So, as you all heard, this is continuing what Megsaku had already written (and I'm sure all of the compliments she'd thrown at me aren't necessarily true! XD). The story will be written from now on on my account, and will be updated very slowly, on account that I have three other stories that are unfinished, and I'm working on other works too. But this will be my newest WIP.

Disclaimer applies here; the idea as well as the characters do no belong to me. Rights belong to Hiromu Arakawa and original author and my bestest friend, Megsaku.

Return of Hope

Chapter Twelve

"Why do people here look like people back home?" She asked. He didn't look surprised at her question and began to answer.

"Well, it's like people from our world have dop-" He stopped mid-sentence. He looked at her abruptly and opened his mouth, but closed it again. No words came out.

Winry smiled. "I remember..."

Ed's eyes widened in surprise as the information settled into his brain. Her memory had... returned?

"-pelgangers," the word was wisped in a sigh, his shoulders drooping in understanding. Winry's face, once serious, was now happy and elated. Ed's brain wasn't functioning properly as the sincerity in her face told him how she'd come to this conclusion.

A dream.

X Winry's P.O.V X

It was strange; all of my memories had returned to me in a flash, as if they were harboring in the shipyard of my mind, just waiting for the opportunity to show me what I'd missed. Everything was there, from the moment Mr. Mustang called me in Resembool, asking for me to come to Central, to my arrival in this world and my (I gulped) scary experience of being raped.

I shuddered, immediately being greeted with the warm feeling of Ed's lips on my forehead.

"I guess... it was a matter of time," he was still breathless, not as much from the kiss as from the information given to him, and I shrugged. "I guess so," there was something in his eyes, a certain loving glow that I hadn't seen before. I pouted. "Edward, what is it?"

X Edward's P.O.V X

I didn't know what was going through my head, but I sure was glad that Winry had caused it. My head was swirling, and I craned my neck to look at her tiredly. "You just have your memory back. It's probably going to feel weird if you try to file them through at once, so why don't we just relax for a while? Al will be back before midnight from that god-forsaken job of his, and Noah will be starting dinner soon. Come on, lay down."

Even I was surprised at the words that so freely escaped my mouth. I'd never said anything like that before, so why did it feel so natural? Winry obliged, me spreading my arm out so she could lay on my shoulder and my arm could snake around and play with the hair by her ear. She giggled, pressing her hand to my chest.

"Wow," she said. Now it was her turn to be breathless, "I guess... we haven't really relaxed since I've been here. 'Guess now's as best a time as ever, eh?" I smiled and rested my chin on the top of her head. She was right; since she'd been here, it was a constant struggle to regain her memories and get her used to Germany. I sighed and closed my eyes in thought.

"We haven't really relaxed since I've been here..."

I fell into unconsciousness as the phrase echoed in my head.

X Normal P.O.V X

Downstairs, Noah was cooking dinner, just as the room turned a deep orange with the setting sun. A pot on top of the stove was simmering with freshly made stew, with fresh vegetables from the market and fresh beef from a farm stand down the road. The room was filled with the smell of carrots and the beef, making the woman swoon in her own wave of appraisal.

It was a Roma recipe, passed down through her mother and grandmother. There was an earthy taste, filling anyone eating it with the history and freeness of the Roma clan, and Noah just knew that Alphonse and Edward would fall in love with it...

Just as Edward had fallen for that young woman.

She held no hatred for the woman; she looked like a sweet and doting young woman, capable of handling any challenge thrown at her. The only problem the gypsy had was that she now felt unnecessarily uncomfortable liking Ed as she did, because she knew the way they looked at each other told her-

- her thought was interrupted when a loud crash echoed through the kitchen, and a gun was pointed toward her head.

"You! You're coming with us, Girl!"

Uh-oh-sies! I surely hope that this person isn't going to hurt Noah, no matter how much I don't like her... But, hey, she's important to the plot. XD

I know this chapter is short; Ill make it longer, and try so hard to update ASAP. (Keep in mind, I have 3 other stories to update too, plus new stuff, plus school. I'll do my best, though!)

Reviews are greatly appreciated, and a special thank you to Megsaku for letting me adopt this story :) I hope it's to yours and -points to reviewers- YOUR liking!

And! This is the only chapter you all will see 1st POV for me. The rest will be 3rd, a.k.a Normal POV.

~Cookie