Oh, well not much to say really about this one, apart from its not over by a long shot, but most of you have realised that anyway. FMA isn't mine.


He sat on a bench near to the grass and studied her in detail. It had been a few days since Winry had been brought in and she had remained the picture of serenity. After her outburst upon waking she had fallen into near silence and rarely moved. The doctor had recommended she get some fresh air so he had brought her outside to the hospital garden. Al sat with her on the grass as she watched the clouds float by. As much as it eased his guilt to see her so calm he knew he would need to extract information from her soon.

'Brother, Winry wants to go back inside now.'

Al seemed to have adapted some form of telepathy and could sense what Winry was thinking. It was certainly coming in useful for Winry did indeed turn to Edward and nod her head. He walked over to her side and lifted her into his arms. Her feet were still severely damaged and she had to refrain from walking for at least another three days. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she clung to him tightly before he went to ease her into her wheelchair.

'No,' she said in a soft whisper.

'Winry you know you can't walk,' he replied. Instead of speaking again she looked up at him with sorrowful looking eyes.

'She doesn't like the wheelchair brother. I think it makes her feel worse if she has to be wheeled around.'

'Well me carrying you around is pretty much the same thing,' he snapped slightly, surprised at this new found pride coming from her. She sank her head further into his shoulder and he realised there would be no arguing this time.

'Fine, I'll carry you upstairs this once, but you owe me.'


He set her down on the bed and pulled the covers over her. She hadn't spoken again nor had she looked up at him again. He wasn't sure whether she was directly aiming this silence at him or she was still in shock, but either way it was frustrating. Since she had managed to utter something that day he decided it was time to tackle the issue at hand.

'Winry, I need you to tell me what happened.'

She didn't even move an inch but continued to stare out of the window. He waited to see if she was preparing herself but when she didn't even draw a breath he began to grow even more impatient.

'We can't very well do anything if we can't find Dante. If you want me to help you Winry you have to help me. Are you listening to me?' he demanded.

'Brother,' Al cried, imploring Ed to stop before his temper got out of hand.

'I know you can talk so why are you ignoring me!'

'She is too scared brother…'

'Yes Al I gathered. I didn't need your psychic powers to tell me that!'

He stormed from the room and through the corridors ignoring the calls from people telling him to be careful. He needed to get out of there before he really lost his temper and said something he would regret. He marched straight back to where he was sat only moments before. Nobody was in the gardens so he couldn't snap at anyone else.

What angered him the most was the fact he wasn't angry with Winry. The more she remained so closed the more he was reminded it was his fault. Upon returning to his world one of the first things he longed to see was her smile. She always had a smile for him no matter what he had put her through. It was a symbol of home and his childhood and he feared it was gone for good. His soul comfort was how Rose had turned out after her ordeal with Dante. She had fallen straight back into her own character, least from what he knew she had.

'Brother,' came a quiet voice from behind him. Al had been a victim of his temper too when all he was doing was try to tell. How many times had that happened between them, he thought.

'I'm sorry Al, that was unfair of me.'

'It's okay; I know you didn't mean anything by it. If it helps Winry called after you but you probably didn't hear her. She wants to talk to you now brother.'

Ed turned to face Al who was indicating upward. At one of the upper windows Winry was standing looking down on them. He nodded at her before starting his guilty walk back to her room. He then stopped and looked back up at her before yelling, 'You are not meant to be on your feet! Get back on that bed now!'


'I only wanted to look at the garden again,' she said in a hushed voice when he entered into the room. That one little comment and the look on her face filled him with relief; only Winry could pout like that when she had been caught doing something she shouldn't.

'There isn't much grass is there. Wait until you get home and you can stare at all the greenery you want,' he sighed, seating himself down. He tried to suppress a smile as she gave him a lopsided grin and nodded whilst rolling her eyes. Then they fell silent again and she stared toward the window.

'I'm sorry Edward, I'm so sorry,' she choked before proceeding to let the tears stream down her face. Time away had not taught him how to handle her crying and he sat trying to figure out the words to say. Luckily for him it was she who spoke first.

'When you asked me what happened to me I didn't stay quiet because I was scared. I didn't say anything because I don't remember anything. I have been trying to but I just can't. I remember getting onto the train and talking to an old lady. Next thing I can recall is waking up in here.' She sniffed a bit before apologising to him again.

His emotions conflicted with him. He was angry that he had no leads to find Dante; he was frustrated that he could not exact his revenge; but on top of that he was happy. If Winry couldn't remember what had happened to her she could not be upset by it. If her mind was at peace he could pursue his hunt for Dante and not have to keep an eye on her. Unless of course she could recall everything and she was ashamed. That was unlikely; it was not in her character to keep something like that a secret. She had told him all that happened with Barry all those years ago, something else that had been because of him.

Biting his lip he got up to leave but as he went to walk away her hand reached to grab his sleeve. He turned to look back at her and she returned his glance with the doleful eyes she had given him before. Something fluttered inside of him and he put it down to guilt as she raised herself to her knees and drew him closer.

'You forgive me don't you?' she whispered, grabbing on to his shirt.

He gulped hard and looked away from her. He had always felt uncomfortable around her when she was acting in such a way. Back then the best way to ease his un-comfort had been to not say a word but now was not the time for that. If he did remain silent she would think he wasn't going to forgive her so he had to say something.

'There is nothing to forgive,' he stammered but that didn't get him out of his predicament. She leant her forehead on his chest and didn't look like she was going to move any time soon. He awkwardly put his hand on her head and used the other to try and carefully ease her off. Of her own accord she did pull away and sat back on the bed. She smiled at his arm and said, 'I'm so glad they fit. I had to guess how much you would've grown.'

'Oh well you got it spot on, they aren't too small at all.'

'I would have been more at risk of making them too big,' she giggled. He went to retaliate but she suddenly began to frown. She looked as though she was concentrating hard but on what he could not tell.

An interruption came in the form of the nurse who had come to change Winry's bandages. He took this as his cue to leave and go inform Mustang that he would have to do with the information he had.


'So what do you plan to do now Edward?' Riza asked.

'Nothing for the moment. I shall take Winry home and keep a watch over her. Perhaps she will be able to remember something in time or the dreams she was having will reoccur.' He replied.

Mustang sat behind his desk leaning on his hands whilst deep in thought. He knew it was not over for them by a long shot but with all being quiet there really was nothing any of them could do. He nodded at Edward to leave as if he was still in command of him. Mostly what had happened to Winry had nothing to do with the military but he was willing to help a friend. He saw Edward out the door before turning to Riza and asking her;

'You have seen Winry since she woke up, is she as normal as fullmetal is making out?'

'From what I know of her, yes sir. However it is quite possible she is in shock or denial and so she must be kept an eye on.'

He nodded and sat back at his desk to await the time he would be called upon again.


Another five days passed before the doctors allowed Winry to travel home. Ed and Al were there to pick her up and take her straight to the train station with them. She had expressed nothing but the desire to get back with her family and enjoy their group being complete again. Aside from that she had fallen quiet again but was quite open to smile as often as she could. Now as she left her hospital room with them she practically glowed with delight and they could not help but smile along with her. They were enjoying the peace while they could knowing full well Winry would get mad with them at any point and resort back to her temperamental self.

As they trotted along Winry suddenly called out in pain and faltered. Before she fell Edward managed to grab hold of her and hoist her back onto her feet. She seemed to keep a hold of him a moment or two longer then she needed to before letting go and smiling apologetically.

'Winry are you alright?' Al asked, taking her hand.

'Oh yes, there is just the one graze on my foot that won't heal correctly.'

Somehow Ed wasn't convinced as she took hold of his hand too as they carried on to the train station. Although she had just taken a stumble she now almost skipped along merrily but he was not ging to say anything at this point. Emotionally she was still delicate and so as long as all seemed well he would have to button it. Al beamed along with her so Ed just accepted the calm he had been granted after so many years of stress.

There was a moment or two of struggle as they reached the train station. Whilst Al went to check that their luggage was aboard Ed had to stand with Winry and keep a strong hold of her hand. She was trembling slightly as the prospect of getting back on the train and he began to hope she might remember something.

'If you need to Winry, we could go by car.'

'No, no that would take far too long. I'll be fine Edward; I have you with me this time after all.'

The nasty pang of guilt ripped through his stomach again but she was still smiling at him. Once Al rejoined them all her fear seemed to slip away and she led them into the carriage.