My...profound apologies for the outrageously slow update. I know it's been over six months, and I'm sure most of you thought I was dead. I worked a horrid job all summer, and had little to no spare time to work on my beloved FanFics. Never fear! I haven't forgotten you and I love each and every one of my readers! Thanks for sticking with me!

This chapter was quite fun to write, because Winry and Pinako get to make an apperance! I've been dying to introduce some new characters, because Ed and Al have been hogging the spotlight. This is a pretty lighthearted chapter, so prepare for dramatic stuff in the near future!

Enjoy.

The sun was beginning its descent and the crisp atmosphere of evening was settling across the landscape as the small locomotive chugged to a halt at Risembool station. There was a sudden scurry for luggage as people awoke from their peaceful naps and looked up from their newspapers.

Edward slid the train door open and stepped into the station. The sun’s dying rays cast long shadows on the ground and gave the sky a fiery orange hue.

Edward closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. ‘Finally,’ he thought. ‘Home…’.He smiled as peacefully and gazed happily around the old station. Very little had changed here since his childhood. Save for the occasional traveler, the train that had been given a paintjob, and a large poster that was advertising some sort of carnival, Edward’s hometown remained virtually unchanged; unaffected by he ongoing strife in Central.

He relaxed. That was one thing he knew he could always count on; even if the rest of the world turned its back on him, his home would always be here, welcoming his with open arms.

The sound of heavy breathing intruded Edward’s thoughts. He turned around to find Alphonse struggling to haul a heavy suitcase, identical to Edward’s, off the tremulous locomotive. Edward cocked his head to one side.

“Too heavy?” He asked in concern. True, Alphonse was in far better condition than he had been a few weeks previously, but he was still recovering, nonetheless.

Alphonse shook his head, the visible side of his face flushed. “I’ve got it,” he huffed breathlessly.

Edward nodded in understanding. It was always best to let Alphonse manage by himself. Once he had decided to accomplish something, there was no stopping him until he had finished the task.

The walk to the Rockbell house took longer than usual. Edward was constantly stopping to let his brother catch up with him, or to let him catch his breath. He asked several times if he needed help, but each time Alphonse refused, as if determined not to show weakness.

When the Rockbell house came into view, Alphonse quickened his stride, excitedly telling Edward about how happy he was to see Winry and Granny Pinako again, and how they would react to the return of his body.

“I wonder if they’ll recognize me?” He wondered cheerfully.

“Mmm,” Edward replied. ‘Doubt it,’ He thought with a sinking feeling.

The Elrics felt a warm sense of belonging as they stepped onto the Rockbell property. Edward inhaled deeply. Although it wasn’t nearly as cold here as it had been in Central, the air was still slightly nippy. The yellow house looked orange in the rays of the setting sun.

“I wonder if they’re home?” Edward though aloud, silently noting the peculiar absence of flying wrenches. He rapped his knuckled on the door, the harsh sound of metal-against-wood reverberated through the air. A tense silence settled in the atmosphere, broken by the rusting sounds of someone moving inside.

The door creaked open slowly, revealing a very short person standing in the doorway, half-hidden in the shadows. Upon seeing the faces of the guests, the person swung open the door with surprising force.

The person standing in the doorway was an elderly woman. She was very short, shorter than Edward. She wore a dirty apron over a brown smock, and her hair was tied into a gravity-defying bun at the crown of her head. A pence-nez was balanced precariously on the bridge of her nose, and she clutched a pipe between her teeth. When she saw the identity of her guests, her face broke into a trademark smirk.

“Old lady Pinako!” Edward exclaimed along with his signature grin. Pinako puffed on her pipe and grinned back at him.

“Ah, I knew you’d be back as soon as you busted that arm again. Just can’t seem to keep your limbs on, can you boy?” She chuckled softly before her grin slipped away, to be replaced with a slight frown.

“Where’s Al?” She asked, her beady eyes narrowed.

“…Hullo, Granny,”

For the briefest of moments, Edward could have sworn he saw Pinako’s eyes widen to the size of walnuts, and her pipe almost slide out of her grasp. The moment was fleeting though, and she regained her composure almost immediately as she gazed in awe at Alphonse’s half-hidden face.

Suddenly, her face split into a huge grin and she clenched her pipe between her teeth. Alphonse smiled sheepishly back at her.

“Yes…I believe I know someone who’s been dying to see you,” She said before turning around and heading back into the house, motioning for them to follow her.

The Elrics followed suit, the warm air inside a relief from the chilly wind. Edward cast his gaze around. Bolts on the floor, the overwhelming stench of oil…this place hadn’t changed from his last visit, either.

“She’s been waiting for this for years,” Pinako muttered, half to herself. She smirked at the brothers before hollering up the staircase,

“WINRY! WE’VE GOT VISITORS!”

Edward winced. For someone who smoked like a chimney, Pinako had lungs of steel.

As her voice echoed off the walls, there was a loud ‘thunk’ from somewhere over their heads, followed by the sound of some one scrambling across the floor and crashing noisily down the stairs.

Edward never saw Winry Rockbell skid into the room. He never saw her draw a wrench from her pocket with superhuman speed. He did, however, see the silver, metallic blur and hear the sound of something whizzing through the air. Next thing he knew, he was flat on his back, gaping stupidly at the ceiling.

He sat up slowly, clutching his pounding head. He opened his eyes to find Alphonse looking torn between amusement and concern, Pinako chortling slightly, and the demented face of someone Edward was sure would drive him to an early grave.

Winry Rockbell stood at the top of the stairs, clad in her work clothes and red bandana. Her face was contorted into a maniacal expression, her long blonde locks stood on end and her blue eyes alight with fury. She breathed heavily through clenched teeth, seething with rage. It was incredible how someone so pretty could be so easily mistaken for a serial killer.

“Well, it’s about time!” She spat, brandishing her wrench menacingly. “You just up and disappear for ages, and think you can just suddenly show up and pretend nothing’s wrong?! What have you broken this time?!”

Edward groaned inwardly. ‘Classic Winry behavior,’He thought. He leapt spectacularly to his feet.

“Dammit! What’s the big idea?! Are you trying to kill me?! And my arm is fine!” He flexed his automail, demonstrating its perfect working order. “For your information, we-”

“Wait,” Winry cut him off. She stared firmly at Alphonse, who had been completely silent throughout the bizarre reunion. Winry raised her wrench.

“Who’re you?” She snarled.

Alphonse smiled kindly. “Hello, Winry. Still temperamental, I see,”

Winry dropped her wrench. She gaped wide-eyed and open mouthed before stuttering,

“A-al? Alphonse?!”

“Uh-huh,” He grinned happily.

Winry screamed. She screamed a horrid, high-pitched squeal that reverberated painfully as she flung herself at Alphonse.

Edward flinched. Maybe all Rockbell women had lungs of steel.

Edward and Pinako watched with identical grins as Winry fawned over Alphonse. She hugged him and wiped tears from her eyes, blabbering incoherently. It made Edward sick. Alphonse, clearly not having the slightest idea of how to react, smiled awkwardly and mumbled, “I missed you too,”

Edward and Pinako exchanged amused glances as Winry enveloped Alphonse in a bone-snapping death embrace that suspiciously reminded him of Major Armstrong.

“W-winry…” Alphonse rasped.

“Mmm-Hmm-Mm-Mmm-Hmm?” She mumbled through sobs.

“I… I can’t breathe,”

She released Alphonse and backed away as he massaged his shoulders where she had bruised them. Winry whirled around unexpectedly, fixing Edward with her infamous Rockbell-death-glare. “YOU!” She shrieked, raising the wrench above her head. “Why didn’t you tell me?!”

“Wha-” Edward cowered, trying in vain to protect himself from the wrench. “What are you talking about?”

“HIM!” She spat venomously, pointing her wrench at Alphonse. “How long has he had his body back?”

“Not long!” Edward shouted. “Just a few weeks-”

For the second time in one day, Winry flung her wrench at Edward with all the strength she could muster.

And for the second time in one day, a certain blonde alchemist found himself gaping stupidly at the ceiling.

I'd just like to say that Winry was insanely fun to write. I tried very hard to keep her In-Character, and I hope my efforts have paid off.

Please review, flames welcome.

Frenchie-chan