Wooo, short chapter, whoops. But sorry for the late update! School and other writing had me tied up, unable to keep writing this. My guess is that this'll be over in a few chapters or so? I dunno, I can't tell, lol.

It wasn't that she didn't trust him or his judgment anymore. It was waking up that was fear in itself. Had Ed really promised to be there when she woke up? Or did she just dream it all? Considering her recent mindset, the latter was very possible.

Or maybe all the events leading up to this moment was all a dream. She could've just imagined she came to Central with Edward. Perhaps she went by herself. A heavy shudder ran through her at the thought of coming back to this place at all. It was definitely the last thing she'd want to ever do.

Sitting up, Winry yawned and squinted her eyes from the blinding sunlight escaping into the room. She felt something sting at the back of her eyes again, quite possibly those tears again. Her blue irises glanced around the room, looking for some clue that might explain the sudden empty space next to her. Not to mention the empty promise Edward Elric left with her last night.

Something flat and white sat on the nearby nightstand. Extending her hand over the sheets, she grabbed at the loose paper and held it closer to read it better.

Sorry Win, emergency at headquarters. I'll try to be back by this afternoon.

He didn't sign his name or anything, but left only the lone note. Somehow she thought she would feel a bit better after finding his whereabouts. She only felt even lonelier after reading the note.

Sighing, Winry let the paper flutter back to the ground, uncaring of how it would be handled now. Now she knew for sure Edward had promised to be here when she awoke. It wasn't just some silly dream. But what could be so important that he'd need to leave her? Pouting, she figured he could've at least woke her up and let her come along... or something.

But then again, there was the whole issue of being a burden. She knew Ed and Al were busy and she didn't want to have any place with them that would only cause disruption.

Her stomach grumbled into the otherwise silent room and she couldn't help but start to sport a blush at the loudness of it.

"Oh be quiet..." She grumbled to herself, placing a hand to her front side. "I'll get something to eat soon." Winry swung her legs over the side of the bed, yawning again. But a thought passed by her as she made her way to a standing position. Did she really pack nothing but skirts and dresses? Groaning, Winry scuffled her feet towards her suitcase and soon popped it open. She found she had indeed packed skirts and dresses, aside from a jumpsuit she brought along just in case she needed to do any automail repairs. But she couldn't wear that around town, now could she?

Winry could feel a sense of defeat washing over her as she shimmied out of her dirty clothes, the fabric making a soft thud upon impact with the floor. She was in Central, the place she had originally had problems... And now she was coming back with the easiest type of clothes to let it happen again? Slipping on her light blue tank top, Winry really wished she had packed along a pair of capris or something. But then again, she just threw clothes into a suitcase; paying no mind as to what went in.

Sliding on her jean skirt and additional button-up top, the defeat seemed to lessen a bit the more she put on. Not that she would walk out with all her clothes on if it made her feel better, but she felt more confident. She couldn't explain how or why, but it could've been the possibility that she was even here in Central. Winry had managed to overcome a bit of her fears and got on the train initially, which was a feat in itself.

Perhaps she could go outside. Although she'd have to take it slow and definitely avoid dark alleyways. A small smile crept to her lips as she finished slipping on her shoes. She could do it! Besides, it wasn't like she was going very far. She'd just go down the street and snag some breakfast. Before she'd know it, she'd be back at the hotel, safe and sound.

Feeling the surge of confidence go through her veins, Winry grabbed a hold of her purse and soon left out the door.

Heavy footsteps could be heard as Edward Elric made his way hastily down a more or less abandoned street. The sounds of an empty suit of armor following in pursuit made even more noise as the two brothers sauntered through the road. Their stature was that of someone looking for something... or someone.

"Nii-san, just what is it you're doing?" Al called from behind, making clunking noises with every step. "Why did you leave Winry alone?" Edward halted his own pace upon mention of her name and his hands curled into tight fists.

"I'm..." He started but immediately stopped, as if switching to a new perspective. "She'll understand."

"Could you clue me on what you're doing though?" The younger brother pleaded, still confused. "I'll follow you wherever you go, but I'd like to an idea of what we're looking for." Snapping his head back, Ed's amber eyes were wide and his face suddenly paled.

"W-Who ever said we're looking for something? We're going to Central Headquarters, you know that."

"But the building's on the other side of town."

'Damn... He's onto me.'

"Okay, so maybe we are looking for someone," Ed shrugged and continued his walking, purposely avoiding having to face his brother. Al was always good at reading people like an open book.

"Hm... Could you describe so I could help look for him?" Al requested, starting his pace again. Edward didn't particularly want to say this person's features. Just how many people in Central had green hair?

So instead, he shoved his hands into his pockets and sighed, stopping walking yet again. He really shouldn't beat around the bush with his brother. He's done that enough with him before and he didn't really want to make a habit of it.

He turned around, a fierce expression written on his face as his eyes unyieldingly met Al's. "I'm going after Envy." Knowing Al would explode with anger and confusion, Ed further stood his ground. "And I've already made my decision, so you won't be able to stop me."

Surprisingly, Alphonse kept calm and quiet about Ed's idea. He didn't move nor say a thing. But eventually, he took a step closer and tried hard to keep cool.

"I understand you're reasoning for it, Nii-san..." He started slowly, his own hands curling into fists. "But have you actually thought about Winry?"

Deadpanning, Ed couldn't help but throw his hands into the air. "Have I thought about Winry? Al, I'm doing this for her! How the hell can I not be thinking of her when I'm going after him?"

"I know! I get you're doing this to get back at him; to right the wrong he's done!" Alphonse was growing louder and it was evident in his voice that he was getting upset. However, he was trying to be calm and collected about all this, as hard as it was. "But what good will that do if you get hurt?"

Ed did calculate the chance of him getting hurt, but he didn't really think about death. He was hoping he'd just sock Envy a few times and teach him a lesson. It wouldn't be that easy though. Envy hated him with a burning passion and he himself wouldn't rest until the alchemist was dead.

But it just didn't sit right with him knowing Winry couldn't ever step out of her house with the fear of that green-haired bastard around, just waiting to take advantage of her again.

"I said I'd protect her," was all Ed replied with, now bringing his ashamed gaze to the ground. "And that means I'll do whatever it takes."

He turned around and continued walking, now leaving his brother to fall far behind. He would find Envy and tear him a new one and more, even if it was the last thing he did.

Winry had decided to eat her meal at the small café down the street, just to try being out and alone as a new thing. With so many people around, she figured she'd have no problems otherwise. At least this time, she carried a wrench in her purse, just for good measure.

Seeing a familiar blonde head, a small smile grew on her face as she waved him over.

"Ed!" She breathed, happy to see him. "You're back so early!" He managed to give her a smile back as he nodded.

"Yeah, it went quicker than expected," he explained, holding out a hand. "We should get you back to the hotel."

"Eh? I guess we could go back..."

"I just worry about you, is all..." He replied, a faint pink tugging at his cheeks. "It'll just be safer back in our room." Agreeing, Winry nodded and took his hand to stand up, making sure she left a small tip on the table. Giving him a brighter smile, she didn't let go of his hand as they walked back to the hotel. She talked animatedly, explaining different things she saw and heard while at the café and how she'd been missing out on so much back in Risembool.

He only nodded in understanding, as if listening. But for a short moment, an all-too familiar smirk grew on his lips; the only thing in his mind was the second victory over a certain alchemist.

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