Okay, about this system. I'll make oneshots whenever I feel inspired. This isn't like my other stories. This isn't a series. I don't get inspired easily.

I had this idea a long time ago, but I didn't bother writing it. Yeah, this is pretty much a songfic. I don't own FMA or Nickelback's Far Away. This is my second songfic. Don't kill me.

Ed sighed as he fiddled jadedly with a pencil. He and Alphonse shared the small, twin bed, room. It had a couch, a squeaky fan, an armchair, and a coffee table. Ed laid on the ugly, green couch and his brother sat, reading a book on the matching armchair. The coffee table was sprawled with casual papers. To Ed, they weren't important. To his job, they meant everything.

Al looked up from his book and bowed his helmet head in a stern way. "Brother, you really should fill out that paper work."

"That's Colonel Bastard's job, not mine."

"Ed!" Al scolded.

"Wha-a-at?" Ed let out a groan of annoyance.

"Just do it or you'll loose your job."

"Fine," Ed grumbled.

The only problem was it took a half hour to get it done. For Edward Elric, that was an eternity. To Alphonse Elric, it was a waste of moaning and groaning and whining.

Ed went back to Roy Mustang's office. He set the paperwork on the desk. "Done." He said dully.

"Good, you need to do one more thing." Mustang said as he linked his fingers under his chin.

"What is it now?!" Ed shouted. Jean and Cain gave each other a look that said 'Ed was gonna get it.' But 'it' didn't come.

Roy pulled out a single, blue piece of paper. "This is a requirement."

Ed scanned it over and gave Mustang a death glare.

"No way in HELL—"

"You don't have a choice. Führer Bradley insisted on it." Mustang said with a hint of bitterness.

Ed raised an eyebrow. "You agree with me?"

"Oh, I can go, but it would be EXTREMELY boring. I've got plenty of better ways to spend my time." Mustang said matter-of-factly.

Hawkeye rolled her eyes.

COME ONE, COME ALL
TO THE STATE ALCHEMIST SUMMER BALL

EVERY STATE ALCHEMIST IS TO REPORT WITH A DATE TO THIS FANTASTIC SUMMER BALL.

MALE OR FEMALE IS REQUIRED TO BRING A GUEST (MUST BE A DATE, NOT A FAMILY MEMBER).

FREE REFRESHMENTS

DANCING

LIVE BANDS!!

Ed reread this paper more then a dozen times. Who could he possibly bring to this god damn ball? Roze? No… Liore was going to war with Central soon, he could tell. Paninya? Nah, too far away. Winry? Did she even like stuff like this?

Winry was his best bet so far. She was his childhood friend as well as his mechanic. He owed her this much (even if he did pay a fortune for the automail).

"Al, I'm going to make a phone call." Edward said as he sat up slowly.

"Okay, Brother." Al acknowledged, not looking up from his book.

Ed walked into the hall and dialed Winry's number. It rung a few times before there was an answer.

"Hello, Rockbell Automail, Pinako Rockbell speaking."

"Hey, Granny, it's Ed. Can I talk to Winry?"

"You didn't break your automail again, did you?"

"No! Nothing like that!"

"Okay," It was obvious she wasn't convinced. But, nonetheless, Ed heard her calling for Winry in the background.

"Hello?" Her voice sounded on the phone. Strangely, to Ed, it sounded extremely good to hear her voice again… like he missed it after years of being apart.

"H-Hey Win! What's up?"

"Not much Ed." There was a pause. "Did you break your automail again?"

"Why does everybody keep asking me that?" Ed sighed in irritation.

"Because! The only time you ever call is if you need more automail!" Winry said frustration apparent in her voice.

"Well, I don't need automail right now! Everything is just fine!" Ed growled.

"Then why did you call?!" She fumed.

"Maybe I just shouldn't have called in the first place! I'll just go to that damn ball alone!" Ed raged. "Or I'll go with Schezka or something!"

There was a moment of angry silence between them.

"Ed, what are you talking about?" Winry asked.

"I called to ask you to this stupid ball thing this weekend. It's kinda mandatory. And I need to bring a date." He explained calmly, though steam still streamed out of his ears.

She was quiet for a moment; Ed almost thought she hung up. "Why'd you ask me?"

Ed was stunned. "Because you're my best friend. I don't know any other girls that would go or anything, and well… you just stick out in my mind. That's all."

Another moment of stillness, only this time it was awkward.

"Ed, I'd love to go with you." Winry said, finally breaking the silence like a mirror.

Ed felt something strange in his chest. Did his heart just skip a beat? No, he must have eaten something weird for lunch.

"Okay thanks." Ed said. "So, when will you be here?"

"I'll pack tonight and leave first thing in the morning."

"I'll be waiting when you arrive."

"Thank you. Bye Shrimp!" There was a click and a dial tone.

Ed snarled and slammed the phone down.

Damn that girl! Maybe he'd send Armstrong to pick her up instead. That would get her!

A few days later, Ed ran a hand through his hair. Why did he bother coming here? He didn't know. Al asked if Ed wanted him to go along, but Ed claimed he'd be fine getting Winry alone.

He milled to the front and waited with annoyed, slanted eyes. He crossed his arms and waited for the train doors to open.

They finally did. He looked into a window and thought he saw the familiar blonde hair, but it turned out to be a lady that was MUCH older than Winry.

He looked down the line of people pushing their way through other people trying to get to friends and loved ones. Edward was about to just give up looking for Winry when he suddenly heard a voice call to him.

"ED!"

He turned just in time to have arms thrown around his neck and a whirl of long blonde hair followed.

"Winry! Can't… breathe!" he managed to choke.

"Oh, sorry!" She let go and giggled. "I just thought you would send someone else to come get me."

"Hey," he shrugged and looked down at the suitcase at her feet. "I said I was going to get you, didn't I?"

"Yes you did." Winry said, obviously impressed. She took his hand. Ed flushed. Why the hell was she holding his hand?

She picked his right hand to eye level and pulled the gloved off.

Now he knew why. She wanted to make sure that Ed didn't break his automail.

She rolled up the sleeve of the red trench coat and examined as much of the arm as she could form their position. Ed's eyes went back into narrow annoyance. "Winry, can't you do this back in the room?"

He looked around casually as people stared at them. An over obsessive girl examining every inch of a hansom boy's automail. A very strange sight.

Winry sighed in agitation. "Fine." She let go of his hand and gave him back his glove. "I'm surprised you actually lived up to your word on more then one thing." She said as they started walking away from the station.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ed snapped.

"You know what it means! You never keep your promises, just like when we were little kids!" Winry said calmly.

"Yeah, whatever." Ed scratched the back of his head. What the hell was she going on about? He couldn't understand what she was trying to say. Just like girls to do that.

She kept blabbing and he tuned her out. It was probably nonsense anyway. He agreed whenever a question popped up, but other then that, he was in his own world.

Before he knew it, they were outside the military apartment building. They stopped at the doors.

"Ed?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you listening to me?"

"Yeah."

She suddenly got in his face. "Then answer the question I just asked you."

His face flushed at the closeness. "Huh?"

"If you heard me, you would have been able to answer it." Winry scowled.

"S-Sorry!" he stuttered. What the hell was wrong with him? Winry was so close… he could feel his heart racing… he just wanted to touch her face and—WHOAH! Hold on there, Eddie-boy! What the hell was he thinking?! Kissing Winry?! His best friend? Nonetheless a girl he considered a SISTER?!

"I said: When is that ball thing you were talking about?" she repeated the unheard question.

"S-Saturday." He replied.

She smiled at him. There was no reason behind he that was evident, but she smiled genuinely at him.

Ed tried to loop his maroon tie around in a full length mirror. He was never good with dress clothes. He bit his lip and furrowed his brow. The white suit he wore looked wrinkled and the tie was very hard to get on.

In the end, Ed ended up ripping it off and throwing it on the floor. He unbuttoned the top three buttons on his white shirt. He grumbled and sat on the couch, folding his arms like a toddler having a hissy fit.

Ed heard a door open and he glanced to the bathroom to see Winry coming out in nothing but a towel. He bit his lip hard and blushed furiously. The water clung to her skin and hair as she walked over to her suitcase and opened it, kneeling down and rummaging through it. He never took her eyes off the girl while she did so.

She skin shone with glistening water. She ran a hand through her hair, shaking it a little. It was obvious she brushed the soft locks. Her skin was a slightly rosy color from the warm shower.

Winry pulled out some black cloth that he wasn't familiar with and she glanced at him.

"Ed, why aren't you ready yet?" she asked, furrowing her brow.

"Uh-um…. My tie… won't…." he tried to speak, but his voice was caught in his throat.

Winry sighed and mumbled something about "men and their ties." She walked over and bent down to pick up the tie, holding the towel around her chest. Ed got a glimpse of her cleavage and flushed even harder, if possible.

Winry knelt in front of Ed and buttoned his shirt before she slipped the tie over his head and started looping it around like a professional. Ed tried to his the blush on his features, but he could feel his face beat red. Ed could hear his ears pounding with embarrassment as he looked down at Winry tying his tie. She was wearing nothing but a towel. A measly little towel. How much did that cover? Not much, obviously. And it was starting to slip as she moved. He made himself look away as Winry let go and pulled the towel back up. From the corner of his eye, he could see Winry blushing as well.

"Did you see anything?" she asked as she tightened his tie.

He shook his head.

"Good." Winry stood up, grabbed the cloth and underwear, and departed into the bathroom.

A half hour later, Winry stepped out with an elegant black dress. It flared at the shoulders and demonstrated her collar and top of her chest. The velvet material flowed down to her feet. A silky bow in the back held a satin veil in the back of the dress. The edge of the veil had white sequins dotting the bottom. Her hair was down and cascaded below the bow. In her hair was a real, dark violet flower with sequin strings flowing with her hair.

She bit her lip as she looked at him. "How do I look?" she asked.

He just gazed at her, completely stunned. "You look…."

She frowned. "I look horrible, don't I?"

"No way!" He stood up. "You look… so great!"

She smiled evenly, a light blush crossing her cheeks. "I have something for you, Ed."

"Y-You do?" He stuttered.

"Mmhmm," she nodded. She walked over to her suitcase and opened it. She took out a plastic box with a maroon flower in it, just like the one in her hair. She took it out of the box and walked over to Ed. She pinned it to his blazer. After she did this, she pulled it straight and brushed off his shoulders.

"Wow, Ed, you look like a totally different person!" she laughed.

Ed looked into the mirror. He did. His hair was in a neat braid, his clothes were far from dark, a healthy flush shone in his cheeks, and he looked neat. He wasn't a slob like he usually was.

"Ed, you've been so nice to me this week. We barely fought." Winry said, looking down at her still bare feet. "I'm happy we're getting along better."

"I think the safe automail saved me," said Ed.

"You bet it did!" She put her hands on her hips. "If you did anything, and I mean anything to it that I didn't like, you would be hurting right now."

Ed looked away sleazily, scratching his chin. "Eh, so Winry, where'd Al go?"

The boy just noticed his brother's disappearance. Al hadn't been in the room since before he took a shower.

"He went outside to read." Winry said as she slipped on some black strap shoes. "He said he won't be back for a while. He also said 'have fun'."

"Oh, we'll have a blast." Edward said with bitter sarcasm.

Ed and Winry sat next to each other at the ball. It was decorated with purple, pink, and blue ribbons. It was actually some sort of celebration. Ed tuned out as Führer King Bradley droned on about some sort of State Alchemist legacy on a stage. Ed pulled at a loose string on his white gloves.

"…And now, let the festivities begin!" Bradley shouted. Out of a door, waiters piled out with trays of food and drinks.

A waiter placed a plate of food in front of Ed and Winry along with glasses of champagne. Ed looked at the steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans with a dull look before looking at Winry.

"I really don't want to be here." He said in a monotone.

"Well, I think it's nice!" She said brightly. "I mean, the Führer talked a little long and it was a little boring, but this dinner seems nice and the decorations are beautiful!"

Ed looked across the table for the first time to see who he shared a table with. There was an older man with pepper-colored hair that brought his wife and… Mustang. But, the most surprising part about him was, not that he was at the same table, but his date. Riza Hawkeye.

Ed blinked as he stared at the man.

"Ed, it's not polite to stare." Riza said as she began to cut her steak.

He cleared his throat, "R-Right." Ed reached for his glass of champagne. Winry slapped his hand.

"Edward!"

"Sorry." He grumbled. Roy chuckled and took an elegant sip of his drink.

"Want to grow up, now, don't you Fullmetal?" Roy asked.

"Shut up, you." Ed growled.

"Well, alchohol wont help you grow." Roy sauntered. "But milk will."

"Give the kid a break, his folks probably forgot to mention to give the boy and his date something non-alchoholic to drink." The strange man said.

"What are you saying?! I can't be in the military?!" Ed got to his feet. The room seemed to quiet a little. Winry looked around and pulled him back to his seat.

"Ed, calm down, please!"

The man only laughed. "You can't be a State Alchemist! How old are you, like fourteen?"

"I'm sixteen you ass!" Ed corrected oh-so politely. "And I've been in the military since I was twelve!"

The man laughed again, a big booming laugh. "So, what's you're nickname then?"

"Fullmetal."

The man put his fork and knife down. "I obviously stand corrected."

"You bet you have!"

"Ed, stop making a scene." Winry urged.

"Yes, Elric. Would you please calm down." Hawkeye spoke. "It's not good to have people staring at you."

Ed would have steam coming out of his ears if that was possible.

During the meal, Winry talked with Riza and Roy and the other alchemist spoke to each other. Ed kept quiet, not uttering a word unless spoken to.

After dessert was brought out and eaten, people started to get up and dance to the music and live band. Some band Ed never heard of, Backnickel or something.

Ed noticed some french windows on the far side of the hall and got up. "I need some air." He said to Winry. Winry sighed.

"I'll go with you."

They got up and Ed led her through the crowded and opened the windows onto a balcony. They went through and Ed walked over to the railing overlooking the city of Central. He leaned with his back against the city.

"Wow…" Winry leaned over the edge, looking at the sparkling city. "It's so beautiful!"

Ed looked over at her, a serine smile played on his lips. "Sure is."

They stood there for a while, just talking. About the city, about their childhood, about what they've missed.

"So, do you have a boyfriend?" Ed asked.

"No," she giggled. "I'm waiting for this boy to ask me though."

"Do I know him?"

"Maybe…." She smirked slyly, and wiggled her toosh a little.

"Is it Al?"

"No…"

"Is it Mustang?"

"What?!"

"Is it?"

"No!"

"Who is it?!"

"I'm not telling you!" Winry giggled again. "So, do you have a girlfriend?"

"If I did, she'd be here instead of you." Ed looked out into the city.

"Hmm…." Winry crossed her arms. There was silence between them. "Ed?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you like anyone right now?"

"What do you mean?" He asked, a tad confused.

"You know what I mean. Do you like any girl right now? Anyone you want to ask out?" She clearified.

He thought for a moment. "I think so… my feelings for her are confusing right now."

She looked at him. "How so?"

He looked at her. "Well, lately, I can't stop thinking about her. I've been thinking she's beautiful, perfect, and strong. She can't do anything wrong, even if we disagree. But, we fight a lot. She's not afraid to be open with me. Everytime she walks into the room, I feel strange. But, I think of her as a sister, so it also bothers me a little. But it bothers me less and less the more I talk to her or look at her."

"Sounds like you like her a lot." Winry said. Ed could have sworn he heard a hint of sorrow in her voice.

"Winry, do you want to dance?"

She turned to him and smiled. "I'd love to."

Ed took her by the hand, feeling his heart jump. He grinned widely at her and led her inside while a slow song was playing. Before they even got on the floor, the song ended.

Ed took her hand as the next song started. Winry put her other hand on his shoulder. Ed wrapped an arm around her waist.

This time, This place
Misused, Mistakes
Too long, Too late
Who was I to make you wait
Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

"You know, Ed, you can learn from this song." Winry pointed out as they twirled.

"What's it about? I haven't been listening to the lyrics." Ed said. Winry sighed.

"Just listen."

That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore

Ed blushed. "What, you want me to confess my love for you?" He asked.

She giggled. "I don't know. Depends if you love me or not."

On my knees, I'll ask
Last chance for one last dance
'Cause with you, I'd withstand
All of hell to hold your hand
I'd give it all
I'd give for us
Give anything but I won't give up
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

Ed's eyes widened. "What the hell? Are they stalking me or something?"

"Ed, it's just a song!" Winry laughed. "Why do you think they'd be stalking a shrimp like you, anyway?"

Ed flushed. "I'm not a shrimp!" He grumbled. "I grew."

Winry blinked as she noticed he was right. Even with heals, the blonde boy was still taller then her by at least three inches. "You… had a growth spurt."

That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore

So far away
Been far away for far too long
So far away
Been far away for far too long
But you know, you know, you know

Ed scowled. "These people say 'far away' to freakin' much. If they say it one more time, I'm going to 'far away' their asses."

"Ed, chill, it's only a song." Winry sighed as she laid her head on his chest. Ed laid his head on top of hers as they swayed to the music.

I wanted
I wanted you to stay
'Cause I needed
I need to hear you say
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I forgive you
For being away for far too long
So keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
Hold on to me and, never let me go

"Ed, who exactly was that girl you were talking about?" Winry asked, looking up into his golden eyes with her cerulean ones.

"Who was that boy you were talking about?" Ed asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Say it on three?" Winry suggested.

Ed remembered from their childhood. Whenever they both had to tell secrets, they made a system. Instead if rock-paper-scissors they would say their secret at the same time.

"Right." Ed agreed.

"One-" Winry said.

"Two-" Edward said.

"Three!" the said at the same time. They took a deep breath.

"You."

Ed felt time stop. They stood on the dance floor, not even swaying to the music anymore. They just looked into each others eyes, as if they had been spoken to in another language.

Ed leaned down and touched her lips softly. His heart was pounding in his throat. Winry's arms wrapped around his neck and his held her closer.

Finally… he knew how he felt about the girl from his childhood. He was absolutely head over heals in love with her.

They broke apart and looked into each other's eyes again.

"Wow…" Winry breathed.

"Yeah…" Ed gasped.

Winry placed her head on his chest. They began swaying to the next song so they wouldn't look like total idiots on the dance floor.

"I love you Winry Rockbell."

"I love you Edward Elric."

Ed and Al stood outside the window of the soon-to-departing train.

"You boys better come home soon!" Winry said.

"We'll come by in a few weeks, I promise." Ed confirmed.

"You better!"

"Don't worry, Winry." Al said, "Ed's been getting better with promises. Just like the milk thing."

"I still hate the stuff." Ed stuck out his tongue bitterly.

"Come here you," Winry leaned over the edge. Ed stood on her toes and kissed her.

Al snickered. Ever since he caught the two making-out in their room, he'd been picking on them.

"All aboard!" the conductor rang out.

The boys waved as she moved away. Winry shouted something, but it was unheard over the chugging of the train.

"Think she'll be okay?" Al asked as the train disappeared.

"Yeah…."

During the ball, Ed noticed Bradley watching him closely with Winry. He knew Bradley was a homunculus, but wasn't sure if he'd do anything.

He was going back to Dublith soon. Izumi said she found something that might help Ed.

Edward watched the train leave, wondering if he would see Winry again as soon as he said he would.

He hoped he would. Next time he saw her, he had a present for her. He shoved his hand into his pocket and fingered the ring he had… waiting in his pocket for it to be worn.

I really do love her.