American Journey

A/N: Dr. Robert Goddard invented the liquid-powered rocket in 1926. He is an actual historical figure. Goddard never officially expressed an interest in making other planets into large farms, but he never didn't say this either. This story is set after the movie. Finally, I've seen the brunette woman with glasses' name spelled Schiezka, Shieczka, Sheska, Shiska, and more. I have arbitrarily picked two of them since the official sites don't mention her.

"Well, this is it. The United States and our new home." Ed said as they disembarked the liner. Ed and Al were glad to be away from the Nazis and their hatred, as was Al.

"We'd better get going, brother. We got to get to Union station." Al said. They gathered their luggage and then hailed a taxi.

"Where to, Mac?" The cabbie asked.

"Union Station, please." Ed said. Once there, they paid the cabbie and took their luggage to the check-in.

"That train does not leave for another forty-five minutes. We will place your luggage on it then." The clerk said. "Just enjoy the place for now."

Well, Ed and Al walked around Union Station and admired the ceiling there.

"I think I'm going to like this country." Al said.

"It does seem very nice. However, I wonder if New Mexico will be as nice." Ed noted. He then understood what went through Fritz Lang's head when he made Metropolis. Well, they stopped at a hot dog stand and got a couple of hot dogs and some chips. After their quick meal, it was time to board the train to Santa Fe.


The train trip itself was uneventful. Al and Ed got to relax and unwind for a few days. However, when they got to Santa Fe, they were greeted by a familiar face. She was holding a sign that read "Al and Ed Elric" on it.

"Schiezka?" Al said in his surprise.

"Uh... My name is Sheska. I'm here to take you to Dr. Goddard's research facility." The brunette in glasses said.

"Oh... Sorry. You look like someone we knew." Ed said.

"The car is this way, gentlemen." Sheska said. After getting their bags, they drove around town and came to a diner. Sheska asked them if they were hungry, and they agreed. She agreed to spring for dinner. While eating, a red light went off in Ed's automail arm.

"Brother, what's that light on your arm?" Al asked.

"I haven't seen it before. Sheska, is there an automail shop in town?" Ed asked.

"Yea, I know the woman that runs it. She and I went to school together." Sheska said.

Ed and Al exchanged glances of uneasiness. Could this be Winry's counterpart, they wondered together.


After dinner, they went over to the automail shop.

"You're in luck. She only reopened a few weeks ago." Sheska said. She knocked on the door, and then another familiar face answered the door.

"Yes? May I help you?" The curvaceous blonde with blue eyes asked a stunned Ed and Al. She got a look at them and became stunned herself.

"Uh... Ed here has some problem with his automail arm. Can you look at it?" Sheska asked. Winnie snapped out of her trance.

"I... Of course, come on in." Winnie said.

"Winnie is one of the best automail makers in the country. She'll treat you right." Sheska said.


Inside, Winnie Rockwell removed Ed's arm and took it into her workshop.

"Sheska, could you help me with this?" Winnie asked.

"Ah... Sure..." Sheska said. She and Winnie went into Wnnie's workshop.

"Sheska, do you remember me talking about these dreams I had where I was kissing this hot blonde hunk?" Winnie asked.

"Yea... Wait a minute. Are you saying Ed is that guy in your dreams?" Sheska asked.

"He looks just like him! I can't believe it!" Winnie replied.

"Those two are those German guys Dr. Goddard hired." Sheska said. "Although they said they knew someone that looked like me. Do you think they saw that in you too?"

"That's possible. However, I really don't know what to think about this." Winnie said.

On the other side of the door, Ed and Al were talking.

"Wow... First Schiezka, now Winry. Do you think we'll meet more people that we know here?" Al asked.

"Anything is possible. However, I wonder if there's something bigger going on here." Ed replied.

"What do you mean, brother?" Al asked.

"Well, did you see how she reacted? She was as stunned as we were. I think that maybe I was created for Winnie and vice versa." Ed replied.

"Then... Who was made for me?" Al asked.

"Hmm... Good question. I think you'll find out sooner or later." Ed replied.


On the other side of the door, Winnie looked over the automail arm of Ed's.

"Huh... That's weird." Winnie said. "This is my workmanship."

"Are you sure?" Sheska asked.

"I know my work when I see it." Winnie insisted. Then she probed it a bit and found the manufacturer's name: Winry Rockbell.

"Look at this! Some person altered *my* name! I'm gonna find out who did this!" Winnie said.

"Shouldn't you fix it first?" Sheska asked. Winnie stopped for a bit.

"Yea, you're right." She then swapped out a part and made a few adjustments to it.

"There. Good as new." Winnie said. She then came out with Sheska and the arm.

"All done. It was just a worn part." Winnie said. She then stuck Ed's arm back on him.

"I do wonder though: Where did you get that automail from?" Winnie asked Ed. Ed sweatdropped.

"We... Bought it used in Berlin." Ed said. "Some old guy had it before me. They said it was top quality. I've never had a problem with it before now."

"Well, someone took one of my automail arms and altered the name on it." Winnie said. "Do you know about this?"

"No! This is the first time I've heard of this." Ed said. "I can't believe someone would do something so bad to you." Winnie knew Ed was hiding something, and grew very suspicious.

"You stole this, didn't you!? Confess!" Winnie said with anger.

"No! I got it used!" Ed replied. He was lying, but trying his best to make this unapparent. He failed miserably at this, however.

"Look mister, I know my work when I see it! You stole this and I'm gonna call the cops!" Winnie said.

"Don't you think you're overreacting?" Sheska asked. "He just came here from Germany. There's no way he could have stole it." Winnie stopped her angry rant.

"Grr... Fine, Mr. Elric. However, if it turns out that you did steal it... You will not live to regret it." Winnie said.

"Look, I really appreciate you fixing my arm. What do I owe you for it?" Ed asked, desperately trying to move things along.

"$100." Winnie replied.

"Ouch." Al replied. Ed sweatdropped again.

"We... Only got $50 left..." Ed said.

"Figures. I'll take that then." Winnie said. "I know of a way to pay off the rest." Those last words were said very ominously.

"Uh... What do I have to do?" Ed asked.

"I need my storage shed cleaned out. You'd better get cracking - it's not going to be light out forever." Winnie said.

"I got a very bad feeling about this, brother." Al said.

"She's got us over a barrel, Al." Ed replied. "I'll get on it in the morning."

They spent the night at Winnie's place, sleeping on the floor. Sheska slept with Winry though, although nothing nasty happened.*

The next morning, Ed and Al greeted the New Mexico summer. Ed would get to find out exactly what the summers were like the hard way. He then went out to the shed and opened the door. He was greeted by a cascade of automail parts that engulfed him and sent him to the ground.

"I need those organized by part, okay?" Winnie said. "I got to open shop, but I'll be back in a few hours to check up on you." Winnie turned around to see Sheska there.

"Winnie, at times, you are a sadist." Sheska said. "Don't you think you're being a bit too harsh on him?"

"Nah... I want to see if he can keep up with me. I have to admit this Ed guy is cute." Winnie said as she walked away. At that point, Ed emerged from the pile of automail parts.

Did I hear her right? Did she say she liked me? Ed wondered. No time for speculation now though - he had to get cracking on that shed. Al reluctantly helped in organizing Winry's stock. It turned out her suppliers dumped a bunch of overstock on her in some wires and solder. It took them all morning just to get things sorted out into piles. During that time, it got hot and Ed and Al removed some of their clothing. Sheska got them water every so often to keep them from collapsing. Winnie came back and smiled.

"Hmm... Looks interesting." Winnie said, noting Ed's physique in the short-sleeved shirt he wore. Ed and Al noticed Winnie smiling at them.

Play this right and I'll have a hot babe to fuck, Ed thought. Still, this was Winry's alternate reality counterpart...

At lunch, Winnie came back to them with a plate of sandwiches and potato chips. Al and Ed thanked her for this.

"Well, things look pretty so far. Let's have lunch underneath the old elm tree." Winnie said. There they had lunch and talked about things. Winnie asked Al and Ed where their wives were.

"Well... We don't have wives." Al said.

"But if you know someone that would like to fill that role..." Ed started. Winnie wasn't amused by Ed's smugness.

"Don't push your luck, mister." Winnie said with a touch of anger in her voice.

"Okay! Sorry!" Ed replied. Winnie did want Ed, but it had to be on her terms. After lunch, it was back to he shed. It took them the rest of the day to clean it out, but they finished it. Once they were done, Ed and Al came in.

"Holy cow! It smells like a cesspool in here!" Winnie said. She then looked at Ed and Al.

"Bathe, now." She ordered. Ed and Al complied with her order and went into the bathroom. Once there, they disrobed and turned on the shower.

"Well, we made it through that." Ed said.

"Yea, barely." Al replied.

"Well, at least the worst part is over." Ed said. "We'll get to meet Dr. Goddard tomorrow."

While they showered, Winnie peered through the door lock and got a good view of the Elrics naked. She saw their well-sculpted chests and buns of steel, and then she was drooling on the inside. Winnie couldn't help but fantasize about herself in those strong, secure arms of Ed's. Sheska saw her peering into the lock.

"Uh... Winnie... Should you really be doing that?" Sheska asked.

"They're really hot, Sheska. Just take a look." Winnie said. She pulled back and Sheska blushed.

"I... I don't think it's right to do that..." Sheska said. Winnie pulled Sheska's head to the door and made her look.

"They're coming this way..." Sheska said, terrified.

-To Be Continued-

*Sorry to disappoint those of you wanting a Sheska/Winnie yuri scene.