A/N: 5/20/12

I really liked the Sacred Star of Milos movie. The animation was, well different, sorta messy compared to Brotherhood, but I guess in that respect it was like the manga. I have to tell you, I was totally drawn to Julia's brother Ashley's character and you will see the dark haired hottie soon. Oh, and I had no idea how to spell the word for the people of Milos. Is it Milotian or Milosian?

Chapter 1: Table City Bound

You'd think that spending summers in Rush Valley prepares a person for uncomfortable heat. It doesn't. What was she thinking when she agreed to this? It was so god-damned hot. Rush Valley seemed as cool as Briggs in December compared to Table City in August. She wondered if the people still living in the valley below the city escaped the heat. She wondered just what kind of living conditions existed now, three years after she had last set foot in this part of the West, still the Amestrian frontier. She also wondered just how far away Ed was from here.

She last saw him at Risembool station where he half-assed proposed to her and she whole heartedly accepted, offering her whole life. That was a year ago. Ed only made two promises to her she could ever remember: one, that she'd cry tears of joy the next she saw him and Al restored; and two, he'd write her until he returned. He kept both promises. However, his letters came few and far between. He traveled extensively and seldom had a return address she could send her letters. Sometimes, they returned to her. He even called regularly - at first. It had been a good six months since she last heard his voice and two months since she got his last letter. And, despite his awkward vow to her at Risembool station, his letters never contained more than he was doing fine, where he had been, what he had seen AND her automail was in perfect shape.

It seriously irked her. Her heart belonged to him and she felt like she was reading letters from a good friend, not her fiancée. She started getting angry when the phone calls stopped. Her whole young life she waited for him. She waited for him to restore his and his brother's bodies. He did that. She waited for him to save the country. He did that too. She was currently waiting for the wanderlust to leave his body and she didn't know if she could wait much longer. One day, she decided to stop. That was the day she received a letter from Julia Crichton.

That letter was the reason she sat in the humid, hot and stuffy train car headed toward Table City. She gazed outside at the parched gorges and valleys as the hot air from the open window blew her now shorn blond locks about her face. She smiled, now glad she cut off her hair. It was so much easier to fix AND it was out of her way when she worked on automail. The best part, though, was she KNEW it would piss Ed off. She smiled at that thought. In addition to short hair, Winry Rockbell also sported a couple more piercing in each ear. She felt that she was becoming addicted to the pain of the needle passing through her lobes. It made her feel alive. And to top it all off, one night, Paninya introduced her to an artist-a tattoo artist. She now sported a very cute and ornate wrench on her left hip.

"Hey, cutie." A lone soldier plopped into the empty seat next to her. He was probably her age but was sweating profusely in his Amestrian blue uniform. "Is this seat taken?"

"No, not at all." She rolled her eyes. Another horny male. Before he could open his mouth to say a come on or flirt, Winry scooted past him and left him sitting with his mouth open. He turned to watch her sashaying down the isle with that wrench tattoo peaking out of her low-rise cutoff jeans shorts. She took off her white cotton shirt and tied it around her small waist, revealing her sky blue camisole tank top. Even with her boyish hairstyle, she was totally a woman and whether she realized it or not, all the men in that particular train car sure did.

She sauntered toward the front of the train car and toward a man with an ice box selling concessions. She picked out a cold bottle of soda then looked back down the car. She realized there was no other empty seat but beside the young soldier who looked almost sick because of the heat. She groaned and against her better judgment, she picked up a second soda, some straws, then paid the vendor. When the solder looked up, there she was holding the cola for him which he took gladly. She sat down across from him.

"You should request summer fatigues or you'll die of heat stroke out here." She said after a sip. He smirked and unbuttoned the uniform coat. She noticed he was really young.

"Yeah, it doesn't get this hot back in Central.." He sipped on the soda. "Thanks for the drink. I thought you didn't like me."

"I don't." She smiled. "Just didn't want to see you keel over if I could help it." A hot breeze blew in from the open window and they both relished it. "I'm Winry Rockbell, by the way." She held out her hand and he took it and shook.

"Allen Harris." He had a look of recognition on his face. "Hey! I know you! You're the Fullmetal Alchemist's mechanic. Wow! The guy's back home are not going to believe it!"

"Gosh, I knew Ed was famous, but I didn't think anyone knew about me."

"Well, yeah! Anyone with automail knows your name." He put his right foot on the seat next to her and pulled up his pants leg revealing a shiny metal ankle and most likely an automail foot. He smiled. "Lost it in a farming accident when I was a kid. My parents took me to Rush Valley and I got this dandy thing installed."

Her eyes widened. "Can I see?" She didn't wait for an answer and before the young man could protest, she had his shoe off and was examining the metal foot. "Very nice craftsmanship! I know this design. Hey, did Mr. Dominic make this for you?" She let him have his appendage back and he answered her while putting his sock and shoe back on.

"Yes, that's who. Grumpy ol' bastard, but I can walk and run now." He resumed drinking his soda.

"So, why are you on this train to the West?"

"Orders, ma'am. My regiment is stationed on the Amestrian side of Table City, you know, to keep the Milotians honest. What about you?"

"I got a letter from an old friend that needed my help." Her mind shifted to the day she received Julia's letter. She was pissed off at Ed and stomping around the house when Granny brought her the envelope. She knew right away it was something different because of the odd postmark.

Dear Winry,

I hope this letter finds you well. You helped the people of the Valley so much years ago, I hope that you can find it in yourself to help them once more. Edward said that you were the best. He visited here several weeks ago and he gave me your address. I hate to write of bad news, but

Old Man Gon, Mr. Gonzolez has passed away. His apprentice, Ivan, is a good man, but as he's not finished his apprenticeship, he still has a lot to learn about automail. When he found out

that we were acquainted, he asked that I implore to you to come visit us here and help finish his training. Both Creta and Amestris denies our petitions for entry Visas, so we cannot seek the

assistance of another mechanic. You will be handsomely compensated and I hope this will

be a good opportunity for you to showcase your skills and broaden your own business. And, with all honesty, my leg is a mess and I need you to fix the damn thing! Please say you'll come.

Hoping you'll say yes,

Julia Crichton

"Julia's the Milotian Senator." He finished up his soda and sat the empty bottle on the floor. "She's probably the one thing keeping both Creta and Amestris from attacking Table City. I do admire her. And. She's hot! I don't understand, you've probably got hundreds of good paying clients back home, why'd you come out to this god-forsaken place?"

"Call it a goodwill mission." She smiled, thinking of her parents. "I guess it's just in the Rockbell DNA to want to help people. Besides, I'll have my own apprentice and teach him how to maintain and build automail the right way. That can only help the people of Milos."

"Yeah, I agree, they've had it bad, but Amestris still claims Table City, or wants it back. It's not a safe place to be right now." He looked at her, this time very serious. "There's a lot of crazy factions trying to take that place from the Milotians. Not including Amestris. They still seem to think that place has something of value hidden inside."

"I understand." Winry really understood more than Allen Harris. The philosopher's stone or sanguine star, or many of them are fabled to still be within the city. "But whatever insane thing they think is there, I know Julia and her people just want their own freedom and place of their own a place separate from both Creta and Amestris. I can't blame them for that." She finished her soda as an announcement came over the intercom.

"Next stop, Border City!"

"That's my stop." Allen smiled.

"I never heard of that city before."

"Started out as a military camp after the Milotian uprising three years ago, then just grew. It's mostly military, but still the last stop before crossing the border into Table City. You have your travel papers? They are really strict about letting people go to and fro there."

"Yeah, I'm covered, I've got some friends high up." She smiled thinking of General Mustang and how easy it was to get her travel visas fast, despite his disapproval that it was dangerous. She winced at how coyly he smirked at her and she knew he though she was doing this to track down Edward. NO! She totally WASN'T doing this to track down that stupid alchemy freak….no….not at all.

The train started to slow and then came to a stop, the whistle blowing and steam billowing backward. The young solder stood up and saluted Winry. He winked.

"Take care of yourself, ma'am. If you need anything, send word to me, we are just over the bridge." He walked toward the isle. "And thank you for the soda, you saved my life!"

"You're welcome, Allen Harris." She smiled a smile that made the young man blush. "And requisition yourself some summer uniforms!"

"Yes, Miss Rockbell!" He left her sitting there and wondering just what in the world she had gotten herself into this time.

Table City was as she had left it about three years earlier, albeit cleaner and more friendly. The people of Milos had reconstructed all the destroyed buildings and the city center was bustling with commerce. She stepped down, out of the train and noticed how everyone smiled at her, a stranger. She found her luggage and the huge crates of metal, tools and materials she'd need to teach Ivan and work on the patients of Milos. She heard her name being called across the crowded platform.

"Winry! Winry Rockbell!" A flash of strawberry blond hair ran through the crowd and before she knew it, the stunningly beautiful Julia Crichton with her turquoise eyes stood before her and then, embraced her in a hug.

"Julia!" Winry was so happy to see a familiar face after this terribly long and hot trip west.

"I'll tell you again, I am so happy you accepted my request! Ivan is around here somewhere and he is ecstatic to work with the famous Winry Rockbell!" Her smile was genuine and infectious. "Oh, your hair! It's short and lovely! I almost didn't recognize you." She picked up one of Winry's suitcases, not paying any attention to the blonde's protest. "There he is. Ivan! Over here!" She waved to a tall, lanky dark-haired young man. Winry recognized him from Mr. Gon's shop in the valley.

"Bless your golden heart!" He smiled and grabbed Winry in a huge bear hug. "You are an angel for coming all the way out here!"

"I told someone earlier today, it must be in my DNA to do things like this." She smiled.

"Edward Elric told us you probably couldn't come with all your obligations in Rush Valley and Risembool. But I told Miss Julia the worst you could say to us was no." Ivan picked up the rest of her suitcases. "I'll have my helpers come and get the crates, let's get you settled!"

"Was Ed here long?" Winry hoped she didn't sound too desperate, so she acted as nonchalant as she could as they walked to a parked car at the end of the terminal.

"He stayed about two weeks to learn a little of my parent's alchemy." Julia smiled. "He spoke of you a lot." She poked Winry with her elbow. "I don't know why he just won't go home."

"Me either." She shut her mouth to reveal too much. "Yeah, he and his brother are travelers, that's for sure."

"Do you think you could look at my leg when we get back? I know you have to be tired, so I'd understand if you want to rest…"

"Nonsense, Julia!" She laced her arm in the Senator's as they strolled together. "I can't stand for anyone to hurt or limp on their automail. Not when I can do something about it!"

"Fantastic! I'm so glad I didn't listen to Ed and wrote to you. You are a blessing to my people!"

Winry smiled as she and Julia got in to the back of the car and Ivan loaded her luggage, gave a paper to two men, probably his helpers, and he got into the driver's seat.

"You're not going to believe the accommodations, Miss Rockbell, they are top notch in the city!" He started the car.

"Please, Ivan, just call me Winry." She stared at the moving scenery. Every building was being restored or improved, builders and construction workers were everywhere. "I bet this building boom is good for the economy."

"It sure is. Since I negotiated work visas for Creta and Amestris, we've had lots of workers coming and staying here to build. And buy things!" She looked proud of herself. "And, we've initiated trade with both countries of the minerals we've found in the Valley. It's slow, but I'm hoping both nations will start to trust us and eventually open up the borders to my people."

"Not that any of us want to leave!" Ivan chimed in. "But would be nice to be able to if we wanted."

They drove for a few minutes and came around a bend to a very narrow street. The car came to a gate guarded by many soldiers. Ivan leaned out his open window and one guard nodded and the gate opened. Julia waved at the men, they saluted her back and the car entered the narrow drive beyond the gate. It came upon a circular driveway and stopped in front of the building's entrance. Ivan ran out to open Julia's door, then before she could open it herself, he opened Winry's. She finally got a look at her new home and was astounded. It was a mansion!

"I told you our new digs were impressive!" Ivan boasted.

"Yes, yes it is!" Winry raised her head to look up at the many-storied structure. It's façade was made of pale stone with gothic curves and twists.

"I'm so glad you are here!" Julia turned to Winry. "Come! Let me show you to your room and then to the shop!"

"Great!" Winry was tired from traveling, but seeing the excitement and joy in Julia and Ivan's faces at her arrival, she could not let them down by resting, no, not now.

"It's busted, beyond repair, I know it!" Julia groaned as she sat in the special chair, made just for Winry, with her legs raised up so the mechanic could work. "I knew when the ankle quit moving that it was gone."

"Nonsense!" Winry shushed her. She had donned a green handkerchief to tie back her bangs and soak any sweat. She also donned a tight blue sports top and her favorite coveralls, tied at her waste to work. "I mean, yeah, it all has to go, but, I've come prepared!" She reached for one of her large cases and opened it to reveal a plain loaner leg. "This is adjustable, you'll have to wear it for about three days, but when I'm done, you'll have one hell of a leg that will last you a long time….or until you SMASH it!" She couldn't help herself, she snarled. "Sorry. Force of habit, I get quite attached to my automail." she smiled.

"I bet you used to yell at Edward all the time." Julia teased. "He couldn't have been careful with your limbs." She narrowed her eyes. "I bet you miss him terribly."

Before she could react, she spoke. "Yes. Terribly." Winry then realized herself. "Yeah, well, I miss working on my automail he wears. Jerk. I bet he's walking around with a backward foot and he's too scared to come back for maintenance!" Julia snickered at her.

"It was fine when he was here. I think he's taking care of it out of respect for you." She looked away. "Have her heard from Alphonse lately?"

"Al? Well, he's the GOOD brother, you know. HE calls me and Granny about every week and writes once a month. He even sent me some beautiful silk from Xing. Granny said she'd make it into a dress or something." Then she remembered that Ed had told her that the last time they were at Table City, when Al was still in his armor, that the younger Elric was quite smitten with the Senator, who was just Julia back then. "You should write him, I bet he'd love to hear from you."

"Maybe." She looked off wistfully. "Edward told me that Al is being tutored in alchahestry by a Xingese princess and that he may be smitten with her."

"Really?" Alphonse hadn't mentioned anything in his calls her letters, or had he? He DID mention May's name a lot, now that she thought about it. "He's not told me anything about them being a couple." That was the truth, but the more Winry though on the subject, the more she felt stupid for not noticing it before. Al was in love with May Chang! Still, she didn't want to hurt Julia so she changed the topic.

"Here, let me get this old broken thing off and the loaner on." She turned her wrench and loosed the mechanism which released Julia's leg from her port. Then she picked up the loaner and inserted it in the port, the loaner leg did not attach to the nerves so Julia felt no pain. "I'll have you one top rate leg in about three days!" She beamed with excitement. Building new automail was her passion.

"Thank you so much!" Julia tried out the leg. It was awkward but would do until her final limb was ready. "Please, you've had a long journey, I want you to go upstairs to you room and get cleaned up, comfortable and rest a little. You can have dinner with us at seven. There's even a telephone in the corridor, call home and let them know you arrived safely. There's stationary and postage in the desk in your room. Write a letter if you'd like. After you are rested and fed, if you don't want to go to bed, the shop and my leg will be here for you." Julia embraced Winry in a big hug and looked at her. They very well could be sisters, at lest Winry wondered if it felt like this to have a sister as warm as Julia was to her.

"I think I would LOVE a bath, it was so hot and sticky on the train. I think I'll take you up on that offer." She would definitely call Granny and ask her to let Alphonse know where she was and that she was ok when he called. She knew that the Elric brothers kept in touch too, so hopefully, word would get to Edward. Not that she cared. She was not going to write or call Ed, perhaps a little worry about HER would be good for him too.

"Wonderful, let me show you how to get to your room from here."

The two girls left the shop and made their way through the huge mansion.