Disclaimer: I do not own FMA.

All hail to Daughtry's Learn my Lesson for inspiring me to write this story.

This is an updated version

Lesson 1: The Ending and the Beginning

Tonight the sunset means so much

The one thing that you know you'll never touch

The dark clouds enveloped the night sky. It gave off a depressing ambiance over the small town of Risembool. But the darkness in her blue eyes made a more sorrowful look. It was a never ending cycle of suffering as sad and miserable thoughts lingered in her mind.

She was living alone now. Pinako died a year ago and that was only the beginning of her misery. Al last visited her during her grandmother's funeral. He apologized for not able to go home as often as possible. He was too engrossed in perfecting Western alchemy with May. But Winry knew the real reason behind it. Al had taken a liking toward May and he wishes to stay by her side. This was okay for Winry but she felt a little jealous of May knowing she had someone beside her. If only Edward would come home to her as well.

"Ed… how long are you going to make me wait?"

She could still remember the day he left for the West. She can clearly recall the promise they made for each other. But somehow the phrase promises are meant to be broken was becoming a harsh reality. She had patiently waited for him, even overlooking his absence on Pinako's service. But after only six months she received the most shocking news of her life. A letter arrived addressed to her. It was from a certain man who taught Edward about Western alchemy. The man sadly apologized for the death of Edward Elric.

"No this isn't true! How? No! ED!"

Winry could not comprehend how someone like Ed could die. It was not possible. She could not even fathom a world without him. She was lost. In a span of a year she lost her only family- her grandmother and her two brothers.

Al received the terrible news as well. He went back to Risembool knowing Winry needed someone to share her grief into. Al was trying to be strong. He tried to restrain himself especially around Winry. He knew of her sorrow and Al, being the gentleman as he, is refused to break down for the sake of his childhood friend.

But Winry knew all too well that Al was putting up that infamous armor act, which is incapable of showing emotions. She appreciated his kindness but every once in a while she allowed himself to cry over her shoulders. Al took comfort in Winry's embrace. He could feel her distress as she wrapped her arms around him.

"I'm so sorry Winry. If only we haven't separated... Maybe things would have not turned this way. It's my fault for not being there" Al blamed himself.

Winry simply gave her a hug and reassured him that it wasn't anyone's fault. If only those words would enlighten her grieving heart as well.

"Brother I thought you hated making Winry cry. You're so stupid brother", Al thought to himself as he held her closer.

After a few weeks, Al went on his way back to Xing. He was surprised that it was Winry who told her to go back. She knew that someone was waiting for him and was probably getting worried as well. She knew the pain of waiting all too well. Al generously asked her to go with him but she declined. After making sure that Winry would be alright alone he set off. He waved goodbye to his once childhood crush. She was always constantly being there for them. That is what he admired most about Winry. His silhouette faded with the sun. Winry felt a shiver of loneliness crawled on her spine. She was all alone. There's no one to wait for anymore. Tears ran down her cheeks once more.

I'll give you half of my life, so give me yours!

She could still hear the tone of his voice. She felt that Edward – alive or dead- kept haunting her.

"Ed you're an idiot. Allowing yourself to die just like that. Leaving me alone when you promised not to. I should have been the one to killed you, you moron. What happened Ed please tell me..."

Endless tears flowed from her blue orbs. Curled up in a ball she cried herself to sleep.

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In a course of a year she found herself incapable of working with auto mail. Garfiel understood her situation and thus allowed her time to cope with her loss. She spent her days locked up in her room. She hardly ate anything. She looked fragile and weak but her spirit was more crushed. Days and nights left her alone in her melancholy.

Eventually Winry stood on her own feet again. She couldn't allow herself to drown in misery anymore. Besides Edward would have not wanted it to end this way, she knew that he wanted her to be happy. Slowly she was trying to recuperate. And through time she gradually accepted what happened – the death of her grandmother, the moving out of Alphonse and the bereavement of Edward.

"Hey Ed. It's been a while since I talked to you without those tears. I wanted to tell you I'm moving to Central. I was offered a job to help soldiers who lost their arms and legs through auto mail. I'm also going to study medicine and become a doctor equipped with the technology of auto mail. I want to help others. After all weren't you the one who told me that my hands were meant to save, not kill, people? Thanks Ed for making me realized that. I love you Ed. Ughh.. stupid tears.. They still won't stop. Good bye Ed..."

She turned away from the gravestone and headed toward the setting sun. The sunset looked so beautiful. It was almost within her grasp. But she knew that not everything is possible. There would always be an ending to something beautiful. And as she sat on the train seat, she bid farewell to her old life hoping a better life awaits her.

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Author's Note: Again this is an updated version. I had to correct some errors. Please review! :3