"Edward," Hawkeye said aloud.

Ed sat up in the office couch and replied groggily; Huh?

"Ed I need to ask a favor of you, everyone here at Central is too busy and you have had very little to do since your last escapade."

"Hey what's that supposed to mean, huh!"

"Will you help me?"

"I guess so," Ed grumbled.

"Good," Hawkeye said with a slight grin.

"Whatever, Lieutenant."

"Need I remind you of the rank that you so blatantly disregard?"

"Yeah, yeah that bastard Mustang reminds me constantly."

Mustang spoke up from behind his desk; "This bastard happens to be the King Fuhrer."

Riza turned back to Ed and told him; "My place, 5pm."

Everyone in the room turned to look at Hawkeye then at Ed in disbelief. Roy gave Ed the sternest look.

When Ed realized what Roy's gaze was insinuating, he began to gloat loudly.

"Yep! Me and the Lieutenant here, we got a date this evening, better luck next time Mustang!"

Riza walked behind the couch and bent over to whisper in Ed's ear: "Not on your life Dear." After which, she proceeded to slap Ed upside the back of his head with a resounding twack that made the Good Colonel laugh himself out of his chair and onto his ass. Breda sighed and Havoc said with gusto; "Ooh tough break kid!"

Ed peeled himself off the ground, yelling: "What the hell was that for!"

Riza replied, "You got fresh."

Ed grumbled under his breath and left the office.

Once the door slammed shut again, Mustang went back to his paperwork and Riza did the same.

Breda spoke now; "I see how you act towards him Lieutenant, like you're his mother, but in his eyes you're a lover. I could tell by the way he acted just a second ago.

Mustang was distracted with his paperwork so Riza replied in a hushed voice; "I know,but he is 22 already, by all rights I could be a lover to him but I don't know if that's what he wants."

Breda retorted; "Maybe he wants both a mother and a lover, Riza."

Riza was taken aback by this concept and yet somehow she felt as if such a dual role relationship was what Edward needed most, whether he knew it or not.

That night, at 5pm, Edward was standing at Riza's apartment door, wearing his military uniform much to his pride. It had been 10 years since he and his brother Alphonse had began their ordeal. Al had ultimately been given his body back and Ed was able to regain his arm at least. Within the last 10 years Edward had lived a somewhat sedentary lifestyle; proper military training, some "growing up" and a tumultuous hunt for love ending each time in despair. Few women made Edward feel loved the way Riza did; in that strange motherly love kind of way. Ed never admitted so but he did in fact desire Riza very much so for that one reason alone.

A mother and a lover in one beautiful woman, Ed asked aloud to no one in particular.

His back to Riza's apartment door, Ed spun around startled as the apartment door opened with a slight groan.

Riza gazed at him from the doorway; "You talk to yourself often Edward?"

Ed saluted her clumsily, "No ma'am."

Whilst Ed still acted childish in the presence of the public, when alone with Lieutenant Hawkeye, he always showed her the utmost respect.

"At ease Seargeant Elric."

Thank you Ma'am, Ed bumbled.

"Please come in Edward," Riza motioned warmly with an open hand.

This gesture was one that Ed took great comfort in, given that it was the hand of one so special as Miss Riza Hawkeye herself.

Riza stepped aside and motioned Edward into the small apartment.

"Permission to speak candidly Ma'am?" Ed asked steadily.

Hawkeye shot a soft glance at Ed and replied: "Granted."

"Thank you Ma'am. What exactly is it you wanted to see me about?"

"You're quick to get to business Edward."

"I had thought this business was going to be military related, actually." Ed replied with a sigh.

"It isn't Edward, relax."

"Alright." Ed replied.

His eyes softening and exhaustion ebbing into his posture, Ed recognized the familiar feeling of Riza Hawkeye's loving, almost motherly presence.

This night was, in Ed's mind, to be one of the utmost sensual taboos, one that didn't involve desecrating Alchemy and it's role in the modern world.

"I'm going away for awhile Ed, I'm leaving tonight."

"Huh?" Ed was dazed.

The look in Ed's eyes struck Riza as familiar to her. Every time the young man had fallen for another girl, he had the same star-crazed look in his eye.

"Edward, I need to go take care of some military matters up North. I'm leaving tonight."

"What? Why? I mean, what do you need me here for?"

"Black Hayate, he needs looking after, not to mention various odd-jobs need doing in my absence. I figured I could count on you Edward."

The "look" glimmered once more in Edwards citrine eyes.

"Uh huh, you can count on me Lieutenant!"

Ed saluted gallantly.

"I left a list on the counter by the stove that has all the instruction you may need throughout the next 2 days. Thank you Edward."

Riza ruffled Ed's hair and then kissed his forehead.

"Thank you Edward."