Hi. Sorry it took me forever to upload. I hit a block. I honest to goodness didn't know how to continue the story. Then there was school which was super hectic. But now its summer so I'm hoping that I'll be able to upload more frequently. Sorry.

Chapter 18

Edward

Winry was dancing…

So was Lieutenant Hawkeye…

Winry was dancing…

So was Silvertongue…

But Winry was dancing…

And I couldn't get her out of my head.

I could see her blushing furiously as her body moved in foreign, unfamiliar was. I could also see her mouth set in a firm line, determined to finish the dance.

I heard a loud metal clatter when Al fell off his seat in shock. I didn't turn to look at him. I knew he'd be alright. But even if I had wanted to I don't think could have turned away. Like my body was not my own, I was forced to sit and watch. Mustang was silent…maybe he was as entranced as I was, I didn't know, I didn't care. All I saw was Winry, spinning, twirling, kicking, swaying…dancing.

Time seemed to fade away, I never noticed it pass. I don't remember not breathing but when the dance ended I had to gulp in lungfuls of air. I was relieved and at the same time disappointed that the dance was over.

"So what do you think?"

What?

Oh. Silvertongue, she's talking…

I tried to form words but none came out. I glanced at Mustang helplessly. It took all of my will to look away from Winry. I didn't want her to see me reddening. I knew my face probably looked like a tomato. And Mustang was no help at all. His face was as red as mine.

"Well?" Silvertongue asked impatiently.

"It was…interesting…" I said, mentally cursing myself for stumbling over the simple sentence.

Silvertongue grinned, "Great. Glad you boys liked it."

"HEY!" I immediately shot to my feet, "Who said I liked it?"

I was answered by Silvertongue's tinkling laughter. She walked back to the cave, completely at ease in the almost see-through dress.

Hawkeye sat near Mustang, they were talking about something but I could see that Mustang was uncomfortable for some reason. Al was sitting again and strangely quiet. Winry was blushing madly as she sat down next to me.

"So…" I started, "…Nice dance."

She blushed even more, "Th—thanks, I guess…"

Say something! I shouted at myself.

Uh…what to say??

"N—Nice dress…" I stammered.

Winry's lips pressed together.

Opps. Wrong thing to say…

I steeled myself for the tirade that would spew from her lips.

"Time for bed guys, we have an early day tomorrow!" Silvertongue called from inside the cave.

I jumped up, grateful for the excuse to get away from this potential volcano.

"Why are you telling us to go to bed? You can't be any older than me!" I shouted.

"Because you have to wake up early tomorrow, that's why." She said, coming out of the cave.

"She's right, Full Metal." Mustang said, standing and stretching.

"Good night everyone." Winry said, also standing up.

"'Night Hawkeye-san, Mustang-san, Winry…bro." Al said, then he and Winry entered Silvertongue's cave.

"I'll turn in too, sir." Hawkeye said, following the two.

"Come on, Fullmetal. Let's get inside." Mustang said.

"Why should I?"

He gave me a look, "Because we should. Stop acting like a spoiled kid and go to bed."

I caved in…but only because it was getting cold and the fire was dying.

That night we slept on the ground, wrapped in the rugs and blankets Silvertongue provided.

It took me ages to fall asleep and when I finally did…I dreamed of Winry…and she was dancing…

~ o ~ o ~ o ~

E—ed… Wa—ke uu—up!

I groaned and turned around, snuggling into the rough blankets I was wrapped in. But the disembodied voice was not to be denied.

"EDWARD! GET UP!"

I groaned again. That had to be Silvertongue. I was going to ignore her for five more minutes when a sharp pain pierced my arm.

"OWW!"

I jolted upright, rubbing my upper arm furiously.

"Why'd you do that for?" I demanded the slight girl.

She shrugged, "I didn't poke you. It was all in your head. I never even touched you."

I inspected my arm. There was no sign of me being stabbed…and that was what it felt like.

"Witch." I muttered.

Silvertongue didn't seem impressed.

"I've been called that before. It's not true."

"Can we move now?" Mustang's annoying voice interrupted us.

"Yes." Silvertongue said, "We should. Get up, Ed."

And so we continued our journey to the Old World.