Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist, the manga, because if I did I would hardly be able to keep myself from exploding from the excitement.

You know, you guys, I can see that there are at least a few people reading my fic, but yet I still only have one review. Don't get me wrong, I'm not out for attention, but COME ON! It's common courtesy to give back helpful feedback. I really do want to finish this fic, but I've got to get a sense of what you guys are feeling, too. Anyway, the whole point of writing in the first place is to either communicate to society or have fun, and you know what? So far, this is fun. So I'm going to finish this fic even if nobody likes it, even though it'd also be nice if I got more reviews. You can even flame me, really! Glad we've got that settled. (Hahaha.)

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The Ishballans at Xerxes hadn't seen the Xingian girl until she was nearly upon them. Not that she was a threat; although she was not at all surprised at finding Ishballans still living in the middle of the desert, she'd made it clear that she had no intention of alerting some officials of Amestris of their existence. Also, there was the fact that she was only about four feet tall. No one had asked her age, but she carried herself as someone with the optimism characteristic of a ten-year-old. She also carried a distinctively diminutive but adult panda bear-which, when introduced to the wine stocks, helped itself to more than its share.

They had stayed one night in the camp. When they'd asked her where her destination was, she told them she was looking for immortality. When she'd sensed the uneasiness from her answer, she suddenly asked if there were any injured in the camp. The young man who had been in battle with the Xingian female guard showed her the slash on his arm they had wrapped up. The girl commented that the yellow pus around the area meant it was infected. She then drew a small circle that emitted an eerie glow when she placed her hands on it. At first the patient grew upset and thought it was witchcraft, or that devilish alchemy, but as soon as she removed his hands he saw that the wound was gone from the surface. He thanked her, amazed, and she was modest about it, but she also said that it was to prove that she had no ill intention. They'd all smiled, still warily.

The next day she asked for directions to Amestris and they pointed her to the west. She made sure to catch each of their eyes as she said her goodbye, and even when she was far into the distance the elder noticed she turned round and gave a strong wave. He couldn't help wondering if she'd make it.

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It started raining outside right when Winry hung up the phone, and she still wanted to talk to Dominic, so they all ended up sitting on the floor of the pawn shop, talking and eating the candy bars Al made Ed buy them all. Once in a while the man behind the counter would grunt at them to get the hell out of his store, but Paninya told them not to take him seriously and told him that they were probably the first customers he'd had all week. He grumbled and flipped through a newspaper then.

The phone rang after twenty minutes of that and Winry bolted to snatch it up, but then asked anxiously for Paninya to pick it up since she was still a stranger to him. Paninya shrugged and held the receiver far from her ear sagely. "Y'ello?"

"Who is this? Paninya, lemme talk t'that other chick, the doctor's daughter."

Paninya smiled encouragingly and handed over the phone to Winry, who fidgeted and coughed before speaking to steady her voice. "Yes, this is Winry. Uh... did the baby make it out without any trouble?"

"I'm a grandaddy!"

It sounded so cheerful, so bubbly, that Paninya, who was standing nearby, made a shocked face and said disbelievingly, "That doesn't sound like him at all!"

Winry seemed unsure about what to say next. "Um, that's great, Mr. Dominic, sir. I'm glad it's healthy."

"Yeah, it's all right now! We didn't even have to go and get a doctor!"

"Mm-hm."

There was more of Dominic's happy babbling on the other end, and Winry kept humoring him, but eventually he seemed to understand that she wasn't exactly interested. "So," he said grudgingly, as if insulted, when he had composed himself, "What did you want the first time you called?"

"Well, sir, I happen to be an automail mechanic, and I've really come a long way, and I heard that you're a master automail mechanic so I wanted to-I mean, I was wondering if-well, Mr. Dominic sir I would be honored if you would allow me to study under you as an apprentice!"

"Hell no!"

Winry's face fell, and her shoulders drooped, but she was instantly beseeching earnestly again. "Sir, I would ask that you would please reconsider!"

"No!"

"...please?"

They bantered back and forth, Winry slumping lower and lower onto the counter for each rejection, and Ed sighing impatiently. Sheska began to feel sorry for her, and asked Paninya if Dominic was always this mean. She looked amused. "He's not exactly mean, you know. I mean, you heard him going on about the baby, right? He just acts like this when he feels like somebody's butting into his life. He's very reclusive, you know."

Finally, they heard Dominic's voice become tired. "Look," he said, "if it will get you off my back, I do happen to know a guy who's willing to teach if you're willing to work in his shop. Plus, you helped out a little, so this way you can't come back and say I owe you. Hurry up and get a pen, willya? I don't got all day." Despite what he said, he did wait until he heard the sounds of the frenzied scrambling stop before spelling out the name clearly and slowly. Sheska had expected him to mutter it out quickly and hang the phone up before he could be badgered again. "The name's 'Garfiel'. That's G-a-r-f-i-e-l. His shop is at..."

Winry wrote frantically; her career depended on it. Ed leaned over her shoulder, listening to the other end and occasionally saying in a matter-of-fact voice that she'd gotten some piece of information wrong, so that she'd say "Shut up, Ed," but then scribble out what she had written and ask for confirmation from Dominic. Eventually Al said, "Quit bullying her, Ed," and tugged his offending big brother away by the hem of his coat.

After about ten minutes, Winry said, "Thank you so much! I appreciate it! I'd like to visit you in person to express my gratitude! ...well, then I guess I'll see you someday soon. ...okay, I won't bother you again. Yes sir, I understand. Thanks again." She set down the phone and gave a relieved sigh. Then she turned to the three and squealed. "You guys, I'm going to be an apprentice! I'm going to learn so much! What'll I do? I'm so excited! Ed, Al, don't you know what this means?!"

Al and Sheska congratulated her, but Ed snorted. "Whatever. Just don't come back crying when you find you actually have to work to learn."

"Brother, come on!" But Ed turned his back on Winry, and Sheska saw that he was laughing. Paninya caught Sheska's eye and winked. Al sighed. "Winry, don't get mad, he's just messing with you."

Winry groaned. "This again, huh? Whatever, now I've got to get here," she pointed to the address. "And I don't know where that is."

"Lemme see that," said Paninya, holding her hand out confidently. "Yup, I know where this is. I never would have thought Dominic was friends with this guy, though. He's kind of a weirdo. A pervert." Winry blanched. "Oh, but don't worry, you'd be safe there. Come on and follow me, it's not far."

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Garfiel was, in fact, a homosexual, and Ed and Al felt so strongly about this that they decided to stay outside the shop where it was safe until the girls came back out. Sheska and Paninya thought the man was immensely funny, but Winry only had eyes for his many works, which he proudly displayed all around the shop. As Winry examined each limb eagerly, Sheska couldn't help but realize that this was what Ed was referring to when he called her a "mecha otaku": said otaku went about her business with groping fingers and bulging eyes, taking small gasps of air so that it sounded as if she were panting. But that was only her perspective, and what would she know about appreciating technology? Garfiel, on the other hand, was satisfied. "I see you have good taste," he said as she caressed a forearm lovingly. "Yep, you've sure got an eye for craftsmanship!"

Winry whirled around. "Does that mean you'll accept me as your apprentice?" Garfiel feigned disapproval with a haughty hand to his chin. "I promise I will work hard!"

He laughed. "Well sure! I just know we're gonna be kindred spirits! Do your best and you'll be fine."

"Thank you! Don't worry, I will!" She beamed at Sheska and Paninya, giggled, then strode to the door and shouted to Ed and Al, "I did it, you guys! And you'll see, I'll learn so much by the end of my training you'll eat your words!"

"Yeah right! Don't believe her, Garfiel, she's a real slacker!"

"Brother, be quiet. Garfiel-san, that's not true, she's a great worker!"

In only a few minutes, it was all settled. Winry had already brought what luggage she had, and the apartment that Garfiel had rented was only right next door to the shop, so she moved in right away. She made sure to make Ed write down their teacher's phone number, and asked for the shop's number to give them, in case anything happened. "If you call me in no less than two weeks saying that you've already broken my arm, I'll have to clobber you," she said, only half joking. Paninya began to chuckle, but Ed grimaced in expectation.

They waved to her till she was out of sight, and started on the road to the train station. Sheska explained to Paninya that the Elrics were going to Dublith in order to ask their teacher some things. "I see," said Paninya, nodding. "And why are you headed there? Are you an alchemist too?" Ed sniggered.

"Ahaha, no way! You see, I've just supposedly gotten promoted to investigator, but really it's that my old job was becoming moot, and they were low on staff. I'm hardly qualified for this sort of work, but I guess they must have been desperate. They call the job they've given me a 'mission', and this time it's to investigate a certain establishment in the town of Dublith. Edward and Alphonse were headed there, and they said they would be happy to have me along..."

"Yeah, about that..." said Ed, giving a wincing grin, "No offense, Sheska, but we only really wanted you along because having a witness somewhat subdues Winry. This time it didn't work out as well as I'd hoped, but hey, you helped a little at least." And now he could only hope fervently that his original hypothesis would prove correct when it came to Teacher.

"Um, no hard feelings, Sheska? We really have enjoyed you coming with us this far," said Al meekly.

"It's alright Alphonse; I suspected as much anyway." Sheska gave herself a moment to recover, then turned to Paninya to include her in the conversation, but also because she was curious. "So where are you going to go? Have you thought about what you want to do instead of what you were doing?"

"Yeah, thief," said Ed grudgingly; he'd been less than ready to befriend the person who'd stolen such a precious item, "Ready to fess up and live like an honest person?"

Paninya ignored him cheerfully. "Actually, Sheska, I was just about to ask you about that. How much dough've you got?"

"Huh? Um..." Sheska was startled and unsure if she should be on guard. "I've got enough."

"Enough for two people to last for a week or so, would you say?"

Sheska said, squinting, "Oh, I see what you're getting at. Well as a matter of fact yes I did bring enough money for two, to be safe."

"Sheska, you should know that carrying a lot of money around makes you anything but safe," Al interjected helpfully.

"Yeah, it makes people label you 'loaded tourist' right away. And if you'd brought your books along, the effect would be complete!" Guess who.

"...And you must be planning to subsist on half of it till you're satisfied with your career options."

Paninya had a good sense of humor. "Hahaha! Not quite. I do have some money of my own to contribute, but yeah, I was thinking I'd come with you guys to Dublith and see what's there for me. It looks like I'll have a better chance over there, since it'll take a lot more time to gain back the trust of some of the people here." She grabbed Sheska's hand for effect. "So whadaya say? Willya lemme come with you for a while? I'll go straight back home if you get tired of me."

Sheska looked to Al for help, but he only shrugged, deeming it her business. She didn't bother looking toward Ed. But with Paninya squeezing her hand warmly, she felt she had no choice. "All right, sure, I'll help you out. But you'd better hurry and get whatever you want to bring along right now; it looks like Ed's getting sick of waiting."

"That's right," confirmed Ed gruffly. "Winry's taken care of, so don't think I won't just up and leave you both here."

"Take as much time as you need," assured Al. "I won't let him buy the tickets till you get to the station too."

Invigorated, Paninya whooped and pulled Sheska down the street towards her home with so much force that Sheska found her feet lifting off the ground with the momentum. She could hear Ed complaining behind them, and felt smug.

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She had said she'd be at the cafe by noon, but it was fifteen till one when she showed up, and by that time Havoc had an idea about what was going to happen. Sure enough, the first thing she said when she got within five feet of him was, "Jean, I think we should see other people, and it's not you, it's-" she stopped. He had been mouthing the words. "Did you already know...?" she asked shamefacedly.

He let out a cloud of smoke with the sigh. "It's only a guess, but would his name happen to be Mustang?" She gaped at him and started to apologize awkwardly. "It's all right. It was fated to happen as always. I should have known better." By this time he had turned his back on her and was muttering darkly, intentionally making her more guilty by the syllable. It made him feel better when they were guilty.

But he had brought it on himself, he realized. That Sheska lady had given him her advice and he'd blown it all the first chance he got. On the one hand, he was a bit ashamed about making a sort of vow to himself and immediately breaking it on the first temptation, but on the other hand, as he looked over his shoulder at her retreating form and whistled to himself, it had almost been worth it this time. Silently he cursed the Colonel, even though he knew Mustang never really meant to steal his girlfriends. Although he had a reputation like that, he didn't have enough motivation going that way in order to purposely sabotage his subordinates' happiness...or did he? Sometimes Havoc had to wonder.

He looked at his watch and went to the counter to pay for the sandwich he'd eaten while waiting. Behind him, seated by herself at one of the small round tables was an unusually attractive, sophisticated woman with luxurious black hair and a body to match, reading a newspaper. Seeming to suddenly recognize Havoc, she lifted herself off the chair in one graceful movement and stood at the door as he came to the exit. "Excuse me," she said in a silky voice that jolted Havoc out of his self-pity session right away. "Would you happen to be the soldier I saw last week, handling that fight at the pub?"

Havoc recalled the fight, which he'd covered with Breda. "Yes... but I'm sorry, I don't seem to remember you." The woman smiled genially.

"My name is Solaris," said Lust, holding out her hand.

He grasped it gently, hoping beyond hope that this one would go right. "I uh, I'm Havoc. Nice to meet you."

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The businessman on the train had woken up only when the announcement on the intercom that they had arrived blasted loudly enough. By that time, Scar had won a total of zero speed games with Rose out of twenty. She kept suggesting that she give herself five or so more cards than he so he'd have a better chance of winning, but he would have none of it. Miguel's shoulders shook as he laughed silently. But as soon as the man began stirring awake, Scar whipped his shades back on and leaned back into his seat, refusing to talk any more with either of the youths. By Miguel's facial expression Rose could tell he thought the man was being rude, but she whispered to him, "He's just shy and doesn't want to talk to other people. You know about that, right?" Miguel nodded resentfully. The drunkard businessman asked if they were there yet.

When they got to the station and stepped off the train, Rose stopped Scar before he could melt into the crowd. "Would you like to keep traveling with us? The person you are looking for could be in one of the shops we visit..."

"No," said Scar shortly, "I'd better search on my own." He gave a nod to Miguel. "Good luck." Then he disappeared behind a tourist. Rose put a hand on Miguel's shoulder comfortingly.

"Come on," she said, "we have a lot of looking to do." She straightened up and scanned the area for automail shops, but immediately found herself overwhelmed. Where could they possibly start? She should have read up on automail before coming here! All she knew was that it had to do with connecting the nerve endings of the remaining stretch of limb with the artifitial part, and that mastering the movement of it took a considerable amount of rehabilitation time, effort, and willpower. She hadn't thought about the options advertised in the shop windows. She put a hand to her face, trying to block away the smell of oil and metal so she could think.

Miguel tugged at her skirt and made a rolling motion with his hands. "I get it. You think we're bound to come across something as long as we just keep looking, right?" Rose shouldered her pack and started walking with a bouncy gait, swiveling her head from side to side. She hoped that if she made it clear she was searching for something, someone would help them out. In the meantime she peered through the windows of the shops and saw that there were several different types of automail, and several different designs. A little intimidated, she would have held Miguel's hand if he didn't need to work the crutches, but she caught herself, realizing that she needed to show a little more fortitude for the both of them.

But, she was already lost, and it then occurred to her that she would be running out of money and she hadn't thought of the fact that the rehabilitation would need to take so long, so they would need a lot of money to rent a room or something and to get food... why hadn't she thought of this before leaving? She would have to get a job, and make enough to sustain the both of them, even though she was hardly qualified for more than secretary work at the most professional. Maybe a job with cooking, or kids...

She stopped in her tracks. Miguel was eyeing a particular shop curiously, one with an elegantly decorated facade, especially the sign above the door, which claimed the shop in a "Garfiel"'s name. It didn't sound like a woman, so it must be a man who owned it, but if the flowers and sparkles surrounding the letters were any indication, this mechanic was a homosexual. Now, Rose, although she believed strongly that the lifestyle was unhealthy and unnatural as was taught to her, had nothing against the gays she had met. If Miguel decided he wanted automail from this shop, she wouldn't stop him unless she found good reason not to trust the man. "You want to look inside?" she asked the young cripple, who nodded. She gulped and held the door open for him.

"Well look here, Winry, I declare you do have your first customer!" The voice was undeniably male, and yet--it had such inflection in it that was limited entirely to females of the bubbly, glittery persuasion, Rose could only conclude that this was the Garfiel in command of the shop. But who was Winry?

As she thought about this, a large, black-haired and lip-sticked head poked out from behind a wall and disappeared. There were mutterings of increasing volume behind it too, and then all at once a hairy, muscular arm Rose identified with the head pushed out a very blond, pretty, and nervous young woman, who cleared her throat twice and held out her hand to shake. "Hello," she said, smiling. "I'm Winry Rockbell, and welcome to the shop. Is there anything I can do for you?"