A/N: I've been struggling with the last freakin' paragraph for the last couple of months! Anyway, enjoy!

A Home to Return To

Chapter 4: Begin

"Are you ready?"

No... Was what he always thought every time his automail was about to be attached, but he never gave a response, instead, he'd try to brace himself to what was coming. Just like every time it happened, he was never ready for the pain going through his body but he couldn't complain. He clenched his teeth groaning in pain and shut his eyes with force. After so many years with this experience he'd never get used to the pain he felt with the nerve connection.

"Are you ok?" He opened his eyes to find Winry's tired ones with concern. He was only able to let out a loud sigh as a response as the pain slowly left his body. "I'll take that as a yes..." Her concern soon vanished once she began tinkering with his leg. He began to observe the way she worked in order to focus his mind on something else. Even if it didn't take away all the pain, the way she worked, how focused she always was no matter how tired she felt, even if that meant taking her attention away from him it was enough for him to ignore the pain. He could relate to her with his long days and nights studying alchemy even after losing his ability to do what he loved the most. He loved alchemy... oh, he did love it. And now that they were getting somewhere with their research, it was time to embark on a new journey. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah..." He numbly replied. He was excited by this new journey and also afraid.

"You'll notice it's a lot lighter so don't go crazy on it."

"Ok..." He didn't know where it would take him, after all, every journey he got into was never really planed.

"It's still idiot resistant though."

"Fine..." He was always focused on the goal and never on the way, who knows what kind of trouble he'd get into.

"You're not here, are you?"

"What?" The questioning sound on her voice caught his attention.

"You're not listening to a word I'm saying!" She exclaimed irritated with her weariness taking over.

"Of course I am!" Her murderous look combined with disbelief made him think twice about his answer. "I am listening!" Or maybe not.

"Unbelievable..." She said turning her attention to the automail in front of her, finishing her work giving it a final polish. "Just try to walk around." She turned her back at him to place her tools at her worktable while he slowly stood up.

"Wow... it's a lot lighter. It's even lighter than the northern automail! Is it resistant?" She turned around already knowing she'd listen this question.

"As I said before..." She said highlighting the phrase. "It's lighter but it's still resistant. Just don't go crazy on it, ok? There's a lot of new things I'm trying out on that one." Of course he still ignored most of the things she said.

"New stuff, uh? I like it, I've gotta test it out!" Her only response was a loud sigh as she sat down. After that, she placed her elbow on the table to use her arm as a stand for her head. Edward could tell she was really tired once her eyes closed and her mind drifted to sleep. "All your work's done, isn't it?"

"Of course it is.." She said with a hint of indignation. "Granny's leaving tomorrow morning..."

"Up to bed then." He said grabbing her free hand.

"Just give me a break for a second." Her hand left his, only to land on her worktable so she could use her arms as a pillow. "I still have to organize everything and I don't feel like climbing up the stairs yet."

"Come on, it's even late for me to be awake." He said placing his hand on her shoulders. "Winry?" He shook her slightly but no response came. With a sigh he bent down holding one of her arms behind his neck and picked her up. Her first instinct was to lean closer to his touch holding his neck with both arms.

"Idiot..." She let out in a low sigh making him chuckle.

"Look at you... and I'm the idiot." He said slightly annoyed. "Idiot..." But he couldn't hide the sweet smile on his features. As he began to climb the stairs, his worries came back. He didn't know how he was going to break the news for her. He didn't know how she'd react or even if she'd accept his choice. He didn't know many things, but he knew for all those years and everything they went through, they'd be alright. No matter what, they always watched each other's back in their own way. She'd guard him with her automail and kindness while he'd guard her with every inch of his resolve, even if that meant silence.

Once in her bedroom he laid her down and knowing that right now she wouldn't want to bother to change clothes, he joined her. Once she felt his body beside hers she searched for his warmth, slowly laying her face over his shoulder. Her scent blended with the smell of oil and metal, but he didn't mind. It always felt like home and it reminded him a lot of his journey when she was working as hard as the last few days. Her hand rested on his chest and he stared at it. They weren't the most feminine hands he'd seen, or the ones any man would expect: soft as silk and gentle as feathered pillow. They were hands that witnessed hard labor, hands more used to deal with metal than flesh but he knew those hands differently. How gentle they could be, how teasing... but that was another theme all together. Her fingers were calloused, with an injure here and there, but that wasn't on his mind... there was something entirely different in his mind.

The sun beams entered the room making her squint her eyes. She felt a void beside her she wasn't expecting and her hand searched for someone only to hold on to bed sheets. She didn't want to open her eyes to find an empty bed, she wanted to shut them tight and smell the scent and warmth he left there. It wasn't surprising for him to leave without a word, it happened a few times during his journey to get his brother back. She knew something bad was coming from the first moment he walked in, she felt it and she knew well life doesn't always throw pleasant surprises. She wouldn't let her sorrow take over so instead, a sigh let out any worries she could build and she raised up from bed to begin her day.

Looking at the bathroom mirror she noticed she didn't change her clothes, hence, she didn't even remember ever getting into bed. Opening the bathtub's faucet, the sound of the water relaxed her, bringing a smile to her face. She still felt her numb body from the nights with no sleep and as a response, she began to rub her hands on her face. It was then she felt something out of the ordinary, something hard rubbed against her skin. She stared at the metal object attached to her finger as she walked out of the bathroom confused. All of the sudden she felt her heart jumping all the way through to her throat. Her eyes were wide and surprised, her mouth partly open. All of the sudden she stared confused to the bedroom door and then back to her hand. She wasn't understanding anything at all. Why would Edward Elric run off without a word, only to leave her alone to awake and find a ring on her finger? She stared at the door again, maybe hoping for an answer from it. She stared at the ring again and no answers were there either.

Then in an impulse, her memory brought back a piece from the past, one she'd cherish for as long as she would live. Her eyes were wide as she stared at the ring and her memory became fresh in her mind, like it was yesterday. Equivalent exchange. Her heart raced even faster than before as she was reminded of those words. She knew Edward always relied too much on his actions to communicate but she was confused by this particular one.

She walked downstairs and she couldn't help but to give a second look to the item, almost like she was afraid of what it would bring. Her stomach flipped and flopped inside to the point of feeling almost nauseous. She didn't remember being this nervous like in the day of Edward's first surgery, even if they were a completely different form of nerves. Once at the last step she peeked inside the living room noticing that her grandmother's suite cases weren't by the door anymore. The scent of bread beginning to toast got her attention to the kitchen as the faint noises of a spoon dancing inside a mug could be heard.

She stepped closer to the door taking a small peek inside to find a much more relaxed Edward. There was a faint smile on his face as he stared down at the coffee, almost like the weight he had been carrying was lifted from his shoulders. She now stood at the door frame trying to get his attention as she looked at him completely puzzled. Laying the spoon on the kitchen counter, Edward began drinking the strong coffee he drank ever since she could remember. It was a gesture she grew accustomed to but she couldn't help but to scrutinize every single time she watched him. Somehow, that began to calm her down as her thoughts differed to that day. They've know each other for years... for their whole lives. They went through experiences very few people went through, maybe some of those no one else went through but them both. They always knew what to expect from each other yet, they could throw a surprise every now and then. She began to feel ridiculous for her reaction and smiled. What would a simple ring change?

"Hey..." Her voice left out in a low tune, finally getting his attention. The same smile was in his face while he stared at her and shared that small silence, and for a single second she noticed his gaze drifting from her hand to her eyes.

"Good morning." He grabbed the coffee pot and asked. "Want some?" She nodded as she went to the fridge to get some milk to add to the bitter coffee he always prepared. It was strange the fact they were acting like there was nothing going on but both of them didn't know any other way to deal with the situation. "You had a good night's sleep?"

"Yeah, finally..." She said joining him and taking a sip of her drink, but she couldn't hold her curiosity much longer. "Ed... what's the meaning of this?" She didn't even bother to show her hand to make her point as her gaze was fix on the floor. He took a dry gulp and finally began to spill out what had been bothering him for the past few days.

"I'm no longer going back to the west."

"What?" She asked completely surprised, thoughts of the ring gone as she spoke. "But what about the research you were doing?"

"As I said before, we just need a bit more work to finish what we started. They don't need me for that."

"But you've been working on it for so long..." She said almost in a plea.

"You're right..." He chuckled. "But when it comes to put things into practice, it's out of my reach." Silence fell between them. She knew how much it hurt him the loss of performing alchemy but he always smiled whenever that subject was brought up. "I can't wait until Al brings back some news from Xing! With their alchemy we're almost sure it's going to be possible!" She smiled at his enthusiasm and turned her gaze back to the mug in her hands. "It's not exactly finished... it will still take some years until we can really experiment..."

"So... are you leaving halfway or what?" She asked confused.

"I'm not leaving... I'm just stepping off and watching from the backstage, that's all. Tough I'm not planning only to watch it..." Her gaze suddenly turned to him and she could swear she could see a blush behind the coffee mug he was drinking. Suddenly she remembered the ring and her heart raced faster.

"So... what are your plans?" She asked putting down her mug and holding her hands tightly on the counter.

"If you don't mind... I'm planning on sticking around." He said turning his gaze at her, trying to read her reaction. "For a while..." Her smile became wider.

"For how long?" That question sounded familiar but it was one she lost along the way and it never crossed her mind she'd be asking this again. He placed his hand over hers, feeling the cold from the new item she was wearing.

"For as long as you want." He said in a low tune even though no one else could listen but her. Her gaze drifted from his but her smile remained. She couldn't help but to try to hide the small blush that rose on her cheeks, feeling somewhat irritated for the fact that even after all those years he could still make her blush. Clearing her throat she looked right back at him once again.

"What's with the ring?" He instantly turned his gaze away from hers with his face turning red all of the sudden. "I never thought you believed in this." His free hand went to the back of his head in attempt to hide his embarrassment but with no success.

"Well... I j-just wanted to prove you that I'm not g-going anywhere." She stared at him surprised. "And I know you've always wanted to do that..." Ed was strongly aware of the mistakes his father did and so was Winry, but she knew as much as he knew that he would never be able to do the same thing. He began to scratch the back of his head with his nerves getting to him but before he could say another word, Winry placed her hand on his features to make him look at her.

"You're such an idiot." She said to his surprised golden eyes. She slowly got her face closer to his and he instantly closed the gap between them to plant a kiss on her lips, holding her hand tightly on his own. She broke their kiss but she couldn't help but to stay closer to him, leaning her forehead against his. "So... is this another equivalent exchange?" He chuckled at her question and replied.

"You can say that." He opened his eyes as he waited for her to do the same. "Tough this time... I am ready to give you my whole life." He knew there were very few times their conversations emboldened him, but knowing she'd accept their future, those words left his mouth without any of self-control he used to have. Her eyes opened wide in surprise to find his serious ones, making her realize he meant every word he said. "Ok, maybe 85%." She chuckled at his response and suddenly placed both arms around him, pulling his body into a tight hug. He instantly felt comfortable as he let his face dig on her shoulder but before he could settle, she pulled him back to give him a quick kiss and began walking away from the kitchen.

"I forgot I still have to clear up the basement." Edward stared at her confused as the sound of the bread jumping out of the toaster caught her attention. She grabbed it a took it with her. "I've got some work to for Mr. Foster."

"That's my toast!" Edward said in an indignant tone.

"What's yours, is mine." She said with a wide grin as she took another bite and left the kitchen.

"The same goes for you, you know?"

And so it began.

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End

A/N: First off all, I'm sorry I took so long to update this thing but it's finally finished! I'm sorry if it looks like a broken story because in fact, it is ^^; it was supposed to be a oneshot but I slip it in 4 parts so I'd have the drive to finish this. Anyway, a special thanks to FullMetalFan16, S J Smith, Doks, Perseus46, Harryswomen and my great friend Misao! A very special thanks goes to my brother for being the inspiration to write this story. I hope I didn't disappoint any of you ^^ Please review!