Greetings. Here is the next installment of this story. I hope it is to everyone's liking thus far.

PLEASE READ : I know some of you aren't fans of AlxWinry and honestly I'm not really either but I didn't want to write about a broken hearted Winry because that makes me sad sooo I paired her with Al. I'll try to keep the moments between the two brief.

Fullmetal Alchemist belongs to Hiromu Arakawa not me.


The two brothers had settled inside, away from the outside chill and closer to the warmth of their company. True to what he had told Alphonse, Edward settled on the couch, feeling weary. He let out a sigh and looked to Roy, "Hey Roy, can you go get a blanket or something please?"

With a nod, Roy stood and disappeared down the hallway.

Ed let his head fall into the cushions, shutting his eyes. He could feel Winry and Al's eyes upon him but he tried not to mind it too much. When something heavy fell upon him he snapped his eyes open only to find Roy smoothing out one of the heavier blankets on him. He offered a weak smile and said his thanks, tiredly huddling into the blanket.

He let a his eyes fall shut to rest them when he felt Winry's gentle touch running over his head. It wasn't often that she did small things like that for him, so he relished in every moment. Ed began to feel more and more relaxed, his body going limp with relief. As the world fell away to sleep, all he could register was the soft hand upon his head and the quiet murmuring of voices.

Ed was dimly aware of his surroundings, the hand running through his hair was still there but there was the soft sound of someone humming. Why was Winry humming? He slowly began waking his tired mind, getting closer to consciousness. The song was very familiar, a song that he hadn't heard since he had been a child.

His mind eventually registered was that he felt lighter, not weighted down by his automail nor his sickness. It was slightly unnerving, it felt too much like being in the Gate. Ed decided it was time to wake up and find out what was going on. He forced his eyes to open. The sight he was met with made his heart skip.

Light chestnut hair strung in a loose ponytail hung down, shining hazel eyes looked out into the distance. A small smile that so warm and familiar that Ed felt his heart clench painfully.

"M-Mom...?"

Trisha looked down towards him and smiled softly, "Hello Edward..."

Ed pulled himself to a sitting position, turning to face her. He was sure that shock had to be present on his face, "W-What are you... how is this po-" A finger on his lips silenced him.

Trisha's smile had turned sad, "Don't worry about that honey, just worry about feeling better and waking to see

your loved ones again." She let her hand fall from his lips, going to grasp one of his hands instead, "I get so worried about you and your brother up here... Knowing that I can't help you through your pains or sicknesses. You have no idea how stressful that is for me. I look down on you two constantly, hoping that the day won't bring you trouble..."

Ed felt lost, his mother's eyes swam with worry, unease and hurt. It was so unlike her that all he could do was listen to her tell him of her fears. He tightened the hold their hands had, trying to show her that he was sorry. He then noticed that she had gone silent. He looked up and met her eyes.

Trisha wiped at her eyes, clearly trying to fight tears, "You've both grown up so much since I left you..."

Ed felt his own emotions becoming a problem so he brought her in for a hug, trying to hide his own tears. "I missed you mom..."

"I missed you too Edward," came the saddened reply.

They stayed like that awhile longer until at long last Trisha pulled away, wiping the few remaining tears from her face. "I'm sorry I left you and Alphonse to fend for yourselves in the world, I never have gotten over the guilt. I gave up on life when I caught the fever and I'm sorry..."

Ed brought their foreheads together, "I.. I never blamed you, not once... If anything I blamed.. Hohenheim because you kept longing to see him and when you needed him most he didn't come." He felt ashamed of having thought that now but what else was he supposed to think?

Trisha smiled gently, "I can understand that, you needn't be ashamed of such ideas. You were still a child when I passed after all." Her hazel eyes glimmered with emotion, "I am sorry you and Alphonse had to go through that, I didn't want to leave but it was my time..." She patted his hand and kissed his forehead, "I want to talk more but I have to go for now, Edward. I enjoyed this time we had. But you need to wake up, you've gotten a fearsome fever and your friends are worried."

Ed started at that, "What?"

"Yes, you have gotten another fever, it's a bad one this time. So try and wake up and relieve them of their worry."

Ed nodded and began to fade from the peaceful atmosphere, "Mom... I-"

Trisha shook her head, "I know, honey.."

He smiled sheepishly and faded away.

Trisha allowed herself another smile, "I love you too, Edward..."

Edward moaned as he felt the pains of his body come back to him. He rolled his head, trying to focus on his surroundings again. He blearily opened his eyes, his sight feeling hazy. Alphonse was hovering over him, saying something but Ed couldn't hear words. And since he could hear nothing he went ahead and spoke himself, "I saw her Al... I saw mom..."

And though his eyes were sliding shut, he could just make out the look of horror that marred Al's features. Then everything faded away.


Well, that was interesting. Shorter than I like but it was something, don't hate?