Winry arrived at the train station in North City three days later with both Second Lieutenant Bismuth and her travel kit in tow. No gun. Bismuth advised her she wouldn't be permitted to have it within the fort, and that if she took it then it would only be confiscated. She wasn't comfortable with the idea of going unarmed, but she reminded herself that a fort — under the protection of the military — was probably the safest place for her to be. Besides, she had Nen, and she liked to think she had learned enough that she could defend herself against the average person.

She'd had to take an afternoon to shop for the trip after arriving in Central. She'd never been further than the capital, and was ill-prepared for the climate. She didn't even have a jacket that would be sufficient. She knew there would be snow, and a lot of it. She'd only seen snow once before when she was a child. That seemed so long ago now.

Bismuth held her elbow as she stepped down onto the snow-dusted platform. It was not yet late afternoon, and the snow piled on the roofs glittered silver and gold under the brilliance of the sun. Winry found herself pausing despite herself, then hastily following Bismuth when she realized he was ready to continue on. The soldier carried the bag containing her clothes over one shoulder. He'd refused to entertain the idea of her carrying it herself.

Winry was both elated about the trip, and fundamentally pissed off at Edward for making her go. She was excited for the opportunity to travel to the renown Fort Briggs, where Amestris' finest and strongest served. The idea of being in a snowy tundra was exciting and exotic. But to be beckoned there by Ed after he'd gone galavanting off to the north half-prepared with some of her finest automail infuriated her beyond belief. Suppose she had still been working at Atelier Garfiel — he presumed for her to leave behind her job and clients on a whim for him. The anger she felt now was comparable to what she'd felt when Hisoka had terminated her apprenticeship without her consent. The difference, however, was that she could actually lay into Ed for his transgression without worrying for her life.

"Major Kimblee, sir," Bismuth said abruptly, and stood at attention. Winry's feet stopped.

"Lieutenant," a man standing under the overhang of the station acknowledged.

If Bismuth hadn't spoken to him, Winry wouldn't have suspected the man of being military. His black hair was almost as long as hers, and two pieces framed his narrow face. He wore an overcoat and a fitted three piece suit that were as white and pristine as the untouched snow. A fedora was pulled low over his eyes. Otherwise, a violet tie was the only hint of color. At least until he raised his chin and his gaze met hers.

He had amber eyes, and high, arching brows. Major Kimblee's eyes were narrow and full of cunning, despite his smile. For a moment, she felt as though she were staring at Hisoka. Winry swallowed hard.

"Winry Rockbell," the man said, stepping forward. "I'm Major Zolf Kimblee." She offered him her hand to shake, but he bent and kissed her knuckle instead. She jerked at the unexpectedness of the gesture. "I'll be escorting you to Fort Briggs."

"I didn't realize I needed a Major to escort me," she jested, offering what she hoped was a polite smile as he took her travel kit from her and began walking. She followed. She didn't like not having her tools and equipment in anyone's hands but her own, but she couldn't think of a kind way to refuse quickly enough.

"You're precious cargo, Ms. Rockbell. Fullmetal is a valuable addition to the military and we need him in top form. On behalf of the Fuhrer, thank you for coming on such short notice. And I apologize, there was a miscommunication with the telegram sent to you. You're here at the Fuhrer's request — it was realized that he hadn't scheduled time to make adjustments prior to coming north, and someone sent it up the chain to summon you."

"It's nothing, really—"

"Far from it," Major Kimblee disagreed firmly. "And from what I understand, you actually had to come from Dublith instead of Rush Valley. That's quite a ways away"

Winry saw him glance at her from the corner of his eyes.

"Yes," she nodded. "I did."

"The last we knew, you'd been fulfilling an apprenticeship in Rush Valley." They reached a white car, and Second Lieutenant Bismuth opened the door for her. "At least according to the Elrics."

There was a brief reprieve as Bismuth put her bags into the back of the vehicle — before she lowered herself into the car and Major Kimblee followed her — where she had a moment to think of her excuse. She could tell by the Major's tone that he wanted an answer and would ask again if she was less than forthcoming with it.

But if they hadn't known she wasn't in Rush Valley then maybe they likewise didn't know about Hisoka, and that loosened a knot in her chest. She didn't know how to explain a man like Hisoka to a boy like Ed. Or even to a man like Kimblee.

"I've been doing repairs and adjustments in Dublith — there was a great need for a mechanic in the area, and it's only a train ride away from Rush Valley. If you could refrain from telling Ed and Al that though, I'd appreciate it. I don't want him to get the wrong idea, that I've given up on my apprenticeship."

"I see." Bismuth was seated behind the wheel now, and at Major Kimblee's gesture, the officer began driving. "That's very generous of you, Ms. Rockbell."

"Call me Winry, please. And I'm a fourth generation automail engineer and mechanic, I'm only fulfilling my family legacy."

"I'm familiar with the Rockbell family — and only if you will address me as just Zolf, or Kimblee."

"You know my family?" she asked in genuine surprise.

"Your parents lost their lives giving medical attention during the war."

It was a statement, not a question. Winry nodded. "That's right."

"Thought so." Kimblee bowed his head. "I was part of the squadron that recovered their bodies. We'd been dispatched to help them, but it was too late by the time we got there. I'm sorry."

"Thank you for trying," Winry said softly, staring at her gloved hands.

"You're just like them, I can see it already. They stayed true to their duty and helped the needy right up to the end. I respect their bravery. I wish that I could've had the chance to meet them." His head rose, and he looked at her with a kind, gentile smile as he put an empathetic hand on her knee. "Your parents were true heroes, and it's an honor to meet you."

Winry had been afraid that she wouldn't be able to put on the happy face that Ed was accustomed to, but as she waited outside the room for Kimblee's cue to surprise the brothers, she realized her concern was for naught. Her anger and annoyance were firmly planted in the backseat now that she knew they were in the other room. This was Ed, after all — even if he was locked up. Kimblee had told her it was a misunderstanding from Ed's arrival, and that didn't surprise her in the slightest. Ed had a certain way about him that just kept getting him in deeper and deeper.

"I brought a visitor with me to see you."

She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she almost missed it. Winry padded into the room, feeling her face glow. There they were, Edward and Alphonse Elric, a State Alchemist and his wayward brother, locked up in a military fort. The irony wasn't lost on her. It was all she could do not to click her tongue and chide them.

"Winry!" Ed gasped, followed by Al's demand of, "Why did you come here?!"

"Why?" she repeated. Her nose wrinkled as that brief moment of excitement to see them melted away like snow in the southern sun. She came here to help them and they couldn't care less. "Why do you think? You have to adjust your automail for the north, don't you? And just what are you doing in that cell?"

"We didn't ask you to come here!"

"What's with you? I was worried about you, idiot. Someone from the military contacted me so I came—"

Ed suddenly looked stricken, and Winry withdrew away from him in frustration. Kimblee's hands fell on her shoulders to prevent further retreat. The contact steeled her, and she turned her nose upward, snubbing the pair.

"Don't be so hard on her, you two. The Fuhrer was concerned about you. He wanted to make sure you were taken care of."

A couple years ago, hearing that kind of condescending tone taken toward Ed and Al would have set her off. A lot had happened since then though, and she wouldn't lie — it was nice to have someone behind her who could put them both in their place. They were being unreasonable as ever. The military's request for her presence under the circumstances didn't seem suspect, but Ed's reaction was. It made her grit her teeth.

He was hiding something from her.

Again.

"We have the infirmary ready for you, Winry," Kimblee said, patting her shoulder before letting go of her and stepping away. "I've been reassured you'll find it and the shop suitable for the adjustments you need to make to Fullmetal's automail."

"If you could have the Second Lieutenant show me the way, I'll meet Ed there when he's ready," she announced.

She attempted to mentally regroup to focus on the task at hand after she arrived in the infirmary. It would be more than sufficient for what she needed to do. Ed was escorted there — still shackled, to her amusement — and she made short work of taking the measurements she needed before sending him away again.

She'd kept the casts from the last time she'd made his automail in case she could reuse them. Ed wouldn't be happy to hear it, but only minor adjustments needed to be made to fit them to his current measurements. He was going to be short forever.

She changed into her overalls in her new barracks room before heading to the automail shop, where she set about building his new arm and leg. Having the previous casts made the process go significantly quicker, but she lost hours anyway as the time rolled by, until Kimblee cleared his throat behind her. Winry pushed her goggles up onto her forehead ad she turned to face him.

"The soldier watching the shop is about to be relieved for the night," he said. "You might want to consider the same."

"They aren't going to wake up again — you might as well go to bed," Hisoka had taunted when he'd found her downstairs in the butcher shop after Izumi and Sig had gone to bed for the night. He'd scared her so badly that the knife had slipped and she'd cut her hand. There was still a faint, silvery scar across her palm from the incident.

The feeling that she'd lived through this moment before was strong. It was odd to remember Hisoka now, here in this place that was so opposite of both Dublith, Yorknew City, and Heavens Arena. Hisoka wasn't an intrusion on her thoughts anymore — he was more of an unexpected guest. Kimblee struck the same chord.

"Please let me escort you back to your room for the night," Kimblee said.

Winry heard a warning go off in her head, but she dismissed it. They were at a military fort, and if anyone attempted to lay hands on her, someone would be nearby to interfere — assuming she couldn't handle it on her own with Nen. There was nothing for her to fear here at Fort Briggs.

"I'd appreciate that, thank you."

"I hope you're giving Fullmetal his best work yet," Kimblee commented after she had tidied up the station she'd been working at. "The military is still after the Ishvalan murderer, and we need both Elrics in top form."

"Scar is still at large?" she asked as the soldier posted outside the shop locked the door behind her.

"He is, and he's retreated to the north. That's actually part of why I'm here — I was tracking him, and I actually cornered him on a train a few days ago."

"How did he get away?" she asked as they began walking.

"He wounded me," Kimblee said, and he sounded a bit ashamed of that fact. "I'm fine now. Scar is a strong opponent though. He was a warrior monk before the war, and now that he has learned to use alchemy to support his malicious intentions, it makes him formidable."

"He killed my parents."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"I met him in Central once — when Colonel Hughes died. Ed and Al actually had him cornered. I pulled a gun on him. I told him who my parents were and he said I would be justified."

"So why didn't you?" Kimblee asked.

She hesitated then admitted, "If Ed hadn't been there, I might have."

"He would've deserved it."

Winry nodded. Even Scar had agreed he did, and she wasn't big enough of a person to argue against the killer's own confession.

"I was so disappointed that Ed and Al didn't get him then. Ed is so talented and brave, I thought for sure that it would be easy for him. But I think Ed wanted to catch Scar — if he'd been trying to kill him, then maybe Scar wouldn't have gotten away after all."

"Scar is wanted dead or alive. I'm sure the Fuhrer has questions he wants answered, but at this point I don't think anyone would bat an eye if the Ishvalan couldn't be taken in still breathing."

"May I be blunt?" Winry asked, glancing at Kimblee, and he nodded his reassurance. "I know you said you think Ed will be helping with hunting Scar, but I don't think he's the man for the job."

"Why's that?"

"I think Ed would rather die trying to take Scar alive rather than kill."

Kimblee's smile radiated confidence. "Scar is an enemy of the State — and Ed knows he's the person who killed your parents. He should have more motivation than anyone to kill Scar, except maybe you."

"I just don't think he'd do it, Major."

"Kimblee," he corrected swiftly. "And who knows. With the right motivation, I'm sure I can make him see reason."

They had reached the barracks room she'd been given for while she was here, and Winry stopped outside the door.

"What if he doesn't?" she asked.

Kimblee looked thoughtful, then leaned an arm against the wall before bending so his lips were near her ear.

"My standards do tend to differ from society's," he said in a confiding whisper. "I will make sure Scar is stopped — and I won't give the Elrics another opportunity to let him walk away."

Winry found herself smiling at Kimblee without meaning to, and he reached out to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Thanks, Kimblee," she said. "These two are lucky to have you watching out for them."