Don't know why, but I've been hesitant on putting this Chapter up. My editor, BlizztheSnowQueen, loved it but i'm werid so-forth and so-on. Well here goes nothing...i think i'm ready... meep

6 months ago

Edward was standing on the railing of the upstairs deck with his arms crossed when Winry found him, honestly looking quite gallant for a man in his underwear. She walked up beside him and rested her arms on the railing, "What are you doing?" Silently, Ed dropped down sitting on the rail and pointed out across the fields to where a shiny tin can was lying in the grass starring up at the sky.

She nodded wordlessly and watched with him a moment wondering how he could stand on a rail so long just starring off at his brother like this. Finally he spoke out quietly, "We're leaving tomorrow." She nodded again not really surprised since there'd already stayed four days, which was long considering how busy they were.

The two both watched Al for a while and Winry began to wonder if he was really asleep. Ed watched him closely and half whispered, "If…Al was upset or hurt or something…you'd take care of him…right?" Winry nodded casually. But Ed wasn't really satisfied and moved sideways on the railing, "Promise?"

Winry stood up a little straighter, stretching her arms out and grumbling sarcastically, "If anything happened to either of you guys I'd swim vast oceans, climb deadly cliffs and sell my soul to your evil employer, if it only meant saving you." He glared at her a second trying hard not to throw a snide remark back about how no one in the world could compare with how evil she was. Winry simply glared back at him, "What?"

He shook his head and looked back at his little brother slightly frustrated. Winry groaned and slumped back over the railing, "I promise okay? Gees, you're at his side every moment you breathe, why you asking me?" Ed slouched back a little and closed his eyes smiling.

She shook her head, "Never mind." Crossing her arms she narrowed her eyes watching Al again, and for a moment was almost sure Al moved but only groaned when she realized it was just getting darker. Ed glanced over at her again, and she still starred off unaware he was looking at her. "Hey Winry, ever want to tell someone something, but you don't know if it'll come out the way you want it to sound?" She looked up at him with raised eyebrows, still surprised he wasn't looking away from her but starring right at her.

A smiled came to her face and she closed her eyes sighing, "I know exactly how that feels." He looked away gluing his eyes back onto his brother's form. She watched him as he pulled thoughts together behind his eyes and fidgeted with the side of the rail.

Abruptly she leaned toward him and he turned back to her, "Is it something you want to tell Al?" Ed burst out laughing and swung his legs around facing the house. He controlled his howling and slid off, leaning against the rail smirking over at her. Winry glared a moment at him for laughing like that.

Edward sighed heavily and slowly slid to the ground, "Well, it's hard to explain." She straightened slightly and knelt beside him, and he only turned away when she did. Winry leaned her head to the side a little concerned now, "Ed?" He lifted his right arm and starred at it a long time, making Winry shift uncomfortably. Finally he dropped his hand and looked over meeting her eyes, "It's just that…I'm going to be gone a long time."

She starred at the ground quietly and pulled her legs up close to her as he leaned his head back against the grating. Shrugging she rested her chin between her knees, "You've been gone a long time before." She shivered slightly when she felt his arm come around her shoulder. For a moment she sat dazed and confused. Ed never hugged her, hell, Winry couldn't even remember a time Ed had held Al since there mom's funeral.

"This'll be longer…I ain't making promises." Winry leaned her head on his shoulder still a little shocked. What was he talking about? But memory served its purpose and she realized he meant her parents. They'd promised to come back. It made her think of the last time the boys had still been boys and she'd still felt so young. When ever she was upset or scared Al would put on arm around her and Ed would make up a crazy story or game to play. The three would encircle there real lives in a blanket and lock it away for the day, so they could be free to play with no worries.

She shifted against Ed leaning closer to him, "You're stupid, Al said you guys would always be around." He said nothing and only rubbed her arm in a comforting gesture. When he heard her sniff softly he couldn't help but laugh a little and he tightened his grip leaning his cheek on her head, "Damn it, now I made you cry. Layer on the guilt please…"

Winry broke down and turned around burying her face into his chest. He only smiled and kept his arm around her, placing it on her back firmly. Softly in a deep whisper, more to himself then Winry, he looked up and mumbled into the air, "It's going to be a long time… I'll miss you." She caught herself and turned her head to the side, "Edward…"

Winry's voice was silenced by Ed's arm pulling her closer and his quiet voice, "Shh… don't talk, alright." It was a request and yet still he demanded it of her. Under other circumstances she would have yelled at him, but since he didn't tell her to shut-up she'd let it slide. Till next time, anyway.

Maw. (holds on frying pan to try and block on coming flames)...told you i was prepared! (hears the distant sound of snapping fingers)...trapped...damn... oh well, you peeps know what to do. Click the shinny button. You know you want to.