Two updates, two fics, two days, I am proud of myself. Sorry I have ot updated this fic in a while but when I did manage to get spare time it went on my other fics. But here is my update, and another cliffhanger too. FMA isn't mine.
Her screams carried through the town and alerted everyone to the event. They all turned in time to see a giant stone hand emerge from a wall and cover the young woman. Rose did not stop screaming as the rocks fell on the hand and broke into small pieces around her. When all had fallen silent and the dust had settled she realised that no harm had come to her.
Both Alphonse and Edward stood back up after hitting the ground to transmute the rock. Al was the one to walk over to comfort Rose while Edward put the wall back together. They were quite aware they were being watched but they had grown used to it after years of using alchemy. Rose was shaken up but unharmed so they went to a local café to get her some tea.
'I must be one of the must unlucky people alive,' she laughed nervously as they sat her down.
'Not really. You were very lucky brother and I were here,' Al smiled.
'After this we will go home,' Edward said, 'You will need to rest after that. Plus,' he sighed as he sat down and looked out of the window, 'we appear to have attracted quite an audience.'
Rose began to giggle at the site of twenty strangers staring in at them.
When Rose appeared at the front door Jack leapt into her arms and began to cry.
'Jack? What's wrong dear?'
'I missed you mother, I missed you,' he wailed.
'But you had Winry here to look after you.'
'She went into her bedroom and never came out, even when I knocked.'
Knowing that Winry would not leave a child alone like that Edward dashed into the house and into Winry's room. As he feared she was lying in a heap on the floor. Kneeling by her side he once again scooped her into his arms and placed her down on the bed. As he did so her eyes fluttered open and focused on him. At first she smiled but then winced and held her wrist.
'Oooh, what happened,' she moaned.
Taking a hold of her hand he squeezed her wrist which made her cry out again. Rose appeared in the doorway with Jack who was still sobbing heavily.
'She fainted again,' he said to Rose, the turning back to Winry suggested, 'you must have fallen on your wrist as you fell. Try not to use this hand if possible.'
She nodded and smiled weakly at him again. Remembering the bag he had with him he produced a box and sat it on her bed. Pushing herself up with one hand she looked curiously at him.
'Just something I picked up while we were at the café,' he smiled and opened the box. Inside was a rather creamy looking cheesecake which when eaten with Al's cherries would surely bring a smile to her face. 'I'll get you a fork,' he added, getting up to leave.
'Get two,' she called after him.
'So you can eat it twice as fast?'
Not getting angered by his comment at all she smiled slightly and said, 'So you can join me and help me eat it.'
'Ah Winry, you're up,' Al cried as he embraced her, 'You scared me back then.'
Winry nodded, 'I'm sorry for leaving Jack alone Rose,' Winry sighed looking over at the other young woman.
'It was not your fault Winry. He is a sensible boy so stayed safe. How are you feeling?'
'Much better thank you. What can I smell?'
'I'm making stew but minus the milk,' she laughed, indicating to Ed.
'But Ed likes stew in milk?'
'I found I like the one Rose makes and it doesn't have milk in it,' Ed grumbled. He was rather full from eating so much cheesecake but he had been happy to see Winry eat so much. There was now colour in her cheeks and a new found sparkle in her eye. He was finally getting his Winry back.
'So how was the market?'
'Ah, we never told you did we? Is it alright if we explain while you make dinner Rose?' Al asked.
'Of course, make sure you explain about what a hero you are.'
Al watched Winry as she walked into the kitchen to get a glass of water. He too could finally see more of a spring in her step and was delighted at how interested she was in what happened at the market. She seemed to concentrate all the way through and showed no signs of fatigue.
'Do you think she will completely recover?'
'She will Al, this is Winry we are talking about.'
'My ears are burning,' Winry laughed as she walked back in the room, closely followed by Rose announcing that it was time to eat. The all placed themselves round the table as Rose dished out the steaming hot stew. Ed could feel his mouth salivate and he forgot all about being full on cheesecake. Checking that everyone else was ready he picked up his spoon and took a huge mouthful.
For a second or two he kept it in his mouth before the realisation of what he could taste has set in. Rather then the usually delicious taste his mouth almost stung with the taste of salt. Politely as he could he spat out the food into a napkin and went to apologise. However it appeared he was not the only one having trouble as the others were watering at the eyes. Jack made a rather verbal protest at how 'nasty' it tasted.
'Goodness, I must not have realised how much salt I put in,' Rose laughed apologetically. 'I guess I had better quickly make something else.'
'Don't be silly Rose; I'll make something else,' Winry said standing up, 'an easy mistake to make, especially after the drama you went through today.'
'Thank you Winry that might be a good idea.' As Winry walked away Rose turned back to the Elric brothers and sighed, 'Not doing well today am I? It was lucky Pinako is still working, she might have boxed my ears for trying to poison you all.'
Rose was severely tired by morning after a very poor night sleep. She had spent it trying to remember when she might have put that much salt in. Convinced she was loosing her marbles after the shock at the market she had vowed to make it up to everyone. She slowly made her way up the stairs with a huge pile of washing she was taking back to Edward. She marvelled at how much laundry he went through in such a small amount of time. She passed Winry's room as quietly as she could as it was still rather early. She knocked on Ed's door and he opened it to let her in. He was still looking rather drowsy himself and just indicated for her to drop the basket on the floor.
'You didn't have to do all that,' Edward yawned.
'It's to make up for last night.'
'It was an accident Rose. Anyway it was good to see Winry so active. You probably did her some good in the long run. Never seen someone cook so fast with one hand.'
'Perhaps you are right. I suppose I was still more shaken up then I realised. I have to admit my heart did skip a beat or two when Jack said he had been alone.'
'Understandably so, but like you said he is a sensible boy and would never leave the house without permission.'
'He is a good boy. He downstairs eating breakfast with Pinako now and I suggest we join them. He can be a bit of a pig in the morning.'
As they walked down the corridor Rose noticed Winry's door was now open. As they passed it she saw Winry sat on her bed looking straight ahead.
'Winry, is everything okay?'
The girl seemed to jump at Rose's voice, 'Is Ed with you.'
'I'm here,' he said appearing behind Rose.
'Can I have a quick word with you?'
'Yea. I'll catch up with you Rose,' he said as he walked over to Winry and sat on the bed. 'What's wrong?'
'Is Rose okay? She didn't seem to realise she had made a mistake yesterday.'
'I just think she was a little distracted, nothing to worry about. Are you worried she has become unhinged,' he laughed.
'Don't be so cruel Edward; of course I don't think that. I was just concerned for her. She is a mother after all.'
'What's that Winry? Not getting mad at me are you?'
'No, I know you were joking.'
'You don't fancy clubbing me with a wrench?'
'Why would I do that?'
After seeing signs of his Winry last night these words seemed to sting rather harshly. Her eyes had clouded over once again and the humour had gone from her voice. He got up to leave her to her thoughts but she gripped on to his sleeve.
'You know I didn't want to leave Jack in danger like that?'
'Winry you had passed out. How on earth could I blame you for that?'
'I don't know. I heard you and Rose talking a moment ago and she sounded pretty scared for Jack. He is okay isn't he?'
'Where has all this suddenly come from?'
She suddenly raised herself on her knees and grabbed his shirt much like she had done in the hospital. Her big blue eyes began to fill with tears as she looked mournfully up at him. He put his hands on her arms to try and stop them shaking. She was clearly still very delicate.
'I just don't want you to hate me Edward. I want you to know I accept that you want to be with Rose and that I would never…'
'Winry! Nothing is going on between me and Rose! Where would you get such an idea?'
'Because she told you she loved you before you disappeared. Now you live under the same roof.'
'She remembered that? She never said she loved me anyway. Living together doesn't mean anything Winry. Rose is only here so Pinako could look after her.'
'So you do not love her?'
'Not like that, no.'
Winry let go of his shirt and sat back down. Whispering a sorry she looked down at her hands and rubbed them nervously. He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly before saying, 'Come downstairs and have some breakfast. I'm sure Grandma will want to see you as she missed you last night.'
Winry gave a small sniff, 'Okay, I'll be down in a second.'
He exited the room as quickly as he could without making it obvious he was trying to escape. He hated feeling awkward around someone he should be so comfortable with but it was happening more and more.
Rose was stood waiting at the top of the stairs. She smiled as she saw him approaching and indicated for him to go first.
'Ah Rose you should have just gone. There was no need to wait for…'
He was unable to finish his sentence. Rose watched in horror as Edward tumbled down the solid wooden stairs and landed with a sickening thud at the bottom. After that she saw nothing but the blur of Winry's form streak past her and the cry of horror that rang through the house.
