Chapter 1: Alchemy
She was his most loyal subordinate, always there for him no matter what. After Hughes' death he started pushing everyone away, but she wouldn't be pushed. She proved to him that he had to keep moving forward because that was the way his friend would have wanted it to be. So when Roy planned to go back to Maes' grave for the first time since he was laid to rest he decided that he would ask her to come with him. She accepted.
On the ride to the cemetery he reflected over how Hughes had always bugged him about settling down and getting married how he had said that Hawkeye was perfect for him. Until now he had never really put any thought into the idea of dating his Lieutenant. When they reached his place in the garden of stone the only thing that could be heard was the sound of leaves dancing in the gentle fall breeze. He stood there still thinking about his fallen friend, but now he thoughts where consumed by the times he had considered trying to bring him back. What a foolish idea.
"Damn alchemy" he muttered.
"Don't damn alchemy sir" she remarks softly.
Hearing her voice sharply reminded him of her presence and without thinking he takes one of her hands into his and gives it a gentle squeeze.
"I'm sorry," he says softly earning himself a confused look from his companion. "For all I've put you through. You've stuck with me for so long through so much without asking anything in return."
She took a step closer to him so that their shoulders were touching before speaking.
"There's no need for you to apologize" she replies.
He then pulls her into a loving embrace while asking, "Why didn't you want he to damn alchemy?"
"It's why we met" was her simple answer.
In the back of his mind Roy knew that wherever Hughes was he was watching them while chanting, "I told you so, I told you so"