It's about 3 weeks later. The Elric brothers have just about settled back in to Risembool. Ed had his money in Central transferred to a bank in Risembool so that he won't have to make any trips out there unless he had to. Ed and Al still don't have jobs, but Ed is looking into it. Pinako is telling them to still relax since they've gone through so much.

Alphonse quietly twists the doorknob, and the door to the room he shares with Edward creaks open. He walks inside to hear his brother in his bed breathing heavily. 'It's already noon and you're still sleeping?' Alphonse is about to let his brother sleep some more until he heard his brother making noises.

"Win…ry…" Ed moans. Alphonse searches around the room to make sure Winry really isn't in the room. Ed tosses and turns in his bed. Al walks to the side of his bed and look at Ed's face. He looks like he's been having a good dream. Al wants to let Ed continue his dream, but hearing him repeat Winry's name over and over again is cracking him up. 'I know this is not like me at all, and it is really mean, but I'll never get this chance again.

"Oh Edward, stop it! You're tickling me," Al giggles, attempting to sound like Winry. He's starting to crack himself up even more, but laughing would give him away, and Ed would wake up.

"Sorry… Winry… but your skin is… so soft," Ed smiles.

"Edward, there's something I've been meaning to ask your for a long time. Do you love me?" Alphonse decided it was time to stop, even though he is starting to have some fun.

"Yes, I love you so much… Winry. But do you love me back?" Ed turns onto his back, still sleeping happily.

Alphonse sighs before he begins to talk again. He yells, "EDWARD, I LOVE YOU!"

Ed jumps in his bed. He grins and opens his eyes slowly. He expected to see Winry when he wakes up, but he sees Al instead. His grin slowly turns to a scowl.

"Did you have sweet dreams, Brother?" Al blows a kiss. 'Wow, I feel kinda evil.'

"Alphonse!"

Winry is cleaning up her workstation, getting ready for a customer to pick up automail for his father. Yet again, she hears banging from upstairs. Pinako sighs. She walks upstairs to end these arguments.

Ed and Al stop when they hear the door slam open and their names being yelled. "Edward and Alphonse! Stop this bickering right now!" Al lets go of Ed's hair, which he was pulling a couple of seconds ago. "No more! Edward, you are 20 years old yet you still act like you're 16! Both of you need to quit this feud that keeps happening in my house! I have a guess about what you're squabbling about, and I only have two things to say about it." Pinako turns to Edward. "If it bothers you that much, then do something about it!" Then she turns to Alphonse. "Didn't you listen to me before? Quit getting involved or you'll screw everything up!" She slams the door closed, leaving the two brothers alone.

Both of them sigh. Ed begins to put his clothes on. Al apologizes, "I'm sorry, Ed. I just came in to wake you up because it was already noon."

Ed scowls, "You should be sorry. I can't believe you did that. Since when did you become so evil!"

"I told you I'm sorry. I just…" Al trails off.

Ed slides his shoes on. "You just what? Just say it!"

Al walks to the door and opens it. "I just think you should confront her before someone else does who feels the same way about her. You know, she did have one boyfriend who really liked her while we were gone? And he is coming today to pick up some automail."

"Did she now? Why aren't they still together? What happened?" Ed questions.

"Why don't you ask her yourself? All I'm saying is don't wait. You'll miss your chance and regret it for life." Al closes the door and goes downstairs to join Winry and an angry Pinako.

Ed opens the door and stands in the doorframe. 'I really don't know how to harmonize with these feelings. But Al is right.' He walks downstairs to an uneasy crowd. Al looks low-spirited, Pinako looks irritated, and Winry looks anxious.

Ed is about to lighten up the air, but someone knocks on the door. Ed decides to answer the door this time. He opens it, and a man about 2-3 years older than him is standing there. He has silky brown hair and ocean blue eyes. To Ed's dismay, he looks about 6 feet tall. They stare at each other. 'This must be Winry's ex. It definitely is…'

Winry walks next to Ed. "Hi Michael. Come on in. I have the automail in the back room." She lightly pushes Ed out of the way. She whispers to him, "Move and let my customer come in!"

"You look pretty as usual, Winry, even in your work clothes," Michael laughs. "Thanks for cleaning up my old man's automail. I still don't understand why he only lets my mother put it on him, but I guess I'll never find out."

Ed rolls his eyes.

Winry says, "Michael, I have two people I want you to meet. I'm sure you remember my two childhood friends I told you about. This is Edward and Alphonse Elric." Al smiles and waves. Ed's arms are crossed, and he has that "I'm way better than you!" face on.

Michael smiles, "Yes, Winry has told me so much about you two, especially you, Edward. The Full Metal Alchemist, right?"

"Use to be, but not anymore," Ed spats. "So, Michael, what kind of job do you have?" 'He doesn't look like he's from here. If he's a military official, I'm running like Hell.'

"I'm a gemologist. I study gems, help dig them up, and I own the big jewelry store in Central," Michael states.

'Shit, Central. Didn't know Winry went for the filthy rich, uptight, rude…' Winry interrupts Ed's thoughts.

"Let's go into the back room. I'll get that automail so you won't have to stay around here for long. Oh, Ed and Al, there are nice dress clothes in your room. Please clean yourselves up and be ready by 6:30. We have somewhere to go tonight," Winry says. Michael follows her to the back room. They leave the door open just a crack.

Ed looks at his brother and Pinako. "What the hell was that? Oh, I'm Michael. I'm a gemologist, and I'm rich, and I own the most expensive jewelry store, and all the girls just looooooove me."

"Jealous?" Pinako taunts.

"Ew," Ed says.

Its been about 10 minutes, and Winry and Michael are still in the back room. The faint sound of talking can be heard.

"Its been over 10 minutes. Does it take that long to pay for automail?" Ed complains. He walks to the door to see what they are up to. He hears Winry's voice, but she sounds upset. He opens the door a little bit more so he can listen. Al and Pinako back away, not wanting anything to do with this.

"Michael, how many times do I have to tell you? I can't get back together with you. I just can't," Winry says.

"Winry, what if this person you have feelings for doesn't like you back? Please don't tell me… don't tell me it's that little guy out there?" Michael questions.

Ed bunches up his fists, but before he could knock down the door, Al holds him back.

"I just want to be friends."

Michael speaks in a harsher tone, "I don't get it. I have enough money for us to live off of. I want to have kids. Winry, I love you."

Winry turns away, "I don't have those same feelings for you. It wouldn't be fair to both of us. You have the automail, just go." As Winry turns around, Michael grabs her shoulders and pulls her close. He smothers her lips with his own, trying to pull her closer and closer. Winry pushes him away and tries to slap him across the face but he catches her wrist. He grabs her other wrist and pushes her against the wall.

"Just listen to me Winry. Give me another chance," he pleads. He begins to kiss her again, pushing her harder against the cold wall.

Ed's jaw drops. Al whispers, "Ed, let her deal with her own problems. She doesn't need you butting in all the time."

"Stop! You're hurting me!" Winry cries through unwanted kisses.

"That's it!" Ed yells. He kicks the door open, grabs Michael's shirt, and punches him right in the face with his automail arm. Winry runs out of the room. "What the hell do you think you're doing hurting her!" Ed yells at Michael.

Michael tries to push Ed away. "I wasn't trying to…". Ed punches him in the chest this time.

"If you really do love her, you wouldn't hurt her!" Ed picks him up by his shirt and drags him out of the room and to the front door.

"Ed, stop!" Winry says. He just ignores her, paying all of his attention to Michael. She looks at her wrists that look beet red from Michael's grasp.

Ed slams the front door open and throws Michael out. Ed then goes into the back room, grabs the bag full of the automail for his father, and throws it at him. "Winry deserves way better than you! Consider yourself lucky that I didn't hurt you more! Oh, and by the way, you're not one of Winry's customers anymore!" Ed walks back into the house and bangs the door closed. He looks out the window at Michael. Michael picks up the heavy bag full of metal and walks down the road holding his face the entire time.

Ed turns around and looks at Winry. He's unsure of what to say. Pinako and Al are both being quiet.

Winry opens up first. "Why were you eavesdropping, Edward? It was none of your business!"

"He was hurting you, Winry. I couldn't let him keep doing that to you. Don't tell me you use to go out with an abusive boyfriend." Ed said concerned.

Tears fill up in Winry's eyes. She breaks down, "No Edward, he was not an abusive boyfriend. He never hurt me physically or emotionally. But you… you've been hurting me emotionally for a good part of my life!" She runs upstairs to her room and closes the door.

"That's it. Now I need a vacation. I'm going to Rush Valley to visit some old friends like I planned to do weeks ago. I'll be back in a week," Pinako says. She grabs a little bag she packed a while ago and heads for the train station.

"Great, we chased Granny out of the house," Al sighs.

Ed doesn't say anything. He is shocked from what Winry said, and also very hurt. He doesn't understand how he's been hurting her. Maybe from leaving all the time and not coming back for months or even years caused some pain. Ed knocked on her door every hour, begging her to come out and talk to him. She wouldn't answer…

Around 6:30 P.M….

Al finishes getting dressed. He walks out into the hallway, and Winry opens her door just as he passes her room. He turns around. "Oh, Winry… you kept my old clothes. It's almost as if you knew we'd be coming back." Al is wearing olive green pants, vest, and a white shirt underneath, old clothes from last time he was here.

"Do they fit okay?" she asks.

"Yeah, they fit perfectly," Al smiles. 'Either I haven't grown, my clothes were too big, or I've shrunk' Al thinks.

"I saw Granny leave. She finally left for Rush Valley. Guess that just leaves the three of us for the week," Winry smiles weakly.

"Guess so. You look really nice. Why are we dressing up? And where are we going?"

"It's a surprise," Winry assures.

"Ok then. I'll just wait outside. Ed is still getting ready."

Winry nods and walks to Ed's room. She knocks on the door, and Ed immediately speaks. "Al, I'm almost ready! I just can't find a tie!" Winry went out and bought Ed new dress clothes. She bought black pants, black vest, and a white shirt for underneath. They look like what he wears already, except much cleaner and newer. Winry opens the door, holding Ed's tie in her hand.

He chuckles, "Well, guess that solves… my… problem." Ed almost can't finish what he is saying. 'She looks pretty… no… beautiful!' She has on a long, strapless navy blue dress with high heels (but not too high because she knows if her shoes make her taller than Ed then he will get mad). She left her hair down, flowing past her shoulders. Ed looks up and down her whole body, not able to look away. He was so use to seeing Winry in work clothes, or sundresses when she was younger.

"Winry! You look… I can't even find a word. But uh, thanks for the new clothes. You didn't have to buy them for me. I can pay you back," he says a little too fast. Winry shrugs and throws the tie on the dresser, figuring he won't need it. She walks up to him to straighten his shirt. "Win, about what happened earlier…" Ed started.

She puts her finger over his lips. "I want to thank you for standing up for me. No one has ever done that before," she says.

"Winry, I would stand up for you any day. I'll always protect you and make sure no one hurts you, I promise," Ed smiles.

Winry looks up at him and smiles back. She looks like she wants to say more, but she doesn't. She simply takes his hand and leads him outside to join Alphonse. The three of them walk into the more crowded part of Risembool. New stores have been built, new houses, a school, and new faces walk around. Ed and Al rarely went into town.

They reach the town hall, and Winry makes them wait for a second. She opens the door to peek in. She closes it and looks at the two brothers. They look back at her as if waiting for her to do something. She smiles and pushes both doors open. The three of them walk in, and Ed and Al's jaws drop. There are tables set up everywhere, decorated and all. The hall looks bigger on the inside, and it is so neatly decorated. In a corner, a band is also setting up their instruments. Dozens of people are sitting at the tables, and all of them either yell "Surprise!" or "Welcome back!" Most of the people in the room were also surprised. They didn't know who this party was for, but now they do.

Ed and Al are crying on the inside. Al says, "It's all of our friends and people we met…"

"…On our search for the stone," Ed finishes.

Winry quickly walks over to Roy. She wants to give Ed and Al a second to take all of this in. She tells Roy, "Thank you for helping me invite all of these people. I understand that not everyone could come. I don't think they will forget this night. And sorry for calling past midnight that one day. I wanted to plan this as quickly as possible so they wouldn't find out."

Roy nods, "Just make sure they come to this table first."

"Yes, sir," Winry smiles and salutes jokingly. She walks back over to the Elric brothers. She says, "I hope you guys have fun tonight. Just go around from table to table and talk to everyone." She pushes them over to the first table, which is full of military personnel. Winry walks over to other tables to talk.

Ed walks up to Roy. Roy gets up to shake Ed's hand. While shaking Roy's hand, Ed says, "You still didn't lose the eye patch. You look like a pirate, and it's very tempting to pull and snap on your face." He grins and lets go of Roy's hand. He waits for one of Roy's smart-ass remarks.

Roy smiles, "Welcome back, Edward. Hopefully you're not leaving again."

"Nope. I'm here to stay."

"You know, I'm very interested in what's happened to you these past four years."

Ed shakes his head. "I think it would be best if no one knew."

"Hello Edward and Alphonse," says a voice behind Roy. It's Riza. She looks pretty tonight as well wearing a dark purple dress with her hair down.

"Been keeping Mustang in shape I can see," Ed laughs.

She shrugs, "Someone has to."

Ed and Al are about to sit down, but Havoc, Fuery, Breda, Falman, Ross, Sciezka, and some others tackle them. Armstrong plows through them, picks up the Elric brothers, and squeezes them. "Oh Edward and Alphonse Elric how I've missed you so," he cries. He puts them down after breaking all of their bones.

"We'll come back to this table later," Ed says as he drags Al to the next one. There was one person not sitting at that table that Ed wishes was there, but somehow he feels him looking down now and greeting him. Rose is seated at the next table with her child.

"Edward!" Rose gasps. Last time she saw him, she was carrying Wrath out of the ruins that use to be Central. Edward never came out from those ruins, but she had a feeling in the back of her throat that he wasn't going to. She gets up and gives both Ed and Al a hug. "I thought I'd never see both of you again."

"I never thought I'd see this place again," Ed smiles, "But I was wrong."

"Have you been well?"

"We've been well. How have you been, Rose?" Ed asks.

"I'm living a happy life with my child. Even though I'm surrounded with such nice people in Lior, I'm lonely sometimes, if you know what I mean. Although, seeing the two of you alive makes me warm. Thank you for all those fun times, Edward."

"Yeah," Ed says. Ed and Al move to the next table. Before they get there, Ed asks Al, "Why are you being so quiet? You haven't said much since we got here."

Al shrugs, "Even though this surprise was for both of us, this is your night, Edward. You haven't been here for four years. I want you to enjoy it."

"Edward Elric!"

Ed jerks toward the call of his name. He grins, "Well well well, Russell and Fletcher."

Russell states, "You never did come out alive."

Fletcher points to Alphonse. "Who is that?" Al just stands and smiles.

"It's me, Alphonse," Al smiles.

Russell jumps, "The suit of armor? But you have flesh!" Russell looks at Ed. "You made the stone, and it worked!"

Ed frowns, "Wrong, Russell. We didn't make the stone. The stone was made before you gave me that paper from your father's journal. We just ended up getting it even though we didn't want it made."

Russell looks down, "I'm sorry."

Ed tries to lighten things up. "Anyway, have you been going around using my name still?"

Russell laughs, "Ha ha ha ha! Why would I need to do that anymore? They would know it's not you because I'm not short."

Ed growls, "I'm not short anymore!" He stands next to Russell. Alphonse and Fletcher try to decide who is taller.

Even though he knows he'll get beat up later by Edward, Alphonse decided to say who wins. "Well, Russell is still a little bit taller, but Ed has grown."

Russell looks over at Ed. "Yeah, you have!"

"Whatever!" Ed yells.

"Anyway, what are you doing now? Still working for the military?" Russell asks.

"No, I'm not going back there. I'm still trying to figure out what to do."

"Well, I wish you good luck," Russell holds out his hand. Ed shakes it and nods. Ed sees Izumi's husband and immediately walks over to him.

Ed laughs, "Guess she doesn't want to see me?" A thought just popped into his head. What did happen to Izumi that day everything changed?

Sieg says, "Trust me Edward, she wishes she could be here to see you today and talk, but…"

"She died," Edward says quietly. "I'm sorry." Al pats Ed's back. Ed talked to so many people, people he met on his journey, his old friends, and even people he doesn't know or doesn't remember. He found out everything that's happened while he was gone, and who else died. While sitting at the table next to Roy with Al and Winry, he starts thinking about everyone that died. He can't stop thinking about Hughes and how if he were here right now he would be bragging about his daughter. He can't stop thinking about Izumi and everything she taught him. Alfons Heiderich pops into his head too. The rockets, Germany, Shamballa, and everything else about the other side of the Gate plays in his mind. He sees his whole life playing in his head like a movie. Ed covers his face with his hands.

Winry looks over at Ed. She squeezes his shoulder. "What's wrong, Ed?" Ed pulls his hands away and looks at Winry. She sees his eyes all watery like he wants to cry. She looks at him with concern, and that's when Ed realizes he mustn't dwell on the past any longer and just stay with the present and hope for the future. His future is sitting at that table with him. Winry wiping his tears away startles him. 'Her hands are so soft' he contemplates.

"I'm okay," Ed reassures.

The band begins playing music, and people start dancing. Roy looks at Hawkeye. "How about we do both of ourselves a favor and dance?" He holds out his hand to her. She takes his hand and walks onto the floor with him. Seeing them dances reminds Ed of when Rose danced with him. She admitted that night that she loved him, but he knew what Dante was up to. Even is Rose does live him, he can't return the feelings, but he just got an idea.

Ed tells Winry and Al, "I've got a good idea. I'll be right back." He strolls casually over to Havoc. "Hey Havoc, I'm guessing you don't have a wife or a girlfriend still?"

Breda, Falman, and Fuery snicker. Havoc sighs, "You make me feel like crap, Edward. You really do."

"Well, get up!" Ed grabs Havoc and drags him. "I have a friend I want you to meet. You'll really like her. I want you to ask her to dance."

"Uh, ok." Ed stops when he sees Rose. Rose looks at Edward and Havoc.

"Rose, I want you to meet Jean Havoc," Ed says. Havoc blinks, then his cigarette falls out of his mouth. 'She's so beautiful. Her skin tone, her eyes, her hair, her body. How is it that all of the girls Ed is friends with are so good looking? But what if she puts me down like Armstrong's sister did? Guess I gotta take that chance.'

Rose smiles, "Hello Mr. Havoc. It's nice to meet you. I'm Rose Thomas."

'What a pretty smile.' Havoc clears his throat. He stands up straight and asks her, "Rose, would you like to share a dance with me?" 'Havoc, you loser, just get ready for her to shoot you down.'

Rose blushes, "Well… I….". Havoc starts to sweat. "Yes, I'd like to." Havoc does the happy dance in his head. He smiles and offers his hand. Rose takes it, and they walk onto the floor.

Ed smiles. Both of them look very happy. Ed comes back and still tries to do good deeds. 'Time to go ask Winry.' Ed walks back to their table, but Al and Winry are gone. He looks around until he sees them dancing! They are laughing and having fun. Ed sits down and waits for the song to finish. Al and Winry return to the table.

Winry giggles, "Al, you're such a goofball. You made everyone laugh at us."

Al laughs, "Sorry. I'm not good at dancing fast like that. Actually, I haven't had much practice. It's not like I ever get to dance."

The band starts playing a slower, more romantic song. Ed stands up, takes Winry's hand, and walks her out onto the floor. He wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her close. Winry gasps, surprised by his actions. She wraps her arms around his neck and lays her head on his shoulder. She's been close to Ed, but not this close. She can feel the heat radiating off his body, warming hers up as well.

Ed grins, "It's nice dancing with someone taller than you, isn't it?"

Winry laughs. 'What a random thing to say.' "Ed, I would dance with you even if you were still shorter than me." Ed blushes. That's the last thing he thought he'd ever hear come out of a girls mouth. They dance until the music stops playing. Ed continues holding Winry and looks at her. She looks up, and her ocean blue eyes catch his fiery golden ones.

'This is like a dream.' Ed thinks. 'A really good dream.' He caresses her cheek with his hand and leans in closer. Winry is unsure of what to do. Ed looks like he wants to kiss her. She doesn't feel like being kissed anymore after what Michael did to her earlier. Yet, Edward has never acted this way towards her before, and he may never do it again. She doesn't need to worry anymore though because Ed pulled away. He looks around frantically. Everyone is staring at them and grinning. Ed's whole face turns red, and Winry walks back to the table with Al, covering her embarrassment with her hands. People start whistling and howling. Ed walks to Roy's table. Roy is sitting there with that pompous smile on his face.

"Well, Full Metal finds love," Roy says arrogantly.

Ed moans, "Oh shut up. I don't want to hear your smart-ass remarks. Winry told me earlier that you want to talk about something. So, let's talk."

Roy smiles, "I'll just toy with you later. Anyway, I heard you're looking for a job?"

"Yeah, I am. Don't think I'm joining the military again, so stop calling me Full Metal."

"Actually, that's still your title even if you're not a part of the military anymore, but I guess I'll be generous and try to start calling you Edward Elric from now on. Anyway, I figured you wouldn't want that job again, so I found something else for you. I'm sure you know there's a school a couple of buildings down from here. They need someone to teach alchemy and chemistry. You don't have to teach them how to do alchemy, but they need to learn about it. The military will be paying you if you want the job," Roy says. Roy whispers in Ed's ear how much he would be making.

Ed jumps, "That much! Okay then, I'll take the job." Roy goes into more details about the job, and he agrees to help Ed with building a house next to Winry's.

Roy grins, "Good. You start tomorrow."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Happy Fourth of July everyone! Here is my gift to you, another new chapter. This one ended up being very long because I wanted all of it to happen in one day. Sorry the update took so long. My hours changed for work, so now I basically work from dawn til dusk, and the days that I don't work I'm starting to get really busy. I go on vacation soon too. Updates are going to take long and longer, but I will finish this story. I want to finish before August 28 (school starts for me). This chapter made me think of a fanfic I wanna do after this one. How about a HavocxRose?