Author's Note: I do not own FMA or its characters. This is an AU based on the manga. This was previously posted in An Apple a Day.

The First Phone Call

Riza had just stepped out of the shower. It had been a long day at the office, and she had needed the hot water to help her relax. Towel wrapped around her, she caught the phone on the second ring.

"Hawkeye."

"It's Gracia. I'm at the hospital."

And her voice was trembling. Something was wrong.

"Are you and Elysia all right?"

"Yes, but something has come up."

Riza frowned. Gracia was choosing her words carefully. They were the carefully selected words Maes had put together in case of an emergency. Something had happened to Maes, and it was serious.

"Gracia, what's wrong?"

"Maes is dead." There was what sounded like a sob. "He was murdered earlier."

She decoded the message: someone had attempted to murder Maes, and Gracia was faking his death to protect him and their family. Riza's grip on her towel tightened.

"Oh, Gracia."

"The funeral should be soon. I need you to come to Central."

That meant that the officials would be informing Roy soon, and Riza needed to make sure he knew what really had happened.

"I'll be there as soon as possible, Gracia. I'm so sorry." This was not good at all.

"Thank you, Riza."

She carefully returned the phone to its cradle, her mind racing. She would need to pack right now and head over to the colonel's apartment. He would be getting a call soon, and he didn't know the truth yet. This could destroy him. She knew very well that Maes and herself were his touchstones, and she couldn't let him falter on his path right now.

Grateful that she kept an overnight duffle packed at all times, Riza hurried to her bedroom to dress. Civilian clothes would do for tonight. They wouldn't be able to leave until tomorrow anyway. She added her dress uniform to her duffle as well as formal clothes should she need them. There would be a military funeral of course, but she didn't know if there would be any other events to attend. Even if it was all fake, Gracia would need her support, and poor Elysia wouldn't know what was going on.

With her bag packed, Riza took a deep breath and began locking up the apartment. She doubted she would be back here tonight.

"Guard the house, Hayate. Either I or Fuery will be by to feed and walk you later."

Locking him inside, Riza too another deep breath and fought to get her emotions under control. Roy would need her to be the calm one. There would be time to deal with her own emotions later. Right now Roy needed her to be the calm one. Shouldering her bags, Riza headed for her commanding officer's apartment.

Theme: Telephone