Author's note: This story was already posted within An Apple a Day. I do not own FMA or its characters. This is AU, and I've changed the timeline of events somewhat.


Opening Windows

It wasn't often that she got mail at work. To tell the truth, it wasn't often that she got mail at all. So the crisp, formal letter from a solicitor's office surprised her. She waited until everyone except the colonel had gone to lunch to read it. She read over the letter, uneasiness spreading throughout her stomach. This was not good.

"Hawkeye?" The colonel had noticed.

"My cousin has just died, sir. I've been asked to come for the funeral and the reading of the will and to sort out some of the custody issues."

"Custody issues?"

"Apparently, I've been willed guardianship of Trisha's sons."

"How much leave do you want?"

She looked at him, not understanding. Her mind was still stuck on the fact that she had been given charge of two small boys. "Sir?"

He looked concerned. She managed a shaky smile. "I didn't hear you."

"How much leave do you want? I'll make sure you have enough time to take care of everything."

"A week maybe. I'm not sure. I'm not sure I can do this. How am I supposed to replace someone's mother? Why did she choose me? I'm barely old enough to have children."

Apparently, she was worrying the colonel enough that he came over and rested a hand on her shoulder. "She wouldn't have chosen you if she didn't think you were up to the job. Do you want to take the rest of the off?"

She shook her head. "It will be better if I stay. It will keep me busy. I don't want to think about facing the family right now."

The colonel simply squeezed her shoulder. He was well aware that her relationship her mother's family was strained at best and that her relationship with her father's family was nonexistent with the exception of her grandfather. "If you need anything, you know you can ask."

"I know."

And she did. The colonel was just as devoted to her as she was to him. He just hid it much better. He always had, though they had both gotten better at the masks they wore since their first meeting in Ishbal. Which was a good thing if they were going to make it to the top. His enemies didn't need any more ammunition against him. As it was even among Colonel Mustang's supporters, perhaps only Maes knew how close the two of them were.

He let her stay and work for the rest of the day, but Mustang kept a close eye on her. He wasn't hovering exactly; he was just watching her. In some ways it was rather comforting to know. She might not need a shoulder to cry on right now, but it was good to know she had one if she needed one.

The colonel also insisted on taking her to the train station two days later. He put her on the train and then waited on the platform. She could see him standing there until the station faded into a speck in the distance. Only then did she turn a way from the window and begin to mentally prepare herself for what was next.


Theme: death