A/N: Welcome, viewers! Seeing as you're reading the second chapter, it tells me that I did a decent job of writing. I know you guys have been waiting so, without further ado, here's chapter 2.

Pairing: Ed and Winry

Rating: T


Chapter 2: His Realization

It was 10:45 when they arrived at a hotel. By now, Winry's crying had subsided to sniffling. During their walk, the two would engage in small conversation with her to lighten the mood. And it seemed to help some, since she didn't lash out at any of them. Not a lot of words were exchanged between the friends. But Winry gave her share of sufficient discussion to assure them that she wasn't bothered by their attempts of cheering her up. Occasionally, she'd steal a glance between the two to see their reactions of the situation, on account that she'd been crying so much to notice. She could tell Ed was trying to hide the grim look that appeared on his face sometime ago at the mention of something happening to Pinako. It was one of his many facades he used to cover up his emotions. Al, for obvious reasons, didn't show signs of distress. But his all too cheery voice told her otherwise. It made her uncomfortable to know that she muddled their moods. She also didn't want them to feel like they were forced to protect her. The last thing she wanted was to be a burden for them. But what could she do? She didn't have the necessary means of defending herself and the worst part was that she didn't even know what she was up against. But why would the murderer, or murderers, go through all the trouble of killing her grandmother? It's not like she was an alchemist, or famous for any matter other than automail. And why would they want her dead? All those questions kept running through her mind as they came to the front desk to check-in for available rooms.

Winry was brought out of her musings when she felt an automail hand gently shaking her shoulders. She turned around to look up at Ed's face. Wait. Look up? Since when did Ed grow taller than her?

"You ok there, Winry? You were kind of spacing out for a while." Ed didn't mean it to be rude. Rather, he was genuinely concerned for his friend's emotional state. His passive face and sad eyes said it all.

"I'm alright. I was just thinking is all."

"About Granny?"

"...Yes. That and why it happened." Ed wrapped his flesh arm around her shoulders and led her to their rooms, together in silence.


When they arrived at their rooms, Ed pulled out two sets of keys and handed one to Winry.

"We figured you wanted your privacy. Me and Al will be in the room next door so don't hesitate to knock on it when you want. Ok?"

"Sure." Winry answered with a somber voice. "I might come by later to check-up on your automail."

"Sounds good."

"Ok then. Goodnight, you two."

"Night, Winry."

"Have sweet dreams, Winry. And don't worry, me and brother will be sure to find the person who did this to Auntie and bring them to justice. Just you wait." Without another word, Winry opened the door to her room and went inside. The boys stayed out in the hall for a few more seconds, each thinking to themselves about what they were going to do about the situation. They were sure they knew who did this. The problem was how they were going to tell Winry. They practically kept her out of everything pertaining to the dangers they've been facing as of late. To tell winry that the people that killed Pinako were the same people that wanted to use them as sacrifices would be devastating for her to handle. Plus, it's not like they were a hundred percent sure it was the Homunculus. But they had their suspicions it was them who did this as a way of reminding them that they weren't to be taken lightly when undermined.

Later that night, they heard faint crying and thrashing noises coming from the next room. Believing that she was being attacked, the brothers leaped out of the room and banged on Winry's door to get in. They managed to push the door open, Ed transmuting his arm into a dagger to combat who ever it was that was attacking her. They were, however, presented with a slumbering Winry, wailing her arms around and sobbing uncontrollably. Ed rushed to her side and started shaking her awake. The action, itself, wasn't doing any good. She kept on thrashing about, but with more force as if she was fighting an unknown entity in her nightmare. Al managed to keep her legs down while Ed was working on waking her, all the while having to dodge the punches she was throwing.. This continued on for a good five minutes, Winry wailing at her "attacker" to get away from her and Ed struggling to wake her from her sleep spell. It wasn't until Ed yelled her name one last time that her eyes flew open, shock and despair etched into her blue irises. It took her a minute to register that she was in her room with Ed and Al. Comprehending that it was all a dream, Winry leaped into Ed's arms and cried her heart out. Ed, holding her in a tight embrace, signaled Al to give them some privacy. Al left the room without complaint. Once he left, Ed returned his gaze to the crestfallen girl in his arms. He used his flesh hand to lift her face up from the crook of his neck. The tears that cascaded down her face were enough to break his heart and almost push him to tears. But he refused to break down, knowing Winry needed his strength most of all.

"Its ok now. Nothing is going to hurt you. If you want, you can talk to me about it. Your nightmare, I mean."

She was a little hesitant, at first, about talking to Ed about her nightmare. Ed sensed this and started to rub her back, a gesture he used to do when they were younger to coax her to tell him her worries. It seemed to be enough for her. "I-I was walking down a dark corridor. There were lighted torches going across the walls and what looked to be a door at the end. When I reached out to open it, a hand came out from behind me and yanked me into a white room. There was blood everywhere. Then I heard this man's voice. I couldn't make out much of what he was saying, other than 'Elixir' and 'carrier'. This man in a white lab coat suddenly walked in and chained me to a metal table. I was so scared I didn't know what to do. I tried fighting the man off, but he was too strong. He kept telling me to accept this and that I would be joining you and Al eventually. Another man walked in, but I couldnt see his face because the other man pushed my head down. He was wearing these long, white robs and said the array is complete. After that, I woke up. But I was so scared and I didn't know where you were. I tried calling your name, but my voice didnt work. I..." Winry once again started crying, Ed cradling her in his arms until she fell asleep.


The next morning, Ed, Winry and Al checked out of the hotel and took the next train leaving for Lior. When they were seated, Winry decided to ask Ed about why they were headed for Lior.

"The answer is simple. Some people reported a small Xing girl boarding a train headed over there. We need to track her down and question her about the type of alchemy she uses and there are ruins that have transmutation circles of an older practice there as well. If we can have that girl tell us what the strange wording on them says, we can uncover a new way of creating the Philosopher's Stone without using the lives of others. We may also find a way of ridding the earth of those other people that intend to use it for evil."

Winry looked perplexed from his last comment. "What other people are you talking about, Ed?" Ed mentally kicked himself for letting that one slip.

"Just some people that were after." he said in a bored voice, turning his gaze out towards the window to create the illusion that it wasn't important. He didn't want to venture further into that discussion, that was for sure. Especially, not with Winry.

Her face hardened at his statement. "Fine. Don't tell me. It's not like you haven't kept secrets from me before." Winry slumped in the seat furthest from Ed, obviously pissed at him.

Ed looked back at her with a look of equal irritation. "Oh come on, Winry! It's not like I enjoy doing this. But it's for your protection." He retorted with anger evident in his voice.

"Really! That's all you do is lie. When was the last time you've ever told me about your journey? Or about how you guys always come back to visit with cuts and bruises. Do you ever tell me anything anymore? I thought we were friends!"

"Of course were friends! But what good would it be if I told you and you got hurt for it?!"

"At least I'd know that you trusted me!" The two stood face to face, each huffing from all the yelling they were doing. Too angry to retort, Ed slammed the door to their compartment open and slammed it shut as he walked out, muttering that he needed some air. Winry looked down, ashamed that she argued with him over something so trivial as trust. She knew better than to accuse him of not trusting her. So with a final huff of breath, she sat back down and looked out the window. During the whole ordeal, Al could do nothing but watch as they heatedly exchanged angry words to one another. Al decided to stay with Winry and comfort her in any way he could. He took one of her hands in his and held it. Winry didn't tear her gaze from the scenery outside. But she gave his hand a tiny squeeze to let him know she acknowledged his concern for her.

It was going to be a long ride there. That's for sure.


It was very late in the night when Ed finally returned to the compartment the three shared. He noticed Winry was lying flat on the seats they were sharing while Al was sitting opposite her, reading a book. Noticing his return, Al placed the book down and stood in front of him. Ed could tell that Al was bothered by the argument earlier.

"You know, Winry does have a point."

Ed took a second to glance at Winry's sleeping figure, letting Al's words sink in. "You're right. But, I don't want to mix her in with our problems. If not knowing anything keeps her safe, than I rather she stayed ignorant to it all."

If Al could smile he would, knowing Ed's words spoke truth. "I know." He began to walk towards the door after that. "Well, I'm gonna go get some air for myself. Try not to do anything to her while I'm gone, Brother." Ed could detect the snide tone in his remark.

At that, Ed felt his face heat up tremendously. "W-what are you talking about. Of course I'm not gonna do a-anything."

"Whatever you say, Brother. Oh, whatever you say." With that, Al left the stuttering alchemist and his mechanic to themselves. He always found a great joy in teasing his brother about his affections towards Winry and it never ceased to make him wonder why Ed never acknowledged his feelings, or hers for that matter. The two were hopeless in the matters of love, to everyone that knew them.

While Al took a stroll around the train, Ed sat on his seat and tried not to let Al's comment get the best of him. The moon was out and shone brightly in the sky. He couldn't help but turn his gaze towards the sleeping mechanic. He took notice of the way the moon's glow accentuated her features and gave her golden hair an extra shine, making her look like an angel sent from heaven. And as corny as that sounded, Ed couldnt help but think it was true.

That's all you do is lie.

It was true that he never told her anything. For as long as he could remember, the brothers were like a closed book with her. It was only after the death of their mother did they choose to leave her out of things entirely. They never filled her in on their plans to resurrect their deceased mother. They never told her about their plans to burn down their home and go on a journey to restore their bodies. But it's like he told Winry. He didn't want to risk the chance of her getting hurt or becoming a liability during a battle against the Homunculus. They were merely protecting her well being.

At least I'd know that you trusted me!

He did trust her. Hell, he trusted her when he needed automail. He never trusted any other mechanic with his. It didn't matter that he had to travel extra long miles to get maintenance. He'd rather travel around the world, if necessary, as long as he got the work done from her. And only her. But how come she didn't see that? Did his efforts to convey his importance for her not get through? Even though he didn't express his gratitude in words, he most certainly told her with his actions. But on the other hand, he should have gave he a 'thank you' at least. Anything to let her know that he trusted her.

Winry began to stir in her sleep. And for that moment Ed decided to stay still, unconsciously holding in his breath. When she finally settled back in the seat, he let out his breath and continued staring at her. He didn't know what came over him because he, suddenly, reached his hand over her head and began playing with the strands that splayed over the seat. He wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he secretly liked it when she let her hair down. It settled around her face and made her look surreal. Like a free being that didn't hear of sin and despair, moving along at her own pace with an imaginary world of peace. Her soul wasn't tormented like his, always being brought down with the burdens and mistakes of his past. She could easily move forward. He couldn't. And being associated with him would only hold her back from achieving her own goals and dreams. He never intended to impose on her life and made a vow with himself to keep his distance, for her benefit. But it was her very personality that brought him back to her. They shared too much history for him to simply push her to the side.

Click.

It was like everything suddenly fell into place. His strong desire to protect her, the undying trust he had for her, the way she mesmerized him, everything. The very though scared him, but gave him a sense of clarity. But how could the idea have escaped him for so long? Al decided to return from his little escape, confronted with the scene of Ed kneeling in front of Winry and looking as though he was surprised by something.

"Brother?"

"...I finally figured it out." Ed didn't turn to Al. Instead, he kept his gaze locked on Winry. It was as though he was sorting something out with himself and wasn't aware of Al's presence.

Al was more than perplexed by his somber tone. "What do you mean?" By the way he was looking at her, Al had some inkling to what Ed was referring to. But he didn't want to get his hopes up... just yet.

"The answer was right in front of me all along, and I never took the time to notice."

Al walked over to him and rested his hand on his shoulder for comfort. He could tell Ed was struggling with the issue he was presented with. "Ed?" When he turned to Al, he could see the emotion behind his eyes and knew what he was going to say next.

"I've been in love with Winry all this time."


There you have it. I'm sorry if some of you feel like this is going at a slow pace. I'm just setting some backbone for the story ahead. I promise it'll get better. In the meantime, I hoped you enjoyed this chappie. Remember, write a review for me. I noticed I didn't get as many as I'd hoped for. Please make this author happy. Til next next time. See ya!