Chapter 3: Familiar Faces

"Speak of the devil. It seems like they're here now. I guess I'll go as well," Roy said, amused by the situation.

"Oh! Well, bye then! Tell Riza and the baby I said 'hi'!" Winry stammered as she quickly slammed the phone and ran happily to the hallway entrance.

"Anyone home?!" the voice called out again.

'It couldn't be...it's true! It's really true! They're back!' Winry though happily as she came face to face with two people she thought she would never see again.

"It really is you! Ed, Al! You're finally back...!" she whispered as she put her hand on the wall to keep her balance as she felt like her legs would turn to mush and give up on her, while the tears roll down her face.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! I come back and the first thing I get are the waterworks," Ed teased as he gave her a kiddish smile.

"It's good to see you Winry! You must be really happy to see your precious Edward, again, huh?" Al mocked. He received a pain in his side as Ed elbowed him and winced as Winry suddenly rushed up and hugged Ed. Al and Ed gasped in shock as Ed's face flushed red when he felt Winry's soft and inviting arms wrap themselves around him. He smiled to himself and hugged her back as he her whisper, "Welcome back." Ed felt his coat get wet as Al laughed and Pinako barged in to see what the commotion was about. Winry and Ed quickly let go of each-other in embarrassment.

"Well, well. What do we have here? Someone who disappeared again for two years with his brother without a word! And you, Winry! You'll catch a cold in that skimpy thing you're wearing," Pinako mumbled hauntingly. Ed turned eleven shades of red darker than before when he realized that Winry was, indeed, wearing quite a skimpy nightgown.

"G-G-Gran!! What are you doing here?! Where's your customer...?!" Winry stammered nervously as she flushed twenty shades of red darker than Ed.

"He left. I heard voices and decided to see what all the commotion was about. It appears the idiot Elric brothers have finally decided to show their faces to society again!" Pinako said coldly with a rather harsh smile. One of Ed's veins snapped as he yelled out, "I am NOT an idiot! I happen to have a degree in Rocket Science, thank you very much!"

"It's true. Brother bragged about it all the time," Al replied with a small sigh that got him a noogie.

"Fine. I'll admit you're not idiots, since you've grown, but it's rude to stand in the middle of a hallway hugging someone's granddaughter when the person is there. If you two have any busy with each other then get a room! Otherwise, hurry up and come in," Pinako mocked harshly. Winry and Ed's faces one again flushed red with embarrassment.

"Well, she started it," Ed mumbled to himself as he picked up his bag. He suddenly felt pain on his head, screamed and turned around to see Winry glaring at him and holding a wrench in her hand.

"Well sorry for worrying about you two for what seems to have been most of my life!" Winry yelled as Ed saw tears of anger flow down her face.

'Oops...! I'm such an idiot!' Ed cried in his head. Winry stormed off angrily and Al ran off after her just as Pinako came back to see what happened and saw Ed standing alone sadly in the hallway.

"You really shouldn't have done that, Edward. It's too late now, so don't worry about it. She'll calm down a little later, so hurry up and follow me," Pinako said as she turned and left the hall. Ed followed her to the living room where he set down his suitcase on the floor.

"It's been a while since I've stepped foot in this room," Ed said as he gazed around the room full of memories. He then turned, left and went over to Winry's room, where he bumped into Al, who was coming out.

"You really are idiotic sometimes, brother," Al sighed as he left for the living room. Ed moaned to himself and cursed his stupidity as he walked up to Winry's bedroom door and knocked.

"Who is it?" He heard Winry ask angrily on the other side of the door. He opened it and looked inside to see Winry curled up on a corner of her bed hugging her pillow for comfort. He walked in a sat down on the end of the bed with his back to her.

"I didn't say you could come in!" Winry hissed.

"Look. Just listen. I'm sorry about what I said... I didn't mean to hurt your feelings," Ed mumbled as he gave a slight sigh.

"Yeah, right! It's not my fault I worry about you-" Winry stammered.

"Look, Win. Al and I are old enough to take care of ourselves. Besides, we're not little anymore," Ed said softly as he turned around and smiled at the teary girl sitting behind him on the other side of the bed.

"I wasn't finished! What I wanted to say was....It's not my fault I worry about you...because...what if I lose you guys one day?" Winry whispered as more tears fell down her checks. Ed moved a little closer and patted her head, which lay on the wet pillow.

"We're not going to die any time soon, Win," Ed assured her softly.

"You already did once, Ed...," Winry said silently. Ed's eyes grew wide with shock.

"How do you know…?" Ed asked with surprise.

"Al told me he got the feeling you did. I know he doesn't have all of his memories of when he was in that armor…but…he told me...he got the feeling something happened to you...and he seemed really sad when he said it," Winry told him miserably.

"It's…true…I guess you can that I did die once. Wasn't too horrible…until I came back and realized Al died too," Ed said quietly as his face darkened at the thought of the moment of the day he died.

"So…you really did die once," Winry confirmed.

"Yeah…it wasn't a good day for me. But I'm still alive," Ed assured her with a small smile. The room was silent for a moment before Winry spoke up, saying, "Please, Ed…don't…die on me, again,"

Ed smiled sadly at Winry and moved a little closer to her, making her bury her head more her pillow so that she didn't need to see him. He lifted her head up and used his index finger to remove her tears and hugged her. She didn't resist and felt limp in his arms.

"Don't cry, Winry. You know I hate it when you do," Ed whispered worriedly as he let go.

"Sorry…I know you hate it. Look. Just…go. I need some time to myself," Winry whispered as she turned her head away from him. Ed frowned, stood up and walked up to the door.

"I'm sorry for all I've done to make you worry...," Ed told her sadly as he opened the door and left.

'Why…did I fall for him? I wonder…if what Al said earlier was true.' Winry thought sadly as her memory received a flashback from earlier.

'' Knock, Knock.

"Winry? Are you in there?" Al asked after he knocked on Winry's closed bedroom door.

"What do you want?!" He heard Winry scream from the other side of the door. Al paused from a moment before deciding that he should go in and try to confront her.

"Can I come in?" He asked. There was silence before a moment before the door opened and a teary eyed Winry let him in. She closed the door and retreated to her bed and curled up with her pillow as Al sat on a chair at her desk.

"Sorry about brother's behavior," Al apologized. Winry looked at him sadly and sighed.

"I know he didn't mean it. I'm sorry for yelling at you," Winry whispered as she turned her head to him gave him a sad look before burying her head in her pillow.

"It's okay. But, if you know that brother didn't mean it, then…why are you so mad?" Al asked. Winry looked at him again and tilted her head.

"It's because I was so worried! I don't see him for what seems like forever, he comes back and rushes off again! How do you think I would feel?! Especially since…"

"Since what?"

"Since…I think I might actually be in love with him,"

There was a slight gasp from Al before Winry told him so hush.

"Please, don't mention anything to him. I don't think he's ever return my feelings anyways," Winry told Al sadly. She jumped a little suddenly when Al surprised her by standing up and looking at her with an emotion that seemed like…regret?

"How could you know that?! What if, by chance, he likes you too?!" Al mumbled angrily. Winry just shook her head miserably.

"That's not possi-"

"Winry! Please! I'm pretty sure that after spending nearly all of my years with him, I know how he feels about you!"

"What…do you mean, Al?"

"I'm saying I think brother likes you too!"

There was silence in the room before Al realized Winry's jaws dropped and her eyes were filled with shock, before she closed her mouth and gave him a sad look again.

"I don't think so, Al. He's too busy. He'd never notice me and see me as a girl, not just his mechanic and childhood friend," Winry sighed sadly. Al's hands turned into fists before he turned his back to her and walked to the door.

"Fine. If that's what you think, then we'll see," Al mumbled before letting himself leave the room. ''

The next morning, as the sun rose in the sky, Pinako came out on the patio and sat on her rocking chair and stared at the sunrise for a few peaceful moments before Al appeared.

"It sure is a beautiful sunrise, huh?" Al asked as he sat down on the patio floor next to Pinako.

"You sure wake up early, Alphonse," Pinako remarked.

"My years of staying up all the time have gotten to me, I guess," Al replied sheepishly.

"At least you're not like someone I know," Pinako mumbled.

"You're right about brother. He likes sleeping in," Al stated.

"So does Winry...," Pinako sighed.

"Speaking of Winry...I just found out something really interesting last night," Al smirked with an evil grin on his face.

'It's my turn to play cupid...! Ha, Ha, Ha!' Al thought happily as he turned to Pinako, who had a look of interest on her face.

"Go on...I'm listening."

"Isn't she ever going to come out?!" Ed hissed as he paced around the living room, while Pinako and Al were setting up the table.

"She'll eventually get hungry, so she's bound to come out," Pinako said.

"Brother? Why are you so impatient?" Al asked.

"Because I'm hungry and want food!" Ed moaned as he whipped around and his stomach grumbled as if on cue to prove Ed's point.

"You are really inconsiderate…," Al mumbled as he shook his head sadly. Ed glared and whipped around as he heard footsteps approach from the hallway.

"I'm hungry. Is breakfast ready yet?" the voice making the footsteps called out from the hall.

"See what I mean?" Pinako mumbled.

"Winry! You usually cook breakfast don't you?" Al shouted back. Winry appeared in the kitchen - having changed out of the nightgown into a regular t-shirt and jeans - and laughed at herself.

"Oh, yeah! Don't worry. Breakfast might be a little late, but let me cook and I'll prepare something delicious!" Winry smiled as she walked by and ignored Ed.

"Great! What are we having?" Ed asked.

Winry completely ignored him by not answering his question and got started cooking whatever she was going to make for breakfast. Ed sighed and decided to ignore her as well by sitting on the sofa in the living room.

'I guess I really messed up, huh?' Ed thought to himself with a sigh before he was surprised by another voice that said, "You sure did!"

He turned around and was surprised to see Al sitting next to him, giving him a nasty glare.

"Oops...did I say that out loud?" Ed chuckled nervously.

"I'm not going to answer that, but I can say that you should go apologize to Winry," Al said as he gave Ed another glare. Ed sighed as he patted Al's head and told him, "I already did."

"When?" Al asked with a hint of surprise in his voice.

'Clearly, he doesn't get why he saw me in the hall last night!' Ed though with a bit of annoyance.

"Last night, just as you left," Ed replied with a small smile.

"Breakfast is ready!" Winry shouted from the kitchen. Ed stood up and Al quickly did the same. Both brothers walked to the kitchen, and took the wonderful smells of cooking in.

"Yum! Smells good! What's for breakfast?" Al asked as he seated himself.

"The traditional bacon and eggs with toast," Winry replied.

"Sounds good," Ed said as he sat down beside Al, with Winry still ignoring him. Pinako came in and seated herself just as Winry put a plate full of food in front of each person, before seating herself in an empty seat beside Pinako

"Time to eat!" Ed, Al and Winry shouted in harmony before digging in.

"Hmm! That was good!" said Ed as he gave his stomach a satisfied pat.

"Indeed, it was. Winry, you sure do make a good cook," Al commented as he put his plate in the sink. Everyone had just finished their breakfast and had gone to do their thing. Pinako went to help a customer, Winry and Al went to wash the dishes and Ed went to make a phone call.

"Al? Who did Ed say he was calling?"

"Brother said he was going to call the Führer to check in,"

"Are you sure about that?"

"Ed doesn't lie, Winry,"

"Yeah, right. He's just a two-timing money-waster who doesn't care about bills and taxes."

Meanwhile, in another section of the Rockbell home, Ed was dialling a number and waiting for someone to pick up.

Rng! Ring! Ring!

"Hello. Führer Mustang's office,"

"Colonel Mustang?" Ed asked with shock as he addressed Roy's wife with surprise.

"Edward? It's good to hear from you," Riza said expressionlessly.

"You too, Colonel! Sorry to bother, but, uh, is the Führer there?" Edward asked.

"No. He's currently out on duty," Riza replied.

"Oh okay. Tell him I was checking in and that Ed said hi," Ed said cheekily.

"I will, Edward,"

"So? How's the baby?"

"I'm sure the baby's fine. I can't be too sure but-Oh…,"

"Colonel? What's wrong?"

"The baby...it's...it's coming!"

"WINRY!!!" Ed shrieked. There was a crash and Ed felt pain on his head again as he winced and turned around to see an angry Winry with her wrench grasped in her hand.

"Look what you did! You made me drop an expensive plate!" Winry hissed.

"But...Colonel Mustang's baby!" Ed squeaked. Winry's eyes grew wide with shock as she dropped her wrench.

"Ed...please...call someone...that can help...! My water just broke and it's starting to hurt," Winry heard Riza call out from the phone. She grabbed it from Ed and put it to her ear.

"Colonel?!" Winry asked breathlessly.

"Winry...? Is that you?" Riza asked in a pained voice.

"Colonel! Breath! Breath in and out! Hang on! We'll get someone that can help you!" Winry cried.

"Thanks...please, hurry...! Send someone to Roy's office…," Riza gasped. Winry hung up and stared at Ed with a scared expression on her face. Al came in and stared, confused at the expressions on their faces.

"Edward! What do we do?!" Winry cried.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

December 31st. 2009

I'm here again! Happy New Year Everyone! Haha! Uploading on New Years! I've decided to date my author's notes, so yeah. I hope this makes things a little easier.

Hope that ending wasn't too dramatic for you! Riza and Roy's child! It's coming!

For those of you idiots out there, yes. I made it so that Roy & Riza get married and have a child together.

Is it a boy or is it a girl..?! Who knows?! Ek!

Wait...I do! (I think?)

Actually. I do. But I don't have any idea for names yet. I'd ask you guys for suggestions, but it would kind of ruin the moment, right?

Well. I hope you like this chapter. Winry and Ed have an argument and what could Al and Pinako be planning?! I don't really know yet...ha ha.

I swear I feel like I'm having a writer's block! =__=

I don't really know what to do next, and I feel like something's missing from this chapter.

It doesn't feel…complete. For some reason unknown to me!

HELP!!

(I guess I should also apologize about all the boring conversations/dialogue. I'm going to add some action, sooner or later. Hopefully. I also apologize for such a short chapter Dx)

Question: What's with Winry and the skimpy dress? : )

Answer: I so don't know! Just wanted to add a bit of humor. Haha. : P

WARNING: I may have to change the rating of this because it's…going to get a little inappropriate soon! Ugh!

DISCLAIMER: I don't know anything belonging to FMA, except this [purely] fan-made plot and a little surprise that shall appear in later chapters. It belongs to Hiromu Arakawa and whatever company animated and subbed FMA and made it into an anime, such as Funimation, e.t.c.

(Haha. I only know one producer company. LOL!)

See you in Chapter 4~!

-J. U. T. H. L

TEXT GRAMMAR EDIT: March 13th. 2010 (This chapter had a lot of mistakes!)

EXTRA BONUS:

Author: What if…Ed didn't return..? Hmmm…

Author: *Beings imagining random scenario*

Random Unknown Person: "Anyone home?!"

Author Narration: 'It couldn't be...it's true! It's really true! They're back!' Winry though happily as she came face to face with a person she thought she would never see again.

Winry: Mr. Hughes?!

Maes: OhMiGawd! Winry! Winry! I know the original author, Arakawa-San, made me die and all, and I still think that script is ALL wrong, but I just HAD to show you this adorable picture or Elicia!! *Maes squeals in delight as he pulls out a picture of his daughter and shoves it at Winry's face*

Maes: Isn't she adorable?!

Author Narration: Winry becomes so angry with rage that she kicks out Maes and he ends up flying through the air, like Team Rocket from Pokemon!

Maes: Maes Hughes is blasting off again!!! *Sad Face*

Author: *Snaps back to reality and shivers*

Author: I am NEVER imagining such random plots ever again! Dx