Chapter 1: Every Story has its Beginning

He was an elderly man of around 85 and to honest he had heard his share of stories, but this was by far his favorite. This story had been passed down for several genertaions.

Today really wasn't all that different, he was staying with his grandson only when a storm overhead knocked out the power. His teenage grandson put up quite the rebellion. "Well m'boy I don't think the power will return until morning."

His grandson stared at his grandfather in horror, "You mean I'm stuck with you and no TV?"

The old man laughed a deep and hearty laugh, "Ha-ha yes you're stuck with me. Now about this TV situation you just forget about it. We don't need that to have a good time!"

His grandson's face widened with disbelief, he may be young but he was not stupid.

"We're doomed! Grandpa there's nothing to do, we'll die of boredom!"

His grandpa shook his head for what seemed to be the hundredth time. "Ah yes nothing to do, well that sounds just right for a night of relaxing. You know back in my day we would have given anything to have 'nothing to do' as you have so cleverly pointed out."

"Well then grandpa people back in your day were weird."

He shook his head ruefully at the young boy; the ability of kids to spout off anything and everything that crossed their minds was very interesting.

Looking thoughtfully to the sky the man finally got a twinkle in his eye as he turned back to look at the boy in front of him. "Well I believe this would be a perfect time to tell you a story."

Looking skeptically at him the boy spoke, "Hmm I don't know grandpa. What's this story about?"

"This story is set back in the days of the wild west. Back then days were a lot harder than they are today. In fact this story takes place in one of the most famous western towns, Dodge City South Dakota. But I suppose if you don't want to hear this we could always pass the time with some scrabble or you know my toenails could use a trimming..."

This last statement sent shudders down the boy's body, "Ok…deal story it is."

"Well then where do I begin? Ah yes our story begins at the Long Branch saloon."

Dodge City, Kansas

Edward Elric rode into town the dust flying up in his wake. His horse which was nearly exhausted from their long journey gladly came to a hault outside of the familiar saloon. Ed heaved a sigh as he approached the Long Branch saloon, here he was sure to be greeted by the old gang. Tying up his horse he stepped up on the porch and pushed his way through the swinging gates of the doorway. He only got about halfway in before a loud voice broke the silence that claimed the bar every time a stranger seemed to walk through its doors.

"Well well well look at what the cat dragged in."

Ed turned to face Sheriff Mustang sitting in a chair his feet resting on the table in front of him. Before he could retort a girls voice spoke to him from behind the bar.

"The usual kid?" Riza smiled in his direction.

Hearing his nickname sealed the deal. Ed smiled, he was finally home. "Of course, how's business been for ya Hawkeye?"

Her smile faltered slightly as she glanced at Roy out of the corner of her eye. "Well we have had a few…uh…unwanted guests, but really I can't complain."

Havoc who was stocking the bar raised his head, his face contemplative. "Perhaps if we got some of them fine misses to come here we might boost our sales."

Riza rolled her eyes, "Good lord Havoc we already have the usual ones hanging around and that's more than enough."

Both Mustang and Havocs eyes wandered over to where the girls were reeling in their latest catch for the night. However Ed was quite certain if they had let their eyes wander over to where Riza was standing they might have picked their jaws up off the floor to avoid the daggers that were shooting from her eyes.

One of the girls noticed the attention and made her way over to Ed. "Edward the kid your back! We've missed you!" She gave a very pouty face, "When are you gonna let us have some fun with ya." Her baby talk and flirtatious eye battings had no effect on his thick scull. Ed just stared at her in confusion, "Do I know you?"

With a little "Hmpf." She maneuvered herself over to Roy who was much more receptive. Her lips curled up into a mischievous grin, "Oh Sheriff I've been so bad! How can I pay my debt to society?"

"Ugh Grandpa really I don't need to hear that kind of stuff come out of your mouth."

His grandpa laughed "Now be patient there's more to it than that. Oh and don't be too quick to judge the ladies in this story because there just happens to be one very important gal who I have yet to introduce."

Slightly intrigued the boy let out a sigh, "Fine finish the story."

Hawkeye spoke softly, "Eh gag me please."

Edward slammed his money down on the table next to Roy, "We'll see just how lucky you are this time around."

Shooing away the disappointed girls Roy sat up straight in his chair. "So you're back in town for less than an hour and already you wanna loose it all?"

Scowling Edward slumped down in the chair, "Just deal me in, ok?"

A few hours later the girls had dragged the seduced men upstairs leaving the sound of piano and drunken singing below. Edward lay face down on the table his pockets empty.

"Well that's all I got, but I reckon yous' a cheater."

Mustang slugged down his whiskey his smirk growing by the second, "Ha-ha kid I told ya you was gonna loose and you know I aint no cheater." Mustang pointed to the badge on his chest, "I'm a man of the law."

Edward grunted a response of distaste and took to finishing his glass.

The darkness from outside pulled his attention away from his disastrous defeat. Something about the nights silence was unnerving. It wasn't long until the sound of hooves on the ground were followed by the clanking of spurs hitting the hardwood of the porch. Ed jerked his head up in suspicion. The room which had once been bustling with drunken laughter and singing came to an abrupt halt as the shadow of a cowboy walked through the swinging doors. Strangers around these parts were not something that should be taken lightly especially that late hour. Here bullets took the place of compromise. Ed watched as Roy sat up straight, shifting slightly so that his hand fell onto the handle of his gun.

The stranger stood in the doorway for a moment their hat placed conveniently to hide their face.

Ed would later feel embarrassed that this was his first reaction but he couldn't help himself. 'This guy is even shorter than I am.'

His ego boasted somewhat by the height difference Ed stood up, "Hey we don't like strangers around here, you best be going right back where you came from."

The man stood there for several seconds until he reached his hand up to his hat.

A couple of audible gasps filled the air as the man pulled off his hat shaking out long golden locks and revealing beautiful blue eyes.

"Hey gramps I don't get it you mean this cowboy was a girl?"

"Well by all accounts she wasn't just any girl…"

The girl's looks caused a few woof whistles and hollers in her direction. Ed's jaw dropped to the floor this wasn't a cowboy at all, it was a girl. Obviously annoyed with the unwanted attention she jammed the hat back on her head as she turned to the bar, "Whiskey please."

Wanting to get a rise out of Ed Roy yelled over to him, "I believe this fine young lady just rejected you kid." His words were followed by a chorus of laughter.

One of the gentlemen in the back hollered at her, "Hey there hunny why don't you come over here I'll get you a drink."

The girl didn't respond to their calls, but that didn't stop them.

Another man in the corner spoke in a rather gruff voice his words slurring over one another, "Ohhh yous a pretty lil thang arnt ya? Why dontcha juss come on owva here, daddy will show ya a reals good time."

His last words seemed to jolt her from her calm because in a few seconds she had made her way over to the table and had him pinned to the wall her gun pressed to the middle of his forehead, "Now sir that aint no way to speak to a lady now is it."

The man seemed rather intrigued by her, "Well now you aint dressed like no lady." He began to run his hands up her legs.

The girl cocked her gun. "Just try it."

Sheriff Mustang stepped up behind her, "Now you don't wanna do that."

She retracted the gun into her belt, "You're not worth it anyways." With that she slammed some money on the counter for her drink and walked out.

Edward stared after her, his heart racing. Acting on instinct he ran out after her. Once he was outside he searched the area but there was no sign of her. Before he could search any more he felt the cold barrel of a gun on his temple.

Her voice suited her beauty well, but he could tell she was trying to be tough." What do you want?"

Ed put his hands up his voice low, "I'm not going to hurt you, I just wanted to know your name."

Something about this kid character seemed to draw her in as she pulled away the gun. Putting away her gun she stared into his amber eyes. "Why do you need to know my name?"

Almost as if on cue he realized what it was, "Winry?"

Winry's eyes widen slightly, "How do you know my name?"

Edward stared at her his face turning in a huge smile, "Winry Rockbell!" He whistled softly, "You sure have grown up."

Caught off guard Winry stared at him desperate to understand how he knew her, "Do I know you?"

The kid kept smiling, "Our families traveled here from Missouri together, don't you remember?"

Winry began to back up her face unreadable. "I'm sorry that's not my name, I don't know you."

Ed just stared at her as she began to back away from him. He was positive it was her; he couldn't believe he didn't see it before. This was his childhood friend, Winry Rockbell. "Win what are you doing? Don't you remember, it's me Ed!"

He could have sworn he saw tears in her eyes as she turned quickly grabbing her horse's reigns as she jumped effortlessly onto its back. "I'm sorry you must be thinking of someone else."

Before he could say anything she nudged her horse and took off into the night.

Edward remained in the wake of her dust his expression befitting someone just punched to the face. He suddenly was well aware of why his heart was racing. "Winry Rockbell, I never thought we'd meet again…"

A western FMA

I thought it was a good idea

Haha

~Amy