Chapter 1: Explosions
If you have read one-shot series Royai Randomness you will notice that this was also in there (I did change the name though). Well you see this one-shot inspired two other chapters with the same theme so with out further ado I present the first chapter of the Car Trouble Trilogy.
There was a loud BOOM before smoke came billowing from under the hood.
"What was that?!" Mustang said jerking awake.
"That sir would be the engine," Hawkeye replied with a sigh.
"Can it be fixed?" he asked now fully awake.
"I believe its on fire sir," she answered before getting out to survey the situation.
She returned a few seconds later for the fire extinguisher that was in the back of the car. When the flames were doused she reported their predicament.
"We're going to have to walk into the nearest town and see if we can find a car"
This time it was the colonel who sighed, "Who knew an inspection visit could be this much trouble?"
When they reached the nearest rural town they were both shocked and horrified to learn that there were absolutely no cars any where in the town.
"What kind of place is this?!?" Roy howled "I have a meeting with some higher ups after the inspection that I can't miss!"
He then turned to get his Lieutenant's opinion on the matter he found that she was no longer there.
"Hawkeye?"
"Right here sir" came her voice from behind him; and she wasn't alone.
As he turned around he found himself nose to nose with a large chestnut horse.
"What the hell is that?!" he exclaimed jumping back.
"He's a horse and please quiet down Colonel or you might spook him"
"Him?" Roy blurted.
"Yes his name is Blaine," she said giving the horse an affectionate pat on the neck "One of the kind citizens has allowed us to borrow him"
The man's eye twitched. "You mean we're going to ride a horseto my meeting?"
"Its that or walk sir" she answered while continuing to pet the animal.
"Fine" he agreed with a sigh.
After a moment of silence the blonde spoke. "Can't ride can you sir?"
"Nope" he replied dully.
She just nodded before explaining to him how to get up onto the saddle. When he was safely seat on Blaine she gracefully pulled her self up in front of him. The roads they were headed down were unpaved a very rough. The Lieutenant was having no problem keeping her balance; to him she just looked natural. But on the other hand he was having a heck of a time staying on, mainly because he had no idea where to hold on. He did a good job of not letting her know until he ended up falling off the back of the horse about two miles down the road. He almost expected Riza to laugh at him as she helped him back up.
"Do you need any help colonel?" she asked when he was seated.
"Yes!" his mind screamed but his mouth didn't move, how stupid would he sound if he had to ask how to stay on a horse?
"Sir?" she asks interrupting his thoughts.
"Umm where an I supposed to hold on?" he finally asked swallowing his pride.
"Did you try holding onto the saddle?"
He nodded, he had tried that but the bumpy terrain made it hard to keep a good grip.
"Ok then try holding onto my waist."
It took that a moment to register in his head. Did she just give him permission to put his arms around her waist? Was he dreaming?
"Ok" he mumbled before slowly wrapping his arms around her slender waist.
Then she gave Blaine a nudge with he foot and they were headed down the road again at a nice steady pace.
About an hour later they stopped for a rest. While Blaine drank from a nearby creek, the two officers sat and rested on the grass.
"So Hawkeye how'd you learn how to ride like that?" he asked his curiosity getting the best of him.
"I just know the basics" she said modestly "When I was younger I had a friend whose family raised horses and she taught me how to ride"
"So that's where you always disappeared to"
"Yeah watching you and father got boring after awhile" she said referring to the time the alchemist had spent training under her father.
"Well if it's worth anything I'm very impressed Riza"
"Thank you very much R-" She started but was cut off by a loud snort that made the Colonel jump. "I think that means he's ready to go sir"
"Okay" he sighed as he got up.
So close. He had almost gotten her to drop the formalities and call him by his name, but once she said sir all hope was once again lost in the twisted world of military ranks.
"So how much longer do you think it'll take to reach the city?" he asked a little ways down the road.
"About thirty minutes" she replied
"That'll be perfect," he said after looking at his watch. They would miss the inspection but he'd be just in time for his meeting.
As they entered the city, at the time his Lieutenant predicted, he noticed they were getting a lot of strange looks. He knew he would be teased about this later, but at this point he could care less. He was one time for his meeting and had spent a good part of the day with his arms around the woman he admired most. It had been the best worst day of his life. When they at the location of his meeting he turned to her and hurried said "Thank you Riza you've saved my sorry ass again!" and kissed her on the lips before rushing off into the building. She stood there frozen in surprise for a moment before smiling. After a successful meeting he walked outside to find his loyal subordinate sitting on a bench waiting for him.
"So what'd you do with the horse?" he asked with a small smile.
"I gave him to an MP so he could be returned to his owner" she answered
"Good, did you get a car?"
She nodded.
"Well since that's all settled and our inspection has been rescheduled for tomorrow would you allow me the pleasure of taking you out to dinner?"
"Do you date better than you ride?"
He nodded.
"Then I'd love too"