May 20th, 1956

Winry was nervous about going to Xing. It wasn't that she feared going or didn't want to. It was just that neither she nor Edward really knew what the final word would be from the doctors when they got there. If they would accept Ed for treatment, Ren had already warned them that it might take several weeks depending on Ed.

It all rested on Ed's health and strength. Given that was what had been cut down so harshly the past three years, Winry knew that Ed worried. He did not want to live the way he did now, feeling like so much less than he had been, and Winry did not have the heart to say no to this mission; this quest to find a solution or at least a final answer. It certainly couldn't have worse chances than his and Al's search for the Philosopher's Stone. Winry hoped that it did not have as dramatic an outcome! She wanted Ed to be happy, and she wanted his health restored as badly as he did, but not at the risk of what of his life might remain.

At least they were going together and not without family. Will, as Ren's guest as well of course, was coming with them for his planned trip to meet her family and the opportunity to work for the summer and do a little research of his own. They had joined them at the train stop on Amestris' south-eastern border, where the train crossed the desert to reach Xing. Ren was glad to be going home after a year away, and Will looked just as eager – if more nervous – than he had during winter break! Though he had obviously been preparing for the trip. As before, he was neatly trimmed, clean-shaven, and his clothing was as neatly pressed as when he'd lived with his parents. Will had also dropped the fifteen pounds he'd gained in college. Winry was glad to see he and Ren still looked as happy together as they had before. It definitely looked more and more like this would be a permanent arrangement. At least in Winry's opinion.

There was one other family member with them that Winry had almost laughed to have him included; Pir. The little dog had been inseparable from Edward for months, and the attachment clearly went both ways. Like Black Hayate had with Riza, Pir went with Edward to headquarters. Fortunately, other than his insistence on begging for food, Ed was good at training dogs and Pir was well behaved. He had also slimmed down some – as Ed had predicted – when they got into serious play and training, so he wasn't nearly the roly-poly he had been as a tiny pup despite his begging.

The other two dogs were left to guard the house, with Al and Sara both promising to split house-watching duty and make sure the dogs were played with and taken care of and weren't lonely. Sara's pup – eventually named Twist for her love of chasing her tail and running in circles - had already gone to live with her family a couple of months before.

So they rode the train – still a solid two and a half week trip to the Imperial City – and as they neared it, Ed grew increasingly more agitated. He took to pacing the cars as a way to get out the pent up energy and Pir paced with him. Instead of staying in their berth, he spent hours in the observation car watching the scenery – even in the empty desert.

Winry was unsurprised to find Ed missing when she reached the berth they were sharing with Will – Ren had her own – to find her nephew and Ren sitting and talking quietly, but no sign of Edward. "Where's Ed?" she asked, holding the tray that contained the lunch she had just picked up for them both.

"He said he was going to the observation car," Will informed her with an apologetic shrug. "That was right after you left."

"Thanks. I'll find him." Winry headed out again, this time with a better idea of where to find her husband. The observation car was, fortunately, only a couple of cars behind the one they were riding in, and Ed was actually there, standing near the back staring out the windows at the rolling landscape that had changed to Xing hills just that morning. He held what looked like a glass of water, half full. "I thought you wanted lunch," she teased softly as she approached.

Ed came out of whatever thoughts he was contemplating and smiled at her. "Yeah. I just wanted a little more space. Sorry I didn't wait."

"It's all right." Winry gestured with a shrug to one of the empty booths and tables. "We can eat here and enjoy the view." Pir sniffed at her and then wagged his tail hopefully. "Yes, I have your lunch too," Winry rolled her eyes. The dog was so spoiled! If she hadn't insisted on dog food, Ed probably would have let the thing subsist on steak and table scraps. Fortunately, they had brought dog food on the trip.

They sat down, but as Winry started to eat her salad she noticed Ed staring out the window again. It happened a lot lately. Ed spent much more time thinking still, somewhere other than the present. Like he was dreaming when he was awake, or living in a dream. Ed had said living in Europe was like that once. "It's pretty, isn't it?" he asked softly as she opened her mouth to get his attention.

Winry paused then turned to look out the window as well. The hills outside were growing ever more mountainous and the scene out the window contained a lake nestled in a valley, surrounded by the pale pink flowers of a cluster of delicate cherry trees. She smiled. "Beautiful," she agreed simply. It really was lovely country. "Though you can't subsist on the view alone," she teased gently, pointing at his plate with her fork. "You need to eat, Edward."

Now those were words she had never expected to hear herself say. It was something else that concerned her though she tried not to nag. With limited mobility, Ed didn't seem nearly as interested in food. Perhaps it was because he wasn't as hungry – he certainly never pushed himself more than the exercise needed to keep generally fit – but Winry had the feeling it went deeper than that.

"I'm eating, I'm eating," Ed chuckled softly and picked up his fork, starting with the salad. Under the table, Pir was happily wolfing down his food. "I'm sorry I'm kind of distracted."

"What's on your mind?" Winry asked. There was no point in asking if something was on his mind. The question was usually which of a dozen things it was.

Ed shrugged, shaking his head. "Just the usual; nothing new in particular. I think I'm running out of new thoughts to think. It all seems to come back to the same things over and over. Same memories, same concerns…"

"Same fears?" Winry finished when he paused.

Ed gave her an embarrassed smile and a soft sigh. "Those too. I don't know what lies ahead, and I'm not sure if I'm more afraid of finding out there's no answer, or that there would be one if not for my own stupidity."

"Think positive," Winry suggested, trying to bolster his spirits. "You've faced more impossible odds before and come out on top. Ren wouldn't have suggested this if there wasn't hope and you know it. Try and focus on imagining Al's face when we get home and you're feeling better, or Roy's if you ever get a chance to kick his ass," she added with a slightly more sadistic grin.

That got a response; Ed laughed a little more. "I like that thought. I'm sorry I'm not better company."

"Stop apologizing," Winry replied between bites. "At least until you actually do something wrong," she added with a teasing smile. "Try and relax. We'll be there in a few days and then there won't be any questions left."

"Or there could be more," Ed countered, then winced and paused in the middle of what Winry was sure would have been another apology. He shook his head. "It'll be nice to see Mao and his family again," he said, shifting the topic.

Winry didn't mind. At least it was something they hadn't already talked to death. "It's been a few years," she nodded. "Would you run through them one more time for me?" She wanted to make sure that she didn't mess things up. She had been working on a few basic phrases in Xingese as well, just to be polite and so she might understand what was going on. It was very different from the languages she was familiar with. Even in Europe they had at least sounded somewhat familiar and been easy to pick up!

Ed grinned. "Well there's Mao of course, the emperor, and his wife Jiu. They have two sons, Tao who's ten now I think, and Shan who's about five. Then Ren says they have a little girl who's almost a year old now named Meifen, but they call her Fen."

"Then there's Mei right?" Winry supplied. She supposed that little Fen was named partially after her grandmother. She was curious and – she had to admit – a little anxious about meeting Ren's mother, but for entirely different reasons. Mei Xian was the woman Edward had admitted having confused feelings over. Winry knew nothing had ever happened, but still she wondered.

Ed paused mid-bite, as if he sensed her hesitations. "Yeah, Mei too. Ren said she's been talking to the doctors for us. Doctor Gray sent a copy of all my records ahead a couple of months ago."

Winry knew that, but she didn't tell Ed he was repeating himself with that. "The last one is her grandfather then right?" She let the subject of Mei drop again.

"Old Bao," Ed actually grinned. "He's a funny old man sometimes, but I think you'll like him."

"Anyone with the wisdom to put you in your place and make you see sense is a miracle worker," Winry couldn't help teasing. "I still owe the man a very large thank you for last time you were here."

"We both do," Ed admitted; a brief blush on his cheeks. Obviously he was thinking along the same lines she was. "Though this time I don't think I'm going to eat nearly as much," he joked.

"Thank goodness for that," Winry replied, though at the moment she would have been happier to see that than him picking at his food. He was only a few bites into his salad while a perfectly good steak was getting cold. She was grateful for how healthy he had been eating the last couple of years, but wished that it wasn't out of fear. Ed was doing his best to be in good shape for this; to be healthy enough that the doctors wouldn't turn him down. Mostly though, he was afraid of another heart attack. Winry didn't have to guess. It was obvious to her.

Of course, Ed's joke was more referring to his outlet for his nerves on his last trip, and the story he'd admitted to her at home about his conversation with Bao and the Redberry-leaf tea.

As happened so often of late, the conversation lapsed into companionable silence. Winry would be very glad when they reached their destination and she fervently hoped for good news. She wanted Ed to be well again or, at the very least, at peace with himself and his situation.

May 24th, 1956

"So what do you think?" Edward asked Winry as they stepped off the train in the Xing Capitol. On the first trip to Xing there had been so much he wished he could have shared with Winry, and now he hoped they would have that chance. If nothing else, he wanted her to be comfortable since they might be in for a very long stay.

The view from the station was impressive. But then, Ed was sure that was the plan! It looked up a long sloping street that eventually led to the inner walls that protected the Imperial Palace near the center of the city. The Palace itself seemed to top everything.

Winry's eyes were wide and she smiled with pleasure as she took in the unusual architecture, the people, the shops. "It's beautiful," she replied.

"It's home," Ren chuckled as she and Will stepped down beside them. "Arrangements have already been made for our things to be loaded in the car that is here to take us to the palace. I have been informed that my brother is expecting us and has cleared his schedule for the rest of the afternoon and evening."

Ed couldn't help whistling. "I'm impressed. Is this the slow season?"

"His Imperial sister's return with a suitor apparently merits some serious attention on his part," Ren grinned mischievously.

Will blushed. "Don't tell me the entire government knows about this!"

"All right, if it will make you feel better," Ren giggled, slipping her hand into Will's and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Finally we'll get away from the love birds," Ed whispered in Winry's ear as they followed them to the aforementioned car, Pir tight on Ed's heels and now on a leash to make sure he stayed close! No one on the train had argued about Ed's right to bring the dog; as if anyone would argue with Ed! They had looked the pup askance at the border, but let him through when appropriate papers were presented.

"Oh they're cute," Winry countered just as softly. "Poor Will. There's an entire country that has some opinion on who Ren marries. At least when you married me any people who might have objected were a world away."

Ed chuckled. That was certainly true. Not that he expected anyone really would have objected. Oh, Mustang might have in jest just to be annoying, but Pinako wouldn't have argued the point. "Lucky me. Oh I doubt they'll really give him a hard time. If they were going to disapprove outright, Mao would never have arranged the research opportunity or agreed to Will staying in the palace." He was sure of that much.

The car ride up to the palace was uneventful, but a great way to give Winry a glimpse of the Imperial City. They drove past the huge market that Ed remembered from his last trip, a couple of the restaurants they had enjoyed, and finally up to the palace itself.

When they got out of the car in front of the palace, the entire Imperial family was waiting to welcome them. Appropriately, Mao welcomed his sister first with a smile and a big, brotherly hug. ::Welcome home, sister,:: he chuckled. ::I am glad to see you well and happy.::

::I am pleased to see you still in power and healthy, my brother,:: Ren replied with a hint of humor before stepping back. "I bring our guests," she said, shifting so they could all understand. Ed knew it was for Winry's benefit really. He and Will both understood the language. She turned, and smiled. "You know the Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward Elric."

"It is a pleasure and honor to see you again, Edward," Mao welcomed him with a warm smile as he bowed slightly. Ed caught a glint of concern in the other man's eye, but was unoffended. They knew why he was here.

Ed smiled and bowed in reply. "I am glad to see you and your family looking so well," he replied, though he couldn't help a small smirk. "Your time has not been wasted since last we met."

Mao seemed to catch the meaning and laughed. "I could not have been so successful without the help of my wife."

Jiu blushed, but seemed pleased. Tao stood beside her, looking at Edward with patient interest – much better trained than the boy he had been several years ago – and Shan outright curiosity. Jiu held the baby in her arms. "Welcome, Edward," she replied simply.

"How stiffly formal," Mei laughed then, stepping forward and startling Ed by clasping his hands in a warm grasp that was clearly reserved in Xing for family friends. "It's been too long since you visited, by far too much. Your trip has been long. Let us all go inside and catch up like friends instead of visiting dignitaries."

Ed couldn't help smiling. That was Mei. To his relief, he felt nothing at her grasping his hands but the feeling of hands on hand; a clasp of friendship and nothing more. "That sounds great," he replied.

Mei's smile never faded – in fact it grew wider – as she turned to Winry and startled his wife by giving her the same warm welcome. "Winry. I am glad you're here. I've wanted so long to meet the woman who could put up with the trouble this man seems to put people through just by existing!"

Ed was afraid for a moment that Winry would take offense. To his relief, Winry laughed! "He can be a handful," she smiled. "Thank you, Mei."

Ren briefly took over again then, blushing brightly as she stepped back a couple of paces to Will's side. "Brother, Mother, Esteemed Grandfather," she included Bao, who was simply smiling quietly, "This is William Elric."

"Your father's son assuredly," Mei chuckled, with a slightly more reserved, but just as happy greeting. "How is Alphonse?"

"Well," Will replied, relaxing just slightly. Ed could see the ramrod straightness of his back ease a little bit. "He sends his good wishes."

"Since you are here as a guest of my most noble and homely sister," Mao joked, "I won't make you fight me to prove your honor. At least, not today. Ren has written us about you, often, in detail, ad nauseum. Naturally I've been curious to see if you are anything like her letters suggest. You understand of course."

"I do," Will chuckled. "I have a younger sister who gets far too much attention."

"Then we understand each other perfectly," Mao nodded. Clearly the two were hitting it off well to start. That was good! "Let's take my mother's suggestion and go sit somewhere and have refreshments and chat instead of standing out here where we have an audience."

Ed glanced around and noticed that, aside from the driver, and the porters who had already vanished with their bags, there were several guards, and a handful of other palace attendants. "Sounds good to me."

It was a pleasant afternoon. They had tea in the royal apartments and enjoyed general conversation. Ren insisted on cradling her baby niece in her arms for most of it, having left for her studies in Amestris right after the baby was born.

"Better get used to that image," Ed couldn't help quietly ribbing his nephew, who rarely took his eyes off Ren for more than a few minutes.

Will's ears turned pink, but he was grinning. "Don't worry, Uncle Ed. I rather like it." His gaze never left Ren, who was sitting cross-legged on the floor with Fen giggling in her arms.

Before too long, Will and Mao were deep in conversation, the girls were chatting, and Old Bao excused himself with things to do. It was then that Mei joined Ed and Winry. "Would you like to see your rooms?"

"That would be lovely," Winry agreed, and she and Ed – and Pir who had immediately befriended the two Xian boys – followed Mei.

"Your appointment to meet with the physician is tomorrow morning," Mei informed him as they walked down the hall. "I thought that, since that is your primary reason for this visit you might prefer to get the process underway as soon as possible."

"I appreciate that," Ed smiled. "I can't tell you how much we appreciate all this Mei."

For the first time in their visit, Mei's smile faltered and she paused. "I must be honest," she said after a moment. "I feel partially responsible for this."

"How so?" Ed asked, unsure what to make of the admission. What had Mei done?

Mei clasped her hands together, a sign of her own unease, but started walking again. "I answered all of your questions and requests with no hesitation or thought to whether or not it was wise. I assumed that anything I gave you would only be used responsibly, or would remain the answers to academic questions, one alchemist to another. I was also a teacher, and I should have considered you as a student."

"It's not your fault," Ed objected. "It's mine."

They paused outside a door and she opened it, leading them inside. "These are your rooms," Mei offered a small smile.

Ed blinked. They hadn't even left the area that belonged to the royal family! "I'm honored," he said for lack of any other idea of what to say.

"This is exquisite!" Winry looked truly awed for the first time since their arrival.

Ed had to agree. The rooms they had stayed in last time had been nice, but these were elegant, and at the same time less opulent. Gilt was kept to a minimum, but the room was light and airy, the colors soothing blues and greens and gold. The walls were white, and it had – like all rooms – a door that slid open and led to a garden on the other side from the entry, and a large full bath off the room as well.

Mei seemed pleased. "As we have said, you are guests and friends. As such, there is no need for the formality of keeping you at a respectful distance. I am glad you like them."

Ed noticed that their bags were already here, and there was even a plump upholstered cushion for Pir on the floor. He smirked. "Even the dog gets the royal treatment huh?"

"Your Doctor Gray had a note about him in your file," Mei replied with a soft smile.

"Gray did?" Winry looked surprised.

Mei nodded. "She referred to the puppy as a stabling influence."

"It's true," Winry smiled softly.

Ed shrugged. "He's part of the family isn't he?" Ever since he could walk, Pir had followed him everywhere and, since he had trained easily, Ed had seen no reason not to let him tag along. No one at Headquarters argued and Pir sat quietly through classes and in Ed's office. He enjoyed going with Ed and stayed out of more trouble that way. He did make Ed feel more secure though. He always felt better with a dog around in case something happened. Always had; Den, Chase and Oscar after the mess in Resembool when Sara nearly drowned. Pir had needed him and Ed had surprised himself with how much he had bonded with the little dog – who was about half the size of his siblings, weighing in at fifteen pounds where the others were now all up to around thirty.

Mei smiled. "Anyway, he's a welcome guest as well. My grandsons find him enchanting." She turned around to face them fully, the smile fading a little. "If you don't mind a little business, the doctor, Lo Chan, wished me to do a preliminary read for my opinions as well. While we have your medical files, and I did read them," she admitted, "at his request as an assisting physician," she added, "there has still been time since then and the most up to date information is always the best."

"Of course," Ed replied. Chan; a relative from Mei's family then. He sat down on the bed. After his experience with Ren a few months ago he had some idea of what to expect. So he didn't panic when he felt that odd tingling sensation as Mei pulled out a similar scarf to the one Ren had used, wrapped it around her hand, and placed her hand to his chest. It spread further though this time, gentle, but it did concentrate on his center of mass. He watched Mei, who closed her eyes as she concentrated.

Pir sniffed at them both, looking agitated, but Winry stroked his head in assurance that no one was hurting Ed. The dog could be very protective of him, Ed knew.

After a couple of minutes she opened her eyes. "Very interesting," she commented, sighing heavily. "You never do anything small, do you Edward?"

Ed shrugged helplessly. "I've never been knowing for doing anything half way."

"And you wonder why I blame myself for giving you the information, knowing your reputation," Mei pointed out as she stood straight again. "I am disappointed."

"If she was here, I'd tell you to talk to my old teacher," Ed replied. "I'm not the 'wisest' student."

"Though perhaps most talented when you do not try too hard," Mei's smile returned slightly. "The work on your organs from the gunshot wound is impressive. Can you do anything else with what I taught you?"

"Only when I'm too panicked to do alchemy the way I was taught," Ed scoffed. Her disappointment hurt more than he had expected. One more person he had let down. "It still takes too much energy to do more than heal the smallest bruises and lately I don't dare try."

"I understand why," Mei nodded. "In your present condition, risking the use of that much energy could have dire consequences."

"I did alchemy once," Ed said, feeling foolish having to say all these things to Mei, but he'd rather it be her than a strange doctor tomorrow. Winry already looked uncomfortable with the entire discussion, and Mei understood Amestrian. He explained softly. "To save a boy, and we both nearly drowned. That's what caused the second heart attack. That was the first time I'd done it since I screwed up and… and the last."

Mei looked startled. "You haven't done alchemy at all?"

Ed shook his head, looking away. "I gave it up. It was irresponsible to do anything less."

There was a long moment of silence. "I hadn't realized," she admitted quietly. "I should give you some privacy to get settled," she said abruptly after another moment. When Ed looked up she was already folding the silk scarf. "Dinner is in the private dining room in an hour if you would like to join us. If not, please feel free to have it brought to your rooms." She smiled politely at them both, then headed out.

When she was gone, Ed heaved a sigh and fell back on the bed, collapsing into it's cushioned embrace. He closed his eyes, trying not to think about the shock his admission had caused, or her concerns and disappointment.

"Edward?" Winry's voice came from above him, and Ed opened his eyes again. "Are you okay?"

"I will be," he admitted, though he didn't feel it at the moment. "Just one more person whose confidence I betrayed."

"You need to stop beating yourself up over this," Winry sighed, sitting down next to him. "We're here now and everyone here wants to help you put it behind you."

"I'm grateful," Ed replied, reaching up and toying with a dangling lock of her hair. "You know I am. It's just frustrating to be reminded again of how much I screwed up. Tomorrow's probably going to be just as difficult." If not more so.

"Probably," Winry nodded matter-of-factly. "But what I just saw was a concerned friend who wants to help you any way she can. Izumi would probably have hit you again."

"It might have been easier to take," Ed countered, but he smiled. It might have been a more effective way of beating him out of his depression too and making him see sense before he'd nearly torn his family apart. "So what do you think of Mei?" He had been very nervous about introducing the two women, but it seemed to have gone surprisingly smoothly; at least from the surface.

"She's nice," Winry smiled knowingly, clearly aware of his reasons for asking. "I can see why you were confused. She's lovely, warm, and intelligent. But then, she's a lot like our friends back home isn't she? I don't know her very well," she shrugged, "But don't stress about us, Ed. I'm sure we'll get along fine."

"You'd say that even if you hated her," Ed smirked.

"If it would keep you from stressing out even more than usual, than yes," Winry admitted. "But I mean it. Now, do you want to go to dinner or stay in tonight?"

"You should go," Ed replied without hesitation.

Winry frowned. "That's not what I asked."

"I mean it," Ed sighed and sat up. "I'm sorry I just… I'd like a little time alone. Now that we're here, I'm feeling kind of overwhelmed."

Winry looked momentarily hurt but understanding too. "Sure, if that's what you want." She squeezed his hand. "Just remember I want to help you too, okay?"

Ed smiled, and resisted the urge to tell her he didn't deserve her. All that ever got him was a glare and an argument. "I'll remember," he squeezed her hand back. "Right now I think I'm going to need all the help I can get."

"Good." Winry leaned over and kissed him briefly before standing. "But you had better remember to actually order and eat something. If you don't I'm going to have to get rough with you."

"Rough eh?" Ed waggled one eyebrow suggestively. "That a promise?" It was a weak joke; their intimate moments had been sedate and rare of late. Ed wanted nothing more than to be able to tumble into bed with his wife and play the way they used to. If this worked, that was the first thing he was going to do!

"Call it an I.O.U.," Winry chuckled. Then she left him along with his thoughts…and his dog.


Edward did order up dinner from the kitchens. He wasn't overly hungry, but how could he resist the quality that came from the palace? He ate more than he intended, but was probably better off for it. He sat around for a while petting Pir, then he went exploring the garden outside their room. It wasn't the large one that the royal apartments opened on to, but an equally large one just a wall away. It happened to be one of Edward's favorites from his last visit, and he wondered if that had been taken into account.

The gardens looked very different in full late-spring blossom and Ed lost himself in the scent of flowering trees and bushes, the sound of waterfalls and singing birds. As they had before, the gardens calmed and refreshed him.

After a while, Ed wandered back to the room and began to really unpack. He put his clothes away in the lacquered dresser first, set his razor and other personal items in the bathroom, then emptied the smaller bag onto the bed to sort and organize; his more personal items were last.

"What's all this?" Winry asked when she returned, peeking over his shoulder.

Ed smiled a little self-consciously. "I didn't know how long we'd be gone, so there were just a few things I couldn't leave behind." It was pictures mostly. One of Sara, Franz, and Trisha; there was one that Will had snapped of Ethan – and Lia – during a candid moment when neither of them noticed. It was a cute photo with the two of them eyeing each other sidewise. The third was one Aldon had mailed them recently of his whole family: of him and Cassie, Coran – now almost six, three-year-old Reichart, and the newest addition, baby Urey, named for his great-grandfather. The boy was barely a week old in the photo, though he was almost three months old now. The last photo was of Al, Elicia, Will, and Alyse.

His family; Ed didn't want to admit that he still feared that one day soon he would never see them again. He had Winry with him, but as he had left and said his goodbyes an icy fear gripped his chest. He wasn't superstitious, but Ed knew that if there was a chance, even a risky one, if Winry agreed he would take the chance.

There were other things with the pictures, though not many; his State issued pocket-watch, a couple of favorite novels to pass the time, his travelogue for notes (though it held no new alchemical research these days), and a small book with several little marked tabs sticking out of it.

"What's this?" Winry picked it up.

Ed glanced over. "Oh that?" he snorted. "It was something Alphonse handed me."

I don't expect you to read the whole thing, Ed, or believe in it, but think about what it says. I marked the parts you might actually find of interest.

Winry flipped it open. "But this… this is a religious text from Europe."

"Yeah I know," Ed shrugged. "Usually when Al says I need to read something he hands me history or philosophy. Sometimes it's a play or a novel or something entertaining. This… this is different." He wasn't sure why Al thought he should read it, or even why he should waste time on it. But obviously Al thought it was important enough to take the time to mark it and give it to him.

Winry shrugged. "Al must have thought it would help you," she commented, closing it again gently. "You should read it."

"Are you serious?" Ed looked disbelievingly at his wife. "You know I don't believe any of that nonsense."

The long silence should have told Ed that he had said something Winry didn't like. He didn't turn around, just kept unpacking. "You did once," Winry replied softly after a minute.

Ed sighed. "When was that? I sure don't remember it." It wasn't something he and Winry had discussed in years, and it wasn't like he was ignorant of the subject. Especially not after spending nine years of his life in a world that was still very strongly influenced by monotheistic religions and people who did believe in them very strongly. Al had read the religious text for almost every religion they heard of while they were there; anything he could get in a translation he could read anyway. While Ed knew his brother considered them academically, he had learned enough to know he really wasn't interested.

"When you were a boy," Winry continued. "When you were a teenager too. You said you didn't, but I talked to Al. You can't blame someone for holding you down if you don't at least believe they exist."

Logic; she would have to hit him with logic. "Old sayings and a convenient scapegoat," Ed replied. Conversations like this made him uncomfortable. That was why he avoided them. "Look," he said to avoid a fight he really didn't want to have with his wife, "I'll take a look at it sometime all right?"

That seemed to mollify her. "All right," Winry said. "Did you enjoy yourself?"
"Yeah, I did," Ed nodded, relaxing a little. "You?"

Winry smiled as she came around the bed where he could see her. "I did. Jiu and I spent most of it talking about what it's like to have three kids with a roughly ten year spread." That was the distance between Sara and Ethan, and almost that for Jiu's oldest and her baby girl.

"Sounds good," Ed smiled. "How's Will faring with the likely-to-be-in-laws?"

"Just fine," Winry chuckled. "He and Mao have really hit it off. They were talking philosophy most of the evening, when he and Ren and Mei weren't deep in conversation about alchemy. He seems to fit right in."

"I'm glad to hear it." The time on the train had made it evident to Ed that Will and Ren's feelings had deepened, not diminished, over the past several months and Will had admitted during a private conversation that he was fairly sure this was it. If this trip went well – and Ed certainly couldn't see it not at this point – Will would probably propose to Ren by the end of the summer. "Anything else I should know about?"

"I called home," Winry said. "I wanted to let everyone know we got here all right. Al was glad to hear from me and he says everything's fine and he hopes you're behaving."

"I always behave," Ed snorted and at Winry's skeptical look he grinned mischievously. "That doesn't necessarily dictate what behavior is being exercised."

"Hopeless," Winry giggled.

"No," Ed reached across the bed and took her hand. "Today, it's hopeful."