Disclaimer: I don't own FullMetal Alchemist . . . sob . . .

Chapter 20 - The Truth

You can lie to anyone. It doesn't mean they believe it.

"Al . . ."

"Do you, Win?" She looked at his eyes, that seemed so full of hope, and she couldn't possibly imagine. All Winry could do was look at her feet. She knew exactly the answer he was looking for, and then she knew the truth. "You can tell me anything, Winry."

"I know I can tell you anything. I can't expect you to understand everything." She said, in an emotionless voice that took some practice to master. She didn't want to tell Al how she really felt, but she didn't want things as they were. It made her regret giving him the chance in the first place, but she really had convinced herself she cared for him, and not for Ed. Now after their confrontation, things felt like they were changing, and once again she was placed in the middle, confused.

"I'll understand, Winry. Lately, things have just been amazing. I just have to know if you feel the same." He grabbed her hand and looked at her with loving, brown eyes. "Just tell me, Winry."

"It's too complex." She simply stated. Al looked at her and smiled.

"I'm smart, I can figure it out." It was now or never . . .

"Al . . . I don't feel that way about you."

". . . What?" She let go of his hand and stood up, exasperated.

"I told you, you wouldn't understand!"

"But . . . why?" Winry stayed silent, her eyes were brimming with tears. She told herself to stay strong, but Al could already read her thoughts. "It's Ed, isn't it?"

His voice was solemn, and Winry didn't know whether she should nod or just stay still. She chose the second option, and Al looked as if he was getting angry. "It is, isn't it Winry?"

"I knew I shouldn't of. . ."

"Shouldn't of what? Lead me on or tell me the truth? I'm not happy with either!" He shouted. The fact that he was taking it so harshly was getting on Winry's nerves.

"I gave you a chance! I shouldn't of said yes in the first place . . ."

"Then why did you?" The million dollar question. The one that made her feel absolutely horrible, because she knew the answer was one that would hurt him. "Tell me the truth Winry, you owe me at least that much!"

"The truth is that I thought I could do it! I thought I could get over Ed, and I thought with you, it would help! I was wrong, I'm not over him! I lied, I'm a horrible person!" She yelled at him, clenching her fist.

"I really believed you Winry." Her tears that were once brimming were now down her face. She wished she was more strong, that she could finally hold them in. They always ended up escaping somehow. "I really thought you cared about me. Obviously, I was wrong."

Al walked inside, and slammed the door, just like Winry had done whenever she was upset or angry. It felt bad being on the other side of the table now. Winry sat on the porch steps and looked out into the yard. What was she doing? What was going on? Since when was life so confusing? Things had been fine since everything before progressing her feelings, and now she just wanted to shut them out. She made a mistake, and the only thing Winry wanted now was to take it all back. If only she could go back in time.

Even though it wasn't possible, it was nice to dream. She gripped the letters she held so tightly in her hand, and she wished things could be like they were before the mess. Winry wished she could open up the bottled moments from before Ed left, but nothing was coming to her. Life was a nightmare, with no escape. Things were so wrong when they used to be so right. Once she head the door behind her open, she cringed at being interupted in thought, but she was relieved when she saw it was Riza.

"Winry? What happened now?" Winry's tears had dried up, but her eyes were still red. She turned and looked away, glad that her voice wasn't cracked.

"Riza, can I ask you a question?" Riza gave a small smile.

"Didn't give me much choice."

"It's kind of personal. . ." Riza just shrugged her shoulders, so Winry continued on. "Do you love Roy?"

Although Riza did look startled, she answered. "Yeah. . . I had for a long time."

"How did you know?"

"It's a gut feeling. Why? Are you in love with Alphonse, Winry?" This time, Winry did turn to Riza.

"Actually, I'm not. But that's okay, right?" Riza nodded and smiled at the younger girl.

"It's fine. You have plenty of time." Winry stood up and brushed herself off.

"I'm not sure if I do have enough time. It's better not to be late." She winked at Riza, and went into the house, leaving Riza a little confused. Looking in the kitchen, both Ed and Al were missing. "Ed!"

She called up the stairs to him, and started marching up them herself. She swung open the room herself, to see he was just standing there, at hearing his name.

"I'm sorry." She whispered, before running into his arms. "I shouldn't have done what I did . . ."

At first she felt rejected, but she felt his arms wrap around her, accepting her words. She put her arms around his neck and held on tighter then she ever had before.

"It's my fault this all happened. . ." But before he could explain herself, Winry decided it was enough. She kissed him at just the right time. Yes she was a young teenager girl, who was obsessed with automail and barely knew anything outside of the world. But that didn't mean she didn't know what she want, and she wanted Ed, and she wouldn't settle for less. Al was like her brother, it couldn't go farther then that.

But Ed wasn't like a brother to her; He was much, much more.

I'm sorry it's so short and pathetic. I decided that you guys deserved something rather then nothing. Thank you to all my reviewers to be understanding that I have a lack of time and privacy. I really appreciate it guys! Next chapter, I'll put my usual ''Thanks to my Reviewers,'' But I just want to send a special thanks to Winryrockbell2 and SavannahX for cheering me up. Thanks guys!