Edward and Alphonse arrived in Central the next day. Jean picked up the two brothers and drove them to their hotel. He gave them a paper with the name of a bar and told them to dress casually because they would be undercover. Edward and Al were still confused as to what this mission was but accepted. They trusted Mustang and his team.

Edward and Alphonse arrived at the bar at the appointed time and found all of Mustang's team minus one female lieutenant. "There he is. The man of the hour," Jean pulled Edward to the bar, and gave him a drink.

"Wait! What is this?!" Edward asked.

Mustang answered "This is your last mission before you're married." Edward looked confused.

Jean clarified "We're throwing you a bachelor party. So drink up! This is your last night of freedom!" They toasted to Edward, who was still confused. He looked at Al to see if he knew but he looked just as clueless. They sat at a round table and played some drinking games.

"Alright gentlemen, the game is we take a drink if we have done the action that the person announces," Jean said. It starts off innocent but the more they drank, the dirtier that actions called out were.

"Drink if you've gone down on a girl," Jean called out and they all watched Edward. Edward drank. "Damn kid, you've done more than I thought," Jean responded after he drank. Edward's face turned red.

When it came time to drink if they had sex, Ed and Al were the only ones that didn't drink. "No shit! You and her haven't done that yet." Jean said.

"We're waiting until our wedding night," Edward said angrily. Al was learning more about Ed's sex life than he wanted to.

The men started a round of playing Cenz while Jean took Edward to the bar to get two more beers. "So you want some pointers?" Jean asked Edward at the bar.

Edward about spit out his beer.

Jean continued. "Well you want her first time to be good, right?" Edward nodded. "Well it sounds like you're already familiar with the anatomy. We can skip that. Now with women, getting them turned on isn't just about anatomy. It's mental. Sometimes they need a little help to get into the mood. So you compliment her. Make her feel good about herself. Every woman likes to be told how beautiful they are."

Edward silently listened, and nodded for Jean to continue. "Once she's feeling good about herself then you can do more physical stuff. Kissing, feeling her. Basically start from her mouth and make your way down her neck. Then her breasts and finally.. well you know. Make her feel really good before you even think about going in. That first time…. Man, once you feel her around you, it's amazing but it's so fast. You'll see. I bet you won't even last a minute in her before you blow."

Edward found this a lot to take in but his mind was racing. Jean gave a few more tips, too. "Are you going to use birth control?"

"Ummm.. yeah."

"Ok, well next to the condoms in the pharmacy, there is lubricant. Use that, especially the first time. It'll help you slide in easier, and it'll help her not hurt so much."

"Wait! How much does it hurt her?" Edward asked feeling anxiety. He didn't want to hurt his bride. "Well it varies from woman to woman. But if you make her feel really good, and use the lubricant, then it will help her not hurt as much." Jean patted him on the back. "You're going to do great. Just follow those tips, okay."

Edward and Jean returned to the table. Breda remarked on their return "Jeez, you guys took forever just to get two beers."

"Come on Breda. I was giving the kid some tips for his wedding night." They all laughed and cheered. Edward wanted to sink under the table and disappear.

They finished their drinks and Roy looked at his watch. "Alright gentlemen. Time for our next destination." They paid their tab and made their way to a place that Edward and Alphonse had never been to.

Mustang lead the way into a house that hado a desk up front with a lady dressed in a frilly pink and black dress that barely covered her breasts. She saw Mustang, and beamed. "Oh hi Roy. It's been a while. I couldn't believe it when I saw your name in the books."

"Well Liz, I've been busy with work. Anyways, here's the man of the night." Mustang pointed at Edward.

Liz smiled. "Okay, I'll let Layla know that he's here. I also have a few others for your party tonight. Follow me to your table."

Liz lead them through a door to a large table with a booth that nearly surrounded it. There were pretty ladies in frilly dresses serving drinks to other guests and a stage at the back of the house. Edward stopped and gawked at the whole scene. "Winry's going to kill me."

Al gulped next to him. "Yep. You're a dead man." Al told him. The party took their seats.

Jean had overheard them. "Only if she finds out."

Edward smacked his forehead. 'I'm going to die a virgin!' Edward thought.

Just then a girl in a black dress with red bows, and black tights showed up. She had dark brown hair and blue eyes. "Good evening gentlemen. My name is Layla. Who is the lucky man tonight?" They all pointed to Edward.

Layla sat in Edward's lap, and he backed up as far as he could. "What's the matter? Are you shy?" She put her hand through his bangs. Edward thought he was about to pass out. The guys laughed at him except Al, who was feeling sorry for his brother.

Mustang figured this would happen. "Layla, he's new to all this. So go easy on him." Layla understood. She was more relaxed and not as forward than the other girls so that's why Mustang had picked her for Edward.

Layla understood. "Don't worry handsome. I'll be good to you. What's your name?"

"Ummm…. Edward."

"Okay Edward. Let's have a drink." Layla didn't leave his lap as they drank their martini's. Eventually more girls came by and sat with their party. They watched the show, and all of Mustang's party laughed at the innuendos presented on stage while Edward and Alphonse were still overwhelmed. Eventually the show ended, and the music began.

Layla was determined to get Edward to enjoy himself so she made him get up and dance with her. She talked to him as they danced. She learned he was about to get married. "Aww.. she's a lucky lady to be with you. I can tell you're a good man." Edward smiled at her. They continued dancing and drinking. Edward finally felt himself relax some as the alcohol took effect.

Layla and Edward took a break from dancing, and she sat back on his lap. Layla noticed Edward was more relaxed. "Are you hungry?" Edward nodded. Layla started feeding him some grapes. "Don't worry handsome. I'll take care of you tonight." Edward couldn't fight her. The alcohol left his limbs numb. She played with his pony tail while he sat and watched the others with their ladies. Al had found a girl and started having a good time dancing with her. Layla continued talking with Edward about how he knew Roy, how he had been an alchemist, and how his research was going in the West. Layla had finally gotten him to open up and relax.

It was the middle of the night when the party ended. Layla said good night to Edward and said "Good luck on your research, and on your marriage. I had a good time with you tonight. Come back and see me." She winked at him, and his friends chuckled at him.

The team went to their homes while Jean dropped off Ed and Al. "Did you two enjoy it?" Jean asked as he drove.

Al answered. "It was fun. But I think I might need help getting Ed upstairs." Jean looked back at Edward who was fast asleep in the back seat. He sighed. At least Edward was shown a good time, and he hopefully wouldn't get in any trouble with his new wife.

Two days later, Winry had her bridal shower at Gracia's. She had invited Riza, Paninya, Izumi, Mei, and of course Winry's grandmother. They talked about weddings and how her and Edward's romantic relationship began while Winry opened presents. They also talked about how Izumi met her husband while carrying a dead bear, and how Gracia and Maes had met.

While there, Riza took Winry aside and asked her if she wanted to have drinks later to celebrate. "Think of it as a girl's night out before the big day," Riza told her. She had learned what Roy and his team had done to Edward, and she figured Winry deserved a night out, too. Winry agreed to it, and they got Paninya and Mei in on it too.

The party of ladies met at a nice bar, and Riza introduced Rebecca to them. Rebecca had started a relationship with Jean, and she also knew what happened to Edward the other night.

They all sat down and enjoyed a few drinks. Mei was still underage so she had to settle for water. They asked Winry what her dress looked like, and she described it along with the story of how it was her mother's dress. Paninya elbowed Winry and asked "So Winry, is it appropriate for you to wear a white dress?"

Winry looked confused but then realized along with everyone that Paninya was asking if she was a virgin. Winry scoffed "Of course I can wear white!" Winry then remembered what her and Edward had done. "Well….. technically," she added.

Everyone scooted closer to her, while Winry backed up and looked around. Paninya edged closer and asked "So what does technically mean?"

Winry put her hand to her face. She couldn't believe that she was going to tell them. "Well, you know, we've made out."

"And?" Paninya knew there was more, and she didn't want to let Winry back down.

"Well, we've been doing more lately. Like…. Umm…. Oral." Winry said quietly.

Rebecca opened up to try to make Winry comfortable. "I love when a man knows how to work his mouth. Wait! Has he given you oral, or have you given him oral?"

"Both." Winry replied and took another drink. She didn't realize that adult girl talk was so personal but it was exhilarating.

Paninya said "Well oral is okay. You can still wear a white dress."

Rebecca asked "Has he fingered you too?"

Winry nodded, and Rebecca and Paninya cheered for her. Paninya couldn't believe they had gotten that far. Winry told them about how it had taken a long time to get that far physically. And the rest of the evening, they talked about first kisses and first times while giving tips to the ladies who weren't as experienced. And they all agreed that it was still appropriate for Winry to wear a white dress.

The next day, Winry met Edward and Alphonse at their hotel. She was staying with Gracia and Elysia so she didn't need a hotel room. She knocked on their door at the time they agreed on. Edward opened the door, and invited her in.

"Hey boys, how was your mission?" Winry asked. Al and Ed both winced.

Edward knew this was coming and he decided to be honest with Winry. "Well, Winry, you see Roy and our friends from the military didn't have a real mission. They took me out for drinks to celebrate us getting married. And ummm…" Edward put his hand behind his head. This was the hard part. "They also took us to a burlesque."

Winry eyes widened and then the anger took over. "You went to WHAT?!" She took spanner out of her purse and threw it at Edward, hitting him in the forehead. He immediately was knocked to the floor, holding on to his soul.

Edward muttered weakly "I deserved that."

Winry looked at Al. "And you! You knew about this?!"

Al backed up, and Winry threw another spanner, knocking Al in the head, and on the ground next to his brother. Winry turned away and started stomping toward the door. Edward sat up. "Winry, wait!" But she didn't. She ran out the door and out of the hotel.

As Winry walked along the streets of Central trying to walk her anger out, she was stopped by Riza, who happened to be walking her dog. "Winry, are you okay?"

"No." And Winry's eyes were started to form tears. Her anger had turned to disappointment which turned to sadness. Riza took her back to her place to talk to the young girl about her predicament.

An hour later, Edward called Gracia's house looking for Winry so that he could try to explain himself but she hadn't come back yet. Edward was getting worried. He told Gracia to call him when she arrived. He had to wait for her to call back. Al tried to comfort him. "Brother, she just needs to cool off a little bit. You know how she is." Edward sighed.

Two hours later, Gracia called and told Edward that Riza had brought her back. "Can I talk to her?" Edward asked.

"Edward, she doesn't want to talk to you right now. I'm sorry." They exchanged goodbyes. Edward was frustrated and he wanted nothing more than to make amends with Winry but apparently she was still upset.

The next day, Riza and Winry had agreed to meet for lunch so that they could talk more. Riza met Winry outside of a small café. They went inside and Winry was surprised at who else was there. "Edward?!"

Edward turned around. "Winry?!" he was surprised to see her there. Roy had invited him for lunch.

Riza casually sat next to Roy and motioned for Winry to sit next to Edward. She reluctantly sat next to him. She still felt really hurt. They looked away from each other.

Riza stated "Listen you two. We are here to clear the air between you." Roy felt awkward too. Riza turned to Roy "So let's start off with happened with you men the other night." Her tone was threatening Roy. Roy explained everything that happened, including Edward dancing with a girl, and she sat in his lap while they all had drinks, and how Edward and Al had no idea that this was planned.

"Ms. Rockbell, that is all that happened. I swear. Edward acted like a gentleman the entire evening." Roy pleaded with her.

Winry looked at Edward and he met her eyes. She saw the dark circles under his eyes. It looked like he hardly slept. And there was a sadness in his face.

Riza tried to keep the conversation going. "You two are about to get married. It's imperative to know how to resolve conflict. Winry, did you give Edward a chance to explain?" Winry shook her head. She felt bad. She thought that worse events had transpired but apparently not.

"I'm sorry. I just thought that those places were where sexual favors were performed." Winry said it quickly. Edward was stunned. He thought 'She thought I cheated on her!', and he felt worse.

Roy answered "Well, sometimes. I'm not going to lie but I did make it clear before hand that we were not there for that. We would never encourage a man that has promised himself to a woman to do that."

Winry nodded. She was starting to understand. Now that they were all on the same page, the air seemed clear. They could all breathe a little easier. Riza asked "Do you two feel better?" Edward and Winry agreed. "Let's enjoy some lunch now that Roy is happy to pay for it." Roy sighed in exasperation.

After lunch, Edward and Winry were walking down the street. Edward lead them towards the hotel he was staying in. "Do you wanna go upstairs and talk?" he asked. Even though they had clarified what had happened, he wanted to talk to her in private about it. Winry nodded.

Edward and Winry arrived to his room. Alphonse had left to gone to the library to do some research while they were there. He sat on the couch and she sat next to him with some distance between them.

"Ed, I'm sorry I didn't wait for you to explain. I just lashed out," Winry said looking down at her hands.

"I'm sorry too. I would never betray you. I don't want you to feel you have to worry about that." Edward then embraced her. He had been wanting to do that since he saw her at the café. He spoke into her ear. "I love you, Winry. I never want to hurt you." She moved her arms to return his embrace.

"I know," Winry said. Edward pulled away a little and looked at her face. He leaned forward to kiss her and he waited to see if she would accept. She turned her head and leaned up to accept. He closed the distance between them and kissed her softly. She pressed against his lips and opened her mouth a little. Their tongues met gently moving against each other trying to comfort the other one. They parted their lips and pressed their foreheads together. They had forgiven each other and were reluctant to separate physically.

Edward wanted to make it up to Winry. "Do you want to go shopping or go see a movie today?"

Winry thought about how she wanted to spend her last night in Central. "Can we go dancing?"

"Sure. And you'll be my only dance partner," Edward replied.

"You can dance with other girls sometimes when it's appropriate. I don't want to be that jealous wife. But tonight, can we make an exception?" Winry asked.

Edward chuckled. She had contradicted herself but it was fine. "Of course. Do you want it be just us? Or can we invite Al and Mei?"

"Let's invite them. Pretty soon I'll have you all to myself when we leave on our honeymoon," Winry reminded him. Edward grinned. They were about to get married and would have plenty of time to be together where they wouldn't be interrupted by family or friends.