WriterFreak001:

I felt inclined to write another one. :) Thank you to those who reviewed my most recent one shot, "Safe."

Title: If Love Should Count You Worthy

Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood

Description: Ed is coming back home for good after his trip from the west, and he and Winry are very happy and in love. But what would happen if someone tries to destroy that happiness and succeeds? Can Ed and Winry recover from the damage and salvage their relationship? Read and Find out.

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I do not own anything.

Chapter 1

She stretched her arms after a long morning of tweaking Ed's newest leg model and stood up from her chair with a long stretch, arching her back backwards like a cat to pop the kinks out. Winry knew she shouldn't have spent all night working on an automail model before her best and favorite client arrived, but because she wanted it ready for him when he returned this morning, she couldn't resist. Down to the smallest detail, the leg was pure perfection. It was made of the newest and strongest alloy metal capable of enduring more extreme weather than her previous designs. Not only could it endure harsher weather climates, it was more durable yet lightweight too! Though Ed didn't really get into fights that often anymore, she wanted to be sure he had the best installed for all intents and purposes.

While Winry adored Ed's current design, rebuilding and redesigning his automail leg was one of the only things she could do to keep herself busy as she waited for him to come home. Sure, he popped in every few months or so for a maintenance check and to visit his parents' graves, but it wasn't the same as knowing he was done traveling for a while. After she'd meet him at the station and accompanied him home, it would seem like the appropriate time to reveal her greatest treasure.

That idiot better like it for all the months she spent slaving over its design.

And after weeks of sheer hard work, her best creation was ready to be tested, and she could hardly wait for Ed to wear it.

Carefully, she lifted the prosthetic off of the table and cradled it in her arms as she carried it to a foam case sitting on her bed. After enclosing and locket it, she gently slid the case underneath her bed. Noting the time, Winry quickly changed into her favorite pair of jeans, a black short-sleeved top, and her brown sandals before slipping on Ed's old tan jacket. Zipping it up halfway, she flipped her hair out from underneath the hood and combed her fingers through her blonde mane before heading for the door.

As Winry descended the stairs, she spotted Granny in the kitchen making a fresh pot of coffee. "Hey, Ed's train is gonna be arriving soon; I think I'm gonna meet him there instead of staying and waiting here." She opened the fridge and pulled out a jug of milk before pouring it into a glass on the counter. "Unless you need me here for something…."

"No, go ahead," Granny chuckled before pouring herself a cup of coffee. "That bean sprout has made you wait long enough." She paused for effect and smirked at her granddaughter. You want my advice? Take that bastard to the courthouse this afternoon and get married so I can have grandchildren before I'm pushing daisies."

"Graaaanny!" Winry's cheeks flushed pink. "Ed and I… our relationship is complicated! Besides…," her cheeks were now a shade darker, "I haven't even told him how I feel yet…"

"That might be so, but I'm sure he already knows," Pinako quietly took a sip of her coffee and pulled out a chair from the kitchen before sitting in it, "You and I both know the two of you weren't exactly innocent during those two years before Ed left for the west. And how about all the times he visited too?" The sly woman was smirking ear to ear, "If I remember correctly, you couldn't keep your hands off him nearly five months ago. If that's not a confession, I don't know what is."

Her eyes widened. "You know?!"

"Nothing gets passed me, hon." Pinako deadpanned, and Winry's entire body flushed with embarrassment.

"T-That doesn't mean we're ready for marriage… B-Besides, Ed's proposal two years ago shouldn't even count. He didn't even specify marriage. He just wanted to be sure I'd be here waiting for him. That's all." At least that was what she was telling herself these days.

Pinako chuckled maniacally. "Marry him sooner than later. I want grandchildren, and if you ask me, I'd prefer you two are wedded before a child rolls down the tube. With as many times you two have rolled in the hay, so to speak, I'm surprised you haven't conceived yet."

"We've been careful," Winry replied, but then paused. "Wait, I shouldn't have to explain my love life to you." If Winry's face didn't resemble a tomato earlier, then it certainly did now. The young mechanic marched towards the back door swiftly, mumbling like a madwoman to herself before huffing her cheeks and exclaiming, "This conversation is over! I'll see you when I get back!"

Without another word, Winry stormed out of the house and slammed the door, hard. Pinako waited a few beats before grinning widely to herself. "Just like Ed," she muttered, "she's way too easy."

By the time Winry had walked to the end of the pathway leading away from her house, she had cooled down, too excited to see Ed to let her conversation – or lack thereof – with her grandmother ruin her day. She knew, for the most part, that her grandmother was merely teasing her, but her comments on marriage really rubbed Winry the wrong way.

Did she want to marry Ed? Of course. Of course, she did. She loved him with all her heart and smiled at the thought of one day marrying Edward Elric, but… because he hadn't mentioned it once since he left for the west two years ago, Winry couldn't help but wonder if marriage was something he still wanted with her….

And if he did, then when?

She could only wait so long…

As she approached the town, she groaned when she was immediately spotted by one of her neighbor's sons, the annoying, good-for-nothing fleabag, Erik Schlimme. He was a year older than Edward, and unlike her boyfriend, Erik had short, spikey, dark brown hair and had a darker skin tone too. There was something disturbing about the way he looked at her sometimes, and it often made her shiver. Now was no different as his eyes lit up and his lips curved to a soulless smile.

She absolutely had no time to deal with this jerk today. She thought about ducking behind a barrel and then crawling away from the main road before cutting through the fields to get to the train station on time, but by the time he was approaching her, her exit strategy wasn't even worth the effort.

While Erik seemed like a nice enough guy to everyone else and often helped his dad at the local auto repair shop, Winry knew differently. Long since before Ed lost his limbs, she could always tell Erik had a thing for her from the way he was always observing her… randomly meeting her on the streets as if he knew ahead of time where she was heading… He never tried anything when they were younger; in fact, he was nicer then. Always asking about automail when he got the chance and seemed interested in what she was telling him – unlike Edward, but the older they got, the more uncomfortable she felt being around him.

Almost two days after Edward would leave for God knows where, he would always attempt to ask her out, but she would always give him the same answer.

When she was younger, it was, "Sorry, I'm too busy with my automail to date."

A few years ago, "Sorry, Erik. But I have feelings for someone else.

And since Edward left for the west, "You know damn well I'm dating Ed, Erik. Stop asking!"

He'd always smile that soulless smile and say, "That's okay, Winry. Maybe next time I'll get lucky."

She almost decked him four months ago when he tried bribing her to cheat on her fiancé, claiming Ed would never know a thing if neither of them told him. She ended up smacking him instead. And when she found out, the next day, she had given him a bruised handprint, she was very proud of herself. Next time, she might accidentally use her wrench if he wasn't careful.

"Hi Winry!" He beamed as he planted his feet in front of her, his annoying presence blocking her path towards the train station. "I hardly see you coming in to town; what gives? Need to order automail parts? Are you grocery shopping? Buying something for Pinako?" His smile transformed into a frown, and his eyes narrowed. "Or, are you heading towards the train station to see him."

"It's none of your business, Erik," Winry pursed her lips as she swiftly circled around him and hastened her pace. "But if you must know," she knew he was following, "Yes. Ed is coming home today, and in a few months, we'll be getting married." She didn't know why she said what she said, but after seeing the horrified expression marking Erik's face, she was glad she did. "Now if you'll excuse me," she flipped her hair with her palm, "I have somewhere to be."

Grateful he didn't follow, Winry marched towards the train station and took a seat along the building as she waited for the train to arrive. She exhaled deeply to quash the strong resentment she felt towards Erik and closed her eyes, focusing all her thoughts on Edward. A smile immediately replaced her frown, and she was grinning ear to ear when she heard the train whistle sound in the distance.

He was almost home. Almost here. Almost in her arms.

It felt like an eternity until the locomotive coasted to a stop next to the station, and she watched curiously as various people of different ages and sizes stepped off the train. And then she saw him, his golden eyes piercing hers instantly. She didn't even know she was walking up to him until he was standing a few inches in front of her with a big smile coloring his lips. Almost immediately, he dropped his suitcase to the ground and swept her into his arms, embracing her so tightly, she thought he would never let her go.

And he didn't want to.

Winry closed her eyes as she melted into his warmth and inhaled his earthy, intoxicating scent. He released her eventually but kept his arms hooked around her as if he was too afraid she'd disappear otherwise. "Hi."

She latched her fingers behind him and smirked. "Hey, yourself."

"I'm home," he lifted his right hand and lightly brushed a few strands of her blonde hair out of her face before sliding his hand back down to the small of her back.

Winry leaned forward and tightened her embrace around him as she leaned her cheek against his chest, wanting to hear the strong beat of his heart. She closed her eyes and savored this moment with him. "Yes, you are."

A few minutes passed between them, but they were oblivious to their surroundings. Heck, someone could walk off with Ed's belongings, and he wouldn't even know; that's how captivated he was by the woman in his arms. They swayed a little within the small space they were standing before Winry pushed a little bit away from his chest. Her deep blue eyes melted with his, and she quietly called his name. "Edward?"

"Hm?"

"Kiss me?"

He smirked and leaned forward slightly as his hands migrated to her face, cupping her cheeks gently. "I'd thought you'd never ask."

He never kissed her fast enough.

Edward clung to Winry's hand like it was his lifeline as they walked through Resembool, and he couldn't be happier. He used to never think he would ever turn out to be a mushy romance guy, but after tasting Winry's lips and making hot love to her for the first time a few years ago, it was hard to go back to the heartless jerk he was when he was younger.

When he and Al were searching for a way to restore their bodies, he wouldn't allow himself to be distracted by a relationship no matter how much he wanted to have one with his mechanic. When he saw her break down after finding out about Scar killing her parents, when she cried because of learning Hughes' death, when Kimbley and King Bradley threatened to harm her if he didn't do as they said, he had this insane desire to protect her. While she was being held hostage by Kimbley, though it was upsetting she was collateral, he was glad Winry was near because knowing she was safe had put him at ease.

Hawkeye was right when she said he loved her.

He really loved her.

He just didn't know how much until he almost died in that mine collapse.

After promising half his life to Winry, traveling west while she stayed home was harder than he thought it would be. He called a lot more often than he did when he was younger, and he wrote as often as he could too. Receiving letters and calls from her made his heart leap for joy in ways he couldn't describe other than the fact that he couldn't wait to return home – even if it was for a tune-up.

And during his infrequent visits, he and Winry would find any reason they could to sneak into her bedroom and have lots of sex to make up for the times he was away. The sex was amazing; pure bliss, and she was amazing at it. She knew just what to do to send him to oblivion, but what he loved the most was the way she'd exclaim his name as he brought her to her own high. It was an almost sacred cry; something only he'd ever hear from her, and just knowing he was going to spend the rest of his life with Winry made every sexual encounter all the more special and meaningful.

Now that he was home for good, he planned to treasure her daily, wanting to show her, in every capacity, that he loved her with every fiber of his being.

"So what do you wanna do?" Winry eventually asked, her question blissfully interrupting his thoughts. "Go home and unpack? Go to the Sheep Festival? Get some breakfast?"

"Hmm," Ed pretended to think for a moment, "let's go home first so I can drop my suitcase off. I also need you to look at my leg," he pointed to his metal shin. "I think it's too short."

Winry flashed a beaming grin as she squeezed his hand a little. "Actually, I made you a new prosthetic. I think it's my best yet!"

"Oh?" Ed's eyebrows lifted, and he grinned. "Sounds great."

"I think you're going to love it," Winry was smiling ear to ear as she tugged on his hand, wanting to get home sooner than later. "It's made out of a new alloy metal capable of withstanding harsher weather climates. I know you're not travelling anytime soon, but if you decide to head up to Drachma to visit the north, it'll be durable in the snow and will provide you less discomfort to your port. The same would apply to hotter climates as well. It's a lighter alloy metal that doesn't absorb heat as fast as others do. If we're ever invited to Xing by Emperor Ling, your new leg will be able to travel longer distances in the dessert without getting too hot. I anticipated a small growth spurt since you've been growing a few centimeters every couple of months, so hopefully my estimates were correct. If not, it'll be a swift an easy fix."

Ed was surely impressed. Did she always put so much thought into the automail she made him? "Sounds like a great model," he smirked. "Can't wait to try it on."

Winry beamed. "Oh! That's right. I almost forgot. Another benefit to his prosthetic is that it's less prone to rust after getting wet. You'd still have to dry the leg, but there's a longer window of time before the rusting starts, so to speak. So if you take a dip in the lake and you forgot to bring your towel, then the metal won't start rusting until at least twenty-four hours after being submerged in water. In the past, it was almost a few hours afterwards, not it's almost a day."

Ed gave her a thumb's up. "Sounds like you're going to be the best automail mechanic in all of Amestris."

Winry flushed. "Well, to tell you the truth, though I take pride in joy in your new leg, I don't know if I'll make this type of prosthetic for everybody. I made it for you because of necessity. Not everyone knows people in Xing or in the North so it would be a waste of money to order more alloy metal if it's not going to be needed. Each of my costumers have different needs for their automail so I cater my designs to fit their needs. Every creation is custom to the patient. Nothing is like the other." She was looking down at the ground as the reached the path leading home, and looked up when Ed squeezed her hand.

"You're amazing, you know that?"

Winry's cheeks blushed a deeper shade of red. "You're only saying that because we're together."

"No, I really mean it! Not every mechanic has the patience to fit automail differently for every customer. When I was in Rush Valley, many of the engineers were selling multiple copies of the same model, but you… you put soul into the automail you make. You care about each of your patients and you give them exactly what they need individually. It's no wonder you were popular in Rush Valley under Garfiel's apprenticeship. You exceed expectation and make each and every model for your patients unique and different from the others. You personify them, and that's awesome, Win. Really, really awesome." Ed twirled her around until she was facing him and then he leaned forward and kissed her lips lightly. "I'm proud of you."

Winry's heart soared from her fiancé's kind and thoughtful words. She never realized how observant he was about her life in Rush Valley. "Thanks, Ed," she pushed up onto her tip toes and kissed him deeply. "Your vote of confidence means a lot."

Ed smirked and kissed her once more before he started walking towards the house. With their fingers still entwined, they walked together quietly, enjoying the welcomed silence between them. Ed's eyes followed Winry as she slipped her hand from his and started racing up the steps, urging him to hurry.

He chuckled and shook his head slowly before following her inside.

Finally, Ed was home.

More to come!

Pleeeease let me know what you think. Receiving Reviews is how I know if writing fics are even worth my time. Hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it! :D