just say that's the reason why so many women probably refuse you."

"Ouch, that really hurt." He chuckled rubbing his chest where his heart was. "But you know…you certainly didn't refuse me. So what was it that got you to say yes? Was it my good looks or my ability to charm women?" he asked smirking.

Before she could answer they're food had arrived. That's when she finally stopped holding his hand. Things seemed to be going smoothly after that. They were enjoying themselves and their conversations were livelier.

When dinner was finally over, he drove her back to Sheska's. Being a gentleman, he walked her to the door.

"I had a really good time tonight Jean." She said as she took her arms out of his jacket he had lent her before they got in the car. She draped the jacket over her arm.

"Yea, me too." Was all he could say. He really didn't know what to do at this point because he couldn't tell if this was a date or not.

"You still didn't answer my question." He said at last.

"Huh?"

"At the restaurant. You didn't tell me why you said yes to have dinner with me tonight."

"Well the truth is…" she started fiddling with the jacket. He starred intently at her. "I went out with you tonight because I needed to get my mind off of Ed and Al, and it seemed to work." A frown came over his face.

"Well I should be heading in now." She said giving him a quick kiss on the lips. "Good night." She turned toward the door, but he stopped her midway and turned her to face him. She looked down at the ground unable to face him. He cupped her chin in his hand to make her look at him. He stared deeply into her eyes and leaned in closer until their lips met. Slowly his arms encircled around her waist. Getting caught up in the moment, she brought around his neck dropping the jacket in the process to pull him to her. Somehow she knew she would be sleeping well that night.