LOST Part 1

It was five days since the encounter with Lust; Lieutenant Havoc was still doing poorly and would remain in the hospital for a while longer. Colonel Roy Mustang, however, felt quite recovered and was already contriving multiple plans of escape.

"With Havoc beside me, I could send notes to the Lieutenant through his daily cigarette deliveries. No - he'd probably forget and burn it. I could hide, and when the doctor comes in to check on me, I'll knock him out and make a run for it. That shouldn't be too difficult."

"It's just a thought, Colonel, but maybe you should keep your plans of escape to yourself, instead of thinking out loud where, possibly, anyone could hear you." It was Havoc, but Mustang was too engrossed looking for a hiding place to give him any notice. As he was thinking, the door opened and Riza Hawkeye, Mustang's aide, walked in.

"Lieutenant, I'm glad to see you. You have got to get me out of here," was the Colonel's greeting.

Hawkeye tossed him a pair of clothes she had brought from his house. Roy caught them in surprise. He was shocked that his subordinate had found the keys he thought he had cleverly hidden under the door mat. "Follow me," she said, free of any emotion.

There was no explanation as to how she had done it, only that she had. Mustang was returning to normal life once more. He was astounded. Even in his dreams he could not have imagined it would be so simple.

They were both silent as they walked out of the room and into the hall. Mustang wanted to ask his subordinate 'How?' but he refrained from asking unnecessary questions. He knew that she would not have answered him in either case. Mustang watched Hawkeye from behind as they went on their way. For a moment he was entranced by her golden hair as it swept from side to side with each progressive step. As they entered the hospital lobby, Riza spoke for the first time since she gave Mustang his clothes.

"Wait here; I'll get the car" she said.

"I would prefer to walk tonight." She looked at him with uncertainty. "Sitting is all I have been doing for the last week," he explained.

For a long time Riza said nothing, just looked in his eyes as if he were trying to deceive her. At last she let out a brief sigh.

"Very well, on the condition that I drive beside you."

"Agreed." It wasn't quite the freedom he had hoped for, but it would have to suffice. On the other hand, his time in the hospital had limited the time he was able to spend with his lieutenant. No. This is better than walking alone.

Hawkeye turned and walked to pick up the car. Mustang waited for her in the lobby. As she left, Riza realized she had forgotten to inform the Colonel of Scar's reappearance. He will be okay, she thought, it is not like Scar to attack in public.

Mustang began walking when the car came into sight, and the vehicle matched his walking speed.

"Are you sure this is wise, Sir? Scar is still at large."

Without missing a beat, Roy responded, "I've got you watching my back, remember. He wouldn't dare try anything."

"What is the next move, Colonel? Now that we know the true identity of the Fuhrer, it should not be too difficult to convince other high ranking officers of their peril."

"What we say means nothing. It would take a hell of a lot of influencing to persuade the Military Council of the enemy's true intentions, wild as they seem. Besides, how are we to be sure they are not part of the plot?"

"I see..."

"Colonel Roy Mustang?" A voice emerged from the darkness of a near alley. It was cold and carried with it, an unmistakable intent to kill.

"Colonel!" Hawkeye reached for her gun and shot in a moment, but it was a moment too late.

Colonel Mustang turned in time to see a hand lurch towards his face and he knew it was Scar. Having just gotten out of the hospital, he had no need of his Alchemic gloves. They were always kept by the First Lieutenant for safe-keeping. Well, he could not damn well get them now. He had no choice; it was over. For a moment, Roy felt a surge of power rush through his head. From all he had heard, Mustang did not think that death by Scar's hand would feel that way. Then all went black.

With a jerk, he shot into a sitting position. He still had coherent thoughts. That must mean... I am alive? He opened his eyes. It was not gradual as he had expected. With no warning at all the world flooded his vision, and his eyes hurt from the sudden glare of light as they dampened with his tears. The first thing that he saw was a woman sitting beside him. She was dressed in a military uniform, with blonde hair held up in the back.

The woman stood up in a flash and saluted.

"First Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye pleased to see the Colonel alive, Sir."

The Colonel was still confused from the shock of being killed, but he did know one thing. He tried to say, but he was unable to translate his thoughts into words. All that passed through his lips were incoherent mumblings.

Hawkeye was taken aback and her eyes went wide with terror and grief. The Colonel was the only person to survive an attack from Scar. It was a miracle he was alive. In any case, the situation was shocking. Shocking. When Hawkeye recalled the moment Scar appeared, she remembered that he did have a grip on the Colonel's head. Perhaps, with the limited time, the attack was not enough to kill, but enough to do significant damage to the brain.

Over the next couple of months, Mustang was taught the basics. He was told his name, rank in the military, and then what had happened between him and Scar. By the end of the third week he had no difficulty in simple speech, and by the middle of the second month, his coordination had returned to what it was. The next subject was the basic understanding of the world and the different countries.

During these many weeks, Colonel Roy Mustang observed Riza Hawkeye's actions. When he was finally able to, he asked her.

"Lieutenant. Did I know you... from before? You see, I have been watching you, and, although you are not in a uniform, you seem to be the more dedicated than any nurse here."

The Lieutenant was heartbroken by the turn of events. With just the brief moment to contemplate these words Riza replied, "the Colonel is my commanding officer and my direct superior." She did her best not to let her emotions interfere with her voice, but for all her efforts, a slight quiver affected the end of her sentence, but soon got a grip on herself. No tear fell from her eyes until after she had returned to her apartment later that evening.

"There is something more, isn't there?"

"Sir?"

"You told me yesterday that your dedication is a result of loyalty to rank. There is something else. What is it?"

"You were a good man and a good leader. Every subordinate respects you. You genuinely care for your men, and in times of need you always found a way out. Now that you are injured, I feel it is the least I can do to help you recover."

"I see." There was silence for a while. "I am sorry. It must be strange to see one man fall unconscious and watch a different man awake."

Strange? Even 'painful' is an extreme understatement.

The door creaked open and everyone rose to attention.

"Word reached me that the Flame Alchemist was recovering from an encounter with Scar. Incredible on many levels."

"By your uniform, it is apparent that you are important," said Mustang, "and so why you would take any interest in me?"

"I will personally conduct the Colonel's reeducation from here on out." With that, Fuehrer Bradley turned and walked out of the room.