Hey all! I apologize on the slightly delayed update, but I slept over my friends house where I of course could not update. So even though it's a little later than usually it's still a really fast update! Enjoy!

By the way, absolutely anyone who wants to be my editor, and is strong in the English department. Just leave your details, like email and so on in a review, and I'll contact you and see if we can make it happen!

Chapter Twenty-five: Promises, Deception

"But you're not going to… are you?"

The line ran through my mind as I kept my hand firmly on the woman's shoulder, looking down at her feet with grief. Suddenly I could see all the pain in her eyes, everything I had missed when I looked into my Winry's eyes. I could now see it so clearly here in this woman's eyes. Everything she was going through, the pain of not having him touch her, having to hold everything inside. I looked back onto the memory of Winry confessing her love to me, and everything I said to her to make the situation even worse.

"I am going to die…" She had told me so clearly. But did I listen? Did I ever bother to look deep enough into her body, soul and mind to see what she was truly feeling? Was I still so oblivious to the obvious with my Winry?

The only way I can get out of this is to tell her the truth. But I had to check with Al for that. So I sighed and let my hand fall a little lower on her arm.

"Winry" I said suddenly, looking up into her blue eyes. They were burning with the same passion and desire I had too clearly seen in my Winry's eyes so many times. "What am I to you?"

She cocked her head to the side with confusion and pouted. "A friend" She replied calmly.

"Friends don't do this type of stuff…" I argued. Winry had used the same excuse with me.

"Yes they do, they care about each other, they can touch each other." She whispered with anger.

"Yes they can touch each other Winry, but there is a borderline, once you cross the line you become a lover to someone." I sighed.

"So?" She asked becoming wide-eyed.

"So I am saying, I consider you trying to kiss me and… well I consider that something more than a friend would do to me." I replied with a slight blush looking away.

"You mean you don't want to be my friend?" Winry questioned with sadness.

"No that's not what I am saying, arrgggh." I grunted with frustration. I slapped my forehead and sighed. "I'm saying… maybe you should think about how you really feel about me before you do this stuff. If your prepared to come to me and kiss then maybe you should be prepared to reply that I am more than a friend to you, I am sick of this friend crap, that's what I mean." I softened my expression and smiled at her lightly.

"Ed… I…" Winry stuttered.

"Listen" I put my hand to her lips and ran my fingers through her hair. "When you can tell me how you really feel… we will talk about this okay? But for tonight I think its best I sleep in another room." I lowered my hand and kissed her forehead lightly. She didn't seem to reply and stood there, her eyes brimming with tears.

I sighed with relief when I shut the door to her room and leaned against it. Well it was a good plan, thank god it went right. If she had said that I was more than a friend I would have been screwed. I walked down the hall silently searching for a room. I came to I nice one at the end of the hallway and shut the door. For some reason, when I fell onto the bed I became extremely sad. I pulled up the covers and glanced around the room. The window was open, the crescent moon shining through the clouds. The moon was smiling, so why shouldn't I be? I would most likely be making contact with my brother tomorrow if everything went to plan. I had found another Winry who was just as perfect as mine. Why was I so sad?

I felt alone in my bed, empty… I needed Winry. As I laid there I knew that Winry was lying in her bed thinking the exact same thing, which hurt me. I never wanted to leave you alone Winry.

The door suddenly creaked open and Winry poked her head through. Why me?

"Ed?" She whispered, closing the door behind her. She treaded softly on the carpet barley making a noise. Just act like you're asleep. The bed moved slightly and I knew she was climbing onto it. I cringed, tensed my fists and screwed my face up as she crawled on top of me. She placed her legs either side of mine and dug her hands into my pillow. "Ed?" She whispered again. No way am I going to reply. Her hand suddenly came into contact with my cheek and I flinched, opening my eyes, accidentally. She instantly took her hand away and apologised.

"What do you want, I am tired, you know trying to sleep?" I told her, with irritation in my voice.

"S-sorry" She stammered with an apologetic look on her face.

I looked up at her with defeat and nodded for her to continue.

"I just thought that I should tell you…" She started to say, but I instantly cut her off.

"Did you have to be on top of me to tell me this?" I asked.

"Yep, it's for impact you know?" She grinned leaning in closer. I breathed a rushed 'whatever' and waited for her to continue. But she just leaned closer and kissed my ear gently. I once again flinched and let out a sound of protest. "Ed, I love you." She whispered. Hearing those words, was like hearing them directly from my Winry's mouth, I felt the butterflies start to fly around in my stomach. Why did she have to do this tonight? Damn this.

"What do you want me to do?" I gulped holding my arms tightly by my sides. No matter what, I was not going to betray Winry, even if it was with Winry. Winry seemed hurt by my response and tensed a little.

"Umm… you're tired right?" She asked hopping off me. I nodded. "Then just let me sleep next to you." She begged, crawling under the covers. She wrapped her arm around mine and brought it close to her chest. This was fair enough, I could give her comfort like this, like caring friends would do. I smiled and pulled her closer to me.

"Okay but no funny stuff and you have yourself a deal." I laughed. She snuggled into my chest and sighed.

"Promise"

The next morning I woke up to Winry sitting on the edge of the bed. She was watching the sunrise through the window with a peaceful expression on her face. Whoa this Winry is an early riser? There is one major difference for you. I sat up and rubbed my eyes.

"We have work in an hour." She sighed. "I wish I could have just slept with you all day." I take that back…

I coughed at her comment and almost got the air pounded out of me when she leaped into my arms and dug her head into my chest. "Whoa there Winry, give me some warning when you do that okay?" I told her. She laughed and lifted her head.

"You always say that!" She smiled.

Is the Edward here almost exactly like me? "Well you never listen!" I argued. Obviously she didn't.

"Sorry Ed, I guess I am just overflowing with affection for you." She rolled her eyes kissing my chest softly. Stop that!

"Okay, okay, get off me now." I said with a blush. "Work?" Now where was work again? Blame it on the hangover. "Hmmm where was work again?" I joked… well to her I joked.

"I'll take you there Mister!" She grabbed me by the collar of my shirt that I hadn't bothered to take off and pulled me out of bed. "Come on, you always get up so late… you lazy arse." So he was a late riser… that's not good.

"Lazy arse?" I protested as she wrapped the tie around my neck.

"That's what I love about you." She grinned.

"I am not a lazy arse."

"And you fall asleep in your work clothes so the next morning you're ready to go, very resourceful of you Edward." She laughed. She stood up on her tippee toes to place a kiss on my cheek. I glared at her but eventually gave up with a sigh.

"Oh you caught me." I grinned. "What am I going to do?"

"Ooooo I love you so much." She said with frustration leaping at me again. This time I got bashed against the wall and hit my head quite hard.

"WINRY!" I yelled holding my head. "That was worse than the bloody wrench."

"I'm so sorry." She instantly said looking up to me. How can I stay angry at her?

"Just go and get ready for work god damn it! I'll meet you outside." I ordered. She nodded and let go of me reluctantly. I watched her walk out of the room with her hands placed over her chest dreamily. This guy really has her doesn't he? I walked outside and smelt the cool fresh air of the morning. I loved mornings for some reason, I always had. It was quiet and peaceful. Just like late at night. But at night there was a different kind of peaceful feeling, a feeling that made me want to hold Winry tighter. After a few minutes Winry emerged with a huge overcoat. Bandanna, overalls, tube top, all that's different is the colour of her hair and the coat. It was however a freezing morning. Germany is a cold place ay?

"Let's go Ed." Winry wrapped her hand around mine and grinned. As we were walking I took in more deep breaths. The air here was different… not as fresh as I was used to. Suddenly a loud ringing sound could be heard. I looked around with shock and notice Winry pull the phone out of her coat.

"What Al?" Winry puffed. Hearing his name made me instantly smile. "No we are out of bed." "OF COURSE!" "Shut up Al, he did not sleep in; he was actually up early this morning." "Yeah we are on our way…" "No I didn't bloody harass him" I began to cough insanely at her comment, and all she did was glare in response. "Oki doki! See you soon Al." She put her phone away and gave me a heart wrenching smile.

"I really can't wait to see Al." I blurted out suddenly, almost surprising myself. Winry gave me a strange look but smiled.

"You two are really close aren't you? Almost like brothers!" She grinned.

"You could say that." I replied.

"Come on let's go."

When we reached the work place I found myself sweating despite the cold weather. I wrung my hands together nervously as Winry went up to the desk.

"Well Miss Winry, Edward… what a pleasure to see you, what has it been a few days?" The woman asked raising her eyebrow. I laughed nervously and glanced at Winry for help. Winry merely sighed and grabbed my hand pulling me down some dark stairs.

"You really shouldn't miss work so much Ed, we need you around." Winry told me.

"I'm sorry, I just run into trouble a lot…"

"Don't you mean you sleep in till like 5 in the afternoon?" Winry giggled.

"Hey!"

I entered the room with a huge smile on my face since I was just laughing with Winry. But as soon as I entered Al looked up from his work and time immediately froze. My expression dropped sufficiently and I let go of Winry's hand. Al also seemed like he was in a slight daze. Winry glanced between us with worry when Al finally coughed. "Do you mind giving us some privacy Winry?" Al asked kindly. Winry nodded with confusion and stepped into another room. I moved closer to Al and reached out to him with my hand. He also raised his hand and met it with mine. Before long I had pulled him into a bone crushing hug. I felt the tears well in my eyes and thanked whoever it was for this.

"Long time Brother." Al sighed pulling away.

"Al…"

"So tell me everything." Al said quickly.

"No you tell me everything." I grinned.

"Stubborn as ever I see…"

"I'm not stubborn…" I argued.

"And as oblivious as ever." Al sighed.

"Well I am working on that, I'm getting better. I have to if I don't want to get hit by Winry." I grinned.

"How are you here brother?"

"Long story, to cut it short… basically I received this ultimate stone from someone. I then asked to be taken to you. I had one week to bring you back to my world… that's why I want to hurry." I sighed.

"How long has it been?" Al asked.

"Well see I don't exactly know. I was woken up by a man. Who knows how long I was sleeping for… but it has only taken me a day and a bit to find you." I told Al. This matter was serious.

"So you are saying it's possible for me to go home…?" Al asked.

"Yes but we need to go back ASAP, equivalent trade…"

"But brother… I have a life here… I want to return with you but it's hard to just disappear… Winry will be sad." Al told me. I stood there with shock and shook my head.

"You aren't going to come back?" I asked with shock.

"Brother, if we stay here you can be with Winry and me." Al smiled.

"I can't believe you're saying that… you want me to just leave the real Winry back there alone?" I gasped.

"Brother that's rude! The Winry here is real as well." Al argued.

"Of course but to us Al… our whole life over there, with Winry… you aren't going to tell me that you don't want to come back after all the trouble I have gone to." I yelled with frustration. I ran my hands through my hair and almost felt the tears start to well.

"Of course I will come back brother… don't be so irrational." Al sighed. "I will just miss everyone, and my work."

"Of course Al, of course." I smiled. "But we have to make sacrifices."

"I am sure you have made plenty to come here brother… I didn't want to cause you so much trouble." Al apologised.

"No it's really all worth it now." I grinned. Right on cue Winry walked in with a worried expression on her face.

"Is everything alright in here? I heard you two yelling…" Winry said cautiously.

"Everything is fine." Al smiled reassuringly.

"Well then get to work you lazy arses!" Winry yelled. "Honestly!" She then walked out of the room.

"How are you going to do it Al? Run away… or tell Winry the truth…" I asked him.

"I think I should tell her." Al cringed. "I should do it soon right?"

"Yeah…"

"Before I do… how did you and Winry end up together? It's a miracle you two are both so stubborn." Al laughed.

"She came onto me!" I blushed before Al got any ideas. I then raised my finger to my forehead and scratched it slightly. "But then I kind of came onto her."

"I'm sure Winry will tell me all about it." Al grinned. But I could see a deep sadness behind the front. "What will I tell Trisha…" He sighed. I gave him a curious look.

"It's Edwards's mother." Al told me. "Not mine, we aren't related in this world."

"How come you're living with her?"

"It's really a long story, but Edward and Trisha never got along, I guess I sort of moved in to help her." The news was big shock to me and I held my forehead slightly. He then disappeared around the corner to break the news to Winry.

I'll be home soon Winry, wait for me.

I sighed and sat down in the closest seat. It was going to be a long day, if anything Winry wouldn't take this well.

"Al are you in here?"

I looked up at the familiar soothing voice that made my body calm. A delicate hand placed itself on the door to the room I was currently in, before a woman holding a box walked in with a look of curiosity on her face. No, not a woman, an angel.

"Al?" She called a little louder obviously searching for my brother. But her face suddenly fell to mine, which was all too hard to read.

"E-edward…" She stepped back a little, almost dropping the box in the process.

My eyes grew wide with shock and my body became instantly numb.

"Mum…?"

Saturn Stars