"I remember everything," Winry breathed out.

Edward's eyes widened. He had often wondered if her memories would ever return, and now that moment had arrived, he was speechless. He glanced at his younger brother, whose face was caught between surprise and fear. Edward imagined his face must look the same. When you wait for something for so long, and it finally arrives with no warning, it's difficult to grasp that it's there. They will finally have their answers.

But first, Edward realized that this scene was not safe for Winry to speak in. The police may believe she's insane and deliver her to an asylum.

'The girl claiming that she's from another world', he could imagine them snickering. After all, these occultists are claiming that their leader was transported to another world, and Edward was wondering when the white straitjackets would be pulled out.

"Let's get you home. We can talk there," Edward said. His flesh hand touched her arm, and he noticed how cold she was. The goosebumps prickled her skin.

"You're freezing! Why didn't you say something?" he chastised her as he wrapped his coat around her. She said nothing in return, lost in her new memories. Edward became more concerned. Over the past 9 months, Winry had regained her strength and willful mind. He wanted her to snap at him like they normally did in their playful banter but now she looked debilitated.

Edward gingerly helped put her arms through and helped her stand. He attempted to put his arm around her, but she shied away. Edward let her have her space as she appeared deep in thought.

When the trio arrived home, Alphonse wanted to warm Winry up and stated, "I'm putting the kettle on."

Edward took his coat from her shoulders and replaced it with a blanket. He guided her to their table, while Alphonse heated the water for tea. Deep conversations such as this required a hot cup of tea.

Winry kept her gaze on the table. She had learned to love this table. This was the place where they ate their meals together. It was also where they played cards and poked fun at each other. This table had good memories associated with it. But it also had difficult ones, such as Winry stitching Edward's arm after his self-induced wounds. Now she will be adding her own sad memories to it.

Alphonse sat across from her while Edward sat next to her. They both had an intense focus on her that made her self-conscious. Her stomach began to turn on itself.

"I'm not sure where to begin. I guess we'll start when Grandma died. I sold her house and moved to Central. I stayed with the Hughes for a little while until I got my own apartment. I saw an advertisement posted needing an engineer for building a new machine. That's when I met Lynda, and she hired me. The machine was a new airplane model."

Edward remembered what Lynda had said at the transmutation circle earlier that night. "That's right. She said she came here to gain knowledge on aviation machines."

Winry nodded. "Yes. Amestris wanted to build an airplane because Aerugo had already done so. And of course, Amestris had to compete with its neighboring country."

Alphonse said with a smile "Well, that makes sense. We were never at peace with Aerugo."

Winry snapped. "Of course not! Politicians make everything so complicated! If only they would swallow their pride, so much could have been prevented."

Winry took a breath in and explained more calmly. "Tensions were high between the two countries. And then something terrible happened. The prince of Aerugo was assassinated, and it was blamed on an Amestrian spy. War broke out, and that's when it became like hell."

The kettle began to squeal, breaking Edward and Alphonse from their stunned silence. Alphonse stood up and proceeded to make the tea. He listened quietly as Edward and Winry continued through Winry's memories.

"Did they have evidence that it was an Amestrian spy?" Edward questioned.

"Not that I knew but it didn't matter. The two nations had such deep hatred for each other that the reason didn't matter. The politicians didn't want to be wrong, and neither side would give any reason for peace. It was all a matter of pride," Winry said as she tightened her fists, the anger apparent.

She continued, "Creta allied with Amestris. It seemed surprising at first, but I think they wanted the Aerugo ports for trade. But their reasons didn't matter to me."

"Remember how I said that Aerugo had made airplanes. They had brought the planes to Amestris to show off in Central at an engineering exposition. They were so beautiful flying through the sky. Elysia and I watched them together," Winry smiled slightly at the warm memory. She loved Elysia as much as a little sister. Her smile faded quickly though.

"But after the war began, those planes were fitted with guns and bombs. South City was destroyed along with Dublith," Winry's eyes filled with tears.

Edward shouted "DUBLITH! What about Sig?!"

Winry wiped her eyes. "Sig made it out. He moved to North City. He said that was where he and Izumi met, and he wanted to be somewhere familiar."

Edward calmed down. At least Sig was okay. It was hard not knowing how the people they cared about were faring in their former world.

Winry continued "But so many people died. And those that survived had nowhere to go. Most of the refugees came to Central. The city's population doubled overnight."

"I gave up my apartment to a family in need and moved in with Lynda. We mostly used it as a place to sleep. We were being rushed by the military to develop a plane to defeat Aerugo. We worked all day, barely eating, and just barely getting enough sleep to function. Everyone was stressed about the war. I was so worked up that I did something foolish," Winry admitted.

Winry looked at her engagement ring, and considered if she would be wearing it after tonight. Once Edward learned what she did, he may not want to marry her. But she needed him to know what happened. Marriage didn't require both parties to tell all their secrets, but Winry felt this secret needed to be known by him.

"Lynda and I went out for drinks. We were both fatigued, but we needed to release the stress. A drink at night wasn't uncommon for us or anyone else for that matter. Everyone seemed to need a little help sleeping at night. There were a few soldiers there and it was their last night before being shipped out to the front. There was music playing and we danced together while having a few drinks," Winry said as Alphonse set a teacup in front her. She drank the warm liquid, and felt it give her some strength.

Winry recalled "There was one man. He was young and handsome. We danced to a few songs. Then he told me how he was afraid that he was never going to return home. I felt sorry for him. We ended up getting a hotel that night and sleeping together."

Edward snorted. "That's not bad. It's understandable in times like that, people act on impulse."

Winry set down her tea with a force that made it splash from the cup. "It was wrong! I was pregnant after that!"

There was a deafening silence that settled like a thick fog over the Risembool trio. Realizations and thoughts went through their heads. Winry reliving the anger she felt at herself for being so careless. Edward and Alphonse both were holding their breath but didn't notice. Once the initial shock wore off, they began to breathe again but words escaped them. What do you say to someone who went through an ordeal such as this?

Winry didn't need words of comfort. They would just make her feel more ashamed.

Edward's courage rose to ask her "What happened after that?"

Winry sipped her tea, hoping it would help her stay calm. "I thought about getting rid of it, but I felt so guilty. It was my fault, and it didn't deserve that. Besides, I had been so lonely, and I figured it would give me someone to be with. I know that isn't the healthiest way to look at it, but it made me happy to think about when it would be born and if it would look like me or my parents or even him."

"Did he know?" Edward asked.

"No. I didn't get a chance to tell him. By the time I found out, he was already on the front lines and had enough on his mind," Winry reasoned. "But I didn't have much time to think about it. We barely ate or slept due to the demands of the military's schedule. I could have quit but so many people were dying. I was determined to finish the plane to save others and make a better future for … it," Winry hesitated at the end. She didn't know what to call it. She didn't want to say 'baby' because that gave it more humanity, and she would feel the loss more. But she also didn't want to say fetus because that made it feel detached. Neither felt right.

Alphonse took a sip of his tea, and then commented "That makes sense. It sounds like it was a difficult time."

"It was. But then, it didn't matter. I was almost 3 months along when I miscarried," Winry admitted. She focused on her engagement ring and twisted it around her finger, wondering if she would be allowed to keep it after tonight. But a horrendous thought occurred to her. "Ed, you want children! What if I can't have them?!"

"It doesn't matter," Edward said. He placed his automail hand on her shoulder, hoping she would accept his comfort. Winry's shame overwhelmed her, and she shook his hand from her shoulder. She hid her face in her hands and placed her elbows on the table. Edward was at a loss of what to do or say.

Alphonse interrupted them. "Winry, you were going through horrible amounts of stress. And with barely eating or sleeping, your body couldn't muster the energy it required to make a new life. I'm going through my obstetrics rotation now, and I've learned many women have miscarriages but then they have a healthy pregnancy the next time around. They don't speak of their miscarriages, and they hide it from their family and friends. There's nothing to be ashamed of though. But next time, you may have a perfectly healthy pregnancy. We'll help you any way we can."

Winry sighed. 'Maybe he's right.'

Edward then asked, "Did Lynda know?"

"Yes. I told her about the pregnancy and miscarriage. After I miscarried, I fell into a dark depression. I didn't want to do anything other than work and sleep. Lynda was under great pressure from the military, and that's when she came up with the idea of coming to this world to get information on aviation designs," Winry explained.

"She was desperate, and she remembered seeing the aircraft come through the portal. That's what gave her the idea of coming here. I was impressed by them too. I worked on the machine that would power the transmutation circle using her Createan alchemy, and I volunteered to come here first. The military gave us a philosopher's stone, and Lynda put it inside my thigh. She had part of a transmutation circle tattooed on me so I could finish it and help bring her over here," Winry took a deep breath. It was so much information to tell them. Her throat was dry, she drank the rest of her tea.

Alphonse asked, "Do you want more?"

Winry nodded. Edward was stunned by her story. Amestris was going through a terrible war, and it seemed to be losing. And Winry was doing all she could to save her fellow people, only to lose a baby in the process.

'No wonder she was so depressed and thin when she came here,' he thought to himself.

Alphonse poured more tea for her, and then she finished her story "They performed the transmutation on me. It hurt so much and I was terrified when I saw those hands come out of the gate and pull me through. I'm not sure if the gate took my memories, or if the stone suppressed them. I have no idea but all I know is that I'm glad that I found you both. I had a sliver of hope that I would see you again, and I still can't believe I was so lucky to be taken to the hospital that Alphonse was interning at."

Alphonse reached across the table, placing his hand on hers. "We're glad you're here too, Winry. I think brother may be happier than I am."

Edward's cheeks flushed at the romantic notion that Alphonse had made. Even though it was true, Edward still had a hard time accepting the mushy love stuff. He looked at Winry and noticed her pull her hand away slowly from Alphonse's gentle hold. It seemed she still wanted her space, and he could understand it being an awful night for her.

Then Edward wondered now that Winry's memories had returned, she would know how everyone in Amestris was faring. "Winry, how is everyone doing in Amestris? I know you haven't been there in a while but did anything else happen to anyone?"

"Well, Sig moved to North City. Mr. Mustang received a promotion while he was fighting on the front. The last letter I received from him said he lost some of this team. He was sad but he had to keep going. Ms. Hawkeye was still a sniper on his team and was still alive."

"Gracia and Elysia were doing okay. School is on and off. Gracia was thinking of moving in with family in the northeast. They built antiaircraft guns to guard Central, but it was still worrisome that Central would be attacked. That's all that I remember."

Edward nodded. The room sat in silence. There was so much information to digest. War in Amestris, planes bombing Dublith and South City, their friends escaping to the north, and Mustang returning to battle along with the rest of his team. This change of events had occurred, and the Elrics had no idea that any of it had happened.

The thick silence was interrupted by a grumbling stomach. Edward became flustered and looked at his abdomen that had betrayed him. Alphonse and Winry laughed. They needed it.

"I was the only one that ate dinner. Do you need me to reheat it?" Alphonse asked them.

Edward answered "No, I'm too tired to eat something so heavy. I'm just going to have an apple. Unless you want to eat dinner Winry?"

Winry shook her head. "I'm exhausted. I just want sleep."

"Well, you two, I'm off to bed. I still have to work tomorrow. Winry, I'm sorry you went through all of that. But we're here for you. Good night," Alphonse rose from his chair. Winry had been there for him when he came back to Risembool after losing his memories. She had comforted him with hugs and tucking him in at night. That's why he placed his hand on the back of her head and she looked up at him. Alphonse kissed her on the forehead, and then went to bed.

This simple action comforted Winry. However, she wished Alphonse could have stayed with them. She wanted to avoid being alone with Edward. She was worried that he would think ill of her after her confession.

"I need to get to bed, too," Edward said as he stood up. He opened their bedroom door, and noticed she hadn't followed.

Winry stood next to the table with her head hanging low. The fringe on her forehead was hiding her eyes. Edward couldn't get a good read of her.

"Should I sleep on the couch?" Winry asked.

Edward grunted and pointed to their bed. His eyes closed in frustration. He commanded her "Get in our bed. You're not sleeping on the couch."

Winry went to their room and laid down on her side of the bed. She could feel the inner turmoil twist inside her. Was he angry with her? Was he disappointed? She wanted to know his thoughts on her memories but also wanted to pretend that none of it had happened and return to being the happy couple they were the night before.

Edward climbed in next to her and pulled the blanket over them both. He made sure she had plenty of covers even though she would unintentionally steal the blanket halfway through the night.

Winry seemed physically okay but mentally this was a heaping amount of information to process. And he had to process it, too. He was hoping she would rest, and then they could talk tomorrow. However, that wasn't going to be the case.

"Ed, I understand if you don't want to marry me," she said quietly not facing him.

"What did you say?!" he asked. He grabbed her shoulder and pulled her so she might face him but she held onto the blanket and refused to turn to him. His voice rose "Come on! You can't say that!"

Then he heard her sobbing and his hand stopped pulling on her shoulder. Force wasn't the way to get her to talk to him. Instead, he snuggled up closer to her and wrapped his arm around her. He still wasn't great at handling Winry's emotions, but he had learned how to comfort her because she had comforted him. There was something about lying in bed and holding each other that helped the emotions ease themselves.

He quietly asked her "Why wouldn't I want to marry you?"

Winry confessed "Because of everything I did! I built weapons for war. I slept with someone that I barely knew, and now I don't even know if I can have children."

Edward's voice rose "Enough! I'm not marrying you for your reproductive capabilities! I'm marrying you because I love you!"

Winry turned over and looked at his face, lit softly by the moonlight coming in. He was genuine, and she knew it. He had a good heart, and he wouldn't lie to her.

Edward calmed down and told her "We've both done things that we are ashamed of. But we learn from them and move forward. And we'll still screw up. But now, we can lean on each other, and help the other one get up and walk. You've already done that for me. So let me do that for you."

Winry smiled sadly at him. She was so grateful for his kindness. Somehow, she felt that she didn't deserve it. However, when he needed her, she was glad to help. It felt different being on the other side. When someone was so used to giving all of themselves to help others, that when they need assistance, they don't know how to accept. Winry wasn't sure of how to accept his help, but she did appreciate it. She kissed him lightly.

"Thank you, Ed," she said as put a hand on his cheek. She felt his cheek heat up. He still wasn't used to this emotional comforting. Her smile became warmer at the satisfaction of embarrassing him.

"Yeah… of course," he stammered. She snuggled her face into his chest and embraced him under his arms.

Edward took more control of his embarrassment when he couldn't see her face. And his thoughts drifted.

"You know, Winry, before I came here, if a vase or a glass broke, I could fix it with alchemy. But people aren't like objects. When people are broken, they can't be transmuted back together."
Winry muttered. "You're right. But people can heal over time, and with the right care, they can be stronger than before."

"Exactly. We'll get through this," he said.

Winry nodded in agreement. They cuddled more until Winry felt better. They kissed goodnight and went to sleep.

Edward woke up but let Winry sleep. He figured she needed the rest after their long night. He kissed her cheek before leaving for work. When he came home from work and discovered she hadn't left their bed the whole day, he became concerned that she sinking back into her depression.

He made her tea and had her come eat at the table when dinner was reheated. Then, he made her get dressed and go for a walk with him. "Staying inside all day will do you no good. Come on. You did the same for me."

Winry was annoyed and almost resisted. He reminded her of the things she made him do to help with his anxiety. "Fine. I'll go."

Then he treated her to a pastry at a bakery. She seemed irritable but after that first bite of sweetness, it seemed to do wonders. A smile came on her face.

"It's really good," she admitted.

"Just don't tell Al. He'll get jealous," Edward snickered.

"Oh no! We should bring one home to him," Winry suggested with a pouty look on her face. Edward caved in and went back to the counter for another pastry to go for his brother. Winry giggled realizing the hold she had on him.

And over the next few weeks, Winry would work on healing herself. Writing in a journal and returning to work did good her. Tinkering with radiators and other appliances helped her, she told Edward. So, he brought home a few things that his coworkers needed repairs on such as clocks, radios, and other machinery. He even brought her to the lab for her input on a project they had been working on. After that, Winry seemed like her former self, confident and enjoying life again.

Meanwhile in Amestris, Lynda sat in a hospital bed with a sleeve pinned to her shirt because the arm was missing. It was a shame that it was her right arm because that was her dominant arm. Now, she was learning to rely upon her left arm.

When she had returned, Amestris was winning the war. Someone from Lynda's team had designed a good plane while she was gone. The young lad admitted he had based it on Winry's designs, but he had to alter them some.

Lynda looked around at the other women that had been taken there with her. Some had died upon arrival after losing internal organs as a toll for the gate, but some had survived. Most were missing either an appendage or eyes or even a tongue.

The door to the room opened, and in stepped a few military officers. A man with dark hair and an eyepatch accompanied by a woman with dark blonde hair that was cut short. They both appeared battle weary. When the man came closer to her, she realized who he was.

"Brigadier General Mustang, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Lynda greeted him.

"You're under investigation for your latest 'mission'. Tell me, did you learn anything of value?" Mustang asked her.

"Straight to the point as expected. That world is cruel and unfair. Knowledge could not be gained due to my gender," Lynda admitted.

Mustang was confused. Before he could ask Lynda to elaborate, Hawkeye interrupted "Where's Winry?!"

Lynda sighed. She had plenty of time to contemplate how she had treated her former employee and friend. Lynda realized she had taken advantage of Winry's grief over her miscarriage and used her as an experimental subject. The pressure had been intense to complete their project, but she should have protected Winry. Lynda knew she would never be able to apologize to Winry, and she would regret that forever. And how Lynda had tried using her again in the end to return to this world.

Hawkeye became impatient and grabbed Lynda's shirt. "Tell me where she is!"

Mustang grabbed Hawkeye's arm. He ordered her "Stand down!"

Hawkeye released her. Mustang knew Hawkeye was worried, and the stress from war had caused her to react this way.

Lynda replied "She is safe in the other world. She's quite happy as she recently became engaged."

Mustang asked happily surprised "She's engaged?"

"Yes, to Edward Elric. The man who has traveled between the worlds," Lynda informed them.

Hawkeye smiled for the first time in months. "She's with Edward?!"

Lynda nodded. "His younger brother lives with them, though I can't remember his name."

Mustang asked "Alphonse? He's with them?"

Lynda exclaimed "That's his name!"

Mustang and Hawkeye exchanged glances of happiness that they hadn't felt in months. After that, Mustang and Hawkeye interviewed Lynda in regards to her mission, and how it was a failure. Lynda had not gained any aviation knowledge. Lynda also informed them how the other world viewed women, and that was why it was so difficult for her to gain any knowledge.

After the interview, Mustang and Hawkeye left the hospital. When they were in the car, they spoke of the interview.

"That was the best news I've heard in months," Mustang admitted.

"Yes. I'm glad for them. Those three deserve to be happy together," Hawkeye said.

"Though I wonder how the hell did Edward get the courage to ask Winry to marry him?" Mustang laughed. He wished Edward was here to tease him in person.

Hawkeye smiled. "Edward's an adult by now. I'm sure he's learned a thing or two about women."

"Don't remind me. If Edward's an adult, that must mean we're old," he replied.

"We're not that old. I do wish they could have returned here but at least we know that those three are together," Hawkeye said.

"You're right. Knowing that they're together and happy is satisfying enough," Mustang agreed with her. The Elrics were together with their childhood friend, who was like a sister to Alphonse and was now engaged to Edward. It wasn't the ending that Mustang and Hawkeye had envisioned but it was an ending that they could be content with.

Author's note: When Lynda had told Winry in a previous chapter that someone had come into her life and quickly left, Lynda meant the miscarriage. She didn't want Winry to go through that grief again so she wasn't clear on it. Winry assumed it was a man that had left her.