Later that day, it began to rain. Winry felt that it reflected her mood perfectly. Al had run off to Central, just like Edward had done years ago. Who knew when (or if) he would return? With her face resting in her hands, the girl stared out the window into the darkness, listening to the pouring rain. Den, her dog, was curled up in the corner half asleep, but suddenly lifted his head after a clap of thunder rang out. Ears perked, the canine got to his feet and walked to Winry's side. His auto mail leg made soft thuds on the floor as he did so. Winry patted his head to reassure him, but he kept nudging her and whining, finally turning towards the door.

"C'mon Den, you big scaredy cat!" Ignoring the taunt, Den gave a little bark and ran to the door, pawing at it frantically. Winry shook her head. "No, I won't let you out." If Den could have rolled his eyes, he probably would have. The dog barked several more times. Annoyed, Winry got up and walked over to him. "Den, I said no! You'll only—Winry's reprimand was suddenly cut short by a pounding on the door. Den barked again as if to say, "I told you so." Winry paused, unsure of who or what could be behind the door. No one would dare venture out in this weather, and their nearest neighbor was three miles down the road.

"Who is it?" Winry asked, but she could not hear a reply over the howling wind. Den barked loudly. Finally, Winry opened the door a crack, peering out from behind it. She could vaguely discern a person's outline, but there wasn't enough light to see clearly who it was. Before Winry could protest, Den wriggled his way between her legs and pushed open the door with his snout. The girl let out a small gasp as Den dashed to greet the guest and light was shed on his face. He was completely drenched from the rain despite having a jacket, and his long blonde hair and fallen out of its usual braid. Something that looked like blood stained his sleeves. Pale and disheveled, he gazed up at her with his amber eyes while Den rubbed up against him.

"Hey, Winry," Edward Elric greeted. In that moment, Winry was at the mercy of a million emotions. Frantically, she grabbed onto one. Stepping forward she smacked Ed across the face, causing him to slip and fall back into the mud.

"Ow! What was that for?!" Edward demanded. Instantly, Winry's eyes filled with tears and she crumpled to the floor.

"Y-you're really here then. You're alive! So that means Alphonse didn't fail after all." She could say nothing else. Sobs racked her body as she buried her face in her hands. Suddenly, something cold and wet came to rest on her shoulder. When she finally lifted her head she was surprised to discover that it was Edward's right hand—and a human one at that. He offered her an apologetic smile.

"No, he didn't fail, but I'm sorry to say you might be out of a job now, Winry. My arm and leg are back to normal now." She held his gaze for a second, cementing in her mind that this was not a dream, but reality. Once she was sure that Edward was real and not a figment of her imagination, she laughed.

"Don't flatter yourself, Ed. I've become pretty famous in the last three years. I have more than enough customers to keep me busy. Besides, I can't be spending all my time working for you. If I did, I'd never get anything done!" Ed only shook his head and offered Winry his new hand. She took it and he pulled her to her feet. They stood in awkward silence for about a second before Winry forced another laugh. "Well, don't just stand there, come in! Oh wait—on second thought, stay there. I'll get you some clothes. Why were you out in this weather? What have you been doing all this time—well, there will be plenty of time to talk, just—

"Winry," Edward interrupted.

"Oh, right, clothes," Winry agreed, slightly flustered. Taking one last look at Edward to reassure herself, she ran upstairs to Al's room and grabbed some extra clothes from his dresser. She ran back downstairs just as quickly, relieved to find the older Elric brother still standing there. "Here," she said sheepishly, handing him the garments. She then turned to face the wall as he changed in the front room. He left his wet clothes in a pile at the door and Winry tried to ignore the fact that it was indeed blood that stained his jacket. Winry made some coffee for them before they sat down at the table. She stared down into the brown liquid, not sure what to say or where to start. Edward did the same. They listened to the storm raging and the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. Quite abruptly, they both began to speak, but then stopped, looking into each other's eyes. "You first," Winry urged. Edward gave a slight nod.

"All right, but you may not like everything I have to say," he warned.

"Have I ever?" She teased. Edward tried to smile, but there was no emotion in his eyes. He proceeded to tell her what he had been doing for the last month up until the part where he had reunited with his father. There, he paused. About an hour had past, and both of their coffee mugs were empty.

"I think I need some more," Edward explained. Winry frowned. Normally she would have told him to make it himself—he knew where everything was in the kitchen. This time though, she made an exception. Taking both of their cups, she filled them to the brim before sitting back down again. Edward took a deep breath and went on to describe the events of the last week.

***A week prior, the forest north of Resembol***

"What could you possibly have to discuss with me? And what do you mean I had something to do with Al's death?" Edward demanded as he followed his father deeper into the forest.

"Well, you were the one who told him how to open the gate. Or do you not remember?" Hoenheim replied.

"Of course I don't remember! I have no idea what you're talking about," Ed complained. Suddenly, Ed stopped walking. Hoenheim did the same and turned to look back at his eldest son. "I'm not following you any farther until you explain everything to me," the alchemist said stubbornly. Silence hung between them for a few minutes before Hoenheim finally conceded.

"Fine. Here's the story. You have been in the gate, as have I, for the last three years. While in the gate, we were able to learn a great deal. Somehow, using your natural talent, your new found knowledge, and the connection with your brother to reach him through his dreams. About a year ago, you gave him all the information he needed to open the gate and rescue you. He did so, thus, you're now in this world."

"If what you're saying is true, why don't I remember it? And how the hell did you get here? Did you just decide to tag along when I came through the gate?" Ed growled angrily.

"I don't understand why you can't remember it. I remember everything in great detail, and yes, I did 'tag along,' but Edward, if you had the chance to escape from that place I'm sure you would have done the same thing I did. Consider yourself better off for not remembering everything that happened in that place," Hoenheim explained somberly. Edward clicked his tongue in annoyance and turned to walk away. "Where do you think you're going?" his father asked.

"I'm going to see Winry if you must know," Ed snapped back.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Edward," Hoenheim said as he began to trail after him.

"I don't really care what you think!" Edward retorted.

"If you go back there, you're going to put her in danger, Edward. The gate is still open." His father's words caused Edward Elric to freeze in mid step. He turned slowly to look at his old man in disbelief and horror.

"What…?" Hoenheim could only shake his head.

"Usually it takes a very high price to open the gate, and immediately after it is paid, the gate is quick to close… your brother, however, was able to open the gate without any personal loss and now, it won't close. Edward, I was able to come out after you because the door did not shut… which means…" Edward's eyes widened in fear.

"That means… other things from the gate can come out?" Edward finished with a whisper. Hoenheim nodded, his mouth pulled into a flat line.

"We need to find your brother to close the gate; otherwise, the world will be doomed. That same darkness that lives inside it will overtake this country and any semblance of order we have will be destroyed." Edward looked away, his hands clenched into fists.

"But Al, he's…" Edward couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.

"He's not dead," Hoenheim corrected him, which immediately caught his son's attention.

"But the armor—it didn't have the blood seal— Hoenheim chuckled.

"So, you don't remember that either, do you? You got in the gate because you sacrificed yourself to give Al his body back. That's why the creatures in the gate will be coming after you and your brother. They're angry because you broke their rules," Ed's father explained. Again, Edward was filled with amazement.

"No more equivalent exchange?" He asked. Hoenheim shrugged.

"Something like that." Edward allowed all of the new information to sink in before looking back at his father.

"So… what do we do now?" The young alchemist questioned.

"We need to find your brother, but first… we have a bigger problem to deal with." Hoenheim's expression darkened. Before Edward could ask what that problem was, the shadows on the trees around them began to lengthen, forming into one point. From the shadows on the ground emerged a bubbling black mass with a gaping mouth and wild, red eyes. With a rumbling roar that sounded like thunder, it pulled itself free. It stood above both of the Elrics and continuously changed shape, almost as if it couldn't decide on what it was or wanted to be. At one moment it would have ten arms, and the next it would have two tails, each with sharp points. The shape shifting blob finally decided on four arms with sharp claws and a tail like a scorpions. About ten feet in height, it turned to leer at the two alchemists, a twisted grin on its black face.

"By bigger problem, I'm assuming you mean that," Edward gulped. When the monster lunged at them, they immediately split up and ran in two different directions. Without any deliberation, the creature followed after Edward. "Just my luck," he muttered under his breath. Dodging behind a large rock, the alchemist clapped his hands and prepared to fight.

***

"It took us an entire week to kill the damn thing," Edward told her. He cringed just at the thought of it and suddenly Winry understood where the blood on his jacket came from. "They aren't easy to kill and we still haven't figured it all out… which is why I need to talk to Alphonse. Where is he?" Edward asked.

"He went to Central with Mustang earlier today," Winry replied. Edward nodded and stood to his feet.

"Thanks Winry." When Winry realized that he was about to leave she jumped to her feet.

"Where do you think you're going?" She demanded sharply. Edward paused at the door and looked back at her. He had already put on his muddied jacket.

"Um, to Central," he said lamely. She shook her head furiously.

"Not in this weather you're not! Besides, it's the middle of the night. None of the trains are running." Ed knew she had a point and let his hand slip off the doorknob. Once again, her eyes were filled with tears. "Edward… I just got you back in my life and you're already leaving again?" Tears streaked her porcelain face as she bit down on her lip to keep from crying out loud.

"Winry, I…" Ed didn't know what to say, so instead, he took a few steps towards her until they were only an arm's length apart. She searched his face for the words he couldn't say, but he averted his gaze. "I'll stay, but I'm leaving first thing in the morning." She knew that was all he could give her right now, but she wanted more. Uncertain, she reached for his newly replaced hand and squeezed it.

"Welcome home," she murmured.