Chapter 13: The Mystery

Ed decided to take Winry outside for some fresh air after the dance, and walk around the yard, while Al and Pinako went shopping for more things from the party.

"Ed?" Winry awoke in the middle of the night. He looked in her face. It looked sad, and yet disturbed.

"What's the matter Winry?" He asked.

"Did you ever leave me, or was it just a dream, or better put a nightmare?"

As sad as she was and as much as he wanted to, he wanted to say, 'I never left you, and never will. But he had never lied to her and in this vulnerable state he wouldn't want to or need to. "Yes, I did for about 6 years Winry. What's wrong?"

"I guess it wasn't a nightmare, it was real. I had a dream you left for 5 years with Al and left me all alone then disappeared for 1 years after. Then came back."

"I did and I'm very sorry Winry." Ed held Winry and she just nodded sadly. "I had to for Al, why'd this come up."

"A dream, a sad dream."

"Tell me it."

The Dream

Winry sat alone on her balcony. The wind blew against her face, cold and if felt as though it was tinted with pain. "Winry, give up. He's not coming. If you relax it will help." Pinako scolded.

"He's not coming back without a fight, and I know he's trying."

"We do too Winry. I miss brother too, it's my fault. I shouldn't have let him give part of himself for me." Al said regrettably.

"No Al, you were his top priority. Not my meaningless feelings. You're here, that's what means the most."

"But Winry..." Al responded.

"No buts Al, you first, you're his brother, I'm just your friend. You needed a body; I had a body and soul. I had nothing of that important to gain."

"Winry, you know brother loved you right."

"Yeah, he loved me like you, like a sister. I need to relax, bye." Al sighed, walked out.

I sit here; it's been 2 months and no return. Other say 'he's not going to come.' other, 'he'll be back says he's right here. I don't know why. I cry into my pillow, come back Ed. He'll be back it has only been a long 6 years.

Dream Scene Over.

"Winry, I'm so sorry."

"Ed, I just wanted you back. That was a memory, not a dream. I know that now."

"You did didn't you."

"Yes, everyday people laughed, or cried over me. They said I needed something to do. Al went to become an alchemist, I slowly learned too. I knew you'd need protecting. So I did."

"If I lived on the pass, or even thought about it, I'd cry. I missed you, I hoped Al was alive. I thought that it would be years in the other world times, and I'd be alone, with no one I knew."

"Oh, Ed."

"I had to make it back, with you and Al. Before you were gone." He kissed Winry on the cheek and she touched her cheek and smiled. She kissed his cheek, and then touched it. "It's all too real for you huh?"

"It always has been too much for me, but not too real." She lifted up her weight from the ground next to Edward on to him, and she dropped her weight onto him.

"Why do you want to go back to the military Ed?" She asked, almost kissing him but teasing him.

"Because there are people to take care of and with Mustang being the Fuher, there are no wars, and we're all fine. Why would I?"

"Because, if you leave, I can't protect you, can't help you, can't be with you, and can't do this." She took her hands and brought his head to hers and kissed him until he was smiling.

"I have an idea." Edward picked up Winry's body and carried it to the house which was empty with Al and Pinako in town.

He set her body on the couch and sat on top of her. "What in the world are you doing Edward?" She reprimanded him.

"Sitting on you so you can't leave." She raised and eye brow. "I love you and wherever I go, you're coming."

"Fine with me."

"Mind if I carry you?"

"What?"

"You're light, and it's fun." She sighed, and nodded.

"You act more like a child every day Edward."

"Thank you."

"You think that I'd make a good mother Edward?"

"Of course. You're caring loyal, loving, protective, and self bearing and in love with me."

"What does that have to do with being a good mother?"

"It doesn't I just like stating that." She kissed him. "You are such a wonderful person if the child turns out half of how you are the kid will still be beyond perfect." She smiled and he kissed her.

"You'd be a wonderful father too Edward. You have always been like a father to Al, and look how he turned out." He sighed. "Every parent, even the most perfect one makes mistakes. I do, as do you."

"Not as big as mine."

"Trust me, if you died, I'd do anything to have you back." She emphasized anything meaning the mistake that causes all his pain.

"I'd only rest in peace if I knew that you were okay with my death, and didn't sacrifice yourself."

"Fine, but you better not die any time soon." Winry said kissing Ed.

"I'll try not, but please don't because if don't want to feel it's my fault because you're miserable and there's another Homunculi in the world."

"Okay, just try not to endanger yourself for a while. It's my turn to spend time with you." He smiled and laid his head on her chest. "What do you expect our futures to be like Edward?" Winry asked.

"Well I don't know about you but I expect myself to be married in the near future to a beautiful blonde girl who is the best alchemist in the world and could beat me any day. What about you?" Ed asked.

"I see myself in the future. Married to a blonde male who I've known my whole life, he has automail, he's famous, he's been around the whole world, he's an alchemist and he's handsome, and I expect to start a family with him in the near future." She finished.

"If I didn't know any better I'd think you've already met him, and are hinting about a few things."

"Maybe I am, and I believe you are too." She replied.

"I know I am, but are you?"

"Yes I am."

He kissed her and ran out the door and disappeared down the hill. She was very upset and sat down on the couch and waited for someone to return.

Winry fell asleep waiting for Ed to come back and Al and Pinako returned and saw her.

"Where has brother gone, Auntie?"

"I wish I knew but someone is waiting. I'll take care of this Alphonse, go to bed." Al nodded and went to bed.

Pinako left a note on Winry for Ed. Knowing that was one place she'd see.

Dear Edward,

I have no clue why you left Winry, and where you went but I know it wasn't very nice to leave her alone, she's your responsibility so make sure she gets to her bed before tomorrow morning. Behave, and you better explain yourself in the morning, or you'll be in big trouble.

Pinako

-P.S: Take care of my granddaughter or else, you know what.

Ed came home and saw the note and laughed. He picked up Winry and carried her to her room. It had been 6 hours since he left here, man he felt bad for leaving her. He set her on her bed, covered her up, kissed her on the cheek, and went to bed.

Everyone awoke and got settled for breakfast, and Pinako walked over to the table. "Winry, how did you sleep last night?"

"Fine, except I would like to know how I got back in my room." Pinako looked at Ed.

"Guilty." She smiled and leaned over and kissed him.

"Ewe," Al yelled.

"Edward, Winry, not at the table." Winry sighed, and sat up again. Pinako had never scolded them before. "Edward, where did you go yesterday?"

"I'd rather not talk about it, okay."

"Brother, you need to explain your actions; it was very impolite how you just left Winry here." Ed sighed and took his dishes to the counter and Winry looked at her feet.

"I just needed to take care of something very important in town, I forgot, and I would be in big trouble if I didn't."

"I understand Edward; I wouldn't want you getting in trouble. That was the last thing I said to you before you ran off, it was a surprise, and I still understand that."

"And you shall be rewarded for such trust in me, Winry." He said coming over to the back of her chair and kissing the crown of her head.

"So brother, what are our plans for today and tomorrow since the display is canceled." Al asked.

"Why would it be canceled, everyone's protect, aren't they?" Ed asked.

"Yes, of course they are but, there is no alchemy in the bubble."

"Oh yeah, sorry, I forgot." Winry grabbed Ed by the neck and pulled him down to this level. "So I don't know what we're going to be doing Al, but I know that I am going to be busy with everyone."

There was a knock on the door, it was Molly. "Hi there Molly, what are you doing here?" Winry said.

"Here to visit you silly. I can't get back, I hurt my ankle, and it hurts so." She fell to the ground and held her ankle. She started crying, and crying.

Winry picked her up and gave her a shot of convoke a plant used to paralyze the body, and remove pain. "Winry, is she okay?" Al asked concerned looking at her.

"I'm not sure her ankle is infected, it's bleeding eternally. I'm not sure what to do, Pinako?" Winry asked concerned.

"I don't know Winry, really. You've studied much harder than I. I just can build it and put it in, I now every join, but never came to an infection, sorry."

"I'm left without help." Winry fell to the ground. "I can't handle this any more." A field of air was created and she sucked all the air from the area.

"Run!" Al screamed. He was in the bubble so he had air, but Ed didn't. Ed jumped to Winry, and hugged her, and held her close to his chest. He stroked her hair, and held her. He didn't know why or for what reason but something went wrong with her, and she was using up all her energy and she'd die if he didn't stop her. The air slowly returned to the room, and Winry fell limp in Ed's arm, he stroked her hair and just held her.

He gasped for air. "It's…o…Kay." He held her and as breathless as he was, she was more important, especially at the rate at which she used up power, it was scary to everyone who saw it.

If Molly would have been dead if not for that shot, that stopped her feeling, no air, major pain, and a horrible infection, it spelled death for this young amputee if Winry hadn't held on for so long.

She became less limp and he saw tears fall onto his metal arm, a piece of what she had created, it was all she could do then. She promised to him, that day that she'd study every free moment she had so his automail wouldn't be a burden to him, and he could live on with his life. He knew she had done that, and as Ed and Al had done the same thing so they could become alchemist, she had succeeded in automail, and alchemy; two very hard and opposite tasks. Alchemy, to create and destroy lives already damaged. Automail, to create and bring hope to the destroyed one. Mastering both took heart, and to understand both would take everything she had, and did.

She cried. "Sorry." He put a finger to her mouth and held her.

"No need, I understand, and always will. Shhh… no words are needed; just rest. Rest Winry, you're energy levels are depleted."

"My fault, Molly, you, air, alchemy, all my fault."

"Shhh, Winry, quiet, I know. Here let me help." He carried her into the living room where the will, power circle resided and pulled up the rug, he set Winry in the middle of the circle and clapped his hands and touched the circle. Winry glowed and her energy was restored, weakening Ed, but made no difference to him.

"Brother, is Winry going to be okay?" Ed nodded and patted Al on the back.

"Do me a favor Al, watch out for Molly if she wakes up, and tell us. I know this is going to bother your sleep, but we don't want her in that much pain, okay?"

"Of course brother, is Molly and Winry going to be okay?" Ed just walked away. "Brother!" Al yelled. Ed turned around and looked at him. "Are they going to be okay?" Ed looked at the ground a proceeded to carry Winry upstairs. "Brother, I'm not a child, you can tell me?"

"I know you're not Al, but I don't think you or I can handle the problems of these two girls. Pinako, you would know about infected automail, wouldn't you?" Ed asked.

"Edward, I truly was never taught how to handle it at this stage, if it came up, we were told to disconnect it, but doing that now could sever the veins, killing her. Winry is her only hope, and that leaves you Edward in the drivers' spot."

Edward sat next to Winry's bed all night and watched over her, he didn't sleep. He worried for Al and Molly. He wondered if Winry and Molly would make it. It wasn't fair to him, he sacrificed everything for Al, so that should have been enough to protect him, but it wasn't. It was strong enough to bind his soul to the armor, but not save him from almost loosing his soul. Ed was a horrible parent, and how could he think that marrying Winry would be right?

Winry needed someone who could support her, help her, and stay strong when he needed her. Winry needed someone to take care of her too, but he was always unsettled in these situations, he couldn't handle it. He loved Winry and as much as he knew that that was what marrying was about. He could never except if he would endanger her, or couldn't take care of her. She needed someone who could. He had to face the facts; if he hadn't had her he'd probably be dead now too.

He made a list of all the things that weren't possible without Winry.

1. Walking, and Running (No leg to walk on so he could get to the stone)

2. Joining Military (No alchemy and No walking means no fighting, no military)

3. Getting to the stone (No walking)

4. Automail (Pinako was only there for Winry, she wouldn't be there if it wasn't for Winry she'd be somewhere working on automail, he'd have to find her. Even if he got an automail specialist the person would constantly have to stay with Ed, no one is going to take that from a boy, or set it up for free either. Most would be afraid of him and Al.)

5. Love (He was quite lonely before her, and sad, that too.)

6. Alchemy (No arm, no alchemy)

Even though this list seems very small, he only put the big things he could think of, and it was simple that he needed her, but what did he give back, so much he gave to her, but what had he given to her. He made a list of everything he gave to her.

1. Love (He loved her with his whole soul and always would, and did.)

2. Power and Energy (She isn't strong enough to do big time alchemy by herself.)

3. Knowledge on Alchemy? (the technique was Izumi's passed on to Winry)

4. Trouble (he was a lot of trouble for him.)

5. Headaches? (I think that goes both ways, the wrench caused his but his annoyance caused hers.)

6. Friends? (She would not have met the people if not for his travels, but is that all a good thing, she would have met them, when she joined)

7. Pain (she wouldn't hurt herself with alchemy; she wouldn't see the pain he went through, and all the problems.)

It seemed to Ed that everything he put wasn't good or she could have done herself very easily. She was the most precious thing he had, besides Al who practically lived for him, but that made Ed sad to see that most of that wasn't his own doing. He kissed her and left her a note and ran off, leaving a few things lying around the house.

A/N: I'll try to get a chapter, I will. No Promises, sorry in advance, review please. Thanks to all my reviewers and I'll try to get back from camp soon, okay, bye. Love you all, Aniecä