The last chapter was just an introduction, here we really begin to tell the tale. Many twists and turns to come and although it may seem like it this will not be an exclusive Ed/Win fic...honest.


The waiting was almost painful. They had spent each day waiting for him to return. That pain had only extended with the loss of Al too. To know they were now back in their world and so close was a frustration few felt.

The young woman sat on the edge of the chair her leg bouncing in excitement. Den had his head rested on her other leg choosing not to protest his hunger. The elder woman smoked on her pipe trying to keep her cool. She was sure the boys had been pounced on many times since they had returned. Right now they would be looking for peace and quiet, the one thing she could offer them.

There was a knock at the door. They tried not to run frantically but they truly flew to the door. Throwing it open they were faced with one small figure at the door. It was Al and he hadn't changed a bit since he had vanished. Pinako, usually and avoidant of physical emotion, embraced the twelve year old and for a moment did not question the absence of his brother. To have the younger in her arms for the time was enough. When she let go it was the turn of the other. She knelt in front of him and held him as a mother would a child. But then, she was now a mother. Jack was upstairs asleep and she did not disturb him. He could see Uncle Al in the morning, and finally meet Edward who had saved him and his mother two years ago.

'Oh Al,' she cried, 'it's so good to have you home.'

'Glad to see you again Rose. I wondered if I would ever come back,' he laughed just as overjoyed as them.

'Where,' Pinako started, 'where….is Edward.'

For just a moment Al looked at them confused. They had asked him that question so many times before and he had not been able to provide an answer. Then he remembered that of course he could answer them.

'He has gone to see mother.'


Edward stood before his mothers grave. He had not been to this spot for such a long time he felt guilty. The country was so quiet it eased his soul. He whispered apologise to her for all that had happened and for not being there. He had neglected this place when he was in this world. Now he had come back he truly appreciated the home that always had its door open to him, the family that would always love him, the comfortable future. The flowers he had laid on the grave twitched softly in the breeze and all was well with the world. He hoped that no-one had followed him in a desperate attempt to get him to reveal his story. He did not want to talk about it for now. He was home and reunited with his brother. That was all that mattered.

Something poked at the back of his leg. Turning he met eye to eye with a sorrowful little face. Den appeared to have forgotten who he was.

Ed bent down and began to pet him. Some animals really were a good thing to have around. Den was getting on now, that could not be forgotten, but he suddenly jumped up and began to lick his face. Ed laughed and stood back up to escape the attack.

'Have you come to take me back Den?'

Wagging his tail with all the power he could manage, Den barked and turned with Ed to head back. There would be no questions there.


Each time Ed had appeared during his adventures he had aged somewhat. Although he could sometimes act childish but there was wisdom in his golden eyes. This time a man walked into the kitchen. Strong, upright and finally taller only the shine in his eye could reveal his youth. His clothes were old fashioned but impeccably smart. She could see a hand of flesh were there was once auto-mail. At least it looked like flesh, if not a little pale. But she did not question, he would talk in time.

Unlike Al she did not embrace Ed. He had never been affectionate like his brother, only on the very special occasion. He sat silently next to his brother while Pinako made him tea. Few words were spoken because words did not need to be spoken between them. They both knew how grateful the other was.

At the sound of someone bounding down the stairs he stood back up waiting for what was to come. If Winry was who she had always been he would receive a blow to the head for worrying her all this time. He had not forgotten the last time they saw each other but would not mention it.

'Oh Ed I forgot to say…' Al began, knowing who his brother would expect to see.

It was too late. Rose appeared round the corner and threw her arms around his neck, squealing in delight. Ed was clearly taken aback and simply patted her rather than put his arms around her. She didn't appear to mind and seemed to not want to release him. Her death grip on him was a sure sign that she cared about him. But then, Rose grew strongly attached to anyone who could provide her with protection. She had taken the Rockbells into her heart and they had become her family. She had been the last person to see Ed before he vanished but had shed no light on where he had gone. She had been questioned several times by many people but always told them the same thing. She simply had no idea. She had escaped that underground town with her life and her child and that's what mattered most. She hadn't expected someone to be at the entrance but there was. Fletcher and Russell and helped her and carried Wrath to find the home of the Elrics. Pinako had insisted she live with them and that was what she had done for the past two years. Russell and Fletcher visited when they could, telling tales of their own alchemy skill. Rose soaked it up and loved when they were around.

Finally she released Edward to receive a confused smile. Perhaps he knew what had happened when Dante had taken control of Rose. She opened her mouth to ask but then thought better of it. For now her curiosity would have to wait.

'Rose, it's good to see you got out ok, how is Jack?'

Her face lit up, 'Yes we are both fine, thanks to you Edward.'

He blushed slightly but she did not care. She had waited for too long to thank him and it was a delight to finally be able to.

'What became of Wrath?'

It was Pinako who answered this question. 'He was fitted with auto-mail but vanished soon afterward. Nobody knows where he is.'

This troubled Ed but it was pushed to the back of his mind. They all sat round to eat the most fantastic meal he had had in a good long while. The very smell reminded him of his childhood and days of innocence. Back then he knew very little of the horrors he knew know. He had joined the military, killed, witnessed murder, travelled to a new world and sacrificed all he held to save his brother. Yet on these thoughts he did not linger. For too long such events had played on his mind he wanted to wipe them entirely.

Much of the evening remained silent, each member taking the enjoyment of having the other there. Yet for Ed the house felt incomplete without the one vital ingredient. He hadn't mentioned Winry as he figured someone would explain to him why she was not there. It troubled him that no-one thought to mention her name. Did she even know he was home? It was entirely possible that she had settled in with someone somewhere, there was little else to do in Rizembol. He smiled at the thought of auto-mail freak settling down, not cute and not sexy. Yet he hadn't seen her for two years, perhaps she had changed as he was sure he had. Al was the bright, optimistic spirit he always had been but now he had a real body. He moved his right hand as much he could. Although it looked more human it did not move as well as auto-mal. He had not gained the flesh he had wanted. At least Al was finally in a human body, which was all that really mattered.

'I suppose I had better phone Winry,' Rose sighed.

'W…where is she?' Ed hesitated to ask.

'I take it Al forgot to tell you. She's in Rush Valley training herself to be the best auto-mail mechanic she can be. She left not long after you…' her voice trailed off. Then she smiled and bound out of the room. Pinako was left to explain that she couldn't phone because whenever she did the phone slammed down.

Rose came back still smiling gleefully, 'She wasn't there so I left a message. I'm sure she'll be on the train tomorrow.'

'It isn't a nice journey, she may not come straight away,' Ed laughed.

Pinako shook her head in quiet disbelief. Did he really have no idea what emotions he had put her dear granddaughter through?


Winry walked with her arms loaded. She had been sent out by Dominique to get in the weeks food which was more then she anticipated. She paid her fair share now she was earning money. Or, to be exact, she was earning Dominique money. Her auto-mail skills had greatly improved and Dominique's shop was now well known thanks to her. However, it was not just because she could make great auto-mail that people came to talk to her. Once people had found out who she had once made auto-mail for she was constantly bombarded with questions; reporters thinking they could get some great gossip out of her, some that made her fiercely blush. Now Al had gone too, the military had stepped in somewhat to guard her. People around Rush Valley would talk behind her back often about how she would vanish too in an attempt to find them.

Truth be told, she had been searching for an answer, but never got anywhere. She stole some of the alchemy books Ed had left behind. Very little made sense to her other then the basic knowledge she had picked up from them. All she could do was make auto-mail so she tried as hard as she could at that. Secretly, she had been building an arm for Ed which would be the best the world had ever seen. He wouldn't have to be inconvenienced by false limbs ever again so he would come back home. Oh how she spent her time thinking such things.

The whisperings around her were busy tonight. Wherever she walked people burst into conversation. Even in the dark of the oncoming night she could see their eyes scrutinizing her. If she met their glance they would turn away as if nothing had happened. It frustrated her but it was tolerable. After all she had been suffering it for two years.

Yet something was different this night. Those who strolled by her smiled warmly but it didn't feel false. Middle aged women were not giving that painfully concerned look as if she was at deaths door, they seemed genuinely happy at seeing her. Elderly men were giving her a knowing wink causing her to check her reflection in a shop window. No, there was nothing on her face, nothing hanging out of her burden that looked strange. She walked on by, meeting the eyes of one or two but otherwise hurried to return to the relative safety of Paninyas company.

'You've heard then I take it?' Mrs Morris from the local bakery called to her.

Winry turned to see her across the road. Even at a distance she could not mistake that grin that she had received most of the evening.

'It doesn't appear that I have,' Winry called back to her, slightly embarrassed that she was clearly missing out on something.

'A traveller arrived a few hours ago. He has been in Central for the past week, had some interesting news to pass on to us all.'

Winry was more bewildered than ever, such big news would have been broadcast somehow surely.

As if reading her mind Mrs Morris spoke up again, 'Central didn't want to world to find out just yet. Somebody has returned…'


Paninya sat prepared at the back door to tell Winry the wonderful news. She knew Winry would be delighted to have him back, if only to give him that damn arm. Paninya hadn't been spying but she had seen it one day. She guessed that this lone, perfect arm already had an owner for whenever he would come to pick it up.

The door burst open and Winry ran in. Paninya was nearly knocked from her stool as bags of food were thrown in her direction. She never managed to get a word in as Winry stormed upstairs crashing into things along the way. She remained in that position for a moment or two before finally coming to her senses. Putting the bags down she hesitated toward the stairs, hearing the continuous crashing coming from Winrys room. At that point Dominique walked in to the commotion coming from upstairs.

'Did you tell her?' he asked, believing it to be a stupid question considering the reaction.

'No I didn't, should I go check on her?'

At that very moment all went quiet and no movement was heard. It was almost eerie considering the racket that was. Paninya took a gulp and slowly ascended the staircase, knowing the power of Winrys temper. This sounded like something had upset her greatly and she was letting it all out on anything she could get her hands on.

She took another deep breath as she pushed to door open. The light was off and the room seemed clean but for a large bag and a tool box which had hurriedly been filled.

'Winry?'

The blonde girl was on her knees leaning on the bed staring at the object in her hands. It was a doll, simple to look at but very well crafted. Winry caressed it carefully as if it could actually feel her touch. A small, almost delicate sob escaped her throat.

'Winry are you okay?'

She whirled round at Paninyas voice, apparently unaware she was being watched. Her eyes were slightly red and it was apparent she was trying desperately not to cry. She was gulping heavily to get rid of the lump that had formed after her hand had fallen on the doll.

'Dominique said you don't have to come back anymore. He can't train you anymore and you now have somewhere you need to be.'

Winry opened her mouth to say something but found no words. She was extremely grateful for the pair who had taken her in and looked after her well. Yet now she did have somewhere she felt she simply needed to be. Ed and Al were not going to get off lightly, Edward especially would have to suffer for what he put her through. Al was now too young to be blamed for running off so she would only scream at him for a while.

She cradled the doll in her hands remembering the day they had made it for her. She was so young and terribly frightened by alchemy. She went on later to hate it even more as alchemy had only led to those she loved leaving her. Mom and Dad would never return, but somewhere in her heart of hearts she had always believed Edward would return. She didn't believe he was dead as many others did but she believed he had been freed. He was no longer the 'fullmetal alchemist', but simply Edward Elric.

Tomorrow she would catch a train to Central and then carry on home. It was a long journey so she prepared for it, shooing Paninya out of the door so she could be left alone with her thoughts.