Fever

Disclaimer: That's right, I don't own 'em.

Author's Note: Please don't think Riza's out of character. I promise I have a defense. Everyone gets restless and feels like they need to do something different every once in a while and I mean EVERYONE. Sometimes people just need to get out and experience a little variety in their routines, that's why for example people go out to eat every once in a while. Please, just understand that people's moods and attitudes are variables—they change like the weather. She's not out of character, she's just restless…hence the name of the first chapter:

Chapter 1- Restless

Riza sat at her desk idly. This was rare for her…she never just sat there. It wasn't that she didn't have anything to do…far from it. She actually had quite a lot to do, but for some reason she couldn't concentrate. She felt restless. She lifted her eyes from her work and studied her comrades. Havoc had just left…something about needing a smoke break…Riza sneered at the thought, since when did he need to leave for a smoke break? Most likely he just wanted an excuse to walk by the cute new secretary. Breda was also gone…he most presumably went to the bathroom. Fury had been called away to help the new secretary with her typewriter…Riza smiled, even if Havoc had tried to strike up a conversation with the new girl, she would probably brush him off while she was trying to get her typewriter fixed. Riza's eyes roamed around the room. The only person left other than herself was Colonel Mustang. She silently studied his form. His hair fell in his eyes as he hunched diligently over his paperwork. She raised an eyebrow. 'Did we switch bodies today? He's usually the one that can't seem to stay on his work.' The feeling of restlessness washed back over her, and she looked back at the clock- 5:30…she still had a half hour left. She looked back at the orderly papers stacked on her desk. Irritated she let out a loud sigh.

"Something wrong Hawkeye?" Mustang asked, not looking up from his work. The sound of his voice snapped her to attention, "No, sir." She replied rapidly. There was something in her voice that made him look up at her. He studied her features. Her brow was furrowed and her arms were crossed…as if she was having a staring contest with her paper work. It really wasn't like her…usually by now she was already done with her work and was trying to get him to finish his. He raised his eyebrow at her response, "Are you sure?"

NO! She wanted to scream. I'm not fine, everything isn't okay! She felt like something was just trying to scratch its way out of her skull. She was tired of paperwork, she was tired of being so quiet, of being a perfect little soldier, she was tired of being his babysitter, and most of all she was tired of being unappreciated and unnoticed. Plain and simple, she was tired of the monotony…she needed to break out. She just wanted to be someone else for a while…

She desperately tried to shake the feelings out of her head as she responded, "No sir, everything's fine. Please, continue with your work."

Her response didn't convince him, but he knew Hawkeye well, if she didn't want to tell you something, she wouldn't tell you. Dejectedly, Mustang lowered his head and continued with his paperwork.

The day finished off as quietly as it'd started and Hawkeye began her walk home. She still felt restless, as if insects were making the underside of her skin crawl. She tried to suppress the feeling…but she knew it wouldn't last that long, somehow something needed to happen…she needed to do something. And bottling up these feelings wasn't going to help.

She took a left down Prince Street. She was only a block away from her apartment. As she walked by The Red Herring, the local tavern, a poster caught her eye.

Amateur Hour

10-11 pm

TONIGHT

Walk-Ins Welcome

…maybe she wouldn't have to bottle up these emotions after all. The more she thought about it the more she liked the idea. She only wanted to do something…be someone else for a little while—what better way?

"Sorry Mustang, I can't tonight." Hughes said to his long time friend over the phone. "No, I promised Gracia that I'd take her out tonight…yes…all right, see you later." He finished into the telephone receiver. Hughes was excited to spend a night out with his wife, but he wasn't too crazy about where she was making him go. She wanted to take him to the ballet, definitely not his idea of a great evening out, but it's where she wanted to go and he loved her more than his dislike for the ballet.

Back at Riza's apartment Hawkeye was busy looking for something to wear. She pulled a bright blue dress out of her closet, "No." she said monotone as she put it back. She pulled out a lavender dress, "No…" she replied as she quickly put it back. She then pulled out one of the slinkiest dresses she owned. It was a little black number that was v-necked so sharply down the point of the "v" ended at her naval. She sighed loudly, "No!" Riza crammed the outfit back into the closet.

She turned around blindly and flopped onto the bed. The ceiling fan spun around and around as she stared. "Black Hayate, I have nothing to wear." She said as she sat up to stare at her puppy. He tilted his head and gave her an inquisitive look. Suddenly it came to her. Hawkeye jumped up from the bed like a lightning bolt and ran down the hall. "Please still be there." She said to no one in particular. The door on the left was a hall closet and she ripped the door open as her eyes rapidly skimmed the closet's contents. The yellow hat box at the top of the closet held what she was looking for. Riza had to jump a little to reach it, but it was worth it, she just hoped it still fit…

The music of "The Nutcracker" flowed throughout the theater as the graceful dancers made their way on stage. Gracia sat eagerly on the edge of her seat. Maes slouched in his chair. His bow tie was choking him 'I must really love her a lot to wear this monkey suit.' He thought as he glanced in his wife's direction. His face softened as he watched her stare at the stage with child-like amazement. He did love her, more than life itself…for everything she was, and for everything she wasn't. She wasn't perfect, but it was her flaws that attracted him—she was so perfectly imperfect, it fascinated him. He continued to stare at her and while it seemed only moments to him, suddenly the show was over and he'd been staring at her for almost two hours. He hadn't even noticed the time.

The two walked out of the theater and were met with a blast of cold air. Gracia shivered in the wind. "Honey?" she said. Hughes could hear it in her voice, she was going to ask for something. "…sweetie?" she continued. "I'm a little chilly…and I thought maybe it'd be nice to get a cup of coffee..."

Hughes sighed, "But Gracia all the coffee shops are closed…and besides its just the wind that's making you a little chilly. You can have my jacket and-"

"Maes…please? I'm sure there's someplace still open…"

He glanced at his watch—10:30, "Well the only place I can think of is The Red Herring…but that's not really—"

"Great lets go!" she interrupted as she grabbed his arm and marched off in the direction of The Red Herring.

I hope Gracia wasn't too out of character. I've only seen one episode with her, and she didn't make much of an appearance. By the way, anyone that can tell me what a "red herring" is (other than a food) earns a cookie.