A/N 10/23/06: Hey everyone! I'm back and with a new chapter to present to you! Again, sorry it takes me so long to spit these things out, school's been hell and I've been super busy. Once again, I still didn't get out everything I wanted to in this chapter, I usually start out with a goal in mind for the chap. but then I start rambling on a tangent and it just doesn't work. But the good thing is that it means my story will be longer! Well at least chapter-wise. But I have clear ideas (somewhat) for the next two chapters at least, so YAY for that!! I just wanted to say thanks so much to all the people that have been reading/reviewing this story!! It really means a lot to me, and I would list you all but quite frankly I'm short on time and am frantically trying to get this thing typed up and posted. So you know who you are, and I really appreciate your commentary, it makes writing so much more enjoyable! And if you left a review I've done my best to personally thank everyone that has, but sorry if I missed anyone on accident. Anyway, you know the drill: Read, Review, and most importantly ENJOY!!! Give me some feedback please!

Edit 10/25/06: Hey, just reposting because this sunk down to like the 6th page and I was hoping to get some more reviews out of it...so leave me some please! How did I do on the ending of this chapter? Let me know.

Chapter 4

Ed stared at his brother, not allowing himself the luxury of hope.

"When you say home…you mean…" he trailed off.

Al grinned, his face lit up with unmistakable joy.

"We're home."

He said that words with such a firm finality that there was no doubt in Ed's mind that they had finally returned.

"But…how? How can you be so sure?"

If even possible, Al's already enormous grin widened. He was more than happy to demonstrate, and proceeded to do so.

Ed hadn't seen Al this enthusiastic in a long time; he realized that his brother must have missed Amestris even more than he had let on. He fingered the result of Al's alchemy, a pale pink rose standing proudly next to an exotic blue flower.

He still didn't dare to believe that they were finally home. They had been working diligently towards this moment for a year now and finally their goal had been realized.

After returning to Munich, it wasn't long before Al had lost his feisty spirit. That determined mischievous twinkle that was ever present in his eyes had extinguished, leaving his gray pupils dull and lifeless. While Ed had previously grown used to the foreign world and not being able to use alchemy, the transition had been much more difficult for Alphonse.

Ed would often find his brother staring off into space or glancing with bitter longing at his alchemy gloves. While at first he was curious and somewhat excited about the new land they were in, he eventually stopped caring and settled into a desolate gloom.

Ed was concerned for him. He tried hard to find things in that world that would interest Al, some nights bringing home books about mechanics or physics. With a wry smile, Al would half-heartedly page through the books solely for his brother's benefit.

Although the siblings talked about all kinds of things there was still much left unsaid and both were unsure of how to bridge the gap that separated them. Edward could sense that Al was homesick. He knew Al had always been a homebody, even when they traveled all over the country during his years serving the military. The boys had burned down their house to prevent them from having the desire to return home, but secretly in their minds they always had and always would think of Risembool as their true home.

Ed didn't mind living in Munich so much, especially since it had been his sacrifice to protect Winry and all of their other friends in Amestris.

It was true that the brothers were content with at least being together but for Al it just wasn't enough. Both brothers had a hole inside them, Al's was where his missing home should be and Ed's…Ed's was something else.

Al wasn't the only one that was missing something…but Ed just kept it better hidden than his innocently transparent brother. Al just had never been good at hiding his feelings, and he was rotten at poker.

One day Ed came to the conclusion; he had restored his brother's body to be able to see a smile on his face once again and he would do whatever it took to restore that grin he treasured.

So one dreary Munich morning he had sat down across the breakfast table from Alphonse, looked him square in the eye, and calmly said,

"Al, let's do it, let's find a way home."

He saw alarming surprise cross his brother's face and that gave way to happiness and hope before Al attempted to restore his usual emotionless expression. But with satisfaction, Ed noted the happiness radiating through Al's unsuccessful blockade.

After that they had thrown themselves into their research, Ed in a constant state of bemusement at his brother's intensity and ferocity with which he tackled his work.

They both had their own reasons for wanting to go home; Al because he was too connected with Amestris, with the people there, and with the alchemy he loved. An imaginary thread held him and the other world together. The distance had strained the relationship, pulling the worn thread taut, but as long as they remained connected Al would never be able to fully accept his situation, he would never be completely happy in Munich.

And Ed? Ed had his own reasons…partly for his brother's happiness, but partly for his own as well.

He had left Amestris to close the gate connecting the world. He sacrificed himself for the benefit of those in the Alchemy world, to ensure the safety of his friends…and Winry.

If anything happened to her, his best friend, he didn't know what he would do. In the past he had always tried to protect her, keep her in the dark so she wouldn't worry, but more importantly so she'd stay safe. She had been hurt, offended that the brothers didn't fill her in on the occurrences in their lives, and Ed couldn't stand to see her so upset.

He was young, and as most teenage boys are apt to do, he had a difficult time expressing his feelings-so he remained silent even though her pain in return caused him much internal anguish.

At least he was safe, he constantly convinced himself, and that's all that had mattered. Although this was only an excuse, a lie to himself to prevent him from letting his true emotions surface, Ed forced himself to believe it and ignore those feelings.

Now, years later and much wiser, Ed had come to terms with the fact that he had loved Winry. For many years it had been love as a friend followed by love as a sister, then maybe something more. As children, Ed and Al had both had crushes on Winry, constantly trying to win her affection and arguing over who would marry her in the innocent and carefree way that children do.

But as a teenager while Al dealt with internal conflict over his hollow metal exterior, Ed battled his conflicting feelings towards Winry. He no longer just saw her as a sister; when she was fixing his automail, face screwed up in concentration and her warm touch causing him to blush he couldn't help think how beautiful she was.

From her soft blonde hair and her deep knowing eyes to her sweet scent of oil and sweat with a slightly floral hint, from her warm inviting laugh to the way she unnecessarily grumbled while fixing his mangled limbs- to him she was the epitome of perfection.

Although he often thought about it, he never had the courage to act upon his secret feelings, he always convinced himself otherwise.

He had never even discovered what her feelings were towards him, never had the heart to potentially ruin their relationship. And now, much later, he would finally see her again.

Did he still have those feelings toward her or would their reunion only resurface the brotherly sisterly love? Was she angry at him, was she mad that he left again? Did she realize that he had no choice, that it was the only way for him and Al to correct their mistakes?

He would have to see her face to face, it was useless conjuring up these questions. They only bounced around in his mind causing him more worry and his gut to clench at the thought of a hard metal wrench being thrust painfully at his head.

"Are you sure you're feeling okay, brother?" Al asked with apparent concern as they slowly progressed down the eternal country road.

"I'm fine, quit nagging!" Ed snapped with a discreet smile. He was secretly pleased that Al had begun to act like himself again, full of caution and worry yet also the exhausting energetic enthusiasm.

"Do you think Winry will be excited to see us?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself Al, we don't even know where the hell we are, for all we know, we could be all the way across the country." His pessimistic words only fueled Al's excitement.

"That's true brother, but we could also be only a city away from Risembool, we won't know until we reach a town."

Ed acknowledged his point with a brief nod. "Okay, well we'd better pick up the pace if we wanna get there sometime soon."

They had been walking for over an hour with little to show for it; the endless rural land stretched all around them and there was no change in scenery in the foreseeable future. The brothers plodded along in silence for the next 20 minutes, each lost in their own thoughts.

Slowly the moon sunk low in the sky and before disappearing all together was surpassed by the halo of faint pink that surrounded the gradually rising sun. The timid sunrise covered the countryside in a warm glow, and as the brothers reached the crest of a grassy slope they were amazed at the sight that lay below them.

The never ending countryside had abruptly stopped and given way to a large city, only previously obstructed from their view by the hills.

It was amazing how in only a brief second the quiet lonely plains could transform suddenly into a giant man-made metropolis, but here it was.

The brothers were no longer lost, in fact they were incredibly familiar with this place as they rapidly closed the gap between them and the city. But as they got closer they could sense that something was amiss; there was a certain tension in the air as though something wasn't quite right.

They slowed their pace then halted altogether as they stared, mouths agape at the crumbling ruins that remained of Central City.

A/N: O What happened in Central?? Find out in the next installment of dun dun dun Reveries of Truth!!! So how'd you like it? I had planned to write a little further, but random tangents prevented that from happening. Oh well, such is life. At least I tried to make this one a little bit longer for you guys. Oh, and don't worry, I didn't forget about Winry!! The boys just won't get to her quite as soon as I originally planned, but it will definitely happen, and soon. R&Ring would be amazing, let me know what you thought about this one! Thanks!!

Hawkeye, over and out!