This is an updated version

Lesson 2: Dreams and Reality

Like the feeling, the real thing

I reach out for that sweet dream

But somehow the darkness wakes me up

The wind blew cool scents toward the family having a happy picnic together. They looked so happy it was almost picture perfect. Two kids, an older boy and a younger girl, were indulging themselves with a tasty apple pie. The boy successfully sneaked a spoonful of the girl's apple pie which of course made the young girl burst into tears and soon enough they were skirmishing with one another.

"Why you jerk!" yelled the little blonde

"It's too bad for you. You're too slow", answered the young boy

"And you're short for your age!" the girl sarcastically replied back

"Who are you calling short! That's it! I'm going to squash you!" cried the now pissed lad

A couple came in between their little squabbles. They stopped them just in time before they end up killing each other. A young lady with long blonde strands of hair held the young girl in her hands. She reassured her that she would get another slice of the pie to stop the child from crying. But it was her beautiful smile that ultimately calmed the girl down.

"Now dear, wipe those tears away. Girls do not look pretty when they cry remember that" she explained

Meanwhile a man with a golden hair held in a pony tail tried to catch the boy as he was able to escape from his grip. The two boys chased each other around providing such a wonderful entertainment for the girls. After a long and tiring chase they found themselves laying in their backs on the green meadows.

"Hey dad, do you think I'm short?" asked the boy

"Hell no! Don't ever let anyone call you short! Show them what you got son!" the man took pride in his words.

"Mom said you used to be shorter than her. I guess I'll grew eventually" he teased while sticking his tongue out

"Hey hey! What was that supposed to mean" he threw his arms around his son and both played wrestling

After a couple of rounds, the boy fell asleep with his little sister beside him as if nothing happened.

"They look just like you and Al when you two fought and made up", she reminisced

"Weren't you with us as well? You're so tomboyish", he said as he placed his arm around her shoulders

"At least I wasn't short" she snorted

"Hey I'm taller than you now!" he gave emphasis on the taller part

"You sure are. That's why I married you!"

"Hey am I supposed to be flattered with that?"

She couldn't help but laugh and soon after he was laughing with her. They looked so satisfied with one another.

"I love you Mr. Edward Elric"

"I love you too Mrs. Winry Elric"

Together they sat and watched the sun set. It gave off warm radiance. The couple's eyes sparkled with happiness. What a happy family they have. They hoped that this feeling would never end.

"Ms. Rockbell?" a familiar voice startled her.

I guess she was still a Rockbell and not an Elric. What a wonderful dream she just had. She slowly opened her eyes and found a raven-haired man in front of her.

"I'm so sorry I didn't mean to wake you up. I was just surprised to see you here" he apologized.

"No, it's okay. Please have a seat, Brigadier General" she kindly offered.

Brigadier General Roy Mustang thanked her kindness. It has been a long time since he last saw Winry as well. He knew of her situation. He was also shocked when he heard the news of the older Elric's death. He treated those boys with a fatherly composure. Although he never showed it he deeply cared for them when they were still searching for ways to recover their bodies. He knew all too well the mourning that Winry was enduring.

Winry looked at the brigadier general with her poker face. She did not know how to begin their conversation. She knew what the major had been through as well. He married Colonel Riza Hawkeye shortly after the former Fuhrer King/ homunculus named Wrath died. They lived a happy life together though they never had kids.

However during an internal conflict, Riza used herself as a shield in an approaching bullet to protect her husband's life. She was shot in a critical area of her body. It wasn't long before she died. Winry heard of this from Al but during that period she was too engrossed in her own agony to leave town and join the service. Winry felt a little guilty now that she was in front of Roy. But she knew that Roy understood her condition.

The Brigadier General lost the spark in his eyes perhaps Winry did too. He looked weak and lost like a missing puppy that hasn't eaten for days. There was clear weight loss. Still Roy kept a good face. He was still as ravishing as ever. Perhaps even better looking if he had worn his military uniform. Winry often thought that Roy looked best in it. Still it was obvious that Roy and even she were not in their usual selves.

"I'm sorry for your loss..." They both blurted out at the same time.

This made an even more awkward situation between the two. But instead of digging a deeper hole they both managed to just laugh it out. It felt like forever since those two last showed smiles on their faces.

"Ms. Rockbell.." Roy tried to open a topic.

"Please call me Winry" she offered politely

"Sure Winry"

The atmosphere was obviously getting heavier. The two were trying to find ways to talk to each other like how normal people do. Roy couldn't stand seeing Winry in such a manner so he bravely started a conversation.

"So are you heading to Central?" he inquired carelessly

The answer was pretty obvious. He mentally kicked himself for his stupidity.

"Yes, I was offered a job there. I get to study medicine and practice auto mail at the same time. Since I badly needed the job I took the offer" she explained.

"That's interesting. You can gain further information and learn new techniques as well" he congratulated.

Winry flashed a smile and he smiled back. She could feel the stiffness in his voice. But there was also a tone of loneliness. She saw herself in Roy's actions. It had only been a year and a half since Riza died. Ed died two years ago. The impact must have been great on his shoulders. He lost a friend and a wife.

"So are you heading back as well? I heard you took a leave." Winry asked.

"Yes, I'm returning to my job. It's been a while. My subordinates must have wrecked the place already" Roy tried to joke.

"Well trust military dogs to run around freely while their master is away", Winry replied.

"I'm starting to think I want another leave instead of putting with those rascals", he immediately remarked

"I bet you do!" Winry giggled

"But then again no one is fit to train those wild dogs", Roy felt proud

"I trust you'll survive. I hope you'll be okay", Winry smiled.

"Thank you. Same goes for you too", he smiled back.

There was sincerity in his voice. And maybe there was also one in her voice which made the heavy air lighter. They talked about their jobs and other things still they were careful not to go beyond each other's comfort zone. Both of them appreciated the moment, a casual talk between two friends.

The bell whistled loudly interrupting their discussion. They finally arrived at Central Station. Roy helped Winry in her luggage and kindly offered a ride to her apartment. Winry graciously accepted. The drive was silent but comforting. The uneasiness and tension that built around them were slowly crumbling down. There was an indescribable feeling of comfort. It was a refreshing sensation for their aching hearts.

"So this is the last one of your bags" Roy said as he moved in the remaining luggage.

"Thank you so much. Without your help it might have taken me forever to carry these things" she let out a sigh of relief

"It's no problem. Here, take this it's the number in my office you can call me any time" he said as he handed her a business card

"Oh. Thank you. Who am I to reject a Brigadier general's help?" she answered quite flirtatiously

Then something weird happened. Roy's face turned a little softer. The lines on his face temporarily disappeared as he gazed over Winry's beautiful smile. Out of embarrassment, he quickly blurted out.

"I have to go. I need to report back to Central. See you soon Winry"

Roy bid his goodbye as he left her apartment. He drove his car and saw Winry waving through his rear side mirror. He had a smile imprinted on his face. The look unfortunately lasted only until he reached his office.

"The major is back"

"There he is. Quickly salute to him!"

Murmurs and silent talks, which he could keenly pick up, filled the place. The happy smile on his face disappeared quickly and turned into that stern rough look. Things didn't get any better when he reached his office.

It was chaos everywhere. Paper works were piling up in his desk; the place was dusty as if no one bothered to clean it up. I guess this happens when the new Fuhrer King is a carefree old guy. His team was startled at his unexpected return.

"Brigadier General Mustang, Sir" they echoed

"Gentlemen, did anyone thought of cleaning this hellhole place? I left for a year and this happened."

Everyone remained silent. And without any other orders they hurriedly grabbed any cleaning equipment and began their jobs as apparently new utility workers.

"I guess he is back" Lt. Ross remarked

"Good to have him back" added Warrant Officer Falman

Roy sat in his chair and looked away from the mountain of paper works. He stared at the sun shining brightly in Central. This place was too nostalgic for him. If it wasn't for his promise to Riza he would have quit the military. He wondered what her reason could be for him to stay.

"She must be punishing me as always", Roy thought to himself.

He still thought that any minute now Riza would scold her for the half finished and poorly done papers. But the room remained quiet as he started on his work. No one was going to shout at him anymore. It now only seems to be a distant dream. How he wished that he could stay there but the dark truth has now awakened him.