Chapter 2

Winry pulled the wooden door behind her tightly and inserted a key to lock it. The shop was dark inside and the windows were all boarded up. She placed a slender hand on the door a final time before turning around to face the street where a black town car sat and an attendant stood next to an open door. A small smile spread across her face as she stooped slightly to pick up the large metal box with the intricate symbol.

"Ma'am, let me get that bag." The attendant started but Winry put up a hand to stop him.

"That's ok. I've got this one." Winry turned slightly at the sudden call of her name and the sound of running feet.

"Ms. Rockbell! Ms. Rockbell! Where are you going? Are you leaving us?"

"Sorry boys. But I'm going to Central today."

"Awwwww, for good? Aww, no!"

Winry smiled and sat the metal box onto the concrete. She lightly touched the cheek of the nearest boy to her. "I will be back to visit sometimes. I promise." She winked at them before standing up again and taking the handle of the box. The wild haired brunet named Thomas grabbed the hem of her floral dress in which Winry stopped back to look at him.

"What's wrong, Thomas?"

"Ms. Rockbell! I...I love you, please don't go!" Tears were in the corners of the young boy's eyes, which quickly spilled over as he thrust himself onto her for a hug. Winry closed her eyes as she felt his tight embrace and she couldn't help but returned the favor. Stooping back down to his eye level, Winry's hand lifted to wipe the boy's eyes.

"Thomas. I promise, I'll come back to visit you. Don't cry."

"P-promise?"

"I promise." She stood up yet again and picked up the box. Looking around the neighborhood a final time, Winry heaved a sigh before shoving the heavy box inside the car and proceeded to step inside. Just then, Mrs. Morrison came rushing towards the car. Deeply out of breathe, the old woman spoke.

"Winry, dear! Leaving so soon?"

"Yes ma'am. Some important people in Central are expecting me."

"Ah, don't forget to meet a nice man in Central, dear! You're not getting any younger, remember?" Winry looked thoroughly embarrassed as the old woman burst into a cackle that left her in a coughing fit. Winry gave Mrs. Morrison a smile and raised her hand in a small wave.

"Goodbye, now."

"G'bye, Ms. Rockbell! 'Bye!"

"So long, dear! Visit sometimes!" Winry stepped inside the car and was soon gone.

The loud sound of screeching metal tires and releasing steam mingled with the hum of people talking or yelling as they exited the train that had arrived into Central's train station. Winry lugged the metal box down the steps leading off and wiped her brow. Riding the train, to her was always exhausting, but this time was different. She would be starting a new life. A new life. She thought as she scanned the platform for any military personnel that were supposed to be there to pick her up. She wasn't exactly sure who was designated to pick her up from the train station, but she knew it would be someone she would recognize, at least that's what Riza Hawkeye had told her when she had called last week to agree to the position. Winry scanned the area through the throngs of people, searching for any sign of familiarity.

"Winry? Winry Rockbell?" She turned her head slightly to the left.

"Lieutenant Fury! So you're here to pick me up?"

The dark-haired man pushed his wire-rimmed glasses higher onto his nose as he reached out to take Winry's box. He had moved so quickly that she didn't have much time to stop him.

"Really Lieutenant, you don't have to get that one."

"No-no, Ms. Rockbell, I've got it! Ugh! What's in here?" Fury strained out as he fought to pick the large box up. Winry began to wave her arms frantically as she tried to get him to put the box back down.

"Please, you don't have to get this one! I can handle it!"

"Non-sense! You are a lady! I-I can…handle…ugh….it!" Winry gave up and allowed the lieutenant to drag the box out of the station and into a military reserved car. As the door closed behind her, she looked out of the window and out onto the city. It had been years since she had last been to Central. After the Elrics disappeared, there was no real reason to visit any of the cities she once did. As the car pulled off, Winry's mind drifted to a far away thought…

"Why won't you guys tell me what you are always doing with those books!"

"'Cause Winry, you wouldn't understand!"

"But you hardly have any time to play with me much anymore!"

"It's too bad! We don't have time for all that kid stuff! We're gonna be world famous alchemist! He-he!"

"The world's smallest!"

"WHAT! Winry!"

"Oh, brother! Please, calm down!"

"Ms. Rockbell? Ms. Rockbell? We've arrived at Central Headquarters."

"Huh?" Winry was pulled away from her daydream. A single tear was rolling down her cheek which she promptly wiped away with the back of her hand. Fury looked concerned as he spoke softly.

"Are you…ok?"

"I'm…I'm fine Lieutenant Fury. Just…..it's nothing."

"O-ok…well, I'll have the driver take you things to your new apartment. After your meeting with Brigadier General Mustang, you'll get a tour of the new facilities where you'll be working." Fury's eyes softened as he looked at the young woman. He could remember the times that he had meet Winry, whenever she was in town to repair the Full Metal's arm. It was hard to see the obvious sadness in her eyes as she exited the car and looked up at the huge building, the large white banner with the strange blue griffin-like symbol in the center of it.

"Here goes nothing." She sighed softly as she started up the numerous stairs.

"So Ms. Rockbell, I hope everything is up to par. You'll be able to pick out any number of mechanics for your use. You'll start immediately. Any questions?"

"No."

"Then welcome to the military, Ms. Rockbell." The handsome man stood up from behind the desk to lean in and shake Winry's hand. In spite of the eye patch that hid his missing eye, Roy Mustang was a distinguished looking gentleman. After the boys had crossed the gate for the final time, it was said that Liza Hawkeye had used some very persuasive…negotiations to remind Mustang of his dreams for a better military and convinced him to return to Central, where the military was still in recovery after Führer King Bradley fell to Mustang after his discovery of being a homunculus. The absence of a leader left the military in deep disorder, but with renewed passion of his dream (and continued coaxing from Liza), Mustang was appointed to Brigadier General in the course of two years, despite some protests to Mustang from a few loyalists and what really happened to the führer.

Liza stood to the right of the Brigadier General, a tiny smile on her face. Winry returned the gestured and turned to leave the office. Mustang's voice rang out to her.

"Ms. Rockbell. I hope you can live up to your name. The Full Metal gave you a good recommendation."