A/N: Hi!

In the previous chapter, we had a long-awaited EdWin moment :D but with the way that encounter ended, what will happen now? What decisions will Ed, Winry, and Rose make? Well, let's welcome Winry's fiancé and find out what's next because yes, something important will happen here...

Thank you very much for reading!

Golden

Ed did not take his eyes off Winry's figure until she had completely disappeared from his field of vision. When she did, he reacted and stamped his right foot furiously against the edge of the fountain.

"Damn it, what the hell just happened?!" The blond cursed loudly then huffed and ran his hands through his hair, burying his nails into his scalp.

Everything had been so perfect for a couple of minutes and suddenly Winry had pushed him away, reopening the chasm that had appeared between them the day they'd been reunited and Ed had no idea why things had happened that way.

You're not the only one who can kiss and then walk away like it's nothing.

Ed snorted and dropped his hands to his sides as Winry's words echoed in his head. Not a day had gone by on Earth without remembering the kiss he had stolen from Winry. It was one of his most precious memories although at the same time, it made him feel guilty for not having properly spoken to her before crossing the Portal. Despite his current frustration, he knew that what he had done back then had been wrong but he had truly believed that he was taking the right path to make it up to Winry for it while striving to win her heart.

But now... all his 'progress' had been shattered and on top of that he had gone backward quite a bit and worst of all Ed couldn't quite wrap his head around how what had happened between him and Winry had taken such a marked turn when he could feel her willingly reciprocating his kisses and caresses.

Ed snorted again before mimicking Winry and looking at his reflection in the water of the fountain to make sure his clothes and hair were sufficiently arranged so as not to raise suspicion of what had happened between Winry and him.

When he finished, Ed strided toward the stairs but as he set foot on the stairs he stopped in his tracks as a thought crossed his mind. Winry... did she want to give me a spoonful of my own medicine? But... she's not like that. Although... what if that's not it? What if she was actually playing with me all this time? What if she realized my intentions and wanted to have a little fun at my expense? He shook his head a couple of times trying to push away the train of thought that was causing painful pangs in his heart. She wouldn't... It can't be... I know I haven't seen her in years but she couldn't have changed that much... She's still Winry...

Even though he was trying to convince himself that Winry wouldn't do something like this on purpose, his fist clenched on the stair railing and it took him a few extra seconds to get his face back to a neutral expression as the recent events and the doubt that had been planted in his heart was prompting him to keep a pronounced frown on his face.

Heading back towards the table where Rose was waiting for him, Ed tried to locate Winry without seeming obvious but was unsuccessful and had to return to his place to sit with an internal debate in his mind and with a glass of champagne he had taken from one of the waiters' trays who were beginning to serve the food.

"Everything all right, Ed?" Rose asked in a sweet tone.

Straining to send his thoughts to the back of his mind, Ed flashed a slight smile and replied. "Sure." He brought the glass to his lips and drank it in one gulp, unable to keep himself from almost breaking it when he slammed it back down on the table.

"Are you sure?" Rose asked with concern.

"Yeah, I'm just starving." The blond lied.

Rose looked at him intently for a few seconds. It was obvious that she didn't quite believe his lie but she let it go. "They're already starting to serve the food." She glanced at the glass that now rested empty on the table. "Though I think you've had enough alcohol for today. Remember, you haven't long since gone through surgery."

Noting Rose's sincere concern, Ed said. "I won't drink too much, okay?"

"I guess I'll have to keep an eye on you."

"Who am I? Eddie?" Ed asked in a joking tone, achieving a slightly more relaxed tone now that more alcohol was coursing through his veins.

Rose smiled. "If I have to, I'll take care of you like you were Eddie."

Ed laughed. "We'll see." And without quite knowing why Ed winked at her making her blush slightly though they dropped the subject for the moment due to their dishes being served at that moment.

Ed remained somewhat silent during the meal taking advantage of the fact that Rose was having a pleasant conversation with her table mates and that, fortunately, they did not continually require his participation in the meal. His appetite had disappeared from the moment Winry turned her back on him so he spent most of that time moving the food back and forth across the plate with his fork taking only a couple of bites in the process, which he had consumed simply to please Rose, who had directed a couple of concerned glances at him and a few words to entice him to eat.

Towards the end of the meal, Rose seemed to have decided that Ed had already isolated himself too much from the conversation so she was including him more and more in it until, almost without realizing it, Ed began to become an active part of the conversation, managing to divert somewhat the thoughts concerning Winry from his mind.

Some time later, their table companions were excusing themselves to go dancing leaving only Rose and Ed at the table. The young man could notice the longing looks Rose was giving to the dance floor, no doubt hoping to dance again but Ed had to pretend not to notice them. During the conversation, he had managed to keep Winry relatively hidden inside his mind so he didn't want to run into her for the rest of the evening. With everything that had happened he had lost his desire to meet his fiancé since now he didn't know what he would do when he had the couple in front of him.

"Fullmetal, Fullmetal, Fullmetal... I can't believe you are capable of leaving such a beautiful lady bored at this table." Roy, who had approached their table in the company of Riza, both with their arms intertwined, suddenly said.

Ed turned a frown on him. "We're having fun aren't we, Rose?"

Rose smiled. "Of course."

"Miss Thomas, don't let the music tonight go to waste because of this boy with little grace for these events." The black-haired man gently pulled Riza's arm away but not before kissing her forehead and then offering his hand to Rose. "Would you allow me a couple of pieces?"

"If Mrs. Mustang agrees..." Rose said obviously excited at the idea of dancing some more but a little shy not having as much dealings with Roy as she had with Riza.

"Sure, Rose. Steal him for as long as you want." Riza replied with a smile. "In the meantime, I'll see if I can encourage Edward to dance a little."

Rose laughed. "Thanks, I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Have fun." Ed said with a smile.

Rose gave him one last smile before following Roy out onto the dance floor.

As soon as they walked away, Riza took a seat in Rose's place.

Ed raised an eyebrow. "I thought you wanted to talk me into dancing."

Riza took a sip from the glass of water she brought with her when she arrived with Roy. The guests were so deep in small talk or merely enjoying the gala so no acquaintances had noticed the fact that Riza hadn't had a drop of alcohol that night. "A couple of hours ago I think I could have convinced you by seeing the good time you were having with Rose but now..." She gave him an intense look that made it apparent she knew something had happened. "It looks like something took away the good mood you had grabbed."

Ed shrugged. "Well you know I've never been much of a fan of these kinds of events."

"I know." She paused slightly. "But you were fitting in just fine until the visit to the fountain put you off."

Ed's eyes widened a little more in surprise and a subtle blush appeared on his cheeks. "Nothing happened."

"Oh yeah?" Riza asked, raising an eyebrow.

Ed kept his gaze connected with Riza's mahogany one until he couldn't take it anymore and averted it to the side as he muttered. "You saw us?"

"Then my suspicions were true."

Ed returned his gaze to her. "That's a dirty trick."

Riza flashed him an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Edward. It's just that I noticed that both you and Winry disappeared for a while and then I saw you leaving from the same direction. I wasn't sure but I noticed you somewhat moody since you returned to the party."

Ed sighed. "Looks like your eyesight is still one of the best, isn't it?" He said with a wry smile.

"Maybe." Riza replied before placing a hand on the young man's shoulder. "I'm sorry if I'm being too intrusive in your personal life, Edward, but your change of attitude puzzled me because you were doing so well."

Ed sighed again and placed his elbow on the table so he could lean his head on his hand. "Well, Riza, you're right. Winry has me very puzzled."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know... I can't figure her out. I'm trying to but she's very..."

"Changed?"

"Exactly."

"I'm sorry to tell you this, Edward, but things can't always stay the same. Even you have changed." Riza said frankly.

Ed was quiet for a few seconds taking in Riza's words. A part of him had always kept that fact in mind but sometimes he forgot about it when things between him and Winry seemed to flow like the old days.

He pushed his elbow away from the table and began to fiddle with his empty glass. "I know, I really have tried to accept that but I still don't quite understand how to deal with Winry. She's still my friend and I love her like I always have, as my childhood friend." He said trying to avoid a new blush. "But as much as I try I haven't been able to finish getting to know this new version of her and it frustrates me."

"Your childhood friend." Riza repeated with a knowing smile.

Ed could no longer contain his blush.

Riza decided not to dwell on that point and became serious to continue the conversation. "Listen, Edward, Winry hasn't had it easy these past few years. The death of her grandmother was a very hard blow for her plus, before that, your departure had affected her a lot. She was depressed but she was always trying hard to hide it so as not to discourage Alphonse, since from the first minute after your departure he was already planning his next destination to try to bring you back."

A guilty expression loomed on Ed's features. "I never meant to make her suffer like that."

"I know and I believe you, but unfortunately you ended up hurting her with your very brief return. She really hoped things could normalize when Alphonse found you but in the end, she only got to see you for such a short period of time that she even told me she sometimes feared she only dreamed it."

Ed put the glass down and brought his hands to his thighs clenching them into fists at the guilt that was overtaking him. "Hell... I'm not worth enough to make her care and think about me."

"Don't say that, Edward."

"It's the truth."

"None of that, Edward. I don't want to hear you repeat that." Riza told him with a stern look.

Ed sighed and tried to crack a slight smile. "I'll try." Noticing that Riza didn't seem to want to keep talking about Winry so as not to make him feel bad, he continued on the subject. "There's a lot I want to know about Winry but try as I might she hasn't told me much of anything."

"Have you told her about you?" Riza said with a slight smile that made it seem like she knew the answer.

"Touché." Ed confessed. "Well, I must get better at that too."

Riza took one more sip from her glass before continuing. "I can't tell you much about Winry's life because it's up to her to decide how much she wants to share with you. I can only tell you that she hasn't exactly had it easy and that has marked her so it shouldn't surprise you that she's not quite the Winry you remember."

Ed shoved his hands into his pockets and slid into his chair with a big sigh. "All right. I'll keep that in mind."

"I'm sorry, Edward, it may not be exactly what you were hoping to hear but you need to not be so quick to judge Winry."

"I don't, but at times I don't know how I should behave with her."

"Just try to be yourself and give both of you some time to get to know each other again. I'm sure you can get back to being the good friends you were before."

"Friends, huh." Ed said with a slight hint of bitterness in his voice arising from his jealousy at knowing Winry was an engaged woman. "I guess I don't have a choice."

"So she already told you about her boyfriend, right?"

"Something like that. I think she-" At that moment Ed was interrupted when he could hear a very familiar laugh near them.

Without much thought the blond turned in his chair to look for the owner of the voice, quickly finding her smiling as she leaned her head on a blond man's shoulder. At first, Ed thought about turning away since he had lost the mood to meet Winry's fiancé but curiosity got the better of him so he kept his gaze fixed on the couple until the rhythm of the dance finally gave him his long-awaited and dreaded answer when the young man's face came into his field of vision.

"Tringham?! Tringham is her fiancé?!" He exclaimed in surprise before turning in Riza's direction.

A slight expression of surprise also made its appearance on Riza's face but she quickly hid it. "That's right, Rusell and Winry have been dating for over a year if I'm not mistaken, didn't you know?"

"That she was engaged yes, that that asshole Russell was the fiancé no." He said with some annoyance. "How did that asshole know Winry? He and his brother were supposed to be in Xenotime!" He asked with a frown.

"I don't know if you know but Russell and Fletcher have been involved in research and for a couple of years now have been affiliated as outside researchers for the military to get resources and a better scope for their agriculture and botany projects." Ed nodded even though he wasn't aware that Fletcher was also involved in the same project. "Well, those same investigations have taken them to various parts of the country including Resembool. A few years ago there was a terrible drought that threatened to destroy the crops and livestock of the farmers in the area..."

"And that's where those two come in..." Concluded Ed to which Riza nodded her head. "Damn it, if Winry was traveling between Rush Valley, East City, and Resembool, why did she have to be there at that very moment?"

Riza shrugged. "Maybe it was fate."

Ed muttered. "Damn, it wasn't enough for Russell to steal my name now he's stealing Winry from me too."

Riza caught his comment so she said. "So what do you plan to do... are you going to try something with Winry?"

Ed was silent as he returned his gaze to the dance floor observing the smile Winry was wearing at the moment. It wasn't the biggest smile he had seen on her face in all the time he had known her but they had both changed and that could be what the intensity of Winry's smile could be due to.

Winry had been the reason that had motivated him to do everything he could to try to return to Amestris and when he realized that he had succeeded, the desire to be with her and fight for her love had intensified, however he had been very naive not to think about the possibility that Winry might be dating someone and that had cost him dearly as he was suddenly being faced with the harsh reality that not only should he have contemplated that but he had been too late as Winry was ready to make her life beside another man by formalizing their relationship into a marriage.

He now realized that it had been arrogant and selfish of him to assume that he could have a free pass to Winry's heart. Winry was a wonderful woman and it was obvious that she would have no shortage of suitors, suitors far more suitable than he, who had failed to value his time with her before being trapped on the other side of the Portal and who, to make matters worse, had only made her suffer by keeping her away from him and failing to express his feelings properly.

After a few moments of silent meditation, Ed sighed and said. "It's what I'd most like right now but..." He took another quick glance at Winry before continuing. "I guess I should resign myself to the fact that I had no right to even think that something might happen between us."

Riza looked at him with a certain sadness in her gaze. A romantic relationship between Ed and Winry seemed to have no future because of Winry and Russell's apparent engagement. She had nothing against Tringham but there was something that had previously made her dismiss the possibility of those two marrying in the future. Certainly, Russell had been good company for Winry after the death of her grandmother but it didn't seem to Riza that they had a strong connection. Perhaps it was presumptuous of her to think so but she hadn't been able to shake that feeling no matter how much she had seen them together. All along she had tried to convince herself that it was probably because Russell was someone who tended to monopolize conversations leaving Winry and her automail issues as secondary. Although it was a trait she didn't entirely like, Riza had let it go since, despite that flaw, Winry and Russell seemed to have a great time together but since she'd heard about Edward's return that strange feeling had intensified in her. She hadn't known it at first since she hadn't known of the young man's return, but during her meal with Winry, she had noticed something different about her, a more natural and marked cheerfulness, one that seemed to have almost completely abandoned her since her grandmother's death and was now suddenly coming back to her. Shortly afterward she realized that this change was surely due to Edward's return. Because of this, she had a feeling that Winry still had feelings for Edward but if she wished to leave them in the past and make her life at Russell's side there was nothing she could do.

"Don't be hard on yourself, Edward. You're a good person." Riza said. At the young man's silence, she sighed and added. "To be honest with you, I would have liked to have seen Winry and you together but unfortunately at the moment it looks like that may not be the case. However, I think we can both agree that Winry has every right to move on and be happy, don't you think?"

Despite the sadness in his heart, Ed gave Winry a loving look before returning his gaze to Riza and replying. "Yes, Riza, you're absolutely right."

"And even if things didn't turn out the way you expected, you have a right to be happy too, Ed. Don't forget that. I understand that you're facing a complicated situation with Winry but that doesn't mean you have to deny yourself happiness. You have to learn to forgive yourself and move on. Even though you two have had certain stumbles I'm sure Winry doesn't hold any grudges against you and that she also wants you to be happy."

Winry's last words to him at the fountain came back to Ed's mind. "I wouldn't really blame her if she has a grudge against me."

"I don't think that's the case. I get the impression Winry's been more cheerful since you've been back."

Not wanting to get his hopes up, Ed remained quiet and Riza let the silence envelop them as she realized the young man needed a breather to get his thoughts in order.

Unable to help himself, as he focused on his thoughts Ed kept watching Winry and Russell dance. Perhaps it was a way of trying to completely convince himself of reality or maybe his gaze simply didn't want to take off Winry but as much as he wanted to Ed couldn't tear his gaze away from them.

However, a couple of minutes later, Russell lifted his gaze a little having better access to what was going on around him so it wasn't long before he met the intense golden gaze that followed them.

"Shit." Ed said quietly as their gazes met.

Riza sighed and smiled slightly. "With how fixed your gaze was, it was only a matter of time before he spotted you."

Ed didn't have time to respond as at that instant Russell stopped his dancing and raised a hand to wave it a little in greeting, a gesture Ed had no choice but to reciprocate. As soon as he saw himself reciprocated, Russell took Winry by the hand and began to approach the table where Ed and Riza were sitting.

Ed turned in Riza's direction. "Damn it. I'm not ready for this yet."

Riza could only manage a small smile of encouragement at him before the pair finished approaching.

"My, my, but it is Edward Elric himself." Russell said.

Ed sighed almost imperceptibly as he tried to keep his true emotions at bay. "Oh, what a surprise, so at this moment I'm actually talking to the real idiot of Russell Tringham?" He said as he turned in their direction making an effort not to make eye contact with Winry as she herself also seemed to be doing so while standing at her fiancé's side with her hand resting on the blond's arm.

Riza shot him a reproving look but to her surprise, Russell began to laugh.

"Glad to know you're still the same old jerk." Russell replied.

After a nod and smile directed at Riza from Russell and Winry by way of greeting, Russell extended his hand toward Ed.

Ed had no choice but to reciprocate the gesture, being surprised when Russell gave him a subtle tug that made him stand up. As he did so, Russell embraced him while giving him a few pats on the back.

Breaking away, Russell smiled. "Geez, man, for years I thought you hadn't paid attention to what I said to you the last time we met." He said in a relieved tone.

Ed frowned as he started to reminisce. When he did he exclaimed. "Ah! That."

"What? You'd forgotten?" Russell said with a slight tone of annoyance.

Ed shrugged. "A lot of things happened." He sighed and added. "I'm sorry, I guess I actually have to thank you." Both Russell and Winry looked at him in slight bewilderment. "If it hadn't been for the information you and Fletcher gave me who knows if I would have made it in time to where Al was."

Russell smiled as he gave his bangs a light shake with one hand, a habit he seemed not to have discarded in all these years. "Wow, say that again. I want to hear you one more time thanking me."

Ed frowned. "Fuck you."

Russell laughed. "Hey, just kidding." He flashed him a sincere smile. "Outside of joking, I'm really glad to see you, Ed. Your brother insisted you were alive but..." He shrugged with an apologetic expression on his face. "It was hard to keep up hope when even he didn't remember what had happened in that place."

Ed was puzzled at the sincerity conveyed in Russell's words and gestures. He hadn't been able to treat him much but they might have managed to form a good friendship if he hadn't crossed the Gate. His attitude and presence bothered him a little because it reminded him of the arrogance with which he had treated him when they first met (that and the fact that despite the inches he had gained over the years, Russell was still taller than him by a couple of inches) plus the fact that he was the man who would marry Winry but... he couldn't help but feel somewhat guilty about how he had begun to treat him in those moments when the young man actually seemed to have been glad to see him alive.

"What? A flea got your tongue?" Russell said in an arrogant, joking tone.

Now I remember well why I have a hard time dealing with you. Ed thought grumpily before replying with a scowl. "And despite the years you're still the same asshole you've always been."

Russell laughed again. "Hey, a joke for old time's sake isn't bad, is it?"

"Asshole." Ed said before returning to a calmer expression. "So where's Fletcher? He should be here, shouldn't he?"

"He preferred to rest. I don't blame him, the train ride was too long."

"Maybe you should have stayed to keep him company." Ed said without thinking.

Russell pulled Winry a little closer to him and kissed her forehead then replied with a smile. "I could have but I had already invited Winry to come with me and I couldn't leave her waiting for me for nothing."

Ed did his best to cover the jealousy that the gesture had caused him with a fake smile. "I see, I suppose that wouldn't be much of a gentleman, though, of course, I don't know if I could consider you one." He said with a slightly teasing tone at the end.

"Of course I am, Elric. If I wasn't I wouldn't have been able to conquer someone like my Winry."

Ed reached a hand into his pocket and clenched it into a fist. My Winry? Gulping as one of the only means of controlling his jealousy, he said. "I think I'm starting to believe in miracles."

Russell held his smile as he pressed another kiss to Winry's forehead and then said. "Who would have thought it, huh? But anyway... I never thought you had a woman as beautiful as Winry hiding in your town. But well since she's almost always covered in grease the jerks in your town didn't notice the beauty they let go. But better for me right? This way I have this cute, beautiful woman by my side."

Ed frowned slightly at the somewhat derogatory comment to Winry's profession but quickly pulled himself together and for the first time in the conversation made contact with Winry's bluish gaze before softening his gaze and speaking. "Yes, Winry is a beautiful woman."

At his words, Winry blushed and ducked her gaze slightly although, as her gaze was straight ahead, Russell didn't notice her actions but they didn't go unnoticed by Riza.

"Definitely. And now very soon this beautiful woman will be my wife." Russell said proudly.

Riza's gaze, which had been fixed on Winry since her blush, widened almost imperceptibly at the news and she couldn't help but interject. "You're getting married?"

"That's right." Winry replied with a shy smile as she raised her left hand slightly to show off the pink engagement ring. "Russell proposed to me a few weeks ago."

It seemed to Ed that Riza sent Winry a questioning look for a second but he wasn't sure about that as just as that look had appeared it disappeared.

"Well..." Riza stood up and approached the couple. "Let me congratulate you two. Congratulations." She said as she hugged Winry and flashed a smile at Russell.

Ed gulped. "Yeah... congratulations." He said unable to sound very cheerful about it.

Ed wasn't comfortable with the idea of hugging them and continuing to congratulate them when just an hour ago he had been making out with Winry so he remained standing in his same position. Fortunately for him, at that moment he could see that Roy and Rose were starting to make their way to the table.

"Well, we'll have to talk some other time. I can't leave my companion stranded." Ed said then bowed slightly in the couple's direction before walking away to intercept Roy and Rose.

"Hey, Mustang, enough of stealing my date." Ed said with a slightly brusque tone due to the emotions that were running through him at the moment.

"Take it easy, Fullmetal, you well know I'm married." Roy replied somewhat puzzled by Ed's tone when the young man had not been interested in dancing when he and Riza approached him.

Ed sighed. "I know, just let me dance, okay?" he said as he took Rose's hand and walked onto the dance floor with her.

Roy watched as the blond got lost in the dancing crowd and then continued on his way to the tables. As he took a few more steps he could tell who the people were that were accompanying Riza and he could imagine the cause of the change in Ed's demeanor.

"Hello, Tringham, Miss Rockbell." The black-haired man greeted with a slight nod toward each and then went to sit in the chair next to the one Riza had returned to occupy.

"Hello, Mr. Mustang." Greeted both blondes reciprocating his greeting with a slight bow.

After a brief pause, Roy asked Russell "How did you find the Riviere Hills?"

As alchemists, it was common for the two of them to talk about topics related to it and their research whenever they saw each other plus they usually had no other topics to talk about. They had known each other for some time but had never properly formed a friendship outside of work.

"Erosion has taken its toll on the crops surrounding Mount Ikigai but Fletcher and I are convinced that we can reduce the regeneration time of the land by 60%." Russell began and then sat down to continue his discussion with Roy.

Winry also sat down when Russell did but had kept her eyes on her hands as she unconsciously fiddled with the ring resting on the ring finger of her left hand.

After a few minutes had passed, Riza realized that the younger blonde had no intention of initiating the talk so she decided to do it herself. "Everything okay, Winry?"

"Huh? Ah, yes everything is fine. Wonderful." Winry replied as she gave her a nervous smile.

"That's good." Riza said in an unconvinced tone as she drummed her fingers on her empty glass. After checking that their partners were engrossed in their conversation, she resumed speaking. "Now this is really news." She said as she pointed to Winry's engagement ring with her head.

Winry looked at her ring for a few seconds before returning her gaze to Riza. For a moment she considered letting Riza know that she was also aware of her pregnancy but preferred not to mention something that would inevitably bring Ed into mention in the conversation. "I think it's about time."

Riza shrugged. "There's no minimum time you have to meet to get married. You see, Roy and I took our good years to decide to take this step."

"I'm sure Russell will make me very happy." Winry said in a slightly defensive tone.

"You don't have to justify yourself to me, Winry." Riza told her with a reassuring smile. "You've become a treasured friend to me and I want you to be happy." She said as she reached across the table to give Winry's hand a squeeze. "It's just that I find myself a little intrigued, why hadn't you told me anything?" She asked curiously, without reproach or accusation.

Winry let out a nervous laugh. "I'm sorry, it's just that it's only been a few weeks since we got engaged."

"Had he already proposed to you the last time we saw each other?"

"Yes." Winry confessed in embarrassment. "But I was going to tell you, really. It's not that I don't trust you. " She hastened to add.

Riza waved a hand dismissively. "You don't have to apologize. I understand." She paused slightly. "Actually that's not what I'm worried about. It's just... you don't exactly seem excited about getting married." She said quietly as a precautionary measure to prevent Russell from ever overhearing their conversation even though the young man looked completely engrossed in his conversation with Roy.

Instinctively, Winry bit her lower lip for a second before responding. "What are you talking about? Of course I'm excited." She said with a smile.

Riza watched her intently for a few seconds before extending a hand towards one of Winry's, letting it rest there. "Winry, your eyes don't sparkle with the happiness one would expect you would have at the event you are about to experience. And..." She averted her gaze momentarily to Russell before speaking. "I get the impression that there is someone who may be influencing your mood regarding the wedding."

Winry pulled her hand away and forced a smile on her face. "You're imagining things, Riza. I'm happy, really."

Riza sighed. "That's what I hope and wish for you, Winry. You deserve to be happy and to be happy you need to be honest with yourself."

Winry was quiet for a few seconds before she spoke again. "I think I need a drink. I'll be right back." She said as she stood up.

"Okay." Riza said deciding not to force the issue.

Winry walked over to Russell and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm going to get something to drink. I'll be right back."

"Do you want some company?"

"Sure." Winry replied with a smile.

"Okay, we'll be back in a bit. Then I'll share with you a copy of our Riviere report." Russell said, directing this last to Roy.

"Sure, have fun. The night is young." Roy replied with a smile.

"We will." Russell said with a smug smile as he offered his arm to Winry who placed her hand on it immediately.

As soon as the couple moved away, Roy moved and took his place in the chair next to Riza. Noticing the thoughtful air his wife had, he asked her. "Did I miss something?"

Riza took one last look at the engaged couple's backs before sighing and answering Roy. "I don't think so, maybe it's just my imagination."

"Are you sure?"

Riza leaned her head on her husband's shoulder. "I hope so."

"Are you okay?"

Rose's question, snapped Ed out of his thoughts. "Huh? Did you say something?"

"Are you okay? I don't know... you seem kind of odd." Rose said with concern.

Ed closed his eyes for a second as he focused on bringing his mind back to the present and the dance he was sharing with Rose. He couldn't get the moment he had shared with Winry and his friend's subsequent response out of his mind. That kiss had stoked his hopes of being able to pursue a romantic relationship with her but how Winry had behaved afterward had left him hurt especially when it seemed to be that she really loved Tringham. Tringham! That was something he still hadn't quite come to terms with but he had to accept. He had lost Winry... or maybe he had never had her as he had not known how to win her... He was more than aware that Winry deserved to be happy even if it meant that she would not be by his side but gosh... living and accepting that reality was still painful.

Rose pulled away from him slightly so she could look into his face without stopping dancing. "Ed?"

Ed opened his eyes again and strained to crack what he hoped was a believable smile. "Of course I'm fine. In fact, I'm having a wonderful time."

"You don't exactly look happy." Rose said with a hint of sadness in her tone.

"Oh yeah?" Ed took a step away from her without letting go of her hand and then began to spin her around rapidly eliciting laughter from his partner.

Rose's laughter helped him focus more on the present. His heart wouldn't stop pounding painfully at the thought of having lost Winry but he couldn't deny that he had pleasant company with him that night. Rose had become a very good friend to him and he had no right to ruin her evening.

Infected by her laughter, Ed smiled naturally and spun her around a little more until they both wobbled making them both laugh. Rose held onto his shoulder a little tighter so she wouldn't fall and Ed tightened his grip on her waist slightly.

"Are you really okay?" Rose asked in a calmer tone.

"Of course." Ed resumed his dance moves. "Thanks for coming with me, Rose." He told her with a smile.

Rose blushed. "Thank you for inviting me."

Ed simply smiled at her and they continued dancing, chatting amicably for the rest of the tune.

When the melody ended, a quieter one began, inviting the couples to move more slowly and to reduce the space between them. After a few seconds of starting, Rose looked questioningly at Ed, asking him with her gaze if he would rather go sit down. In response, Ed pulled her to him, allowing Rose to rest her head on his shoulder as they moved gently following the quiet rhythm of the song.

The new moment of silence between the two again gave Ed space to focus on his thoughts. Now that Winry was out of his reach, what should he do? The desire that had motivated him over the past few weeks and had been born years ago had evaporated leaving in its place a pain that he wasn't sure he could get out of his heart completely. When he was on Earth he hadn't really given any thought to what he would do beyond reuniting and reconnecting with Al and Winry. He didn't know what he would do or where he would live but now that most of his dream had been shattered, he would have to think more seriously about what he would do. It wasn't in his plans to rejoin the military, but it might be that it would guide him to the path he should follow from now on. He had not been motivated to return to the military but perhaps being in it would change his goals and perspective and make him stay there for the rest of his life.

Ed sighed and lowered his gaze slightly to look at Rose's head. Thinking about his professional future would surely give him more than one headache so maybe he could focus on other things for the time being, starting with where he would live. Rose had kindly opened the doors of her home to him and both she and Eddie had brightened his days but he wasn't sure how much longer he could and should stay there. Rose had confirmed to him that she was in love with him and that might end up making things awkward but honestly, Ed would miss the feeling of peace, joy and tranquility that Rose's home had conveyed to him these past few weeks. After so many years of homesickness for his loved ones and his place of origin, Rose and Eddie's affection had been like a balm for his loneliness.

Anyway... maybe when Al came back they could look for a place to live together or if his brother had a place of his own then Al could help him find a good place in town.

Rose sighed and snuggled a little more against his shoulder. During her movement, Ed could sense a smile on the brunette's face.

Ed couldn't deny that when Rose had kissed him he had liked it at least a little. Ed admired Rose's strength to get through the terrible experience she went through and the great love she had for her son despite the way he had come into her life. Besides, Rose was an attractive and kind-hearted woman, who in a few days had made him forget any resemblance she might have had to Noah. For all that, Rose's display of affection had made him feel good even though her kiss didn't give him the same sensations as Winry's kisses. With Winry, he could feel as if his whole body was vibrating and filled with the warmth that the blonde's body gave him. His heart pounded intensely and he felt an immense joy that in turn made him feel at peace and wishing that that moment would never end. Could it be that he wasn't used to Rose's way of kissing and that was why he didn't feel the same as he did with Winry? Not that he had much experience kissing the blonde but perhaps his years of longing had stimulated his heart causing him to have a more intense reaction than with Rose.

Ed smiled wryly. Yeah, right, like that was the reason. The real reason was that he was in love with Winry, there was no further explanation. He had told Rose that he wasn't ready to reciprocate her feelings. He hadn't mentioned to her that it was because he was in love with Winry but now that she was a forbidden woman... could he give himself the chance to try to fall in love with Rose? Life had repeatedly denied him what he wanted, so perhaps it was time to go with the flow.

Ed inhaled deeply and looked up. As if fate wanted to play a dirty trick on him, a small gap had opened up between the dancing couples giving him a perfect view of the blonde couple sitting at a table by the side of the bar. They were both chatting and smiling.

At least that's more tolerable to see. Just as that thought crossed Ed's mind, Russell leaned over to Winry and kissed her in a not-so-innocent way. His hand rested on her thigh caressing it as he kissed her fervently, a gesture that Winry reciprocated.

No longer able to take in the scene, Ed looked away. Winry was happy and he had no place in her life. He had to stop deluding himself. And if she was moving on with her life maybe it was about time he did the same.

"Rose?"

Rose reluctantly turned her head away from the blond's shoulder so she could look him in the face. "Yes?"

Straining to keep any trace of sadness from his face, Ed smiled at her and a second later leaned over and kissed her. Rose was surprised at the unexpectedness of the gesture but was quick to reciprocate as she placed her hands on the blond's neck to wrap her arms around him and pull him as close to her as possible.

Ed did the same hugging Rose by the waist and pulling her to him. For an instant, his mind tried to compare this kiss to the last one Winry had given him but he quickly pushed such a thought from his mind. It wouldn't be easy but he would have to bury the memory of Winry and get her out of his heart to give Rose her space as she was a good woman he hoped he could fall madly in love with very soon.