Ed had never been very festive during the holiday season. He guessed it was because he was a bitter atheist, at least- that's what Al told him. He never bought decorations or went to parties, and he avoided anywhere public during the holidays.

But this Christmas party was one that he didn't mind attending. It would be Central Station's last, and everyone knew that, even if it wasn't said. He sat in the conference room, which was decorated with green and red streamers. A small Christmas tree was propped up in the corner, and one edge of the long table was dedicated to a variety of food. Usually employee get-togethers were half-ass attempts, but not this one. Everyone in the station was there, even Olivier Armstrong, the stone cold production head had showed up. Roy Mustang, the primary director, sat at the other end of the table next to Riza Hawkeye, the most reliable editor at the station.

Maes Hues, the station's top anchor, sat next to Roy. His wife Gracia was at his side, bouncing their daughter Elicia on her lap. Across from them was Rose, the other anchor. She hadn't touched her roast at all; only staring at the wall behind Ed's head. He didn't blame her; she was a single mom and obviously worried about her fate after the station closed. On her right was Lan Fan and Ling Yao, the two production specialists easily ate half of the casserole before Ed even had a chance to get to it.

His brother, Alphonse, was sitting next to him, smiling and nodding at something that Roy had said. It was only when the blonde producer elbowed his side that Ed sat up straighter and tuned in to the conversation.

"I mean, I remember it like yesterday. When Ed first started out on the studio cameras he had to use a stool to see the viewfinder. It's a wonder he's kept his job this long."

Ed rolled his eyes. "With all the shit you throw at me, it's a wonder I haven't quit yet."

Ling looked up from his meal. "Like you would ever quit."

"He wouldn't." Al said. "Ed doesn't see any friends outside of the station."

Roy chuckled. "It's a wonder he see's anything at all."

At this everyone laughed, and Ed brushed it off. It was definitely not the first time they joked at his expense.

The room went quiet after the jibe, and everyone sipped their champagne in an effort to dissipate the awkwardness.

It was then that Elicia tugged on Maes's sleeve. The man-who never missed a chance to give his daughter attention-, leaned down.

"When are we moving Daddy?"

In retrospect, Ed figured he should have kept quiet. But without thinking he blurted out, "You're moving?"

The smile fell from Maes's face, and he quietly excused himself from the party. Gracia laughed nervously, handing Elicia off to Riza before going after her husband.

If the room was awkward before, it was nothing compared to the silence that followed. Ed, whose face was red from embarrassment, was relieved when Roy cleared his throat.

"You all know where this station is headed." The director said. "I don't blame Maes. I expect all of you to be looking for new jobs as well."

Roy sipped his champagne. "We've all worked here for quite a while. I trust you all. I can be honest with you. I want everyone to have something lined up by June. Come July this station will be no more."

His face loosened up, and he gave them all a nostalgic smile.

"We had some good years."

Everyone agreed, and eventually the room proceeded with normal conversation. Ed however, remained quiet. His food untouched, he leaned back in his chair and contemplated just how different things would be if the world was not at peace.


"How do you even do this?" Ed asked, stretching his arms above his head. Riza leaned against the doorway of the editing bay. The small black room made it hard for him to make out her features (it didn't help that Ed preferred editing in total darkness) but she appeared to be grinning.

"Can't handle the dirty work?" She asked. "It's boring, yes, but somebody has to do it."

Ed gave a long yawn. "I just can't wait until Roy hires a new anchor. I miss doing live shots."

"I agree. Rebecca really threw us under the bus with her sudden resignation." Riza sighed, "But nobody can really blame her."

"I can." Ed said. "Because of her I haven't touched a camera in weeks."

"It's unlikely you'll do it in the coming months." Riza interjected. "With the wage Roy's offering, there's almost no way anybody will take Rebecca's position."

"Somebody's got to be desperate enough." He said, and standing up asked her, "I'm going to go grab some coffee. Want any?"

"I'll be fine." Riza said, heading back to her editing bay, and added with a sense of finality, "For my sake, I hope Roy does find a reporter. You're a lousy editor."

Ed gave an exaggerated frown. He knew that she was just giving him shit.

There were two ways to survive at the station. You either became a cynical bastard, or you became a normal bastard. Ed wasn't sure which category he fit into.

Heading back to the editing bays with a cup of mediocre coffee and a plate of stolen cookies, Ed turned the corner and gave a loud "fuck" as he bumped into someone, nearly spilling his drink and dropping the plate of snacks.

"Sorry, sorry." He said, leaning down to clean up his mess. The cookies would be fine- he thought with relief. He'd have to vacuum up the crumbs later.

"Ed?"

He looked up sharply at the sound of that voice. It sure as hell wasn't Riza's.

"Winry?"

Sure enough, his childhood friend stood before him. She was much prettier than he remembered her. She wore her blonde hair tied up and a form fitting blue dress. Her face was more angular than he remembered, but her eyes were the same, big and blue like they had always been.

Realizing that he was still on the ground, holding a plate of floor cookies and staring up at her like an idiot, Ed got to his feet.

"What are you doing here?"

"I could as you the same question." She said, putting a hand on her hip.

"I've worked here for a couple years now." He said, raising an eyebrow at her.

She nodded as if that were fair enough. "I just applied for the reporter job." She said. "And Roy was pretty quick to give it to me. I'm honestly surprised."

Ed sighed. "Don't be." He said, and when Winry gave him a questioning look, he glanced at the clock on the wall to see that his dinner break was near.

"Are you doing anything today?" he asked.

She shrugged. "Filling out some paperwork, but other than that…"

He gave her a grin. "Why don't we go out to dinner? It's been a while."


Being the broke twenty two year old that he was, Ed was silently overjoyed that Winry settled for a coffee shop. They ate biscuits at a round table, which was by a window overlooking the ice-glazed road. Both had ordered double shots in their coffee, and Ed assumed it was because Winry was just as stressed out as he was.

"So why are you here?" he asked, not really sure how to gracefully lead into a subject. Winry knew that, and didn't skip a beat.

"I saw the opening on a newspaper in Resembool." She said. Leaning back, she sipped her coffee and said: "I had been working at Garfiel's radio station for some time as an engineer. I really enjoyed it there, the technology was fascinating to me, even if it was a little outdated."

Ed nodded. Garfiel had been running the radio station for as long as he could remember. It broadcasted local and national news, as well as occasional music. His mom had always listened to it in the mornings while making breakfast.

"At one point, Garfiel had gotten a nasty cold and his voice was nearly gone." Winry continued, "He enlisted me to do the show in his stead. I was nervous as hell, but I actually found it pretty fun. I cohosted with him every now and again, and filled in on the weekends. I liked it so much that when I saw the opening in central I thought I might as well try it out. I had a good reference."

"I see." The camera operator said. "But Winry I have to tell you… this job won't last long. The station is going under before the end of the summer."

The blonde started, blinking. "Why?"

Ed gazed out the window. "Television hasn't advanced like we thought it would. People still prefer radios. They're simple and inexpensive. That and we lost our contract deal with a big marketer. He was going to use television and out broadcasts as a way to bring more people into his electronics shop, and we based too much off of that deal. That's why you were hired so quickly."

She sat back, twiddling her thumbs.

"-but," Ed added quickly, "At least this way if you don't like it here you won't have to commit too much. You get a reference and you don't have to worry about being in a job you don't like."

"I guess." Winry said, and sighing, she put her head in her hands. Ed stiffened, hoping that she wouldn't cry. Rose had done it once after a particularly bad show, and it left him rather confused and weary.

But by his luck, she looked up with dry eyes, even if here eyebrows were turned down in frustration.

"I'm sorry Winry." He said, looking out the window. "It's not a very fun concept."

"It's worse for you than it is for me." She pointed out. "Besides, haven't you been working here for a few years now?"

"Four," Ed said with a nod. "We're basically like a family there now."

"I'm sorry." Winry said sympathetically. "That's got to be pretty painful."

He supposed it was. He'd never tell them, but he cared quite a bit about the crew., even if they made him question his sanity nearly every day.

"Anyways," he started, not keen on continuing with that subject. "How are thing's moving back home?"

"They aren't." she said, grinning, and Ed smiled back.

"Sounds like typical Resembool. How's Pinako?"

"The same as always," Winry said, "She's going to be incredibly pissed off when you two talk. She was wondering when you and Al would call. Or at least send a letter."

Ed cocked his head. "I did!"

She raised an eyebrow, "Twice. In four years Ed, you only sent us two letters."

"Well it's not like I don't have a life here."

"And you didn't have one back home?"

He paused, crossing his arms. "Not after what happened."

Winry looked away quickly. "I suppose not."

He stood up, it had been nearly six years since Ed had spoken freely about his mother's death, he wasn't about to start now.

"Hey," he said, reaching his hand out to Winry, who was doing everything she could to avoid eye contact. "I've got to head back to work. How about I give you a ride home? Taxi fare is rather ridiculous."

He smiled, trying to be reassuring. He hadn't meant to upset her. To his relief she took the hand that he offered her, and together they returned to his car.

"So when do you report for work?" he asked, turning the heat up as soon as the car started.

"Next week." She said, "I'll be trained for a couple weeks by Maes. I should be in the studio by the end of the month."

"Exciting." He said, pulling out of the parking lot. "Do you know what your first project will be?"

"I'll be reporting at the capital building during the new year's party."

Ed nodded, he had expected as much. The station took whatever chance they had to put something on the news, even something as menial as a party. That party in particular was one that he wasn't excited about. The last time he had gone he was barely the legal drinking age, and had went way over the top on alcohol intake. The hangover he suffered the next day had left him with a fear of beer that lasted several months.

"So are you staying with Al?" she asked, "I'd like to see him soon."

"We share an apartment on North Avenue." Ed said, and then added. "I forgot to tell you, but he works at the station too, he's a producer."

Winry gave him a look. "Why would they hire somebody from your family? Doesn't that run a risk of dragging your personal life into the office?"

Ed shrugged. "Sure it does. But Al and I rarely fight. We're pretty good at keeping our business out of work."

"I guess that makes sense." She said, "So when are you going to invite me over for dinner?"

He raised an eyebrow. "That's usually a thing I'm supposed to bring up. You can't just invite yourself over."

"Sure I can!" she said, grinning at him.

He sighed. The apartment hadn't been properly cleaned in almost a month. "Maybe this weekend? I can come get you."

"Sounds good to me." She said. "I live on Grays Road, but I can just meet you at the train station if that's too far to drive."

"That might work better." Ed said, "Are you all moved in?"

"Not yet," she said, "Granny Pinako is coming next week to help me out."

The camera operator sighed heavily. "So I guess I'll be seeing her sooner than I thought."

"Yep!" Winry affirmed. "I just wanted to give you a fair warning."

"In that case, I might quit my job sooner than I thought."

They laughed, and Ed's smile lasted a little longer than it usually did.


Despite how fast he drove, Ed was still ten minutes late when he returned to the station. Winry lived much farther out than he had thought, and they were quick to decide that she'd take the train from then on. Gas was expensive.

He bounded up the concrete stairs two steps at a time, and quickly entered his key code and swung open the heavy door. He jumped when he saw none other than Roy Mustang waiting inside.

"You're late." The director said.

"I know, I'm sorry." Ed said, "It won't happen again."

Roy raised a black eyebrow. "I don't want an apology." He said, and as Ed moved past him he continued: "What I want is to know about your relationship with Miss Rockbell."

He stopped, wondering at his boss's implications. "What do you mean?" He asked carefully.

"Maes saw you leaving with her." Roy elaborated.

Ed sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "She's an old friend," he said, turning around to smile at him. "We just went out for coffee is all."

"And you two are getting along?"

"Well-yeah…" Ed said, folding his arms in front of him.

"Good." Roy said, "That means you'll work well together."

The blonde rolled his eyes, and began to make his way down the hall. He was nearly around the corner when the director called after him:

"You'll be staying after tonight, by the way."

He wasn't surprised at this. "What would you like me to do?" he grumbled. "Being after hours, it's not like there's any news."

"I know." The dark haired man grinned at him. "You can fill the printers, your favorite job."

"Goddammit."


That weekend was spent vigorously cleaning their apartment, not just for Winry, but for the sake of cleaning as well. It was quite disgusting, and Ed breathed a large sigh when they had finally finished.

Al was jittery the entire drive to the train station. When Ed had first told him of Winry's employment at Central Station, his brother had immediately gone to a phone to try to get a hold of her. When the operator put him through, they spent a good twenty minutes talking, all the while Ed sat at the table viewing a photography book. But he did manage to catch every other sentence, and from what he heard, Winry was getting along with Al much better than she did with him.

"I still can't believe you didn't invite me to get coffee with you two." Al said accusingly.

"You were busy blocking a show." Ed said, "And besides, it was a spur of the moment thing. I quite literally ran into her."

By now they had pulled into the parking lot of the train station, and were layering up for the bitter winter cold before they went out to meet Winry. Al was quick to do so, obviously more excited than Ed. It wasn't that the older brother didn't want to see her; it was just that it had been a long day, and ever since their awkward meeting he wasn't keen on doing it again.

They made their way onto the concrete plateau, both with their hands stuffed deep in the pockets of their leather jackets. It was only when Al spotted Winry that the younger removed them to instead open his arms wide and pick her up in a sweeping hug.

"It's so great to see you!" He said, and setting her down, continued: "We should head to the car soon though, it's pretty cold out."

The blonde nodded, and smiled at Ed briefly before becoming engrossed in a conversation with Al as the three started back for the car. About halfway there Ed overhead Winry saying something to the effect of: "You've gotten tall!" to which his eyebrow twitched rather aggressively.

The ride home was full of small talk, with Ed occasionally adding in a sarcastic jibe. He was grateful that they only had to drive from the train station, since the roads were icy this time of night and his driving skills weren't nearly as good as they could have been.

When they finally made it up to the apartment, the chicken in the oven was well done, if even a little too done. Ed took off his coat before reaching in the fridge to grab some salad. It was the first acceptable dinner they had had in months.

"Nice place you've got here." Winry commented, setting her shoes by the door before finding her way to the table. "Your walls are pretty bare though."

"I suppose we never got around to decorating." Al said, taking the chicken out of the oven.

"Yeah," Ed affirmed, "That, and the fact that we're never home… well it makes for a pretty lame apartment."

"How late do you work?" Winry asked as she sat down.

"Ed is usually done by ten." Al said, "But I'm not out of there until eleven, and since he's my ride, he gets held down at the station quite a bit."

"And you're a producer, right Al?"

"That's right!" The brother grinned at her as he took out three plates and some appropriate silverware. "I write the scripts and find the stories. And if I'm ever planning on taking a day off, well that means I'm doing double time the night before."

"That's terrible!" She said.

"That's life." Ed responded. "You work your ass off and hope you can make it til the next year."

"At least- that's what Olivier says," Al interjected," and she's not the biggest optimist."

"And what does she do?"

By now Al had finished the plates and set them on the table. He went to grab a pitcher of water, meanwhile explaining Olivier's position as production head.

"She can be intimidating, but she has to be if she wants us all to behave." He said.

"She's also the scariest bitch you'll meet." Ed added quickly, and when Al shot him a look he continued: "But she's not so bad if you just do what she says."

"She's fair." The younger elaborated. "More than people give her credit for."

"Oh my," Winry said, picking up her fork. "You two really haven't changed."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"


The night continued with jokes and good company. Ed admitted to himself that he missed just sitting and talking with Al. It had been a while since the brother's had actually spent quality time together. Winry was a nice bonus too, though for some reason she made him nervous. He couldn't quite figure out why.

Before they knew it the clock hit midnight and the trio spent a good five minutes bundling up before venturing out to the car. The ride back to the station was quiet, the streets being rather empty at that time of night. The brother's walked her up the concrete steps, and they bid goodbye before venturing back to the car, trying to not look as if they were in a hurry due to the weather.

"You know something Ed?" Al asked once they had pulled back onto the street. "Winry has gotten really pretty."

"You think so?" the older of the two asked, and the producer rolled his eyes.

"Don't act like you didn't notice."

Ed sat up straighter. "I guess she has. But I thought you had a thing with the neighbor girl?"

"May?" Al asked, blinking. "Well yeah, I guess I do. I was just pointing it out is all."

Ed released a huff, bringing his eyes back to the road. He only looked back at the passenger seat when Al giggled.

"What are you laughing at?" he asked.

"Nothing, though I should warn you, it's never a good idea to get involved with a coworker."

He felt his face get red as his foot hovered over the break. "I don't have a thing with Winry."

"Not anymore anyways." Al said. "I'm just referencing that time you two kissed."

He punched his brother's arm lightly. "We were nine."

"Yeah, and she had to bend down to kiss you."

Ed glared ahead. "Says the guy who hasn't even been kissed yet."

At this his younger brother scoffed. "Like you would know."

"Well- have you?"

They sat in silence for a good ten seconds, only to burst into laughter.

Ed couldn't help but wonder what would happen when the station closed down, and the inevitability of them working separately, and even the thought of moving away from each other left him a little empty inside..


A/N

Hey guys! I decided to go back and change somethings and repost. (notice I've combined chapter one and chapter two, if you read this fic before the reposting) Hope that's all good with you.

Hope you enjoy this story, chapter two is on it's way after some editing. Please let me know what you think!