Like I said, short epilogue. It's basically just a summary of what happens after the camping trip. It's also where the title comes from. So, I hope you enjoy. I'll have more to say afterwords.

Disclaimer: I know by this point I don't have to say a disclaimer anymore, but for old time's sake: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.

888888888888

First days, then weeks, then months passed. It took time, but Edward slowly started resembling his old self. Sometimes, still, he would cry at night when he thought of Alphonse, and there would be moments during the day when he would seem to shrink back into his shell for awhile, but it never lasted long.

After returning from the lake house, Ed officially quit the military. He didn't need it anymore, but he stayed in contact with all of his military friends.

A week after their return, Hawkeye discovered that Winry's grandmother had never actually been sick. Ed was scolded, all the while mumbling about how he wasn't a child, for lying and was forced to call Winry himself to tell her what had happened. She didn't take it well, and for awhile, Ed was afraid that she might end up like he had been. He returned to Resembool and stayed by her side for an entire month before she started feeling better. Much to everyone's surprise, maybe even Edward's, he returned to Central to stay with Roy.

For a bit, Ed started seeing a psychiatrist to help him through his depression, but quickly decided that Dr. Armstrong (first cousin to a well-known Alex Louis Armstrong) just wasn't right for him and stopped going.

Roy had often thought Edward was amazing when he watched him in his time in the military. He wondered how a boy so small could be so brave, so strong, so unbreakable. He often belittled the boy because, in truth, he thought Ed was stronger than him. Maybe not physically, but mentally. He wondered how someone could go so long and go through so much without ever reaching their breaking point. And then it came to him. Maybe it was because Edward had long been past his breaking point.

But like all broken things, everything can be fixed with a little effort.

88888888888

Well, that's it. That's the end of this story. I want to give a big, ginormous (shut up, it is too a word) thank you to everyone who reviewed my story. Everyone's reviews mean so much to me, and I really enjoyed reading them. Sad to say, but the biggest highlight of my days was opening my inbox to see that wonderful e-mail that said 'Review Alert'. I also want to give a slightly smaller but still huge thanks to everyone that read and didn't review. I don't always review either, but if you read through to the end, thanks a ton. That hit counter is just as nice to see as the review counter. It's because of you guys that this story has almost three times as many hits as my previous most popular story.

I might start to ramble here soon because I really don't want to say goodbye to this story. This story has been big to me. It's the longest story I've ever written. It has the most hits. The most favorites. And, I was actually able to finish it within a decent amount of time. I'd given up on all other stories I tried. After five months, I finished one, but that's it. All in all, this story is special to me, and I hope you've enjoyed reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it.

Until my next story!

PhantomAlchemist

Equivalent Exchange: Forget equivalent exchange! We have the Philosopher's Stone now! Keep those reviews coming even though I'm not writing.