The second day went quickly, I ended up shopping for Pinako and Edward stayed at the house with Alphonse. I played more guitar later that day and Edward came by to listen to me in the room again before bed.

On the third day, Winry was done. Edward was sat on a chair ready to be reconnected to his new auto mail as I was on his left, I took his hand as he was already squeezing it, preparing for the nerves to connect.

"Ready?" Pinako spoke, Edward squeezed my hand a bit more as I put my other one on it.

"Yeah…" Edward clenched his teeth ready,

"Here we go…" Pinako glanced at Edward.

"One…" Winry and Pinako spoke,

"Two…" they continued,

"Three!" A loud clank was heard as Edward squeezed my hand and I had mine wrapped around his. When he finally relaxed, he rolled his head to the side and looked at me,

"That's the worst part every time. When the nerves have to connect like that. Once we have the Philosopher's Stone, I can kiss that pain goodbye!" Edward groaned, he looked at me as Winry rolled her eyes,

"Our biggest source of income, I'll be sad to see you go." Pinako spoke as the two of them flicked another switch and Edward squeezed my hand again as he cried out in pain,

"Hold still, ugh, do you want me to do this right or not?" Winry snapped at Edward as she pulled another connection and Edward groaned again as I continued to hold his hand, "It's just so lovely! The smell of oil! The hum of the ball bearings! The rugged yet amazingly beautiful form created through anatomical engineering! Ah! How wonderful you are! My automail!" Winry moved away, she admired her work as Edward just blankly stared at her as she spoke with such praise of her work,

"Crazy gearhead…" Edward mumbled,

"You're lost without me alchemy freak." Winry snapped back, I covered my mouth and chuckled a little at them both. Edward noticed and flushed as Winry smirked at him.

"All right, we're done." Pinako spoke, Edward nodded as he stood up, as I smiled. I moved away from the chair and around as Edward waited for them to finish,

"All done! How is it?" Pinako asked, as she tapped his leg,

"Feels good." Edward jumped up and stretched his arm as I smiled, he then knelt and stretched his legs. I folded my arms as I watched him,

"I increased the percentage of chrome this time, so it should be less prone to rusting. The trade off is that it's not quite as strong, so don't try anything crazy—Hey! Listen up!" Winry yelled as Edward ran off and out the door,

"Don't worry Winry, I'll make sure he takes care of it," I put my hand on her shoulder as she sighed and rubbed her face,

"Thanks Rea," Winry sighed.

"It will be fine," I waved and followed the older Elric.

I found him fixing Alphonse on the grass as I leaned on the railing of the house, I smiled as Alphonse stood up and moved around testing his movement. I grinned as I watched the brothers, leaning forward on the railing I rested my chin and watched them. They had changed over the years; it was nice to see them in a new light. Edward looked over towards me as I waved a little, Alphonse waved too. I grinned as Alphonse chuckled and looked at his brother.

"Come on brother, stop staring at Rea, let's train," Al spoke,

"What do you mean 'stop staring?!" Edward looked at him,

"It's obvious you… like Rea," Al leaned towards Edward,

"What?!" Edwards cheeks heated up,

"You should tell her brother, she might feel the same," Al spoke, Edward folded his arms,

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Edward snapped and glared to the side, Al sighed at him,

"Typical brother…" he spoke.

Edward didn't want to talk to Rea about anything, he overheard her talking to Armstrong. Edward was worried about hurting Reaka, he didn't want to upset her. Edward looked at his brother and threw a punch to spar with Alphonse and shut him up.

I watched the brothers spar for a while as they practiced, Winry came out and folded her arms in frustration.

"Rea… what am I meant to do?" Winry asked,

"They're fine. You know them well enough to know they will look after it. He's done well so far, right?" I asked and waved my hand, Winry nodded and frowned,

"You'll make sure they're okay, won't you?" Winry asked,

"You know I will." I smiled and leaned on my elbow on the railing and looked at Winry,

"Ed likes you. You know?" Winry smirked as I flushed,

"You're the second person to say that." I muttered as Winry blinked,

"It's obvious though, he's not very good at hiding it." Winry laughed as I looked at Edward, "what do you feel?" Winry asked, I frowned, "I heard your conversation with the Major, if that helps." Winry added as I looked over her face,

"Then you understand why I don't want to pursue anything." I frowned,

"Those boys will be able to help you. I don't doubt that at all." Winry smiled, I appreciated the optimism, I really did as I gave a sad smile. But it was difficult to listen to it when I had no way of knowing that I would return to normal soon. "Also, I think it's sad that you are trying to reject feeling happy." Winry spoke as I frowned and looked at her quickly, "To have an opportunity to care for someone and be with them. It doesn't come by often. I think Edward would look after you. He wouldn't say it, but you know what I mean." Winry smiled, I sighed and looked down,

"Yeah, his actions speak louder than his words." I muttered as I thought about the train. I think part of me was still working through the trauma of what happened during the civil war… it wasn't something that was easy to forget.

"I need to think." I spoke and Winry nodded, I walked in the house and went to my room and grabbed my guitar and sketchbook. "Don't worry about dinner for me Pinako, I'm not that hungry today." I smiled at the woman as she seemed confused. I walked down and went through the front and around to the other side of the house away from everyone. I sat under a tree and looked around the fields, the view, the landscape was beautiful. I opened my sketch book and finished drawing the flower I had been working on. Time went by quickly as I noticed the sun was moving down by time I finished, close to losing the light to help me draw.

I listened to the gentle breeze and the birds singing as the trees were creaking in response. I put my sketchbook down and picked up my guitar as I stretched one leg out.

Playing a few chords, I decided to sing a song.

"I gotta keep the calm before the storm.

I don't want less, I don't want more.

Must bar the windows and the doors.

To keep me safe, to keep me warm." I sang as I listened to the world around me, I felt like too much was going on at the minute, that I couldn't keep up and that I was going to lose.

I thought about how much I changed since waking up all those years ago. I used to be weak, unable to fight for myself. But I soon learned to grow as a person, I became wise to the world around me and figured out how to live. Yes, I made friends and lost them, but it was hard to exist without knowing people… it was like Winry said… the opportunity to be with someone you like doesn't happen often. I sighed and frowned.

"Yeah, my life is what I'm fighting for.

Can't part the sea, can't reach the shore.

And my voice becomes the driving force.

I won't let this pull me overboard."

It had been a few hours since Reaka left to go outside, but Edward moved to the window after dinner to listen to her sing. Reaka held the guitar in her hands and Edward listened to the words of her voice, her back was to them as she looked out into Resembool.

"God, keep my head above water!

Don't let me drown, it gets harder.

I'll meet you there at the altar,

As I fall down to my knees.

Don't let me drown, drown, drown!

Don't let me, don't let me, don't let me drown!"

Edward frowned as Reaka stopped playing after that verse and he watched her closely. Her arms wrapped around the guitar as she gently strummed at the strings. Edward leaned on the window as he listened.

"She's very talented." Alex spoke as he sat against the wall,

"She's had many years to practice and write her songs." Pinako spoke,

"She wrote that herself?" Alphonse asked,

"Hmm, she's had many years to practice and her talent for writing and singing has been a blessing to listen to." Pinako spoke,

"I didn't know she could sing." Edward spoke,

"She used to play the violin when she was here last." Pinako looked at Edward, he had noticed a violin previously at Winry's house but never took notice of it, "I never realised!" Edward spoke,

"She didn't have much time to play them when she was here before. She was too busy spending time with you boys and Winry." Pinako smiled as Edward looked back outside,

"Does she know how she became immortal?" Alex asked, Pinako shook her head,

"She says she doesn't remember. But whenever I've asked her, she's said that if she knew she'd have probably made herself mortal by now." Pinako spoke, she smoked on her pipe as Edward moved from the window,

"I'm gonna go check on her." Edward put his hands in his pockets and walked out.

Walking along the grass the wind blew gently and he saw Reaka leaning against the tree peacefully,

"Hey, Rea?" Edward spoke, as he peered around he saw she was asleep. Edward smiled gently and knelt beside her, he looked down and saw her sketchbook was open and picked it up. Edward sat back and crossed his legs as he tried to look at the picture of the flower she had drawn, it was beautifully sketched. He closed the book and opened it from the start and gently looked through, he saw a picture of a small dog playing with a ball, a picture of kids playing, a picture of a desert with one tree, a picture of Resembool, and then… he saw a drawing of him. Edward closed the book quickly and then looked at Reaka, he felt his cheeks burn but he opened the sketchbook again slowly and took a breath as he looked at the picture. It was a picture of Edward from his waist up, his coat, jacket and detailing on the gloves was amazing for just a pencil shaded drawing, he then looked over the detail on his face and saw Reaka had drawn him with a grin on his face. Edward couldn't help but smile, he then saw the flower he saw first was the next picture and he closed the book.

"Let's get you into bed." Edward muttered and gently moved the guitar from Reaka's arms as he took the book and guitar to the house before coming back for Reaka.

Kneeling, Edward gently lifted her arm over his shoulders and moved his right arm under her knees,

"I wonder if getting your memories back would help you get back to normal…" Edward muttered as Reaka stirred, her arms moved around his neck and her face nuzzled into his neck as Edward stood up. His heart raced as she held onto him, Edward pouted slightly as he walked towards the house with Reaka in his arms. Edward walked to the door and Alphonse opened it for him, allowing Edward to carry Reaka up to her room.

Edward could smell Reaka's brown hair as he looked down at her, smelling honey he smiled and gently moved the door to the side. Edward moved to her bed and slowly lay Reaka down, he looked over her face and moved from strands of hair from her cheek and mouth as he leaned over her. Edward chuckled to himself, this woman, who sings like an Angel was lying with her mouth open adorably, she was beautiful. Edward moved back slowly but felt a hand grasp at his as Reaka stirred.

"Edward?" I blinked a few times and saw his golden hair and golden, topaz eyes staring back at me,

"Rea, sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." Edward knelt next to my bed as I turned on my side,

"It's okay…" I murmured as I frowned,

"I brought your stuff in." Edward spoke as I nodded,

"Thanks." I yawned and covered my mouth,

"We could hear you singing outside." Edward looked over my face as I gave a small smile,

"Yeah… I like to sing." I rubbed my eyes,

"You've got a lovely voice." Edward stated as I looked at him, my cheeks suddenly heated up and my stomach jumped,

"Thank you." I spoke and smiled at him, "I don't get much opportunity to sing nowadays." I spoke,

"I'd like to hear more songs." Edward requested as I chuckled, I lifted my hand and gently poked his nose,

"Okay, I'll try and sing more." I smirked as I saw Edward blush slightly, "Ed…" I looked over his face,

"Yeah?" Edward looked at me seriously, I barely called him that. Edward in this moment, was unlike the normal Edward most knew, the brash, loud, head strong alchemist. I felt my heart jump as my stomach churned, my body was that on edge I could feel a pulse in my foot as I tried to keep calm. Did I tell Edward how I was feeling in that moment? Do I admit that I like him? That I'm falling for him? Or am I falling fast? I don't know… I looked over his face and smiled, there was one thing I was certain of… I hoped this feeling lasts for a very long time!

"Thank you, for bringing me to bed." I quickly spoke as Edward looked upset for a moment as I then quickly moved my head and kissed his forehead and then cheek gently and slowly, "thank you." I smiled as I looked over him, Edward flushed as he quickly moved from the bed,

"Sleep well, Rea." Edward spoke quickly and walked away as I chuckled, I pulled the covers over me and tried to fall asleep, to get ready for travelling again tomorrow.

We had woken up early. I got my case on my back, Alphonse was stroking Den as Edward looked at Pinako. I was stood next to Alex as I looked out over Resembool, the sun was only just about to rise as it was still relatively dark,

"Thank you again for everything Granny." Edward spoke,

"Sure." Pinako nodded, Alphonse stood as I looked back at the brothers,

"Hey, where's Winry?" Alphonse asked

"Resting, she stayed up three nights in a row. Want me to wake her?" Pinako asked as Edward started to walk off,

"Nah, that's okay. She'd just nag me, make sure to do your maintenance or whatever." Edward waved his hand, and I just shook my head with a smile as I moved next to him.

We all started walking away,

"Hold on a second, Rea, boys!" Pinako called, we all turned back and looked at the old lady, "you should come back once in a while and have dinner with us." Pinako spoke, Alphonse nodded,

"You want us to come all the way back in the mountains just for some dinner?" Edward asked, Pinako nodded with a smile. I looked up and saw a tired Winry waving from the balcony,

"Edward, Alphonse, Reaka! Come back soon, okay?" Winry waved tiredly as I waved back, Edward smile and nodded,

"Yeah!" Edward waved as the boys moved to leave. I took a few leaps to catch up with them as I had stood waving at Winry and Pinako.

"They're both lovely." I smiled to myself as Edward glanced at me,

"Eh, I guess." Edward shrugged as I smirked,

"They treat you both like family. Don't put them down so quickly." I smirked and nudged Edward with my shoulder as he glared at me slightly.

We walked through the fields and back to the train station and the sun just started to rise,

"Are you boys going straight to the library when you get there?" I asked, Edward nodded,

"Why? Are you not coming?" Edward looked a bit surprised,

"I just want to change some things, I'll be finding Hughes and dropping some stuff off I think." I nodded as Alphonse nodded, "need to get a change of clothes and I'm going to leave my guitar in Central." I smiled, Edward nodded as he looked at the case, "I'll catch up with you guys after I've dropped my things off." I smiled as we saw the train pull up.

Getting on board Alex took my case and lifted it to the shelf as I moved by the window again, Edward and myself sat opposite each other as Alex sat next to me. I looked out the window and watched the scenery go by as the train was soon on the way to Central, we had to go through East City to get back, so the journey was a long one.