Disclaimer: yeah, don't own, whatever

Recap: Ed thought he saw the other world's Winry, but wasn't sure. Winry decides on baby names. Terrance is introduced and a spark goes off between him and Winry.

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I'm the One Who was Wrong: Forever

Chapter Eleven – History

"And I told her, 'Stop acting like you don't want me and kiss me already!'" He placed his elbow on my shoulder, as if we were long time friends. I knew he was a whole head taller than me, but did he have to flaunt it. "And guess what she did." He didn't even wait for me to react. "She kissed me! Her lips were so rough against mine; it was turning me on. Then we went up to her bedroom—"

"I don't need any more details," I told him, flashing him a glare.

He raised an eyebrow and smirked at me. "Are you sure you're not gay? Alex enjoyed the story."

I roughly shrugged off his arm and continued to sweep the isle. "Excuse me if I'm not a perv." I didn't understand why Jerry felt the need to share with me his little conquests, which he had been having plenty of lately. Gosh, did he really sleep with as many women as he so claims? He's not even appealing to the eye. I mean, he's massively annoying, first of all. And he's always smirking like there's an invisible clip holding up the corner of his mouth. Maybe he gets girls drunk and then takes advantage of their intoxicated state. But even he isn't so despicable. He did mention once that girls tended to gawk at him for his "mesmerizing" green eyes.

"Well, if you're not gonna listen to my great experiences with girls why don't you tell me some of your stories." He scratched his cheek. "What was her name? Wendy? Whiny? Weary? Or was it Weakling?"

I growled. "Winry! W-I-N-R-Y."

He reared back. "Jeez, sorry, if my memory isn't at its best."

I groaned, holding the broom tightly and taking long, irregular strides sweeping the floor.

"So talk to me about her, Eddie. How'd you meet her?"

Why was he even here? He had absolutely no business being in the supermarket, especially during my work hours, and pestering me. I mean, he didn't even work here.

He continued asking, repeating his question, wanting an answer. I gripped the end of the broom until my knuckles turned white. I thought I would break it. "Don't you have something better to do? Go back to the apartment."

"But there's nothing to do there. And all the fun clubs are only open at night."

"I don't care. Take up a hobby and stop harassing me." I walked toward the side of the isle and Jerry followed me.

"Aw, come on, Eddie, I'm just asking about your girl. Could things really have ended that badly?"

"Shut up, Jerald," I growled in his face, baring teeth. "Take the hint and go home already. I don't want you here! You're positively the most aggravating, pathetic, prodding son of a bitch I have ever met."

Bewilderment flashed in his eyes and then they rained with hurt. I hadn't meant to snap at him like that, and I almost instantly regretted it.

"Jerry—"

"Sorry, Edward," he said, the spark of tone in his voice dull and his smirk reduced to a flat thin line. "I was just trying to get to know you better. I mean, you don't open up to anyone. And God knows that can't be healthy." I didn't say anything and looked away. There was a pause. "I won't bother you at work again."

When I glanced back up he was gone.

I sighed. All this time he was really trying to help me out, and I have been pushing him away, rejecting all his efforts to know who I really am. What does he care, anyway? I don't need therapy or pity from him. I tell Al things. Alphonse knows how I feel. That's enough, right? Still, the sad and pitiful look in Jerry's eyes didn't bring me at peace at all. Aw, great. I rubbed at my head. Now I'm going to have to apologize and tell him about Winry.

Terrance rolled up his sleeves before opening his briefcase and pulling out something similar to a sketch pad. Pinako was skeptical from the beginning, careful as to not be fooled by too-good-to-be-true scandals. She would not be moved or swayed into agreeing with such a thing. She enjoyed running a mediocre shop at her house. She never wanted anything fancy and she now certainly doesn't want her shop to be moved into a mall complex, owned by someone else, telling her how to run things. She was her own boss and she liked it that way. Though she already had her mind made up, she decided to give the young man her time of day, for her granddaughter's sake.

She noticed the way Winry's face lit up when she stormed into the house—Terrance in tow—shouting something about a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity". Maybe it was the waited, desperate contact of another human being that had gotten Winry all excited and ecstatic. Or possibly it was something else that drew Winry to this handsome, friendly man as she leaned close with an intent gaze to listen and watch Terrance talk about this business proposition.

Terrance showed them sketches, that he had created himself, of which floor Rockbell Automail would be located. He went over all the benefits of having a shop in a more commercial environment instead of in a rural setting. He talked about the exposure they would receive and how quickly their business would expand if they'd agree.

It was all very intriguing. And Pinako was sure, to any other old fool, it would seem like the perfect deal. But Pinako wasn't any other old fool.

"Not interested," was all she said.

Terrance's smile turned into a frown, likewise, Winry's jaw dropped. "Grams, you've hardly thought it over. This could be your only chance."

"Only chance for what, to see my business escalade the first month and then drop sales like a bomb? I don't need to think about it."

"Ma'am, how about I go over the financial part and legal discussion?"

"There's no need, Terrance. It's a very nice offer and I'm flattered you would pick my auto-mail shop out of so many, but I'm afraid you're simply wasting your time. I'm just not interested in moving my shop. I'm very happy with the location right here."

Terrance sighed, noting and admiring the woman's resolve. "Very well. But if you don't mind I'd like to return in two or three days, give you time to think it over before I report to my father. If by then you still don't want the venue, I will no longer hassle you."

He stood, gathering all his things. "It was very nice to meet you." He shook Pinako's hand and gave her a stern nod.

"I'll walk you to the door," Winry said.

Terrance turned and gave her a genuine smile at the door. She kept her eyes locked on his green ones.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, also, Winry."

"Mine too. Sorry about my grandma, she's quite stubborn."

He shook his head. "It's fine. I respect her passion and honesty. To tell you the truth I'd kind of like to see that tinge of disappoint on my father's face once I tell him." He chuckled, and then reached into his coat pocket. "Here, please, take my card. I mean, in case your grandma changes her mind or if she has any questions. Or if you have any yourself. I wouldn't mind hearing your voice."

The faintest hint of a blush whispered upon Winry's face. "Of course."

I arrived "home" that day after work tired. What can I even call this apartment we all shared with Alexander, Jerry's friend? Certainly not home. It was our temporary residence for the time being. I don't know how long we plan to stay here or what we should do now. I have no responsibilities except taking care of Al. But he's growing and doing just fine. I can't try to get my arm and leg back. It's impossible without alchemy, right? The only thing left for me to do is live life to the fullest—something I've been trying desperately to do.

I sighed, plopping my ass on the couch. I wondered where Jerry was. I had to apologize for my earlier rudeness. I still couldn't get over how offended he looked. Walking back, I'd tried to gather my thoughts, mapping out my words on how to explain to him exactly where Al and I are from. It was difficult to decide where to start. I could explain the science of alchemy or Armestris first and work my way to how I lost my limbs and eventually Winry. Then again, I wasn't sure if I should get so personal. It was all very confusing, as well as frustrating. I didn't have a chance to make a decision as Jerald walked passed me—without saying hello—into the kitchen.

He grabbed a drink and sat down at the table, his brown hair a bit ruffled as if he had just awoken. I followed him.

"Jerry," I said. He looked up at me with eyes showing a hint of curiosity but also indifference, as if he didn't give two shits what I had to say. "Have you ever seen my bare limbs?" I kind of panicked and it just came out.

He reared back, raising an eyebrow and shifting uncomfortably.

"I-I mean my arm and leg." I rolled up my pants, hearing him gasp, and then my sleeve.

He stared for a moment. "Whoa, those are hell of developed prosthetic limbs you got. What happened to you?"

I took the seat across from him. "That's the longest story you'll ever hear." I scratched my head, wondering where to start. "First off, Jerry, I just want to apologize for earlier."

"It's all right, Eddie, you were right. I was completely out of line."

"No, no, I appreciate what you're doing. But I think it's time you knew the truth." A kind of admiration flashed in his eyes and his posture changed, ready to hear what I had to say. "Alphonse and I aren't from around here. Actually, we're from a place very, very different. This might be a shock to you but just don't say anything until I'm finished." I took a deep breath, not knowing what his reaction would be. "Al and I come from a universe paralleled to this one. A world where the science of Alchemy has advanced highly. Alchemy is the science of understanding, decomposing, and reconstructing matter. It's also a world where auto-mail has progressed, which is what my fake limbs are." I paused to glance at him.

He looked mystified but was intent on listening. It certainly wasn't the reaction I was expecting from him. "Anyway, my mom died and me and Al, being foolish kids, tried to bring her back by human transmutation, a taboo in Alchemy. To gain anything, something of equal value must be lost, that's the law in Alchemy.

"Al lost his body and I lost my arm. However, I managed to attach Al's soul to a suit of armor, in exchange for my leg." Jerry rubbed the side of his face, taking everything in. I was still surprised how calm he appeared to be. "We went off on a journey to retain what we lost. And eventually I ended up here, but I had managed to return Al to his body, even though he was back home in the country we lived in, Armestris.

"We reunited about six months ago—"

"Six months you say?" Rubbing his temple now, as if he had a headache.

"Yes, just some time before we met you." He nodded for me to continue. "Well, there was a revolt caused and lead by Eck—"

"Eckhart."

I looked at him. "H-how do you know?"

Jerry swallowed. "She wanted to open a gateway to Shamballa and destroy it, only succeeding in her first task." He nodded to himself, understanding, but then shook his head.

"Okay, really, how do you know all that?"

"I can't believe it," he said, in an almost nervous manner. "I should have known by the way you and Al looked and acted in this world, like it was totally foreign. I should have known when you chased me for the Uranium Bomb." He was more so talking to himself than me, looking at the table as he spoke. "It's kind of ironic, really. This whole time I've been traveling with, with… the Travelers! You two are the Travelers, the Shamballians. Christ, if those stuck-up assholes could see me now."

He finally glanced up at me, seeing my impatient confusion. And in a sort of gloomy demeanor he said,

"I guess it's time I told you about my history."

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Author's Note – thanks for reading.

Also Updated:

Not What I Expected (dbz)