(A/N): Sooooo...How about those time skips? It's difficult to figure out ages and stuff, much less times when stuff happens. I'm sorry, but it won't stop me from trying! Anywho, keep on readin' and reviewin'. They make me all warm and fuzzy inside :3

Elena sits on the white steps of the Rockbell house, Den's head resting comfortably under hers. Her golden eyes scan the horizon, expecting to see red cloth and metal at any moment. She can't explain why she feels this way, why she just knows they'll be coming. It was probably from the nightmare she had had this morning. Elena knew that something was wrong, and it had terrified her. She wraps her arms around the black and white fur of Den, trying to shake the nightmare's fragments that keep replaying.

"Are they coming, Ellie?"

Winry's voice comes from inside as the door opens, revealing the owner. Elena nods as Winry joins her on the steps. The two females gaze at the empty horizon.

"It's been awhile, huh?"

Another nod.

"Well, he didn't call, the jerk. I can almost see my poor automail in pieces."

Elena tries to smile at the exhausted sigh as Winry stands with a stretch.

"Must be nice to have 'Elric Sibling Telepathy.' Lunch is almost ready, so make sure he hurries up."

The last time either saw the Elric brothers was when Edward burned their home down. He had become a state alchemist, silver watch and all, and all three knew there was no moving back. Only forward to get everything they lost. Winry had cried, but Elena only watched as the flames ate away at her childhood home. And then they left her behind with the Rockbells.

But I'm stronger now. That was almost three years ago, and-oh.

Unable to believe it, Den gets out of her grip and begins barking at the figures in the horizon. The blond in a red coat, and... a giant man with a huge crate?

Elena bolts to her feet, chasing after Den who barks a greeting to Edward. He says something like a 'Nice to see you, too', but is pleasantly interrupted by Elena embracing him tightly. He hugs her back, but only with his left. She backs away, having now noticed that the right sleeve was empty.

"It's okay, Ellie. We're okay."

Elena's heart sinks, looking for the suit of armor that is her other brother. All she sees is the large, muscled military man who definitely is not Alphonse. He makes Edward seem even smaller than what he really is, and somewhat sparkles.

"Ah ha! You must be Elena Elric, the Elric brothers' little sister. I must say, hearing your tale brought many a tear to my eye! Such a story about brotherly-"

"Um, Mister Armstrong? Can you let me down?" The voice of Alphonse comes from the crate, and Elena wonders if they really were okay and what happened.

"Of course, Alphonse Elric. I could carry you all day with these muscles passed down the Armstrong line for generations!"

Alex Louis Armstrong places the heavy crate down like it weighs a feather. The remains of Alphonse's armor lie within, the helmet on top.

"Hi, Ellie." He says sheepishly, and smelling slightly of the animal. "Um, how are you?"

Elena continues to stare, no longer believing that they were okay. This was not okay.

"Does Winry know we're here yet?" Edward asks suddenly, and Elena shakes her head. Den's acknowledgement of the brothers' arrival hadn't brought Winry out. He sighs in relief, then crouches to his knees.

"Hop on before she does."

Unsure of this sudden declaration, much less Edward's current condition, Elena doesn't move.

"I'm strong, remember?"

The almost thirteen year-old climbs onto his fifteen year-old back, latching her arms around his neck. He does feel stronger, but Elena wonders what all has made them this way. And her nightmare. Edward has trouble holding her up with only one arm, but smirks it off, not wanting to worry his baby sister even more. Though he wonders how much longer he can think of her that way.

"Race ya, Armstrong."

"E-Ed!" Alphonse protests from his crate, but his siblings are already off. With a determined shine in his manly blue eyes, Armstrong plucks the crate up and hoists it over his head, sprinting after Edward. "H-Hey! D-Don't drop me!"

The weight of Elena on Edward's back reminds him of a similar little girl that the brothers had played with weeks earlier. When he had seen Elena and Den racing towards him, Edward had briefly envisioned a different pair of young girl and dog. Both he couldn't save.

But he would save his both no matter the cost.