The Time Is Now

Summary: The end of Roy's last meeting with his subordinates before they split near the end of the anime. Drabble in length, one-shot in spirit.

"So, is everybody ready?" Roy asked more for the comfort of hearing everyone's voice for the last time rather than to actually assess the preparedness of his subordinates.

"If we weren't, we wouldn't be here," Fuery told him.

"You said it," Breda seconded.

Havoc, trying to make light of the situation, joked, "Y'know, maybe he did actually want to know if we were-" his expression shifted. "Ah- forget it. Good luck, Brigadier General Mustang."

"You actually addressed me by rank?" Roy sounded surprised.

"Seems proper," Havoc replied with a shrug.

"Well, Armstrong's waiting," Falman informed them. He turned to Mustang and saluted, as did the others, before they turned and walked away without any hesitation.

Roy sighed, turning it into a bitter chuckle. "So much faith in me."

Riza, who had been silent (and quite patient), laid a hand on his arm. "There is a reason for that, Sir."

"I know." He sighed again and turned to her. "Are you ready?"

"Don't ask that unless you doubt me," she snipped coldly, only her eyes betraying the fear she was trying to quell.

"Go, then," he ordered. "I expect nothing less than success."

She flashed him the briefest hint of a smile, saluted, and turned.

Roy waited another few minutes before taking a deep breath, slowly exhaling, and walking more assuredly than he had ever walked.

"What's the rush, Mustang?" someone asked. "Going to a fire?"

"No," Roy muttered under his breath. "I'm going to go start one."

The Beginning of the End…