AN: This is an idea that has been bouncing around my head for a little while now. It is my idea for an altered back story for Roy & Riza and would take place largely before the main events of FMAB or the manga.

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA, only my idea.

ALSO: Feedback is welcome and appreciated. However, this is my first fanfic...ever. Just FYI.

Prologue

It was a beautiful day, seemingly in spite of the circumstances that brought them to a cemetery. The sun shone brightly; as though it approved of the choice she made and wished to tell everyone. The sky was lovely and clear with only the occasional cloud flitting across the great blue expanse. A light breeze rustled the trees, altering the patterns of sunlight splayed on the soft, green grass. The sound was comforting, relaxing, encouraging.

She was hardly listening as the pastor droned on about death, the great equalizer, and something about ashes and dust. He spoke of rebirth, the circle of life, and some other nonsense. Words, words, and more words that were meant to tell them all is well, that this is normal. In reality, she was hard-pressed to believe anything could fill this void. She felt empty, for more reasons than one.

After adjusting her sunglasses, she pushed a stray lock of shoulder-length brown hair from her face, and wound her arm through that of her grandfather. They shared a look that said they were both ready for this day to be over. Looking away from the coffin, her eyes fell on a young man with short black hair (the attractively unruly kind) directly across from her. His arrival had surprised her. She had expected neither him nor his mother to attend. Why would they? And yet, here they stood. Admittedly, he looked rather dashing in his military uniform. At least he had the decency to resist checking out the other women.

She tore her eyes away from his downcast face, scanning the crowd. Not many had come to the funeral, but still more than she had expected. Certainly more than attended the father's funeral before that – but he was so well-hated that was hardly a surprise. Not even her grandfather was present at that one. "We've never been on good terms," she remembered him telling her. She could not blame him. That guy was a grade-A asshole. She still found it hard to believe he had ever come across an apprentice willing to put up with his crap and live in that shithole.

Her grandfather slowly made his way to the front of the group and faced everyone. Then, he began to share what few memories he had of the deceased, his beloved, golden-haired granddaughter. He talked of how he always wished he had more time with her and could have gotten to know her better. He described how gracious she was, her kindness, and how much she cared. As he spoke, more tears spilled from his tired eyes than his living granddaughter thought possible.

When he came to her illness, speaking became even more difficult for him. But he was a soldier, and a strong man, so he forged ahead. He explained that she had even attempted to refuse her cousin's offer to care for her when she fell ill with whatever killed her father. His brown-haired granddaughter felt tears welling in her eyes as she watched him speak and heard such beautiful words.

She knew she should say something, knew that it was expected and that the other guests were waiting. They all, of course, believed she had cared for the young woman in her final months. But, she could only wave off the expectant faces, looks combining sympathy with curiosity. However, she was overcome by emotion and her grandfather returned to her side to embrace her, reassuring her that everything would be fine.

A life so short, yet already over. A life she had known precious little of and would never have the chance to know any better. Standing at her own funeral, in her grandfather's arms, Riza Hawkeye knew her life would never be the same again. There is no going back.

Through the haze of her own tears, mourning the life she could have had, she heard her grandfather's voice, "Let's go, Elizabeth. It's time to leave."

Well, that is what I have so far. I hope someone finds it, reads it, and enjoys it!