A/N Hi, just a quick notice about some changes made to the last chapter, namely that I managed to mix up which one of Scar and his brother was older, so I just edited it to make that make sense. Sorry for any confusion that mistake caused!

As usual, I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist, and I hope you enjoy the chapter :D

"You have to leave already?" Kabuto asked, frowning. "But you've only mastered the basics."

Roy sighed. "Sadly, this is the only leave I have from the military. I don't have a choice in going."

Kabuto looked at Roy. "There's something I don't quite understand. If you were opposed to the war enough to not kill any of us, then why are you still in the military?"

Roy froze, then laughed humourlessly. "As ironic as it is, there's someone I need to protect. I've been trying to convince them to quit for a while now."

Ed smiled bitterly. At least this time, Hughes could live, have a happy ending. Maybe this time, at least one family could remain whole. Maybe this time, Roy wouldn't spend so long in the rain, alone in a graveyard, with the silence and raindrops in the place of his best friend.

Scar paused then turned to Ed. "I'm sorry." He said quickly, and gruffly, like he wasn't sure what to say, like he wasn't used to saying the words. "Your brother... if he isn't here with you..." He didn't need to say anything else, and Ed merely nodded, trying desperately not to hear the echoes.

"You'd better win, brother."

Kabuto cleared his throat. "Anyway, I've written out notes on the more complex theory for the battle application of my alchemy style, but there's only one copy so only one of you will be able to keep it and learn it at a time."

Both alchemists smiled in relief at that. "Thank you." Ed was practically beaming, because this made a difference.

Roy bowed his head in thanks. "Your help has been truly valuable." Now all that was left for the inevitable argument over who got the notes first. This was important, this could save people... But only one of them could use them first...

Ed and Roy nodded, and Ed could only stare at his former commanding officer as the papers were passed to him.

"But don't you-" He started to protest, and was stopped as Roy smirked.

"Relax, Fullmetal. You'd better be done with them the next time I have leave, though." Roy's smirk didn't falter, and Ed grinned.

"Fullmetal?" Kabuto asked, clearly confused.

"I became a State Alchemist in the future." Ed explained sheepishly. "That was my title."

Kabuto could only stare. "How far in the future was this? You said the circle was activated-"

"He was the youngest state alchemist ever. Signed up at twelve." Scar explained.

"Why?" Kabuto was horrified. No doubt the horrors of the Ishvalan was were still fresh in his mind.

"I had my reasons." Ed said briskly. A promise. The promise that'd meant everything. The promise that held him together. The promise he'd broken. Because in the end, they hadn't recovered their bodies together. He was the only one who remembered their promise, the bond that had been built and tested through years of suffering had been unravelled.

Now they had a new weapon, a better chance. And Ed told himself that all the sacrifices would be worth it, just so long as he could protect his precious little brother.

Roy was standing at the train station, looking down at Ed, and he sighed.

"Well Fullmetal, I can at least say that the military is certainly quieter without you..." He said carefully.

Ed rolled his eyes. "What, missing me, bastard?"

Roy shook his head. "Fine. I'll be blunt. Do you plan on joining the military again?"

At this, Ed froze. Going back would basically be offering himself to Father on a silver platter. Even if it was useful for getting around, it wasn't necessary...

But... "Nina." Ed whispered. "... Somehow, I need to save her. She didn't deserve what happened to her."

Roy paused. "I'll see what I can find on the Life Sewing alchemist, see if I can stop him early... If not, then we'll think of another plan. One that doesn't involve twelve year old state alchemists. Not again."

Ed managed a smile. "Thanks... Colonel Bastard."

"No problem... Pipsqueak." Roy turned away as the train arrived, so Ed couldn't see his smile.

Ed stared after the train as it left, and turned away, nearly bumping straight into Winry.

"W-where you there the whole time?" He blurted the first thought that came to mind.

Winry nodded, looking serious. "Ed you can't join the military again... Please..."

Ed swalowed. "I... I can't abandon Nina to that fate again."

Even in the past, or future, Ed had never told Winry about Nina. He hadn't told Winry about nearly enough, and now she was stranded in the past, with no idea as to what could be changed, what could be stopped.

Now, from her perspective, he was willing to walk into danger, all because of another secret.

"Please, Ed... Just tell me." She begged, and Ed looked at the floor.

"It isn't a pretty story." He warned, feeling his heart wrench at the thought of talking about Nina, to someone he'd tried to shelter.

"I don't care." She insisted stubbornly, although she looked pale.

Ed paused. He decided that he'd tell it like a story... because otherwise, it'd hurt too much. Because it could just be a memory now, it could be just a story, something only kept by nightmares, if only he could save her.

"There once was a girl called Nina Tucker. Her father was a State alchemist- the Life Sewing Alchemist..."

"T-that's horrible." Winry sobbed. "Why? Why would he do that?"

Ed shook his head numbly. "I don't know why he did it. Maybe from his perspective, he didn't have a choice." He added bitterly.

Then, he felt unbearably guilty. "I'm sorry, Winry. I made you cry again." Another promise, broken.

Winry merely shook her head, then burried her face on his shoulder as she cried. Cried for poor, poor Nina Tucker, the girl with human eyes in an animal face.

And Ed cried too, because he could still remember her quiet, scared voice calling him her big brother

"Hey brother?" Al asked quietly. Ed had been back for a week, and after being scolded and hugged, and welcomed home, everything had settled down.

"Yeah, Al?" Ed asked, turning to his brother.

"Why do you have nightmares?" Al blurted. "I hate it... You never tell me why, but I can hear you screaming. Please brother, just tell me why. I want to help!" Al begged desperately.

Ed froze, blood turning to ice. No Al... don't. Please... You can't get involved, not again.

Al's eyes were filled with tears. "It's like I don't even know you any more." He whispered.

Ed turned slowly, his golden eyes were wide. "Al..." He breathed, torn.

Then he remembered Scar's face as he told Kabuto about the past. The Ishvalan had hated it, Ed could see it in his eyes. The regret, the fear... Then the resolve. Scar hadn't wanted to do it, but faced it anyway. That was what made him brave.

Ed never thought he'd admire the courage of someone who had tried to kill him. But now he knew how hard it was, he couldn't help the respect.

Ed took a deep, shuddering breath. "Al..." He started shakily.

He knew how Scar had felt. Sometimes, you had to hurt the ones you loved to help them. He didn't have a choice. He was hurting people by keeping secrets. He was hurting his little brother. How could he do it?

He couldn't, that was the answer. Because Edward Elric would do many things, and hurt his little brother, even unintentionally wasn't one of them.

"Hey Al," He made his choice. "Do you think that time travel could ever be possible?"